In a recent government meeting, officials expressed growing concerns over staffing shortages in municipal services, particularly within the police, fire, and highway departments. The discussion highlighted the challenges of maintaining competitive wages to attract and retain employees, with warnings that failure to do so could lead to a decline in service quality over the next five years.

Public Works Director Phil Coombs reported on a successful e-waste collection event, which drew 120 participants, including 40 newcomers. He credited a targeted mailer for increasing awareness and indicated plans to request additional funding for future mailings to enhance community engagement.

The meeting also addressed the town's compliance with upcoming accessibility laws for websites, set to take effect in 2026. Officials acknowledged the need to ensure that the town's website provider, Civic Plus, is prepared to meet these requirements, particularly regarding stormwater postings and permits.

In infrastructure updates, it was noted that line striping would be completed that evening, and a new pickleball court had recently been paved, with backfilling scheduled for later in the week. The meeting concluded with a brief discussion about addressing public concerns regarding the court's construction, emphasizing that safety measures had been implemented.

Overall, the meeting underscored the critical need for strategic planning in staffing, community outreach, and compliance with regulatory changes to ensure the continued effectiveness of municipal services.