Selectmen approve event permits, update Town Common rules and adopt FY2026 general government budget; vision-insurance vote tabled

The Board of Selectmen on March 11 moved a number of procedural and policy items: it approved event permits and use requests, adopted amended Town Common rules and regulations (first reading), accepted the manager’s recommendation to replace the talent bank with a targeted posting process, approved the light department’s annual bad-debt write-off, and approved the town’s FY2026 general government budget. The board tabled a proposal about voluntary vision insurance for town and school employees so staff can provide additional legal and administrative details.

Nut graf: Several items were routine permits or administrative updates, but the FY2026 budget approval and the decision to modernize the talent-bank process were substantive and affect town operations. The town also took a first reading to tighten Town Common regulations and clarified that larger organized games would be allowed only under permits.

Key actions (motions, movers/seconds, tallies, and next steps)

1) Warrant signature and meeting minutes - Motion: Accept warrant-signature update and approve minutes for 01/28/2025 and 02/25/2025. - Outcome: Approved; votes recorded as unanimous “Aye.” (procedural) - Provenance: agenda opening and minutes approval segments.

2) Event permits and use requests (multiple items) - Baystate Bridal cooperative — annual dog wash, car wash and rabies/microchipping clinic at municipal lot on Sunday, June 2025, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. - Motion: Approve. - Outcome: Approved, unanimous vote (5–0). - Provenance: item 4.1 transcript segment.

- Norwin High School cheer — car wash at municipal lot Saturday, August 2025, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. - Motion: Approve. - Outcome: Approved, unanimous vote (5–0). - Provenance: item 4.2 transcript segment.

- Cheer Advantage Boosters car wash — follow-up discussion about nonprofit status and local membership; applicant provided IRS documentation but board members raised concerns about out-of-town membership. - Motion: Approve. - Outcome: Approved, vote recorded as 3–2 in favor; board members discussed modifying application forms to require clearer local-membership information for future permits. - Notes: Manager and staff will follow up to consider application changes to capture applicants’ local connections. - Provenance: item 4.3 transcript segment…