At the Dec. 15 meeting staff briefed the Appearance Commission on three administrative items: the fiscal year 26/27 budget request schedule, an update to the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application form, and the proposed West Selma Historic District map amendment.

Staff asked commissioners to compile possible budget items for FY26/27 and said submissions should be ready by Jan. 31; staff and planning technician Taylor Graham offered to assist commissioners with collecting cost estimates. Taylor Graham also told the commission that the COA application has been updated to require applicants to submit information addressing all four findings of fact to streamline deliberations.

On the West Selma Historic District map amendment, staff reported they had identified a handful of properties under consideration for absorption into the district and requested feedback from commission members before the item goes to the planning board and then to town council for final action. Commissioners asked staff to redistribute background materials to new members and to place the item on the January agenda for further review.

No formal votes were recorded on these administrative items; staff outlined the next process steps (planning board review and town council) for map amendments.