Forty applicants have stepped forward to fill the Board of Health Director position, prompting a detailed discussion on how board members can influence the hiring process while remaining compliant with Open Meeting Law. Human Resources Representative Megan James informed the board that 40 resumes were submitted between late October and mid-November, signaling a strong interest in the leadership role. James explained that the town is now transitioning into 30-minute phone interviews to assess core competencies and leadership styles. While she welcomed board input on the search, James noted that usually, I meet with one board member—because two would be a quorum—to talk about interview questions and the type of personality that would be a great match.

Board members Mary Goodwin and Marcia Lewis discussed how to best contribute to the evaluation without triggering the legal requirements of a public quorum. Lewis asked James about the timeline for the search, inquiring, When would you need questions by? James requested a first draft by the end of the week, noting that town employees—including the acting director and other staff—would conduct the actual interviews to maintain a professional wall between the board and the initial screening. Chair Paul Schubert suggested a divided approach to keep the process moving, noting that you could arrange it so one goes to one set of interviews and the other goes to another, but you can't discuss what goes on outside of an open meeting. Goodwin agreed to assist with the vetting of questions, stating, I can probably come up with questions by Friday.

The board also turned its attention to critical infrastructure protections near Jones Brook, which feeds into municipal water supplies. John Landy of Morse Engineering presented a plan for a new septic system at 175 Sawyer Street, a five-bedroom property currently dealing with a failing system. Because the property sits within a 400-foot buffer of the brook, Landy proposed a MicroFAST denitrification tank to ensure proper nitrogen removal. Jones Brook runs just north of the property... requiring nitrogen removal, Landy said, adding that the proposed system is fully Title 5 compliant and requires no local variances. Schubert, who disclosed he lives on Sawyer Street but is not a direct abutter to the property, emphasized the environmental stakes of the project. That brook eventually feeds into one of the town wells by Smith Place, so it is important to ensure denitrification, Schubert noted before the board granted its approval. Motion Made by M. Lewis to approve the septic system design plan for 175 Sawyer Street dated 9/11/2025, revised 10/30/2025. Motion Passed (3-0-0).

The town’s public health nurse provided a seasonal update, reporting a busy period for rental property inspections and food and pool permitting. While local health data through the MAVEN system has not yet flagged any confirmed flu cases, the nurse noted that some vaccine supplies remain available for residents. Schubert expressed mild surprise at the lack of local flu activity following recent holiday gatherings. I'm surprised it hasn't shown up yet given Halloween parties, but that's good news, he said. However, he shared a concern with Lewis regarding the potential for a more difficult season due to mutations in current flu strains. The conversation also touched on national health trends, including the risk of the U.S. losing its measles-free status. It's a shame to think what was accomplished and where we are now, Schubert remarked, while Lewis added that Canada is in the same boat with measles.