06/23/2025 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Select Board Minutes June 23,2025 Selectwoman Wyman-Colombo-yes Selectman Weeden-yes Selectwoman Kelley-Wilson-yes Selectman Richardson- yes TOWN MANAGER UPDATES Discussion of Policies and Procedures Relative to Special Events and Use of Town Facilities Town Manager Collins addressed inquiries from the last meeting regarding the difference between practice and policy in permitting public events. He reported that no clear bylaw or policy currently governs this process, making it difficult to justify or defend decisions. Existing practices, including facility applications through DPW or special events via the Recreation Department, lack consistency or defined criteria. Collins recommended the Board pause all event reviews until a formal policy can be drafted and legally reviewed. He aims to present a draft at the July 14 meeting for potential approval shortly after. Selectman Weeden inquired about the timeline, and Collins confirmed he hopes to have a working draft by July 14. Collins also requested no action be taken on the next two agenda items related to public gatherings, allowing events to proceed in the absence of a stated policy. Selectwoman Kelley-Wilson expressed discomfort with the board’s prior position, stating it felt inequitable to deny an event based on free speech without clear standards. Selectman Weeden echoed the importance of fairness and consistency, citing the need for all board decisions to be defensible and grounded in policy. Motion made by Selectman Richardson to table Item 8 and take no action on the next two event requests until a draft public event policy is reviewed. The motion includes retroactive effect, so no permits are expected or required prior to the formal adoption of the policy. Motion seconded by Chair Wyman-Colombo. Vote: 4-0. Unanimous Roll Call Vote Selectwoman Wyman-Colombo-yes Selectman Weeden-yes Selectwoman Kelley-Wilson-yes Selectman Richardson- yes