The meeting is called to order at 6:30 p.m. at Wenham Town Hall. The chair, Deirdre Pierotti, lists the board members in attendance and opens the floor for public comment, noting that there are no comments from those present or on Zoom. The meeting then proceeds to the next agenda item.

The Town Administrator, Steve, expresses gratitude to Marty Lowery for her volunteer work beautifying Town Hall. He provides updates on the town's fiber ring project, including negotiations with Danvers and the North Shore Collaborative. Steve also highlights the ongoing Pingree Park community survey and announces an upcoming community workshop to gather resident input on the future of the tennis courts, emphasizing that no decisions have been made yet.

Joe addresses the board to report on a recent discrimination and harassment avoidance training conducted by KP Law, which was well received by staff, department heads, and board members. He announces the hiring of Josh Bogle as the new assistant accountant, noting his relevant experience and local residency. Joe also reminds everyone about the upcoming Community Preservation Committee (CPC) public hearing, encouraging participation from those interested in CPA funding.

Board members echo thanks to Marty Lowry and recognize the positive impact of her work. Deirdre Pierotti commends the local schools, particularly the high school, for their curriculum night and the enthusiasm of teachers. The board also discusses the recent improvements to Cheeseman Field's memorial, expressing appreciation for community involvement and the field's enhanced appearance.

The board transitions to the consent agenda, specifically addressing the approval of open session meeting minutes. After confirming there are no questions, a motion is made and seconded to approve the minutes. The board votes, with one abstention, and the motion passes, allowing the meeting to proceed to the next agenda item.

Rich Souza, Director of Public Works, presents a comprehensive update on road paving and sidewalk projects completed over the past year, including Arbor, Cedar, Cherry, and Foster Streets. He highlights the scale of work, the importance of improvements near school zones, and the strategy of coordinating projects with upcoming state work on Route 1A. The presentation includes details on sidewalk repairs and the prioritization of high-traffic areas for safety and accessibility.

Rich outlines future plans for roadwork, focusing on Dodges Row and Larch Row to avoid overlapping with the anticipated Route 1A construction. He explains the timing of state project bids, expected construction start dates, and the importance of clear communication with residents to manage construction fatigue. The board discusses strategies for keeping the public informed and minimizing disruption during major infrastructure projects.

Rich presents recent and planned improvements to sidewalks and crosswalks, including collaborations with Gordon College and the installation of ADA-compliant ramps and speed indicator signs funded by DOT grants. He shares before-and-after photos of key locations, describes the benefits for pedestrian safety, and details the process of working with community partners to enhance infrastructure. Future projects and ongoing maintenance efforts are also discussed.

The board expresses appreciation for the DPW's efforts in making sidewalks safer and acknowledges the progress made on key projects. Members note the importance of continued improvements and brainstorm additional opportunities for future work. The presentation concludes with thanks to Rich for his hard work and attentiveness to community safety.

The board hears a presentation from Helen of the YMCA regarding a proposed partnership to offer discounted memberships to town employees and board members. The discussion covers the nature of the partnership, expectations for the town, and the benefits for employees. Board members ask questions about enrollment, union considerations, and the scope of the benefit. After a positive discussion, the board votes unanimously to enter into the partnership with the YMCA.

The board shifts focus to the condition of the Scout Barn at the Iron Rail site. Steve presents a staff memo detailing a recent inspection, highlighting significant issues with the building envelope, roof, siding, insect infestation, and egress deficiencies. The estimated costs for repairs are discussed, including the potential need for ADA compliance and septic system upgrades. The board considers the urgency of addressing the barn's deterioration and the challenges of funding necessary repairs.

Lindsay Whitman, representing the Boy Scouts, presents the troop's perspective on the importance of the Scout Barn for meetings, storage, historical displays, and fundraising through the bottle bin. She outlines the impact that losing access to the barn would have on the program and requests clarification on immediate and long-term access. The Scouts express willingness to collaborate with the town to find solutions and provide a detailed breakdown of their space and operational needs.

The board discusses the implications of the staff report and the Scouts' presentation, weighing the risks of continued use, especially of the second floor, against the need for a long-term solution. Members debate the feasibility and cost of renovation versus replacement, the need for further engineering assessments, and the urgency of addressing liability concerns. The conversation explores the possibility of forming a working group to develop options for the future of the Scout Barn.

Members of the public and the board brainstorm alternative sites and approaches for a youth or community center, including the potential use of Pingree Park, modular or prefab buildings, and leveraging grant funding. Suggestions include combining uses for broader community benefit, involving local building professionals, and considering cost-effective construction methods. The discussion highlights the need for creative, practical solutions to meet the Scouts' and community's needs.

The board considers concrete next steps, including forming a working group or temporary committee to explore options for a new facility, conducting a Title V septic evaluation, and seeking input from building professionals. Members discuss the scope and funding of a feasibility study, the importance of accurate cost estimates, and the need to clarify short-term use of the barn, particularly regarding the second floor. The board agrees to revisit the topic at the next meeting after further consideration.

The board discusses the process for updating zoning at the Iron Rail site, including the creation of a new district or overlay to allow for a mix of uses such as recreation, commercial, housing, and municipal functions. Staff explains the steps and timeline for the Planning Board to draft and review zoning amendments. The board debates the language of the motion, the scope of allowable uses, and the importance of flexibility and control through deed restrictions. A motion is passed to refer the zoning task to the Planning Board.

The board reviews options for scheduling the annual town meeting and local election, considering conflicts with Hamilton's meeting, venue availability, and compliance with town bylaws. After discussing the pros and cons of various dates and locations, the board expresses a preference for holding the meeting on Thursday, April 1st at the high school, with Monday, April 5th as a backup. The board votes to recommend these dates, pending final confirmation with the school.

Steve provides an update on the status of Penguin Hall, clarifying that the town has filed a tax lien but is not pursuing foreclosure at this time. He details the outstanding balances owed to the town, including real estate taxes, water bills, and soccer field fees. The police and fire chiefs have inspected the property for safety, and the town is monitoring the situation, including efforts to determine the new owner and ensure fire safety systems are operational.

The meeting concludes with a motion to adjourn at 9:06 p.m., which is seconded and approved by the board. The chair thanks everyone for their participation and closes the meeting.