Scituate is reeling from a massive winter storm that left 44 percent of the town without power and deposited enough snow to force the postponement of the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. Town Administrator James Boudreau reported that as of 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, approximately 3,900 customers remained in the dark, with significant damage in Humarock tied to issues originating in Marshfield. They are still saying full restoration will be tomorrow night, Boudreau said, noting that the Scituate Town Library and Senior Center have remained open as warming and charging stations. Chair Andrew Goodrich praised the local response, stating, it was a community coming together and I'm so happy and so proud.

The record-breaking snowfall has created insurmountable logistical hurdles for the town’s most famous celebration. Member James Gilmore noted that the sidewalks and parking areas are currently buried under 15-foot snowbanks, making it impossible to host the St. Patrick’s Day parade on its original March 15 date. Recalling a similar situation in 2015, the board moved to reschedule the event for April. I don't think there's going to be enough space to have a parade in two weeks, Gilmore observed. Motion Made by J. Gilmore to grant a special event permit for the St. Patrick’s Day parade to Sunday, April 12, 2026. Motion Passed 5-0.

Beyond the weather, the board confronted a significant fiscal challenge as health insurance costs for the town spiked by $323,533 following an unexpected surge in enrollments. Finance Director Nancy Holt proposed a new policy to stabilize future costs, effectively blocking employees who retire after July 1, 2026, from joining the town’s health insurance plan if they are not enrolled at the time of their retirement. Holt explained that Scituate’s current practice of allowing retirees to rejoin years later is uncommon and creates financial unpredictability. If a retiree is not enrolled in the health plan as of the time they retire, they're forever blocked from coming back onto the health plan, Holt stated. Member Nico Afanasenko sought clarification on those already out of the workforce, asking, So for anybody who has let's say last year retired, they can come back? They're grandfathered? Holt confirmed the policy only applies to future retirees. Motion Made by J. Gilmore to adopt the health insurance eligibility policy for employees retiring after July 1, 2026. Motion Passed 5-0.

The board also overrode earlier recommendations from the Capital Planning Committee to fund two high-priority items: the replacement of a 1986 fire department pickup truck and critical drainage mapping. Capital Planning Chair Michael initially argued that the nearly 40-year-old truck was not being used for anything right now, but board members countered that firefighters are currently forced to use their personal vehicles to haul frozen hoses and equipment. Gilmore warned that using private cars for town maintenance creates a high issue liability risk, while Chair Goodrich noted the truck would have been invaluable during this week’s storm recovery. Motion Made by J. Gilmore to include $150,000 for MS-4 drainage mapping and $85,000 for the replacement fire department pickup truck in the FY27 Capital Plan. Motion Passed 5-0.

Community preservation remains a major focus as Town Meeting approaches. The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) presented a $1.2 million proposal to replace the high school basketball courts. CPC Chair Dan informed the board that the courts are not repairable due to deep-seated moisture issues. Additionally, the board moved forward with an RFP for a resident caretaker at the Mordecai Lincoln property, setting a market rent of $2,250. During the CPC discussion, Member Freya Schlegel successfully halted the recision of $12,669 intended for Appleton Field, arguing that for years, we've been waiting for a contractor to get stone dust out there and grade it, and the project should remain funded. Motion Made by V. Harrison to issue the RFP for a caretaker tenant at the Mordecai Lincoln Cottage. Motion Passed 5-0.

Infrastructure and environmental contracts drew public scrutiny when the board reviewed a $53,181 bid to repower Marine Unit 2. Resident Jack Zaroscus questioned why an engine with only 1,000 hours needed replacement and challenged the $25,000 cost for electronics. A sole-bid process is not always prudent, Zaroscus suggested. Town Administrator Boudreau and Chair Goodrich maintained that for emergency rescue vessels used in the North River, absolute reliability is required. Motion Made by F. Schlegel to award the Marine Unit 2 repowering contract to Scituate Boat Works for $53,181.44. Motion Passed 5-0. In a brighter turn for local business, Scituate High alum Liam Norton won the contract for shorebird monitoring, undercutting Mass Audubon with a $17,800 bid. Motion Made by J. Gilmore to award the shorebird monitoring contract to Liam Norton. Motion Passed 5-0.

Liquor licensing also saw activity as the board held a re-hearing for the Salt Marsh Winery to correct procedural abutter notification errors and updated the management for Split Rock Beer Garden. Ryan Hilton, the new manager for Split Rock, assured the board that no changes were coming to the seasonal operation, joking that not sure a lot of people would want to be drinking in an igloo that it is today. Motion Made by J. Gilmore to approve Ryan Hilton as manager for Split Rock Beer Garden. Motion Passed 5-0.

The meeting concluded with a tribute to Bill Francis, who is retiring from the Board of Registrars after 35 years of service. Vice Chair Susan Harrison read a resolution honoring his professionalism, particularly during the complex 2019 ballot recount, noting he faithfully served the town of Scituate through two tenures. Motion Made by J. Gilmore to appoint James Mellon to the Board of Registrars to fill the vacancy left by Francis. Motion Passed 5-0.