Select Board Chair Andrew Goodrich opened the December 9 meeting with a somber but proud assessment of the town’s fiscal health, highlighting Scituate’s ability to maintain operations without the massive overrides currently facing neighboring communities. "I would have thought that this year would have been the year we would have needed an operational override, given how thin our margins are," Goodrich remarked. "I’m looking at Norwell, Hanover, Marshfield, and Hingham all looking for overrides. We are at the line where we are, and I want to say thank you to all departments for the work we do given the budget we’re on."

The board spent the evening reviewing FY27 budget proposals, starting with Planning and Conservation. Planning Director Karen Joseph noted that despite a lean $169,000 budget, the department resolved massive state mandates including MBTA communities and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Vice Chair Susan Harrison praised the effort, stating, "You had a great year. You did a lot of work, especially the ADUs. My compliments to that." Conservation Commission officials echoed the sentiment of doing more with less, noting that while they are back to a full seven-member board, the complexity of coastal filings is stretching staff to the limit.

Member Nico Afanasenko highlighted the town's reliance on unpaid support to maintain its natural resources, noting, "The last budget and this budget are good examples of doing a lot with a little, and it’s all staffing. Basically, every trail in this town was built by volunteers at one point or another." Member Freya Schlegel suggested that the town look toward those driving development to help ease the burden on long-term residents. "If new residents are looking to buy and build bigger and fancier and more threshold-pushing homes in our town, there might be a discussion of ways where that’s a place to leverage how our fee structure supports the departments that have to carry that weight," Schlegel said.

Building Commissioner Bob Vogel presented the Zoning Board of Appeals and Inspections budgets, noting that the "Cottages 40" 40B project is finally under construction, with six units designated as affordable in perpetuity. Vogel also sparked a discussion on the town’s 1972 flood plane maps, which are frequently challenged by developers with high-priced legal counsel. Goodrich warned of a "slippery slope" if the town abandons the maps without "science that stands up for lawyers." Vogel, who the board thanked for his service ahead of an expected retirement, also noted ongoing efforts to digitize hundreds of thousands of paper records.

Public Works Director Kevin Cafferty detailed how the DPW is internalizing services to save money, such as training staff for CDLs to operate larger snow-fighting equipment and taking over street lighting maintenance. "Highways been getting killed since we’ve taken over the street lighting," Cafferty said, though he noted that staff are incentivized to gain professional licenses. Water Superintendent Eric Karttunen confirmed that the town now boasts several T4 and T3 licensed operators, the highest level of certification available. Karttunen also announced that only 500 residential water meters remain to be replaced in a town-wide efficiency drive.

The board addressed several infrastructure contracts, beginning with water main improvements. Motion made by Susan Harrison to award the contract for engineering design services for the AES and Thomas Clap Road water main design to Weston and Samson with an amount not to exceed $120,600. Second by James Gilmore. Motion Passed (5-0). The board also moved to renew a disposal contract for debris. Motion made by Susan Harrison to award the one-year renewal on contract 14-P47 disposal for construction and demolition debris to Sean Harris Enterprises at the unit price of $149 per ton. Second by James Gilmore. Motion Passed (5-0).

During public comment, Aler, representing the John E. fund, announced a $10,000 matching donation drive through "a-measure-of-a-man.org" to mark the 36th anniversary of John's death on December 20. Aler requested that John’s Silver Star certificate be added to the library memorial. Member James Gilmore concluded the department reviews with an invitation to the public, saying, "I have no questions, but if anyone wants to come and help and garden at Abington Field this spring, I will welcome them with open arms."

The evening concluded with a massive slate of annual license renewals. Motion made by Andrew Goodrich to renew all listed innholder, retail package store, restaurant, club, entertainment, septage, and class 2 and 3 licenses for the 2026 calendar year as presented in the board’s packet. Second by Susan Harrison. Motion Passed (5-0).