On Tuesday, Select Board members spent several hours reviewing a draft of a new social media policy for town employees and making several revisions. 

Most of the revisions were not about the core tenets of the policy, but rather removing redundancies and items already covered by state or federal laws, in order to streamline the policy for the employee handbook. The board expects to review the revised policy at least one more time before final approval.

The policy would apply to all town employees and volunteers, and encouraged for elected officials. It would require town social sites to be approved by the town administrator or Select Board, which wold have access to them at all times, and passwords and sign-ins shared with the administrator. The town would have the right to disable comments on posts. Employees would be restricted from sharing confidential information, and all communication related to their role should be through official town accounts.

Employees maintain their right to personal accounts, but would have to refrain from referencing their role within the town when commenting or acting in a personal capacity on social media. They would not be able use social media to campaign or lobby while representing the town in any capacity, or using town resources.

In other business, the town has moved forward on the replacement of Highway Department vehicles, after several major breakdowns that occurred early this year.

In March, voters approved $50,000 for a new pickup truck and plow for use by the Highway Department. On March 18, the Select Board approved the purchase of a truck from Claremont Ford. The truck is a used 2022 Ford F350XL, which currently has 21,459 miles. The total cost of the truck, with all fees included, was $45,832.

The truck is not equipped with a plow. The cost to add a plow from Claremont Ford would have put the cost of the truck over the $50,000 approved by voters. Road Agent Peter Somero indicated to the board that he would seek a used plow for within the approved amount. The Select Board approved the purchase of the truck for a cost of up to $46,000.

Board members also approved the purchase of another highway vehicle, a Western Star 10-wheel dump truck. The board discussed whether the vehicle should be leased to purchase or bought outright, and the board agreed that using existing capital reserve funds to save on interest and fees, which would have resulted in $30,000 additional cost over five years, was their preference.

The board agreed to use the Department of Public Works capital reserve funds to purchase the dump truck, for a cost of $290,000.

In other town business, the board announced that the Townwide Chili Cook-Off, originally scheduled for March 29 and postponed due to weather, is rescheduled for April 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Congregational Church. The cost to enter a chili is $10, and residents can register through the New Ipswich Recreation Department. The cost to taste and vote for a favorite chili is $5. The proceeds of the event go to support the town’s planned 175th anniversary celebrations.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.