After eight years of service on the Board of Public Works, Richard Alves has resigned, reigniting conversations in the Select Board about a possible increase in board members.

After the announcement of Alves’ resignation at the Select Board Monday, Jan. 27 meeting, Select Board member Chris O’Neil, who also serves on the Chair Review Commission, noted conversations held in previous years about increasing the Public Works Board membership from three to five members.

“When the members of the DPW Board are asked to visit say a site location and talk about any particular issue that they are having in the field — they can’t do that now,” O’Neil said, highlighting the restrictions due to open meeting law. 

“They can’t have two members get together and try and figure out the answer to any specific problem in the field,” he said. “They can’t get on the phone and discuss business.”

Despite the remaining two members being “very capable,” O’Neil said the Department of Public Works being one of the largest in town. He added that problems will also arise when it comes to vacation time and sick leave.

“We’re going to start to see delays,” he said.

Other Select Board members agreed that this was a change Public Works needs. Select Board member Heidi Sylvia Brooks noted that the reason this recommendation did not move forward previously was due to the efficiency study of the department. 

Though the efficiency study is not yet complete, the change has the support of the Select Board and the Board of Public Works.

Select Board member David Tatelbaum said, “We should do everything we can to make sure it’s on the articles for this coming Town Meeting.”

Because the change would affect the town’s charter, it would not only need Town Meeting approval, but would also need to be added to the ballot. Therefore, any change would not be seen until April 2026.

The Select Board will further discuss the possible change at its next meeting.