Monday night’s Special Town Meeting drew a larger crowd than many expected. By the close of the two-hour session, voters had approved all four articles on the warrant, including an increase in the community preservation surtax on property taxes and the borrowing of $4.85 million to connect town center homes, businesses, and municipal buildings to Devens water.

As the Finance Committee continues to wrestle with budget requests that exceed town revenues for fiscal 2024, it got a bit of help from the schools this week. At a joint meeting with the School Committee on Feb. 14, FinCom received the good news that nearly a quarter of a million dollars has been cut from the School Committee’s budget request for the next fiscal year.

“I think they’re toast.” That was the response the owner of Carlson Orchards, Franklyn Carlson, gave the Press when asked if his peach crop survived the record cold temperature in the early morning hours of Feb. 4.

The Community Preservation Committee voted to fund seven requests for fiscal 2024, including the purchase of land on Littleton County Road, the preservation of Fire Department historical documents, and improvements to the softball and baseball fields on the Ryan Land and Ann Lees Road.

The Select Board voted Wednesday, Feb. 15, to pass a proposal for a new smart growth overlay district on Ayer Road to the Planning Board, with all members voting ”yes” except Kara Minar, who abstained.