Welcome to the select board meeting. Today is Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025. This meeting hearing of the air select board will be held in person at the location provided on this notice. Members of the public are welcome to attend this in-person meeting. Please
note that while an option for remote attendance and/or participation via Zoom is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting hearing will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast unless otherwise required by law.
This meeting will be live on Zoom and channel 8. The public may access the proceedings by joining Zoom meeting ID number 978-772-8220. note new zone number or by calling 929-2056099. For additional information about remote
participation, please contact Carly Anteneellis, assistant town manager at atmirair.mma. us or 978-772-8220 extension 100 prior to the meeting. And with that, if I can ask everyone to stand for the pledge of allegiance.
I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Do I have any amendments to the
agenda? Madam >> chair? >> Yes. >> Uh to you and the board. Um, if I could amend under the town manager manager report add a number four for the Shrivever job core resolution of support. >> Okay.
>> Thank you. >> Anything else? >> I have none. >> Okay. I'll take a motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda as amended. >> Uh, seconded. >> All those in favor? Sean? >> I. and Chris.
>> Hi. >> The chair says, "Hi, Sean." Sean Copelan is joining us on Zoom, so it threw me for a second there. Sorry about that. >> Do roll call. >> Okay. All right. Any announcements tonight.
Okay. Anyone here for public input? Okay. Well, then we will Oh, yes. >> public input on other than what's on the agenda. >> Okay. >> Okay. All right. Um All right. With that, um the application for the common
Vic >> Viller >> Vic Chiller license, uh the two brothers catering. Are they here? Are they online? They're online. You're here. >> Come on up.
>> Up here. >> Okay. You have a seat. You'll say your name and address >> for my house or for the business? >> For the business is fine. >> Michael Veranga, 200 West Main Street here, Massachusetts, 01432.
>> Thank you. All right. So, you're here for a a license. Uh why don't you tell us a little about it? Carly, I'm sorry. >> Yeah. So, we have an application here for a common uh victer's license, which is standard for uh a restaurant with uh
in like where people come in to sit to eat. Uh so, it's standard. We've sent it to all the departments. You saw the um responses. Um, and then once everything has been fulfilled, then we can release the license.
>> Okay. So, there's there's still a requirement. Um, yeah, you're still working with Bridget at the board of health, correct? >> She said she wants to come. I thought we had to come here and wait for this in order for her to come to us. >> Yeah. So, we she'll she'll be in touch probably tomorrow. I'll let her know, you know, if it passes tonight and then
she'll coordinate. The fire department as well had some comments. So, we'll get it all coordinated for you. They just have to do some inspections. >> Yeah, that's common. Well, tell us a little bit about the business.
>> Um, just two brothers trying to feed the world, that's all. >> We just having a good time doing what we do. It's no money involved. We just love doing it. >> Yeah. What kind of food? I mean, >> everything's from scratch. I'm a classically trained chef, so I cook from
all seven continents. My brother is a pit master, >> so we do it all. >> Where where's where is >> 200 West Street? >> The former Karen's Kitchen. >> Ah, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Okay. Oh, everybody's looking forward to that reopening.
So, >> okay. >> Just moved the smokers down there this afternoon. >> Nice. All right. Okay. Any questions? Um, do you see it as uh breakfast,
lunch, and dinner or more just dinner or >> Right now we're working on the breakfast and lunch and we're thinking um maybe 3 days out the week on the dinner, you know. Um trying to see what the town likes. Same thing we did when we went to Shirley. We found out what they like.
You know, it's all about the town. The town is what keeps us alive. >> Sounds good. Sean, do you have any questions? I don't have any. >> Okay. Okay. So, all right. So, you only you have the
fire department has to do an inspection and we said the board of health has to finalize some paperwork. >> Yep. >> All right. Okay. I see no I see no issues. Uh other I mean
yeah I see no issues. So we can just, you know, approve it >> right >> under the conditions of >> Yep. And then I'll coordinate with Bridget and the fire department and we'll once everything's done, we can give you the permit. >> Okay. Sounds good. Lazy job. >> Thank you. >> Appreciate it.
>> Okay. Well, we're going to take the motion. So, do you want to make >> I'm going to take the vote. >> All right. Uh, >> so I'd like to make a motion to accept the common vitellers license for Two Brothers Catering at 200 West Main
Street in Air um upon completion of a fire inspection and completion of board of health paperwork. >> Second. >> Okay. All those in favor? Sean >> I. >> Chris >> I. >> And the chair says I. Congratulations.
As long as everything gets done, you're going to have be open for business. I think he I think you got some hungry people in the audience waiting for it to open. So >> I do. >> I'll give you a call tomorrow. >> Sounds good. We'll be there first thing
in the morning. Thank you. >> Sounds great. Thank you. >> Appreciate everybody. >> All right. I like those. Those are >> all right, Chief Gil. >> Good evening. I know you got a kind of a
full agenda and I got a couple of topics here, so I'm going to try and keep it short and sweet as much as possible. Um, if you want to stop me for any questions, just stop me and we'll we'll try to go deeper if we need to. >> Okay. >> All right. So, uh, of the first topics I wanted to talk about tonight was it's
more of an announcement, but it's it's something great that we do. Um, in the month of August, we partner up, uh, with the, uh, Stone Soup Pantry to do a, uh, August food drive. August is a is a a time of the year when, uh, the supplies
at food pantries get very low. Um, our Sergeant John McDonald, who has uh, he told me that this is the fifth year that we've been doing this. Um and uh it's greatly helped our local food keep their stocks up. Um this year we're uh happy
to announce that we're partnering with the Rotary on a special Phil the cruiser event uh as well as with uh the Shirley Police Department. >> Oh, nice. >> We're hoping to uh you know make some big strides in the fill the pantry app. So, this is all something that's run by
Sergeant John McDonald who does a great job and he also does our toy drive which will come up shortly after >> and that will start commencing on >> August 1st. It goes for the entire month of August. >> All right. So, August 1st, August 31st, everyone >> donate as much as you can >> and we'll have a uh shopping cart in our
front lobby that we didn't steal from. So, >> are you sure? >> I don't think Bradley's is open anymore. I don't know. >> Bradley's. Oh my goodness. That's a name from the past. Oh my goodness. >> All right. Uh the next uh next thing we
got up is uh recently on June 18th, uh I'm happy to announce that the uh police department was awarded uh reacredititation, which is a is a huge thing. Um reacredititation means that we reach the and meet the highest levels of
professional police standards in the Commonwealth. Um, and I think one of the most important things to under to understand about this is this is completely voluntary. This is something that the town of air and the air police department choose to do. It's not required of any police department. Um,
and we're uh we're one of 120 uh cities and towns in the Commonwealth that uh are an accredited police department. So, we're very very proud of that. Um, our accreditation process actually started the day after we announced uh that one up there when we got our initial
accreditation. Um, because it's a three-year process to keep it keep it going uh making sure we're meeting over 300 accreditation standards that the police department has to to meet and achieve. And that that covers everything from uh hiring uh all of our policy
reviews and training, all of our use of force stuff, um everything that we do with the police department all has an angle that has to be covered and we have to meet these professional standards. So we're we're really proud of that. Um the the fact that we have that and that we were able to maintain that and it's no
easy feat. uh the deputy chief who's our accreditation manager, deputy chief Jen Bigalow, um spent three years uh not only maintaining these, but we had to transition to their most updated uh standards. Um so it was she she was kind
of faced with a a double uh whammy, so to speak, on that, but she was able to uh keep her team together and make sure that we we meet all these uh standards. And then it culminates into a three-day assessment where we have uh other professionals from uh around the
Commonwealth come and they actually test us and they go and they go through every uh article of our uh our standards that we're supposed to be meeting. Um and I can tell you that there were agencies in the Commonwealth that were not awarded reacredititation. Um we were only of I
think 14 uh agencies in June and they only do this twice a year that were given the reacredititation. So, we're really really proud of this and and the deputy chief, you know, should be commended and as well as her her team, Sergeant Pearson, uh the office manager, Heather Sherry, and the communications
manager, Chris Hurststrom. All of these people have a hand in all of this and that's they're really the administrative hand, but it really goes to every officer in the police department because they the ones that have to meet these standards day in and day out. So, we're very very proud of this. So, um, what I
would like to do is present the board with an updated certificate that will go and replace, uh, one of those. One's a certification, one's an accreditation. So, um, uh, that's for the board up there if they want. >> You want to take a picture?
>> Uh, if we have time to take a picture, I don't we we have one we have one with, you know, a whole group of people, but the board's wish. >> Well, I want to read this. So for everyone here, this says Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission Incorporated. Be it hereby
known that the Air Police Department, having fully demonstrated its commitment to police excellence, by living up to a body of progressive standards, to ensure that the delivery of police services within the Commonwealth is at the highest level of professionalism and integrity, and having reflected the best
professional practices in each area of police management, administration, operations, and support services, is hereby recognized as an accreditated accredited police agency for a period of three years upon the recommendation of for the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission Incorporated
and awarded this certificate of reacredititation on the 18th day of June 2025 for the commission Russell M. Stevens President expires June 2028. I think this is excellent and I also want to thank the support of
the town and the board for allowing us to keep going this keeping this level of professional So, did do you all decide about the picture, >> Madam Chair? >> I'm fine. >> All right, we're good.
>> All right, we'll have Chuck put it in. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. Next, uh, body worn cameras. Uh so I'm uh happy to announce that after uh a lot of
about uh I would say about three years of planning um and and moving through the process on July 1st the air police department began wearing uh body warn cameras. Um the it seems like it's a um
that everybody has them. Um in Massachusetts it's it wasn't that way. in Massachusetts, we were kind of like the um not norm in the country. Um so, uh working with the unions and I and uh had a uh had a very good working
relationship with them in making this happen. They actually were very much in favor of bringing body cameras to the department. um they realized uh that the level of transparency and trust that it it brought to the to the community and uh you know and allowed them to help
properly document exactly what was happening in the interactions that they were having with the public. Um so it it it was something that uh that the the entire department really wanted to have on board. Um so uh we went through an entire process. Um and in the middle of
this a a grant opportunity arose. uh our office manager, Heather Sherry, um put a pen to paper and uh she was able to successfully win a uh a a grant that fully funded the uh the purchase of all
of the initial equipment and software for um bringing this body one camera to fruition. So, it actually cost the town nothing to start this program. Um we uh we developed the policy um and the policy uh is seems to be working right
now. Um but we're all learning it. So we're you know we're it's it's muscle memory to get out. It's one more thing you have to do. Um there's some technological advances that we'll be able to kind of look at in the future to help us automate the systems. But um this is a uh this is a huge thing for the town of air, but it's a good thing
for the town of air and we're very happy that we're having that and I'm really happy that the officers have embraced uh having this with us. So um if there's this is this is kind of big so if there's any questions um I'd love to answer them. >> I have none. Sean, do you have any
questions? >> I don't have any questions on cameras. No. >> No. You explained it well. >> Okay. Great. >> Great. And without further ado, my last topic. Um,
so we have a a slide up there. Well, so um we for several years now um we've been involved with a we've been kind of a forming member of a group called COIN. And COIN um is a uh community outreach
initiative network is what it stands for. And what it is is a group of towns all based out of the air district court. And we recognized uh that we needed to come together to offer the communities that we all served a service that really
wasn't being served uh by uh policing. Um, but we're always called to these we're we're kind of like the fail safe. We're the safety net of the community. So, we get called to mental health calls. We get called to uh to try and
help families with substance abuse uh substance use. And um our tool belt is only that big. Um so what we realized is that we needed to partner with certain um professionals. And what was taking
hold at the time was uh what's called jail diversion program. And it's a it's a program a grant funded program out of the department of mental health. And what that helped us do is um uh bring what's called a co-response
clinician to the the agencies. Um, and what a co-response clinician does is they're assigned to a town and they ride with an officer and when a crisis is unfolding, they're already on site and they can help us and help the families
more importantly with whatever crisis is in front of them at that moment in time, especially those involving mental health and substance use issues. Um, I can tell you that um that the it was a completely
different mindset for how policing uh you know we were used to doing policing to to now have somebody else riding with us that you know isn't an officer. Um the other part of what coin is is a post
response. So, um, for things that weren't in an an emergent crisis, we would we would have we had this referral person and they were called a the community resource navigator. So, if we came up to a family that had some sort of maybe not emergent crisis, but they
were having something that maybe having trouble handling, we would file a what we call as a coin referral. And the next day, this community resource navigator would be reaching out to the family to to get them on a path to help either them or their family into whatever
services they they they needed to get to. Sometimes it was multiple referrals um that it took uh you know, some people really don't want help on the first time, but maybe on the 10th time that we're dealing with them, they recognize that, okay, maybe we need to get some
help. Um and uh and that's uh so that's kind of the coin in a nutshell. Um it was something that was different from us, but I'm going to tell you that since when this program we we started with this program in 2015 and built it to where it is today, and I'll describe
that a little bit more. Um that the officers and every police department that Coin is involved in, and again, and that's nine towns. um everybody that's out of the Ed district court have come to embrace the coin program and all that it's doing for the communities because
we realize that it's really filling this gap that we as police officers just can't fill. Um I talked about the nine member towns there Ashby air boxboro Dunable Graten Littleton Shirley Townsen and Westford.
Um and uh we briefly talked about the uh the goal of this is to connect citizens affected by mental health and substance use disorder to resources and the ultimate goal is to keep them away from the criminal justice system that which is really our only avenue. So if we came
up with somebody that had a mental health issue that was being disorderly, our only recourse was to arrest and to to stop the stop the problem. the clinicians that we're working with, they have that different skill skill set and they can help with that as well. Um, one
of the things that became very important with the uh with the hospital closing um one of our tools in our tool belt would be to to get somebody to the hospital for an emergency mental health evaluation. Well, we lost that. We w lost that service to all of our towns.
The co-response clinicians that ride with us fill in that gap. they can be that doctor that we don't have access to anymore. Um, so, uh, I'm going to go to the next page real quick and it just kind of briefly
outlines how we got to where we are today. So, we started pre205 when we recognized during the opioid crisis that we were really we we were up against the wall. We were treading water, not too good. um 2015 all the police departments
out of air district court got together and and then we were we were kind of all shephered by police chief David Scott who since retired um and then around 2016 we we we started getting department of mental health grants and they began to fund this
fledgling program really a grassroots program that was started by the police departments and supported by the towns. Um, and it started with a very small uh uh resource. It was a I think it was a 10 or 20 hour a week um I guess we'll
call it a post response. somebody that would just, you know, kind of help all these towns in 20 hours. And then it just kept growing. And you can read the timeline if you want at your leisure. But in 2020, in 2024,
kind of where we're at today, u we have two co-response clinicians, one community resource navigator, and a a program manager. So, it is four employees and they're all fully funded by the Department of Mental Health um
through uh what's called the uh juvenile uh the uh diversion program. Just draw a blank. The JDP program. So, um in 2024,
we the town the police department became uh the administrative lead in maintaining that grant. um the uh the it became uh the town that was that had it at the time um didn't have the resources didn't want to do it
anymore. So we uh as a team uh came up with the plan and that we were able to to kind of shepherd this grant through the process and we were the ones who were being awarded um the grants from the department of mental health and then contracting out with um with the group
to give us the services the uh the service personnel that we needed. Um, since 2024 when we took over the grants, we've um we've had 92 co-response clinician contacts. These are actual times with
our co-response clinician has actively been involved in something with one of the crisises that we responded to. and the post response uh community navigator um made connections and contacts, professional contacts with over 580
people um just since October of 2024. Um uh another thing that happened in 2024 was uh we were part of a smaller um uh resource network and that resource
network was absorbed by a much larger resource network and uh what had what had begun happening is they were changing our program and it wasn't working for our communities. Um so uh recently we've uh collectively made the
decision that uh we each need to go our separate ways meaning us versus in the uh the corporate service provider. So um here we are today and what where we are today is um we needed something better.
We needed to get back to our original coin program. Um, and there's been a growing trend uh across Massachusetts where the um where the grant funding is
used to uh to help um transition from a uh the corporate service provider to the municipal service providers. So, um the uh so the uh the jail diversion programs uh become municipalized rather than part
of uh a um behavioral service uh entity. Um so we looked at those programs and there are 35 fully funded municipal jail diversion programs in the Commonwealth right now and the list is growing. So what we want to do is we want to move to
that program where the grant funds uh fully funds our municipal program. Um as is the growing communities in the Commonwealth. Um and we think that that uh is is probably the best alternative
we can we can look to uh in speaking with uh the department of mental health um who fully support this um and uh are helping us with the transition and moving forward. Um so
where are we at now and what are our next steps? So, what I'm here tonight uh is to ask um is for select board authorization to uh commence with the hiring process. Um we uh right now our uh Coin program
is no longer servicing any of our communities because of the um the kind of where we're at. Coin doesn't have any employees to give us. Uh not Coin, we are Coin. Um we don't have any employees. um because they didn't want
to work for the company that they were working for anymore. So, what we're looking for is to start a hiring process using uh to uh through using grant funds. Um we want to develop an
intermunicipal agreement and uh we're hoping to be very aggressive with the hiring and implementation of this process um because the services that our communities deserve are no longer there right now. And Mr. is there anything I
missed? >> Madam Chair, good job, Chief. So, just to clarify, um there would be four non-UN uh positions uh and they would follow the town's non-UN personnel um
policies. The chief would be the supervisor. They'd be based out of the air uh police department. the the DMH grant, which is an annual grant, is about $400,000. And we have calculated that the grant will cover all four clinicians, uh,
their salaries, their benefits, as well as the retirement assessment. So there is, uh, no, uh, budgetary impact. the job descriptions, the job posting and the intermunicipal agreement which will come back on August 19th all clearly
state so there's a clear understanding that if the grant goes away the program and the employees go away there is no intention I've talked to the chief at length about this that if the grant goes away we we can't retain you know these
four employees I just want to make that clear as long as the grant is in place. Um, it's completely covered. Lastly, in addition to keeping coin, I think which is key and I think in in support just of not of our just our police department
but the whole region, we will get approximately additional hours of of professional service for the town in addition to the police function. And this is not intended to replace or supplant the the
town social worker position which is funded in the budget and hopefully we will have a a plan on that very shortly. So just to clarify that. So we would um just we wanted to make sure that the board uh was comfortable in us commencing with the hiring process.
Secondly, we will be back on August 19th uh with the intermunicipal agreement and the target implementation is somewhat aggressive, but it's important we get those services back. >> Now, they were answered because that was
my thought was if the grant ran out, you know, what then happens in the future? But >> that that was my you answered it well. Sean, do you have any questions? >> No, I don't. I think it's a great idea. >> I think this sounds like a great
program. Congratulations on getting the grant. It's things like this that take care of, you know, the community as a whole and which I'm always for. So, anyone may make a motion for supporting this or
>> Yeah, I'll make a motion to authorize the commencement of the hiring process for the community outreach initiative network. >> Second that. >> All those in favor? Sean >> I. >> Chris I. >> And the chair says I. You have our
support. Congratulations. >> Thank you very much. >> Get to hiring. [Applause] All right. Next up, senior center building committee update. Hello. >> All right.
Thank you for having us tonight. And it has been since November, I believe, that we Oh, um that we've given a major update to you. I wanted to let you know what we've been up to, the progress we've made to date in our efforts to build a right
size or design a right-sized um senior center that will meet all of the physical, social, intellectual, and emotional needs of the seniors of air. So, so we've been hard at work since our last update. We um we heard you guys
loud and clear. Um there were concerns about the size and the cost of the of the proposed senior center at that point. Uh so the committee went back um got to work with the architect and has made a series of revisions to the
program. They include removing the walking roof which was the covered sidewalk around the full perimeter of the building. Uh we reduced the building by about 700 square feet as well as simplified the design of the rear and
the sides of the building squaring them off to create um some efficiencies in design and therefore cost. Um and we also list identified a list of ad alternates things that would be optional parts of the of the building process um
given that offer budgetary flexibility. All in all those changes combined with the soft cost reductions you know that are percentages um that go along with that it was nearly a million dollars in reduced cost as of February 2025.
In addition to those revisions to the program, the um building committee completed soil testing to determine the water table and structural requirements for designing um and building. We completed the site survey and drafted an
approval not required um designation for the the new lot. We hired Vertex as the owner's project manager and completed schematic design with Catelyn Architecture. that resulted in a new cost estimate uh
along with our uh January and February meetings with in common capital planning uh to come up with a plan to reduce the taxpayer impact. So in addition to those things uh ongoing things are utilities planning
permitting um required for the site and for the utilities as well as uh ongoing public outreach planning and uh initial fundraising efforts um you know by the by the friends. Next slide.
All right. So this one is hard to read. Um I'm going to walk you guys through it in two slides kind of two different sides of the same thing. Um so when the co this is um a document provided by vertex at OPM um so when the cost
estimate came back it's uh we can focus on the green column and the yellow column the base construction cost was 11 million uh 11.5 million and then we were able to identify that list of um alternates those five ad alternates that
um could be taken in or out of the project to give us um the budgetary flex flexibility that we need and that totaled um at this point both of those columns are the same uh at a total of 11 I'm sorry yeah 11.9 million then when
you add in um the soft costs and then as well as town managed budgets things um AVT security those are things that the contractor is not providing but the town is providing um that brings it up to
16.4 4 million without the ad alternates or 16.9 with the ad alternates. So that's the top half of that um chart there. Um the tax the the impact um is not to the taxpayer is not going to be
16.4 or 16.9 million. The committee's been hard at work identifying ways to reduce that taxpayer um impact. Uh the things in the dark green, those three lines uh are the three grant sources that we've had so far. We haven't spent
any local taxpayer dollars. We had the housing choice grant, the ARPA funds, and then um the UDAG funds that were left from the last round of of senior center planning. Uh that have gotten us to where we are today. Uh as well as um
that fourth line is not relevant. We can pull that out. um as well as earmarks from uh reparative uh representative Cena and uh Senator Eldridge. And uh as a result of the meetings with FINCOM and
capital planning, there has been a a pledge or a proposal to include um $1 million in UDAG uh funds as and $2 million in capital stabilization funds. um they're in lighter green because those are um suggestions and potential.
They're not uh obviously that requires town meeting and select board approval. Um and then we come down to the things that are in in yellow. Um these are things that are less certain than the green ones, but things that we think we have a good chance for. So um we've submitted for another round of housing
choice grant for uh up to 500,000 for the water construction. Um I'm sorry. The Senator Eldridge one is down here because we haven't um we don't have an exact amount um back yet. Uh and then um any we pulled out um community
preservation funds and then the last two lines were any additional foundation fundraising uh and then the 325,000 um pledged by the friends as their fundraising goal. So all of that um
amounts to uh oh I'm sorry I forgot CDBG. The green column is includes the 1.3 million in CDB CDBG funds and the yellow column doesn't. So at the very bottom that you see circled in red, we
kind of the scenario is um with the $10 million um goal of bonding 10 million to limit the taxpayer impact. we're coming in with a potential gap there. On the low end, if we get the CDBG funds and we
don't take any of the alternates, you can see it's 10.7 million. So, it's about a $700,000 um gap. on the high end. Uh if we did not get the CDBG funds and we took all the ad alternates, um
the that would be $12.5 million rather than 10 million um in terms of the funding asset would be required at town meeting. Next slide. I find that a little bit confusing, so I decided to simplify it and put it on this slide. So I'll go very quickly
through it in this way. So the um the schematic design cost estimate came back at 16.9 million. The committee pretty much immediately um that was higher number than we wanted. So took a look and um identified some at
alternates that we could take out such as um not having stone veneer on the bottom um and not putting in pickle ball courts right away. That saves $183,000 as well as we can take out the grants utilized to date and the u legislative
earmarks from Senator Eldridge and Representative Cena. Also then able to subtract out the capital stabilization proposal of 2 million and a UDAG grant of 1 million uh as well as the potential
for a CDBG grant of 1.3 million. That would bring us uh last time we were here, we were talking about 16 million and a taxpayer impact around $270 uh dollars annually for the average household. So, our efforts over the last
seven months have really we've been able to reduce that taxpayer impact um down considerably. Uh there are again some things that were not guaranteed but things we are feeling you know fairly good about are the $500,000 housing
choice grant uh the pledge of the friends at the air senior center uh that brings that impact down even further and that does leave us with about a million dollar um need for additional grants or donations or town support and that would
bring us down to the $10 million target debt exclusion and that would have a taxpayer impact of less than $200 $181 on the average household. All right, next slide. So what happened between now and then?
Um the committee uh we like I said we we heard um the impact or the im input from the select board and went back and made nearly a million dollars in reductions back in February. Uh we thought we would be able to bridge that the remaining um
reductions with the CDBG grant. That's been uncertain. It's been in the federal budget out of the federal budget, but the last I've heard is that it's back in the federal budget. Um so that's encouraging. Uh we did take out the um approximately $100,000 in community
preservation funds uh just due to understanding more about the designation required on the piece of land uh that is uh doesn't seem feasible for this project. um as well as um we were working with a range from the architect
and the OPM about what we thought the cost estimate would come back at. Um and it happened to come back at the higher end of the range. Uh if it had come back at the lower end of the range, we'd all be throwing a party right now. It would be less than the $10 million um uh goal
for the bond. Uh and then also there's just been a slower start to fundraising. Um I still have a lot of um there's a lot of potential there. Uh they're just the friends of the air senior center is just getting started now. So next slide.
All right. So that leaves um us with kind of three options that the building committee has been addressing um and discussing. We had a meeting earlier this week and we have another meeting scheduled for tomorrow night. Um there's really three options for moving forward
because we really do want to bring to the town meeting to the people of error the opportunity to um invest in a senior center. So the first option is to keep the building um status quo as it is with um a larger debt exclusion than the
target of 10 million. Obviously that doesn't meet the $10 million goal. Uh, and while we do think we addressed some of the size and cost concerns, obviously because it's still over our goal, it doesn't fully address all of those
concerns. The second option is to continue with the existing project, but increasing the um town investment. And I have between two and three million here. That's a conservative number because when on the previous slide, there was a
range of 700,000 to 2.5 million. So, um, that's there kind of as a conservative, uh, measure that would allow, uh, us to bring it to town meeting with, uh, meeting that $10 million debt exclusion goal to keep the impact to taxpayers as
low as possible. um it it does not fully again address all of the the size and cost concerns and it would require um increasing the um contributions from capital stabilization and UDAG. Option number
three is further reducing the project beyond what we have um currently done. Obviously, that would allow us to uh meet the $10 million debt exclusion goal. H any and all size or price concerns would be resolved. Uh and that
would require no additional fundraising or external funding sources. The downside to going that uh in that direction is that there would be a significant loss of funding of um space and the programming capability at the senior center. um fewer rooms um smaller
rooms that sort of a thing um would impact what we would be able to do after we had spent the money. Um there would also be a cost to revise the schematic design and time involved with that to um
get to a new design and repeat the cost estimate. And as I know you guys are aware, we haven't spent any local taxpayer dollars thus far on the project. And um we were lucky to have that housing choice grant, but those that grant period is expired now. So
there is no more money left with which to revise the schematic design. Um that of course takes time if we went that route. Uh and that creates potential timeline issues for the fall town meeting. Uh, I would have to discuss in
detail what we would need and how quickly we could do it, but that would create either a compressed public outreach um period or the risk of it going out to Springtown meeting in 2026, which um is
a is a creates more risk because if the further we push it out, we have to responsibly carry more escalation and more contingency funds the further out the building start is. So, I'm concerned that even if we did that, we wouldn't be
able to really fully actualize the savings that we wanted to. So, um this is I just want to give an update on where we are now. Um like I said, this is something that the building committee has really um been grappling with and continues to. Um
Robert, did you have anything or can you >> So, thank you very much for meeting with us. I have no slides. I have no notes, but I want to give you a little bit more of how we work to these numbers. In the process from let's I'm doing this off the top of my head, so bear with me for
just a minute. But since February, as Katie mentioned, we went out and authorized the schematic design of the building. That took us from a feasibility layout of the building to more detailed drawings and measurements for each room and the design was brought to a much much deeper
um design level. Part of that problem for doing the process of doing that is to create the second part of the obligation that was owed to us by the by the designer which was to provide a professional estimator at the value of about 15 to $20,000 to take that schematic design and then look at it in
a professional estimate. So we have an estimate for fogy which is 21 odd pages now versus the three or four pages that we had originally that I had actually estimated many many months ago based on two other previous buildings that were done by the same architects. So in going through the
schematic design the committee looked closely each of use of each of the rooms the layout of the building the size of the building. People have mentioned the fact that you know part of there's there's a two-story building. I just want to clarify that it's only a portion of the building that's two stories. The
building is around 13,700 square ft. The main part of the building is two floors of just over 5,000 square ft. And then the big room in the back, which is basically the multi-purpose room, the area where you eat, the kitchen, the related facilities to that is about 3600
square ft. So in essence, the building is one floor of about 8,000 some odd square feet and a second floor of about 5,000 square feet. So it's not a completely two-story building. People are saying maybe it's a two-story building. So we've looked closely at the use of each of the rooms, the way the
rooms operate as a hold of the building. We've had a lot of help from the DPW. So I cannot leave tonight without thanking DM Kelquick because unfortunately we got a great piece of land, but the land sits in an area that is not served by utilities. So part of the the reason we
have a budget that includes a million dollars in utility costs just to get it to the site as part of our budget is we're analyzing that constantly with national grid and with environmental engineers because the the building the land sits in an environmentally sensitive part of town. So months and
months of work have been going into not just looking at numbers like this but in looking at the environmental aspects of the job how much has to be done to bring utilities to the site. I don't know how many times you've met with National Grid, three or four or five times. We've met with National Grid on estimates. Dan has been uh kind enough to put together
a detailed estimate for the water going down the street. So, we're carrying that number in our budget like $600 or $700,000. May it may come in less than that. One of the disadvantages that we have is that no matter what we do here, we're we're moving. It's it's a somewhat of a moving target. the committee and I
can tell you honestly myself and others on the committee have spent hundreds of hours trying to look at each piece of this puzzle and work it down the best we can. I can say that I think there's more savings there, but we can't unequivocally say that now because we
have to be conservative in what we what to what we talk to you folks about and what we talk to the town about. um when we get to this level of design has basically given the committee an opportunity as I said before to look at the whole building. Now there's another
three million odd dollars in the site development costs of the building meaning parking lots the the whole area for um you know landscape the whole thing septic system underground water storm water situation piping to the street. So as you we have an extensive budget that's much more detailed than
what Katie gave you a summary of. So in those list of line items we have to look at each one of those line items and try to determine is there a place we can save you know as we get closer to bidding the project or closer to town meeting should so should say so we can convince people at town meeting that yes
we can get this done. The good news is that the budget, the numbers that came out early on, I think the 166 million has not gone up. So, at this point in time, we're pretty much where we were in back in February as we put out, you know, these a brochure that talked about
the total amount for the project. Unfortunately, I personally would like to see that number come down. You know, we're going to continue to work towards that. The other thing I wanted to mention, um, you know, Robin has been good to work with and we hope that everyone, you know, we're using the
number $10 billion for debt exclusion. So, we're coming here tonight kind of assuming that that's what you you people have in mind. We really don't know if that goes down or not, but we have been working with that assumption. And in in regards to the building itself, I I want to mention something about the actual
the actual product that we're building. So in this particular case, basically we're designing a building that will be the best constructed building in the town of air because it's going to be built under the latest design standards, highest efficiencies, the stretch energy
code, ADA, you name it. Every single criteria of excellence that can go into a building is required today. And on top of that, because the building is specifically designed as a senior center, there's a special accommodations in the building for seniors as well. So,
we're talking about floor coverings that may be more conducive to to moving wheelchairs. There's there's many many detailed features of the building that go beyond what people think of as a standard building because of the level of requirements for the codes and the level of requirements to accommodate a
population that needs special consideration. So, I think people that's a difficult thing to get your arms around. I think people think of it as maybe a typical house or a typical flat roof building or whatever the case might be. It's not. It's really a specialized building that has high design standards
in a quality level we think the town deserves, number one. So, I'm all on board with that idea. Um, so I'm kind of giving you a little more detail on what we found out about the building beyond just the figures and the fact that we've worked on every every inch of the project at this point in time. you know,
going down the street, working with the utilities, uh, working with the architect, and we, I guess, you know, I would say we do believe that we potentially can save more savings somewhere along the line, but we're not sure we can say that right now because the professionals have come out with the
pricing and we have to go pretty much with the u, you know, the final budget numbers that we've been shown at this point in time. So there's no lack of effort by anybody on the committee or anybody Katie or Tiana or myself to try to make this the most uh cost-efficient
well planned thoughtprovoking senior center that we can have for the town of no notes >> Robert Madam Chair Katie Ken the entire committee thank you for the presentation
um tonight and Um, I I would just like to say, Madam Chair, that the committee to Ken's point has worked very hard and there's no question that we need a new uh senior center and we've been working extremely hard at this as the board
knows actually since 2018 um as we move forward. Um, just a couple um clarifying points um if you don't mind. Um so on at to date on the legislative earmark that
they have 150. We do have 50,000 um confirmed through an earmark through representative center which did pass the budget that the governor signed and we're waiting on release. So the we do have 50,000 the remaining 100,000 or so
more to come from Senator Eldridge's office. Um if you couple other clarifying points on the CDBG grant the 1.3 million when that was um originally presented to the committee um and presented as an option
by the previous economic development director. There were two things that um we did not realize or that were left out at that time. In order to apply and be eligible for that grant, which we would be competitive for, you have to have a shovel ready project with town meeting
approval. So that 1.3 million will come into play. The earliest it could come into play would be the the spring of 2026, let's say, assuming approval of a project um
and shovel ready. So the other thing I want to um just clarify I think for everybody's benefit is this target target of the 10,000 the 10 million. We wish it was 10,000 10 million on the
debt exclusion and where that came from. So that that was not a number that was just plucked out of the um the sky. A lot of work went on to that. The theory behind the 10 million um on the debt exclusion. And I want to thank Barbara Tierney the finance manager who has who
has and will do a lot of work on this. The first is that 10 million there. So there are a couple of things we have to look at. One is the affordability of the project and what is the impact of any project on the taxpayer. So assuming um
that at the 10 million mark as mentioned in the presentation that puts the average tax impact average residential tax impact under $200 in the first year as it goes forward. So
pushing in this town based on the demographics, median income, so forth, pushing beyond that 10 million um begins to be a challenge a challenge in terms of affordability and a challenge
in terms of uh public and and and political support um to pass it. So the other piece as the town has other capital needs underway and prepared also in the future and unknown things in
terms of our capacity to borrow uh the finance manager myself uh bond council and so forth that number um is a is is a fair number. So I just want to stress for everybody's benefit that that's the the piece behind the 10 million. the
other piece. So back in January when this was going through capital and so forth was looking at a way to mitigate or minimize the impact to the taxpayer and so two things were proposed as you saw earlier
was the potential the capital stabilization account of the town which has currently over 6 million as the balance in it as the board knows that's for capital projects and so forth. It was proposed and and I propose that
subject to town meeting approval. So it requires a twothirds vote of town meeting the two million um from capital stabilization could help offset on this project. The additional piece was that um on the UDAG which is currently has
3.1 million is the balance there's a million um from the UDAG um to to further um uh mitigate those those costs. Um so these are the this I think these
are the considerations or the or the challenges uh before us. Now there is no question that the committee um has done its work and has designed um the optimal um based on the program building. The
issue now is to figure out the full funding piece and and and also the timeline which I just want to talk about just briefly and then I'll I'll stop. So what I did in looking at it if you go can we go back to that slide that has
the accounting >> this? No. Uh the one from colored one. >> The colored one. >> So if you look and it's hard to see the 16.4 million um which is with no alternates and there's four alternates I
from and this is just my perspective and I shared all of these thoughts with the committee last week when I was at their meeting. If we're going to build uh something of this magnitude, it has got to have the a generator in it, which is theund and uh
>> 100. So what I did was I took the 16.4 and added back in the generator and the two uh partitions because the partitions are key to the the flexibility of the space did not include the stone veneer
and the pickle ball court. So if you do that, that puts the project at 16.7 million. All right? And then if you take the 16.7 million and you apply the debt
exclusion of 10 million, that leaves a balance of 6.7 million. And then if you take the 6.7 million and you apply the legislative earmark of 50,000
the UDAG at a million assuming select board approval of the UDAG and 2 million for capital stabilization is subject to town meeting approval that leaves um a balance an outstanding of of 3.6
million. So then looking at the 3.6 6 million outstanding one consideration and and again this is I think the maximum it's pushing it is to increase the capital stabilization to 3 million would be the maximum and the
UDAG from a million to 1.5 million still puts a a shortfall as of right now today at 2.1 million is needed. So, one of the things before us is there is a funding
gap as of July 23rd. The 10 million is not we're not on target there. I know that sounds harsh. It also assumes the housing choice grant which we have applied for for the 500,000 for the waterline. And I I if I
was betting we're going to get that. We will know in October. My concern is because I always have to hope for the best and plan for the worst. If we don't for some reason get it, we're going to have to address address that. Um
the issue of uh I know the board will will bring up the issue of of the size. Um I that reductions have been made. Um on the issue of time, I just want to point this out. So unfortunately time is
not on our side in this sense. If this was to go to the fall town meeting on October the 27th in consultation with the town clerk, the debt exclusion election would be on Tuesday, November 4th, which is election day and there are
no elections this year. But if we assume that the absolute drop deadline date for everything um would be September 30th because as the board knows you have to authorize the election and notify the
town clerk 35 days in advance. So the the timeline the clock I mean it's July 23rd. I'm just saying is the the timeline is closing. Additionally related to time as brought up in the presentation you know the longer things
go um as they get pushed out as they have with this is the issue of cost escalation. The final point on the revised to revise option three or reduction of the pro project um when I met with the project
the OPM and Katie and Ken um they have indicated that a reduction of 3,000 square feet would translate we're talking in this in real time translate to approximately $3 million in savings.
How 3 million savings. >> If you reduce the project by 3,000 square feet, it would save >> less way less than that. >> Ken, I was at the same meeting. >> Okay, >> let me finish, please. Thank you.
>> $3 million. The OPM told us right at the meeting that approximately because I asked because that's been one of the issues about the size. If you reduced it, how much would you save? He told me three million. But the issue is if he also said if you
were to revise it or reduce it and I think this is a key point that has been made by the committee that isn't just like a a a quick exercise as mentioned in the pre presentation it would take time and he indicated that it would not they would not be able to meet this fall
timeline if they had to be revised. And secondly, um the they he said to me, and this was just an estimate, I haven't verified this, that it would be about $30 to $50,000 um to do revisions of of that magnitude
and we would need funding source for that. We don't have that funding. And then extremely important and I don't want to minimize this and I think this needs to be stressed is what would the reduced project look like in in terms of
programming um and so forth. Obviously if there's a reduction of that magnitude what would that look like? What does that mean you know to the program? I think these are all what I would call um considerations um at at this time.
So that's on July 23rd. That's sort of um where we stand on it. And um as I said to all of the departments recently, it's a problem to be solved and we need to be committed to to resolving it. But
there are a lot of moving parts. >> So I have a couple concerns. Uh, one, I do have a lot of people that tell me it's too big. Uh, I also, to be honest, thought that since you last were before us, you would
have had some public forums as we used, for example, the storm water so that you could get the public's uh, response to this. Not just the people that would use it, but the people are going to pay for it. um their response, their
understanding as to what this project is and and to know the difference between a need and a want. And I and I think that's part of the problem. And I and I've mentioned this to you the last time I saw you, Katie, um is, you know, there's the need and then there's the wants. And I think you need to focus
more on the needs. The wants can come later. Um, so you don't go to town meeting hoping to do your arguments there. You do your arguments so that when you get to the town meeting, there's a couple
clarifying questions that might need to be asked, but everyone's ready. you're in the summer and if you're talking about going to town meeting in October, when are you having these public hearings so that people can tell you
what they're feeling, what they're seeing, what they're thinking, and then you can adjust accordingly. And I think that, you know, you're you're kind of backed up against a wall because I think there's a lot of time been wasted on not having public forums. I know you guys
have your meetings, but that doesn't count. And I know you had, you know, you were at town meeting and you talked to some people for, but that was like, you know, 2 minutes of people walking into town meeting to to hear a thing. And I know you were out in Devons. Hold on. I
know you were out in Devons, talked to a few people, but that is not what is needed. It's needed to everyone to be in the room, town hall, auditorium if if possible, have this presentation and
have this honest discussion so that everyone knows what it is they're going for because right now what I'm seeing is people can't do it right now. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding on my part because we wouldn't have gone
and done additional public input during this schematic design process because the point of schematic design was to get a more detailed view of the building and the price because we were hoping the price was going to come down. And then once we had a more detailed set of drawings and a actually professionally
cost estimated cost estimation then to begin and that's where we are now is that's completed and we're trying to get feedback from from you guys so that we can begin that process. um otherwise it would not have been um
it wouldn't have been as well formed in order to get the feedback that we wanted um that you know that I know you're looking for and I and I do think that's important and that's something that there's a subcommittee of our building committee that's focused on public outreach. They met earlier this week and
have put together a plan of the different types of outreach that would need to happen between now and town meeting. And it's, you know, kind of a a full court press from from their perspective. Yeah. >> Right. And that part of that outreach is to actually have a, you know, everyone
in a room. Get as many people into the room, not just the people who are for this. Okay? It's got to be everybody. You know, people that are out there, you know, right now going, "What is this? How am I going to pay for this?" Get
them into the room so that they can know what's going on. Have it filmed by Apac. So people can watch that video over and over and over again. It's got to be that type. It can't, you know, >> absolutely. Um, you know, >> and and my concern about the UDAG, which I'm not saying we wouldn't use UDAG, but
my concern is, and this is a reminder to everybody, is we always work to replenish UDAG. So if you take a million or a million.5 out of UDAG over the years, we've then got to replenish it. And that just needs to be reminded to the people so that when it appears at town meeting and they're wondering why,
they can say, "Well, because back then that's what we agreed to." Okay. Um, so those are some of my But I I I just I'm hesitant and and like I said, I I do have a lot of people that are saying
this thing is too big. And I and I understand, you know, you want to build something nice. We all agree. Everyone agrees with that. And we want to build something that works. But you need to build for the now, leaving openings for the then.
And that's where I think part of the problem is. We're wanting to build the then now and that would have to be worked to. And I'm all for, you know, as far as, you know, the little brochure that gone around as far as, you know, people donating and everything. And and one of the things that I kind of talked
with you about is like if you could have like a smaller thing that people who want to have ownership to this, but they can't afford the $500 brick, but they might be able to afford a $25 brick.
Come up with those other ideas, too. So, but I I I'm just concerned that right now you might get it through town meeting, but I don't think you'd win at the ballot. Chris or Sean. Chris.
>> Um, yeah. I mean, when we talked a few days ago, um, and I saw the 12.5 said, "Okay, it's coming down like this. We're making progress." Um, and as I spoke to you,
sometimes in the middle of the night, I kind of think and I go through and I uh go through the numbers in my head and that's when I realized, well, wait, that had I already had the 3 million from UDAG and in capital. Um,
and it, you know, made me think more and go back to the numbers. So, and that's when I said, "Okay, yeah, I guess I wasn't thinking this thing." uh you know, completely through that. There was some stuff that was taken out,
like we said, the covered walk area and and and the jogs and all that stuff, but it really only came down a million dollars. And I know when we talked back in January, you know, we were saying we
really wanted to have that come down on your end to about 13 somewhere in there and then use, you know, with contingent that it's voted on that extra 3 million.
So, you know, again, I'm looking through everything and I say, "Okay, so we have that 2.5 million that's still just a shortfall." And um you know, as Janice spoke, that 3 million that we're hoping gets
approved um through capital and UDAG, it it it's not just free money, right? I mean it's money that is taken and not available for something else in the future. So um you know that obviously
needs to be thought about as well. Um you know I've talked about Littleton and what Littleton has done because I don't build senior centers. My the way my brain works is okay what what's a comp? What's a comp? What you know what
can we look at? And I believe, and I could be off by, you know, a little bit here and stuff, that Little Tins is 14,000 square feet. I don't know if you know that off the top of your head, but >> Okay. All right. The numbers I saw was 14 in in some, but okay. I'm not going
to stick on the numbers there. Um, so you say, "Okay, that's in line." Um, you know, Littleton has a bigger population. I know you're you're looking for out 10 years out. Little has a senior
population that they're projecting to be about 4,300 seniors uh 10 years out. Air 3,600. I'm just pulling that from census data and just going by growth rates. Um so that's a 17% difference. Okay. Uh the
the main thing that I saw though was you know Littleton has a median income household income of $146,000 to airs 90. So there's probably more uh palatable
for a town that has you know median income that that's that much higher to take this as a increase on a debt exclusion. So, um, you know, looking at the floor plan and and again, we're going to all
say, you know, I was in your space. No good. That space is no good. >> No good. >> Right now, what you're looking to with this plan is to go to a 800% increase. That's that's big. Um, you know, looking at the square footage and and you know,
I just kind of took these quick notes. You have four activity rooms averaging about 500 square feet uh per room. A and my question would be, you know, do you see all four of those rooms being
used all at the same time at full capacity? Is that where your programming is? I I do see that as a as a potential because once you have a a facility that is accessible, is um offering programs,
you're going to get in between double and triple the number of people you have. All of the senior center directors that we've spoken to have indicated that and it allows you to offer a wider variety of programs. So right now, you know, as I've said before, there's one
room that we can do exercise in and so we can do exercise at 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00. And so you're limited in three three exercise classes um over the five days. So by having additional activity
rooms, you can run um exercise. I'm just using that as an example, following through >> um exercise in the downstairs room that appeals to a large group of seniors. you can offer um exercise in the the larger of the rooms upstairs that appeals to a
smaller group of seniors. people who are um prepping for a a joint surgery like a knee surgery, people who have Parkinson's, people who are new to exercise and don't want anyone to see them in the downstairs room, you know, all of those different things while still hosting things like a grief
support group, a current events group, uh watercolor painting, um silk dying, uh you know, any number of, you know, cards against humanity, bridge, um from a cube, all of those things um
in in a third set of rooms. So, it allows you to do that. And and part of what you want in a senior center is not for people to come in in a um rigid orderly line of people that come in, I clock in, I do my activity, and I leave. What a senior center is doing is
building a um social hub that combats the negative impacts of isolation. So, what you want is for people to have time to flow in and have those informal conversations. Um, not to be waiting for the next class to be coming out. They want to be able to have those 10 or 15 minutes to talk beforehand. They do
their program. They're able to linger afterwards, go downstairs, get a cup of coffee, or come down to lunch. And that really creates that sense of community that is so important for older adults who after many of whom after they leave the senior center go home and may not
talk to anyone else the rest of the day. And so when you make the building so small that it barely meets your current needs, you're you're not able to create that because you're like, "All right, everybody out. I got to set up for the next program." Right? So you're trying
to create that sense of of community. Yeah, I mean I just look at it and I see what your point is, but so if you're open from 9:00 to 5:00, right, on a weekday and you have four activity
rooms, you know, that's now like 32 activities and hour blocks, you know. So I I know you're saying you're trying to have that, you know, you're not clock in, clock out, everyone get out and stuff, but to me it just
seems that is a lot of activities where if you have maybe two activity rooms and it's, you know, you have watercolor or whatever, painting here and exercise here, and then in a couple hours, you know, so you don't have that like what
we have here, the traffic jam of, okay, this meeting has to end because this group is coming And um you know that that's just one of my thoughts. It's also with you know the 2500 square f foot multi-room uh that I didn't kind of put this this
is just activity space lounges game room. Um it just it it seems like there is a lot a lot of space. Um, and if we're trying
to get down to that, you know, 10 million, uh, or, you know, 13 million with 3 million from the other two funds. A and if the OPM is correct, which I believe
to be that spoke to Robert that, you know, if you can reduce that footage, that square footage, that would get you closer to that. Um, it would be too controversial for me right now to, I think, get in an
argument with Robert. And the OPM is on the screen. The building cost is about 54% of the project cost. The building comes in at roughly 600 and
uh just over $560 or $70 a square foot somewhere in that vicinity. It's only 50 It's 54% 16 >> 800 something 800 860 I got here. All right. So
where you see a number in the budget that says base construction of 119 that includes about $3 million of the site development costs. So the building is 8 million9. Divide that by the 14,000. I think it comes out to $650 or $700 a square foot
for the building. Again, not getting in an argument. When you reduce the size of the building, you do not save the entire cost of the reduction by square footage. You save a proportion of it. You might save 70% of the square foot number because you're
building the rest of the building, the roof, the siding, the whole foundation, the steel. So, you will save a proportionate amount, but you won't save the full square footage number. So, to me, it's it's more of a million and a half savings instead of three million savings. That's only that's my
calculation. Um, there might have been a misunderstanding in the conversation >> because I think this is a key point with all due respect. The OPM >> Let's Let's ask Ryan. >> No, excuse me. Excuse me. >> He's got the >> I had the OPM Katie, you and Dan, you
correct me if I'm wrong. Sitting here, what I said is the OPM said on July 14th that a reduction of 3,000 square ft would approximately reduce the cost by $3 million. Did he say that? >> That's what he said. >> That's what he said.
>> He said that. Okay. >> That's what he said. And then if you take the math from the Fogerty, it has it at approximately 838 square feet. >> That's a total project. >> Yeah. >> Total project cost. Do you have including the site development? So I'm
I'm not going to get I I take everything that you guys ask this person. >> That's the That's the with the Brian from her text. Go ahead. >> Yes. Can you hear me? >> Yes. Please uh state your name.
>> Yes. Brian Fors from Vert.Ex for the OPM uh for the senior center project. Thank you for having me. >> Thank you. >> And Robert, I I do believe there was a little bit of a misunderstanding. What I I I think the the sentiment that we were trying to to show was that with
reductions, we we don't get the dollar fordoll square footage costs that come in the AM Fogerty estimate that we have in reducing a a building of that size by around 3,000 square feet. There would be reductions in other soft costs and other percentages that we're carrying, but I
don't think we would be getting the the straight $1,000 per square foot. So I I would in my opinion that number would may not be as high as three, but I believe it would be a little higher than what Ken was alluding to with the 1.5.
>> So if he's alluding to 1.5 and Robert saying three, would you say it be about two? without going to uh knowing exactly what is being reduced and going through the cost estimate and working with the co
the professional cost estimator to actually get the specifics of what is being reduced. Yes, I would be comfortable saying that. >> Okay. So, that'd be at least a reduction of estimated everybody remember the word estimated
of a $2 million reduction. Okay. Thank you. Um, that's still very important. That's still very important. Okay. But there in lies part of the problem again is just even some of the confusion that's happened tonight. And that's why
you've got to have this public forum the way we do, you know, even when we're doing the budget hearing so that the people can ask the questions because I can tell you the town of Air and I don't just mean when I say the town of air, this the people in this building because
sometimes that's misunderstood. The town of Air, okay, the residents that live here, okay, are for a senior center. however common, they've got to look at their wallets and they've got to
tell you what they can afford and they also need to have their questions answered and it needs to be understood that you can be for something and still ask questions. And so that's very very important that this happens. And then when you have the
public forum, some of the confusion can't happen because that confuses them and that's the part everyone remembers. Do you remember all that confusion? And then they gawk away saying somebody don't have their ducks in a row. So that
needs to be, you know, you can't have all that confusion, you know, that that's even happened tonight. Okay, that and that's the goal of getting through the schematic design process and having a formal cost estimation is to make sure that when we
are going to the public that we have numbers that we feel we can count on. No matter what the number is, there will always be a chart like this because this funding sources come from many different places. There are things that can't
There are some things like CDG that come into play after town meeting and some that come into play before town meeting, things like that. So there will always be this sort of moving target, but as you go along, the the scope of the
moving target gets smaller and smaller. But you know, with a number like 1.3, I I can't guarantee it either way. So I in an attempt to be transparent do have to present it in a yellow line so that people do understand it. Um that is very
much a priority to be transparent with the public and to give them the information that they need in order to cast their vote for sure. We just wanted to make sure that we had gotten through this stage before we launched a whole second set of public input rounds. We
did over a dozen public input sessions in November, December, and January and had over 300 people in attendance across those. Um, as well as going to things like the Devons Food Truck Festival recently. My seniors, my population doesn't go to
that. They that don't do food truck festivals as much. >> Right. But that's just a sound bite. >> Well, no, I understand. No, no, I understand. But that is hopefully an assurance and we saw each other there. An assurance that I am committed. The committee is committed to making sure
that we get out to venues like that that are not senior focused so that the whole rest of the town can understand what you know will hopefully be coming to the warrant. But by having that public forum the way we've discussed too, >> the fact that he was even bringing up
like the type of flooring that would happen so that seniors don't slide, that's really important for that to get out there, >> you know. So, all that needs to be built and and brought into a better way. But I do think you you do need to reduce the
cost. Now, I know there's a concern that it would cost, you know, 30 to $50,000 to go back to the designer or whatever that they're called because I know I know I know I know you always think I said the wrong word, didn't >> I didn't say that at all. You said the you said the right word. You said
>> okay. um is that if we can I'm willing and I and I think a lot of people would agree that you know spending $30 to $50,000 to save up to two million to three million is worth it.
Okay. So Sean, have you had anything to say tonight? >> Uh yes. So I kind of just want to reiterate some of the or echo some of the things. I just I feel in its current iteration it's going to be a hard sell. I think um I've heard the same thing
from several residents. Um it's too expensive. It's too large. Um also they're concerned that it serves a small um portion of the community. They there's people that they who aren't seniors that are, you know, wondering why they're going to pay so much for a building that they don't get to use. So,
I think um and I know we've talked about like there could possibly be other community events there, but I think that a lot of people don't feel like it's going to be something that benefits them. Um I would say that getting to fall town meeting is very aspirational.
I think that um and I think exploring option three would be the better thing. Did also want to ask um Robert, is there a way that I know they don't have the funding. Is there somewhere that the board could approve funding for an additional schematic the additional $30
to $50,000 to 50? to the chair. Sean, at at this point with the the budget set, the the most logical option would be from the UDAG, which the board could authorize
>> like 100 >> Pauline. >> Oh, wait. Did I unmute? >> Yes, you're fine. >> Okay. Thank you, Janice, for your comments because I was going to say the exact same thing that you did. Um, but I have two other points, but spending $30
to $50,000 to reduce the size to save cost is in my view a wonderful thing to do and at least present it to the public. So on that, let me ask a question. What is the current size of
the senior center on Pont Street? 1700 square feet. >> And what is the proposed size of the center on Brooks? Is it Brooks? >> Bishop Bishop. >> Bishop. Sorry. >> 13,700.
>> So it's like 100% a 10 more than 100% size increase. So to to reduce the co the proposal even 10% or 20% still gets the senior center a huge increase in
space. So I'll just leave that there. More importantly I'm concerned about why uh KP law I guess they're called today um said CPC money wasn't
applicable or available. Is there any way, Robert, I could actually see their opinion? >> Um, through the chair, uh, Pauline, I don't believe it came from, um, town council. I think it came from the CPC
alliance, from the state. I can check with Janet Providakis, but I'm not aware of any legal opinion from town council on the use of CPC. I'm looking at the um very hard to read spreadsheet with all the money >> and it says community preservation
committee funds. >> You read across to the right. Okay. >> CPC funds for exterior site improvements. >> Oh, it does say per KP. Yeah. >> Not likely eligi. >> Yeah. >> Well, you know KP log Katie Petros. Yep.
But but Pauline, to your question, I would connect with Janet um from CPC because I know they got their information from the CPC Alliance on that issue. >> I will certainly do that, but also Katie, I would like to ask you, have you
checked with surrounding towns such as Harvard who have recently constructed or at least created a new senior center to whether or not they have been able to use CPC funds? Uh, not specific to CPC
funds. Um, I can certainly reach out to Harvard. Uh, I don't believe they did because they also renovated a building that was being used for general municipal purposes, >> but it's certainly worth reaching out. Um, >> I can definitely do that. Can I just
address um one of um Sean's comments? Um it is I can understand how someone who's not a senior would be concerned about the cost and um you know who it would serve but I do want to point out that seniors are 25% of heir's population and
so that is not a small portion of the town it is a quarter of the town's population and there are currently more seniors in town than there are school-aged children and that disparity is going to continue to grow because all of the census data shows that the number
of school-aged children is going down and there will be 182% increase in older adults over time. So we are going to rapidly in the lifetime of this building approach where the town of air is around 40% older adults. And so I think that's
important to keep in mind when we are looking at how we're designing a building to meet their needs. But you do understand that it's also seniors who don't necessarily want to pay for this. >> Absolutely. I do >> because there are seniors that are there
are plenty of seniors in town that do not and will not ever use the senior center. >> Absolutely. You never have 100%. >> So they're the ones speaking also. So it's really all the ranges. Uh you know again it it's people look in their wallets and
and that's what they're going to you know do. So, Pauline, was there anything else? >> Uh, yes. I'd like to go back to the CPC issue or discussion. Um, if we have a twostory building, I presume elevators
would be necessary. >> Yes. >> Which would comply with a CPC uh grant because it's an ADA requirement. So I would propose that you or I would suggest that you at least look into
that. Any funding that reduces the cost is going to be acceptable to everybody and I I think that's incumbent upon what you're doing. So the last question I have I talked about space I talked about
CPC. The current estimated cost of under $200 is based on what borrowing rate? >> Four and a half% 20 years in case you didn't hear that. >> I didn't hear it, but thank you. And
that segus into I I made this suggestion to the planning board last night. Y'all really need to speak into the microphones until whatever new uh sound system is installed because it gets very hard to hear out here in Zoomland.
>> Uhhuh. >> Anyway, those are my questions and I appreciate it. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, Pauline. Mr. Curran, >> um Mr. Curran, could you please come up and and to the microphone?
>> General comment. We It's very difficult people out there to hear what's going on at this table. It's really amazing. >> There's no microphone on us speaking at this table to amplify in the room. >> Yes. >> So, anyone sitting back there, >> that's why I try I try to speak up,
>> right? You're facing the audience, which is a benefit. >> I've been known to project my voice. >> I know that comes as a shock to people, but anyways. >> Yes, Mr. Curran. >> So, just two points. Um the first is that over the last 18 months, two years,
we we spoke to a number of and and visited a number of the recently completed senior centers around Massachusetts. And one of the things that we learned and it was pretty much universal is don't build it too small. On every
occasion for senior centers that were, you know, 5 to 10 years in, you know, had been built within the last 5 to 10 years, >> senior center directors universally in West Boilston, Sterling, Situit, u to
name three that I can think of off the top of my head, all said, "We don't have enough space. We wish it were bigger. Don't build it too small because the escalation in um not only the population
increasing but also the uh um just the activities being more popular, you're going to run out of space, >> right? And you guys had mentioned that before when you were in front of us, but there's also a thing of building too big. >> No, I understand. And it's important to
continue to be aware that the building is meant to last for 50 to 75 years and >> and any additional things that you're now having 10 years from now having to add on are going to be increasing cost.
So that's one point. The other thing and I think that this is an important point is that the current facility is what it is at the size that it is and the new facility is obviously substantially greater than that. But what that
reflects in my view is that there has been little or no capital investment that is over the last 45 years no intermediate steps were taken.
So we are trying to not only uh plan for the future, we are trying to make up for 40 years of still being in the rented space in the book. So if >> I don't think that's a fair comment, and I'll tell you why. Because in those 40
years, all those people that had an opportunity to use the to use the senior center weren't going, "Hey, we want something bigger." So, I don't think you can really say that over the 40 years everybody's ignored this because that's not true because it actually had been talked
about and in the works for a long long time. It just never nobody got it to this point. Okay. So, so that being said, but again, you you there's there's such a thing as building too big. And your comment about, you know, it's got
to last 50 years. I guarantee you that you can build it the most solidified building and it's going to last the next 50 years and you're going to come back and you're going to say we need to add on because that's reality.
So it wouldn't necessarily stay this size. That's what I'm saying. You don't build Taj Mahal right away. >> You build building one and then you add on the rest. I would disagree with the characterization of this building as being the Taj Mahal.
>> It's It's not It doesn't look like that. It's very pretty though. >> Yes. >> So, my comment on just the don't build too small. Um if you went around and asked 100 police chiefs, 100 fire chiefs, DPW directors,
I'm sure they would all say the same thing, right? Don't build it too small. So, it's not just a senior center itself. It's something that I think everyone says when you go and buy a house, you're always thinking like, hey,
you know, I want to get this as big as I can within my budget. So, you know, and I've heard that don't build it too small, which on the face value, I yeah, I agree. We don't want to build something too small. we want to, you know, have it as big and all this
stuff, but you know, that that's that's universal out there. Okay. So, I mean, I know you talk to all these different senior centers and that's what they're all saying over and over and over again, but ask ask anyone, you know, ask anyone that owns a building and they'll probably say, "Yeah, I mean, if I ask
Chief Gil right now, he'll say, "Yeah, we probably built this too small. We need more storage. we're going to get these four new employees with the coin uh group. Um you know, where are we going to put them? You know, we built this too small. So that that's just my
comment to to your comment. >> Yes, >> please come up so you can speak into the microphone. But we're going to have to start wrapping this up everybody because we do have the rest of the agenda to do. >> Okay. I'm Ellen Fitzpatrick. I'm on this
um senior study committee. Um I want to speak to two things. I'll try to be as quick as I can. The don't build it too small. In in trying to take out 3,000 square feet, you'd get down to about 10,000 for this building. I've spoken to
a couple of months ago to the director of the Graten um senior center asking her how do you feel about the space and you know because we're looking at all that and there's some concerns. I said, 'Are you happy with it? And she said, 'Well, it's a great building, but right
now, every single room is full the entire day. We don't have any space to even hold a meeting or do any kind of outreach. They've been open, I think, three years and they have 11,000 square feet. Now, you might say Groten is bigger, but also a lot of people from
Air are going to Broton for their programs. So, and when you look at that and say, gee, there's a lot of space there for people to sit in a library or in a cafeteria, you know, socialization is one of the most important things for
seniors who experience a great deal of loneliness and their idea of being able to sit in some quiet places. Some people want to be in noisy places and they want to have a variety of activities whether
it's knitting or art or exercise or meals. And I am I've been fighting for this for a long time since before 2018. I was one of those exercise people who were fighting to get a better center
because we considered that area a disgrace. And there's only 16 parking places there. And people are expected to go down and park in Peron Park and walk back up and back down. Seniors are expected to do that in any weather.
But okay, that's my little rant on that. I'm on the subcommittee for um outreach and we've worked up a plan for mailings, uh public input sessions, including forums, uh mailings in the utility bills
website and other social media, yard signs, um counter displays at various locations, and a video to show the existing um building and how it works. So, and
I'm sure we're going to be doing more, but I just wanted to let you know we are aware that we have a very short time span and we are going to try to do everything we can to inform all the people um in air about what's happening
and to get their input as well. >> Yeah. I mean, I I guess my final thought is it comes off adversarial a little bit. You can tell there's an edge in people's voices. What's our goal? Get you a senior center. What's your goal? Get a senior
center. We're just looking at, and I say we, I should say me. I'm not speaking for anyone but myself. Is I just have very high concerns that if it goes before the voters at town meeting and then at the ballot at 12.5 is a debt
exclusion, it will fail. That's my opinion sitting up here right now. And I don't want that for you. I want it to succeed. >> And I've said as a voter, just as an air resident that gets to cast a vote, I'm
it. You got it. Um but it it's more we got to just find this common ground that we can all be comfortable with. And and that's all. I'm not I'm not against it. I don't want to come off as against it, but we need to find this
this common area that we all feel like, okay, this is going to work because, as Janice said, we want to go to town meeting and then the ballot right afterwards and say, oh, this will pass. Yeah, we're we're good. We we did all our due diligence. We worked hard and it's going to it's going to pass. And
and I'm concerned about that. >> Yeah. Well, I appreciate that. It's just that our generation of um seniors and older adults is much more active than our parents who are happy to sit there and play cards or play bingo. You know, we want to do a lot of different things
and and so this is the very latest of design of what is needed for the current um crop of seniors. And I think a lot of people who may look at that building and say I'm not going to go because they've looked at the building as it exists now and say I'd never go there. when they
see the level of programming and events and activities that are going on, they will be there because every single senior center has experience three or more times the number of people who attend once they open up a new senior center. >> I agree. But we've got to get it to
platible for the people and and that's where we're at. It's not right now and we need it to get there. I think there are a few people here who have been at the senior center who also wanted to just say >> Oh, I've been in the building because uh
American Legion Post 139 used to hold their meetings in there. >> No, these are seniors who >> Yeah, but I'm just saying the the building's terrible. >> It's small. So, anyway, so we we kind of got to get going. >> I just have one comment. So, I I wanted
to be able to ask um there seems to be a discrepancy with what you know in terms of a population of people who will vote no and information that other people have with respect to a population that
would vote yes. So maybe at the next meeting or some discussion form that information can be disseminated and talked about. All you have to do is do these public forums and these public ended meetings just like we've done with budgets and we did with storm water and
get the people in the room. >> Yes, >> that's all you got to do. >> I agree. I agree. >> And then that's where the chips will fall where they may, >> but you've got to get that. It's not just we've we've sat here and told you what people are telling us, >> right?
And and there seems to be a discrepancy with >> But that's the way it always is, >> right? and and it seems to be a discrepancy with with the people that people talk to right in town. And I understand that there's there are populations of people that you know are
um you know financially strapped, right? But there is a huge population of people that have recently moved in. As you know, air has the biggest population growth in the state of Massachusetts over the last 10 years. Where are these people? Right.
that. >> Oh, no. So, but we we really need to move on. >> All right. May I speak briefly? >> Rebriefing. >> And then this and this and then this is the last one. Okay. >> Hi, Jim Naring. I live on Highland Avenue. Um, you've mentioned repeatedly
tonight that you speak with people and they say no. They say no. They say no. >> They say they're concerned. Yes. >> You said no. >> I did say no. >> Yep. Yep. >> So, I'm one person. I live here in town. I'm a senior on a fixed income. I say yes. I don't want to see it downsized. I
think it's the right size. I think this committee has done its homework. That's been evident tonight. It's been evident in the way that they've been responsive to input so far from public meetings. And as Katie said, this meeting was intended as a launching pad for the
public meetings that they will have. So again, I'm one person. I'm saying yes. Thank you. All right. Thank you everyone. >> All right. >> A little bit behind on the agenda.
>> Hi, Dan. How are you? >> Just organizing chairs. >> All right. Uh >> oh. Yeah. In >> a moment. >> Yeah. Mhm.
>> Sorry. This will be the first one. >> Okay. Could I ask you to please take it outside? >> All right. Go ahead, Dan. >> All right. All right. So, DPW agenda today. Um, there's couple items. The first is a change order. This is for
the, uh, Grove Pond PAS system improvements. That's the Clearwell storage tank project. So, that's ongoing. It's on schedule. I'll give more of an update later on it. Um but essentially this change order we we there's a credit for eliminating an interior coating that's not needed for
the storage tank that was included in design. Um and then an increase for cost of electrical permits that was missed and some and temporary pumping equipment um rentals that were also missed. So the amount is $118,752.54.
This gets paid through through the Army grant, not through the town funds. There's contingency funds there and it's well within that budget. So, um, if you have any questions, let me know. But that's a vote for the chair. >> Did we lose Sean?
>> Oh, it says it says four. >> Oh, there you are. I could I couldn't see you with on the thumbnail anymore. So, okay. >> Any questions? >> Questions? >> I I have none. >> Okay. I'll take a motion. Uh, I'll make
a motion to vote to approve change order number one for the Grow Pond WTFP fast system improvement project in the amount of $118,75254 signature by the chair. >> Seconded. >> All those in favor? Sean
>> I. >> Chris >> I. >> And the chair says yes. >> All right. Great. And then the next um is just some updates on projects. So the first is the Clearwell project as well as our our current water demand. So we uh the Clearwell project I mentioned is
on schedule. Um it's moving along. We are in summer demand. We're seeing the high use. Um where you know gradually every day we're our tank levels are are dropping and we're continuously monitoring them. Um as part of the Clearwell project, there is a temporary tank which was part of the change order
we've set up. We've had some issues getting that online. Um and so we're working out um troubleshooting with that. In the meantime, we have been able to get Devons to supply us when we're needed. It hasn't they haven't needed to yet, but we need to later this week. And thankfully, they've been able to do
that. And any cost related to that will come out of the project. So, it'll come through the Army grant funds as well. You would see that later on as a change order. So, it'll come get paid through the contractor. So, right now we're, you know, we're doing okay. We're keeping monitoring systems. if something were to
happen, it could be an issue, but we don't recommend changing any of the outdoor water use um um that we have just the standard um that we have going on right now at the 9 to5 uh odd even. So that's the latest on water demand and clear well.
Uh the next item just as a heads up um FYI, the water management act. So there for our um our water resources, the the public wells we have at Grove Pond and Spec Pond, we have permits for withdrawing water from um from the
aquifer. So the spectacle pond wells are located in the Marramac River Basin and the river basin actually cuts through air and the Grove Pond wells are in the Nashville River Basin. Right now everybody in the Marramac River Basin, all the communities that have water management act permits are getting
renewals. We just received ours. So, we're reviewing it. We have 90 days to reply to it. And I and I've actually initially talked to D about an extension. And the reason for that is we've we've been going through the process of our new well source. So, looking for another well to put out at
Spec Pond. And we just did our pump test this spring. And I don't have the report for it yet, but initially the results are good to be able to put another well out there. And so, um, so we're moving through that process. And if we do another well, we need to update our water management act permit. So these two things are coming together at the
same time. So just as a heads up, we will be um submitting to D addressing our water management act permit. There will be more, you know, um there's always more conditions when you get a new permit. So I'm I'm you know, it's not set in stone yet, but I'd expect
them probably to tie the town. You see the state drought levels. If the state has, you know, a level one, level two, level three, level four drought levels, then we have to start enacting certain criteria of non-essential outdoor water use. I would expect that to come with the new permit, but um that's down the
road. So, so just a heads up that's going on. Um and the last update, you're >> my bridge. No, I'm I don't know where to start. All right,
I'll start with the positives. So, um, so real good positive, we did receive another half a million dollar grant from Mass DOT. So, now we have $1.5 million in grants from Mass. So, that's great. You know, I submitted for
it. I didn't expect we would get it, but we did. So, that's positive. We did, we have gone through some submitts with the contractor. So, when you start the project, the contract, you go through submitts. They've brought the temporary traffic lights. They're staged at DPW.
But I think what's going on, and we're working this out with the contractors there in a contract, you put a certain amount of time to complete the project. And the contractor has given us um a a timeline of basically how long it would take him to do the project. And he says
16 months plus or minus. And we put 24 to 28 months in the project. So I think he's you know they're they've been they keep kind of telling us we're going to start then we're going to start then we have our preliminary schedule right now but I'm not putting out the date they set in it because it's not realistic. So
I'm meeting on Friday I met today with my consultants and Matt Hearn and the town engineer. We're meeting Friday with the contractor go over the preliminary schedule have him shoot me straight because right now the date he's given me I don't think he can start them based on the progress of the submittals. the project will happen. They are here.
They're a mass DOT approved contractor. They do good work. It's just I it's I've never had a project kind of start like this. I think it's because there's too much time in it, but and the contractors really I I you know, I had to go to his superiors to get it moving type of thing. So, it's been frustrating and but
I know it's going to happen. I'm just It's kind of where it's at right now. I'm trying to shoot you straight. But um um so hopefully next time I can give you a uh we're aiming to get a solid start date out of them. That's the plan. But
that's where it's at. >> We will. Yeah. >> Thank you. Yeah. >> Awesome. >> Um so that's it for DPW unless you >> Thank you. >> Yeah. You're Thanks for hanging around. You're welcome.
>> Thanks, Dan. You're very brave. That's That's why he's on Zoom. I should have came on Zoom. Yeah. No, >> this bridge we were told was imminent like, you know, 10,000 years ago. Goodness gracious. All right, Robert.
>> Madam Chair, members of the board, good evening. I hope that summer is treating you well since we last officially met on June 17th. All of the warrants that were reviewed and approved since the board last met on June 17th are in the packet.
Just very brief on the administrative update on the interest of time. Uh since the board last met, all of the personal service contract documents have have been completed. Uh the three union contract documents are being finalized
and be ready uh for your signature um for the next meeting. Obviously, the MOAS on all contracts are in effect. Um, we've had a successful close out of FY25. A special thanks to the finance
team to Barbara and Carrie and and April, Carly. Um, a lot of work goes in closing out the fiscal year only to start the implementation for FY26 and then the development for FY27.
The town has also changed. This was not um anticipated um but is a positive. The town did change its IT consulting services. Uh the contractor that uh we had uh was not um fulfilling um the
town's needs. Um so we have changed um to a new um consultant uh that has hit the ground um running um it worldband. Uh all fits within um the budget. In fact, through the year there'll probably be um some savings. I want to thank
special thanks to Chief Gil uh for his IT expertise and to Max Goodwin, the IT coordinator. Um everything it got teed up for, uh July 1st. Uh and we're now in the process of of moving forward. Also,
uh a regional energy manager has been hired, as I mentioned, to the board. This is a grant effort between air, Shirley, Harvard, and Groten. It's a three-year grant-f funded position. Uh I will be bringing uh the energy manager to one of your future meetings as a
introduction, and he will be working with all of the towns and the school districts uh on further energy um uh energy efforts. uh he will be based out of Graten and he's technically a Grten employee subject to the grant um over
the next three years. On July 1st, uh Rachel uh Freedellander, our economic development director, started um she has hit the ground running. I believe she's met with both of you and is looking to meet with uh
Selectman Kelan. And um we're excited to have uh Rachel here uh and looking forward um to all of her good work. On July 9th, the town had its first sustainability committee meeting. Uh so I understand it was a very good meeting
and there'll be more info coming on that. There have been several meetings uh on regarding the senior center um project that um I have uh been involved with both with the committee um and others and and we will continue um to
work with them on that project. Uh the we appreciate the board's support tonight for the support of air assuming the lead on coin. the chief uh will do an excellent job there and I think that's a positive for the town and the
region. Uh lastly, the non-UN personnel compensation study which this board authorized some opera funding uh with UMass Collins Center. uh we're looking for uh August target uh for the release of the study and I want to thank the
assistant town manager Carly has been sort of our point of contact with the folks at UMass. Finally, as far as coming attractions for the next meeting, August 19th, um I would propose that on
August 19th that we have an item or the board consider an item to have a discussion with the town clerk that and the town moderator regarding the electronic voting devices. The board's aware that recommendation to do the study past um town meeting um and on
August 19th, I think we should start that uh discussion. um on that and it's hard to believe but on August 19th the board will be officially opening the fall special town meeting warrant. I I think the other thing um just under my
report based on the conversation um tonight I know many of the I think all of the senior folks have left um that and we will do some preparation on this um in the event of um a scenario looking
at revising the proposed project um the most logical um we'll do some work the most logical funding source at this point would be the UDAG a that it's the only thing that's available and b is something subject to your approval that
it could be available. So just something to think about. We're not we'll do some more work on that and I didn't want to get into detail, you know, without them here, but hearing um as a potential potential want to stress option. If I
can just >> but in first second um again and you touched base on it as far as you know people think that we're not for this project. So I am for this project. I know that you know people don't always
understand where I'm coming from but I have to say what the people are saying just as he does just as Sean does. And that's the the part of the discussion and we're looking forward to this project going forward and winning but it
has to be discussed and it has to probably be tweaked. So, >> so I think obviously on the 19th more to come on that unless there's any questions from the board. I just have a couple of brief action items for this
evening under appointments um for the MR advisory board. I'm respectfully requesting that the vote that the board vote to reappoint the town manager to the MR advisory board for a term effective July 1, 2025 to June 30th,
2026. >> Can we just do it in perpetuity? >> It seems that way. It's been I've been on it for 15 years here and believe it or not almost six in Fitsburg. So, but that's a recommendation.
with it. >> I'll even make a motion to reappoint the town manager, Robert Pontran, uh, to the MART advisory board for a term effective July 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 2026. >> Second.
>> All those in favor? Sean, >> I, >> Chris, >> I, >> Cheer. Congratulations. >> Thank you. Um the second one is the Monachus Regional Planning Commission. The MRPC the alternate member as the board is aware the town has two members
on the MRPC. The member seat is from the planning board and the alternate member is from the select board. Uh the member seat and the planning board may have taken action last night. I have to follow up. >> They did. It was uh they appointed uh Kathleen. >> Okay.
to the >> the the the seat became vacant um with the resignation from the planning board of Jeff Tillison. So I guess Kathleen Katchel um the planning board is appointed. The current alternate member
is select board member Sean Copelan. And the select board is respectfully requested to discuss or to make the appointment or reappoint for the alternate member and that would be effective July 1, 2025 to June 30th, 2026.
>> Sean, you want to be the alternate again? >> Yes, that's fine. Okay. Then I'll make a motion to uh reappoint the alternate member uh to the MRPC effective July 1st, 2025 to June 30th,
2026 to be uh select board member Sean Copelan. >> Seconded. >> Oh, all those in favor? Sean >> I. >> Chris >> I. >> Chair says I. And then the last item the board has in its packet um as approached um by Jeff
Tillitson who wears many hats in addition to being the moderator is very involved um with the cycling community and involved with rail trails and I believe is going to be on is on a governor's appointed advisory group for
that and they are looking for um support hence the letter in your packet um of the rail with trail uh feasibility study for along the Fitsburg commuter rail line. Uh several um communities along um
the rail line have been asked including us uh to send a letter of support for a feasibility study under the rail with trail initiative and that would go to the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization. And in the letter um which
was the draft the initial draft which was provided by um Jeff you you do see from the air master plan uh one of our key goals in its ongoing is to expand and upgrade equitable multimmodal transportation opportunities including
sidewalks, paths, trails and rails in addition to roadways to ensure that residents, workers and transportation um is uh met. And the study is looking at further connecting the Nasha River Rail
Trail along expanding those uh bike lanes and that network for further connectivity with Devons and Shirley in the region. So I think it's a positive thing. I think that the first step uh is the feasibility um study and I know that
Jeff will keep us updated as he is uh key to this effort. So, we're looking for approval by the board uh in your signature and then it will go to the um Massachusetts Transportation Authority, the DCR, Senator Eldridge, Repenna, and
to the Air Planning Board. >> Okay, any questions? >> No, that's pretty cool. >> Sean, >> no question. >> Okay, I'll take a motion. Uh, I'll make a motion to um support um
a rail with trail fe feasibility study along the Fitsburg commuter rail line. Um, >> oh, >> the sound went out. I second it. >> Okay, >> I did kind of stop abruptly. >> Okay,
>> you have a tendency to do that. >> I do. >> Yeah. Um All right. All those in favor? Sean >> I. >> Chris >> I. >> And the chair says I. Congratulations. Your letter is approved. Hope it goes well. >> Madam chair. >> Yes. Go ahead.
>> Jeff Tis 15 Oakidge Drive. Um there's a secondary piece of this that I just want to speak about. The feasibility of the study is also going to give us a bunch of information on the corridor along the rail along the rail line which was probably going to be valuable to the town also. So I do appreciate you
supporting this. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Then, madam chair, last but not least, per the amendment to the agenda item four, um the Shrivever um job core um approached the town uh seeking a
resolution of support from the select board in the town of air of the Shrivever JobCore center on Devons. Uh, as the board is aware, um, due to recent federal actions on the federal level, uh, the funding is in jeopardy of the
Shrivever Job Corps at the Devon location and the other one in Massachusetts is in Grafton. Uh, they submitted a template which I just took the liberty we we just got and I took the liberty to just adjust it for
specific to air. Um, in a nutshell, in the interest of time, per approval, uh, it does three things. That the town of Air through the select board officially supports the continued operations and federal funding of the Shrivever Job
Course Center. Secondly, that it urges the m the governor, the state legislature, and congressional de delegation to advocate for the preservation of the funding. um and it recognizes the critical role in workforce development. And the third
thing is subject to your approval and signature, the resolution will be transmitted to the governor, to the state legislature, and to the congressional delegation to convey your support. I know that Kylie prepared an
official version for your consideration. Appreciate the board's consideration of last minute amendment. I think it's a positive thing. Uh Triber Job CP does a lot of great things. It's a key piece of our region and to lose them would be uh
another loss. And I know that Congresswoman Tran and represent and Congressman McGovern were out here recently in support of try to restore the funding. >> Any questions?
>> Sean, >> I don't have any. No. >> No. I I think this is great. I have no issues with it. >> Okay. Uh I'll make a motion to support a resolution in support of the Shrivever
JobCore Center uh to urge continued federal funding. >> Seconded. >> All those in favor? Sean >> I. >> Chris >> I. >> Chair says I. >> Madam Chair, that concludes my report. I thank you and the board for your time this evening.
>> And uh do we have any update as to the accident that happened drivers. >> So, not to put him on the spot, but to put him on the spot. Chief, any quick update? Um, >> uh, nothing much. It was a
>> So, it uh, it was a the driver did appear to have a medical event and that's where we have. So, it's, uh, just an unfortunate thing that tends to happen. Um, luckily uh, everybody survived and uh, That's where we're at.
>> Quite an accident. >> Yeah, it was fortunate. Nobody was killed. >> Yeah. Seriously. >> Yeah. >> Well, thank you. >> All right. Any new business? Select board member questions. >> I have none. >> John,
>> I have none. >> Okay. Next up is the meeting minutes of June 17, 2025. >> I didn't see anything. >> Yeah, I reviewed no comments. >> I'll make a motion to approve the
meeting minutes from June 17th, 2025. >> Seconded. >> All those in favor? Sean, I >> Chris I. The >> chair says I. Meeting minutes approved. With that, Madam Chair, I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Seconded.
>> All those in favor? Sean, >> I. >> Chris, >> I chair says I. Good night everyone.