--------- Good evening. Um, welcome to the finance committee meeting of Thursday, October 23rd, 2025 at 6 PM at Air Town Hall. This is a hybrid meeting. This meeting of the finance committee 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, this the
meeting hearing will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with particular interest in a specific item on this agenda should make plans for in-person versus virtual
attendance accordingly. This meeting will be live on Zoom. The public may access the proceedings by joining Zoom meeting ID 97877282 or by calling 929205, excuse me, repeating that 9292056099.
For additional information about remote participation, please contact Carly Anteneellis, assistant town manager atmirair.mma. us or 978-772-822 extension 100 prior to the meeting. Okay. Uh I'd like to call the meeting to
order. Um I want to note we have uh in attendance myself, Kirk Prescowski, Bob France, Jin Hong, and Andrew. Are you joining us via Zoom? >> He is on here. Sorry.
on on my work setup. >> Oh, okay. All right. And Andrew Sely is is joining us via uh Zoom. And Eric Seekman uh has not will not be able to join us this evening. Okay. Um so moving on to that uh item on the next item on
the agenda which is review and approval of minutes. Um usually which Eric provides us. Uh so we do not have uh the minutes uh for September uh 10th or October 16th to review and approve uh at this time. So we will take
those up again at our next meeting. Okay. Um we have uh one item to discuss this evening which is a summary and handout which uh Andrew presented to us last
week. Um I'm going to take a few minutes and discuss that right now. Uh I would like to thank Andrew for the time he took to prepare the summary uh which he sent us um for our meeting last week. Um as I mentioned last week, we were not
going to do a report and were not expected to do a report. Um but we decided to discuss the summary as presented. Um then we further decided that we would see if we could present the summary as a
handout at the town man at the town meeting. So, we asked the town manager uh if he would review the handout summary. Um, and then this evening, we would approve it and then see if we could present it to the town ma
moderator and see if it could be presented as a handout at town meeting on Monday, this Monday, October 27th. Um today the town manager returned the
uh the summary with uh some questions and comments. Um so then I think the next thing we would be doing then is to discuss these changes or comments then approve an updated summary and then
as we had discussed then decide if we want to send it to the town moderator. Uh I need to inter interject right now at this point. Um I really appreciate the uh the idea of
the summary. Um however, considering the time frame that we are working under, I don't think we should go forward with this summary for the town meeting. Uh, I appreciate the idea,
but we have to be conscious of our duty to the public to make sure that summaries, reports, handouts are shared and discussed adequately at our meetings. So, back to my comment about the time
frame. I mean, we've and I I am going to take a grand step back. I think we've done a great great job of this whole issue being presented uh for this town meeting. I think at
first August 19th and we've done a good job of scrambling and getting everything together uh in that time frame. Um so uh so back uh so again not only we have to
be conscious of our duty to the public to make sure reports are shared and discussed adequately our meetings um we have to make sure that we've taken the time to discuss a report or summary or handout
that would be disseminated at a town meeting. So I don't think we really really have had time to do that correctly. Um so I mean we've done the best that we
can. Um we will be at town meeting on Monday and can answer any questions obviously presented then. So uh what I would like to do is obviously this is a uh something for the committee. I would
like to discuss it and um and then uh see if we want to proceed with the idea of a summary or handout at all. So um I open it for discussion. >> When did the town managers give you the
reply? Because I did can you share the comments and because I didn't see it on the email. >> So you haven't even seen it then? I mean, I only saw the summary that I only saw the two files that Andrew sent out, >> but I didn't see you said that Tom manager hasn't replied to that.
>> No, has today. Correct. Yeah, >> that's a probably made in I didn't see that one. >> Okay. So, all right. So, then you haven't even seen the seen the updated version. >> Do you have that on your computer?
>> Um, I do. Uh, wondering if I could I I can't look at the time email on my phone. I'm just wondering are there any substantial um >> yes there was a lot of questions and comments um which we I think
>> which goes to my point of >> his hand is Andrew has his hand up. >> Okay. Yeah. Well, Andrew, we see your hand up. Jyn, we're gonna uh uh I'm gonna talk continue talking with Jyn. Um, which goes to my point is again,
have we had enough time to review and discuss this adequately? So, Andrew, >> I'm I'm fine with that. I'm happy to defer whatever whatever you want to do, Kurt, as the chair.
Okay, Robert, >> I'm in agreement. Yeah, I think for some questions that I had probably too late, but um my opinion, one of the numbers
represented there has is got a number of duplications in it that we're already paying for. So to represent that number as a component of the senior center I
think is it's not a good representation. Again I think I it was a it's a it was a good idea. Uh but again I think we're working under some unusual time constraints and I think the the group our committee has done a good
job so far but I think um uh presenting something at this like that's I'm I'm rehashing it here. So >> any other discussion? Uh, I would like to make a motion that
we uh at this time do not uh uh present a summary or handout for town meeting. >> I'll second that. >> All those in favor? >> I
>> I don't know. Uh I guess I saw last week when we had a meeting, we were talking about doing the handout. So now we think that the handout is is not good idea. Okay. That's fine. I mean, I I'm fine either way.
>> So, Jen, you were fine with the motion then not to present a summary or stand hand out at the town meeting. >> Yeah. I mean, I don't want to uh Yeah, I'm I think that as long as the people
present the information, you know, in a balanced way, it's fine. Yeah. Yeah, I I uh I think that's what uh we're running into is that uh we started with one
report last week. We uh made some changes last week. We're now at and this is we would theoretically uh we would have to discuss more changes and the meeting is literally on Monday.
So that's where I I think and we were originally not even going to do a report. So uh so let me uh to take a roll call of the vote again. So uh the motion is to uh not present a handout or summary
for the town meeting. >> Agreed. Bob agreed. I >> Andrew abstain. Okay. I will vote I engine.
Yeah, I guess I I thought that we were trying to like um you know I guess now the finance committee won't make a a I guess our vote result would still be on the water, right? Yeah. On the the
article. So, so yeah, I guess you know I uh I don't want to make this too contentious. I I guess I'll go with you guys. Uh yeah, I can vote, you know, to not give the handle either because I haven't seen Robert comments. I would
like to see that. That probably will help me to make a decision. So, >> well, again, I think the Okay. So then we have uh we'll have you uh record your vote as a I then. >> Sure. Uh I I don't think then uh it it's
going to pass even if I abstain. Right. >> Uh yeah, I think that's right. >> Yeah. Mhm. If >> it were too poor and too obstain, it would fail to do it. up.
Okay. >> Yeah. >> So, so then we will just move on to the next item on the agenda. >> Okay. So, we So, I should vote. I'm going to record you as an I then. Yes. >> I think I probably want to do abstain,
too. I I because I feel like I haven't got enough information to make a decision. Okay. So to be clear, we are not handing up the summary. >> At this point, we've taken a vote. We have two eyes and two abstains.
The two eyes have it. Correct. >> To the you the motion was made to not do it. Correct. >> Correct. >> And you have two Yeses and two abstensions. So the motion
fails. >> Okay. >> So in other words being presented. >> No. No. >> No. Uh. >> Okay. No. That was that was the one. >> Motion is not.
>> Yeah. But that failed which means that question is still on there whether we hand out or not. Well, uh, that's so much to >> Okay, >> Andrew, can you read um Robert's file?
>> Mr. Chair, I'm >> I'm right here. I Jen, Jen, I can I did send through the chair. I did send an email and I know that Kurt sent it out and maybe you did not get to it. Um so
as I said at the last meeting I I first want to say that I do understand that the finance committee is a committee of town meeting and is independent. You have every right to do um a
presentation um which in this case has been decided you know not to. you have every right like any other group to submit say a handout to town meeting, right? But the the rules are that all
handouts have to be approved by the moderator in advance. Okay? And so the issue that I raised in the email is similar to the issues or the concerns I raised last time
in order to in in in my opinion and experience. Our number one goal is to perform is to provide the most accurate information to Tommy. And when I looked at the the handout, which I saw for the first time, as you did a week ago,
it was largely all of the numbers that were already presented to the finance committee by Barbara and I at your September 10th meeting. Okay. The numbers, and this is not a criticism of Andrew or anybody on it, but the
numbers were not accurate because some things had changed. So my first concern was that two weeks before town meeting the finance committee is looking to do a handout to voters. Okay, which still has
to be approved by the fincom which would be tonight. It remains it still would have to be approved by the moderator. But in this case, I question because all of the information on here is not only h has already been presented not only on
September 10th to the panccom but on September 11th to the capital planning both public meetings of which the videos the presentations everything's on the website. So I questioned that last week is what is the purpose of this handout
also because we're going to cover all of these numbers in the presentation to town meeting Monday night. So what then happened is a lot of work and and I'm sure Andrew put a lot of work into putting this together, but a a lot of
time had been spent, you know, to review the accuracy of it. And I think more of the issue was the the timeline. In other words, this was brought up for the first time a week ago. It wasn't even really a specific agenda item. Nobody had seen it
until then. Then there was a a decision which I appreciate for us to review it and a meeting tonight to decide whether to send it to the moderator who may or may not that's his prerogative still approve it. So the concern is I think
moving forward I think we all have always worked you know well together and and want to continue to that. I think the concern is more and there's not a criticism of anybody specifically is just that the the the way in which it played out and that's and I'm not saying
now there just isn't as the chair said a lot of time I we're four days away from town meeting and nobody from the public has even really seen the the um present hasn't seen it and hasn't really
discussed it you know you know Yeah. Yeah. >> And respectfully, the last piece in my email, which you'll see, so all of the numbers because they've been re re reviewed at length, uh, which is good practice by the finance manager and I
are all correct. But the other concern in my opinion, my opinion, not opinion, was at the bottom was the forward-looking summary statement. Okay. the on September 10th respectfully
after a long presentation at the end of that presentation there were no real questions from the Fincom the Fincom then moved to take a vote which respectfully was con I think
everybody was confused it was a two to one to one vote but the forward funding statement says that the finance committee recognizes the community need but expresses caution over funding uncertainty, reserve
depletion, and long-term tax impacts. And then it states the vote. But respectfully, on September 10th, the the FINCOM didn't deliberate any of those things and still hasn't. And I specifically on record, if you remember,
on September 10th, came up to the table and took issue with the comment that there were concerns about the funding plan and the issue of reserves, which was the first time I was ever hearing about it from anybody. I mean, I have an
open door. What I'm getting at is I question that. And you'll see in the email the reserve depletion argument by the finance committee's own policies, the financial policies of the town. The capital stabilization
balance is to be seven 7% of 10% of the omnibus. You have over $8 million in capital stabilization. You do that math. Per the policy, we're supposed to have a minimum
of $234,000 in the reserves. We have over 8 million in capital stabilization, another almost 6 million in stabilization. We have excess levy capacity, unused um unused
excess levy capacity. We have over $3 million in UDA. Respectfully, we have perhaps the strongest financial reserves that have taken over 20 years and not just me of any town in in Middle Sex
County, I'd argue. And so for the fincom to put out to the public potentially that you have caution over not of the reserve depletion, you see what I'm saying? I can't agree with the fincom on that. And I made that clear. Not that
it's just about me, but Miss Tyranny as well on September 10th. I'm not We have always worked well together. The concern is I think moving forward we need to spend some more time to work together
collaboratively and accurately and be on uh the same page. Now, being on the same page doesn't mean that everybody's going to agree. That doesn't mean everybody's going to agree Monday night or at any town meeting. But at the end of the day,
we want everything to be accurate. Being accurate and saying, for example, it's a rubber stamp or so forth is not correct. The voters of this town in my 16 years here are very independent-minded. The town meeting,
they know what they're doing. What I'm getting at is there will be a very robust discussion. So, you'll see my email. Those were my concerns. >> Sounds good. Sounds good. >> I I got it. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. >> So that and and not I appreciate and I said this Andrew put in the effort to
put this together. I think if we had discussed this sooner >> and I and I hope we will moving forward on other matters. Um we want to work with you on things so that we're all on the same same page.
>> Yeah. I I also went and uh try to learn a little more from um um our talent u finance management. >> I heard you had a >> Yeah, I I I tried to learn from Barbara and then Yeah. So I got that impression
from her too. Yeah. That like um taking two million out of this uh stabilization fund is not going to put the town's finance in jeopardy. So So yeah, >> and I don't mean it as an advocacy. I think my final point through the chair is
municipal government is an interesting animal. It's not the private sector or what have you in the sense that we're held to the standards of the open meeting law, public record transparency and I'm not saying casting aspersions but what I'm saying is to get to the
point of town meeting with a presentation or so forth is clunky by design. meaning we there should have been more discussion about this for the public taking some public input in um
because my other concern is if this is approved and it's sent to the moderator and and he and he has every right to approve it or deny it. I'm not speaking for him but it really hasn't been fully vetted.
>> I I guess you know if an individual want to pass something out it probably be different. Yeah. you when you try to speak as a an entity. Yeah. Probably more discuss. >> Well, and just to be clear though, at town meeting in the town meeting, all of
the handouts have to be approved by the moderator. So, individuals, if the individuals want to pass something out, they can do that >> outside and that that happens. >> I see. >> So, there's more concerns of just of of of planning and process, if you will,
>> Mr. Sure. Thank you. And and I and if you have any questions after you see my >> No, no, no. I I I hear your explanation and I I completely understand. Yeah. And I mean like I was trying to >> Thank you, Robert. >> explain to Bob this afternoon. So that
the out of the 473 like that in that scenario really like about 240 something about half of it is CPA that will you will be paying every year anyway. So, so the the real impact like that say it was
a you know >> 140 something. >> Yeah. All60. Yeah. >> I'm going to I'm going to interject here. Um, I believe I um
I am not good on parliamentary procedures and rules entirely, but we do have to be very conscious of discussing items outside of the meeting via email or text
with actual numbers and and finances. So I uh now now that we are in the meeting um we could continue with that. I just need to make a point of order there's address. It's not so that
discussion is a public record. So, so I >> um it's I believe it's a gray area and I think that and this is this is to get back to my primary concern and Robert I do need to mention that uh I appreciate your giving some details there but I do
need to mention that um all I saw was that quickly is that you had sent back some changes to the summary that we had made uh with some questions and comments. Mhm. >> I did not read any more details on those. My first reaction was okay, we
are now going to have to discuss this further. And then this and then this led me to the thoughts of okay, we have been presented with a task here on a very short time frame. We've decided at the
last minute to add this summary um and which could be construed as a report. Um and we I as I I've mentioned in my opening
remarks don't think we've had sufficient time to discuss >> for for something to be presented at town meeting. Um so um and that's and I think I sort of alluded that also
where you know we have a we have to be conscious of our duty to the public to make sure reports are shared and discussed adequately at our meetings. Um and unfortunately I I don't feel that we've really had to do that. Um, I was also looking at
the bylaws and under for the finance committee and as far as reports, there's a real important phrase that pops out. Said committee when practable practicable
will publish its recommendations. And I think I think that is the other thing that's been informing my comments this this evening again is August 19th, boom, we're going to do this. September 19th, boom, we're going
to do this. Boom, boom, boom. Uh we're really pushing up against the the the concept of practicable. Didn't do a very uh a good report. So, uh, just wanted to add those other items
to the discussion. Um, further discussion because we do have, uh, the motion is is not passed at this moment. >> Uh, if I I will we'll open this to public input in a bit. Um, Andrew, any
other comments, discussion? >> Nothing from me. Okay. Okay, I think I will uh uh I'm going to switch my vote so that they can pass because otherwise we're kind of like a stuck here. Okay. Um,
what I would like to do is to make a new motion. Um, and before doing that, is there any more discussion or comments from the members of the finance committee? >> Okay. Andrew,
>> no. >> Jen, >> no. >> Okay. I'd like to make a motion that the finance committee not present a summary or handout at the town meeting this
Monday, October 27th. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> We have Jin I. Bob I. Andrew. >> I'll abstain.
and Kurt votes I. So with three I's and an abstension, the motion passes and the finance committee will not be presenting a summary or handout to the town moderator or at town
meeting. Um so that is the motion and so passed. Um, so I I really I appreciate the committee's um attention to this. Um, again, I was
I put this information together this afternoon and again, Robert, as I mentioned, I'm I'm sort of repeating myself here, is that uh I just saw your emails and that again the point is that we had to discuss things again, but I just don't think you
I I'm beating going over uh same stuff here. So, um the other thing with um town meeting um at this point uh
uh we the members of the finance committee uh are going to be available to be on the stage. So, um and at this point, uh Mr. here.
>> Yes. >> I'm sorry. >> Just on the town meeting on the stage. >> Yes. >> If I could. So, historically, the fall town meeting is historically is generally a lot of land use and zoning bylaw and planning things
and and therefore normally the planning board is on the stage as a fincom is always on the stage in the spring, right? Because of the annual budget. Everybody we have a unique town meeting in this
fall has happened in the sense that we have four zoning bylaw articles but we also have financial articles. So what um what has come up is in order so that we have both boards represented on the the
stage is um it is has been proposed speaking with the moderator that the chair and the vice chair of the finance committee will be on the stage and the chair and the vice chair of the planning
board. So at least both boards have representation on stage. That doesn't mean we need all of the other members, you know, would be able to still speak and and sit down on the floor. So that's sort of the the the plan for Monday as
opposed to having the whole planning board or the whole finance committee, the chair and the vice chair of each of those boards along with the clerk and the moderator on that side of the stage and the select board and myself on the other. >> That sounds fine to me. I I never
planned on stage to be on the stage anyway. I think >> you wanted to sit up on the stage. >> No, no. I never wanted to sit on the stage ever. >> So Mr. Not just this meeting never >> uh give give uh just just give me a
second to digest. Um >> okay well I have >> no dancing alone. >> No I' I've never intended I what they talked about earlier was that I think the previous town meetings like three of them have been on the stage but I I've
never been on stage. No. >> Okay. Um Okay. Uh all right. Well, thank you for that information. Um because the the uh let me catch my breath. Thank you. Um
is we were going to just confirm that um we uh it started as again I I believed >> or I I wasn't sure be honest with you that I thought all five of us were going to be on stage.
>> We never do that. Oh, most no. When when this first when >> when we had the meeting last time they only the two of them want to be on stage all agreed to be on the stage rather not the one but I I never said I was going to be on stage and I don't think Bob did.
>> Okay. So what I'm hearing hearing then is that the finance committee should have the >> I think Robert stage. Yeah. And then the chair and the vice chair of the planning board. >> That's fine. >> Okay. All right. And then that that has been and the the town hall
>> and that's been in the past. So generally we we we don't often have the financial and land use things in the fall. This is it has happened though in the past. So we sort of have to split
the representation on on the stage. >> But I'll all five of you be on the stage in spring. So, >> no, I I I I would I'll try to dug out of that one. No, I don't ever want to do that. >> All right. Well, Andrew, it looks like
you and I are going to be on the stage. >> Love it. >> Love it. Okay. All right. I I will I will let Eric >> You are the young handsome, so you'll make a good figure out there. >> All right. Well, I'm I'm I'm glad that because I
Yeah, that's okay. I respect the that the decision. Okay. All right. Um I'd like to open it for public input. >> I I I just had a question. Your question and the question is now answered. I'm
good. >> Okay. Do we have anything from uh online? Can we tell? >> Um I see no hands up, Mr. Chair. Any Yeah. >> All right. Very good. having nothing
from the floor here or on Zoom. Um, our next item on the agenda is to schedule the next meeting. Uh, which would usually be the I'm looking at the calendar here, so bear with me and please correct me
anyone who has a calendar open in front of them. um would be this November 6 and November 20th are our normal the 1st and 3rd Thursdays. However, considering the town meeting being the 27th and a
possibility of an election town election on November 4th, I would suggest that we have our we defer our meeting on November 6 until November 20th. So, I propose that our next meeting would be Thursday,
November 20th at 6 PM. Does that work for your schedule, Andrew? >> Yeah, I'm looking. Yeah, I think that's that's fine. >> Okay. Yeah, I just I think it'll it's going to get a little bunched up there. And again, I think we've
again I reiterate that the finance committee has, you know, we've we've scheduled some special meetings, special meetings in here and everything. So, I think uh I appreci appreciate everyone's time and effort here. Okay. So, our next meeting will be Thursday, November 20th at 6 PM.
Um I have nothing else on the agenda. I propose we adjourn the meeting. >> Jen, you're making a motion. >> I made a motion to adjourn. >> The meeting. >> I'll second. >> Andrew seconds. All those in favor? I >> I
>> The meeting is adjourned as of 6:39 p.m. Part: 2
Today is Thursday, October 23rd, and this is a meeting of the Senior Center Building Committee. This meeting 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 or hearing will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with a particular interest in
a specific item on this agenda should make plans for in-person versus virtual attendance accordingly. This meeting will be live on Zoom. The public may access the proceedings by joining Zoom meeting ID 375-4146055 or by calling 9292056099.
For additional information about remote participation, please contact Carly Anteneellis, assistant town manager at atmirair.ma. us or 978772-8220 extension 100 prior to the meeting. So I
call us to order at 406 p.m. Thank you everyone for your flexibility this week on the um meeting day. So, um,
before we take a motion to approve or amend the agenda, um, I did not have approval of minutes on this agenda and, um, the clerk sent out some August minutes. Did anybody have time to review them?
>> Well, I said earlier that >> Okay, >> that's fine. I can talk. >> So, uh, then we'll wait for next month. So, we I don't I don't think we need any amendments to the agenda. Um All right. So, can I get a motion to
motion to approve the agenda? >> Uh uh. Oh, we do have Linda online. So, Dennis, >> I Dave Hi, Bonnie. Hi, Alan. Hi, >> Linda. Hi. >> Chair says I wonderful.
>> Right. So the um first item on the agenda is town meeting and election procedures and thank you Robert for being here today to talk a little bit about that. I thought this would be a good opportunity to kind of go over some of the basics and then with the committee to ask any questions you have.
>> Sure. Thank you for having me madam chair members of the committee and as I always say for uh all of your continued hard work you're almost there as they say. Um and congrats on the on the UDAG uh authorization this past Tuesday. Um
so I'll just give a quick just overview um of the town meeting. Very quick um just for everybody's benefit. Then most importantly, as I said to Katie, I just I I came out of support and to answer any questions that you or the committee may have about town meeting, the article
or the election that follows up because we don't we don't do these that often. So there's always uh it's good for a refresher. So obviously town meeting is on Monday, October 27th at 7 p.m. at the auditorium. Uh the warrant has it was
been posted. It's gone out. It has arrived. It is arriving at um households. Um when you get to town meeting for folks um you come in, you you sign in with the town uh clerk, you come in. Um there may be handouts
related to uh the articles or materials to pick up including the copy of the warrant. All of that has to be preapproved by the uh town moderator which I understand all of your materials have been you know preapproved.
Um it is article 10 on the warrant. Uh don't don't be alarmed by that in the sense not to minimize the the other articles. The first four articles are some zoning bylaw um amendments uh improvements.
There are three easements which um and then two CPC. So we'll get to article 10 which is this the article here. Um the moderator will um announce that it's article article 10 in my opinion he so the moderator runs all things tell me so
it's his call my opinion so I'm not going to speak for him but he doesn't have to read the article but he may meaning this whole article he may just say article 10 and read the title a member of the select board will make a motion to move the article and another
uh member will or somebody will say second all that is proced So every article has to just be moved and seconded. So it's moved and seconded. The moderator is aware that there is a presentation for this article. So after it's moved and seconded, there will be
the presentation. The presentation is sort of it's is two-part. I'll call it two-part. I mean the lion share the big piece of it will be the building and and Katie and and team on that. when that's finished um and there is an
understanding that this presentation um is not just like a five minute thing. So we want the appropriate time given to it. So present on the project and then the second piece will be the the financial um plan and the and the
financial piece that the finance manager Barbara Terry and I um with Katie will do. It's the shorter piece and you've seen sort of versions of this um since then at the end of the presentation there'll be a slide that will say like
thank you or questions and the moderator will then open it up for discussion and so any resident um of the town of air come up to the microphone. You have to state your name and your address and be recognized by the moderator and then
speak um to the article. Now the moderator is the sole authority on that discussion. So in other words um there have to be there should be some parameters. In other words, you can't come up to the microphone. You shouldn't come up to the microphone and start
talking about a pothole in front of your street or something. it it's what you may hear the word scope meaning it has to be on the scope of the of the project and the article. Um so people will come up um they will as you probably have all
seen do one of two things. They may ask questions which is fine and we will answer them or whoever will answer them and others may make um comments as long as they're you know fit that's anybody's
uh right you know for get and so there'll be a discussion at some point I'm always saying so the moderator he he's going to you know run that whole thing at some point the discussion is going to uh come to a
conclusion for lack of a better word. And there's a couple ways that could happen. There could be somebody that says call the question. Call the question means that they're asking for there to be a vote.
The moderator, this moderator, I think, is very good in the sense won't people can't shout it. this have so you if you hear somebody yell that you have to come up to the microphone be recognized and you know say call the question type of
thing um that's one way so the the debate is coming you know to an end may get called to a vote so then when it's called uh for vote um you know all those in favor I all those opposed where this is a 2/3 vote the moderator in
Massachusetts does have the authority to call it uh you know as a two/3 you know passage um if I was a betting person I would suggest that somebody will say count the vote or or he may even decide to count
the vote so that you know we will not just go on a voice vote as the vote for that and then um with twothirds um vote um the the article will pass and then it'll be off to November. So that's just a quick for some folks that you know
town meeting can be new to that's sort of the general um sort of how it would play out. Now I'm I'm speeding up oversimplifying the discussion piece. I mean there have been some town meetings where the discussion is short and sweet. Something like this
the discussion probably be longer and a lot of it is is you know questions and so forth. So I'm sorry >> if there's a number of people still in line to speak and somebody says call to question be it out right then or what?
So usually speaking again and I I'm just using this disclaimer please know it's the moderator is the sole discretioner a decider but generally if there are people up in line even if
somebody says call a question he does have the authority to let everybody you know speak and I'm not the moderator but if if I was if there's people lined up let them you know speak The other thing is that so when I talk
about the scope and it's up to the moderator there are things that for example because you want people to speak everybody has every right to speak but we can't let people if people just back to my pothole example people just stop
talking about all kinds of tangental or things that aren't related we'd be there for five nights. Yeah. So what I'm getting at is for example and nothing is perfect but for if somebody gets up to the microphone and starts talking about
the senior center programs you know what I'm saying like I don't I love it can be very positive I love the the turkey farm trip or what have you moderator should generally say you know just the point of order whoever the person is we need do you have a specific you know to guide it
so we don't go at it >> on occasion I I do have um several awards for this. On occasion, some people want to say something personal about something. It's not appropriate. I will usually say or somebody will say townhouse is very good
on ask for a point of order. So if somebody gets up there and you know this whole plan is stupid, the town manager is awful or whatever point of order type of thing. So the goal is to keep the discussion really to the project you
know um in that sense on called you know to move the question. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Does does moving the question is moving the question voted on and then moved or not or does the moderator
compelled to >> so good so good question just so what Dennis is getting at and I said Paul the question often is move the question you know there's a variation so the first thing is it wouldn't be out of order like I mentioned it's just important
because I don't want anybody to panic sometimes people shout it from the seats that's not absent honestly See, it's not appropriate. They haven't been recognized and it's my own opinion disrespected. But if somebody comes up to the microphone, identifies themselves
Jim Smith, Far Street, move the question. That has to be second. So that's it's not just okay, automatic. And then there has to be a vote in that simple majority to move the question. I'm glad you brought that up. So it's not just simply
it's not as simple as being identified and saying move the question. There has to be a second and there can be discussion on whether or not to move the question. No, I know and and this and this could play out in other words and people will come up and say you know
this is a hypothetical but people Mr. moderator, you know, with all due respect. I I I think there are about the people that need to talk. We have the most questions respectfully. You know, people can debate, but it's a simple majority both if it passes to call a
question, then they'll ask for the vote on issue. I'm glad you brought that up because and and I think the thing as I do every pro every issue so this isn't this isn't normal I always meet
with the moderator ahead of time to talk about things and my my feeling as I said to him is because there'd probably be a lot of new people there Monday night that have never been to town if you've never been to town meeting it's different right just in general is on
all of these things slow and clear and explain it out you know what I'm So emotions that are made to call the question explain to people what that means you know that then we now open it to the I think that goes a long way
there's there's no rush in my opinion and there shouldn't be so >> yes >> um that is potentially >> yeah question so the first thing you mentioned was that it not weren't sure
if the monitoring was read t >> and the thought it would be important >> just because I don't want to take any chance and it wouldn't say that something wasn't exactly the right procedure and so if they didn't read the article
it would be basically a motion on not read so that's why I'm okay I'm really concerned you read it all that the motions have been exactly the way it's supposed to which is >> Mhm. >> authorize the town 25.
So that is out of the way. >> Sure. When you get back later say w you give them shots maybe in the article or something. So that that's a good point and that's why when we have these conversations I think that's fair. I will bring that up to the
moderator. I mean again it's his call but I think that makes fair sense given the importance. There's no rush. Read the whole article. The article will also I should mention before Katie's you know presentation the article will also it'll
be projected up on the screen but that things are getting better because in the old days that was a >> right right now there's a betteration method for everybody. So, so again, if that's the waves, would you would you
expect to warrant every every article, right? >> Again, I think not to Ken's point like some of these other articles, not minimizing their imports, think of them as housekeeping. I think to his point it's it's those would probably be read
you know article five the title and we're good something like this just it's a fair point it's big it's important not that the other books aren't read it out the motion of this >> yeah the motion says in accordance with
the article is read by the moderator the motion could be relatively simple >> yeah as read and the belt >> articulated by the moderator whatever the the belt in suspended I we usually put with the motion is this read by the moderate printed in the warrant printed
>> as a legal >> but the it's my understanding that what what we are voting on we'll be voting on on Monday is what occurs on the floor that is the warrant is not the warrant until the floor approves it. So if
there's any changes to what's written in the warrant that somebody wants to suggest, if it's not, they can do it. So the point being that's on a role tonight. That's a good question, right? It's happened before.
So let's So right this is the warrant that this is what's going to be moved and put on the floor and ultimately the people are voting. So to to Dennis's point is what what about
amendments now amendments to articles there's there are some rules and some there's some county rules and there are some state groups. couple of them. So, town meeting cannot add to any appropriation. You can't add
any money. Okay. Town meeting could reduce money, but that would have to be a motion, seconded, discussed. And the moderator has considerable latitude to rule an amendment like that
out of order for a variety of reasons because this is a very specific project. This is what the voters would have been. You'll see the word warned. Everybody's coming here to discuss and to vote yay and a on this would be out of the you
know out of out of order. You know what I'm saying? And he could do that. Um, again, I'm not the moderator, but this is But I'm glad you just brought that up because people on this one, I mean, I don't if they try
to make some type of of amendment and town council will be there. So, the other thing is dedicating. So, town council is well aware like you can't just, you know, willy-nilly. the the issue really comes down to at
the end yes or no. Not to oversimplify it, but I think it's a I'm glad you brought that up because people you may hear somebody come up to town meeting and want to make a motion, you name it, it's been made and it would be in order,
>> right? So, a motion to reduce the size of a building, a motion to I don't like the location. I move that it I mean all out of order and not when I say out of order not just by the moderator but by by law. I mean they could theoretically say
spend no more than you know so reduce the cost about it you know they have to put it in >> right has to be written correct >> that's the other ready to go and typed
by >> also mean who would be the person to accept it as a friendly amendment in that case right would it be Wouldn't it be friendly? It wouldn't be fair. It >> wouldn't be friendly. So, >> no, but isn't that term like whether it's a friendly amendment or not friendly amendment, but would it be this
committee that would choose that or would it be the >> uh the town treasurer? >> So, a couple things. So, one because Ken brought up a key key point as you so town meeting experts that all amendments
have to be in writing and there's a reason for that. So first of all is because the town clerk has to record everything exactly she you know and you can't have somebody just you know really
it has it has to be a serious amendment you know in writing that's the I'm glad you brought that up because there are amendments will be knocked down all is it in writing no next is it in writing if there were to be an article I mean an
amendment that I depending on what it is the it also ultimately the moderator will determine whether it's in order but we also have talent council there because of this as well is um you can't I I keep using the
word willy-nilly but this is serious stuff in the sense we can't just you know on that um so let's just say hypothetically I'm trying to think what it would be let's just say we're just having a conversation there was a emotion that was submitted in writing
whatever it is meets the thing and then so the moderator would read the amendment. It would have to be second and then a discussion would open up on the amendment just the amendment and at some point there would be a vote
on the amendment and the amendment would have to pass by a simple majority. The 2/3 has to do with the whole it would have to pass um by a simple majority. Um I think um on this one is
>> then the motion >> then the motion has to be revised to conclude that they have to go back to discussion. >> Yeah. >> Um >> yeah but we're just awesome. I know everybody's, you know, interested in Mr.
That's why it came down. You know, any questions or whatever? I I think it would be very rare. I would get not to get off topic, but if we ever get a a clarification on whether Kaplan and
the OPM are going to be allowed to speak at >> Yes. So, I didn't really I don't think I really needed to ask that question. So, the air This is a very old old rule and and and
creates some consternation but the air town meeting any regress and speak at town meeting and any department head has the right because I don't live in the town of air
we don't we have a lot of departments only cookie so a long time ago was changing the department heads on the articles. So department heads and residents were done. The issue has come up though on non um resident experts or consultants
or so. So so I'm just going to use for example you have an architect Mr. Catland and you have representatives from Bertex and I'm going to I'm assuming I know John doesn't live in air but nobody lives in air. A non-resident needs unanimous consent
to address Tal. So in other words um and that's why we have non-resident sit up in the back. However, the moderator um unless there is objection um in the beginning would allow them
unless there's a challenge somebody you know challenges it and then it goes for revolt. I would argue about the moderate but I would argue that the department had rule in
something of this nature that's very specific Mr. Kav as I'm using him as an example or anybody any of your professionals have specific qualifications and they're
experts and for them not to address town would be a detriment to the voter making in the opposite and I do know that the moderator said that before it is on the same page. So first of all, I think the plan is is right at the beginning of the
meeting if there's no challenge cuz he last the moderator last maybe just for all articles and sometimes there's no challenge and then remove if there is a challenge it it could pass but it's got to be unanimous it's crazy
you know so if one person says no and so the I don't want to call it a workaround but what I've seen and I've talked to Katie about this let's just go with worst case scenario. So worst case scenario is there's a challenge unless
there and and at the end of the day they're not going to let somebody speak which is unfortunate I mean an expert if a question comes up to say Katie I or to the a question comes up that we want we
can consult with that person I I don't want to so what I'm getting at and I said that to the moderator So that's the worst case scenario, it's got to be unanimous. Yeah. >> So, but I I've already I would say to the moderator and town council has said
this before. So if the worst case scenario comes and somebody asks somebody asks Katie a question that somebody from Vertex or John Katan should answer not that she would want to hear worst case scenario Katie can take
a minute or a moment talk to him then I I know it's un that's the worst case scenario but I'm going to I I I really think that um they should be able to speak. I think the moderator
is on that page not just with this project they know he's on and sometimes we also that's why I'm also will push the argument that I would argue that um and I'll have them sitting with the top saying so they'll be down I would argue
that that rule applies to them it's not like we're having like just regular residents from Shirley that want to talk in favor against the brush it's not a good question. >> Would it be appropriate to just wait till I
>> Yes. And then Katie would in the presentation would say join me for available answer something along those lines of these people. >> Yeah. instead of mentioning at the beginning of the meeting, wait till a time copy the quote >> or do we want to
>> wait until a question comes from the floor that either only John can answer or John is in the best position to answer >> and then ask for the indulgence to to get from the expert on the
>> m Yeah, that's even better. But I think that's a good point too is when we get to article because I think out of all of them I mean article 10 he has a potential experts >> in the case which he
already department qualified to speak right so if the question you know I'd rather have he is Katie is I am all of you are a resident so I think we'll be okay but I'm glad Dave brought that up because People have
gotten very upset at tell me it seems weird, you know, on and it's not like it used to be in the sex pretty much. People want it. People want the information, you know, but >> it's still a rule on the books. >> Yeah, that's a whole another We can't
change it at town this town. That's a whole another story. I don't disagree. We've tried a couple times. So, um I brought this up before but I want to go all along. >> Yes. >> I think there's a chance.
>> Yes. >> I was handed this for the first time. >> Yes. pick me and if I read that first sentence I take it to be that the total project value is the number that's listed here
>> rather than fact this was an amount of money towards the total you got >> is there a chance that people would think that they vote for that that they have basically establish that as the
maximum value luckily They are going to have just heard the presentation. >> Yeah. >> And seen the breakdown of how it will be funded. >> You understand? >> So I I had thought that there would be a potential of adding a couple words if
that said see if the child will vote to program 135 toward the cost to construct but I guess that didn't in full disclosure we tried. And what I'm getting at is with bond count. It's so fickle and I and I I know
I hate it's sort of like >> that's a tangency means we just screened out that thing. We are so when Katie I I will do a fabulous job on the whole building piece and then what Barbara and I will do what
I do is that's why we want we're going to we want to walk people through it crystal you know and I I think I think that there will be there will be question I think a lot of questions that
doesn't mean bad or anything about building a project because there'll be people there this first time they see I know that seems but it happens all the time and then there'll be questions about the funding plan and and the cost and stuff so we just
want to have make sure that everybody has all these >> and I I think it's and I I did watch the pit >> yeah which was obstructive um but I think it's it will be important
for us as the building committee you know concerned residents in the town that there will be some focus on how we pay for it can we afford it you know what's the total cost what's the soft cost what are the high cost etc etc but
I think it's incumbent upon all of us to kind of try to bring the conversation back to why this is important that that is what are we getting for that money terms of meals served people served isolation between
um you know trips taken you know medical advice received all the rest of it uh and there will be a tendency I think for some folks on the floor to want to talk about we can't it's too big as opposed to the conversation being
more about is this something important to the community does it provide value for that >> is this thing worth $165 a year to in terms of what it can provide you and I think it's going to be important and
hopefully from people that we don't know to stand up and say that uh because I don't think many people are going to vote for it if it's 143 and against it if it's 165 I think those who vote against it think it's not worth it
period and those who vote for it think perhaps we should have spent even more I think so. Yeah. >> I mean, yeah, I would say any other. So, I have a question about the think because they, you know, the two young
men who >> I'm going there at six. You want me to give you a ride? >> Go ahead. >> You know, they they seemed um very much opposed to it. Had their own opinion about the size of it, the cost of it that it should have been. And we're not
in favor of using stabilization fund, which didn't make any sense because I don't know how much they know about finances at all. But um you know, and I'm concerned about what they are likely to say. I even heard a rumor that they
might be wanting to pass out their own um materials with numbers on it. I don't know what it was, but if they did something like that, wouldn't that have to be approved in advance? >> Yes. So, I'm I'm not going to and I know you know
this Helen I you have every right and I I'm not going to comment on the on the final exact. However, I will say I will say that um you were at that meeting. I was at that meeting. I um
Yeah, let it go. Yeah, I'm going to let it go. The FinCom met last week before the forum and um as much as I love meetings, I was having
I wasn't go but I decided to go because I saw there was a they had an item about town meeting this ring. So they discussed having a handout,
which was the first that I had it caught me off, you know, a handout. And um I said, "Well, what is the the handout?" And I looked at the handout and it it looked like it was there was
one one page. It was largely the numbers taken from Barb and I's presentation, but they weren't all accurate because things have changed. I don't mean that in bad. So that raised another I'm big on accuracy and in a sense right
information. And I said, so what is they? Well, we want everybody to have all the information. I says, but they do. My argument is looking at your handout respectfully. uh the fact that it's 2 weeks before
town meeting and this is the first of hearing about it and all of the though some of the numbers are incorrect that that need to be corrected. I said all of this will be covered in the presentation. In fact, you took it from my presentation. So why would we have a
handout? I'm not trying to be difficult. So ultimately, just so you know, I mean, all materials have to be approved by the moderator. He has the final say. So if all of yours have been approved and and the reason for that, too, is because it
can't turn into a a free-for-all. >> The second thing is it can't have any advocacy. Now, I will say that it had no meaning. That was my person like it didn't say like vote no or you know just like your stuff is the information.
So the other thing is they this was the first time they had discussed this. They had not voted it. I knew that the chair was taken you know back by it. So they're going to meet tonight to decide whether they're going to issue
it or not. Now, they did agree. Um, Barbara and I reviewed the entire presentation. It's not a presentation. It's a one sheet. All of the numbers are correct. Um,
I it's going to be up to the moderator at this point. I I don't know. They would have to vote. First of all, the FinCon would have to vote tonight and they would have to transmit it to the moderator and it it's his call. Um,
I would not panic. I would not >> What is their point? What are they trying to show? >> We don't know. So, I I I asked that point blank. I said, first of all, because this is what I'm getting at is and I have to walk a fine line because the independent committee and my my my
fan club is always >> too involved. And I said I better add that what concerns me is how this is playing out. I said we have known about this for months. I mean conservatively meaning known about the project conservatively on September 10 and they
met if they wanted to do a handout which is their prerogative which in the rules why wait till now but the handout my opinion is the information. We're going to cover all of it. We we have not you Katie has been bit contrary to what
certain it has been completely transparent. These are the facts and so I just think it confuses people. They had to spend an enormous amount of time to make sure it was accurate. I can assure you that all of the numbers
everything is is correct. Um, and my recommendation is not to it's up to the moderator. And I guess my advice is I wouldn't I wouldn't sweat it in the sense there's no advocacy. I I I feel better in the sense that we all of the
numbers are correct. >> I I have a question. So in the past at certain town meetings um the select board even have you know voted not unan unanimously on certain things but I mean sometimes there's a no vote.
>> Yeah. >> And you know articles with no votes there would be questions from >> the audience right and so how do those questions get answered and by >> meaning just so I understand.
>> Okay so let's step back. So, so I'm prefacing it by there have been instances where there are no votes or maybe no >> people against or >> people board yeah >> or no boards members on boards that have been against certain things.
>> Yeah. And that's in a more article, right? It'll be, you know, unanimous or no, right? And for the NC finance committee, there's yeah, no votes. >> And and I I recollect at certain time meetings when there are no votes, there
will be questions from town vote with respect to why did >> members on a certain board vote no. Y >> right. And so this addresses that. code. So the first thing that happened a few
weeks ago her her and she has no power to do this but she made the request to the moderator that all of the members of a thing called be at select >> so they can address questions. >> Yes. The chair and the vice chair will be on the stage. Okay. Now the chair
know it's public record. The chair voted not voted against the support. the vice chair voted as one of the two that voted no. So to your question through the moderator they'll be up it's someone and a half they'll
they'll say Mr. moderator after they record it. My question is to the fincom through you being the moderator that explain that that vote and then Yeah. So that then they will be >> Exactly. Yeah. that person the option
>> right that's true they don't they have the option >> yeah to say yeah it's of the record of such and such a thing you know in such a fashion and that's the record. Yeah. >> This pamphlet that they want is that
supposedly tech would be explanation of the outl. I can assure you it's just the number which number >> I think it's >> our numbers. >> The funding plan. So they want to hand out the funding plan that's going to be
discussed. >> No, it's just all the things I It's just remember on the This will make it, but remember on the 10th the um Barbara Knight had a slide that had all
of the the numbers of the funding plan. >> Yeah, >> that's what it is. The concern last week was some of those numbers have changed and they didn't know this that has all been that's what those numbers are. So I I was
>> I mean the things that they concerned about were using grant money or that hadn't been approved yet. Yeah. That kind of thing. >> Yeah. >> Or um >> and then they didn't want to use the stabilization fund either. Thank you.
>> It's sorry that's I said it's this right the bigger version. >> So remember this with the arrows and I walk through it >> but they use the one from initially the one from September 10th. There's been some changes. That's not a bad thing. So
my first concern it wasn't accurate. >> And Barbara and I spent an enormous amount of time to make sure everything was accurate. There's no advocacy here. See what I'm saying? It's sort of like a redundant effort. I don't understand what the and that's my point. >> Does that give them the opportunity to
stand up and say what they don't like about it? >> Anyone can as a resident and that's like >> and that's okay. That is the entire Yeah. >> at the end of the day at the end of a
day it's okay that they do that. that is we have to be in a position to support why this is an important project and why the town can afford it. I do not begrudge any member of any other town committee standing up and saying I don't
think we can afford it or it's too much or the funding scheme is you know whatever I mean that's how it's supposed to work. I think our job is not to police what somebody else might say. Our job is to be prepared to respond to it
should it occur. And I think that we are I I think that the the numbers support it. The level of expertise on the committee supports it. The funding plan is put forward by the town manager and the town's finance manager or treasurer
for which they all support it. So, so I would fully anticipate on the floor that there will be people asking the finance committee for that or coming up with numbers of their own and saying why if we can't afford it and I think that's
fine. I I I think that that's what we would an informed citizenry needs to be able to do that and it for us the burden falls to be able to respond to it and I think we're well prepared to I think that's a great point and as many
said that before and it's almost like at this point in time we pretty much have covered everything >> right so the question on the weekend the question that came up to me What's the interest rate of being on the bond issue? Doesn't really have to do with
the senior center. The government's going to ask that because they're just going to ask that question. Yeah, there's going to be questions about the location was going to be but we this meeting talked about all of these things and we pretty much know >> yeah expected
>> and it's a twothird twoirds of the people. Um I think it's a great point that it's made. >> Yeah. >> Everyone says what they want. They can come off the stage and go down in the on the aisle and say I'm speaking as a citizen. >> Yeah, that's a good point.
>> Speak as a member of board speak as a citizen. Same thing happened with the planning one developing that was the big zone change. >> I was on the stage. I didn't like it. But you know someone who had a two family something and wanted to make it
three was asking whether that one fit under the no it didn't fit. never I think it's a big welcome, you know, so just the last piece which is the easy. So I think we're in good
shape. >> If you have any questions, you know where find me. I know the moderator is doing office hours and two, but I think we're in good shape. So after the 27th. So at some point >> don't they also have to vote for the
stabilization fund money that's >> it's just it's all one article. >> Oh okay. >> Yeah. So and but so that's the planer. >> Okay. >> So now article 10 is done. The vote has been taken. Article 10 passes by two by
two >> town meeting with then adjourn and then >> next Tuesday on November 4th will be the debt exclusion. So just real quick um you probably have seen the sample ballot. It is a strange thing the way
the it's governed by state law all projects. So it doesn't have a dollar amount which blows people's mind. You can't put a explanation note like the warrant. This is all governed by state law. And so voters are asked to go and
vote. A yes vote would be to authorize the that exclusion. A no vote would be not. That one's a simple majority. No. 2/3. The polls are open to eight. Everybody will go to vote. I think
voting is happening now because there's mail in voting. um as there is for everything. The polls will close at 8. Town clerk and her chain will count the votes and what have you and then the votes and then
that passes by simple majority vote then good to go. >> When will we know what they will count on the voters? Um, so the polls close at 8 and that's a good question at the
great hall and she has a very good team. I don't want to don't hold me to this, but within it within an hour the polls closing and then just so you know, we will post the results on the town website. They will be posted at the
great ball. So they so people can wait outside. They'll close the doors while they're counting and then open it. We we should know within the hour maybe I don't want to speak for the clerk. It depends on how many people you know
the entire time the language question. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> It doesn't say it's a dead >> right. Correct. >> It's a funny language. It is very old
funny language. So >> yeah. >> Yeah. >> Correct. >> Yeah. So the vote on on our article between the time the vote on the article occurs and the adjourment of the
meeting. Would it be appropriate for the town moderator or someone filling the floor to remind those assembled that they need to come they need to vote or that the vote is still occurring on November 4? that is to
>> because I mean I hate for people you know some may well vote on the 27th >> but how do we get in that information to the to the town meeting that >> okay we're halfway through this process to complete the process you need to go
vote either up or down but >> so I have it in my part of the presentation I think I'll explain it I know that there are when you get up if you haven't been up to school there signs that are already advertised up it will be brought up meaning that there's
the election the town also last point I promise between town meetings and up to the election and we do this with every single debt exclusion project we will be doing some outreach as well as what do I mean by that we will on the found
Facebook page website etc reminding people that there is an election There's an electronic sign on the side of the of the fire station. The police chief has one of his place. We can't advocate as we know but we do promote
and we will do a piece that will say and you've seen this in the state a yes vote means not advocacy but yes vote means no vote means just because as P said it's just our claim we do that the language is just so we do do someformational
out there the friends and your efforts and also we I'm slow. >> No, no, no. This is good. I just I know you have another meeting. So, I I appreciate your time today to answer all these questions. >> Get us all more ready.
>> Well, do you have any other questions? Let me know. We'll follow up through um Katie know where to find me. And I will see you all on Monday night at 7, right? >> Monday at 7. Yeah.
>> 6:30. Thank you. All right. We'll see you soon. All right. >> Right. So that Thank you again. That brings us to um site updates. >> I was on the committee. I don't even have
>> Does it make sense some inspection to point out that we have already spent $447,000? We have $427,000 allocated to the projecting. So this if the town needs
funds they are literal at the price >> I I don't >> 115550 for you at 145550 and not price according to break down to 147 37
that's not And uh I think we're I think that chart with that list with the numbers on it does show that we already have funds towards it. Um
so I guess >> I guess that could be a rebuttal to >> write the line that shows >> right. Yeah. So the funding plan slide which is what's more or less in front of you >> has where we are. I I think the only
place that that would necessarily be gerine would be is if someone >> doubting the question could be brought up say oh what if you guys have already uh the budget bill is lower than 15 isn't
it by the one point standard >> right but the the idea was that we we're operating under the idea that we're presenting to the town the total project costs >> we been giving you. >> Oh yeah.
To me it just shows that the process has already started already at this point. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. I think that might give me point once the president is Yeah. >> All right.
Thank you. Thank you all Monday. >> Still um Ken, do you have the email from Dan with the site updates? >> I think the only the only thing I have
is Dan Dan V or Dan >> Dan. Hang on. Let me just see if it's on the printer. I thought I had it here, but just say Okay, that's all right. I can just I can just offer it.
I guess I went to the robot. Hang on. Uh, hang on. Can I Oh, I can't unplug everything. Oh, wait a minute. I'll just grab it on my phone. Sorry. I was like, how do I how do I get that? >> I know technology
>> without showing other emails that I can't show. Okay, >> okay, here we go. Alrighty. So, um, so, uh, Dan, I apologize for not being able to be here this evening. Uh, in terms of the gate, the DPW is coordinating with
Mass Development Engineering to develop a draft plan for the gate relocation and turnaround. Um, the commitment letter from Mass Development is not yet in hand, but there is an understanding that it needs to be in hand by town meeting. It's been escalated to Robert. Robert
has reached out to Meg over at Mass Development. So they're um you know going to get that resolved. Um so um so I don't think for the sake of town meeting it's very much in process. It's
um there is you know verbal agreement between all the parties that the gate can and will move and where it will move to. Um they're just you know putting the logistics into place. Uh in terms of
electric says in short we do not have national grids cost grid indicated once the design is approved they provide a service agreement with the cost. So I my understanding is the design is done. Um
it says currently grid is requesting our approved environmental permits approved environmental permits which I indicated will not be for some time due to natural heritage um due to that process. So madam chair, so am I correct in
understanding that national grid will be unable to provide us final information only after the environmental stuff. >> So they have the design is completed. They're sending the design the design is
completed. They're sending it to us soon. Um, and and Dan has inquired about the timing for the cost, but what they're saying is that they can't price the design until the appropriate environmental permits are in place.
The appropriate environmental permits can't be put into place until uh the site plan is completed and the funding is secured because we can't pay for the permits until we have the town meeting approval. So I think
it's it sort of where it is right now. >> I don't think I don't think it's a problem going forward. >> Yeah. You got Yeah. So it's just a matter of we got to move one forward and then we'll bring the other one and then move the other one. Bring it. Yeah. >> So but it will be many months
we'll get a contest. >> What's that? I don't >> Well, the environmental We don't have to >> we indicated once the design is approved they provide a service agreement with a cost
but they won't execute and work on that environment. So, so the design serum the cost is deciming what the cost. So the plan I
think was that with the design of the cost before the environmental stuff completed >> they are currently requesting it. So the language of his email is not clear whether then whether it is >> whether it is a request or a
requirement. Either way, both of those processes, provided we get town meeting approval, both of them will move forward, >> right? But I think it's important for us to be able to be clear with people on the floor that
we're working towards getting the cost estimate on the utilities from national grid, >> right? >> And is that going in some is that going to happen two months from now or is that going to happen 12 months from now? Um, and what
>> I mean that's a very very specific question. Two months versus 12 months. I I don't anticipate getting that kind of a question, but my answer still nonetheless would be that the process is underway. It's moving forward. We are moving it forward, working on all of the
necessary site documents that are necessary to move it forward because that's all >> with a friend. I think is to say that we've been working with mass posting a year and providing us with the budget for the project. It's slightly beyond my
control but in this stage they're ready to finish the design. We believe designing is cost effective solution and we're carrying a budget of a million dollar in the water. So you feel comfortable with that being
>> and not get into >> and not get into the delay that the environmental permanity may create. It'll be that's there's a chance that someone will ask that question. There's a chance someone will say oh
>> sure through that >> but again all of that is in process and I think the the most appropriate answer for a floor of town meeting is yes we thought of that those things are un in progress.
There are not there's nothing we've encountered thus far that is a stop sign in the process. We're going through all of the appropriate environmental steps in order to make sure that the permitting is >> conventional seems to be always.
>> Yeah. Nice. But with the dimension they can't really give us exact cost until they know what the environmental people say. They say, "Well, you have to decide this no effect on
they can't put anybody in with God until everybody know heritage is that's not natural heritage says we can't come down this guard and have to build that guard and now they have to be it shouldn't be that >> so you're right.
And then >> but then last but not least for the sewer um the results of the percolation test uh were as expected that it's good for installation of septic at the site. So um those are the updates any
>> so there are no issues with and do they throughout the entire site is fine or is that only >> I think was that the spot they wanted to put >> precise spot. Um, okay. We should have taken down the EDF with you and I, right? I got I got a draw to make the
drawing down a so they did about test. They did about 10 holes and they were only made by doing two things. that they tested for the strong model location primary septic system location and the
alter se I mean my point being if the final site plan isn't enough there's enough holes there so that we're not going to have the flux is Very well. I'll stop. >> Good. Good. All right. Any other site
update questions, comments? >> I think that you know I think it's like anything else we'll probably get some questions and I think we have data. >> Sure. We heard about the grant from the water coming down. >> There's no public announcement that's
been made for that yet. So, um, all right. In terms of public outreach updates, Ellen, do you want to >> Um, nothing much except we folded the or pager and that got in the mail to
everyone who helped with that. That was a huge undertaking. >> It was mailed out on Saturday. >> Well, you didn't want to get one. >> Right. We handled it. Did you get the name of the next >> Did you take the names of the committee
off of the >> uh I think I did. Yes. Yeah. On the committee. >> So it probably got into their hands this week. >> So that's all 77. >> Okay. So um so those went out. So that
went to the seniors basically, right? Yep. And then um there's going to be a um people are going to be at the transfer station this weekend. I think there were a lot of hours on Saturday. I don't think I summed up
>> somebody had written down. >> Yeah, I I wrote it down, but there were two people and two people. So, you were going, Linda, is that >> I'd have to look back at the last meeting. >> I can read you. >> Okay. All right. I can I'll look that up and remind everybody, but go whenever
you can. So, this weekend and and next weekend. >> Now, the friends are not going. My understanding is that the rents are not built. >> Okay. because they were concerned or general was concerned that it would be confusing. >> I think it's I think I'll be honest with you. I think it was a lot
semi concerned and we'll be saying the same thing we already saw and we'll see. >> Yeah. But I think for me it's I mean probably the information but I think it's more like a reminder to go both. Yeah. So, will the will the I'll I'll follow up with the friends to see if
they have plans for Monday or the following Tuesday to, you know, to for the um >> Yeah. I mean, are they going to be at the um on Monday night,
>> right? Because on Monday night, they can stand outside the building and hold their vote yes signs. They don't have to talk to anybody. They can hold their vote yes signs. Um, our committee will be inside at a table. >> What are we casting out at the table?
Just >> going to be at a table. >> Yes. >> To answer any last minute questions. >> You had what? What information was approved for? >> The four pager. >> Just the four pager. >> Just the four pager. Um, I mean, we can
we can bring our posters. So, I was thinking our posters and the four pager. Um but the four pager will be it's approved to be on the table in the vestibule for the um right so on the official table there we can't put this
>> I I did not ask for that one to be approved >> will someone from the friends be available on the floor to answer any parking that might come up >> about what >> there any questions that might be addressed in the press
>> so I I would probably attempt To answer that question first, I would say the friends have reported to me that they have 65,500 pledged and have raised a total of I want to say it's like $8,000 in cash
thus far. So >> real. >> Um well, >> okay. I mean, again, I'll have to check in with the friends because they've got they raised enough to do all of the activities they've been doing >> and then their current balance is around
$2,000. So, >> it's probably close to it's at least I'll have to check in. I don't know. So, I can probably answer that, >> right? They've done a great job. Yeah. >> Um All right. A quick question. Have all
yard signs been distrib There they have >> I have I have one left in my car. >> Well, they might need it. >> Walking up to >> Yeah. Yeah. You know they have efforts for this passes at our meeting
>> can with friends advocate at the transfer station show up and vote yeah you know don't forget to vote yes or does it still have to be no ad >> no the the friends are allowed to do advocacy >> well if it passes in could is it >> we still cannot do advocacy we still
cannot >> but the friends can absolutely do advocacy um in there was a um I did two Facebook posts today. Sorry, I'm not trying to step on your >> um Oh, Lind, sorry, Linda, you have your hand raised. I didn't see that. Go
ahead. >> Hi. So, Ellen, are the friends doing anything in this weekend at all? Because I would think that Sunday would be a great day if they were just even out with the big sign somewhere. >> Are they not doing anything? >> That they're not doing anything.
And um she was told that it would be confusing for them to go to the um uh transfer station. Um I still think they should go stand and wave at people behind their banner at
the Rotary, you know. >> Yeah. Or even at the end of this, you know, across the street from the town hall and the library, even if they did it for an hour, you know, on a weekend just to show support with the big signs. Um, I mean, I think this weekend would be a great weekend to see them out there
or if they hit the fields, you know, by the the center there on the >> Yeah. So, so I I think I think some of this is getting out of the scope of our meeting. So, you know, let's I can check in with the friends on
what their plans are. Um so today a uh but Linda I agree with you that the the more advocacy they are able to comfortably do the better and understand that us being side by side with them at the transfer station might not be the
best option. So I'll check in with them on what alternate options there are. Um I sent out two Facebook posts today um about reminding people of town meeting and then a specific one about transportation being available. Those
went on um the air senior cent's Facebook page and were shared into the air community page. I also >> Are you bringing things in? >> I was wondering if you want them. >> Yeah, that'd be fantastic. >> Tomorrow >> whenever it works for you tomorrow.
>> Okay. Thank you. And you I think both your windows are open too. >> Oh no. Okay. Well, hopefully it won't start raining. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, um so one was about reminder that the meeting is coming up
and the other was a reminder that transportation is available. U we do have several people signed up for rides. So that's wonderful. Um those were shared into the community page. Um, if any of you are on Facebook, you can
share it to your personal Facebook page so that it reaches people that may be on Facebook but are not in the community page and not friend not linked to the senior center. Uh, if you should so choose, you can do that because again, none of those are advocacy. Um I will be
doing a ROOC call tomorrow and a ROOC call and um Facebook posts on Monday as well reminding people to um is there anything that the committee would like me to focus on in terms of messaging for the robocall because obviously the
little Facebook graphics are it's time to get out and vote errorates. It's a very simple message, but is there anything that you guys would want me to focus on for the messaging the roboc? >> No, I mean I think it's time, date, and
place. When you're doing your outreach, you're doing outreach from the cast. No. Are you doing it for >> It's the It's the senior center. Yeah, >> it's tough. But >> it's it's so
>> we don't need to go there, but it's information. It'sformational coming from Katie. >> Okay. >> As the professional who wants to go out, >> right? So it is so any so the town of air has a what I would call is the equivalent of the town hall Facebook
page, >> but offsite town departments have their own Facebook pages. So the council on aging, >> it's a senior center page. >> Senior center. Okay, fine. >> Right. Because the council on aging doesn't I mean people use those terms
interchangeably, but it is the senior center. >> Okay. >> Council on aging p it might even be titled council on aging, but it should say senior center. Um so it's it's me putting those things out on behalf of the operations here reminding people to
vote. They can just say something they wanted to. We could just say, you know, the senior center suggested. >> Okay. At least the word committ is what I'm trying to do
saying suggested me to get out and vote for except to get out and vote because you can't endorse. Correct. >> Yeah. I was just you know it's the basic
information. I also could provide any kind of content. I just sometimes it's hard to hear that, but sometimes people hear it better than they see it on a pamphlet. So, I didn't know if there was any facts about the project you wanted me to include or just
a reminder to go out and participate in the process. It's too small. >> Yeah. I mean, the vote on the building senior centers coming out Please,
>> what's in the newsletter? >> What's that? >> What's in the What's printed in the newslet? >> I could certainly read that. Yeah. >> Yeah, maybe read that. >> Yeah. Okay. >> All right. >> But I think the shorter message very, >> okay, all right. I mean our message on
the publications that we've sent out has been it's time for a new air senior center and you know so it can be if you believe it's time for new senior center you need to be at the town um meeting on Monday to vote to
let people know you know what your vote is >> and if you need a ride. Yeah, >> I'll have to I'm gonna look at I'd have to word it slightly different because I can't say if you think it's any time
because that is like if you're going to vote yes then come out. But I can word smith that around but I I like the idea of incorporating that time into your center phrasing we've been using. >> All right. Um, I think that was all I had for
additional updates. Any other budget? >> Well, I did last one, >> right? So I did want to incorporate as part of our packet for today the latest versions of these cost estimates and our
budget our project budget to be so that these things would be on kind of the top of the document pile for any citizens looking at our committee's site um so that it's clear and um see Linda do you have that or do you
want me to share Um there we go. >> Are we giving out the budget information? >> The only thing is our final slide is >> so so this document.
>> So this Yeah. So, this document here that is Ken's three-page breakdown of how we got to the number. >> Yeah. >> Um, is is not in the presentation, but I just >> if for anybody who wants to know how we
got to 15.1 million having this at the top of the pot, like we've been doing at this for two years, so we got a long list of agenda and a long list of documents. So putting this back up the top for anyone who's doing their homework before town meeting is is
helpful. And then um this one this next one um here that's being shared on the screen um is in the presentation now um which shows just how again a a different
a little bit more simplified version of how the number 15.1 was come up with. you don't really have any kind of description of what the OPM is. >> That's that's the trick with the summary. That's >> it's a state law.
>> No, but I mean there's no way to say >> the way I would speak to it would be um so how do we arrive at the number of 15.1 million? It's not just the cost of the building alone. There's a lot of other costs that go into building a municipal building. For example, we're
required to have an owner's project manager, which is basically someone who advocates for the town with regard to the project with the contractor to make sure that it stays on budget and on time as much as possible and allows the department heads and the other
volunteers to still do their jobs at the same time. >> Right. >> Right. >> But they're they're an advocate. They're an advocate for the town. I think I would leave it very it's required by law. They are an advocate for the town.
There's of course architect and engineering fees. There are things that are picked up by the town in terms of the cost of utilities and other um permitting and site related things that every project has. the construction costs for the building itself as well as
for the site and everything that will go into the building as well as a contingency for any unexpected costs which is kind of a standard thing as well. So that's the that's the level of detail that I would go into so that people understand it's not a $15.1
million building plus+. It's that's the number that includes all the stuff >> and that's the sole goal maybe I mean depending on quantity especially if it was around why there
was free now it wasn't really I mean there were some cost and all the rest of it I don't know that we want to go too deep down that rabbit hole >> but the fact that we did not purchase the land or weren't required to take it by evident domain I think is helpful for
folks to know. >> Please don't say the word imminent domain during this. Please don't say the word imminent domain anytime during town meeting. It just it will make everybody um >> ask didn't
>> No, no, I know. I know. But I I just the suggestion of it is I think prickly. >> This this summary was based on conversations we had with >> Yeah. to try to come up with a way that just gave a summary but enough of an
explanation if a question came up and people go back to point but the way I see it is when the slide goes by with that that information someone could come back later oh I saw that slide said they're building 59% is that right
something like that they could have a question about it there's the opportunity to confively describe more involved. You can't it could never possibly write out a whole scope of work of each of these guys. We just can't do that.
>> And I think for the average person attending town meeting, they're going to vote on this conceptually and financially to your earlier point, right? So, I think we want to provide enough information um but someone who get wants to get way down in the weeds is going to be doing
that research hopefully before town meeting. So, um, the last page that I wanted to make sure was updated and included in this packet is, um, the updated total project budget. And since this got posted, there's one more update
to it. So, um, >> you are going to give people this? No, I'm I'm I'm just giving I'm giving to the committee an updated version of these documents so that the meeting packet and the top of the the
website document for the town's the committee's website has all of the most recent documents on it. Nobody, nothing is going to the public at town meeting except what's been approved by approved by the moderator which is the four page for
sure and then they will get then they will hear the presentation. But I just want this to be available for someone doing their homework beforehand so that it's at the top of the pile on the right website. >> Let me just see you're saying building
>> the building website correct >> that's the clarification. >> Yes. Yes. So, um, this is just the latest version of this document. We've seen it a million times before. Um, I updated at our last meeting, we agreed
to move the $3,000 um, for any as a placeholder for any last survey fees down to after um, special town meeting column. And then we moved um, then I added the estimated um, printing.
There we go. estimated printing uh reimbursement in there as well as the video production fees. I did get an invoice for that. It's actually going to be 800 rather than 600. Um but so I can update that again. But largely you can
see that we're in a good position financially as as a project. We have uh we had 17,911 and we still have 13,000 of that and I anticipate there to be about 10,640
um well it'll be 840 um dollars of expenses between now and town meeting now and town election I guess. So we're all we are all set for that. Um,
there's no public here, so I don't think we have any public input. Um, I don't have our next meeting scheduled. Um,
do we want to meet in between town meeting and the election? >> We probably should. >> Yeah. Okay. So, um, because The town election occurs regardless of how the vot
can >> because we're the only thing on it. They will cancel it. >> I asked three days. >> She told me she was have to be held regard. >> All right. I I just asked her about it a couple of days ago and she said there
would be no election if it didn't pass. That doesn't mean that there wouldn't be some fees associated with what's been done thus far, but >> No, no, no. It wasn't in relation was simply if fails on Monday night is the electric still held on the floor. Response is yes.
>> It's been okay. >> I mean, maybe she changed her mind or maybe she talked to someone else and then got a different response. >> Yeah, it makes sense that you'd have to do it. The ball has been printed. People have voted already. Oh, you can't just cancel
the election, right? Voting, >> right? >> That's why I'm saying there's there's some amount of cost that would be associated with it. >> It's not going to end tomorrow. >> Yeah. That's um So, in terms of that
week then in between Uh the town meeting is Monday the 27th. Um do we want to meet on 28th, 29th, 30th? >> How long it's going to take sober?
The >> 30th Thursday the 30th. >> All right. >> And um in terms of timing, do you guys want to do four?
>> Linda, would would 400 PM work for you or would it need to be 5:00 p.m.? >> Um four is tough for me and I can't do remote at 4. I could do 4:30 because then I can leave at 4 and be be there by 4:30.
>> Okay. It's 4:30. Thursday at 4:30 then. >> 4:30. >> Yeah. 4:30. Okay. Great. >> Is this Thursday the 30th at 4:30? >> Yeah. No, please.
>> Okay. >> If we pass, are we going to go celebrate? We don't have long endbody. >> Um not sure.
>> Um >> can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Right. All in favor? >> I >> I >> I >> Linda >> Linda >> I. >> All right. Chair says I. Thank you
everyone. We like it goes without saying like I am so very excited. We have worked so hard to get to where we are and we have done everything we possibly could do and this is an amazing committee and
absolutely amazing. You guys have each had your moments to shine and provide different skills and abilities and it's really helped to make this two-year process as bearable as it could possibly be. So thank you.