WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=oSXn8TQqBOA NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: oSXn8TQqBOA): - 00:00:00: Meeting Opening, Pledge, Agenda Approval, Announcements - 00:02:53: Public Comment: Police Dispatcher Matt Collie Recognition - 00:11:44: Public Comment: Flock Surveillance Cameras Concerns - 00:19:36: Water and Sewer: Drought Levels and Watering Restrictions - 00:22:38: Water and Sewer: Water Management Act Permit Revisions - 00:28:59: Town Manager Report: Budget, Senior Center, Snow Deficit - 00:34:06: Economic Development: Proposed Changes to Chapter 498 - 00:51:52: Economic Development: NextGen Microgrid Initiative Update - 00:54:33: Meeting Minutes Approval and Adjournment Part: 1 1 00:00:00.240 --> 00:00:16.720 Evening everyone. This is the select board meeting. Today is today, Tuesday, April 21st, 2026. This meeting, well, hold on. This meeting hearing of the air select board will be held in person at the location provided on this notice. Members of the 2 00:00:16.720 --> 00:00:31.920 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 3 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:48.320 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 and Channel 8. The public may access the proceedings by joining Zoom 4 00:00:48.320 --> 00:01:11.159 meeting ID number 978-772-8220 or by calling 9292056099. For additional information about remote participation, please contact Carly Antineellis, assistant town manager at atmair.mma. us or 978-7728220 5 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:29.600 extension 100 prior to the meeting. And with that, if I could ask everyone to please stand for the pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation 6 00:01:29.600 --> 00:01:45.600 under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Do I have any amendments to the agenda? >> I have none. >> Okay. Uh I will make a motion to uh 7 00:01:45.600 --> 00:02:02.079 approve the agenda as submitted. >> Uh seconded. All those in favor? >> I. >> And chair says I. The agenda is approved. All right. We have a couple announcements. Uh townwide cleanup is what date? >> I have up on the screen. >> Oh, you have it on the screen. Okay, 8 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:17.280 great. Yep. It's on April 25th, 2026, starting at 8:30 a.m. and you meet at Sandy Pond Beach. All right. And then the next one, and this is the one you all been waiting for. This is 9 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:34.800 the exciting one. Annual town meeting is Monday, April 27th, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at the Air Shirley Regional High School Auditorium. Everyone's invited. Hope everyone's going to be there. It's going to be a good time. So, all right. Anything else? 10 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:53.200 I know I get all excited about town meeting excited about it. >> Um, all right. Anyone here for public input? >> Chief Gill. >> Good evening, everybody. >> Good evening. 11 00:02:53.200 --> 00:03:11.040 So, um I'm here tonight because uh I want to highlight some exemplary work of uh of one of our members uh at the uh police department out of the uh regional dispatch center to be exact. So, um without uh I want to invite Matt 12 00:03:11.040 --> 00:03:26.239 Collie up here while I'm talking about him. Matt, would you come on up? Matt is one of our dispatchers. Works dayshift. Um and have se So, um, as you know, we do great work 13 00:03:26.239 --> 00:03:41.599 throughout the year. Um, and you know, and I I try to, uh, recognize that here and there, and at the end of the year, we have a special recognition for all the the work and kind of specialized work that we do. But sometimes we do some really outstanding work and some 14 00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:58.239 great work that that everybody should know about what we're doing down there. Um, and uh, so that's what brings me here tonight. And I want to talk about an incident that unfolded uh at the dispatch center uh earlier this month on Monday the 6th. Now, uh Monday's usually 15 00:03:58.239 --> 00:04:15.439 uh kind of busy, but not really just a lot of busy work and we're kind of going and re uh kind of regrouping after the weekend. But at 1:30 uh Monday afternoon, uh Matt picked up the 911 call. Um and as we all know, we answer for the town of Shirley as well. So, we 16 00:04:15.439 --> 00:04:30.800 picked up the 911 phone and uh on the other end of the phone was a was a frantic caregiver um of a of a toddler that was calling because um they had uh lost track of their their very young 17 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:48.320 toddler while they were outside and found the toddler um in a in a in a in a small pond in their backyard um unconscious and drought. Um Matt uh started immediately started the um EMS 18 00:04:48.320 --> 00:05:04.880 heading that way. Um his partner um Monica uh also started in with the radios and trying to take care of all of the uh the things that happen in the background of a 911 call. And it's not just talk, you know, picking up a 911. It's an ongoing process. And I don't know if you've ever heard us talk about 19 00:05:04.880 --> 00:05:21.840 emergency medical dispatching. Um this is something that started several years ago that um that we've uh we've adopted here. Um and what it is is we start giving medical instructions um right over the phone. Um and that's what Matt 20 00:05:21.840 --> 00:05:38.720 did. So Matt had to talk first to, you know, a a a frantic and very nervous caregiver about what to do and started walking through um the procedures for how to perform CPR, which this person didn't know. And he was, you know, took 21 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:53.360 time to explain that you don't need to be certified. I'll walk you through it. I'll walk you through it. and then proceeded to go through the steps of how to give life-saving breaths, how to give CPR to uh a toddler. And um after the 22 00:05:53.360 --> 00:06:10.960 first round or two of CPR um and and rescue breaths, you could and I've listened to the audio um and you could hear the faint sounds of the toddler coming too and the people talking about how they could hear the baby clearing water. Um and and and Matt himself said, 23 00:06:10.960 --> 00:06:26.479 "Is that is is am I hearing the baby in the background?" And um they were yes. But um kept, you know, kept the caller on the line. Um because we all know in this world that the um in our in our line of work that a drowning doesn't 24 00:06:26.479 --> 00:06:41.600 really just end. There's always the risk of coming into going into it again. Um so uh Matt continued, uh being there as his support, making sure that the baby wasn't going backwards. Um and right up until the point that the first officer 25 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:57.600 walked through and then once the officer walked through um that's when Matt relieved that call um and uh and did that. Um when the EMS arrived, they real, you know, they realized the severity of what this call still was. And um you know, for those in the 26 00:06:57.600 --> 00:07:14.160 dispatch center, it didn't that call didn't end when they hang out the phone. They then had to start u getting Lifeflight uh ready. Um, and the landing zone for there was over at the middle school. So, they had to get the middle school, which is in session, uh, prepared for a helicopter to land in 27 00:07:14.160 --> 00:07:31.440 their fields. um and all and everything that goes along with that. Walking the uh fire department through, walking uh LifeFlight through to the landing zone and ultimately getting uh the baby uh to a pediatric trauma center um where uh 28 00:07:31.440 --> 00:07:48.720 we're happy to report that after a short time of uh intubation that there uh there's going to be uh 100% recovery. um Lifellight um made uh made it a point to recognize that without that uh instant 29 00:07:48.720 --> 00:08:05.520 uh medical intervention that Matt offered that this probably would have been a different story. Um so I'm here to absolutely recognize Matt Collie for Lifesa and I felt it wasn't this was this didn't need to wait until December when 30 00:08:05.520 --> 00:08:27.039 we have our uh end of the year party. this needed to be something that was that recognized and celebrated that the great work that Matt and his partner Monica did for that for that meeting. So, >> thank you. >> AWESOME. SO, what I what I have here for Matt is 31 00:08:27.039 --> 00:08:43.919 a uh so this is a certificate of accommodation and this also comes with the life-saving award. So, in the life-saving ward, as you know from us, you also get a life-saving pin that you can wear and however you want to wear it. You can do whatever. So, with that, 32 00:08:43.919 --> 00:09:05.519 there's this reward. Thank you. Thank you very much for all the good work. Thank you. >> Uh stressful is a stressful situation. Um, it's stayed calm the best I could, talked him through it, and thankfully we had the 33 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:22.000 outcome we wanted. >> Thank for our strong partners that I have. >> Yep. >> We have a we have a strong crew at the dispatch. >> Yeah. And and I have to say that even though they were dealing with this Shirley call, we had stuff going on in air. We had about two two calls going on in that front lobby. >> Separate calls. 34 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:39.279 >> Separate calls. Everything was all it was it it was busy. And they managed to get through this. and uh and stabilizing. So, >> well, thank you to you and all of your team. Um, and I think again that this stresses the importance of 35 00:09:39.279 --> 00:09:56.640 teamwork and how everyone needs to know where they're supposed to go when something happens and being trained and knowing those steps. And I can't even imagine what that must have been like for you on that call, you know, 36 00:09:56.640 --> 00:10:13.839 making sure that you're like, "Oh, I got to do this right and everything." So, my hats off to all of you. Thank you. >> Did you want to add anything? >> No. I mean, what you did was heroic. Um, and it goes along what we always say. We have the utmost um trust and belief in 37 00:10:13.839 --> 00:10:30.320 all the first responders in there. So, you know, thank you for doing what you do. Thank you. >> Thank you to all of you. Thank you very much. >> And to the the family, I'm so happy it turned out the way it did for all of you. So, >> would you mind if we get a photo with the 38 00:10:30.320 --> 00:11:21.360 >> Not at all. Not at all. Because he definitely needs a better photo of you handing him the >> P. Okay. Chief, hop in. Yeah, sure. >> Those chairs these events bring out the paparazzi. 39 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:44.000 You know, >> thank you very much. >> Thank you again, every one of you. >> All right. Anyone else here for public input? Okay. >> What? 40 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:58.959 >> Please state your name and address. >> Um, my name is John Monson. I I'm at Madigan Lane and Air Madigan Lane and Air. >> Okay. >> How can we help you? >> I just wanted to bring some of you guys attention. Like over the last year, I've noticed that a few cameras were going up around town, like one's on some black 41 00:11:58.959 --> 00:12:15.839 posts, and I I looked into it. Um, and I noticed that the air police department had a contract with like a a flock a company called Flock Surveillance that has automated license plate readers and I was looking through their transparency portal and I confirmed that they were like through Altam's kind of database. It was saying like yeah, it was 42 00:12:15.839 --> 00:12:32.160 accessing our database and I just couldn't find anything like on the contract um in like any of the history board meetings. Um, as far as I can tell, like the contract was never requested to this board as a own item. And I just it looks like it was just kind of folded into the police operating budget. So, I just kind of have three 43 00:12:32.160 --> 00:12:48.560 asks like um if manager could produce this like clock safety contract cuz I'm just kind of curious about the the usage and how much is that costing the taxpayer. And uh and uh second to ask Chief Gil to post like the department's like license plate 44 00:12:48.560 --> 00:13:04.800 reader policy on the town website. like uh I noticed that Waltham had their own policy written. I was just wondering about the um AirPods kind of own policy. That that's kind of just what I want to bring to support. So, thank you for your time. >> Chief, were you able to answer any of these questions? >> I picked up at the end, but I can Do you 45 00:13:04.800 --> 00:13:22.240 mind if I come up? >> Yeah, come right on up. >> Bring a chair. >> Okay. Did they get swallowed up? >> I'm John. John Wson. >> John Wson. Okay. So, um, through you, Madam Chair. So, John, we did receive 46 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:38.959 your public records request today, which which we will definitely re respond to, um, which had some of the stuff you were looking for. So, >> thank you. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Go ahead. >> So, I heard the end part, so I don't know what I missed in the beginning. >> I was just wondering the air police department's like license plate camera policy and like I didn't see any like 47 00:13:38.959 --> 00:13:55.200 history with the contract like clock and I noticed the clock cameras going around town. So, I was just was curious with looking into that and about the public records that should be released about it cuz >> sure >> it wasn't brought up like the board or anything as far as I can tell online. Um, and I kind of believe that that's something that she brought up about whether or not like the company Flock is 48 00:13:55.200 --> 00:14:11.040 going to use. >> Okay. So, uh, >> yeah. So, yeah, Flock is a uh it's called the Flock camera system. Um it's something that we were awarded through a grant through the uh I think NRA uh 49 00:14:11.040 --> 00:14:27.519 grant system. Um so we uh we worked with them. We identified some locations to uh that we were uh confident that we're going to be helping the town through uh you know a safety and security policy that we were going to uh enact and bring 50 00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:44.320 you know bring forward. Um, we've had cameras up for uh approximately uh I'd say three or four weeks. Um, but the system hasn't fully come up yet. >> Um, and it hasn't been a fully r has been fully rolled out at the police 51 00:14:44.320 --> 00:15:00.560 department. Um, >> do you think I can expect like some sort of policy on the air website in the future about the usage? Um, I don't know about published, but there's definitely is definitely a policy that we uh that we have um in that once we're once the 52 00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:17.040 system is ready to go fully operational and and live to our PD, >> it's uh there's a training component to all our uh to all our officers. um the and and it talks about all all different parts uh of how to use the the 53 00:15:17.040 --> 00:15:32.560 the system, how not to use the system, um who has access to the system, which I think is important to know. >> Yeah. >> Um so I know that there's you know as as soon as somebody does some uh googling on flock safety, there's there's a lot of information that's out there. Um a 54 00:15:32.560 --> 00:15:48.480 lot of it is wrong. it's, you know, that um, you know, unfortunately, um, you know, that may, uh, you know, solve a little bit of the the the issue here. But what we're, uh, what we're hoping to do is to bring, uh, you know, a new 55 00:15:48.480 --> 00:16:04.560 level of, you know, of safety and and security to the to the people of Air. And that's what this is about. Um, you know, what Flock doesn't do is tell us who's driving cars. It doesn't tell us um it doesn't tell us about anything uh 56 00:16:04.560 --> 00:16:20.399 about a person that's in the cars. Doesn't tell us who owns them. Um what what we use what this what this is going to be used for is if there's a if there's a crime um that if we have uh you know indication that a vehicle a 57 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:37.600 license plate uh was possibly uh utilized we'll be able to use that information to to quickly uh identify uh somebody who's who's been an error uh and who's crossed one of these paths. I can tell you uh you know off the top 58 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:54.880 that some very high-profile um crime across the country uh has been solved with the flock system. Um you know uh it's um you know there's case after case and there's been a lot of minor crime too which is really what 59 00:16:54.880 --> 00:17:12.079 affects the town people in in the air. Um, we want to be able to, uh, you know, apprehend and identify people who, uh, you know, commit crimes in air. That's what this is all about. Um, I know that the, you know, that there there's been cases in air that if we had this system 60 00:17:12.079 --> 00:17:29.679 up, we would have um, we would have quickly resolved that case and it wouldn't have turned um to the areas that it turned. Um, so that's where, you know, that's where we're at. Um, you know, with the with that PL system, you know, kind of caught me off off, you 61 00:17:29.679 --> 00:17:46.400 know, the cuff here. I'm just kind of winging it a little bit, but um, you know, that's where we're at. So, I think I heard it cost a taxpayer. Um, this was fully grant funded. >> Okay. >> I was also just wondering timeline for bringing that up and maybe posting about the policy on the web or something. 62 00:17:46.400 --> 00:18:02.720 >> Um, yeah, you know what? there's there's nothing um there's nothing confidential in that in the in the in the policies. So I you know that you know I don't see uh you know any issue with that at all. Um you know we're we're not going to identify the locations though they're easy to see where they're at. 63 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:18.240 >> Um those you know those are you know security issues that would be you know redacted from any type of public records >> um request like that. But um they are you know uh quite observable and you know they're a different piece of equipment. There's been one piece of equipment that the only one that hasn't 64 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:32.720 been operational, but it's the one that stands out the most that you know you know, nobody's really talked about. So, you know, I I was surprised by that. Um, but um you know that this system is uh you know is going to be nothing but a a 65 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:48.240 very uh next layer of safety and security for the town. >> All right. Thank you for your time. >> Yeah. No, thank you for bringing it up and you know, I like the idea about posting that you know that you know, having that policy published like that. Yeah. So, >> I'm just about interest in like transparency. 66 00:18:48.240 --> 00:19:03.200 >> No, I appreciate it. And and we are too. You know, it's uh you know the you know with the system not up and running um you know we are um you know we don't want to hide this from you know from anybody. So >> when it comes up you know fully up and 67 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:20.000 running you can expect a uh you know kind of a roll out uh so to speak that you know that this is you know this is here for the town's people. All right. Can I answer any questions for the board on this? >> I don't have anything. I >> think you explained it very well. >> No, thank you. >> Thank you. 68 00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:36.240 >> And John, you'll get a formal response within 10 days to your request to have that info. >> Sounds good. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> All right. Have a nice one. >> All right. Next up, Kimberly Abraham, 69 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:51.280 the water and sewer superintendent. >> Hello. >> Hello. I'm here to talk about water. >> Yeah, we don't want >> and the unfun topic of drought and standard water bands and things like 70 00:19:51.280 --> 00:20:09.600 that. So, um the good news is that we are now in a level one mild drought, which is upgraded from a level three critical drought. So, that's a good thing. Um the other good thing is that our 71 00:20:09.600 --> 00:20:26.559 supplies haven't really shown the effects of this drought um that we've been facing. The other good thing is that our current water permit act or our current water permit doesn't require us to act on these drought declarations by the state. 72 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:44.080 So that's why we haven't um been in any kind of ban up until this point. However, May 1st is coming and it's part of our permit that says that we need to imply we need to start a a outdoor 73 00:20:44.080 --> 00:21:00.480 watering ban from May 1st to September 30th. So, I ask the select board as the water commissioners to um vote that in. So, this will match the signs that are around town that have been there for years just to say we're still going to 74 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:17.280 do the even odd, you know. Um, and uh, you know, Okay. So, it's the standard procedure. >> It's the standard. It's part of our water management act permit. It's something that we have to do. >> Okay. Any questions? 75 00:21:17.280 --> 00:21:33.360 >> Yeah. I always just like to stress that, you know, it's because of this act, you know, cuz there's all these things out there that misinformation and like this is why we're doing this. So, >> I always try to get that out there. >> Thank you. >> And just kind of say that it's not your 76 00:21:33.360 --> 00:21:50.080 fault or someone's fault, fault. >> Um, if it was up to our water supply, we wouldn't even be having it, but it's part of our permit. >> Yep. Very good information. >> Okay. >> All right. Uh, I'll make a motion to implement the outdoor water use 77 00:21:50.080 --> 00:22:06.159 restriction, uh, effective May 1st. Uh, mandatory no outside water use between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and mandatory odd even outside water restrictions, meaning even numbered street addresses, water on uh, even numbered dates and 78 00:22:06.159 --> 00:22:22.960 oddnumbered addresses on oddnumbered dates. >> Seconded. >> All those in favor? >> I chair says I. >> Thank you. Yeah. I even when we don't have it, I'm in my head I'm always going, "Nope, I'm today's an even day. I'm an odd number, so can't do anything." 79 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:38.799 >> Exactly. >> All right. Next. >> So, the next thing is that we are in the process of reapplying for our water management act permit. And part of that process requires us to have in our rules and 80 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:55.600 regulations uh language that specifically speaks to seasonal limits and on non-essential outdoor water use, which we don't have. What we currently have is um restrictions if the board declares a state of water supply conservation or if 81 00:22:55.600 --> 00:23:13.520 the state does uh declares a um a water supply emergency. So having these seasonal limits, we don't technically have the authority to enforce um the seasonal limits. And so part of 82 00:23:13.520 --> 00:23:29.360 the permit application is that we're required to change our rules and regulations or bylaws or ordinances to um reflect that. So what I've included in the packet is some revisions, some suggested revisions. um it has to go 83 00:23:29.360 --> 00:23:46.799 through the process of checks and uh you know review and I believe public hearing and all that. Um but I will highlight that what it does is it adds the seasonal limits on non-essential outdoor water use as the reasons for 84 00:23:46.799 --> 00:24:04.000 restrictions and it adds it to the definitions. Um and it and the other thing it adds is language for what is not restricted. So I think that's important. So people who are growing food are not part of the 85 00:24:04.000 --> 00:24:19.200 mandatory restrictions. So there's a list determined by the state that says these things are not required as part of mand mandatory restrictions. So that's included in the revisions. The last thing that's big chunk that's included 86 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:35.120 is the variance request information. So, we've had this all along where if people install a new lawn or something like that, they can apply for a variance request and we take those case by case 87 00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:50.720 um and approve or disapprove based on the conditions and what they're asking it for and and all that. So, those are the major revisions. There's a few little language tweaks here and there, but that's um majorly what what is 88 00:24:50.720 --> 00:25:14.080 included. Um does anybody have any questions? >> I can't be ready any question there. >> Yes, Rachel. >> Hi. Good evening. I'm Ter. Oh goodness. 89 00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:31.600 >> I'm sorry. I'm hearing myself now. >> Yes. I a question with regard to um the amendment that um talked about um individuals that are growing food. Uh is that for commercial use or is that for just everyone? 90 00:25:31.600 --> 00:25:47.840 Thank you. >> Sure. Um my understanding is if you are growing food for consumption, it doesn't just include um commercial industries. uh like um um people who are growing like lettuce and 91 00:25:47.840 --> 00:26:04.320 in mass to be sold to the grocery stores or something like that. Um it can be used if you are have a garden at your home and you are growing food for yourself that is part of the um 92 00:26:04.320 --> 00:26:21.039 exclusion for water use restrictions, mandatory water use restrictions. But you have to be very careful that the water that you are the way that you are putting on that water is not getting on your lawn and is not getting on 93 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:36.000 impervious walkways and things like that. You have to really make sure that it's targeting the food that you're growing. So, I think part of the problem that you're describing is is that what happens sometimes is that somebody's 94 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:50.960 watering something, they walk away and they've, you know, their intention is to just water the garden. They've walked away and now the water is spilling down the street and that's happened. So, I think it's just, you know, every like you're saying is just keep it focused on 95 00:26:50.960 --> 00:27:07.919 the garden. Look, let's be honest. Some of the some of the water's going to get on the line and we're not going to panic about it because, you know, there's going to be some slippage there, but you know, just keep it as focused as possible. >> Exactly. Keeping it as focused as possible. I would shy away from having 96 00:27:07.919 --> 00:27:24.799 one of those broad um sprinkler systems that is just like really going to get the whole yard and you're going to say, "Well, it is getting my garden, so it excluded." So, I would pay attention to that and keeping it focused just like you say. 97 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:39.520 Okay. >> Okay. Wonderful. Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. Any anybody else? Any questions? Okay. So, this is just phase one. You're informing us and then it'll go through the process of hearings and things like that. Right. 98 00:27:39.520 --> 00:27:54.399 >> Right. Do we um just for my own information, do we know what the what the phased approach is? What are the steps that we have to go through >> for implementing the the new rules or or approving the new rules? >> Right. 99 00:27:54.399 --> 00:28:08.880 >> So, Madam Chair, um so I think procedurally you you have presented the board tonight with the proposed changes. Um, so then I think the the next step would be for the board um to call a 100 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:26.399 public hearing um which we would um advertise the changes. The board would conduct that hearing, take testimony from you'd make a presentation, take any questions from the public, and then the board would take a vote. 101 00:28:26.399 --> 00:28:41.200 >> Oh, okay. >> Yep. >> So we can >> So let us know when we're ready. He'd need at least two weeks notice. Oh, sure. >> Yeah. So, we'll coordinate and then um my office will coordinate with you and then we'll we'll do the the board will call the public hearing and then after 102 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:59.360 the public hearing, they take a vote on the changes and then we would be in good shape to move forward. >> Okay, that sounds like a plan. Thank you very much. >> Appreciate it. >> Have a good one. >> Thank you. You too. >> All right, next up, town manager report. 103 00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:15.520 Madam Chair, members of the select board, uh good evening. You have in your packet the warrants that were approved since the select board last met on April 7th. In terms of the administrative update, just a a few items. Of course, 104 00:29:15.520 --> 00:29:33.360 the focus has been on the budget and the town meeting uh warrant, which as of April 7th, uh we're in good shape and ready for town meeting on Monday. I want to just update the board that uh the on the senior center um project uh the 105 00:29:33.360 --> 00:29:48.240 senior center project will begin the site plan review process with the planning board starting next Tuesday uh April 28th. It'll be the beginning of the of the site plan process. And also as of today, um the town formally 106 00:29:48.240 --> 00:30:03.520 submitted the CDBG grant application for the $900,000 um for the project and we will keep the board updated uh once we hear back um from CDBG. Couple of um coming attractions um in 107 00:30:03.520 --> 00:30:19.679 terms of as we move into May and June, which is reserve fund transfer season, we're in pretty good shape. It looks like there will be the need for a a small um RFT for the IT department which will be coming to the board for u before 108 00:30:19.679 --> 00:30:35.760 we go to the fincom and we're currently um reviewing all accounts. I think we're in pretty good shape but that's one small RFT that we know is on the horizon. also um would like to come to the board uh future meeting um either in 109 00:30:35.760 --> 00:30:51.919 m probably in May um with the DPW director to get the board's authorization to deficit spend on snow and ice. We haven't had to do this for some time, but it was a it was a pretty big um winter. Uh the good news is uh 110 00:30:51.919 --> 00:31:06.880 it's not a huge amount. um the board would need to authorize that um deficit and then it would hit um next year's uh free cash, but in looking at it, it won't be a a significant hit. But we will have all of that information for 111 00:31:06.880 --> 00:31:24.240 you in in advance of the meeting. Uh, as I mentioned before, the 71 Sandy Pond working group is going to have um its final meeting on May 4th to finalize the draft of the study report that they'll be presenting to the select board on May 112 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:42.320 at your May 19th uh meeting. I think that the working group has done a great job putting together um a proposal and recommendations um for the board for the future of uh 71 Sandy Pond. So, we look forward to to bringing that um to you. 113 00:31:42.320 --> 00:31:57.440 And then just related to that, Madam Chair, unless there's any questions from the board on any personnel or administrative matters, my second item, which I think you covered, is that just the town meeting update. I know that the warrants arrived today by mail to all of 114 00:31:57.440 --> 00:32:11.679 the um households. >> 3,500. >> Yes, they they have arrived. There are 28 articles in one citizen's petition. Um, encouraging folks to check out on the town's website and it's on the 115 00:32:11.679 --> 00:32:29.440 warrant as well. Uh, the www.air.mma. us with the back/totown meeting. Um, Carly has put everything on that one landing page. So, you you will see the table of contents, each of the warrant articles that will have hyperlinks to 116 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:46.000 any of the supporting documents. It also has the budget page link right there. So, that page will will uh take the public to um all of the there it is, all of the town meeting info. You've got the the warrant, the budget, the the budget 117 00:32:46.000 --> 00:33:01.919 book and the annual budget book uh just for the public that contains all of the specific information on the enterprise fund articles and then the town meeting guidelines um um from the town uh moderator as well. And then you can see 118 00:33:01.919 --> 00:33:18.880 we will be hyperlinking additional documents um as we move uh forward. So I believe that we're in good shape. We've started the articles of the day which some folks may have seen on social media. Um the town clerk has all of the the signs out both for town meeting and 119 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:34.720 for the town election which will be on May 12th. So that's my report for tonight. If there's any questions from the board. Otherwise, I thank you for your your time. And I had I mentioned to Robert maybe we could put the you know link the 120 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:51.039 residents guide to town meeting to the Facebook page for people to see also. >> I think it's I will do that. >> Yeah. I don't I think it's up there. >> It's not I know it's under uh well I I had to search it so I'm not sure exactly where 121 00:33:51.039 --> 00:34:06.240 the page is but yeah we can put it on Facebook and everything too. >> Yep. >> So okay. All right. I know you weren't listed, but did you have any new business slug board member questions? >> I do not. >> Okay, here we go. >> I'll let you handle it. 122 00:34:06.240 --> 00:34:28.320 >> All right, >> Carly, could you put up that slide I sent you? Please. >> All right, put it in slide mode. It makes it look better. Okay. So, 123 00:34:28.320 --> 00:34:45.440 I'm going to ask really I'm going to tell you highlights of of this particular section of the new economic bill. If anyone has any questions or comments or concerns, please contact Senator Eldridge or Representative Senna um and ask them because I'm really kind 124 00:34:45.440 --> 00:35:00.240 of limited. I can only tell you what I've read. And then I've also linked um to where you can find the whole bill which I think everyone should always look into. There are proposed changes to the chapter 498 reuse plan for Debons 125 00:35:00.240 --> 00:35:17.200 concerning super town meeting. Okay, so the reasoning behind it is that well first of all let me just back up a second. I I write my notes and then I totally showed them. Okay, super town meeting right now is where Mass 126 00:35:17.200 --> 00:35:32.800 Development comes to us and says, "Hey, we've got a change we need approved by the towns and the three towns of Air, Harvard, and Shirley. Work with Mass Development and schedule a date. It all has to be on the same date and everybody 127 00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:48.320 meets at their respective town. Devon's residents go to the town that they are registered to vote at, which are the three towns. town meeting is convened. Our town MA moderator holds it and we 128 00:35:48.320 --> 00:36:02.640 all get the presentation of whatever it is that Mass Development has asked us to look at and we vote yay or nay. The three towns have to be unanimous. So every all towns have to say yes or 129 00:36:02.640 --> 00:36:20.880 no. Okay. So that's what's kind of leading us to today as to the proposed changes. So about two weeks ago um yeah so I was contacted by the president co CEO of mass development 130 00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:38.079 navit ball >> to let me know that this was coming and she just I says well what's going on and she said that the reason for this change is that businesses have expressed a concern and Devon's residents who are 131 00:36:38.079 --> 00:36:53.920 registered to vote in air harbor or surely are questioning why Air Harvard or Shirley have a say in what goes on at Devs. Okay, this was this is what she told me. And I says, well, um I I says, I can understand why there's some new people that probably don't understand because I know there's some people in 132 00:36:53.920 --> 00:37:08.880 the towns that don't necessarily understand. I says, but bottom line, Devons is an enterprise zone. It is not a municipality. And everyone who lives on Devons, which I believe is about 500 residents that we 133 00:37:08.880 --> 00:37:25.280 we last heard about that. >> Um are registered to vote in air, Harvard or Shirley. Okay. >> It removes the provision of one town can stop an article. So example, Vixsburg 134 00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:41.839 Square, what was it about 2012? >> Mhm. >> Give or take a year. was approved by two towns and disapproved by one town. So, the thing's dead and Vixsburg Square is still empty, which they were supposed to come back with the new thing and then CO and then everybody changed over there 135 00:37:41.839 --> 00:37:58.720 and then and then just we were all shut out and nothing's happened. So, you know, and that this place is everything under one roof, meaning the community center, which holds about 400 people. and a tent was mentioned, but I don't 136 00:37:58.720 --> 00:38:16.320 think a tent would be a good idea. Um, because one, um, tents are usually uncomfortable depending on the weather. I definitely said you could never do anything like that in the summer and don't ever hold a try to hold a town meeting in the summer anyways cuz it's not going to nobody wants it. Um, and so 137 00:38:16.320 --> 00:38:31.599 acoustics and everything. So that's where it but and then it would change to majority vote rules. So that's what I got that that first phone call. Okay. So the next day I sent an email to hey I says by the way what's 138 00:38:31.599 --> 00:38:49.200 quorum what would be the quorum look like? And um at the time she said she'd have to get back to me and I asked I said where's this coming from? And she said the administration. Okay. So that would be the Heel Driscoll administration. Okay. I said okay. 139 00:38:49.200 --> 00:39:07.200 So now flash forward, the bill gets announced last week and this is where we need to pay attention to what the changes are and then you need to to kind of 140 00:39:07.200 --> 00:39:24.560 understand if this passes what this means. So this is this is what I'm seeing. All right. I'm seeing the interests of the town are removed because mass development becomes the sole authority. Okay. Um participation 141 00:39:24.560 --> 00:39:40.800 of registered voters is reduced. Each town has a quorum of at least 50 people. So that's 150 people are required in the three towns to show up for a town meeting and say yay or nay. 142 00:39:40.800 --> 00:39:53.839 Okay. This would be proposing to change to one location, only 50 voters needed. So that's 100 people that have just not even 143 00:39:53.839 --> 00:40:13.359 needed. Okay. So that's a concern. Okay. If this was if this passes, our town clerk and in Harvard and in Shirley would have to go to Devons to take the 144 00:40:13.359 --> 00:40:29.280 attendance of the registered voters. Okay? So, they would have to travel there and there would be no requirement for this board to be there where there would be we would kind of be required to be there because we would be bringing forward the town meeting. This board 145 00:40:29.280 --> 00:40:45.280 would not be bringing forward the town meeting. Mass development would be bringing forward. They would still be required to have their public forums of at least two public hearings as they do now. But again, we wouldn't be involved. And when I say we, I mean this board. I 146 00:40:45.280 --> 00:41:03.040 mean the Harvard board. I mean the Shirley board. Okay. So the towns being involved who with are still with let me back up because the sentence I wrote does not make sense now currently the way it stands is if if there's going 147 00:41:03.040 --> 00:41:17.839 to be a change mass development comes to us and says hey look this is what we want to bring and now we're going to schedule these public hearings in coordination with us because we're going to make sure that your information is going to get to you so that you know 148 00:41:17.839 --> 00:41:34.079 where this hearing is and and whatnot. Okay. They wouldn't have to come to us to tell us that. They could just send us a note saying, "Hey, this is what's going on." So, what that could mean is that we don't and I COULD BE OFF base a little 149 00:41:34.079 --> 00:41:50.880 bit. Okay? So, again, this is what I'm seeing, but that could mean that we're not necessarily knowing. And when we do find out, we could be saying, "Hey, I know today's Tuesday, but on Thursday there's a public hearing about this." Okay? 150 00:41:50.880 --> 00:42:06.800 Right now the select boards of each town would collaborate together on a coordinating date of super town meeting would and would be the board to call it again mass development becomes the sole authority. Okay. Town clerks go to Debons they take 151 00:42:06.800 --> 00:42:23.440 attendance but there's no nothing written in the bill talking about the nonregistered voter section. And I'll be honest with you, I'm a little concerned about that. There's a shall statement that 152 00:42:23.440 --> 00:42:40.000 I see things sometimes differently than other people see things. And that's not always a bad thing because sometimes when I see things in a certain way that maybe you don't see, it causes something to be strengthened because if I see it, 153 00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:57.119 that could mean somebody else is seeing it, but they just don't know to come forward and say they're seeing it, too. So, you know, you you should always kind of take it as that way. You know, you're I'm seeing something you're not seeing. So, strengthen it so that maybe everything works. Okay. So, I'm I am a 154 00:42:57.119 --> 00:43:12.400 little concerned because who's moderating this meeting? It's not our town moderators. It's mass development. And you know, they don't necessarily know how to run a meeting in this way. 155 00:43:12.400 --> 00:43:27.760 Now, I've been told numerous times over the years that Mass Development doesn't understand the town meeting process. Now, I know this is going to come as a surprise to you, but I was a little blunt. And I said, "Well, that's just stupid." 156 00:43:27.760 --> 00:43:43.119 Because first of all, why don't they? It It's literally goes on in this state. And two, many of the people that work there have a town meeting in their town, even if it's a representative town meeting, not an open town meeting like 157 00:43:43.119 --> 00:43:59.839 us, should know. And if you didn't know, why wouldn't you come and ask? So again, I have real problems with those types of things. Okay? And to be told it this over and over again when all you have to do if you have a question is come forward, right? 158 00:43:59.839 --> 00:44:17.920 So So that's a problem. And I and I'm very concerned, you know, it would be just a yay or nay vote. Okay. No amendments being made, which pretty much on super town meeting is is way it goes anyways. Um, so that not necessarily changing. 159 00:44:17.920 --> 00:44:33.920 Again, where's the non- voter section? There's no talk about it. And I know that there are non voters that live on Devons. So, and I've been asked, can they vote at town meeting? No, they cannot vote at 160 00:44:33.920 --> 00:44:50.560 town meeting. However, comma, they can attend town meeting. They would sit in the non- voter section. And if they wanted to ask a question, they would have to make ask the question, ask the body of town meeting, may I speak? And then we would all say or nay. And 161 00:44:50.560 --> 00:45:06.240 let's be honest, when have we said no? So they would get their voices heard, but they wouldn't be a part of the count of a yay or a nay, but they would maybe be able to ask the question. So, you know, 162 00:45:06.240 --> 00:45:24.000 so that so this it's these little comments and things that have been going on for a few weeks that have kind of made me bring up this like concern. Again, I could be totally off with what I'm seeing, what I'm feeling, but I'm letting you know. Okay. 163 00:45:24.000 --> 00:45:40.880 So, Mass Development would run this meeting. Well, who's doing the meeting minutes and where are they getting posted? So, you know, ours, we know our town clerk takes the vote. How's the vote going to be taken? Is our town clerk going to vote? Are they are 164 00:45:40.880 --> 00:45:56.800 they going to say, "How many in air are here?" and say, "Yay or nay?" I mean, hi. how you doing this so that you can register and make sure that somebody is doing the vote accurately, right? Who's taking the meeting minutes and 165 00:45:56.800 --> 00:46:14.319 where are they getting posted? We know that, you know, we can go to our town clerk and ask a question and we know that even some of this stuff appears in the annual town report. Where is this going to be? I don't know. I'll also remind you that the decision 166 00:46:14.319 --> 00:46:29.920 for jurisdiction is in about 7 years. So why now these businesses, you know, not understanding. Well, I'm sorry. I I don't understand why they don't understand 167 00:46:29.920 --> 00:46:48.640 when you come to a community, you just abide by the rules of that community. And these are the rules. Okay. Um, now I can understand the desire to update a process. You know that 168 00:46:48.640 --> 00:47:05.040 I don't think this is the way to do it. I mean you could update a process to say you know instead of you know one town being able to kill everything say majority vote and then say that at super town meeting each town meeting Shirley 169 00:47:05.040 --> 00:47:22.800 Harvard you got to take a vote count of the actual yays and nays and then you get it to mass development and say okay we had 60 yes yeses and we had 40 nos or vice versa and then it's majority vote. I think 170 00:47:22.800 --> 00:47:39.520 that that could be a proposed change to super town meeting cuz I'M NOT I'M NOT OPPOSED to some tweaks, but I don't think it's right if if if the residents of Devons are registered 171 00:47:39.520 --> 00:47:55.680 in Air Shirley or Harvard to vote. So, they're driving over here to their respective town halls to vote. Then why can't they show up for town meeting? Why are we having to leave a municipality 172 00:47:55.680 --> 00:48:13.920 to go to an enterprise zone? So I think what's needed is better coordination between Mass Development and the towns. On that note, I'm going to segue a little bit. Mass development has joined the Devon's jurisdiction 173 00:48:13.920 --> 00:48:31.280 framework committee again and I'm very happy about that. Um, and we do expect them to tend again in the future. Okay. Now, back to this. I think that there are some problems with this. I I don't So, Senator Eldridge contacted me Friday 174 00:48:31.280 --> 00:48:47.520 and uh asked me, he said, "Have you seen it?" And I said, you know, I looked at it and I said, "These are my initial thoughts on it." Of course, a couple days later, I come up with some other questions. Um, I says, "But I I said one, I do not like the fact that we 175 00:48:47.520 --> 00:49:05.680 weren't a part of the conversation. That's very disturbing." I says that I am very concerned that this is and I asked specifically is this not to Senator Eldridge to Nebal. I said, "Is this an attempt to 176 00:49:05.680 --> 00:49:20.640 end round jurisdiction?" And she said, "This is nothing to do with jurisdiction. This is coming from the administration. Okay. Jurisdiction decision is due in seven years. 177 00:49:20.640 --> 00:49:37.200 Can you not see where I might be asking that question? Okay. So, I you know, I try not to be a conspiracy theorist, but I am a little bit today. Okay. I'm going to be honest with you. I I am just not I'm not liking, let's just say, the optics on 178 00:49:37.200 --> 00:49:52.960 this one. Okay. What I feel like this is doing is putting up a do not enter sign. It it's it's like a phase one of like we don't want you. Now, 179 00:49:52.960 --> 00:50:09.440 if jurisdiction does go back again, you know, these are all lifts. There has to be a report. It has to go get sent. Senate's got to, you know, states got to vote, yada yada yada. But if jurisdiction was to go back to the towns, 180 00:50:09.440 --> 00:50:25.119 how are we not being included in a potential change? Again, I I think that there's going to be some tweaks. I think that these there are different tweaks that be needed, but to basically kind of cut us out, which I 181 00:50:25.119 --> 00:50:41.440 feel like this is what it's doing, I think is wrong. So, Eldridge knows. I talked to him and then I followed up with an email and you know he knows that I can be blunt. Um, and he 182 00:50:41.440 --> 00:50:59.440 knows I'm not happy and I don't think Harvard's happy and I haven't talked to Shirley. Okay, so that's what I know. I suggest that everyone um go look at the bill because there's other stuff in this bill that that's only one piece that 183 00:50:59.440 --> 00:51:17.599 chapter 498 changes are on page um 53 which is if you're looking at the PDF it's 56 but the page number is 53. Um but you should look at the whole bill to see what else is being um brought up. Okay. So, that's what I have and I've 184 00:51:17.599 --> 00:51:33.680 I'm bringing it to you and if you have any questions, contact them. Okay. All right. I think I got everything. Yep. Okay. All right. 185 00:51:33.680 --> 00:51:52.040 We put that on the website, that slide or, you know, the link to the >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> We'll get a post out. >> Okay. >> Yeah. All right. So, thank you. So, next up, I have a NextGen update. 186 00:51:52.960 --> 00:52:09.119 So, I met with Gina on Thursday and she gave me an update and there's a lot and it's all positive. Um, so the application, no, that's for the keep the m the lights on in mass initiative where we come up with our own 187 00:52:09.119 --> 00:52:24.400 micro grid, yada yada, for anybody who's gotten lost on that one. Okay. The application for the $5 million grant was submitted with 11 letters of support to include Senator Eldridge, the town of Air, Harvard and Shirley Select Boards, Nasha River Watershed, Sudbury Valley 188 00:52:24.400 --> 00:52:40.720 trustees, American Council and Renewable Energy, ACORN, Harvard Climate Initiative Community, Harvard Fire EMS Department, and Sandia National Laboratories who are out in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They're not a part of this, but I guess they they know about it and 189 00:52:40.720 --> 00:52:56.720 so they're throwing their support. The grant decision is expected in June. Five definite towns now engaged. That would be Air, Harvard, Shirley, Lancaster, and Bolton. A proposed tour of a micro grid grid 190 00:52:56.720 --> 00:53:13.680 facility is being set up with Sunder Electric Grid in Andover, and Harvard would be hosting it because they're the ones that brought it to us. Okay. Previously, it was stated that each town would need to cough up 75,000 for the study. Wrong. 191 00:53:13.680 --> 00:53:28.480 NextGen is going to match each town with 37.5K. So, it's a 50% reduction. So, should this town go forward with it, it would only cost us 375 for the study. Okay. So, that's really 192 00:53:28.480 --> 00:53:43.839 good news. Okay. Um what is needed now is for each town to provide a list of metered municipal assets, recent electric bills and potential site locations to begin site screenings. One of the things that was mentioned when we were talking is like 193 00:53:43.839 --> 00:54:00.160 you know potential of you know building um say for example at the school over the parking lots coverings that are solar panels. Okay. Um there are potentially other grants available and 194 00:54:00.160 --> 00:54:15.920 this is being so widely received that there's a potential of ending up statewide but we would be the first. So this is moving forward in a very positive direction. Um again as we go forward anything that comes up be 195 00:54:15.920 --> 00:54:33.119 brought to this table so that all of you will know. Okay. And I think that pretty much covers what I had. So, all right. So, with that, we have meeting minutes next. 196 00:54:33.119 --> 00:54:50.480 I didn't see anything. >> Yes, the resubmitted ones look good, and I have no issues with either. >> Okay. >> So, I'll make a motion to uh approve the meeting minutes from March 17th, 2026. 197 00:54:50.480 --> 00:55:06.480 >> Seconded. All those in favor? I >> and Tier says I those meeting minutes are approved. >> And I'll make a motion to approve the meeting minutes from April 7th, 2026. >> Seconded. >> All those in favor? >> I. >> The chair says I. 198 00:55:06.480 --> 00:55:24.240 >> As the meeting minutes are approved and if there is nothing else >> then. >> Okay. Uh I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Seconded. All those in favor? >> I. Chair says I. Good night everybody.