All right, good evening. Welcome to the select board meeting of Tuesday, October 21st, 2025. Tonight's agenda, we'll be starting with community input, followed by appointments and resignations. Um, at 7:10, we're going to review special town meeting logistics and timing with
moderator Wayne Davis. At 7:440, we're going to have an update from the Carile School District and Conquered Carile Regional School District on anti-discrimination efforts. Uh 8:10, approval of Maple Street, no parking
signs, followed by a discussion of the November 2nd special town meeting uh warrant articles. 9:45 we're going to look at alcohol permits, then the town administrative report, liaison reports, review of warrants and minutes, and again closing with community input. So
with that, uh I think we're all present and accounted for. So no need to do a roll call vote. We'll just roll right into it. So >> I have a question, Mr. Chair. So, why are we doing the warrant? If Wayne's here now, why are we doing the warrant articles like some future time after he's left?
>> Because Wayne needs to leave, >> okay, >> for an appointment. And also, there was a conflict with Brian. He wanted he needed to go earlier >> for the school update. >> All right. >> And I think the what we what we need to cover with Wayne, we'll we'll cover with Wayne.
>> Okay. That would be a good approach. >> All right. So, let's open it up to community input. looking at the room. Seeing none, uh we'll go online. Does anyone online have any community input? Seeing none, let's move on to
appointments and resignations. Um Ryan was going to notify us of a couple of town administrator appointments. So, seeing he is out of the room, why don't we just move ahead and >> Well, we do you want to just read them out loud for the sake of people listening to the recording? Okay, we
have one notice of resignation. Um, and that reads, "The board is hereby notified of the resignation of Dana Booth from the cemetery committee effective upon the board appointing a replacement. And we have notification of town administrator appointments. Uh, the board is hereby notified of the following appointments made by the town
administrator. Mark Ciani to the position of police and animal control officer for the police department and Jessica Writtenhouse to the position of finance HR assistant for the treasurer collector and human resources departments and town administrator. Did
you have any commentary on those? >> Yes. So Mark joins us. He was the animal control officer for for a district based out of Chelmsford. Animal control doesn't necessarily mean police officer. they can they can serve in that capacity as as it's a secondary function. But here he's going to serve as both a
police officer and an animal control officer. We had talked about this previously that allows us to get to the 13th officer while using the funds from animal control and have a full-time person. Maybe down the road we would consider some type of regionalization as well, which would help us um with revenue and and and different
initiatives. So Mark's highly trained. He's in the academy right now and uh that'll be a good investment when he comes out. We will have a fully qualified officer with animal control skills which we've been missing formally for a couple years. And Jessica comes to
us from the city of Amesberry. A lot of uh HR experience in her background, but municipal experience in Amesberry. She started this week. We're very excited to have her as there's been a a gap in the human resources and treasury department trying to fill uh the big shoes of Honest Coats who retired earlier this
year. So, uh, Aubrey's happy, which makes me happy and allows us to function well. We're we're very glad to add the professionalism that Jessica is going to bring. >> Excellent. Great. Okay, with that, we're going to move to the 710 agenda item of reviewing special town meeting logistics
with moderator Wayne Davis. Come on down. >> Good evening and welcome to the crowds here tonight. >> Planning board warm out everyone. I guess >> u so
I gave uh there was a memo in your um packets that I had written about a week ago. Um and assorted details in there um but I'll just if you want to question me about any of the particular details we
can go into that. I just want to highlight the uh two big changes. Um first is that the historical commission has decided that they do not want to move forward with their article. Um and
uh then I think >> so they're not delaying till spring. They're just not moving forward. >> They are they plan to move forward with it but not at special town meeting. >> Got it. Okay. >> Yeah. That's that's up to them, not me. >> Got it. Um and then uh the planning
board, my understanding, and anyone please correct me if I'm wrong, is that they voted to move forward on with two rather than three options, specifically the um St. Irene's and Wood Village
options. >> That's right. >> Um so that leads to um two changes to what I had submitted to you. one is the voting procedure on the MBTA. Um, and while the procedural geek in me
was looking forward to having >> the three option voting thing, >> we're all much better off >> with only two. >> And so, it's going to be fairly simple and straightforward. Um, first we will have basically the two options will be
voted against each other. So the um and we'll figure out how the precise details, but it'll be uh which do you prefer, St. Arens or Woodward Village? Have that vote then we will have presumably a winner. Hope we don't have
a tie, but we'll figure out a tiebreaker. Um and then we'll whichever one prevails then we will have a second vote and that'll be a straight up and down vote just like you would normally have on any zoning article whether it's
St. Irene or Woodward Village. Do you want it? Yes or no? And then we're done. >> So the first vote you either have to pick one of them or you can simply abstain. I guess >> there is no abstaining. You either vote or you don't vote. >> Well voting is abstaining. I mean, what
I mean is, let me >> Yeah. I mean, sit with my clicker. I sit with my clicker. >> Your clicker has two choices. >> Woodward Village or St. Irene's. Or I can put the clicker down to my hands. >> Those are I have three choices. I actually have three choices. >> But only two of them will count.
>> Only two of them will count. >> Yes. That is that's >> And then so one winner from those who choose to vote will then be put against the people who >> that is >> folded their hands. >> That is correct. >> Yes. And it's a simple majority, right? >> Simple majority. >> We've determined that council cleared
that it's not a bylaw issue or something. >> I thought there was a question about >> there. There have been people questioning it and the advice of council um uh has been steady all along that these qualify as MBTA.
And um uh I no one no one has given me any reason to um to question that. So that's where I'm coming down. >> Wayne, how do you plan to handle the because I know in you probably look at
City in the Woods. I know you're you do, but and and then other residents there are some who may want to not comply with the MBTA zoning bylaw and >> don't want us to comply with
>> do not want the town to comply similar to Milton or some others. How do you plan to handle that? What? I'm not sure what there is to handle. If someone wants to make a motion, if someone, you know,
>> I guess you'd address it at the time and they would be able to make a motion. >> So, okay. So, I think what people should understand if that is what they want, they should stand up and say, "I'm going to vote no, and I urge the rest of you
to vote no, and here's why." >> Right? That's that's their primary means of doing it is just vote no and get all their friends and neighbors to vote no if that's what they want. >> It's fairly simple.
>> Vote when you have either a you have a site or so you can choose yes or no to approve that site. You vote no and that is your way of saying I don't think we should comply. So I I mean >> yeah the
>> so perhaps another way of saying it is it is the option to not comply is not on the warrant. You did not put that question to the to the to the
people. All the only question is do you want whatever the planning board has come up with yes or no. The implications of no here are the same as almost anything
else. Either if there's a no vote either the town will go back to the drawing board and try again. And there are some people who argue we don't like what the planning board has done but we're not arguing for non-compliance. We're just saying we don't like the options saying
come back to us again. There are other people who say we should not comply under any. >> So, but those are political consequences of voting no and it will lie to the future to figure out what's going to happen. But that's really no different than anything else. Do we want to vote
for a new school, a new fire station? If we vote no, >> you know, town's going to come back to you whether it's in a year or 5 years or 10 years, >> right? They no the difference you can vote no on anything and not do it but
you can't or an individual cannot force the town officials or the town to not follow a law like if we somebody can't put forward a thing and says I want uh unlicensed marijuana sold on this corner
of the circle. You can't put that in. We wouldn't allow it. There's no law that will support it >> and so you can't put in the thing says well >> we won't follow it no matter what like that can't be a thing that we would acknowledge if somebody were trying to move that. >> Yeah. So for all practical purposes if
that is someone's intent then their avenue for getting that done is to vote no. Now yes you know I've got my procedural book here. There are three or four other arcane ways that someone
could try to sabotage things if that's what their intent is. >> Go ahead and get the book and figure out how to do it. I'm not going to tell you. >> You know, I I'll be prepared for those. Trust me. >> Meeting book. >> Yeah. So that's those those are their
their options. >> Okay. >> I'm not speaking on behalf of any >> No, no, I I I understand. No, I'm I'm I'm You're asking No, you're doing >> I I just take it that you're doing what your job is is you've you've heard that
and you're asking a question that people need an answer. >> I believe I will say I mean look, people are generally pretty thoughtful about. They may be emotional, but they're thoughtful. And and I think listening to the hearings like last night's
the those who believe that the law is meattheaded and shouldn't be applied to a town like Carile. And there's a lot of reasons to say that's not a stupid way to go about it. Have an out now in St. Irene's where the DASIS says we ain't selling. If if you if you want to tick
the box with the lowest probability of actually enacting the intent of the law, pick the place where the owner has said, "I don't care. I don't want to do that." Right? They provided an option where people can
vote for the law and comply, but not the intent of the law, which is to build laws. And then there will still be some people who vote no. But I don't think there's going to people will say I mean personal opinion I guess that
the ranting and there's been plenty of time for the ranting and raving. We've really narrowed it down to these very little things. I I I I actually believe that there won't be so much ranting and raving because it's already had its vetting. And >> and on that note, are we anticipating it
to go as long and expect as many people as we thought? >> I don't think so. >> No. I I have no I have no way of knowing. >> Scott, are we voting? >> You you you may your yours may be closer to the ground than mine. I don't know.
>> We'll we'll discuss that with Wayne. We don't vote on one night. Um >> Okay. Wayne says, "Yay, barely." >> Okay. So, so that that was my set my second uh thing. So, the the voting, can we just close on the vote? Was there
anything else on the voting? Just another point for us is >> committees with a recommendation, you're going to give up to two minutes to make a statement explaining the recommendation. Correct? >> Yes. If they if they ask for it. >> So, as a select board, does someone does
someone want to make the put together the two-minute statement >> for if we re >> and we're just ours is just >> again, our position is we're just urging compliance law. >> Does that even need two minutes? >> Nothing else. We support the law. >> I'm clerk. I'll put together a
statement. I can't vouch. It's going to say exactly two minutes, but yeah. >> No, but we, you know, I mean, I think it's worthwhile at least making a statement as to why we're recommending compliance. >> It doesn't have to be >> two minutes, but I think >> be less. >> I think everyone will appreciate
>> appreciates just again, I think like the finance committee should issue a statement and then just briefly summarize like the financial reasons for compliance. >> So Wayne, are you on a related note then? for each of the two options are people
coming to volunteer who who would be who who would be a person that would speak in favor of planning board I presume is going to present like yesterday sort of a fact-based rationale for their selection
>> I presume so I don't know that for a fact you can ask them >> have they reached out to you to make a presentation >> oh they yeah they will be and and I we discussed it last week at my pre-planning meeting and
>> um you know the planning board chair obviously >> could not know last week how the board would actually vote >> so it was difficult to complete the the the discussion and so we said we'd follow up this week and and figure >> but that the planning board presumably
is presenting reasons to vote yes for either of the two because they've been vetted and they >> they've Presumably they will they will do that and some and there have been recommendations coming into me which I have shared with the planning board that
say that people would like to hear both pluses and minuses associated. >> That's my question. So is anybody raising their hand to say why >> so particular so so number one I don't it's up to the planning board to decide what to do what they want to present.
>> Okay. Um, in terms of opposition, I've tried to broadcast for the last six weeks that I'm open to either opposition or if there are neighborhood groups that are organizing
for or against something that they should identify themselves, come forward, and if they'd like time asking for it. Um, the one group that came forward was associated with West Street. So, they let me know, thank you very much. We're happy not to speak because
they're no longer on the table. >> Right. >> So, um, will someone come forward in the next couple of days around St. >> For them to come forward? >> It's up to them. I'm not >> not reaching out to try to find somebody. >> Right.
>> So, so that's how that that will go. So it may it may be that no one no one steps forward and um as I explained um last week at at the the meeting that
that that I had um I was deliberately vague and leaving myself open to how it would actually be done because I had no idea a what the planning board was going to recommend, b what the reactions would be and c whether anyone would actually
step forward and say I'm opposed or how they would do it. It's just with so many options >> other than >> stepping up to the mic, >> right? Yes. Other than >> the normal way. But if >> Right. the normal way. But but my my rule is I'd like to see a if someone
says I'm representing a group, >> right? I'd like, you know, I'm not going to make them prove absolutely, but I'll ask some questions to assure myself that yes, they're actually legitimately representing more than just themselves.
>> And for that, they get an actual chance to present something and they could >> I and I I left it open as to how much additional room I would give them because again, I didn't know, you know, >> yeah, >> possibility of having six groups come
forward. I wasn't going to give you. It took me 10 minutes. So >> Wayne, who is actually presenting these agreed facts or is it just sort of presented in written form and say this is the gospel. >> So there there will be a meeting scheduled for it's scheduled for
Thursday evening. Um and we'll see who shows up and we'll see if they can reach agreement on a set of facts that they'd like to put forward. If they reach some agreement and how they'd like to handle
it, then they'll do it. This I'm again, this is something new. We're experimenting with it. We'll see what happens and if it works. It was um uh David was the one who picked up the idea at a at a webinar. Um, and it's a it's a
it's a great idea where there's clear sides to an issue. At this point, there's not exactly clear sides to this issue with two options. So, for a lot of structural reasons, >> I've been very cautious. I don't know that we're actually going to do this.
We're going to try and we'll see how it goes. >> You don't about the agreed facts? >> Yes. >> Oh, okay. >> It actually came out of Mark, what's his name at? Mark Dalvo in >> North and I was under the impression that he presented he he moderator said >> no he did not >> he did not
>> okay >> he did not it was in his case it was a little bit easier because it was a zoning proposal and you had two members of the planning board who were on opposite sides of the fence and
>> um they they agreed it would be a good way to handle it and so they join ly presented. >> I mean, I think it's a good idea because there is all manner of misinformation floating around out there, including this is going to be a money loser. You know, we're going to
>> I don't know. >> We're going to have to build the houses, >> right? Yeah. I mean, there's there's just an awful lot of um Yeah, we'd have to build the houses. I mean, all manner of just craziness out there. So, I feel like it'd be great if we just had a these are the facts and, you know, we don't spend our time
>> sucked in, >> you know, snuffing out non-facts. I don't know. >> So, so here here's what I can say. If we can get that that's exactly the rationale for why we're trying to do it. >> So, if it works, it will be helpful for
that reason. Um, if it doesn't work, the planning board has already, you know, they published a FAQ and background information sheet >> months ago where they were attempting to get that information out. So, in some
way, shape or form, my understanding is the planning board will make sure that at least their version of the plain facts will be out there. Will might others choose to say no, the planning board has lied? Yeah, it may happen.
>> But but I think Christine brings up a really good point. So So >> if somebody stepped up to the microphone and said to Travis's point, >> the town can't afford to build all those houses, right? >> Wouldn't you interject and say
>> what you're voting on does not compel the town to build anything? It's just the zoning of building. Would you correct that record in real time to kind of shush him up? >> Um, I probably would and and something like that. >> Yeah,
>> it it would be fairly easy to do because >> right >> I would probably be able to say as so and so from the planning board explained, >> right, >> it doesn't that this does not obligate the town to build it.
>> So that's a kind of a fact that just exists, right? I mean, you know those and those FAQs. I don't want to tell you what to do, but that seems a simple one. The um >> Yeah, I think when what time and when is
the u your meeting on Thursday? >> So, the the meeting is Thursday at 7. >> It's in the heeled room. It's intended to be a small room. I don't want a whole lot of people. It's intended to be a drafting session.
>> So, I've told the neighborhood groups You can bring more than one person if you want, but only one person may be at the table and >> Okay. So, you you have >> it's a drafting session. It's >> that have stepped up to uh to do that. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right.
>> So, we'll we'll just we'll just have to see see how it goes. >> Sounds good to me. >> The bigger question obviously to get back to is okay. So, do we need two days? I think obviously not. And um you know the the rationale before
was okay MBTA is going to take a long time so let's put everything else on Monday. Uh now that we know that we've only got two articles. Um my instinct is that we should take up
the fire station first. >> Um I don't know how long that will be. Um I don't I'm not anticipating it'll be very controversial. But if you all have different information, please let me know. Um but so my my uh my sense would
be that um and I have that I have the discretion under my general authority to regulate the um the process at the meeting even though you set the agenda. You know, you put MBTA1. Well, I can flip the order if I choose to, you know,
unless anyone strenuously objects, then we can have a discussion about it. But um unless you tell me you think differently and unless I hear from an uprising from the public in the next couple of days, then I'm just going Yeah, I'm just going to say, okay, let's
get started. We're going to we're going to take up article two. I forget which number it is at this point. We're going to take up the fire station first, get that done, and then we'll move on. >> So that would be my intention. >> I think the board here is in agreement.
>> Okay. And we will, you know, depending on um how long that takes um you know, I would hope it it it's
always hard for me to predict how long a meeting is going to be and particularly with this one where the pieces have been moving until pretty close to the end. Uh it's hard for anyone to know what's going to happen. Uh certainly if we reach 4:30 or five o'clock and we
haven't taken a vote then I will at least informally ask okay do we think we're ready to vote on the fire station no I'm talking about I presume >> yeah no I presume we would >> okay good
>> I presume that the fire station will be less than an hour >> the presentation's only an hour and a half so >> okay so so yeah so I I I presume will be moving along on on that and onto the MBTA and um you know if it's starting
um you know people want to get home for dinner and you know if something happens and we're not even close to ready for a vote at 5:00 then I'll ask okay do you want to stick it out here or do you want to take a hour and a half break and go home for dinner or what do you want to
do and we'll we'll see uh what the meeting wants. If you feel like the debate is dragging on, I I don't mean that in a negative way, but it's the same points being made over and over again. So, say after an hour and a half,
I mean, would you interject sooner to say, do we want to take a vote on this? Oh, >> because there's already been so much discourse. >> Well, I think I think my style is um been to gently prod with a lot of things. Is there any new points that
anyone has made? um you know things things like that. Um and I was encouraged by the feedback from this past spring to be a little bit more aggressive with that sort of behavior. So I will be okay and and that's what I consider like sort of the informal way I
regulate the the proceeding. And then what I'm saying is at some point I will explicitly say okay I'm not hearing too many new arguments. Does that mean we're ready for a vote? and we'll see >> we'll see
>> um we'll see where we are >> you know if there are a lot and I I will be asking people to line up at the microphones um so that will also give us a pretty good um visual >> but not like the A and B choice one choice two microphone just any
microphone >> yeah any any microphone >> is that is that guaranteed that you're going to flip them because I'd like to publicize that >> that I'm going to >> fire first fire station Um, yes. And I think the way to put it is
it's the um I think a fair statement given what what you said tonight. It it's the moderator's uh intent and having heard the unanimous I trust unanimous support of the select board to flip the order that that's my intent unless I hear some
compelling outcry from the public between now and then. So people can contact me directly if they think it's a terrible thing to do >> because there's probably going to be a line and I'm assuming some people were thinking that they would come after the
MBTA discussion for fire station maybe or the second night. So that's why I would like to publicize it. >> Yeah. No, no, they should they have Yeah, it should definitely be be public and are we then we can publicize it's one night only as well, right? >> Yeah. >> Right. The plan is for one Sunday
>> one night. Let's let's set expectations. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean I think afternoon, >> you know, I was just looking >> it's Sunday afternoon really talking about night. >> I mean it's it's right on the the splash page when you open up the town website says two night town meetings. So there
there are variety of things. >> Yeah. 1 to 4 >> Sunday. 1 to 4 >> Sunday. Want to get >> Isn't there a football game on that? >> What time are the Patriots playing? >> 1:00. get your recording set up.
>> Behind me. >> Um, so >> are we going to talk about the the question of finances for this? And >> yeah, I'd like to >> Are we doing that at this point in the agenda? >> Do you have more? >> Oh, no. I don't have anything else um
that I want to go over. If you have any questions for me, >> one very specific question in those two minute statements. If from a board, and I'm thinking more of the fire station. If say finance committee has a recommendation in that two minutes, are they able to show a slide if it's in the
deck? >> Yes. I I I think the the um one thing I I should say and maybe you if you could communicate to the the finance committee, the finance committee
actually has a special role at town meeting. Um and uh in some towns it's actually called the advisory committee which is a little bit actually of a more accurate term because its role actually is to advise the town meeting on all
financial affairs. So it actually you know you have executive authority finance committee's authority act its responsibility and accountability even though you appoint them really runs to town meeting. So, um, they get a little,
as far as I'm concerned, they get a little bit of special dispensation. So if there's a need for a slide or whatever with respect to the fire station um or or indeed um and I don't know how salient it will be
but you know it was a major effort by the fincom to collect information on the potential fiscal impact on the MBTA and uh if the planning board doesn't choose to present that but the but the
fincom wanted to share it you know I you know that's important information it's part of their responsibility at town meeting so certainly I'd be open to them doing that >> so I'm sorry you're saying so fin could take as much time as they want to present their >> not quite as much time as they want
>> but not two minutes >> but yeah fin thankfully fin has >> long-winded people on it >> yes they're very they are efficient in all manners I have noticed yeah >> okay very good >> okay thank Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> All right. >> So, you don't need me. >> Well, I think you should >> I can I can stay. Yeah, I've got plenty of time. >> Uh risk management exercise. It is expensive to open the gym. So, a lot of the costs associated with this town meeting involve the gym. So, the
the 90% a lot of people coming into this meeting that I don't know. Okay. Um sorry, lost my train of thought for a second. So if you assume a 90 90% capacity or a more comfortable capacity at the school we can fit and this is
math thanks to Wayne in the core auditorium you can fit 346 in the lower bowl and then 65 in the upper seating for a total of 410 and if you add the cafeteria is about 230 seats in there or 643. >> That's plenty.
>> Yeah that's plenty. >> The downside of not having enough we can't set up the gym after the fact. Yeah, I realize >> it has to be set up beforehand. If there's more than 643 >> that includes the cafeteria. >> Yes. >> How is there any overflow capacity at
Benfield? People wanted to try it out there. >> Not a lot. >> Not much. So the issue you're going to run into is being able to see and hear the presentations and then the voting is going to be particularly
>> but that's the problem anyway in the gym right I mean any of the remotely >> so the gym we are prepared right now to wire it for audio visual and >> what's the cost of all that >> just the gym alone assuming that Meridia will cut in half which we don't know um
about 12,000 >> for just the gym And >> okay, I think 12 hours of labor. >> Yeah, I I think it's not >> I would offer the first 100 entrance of Wayne Davis babble
and say the first 650 get to sit down. >> Yes, exactly. >> There there are vintage purple Wayne buttons, you know, circuit 1990. >> Are they really? So, there's a small risk if you had 8002,000 people that we'd either have to scramble for an hour
to get it set up, which I'm confident we could do something, >> but if it overflows that, then you'd have to cancel the town meeting. That's the biggest risk. >> Overflows the scrambling. What does that mean? >> Meaning like we could try to grab chairs from everywhere, >> but not to the gym. You just
>> Is it a chair thing or a gym thing you're talking about? >> You'd have to find a way to get a screen in there. >> Okay. So you would if 650 is like you're at fire code at that point or something, right? >> Yeah. So so just to give you um >> reference 700 in but it would be tight.
>> Yeah. So when when we looked at the LA going back to 2001 in order to we did this analysis to figure out how many keypads to buy. Um,
most of the town meetings ran in the range of uh 225 to 325. If there were hotter issues like um deer hunting
um or the leash law, things like that, you could get up into the mid300s. the two votes uh first to build uh the school and then for the high school we got up to like 440 or so. Yeah.
>> So, >> the capacity that we have at with the cafeteria and the auditorium and that again is at 90%. So, it could go a little bit higher than what Ryan said, those exact numbers. That's 50% higher
than >> we've never seen >> than we've seen in the last 20 years. And I don't I don't remember any bigger meetings in the '9s. And I don't know what happened before 1993. So the expense is custodial >> and equipment set up
>> audio visual and the the clickers >> and the labor. >> So we still if let's say for for talking purposes here it is 600 people show up. So physically they can sit we don't need the gym. We still need renting extra
clickers. Right. >> Yeah. And part of part Yeah. part of the expense with the clickers and I'm not quite sure whether whether they'll forego the second staff person but it it's not just having the
the keypads but it's the physical setup and having two staff people um just because you know and and similarly with the with the audio and visual is you just need more more So, what's that cost?
>> The the two voting people or >> the voting people with all the clickers cuz you got to have enough. >> 12,500. >> That's 12,500. So, what's the gym cost then? >> The gym is You have to run. They have to run. >> No, no, no. I'm maybe I misspoke. Let's
say we're not going to use the gym, but we have to have enough clickers so that if we pack the two spaces we do have, people still have clickers. >> 700. They were going to come they were going to come on Friday and program a thousand clickers which is why two people was definitely necessary. So
maybe they'll cut it down to >> but that's still the bulk of the cost. Not the custodial and >> custodial we could get away with one if we have the one space that's >> so I think we're solving the wrong problem. It sounds to me. >> So what I was trying to there the auto and visual is also about 5 to 10 grand
>> also. So the whole thing's like 20 grand >> 30. >> We can't do that. That's crazy. So the whole town meeting is 30 30 plus >> and we could take 12 off of that if we don't use the gym >> around that. >> We should. Yeah, >> but we should have 700 clickers.
>> The the risk is why I said risk management is we're going to pay 125 no matter what if we have to redo the meeting >> and pay another click. >> You have to use the clickers. >> No, you do you do the hand. >> Can we do our hand vote which we did years ago? >> Yeah, you go back to the old school and
somebody with a pad. I think people would be furious. >> So what? Um >> that's your risk again. Risk money for real. >> Oh boy. David, >> we're talking $30,000. >> So this is real money for us now.
>> Well, half a step. >> I just don't think there's the juice in it anymore either. I mean, there's it's important. >> Yeah. I don't think we're going to get that. >> If we're all agreed that the risk is worth it, then we can try to shave some of these costs. I I believe I believe that the turnout will be lower and the
meeting will be shorter based on all the >> honing. >> Well, certainly all the changes that have occurred in the last two weeks have really tampered down >> and two controversial bills went away, >> right? >> People are following this the the cabling just to set up the gym for the audio and the visual.
>> We have to rent a uh projection screen and projector set all that up. >> I just want people to know like it's not arbitrary cost. is just a lot. It's expensive and is likely no one to be sitting in the gym, >> but you want to order enough clickers and support for enough clickers that
>> you can vote electronically. People >> Yeah. I mean, so the the the risk is um it's not just taking the final votes, but if other things come up and we have to do any kind of count,
>> you know, it it's going to take a half an hour. >> Yeah. And and unlike an annual town meeting where, you know, even if there's a long time for tabulation, you can move on to other business, it's not going to be any other business, >> right? You got so you're going to have a
bunch of people sitting around. >> Okay. >> Okay. The second thing, um there has been a request for babysitting >> because we set it up twice and no one did it. >> Of course, this time there will be. And um do we want to provide that service? So right now it's only
>> I'm gonna turn to my esteemed colleague Mr. Watston for his viewpoint which is >> my viewpoint is it's a Sunday right it's a Sunday afternoon >> right >> I mean >> one spouse goes one spouse stays >> or you line up something else I mean >> we lined up child care two months ago
knowing this was coming >> well you were using that as an excuse for a no kids weekend that's not exactly >> that was in the spring so I don't think it I don't think it's going to be worth the effort to try to So, you know, I I I have those last two
times I was volunteering for the overflow capacity to serve as babysitter and take care of any overflow and I got like zero takers, right? So what I'd like to suggest is if these people who say I really need child care or else I can't attend ask them if they
could pull together a group of five to 10 people and if these people all sign up to say we need babysitting services >> I am >> and we'll come to town meeting >> and we'll yes >> yes and we'll come to town meeting um we
can absolutely line up >> you know I have two teenage teenage daughters. They run on cross country at the high school. We have all manner of teenage girls in our life and they are all dying for babysitting jobs and they would have nothing no problem with babysitting for Sunday afternoon during
town meeting for volunteer hours. >> Does that work Ryan? Uh in terms of we don't have to have it be a sort of formal >> shouldn't be the >> child care then you get >> we would have to be on site and they would have >> be someone with a >> there was a little corner in the >> that's cori
>> and they have to be cy you have to be 18 or older >> yeah I don't think I don't think you're going down that road I think the road you're going to go down is >> if obity in the woods or whatever my daughters would be happy to babysit if you want to >> Yeah. So you could go to someone's
house. So you just come to your house. >> We could also Yeah. You know, right? The um the other avenue I was going to take was um you know I volunteered for I don't know how many years shapering every week at FNL and the people who run the youth committee are super on top of it. They've got this whole team of
people who are Cied already and they're >> they know the gym area and they can set up a little movie in the little gym and they do this all the time. Maybe there is a V >> R Macintosh. So, >> so we don't want to turn anyone down,
but if we could please have some sort of guarantee that someone's actually going to show up. >> Okay. So, your direction is there needs to be a bigger capacity for the town to officially consider it, but we can help facilitate smaller groups. >> Absolutely. >> Got it. And and you're saying we could uh help provide names of people that
they could a family could contact if they want to have somebody come to their house to babysit. >> Yeah, that should probably could do that too. >> In the last several >> again with the idea that they're going to go to town meeting. >> Yeah. >> I I laugh at that. it. >> The last several town meetings though, the town did
>> go out of its way to provide babysitting as a town service to people and we had how many people show up? >> Well, twice that I did it. Zero. >> Zero. >> Precisely zero. >> And then Rachel Levy didn't do it because she couldn't get enough people and she was going to have a whole >> art thing.
>> Art thing. Yeah. So, I just I agree with Brian. I think people are >> okay. >> Finding their own way on that. >> All right. Time check. Um, is there anything else we need to cover off, Wayne, in terms of special town meeting? >> I don't think so. >> We're looking forward to having it
happen. >> Okay. Well, thank you very much. >> Study that book. >> Yeah, take that book with you, Wayne. Don't leave. I feel like it's like Harry Potter or something. You know, the magical >> I'm surprised it's not all dogeared. The color tab. >> Um, >> that's his
>> Jasmine. Jasmine did chew up my first coffee. >> How can I eat? >> So, yes, it it's dog eating. >> Very good. Thank you, Wayne. >> Thanks, Wayne. >> Thanks, Wayne. >> Thanks, Wayne. >> Okay, next up, Brian, you want to come
up? Brian Waterson, who's the chair of the Carile uh school committee and are you vice chair still? vice chair of the uh regional school committee um is here to give us an update on um anti-discrimination, anti-semitism
efforts um at both CPS and at the region. And I know this has been a um going back especially to the summer where there was the joint meeting between the the uh conquered school and regional school committee and the select board. Um I know a lot of additional
discussion um and action has been taken. So, if you could give us an update on where things stand on both fronts, um, that would be great. >> We'll do. Just give me a sec. I had the slides up and then I closed the screen for some reason. >> All right. Am I good to share my screen
through Zoom? >> No, but I will fix that. >> Okay. Okay, you're good. >> Great. All right. Well, good evening. Uh, good to be back. Um, and I'm go ahead and jump right in in the interest of time.
Um, so obviously just to catch everybody up to speed who maybe is tuning in um tonight who wasn't with us on the 23rd of September. Um so in that meeting obviously we talked about the goals of the school committees for both districts. We talked about what we knew about the budgets at this point. Um
tonight really going to be focusing on our diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging work in both districts. Um specifically related to anti-hate and of course um anti-semitism. Um what I'll be doing is first talk about Carlile, talk about some of the
things that are that in the works and then talk about reporting and communicating and then I'll do the same thing uh for the region. Um so just a little bit about work that's been ongoing in Carlile and work
that's happening now. Um in 2021 2022 uh Carile schools formed the DEICAC which is diversity equity inclusion community advisory council. Um so this is a group that is both school administration
uh teachers as well as parents and other members of the community. Uh and they've really been working hand inand um you know for the last uh four years or so um on a number of different initiatives as it relates to DEIB. Um and they are the
ones that if you've been to the school recently you'll see the posters uh be here be you um belong. And as that group has taken formation um it's actually gotten even broader um and have brought together all of the different parent
advisory groups. So the PTO which I think everyone's familiar with DEICAC um CPAC uh which is special education parents advisory CF carile education fund and WBYC and all of these groups are meeting regularly. They actually had a meeting
just yesterday um on initiatives that the school can be doing to focus on uh focus on belonging. Um and just to give you some examples at a broad level, last year there was the yellow tulip project which is about um stigmas and and stereotypes. And if you walk through the
halls, you would see teachers as administrators, students creating these yellow tulips where it was a lot of eye statements. It could be, you know, I am a father. Um I am a traveler. Um, I don't know. I'm a Rhode Islander. Um, yet and it was just very interesting to,
you know, to learn more about people that way. Um, they're taking it a step further this year, um, with a garden of belonging, um, which is a an interactive bulletin board, um, that, um, is sort of expanding throughout the school year,
um, showing acts of, uh, kindness, connection, and community. So these are things that have been you know in the works um you know for for a few years. Um DEICAC has also been instrumental in leading a number of listening sessions as different events have come up uh over
the the course of the years and most recently uh on the 30th of September they had a listening session very specific to um me um Jewish members of the Carlilele community. Um it was a very well- attended event. Um, I was
there as was most of the Carlile school committee. I would say 40 45 people. Um, and you know, about an hour and a half of just listening to stories, listening to experiences, what it's like to be um, what it's like to be Jewish in Carlile.
Um, for me, one of the biggest takeaways from that, um, and I was given permission to to share this by by one of the coordinators is the Jewish families in Carlile feel very supported with the overall um, the
Carile public schools. Um, the way um, you know, teachers make sure to accommodate for holidays, wanting to know how to recognize um, holidays uh, throughout the course of the school year. people have a lot more anxiety
I I think I'll say when it comes to the region and coming from this you know this very safe place 600 students prek to to 8 um where let's face it most teachers know your student even if you
know you're not in their class um and then going up to the the high school where things can be very very different um and so that is feedback that I've um you know that I have passed along Um, another thing that has been taking place is that the DEICAC,
the administration from CPS as well as the um, conquered Carlile against anti-semitism have been having meetings. Those meetings started over the course of the summer um, after the the joint regional school committee conquered select board meeting. Um, those
conversations continue um, and they're thinking about what is it that they want to do um, over the course of the year. Um, a couple things that they're um looking at is to do um active bystander training um with middle school students in Carlile. Uh something that's very
similar uh to what's happening in conquered. Um and also looking at the multicultural festival that happens later in the year and how they might expand that to not just be country specific um but um specific to to cultures as well. Um so
um you know that is happening. They're now trying to figure out how they're going to fund some of these um initiatives. Um had a conversation about that that earlier today. But I the reason for bringing this up is I just think there's a lot of work that was already happening in Carlile and I think this year we're seeing a lot of great
work as well. The last thing I just want to talk about is um the middle school students received a belonging survey at the end of last year and the school committee saw the results of that in September. Um overall the responses were quite positive in that generally speaking to each question 90% of the
students were positive about you know do I have a teacher who I feel connected to do I feel connected to my peers um but 10% that is still 20 to 30 students and so you know that is something as well that we are mindful of especially in
middle school which is such a challenging um period um I'm now experiencing it firsthand and >> um you know what we can do be doing for for all students >> in terms of incidents of hate and
reporting hate um in Carlile um on the Carile website there's a lot more information but there is um a procedure as well as a form uh for reporting hate incidents uh this was established because of the Massachusetts anti-bullying law and student
anti-discrimination acts um I will say that in Carlile and I shared these numbers with you um over the summer um fortunately we've had pretty low um low incidents over the years 2021 2022 was the highest with four incidents four
reported incidents um then zero um three in 23 24 uh and then last year one um whenever um there is a there is an incident um the investigation is led by the principal of that school whether
it's elementary or or middle school. Uh generally speaking, um the school committee um is informed of these things uh as soon as we're we know about them. Um and incidents where you know hate incidents where we're bringing the
police in, so swastika graffiti for example, um that is where we will see broader communication um to the public. Um, and funny interestingly enough, you know, a few years ago when I was on the school advisory council, we actually had a
conversation with the principles about what degree they should communicate. Um, the feedback then was an incident happened in the middle school bathroom. Do the elementary parents need to know? Um, and the general consensus was it's
yes, there's sort of segments of the school. It's one school. Um, so generally speaking, communication goes out broadly um, pre-K to 8 at this point. Um, do you want to take do you want me to pause for questions on Carlile or should
I run through the region and then do questions? What works best for you? >> Let's pause here for questions about Carile. Christine, do you have >> I I did have a question. So you you're if I understood it correctly, there was kind of a a downward trend. Does is that attributed to um
you know a few students who have since metriculated and I will just say my older daughter was in that cohort and they were that class. Yes. >> And they were coming out of COVID and there was a lot of I don't know I feel
like they were all unruly. >> Yeah. Um, so is that what was going on or and then I I think as a result of that, if I recall, we installed some cameras we voted on. Yes. And >> I mean is that having any was there any findings or anything from that?
>> Yeah, good question. So I will say 2122 I would call it an anomaly um just without going into too much detail and then you do see the following year >> um no incidents. Um and then what you know 23 24
um you know that sort of uptake and if you look at what the incidents were um you know they do align with what happened on October 7th and you know the sort of I'll just say you know
the tensions between Israel and Palestine and um yes you can see sort of a you can definitely see a correlation with that year. Um and then last year was a one incident that was reported and completely different if uh if memory
serves. So um I do think the cameras are making you know making some some impact. Um but you know the cameras were in place and there was an incident you know shortly thereafter. So, um, and, you
know, unfortunately, middle school students, cameras, like, yes, there's cameras, but middle school students seem to find a way to get around things. Um, as, uh, I keep trying to block my seventh grader from her iPad at certain times of the
day. So, I don't know if that answers uh, >> yeah, >> the question. >> Thank you. I I think in the you know it's hard to in in just broad statistical way the unpredictability of small numbers when your ends set is you
know under 10 and single digit you know two you can't pattern teasing patterns is risky if you have hundreds like you're the LA school system and it dropped in co you can draw patterns but I think it's a mistake to try to overanalyze I think it's great that there's not very many and that the
school is proactive about it, which is a good segue to a district very close to us where maybe not so much, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. And you know, I I hate to say it, but I also think despite all of these efforts and everything I talked about, even in Carile,
it feels almost inevitable that we're going to see have some kind of incident occur this this year. I just think um I think some of it is students just testing the waters. They they also see
the reaction that they get. So I'm not trying to say we need to dismiss it but >> you know if Jim reaches out to me between now and June I'm not going to be shocked unfortunately to be honest. >> You know years past maybe not here but
when I was growing up it was pulling a fire alarm >> right? >> Like what benefit is it? there's no benefit. It's a kid like testing bomb. It's fun, right? You know, some of it is just that, right? It's not like a deep-seated cultural dise of Jews or it's just that, right?
>> But I think you and I think the key point and one of the things that has been raised when you talk about the region is making sure that when these events do happen, they are taken taken seriously that they are >> there is transparency and communication about them and all those things. So, you
know, I think I think those are all good things and and you know, these things can always happen. It's it's as much about the response as it is about the actual >> and I also there's one other thing that um I think is very important to us as we
continue to grapple with or consider the independence of our K through8 system. Uh, you know, I've long believed certainly in my time at school committee that and Bernie may agree with this that part of the fabric of the K through8 is
that by the time those kids get to middle school, they are a very known commodity among all the teachers. They know those kids because they've seen them since they were little. And I also felt as my kids were in middle school that um
there's a little bit of burden of leadership like they also know that they are expected to lead and and that little kids are looking up to them and you don't get that in most school districts where there's a nice K through five ecosystem and then you take multiple of
those and you dump them all into some mix that nobody knows anybody and you put you know 11 year olds with like 14 year olds. There's a huge difference in that. You know, we don't have that. And I and for I believe despite any other things that K through eight system is
really really good. >> It is. >> I you know, hope we keep it. Brian, >> question just um >> and I know this is all focused on both the Carlile public school and the high school, but um did you get any sense or
did anything come up in the discussion um the listening sessions uh about what we're like as a community in terms of um inclusion and or did anything come up
around feeling like they, you know, they were discriminated against or based on their religion or culture in some way. Did any of that come out? >> Um, so my takeaway from this and I see that there are plenty of people on Zoom
who participated. So, you know, I'm happy to to be corrected, but um my my feeling is just that overall um people felt supported uh as a community. Um I remember some of them there was a quip that they were also surprised at just
how extensive the the Jewish community actually is in Carlile. Um which I just thought was a interesting um >> anecdote um listening in. >> Does anyone online specifically around Carlile? We're going to talk about conquered in a moment but does anyone who participated in any of those
listening sessions or have a general comment at this point want to chime in? Just raise your hand. Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> Um I'll continue on then in the interest of time. Um so I want to talk a little bit about the work that is happening um
at uh at the high school. Uh so Dr. Hunter uh this year um in her goals um one of them is and I'll just read it in conjunction with the DEIB director um which is a a staff position um for conquered and conquered Carell uh
further the work in anti-racist and equity practices to create an environment that is inclusive, equitable and fosters belonging of all student staff and families including support for LGBTQ community members and a plan to combat anti-semitism. Um, and on the right hand side of the
screen, I I have a link to the plan, which when I send the slides tonight, um, you'll all have access to. Um, but the plan is really focused on five pillars: professional development, student learning, culture, fiscal resources, and community. Um, and this is actually a plan that is now being
shared with other superintendent um, in the Commonwealth um, to support them um, in their efforts. >> It's a plan developed by CC. Yes, a plan developed by by CC. Um you know, one of the things that we've heard since the um
the complaint was was filed in the spring. Um while, you know, this was filed against CC, these are issues that a lot of districts um within the Commonwealth are are experiencing. Um and so there there is collaboration at
the superintendent level. Um there's also starting to be collaboration even at the um the school committee um level as well which uh I'll talk about in a moment. >> Committees from other districts you mean? >> Yeah. Um we have um a chair's round table. So um I don't know if uh if that
existed before. >> We did. Yeah, we had a defunct organization but >> but yeah, just um understanding what other districts are doing, >> right? Um what I have on my um screen here uh is the work that's already
happened uh this academic year against the plan as it res relates to conquered carile. Um but I think it's also important to note that this plan is also being applied to to conquered u because obviously this work needs to start in
elementary school both in conquered and carile so that we can be successful um once we get to the high school. So, for example, um where the CCHS staff are receiving um their first of two sessions related to anti-semitism uh training in
early December, that same training is happening at Conquered Middle School in November. It already happened um in the elementary schools in in October. >> And is that Brian, is that curricula similar to the one you're doing here? I mean, is there an equivalent to what
Carile is doing at that same age group? So this is training that the staff the the teachers are receiving. Um we are not currently doing anything any training that I'm aware of. Um >> people already the awareness is already pretty high or
>> um it's something that I think we could probably continue to to talk about with Jim. But um there's a need at this point. >> There's not a formal collaboration in the K through8 the two K through8 systems >> on this initiative. No. No. Um
uh so student learning um CC will have student panels um where students have an opportunity to talk about what it's like to be fill in the blank um and for the first time there'll be a Jewish student um on that panel this fall um surveys
that the school's um sending out um previously have um never had a religious identifier. So, we can't historically can't slice and dice data for things like belonging um on the grounds of religion. Um that is now being added
into surveys that we had um ask the students. Um there's now a Jewish student union um that was formed and they will be recognized at our November uh school committee meeting, the first Wednesday of the month. The region was awarded $35,000 by DESIE as a grant to
support some of these initiatives, especially the training. Conquered was also um awarded the the same amount and I will be speaking to Jim O'Shea about um whether we should be looking at grant money in Carlile as well. Um
Dr. Hunter continues to meet with the conquered carile against anti-semitism um group um and there's a meeting next week uh as well as ongoing um conversations with the local Jewish leaders um and the conquered DEI uh
commission and the district is also having its first anti-semitism coalition meeting uh in November. Uh so there is a lot um going on at the at the region as well. Um just in terms of
reporting uh so um this image that I have on my screen the byes incident response protocol um is in all the classroom there's a poster of it in all of the the classrooms um at this point um you know it's a small number of
incidents that do get reported um and again there's probably under uh reporting um at the high school and the challenge you know as things are reported is of course um what is
conflict versus bias um and also how how do we make some of these things known while also protecting um student privacy. So um when there is a incident that is reported uh the principal um at the
school or one of the principles the the co-principles will um will investigate the chair of the regional school committee um is always advised of these incidents in real time. the full school
committee uh generally speaking um is not notified of incidents unless it's something where the police will need to be involved um or you know if you know obviously before Dr. Hunter is going to make any kind of statement. Um then the full um at that point is when the full
school committee um is notified. Um and you know also continuing to just as I said talk to other districts in terms of what are they doing in terms of notification. um you know, when do you notify just the
school versus the full parent community versus um the community at large? And I think that's a that's going to continue to be a work in progress uh this year. I think what you've seen at the high school already is probably going to the
to the end of communicating a lot. Um there was an incident during freshman um orientation. there was an incident during kicks for cancer um and Dr. Hunter was very proactive in her in her communication um and I think you'll you'll continue to see that um for the
time being. So that's what I have um for um the region as well. So happy to take com take any questions uh at this point. So you said in the Carile school we
had you know a few incidents and then one incident we had these years of very low activity. What what's that pattern look like at see at the region? >> So at the region it again it's you know small ups and downs. Um the highest
number over the last few years um is still less than 10. This is over the course of an academic year. >> Keep in mind that the the school population, you know, it's double the size. >> Yeah. No, 10's pretty small, right? >> Yeah. >> I'm I'm going back to the the joint
meeting where there was a lot of discussion and a lot of input from the community there. What what surprised me was the amount of concern and frustration about incidents or behaviors not being reported or or
not being handled properly um in the conquered school district. And so there was a level of distrust I think among um the community about how these things are being recognized and handled um which don't don't hit the statistics because they're not reported >> although the training and the awareness
would presumably >> what's the tenor of the the community conversation now are are people feeling like progress is is the right steps are being taken at the region. Um obviously people want to see action and they want to see tangible action. Um, is your
sense is the feedback positive on on some of these initiatives? Obviously, there's more work to do, but is it trending in the correct direction? >> I think for me, it's very hard to answer that accurately. Um, and the reason
being is at the region when we have when we're receiving emails, when we have public comment, um, the people that we're hearing from on the whole do not actually have students in the school. And so for me as some especially who's
not I do not have anybody in the school yet. It's really hard for me to to gauge what is reality in conquered um right now. Um you know we did have one meeting where there were quite a few parents who
came who spoke very positively about the the school experience. That was one meeting. Um and then we continue to to hear this other messaging from people who don't have students. uh enrolled anymore. >> And are they um talking about things
that happened when their children were enrolled or are they talking what what is what >> the message that I I think the overarching theme is they feel that there has been a a change in quality since when their students were were enrolled.
>> Change in quality. What does that mean? that they feel that I mean and I'm paraphrasing but that the school was at a you know more responsive or more collaborative with the community um and they feel
>> back in the day >> in general or specifically related to anti-discrimination >> I think in general >> yeah I mean that's could be some broader cultural comment right I think that um
when you really get to root cause you have to any community has to look at itself it's parents have to look at their own messaging there's deep deeper much deeper things going on that you can't really legislate from the school side but
>> I think it's encouraging you know right now this is maybe not the best analogy but there's a lot being made in the press right now about the increase in autism is it increase in autism or did we just get a lot more sophisticated about identifying autism right so if
we're upping our radar on incidents and to your point reporting more and yet the population of incidents is pretty low and constant than I mean just those two pieces they may not be related but if
they are related that's a pretty good fact that means we're the actual number of incidents is being reported and it's still pretty low which means there's some addressing of the root problem and you know that's positive right so But it sounds to me like that's a pretty good
>> It sounds like the incidents are not being reported, right? >> Well, maybe you were in or >> I'm I was just recounting feedback I heard from people in the conquered community, >> but they were saying from prior years, right? >> Yeah. I Yeah, I don't want to
>> Well, anyway, who knows? A year from now, we take another look, right? It it does sound like the administration is taking it seriously and that they're leading because other school systems are looking at >> Yes. >> that and uh you know as you said I mean
it's a larger school system. It's also a larger community. >> It is. >> It has a much wider socioeconomic path. >> Yeah. >> And you know we are we're a little bubble and we're lucky. That's great. But you know it's easier to manage that bubble. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. And I just want to like sort of a concluding thought on that. I spend a
lot of time each week, you know, in conversations with Jim and um >> with Lori. And, you know, >> I think have mistakes been made over the years >> in both districts. Yes. Have we learned? Yes. And do I think we're going to be as
strong as we can be this year? Definitely. So um you know I think the the message from the broader conquered carile community has definitely reached both of them and this is an area of focus for both of them this year. >> When they when you uh do the survey the
student survey again when do you do that? When does that happen? So that was done in the spring and I should note um and that will be an annual thing and we actually have one open right now for parents um a belonging survey for parents um who have students at >> Carl Public as well
>> and and the one in the spring that the students will do will answer um and I know you said they're adding um religion to on it if you so you know if you want to choose to indicate that are are there um There'll be specific
questions about their experience then as a religious per or this from your particular culture or religion. Have you? >> Yeah. So, both districts discriminate against offer some form of survey just about belonging and do you feel like
>> did you belong? I don't I don't know for sure if they're adding if either district is adding questions specific to to what you're saying, Barney, but the the tricky thing before was that we never asked religion. So then, you know, do students feel like they belong? We
could segment it in so many different ways, but that was not one way historically. And you know, there was sort of a is this something even appropriate to ask. We now feel it is appropriate to ask. >> Yeah.
>> Is Oh, go ahead. >> No, I was just going to open it up to any community. >> One more question then, Brian. Just not really specifically related, but Jim is now the middle school principal also. >> He is the middle school principal. Yes. and he will be for the remainder of this year.
>> How's he liking that? >> Um, I think he is enjoying rolling up his sleeves, but he is very busy at the moment. >> Okay. I want to offer the opportunity for some brief comment um from anyone online um about what we're talking
about. I think from our standpoint, I know as the liazison to the schools, I continue to check in with Brian on this and so this is the first check-in. This is something I think that's all on our radar and that we'll continue to pay attention to both from the school point
standpoint and the town standpoint. So, I appreciate the update. >> Thank you. >> Um, thank you for your time. >> Of course. No, thank you. And have a good rest of the evening. >> See you next week at the budget discussion. >> On to the next thing. Yes. Thank you. All right. Thank you.
>> All right. Let's move on to the Maple Street. No parking signs. I'm going to guess you're here for that. >> Well, I'm here to answer any questions if there's hesitation by the board to accept the safety committee's recommendation.
>> Okay. And so, we do have a recommendation from the safety committee on this. Um I don't have it printed out, >> but they were recommending um let's see. >> Yeah. Well, there's a motion in here. >> They like the recommendation to the select board to place no parking signs
in a few locations in the area. >> Um, uh, it was approved unanimously and was to propose to the select board to use the leftover signs from the 250th anniversary. >> I like that. >> To place along the S-curve along Yes.
>> in conversations with Sue. >> Um, so that was the letter from >> who's here tonight. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> Who is the letter? That's from um Laura Harrison, the safety committee. >> Yeah. >> And so there is a Is there any discussion on this? Does anyone have any questions?
>> I feel like we should ask a question. You You've come all this way. >> Well, I'll offer to you that I did I mean, >> did you just say your name, please? >> SPO on 10 Maple Street. >> Thank you. >> And I live right at the base of the S-curve for almost 30 years now.
>> And um we've been a little overdue in having some signs. the traffic's pretty heavy >> and we do have a lot of, you know, not only just traffic from bikers and and walkers and just commuting traffic. We also have people pull over on their cell
phones and >> I created a small like neighborhood petition and 100% of the people I spoke to was like, "Oh my goodness, thank you." You know, it everybody was very enthusiastic about just putting something up there that is just
>> concrete that this is not a safe place to park. So, >> okay. >> Does someone want to make a motion? It's in the >> Sure. >> Um, I would like to move that we approve the plan as presented in the packet to
place quote no parking signs along Maple Street and authorize the DPW director to utilize discretion in adjustments to the plan to better enhance safety. >> Second. >> Any further discussion or deliberation? The um the motion's very broad. Sue is
indicating there's certain specific areas. So >> leave it to the discretion of DPW. >> I've seen it firsthand the S curve and it's >> so that's pretty obvious. Okay. >> It's obvious. >> Okay. Any more discussion? Seeing none,
we'll do a voice vote. All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Motion passes. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate >> Thank you for Thanks for coming out. Yeah. Maple Street app and Davis Road appreciate. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you.
>> Thanks for your advocacy. >> All right. Now, we're ahead of schedule. >> All right. We're going to move on to the next agenda item, which is to discuss the November 2nd special town meeting uh warrant article positions and updates.
Um and the first one on the docket was um MBTA communities. And so, um, we were discussing this a little bit earlier. Um, so last night the planning board narrowed the site selection down to two sites for town meeting. We talked to
Wayne about that. Um, as a select board, we've previously taken a position on the article to recommend the article uh, without making a recommendation on a specific site. So, we've taken that position. It's it's in the warrant book. Um, is there anything else we as a
select board need to discuss regarding MBTA tonight? >> I mean, I think just to now that it is crystallized, the I think it's it's we all agreed in prior sessions that we are on the side
of compliance. >> So, that's clear. Uh, as I mentioned earlier, the choice of sites is one that might get built and one that probably won't get built. And if we feel if any
of us feel strongly that one way or the other like that, we I know the affordable housing trust is going to meet again because they kind of they I'm part of it. They, you know, felt that they ought to support the one that was
most likely to be built. That's a because that's their mission, right? So, I mean, there is there is room for us to side on in that nuance or we could just stick with compliance is good and let the town decide. Those
are the two >> and the one you think is more likely to >> Well, the one I think is less I don't really know enough about Woodward, >> but I'm pretty sure based on what I'm reading that the das dascese dascese >> arch dasis >> arch dasis is not particularly
interested in >> see >> the mission of MBT. >> I would feel otherwise David. So >> you think the other way? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Somebody came along with a lot of money off of the arch dasis. Dasis is yeah could be looking at some point or they
could internally decide they want to do this to provide housing to seniors. >> Well, they want housing for seniors but that doesn't fit MBTA, right? >> Well, right. They could self-limit it, but the we are zoning. >> No, I know. There's no age, you know.
>> No, but it won't meet I mean Yeah, I guess so. I guess I mean anybody you could have an in-law apartment. That doesn't mean we're meeting. >> The other site has is fully built out or not fully, but it is, you know, >> unlikely that multiple million dollar
owners of >> right are going to want >> are going to want to do that. So again, I think there's there's a lot of questions both sides. I would advocate that we don't unless you have a strong opinion. >> I certainly do not. No, I I just I just vote for
>> I would suggest if Christine is going to write or you're gonna prepare a statement and read it relative to our support of the um supporting the MBTA bylaw rather than not. Um you may want to put together some information on you
know what impact it will have. I guess the finance committee may have already done this, but the cost of non-compliance and we had in our packet um last year a letter that u was and and I think it's it's worthwhile because it
was a tangible example that I think it was the hoses for the fire station that we received a grant from the state for the hoses and it was what 30,000 or something. I don't know if you remember this, but you know, and it said at the bottom of it, it's from the state. It said, "Congratulations, you've been
awarded this ward. If you are non-compliant with the MBTA bylaw, >> the hoses, >> well, that they won't." And so, >> we were seeing the same thing at the library, too, and ineligible. There is no state funding in the library renovation. >> And I think, you know, it might be effective to to cite that or read that
or >> Right. Right. I did I did look up on the um uh state website how much they think they give Carlile and they say that they give uh 5 and a half% of our budget. I sent that website along to James Katacio. He said thank you
>> for your support of national defense and they will do with it what they will. Um and so I can include that. I mean it's just it is a fact. I'm kidding. That's a generic statement of thank you very much. >> You can stand down now. >> Oh, I see. Ryan gets it.
Anyway, um >> thought they were going to repurpose it to be the truth. >> No, no, sorry. Sorry. Anyway, the um the comment is basically the state thinks that they supply 5 and a half% of Carile's budget. >> Is that true?
>> If you include state aid >> like chapter >> been discussed. >> Yeah. I mean, it's >> it's not that's not the amount that would get clogged. >> Right. Right. There's there's no um they've been I think purposely kg as to how much >> what the impacts would be.
>> Um >> Tom Harrington, you know, I ran into him at some planning board meeting and he said that he'd like to take a few moments to say, you know, the you know, it's not even the um state aid and 5 and a half% he said there's the risk of a
lawsuit. There's, you know, but even that who knows more up. >> Well, you could have that the other way too, right? I mean when let's say let's take your the the the most now that West Street is off the table
which again took the air out of like 75% of the people were all wound up about the idea that we would have apartment buildings on West Street I think is like the main thing. So now that that's off the table, what occurred what I observed
la yesterday in the public comment time was maybe the beginnings of some organized opposition to St. Irene's because of the busyiness of that area. It's across from Carl Kids House and the kids are walking
to school and I mean all these things are coming out. So, let's say we zone. I guess that's a Harrington question. Like, we zone and then they to your point, they say, "Sure, I'm going to sell and develop and somebody has the right to develop that because it's zoned
that way." Are we I mean, we did what the state told us to do, right? We don't have a liability in that, I don't think. Right. >> No, no, no. >> You just have to sound for it. >> But that's a poss that is the possibility. sell the land and once you sell the land the developer can >> says I'm going to do this and then
people oh but what about the kids and the bus and then there's some other thing that goes on so I just maybe you should check in with Tom if whatever we write I don't want to >> we should be conscious that there may be battles down we should just say like >> we believe in complying
>> and the cost of not complying is expensive to Carile and anyway it's the law I mean I would keep it pretty straightforward >> I just had worried a little bit about because we're all supportive of compliance that somebody gets up and says, you know, and makes an impassioned
plea that somehow sways people at town meeting to say maybe we should stick it to the state or whatever. And and I think that, you know, as a board we are unified and should remain that way. >> Always not a good answer. >> Like >> no doesn't help us. >> That is not a good strategy.
>> Two there's two bad outcomes to well there's three bad outcomes to know. One is the state gave you a mandate whether you like it or not. We're a rulesbased culture, right? Second is it would cost money if we don't comply. All the fire host story. And the third is if we try
to scramble to comply. There's a whole bunch of work we have to do and we have like six weeks to do it or whatever, right? I mean, it's like not right. >> Yeah, that's not going to happen. >> The other risk I think is that somebody proposes alternative sites that are not and that's what may come up as well.
Yeah. >> On the fly like an amendment. No, it's not going to amendment. How would they offer an alternative site and that be allowed? >> What I've heard, and I don't know if I'm interpreting it correctly, is the no people, we want to comply, but we want
the none of the above option. Meaning, >> yeah, >> we're not going to comply, but we want to comply not with these sites. So, go back and find new sites. >> Right. >> That's not going to be a choice. >> There's no the deadline is the end of the year, right? to pick a site to zone >> isn't do I have that correct? Yes. By
the end of the year, >> the town has to have authorized >> correct >> a one or more zones that are >> you have to pass the bylaw that's compliant. >> And so even though say Woodward whatever, >> they'll never build 95 of them. >> It doesn't.
>> But if it's zoned at someone good, then you take that >> if it checks the boxes for the AG and the compliance model. >> Right. Right. >> And other towns have taken this approach. So, the town of Boxboro has zoned over a condominium complex where
>> you'd have to >> you'd have to have every you'd have to have every condo owner, you know, agree and then tear it down, but it's already so dense that it's unlikely that that would ever happen. >> So, the state got what it, you know, deserves
by being an idiot. I mean that's the other thing that's so frustrating about it but that you know we don't have >> so I think anyway I guess my I think my point would be keep this statement short and sweet >> y >> and um and we should just say yeah we we
we follow >> and uh I would also say that um >> do you have >> if if any of the things that Travis is talking about occur and people are sort of you know >> getting the crowd revved up to yeah
let's stick to the state is that I think one of us or a number of us right need to go down to the floor and >> the cheer us a good job >> to why no but I and I think >> all of us >> you know yeah we we need to you know unlike >> should the way we were so quiet last
time around didn't go very far >> don't do that that's a bad idea >> what quiet >> don't vote no that's a bad idea >> we need to speak up if if it's going that direction >> but I don't know that we're going to know so I was kind of asking him and we were all asking a version of the same
question. I guess I I want to have my antenna up for the volume of A's or B's in the opening round. If if there's 600, say there's 500 people
and the vote is 100 to 150. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's >> I'm like, there's a lot of people waiting for the second round to say no. >> I don't know that we're going to know. I don't know how many clues we're going to get ahead of that actual vote, but >> but I understand let it play out. But I
just want to be prepared unlike the last time I think we were I was too quiet in response to the TA. >> I agree with I agree. We should we should be very we should be >> strong in our support. >> My sense is that people have been very earnest in this. In fact, if anything, yeah,
>> they are looking ahead to what happens when we build blah blah blah. you know, they they're like they're wanting to >> right >> um >> I don't know that >> they're embracing the spirit of the law. They're saying these need new housing is built is is needed then you know if we
build it here blah blah blah and it's like people genuinely always forget it really is just zoning. So, I don't think we're going to get a whole lot of >> Okay, >> gravel rousers saying no, no, no. >> I don't know what other word. >> I'm full of sayings tonight, >> apparently.
>> Good. Hey, we're going to get out of here. >> All right, I want to move on to uh let's do demolition review next because I see Ben is online. Um Ben and Chrissy are both there. >> Um and I invited them to come tonight. Obviously, uh they made uh they took a
vote yesterday to uh not bring forward uh this bylaw to special town meetings. So, I want to afford them the opportunity to speak to that. Um I also provided you with a a letter that they've drafted for the mosquito that should be appearing in the mosquito this
week. So, with that, uh Ben and Chrissy, I'll turn it over to you. >> Thanks, Scott. >> Thank you. Chrissy, do you want to say a few words or you want me to go? >> Um, yeah. I think, um, you know, we just
wanted to to first of all say thank you to the select board. I know that you have given us a lot of time and consideration on this bylaw, um, over the past nine months. Um, so we appreciate that feedback. Um, and we appreciate the feedback that we have been getting from the other boards and
committees. Um, and also from all of the residents who filled out the survey and participated in our open houses. Um, I think all of those factors went into our decision. Um, and when we took our vote yesterday as a commission and decided
that we would hold the bylaw from the fall town meeting >> with the anticipation that we are going to continue to work on this and improve it and work with the town to u develop
it for um a future town meeting. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Is there anything else? I mean, I think, you know, one one thought I had just in hearing some of the the feedback you're getting at at this late hour from different groups is to really think
about um and again, I I we kind of laugh at how many committees and subcommittees are formed in this town, but actually looking at creating a a a committee that that brings in uh some different viewpoints at this stage that can work with with the bylaw going forward and
making sure that we have the building commissioner and and the and different people that are have voiced some concerns about it involved in the process going forward. I think that >> you mean actually naming them the committee >> for something. Yeah. Just I think ensuring that the process is is building
that feedback in um I think could be helpful. Maybe I mean my I think uh Chrissy I think you know I've been critical I would say of that there are a lot of unanswered
questions and they weren't ready which Ben and Chrissy not because of me necessarily but I think that's the message that they got. So I guess it's a question for your committee as a or your commission. Is this your like would this be your top
strategic thing? And if it is, then there's enough people there. It's like gathering data from comparable towns. There's just more work to be done. I'm not sure you need another committee to do it. It just needs they're committed. They're committed volunteers, which is great. Like, you want that, right? You want people who
>> passionately believe in something to go do the hard work to to make sure it's a good bill. And >> if you need help, then draft somebody. I mean, is there are you fully staffed as a commission or do you have openings? We do have some open seats at the moment. David,
>> might spend a little time sort of publicizing that. Try to get some more volunteers who, you know, also believe in the mission and maybe you can get some more people to help you because there's a fair amount of work to do. If you want to do all those things like
gather data from comparable towns, do a survey of some of the property, you know, there's a bunch of things you could do to say, "Okay, these are the tweaks I need to make." And but it's worked. It's worked and and been handing it off to another group. I'm not sure that's good.
>> Okay. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you both. Appreciate it. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Fire station which is now going first. So get to give the presentation as
everyone's shuffling in. Um so couple of things. one. Um, the guideline is 10-minute presentation, so it's going to be very quick. >> Is Tecton giving it or >> uh I'm planning on giving it with the chief. I'm going to talk to Tecton and I'm assuming Matt's going to be there to
answer questions, but it's it's a brief amount of time to have I think it's important to have someone from the select board involved. Um, the chief certainly, and I just think after that, it's three people's too many for a 10-minute presentation. Uh but certainly um having them there to answer questions
is important. Um >> you have a video that you're going to play or a do we have a schematic that I know we have the schematic? >> I'm not going to I'm I'm So right now they're working on a new uh floor layout that that's more of a friendly for town
meeting that just shows like the hot and cold zones. I'm not I don't plan on showing a 3D modeled video going through the station. Um, I don't I don't know what >> I only know that because the library did that. Okay. And >> had a video that showed what it would
look like. You're saying the fire the fire station is going to do that too. Tectons. >> Well, I know. >> They already have it, right? >> I don't know that they have a walk through 3D video >> 3D model the way the library did. He's just going to show a top down. >> Yeah. like a version of the layout with
like the decon zones and and just talk through >> um tie the the the plan. I have a draft presentation, but it's it's to essentially um you know articulate the goals, some of the reasons behind the goals, tie the conceptual designs to the
goals. So health and safety um retain and recruit on call the importance of on call um do all that which is probably seven to eight minutes and then the tail end get into the briefly and this is why I was asking if fin can use some of the
time to if they want to elaborate on some of the financials talk about the cost um and that's where it gets a little complicated in a very short amount of time to you don't want to over complicate um the story. Um but what I'm planning
on doing is essentially saying first of all being clear what's being asked for at town meeting. It's the 1.4. It's not it's not the whole project. It's a 1.4. Um talk about the cost estimate. Talk and then show >> the full cost estimate.
>> The full cost estimate. Yeah. >> Show what that looks like for the full project >> over the life of the project, the 30 years. Again, this has to be done very quickly and I don't want to get sidetracked. And I also want to call back to essentially this this public
safety building um initiative in town which includes police, fire, and DPW. So, first showing the fire station in isolation, speaking to that briefly, and then showing people these are the other things we have going on. Police is
underway, fire we're talking about tonight, and we're going to be back to talk to you about DPW. and showing what that looks like. Um, >> so what that looks like in in total dollars to the town. >> That's
what you know it it it's a difficult thing to do in like two minutes. I don't want to I don't want to get distracted with all these other things, but I think it's important. >> Well, I don't give you more minutes. >> Yeah. >> I don't think you if it's the only presentation.
Well, >> but I think what Scott's saying is you don't want to weigh it down. >> Well, right. But I don't want to get into a discussion about the DPW project um and all the specifics around that. What I what I can show is the curve of all these buildings combined, the stat chart that says,
>> you know, in 20 and I could I could put it up. >> You want to put it up? Yeah. Um, can you allow me to share my screen and I'm still waiting for you're gonna have some updated numbers, correct? >> I have my phone.
>> Okay. Yeah, maybe. Um, well, anyway, >> I think a curve is a better visual than numbers. >> So, >> right. >> You know, essentially >> blue is what the police station >> police >> police then fire then DPW. >> Yeah. Hold on. Let me just uh get this
to work better. >> I mean, if you were to layer it, can you can you do it where you put the first line? Like last year we authorized the police station. So this is this is police this is authorized 4.2 >> those numbers like that 246 is that like
what is that? Is that two? >> That's the annual debt payment in in 2041. >> Okay. So you may want to just put an error over there. >> No, there will be don't worry. >> And all right. So what you're saying is that's debt and principal >> total. >> It's like a mortgage payment. >> Yeah. >> Total debt. Yep. >> Total debt.
>> Total debt. >> And that's what's on the books now, right? Like that's that's a project that's been approved. >> All right. So I mean that's a visual. Then you say, "Okay, now we add the fire station." Everybody goes, "Ah, you know, like that." >> Well, and we'll already have covered the fire station. I'm going to do the fire station separately. >> Yep.
>> Um showing that and the average annual tax impact. >> Okay. So you already have that. So that means I'm sitting there and I'm saying, "Okay, this is going to cost me $600 next year." >> Average taxpayer in 2029 >> and and then when I'm ready to move out >> and again, he has updated numbers
>> and then my kids are going to pay 302. So I mean, people are going to personalize. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Then you're going to put it in context of also, >> right? And this is this is total debt. >> And now add in a DPW. >> Okay. And now do you want to put an
average tax bill on that baby? Yeah, >> that's what I was thinking. >> Yeah. Whoa. Now you get Okay, so that that graphic right there is going to get a few people to say, "Man, >> maybe we should stop at the police station, >> right?
>> Potentially." I mean, >> so you're saying it's an extra 1300 a year for all three facilities as of 20 the average taxpayer. >> Yeah. Gotcha. But per year. >> Per year. Yeah. Well, >> $300 a month. So 13 a year per year
>> if you add in what amounts to in this case $35 million in building project. >> Yeah. But it's a lot of that's a lot once you cross that >> I know >> three figure mark >> at least with the first two the police and the fire. You should also show maybe
my off-the cuff suggestion would be also this is what it would look like if we don't do it and this is the budget impact of having a full-time right. I'm gonna hit that point before I get to this. >> Okay. >> So, I'm gonna plant the seed of the extra $2 million a year.
>> Well, and we could show it on there. >> You compare to that and say, "Hey, you know, >> the So, it's a hard I'm not sure you want to do that." >> I don't what show anything. >> No, I threatening is not a great tactic.
>> So, but okay. So, the macro story is if you don't do it, >> showing the downside >> and we're going to be the problem is we're going to be back in front of people >> potentially in May asking for funding for a DPW design and >> and more for the fire station. Yeah,
>> I think we've said it. We've all said it. I mean, we have to be transparent and there are the I think it's fair to say as you said earlier, Scott, the safety initiative is three-pronged. >> Yeah.
>> Right. >> And um I mean you may even again I I would ask Wayne for more time an argument that I might make is what is important to us as a town? What are the things that make us a town? We
had a survey a few years ago, right? Open space clearly, right? Sense of community, good schools, health and safety, right? People want to live in a place where they feel safe. That means protected from crime, protected from fire,
protect, you know, >> roads plowed. >> That's the cost of living in a town where things work. >> And just, you know, that's why you're here. and >> you know I mean frame it in like some larger thematic terms before you dive in
and then you can circle back to it at the end and say you know I told you at the beginning like this is one of the pillars open space is sort of I mean well you could even draw and say we're here today in fact because there's a
very big battle going on about the use of open space and whether we should have more houses right that's a thing That goes right to the core of what it is to be carile. And there was a lot of debate and there will be a lot of debate about whether we should use some open space to
build houses. That's a piece of being Carlile. This is a piece of being I mean make it like a mission. >> Yeah. >> Right. And then maybe the pill of the $1,000 isn't so bad. You should show it. It's going to cost money. There's no way around it. >> I think it's fair for
>> It's a so critical. It's such a critical piece of what it is to be Carlo. And I think the and I don't think we we we go there now, but I think one of and this is another thing we'll talk about tonight is following town meeting, we want to have a select board separate
meeting on >> budget initiatives um for fiscal 27. I I do think and whether we say this in the meeting or not, >> knowing this is in front of us, >> yeah, >> is going to shape um some of our requirements and
initiatives about how we how we approach the budget in terms of operating budget, capital budget, >> right? >> And taking on new projects. >> Yeah. >> I don't know how much we want to get into that at this meeting. Um but I think the the message is this is adding
a lot. Yeah, >> we know that. And we're not we >> we can't say and we're going to offset everything and find different ways to to make this not cost something, but we're being mindful of we're going to be mindful and more mindful >> about what we take on in the future. >> And more to come on that, but it's it's
going to be driving decisions going forward. >> Yeah. >> Because I don't want to feel like we're we feel like we can just take this and dump it on top of everything else and just go on our merry way. What was the what was the thumbnail cost of the DPW that you used to drive that chart?
>> 15 million. >> It's about right. >> That's about right. >> That's the I mean that's the number. I I don't have any other credible number to offer. >> But hey, we're only asking for 1.4 today.
and the the um your chart staggers when uh the fire station hits and then the DPW, right? Are they like a year? >> It staggers it, but the stagger is not very >> It's a year. >> It's not It's just a year. >> I mean, that's
>> Yeah, >> that's up to you. But the 15 million goes up, >> right? If you wait >> go >> when you talk about your downside. >> Yeah. >> Add that in. Well, and I wonder if um Ryan, if I were to look at right now a
debt curve for like today without those three projects, it's pretty low, right? >> Have it if you want to see it. >> I'd like to see it. Yeah. >> So, Scott and I debate a lot about this because debt is a whole >> Well, the point that I'm hoping comes out is, you know, there was a time about
a decade or more ago where we confronted two school buildings. Mhm. >> We took them on within I don't know a couple years of each other, but you know, now it's not so bad. >> It's a good thing we did the schools when we did them. >> No kidding. >> We were up in Noa regional and what's that 240 million for there?
>> It's crazy. And I remember when we were doing that that Newton North or one of the Newton's was 100 million. Like it crossed 100 million. I was like, how can that be 100 million? And now 100 million is like nothing. >> 240 million for the Noba Regional. >> All right. So, >> wow. Wow. Where's our
>> So, let me cut through some of this noise. So, this is each project's amateurized >> to certain variables. >> Yeah, that's close. >> So, this is what's being proposed to be added if you did everything >> right >> the three
>> this is the current >> this is our current debt load, >> right? So, I mean >> current debt and then the total what the total would be. You know, that's also another >> that's a slippery argument, but there's an argument in there that says, you
know, we've been really really careful >> to take on that. We haven't taken on a lot of that. We built two schools whenever, whatever the years, 15 years ago, and we've been pretty judicious about
sticking to that. And now is another time where things are all coming to a head at the same time. And then to your point, Scott, we'll be judicious again and kind of take a pause. We we pick once a
decade. We're picking some pretty important thing to do and and in between that we're trying to be really disciplined. This is the safety decade. This is the safety decade. >> It's a generational fix. >> It is the gray. So the gray area, >> yeah,
>> not to add another complication, is when your >> retirement assessments and your OPED >> Oh, don't go there. >> But that >> all going to be free. >> That would be the next generation. >> Yeah. Actually, I don't quite agree. I think having looked at all those
actuarial curves and the way we're doing it, that won't be I don't think we're going to face a way. We'll be well prepared. >> Mutter, mutter, mutter. >> So the your voice is lowering false. It's this false pot of gold. >> Yeah. >> But the point of looking at that part is
the town. If you're going to take on this these projects, you really need to look at >> 10 years from now, how you're going to manage your debt and set handcuff yourself because you did that with the schools, but now the high school is eating up all of your debt savings. So,
if you remember, they're like, "There's a big assessment coming, but don't worry, your debt's coming down." Well, that was part of this equation and was on a >> spreadsheet like this once. M >> so if you can prove that you have some fiscal foresight with capital planning and this it's not an
accident we've been doing all these things. >> Yeah I think you're we're starting to overlayer >> No that's too much. >> Yeah that's too much. I think if you had a curve >> you just say we're going to be we've been judicious. We will be judicious. >> Here's I would prepare just for you and Scott to look at a curve that when was
the school projects 2007 or >> it's before the recession. Yeah. >> Yeah. Somewhere in there. If you look at a curve that was then to now, like look at that 20-y year period from that spike
up and what happened in the intervening, you know, eight, what is it, eight 18 years or 15 years and then the rest of it and show that that we did in fact just stop and we kind of brought the curve down and then you can overlay the
new one and say, okay, you know, it's a needle to thread. I'm not I don't know whether it'll be worth doing, but that's a piece of data if and if and also maybe you could have it in the back pocket if if in the subsequent um debate people
step up to the mic and like well you know how can I trust you and blah blah blah and everything you know they're going to throw whatever they say. It' be a nice curve to say hey look we said this like 20 years ago and this is what happened and we we'll do the same.
Um, >> so there is so it isn't it isn't 15 million versus zero for the DPW. It's 15 million versus some fix some cost, >> right? >> Because the DPW is not going to survive. >> So you do have to fix it at some point.
>> Yeah. >> And the same thing with the fire either. >> Yeah. The risk of Sure. And speak to that but and speak to the on call. >> Yeah. But the risk is if you show a, you know, skin flint Yankee a $8 million
fix, like, okay, I I like that. Give me the $8 million fix. Thank you. Right. >> Yeah. >> But these will look like an $8 million fix 10 years from now. >> Oh, yeah. No, I agree. But we're asking for people to commit now to
>> Right. But to your point, this isn't the option between this and nothing, right? We're going to have >> nothing is not an option. Nothing is not an option like every other >> Yeah. >> I think you need to, this is my recommendation to this board is you need to describe your process with the fire station. >> Yeah.
>> So, yeah, >> at every turn it was we're going to make this as cheap as possible. But in those processes, you found out that you're going to give up some significant goals that would have ham. >> Well, you've got the in your runup in the other seven minutes or whatever, you're going to talk about the needs.
I'm not going to go through all the >> concepts and the template, but yes, it's going to talk about the process and the goal like all that. >> We're an on call department >> to the MFC. I thought was excellent. >> Yeah, it'll it'll be like that with condensed background that goes back to that shows this is we've been working on this. We've been looking at all options,
right? >> This isn't just so my right. So my advice, I agree with that. And >> so my advice is you you open with a big vision thing and >> you backs stop yourself with some >> version. And I would be careful of my
color choice, too, cuz you picked some like red was the one for the >> fire department and police. >> No, but it's not. >> I mean, it was obvious, David. >> I know, but I wouldn't. >> That's the color that most people, you know, warm color >> relate to as good feeling.
>> Yeah. Right. Exactly. Morning danger will alert. >> Did you guys take any marketing in school? >> No, I did, David. But I at some level ease of understanding trumps the uh >> Yeah. Anyway, I I think I think big
picture, you know, compelling reasons and some data. >> Yes. >> Some data, right? And then just >> by data, you mean financial data. >> Financial data, right? And >> simple but simple. It's like this is what's going to cost. It's not >> it's going to cost you this. >> Yeah. And you know what? >> And we're aware of that. We know how much it's going to cost.
>> We're going to work hard to keep your bills down and >> uh we remain, you know, we remain committed to making sure that we balance like the services and the cost of everything. >> And this is where I want and I expect FINCOM, who also supports this
unanimously, >> to give an explanation of why they unanimously support spending going down the road of a project of >> almost $17 million. Right. Right. So, you know, I want their testimonial on that as well. >> Right.
>> And MFC is on board unanimously. Right. Um, and it sounds like ESC will be so >> good. Good. >> Um, yeah. >> Yeah. And I think people will appreciate the directness of showing this in the
context of the other things that we're spending money on. I really do. >> There's no way around it. >> Yeah. But I mean, you could you could not do that, right? And but so I'm just saying uh >> we haven't always been forthcoming at
town meeting on some on some spending questions. No, I'm >> Anyway, but I think people will appreciate that even if they go have a little sticker shock when they look at the number >> and to date the I mean the people I've at least encountered have been very supportive of the right the fire
department. >> Yeah. >> Um >> Oh yeah. No, I think >> but it's a lot. It's a lot of money. >> Ry, this is a ballot box question as well. >> Yeah. And I have a thing last slide is going to be two. >> That's your bigger risk really I think
is is there'll be >> as people absorb that lesson over the week between the meeting and the is it a week the meeting >> more than a week >> or others who didn't show up read about it like I didn't know it was going to cost that much. >> Right.
>> That's your risk. That's the silent >> it is. I mean it is right but there's no way around it. It's >> that's what you have to >> and and to understand the due diligence that really we've >> I think we have to explain why it's worth the expense, right? And that's
>> right. But the audience again we can't we certainly can't tell the mosquito what to do but what you say will be reported and that's your message is really your important message is for the people who don't go to town >> there's a letter that I wrote for this week's edition that's
>> right right okay good >> I gave a presentation at the MFC that was excellent it went through the history of how we got here and then here are the r here's the rationale I mean all the things you >> can we I mean I really think that people will un I in general I find us our
neighbors very reasonable and I think they will understand that there is no no vote the problem only gets more expensive as we said can we also just you know take the stance of people probably pretty accepting they'll do the math in their own head what's another 5%
to me and then can we talk about what the process looks like from here on out right like we're going to appoint a subcommittee we're going to you know blah blah blah tell them how it unrolls >> yep Um because we don't want to come back at spring meeting and people are and people are like where'd this come
from? >> Right. >> So, >> and I do want to make sure people are clear. They're they're voting for the 1.4. They're not voting for $31 million. >> Talked to you again in spring. It's going to look like this. Yeah. >> Yeah. Um Okay. Okay. Good. All right.
Very good. >> And yeah, it's 1.4, before, but you're really you need >> I mean this vote got to commit to the >> right. If it passes then it's people saying okay and we are investing this money and we know we're going to have to pay more in the spring vote for more in
the spring. >> Yep. >> If you do 1.4 >> great >> only it's very expensive. >> What's that? >> 1.4 only. It's very expensive. >> Well I think and the thing with all this is if you haven't I mean we've been living this for a while. the cost of all
this stuff is so the sticker shock is there when you hear how much any forget the fire state anything it's like it costs how much >> yeah right >> and that's I think that's >> that's something that >> um we've been kind of >> not boiled like the frog but like we've
been living with it for a while and for some people it'll be new. >> Okay. All right. All right. We >> and we've taken a position on the two articles. So, nothing more to be done there. >> Um, let's move on to alcohol. So,
alcohol permit application. >> Yeah, we'll we could use some >> You should have happy hour before town meeting. >> Everybody's moved up when you bar opens when town meeting closes. >> Paid for by the town. >> The gym.
>> In the gym. It'll >> in the gym. >> We'll vote quickly. >> Has anyone ever served alcohol? Like have a bar? >> You can. Not at the school. At the school, >> you can't at the school. >> No, >> you can't at the library. >> No, we could have a remote site. >> Yes. Well, as we know from this, >> that's what you need to do when Forget
Ben, we should have remote sites where we can >> Anyway, let's go. >> All right. Do you want me to make a motion and then we can >> Sure. >> learn about what they want. >> Speaking of the library. Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. I move pursuant to Mass
General Law Chapter 138 section 14 to approve the application submitted by Martha Feny Patton on behalf of the Gleason Public Library endowment for the issuance of a one-day special license to sell beer and wine at an event to be
held on November 22nd, 2025 during the hours of 6:30 p.m. through 9:30 p.m. at 22 Bedford Road, Carlile Mass, the Gleason Public Library. second. >> Beat me to it, David. >> You know, you shouldn't do it because
you're a library person. >> Anything else we need to know about this one? This is We've >> And they've got signed off with the police and >> Yep. >> Yep. I see it here. >> It's great fun. I encourage you all to attend >> November 22nd. All right. Um, we had a
Sorry, we had a second. >> Yep. >> Okay, that's right. Any further discussion or deliberation? Seeing none, let's do a voice vote. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion carries. Excellent. TA report.
>> Okay. >> Um so far ahead, >> he's going to take 50 minutes now. >> Five minutes before the report >> to talk about um what's being presented on Thursday. So, while you guys have been messing around with MBTA and stuff,
we've been working on the FY27 budget and some of the finances that will inform a lot of the stuff you just talked about. >> So, the >> wait Thursday when we >> This is This is not for us. >> This is just a this is information only. Okay. >> So, you can ask questions, but
>> I knew we had a we're doing a budget meeting, but not till after town meeting. >> Extending the capital plan 10 years and understanding that departments are used to frontloading. >> Yeah. Just want to show you some bottom line numbers. Of course, each detail matters and each one will be vetted and
it's its own conversation. But if you were to look at >> there's no bottom >> the two big the two big totals. >> It just keeps going, >> right? So DPW is primarily your road and culvert maintenance costs
>> and your facilities are all the other buildings and maintenance that >> So none of this is all included debt, not excluded debt. included debt, >> right? Okay. >> And then we took a look at lowhanging fruit in terms of grants and things. >> Y
>> we compared the expense to what we think we can pay with other sources. So not free cash and for the next three years you have >> right >> a 2 million plus hole. >> So it's likely that >> said column D is fiscal 27. Yep. 7 28 29
and >> so there's lots of different things here. You can defer things out and and other things. It's it's not it's not final. This is still being vetted heavily. But there's no way to say that you're going to be able to afford the stuff just to maintain your capital for
the next couple years without additional borrowing. Which means the story we've been telling about capital is the buildings are outside of the budget or excluded. which is why we keep recommending that you talk about it and vote it to be outside of Prop 2 and a
half or the normal increase. So you can relatively safely expect about a 800,000 to 1.2 million in free cash a year above your reserve totals. So that's the deficit you're looking at is about a million. So the first things you're going to try to
cut are road maintenance, coverts, buildings, right? Those are your big your big pots. So you can police cruiser your way into a lower cost for sure, but you you can't cut into a million without sacrificing something. >> What how much ceiling is there in the
levy limit? How much reserve >> excess levy capacity? >> Yeah, that's right. >> Over three million, >> right? So there's there's enough to get through that theory. >> That would increase your taxes. >> Yeah, I know. But you can do it. I mean
the the the worst is a two and a half override. >> Yes. >> Right. That's a real hard vote. So, >> you're a long ways from there. >> I'm a long ways from there. Right. So, we can we can we can we can raise people's we are going to raise people's taxes. And the the the bar charts that
Scott showed >> he's really not running for re-election. >> 27 28 29. Those don't hit till column G, right? >> Yes. But those aren't in here. This is everything. >> No. No. I know. But what I'm saying is these are these
deficits, if you will, are if this is the right, let's say this is the picture, >> then we will be clear of that little speed bump before we layer on the building debt. >> Yeah. Unless you use debt and then it's going to compound.
>> I'm just thinking about tax bill, >> right? So, if you did a one-year tax increase to pay for some of these, then yeah, you can >> Yeah. Yeah. So, I think it's manageable. >> Just this is again, this is just something to think about. Okay. The second thing I want to show you is
>> super preliminary, right? >> Uhuh. >> So, we are going to be recommending a very austere budget to the finance committee. We always hint at that, but this year it's like cola and that's it. >> It's our recommendation. And here's why. Y
>> so the you've already heard CCHS >> y >> that increase is about half of your normal new spend if I'm just trying to think of ways to really simplify this >> 750 >> the allocation increase delta 747 >> now that's built on a lot of variables
and them not using different levers >> but that's based on October one ratio data right >> correct y so then a very conservative 3% for the schools is another 400,000 Yeah. >> Um, we get a quote unquote break this
year from MCRS and only have a 6% increase in the assessment. That's 120,000. >> What is that? >> That's a retirement. That was like bananas last year. If you're every other year, right? >> Health is going through the roof. >> So that's 20% for health insurance and
we're hoping it's 20% at this point. >> Wow. Ow. >> And then so this is a very controversial especially for this board, but I'm just saying everything else besides those thing. Let's say it's at 3% would be another 329. So that would put your new spend at 2 million.
>> Just by comparison, last year you had a big new spend and it was 1.7. >> It was less because of the assessment ratio, I think. >> But you thought it was big because it's bigger than normal. >> But we knew this was coming. We talked about for the last two years. We said
this is coming. And then these are but your budget numbers. So last year was a 4.87% overall budget increase. You're looking at 5.42. >> Right. But if you Right. But to your I think where you're going with this. If you were to strip out like just you're on a spreadsheet now. Make this 7470
zero. Just just do that. Go up to the just make that zero. Okay. Does it >> Good job, David. You solve the problem. >> Okay. No, but I'm trying to put it in context. >> No, I know. You've taken 500,000 out of your new spend even compared to last year
>> and you're only proposing a 3.4% >> y >> in the operating line. >> So why I'm putting these two together >> y >> is you can one time yourself out of this this problem for sure or increase your taxes. However, um if you take free cash
to offset this problem which would be the inclination, you have the capital problem, >> right? Yeah. >> Well, not only that, but this is not a one-time bump, right? What's the demographic show? >> I think the allocation is a one-year bump. One-year bump. >> Goes right back down again the next year. No,
>> in theory, >> I think that's >> But this one was supposed to be a little speed bump if you remember. And it's a huge one. So, >> why is that? Because we have a bigger senior class >> and also Concord's lost some >> No, I know. But that argues for a longer term effectiveness.
This was according to their I'm using their >> I agree with I I don't know how that how that could possibly be. You either have when you have more kids if suddenly our percentage which is what this is >> there might be a big incoming class >> a big what a big incoming class you will own it for three years four years
>> conquer >> so it was >> conquer's going to have some new product come online too in the next >> new product >> okay I mean that may well and I don't think it they're expecting it to go up commensurally so I think it wors >> it's not the going up part
>> we have to absorb and yeah >> if you precache this little bump And this slope is >> it's all those years of that it could even decline but it's still a lot. So that's why I don't think free cash is a good approach. I think you got to do that. >> So I would I would like you to consider
three three things from this one. There's more capital as you know than you can afford. >> Um the the second piece is that building that whole building discussion you had about controlling taxes. like here is that part of this is the controlling the taxes.
>> And then the the last part is how all this works with debt. So if you don't exclude it, you're going to bury yourself in this budget because you can't afford what you have. >> But what piece of it could you exclude?
>> I would only exclude the buildings and I would >> Well, right. Yeah. No, that's a given. I'm say you seem to be saying there are other elements in that 2 and a.5 million or whatever you showed me >> to afford some of the other repairs like town hall and and other things you're
going to need to borrow >> but you would exclude that borrowing as well. >> I wouldn't you would right >> I would just roll it into the budget and as long as you're saying we're going to maintain this budget and pay for buildings on top it'll kind of work >> right >> with some >> you won't get up to 2 and a half%. You
won't have the override. So no because no people but people will be paying >> five to 10% increase in their tax. Five. I mean, at the end of the day, most people are just going to look at what my tax bill was and what it is, right? They're not
going to know the nuance of excluded debt versus >> levy limit. Doesn't matter. It's the bill, right? So, what I'm hearing is we could take care of a three-year bump up in the normal capex that would not be
excluded. Would would raise the budget. It would be a 5% annual or whatever it would be, but it wouldn't bump against the levy limit and it would be before the excluded debt starts to hit. >> Yeah. instead of going like this, you're
gonna go >> So that's an okay outcome. Now people, you know, again, if if people vote the fire station and with it, let's say paired with the DPW, then they are preparing themselves for a $1,000 tax increase. That's not
this, right? So they're going to have maybe steeper than they'd like. Nobody wants an increase, but not like a total, you know, wipeout increase in the next three years. What was your metric for every u how I remember how you do it?
Every h 100red,000 you adds to what to the house? >> 50 bucks to the average tax bill. >> 100,000 is 50 bucks. >> All right. So $2 million is >> a lot ofundred bucks. >> What? >> A lot of grand. >> Yeah, >> it's a grand. >> Yeah.
>> That's with a lot of variables. That's today's tax rate. >> But now, >> but so then you got that plus you got >> No, you do. You do. But it no but it comes down some of that come it's it's a one year there's three high years >> only three years and >> yeah and then it goes down so you make a little bit of room
>> it's it's not quite like >> you know it's it's a little better than that but but what's not you know what's early is the push back oh no I I mean one of the an anal an analyses that you may have done or should do is the teacher contracts like the actual pe not
the contract but the people >> how many are getting steps, how many getting lanes, you know, what does that really look like for CPS in a total dollar amount for next year? Because it's you're in a we're still in a contract, so it's a known thing.
>> Yeah. Well, you get some retirements, new teachers come in, they're lower cost, right? >> Yeah. But I mean, you could I think in a system like ours, we can model it with pretty good >> accuracy. I mean, that may alone be three and a half% or five 4% or something. So the the capital model is
consistently predicting you're going to have to use all your levers in order to keep that 3% to keep your excess levy capacity and then you'll have to layer on the building. >> Right. >> It's not a news story. I'm just gearing you up for FY27. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> So we're going to tell departments that
we feel like we've gotten to a good place with our services and there's there's nothing new. Right. There's only cuts in >> I think you know >> paying our employees that's it >> right right well they I mean they have to understand a version of the message that we talked about before like the
town has to right now prioritize capital expenditures to maintain what it you know its service level and everything else has to tuck in and some people might leave right I guess
but >> you've done a good job at trueing up your salary structure. Right. So people are now fairly compensated. >> I think so. Yeah. >> Right. So you know, you've done the best job you can. You can't keep everybody.
>> So one of the biggest discussion points is going to be the non-educational impacts in the education budgets contributing to this. >> The non-education. >> Say that. What do you mean by that? >> Oh, right. >> Oh, END. You mean at the region?
>> At the region. >> Region. >> Other levers that can >> help control the swing. >> Yeah. >> That's welcome to the junior partnership. >> It's uh >> But you said conquered. You had mentioned and I've been following their
budget process. Uh they're they're up against it a bit >> from a budget standpoint. Yeah. But they but don't forget they get the other they're getting 750,000 that they weren't getting last year, right, from us. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> So it's relieves some of that pressure. It's very difficult for us to exercise much leverage in that argument. >> It's just I think it's hard to max your END while one town is trying to pay for $35 million in buildings. I think that's hard. It's a hard cell to me. >> You know, they could come back and say,
"Well, let's take a look at your free cash position, Mr. Mlan. How come you're generating a million, two million every year? Maybe you should >> tight tighten that down first. So, you can make the argument. I just don't think they're going to it's going to get much traction. >> I just don't I think the town savings
I've been saying this at FinCom for a couple years now should be considered in its entirety and not you have a savings and you have a savings. It has to be looked at as a total picture. Otherwise, >> but you can't END can't really be part of that because doesn't belong to us. Their
assessment includes this increase of END, right? Not they're not targeting END. I'm saying >> um >> education and >> excess and deficiency. It's like your >> free cash. It's a slush fund. >> Okay. >> But it's statutoily capped at five,
>> right? >> And they run it, right? >> They went over last year >> and Well, you can't go over then you have to give the money back, right? >> They didn't. They put it into OPED and >> No, they should not. They shouldn't do that. The school committee is asleep then if they'd let them do that. But I think um it's like us being told well in
fact they're being told like don't don't overfund OPED like don't put it into OPED. Don't tell me what to do with my OPED. That's where >> that's where I want to put the money. Right. It's a hard argument.
Yes. The whole thing is hard. Okay. Here's my town administrative report >> for October 21st. back on schedule. >> I did have a coffee hour last week. It was raining and people still came, so I was impressed. >> This is the Clark Farm.
>> I thought I was just going to walk and look at the vegetables for an hour, but I had a ton of people come in on the 14th, about half a dozen people or so. And we talked about MBTA communities, of course, residency requirements for town committees. That's still something that's being talked about. senior tax abatements, some of the efforts that the
COS has done and some of these tax conversations continue to happen always with um civility and and an ear towards democracy. So, I enjoy I enjoy these discussions. I'll continue them through the holidays. I think they help inform me on where where the town is at and as you can see, they kind of match the
issues that you're dealing with as well. for the human resources report. You were notified today of appointments of Jessica and Mark, our new finance and HR assistant and police and animal control officer. Both of them come highly recommended and with a ton of experience, so we're happy to add them
to the team. Mark is going to be filling the animal control officer role, which was done by volunteers and part- timerrs and and Peacemail. all did an excellent and professional job, but this should this should make it more sustainable over time as those people no longer want to serve in those roles.
The two big recruitments we have are with police officers and COS van drivers. Both are going to be a continuing recruitment I think for the next few years uh and maybe maybe forever as as we continue to try and recruit on the
municipal side of the house. For department updates, this is kind of a big one. A lot of people are talking about this. So, the speed limit signs in the town center, your safety committee did a good job vetting this with the police department and to make it as succinct as possible. The town passed a
townwide speed limit um I believe about six years ago, passed at a town meeting that said we're going to lower the the speed in town. Uh the problem with that that particular MGL is it's only for very dense areas and Carell really doesn't
qualify anywhere as dense. the the only places where you might get some qualification is school zones or other real real uh safety oriented places. So, because we passed that law, some town officials did put signs in that were lowering the speed limit, but that
wasn't done in in accordance with mass DOT standards. So, when we uh went to ask them to correct other things, they said, "You're not in compliance." So, because we're not in compliance in six different spots, we have to come into compliance. So then we can talk to them about the areas that we think should be
lower like the rotary in the town center. So it's kind of a >> two steps forward, one step back type of situation where the safety committee advocated for it, the police advocated for it, DPW advocated for it, but we need to do this because the signs
changed and because carians pay attention. We have been getting a ton of inquiries about this and we've been sending them that same message. But the safety committee is committed to working on this quickly and especially in the town center and other areas that are highly controversial for speed. In addition, the police are going to make
sure that they're enforcing speed in those areas because the biggest concern is if something goes up to 40 that people are really going to drive 50. We're going to try and control that as much as possible without being over aggressive. But um >> so you have to bring everything back to the pre-limit and then repetition to
bring it back down. >> Yeah. And we're not the only rural town that faces this. A lot of people try to lower their speed limits, but that's just not how speed limits work. >> But what is the >> like why like does the MGL debate it? Why do they care like if it's going to get to the same spot again?
>> Because I believe this is just wild speculation now that everybody would lower it so low that there would be a backlash to that. So people would lower it to 10 20 miles an hour in their special town centers all around the Commonwealth. So they do do some what they're saying is
whoever they is DOT or something they they do some oversight of the practicality of what you're asking for. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And we've hit kind of the gray area as we usually do in Carile and the MGL that there is spots where we need this but it doesn't quite qualify. So we need to
make sure that we have some study or some other >> oh jeez >> metric that allows us to do this. >> Um why do we care? We care because if someone gets pulled over, they can then not sue us, but challenge any of our
speed enforcement, etc. because our zones aren't posted properly. So, that that's another reason for doing this and why the police were involved. >> So, more to come on that. I'm sure you're going to get individual requests. We've had a couple dozen at least, which is which is a lot. And there's been discussions on on all the places that
people talk in Carlile. Mhm. >> The town clock repair, which is much less controversial, is now done and chiming again. We >> I like I like your uh your graphic. >> I did like how many chimes over >> So that was Rob and Mark. And uh my
favorite detail from their report was the bell strikes 57,000 times per year. >> It's been going for 130 years. That's about 7.4 million strikes. >> But it was also very cool the pictures. >> I liked it. Yeah. the way they put the bearing in there. That was
>> what they had to do. Yeah, >> that was very very clever. So, how much did that repair cost total? >> 1,500. >> So, later during the liaison report, I got quite the education last night. >> Mike up an auditorium for that. >> Nope. >> Even a tenth of an auditorium.
>> We should get them running the AV. >> Sorry, you were asking. I was just going to say during our liaison report I learned that we actually have a um Gleon clock fund funded at about $1,500. >> Or maybe you already knew that. I got an education.
>> It's for the which clock >> someone left a the family left a clock fund for the taking care of the town clock at the Unitarian Church. >> Oh, at the it's the church. >> Yeah, this is part of the town trust fund administration.
>> This one Not the chiming one. >> Yeah, that's exactly the same clock. >> Yeah, it's the FRS. We'll >> take it. Take it one. There you go. >> So, that's on the church, but it's our clock. And we do pay someone to maintain it every year. >> But we're saying, can't we use this fund? >> We can. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> Trying to go through all these funds to identify the capital. >> So, yeah. I mean, more later, but >> every every dollar counts. >> So, the clock is fixed. And I thought you would think that that repair was interesting. >> It was. That was very interesting.
>> And you know, >> you should send that to the mosquito. They would be in they should publish that. >> Yeah, >> I will. And you >> should send that to Betsy. I bet they would like to run like that. >> They usually glean these reports, too. So, the >> I'm sure we'll see something on it. >> But I noticed when it started up again.
>> Sarah Hart's on. Sarah, >> how does it chime 57,000 times a year? You >> You have to count like seven. That's not right. Remember they they you know when the key when you say times you don't mean an
event you mean I see >> I respect that you did the math though >> yeah I'm like wait a minute that doesn't add up now it does >> all right budget updates we just had a preview of this before this this report began but we are finishing our financial forecast and preliminary capital planning model this is informing the
budget guidance that's going out uh just after town meeting and a first draft of the budget will be in front of you in the finance committee at your December 16th meeting. Also attached to this report is a draft budget calendar by setting the town meeting date where you to fill in fill in a lot of those dates.
Some of them are familiar. The budget draft in December, the Fincom's marathon meetings in January, and then a couple months of your deliberations leading up to the town meeting warrant publishing. As I told you before this report began, early indicators suggest significant budget challenges. I know those come
every year, but if you're really trying to put this budget in the multi-year context, if you don't make decisions this year, you're just going to keep compounding the problem in future years. Um especially as you take on these major building projects >> in town. The elevator project, we had to
delay one week. It was our choice to make sure that people had the proper bailing wage rates. Those are due Friday. So, we're hoping to see final numbers for the elevator project on Friday. brick building continues to HVAC system continues to be scheduled. We're really trying to get that done before
the winter. The town hall bathroom renovations or the restroom renovations, those are out to bid. We expect to see bids by the end of this month and the MFC is considering funding the whole project given the the
need for the plumbing repairs that you saw shut down town hall at one point. So, the new scope includes replacing all that piping to try and prevent that issue and if possible an alternate to install pH balancers to make sure we don't have those pinhole leaks anymore. >> Okay.
>> Cemetery mapping. It says new information on this report, but they began mapping. >> They have a crew coming in with their equipment and they're going to do mapping of the the green cemetery. It's going to be very very cool and interesting when that comes about. And Gretchen's heavily involved in that. So
is Jim in in that project. in addition to your cemetery committee and paving will begin tomorrow. Feeasant Hills going first and then Thursday and Friday you're going to see Actton Street and also they're going to fit in the facility's parking lot in there.
>> The Bant Davis track, this is CPA projects. The Bantto Davis track rehabilitation is now complete >> and under uh and under level gold star. >> Yeah. Projected. That was the other Warren article that fell off. >> The rest of the CPA projects are at a
standstill and I can tell you it's mostly because of the staff focusing on town meeting. So should see a lot happen after November 2nd. For building construction projects, I don't I don't have any significant information for the library renovation. Things continue to move. For the police station renovation,
they have begun more substantial work this week and next. They had some some slowness with permitting, but uh that was fixed and they're now going to start with the hopefully the excavation part of the project, which is one of the most significant early phases of the project.
>> Mhm. >> The fire station renovation. There's a whole site dedicated to your work on the fire station renovation, including a tour. I believe you produced that. >> Yep. Me and the chief. >> That video. Um people have been talking about it. The staff love it. So, great job on the video. 700 views last I
checked, which is pretty good for Carl. >> Monetize that, >> right? You got a new uh Yeah, you got a new possibility here for >> our local influencer here. >> No, I just used my iPhone. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> These things. I know. >> DPW is going to be one of your major
building is going to be one of your major focuses after town meeting if you want to meet some time frames. So, so that's upcoming, but no new information. Some discussion topics you should prepare yourself for. Continuing the personnel policies which were put on hold for town meeting. You have a scheduled tax classification hearing.
Your annual look at the tax rate. Uh spoiler alert, your projections in the budget were dead on last year. So uh looks like our model is refined. The 27 budget which we've discussed a couple times and then evaluating me.
Uh town sign notifications. We approved a couple and they're in your packet as always. Um, nothing significant, normal, normal signs in the Rotary and we continue to make sure that only approved signs are in the Rotary, which is a more significant task than you would think.
People sneak them in there. For staff recognition, I have one today, uh, Jim Hall. So, my respect for Jim and the entire DPW staff is well known. I think they get a lot done and, um, you can tell they're one of my favorite departments. But despite his demanding uh schedule, Jim completed a series of
professional development courses to deepen his understanding of the tree warden role, which has been both good and bad for me. Um, good because of the added expertise and bad because he's immediately noticing all the things and costs we need to fix related to trees. >> Tree capital plan.
>> Applied this Yeah, we're going to have a tree capital plan. Applied this knowledge and helping assistance to include an emergency tree removal. So, it's already paying dividends. He's also responded to dozens of resident and staff requests related to roads, trees, and debris, consistently improving town services, and enhancing public safety.
Beyond these daily responsibilities, he's involved in several major initiatives, including the cemetery mapping project, the road maintenance plan, coordination with the conquered bridge repair, the utility company projects, and multi-year planning for road and covert maintenance. So, um, a
lot of our staff is irreplaceable. Jim is definitely one of those people. We're working on having a plan for when he's gone, but uh he says he's going to stay for a while and that's going to be good for Carile. >> Good. >> And besides looking at the fun pictures, um I'll just remind of the town clock
repair, I'll just remind the board I am gone Sunday, Monday, Tuesday of next week. We have a whole plan in place to keep me in communication about town meeting, which has has gotten a little bit less significant, but if you need me, uh I'll be available by cell phone.
That is my report. >> Great. >> Okay, >> Ryan, I know under upcoming select board dates at our last planning meeting, we had discussed the option of we're meeting on uh November 18th next.
However, the uh given the timing of the budget letter, um we discussed potentially having a specific meeting around the budget the week of special town meeting, the November 4th or 5th. It would it would be maybe an hour um to
do that. >> When when when do you want to do this? >> This would be November 4th or 5th if people have availability. This would allow us to we had originally talked about putting a budget discussion into into this meeting. But >> yeah, >> with everything going on, it just didn't
make sense. >> You want to sneak a meeting in this >> sneak a one like a one-hour single agenda item >> on the 4th of Tuesday. >> I >> because we're assuming it's going to be one day now. Um, >> what's that, Travis? >> I'm just saying I wouldn't I won't be able to make it, but that doesn't
preclude I could make Wednesday. >> Yeah, I think we were thinking actually just because >> for Wednesday night >> if we were planning to come to a second night of special town meeting on Monday. Could we make that Monday? I'm assuming we all had our calendars blocked out. >> That's fair enough. Yeah. Yeah, I had it
blocked off. Um, I mean, Monday would work and we could do it >> in the evening or in the morning, whatever, whatever works with. Probably easier to keep it in the evening and we could do like a six o'clock or a 7 o'clock and we would it would just be this. >> Does that work for you, Travis? >> Yes, it does. Mondays, no problem.
>> I don't care. I'm agnostic to the days of those three days. >> So, Monday, November 3rd. >> Yeah. Why don't we do Monday, November 3rd at um 7 o'clock. A good start time for folks. >> So, one hour meeting. Yeah. >> One hour >> just budget >> uh
>> FY27. >> Do you want to do it or is it remote easier for everyone? >> Uh what do you think nature of the conversation? Is it >> it's just presenting more of this budget detail and you providing guidance to send to departments? >> Do you guys have a preference? You want to do it remote? >> Sure.
>> That's fine. Easier to share screens. >> Yeah, let's do um let's do remote. >> That's true. >> Monday the 3rd at 7 o'clock. >> And we're saying this is PM, correct? PM >> and that'll allow us to um chime in on
that before it goes out. >> Okay. >> And I think just having some dedicated time to kind of look >> just focus on the budget is a good uh page turn from special town meeting. >> Sure.
>> Or maybe not. >> Okay, sounds good. Um, do we Um, >> we don't have any tomorrow. >> We do not. Okay. And, uh, just looking at the dates up here. Um, I'm just thinking about the the
evaluation of the town administrator. >> We're going to kick that off on the on the our next regular meeting on the 18th. >> And so, are we thinking though that that will be completed >> that by the 16th? I don't think so. So, we're doing something public. Okay. So,
it wouldn't be until January. >> Yeah, we can we can hammer that out. >> Then we can talk about that. Yeah. >> Yeah. With the holidays and everything, I think we can >> do the first meeting after the new year. >> Okay. Okay. Oh, yeah. Oh, I have the agenda. Let's
see. >> Get back to the top. >> We got to do minutes. Oh, liaison reports. Yeah, >> liaison reports. Christine, you had started. Yeah, I got quite the education yesterday from Sandy. We have 18 funds that people have left us over the years.
>> She didn't put dates on them, but the oldest one that she mentioned verbally dated to 1793. >> The one in pound sterling or something. >> Uh, so that one is not, but there is another one in pounds. Yes. Um, and several of them mention that they are to
benefit the worthy poor in town. Whatever worthy >> I don't want to do anything for the unworthy poor. >> Yeah. And then um there are several school funds for instance that have never been touched uh never once tapped which is kind of a waste. So all told
the 18 funds total uh let's call it a couple hundred a couple hundred thousand. Um so there's money to be spent. Um and some of them are very specific like I mentioned there's a lease and clock fund that is currently has available to spend $1,467.86
86 cents which is just about perfect to offset what just happened. >> So Christine, yeah, if you were to say do that, can one close the fund then at that point? >> No, because there's still principal left over. >> Yeah, that's my question. Are those
principal dollars or are those get to be also >> that's to be those to ready to be allocated? Okay. All that there's principal above that >> on that particular one. Yes, there is still another $2,000 of principal above it. in agricate. Do we have any idea what the principal is
>> on the just the clock fund or the whole thing? >> 18. >> So yeah, um >> Sandy gave it to me in hard copy and she doesn't have a tally on this particular table. Just eyeballing it available to be spent is more than a couple hundred,000. >> Right.
>> And then the principal Oh, let's see here. Eyeball it. I'd say it's probably $300,000. >> So >> in addition an additional 300. >> Yes. In principle. Yes. Mhm. And >> the reason we can't spend that is it's got some gates and the way you
>> Yeah. There's E should be Quest had its own, you know, little stipulations, but the, you know, the early word from the committee, the working group is that we're going to take Tom Harrison's good advice and um combine similar uh, you know, funds that are for similar
purposes. Um, the state needs to approve it. So, we're we're off and running is basically the report. But, you know, it was an interesting uh My eyes were opened. I had no idea. Uh, you know, you may be amused to learn, as I was, that
someone set aside $1,000 a very long time ago. Um, for the repair sidewalks, which is useful, and the planting of shade trees in Carlile, >> which I thought was very interesting. >> Yeah. >> So, okay. And that is my report from the
trust fund working group. >> Does the trust fund working group do, we talked about this, I think, in the past. they can only those funds can be invested only in certain types of investments and it's very highly regulated. >> Uh Sandy said they're all under
basically one big savings account and she keeps a tally on how much each one is worth. So I am not aware of any sort of other >> there's two different questions. Some of our funds have that restriction.
It would be great if these didn't have to have that and you could grow the >> principle in a >> Yeah, I don't know the answer to these specifically. I know that the the state's gotten more liberal. >> So, you're saying you think there's rules in how we invest it? >> Yeah, there are rules. There's
limitations. >> That didn't come up last night, >> but it would be >> all town funds. There's we can't just all town funds >> because they're just sitting in a in a checking or not checking a small savings account. And if you know and if you're talking a hundred years
>> I know we've given up a lot we've given up a lot of money right well yeah there's a bigger picture of that >> so the the aim is to combine these into let's call it four >> to consolidate yeah make it
>> right so the question go ahead >> but you were saying you have to get approval from the state to do some of that >> oh when we um uh Yeah. When we combine >> consolidate. Yeah. >> So you've got several things you can do, right? You can authorize a spend.
>> Yes. >> Which if it's available is that some of them are not like your committee, they go back to school committee or there are there's some rules about that. >> So that has not been decided yet, but I mean it it does sort of logic would dictate that you know there's four funds
that are for scholarship funds. Um it gets a little bit tricky in that while they're designated to be spent by the school committee. Um apparently at some point you could graduate from the equivalent of CPS and then go to college because they're meant to be college scholarship funds but they're to be
>> but the question is >> by the school committee. >> The first thing is there's this bucket of money that's available. Yes. Who has purview over awarding it? And that's you're working on that, right? >> Uh we are. Yes. >> Okay. So that's one mission. Then there's what's left over and how to consolidate it and what the rules are
about that working on that >> and then if you can consolidate what is the mechanism by which you can extinguish >> right >> the whole idea would be to have fewer funds right >> that is correct yeah >> the investment rule thing I mean Bartholomew I think it was what was that Ryan I can't remember now I don't think
you were at that meeting but the state has relaxed they had a very restricted one like only money market kind of thing and then Now they've opened it up quite a bit. We've opted for still a fairly conservative model. But is it Bartholomew >> that manages that for us?
>> Yeah. With Sandy, >> right? I know, but I don't know where the funds were that bucket. Kelly has a spreadsheet. Maybe it's that one. It's maybe a different one. I think >> Sandy gave us this spreadsheet. I don't know. >> What was it we we approved that gave Sandy more flexibility?
>> Prudent investor. >> Yeah, that's the one. Prudent investor. But were these part of that? >> No. >> No. Okay. But they've been invested in the lower risk funds. >> I don't know where these sit but >> they have been right. They they haven't been sitting in a checking account.
>> No, they're invested. >> So they've been growing >> a little bit. Yeah. >> Pound sterling. >> Those are the old >> $12 pounds, right? Didn't they overnight they went from uh remember that they went from You guys don't remember, but I
do. It was like a pound was like worth eight dollars and then the next day it was $2. Like they did a in a one day thing back in >> when was this David? >> Like in the 70s I think. >> All right, we're going to get out of here early tonight. So >> are there liaison updates?
>> Uh affordable housing trust met and we took a vote to support West Street. So they're going to call another meeting I think for next week. >> Support West Street. >> West Street MBTA. So, we're gonna take another vote next week.
>> Vote for the one you don't want. >> All right. Anyone else? you presented to the MFC, but one of the things the MFC is working on is >> coming up with a longer term capital plan of of this and
>> of this and it's all going to get factored in and it's going to be, >> you know, >> it's not going to be pretty in how it all flows. I mean, pretty be it'll be >> for that chart. Did MFC have an input into that chart? Yeah. >> Yeah.
I'm meeting I have a meeting on the 30th uh with Fincom and the school committee and the administration to review the draft of the budget. So >> So you'll be the guy to deliver the message. >> Yeah. Yeah.
Um other than that we heard from the historical commission tonight. Um we heard from school committee. So just on the we had the little sidebar in the E and D we have limited leverage but we don't
have no leverage and the only the way to do that is to actually this might be a fincom job you can think about talking >> and they've just met with they've been meeting with the conquered >> yeah you got to be tight with those guys and go to their meetings and make the
point that's I that's something I did when I was cheering finham and that's kind of the only way I guess to get because the school committee is really it doesn't work well because we're only two of seven at the region and they're
not that financially focused anyway and their their business guy Connor or whatever he's going to say well this is great right we got extra money from Carile this is where we need to spend it you know so it's got to be my recommendation is through the pin comments
>> I have a quick um report just um as a liaison for the Council on Aging. Um their vaccination clinic was very successful. Oh, >> good. >> And I just want to give you a couple of numbers from uh Jeff's report. Um
they had uh 134 residents. They administered a total of 114 flu vaccines, 74 COVID, 10 shrin. Oh, shing shingles.
>> 10 RSV, three TEDP, and two pneumonia vaccinations. >> More than 35 walk-in participants were welcomed >> uh because you know the other people had already pre-registered. >> And where was it? >> Right here. Yeah. Clark room in the lobby. And >> um my calendar
>> and uh >> stupid. >> It ran very smoothly. Um, and there were no issues and there was a little bit of backup at one point because it was it was really busy, but no logistical issues and no medical emergencies. And
>> when was it? It >> was Saturday. >> It was Saturday and they had it slotted out to where >> I have it written down. >> You need to you you came uh according to the letter of your last name. So my family was registered and we you know came at 3:15. We waited an hour. we were
at the end of the day. But someone had provided like a whole nice table of cakes and cookies and you know it was it was very well done. >> Good. Great. >> So very successful. >> And this is the first time you know that
COHS has done it >> with Walgreens, you know, >> right? B would do it and complain about it. CO just got it done. >> Yep. >> That's actually exactly what happened. >> Exactly. It's like the hazardous thing that's coming up, right? Hazardous material
day. >> October 25th. >> Yeah. This is Saturday. >> Saturday. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> And the CPC finally has a full membership. Sylvia Willard is the >> Oh, yeah. >> member on the CPC representing the
Cascom. >> Oh, very nice. >> Great. Um, review of warrants and minutes. There's October 7th. Yep. Does someone want to make a motion or have a comment? >> I move to accept. They look fine. >> The minutes as written
>> October 7th, 2025. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Okay. Any discussion? Seeing none, we'll do a voice vote. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes. Um, and we're up to community input again. If anyone
remaining has any community input they want to provide, please do so now. Right. Seeing none, we'll take a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. Great. Thank you.