All right. Greetings and welcome to the select board meeting of Tuesday, March 24th, 2026. Tonight's agenda, we're going to begin with community input. At 7:05, we're scheduled to meet with uh Senator
Barrett to discuss some items pertinent to Carlile. 7:35 item three is a discussion of the fiscal 27 budget and town meeting capital articles. Uh 8:20, item four, we will discuss town meeting general articles, including um safety
committee requests and a review of the town annual town meeting warrant. 9:30 item five, we're going to uh vote on police chief Amandola's contract. Item six, we'll have the TA report. We're going to do appointments and
resignations or scheduled to anyway at the end 950 given the previous agenda items and then uh followed by review of warrants and minutes, cemetery deeds, leazison reports, community input once again and then adjournment. So with that, let's begin with community input.
Does anyone in the room have any community input? And does anyone online have any community input? All right, seeing none, let's move on. And why don't we move on to appointments? Should we do that? You think? >> Yep.
>> So, we're going to jump to item seven, which is normally at the beginning and is back at the beginning. So, >> um this is appointments and resignations and um do we have any other appointments beyond the discussion of the school committee
>> uh super interim superintendent appointment? There were none in the packet, correct? >> No appointment, just resignation announcements. >> If you could just go through those, that would be great. >> Sure. Kathleen, I have more more to come on this in my town administrative report. As we say, thank you to Kathleen Bond and Jeremy Gagny for their service
to the town. One served as the ser social services manager and the other as a driver laborer. >> Okay. >> Uh they moved on to new opportunities and um I'll talk more about how much we appreciate their service later. And then Patricia Wolf from the was an associate member of the trails committee also
submitted her resignation letter >> and we already voted. Did we already vote her in and in the full position? Okay. >> Jumping to the the big time. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. Great. So the other um item under appointments and resignations is a discussion of the select board
representative to the interim superintendent search committee. And we have Brian here tonight um serendipitously. Um so I had sent around his request um to have the select board represented on that committee. There was
also um a description of times and dates where they're requesting availability to participate in that uh process. Um and so for myself um as a liaison um I'm willing to do that with the caveat are
there are a couple of dates in there that I am not available to attend and I'm certainly open to any other committee member that might have a desire to serve. So, I'm presently on I don't just mean
to show up the uh strategic planning exercise that Brian and uh Amy uh something other conduct. So, I've kind of gotten reimbursed in the schools and I can make those dates. So, I'm happy to
do it if people want. But >> Okay, fantastic. I'm supportive of that. Are we supportive? Okay. So, >> if you're willing to serve, David, if I guess someone make a motion to appoint David Modell as the representative to
the super interim superintendent search committee as a select board representative. >> I move to appoint David Modell as the select board representative to the interim superintendent search committee. >> I'll second that. >> Second. Any further discussion or deliberation?
Seeing none, we'll do a roll call vote. >> Arnold, Ill. Snell I >> Stevens I >> Triola I thank you David appreciate that. Great. >> All right I see uh Senator Barrett in the room. So uh let's move to that agenda item the discussion with Senator
Barrett if you want to come on up to the uh interrogation table here. >> Whoa. Okay. Good to see you all. >> So welcome welcome to Carile. Thank you for coming tonight. >> Happy to be here. Just for the folks watching at home, um the select board provided the town administrative with
topics and questions uh for you and hopefully you received those had a chance to look at those um and they span different topics including infrastructure, budget and tax impact to the town um general energy and conservation. So either we can a begin with some
introductions um and some conversation or if there was a particular topic that you want to discuss with us, we can move to that as well. Yeah. No, I I'd like to make general comments first and I'm I'm happy to >> hear your questions and get a sense of
of what's priority for you. Uh in general, the um expectation over the course of the last six or seven months is that this would be a very difficult year primarily because of changes at the federal level, cuts to Medicaid funding
in particular. I know you guys see significant increases in health insurance for your employees and and of course for your in your own life experience for your families. So uh for months the expectation has been that things will be very pinched
and one has to assume that they will be. But um there are some a few mitigating factors that are worth noting. Uh one is that state tax collections are still coming in. Well, uh, you know, there's a lot of, uh, news, a lot of noise, uh, in
any given moment. So, it's hard to know what the trends are, if there are in fact trends. U, if anything, I think the the trends for Massachusetts looked bleak, at least if you read the papers. Uh, there are folks moving more out of
the state than in. We we easily compensated for moveouts in the past retirees let's say because we had a a very healthy immigrant population. President Trump has seen um fit to uh dampen
incountry immigration. So, for the very first time, the United States is losing population as a nation. Um, and New England is losing population really pretty staying pretty much even, but we're not what we're not getting is uh
the influx of folks including students whom we used to be able to count on until one or two years ago. So, in terms of long-term trend lines, that demographic flatline is um worrisome. On the other hand, um the current
administration isn't going to be there forever. Um we can expect since we've always been an immigration welcoming country that that longer term commitment on the part of the United States will kick back into gear and that will be very good for Massachusetts. What we
need uh in order to generate local aid for Carlilele and for other places is a healthy state economy which basically means meds and eds uh spin-offs from our state's medical schools from our institutions of higher
education uh lots of business activities supported by the graduates of those places or the physicians and scientists who work at in the healthc care institutions. I don't need to tell you guys that that life sciences has been in a trough. Uh
there are some signs that that too is rebounding. IPOs I've noticed uh are popping back up for life sciences and medical devices related companies. That's a very good sign. So, while while things are worrying people, and they're
certainly worrying my constituents, we haven't actually seen the uh worst of all possible worlds eventuate. State tax collections, as I say, are holding up, which will help us to mitigate some of the dire predictions that many have
made. Um, so I don't know how to uh I don't know how to offer a longer term prognosis. Carlilele has always uh as a small town um and a and a relatively prosperous one has always had legitimate concerns about
the amount of state aid that comes to the town. Uh and right now it looks as if we're going to do reasonably well uh by Carlile in terms of special ed funding which is always an important concern for the schools. I think we're going to do relatively well in terms of
um uh education aid uh reg especially to region conquer Carlile school district to regional school districts uh we expect to see a 5% pop in fiscal year 2027 compared to what you're currently seeing 5% increases in terms of uh
special ed funding and another 5% in terms of regional school districts but unrestricted local aid available to the town to spend on your priorities. not that kind of increase. And uh that's the case in the governor's budget. Where
we are precisely is that the house will probably take up its version of the state budget in the next uh two weeks. Uh they they house leadership plays things relatively close to the vest. So, I can't offer a
particular prediction, but you're going to see the House move in early April. By tradition, the Senate always adopts its version of the state budget the last week in May, Memorial ending in Memorial Day. Essentially, that's because they always tell us if we
don't stay late and get this done, regardless of the hundreds and hundreds of amendments pending, we will have to come in and work on Memorial Day weekend. And that always puts the fear of well something in us and uh and we tend to make that deadline. The delays
come later and as you know we've had trouble getting a budget across the finish line by the nominal um finish deadline of July 1st the beginning of the new fiscal year. So the house does a pretty good job of getting its budget
through. We always get our budget through our own branch. the two documents are very divergent typically um more than more than I think they need to be. But now you're talking about human nature and and all kinds of uh uh
tensions between the the two branches. So reconciling the two documents is what takes so long. Uh the the stakes are pretty big. Uh, typically you're going to see the House and and I think you're going to like some of what you see in I I'm sure in the House budget, they will have some signature issues where they
really overperform. The trouble is that because we have to balance our budget every year. Overperforming for one important constituency means underperforming over here. It's not as if the budget grows by anything more
than our state tax collections. The Senate will do the same thing. uh because we're human and we there are certain interests that we have. The state senate, for example, has always been uh extremely interested in mental health issues. Um it it's it's something that our senate president talks about.
She grew up with a dad who had uh who served in um the Korean War, had serious emotional issues. Um it really made an impact on her. So, she talks a lot about her interest in mental health and is extremely supportive. But for that very
reason, the House doesn't go there. >> The House expects that we will. The House will go somewhere else. You can imagine what happens when someone passionately committed to mental health versus somebody who's passionately committed to job creation, especially on
in southeastern Massachusetts and the Southshore. You can imagine the difficulty in reconciling those two. So I um I would expect that um that we'll have difficulty once again. None of this in the end impacts town or
town governments, but it's exasperating to see um to see the uh antagonisms antagonism going too far. The tensions play out. Well, it does impact us in terms of our ability, you know, from we have our chair of our finance committee behind us
and understanding and we're going to be talking about the fiscal 27 budget um after uh our discussion. Um but you know, a key key input to that is state aid and and what we can expect in terms of chapter 90 funding and and special ed
reimbursements. Um, so you know that the uncertainty that exists from the delay. Good point. I should create I I shouldn't be philosophical about these things. You're you're right. Uh there's there are real consequences. So uh thank you. I stand corrected. >> And on your on the Senate end, you
talked about you have at a high level. What are the things that the the Senate is championing in in this current budget? You mentioned that you often have divergent priorities. Are there anything things in particular this year that are different from previous years
that the your budget is promoting? >> We don't have a budget because we we come last. So our budget is uh we're we're respondents effectively to the governor and to the house. >> In recent years uh Mr. Chair um a
priority has been free community college. Another priority of our Senate President Karen Spilka. So, who represents small towns herself in in in greater Framingham. Uh she's from a relatively small community. Um Ashland.
So, free college u is something where we've been able to deliver on several years ago and been able to fund despite the difficulties with federal reimbursement. I would expect you would see us continue to emphasize that. That's very important
for Middle Sex Community College which is nearby and other institutions of higher education. Uh by the way it it does work. You know you wonder whether these uh policy innovations coaxes forward differences in human
behavior. Well they do enrollment despite all the difficulties we've read about uh in terms of college enrollments and a drop off in the number of collegebound kids demographically. Enrollment at our two-year institutions is is way way up. We're defying the
trend. It helps, I guess, to make it when the price is right. Uh it helps. And and so there you've got lots of kids getting training beyond high school. Many of them metriculating later on in four-year institutions after uh the
two-year experience. So that's good. >> Related to that, is there any discussion? One of the challenges we have in this community is lack of access to vocational education because of the severe constraint on capacity versus the increased demand. Um is there any discussions going on that you're aware
of that where the state promoting investment in vocational schools? >> Well well tell me about tell me about uh does Carl you tell me Carlile does not send its students to Minute Man. it sended students to >> we withdrew from the Minute Man district
several years ago. Um and so now I think you can comment on this but you know I think the biggest challenge that we hear that we have and that we also hear from members member districts is that the demand for the spots that exist far exceeds the capacity. So it's very
difficult if you're not part of a a member part of a district to get a student place location. And I've even heard that schools in the in the districts have difficulty. So generally there's it seems like there's a mismatch between demand and capacity. And there has been a surge in demand. My understanding and
I don't know our chair of our school committee is on the other side there. Um okay. >> There's been a surge in demand for vocational education. It's a topic that comes up in our town meetings. Um to try to find more. >> So you're not a member of of of any district. You haven't you haven't you
haven't joined a found a suitor a substitute for >> No, it is something that the school committee has looked at. Obviously, the ultimate decision comes back to the town. Um but I want to say it's been since 2015 or 2016 that Carile has been
um part of any of the vocational schools. I did have a positive meeting with Minute Man a couple months ago where you know they did assure me that they are seeing some programs with space and >> we can have our students go if there is space and they've encouraged them to
apply but it's just not a sure thing and I talked to parents who >> don't want to get their kids hopes up about even touring Minute Man because you know it is it is a gamble so it's something that's >> what what prompted you folks to withdraw originally
>> the cost and that we didn't have any students at the time interested in going. >> I thought it was also the number of spots that our allocation you weren't you you could pay into the program but you weren't then guaranteed a spot and so we didn't think that that was a good
investment. >> Sounds like it might be if I could uh David Modell is another select board member is >> Hi David >> former member of the finance committee school committee and current select board member. So I was uh chair I think of the fincom when this happened. So the minute man
was building a new building the ma the math of the regional agreement was that we paid you know pro rata our student counts. So we paid you know for the five kids that were there compared with say Arlington might have had 200 at the time
but the capital fund was by town. It wasn't strictly linear. I don't remember the formula but it was hundreds of thousands of dollars that Triton share I mean Triton sorry that Carlile share would be it was decoupled from your
headcount >> and they were building this big new building right so they the minute man cons agreement whatever the region authority is understood this and offered towns the one-time window to opt out of the agreement and we weren't the only
town several towns opted out because we would have um faced I would say not you know 40,000 per pupil which is like what we would pay now if you know the tyranny of small numbers but maybe like $400,000
per pupil. It just it made no sense. Now at that time there were more opportunities like Mishoba told us come on in you know I mean there were a lot more little windows for the very few students that we placed vocationally since that time vulte has gotten so much
more uh you know popular let's say at least and and the slots dried up. So you know the the glow of history is well we shouldn't have opted out but I got to tell you from the numbers it was not a sustainable thing for us at that moment.
Thank you. Uh interesting. Well, I there is no question that that interest demand exceeds supply at the moment. I do not see any quick solution there. Um in part because these trends change so
much. U we all remember I'm sure I know I'm sure David does uh and Carile's own past experience reflects this. There was a time eight or nine years ago when we were convinced or so it seemed that everybody had to go to college that um
and Massachusetts numbers are particularly good relative to the other states. You assume that kids would have to go to a four-year institution even if they'd rather even if they'd be happier out working with their hands and and and proving quite gifted at it. But it
seemed as if there was really a pre and of course all the data indicated actually it still does that there's an enormous premium in lifetime earning power for someone who graduates from high school over someone who doesn't someone who goes to a two-year institution relative to high school
someone who graduates from a four-year college relative to high school. So the math seemed to argue in one way and then there was because of high college costs in particular a uh reaction to this idea
that everyone had to go. But that too could change very quickly. I mean, if I were to point to uh what's kind of shaping perceptions uh today, I I should point out that Massachusetts is committed to creating bluecollar
jobs, especially in clean energy, right? >> Um we have a plan. We have a long-term strategy. Donald Trump has uh destroyed it in the short term, but he is gone in less than three years. Um and that strategy was to develop offshore wind
and solar and energy efficiency. Those folks who come into your house to install installation um and uh uh eventually install maybe airtight windows and doors that represented tens of thousands of
jobs. I know because I've read the workforce projections. This is an area that I'm interested in. So, we had a plan to make sure that you didn't have to go to a four-year college and could earn a very good living. Um, and uh that
plan is on hold because offshore wind in particular is on hiatus. I in two days uh on Thursday though I'm meeting with a a major offshore wind developer and I speak to them all the time. they are
biding their time and are prepared to come back in because we have special advantages over the West Coast and the Gulf in terms of building these offshore windmills. Uh the upper northeast of the United States is the best place in this particular country to do that kind of
work for reasons I'd be happy to to pontificate about. But uh so we we we are going to have a long-term strategy for creating good jobs at good wages for kids who don't have the money to get a four-year degree. But
the reason this may all change quickly and the reason there may be seats at Minuteman before too long is that we're looking at China. China is effectively defining our sense now of what our future strategy should be like. and China and India graduate engineers. They
graduate scientists. They graduate. They put incredible numbers of people through their PhD programs. They are dwarfing us in terms of an educated workforce. Very soon we're going to realize that um there's a kind of choice we're still
having to make even though we we need diverse choices for diverse kids with diverse talents. But are we going to continue to celebrate relatively uh lowering or moderating our educational expectations for our kids or are we
going to default back to realizing that China and India are focusing on higher education and giving their kids more skills in a very sophisticated world. I suspect we're going to default back more toward the Chinese and Indian model
because they're beating us in terms of job creation and in terms of innovation, you know, across the board. It used to just be EVs, but if you now it's robotics, a source of strength in the Massachusetts economy. They've got an incredible worldclass robotics industry
that's going to take jobs away from Massachusetts if we don't start educating scientists again and getting kids in from abroad and then making housing affordable enough so they decide to live here and make a a living. So, there's a lot going on. I don't think
the um excess in demand for vocational education, as important as it is, has legs. I think we're going to I don't think we know yet really where the future lies, but as I say, for Massachusetts postTrump, it probably is
meds and eds. That means an emphasis on higher education, uh high value added jobs that can survive despite the encroachments of artificial intelligence. I think that's the way we're going to continue to go. And um so we need vocational ed seats, but not
because we're going to see as many kids gravitating toward them as currently gravitate toward them. With free two-year college, we're addressing the tuition issue that sends so many kids out of the college stream and into the voced stream. Uh, if we can get those
college education costs under control, beginning with free for the first two years, >> I'd like to think that the kids who are so inclined are going to gravitate back toward getting an education. >> Ask about the Yeah, >> we have a specific issue to Carile that
I want to make sure we have time to speak to you about. >> Yeah, I don't know if you had a chance to discuss it at all. Um, what's going on with Benfield Farms, which is here in Carile and it's a you know a little bit about it. Um, and that's a, you know, an affordable housing project that was
built, uh, and began taking in, um, residents in, I think it's 2015. >> And, um, the developer and owner, which is Noah, the, uh, you know, >> neighborhood of affordable housing. >> Yeah. which is really based in town, but
they they did this project here and um they have been unable for for many years now to maintain the building and to meet the concerns of individual tenants. >> And why is that? Why doesn't their
business model work? Well, >> what they will say to Well, maybe we should talk a little bit about some of the meetings that we've had with the owner or at least the um the CEO, not the not the board, but
his position has been they uh that this is a much more expensive building than they anticipated. And initially there were some very difficult uh issues with the septic system which was not um working properly and it has taken years
for them to uh resolve that and get it working properly and it cost them thousands of dollars. Um >> are they effectively a condominium? Uh what what's their what's their mode of organization >> for Noah? Well to provide affordable housing. >> I I know. So, so you're saying so there
it's 100% subsidized all 26 units? >> Yes. Uh some people though are paying different rates based on their income >> units, but there are mostly affordable units within the complex. >> And and are they are they um are they tenants or are they
>> owners? No, they're all tenants. >> Not a condominium >> renters. Okay. >> Yeah. And there issues with there are available apartments but the uh Noah does not do the work to clean up the apartments so that when somebody comes
to look they don't want to live there or people have submitted applications to Noah and they just fail to act on them and we they have we've they have said they do have somebody available when there's an issue
with maintenance or u a tenant has a concern. concern and but it's impossible to reach them and get a response >> and they they're a they're a nonprofit, right? They're not it's not obvious it's not state government public housing >> and we don't I don't know if they're
receiving any state support. That was one of the things we were wondering about because that would give us a little bit of a handle to to force >> well they received state support in the construction. uh you know there was a a mange of financing buckets from which
they drew including local monies probably there was >> oh yeah we put in a lot of CPA funds >> but um so the short answer to your question is it's an interesting I don't know of a fund that bails out affordable housing projects that uh probably are
being poorly managed um to say that one has ended up with a building more expensive than expected poses interesting questions. Um
>> and so and unfortunately for the town it puts us in a position where we don't want to see 26 30 individuals, many of whom are um disabled, some of whom you require full-time care, and some sometimes they
have to go without heat for a while. sometimes the, you know, the you can't get into your apartment because the key doesn't work. I mean, just a lot of >> Here's one thing we could we could do and and I would I would be happy to have my office uh take a look on this, not because the responses would be quick,
but but I I hope we could offer a response over time. Housing is Governor Healey's number one priority, housing and the general >> condition of the state economy. Mhm. >> Uh we we know that because you guys have just wrestled with your transit oriented
development commitments and and uh congratulations to you all. I know that was a tough one. Um so she she has some uh a bond issue. Bond issues are tricky. I think you understand the way they work at the state level, but still there's a
huge u bond issue that that uh will pass. uh the the executive branch picks and chooses from projects and programs authorized by the legislature. So it's unlike a state budget where we can command that the dollar be spent.
>> When it comes to bonding, the timing of course has to be subject to the market. So we don't dictate when the bonds go for sale. And as a consequence, we can't dictate or determine when we're going to have proceeds. These bonding issues are typically for 10 to 20 years. So that
adds an additional element of uncertainty. So that's why this is not a guarantee. But still uh we ought to be able to you're interesting me in in what pot of money might exist among the different pots
>> uh in the governor's program >> to well to bail out alien developments that have a lot of potential. I mean clearly living in Carile is a wonderful thing. The folks who are there I'm sure are happy to be here. Um the management
I'm no question I I'm sure would like help. I don't know if there's a pot of money uh just accumulated for Benham Farms, Benfield's farms problems, but we would we would be happy to take a look
because there have to be a lot of nonprofit given that the rents aren't very >> uh don't don't >> contribute to self sustainability, >> right? They're probably this is probably a
broad problem and it's it's one that I would be happy to look into. The reason I'm not promising you instant knowledge is because of the reasons I've already stated, but also I >> I am right. >> I am up to my eyeballs with a an energy
affordability bill. That's my responsibility in the Senate. It's it's seven days a week. uh you know, starting at 7 o'clock this morning and until the moment I came here because I actually write the freaking thing. I'm an attorney. Um I've been doing this stuff
for a long time. I have a wonderful young staff, but they uh are relatively young. Lucky them. Um and so this really falls to me individually >> and it's hundreds and hundreds of pages. So, um, I'm not going to be able to be
back in touch with you immediately on Benfield Farms, but but I am interested in that in the problem that you describe. >> So, what can we provide to you or to your staff that will help get a start on it when the time is right? >> As much as many facts as possible. In
other words, a profile >> um as detailed as you can make it would really be helpful to us because at the end of the day, even if we find a pocket a bucket of money, everything of course as you know will depend on the specific
question of whether this project qualifies for that >> right >> uh >> right >> sum of funds. So making the fit of course as again as you know is um a precise thing sometimes. So as much as you can tell us about their financial
problems the profile of their tenants is very important of course because that builds a sympathetic case and I know that they're helping folks whom everyone would want to help. The the other thing I'll just mention is that because there's an environmental
issue or two like septic at the foundation here that enables us to draw quite possibly on an environmental bond as well as a housing bond. >> So uh we we need to know enough so that we
could present this as an environmental and quality of life problem or as a as a housing one just for starters. And I'm gonna just press one more question on you, which is in this case um >> Ethan Ray who I think you've been in
touch with Ethan, >> right? >> Could be is is interested in this stuff. So you could uh you could provide the information to my stuff. >> We have talked um about trying to have some kind of a summit with the owners of
Noah and yourself and potentially our state reps. Some way to kind of up the up uh require them to pay more attention to this. >> And we have asked them in the past for their they said they they have said to
us they don't uh they have a whole capital plan. They've laid it out and they don't have the funds to be able to do some of the serious um it it's sort of changed from maintenance to now there's some issues with leakage and uh
you know walls, water damage and yeah and um we they will they have not given us the information that they say they will you know after various small group meetings with them. So one question was whether
we could do something like that and >> well I I don't know if it would be effective or not to be to be perfectly honest with you. Uh I would prefer to get stuff on paper. >> Yeah. Yeah, we could do that, too. >> That could make us as smart as possible about the issue. I haven't the faintest
idea whether uh an early inperson meeting in which I show up knowing nothing would be an effective strategy or not. I'm not sure. >> I think better. I know you you I doubt you would do that. So anyway, it sounds like we have a sort of a longish longer
term approach which we can start working on and then we'll >> but I'm very I'm very sympathetic to your dilemma and I'm also sympathetic to the tenants. They're my constituents >> and I may wind up being sympathetic to the management by the time this is over. I don't know. Do they have projects
outside Carlile? >> Mostly in Noah statewide or is it is it even bigger than that? >> No, >> most regional to Boston. Yeah, >> you're a bit of an outlier geographically, >> which doesn't help, >> right?
>> Well, that's so that's So, yeah. Well, thank you. Thank you very much, Barney, for mentioning it. And I'll >> Okay, >> we'll see if we can take an interest. >> Are there any last? >> Yeah, I know we're just about out of our aotted time. There were there were additional questions I know people had
posed. Does anyone want to ask one final question of Senator Barrett? >> I'll ask one. >> Go ahead, Christine. >> Did you have one, Ryan? I was just I would hope we would touch on infrastructure quickly, but so um you're also the state senator in Lexington, Mr. Senator, thanks thanks for coming. So
the the impact of Carlile's building projects that's working on right now, DPW, fire and police in addition to the deferred culvert and road maintenance that the select board's working on is the tax equivalent of Lexington's $660 million school building. So for a town
of 5,000, that impact is is massive. And I know that one gets a lot of headlines, but a small town like Carlile really struggles with these generational building projects >> and covert maintenance. So, we've been applying for as many grants as possible. We've been applying to Echo One Stop
with limited staff. We've been trying to get the attention of the state in terms of helping with fire, making it on call and accessible here with with good reaction rates, um, police, and then of course our DPW, which has had a horrific winter. So, there's quite a few things
coming in front of the legislature this year to include uh funding for local buildings rather than just schools. Uh chapter 90 multi-year commitment would really help. All of this has two, three, 10 times the impact of of UGGA or unrestricted general aid. So, if you see
anything capital from Carlile, you would be greatly reducing the taxes of the payers of the uh residents here. >> Well, good. Thank you. I mean, you're putting me u you're telling me what the town's priorities are, and I'll I'll keep a an eye out. Um again all these
these bond issues haven't yet reached critical mass but but I I will in fact uh start looking around but but and I hope that communication between uh you and and my office and represent Katalgo's office can can really uh be
strong around these issues because no telling which one of us will spot the right match. So thank you >> Christine. Christine, do you have a >> No, that was exactly what I was going to ask, but Ryan asked it much more. >> Well, thank you, Senator.
>> Thank you very much, Senator Barry. >> Thanks for having me. Good luck with your bill. >> And thank you again for mentioning that. >> Yeah. Thanks. >> Thank you, Senator. We appreciate your time. >> Okay. >> All right. We're going to move on to item number three, which is the fiscal
year 27 budget and town meeting capital articles. So, >> yep. >> All right. come up, announce yourself. Let's dig into it. >> Hello everyone. James Katachio, chair of the finance committee. >> Hello, James. >> Hello.
>> So, just for context, um, and James, you can feel free to chime in or correct me. um the where you're at in the process. The finance committee is essentially I know there's a couple of outstanding um items that I think you're going to speak to tonight, but for the most part the
finance committee has finalized its operating budget recommendation. Um and so we can review that and I know we had feedback from our last meeting regarding roads and maintenance and reducing that. Um and I think same for capital equipment. >> Yes. >> Okay. So the goal tonight is to review
that and are we taking positions on that tonight? >> Always ready for a position. >> Okay. I don't see vote next to it, but um and then we will also talk about MFC town hall and I know you're having a meeting tomorrow night as a fin to take position on articles as well. So
>> correct. >> So we'll also communicate additional positions we take tonight for your committee. >> You are taking some following this >> potentially. Yeah. Excellent. >> So I don't I'll turn it over to you to begin with, I guess, the operating budget. >> Sure. Um, and I'll pass it to Ryan essentially, but we the operating budget
is largely similar to what we presented last time. Um, we're um we've gone through numerous renditions and so forth and uh compared to where we started the year, I feel like we're in a good spot. It's higher than average, but um I think that we're good spot. Brian, I'll pass it to you. >> Great. There's a couple changes from the
slides in your packet just to to address some select board concerns and um provide information. So I'll try not to repeat what we discussed last time. >> Not this afternoon, >> but this has been a you know what it didn't go out to you, right? So this is the first time you're seeing
>> So these are right up to date. >> Got it in after the Friday deadline. >> Gotcha. Okay. >> So um this process started in the fall. Long-term planning led to goals. goals specifically around you looking at if you remember the cost of these building projects that I just mentioned to the
senator and also a lot of this deferred capital that that we've been wrestling with in the capital plan and then the fincom did a great job meeting not only in capital in the fall but also meeting with every department as part of their annual process to come up with these recommendations that were made to you
and then they met with you received further guidance to include the cola adjustment and then these numbers are coming back to you this represents the fincom um discussions. So overall this is asking or recommending for a 3
38,977,248 budget and this does include um a couple things in terms of reductions. So first in the presentation you last time it was it was assumed in the model that the regional high school would react to the fincom's $100,000 request that ended up
being about $68,000. So that was a $32,000 shortfall from that presentation. Then also you instructed the fincom to add half a percent of cola, two and a half%. So the overall budget from the last time you saw it is down 38,000 and it's the combination of
those two things, the school adjustment and the addition of cola. Any other changes that were made to the budget were budget neutral uh to include the incorporation of the two chief contracts or what we estimated them to be and readjusting risk within the overtime
budgets etc. So everything balanced. >> One second. >> And to be clear, the other adjustment like the roads and maintenance, that's part of the capital. Yes, we will get >> we'll discuss. >> Just need one second, Mr. Chair. I
apologize. >> What else is going on, James? Feels like we're towards the end. >> Feels good for our process. >> When is your public when is the from the process from here? You have a meeting tomorrow night and then do you have a public hearing scheduled? >> Not scheduled. Um that's got to happen
fairly >> I think the end of thought I saw it at the uh on the on the TA report. >> Okay. >> Yeah, Ryan has a officially >> I think he presented it last time to schedule, but I I would assume we're going to have it towards the end of April. >> Yeah, >> would be my guess. >> Okay.
But taking care of the capital, not taking care of it, but looking at the capital earlier in the process was or before the whole budget process was actually very advantageous towards our overall process because usually we're debating it buried in capital and you know there's been a few things that we've been talking about from a capital
standpoint >> at this point in the process but it's been much easier than prior years. So >> yeah, >> hoping to institute that for the future. >> Yeah. >> For other chairs. >> Yeah. I know Ryan mentioned in his um premeating notes about a a question that I know you've discussed with the with
the school, a question about the maintenance budget item. Did you want to speak to that? >> Sure. And Ryan might want to add or Brian might want to add a little bit of color, but I think there was just um >> a little bit of a a timing or misunderstanding between uh the schedule
of consolidating m uh maintenance into the facilities centralizing facilities. So um few years back the school um had and Jim had committed towards kind of moving in that direction and Ryan's department had been taking on my
understanding is a good portion of that. Um but the school committee hasn't formally voted yet to have or discussed it or you've discussed it but you haven't voted on it yet. >> We've discussed it a little bit. We did not discuss it in terms of the FY27
budget. Um the originalou actually said FY26 was when um we would get to this point. It was not discussed by any party to my knowledge last year. Um and it definitely wasn't discussed at the school committee this year. Uh we
had a conversation yesterday and we'll plan to take it up at the April 8th school committee meeting. And this is financially this is overall budget neutral but a question of where the funds fall in the operating budget.
>> It's somewhat it's budget neutral from a dollars and cents standpoint but there are some additional dollars. I'll ask Ryan to color that. But there's some are some additional dollars if it stays within the school side because there's been resources that are being applied from Ryan. >> Okay. >> Under Ryan. Ryan, you might want to
color that. Yeah, they're they're minor changes, but um >> we can and we can get if if you want to resume. >> Yeah. So, my my apologies to David. I had added a couple clarity slides in here that that didn't make it in. So, I'm going to continue and hopefully can clarify with words. So, the major bud
budget drivers as you saw in the last presentation are the CCHS assessment, health insurance, retirement, CPS budget, the additional IT expenses, and then the new debt and the 2.5% cola. The difference from the last draft two here to draft three is
the CHS assessment went down to 8.33%. That's the $7,000 reduction uh in their budget. And as you were just discussing some of the major structural changes that are part of this budget, one of them that's still undecided is the facilities department to the town budget. So we
plan on presenting to the school committee to finalize or revise that decision. No change in revenue for this year. What was changed from draft 1 to draft two remains in draft 3. For the uh overall tax impact, the the
new average tax bill increase is 4.73% or uh an average home increase of $862. This is about $30 different than your last budget and it's because of the changes that I discussed which is the cola ad and less of a reduction from the
the high school of that of that 4.48% is from the new building. So when voters approved the new building uh that increased the impact of the FY27 budget from 4.27% to 4.73 overall as we
discussed before. So, the new buildings are adding $111 to that average tax bill increase. Okay. There are changes to the uh capital plan. I should probably stop if there's any questions on the operating budget. >> Just go back the ones I just want to be
clear. The so the op the the budget this year, the fiscal 27 budget is is draft 2 driving is at the 4.08% Say that again. >> What we're talking about right now, the operational budget, the new budget expenses,
>> is 4.27% of that 4.73. >> And that when you say new budget expenses, we're specifically talking about operating budget, capital, all the financial articles or >> Yes. Because most of those are paid through free cash. >> Okay.
>> So they don't have any new tax impact. It's using old tax money. >> Yep. Okay. >> So, what that's trying to isolate is the 4.27% average tax bill increase is the new spend from this year's operating budget. >> The $121 or the half a percent increase
is from >> previously committed >> the police station and the fire station, >> previous town meetings that are coming online. Yep. So when when you approve that debt exclusion, that's the debt that's been excluded above two and a half operating budget. Not a lot of changes
except the two I highlighted in the overall impact. Can go back to this. I can keep going through the rest of it. Okay. For changes to the capital plan, the U major changes identified here was the reduction of $100,000 in the road
paving plan. I've also highlighted the uh school Wi-Fi modernization. This this came up this week and the fincom actually hasn't heard it. So, Senator Catalo reached out. Um the supplemental bill was being signed at the last minute during during a discussion at the state house and he included an earmark for uh
for this. It had to be something capital and for the school. So, we threw him this. So, that's $30,000 that is in that supplemental budget. Hasn't been approved yet, but it's it's likely that it will pass. Um, so that 30,000 could be removed from this capital plan, deferred or kept kept in this budget.
>> That would be approved after town meeting ultimately. >> My point being the the budget we bring to town meeting will probably include that 30,000 with the caveat that we won't need. >> I never want to guess at when the state's going to, but this is a supplemental FY26 bill, not FY27. So it
could be approved any day. >> Okay. All right. Um, >> so if it is approved, would we remove that $30,000 from what's presented at town >> if it's done in time? >> If it's done in time. Okay. >> No other changes to the capital plan and
happy to go over any of the capital plan decisions again. >> And the net effect that wouldn't impact the tax rate, it would impact our free cash balance >> and reserves. Yeah. >> Okay. A major discussion point of the
FINCOM is the the town hall borrow for the various town hall projects to be done over two or three years. This was itemized in the capital plan to be using free cash or those reserves in order to to cover the cost of this and it was um articulated by the finance committee
that they wanted to borrow that rather than use the reserves and free cash for it. So this have a later impact on the um on the operating budget. It's a $1.3 million borrow and would be another debt exclusion vote. So this is its own article because of that borrowing
>> and that's something James that the entire fincome supports. >> Yes. Yeah. We had a few discussions around that strategy but um and it piggybacks a little bit on conversation we had a month ago about where to keep free cash levels. Uh you there's this mythical 12% that it's the top end of
the range but we've all sort of settled on wanting to keep it at 12. Um, but we anticipate there's a number of big years coming up as well and that 12 is likely going to March South. >> So, not having an additional $ 1.3 million hit or a little less because
this was spread across two years, but point stands, not having that hit to our reserves was the main driver here. >> Okay, this is >> Can you enlarge this at all? >> I can. >> Okay. You can get go stand up next to the screen.
>> I can get into the the spreadsheet though. Um all all of this is just to show you the financial warrant articles and how they they impact the budget. So the total here is 71,000 in things that you haven't seen already whether they be capital plan or in the
operating budget. So for Warren articles just to bucket that is 71,000. uh down from 74 because the traffic study, which you'll hear about later, came from 20 to 17. However, just to fully confuse you, the cemetery committee uh asked for another $4,000 in
their warrant article to cover wetland delineation for their expansion discussion. Um they have a phased project, so phase one would be a go or no go, $4,500. So, we're not sure that we would get through the 20. If they found something they
didn't like and this land wasn't worth investigating more, they would stop. >> Um, you could not approve the additional wetland money and that would just get you less far in the presentation of decision that they were going to make. Um, if you made me make a recommendation
right now about this, I would say accept the risk that's coming from the reduction of the Wi-Fi capital article, fund the cemetery ask, and you're still up 25,000 or so on the reserve slide. >> And we will be discussing the cemetery article later tonight,
>> right? >> Why were the things highlighted in purple? >> Those were things that the Fincom wanted to see more information about, and they will do so tomorrow. Well, like the fire station will have a bid number. So, that number will change in some form or fashion.
>> Yes. We pray to the municipal gods that we will have a bid number and that it will be lower. >> Yeah. Higher, >> right? >> Okay. So, the total uh free cash from all sources here is 1.433
million and it was 1.521 with the major change being the road money. Okay, talking about how all of this impacts your reserves, there's your existing town reserves. Right now, this includes a $300,000
operating budget um tax reduction. The capital plan and the Warren articles combined for that 1.4ish million dollar number leaves you a reserve of 12% of the new projected operating budget or 12.02.
Even if you included the cemetery money and didn't offset it with it, we did the math. It's still 12.01. So, it's right there. In draft two, it was 11.53. So, you did get back over that 12% number.
Okay. Next steps. Um, we're still finalizing some contracts and uh placing employees, changing employees, and all that means is uh just different step changes, etc. All of those minor changes would have zero impact in the budget. We would move money around. Um I don't
expect much of that left. We need to confirm structural change, specifically the facilities budget to make sure that that's accurately presented at the town meeting. State aid projections and potential earmarks. You heard about one tonight. State aid. April you'll have a new House number and at the end of May,
as the senator said, you'll have a new Senate number. I expect state aid to go up in those budgets. So the tax impact should sneak down. I wouldn't say it's >> going to change your opinion of good or bad of this budget, but it will come down some percentage
and that'll allow us to refine the tax impact figures. So, anything can happen, but I would say this is the high end of the tax impact and ideally this budget would be have be included in the warrant so people can see the numbers. >> That is to be finalized at your next
meeting in three weeks. you get an extra week for being good. April 14th is the day you need to sign that. Uh ballot questions, which I can go over with you as well tonight. Pretty simple. It's the three debt exclusion ask, the fire station, the DPW, and the town hall borrow. If you choose to put that
forward, your annual town meeting is on May 18th, and the annual town election is on June 2nd. Ryan, if um with regard to things like the fire station bid, which we expect to get in after we sign the warrant, is the
plan to put in the existing number? >> So, this came up during police station a couple years ago. So, the plan is to put I it's it's not meant to be misleading, but it sounds horrible. It just says a sum of money will be voted and ideally in the notes, we put what we think the number is going to be or what we
projected around. So any kind of rollup number or presentation will >> work off of the assumption >> and then for town meeting we would have to update all that with the actuals. >> The motions would include the actual numbers >> hopefully going down not up. Um one
talking point this is again something that I just learned today. So um I spoke with the vocational school. They they are still deciding whether or not they're going to take regional applications and a new state law allows
the well forces the regional school to put students into a lottery. And we do have two students who we know are going to enter that lottery if they do open spots. It could be that they take 10 people. It could be that they take 100 people. I know that the list is at least
100 plus. So our two would be in that list for the lottery. The reason why I'm bringing this up is um even one student at the vocational school is probably a $50 to $70,000 ad to the budget. >> So we talked a lot about risk. I still think the risk is low, but it's not
zero. Uh I do think they'll slot at some point the students by number, but I don't know that it'll be before May 18th. >> So it's something to track. It's something to follow on the vocational side. um the the information about
students being able to get into the school or not is is still on the probably not side but it's less than it used to be and I don't know why trends in education changing etc. The main cost for a vocational student is the $268
a day for the van. Um, which is times 180, you know, 40 50,000 doing doing math >> more than the school. >> It's way more than school >> total or per per student. >> So, if you get a van and there's more than one student, you get some
efficiencies, but one student equals a van. And I don't know what options we have there. Maybe we can designate one of our council on aging vans or something maybe to offset that share with another district. Obviously, we'd explore those options, but you know, you have to provide that that transportation. So,
>> yeah, >> it's expensive. >> If where would that would that come out of if that were to happen? Say we had two kids get placed in vocational after May 18th, would that come out of a reserve fund? If you don't budget it, it would have to
come out of the reserve fund >> or a default town meeting. >> You would do a an adjustment. >> Okay. >> You could do say a free cash transfer or some type of budget increase. >> So, it's probably one of those. Let's see what happens. And then >> Brian, my understanding is the decisions
are by April 15. >> I hope so. >> But I I'm not quite following that. Um, that's to participate in the lottery. Right now, we have no kids. This is Voke Tech only, right? >> Yes. Our last student graduated this was graduating this year.
>> So if somebody came back in it would either be acceptance I guess I don't know how it works or they'd be in the pool but in order then to get them there we have to kick in our share of the transport costs or is inind permissible if we somehow we it's never worked in
the past by the way but provide the van service that would be okay too. Yes, we can. We have to provide transportation. What we have to provide is we would try to be creative. I would buy them a car. It'd be cheaper. >> Yeah. Listen, I've tried. We have tried all those things and it's never quite
worked because the kid has to get there at, you know, 8 or whatever. Every day, no matter what, the driver has to be Cory. It just you always default back to the standard model. >> I shouldn't joke about it. >> Yeah, >> because it is a student. Of course, we would mandatorily provide that service,
but it would be cheaper to buy them a car. If there are creative ways we should investigate >> Carlile scale issue coming back one >> I have one question on the going back to um possible income uh so representative Catalo had also
talked when he was here about an earmark and looking to us to make a suggestion to him um where does that stand and obviously that would have some impact on this wouldn't it if he earmarks something for Carlile.
>> Yes. So, you can identify specific capital items. The those tend to be more successful. Um, a lot of towns get chunks of money for their building projects occasionally. Um, I think at some point the town should be lobbying pretty hard to to
say, "Please help us with these." >> But I meant >> million plus in buildings. >> Yeah. I mean, I meant now though for FY27, isn't wasn't that the um wasn't that what we took from that conversation with Representative Catalo? >> And we sent and and we'll continue to
send what we think would pass, but >> Oh, so you something that we have already submitted something to him. >> We just give them our capital plan every year. >> Oh, the whole thing. and he would choose as opposed to making the case for something in specific. >> If there was something we wanted to make
a specific case for, I think that's impactful. I I find it's successful to let them figure out which puzzle piece fits. So, they have multiple constituencies in these smaller towns. So, if they need a $60,000 or a $30,000 project, you can
give them a menu and you're more likely to get one than not. >> Okay. And so that's something you're you're following up on. And we don't doesn't it's not helpful for us necessarily to do any uh you know select board lobbying or
>> by the time I'm done explaining what the town needs, they no longer hear the words I'm saying. So any specific advocacy that you can provide helps. So anything that comes from an elected official or resident is definitely more impactful than than me because they know what I'm going to say before we even have the meeting. >> Yeah.
>> Buildings, roads, culverts. We should talk talk about that. Um >> Yeah. >> Right. Because if if that'll make a difference, we should be on the case. >> And the last piece um of just information that you should know is we
apply for grants anywhere we can. We have green communities money. Today, Sarah and I were working on a MVP grant from all that good MVP work that town volunteers did to try to pay for culverts. So, we are taking our capital plan and aggressively looking for ways
to get things off of it so that it's not just here's more and here's more and here's more. >> Um, we do a good pretty good job of getting grants. We've gotten turned down a couple times recently, which means we're being successful. So, um, just keep applying. >> Yeah, that's that's that's how it works.
Good. the I know you went through operating capital town hall MFC article and the DPW design article. Was there any additional information on those? Basically, we have these are five
different articles for town meeting. Correct. >> These are the five um or six big budget articles, >> right? So, these are all articles that the select board needs to take a position on. So the operating budget that the numbers and the details matter
but the overall impact as scrubbed by the finance committee is something that that you would have to express that you're comfortable with in order to give your recommendation. The capital article is non non-building capital. So that in includes your culverts and roads and all the items that the departments requested
and that you've scrubbed a couple times. The building article is what we call the MFC article because it's put under the control of the MFC and that includes all the building related capital that we've gone over. So the capital plan was split into two just for I think ease of understanding for the town meeting voters. You got non-building and
building. And then you have the town hall rehabilitation article. That's just going to be $1.3 million borrow for the town hall. But here are the items that are >> it's going to fund. Yeah. And then each one of these lines has its own story and detail behind it. We
backed it all up. Right. So here you're seeing the calculation for school town HVAC study and repair backing out the grants >> and the DPW design article. Is there a total on that? >> So the the soft costs is what you're
asking, >> right? So what what you've discussed is once town meeting approves this, if town meeting approves this, if they want to move forward, then we would immediately engage a designer to start the process that you're doing with the fire station,
but with more months and then they would bring this final number to town meeting for for a vote. >> Spring town meeting 2027. >> I spoke with a few people. 1.4 is what the fire station was. the DPW is not likely to be more than the fire station,
he says, hoping to God that he's correct. Um, so I I'm comfortable with that 1.4. If we don't spend it all, great. If we do spend it all, then they'll do as much as they can up to that point. >> But they're also selecting a designer, correct? >> Yes. >> And is that where is that process?
>> Out to bid. >> Out to. >> Okay. Out to bid. >> And then we would get those bids. Would that number reflect the bids or are we just putting a number into for the warrant. >> So, good question. So, the the way the
spid printing process works is first you select the designer and then you negotiate cost. So, we have to select the quality before the >> number. So, we're going to tell them what the design fee is going to be. >> So, we're not going Okay. So, >> if they say no, then we will pick the
second best designer. >> And is the number we're using is that the 1.4? >> It would be the same model that you're used to now. of 10% for architectural somewhere around 5% for OPM. >> Yes. >> Okay.
He doesn't want to commit to an actual number. >> Exactly. >> Okay. >> It's a negotiable. So, >> yeah. >> But we're going to have to take a position on something with a number on it at some point. >> And should is that is that one we're waiting on just in terms of
>> All right. I'll be more more blunt. you're not going to get a exact number. So, we should approve an amount that will allow us to get the work done. And we're suggesting 10% of the operational cost, which is about 1.4 million.
>> All right. So, process for the select board. Um, do people are people comfortable taking a position on some or all of these articles tonight? I am, but we have the review of um two that are in there if I understand it. It
is very small font. The um uh and I do have a question about PEG. Why there's money for PEG? I don't understand that. Um >> we're only talking about the top six right now. The the budget what we're calling the budget articles. >> Okay. But I misinterpreted then. So
Scott, your question is are we ready to take a position on the top six? Is that what you're asking? operate. Yeah. Top six or what? >> Yeah, they are. Sorry. >> They're five, but that's okay. >> Yes. >> Infl I understand. Inflation. Yeah. Right. >> Yep. Yeah. >> Okay. All right.
>> We're going to talk about >> some other ones later on. >> Okay. Yeah. I'm I'm fine. I'm fine taking a position. Yes. >> Okay. Um >> I'm okay with that. Do we have uh the motion for the articles?
>> I guess we didn't really have one in here. >> Each one is I move to recommend. >> We don't have the article numbers though yet, >> right? So, we do have to talk about that. >> So, do >> do we do that later? Are we are we >> Well, you don't need and let me understand. So, we have one more meeting
to finalize what articles go in, right? >> The warrant language needs to be finalized at your next meeting. >> Okay. And the sequence does not right you mentioned sequence but that's >> the numbering does have to be the whole warrant is sent to the the residents
needs to be done at your next >> okay so if we have article two is capex and article three is opex and we change our mind can we present three before two once we've labeled it or have we then frozen the order as well
>> once you sign the warrant it's frozen >> the sequence as well as everything else >> yes >> next meeting which is 3 weeks I think right >> so let's let's clear what we can let's if without numbering can we but can we move the article without a number now
like we we approve you know capex for95 or whatever can we approve that and then we may have to reapprove it with its number but at least we've already established the important thing is do we support the number right >> yeah the number and then the article
name, >> right? >> And we need to do each one individually. >> No, >> we could do all five of them. >> So, the recommendation on the warrant helps people. >> Yeah. Right. Yeah. No, I know. >> Does it need to be there? So, you're just signaling that you support that article,
>> right? But we could do them all together tonight. Yeah. >> If you wanted to make a motion that included >> I would just specify one through six. >> Uh, six >> as presented. >> Well, this has only got five. >> Wait a No, there's six because
>> No, no. On our on our uh >> D3 is blank, but actually it's some number that's like the 39 million. >> Fire station's not as part of this. >> Oh, fire station's not on here. >> It's not
>> these two combined. >> Okay. Well, >> here. >> Well, why don't we um >> should we try a motion then? >> Sure. >> Okay. Well, but before you make the motion, >> okay, >> the cell for go back to his other chart,
please. >> Um, the cell D3 is blank because there's still some moving parts. But if we're going to move that we are generally comfortable with the number, do we want
to express it in that way? >> You don't don't want to vote a blank, >> right? You don't have a number. We put in the the current number >> three number. >> You showed a number at the beginning. >> I know there's a couple of moving parts,
>> but we can >> but they're all going to move to smaller, right? You think if >> we always hope >> not to exceed >> Yeah. Well, right. But I mean that's what you said, right? This represents a high water >> provided in the d in the draft three budget tonight.
>> Yeah. I mean, we can always we can always um >> you can always vote again, but >> we can always vote again >> as needed, >> right? >> I mean, quite honestly, we're going to if it comes in 10,000 higher, we're going to say no all of a sudden. No. >> Well, and the number might change the
day before town meeting and we're not going to >> Right. >> Well, we don't I guess what I'm trying to say is what what why are we even doing anything? Any number could change, but why can't we >> establish, you know, our position so that at least people know we're in favor and Mhm. That's what we're going to do,
>> right? Good. Okay. Good. >> So, I would move that we um approve um >> recommend >> or recommend, sorry, to uh town meeting the um
the operating budget of 38,977,248. The capital equipment articles of 955,000. the building maintenance article of 47,75, the town hall rehabilitation project debt of 1,300,000,
the fire station project of 17,466,760 and the DPW building design of 1.4 million as presented tonight. >> Second. >> Second. Further discussion. Yeah. >> Further discussion or deliberation.
>> Do we need to also parse out that um the source? We don't. Right. Source is irrelevant to this motion. Correct. >> As presented indicates to me that you're okay with the source. >> Okay. Very good. Thank you. >> Okay.
All right. Let's do a roll call vote. >> Arnold I. >> Modell. I. >> Snell. I. >> Stevens. I. >> Triola. Hi, >> thank you for the support. >> Yeah. Um, thank you for the the work and the effort and keep us updated with any
changes. >> All right. Wonderful. Thanks. All >> down. Any changes down? >> Yes. I'll keep silent on it. >> We want to know about those immediately. >> Radio silent. >> Yeah. >> All right. Okay. >> Excellent. So, we're now a few minutes
ahead of schedule. Um, and we're I think we're ready to move to item four though. Town meeting, general articles. Are you ready for the safety committee? >> I think we have quum. We've got four people. >> Do you want to assemble up front? >> Yeah, please. >> And open your meeting. >> Okay.
>> We're going to pull up a chair. >> Be great. >> Oh, it's just a time. >> Oh, yeah. >> You want to come up? Yeah, I think I'm good. >> Do you want us to appoint you real quick to >> I've got enough committee here. >> All right, we're going to call meeting
of the committee is 8:16. We're going to call to order the seats committee because we have four of us. >> Wonderful. >> And you should state your name who they are and >> Sure. I'm Laura Harrison. I'm chair of the committee. Valerie Thaddius, >> Brian King. >> Okay, great.
>> And a fourth is Christine. Oh, whoa, whoa. Oh, you're a voting member. >> Yes. >> Well, help. Okay. >> No, as in Well, what I was trying to say. >> So, hopefully you were briefed on our last meeting. Um, I know we were cons we
were discussing and deliberating multiple things. Um, we didn't spend too much time on the uh safety zone. So, I know we went through that pretty quickly. And I even think the we can discuss again the the funds being requested to do the the traffic speed
study. I think where where we ended up spending most of our time and where some of the confusion and discussion surrounded was the follow-on work that would come out of the study and that related to the estimated expenses for each segment and there was questions about do we need to spend that money
>> can we just change the signs what's a segment um really to get a better understanding of what's the appropriate >> sure >> action so from my characterization there wasn't much debate about the intent and what we're doing it was more around the tactics and needs and funding to do
that. So that's where we enter this conversation and I I feel like we felt having having your presence was important to understand those things. >> Sure. Is would it help to give a little context? This goes back to June and I we can just kind of walk you through how we
got here because none of us wanted this. I will tell you right now. Um, so back in June, Chief Amidola and Deputy Chief Booth came to the safety committee with a report showing about 10 places where our speed limits are out of compliance with state regs. And their recommendation was before we do
anything, we should just bring Carlile into compliance because right now we're sort of in bad standing. It means like we could potentially lose funding. We can't ask the state for anything. So all these measures that in the summer we compliance >> um, >> right? >> Free signage, whatever else is available from the state. We're not in good
standing. So, we're not going to be able to do anything, ask for anything. And they're also sort of not really enforceable. So, if it puts the police in a bad position because if they go and ticket there, those tickets are often thrown out because if anybody challenges them, it turns out that we can't have 25 miles per hour mile per hour speed
limits in some of the extended locations around the town center. Does that make sense? >> So, we made a recommendation. >> What generated that >> this we turned ourselves around trying to figure out how we got into this position in the first place? Is that what you're asking? or why was it brought up by >> the chief and
>> I think >> Booth had done the assessment but I don't know what generated what prompted him to do the assessment but he brought like >> document to our meeting >> part of the question was all these towns surrounding towns you drive into carile 25 miles an hour unless otherwise >> unless otherwise posted >> and then you you we drive through all these different towns part of the
question was have are all the towns >> going through this or did we just >> 25 unless otherwise posted I believe that's 17c which we did adopt townwide And Brian, you carried this all the way through because if you look at that report, the report is from 2023. It says
one option we have here is to just make sure we adopt 17C town Y. We have actually done that and this is something we talked to council about a lot. It turns out that it doesn't really matter for Carle because we don't have any thickly settled areas. So I think that's the big difference. >> Most most towns the 25 mile is settled
which is the definition of which has to be a certain length of housing density. And even our town center is in a long enough continuous area of housing density that qualifies in this area. >> But but let me ask um I spent a little time today looking at those old
photocopy documents from um >> I don't know it's it's several many years back. Right. >> Yeah. >> And there was this they're all called like these special speed zones. They make it like it was special because it was specific to a very specific piece of
a road. Is that what established the quote unquote state law for us? What was that? Or is that a waiver from the state law? >> So those special speed regulations, those are what are is currently in effect. The select board could go and rescend those and then we're in this
weird limbo state. The council explained it as sort of >> um >> you would like revert to the statutory speed limit. I this is where we so initially in June we just took their recommendation get us into compliance so that we can enforce these speed limits and then we can move. It was always
meant to be a first step. No one wanted this. No one wants higher speed limits. I think I can say that. Um >> and we got public feedback to that. >> We knew it was going to be unpopular and so the change went into effect in some I think around October and we started getting a lot of fan mail about it. Um
and so we we almost immediately jumped into action and we so what we came up with was a number of options. First was talking to council about how do we get into the situation? What are these special speed regulations? Can we just ask the state to change them? Um what is what about our school zone? Our school
zone could be potentially expanded to include more of the town center area. That would be in school zone is 20 miles per hour. Now it's only within certain hours of the day. We looked into safety zones because you see them in other towns. 20 miles per hour doesn't have the time constraint. Um, and it turns
out there's no approval authority for a safety zone. This is one of the reasons why we like this option. >> It's also enforceable. >> Yep. And it's it's absolutely enforceable. That's a regulatory speed limit. It's enforceable under section 18B. So, this is these are all my notes from council. Um, that is the only thing
that we can potentially do without any further approvals. Um, we do have to f follow MUTCD, which is why there's an engineering study involved in this. So, we can get into all of this, but we we looked at we read the rags, David. We looked at all of this. What we talked to
council and we talked to Nich about what can we possibly do? How do we get into this? >> But you're you're jumping ahead from I really didn't I guess maybe articulate my question properly. Back in the day whenever this was done. >> Yeah. >> Well, first of all, like you to Scott's point, you drive all over the place.
They say as otherwise posted, etc. And they also do not have a speed limit change every 21 miles or something. Right? >> So in comes this document that our select board signed that is very granular about very specific speeds. And
I have two questions maybe three about that just to understand the baseline that special speed regulation if it's proper and maybe it wasn't. Does that document being signed by the select board establish a a valid
speed limit for that specific section or was that itself just a >> I think our understanding is that the the ones that are signed that are like old they're like from the 90s I'm looking at one here those are yeah old is relative um those those are in that
those are enforceable and in effect so deputy chief booth's sort of document that this is what the speed limit should be. >> Okay, that's what he was referencing when he said reverting back to those. What we did was maybe five or six years ago >> 17 or 18. Yeah, we just went around there was some decision made to just put
up new signs, >> right? So that maybe was wrong. But if we go back to the >> but if you go back to those those special speed regulations, those are still enforceable. My understanding from town council was if we resend those it would go back to the state and the and one of the risks there is the state
could actually come back to us and say okay well now these are 40 and we would have >> exactly no you're making my point exactly so let's just say we decided that the paper you know the special rag is the right thing and it's enforceable but then we would also have to post you
know say on I don't know l street or what's the some of them east street you go out of the rotary and you go like to uh uh Chaffen's barn and it's 25 and then suddenly there's a sign says it's 30 and then it's 20 you know is that what would be required to establish that
that is the speed of that little section. Um, I'm not sure I understand. >> I'm not sure I understand the question either. >> Well, if you read if you were to map out each little >> Yes. >> smidgen of land and its
accompanying speed in that document, you would have like six times the speed limit signs that we or any other town has. You'd have them like every every half mile would be like a little different speed. I believe what we have what what when we went into compliance in the fall was to we should have signs
posted every time the speed >> Yes. We should be we should now currently on the roads be matching >> and it matches those >> what is the legal legal speed which are a lot of really random I like I agree like if you're coming into town on um like past Clark Farm market like it goes
3530 35 again 25 like it jumps back and forth and that that's just that's the combination of the speed limits as mandated by the state and by our special speed regulation >> and back in the day you think the traffic study was done to establish that >> don't know.
>> I mean, I don't know if we've been able to track it that far. >> I mean, Doug Stevenson's around. He signed off on it. You could ask him. >> Speaking of those same documents, so if you were those are enforcable now. Yep. >> But and you talk about rescending them,
but what if you didn't rescend them? What if you modified them? You couldn't modify. >> So, we you'd have to provide data. You'd have to either ask for studies to show that they should be modified. And so this is where council's advice was that Carlile should really drive this process and look at the data before we just go
and ask a question because no change is not the worst outcome here. We could end up with speed limits that are higher than what they currently are. So his recommendation was do an engineering study. So for so to sort of twoprong for the areas where we think a safety zone
might be appropriate. So there are some constraints in there and conditions. I can talk about some of those. There are two spots where we think okay that might be an appropriate measure and the select board is the approval authority. So that's sort of the easiest thing to do. We would just need a simple engineering study. It's like a one or two page memo that we have on file. That's part of
enforcability of it for areas where that does that is that we wouldn't meet those constraints or 20 miles per hour is just not appropriate. There's some spots that we want to look at. There were about six spots that the safety committee said these are the kind of most egregious ones. um two we think are two or three
actually two two come together that we think might be a safety zone. One other one might we think might be appropriate for a safety zone. The other three we're saying we should collect some data and look and see what it says. And if we think the state would agree with us, we could potentially go and ask them to modify the special speed regulation or
we can look at other options down the road like rescending something or whatever else. We could probably work with council on what's or niche on what's possible after that. But their recommendation was to collect some data first before just going into the state and asking >> and we should know the data so that if it doesn't look like it fits our we
won't bring it up. You know, don't ask if it doesn't help us. >> And our decision to pick out of these six that we chose in the town, >> the two that we picked primarily because it's the safety committee was the safety of the children. That's that's been our goal from the beginning. Uh what happens
from the school, etc. And when Clark Farm is now turned into a school, that was a very likely place to put a safety zone >> because it's not a school zone because a school zone has to they have to abut the street and that doesn't work. So those were the two that was the criteria for
>> the safety zone area is along that stretch. >> Yes. >> Yep. Community farm school and Kimble's area. The other potential is East Street around um St. Irene's and kids house >> and the kids house >> leading right into the rotary which is one thing that Chief Amandola was very
anxious to do. He said that that area people are speeding right into the center of the rotary bad place. So right >> you have this safety zone has to be at least a quarter of a mile long. >> That's right. >> That's essential. So we we calculated all of that and that that's how we arrived at these two as being the most
important and the ones we would like to investigate. >> Yeah. safety zones. They have to it has to be a land use that's likely to attract vulnerable land users. So that's pedestrian traffic here. The length has to be a quarter of a mile. It has to include a conflict between a motor vehicle and a vulnerable traffic. So
again, crosswalks um or that that's why we think those areas are good. Um as long as you think that and it's really up to the select court as you think 20 miles per hour is appropriate. But the other thing we would need to do is adopt statue 18b. So, in order to have a safety zone, there's no approval
authority, but we have to have adopted SE this 18B, and that's why we recommended that that come up at town meeting. That would just give you the authority to do it if you so choose. Right. >> And then then the so the then there's the four-phase process.
>> Yes. And phase one and phase two are what's going before the town on the warrant totaling $16,000 >> to do assessment of safety zones, which you need to do to set the safety zones and then preliminary assessment of speed reduction zones. Then you get into the
>> engineering studies for speed limit reductions. And I think that's where we >> I got sticker shot. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, and and those would be needed because we'd be looking to reduce our currently established speed limits
>> or >> I guess the idea is is that if we only tackle the safety zones, then those first two phases are all that are needed, >> right? >> Yes. >> But the other areas that don't fit a safety zone that we cannot convince in good faith that it it applies, right? Mhm.
>> But we have speed limit and I'm not cross- referencing the old documents, but we have speed limits that were signed years ago for those. >> Those are the which are now like in in place, but they are faster than they were, right? Those those old documents
are setting the 35 and the 30s, right? >> When I think everyone wanted the 25 and that's what we changed it to six years ago without authority. >> I see. >> And so to change it, lower it, it's like roughly 30 grand when you add everything up per segment. >> Per segment. Yeah. which I think we could cross that bridge later. I don't
think we're necessarily advocating for that spend. We were just saying like we should go as far as looking at the data and seeing if the data supports this and then see what the options are from there. But it's not it's not wasted because like like that's all that would be required if it turns out safety zones are appropriate. We now have a memo on
file and you all think it's an appropriate measure. >> And the gentleman from NICH said one thing that maybe I misheard or was confused. He said the state doesn't really care what you do. It's federal. that is dictating this. Did Did I hear that correctly?
>> There was a statement about that where it's like why don't we just change it then? There was something about the state it's not the state isn't the problem. It was federal. Is that true or not true? >> Yeah. >> For the safety. >> It's more nuanced than that. >> Okay. >> So, you have to meet the federal standard
>> which is the MBTC. Well, you said we needed we needed some level of even for safety zones, we needed that at least initial assessment to meet that standard. >> Okay. So, maybe that's >> then it's not I mean everything's challengeable, but then it's not likely
to be challenged. >> Good grief. >> I know. >> Do you know what you were signing up for when you >> sure didn't? >> It was easy. The first thing was put up the stops. >> Imagine if the select board had done this. >> Again, the default speed limit if there was nothing is what generally is it 40
or 40 miles >> 40 miles an hour faults >> and we can put up 35 because of that old >> designated >> but we Okay, >> but they didn't have to jump through all these hoops to set a lower
>> we I don't think we know what how the 1980s and 1967 one came about. I don't think we have. >> I'm sure it was much simpler and cheaper back then. And if you would like a little bit more complicated, just to add to this story of of the uh >> what one needs to pass the secondary,
not the safety zones, you do have to have a a study of the speed limits. >> That's where it's beginning to get very expensive. And what the state has is they have a rule that says once you gather just the information as to how fast people are going, you go to the
85th percentile of that number. And then from that 85th percentile number, you can only go seven miles below that number. And that's your speed limit, which is very complex and I think unnecessarily
could lead to a speed limit that we don't want. >> It's weirdly >> it's really defining it by the speed at which it's unnecessarily complicated. >> Well, that's not surprising though, is it? >> Someone's making money. But Okay.
>> All right. I >> Does this make any sense? >> Yeah, at some level I >> Yeah, >> I think it's it's where you get in to me it's it's understanding some of the history, but when you get into the like phase three and phase four, it's like how like are these towns spending
$23,000 on every >> is that what's going on out there or people just >> looking the other way and posting experience? I mean, if I understood town council, it could be that if the data is is really a sure thing, we could then feel confident going to the state
potentially and just asking for it to be done, but I think we want to look at it first. I I think we're just going to have many more tools um once we've done some of these preliminary studies. >> Can we line up what they're doing? >> Yeah, seriously. Right. >> But but I I'd like to understand from
your the committee standpoint and maybe this lecture the priorities Let's talk about the priorities. So what I heard was I mean if I would think the most important priority is motorists should drive an appropriate
speed to be safe. Safe for themselves and safe for pedestrians, bikers, etc. the the second priority. I don't know. I I would think that it is less important certainly for police to write tickets that hold up in court.
>> Like who cares really? I mean, they'll ticket them and people remember that they got a ticket and they still maybe they state aid and is it really can they really hold us up? And where I'm going is if we just go back to posting what we think we should post and let the chips
fall where they may, what really will happen? Most motorists will slow down, right? Because a sign says 25 or 20. They're going to go 25 or 20. >> Yeah. Are you suggesting not following the state regulations? >> I think it's a paper tiger. I think they
make it unnecessarily complex with no real penalty. That's what I'm Well, I'm asking. I don't know. I'm saying if we post all over the place, don't you know, we're watching you radar control 20 miles, >> smile, you're on camera, you know, we can do all these things that get the fear of God in people and they drive
slow. We could put speed bumps in. They drive slow. You know, if our goal is to be safe, then why don't we figure out ways to make the road safe? Because, as you're pointing out, beyond the expense, there's risk that we may not like the outcome of the data. >> Yeah. I don't know if it I would say I'm
not sure that it would be our committee's role to >> recommend to the select board to knowingly not be in compliance. >> No, you don't need to say that. You need to tell us what is your out of a scale of a 100, how much does road safety count versus
>> revenue from tickets and uh the state >> aid. I think knowing that knowing that we want to again like how it got brought to our attention in the summer is we're past that now. What our goal is to is to we are trying to get back to what we had
last year in a way that is compliant and legal and the best way that we've sort of approached that to our to in our investigations has been these safety zones where we think they are appropriate and then and then going from
there. I don't I don't know if if there's a reasonable third option of just posting up signs again now that we've had the discussion. Maybe in the 90s they had or maybe six years ago they had that discussion if we went and looked at documentation of it. But my guess is that it just didn't come to
people's attention that you can't do that. >> Which is unfortunate, but it's just it didn't >> Well, I mean, but you can do anything you want. You just have to weather the penalties. We could have >> rejected the MBT. No, I'm serious. We could have rejected the MBTA and we
would have to endure the risk that the state would come down on us and scrape away hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars of state aid. We have routinely not passed our 40b requirement of 10% affordable housing
and the risk is a developer can come in and develop something we don't like. That hasn't happened. So I'm since you've done the investigation, what is the risk of what will the state do if we put up signs not in compliance with state law? Like what will actually they
do? >> I think very much like the situation with MBTA communities, we don't know what will happen, what the penalty, >> we ought to find that out. I mean, that's something we could research. I don't think that we took I I don't think I don't think we've took in good faith the consideration of an option to to
knowingly not be >> and I'd like we would weigh the police department's advice on this pretty seriously that if it's putting them in a bad position position we should we we should consider that and that's what the committee has done. I really feel like the select board has spent a lot of time tying it tying the town into knots over
compliance with state rags and I don't know why this one would be any different. >> It's only the cost of it's the two things. It's the cost of getting the data and the risk that the data won't be what you like. That's it. That's all. >> I mean, I think I think that the only other third option is to just keep the
speeds where they are right now. If if we're okay with people in town, like, you know, we we you know, like there was public disappointment with the current speed limits and and I think there are key areas where it's not particularly safe. Um but if we're also okay with that, I mean that's a reasonable third
option is to just >> these are town articles that the town will decide on. Um >> right. >> So ultimately if the and again what we're talking about tonight is adoption of 18 >> 18b that would just afford the ability to implement a safety zone if >> I believe we would all
>> I support I don't want to speak >> no I certainly support that. But I'm looking down the road. >> And then the phase one and two, which is $16,000 to do the data collection >> and work needed to establish safety zones. Correct. >> Yeah. >> Is something the town will decide if
they want to spend $16,000 on. >> So is it 16 or what was the >> 12? I'm thinking the >> phase one. >> If you get through all the phases, it's over 100K. And I don't think anybody is suggesting. >> Yeah, it's more than I had >> for town meeting approval. this at this town meeting it's phase one and two.
>> Okay. >> Then you see where you're at and then you get into >> so for purposes of this town meeting I support these studies. I think there's a bigger question coming out of that when you get the data. What do we do? Doesn't sound like you're wet on any particular outcome. >> Definitely not.
>> So it's crazy. It's all crazy um in terms of the state stuff. >> Some of the other I I talked about like we looked at other avenues. We can't expand the school zone. It turns out because we don't have frontage on any of the streets. there's a pretty strict frontage requirement. Um, and we can't just revert. We asked like, is there a legal way to what Mr. Modell is saying,
is there a legal way to just revert to what we had before? Did we miss a step? How do we get to where we And the answer is no. 17 seated is not going to get us there because we don't have thickly settled areas. And it wasn't a misstep. We just put signs up where they couldn't be. We just didn't follow regs. So, this
these are the avenues. This is what council and the engineering firms have said we should do. I think the best argument is consistency and um the finality of it. So when you're taking up signs and putting them down at
the whim of any particular board or town meeting vote, it's it's not great policy, >> right? >> But if you can in my town there's the same thing and I was sure the same situation happened and they just put signs up and I found or my brother-in-law found the engineering study and that was the end of it. Like
it's 20 miles an hour. So there is some value to that. I don't know 112,000 for every spot here certainly. But this initial thing is consistency. >> Yeah. >> And what about those the safety zones? So that's just the first thing that
could be implemented pretty quickly. >> That that's our understanding. Yes. We adopt section 18B. We do an engineering study so we can file these memos away assuming that we meet the constraints and they're not particularly difficult to meet a quarter mile. the things I was talking about before and then you all
just go ahead. You're the approval authority. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Be around the school. What? I'm just curious. >> We were talking about around CKH and around um the community farm school. Yeah. >> The the what will be the new community farm school which is >> Okay. >> Yeah. Because right now that that stretches curvy and goes from like 30 to
35 to 30 again to 25. >> Yeah. >> Which it used to all be 25, >> right? >> With our fake signs get to 20. We can't we can't establish safety zones uh over toward Clark Farm or down to
>> I guess where we haven't totally ruled it out. The question is is 20 miles per hour just like absurdly too low in those spots >> for for well we can get into this late. This is another >> different conversation for a different night. >> But um >> because you don't have any control. It's
20. If you do a safety zone or a school zone, it's 20 and there's no >> safety zones are 247. >> 24/7. Yes, it's not just coming out here was used to be 25 or was it 20 >> coming into >> I thought it was 20 >> woman coming in from conquered
>> oh from west didn't it used to be 20 >> 25 I thought we had >> but you're saying you could put a safety potentially a safety zone could go in it could be 20 >> if you argued that the town hall I guess was a >> that might be that might be something to consider >> it would just have to go a quarter of a
mile >> it wouldn't cost wouldn't cost $30,00 000 or whatever. Anyway, that these are all good options I think to have and which is why I would support both articles. >> Yeah, I'm comfortable with that, too. >> I think this is going to be one of those like
>> long town meeting on a lot of people have of support. A lot of people are going to want to say >> anecdotally, >> yeah. Yeah. How many calls do you get in emails? A lot >> and it's way more complicated than anyone would ever imagine. And it just get you start pulling the thread. And
>> we learned a lot about regulations. >> More than you ever >> more than I dreamed I would. >> Yeah. >> And you you're part of the fan mail club. We get fan mail. You get fan mail. >> It all goes to her. Thank goodness. >> Yeah. Laura Laura does it all. >> Yeah. All right.
>> The other thing but just one last point which is a little bit separate but still the idea of a hub and spoke which is one of the things that's really leading our our decisions and how we spend the money because to toot our own horn. We did get last year $600,000 just short of money
for complete streets and safe streets which was a real accomplishment for us as first timers because none of us has been on the committee before. So this hub and spoke is really something I think is important because I'm looking at it from the point of we got thousands
of apartments or units being built from the MBTA and surrounding towns which means these major thoroughares are going to be coming through and they're going to be more crowded because there's going to be a lot more traffic that's a main artery 225 and east street. We could be proactive as Carlile and set these
standards now so that when the when the rotary is there it's more it's more controlled and measured. So your idea of going out through town hall in that way and making that is a great idea. I think they should all be slower >> people going to the school coming in and
going out. That would be a goal I would work toward. >> Okay. >> And I I don't see how anybody would not want to >> take that on. >> So maybe would get some good town support. >> You think? >> Oh, definitely do. >> Yeah. >> That's it.
>> Do we need a motion on this? I if we're ready, I'd like to take there's two articles, >> right? And do we have names for them? >> Safety zone and >> phase one and phase two. >> Well, there's a 18 adoption of We should get that. >> Yeah, that's >> Yep. >> You have to
>> Is it confusing if we say adoption of safety zones because this is really just adopting the ability to implement safety zones. >> It should be I think it should be adoption of >> whatever the statute >> 18b. I don't want people to think that they're voting in a safety zone here. When
>> you vote to recommend the articles as presented by the safety committee, then you're approving the warrant and that'll have all the specific language. So, >> we're really just adding recommended. >> So, you don't have to be exact. >> Okay. And it but it's going to be two different warrant articles, right? Okay. >> And just for clarity, it's approximately
$16,000 >> for the traffic study. >> Yeah. For both of them, phase one and phase two, >> right? >> Um Okay. I would move I re I um I move that the select board recommend the uh
two articles presented by the safety committee. The one for safety zones uh which is to uh adopt the statute 18B that allows for us to set safety zones and the traffic study phase one and two. >> Second.
>> Second that. >> Second. Okay. Um, any further discussion or deliberation? >> I would just say I I know I was hard on them, but you've done great work. Really, you've done really great great work. I I just like to explore every >> edge of the canvas, including
non-compliance. >> And if the if the speed limits suddenly change overnight, we're going to know who to >> I can just forward the femin. But anyway, you did a great job. So, thank you. >> All right, let's take a let's take a roll call vote. Arnold I. >> Modell I
>> Snell I. >> Stevens I. >> Triola I. Thank you very much. We appreciate you coming in. >> Do you have >> And you also have to close. >> Oh yeah. You have to close your meeting. >> A motion to close. >> I second the motion to close the meeting. Our meeting. >> Any more discussion on closing the meeting?
>> All in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thanks. Very good. >> Yeah. Thanks for all your work, >> all your time. >> Thanks team. >> All right. Okay. So, we have review of the annual
town meeting warrant and additional potential recommendations. Do you want to walk us through those? >> Yes. And do you mind if I do what I do with the fincom, which is a little bit of speed round? >> Sure. >> It's fun. So, the things we're looking for are whether you still support including the article, eventually the
article order. We have to approve the article language, but that'll be at your next meeting. Recommendations you're working through now. And then three of the ones that you recommend tonight have ballot ballot language. I just want to show it to you so that it's not a surprise when we vote on it on the 14th. So, doing rapid round.
Um, and rapid round can stop whenever you need a start. >> Okay. You ready to hit the buzzer? >> Yeah. We need a big dial. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, the the consent agenda, >> having a consent agenda is one thing. receiving the town reports, the elected
salaries, which only includes the assessor and the moderator, the OPE actuary study, which you have no say over, is 4,000 a year. Uh, the ability to for you and and me to spend chapter 90 monies that come in. Peg, the question that David had earlier, this is
being increased to accommodate expenses at the police station and the fire station for the community room. a request from the schools to um to create a a broadcasting studio, a small broadcasting studio at CPS that can be completely PEG funded. And then the last
initiative is to improve the Corey auditorium for the town meeting experience, but also the Corey Auditorium together. So, we're recommending 300,000 be expended. Uh there's about 600,000 in that fund now, and we spend approximately 30,000 a year. So, plenty of funding. How much do
we get from that every year? >> 50 to 70, I want to say. >> So, we're trying to find uh reasonable and strong uses for it. >> Yeah. >> So, department revolving funds, these numbers will come to you, but they are the uh maximum that that people can
spend with the revolving funds that are approved, and there's no changes to adding or deleting revolving funds this year so far. the salary and wage table. This will have uh some things we need to go over with you at your next meeting. It includes any changes we've made to
the comp and class plan. So, those would have to be >> will that be do do you envision that'll be part of the consent agenda or do we need to break that out? >> Uh if typically is unless there's something to discuss. >> Well, I know there's the one reclassification that will probably need
some explanation. So then you would want to either decide to remove it or not. >> Okay. We can do that at the next meeting. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Because you'll see it. >> Uh we also include in the consent agenda, assuming your support, the change of the bylaw, the name of the celebration and veterans committee, the
L street easement, which is just an administrative correction with no further implications according to the town clerk and town council. You've already discussed the cemetery perpetual fund. This is a free cash transfer to fix an admin mistake that was made in the past. And then I will throw in here
that the moderator suggested that the personal property tax exemption be included in the consent agenda as well because he didn't think that that change was controversial or rose to the level of major debate since you're lowering people's taxes essentially. So um any
additional information required there? Any objection to those all being in the consent agenda? But you're saying potentially you would want to pull out, you're saying you might want to pull out the salary and wage table, >> but why don't we just let that
>> let the voters decide >> let the Yeah. What's your >> Well, let's pulling it out. >> Um the one the one issue that I think you had mentioned, Ryan, is potentially wanting to hear more from explanation to
the town is regarding the reclassification of the health director position. So the board of health reclassified the >> the health agent to a health director position by bylaw and personnel policies. That has to come through me as delegated authority through you. It did
not. So we have now hired health director and we need to change the classification. Otherwise we have a title that is not approved by town meeting. >> Yeah. >> And so that would be that would be um
identified within this table. I flagged this before >> the hiring process and >> I don't have to say it was completely ignored. So now it's an issue. >> Do you envision that as a discussion point that >> I think you you had suggested maybe that
the >> board of health explain the reclassification to the town? >> Yes. >> Ah that needs to happen. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So that's >> that's why it wouldn't that >> it would make sense to pull it out then
>> that wouldn't fall within the consent agenda. >> Yeah. Right. >> You wouldn't because the consent agenda is just a lot of goblin that people go okay >> if you want to >> make a point or an explanation on a specific thing. It should not be in the consent agenda. >> Right. Right. >> That's my feeling on it.
>> I'm comfortable with that. >> Just so we're clear. This isn't an authority thing. It's reclassifications positions mid year have major financial and HR impacts which is why it needs to be discussed before it's done. >> Right. >> Well, and you're and you had sent an email out to a number of people that
included the recommendation that we we do need to reclassify this and that there should be an explanation provided. >> I did, but I would send that to anyone. Just making that clear. >> What? >> Anytime anyone reclassifies, we send that exact same email. No, but this a substantive change that I think people
should be aware of at least even if they end up supporting it. >> Not just aware. I mean, I I like the idea we should say that because of that change, we request that the board of health give a little presentation as to why they >> thought they had the authority to reclass when they didn't do it properly.
I mean, that would grill them like let people know that they didn't operate within the boundary lines. Look, if we're going through hoops to change a speed zone from 20 to 25, like because of compliance, this is
compliance. Like, they didn't do it. And we're the complanting authority and we should do something about it. And the least we can do is call them on the carpet and say we're making this wage and class change because it was improperly done without the proper authority
of the select board of the town administrator. and therefore the the chairman of the board of health is going to explain why he did what he did. >> I think the tone needs to be less you know why did you do what you did but more what is the increase or the
improvement in services that the town is going to see as a direct result of this uh new title. >> No, that gives him but Christine that gives him gobbledygook that gives him an excuse. I mean he was going to say that anyway. I'm more I'm more concerned with identifying that we are patching up an
error that was made right that direct. >> Yeah, that does need to be stated as well. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. So, maybe both. >> Anyway, I don't see this as being part of the I think we'll have to pull that. >> Definitely not part of the consent. >> I would agree. >> I do. >> Yep. >> Okay. You uh just And by the way, the
new the new health director hired extremely qualified and qualified to be a health. >> And let's be clear, >> nothing to do. This is >> this is very excited for >> well and I think this is this is about accountability. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Safety zone is option and traffic studies we just discussed cell tower
lease. You had indicated previously that you support and recommend the cell tower depending on the numbers and the final details but generally speaking leasing out the tower for cellular service and payment. All right we got to talk about this one. Canvasing and solicitation
bylaw. >> We need a substantive discussion on this one. So, the town moderator requires that you have two substantive discussions about this bylaw. The bylaw is written was written by town council, was ready last year, but it was it was kicked for >> Can you put it up?
>> We can have a substantive conversation about it tonight. >> Yeah. But while you're while you're doing that, I think if we could also for the future just have some kind of a code next to each one that we've already discussed and recommended just so >> we're done. We don't have to >> green color code them. There you go.
It's ready to go. >> We're in good shape. >> Green light. >> We're in good shape >> on most. >> No, I know we are, but I just >> Yeah, that's helpful to know. Yeah. So, we don't have to look at the ones like the cell tower that we've already >> So, to recap, this is one where there
used to be a state law. The state law was rescended and now towns must pass their individual solicitation bylaws. So, we're basically patching a hole. Correct. >> Yes. Okay. >> Do we have to do a bunch of studies to
>> Yeah, we do it by street. >> Oh, lordy. >> Um, and so is it fair to characterize this? It's not changing how we're not adding a new restriction of regulation. We're basically coming into
compliance in a way. >> No, it's it's I just know about this from the previous jobs I had. Um it's it's the way it used to be by state statute. You if you were going to send canvasers in to a town, you had to stop
and register at the police station, right? And so then the town >> uh rescended that or I don't know what they did, but it's it's no longer a state >> statute requirement. >> So it's up to each town, >> right,
>> to vote to have such a requirement. Um and and here's the language of it. So in a nutshell to your point, people doing solicitation in towns for those reasons would have to essentially register with the police
department. >> Yeah. >> But but by this language, Jehovah's Witnesses or poll canvasers or people saying, "Would you support Simon Catalo for his stay rep," they wouldn't have to, right? >> Because they're not selling anything,
right? >> That's my understanding and we will confirm that. >> Yeah. And do we do are there any towns that also make those people register? >> I I'm not sure, but I don't think that would be very smart first amendment wise.
>> Okay. >> Okay. So, we should have an answer to that because that's an obvious I mean it's a clear question. Um, >> so I mean overall I support this. I'd like to get an answer to that question if
but >> okay >> we could put an FAQ up about it as well. >> So so boy scouts can't go around. I mean you can come to them but >> girl you can't nobody can sell Girl Scout cookies door to door I guess right? >> They can. They just got to check in with
the police. So if I sent I mean years ago if I sent my daughter down a street >> right >> and waited for her to go house to house like a lot of people do I can't do that right >> there's a transient there's a first line definition no transient vendor hawker or peddler >> oh okay
>> so maybe I would girl scouts might I don't person in any form they're pedling their wares >> riding a bike >> you know >> years my kids went around selling citrus and we had no problem for the band.
>> Yeah. So, understanding what that means. Hey, can the Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts do their thing, can they spell sell spaghetti supper stick tickets? Making sure that we're allowing those community >> activities for I can do that. >> But >> that's a good good point.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. But those I mean overall I would support this. Is that a substantive discussion? It is and we will make sure to inform the public we're discussing it again. >> Okay.
>> Well, I don't I don't >> but we're not going to take a position on this one tonight. Correct. Do we want to >> should wait? >> Yeah. >> All right. Two substantive discussions. >> Is this >> Okay. Um >> council's advice. >> No, Wayne. >> Wait. Because
>> it's a bylaw ad. Ah, >> not an amendment. >> Okay. >> Okay. two two cemetery one you already discussed but you need to revote >> um so you you approve the increase of the feed to 800 but the finance team is asking that you be explicit on the split
so we're suggesting a 400 400 split or whatever you're comfortable with um cemetery fee versus perpetual fund >> what was the recommendation >> half and half 400 400 >> that's coming from the cemetery committee were they yeah okay
>> they thrilled you wanted more. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And then the cemetery expansion study. So, uh I talked about this earlier. Including some wetland delineation work would increase this to 20,000. They said between 19 and 20,000, but I think
20,000 would be safe. >> Okay. It's coming out. Okay. >> So, uh, yay nay on cemetery committee still in those two changes. >> I'm good on those two changes. >> Yeah, I'm fine. >> Yes,
>> it's okay with me. >> The fee increases will cover the expansion study. >> Does I mean, I really thought they were go the the fee increase is still very modest. I thought that >> I mean I instead of instead of revisiting this topic every 3 years or whatever I mean I would prefer a a
larger increase and then let's not revisit this for another 10 years or whatever. Right. >> Well, especially as the cemetery closes its ranks and has no more room and you're still obligated for perpetuity. You have no more income coming. They've put together like the equivalent of a
PhD thesis very well researched on why they need more money and then they ask for $2, you know, and it's like, you know, if you're going to do it, go do it. >> Go big. >> Yeah. Go big or go home, right? Anyway, but yes, I absolutely expect accept their their recommendation. If they
think they can clo the numbers close with that amount, absolutely that's fine. >> Best bargain in real estate there is. >> So, should we go ahead and recommend that tonight? >> Yeah. >> All right. So, I move that we recommend uh the cemetery expansion study for
$20,000 and the cemetery fee increases as can we say as included in our packet tonight. >> Um00 with a four in 400 split >> or u fee increases of $800 with a 5050
split. Is that the idea >> increase of 800 or is it >> No, what is it? or the new fee is $800. >> New fee is new fee increase to $800 >> with 400 going to perpetual fund >> and 400 going to >> general. >> Okay, >> so I deem that a good motion.
>> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. >> AI will fix this for us. >> Okay, we don't even need to meet anymore. Um, >> any further discussion or deliberation? Seeing none, we'll do a roll call vote. Arnold I.
>> Modell I >> I >> Stevens I >> Triola I. All right. >> Okay. Last U one for me before we get into CPC is the ZBA amendment as presented by Julie last meeting. >> All right. >> Yes.
>> Preliminary. >> It was >> It was what? >> Don't have to make a recommendation. >> Preliminary. We haven't heard we haven't heard the pres the full presentation yet. >> Yeah. Let's hold off on that. >> You likely won't get it before the warrant. So, this could be one that you make a recommendation at town meeting. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I mean, he's going to announce all the
recommendations anyway. >> And then, just to be clear, cell tower lease, if you could vote to recommend that, if you still do. >> Yeah. >> Uh, I move that we recommend the cell tower warrant article.
The cell tower lease warrant article. >> Second that. >> You want something the discussion of that? That's the >> Proctor Road is a tower that exists. We're leasing out the attachment of cellular service to the
>> to the pole >> tower in exchange for a lease payment, an annual lease payment and increase cellular service. Right. >> I support. >> I do too. >> I support it. >> Okay. So, you need a roll. >> So, we have a motion. We have a second.
Any further discussion or deliberation? Seeing none, we'll do another roll call vote. Arnold I. >> Modell I >> Snell I. >> Stevens I. >> Triola I. >> Okay. >> CPC is the last piece.
>> And before we dive into CPC, can you just given everything we just did, what are the main ones >> that are left >> that are left? the um discussion you had on salary and wage table >> the order the
>> the um inclusion or not of the consent agenda >> okay >> to include whether you want to put personal property in there or not >> and canvasing and solicitation isn't done and ZBA ZBL isn't done everything else recommended
>> so we don't need any more probably we don't aside from maybe planning board we don't need any more parties I'm just thinking of our next meeting Okay, good. >> The order is important. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Are we going to do we're going to do that the next meeting or tonight? >> Tonight would be if you have any >> All right.
>> First thoughts, that'd be great. >> Let's go through CPC. >> CPC. Um, so I know I'm sure you all uh went to the did the clicked on the link and read each of the five applications. Um, so I'll just be brief. Uh, the
library renovation. Uh I'll just tell you quickly the update from the CPC which met last night. Um, we uh voted to recommend to the uh at town meeting uh the approval of
um the rental assistance uh project, the uh uh preservation and restoration of town records and the um amenities building for CCHS.
the two that we are in support of uh in in concept. Uh but we wanted to uh try to zero in on the amount of the request because uh that's the library renovation and then the boghouse design because the
um we learned the the uh housing trust representative CPC said there's still some last minute adjustments to the um amount. There have been some things that have changed a little bit. So, we didn't
want to set it at 200,000 then have it be um higher. Uh which if it's higher, it's not going to be thousands of dollars higher, but we as the committee just felt like we wanted to see the the final budget in detail before we signed
off on it going to town meeting. And similarly with the library renovation since they've just put out the bids um they expect to get u a much fir more firm number on the cost which uh
will definitely change that 500,000 because the 500,000 was actually up an up to 500,000 request. So, um I guess I would ask if anybody has questions about the town clerk's
project to uh restore and preserve some historic town records which are like birth records, marriage records. Um there's a lot of original documents that are still uh that are that are some
dating way back uh that are not uh in a in a condition where they're going to last. they need to be um appropriately preserved as I guess the right word is paper documents. This does not include any digitization which can't be done
using CPA money. >> Um and so and then the >> can I ask a question on so there >> yes please. So is the thought that that some at some point some future board or whatever will vote to digitize
are we just preserving we're just hanging on to these so that they last another couple decades or whatever. What is the thought? Well, the the um I think the the hope would be that we figure out a way to fund the digitization of these
records so that you can access them without having to, you know, deal with these fragile original documents. But the purpose of this grant is to um get the appropriate materials that would allow the town clerk and her assistant
to over the course of their regular year's work. So there we're we don't need to hire somebody to do this um provide the appropriate materials that would preserve these documents. I think
much longer than 30 years. I mean, I think we're talking about high quality. I'm not I don't know the terminology in terms of restoration or preservation of documents, but enough that they'll be preserved for a long time
>> and they're on the verge of being unpreservable. Interesting. >> Well, they're Yeah, the they're what we have is things are have been folded over. the really some of the old stuff is um you know we're going to lose the ability to actually read what it says
over time because they've just been >> faded or whatever. >> Yeah. They've just been kept in a pile, you know, of paper virtually. So, um >> Barney, why why does the CPA not include digit digitization? Is that not a
>> community preservation thing? >> It's yes, >> an artifact of an earlier era or what? Yeah, it it might be because of that, but it's a it's a it's a very specific part of the statute that doesn't cover digitization. And I think
the thinking must be that um you know, a town should be able to figure out a way to make all their records electronic and maintain that. And that's not something that the CPA should be paying for. >> Not to put too fine a point on it, but the old microfich
>> Yeah. is the old way people preserved records, you know, in space, and >> that's not digital. That's analog. Does the CPA funding >> allow for that? >> I don't know. I I haven't asked that question. >> I mean, if if if they're organizing, if
Melissa and um >> Ashley >> Ashley, sorry, are going to the trouble, I don't know, take an image that's not digital. I don't know. It cannot be digital, right? You couldn't take it with your phone because you now digitized it or what? >> I mean in in the application it includes
scanning records and says upon completion Carile's vital records will be properly preserved digitally accessible. >> So you can maybe you can >> wait digitally >> accessible >> accessible. It says scanned records scanning records >> for access and backup.
>> I don't >> Is this the >> I'm going by what was on the website. >> Yeah, this is Yeah. >> So I don't know. I mean maybe I thought we uh because Chrissy from the historic commission is the one that um had the conversation. >> Maybe this is an outdated document but
>> well Ashley >> and to that point if it's you'd said that they would do this in their normal course of of business so it's not like we're paying additional salaries correct they're just this is for the materials or whatever if they need to doing. So if
they're going to do that, couldn't they just digitize it as part of their normal course of business rather than and skip this step and it be included in their >> buying the materials >> and just be included in their job and they take use we could get them a camera or whatever for
>> well I you know I think one could say well okay you could say that about the uh original you know constitution >> of independence >> declaration of independence that well what do we need a hard copy for you know we just did >> well I'm not yeah I'm not suggesting not
to some people in town these old birth records marriage records people love being able to you know look at the original paper document >> sure even though it's been retouched up it's not really the original anymore
it's like >> well but it's on the paper that >> it's a piece of paper with emotional value so I think >> you know it's got an original signature on it and that kind of stuff So that's >> right. But but why lose the opportunity to image it? So >> well that's a really good point uh David
which maybe our TA needs to discuss with the town clerk >> and assistant if >> I think that's the goal but it's preserving these >> original documents >> and then also scanning it making it accessible >> and the maybe the CPC is funding >> pay for the scanning part.
>> No right >> but they have a plan for that part of the workflow. >> We have a plan for all of it. Just we just need funding. >> Yeah. And if we want to have dead people vote as Mr. Trump thinks we do, we will also need the these originals to produce in the evidence of citizenship as he
also wants to do. Right. >> Thank you, David. >> Can we also preserve our old commentary? >> Okay. So, um does we do we need any more discussion about the um that was helpful? >> Sure. >> About the t the preservation and restoration of these uh town records?
>> Not for me. >> Any more discussion? I'm happy. >> Okay. >> It was good though. >> Um, >> and >> then the amenities building, we, as it happens, we have Brian here, but you know, we have been around this on this one before. >> Going back to Brian. >> Yeah. 12 months ago or a little less
maybe but um it uh and I think the application except for making it very clear that we don't have the um the uh storage room right the for the materials and it's very clear there's no you know
food being prepared but there you you may >> you know sell what popcorn or right things >> right I don't think it's ch has it changed any um from the in terms of the
the contact content what has changed of course unfortunately is because the ratio our ratio of students to conquer ours has gone up so consequently our share of the cost has gone up from what
we had um approved last year uh so that 465 5 460 is firm and conquered uh their town meetings ahead of ours so we will know >> and if it doesn't pass conquered would
we we would just pull it from >> yeah but they're using their CPA funds this time so it's likely to pass I would hope >> they took a lesson from us >> yes >> so that's the amenities building anybody have any questions about that
and then the um rental assistance. So the only change from the previous year is that uh instead of making it only for one year uh instead of having to come back again uh it's it's pretty clear that it's going to take a couple of
years to um sort of have the discussion with the appropriate parties about what is the way are we going to continue this program and if we are how is it going to get paid for. Um, so this is a uh
request for two years of funding for the rental assistance program. So it would be FY27 and FY28 um 50,000 each year, but it Yeah. Um >> so Barney, we have um a trust fund and
also a separate account that are both going to be applied to rental assistance. >> Oh, good. But, you know, we're it's sort of pending. We'd asked Jeffrey for a, you know, a written process because >> when you know, a big part of the working group's charter was to make sure that
things are, you know, being dispersed in a really fair manner with, you know, all on the up and up. But the he didn't have a a written um process. >> Uh, and I guess he's not been able to get one through COHS yet. And there's >> When you say process, you mean the
qualifications and then >> Yeah. What would be the allocation process? How do we ensure that it's all you know >> in terms of people having the opportunity to apply? >> Exactly. >> And then if there are more applicants than we had funds for, for example, >> how they determine who receives the
>> Exactly. >> assistance, >> right? And then there was also a part in the charter about maintaining anonymity. And anyway, so we just wanted to make sure that his process satisfied everything that the charter >> um asked for and you know, he was still putting that process together. But I'm
saying once, you know, he he gets us that and the working group approves it. I mean, theoretically, we could, you know, offset some of these funds. I don't know how that would work if we approve funds and then you because there's aund I don't know something of
trust fund and then there's another 26k from a separate account. So, not an insignificant amount of money. >> Um, we just need to be satisfied the process. Yeah. you know, >> well, all the boxes. >> The way these CPA grants work is if the
um project is completed and the funds, there's still funds remaining, those funds are turned back into the CPA account. And I guess it would be a decision for >> sure >> the select board about the application of those trust funds. Would we want to,
you know, hold them until we knew how the funding was going to work going forward and what the program actually was or would you want to use it to offset this? I mean, I think that would be >> right >> a conversation that the board could have. >> And then in that rental assistance that
comes out of which bucket from CPC is housing. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. So, those are the three that um the CPC is already voted last night to recommend to for adoption at town meeting.
>> The I'm sorry, the restore the records, >> the amenities building and the rental assistance. Yep. >> And so, >> Okay. So, you haven't and you haven't recommended the other two yet? >> No. Although our minutes will show it,
we support the purpose of the project, but we want to make sure we we see the budget in specific amounts before recommending it to town meeting. >> Right. So, we would we would not take a position on potentially on those tonight. We would just consider three of
them. And I mean, unless you want to go ahead and support the library renovate renovation regardless, >> but um >> it's odd to support a article that someone else is recommending funds when they haven't recommended yet. >> Yeah. Right. Right. So,
>> it's a little procedural. I do have a I >> but we could talk about e the other two now if you want to. >> The the one that will likely garner a lot of attention as well. I mean, obviously the library is there's a lot of public interest in the library, but the boghouse, right? Um, I know there's a lot of interest in the potential uses
of the bog house and >> I don't know that the 200 or whatever the number is. >> Um, there may be a lot of questions about how is this being used >> wanting to know what it's going to look like,
>> what's going to happen with, you know, trail access. I don't know how we how how the CPC communicates that or provides enough information to get public support, but probably not as much information as people want about >> Well, Julie Julie gave a great presentation where she showed this as
part of a step, right? Not this not the funding source, but I mean I my recommendation >> what the project is and what it >> they should present a version of her PowerPoint. It's very clear. She's a great graphic. You know, >> I think there will be some opposition to the bog house because there's there's
concern about trail access and some of these >> but again that should be addressed. >> Sure. >> But I would what I'm trying to say is don't you generally anyway, Barney, the subject matter expert generally presents the case. >> I Yeah, the CPC wouldn't be presenting
the >> be Yeah. >> Um >> Right. So she should present and we should prep her for >> those or you you know she should be prepped for those questions. She's pretty good at that. So >> yeah. and we should be doing some work ahead of time which I know I know CHD and and Julie have been going to
different committees to discuss the boghouse uh plan. So, but whatever you know uh publicity we're going to do the video I assume we'll do some kind of a v video about this one. >> Yeah, all of that you know
>> I mean wasn't was it not recently determined? I think it's relatively new news that the parking could be done across the street. Yeah. >> And something else, the cell tower. There's some other thing that could go across the street. >> Yep. >> That helps that project. >> It should not impinge on trail access
>> to understand those things. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> You know, the library just I'll I'm leazison for the library, so I track that pretty closely. The the library scope of work has not changed. It's, you know, the discrepancy is due to
inflation entirely. Right. And so I I mean I kind of feel like if we were thumbs up last time, can we just go ahead and give a thumbs up this time? I mean I I don't I wasn't waiting for another presentation from the library on that. I thought we were pretty clear on what the statement of work was.
It's just as as Scott was saying, it's a little odd for the select board to recommend it before the present the CPC >> which is the actual >> right >> authority for you know >> recommending the spending of CPA money. >> I see that that's all
>> I just think it's a sequencing thing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I think it's when would you when are you taking a position on it? Would it be by next year? Well, we it partly depends on, you know, when the bids come back and when they know. We will we will we have a meeting scheduled in April toward
the end of April. Um, which is close to I know when we everything has to wrap up, but we can move it up if people have their have the information sooner. >> But to Christine's point, I mean, within the CPC, if the scope of work hasn't changed and you know it within like we
did with the fire station, like, well, we don't know the number, but we'll take a position now. Are they willing to actually make a recommendation and then or are they they really need the final number? >> Well, I was
some members of the CPC felt very strongly about, you know, wanting to know more specifically what the amount would be. I think there's a little bit of concern about um uh how large the sum is and that how
that will play if as that you know is discussed as we go forward toward town meeting and so if there's a possibility that the number can be lower that would be preferred just again this is a a general >> and that one's coming out of the general
fund right for CPC >> well the way. It's um it's coming out of the it it should come out of the historic bucket, but there's not very much in there. So, it'll be most of it will be coming out of what
they call the undesated fund. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Why don't we um >> So, do you want to vote on the three that um >> Let's definitely vote on the three >> and somebody else should probably make the motion than me, right? since I'm the or is that fine for me as the chair to
make it of the CPC? >> Well, the select board is probably okay because you're >> he's going crazy here. >> Um >> he's just giving you >> All right. Well, you want me to you fine with me making a motion then?
>> Sure, I'm fine with it. >> Okay. >> Because you're making a motion as a select board member now, >> right? Um so um I um move that the select board recommends uh the
um CPC uh restoration and preservation of town records. Actually it's not CPC the CPA restoration and preservation of town records project for $14,000.
and the uh CPA, excuse me, amenities building for CCHS for $465,460 and the CPA rental assistance project for $100,000 to be used over the next
two fiscal years. >> Second. >> Seconded. Any further discussion or deliberation? All right, let's do a roll call vote. >> Arnold I. >> Modell I. >> Snell I. >> Stevens I.
>> Triola I. Okay. And then we'll revisit the other two at our next meeting. >> We'll be Yeah, I'll >> and hopefully we can take a position or maybe at that point we take a position contingent on >> or we may do one of those up to >> Yeah. But let's that's fine. We're >> okay. >> We have time. We can do that at the next
meeting. >> Thanks for coming, Brad. >> I can stick around for the end. I >> think I'm good. You got the all clear? >> Good night. >> Good night. Thank you. >> Um All right, Ryan, where are we? Are we done with item four?
>> What do you think about the order? >> Oh, yeah. Order. >> Okay. >> Um I like Oh, this is this the proposed order? >> So, at the the last meeting when it was on a Sunday, you had you had frontloaded
the decisions that had to happen. >> Yeah. and you address the consent agenda and then there was the general articles underneath. So we we've generally followed that formula. >> Some say you should put the consent agenda up at the top, >> right? >> Well, doesn't the Yeah,
>> it feels like you have so much momentum. It's like you've already crossed off 26 items. >> Well, and if you for some reason if you don't approve the salary and wage classification after you've already approved the operate, you know what I mean? Like there's there's a little chicken and egg there. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Well, let's stop. Let's start at
the top. This is we hope to get done in one night, right? Do we think there's anything that leads us to believe it will be longer than a night? >> I don't think so. >> Okay. So, the most the issue that might get the most attention
would be the fire station. Is there anything else? >> I mean, I think the DPW. >> Okay. So, those are the capital projects that would take, >> right? So, I mean, are we starting at six? Is that was that where we sort of landed? >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. I mean, there's some I think it doesn't matter. Last time we were really trying to work against the clock and get everything done in a what at least in the beginning sounded like it was going to be a long thing. It turned out not to be so long, >> right? So, um, we wanted to force people
to get there early for the big issue, but uh, I'm okay with I'm okay with the order of the first five, the only six. The the risk is that people dribble in and they miss that good stuff. Like the
consent agenda is sort of like the parsley, right? So people they don't come you know they these guys are talking about exits and this and that you know I'll wander in later. So I mean putting them up front forces people to
>> if they care about it to show up right >> so that's the first thing as compared with the traditional order. So I guess I would support that. Or maybe certainly articles one, two, three,
>> you could you could then pivot to consent and then come back to the capital projects, the building projects. I don't know. >> Yep. >> I was thinking about your comment though, people dribbling in and looking at the exits, you know, that discussion. I found though that we had a once you
have a quorum and if he starts on time, the people who are there early are ready to get get down to business, >> right? All right. So, let's get down to business. I'm with you. >> All right. So, that's good. So, let's get to Scott's thing, which is now you have to clear the deck. >> Well, if you voted the Do you need to do
wage and class before budget? Let's just talk about >> Yeah. >> Regardless of what Border Health did or didn't do, >> it wouldn't change the budget. >> Okay. or you would have already changed the budget. >> Right. Right. The budget's a number. It's not a, you know, variant of the
wage and class. Right. >> Right. I don't think in this case it's going to >> specific instance. It's not a like some systematic change. >> Right. >> Um, >> so DPW then we can you scroll down? So
we do this consent agenda, >> personal property exemption consent agenda or not. Do you have an opinion? >> Well, I would put you want to put the is if salary and wage is being pulled, it needs to get out of line 16 or 14, whatever line that is and
>> and go down somewhere, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. After the consent agenda. >> Yeah. And >> right. So, yeah. What's What of those middle lines right there? Is that the only one of those things that's out of the consent agenda at this moment? >> I'd probably move the CPC,
>> but couldn't you put the um Couldn't Couldn't you put the personal property exemption into the consent agenda? >> I would I would >> I would recommend. >> That's what Wayne is recommending or was suggesting consider. >> I did. You say you would. Yeah, >> I would. >> You put it at the end. Keep people
>> I even think a cell tower lease could be. Could it not? Sure. >> There's going to be some I don't know. >> You think there might be debate? Yes. >> Well, who live? But who? This is Prospect Street. >> It increases their service. I don't >> know. I know. But do you remember the
solar panels? >> Yeah. >> There was >> people are going to want to wear tin hats in that area. The contaminated rain water that's going to come off of it. >> The environment. >> There will be people that >> environmental. Oh, it causes brain cancer. >> Yes, >> I know them. Yep. >> There will be some of that. Um,
>> but there's not a lot of housing around there, is there? >> Proctor Street. >> Oh, but there's animals, birds. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay. >> I don't know. We may be overthinking. >> I Roger that. >> I mean, well, again, you know, we can put it in there and then Wayne goes
through it and somebody says, "No." >> Yeah. I don't know. >> You prefer it not it not to be uh pulled out. >> It This is going to be a change because usually the consent agenda is a lot of procedural stuff. Yeah. >> And now we're putting what we consider
kind of low impact, low interest, low >> significant >> not contentious into the consent agenda. So you'll probably have you're more likely to have holds in the consent agenda. >> Yeah. Because all it takes I should know maybe they don't. >> Okay.
>> So in the case where Wayne says okay the you know he would propose the following consent agenda. He rattle he goes through. So he there's no opportunity in his laundry list as he says article 9 covers the beep and article 10 there's no opportunity to say
a few words about what it is any explanation he's supposed to just read this article is getting lumped in the consent agenda >> pretty much >> except what's written in the motions handbook right handout >> yeah it's up to him really
>> I think the cell I I >> yeah I'd pull it out I would go I could stop at I think personal property exemption could stay in. >> Yeah, >> because it's an exemption anyway. So, it's a good thing. And then salary and wage obviously that's got to
go down, right? So, your first 19, which is the governing lines, the the article is the A column. >> Article is the A column. >> Yeah. Okay. So, articles one through X through 17 now, right?
Because 14 moves away. That would be in the consent. You'd get you to he'd get you to article >> 18, which would be the >> including 18, were you? >> No. No. No. Because Ryan doesn't pull anything out. If he pulled If he pulled line 16 out, it would be clear. >> Yeah. It makes it
>> space, >> right? >> All right. And this is probably >> um I I wonder though if the even though I wonder if people have questions about the cemetery perpetual fund even though it's correcting a mistake unless
somebody can explain that because they'll also there's also the cemetery >> Oh yeah. >> to other cemetery warrant um items >> whether we need to >> or just leave it in and see if somebody >> We'll be prepared. >> Pardon?
>> We'll be prepared to expire. >> Yeah. But just leave it in the consent agenda for now. >> That's the only uh >> Okay. >> Yeah. Sounds good. >> The rest of the >> order is kind of fine. And then Travis,
you were saying recommend CPC at the end. >> Correct. Just to keep a lot that's going to have a lot of interest if you want to people to stick around >> the CPA. >> Yeah. CPA >> projects. And there'll be a lot of interest in that posit, you know.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> So people won't leave. Most people won't like walk. If we did that and we ended up with cemetery or something, a lot of people would, >> right? That's what I was like. >> Yeah. >> So that's your anchor. >> We got have something. And I don't really want to have it the um one of the
top six things that we were talking about. >> We got to get the financial stuff done. >> Okay. Then one last question I have is this has town hall debt, fire station is in order. Do you care about that order? Yeah. >> Yeah. I do care about that order. >> Fire station first, right?
>> Or not. >> Or does that how are you positioning town hall? Like if it's coming after capital, if town hall is kind of like, well, this is just building maintenance repackaged in a smart way. If you put it after fire station and
DPW, are people building doubt at that point or vice versa? I don't know. David, we can't hear you if you're talking >> thematically. I'm >> trying to I'm trying to keep it down because my wife's watching something at the television. But anyway, the um
so let me ask this like most people who people who show up to town meeting, I would say, are generally informed about town stuff, right? They showed up, right? So that already puts them in a unique position or a good position. And if they're following town stuff, they're
reading about fire station, they already kind of know the cost, the need, and the general parameters. So they would be, I think, inclined to support that. But if they now are hearing because these other things have been really below the radar screen. If they are now hearing about,
oh, and after that we got to build a DPW. Oh, yeah, and we also have to fix town hall. >> I mean, I agree with Travis, I mean Ryan that, sorry, I agree with uh Scott that that's I'm still on opioids, don't forget. So
anyway, um that could lead I don't think fire is going to go down, but I could see where they might say, "Whoa, wait a minute. Why don't we slow down here, >> get this thing built, and come back to that, >> right?" >> Well, that's the risk.
>> That's the marketing behind this. We have to convince the town that we have a plan that is right, you know, makes sense. >> But and you're presenting building maintenance, though. So it seems like subject matter-wise MFC I mean >> I don't think I will but I probably will do the DPW building
>> but I mean you I mean the MFC will will be presenting. So it does it make sense? >> Are the these these are related in that they're really building maintenance. It's qualitatively different than the fire station and DPW project. You're just bundling. >> Yeah, I agree with that. So three and
four up there is fine. I guess let's talk about five and six. >> I think you got to do fire state. I mean, just just from a fairness standpoint. >> Yeah. >> I think you you do Fire Station and then like if you did >> get it done >> and then do DPW and >> if they don't like DPW, we haven't done
a good job selling it, >> right? >> I think we've already kind of set an order. We've >> Yeah. >> You said fire station and then DPW. So to to flip that. >> Yeah. >> So >> I agree with that. That that makes sense to me. >> Okay. My last question is those last
three you discussed are all to be excluded debt ballot questions. >> Yes, sir. >> Yep. >> Unless you got some good couch couch cushion money hanging around. Ryan, >> I do not. >> Senator Barrett might be
too busy working on this. >> Oh my goodness. >> None of that. Matt hits. >> All right, that's that's it. We're in good shape for the 14th. >> Great. >> Great. Item four is done. >> Done. >> All right. Okay. We're mostly on time.
So, item five is the um employee contract approval for police chief >> Amadullah's contract. >> Yeah. >> So, the the contract that we we have and we reviewed is the one we'll be voting on. >> Yes. >> Correct.
>> Okay. And I can the um contract is available and will be put in the packet for those who would like to review it. Uh here is the highlights of the contract as the select board discussed. This was a negotiation between the chief of police whose three-year term is up on
in May actually for a five-year contract. So a new 5-year contract for Chief Aandola based on his um excellent performance in the town so far. Just a tremendous job in his first three years as police chief. I can't believe it's been three years. >> Yeah.
>> So, a 5-year term. His new salary is starts at 161,000 and includes an annual 25% education compensation. So, that's on top of the 161. In subsequent years, the um the chief would be entitled to a
cola of 2.5 as a floor or whatever the town votes if it's higher than that. And if he meets expectations in his annual review, he would get a 1.5% merit increase as well. Contract includes a clause for a 9-month severance in years
1 through three and a 12-mon severance in years four and five. Some changes to discipline and discharge vote quantum, which is fancy for if the board wants to discipline or discharge, they need to meet certain numbers as identified votes as identified in the contract. And then
something that we're including for all of our officers and just something to point out is his eligibility for cardiac screening as it's a significant issue with police and we want to make sure that we're providing that opportunity to identify any issues early based on the stress of their job. So the select board discussed this earlier assuming you're
ready to vote on the contract. Here are the highlights. The contracts available. Um if you are willing to vote, we can sign this contract to the chief for the next 5 years. I would like to move to approve and execute the employment agreement between the town of Carile and Andrew Amandola
for the position of police chief to commence on July 1, 2026 and expire as of the end of the day on June 30th, 2031 and authorize the town administrator to sign and confer with town council for any administrative edits.
>> I'll second that. >> Any further discussion or deliberation from the board? Seeing none, we'll do a roll call vote. >> Arnold, I. >> Modell, I. >> Snell, I. >> Stevens, I. >> Triola, I.
Okay, we're on to the TA report. >> We are. >> If you need a >> quick second, >> if you want us to do the cemetery deeds, >> we can do the deeds, >> too. Yep. >> Okay, >> let's do the cemetery deeds. >> Page 122. So, we're going to move on to
item nine, cemetery deeds. Uh, let's see what we have is um let's see I guess do we can we just do all these together even though some >> I think we do them individually. >> Individually. Okay. So, we
>> I would move to transfer land in the public burial ground at the green cemetery as described. Correct. Deed 863 to include Susan Evans as an owner with Scott Evans.
>> Yep. So, we originally sold this and um the Evans couple would like both names on the deed. So, this is just a a correction or modification. >> I second that. >> Any further discussion or deliberation? Seeing none, we'll do a roll call vote.
>> Arnold I. Modell I >> Snell I >> Stevens I >> Triola I >> I move to transfer land in the public burial ground at the Green Cemetery as described to issue deed 867 for lot D
350 graves one and three to Lawrence Sorley and David Fouch of Westford Street. I'll second that. Any further discussion, deliberation? Roll call.
>> Arnold, I. >> Modell, I. >> Snell, I. >> Stevens, I. >> Triola, I. >> And I move that we accept the return of deed 309 for lot 508,
graves 128 from Mary Martines as >> pardon, Martinez. Okay. Is that a misspelling or it's with an S? How pronounced? >> Martinez. to the as the land is unusable. >> Second. >> Any further discussion or deliberation?
Roll call. >> Arnold I. >> Modell. I. >> Snell. I. >> Stevens. I. >> Triola. I. >> I move to transfer land in the public burial ground at the Green Cemetery as described. Issue deed 868 for lot D20
204 graves 1 to8 to Mary Martinez to replace the unusable lot. >> Second. >> Any further discussion deliberation? Roll call. >> Arnold I. >> Modell I. >> Snell I. >> Stevens I.
>> Triola I >> the timing is important with that. >> Yeah. The um >> Thank you. There's one that doesn't I'm assuming there's one doesn't have a signature thing, but I'm assuming it's just >> jumbled in there.
>> Yeah, there's like two copies of each. Is that missed stickers? So, >> no, no, I just want to make sure there's not like an old version or something in there. Okay, so we'll get to signing on that. And do you want to begin your TA report? >> Yes. Great job, Mr. Chair, getting us back on track. So, here is my
>> great job derailing us >> TA report for March 24th. >> Your yourself 2026. I did hold a coffee hour today and had had a a large attendance. We had a lot of conversations about surprisingly tax
impacts and um some some issues about management of of property as was discussed at Venfield for village court. Just some advocacy for making sure that um village court remains open and accommodating to to people with
disabilities or of advanced age. So, um, we're going to work through those processes and it it's always great to have conversations like that so we can understand what residents are going through and relay that to you, the decision makers here. Also, we will be starting, as we went through tonight, many Warren articles
that are coming before town meeting, lots of interesting stuff. Stay till the end. It's going to be some great CPC articles and we're going to have some podcasts about that and some information coming out. So please, if you're not getting information about town meeting in a way that you want, we will create that content for you and get it to you.
And we ask that you let us know how you need it and we'll make sure that you get it. In terms of an HR report, I'll get to the uh resignations of Kathleen and and Jeremy at the end when I recognize their service to the community. Is in terms of report, I want to let you know that Aubrey led an effort to reclassify
our DPW positions to better reflect current operations. So this is future hires, not not current hires. I've approved these reclassifications pending your approval and ascent tonight um and eventually town meeting. So the entry level role is now classified as a
laborer. This this is employees um employees with a CDL are classified as a driver laborer. Those with both a CDL and a hoisting license are classified as heavy equipment operator. So laborers are important. They help us get things done. CDL is for driving bigger trucks. And hoisting is so you
can load your own truck. All very important. If you have one person respond and they can load their own truck and get going and start sanding, that's extremely valuable. So that's why we have the three different classifications. There's also people who get their hoisting license before CDL licensing because of the difficulties of
that. So in order to acknowledge that, we have a a plan for a step increase when someone passes a competency test with hoisting so that they can get that before they uh confirm their CDL license. Also, just so you know, Jim has worked with Chelmsford to to start uh
coordinating CDL programs. It's been successful. So, we've been been successful at hiring people at the laborer level, bringing them in and qualifying them. Sometimes that leads to them moving on, but it does allow us to continue to stock our DPW department. So, this reclassification effort was great by Aubrey. Uh really thought
thought through, comped, and all the like, and and we think we have a very good uh process moving forward for hiring at the DPW. something that is difficult. Okay, wanted to inform you that and make sure there was no issues with that reclassification. If they are, please
let me know. Our house doctor contracts are out and we will be I will be appointing a design selection committee. It's been three years since we appointed our house doctor firms for architecture building envelope and MEPFP which is mechanical
mechanical I'm blanking anyways it's the stuff that uh like plumbing there's one electrical mechanical electrical plumbing and fire protection engineering services so we need new contracts this allows us when the MFC has an issue to reach out directly to a pre-procured firm that we
trust in order to provide studies and assistance and procurement and things of the like. So, it's important. I may be tapping one of you to help with that. If any of you are interested in um serving on a design selection committee, I will reach out. We started our ADA self assessment. That's Americans with
Disability Act self- assessment. Gretchen's leading this grant funded effort to review um all of our processes, our buildings. They've been walking around taking measurements. None of this is necessarily mandatory. It's supposed to inform us on um what our
deficiencies are and how we how we can correct them over time. They're not a regulatory board. They don't come in and say you have to do this. It's it's to build a plan moving forward that we can slowly incorporate into our capital planning. And also processes is really important and is often forgotten. The
most uh the most common way people access their government is through the website now and that needs to be ADA compliant as well. and we've worked a lot with our boards and committees to make our website more compliant, especially the materials they're adding to it. So, this is a big effort. We'll have a big presentation for you at the
end so you can understand where we're at. And I will tell you, we're pretty good for a small town. >> All right, this one might require some more discussion as we head into construction season. I wanted to bring back up Ottabon Lane. So, this is a discussion we had last fall. a resident came in and uh demonstrated their need
for uh support from the town as water was draining onto their land um potentially from from our road or from climate change and and other changes. So the design cost for this I just want to make sure you understand range somewhere
between 20 and 38,000. Um I can negotiate it down to the lower level by not having conceptual designing done and just getting right to construction document development. The original cost estimate was 35,000. So this could uh range in cost between
55,000 and $73,000 for for the fix. So we can include that in the bid package and we plan to since you directed us to do that. I just wanted to make sure that there was no additional discussion necessary or conversation about that as um as you believed the original cost to
be 35,000. >> Yeah, I would I would like to challenge that. Um, I mean, it's one individual homeowner. I was talking to Ryan earlier this week. Is there any provision for, you know, a homeowner to split the
costs with the town? This is purely for their benefit. It may or may not be partially our fault, but, you know, it's escalating to a point where I think it's not defensible that we're spending that much on one property. >> And it's a private road, right? >> Yeah.
>> Yes. Yeah, >> it leads down to a private road. It It is >> the work would be done though on >> on town own land. >> Town owned land. Well, and again, I went back and looked at the the materials provided by Nichch
and you know, in in that whole review and the the two options, I mean, he was pretty direct about this option's like 35 and this this concept that oh, by the way, there's $38,000 in in
conceptual design and construction and admin and design support was not mentioned. >> Yeah. when we had that discussion and when we um had the homeowner here and when we deliberated this and and I take exception to to niche
>> for not mentioning oh by the way >> the majority of expense is not being mentioned here and I don't even understand how >> and again this is municipal right but conceptual design and con construction and admin design support would would exceed the actual cost of construction
for what was being described so >> I don't know what's going on with this So, I'm fairly certain that we could get the cost to 50 to 55,000. So, I don't think we need conceptual design. And I have discussed. I just want to >> make sure that you knew that that was
the estimate. Um, so we're talking about about 50,000. If we added it to the the road maintenance plan for the year, I do think it would decrease costs because of of paving and the other things, but not to a level that would, you know, it's not going to be less than
50. So, it's 15,000 more than you originally approved. I just I didn't feel comfortable approving that without >> bringing it back to you. >> What's the process? Can you is it like an add alternate or any like how does this go and can you put it into the bid
and then get the actual cost information? >> Yes, but we would be committing to that design cost to do that. >> But you said you can get the design cost reduced. You said 55. The whole thing is 55. So we would have to pay for the design and then the bid alternate would
be the actual repair. >> So you're saying that 35 would decrease? >> I don't understand what the design is. >> So your design costs are are fixed there. 18 and 20, >> right? What >> who would be doing that work? Niche >> the design.
>> Yeah. Yes. >> I thought what they described was a fairly simple fix. So I again I don't know. >> Is there a number you're comfortable at? >> The number we discussed. >> Yeah. 35. >> Okay.
>> I think when you get into increasing that 50% or more than that, it's a different it's a different it's different than what we deliberated and discussed materially. >> Then I then I'll need to have a discussion with them and bring them back. In general though, do we have a policy
of prioritizing projects that benefit more people to fewer people? I mean, that seems like it this ought to get in line behind all of the other projects that benefit more people. >> I think Christine, we did have a we have a plan in place and these are the people
who can petition and we, you know, hear them individually and say this is a problem. we see how you're personally affected and you know that that's like some leeway in our overall plan unless I describe that is that
>> how we've kind of approach this and >> I don't know in the other example like when you talk about parody roads in this case you know the homeowner is they have water coming into their yard causing what they would say would be structural problems so I don't know how that weighs
into the parody roads that It's a few number. I don't know what the impact is um from a property standpoint of those. So, I don't know how that's factored in. >> Yeah. >> So, I think at this point because it's sort of becoming an agenda item that I should talk to niche, get a final final
number and you should invite the resident back if you're going to deliberate. >> Okay. >> Otherwise, they'll >> listen to my podcast. And >> to your point, we had others. I've forgotten which streets, but we had another we had another one that was
water runoff into their yard. And we're working on that one, too, aren't we? Miss, you don't remember that one? >> Well, the the original pair. Yeah, that original. >> Is it the one that we um we had done the
first paving, but we hadn't done the final? We hadn't done the final. >> Yeah. >> So, we fixed that. >> Yeah. Fezant Hill. >> Fezant Hill. Veezant Hill. Yeah, >> it was bird. I remember >> the P. >> So, we had it designed so that the drainage would be improved and paved it.
Right. >> Right. And that was a $55,000 design for that. >> It was in the 20 25,000 range. >> I mean, I I think we need to revisit it
at the minimum. >> All right. Uh tonight we had significant discussion about I'll bring that information back. I don't want to just pretend like I'm passing on that. >> So the budget discussion we had tonight the select board made uh significant decisions about their budget
recommendations for expenditures, revenue, tax impact, capital plan and reserve levels. We will put this together with the finance committee's final blessing as a budget book for people to consume pending uh one or two small last budget item. not small but um
things to approve. Old home day has been scheduled. The committee scheduled this year's event for June 20th to 21st. The committee officially requests the use of the town center, Spalding Field, the school grounds, the fire station, town hall, and the roadways connecting these spaces. They have additionally requested permission to hang a banner over school
street in the weeks leading up to the event. We approve the banner as that's within our policy. The select board needs to approve the use of the land and traditionally you do. Um, all coordinations have been done that you normally require. >> May I make a motion then?
Uh, I move to approve the request of the old home day committee for the use of townlands, buildings, and roads on June 20th and 21st. Uh, the town center, Spaldingfield, town hall, byways, and selected roads for road for foot races.
I and I move to recommend the use of the school and grounds for old home day to the school committee. And I move to recommend the use of the fire station to the fire chief. >> There a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Any further discussion? Deliberation.
>> Roll call. >> Arnold. I. >> I. >> Snell. I. >> Stevens. I. >> Triola. I. >> Moving on to some capital projects. Our town hall bathroom renovation is complete. People can enjoy those. We'll be rehanging the mirrors, etc. I'm sure
people miss those. The most important part of the project was the plumbing from the fixtures to uh to the mechanical room and that's all been replaced which significantly reduces the risk of flooding. So besides the aesthetics, the infrastructure itself improved which is good and hopefully
will last a long time. >> Are they putting mirrors in? >> The snow's melted. So the cemetery mapping is continuing. We'll have we'll have more updates from the cemetery committee for you on that. The Cranberry Bog Dam continues to to move on. um we
have worked and are trying to finalize an agreement with the dam engineer to help us understand the the various aspects of the dam. So uh that that continues. It's a very complicated project, but Megan has been uh working really hard on it. The initial recommendation is to and we have
authorized some spending to dig out this I don't want to call them spillways because that was a >> that was a touch point earlier but um to create the space for the water to move through the dam so that the pressure is relieved off it as water starts to accumulate from the spring. So we are doing that to make sure that we have options and the dam just doesn't go
away. One day I will report to you that cranberry bog dam is done. Today is not the day. Uh the best part about the engineer and that and the like is they're going to combine the hydraology study all of this past history and um provide a
recommendation either on the existing design or maybe even a full new design. So more to come. >> The Bog House affordability housing feasibility study. The town continues to advance this project using previously appropriated CHT funds. To date, the
town has engaged with a housing consultant, re-engaged GANP, which is one of our house doctors, and continued schematic design services and brought civil engineers back to evaluate site feasibility. To build on this progress, they are requesting 200,000 uh is the number right now in CPA funds
to advance the project to the next phase. This funding will support key deliverables like identifying the precise parcel needed for development so that we can do the swap that's necessary, complete any legal and appraisal work that's required for that article 97 swap, advance site planning,
etc. And the idea is that this would be handed off to a to a nonprofit-like organization who would take on the design and construction costs. Um, lots to go, but still moving along. Very complicated and interesting project that I'm sure many of you are following. More updates will be coming for your building
construction projects. The library renovation project is now out to bid. We're actively responding to inquiries from multiple contractors. Once bids are received, we'll have the firm cost for the full renovation, and it'll be a quick analysis of that cost to present to you what's necessary to fill the gap.
Hopefully, there's no gap, but there likely will be. And then that will inform the CPA request that Tom Meeting is going to be considering. There's also key MFC projects in there like the mechanical room expansion and the library coil project. So, we're all waiting for those data points. The
police station renovation is going to be advancing quickly once the weather conditions approve. Uh this group, this design team, and the building committee meet monthly and weekly, weekly for the project team, monthly for the committee to go over the work. Most recently,
Suzanne has been working on the furniture procurement for the inside and I've been working on the community room and how we can use PEG funding to offset those costs. We've identified at least 30,000 so far that would add to our either lowering of the tax impact or the contingency for anything that we don't
know yet. The fire station renovation building committee met uh with the design team to continue to advance the design, the permitting, and the budget refinement. This is a very tight timeline and difficult process. Uh much credit to your volunteers who are meeting regularly to help move this
through and to all your other boards and committees that are working hard to try to get this project across the finish line. Uh you will have some key updates in April that will matter for whether or not we're able to get this in front of town meeting and and hopefully approved. And then as we mentioned earlier
tonight, the DPW renovation building committee finalized an RF RFP to identify the design team that's going to be helping you with this project. We that firm will be selected prior to town meeting and should help inform that $1.4 million design request that uh you voted
to recommend tonight. Some upcoming discussion points. We're going to continue to talk about personnel policies until we do them all. Budget and town meeting is going to be a talking point right up to May 18th when we'll see the entire town there to make these important decisions. >> Actually hope not because I don't think we have enough for that. But
>> um >> get the gym ready. Mhm. >> Although we're talking about I just had like flashbacks. >> Um speaking of fall town meeting, we're going to be talking about logistics and when your deadlines are going to be for your important recommendations because
fall comes quick after annual town meeting. Just a few months of summer and then right into the fall. Highland building continues to be a discussion communitywide and needs to come before you so that you can hear um current discussions about Highland and potentially discuss your goals for that
building uh or not. And then the historical commission has asked for a joint meeting to discuss a few mutual items of interest like their proposed demolition review bylaw. Just notifying you that we approved that old home day banner. And then for staff
recognition, uh, we had two employees move on to opportunities. One was Kathleen Bond, who's worked in the COHS office for almost three years. She served as a transportation coordinator first and then was promoted to social services manager. In these roles, Kathleen assisted hundreds of Carile
seniors, working with them to secure rides, access programs, and essential services. And her outreach is one of the ways many seniors engage with our government and the town in general. She did an excellent job representing the town and she's moving on to a new role, but we do wish her luck and appreciate her service here. Jeremy Gier, uh, I
always trouble with the French pronunciation. Journey Gier, um, although his time in DPW was short, just a little under a year, he did complete his tour in one of the worst winters we've had in a while. And, um, was one of our frontline people out there plowing during these storms. One night
in particular was a double overnight or almost 72 hours of of plowing service. So, I'm hoping that's not why he left, but I wouldn't blame him. That's that's a lot of effort. As a driver laborer, he worked long hours, cleared roads, and helped to keep things safe for our residents. He's heading to a new opportunity as well, but we appreciate
the work he did in Carile, even when things were difficult. You have a slew of meetings coming up. Most of them are focused on the town meeting. Some upcoming agenda items include signing that warrant and finalizing any recommendations, meeting with the
moderator to discuss the town meeting logistics, your final article positions, and then a couple follow-ups. The LSC charter followup, the T-AC wants to meet with you again, and trust fund advisory group will come before you at some point when things slow down a bit. And that is
my report pending any of your questions. And there's one other one last motion about do we need to do the one about the conquer Carloff Foundation to place two signs? It's on the proposed motions, but I that is usually something you would
just approve, but it's in our packet. Should we just go ahead and do it? >> Yeah, that might have come late. >> Okay. >> Is it just >> It's page six. It's on the Yeah, it's just about um placing two signs around the rotary. >> Okay.
>> Three total sign. You want I'm going to just make the motion. Is that all right? >> Um so you know what it is? >> It's on page 68 of Well, it's in the um reservation form's in the packet. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And they this is you know they they've
renamed themselves but they've done this um >> you know in the past. This is their uh annual fundraiser and they you know of sometimes have a thermometer as one of the things and then some other >> So these meet your requirements looking
at them. Um we can approve these. We're just notifying you that they're coming. >> Okay. >> And the dates would be March 21st to March 28th. So they're out there now. >> Okay. So we don't have to do this. >> That was a different >> It sounds like it's different dates, too. So >> yeah, and that's okay. That's the same
one. Conquered Carlile Foundation. >> Okay. So maybe that's old. All right. >> Okay. >> I have a quick question on cemetery deeds just more procedurally because um one of the people will be interned this Thursday and if David hasn't signed I'm
assuming he they because we've voted on it that won't be a problem. >> Yeah, he has enough signatures there. >> Okay, good. All right. Thank you. Review of warrants and minutes. Um what do we have for minutes? I don't
have my hand. >> We have two sets, 224 and 310. >> Okay. So, we have the previous set of minutes that we reviewed last week. And I'll say that um both Gretchen sent Bar and I two different versions of minutes, like a condensed version and then kind
of the normal version that AI is generating. And in reviewing the the two formats, I think it's best we stick with kind of the current level of detail that's provided in the the eight pager because just too much is lost. I think the the trick is, and as Gretchen
articulated, the AI is changing a little bit as it does more minutes. So, if you're seeing some weird stylistic changes or format changes, we're going to have to keep an eye on it because it's evolving. It's getting smarter and faster. Um, but the point is that, you
know, there's really no perfect way to do this. It's just going to be incumbent on each of us to to provide edits um for for any changes or additions we want made. And if you don't have time to review and you don't have time to make the edits, then it's fine that we don't
review it at the next meeting. We can certainly it's better to get it right. >> Um and we'll still be within the time frame. So with that, um, she provided two more sets of minutes, >> and I didn't have a chance to get my one change to her on the meeting minutes for
the >> Y >> 24th. Uh, yes, February 24th. But if we're going to vote to accept those, I'd like to make an amendment to do one of those things. >> Yep. >> Do you need a Do you need a >> You want the motion first?
>> You want I don't care. However you you tell me how you want to do it. do the um >> do you want me to bring my comment up first? >> Bring your comment up and then we'll we'll >> Okay. In item in item number five, um this is the one that I brought up last time which I I think is the discussion
of the ban relative to the transfer station or the >> um organic waste in the in the transfer station. And it and I just wanted to make sure that I I would propose the last line of section five says the board
express general support for the concept while requesting refinement of specific language and messaging before implementing any formal policy. I would propose that it be changed. The board requested refinement of the specific language and messaging and will revisit
this before implementing any formal policy because I think that more accurately reflects what we asked to do >> rather than the express general support >> rather than expressing general support. I don't think that was >> universally >> and the concept is up for debate what
they meant because we might we might have expressed support for the concept of organic waste but not the concept of a ban. So it's a bit >> so that's okay. >> That's my that's my >> So can I make a motion to approve as
amended? >> Um >> Sure. I move that uh we accept the minutes of uh February 24th, 2026 as amended this evening. >> Is there a second?
>> I'll second. >> Okay. Roll call vote. >> Arnold I. >> Modell I. >> Snell I. >> Stevens I. >> Triola I. >> And then we have the 310 minutes. >> Did people have a chance to review? And
what's that? Okay. I did not. >> Do we want to >> We can hold off though. >> Do we want to hold off on this one? We can do it the next meeting. >> Did other people read it? No. But >> let's hold off just because we're kind of in this little flux time. Okay.
>> I think it's good for us to read and provide feedback as the AI evolves and adapts. >> Okay. >> I'm going to start changing our votes. >> Um, okay. It's starting the process to control the world, right?
>> Yeah. First, it's the organic wasteb world. >> Katie bar. >> All right. Is that it for the minutes? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Leaison reports. >> Um well, we did the school committee. Thank you for David for stepping up on
that. >> Um historical commission again is going to be coming in probably end of April for joint meeting. They're also interested in Highland. So, we'll discuss Highland as part of that. >> Okay. >> Anybody else have any
>> Can you guys hear me? >> Yes. David, >> I yanked my speaker c I yanked my headphone cord and I can't hardly hear, but uh you can hear me. So, so we met I only participated from my hospital bed briefly, but we the uh cat the um affordable housing trust met last week
and the part I weighed in on was kind of what we talked to Mr. Beard about today. and uh they seem good. We have a notional plan. Now, Mike Barrett's comments are we need to take that into consideration with regard to whether we
have a meeting, gather data, have a meeting, gather data, do something else, you know, but I I believe at least from our side the path forward is to certainly gather the data. We have a lot of data and uh and what we recommended
was an internal meeting that would be kind of like myself and uh John Valentine and uh Ryan and maybe Moren, but a small group to kind of review what we know and really sort of organize it,
fact check it, you know, maybe rough cost out it, maybe rank order it in terms of its our perceived impact on the quality of life of the uh uh Benfield residents, maybe even separate into categories of sort of routine, you know,
easily fixable paint and so forth versus high capital items as Barney, I think, alluded to, and get all that organized and and and then push for uh get it to Phil and ask that he and his team come meet with us, the selectman and the
select board and the um uh residents again and hear that and they would have that list ahead of time and they can comment, rebut otherwise, you know, discuss their position on those items or other items. And again,
non-confrontational. We just want to set the facts. Want you to hear what we heard. We want to hear what you have to say because we didn't talk to you. Kind of continue to gather that. The goal being and this is really separate from what Mike what Hammer Mike might want to
wield is um so not politicize it's just like okay we want to the agreed upon we want to get to an agreed upon set of facts like these things need fixing and then at that point and I'm not clear where we go with that is um then let's
say do we pick for example Ryan a house doctor um or some other third party maybe at our expense to review that agreed upon list and give it its own assessment of
what it take what it costs to fix. We're moving this thing towards a point where we could say we would like to be able to say to Noah, this is the agreed upon list. This is a neutral third party's estimate of cost to fix. These are things that the town
of Carile, although we're under no obligation uh to do, will do these things and here are the things we are looking for you to do in these this priority and we need you to tell us what of those you can do and when you can do them. I mean sort of force it eventually we would need some
kind of document but this is kind of a you know it's a long process but that that was the approach that I sort of articulated and we discussed. So, I'm leaving it to you guys to think about. >> We will revisit it at some other time. It's not going to happen. Anything not
going to happen before town meeting, but that's >> that's kind of the agenda and it does seem to be a priority for the housing trust after once the cranberry bug kind of goes on its own schedule for a while. This is something we can control.
>> I was going to say, David, I mean, in the regular world, when you front some money, you get a a seat on the board, right? When you're investing in a company. >> Yeah. But we're not Yeah, that's a good point. >> But that's not an we're not in a negotiation and they have hundreds of properties. So I I don't know that
that's a decent thing to consider. >> I'm more like at the process of getting them to the table and getting them to sign up for an agreed >> facts. Like I want if they say, "Well, no, the HVAC is fine." Well, and our guy says it's not fine. Like there's an AR right there. We have to establish like
what is it? Is it fine or not fine? You know, I just feel like we need to get to granularity of what needs fixing and what it takes to fix. >> Yeah. Is it possible to I mean, if um put in a clause though it if if these things aren't fixed within 30 days or
you know, name, >> you know, we're not we're not putting a hammer on. We don't have any authority. We don't have any leverage. You know, I think >> well, we could sue them. >> We could, but are we really? I mean, I think the point is in a normal tenant relationship, the tenants would escrow rent. I I believe and I've said it in
prior meeting that there is a considerable subset of the tenants who don't want to be militant or either don't feel it's a problem or feel vulnerable that they might get evicted and they don't want to be evicted and and so I think Noah's taking advantage of a
>> vulnerable population by taking no action. So >> get putting them giving them all these ultimatums is like before they're just not going to do it. I want to ease them into let's understand the problem collectively and let's decide what and they may say well we only have x amount of dollars.
>> So David I was gonna let me finish just a moment. If if they aren't done within 30 days >> I get that you know okay the idea was we then arrange to have the services completed and we send them the bill and if the bill goes unpaid that's
when we have a legal action. >> Yeah. I wouldn't I wouldn't do that. >> The priority is to get the things done right for them. >> Well, no. It's the priority is to get them to get the things done and if they don't do that then we have to I agree that there is a step they could either
be completely recalcitrant and then you do kind of the way you're going or they sort of cooperate and they they help us get to a point. I think at the end of that point if they're cooperative there's a document we both sign that says we we agree we'll do this and you'll do this right >> and then we can hold them to that. I I
absolutely don't think we make repairs and build them without, you know, an agreement. They'll say there's no agreement. I didn't tell you to do that. >> Well, David's update's good. We shouldn't be deliberating. >> That's right. Yeah. Thank you. So, yeah, please provide updates, but yeah, if
this is going to require more discussion and deliberation. >> This is a long process and we we'll take it into the next session. >> But I think as a select board, we if we want to deliberate the next steps, we need to put it as an agenda item. Correct. I it's more informative of what
the plan is that we kind of came up with for future thought and I again I feel we're not going to do anything more at this point till after town meeting. Going to have a new board, new priorities. Um you know I told Ryan I'm happy to stand by and help out as a not
as a select board member. >> Okay. All right. Thank you David. Any other updates from respective boards and committees? Just briefly, the LSC did um have their meeting last week and uh took a lot of
public comments uh and they did some changes right then and there in the meeting. Then I I believe I didn't have a chance to look at it, but um Megan had sent us a uh or sent >> sent some of us. >> Did she send it to >> I'm going to forward it to the entire select board after >> she had sent us the um
>> new draft. >> The new draft. Yeah. of the charter for the LSC. >> Yep. So, we'll be meeting with them, I believe, at our next meeting. >> Right. >> Okay, >> that's good. >> Anything else? All right,
let's uh close with community input. Anybody else out there? >> Usual suspects out there that stayed to the end. All right, seeing no community input, I'll take a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. So moved. >> Okay. Is there a second? Second roll
call simultaneous. >> Arnold I. >> I. >> Okay. All right. Thank you everyone. >> Bye.