Why don't we uh why don't we go ahead and get started? I'll um begin by uh reading the agenda and then we'll do uh we'll give I think I expect David will arrive in a few minutes and hopefully by the time I'm done reading through the agenda we can um get
underway with a full panel. So, excuse me. Thank you. So, tonight welcome to the select board meeting of Tuesday, April 14th, 2026. On tonight's agenda, we begin as always with community input, followed by appointments and resignations. Uh we're going to have the
uh transfer station action committee here tonight to uh revisit us and talk about food waste mandate and some proposed options for wording that the select board is going to consider. We're going to finalize and sign the annual town meeting warrant which has a number of discussion items below it including a
discussion with the moderator about the town meeting logistics and ultimately we're going to review the annual town meeting warrant and final approval and signature vote. Uh item five at 8:45 is discuss revise and finalized charters that will include a discussion of the
land stewart committee revised charter. Also uh considering a simple name change for the DPW building committee. At 9:15 item six we're going to discuss amending a financial policy regarding town credit cards. 9:30 item 7 the TA report
followed by the review of warrants and minutes and cemetery deeds. a number of those tonight. Closing with liaison reports, community input, and finally adjournment. So, with that, um, we don't need to do a
roll call unless David's not remote. Correct? >> He's not. >> So, we have four members present. Currently, Dave Modell is absent, but we expect him shortly, but we will open it up to community input. So, we'll start with the room. Does anyone in the room have community input to provide?
Seeing none, I'll open it up to online. Does anyone online have community input? And is that the full Are we seeing the full list of participants? >> I can and >> Okay. No. Okay. So, nobody's raising their hand. Okay. Seeing no community input online, let's move forward to item
two of appointments and resignations. So, in the packet, I know Ryan, you wanted to discuss the intermunicipal agreement with Actton for plumbing and gas inspectional services. >> Yes, please. the mouthful. >> Not looking for your approval tonight,
but looking to see what questions you have about a potential arrangement or shared services arrangement with Actton. And to give a little context, Jim Powderly, our longtime plumbing and gas inspector, retired, although he has agreed to help us out until um until May
1st. So, like usual, our very talented people retire and then they they do help us out as we transition, which we do appreciate. He was working a 9-hour schedule, something that John Mativier set up three day, three hours, three days a week. This is probably a little bit more than was necessary. We we
anticipate needing six to nine hours of weekly service. We looked at the market. We did referrals. We asked if anybody was looking for work in this small field, small but tight field. And what we are finding is that the market doesn't really have any part-time
inspectors. So, as we look for long-term sustainable services, we thought sharing someone with another town and maybe finding someone who was looking for more hours or benefits would be would be helpful. And we did find a partner in Actton. So, Actton would serve as a host community. As you remember from the
dispatch discussion, shared services means that one town employs the employee and through an intermunicipal agreement, you share the employee. So, here Actton would serve as the host community. The majority of the work would be in Actton. There would be seven hours of de dedicated carile service which we would
communicate to any people who are looking for permits and this would include backup inspection if the main inspector wasn't included. So it's a whole package and what we would have to do is is pay for that seven hours and then a benefit stipen. So this would
become a full-time position. It would be a benefit stipen. So the way the math works it's about a3 to $4,000 difference from what we pay now. And we think this would lock up for pending the first year's review a three-year employment agreement. The current employer employee
says this is what he's looking to do for for quite a while. So, we have some confidence that there would be some sustainability. But even if there wasn't, it being a benefited position makes it a much more attractive position to to attract the few people that do this. So, I wanted to get any questions on this from you tonight in open
session. If um you were agreeable to this, we would move on to finalizing a deal, completing an IMA, and presenting that to you at your next meeting. But before we surprise you with that, we wanted to hear any questions you might have about it or any additional information you'd like us to gather.
>> Just to clarify, because I had asked this question, the he's currently part-time in Actton and so with the additional hours, he becomes full-time and healthcare eligible in Actton. And so that's where the stipened yes >> part of it would come. We would pay the prrated share if the person elects
benefits. Correct. >> So what I've temp tenatively agreed to is a fixed stipen. Okay. >> That is somewhere between a single single health care package and a family healthcare package that we just agree to pay. Uh whether they took one or the other and I think that helps mitigate
our risk. So we don't know that this employee is going to stay or go. So I think agreeing to some percentage is a better way to mitigate our risk. if the difference between a a family plan and a single plan is significant, >> $15,000 or so. And >> if it's not working out, what's the term
of the agreement? And is there an exit strategy if for whatever reason we're not able to secure those hours or is it another issue? >> It's a good question. The IMA indicates that the arrangement can end at any time and Mass General law also agrees that
any town can get out of their agreement. But best practices is a six-month six-month review usually >> chairs. >> So on January 1st, if we said we no longer wanted to do this arrangement, then we would work over six months to find a new solution. very rare to have a
same day like I'm not doing this anymore between towns because both have to provide a service >> and the um person being considered is currently employed I think you said that part-time in actton >> yes >> and wants to do the this full-time
>> well well vetted well considered and said he could start tomorrow we said we got to we got to talk with some people >> yeah yeah and um how do the seven hours per week get determined or allocated to Carlile Is that based on uh requests or needs of
people needing um inspections or >> it was negotiated as to our need versus what act needed to make it work as I as I show here. We need six to nine hours. So seven was I think I think six would have been my ideal. Seven was a
negotiated number is it a fixed set of hours in the >> Yeah, that's what I meant more. What if we were to go ahead with this? Is it um they're available certain days of the week here for certain hours or how how does that work? The scheduling.
>> That's that's what we're going to do. So either two two or three short windows which is plenty. >> Okay. >> You just have to communicate it and when people apply for their permits they have to understand the arrangement. >> Yeah. >> Now the employee who exists now said I'll I'll make it work. I'll figure it
out. And that's what usually happens. Mhm. >> Contractually we're committed to a certain window. >> Okay. >> This is Go ahead. Sorry. >> How does coordination work with Actton? Do you reach out to your counterpart in Actton to schedule this person's time or do you work reach out to him directly?
And who has visibility over his whole schedule for the week? Like do if we need him at 2 o'clock on Tuesday, can we say can you be at this address on two o'clock or two on Tuesday? Or is it we have them at one day of the week and they have them the rest of the days of the week? In its simplest form, someone applies for a permit.
We say the inspector is available during these windows and then the admin schedules the inspector for that inspection. The inspector just goes there. There's no they don't come here. They just go right there. >> Right there. Yeah. Okay. >> That's how it works. Right now, we have three three-hour windows. So, this would be two three-hour windows and a one-hour
window. >> Okay. >> I mean, we're looking to do more shared services. So, I certainly encourage this approach. And it's good to know that if it's not working for whatever reason, it seems relatively easy to unwind. >> Yeah. >> But we're going to need to be doing more
of this. So >> there's two reasons to share service. One is to shore up a service and the other is to save money. This is this is the first type. So we want to make sure we can we have to provide the service. We want to be able to do it well for a long time. >> Okay. >> So what do you need from us tonight? It
says potential vote, but you just need a general indication. This is what I needed is any questions if um I will send the IMA as part of your packet for the next meeting. It'll have the same it'll be the same thing you saw here with some legal stuff that IMAS have. If
there's any information that you want in in the interim or to discuss it more, I'd be happy to do it. I just wanted to get a sense of the board that that this is a direction to look at. >> So this is for our 428 meeting or April 28th meeting. >> Yes. Okay. >> We think seven hours a week will cover it.
>> Okay. Sounds fine. >> Okay. And there's no other >> appointments or resignations. Although, um, Gretchen did send out a note, a wide widely distributed note that, am I getting this right? The the the volunteer window is open. Um, and
there's a listing of all the >> all the available um, seats on the various committees in town, which there are numerous. Um, I think the initial feedback is there weren't too many applicants yet to consider. So, for all of you out there listening, you're probably already involved in a committee, but if you're not, um, or you
want to take on more, please, uh, check out the website, look at the openings because we're going to be doing appointments after town meeting um, for the next year. And we certainly need volunteers >> and presumably um, that's the point at which if someone is once the charter for
the LSC is finalized, that's the point at which somebody can put their name in to serve on the LSC. That one is actually you could >> or we >> that's a separate process I believe because the LSC wasn't included on that list. >> Okay.
>> And I think they're already >> there three people I think that probably want to be want to continue but yeah can they be >> so it wasn't actually disbanded. So I suppose those people can still submit their application to renew their uh term. Yeah.
>> Yeah. We'll get more info on that later on tonight. I'm not quite clear on how that one's working, but I I think they might want to, assuming the revised charter is passed, they might want to ramp that up again before >> we not wait that long. >> Wait for terms to end because they they
did have the resignations that we need to fill. >> Uhhuh. >> Okay. Any more? Nothing else under appointments and resignations. And David Modell has joined. Hello, David. >> Hi. Um, so let's move on to item three,
which is the transfer station action committee. You guys want to come up to the table, grab some chairs, and this is a joint meeting, so you're going to open your meeting. >> Welcome back. >> Thank you. >> We don't have a quorum, so we don't have
to call a meeting, which >> you do not. >> Okay. >> Four is a quorum of Yeah. >> Okay. So, can you just then state your names and your address? >> Laura Snowden. >> Yep. >> Tom Balada 77 Lane
>> uh 39 B Road >> 31 Below Road. Sorry. >> Great. Thank you and welcome. So, last we left off um you had met with us in March and presented uh a request uh for select board support of a organic waste
or food waste uh ban and and I think at that point we had requested that you go off and um think about some of the feedback and alternate wording. You've provided that in the packet and I saw in today's packet there was also a brief presentation, right? >> Do you want to >> briefly go through the presentation?
>> Yes. >> Okay. And we have 30 minutes and we have a I know Wayne's coming in at 7:45. So I'm going to try to keep this contained to >> the 30 minutes. >> This is >> perfect. So Ryan, are you advancing slides? I'll say
>> slide or something. Okay. So let's >> All right. Here we are. There's our our committee members. So the purpose of this meeting really for us is to obtain a select board vote to put in place the recommendated recommended policy using
one of the three wordings that we have provided and you know we really urged the select board to make a decision tonight. TESAC spent the last two and a half years spending most of our time promoting, educating, and helping people with
composting. And >> we have other >> are you a standing member or just a >> we >> so you know we have other critical projects in the wings and grants to write and should a vote not happen we'll
continue to offer support education and subsidized compost bins but we'll redirect our attention a bit we just uh don't feel like all the time we've spent has really paid off um has not been sufficient in terms of the reduction of solid
waste. So, also a new development since I think the material went out to you is that Black Earth has agreed to open up curbside composting to all of compost uh compost carile if a mandate is voted on.
So that was a a really big thing as we've been you in particular have been negotiating and trying all kinds of different options for them because we're such a >> what does that actually mean? They come by and they'll pick up the bins. >> Right now they only offer curbside in the in the eastern side of Carile
>> Lel Street and to the left and they agreed that they will cost it for the entire town as soon as they open. >> So if you have a bin they'll pick it up. >> Correct. >> Yeah. And the the other aspect they agreed to is >> monthly fee >> is a fee for that. The other aspect they agreed to provide us as many bins as we want at the transfer station to be
ready. So if we want to get 10 more bins and have them available in case we get a better response than expected, they'll put them there. We won't get charged unless we use them. So they really are the support of this. >> And when you say if we pass a mandate, one of the wordings is is it tied to one of the words? >> No. Any of those wordings?
Yeah. Anything just weaker even the weaker wording. Yeah. Okay. Oh >> yeah. They really are trying to make this happen. >> Yeah. They want to they want to know. >> I mean, even offered they've offered a to Carlile for seven customers. It used to be a 50 minimum customer minimum and all the other surrounding towns have 50 people or more. Yeah. >> So, they really want to make this happen. >> Okay.
>> Okay. >> And just so I'm clear, they're the ones who also pick up the bins at the transfer station because those are often overflowing. I've noticed. >> Say again. >> They are often overflowing. >> They haven't been That's just a recent development. Now, we we added two bins,
but we can add as many as we want and only pay for them if we use them. So, and they they've agreed. We just have to say and they can do that tomorrow. In fact, we come up and say, "We need an 11th bin. They'll bring it tomorrow." But if we institute the ban, we're actually going to say, "Give us, you know, six 10 bins to have them available day one." And we'll monitor very
closely. We'll be there the first few weeks. And at that point, we may even ask for more more often pickups. I mean, currently have two pickups for a week. You know, if we're going to get more bins, we makes sense to do a daily three every day have a pickup. So that but they're they're they're poised to give us whatever we ask for at this stage. >> Okay.
>> Okay. >> Okay. >> Slide. >> Okay. So we sent something very similar out um in your packet a while ago and I will briefly go through the options and
then I'll provide some context as to why we worded them the way we did. So um some of the language is the same for all of them. The first one, food waste mandate, which is Tesak's recommended option in anticipation of the state's pan ban plan to ban residential food
waste from the solid waste stream. The select board mandates effective July 1st. That's different. That food waste should no longer be disposed of in the solid waste bin at the transfer station.
Second one is food waste ban. So jumping down the select board effective July 1st bans all food waste from being disposed of thing opt option three responsible disposal of food waste is a supportive
positive statement the select board effective July 1st encourages residents to responsibly dispose of all their food waste and stop disposing it in the solid waste. So you know yes at our last meeting with you which actually was the end of February you know we received
feedback feedback from you on developing different language different options um to enforce to some degree or not uh food waste ban and you also had an interest in finding out what other communities were doing. Um we went back to the
drawing board and the document you received a while ago called it's a very long title actually impact of organic wasteband studies documented three different communities and case studies and I'm going to focus
mostly on Vermont right now because the state of Vermont was definitely an inspiration and influence um it's in that packet but we also adopted its language and philosophy which was not it was supposedly a ban, but they
really it was a mandate. Not saying you all had to compost, but rather a mandate mandating the diversion of organic materials away from landfills. And that's what we're doing here, too. We're not saying we're banning it. Also, their
composting law, which went into effect in 2020, relies on completely voluntary compliance and education outreach for municipalities and residents, and that's what we're doing, too. So, um, that's
that. And a packed agendas pushed our meeting back a few months. Um, and we understand the time we originally said, which was probably in your packet, April 22nd, Earth Day, >> yes, >> was maybe a little too soon. Um, too
tight. So, you know, we we said, "Okay, July 1st was a better thing. It would give people who chose to time to get supplies. We'd have questions answered." And, you know, those who want to start right now, they could. And in the
meantime, we are attending the route to sustainability day on May 3rd along with our big backyard compost bins and our raffles. We'll be at the transfer station on May 9th all day answering questions and helping people out. We'll have shifts on
Tuesdays and Thursdays at the transfer station. And um I'm saying this without checking with the old home day committee at all, but we could work with them to make this year's event, which is June 20th, you know, a fully compostable or mostly compostable
event. Um and I I know they've been interested, but you know, it's a lot of work. So we think that would also be a really positive initiative if but again um slide please. >> Oh, before I move on, I do have a couple of questions. So the the first two read
pretty similarly to me. What swayed the T-sacks opinion to recommend the first ban? Mandate. >> Mandate's a positive word. Ban is a negative word. >> It is. >> And ban often implies that you're going to get punished or fined or something. >> Mandate. We like mandate because it's a
stronger word and it's positive. Ban is a negative word. You clearly didn't like that last time. >> Um the third one is kind of if we can't agree on a charged word, we don't have any word. >> Yeah. And nothing really changes, >> right? Yeah. Yeah. But >> and understand there is there's no in
there's absolutely zero impact on transportation. There is no inspection. Just there is there is no inspection on the state law. The state is it's it's voluntary even though it's a state law. There's no inspection implied. Jim's not going to change one iota procedure at transportation. >> Okay. But one of the reasons the
Massachusetts been I was reading an article from last year about how of the states that banned food waste only Massachusetts has seen a reduction in landfill uh waste and because it was because of enforcement. So >> it's enforcing commercial
and they're and they're lowering the threshold for commercial food waste to be diverted. They're also shipping most of their waste by train to other states. That's a way to lower it. >> Somebody else's. >> You have to understand that 15% of Carlile residents still do not recycle
bottles and cans and carbon up. 15%. And we we observe that and those folks are just you not going to do it. And the state doesn't want us to do anything about that. They really don't. They they want it voluntary. My my point is and I we might be getting ahead of ahead of ourselves and I want you to finish your presentation but that as as far as
everything I've seen um toothless bans in terms of non-inforceable or voluntary bans or even mandates haven't been employed in Massachusetts outside of say Hamilton and even in states where it's it's requirement it's only been successful
when it's enforced and so um >> but the recycling ban has has the recycling ban which has been in effect for a couple decades took a a long time to get folks, but you now have 85% all >> but how many how many towns in in Massachusetts have a residential ban or mandate in place >> for for organics not
>> for well >> towns are very interested in doing it like Cambridge and Brooklyn actually has done a lot of studies but they're they're up against the complications from um how to make it
uh inclusive for people who live in apartment buildings or people I mean because their options pretty much are black are paying for bins, curbside bins. What Brooklyn has done is you can drop your compost off these central bins. You have a combination lock to get
it open because they don't want trash to get in. So they're, you know, they're trying to do things so it's not going to cost people things. But very few towns have the infrastructure to do that without it penalizing people in some way or another. And that has really been a problem. in Cambridge I know is really
gung-ho on doing it but they can't figure out how to >> I didn't mean to distract you from the presentation. Do you want to finish up any points before we get into >> Okay, next slide. >> Why don't we finish up the presentation and we'll do the deliberation. >> So as as um Tom said there won't be any
changes at transfer station. Um, you know, education, publicity, encouragement will be provided by TAC in the form of articles in the mosquito. Reminder posters at the transfer station, community Q&A sessions at the transfer station where GAC members can
explain composting options and answer questions. So, there'll be a lot of that. Um, you know, as Tom also said, you know, at this point, people pretty much on board across the Commonwealth with recycling. not everyone but it's it's taken a while people are doing it
they're not being monitored um and then the last point is that how it would be implementedmented is that the alternatives here would be pretty much what we have now dispose of food waste to the large bins provided at the
transfer station no charge to residents contract with black earth to provide curbside collection and then or and use an outdoor home composting system which is you know subsidized by the town. So it's kind of you know it's sort of the
same thing but we're asking to ratchet it up. Um slide please. So why now? Well because Black Earth has agreed to do this. Um which is a whole new thing. Um and if does I don't think they're
willing to do it because it's definitely few and far between. they have to travel a lot in Carlile if there isn't uh mandate of some kind isn't approved. Um the again mandate has no impact on transfer station operations. Uh so
Vermont has had a similar ban since 2020 without monitoring and they've had actually a really good success rate. They're saying maybe 50% of their food waste is being redirected. um state will be rolling out a municipality food bed in 2030 and we'll
already it will be a positive thing for us. Uh we'll be well positioned and also >> has that been decided? >> No, it's not. I mean that's the goal that goes. It's announced. It's going to happen sometime. >> I read that they were looking at feasibility by 2030 but they hadn't I
hadn't seen any. I tried to find articles on it. There's no question. >> Yeah. I can send you a PowerPoint that DP sent out about >> that's a goal. >> Yeah. >> What they're doing if you want it, but >> it's just not a I don't want to misrepresent it as a fat to complete. There's >> it is something they're really striving
to do and in 2028 they want to have all the schools, public schools composting. You know, a lot of towns are already doing that. So, they've got these steps. Um, so yeah, the I'm bringing up the school because it con it currently uses black earth for
its uh um prep waste, but um and a pirate hollowed who does which who does not um bring their trash to to Carile. So what they're doing has no impact on what we're doing. But um
you know we would support composting there but it's got to be driven by the school PTO and administration. They really have to buy into it. I've talked a lot with the people in conquered to understand and be able to help them understand how it happened. And the D has a lot more um
websites with posters and things for them. Um so but passing a mandate in Carlile would probably make it a little easier on PTO when recruiting volunteers because it is parent volunteer driven in the beginning they're there at lunch lunch hour reminding students what they
need to do and also with time students will then become the they'll get into and they'll be doing it which is there was a brief time in carile where that was happening slide please final slide I included this quote from
the master pan car Master Plan, Chapter 6, Environmental Stewardship. The impacts of these efforts at the smaller community level support larger scale environmental initiatives at the state, federal, and global level. All of which must occur if we are to be
successful not only in curbing energy use and carbon emissions to limit the impacts of global climate change, but also in protecting the natural environment. And you know, finally, I feel we feel this is not an imposition
so much as a positive development and decision. We're proud that our town already makes it easy and cost-free for residents to compost and that really is not the case. Many cities across the Commonwealth and they're struggling with the complexities of doing that. We know
we're not shaming anyone who does not compost. We don't shame people who throw their plastic jugs in the trash. You know, I it it's the same kind of thing. But this really gives the residents of Carlilele a positive goal as a community, something
to be proud of, and gives us a feeling like we really actually can make a difference in a time when you can't do that that often. So, I think we're really excited about this. We also think it would actually bring our it would be pretty remarkable to see how much the food waste
how much the garbage and trash would drop because of people redirecting it. Just, you know, we'll keep track of it. So, >> I'd like to have two clarifications. Though most towns have not put in bands, you have to understand that we are falling behind. If you take a chart,
Black Earth, give me a chart of every surviving town and you out several towns. We are one of a few communities who can't muster 50 or 100 folks to get curbside pickup because Carl has long drive and doesn't like curbside pickup. We are falling behind um all of the surrounding towns I mean Actton
conquered has 10% we have 4% you know eight out of two 2000 >> curves of if we find ourselves with the state ban in 2030 or 2031 we then could have a problem because if we've made no progress bar then that's probably >> because we will have to >> correct our point two is we believe
we're >> folks will have to be cops or what >> say again >> why will we be in trouble >> we'd be in trouble because even though we don't do inspections here presumably the state could have a contamination threshold at Wheeler. So, we get a truckload there, we can be inspected, you know, typically 3 or 4% of our loads
be inspected. We fail a load, it comes back to the transfer station, gets stopped on the gas. >> There's a host of issues involved in a 2030 >> organic waste ban in especially in towns with curbside pickup where you now have to I mean, >> sure. >> So, I'm skeptical that >> the other the other point I'd like to make is we view we're at a watershed
moment. We've been in business now almost four years. It'll be four years July 1 and have been able fortunately with your support. We appreciate the support we've gotten over the years to reduce solid waste 3 or 4% a year, 17% over the three and a half years. There are very few communities in the state who've come anywhere close to that. The
state in fact as a whole has increased solid waste in the last six years. Um we are at a watershed in that right now without this ban my belief is that we will stop reducing solid waste and new growth you know 12 houses a year will be hardressed just to offset that. You
know, it's about 12 tons of additional waste per year and around the margins play with ceramics or this or that and get a ton here, a ton there. But organics is the only remaining addressable component that has the potential to allow us to continue to reduce 2550 tons of waste per year in
the foreseeable future. So for us, this is we have at the meeting on Thursday. Without the ban, we're gonna pretty much, as Laura said, stop spending money on organics and move to whatever we can do for reuse and ceramics and other stuff. With the ban, we'll be all in and
make this a success. So, that to us, >> it's a mandate. >> Well, mandate, ban, mandate. >> What we need is the policy so we can go to the town and get folks who want to do the right thing to do the right thing. And we believe that there's a lot of folks who want to do the right thing. >> Actually, yeah, >> I guess. Go ahead. I was going to ask so
what is your metric for success? Let's say we you know go with that recommended wording one year on three years on five years. >> Growth per year a couple hundred households a year >> a couple hundred households per year >> 100 to 200 households a year for the foreseeable future. I mean
>> they do the curbside pickup with black earth. >> I don't care what they do. They do curbside pickup. The >> trans and then we would see a reduction in the tonnage or whatever what I guess we monitor that every month. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, ideally, we'd see if we get a 100, we'll see about a 25 ton
reduction. If we get 200, we see a 50 ton reduction. That's what we're hoping for. 25 to 50 tons per year for the foreseeable future. >> I think, you know, sometimes people have to hear things in multiple different ways. And so, our goal is to if we get a mandate to be able to keep focusing on
and bringing it up in different ways and making it easy for people to do this. And I think that you then start I started weighing my food waste. It's like oh my god but I compost but you know it's just sort of interesting get people kind of aware of it and thinking about it and I think we'll probably
build up some momentum with you know with some time. >> Okay >> Laura I know you had reached out to me and I appreciate that and and I had asked you a number of questions which you got back to me. I shared those uh responses with the select board, but one of the things I asked was really how
much you think that the savings are going to you know and and I that was a surprising savings. >> There are no savings to this. >> The cost basically will depend upon the balance of home composting where we'd save money uh curbside pickup we save a lot of money or uh if it goes to the
transfer station. Currently black earth pickup is more expensive than solid waste by a factor of two. The bottom line, if all hundred folks chose to bring it to the transfer station, it's going to cost $2,500 per year. TAC has agreed to to cover that the first year
out of its RDP funds. Um, if it 200 folks all did that, again, no home composting, no curbside, then it would be $5,000. Um our our thought is that we'll cover the first year or two and then if you know if we're very successful and all of a sudden 500,000
families are doing it, which we hope to get to some point, we we'd bump up the sticker fee by5 or $10 and cover it because every $5 a sticker fee is almost $10,000 now, >> right? But so the the transfer station will be covered. So if I'm taking my organic waste to the transfer station,
that's already in my sticker price at the moment, but that could raise over time. If I was one of the few people, but it's a I think it's actually growing the number of people who are having home deliver. >> Seven curbside >> curbside >> well can go up
>> now. So people could share, neighbors could share, you know, but but I'm just asking if So I I do and this is not a scientific study, but I do think that some of the new residents I've seen who've moved into Carlile rather than opting for the transfer station are
having, you know, bins out. I've seen bins and plate driveways that I haven't, you know, >> are those two opposite each other. He's my neighbor. I know both. It's like these are young. I'm seeing more of them. And so I'm just wondering those people are going to pay more. So they're
going to pay $35 a month more for pickup essentially. Is that right? >> No, it's it's $20. It's about $20 a month. >> 20. I just want to understand >> I'll tell you why you might do it. Unfortunately, I'm in a half a town that's not served, so I can't get the curbside pickup. Tell you why I would do curbside pickup. If you do curbside
pickup, you can, for a small additional fee, have them pick up Home Depotized bags of leaves. My wife hates leaves and so I throw them in the woods right now, but I'd love to be able to get rid of 20, 30 bags of leaves every year. And if you're a Black Earth customer, you can do that. >> They also will give you bags.
>> They give you stickers. You buy them for a few dollars sticker, you put them in the home, and they and they haul it away with your your compost. >> Okay. And and the other question I mean there were a number of questions I asked but was as far as the state you you've referenced the state ban in this and I was just curious as to why that was
important in this select board initiative or >> well I think we're using it as a persuasion tool >> I think it will happen >> long last >> because landfills are filling up and they are shipping a lot to other states. I mean I think it will happen. I mean it
it certainly helps us think about how to move forward and that it is inevitable at some point. But I don't think that is why necessarily why the select board would board would be choosing to do it now. I mean, yes, if the ban goes into effect
at some point and we already have something in place, it will be a lot easier. It will be a positive experience. It will be good. But that's not reason enough necessarily to say, well, we're going to do it today. I mean, I think we're doing it today for all the things you read about and I can send you
articles, you know, about what's going on with incineration and all that stuff. >> Okay. So, I'm when I ask all these questions, I'm in total agreement with the goals here in terms of reducing organic waste, even setting tangible goals of 5% or 200 households, whatever
the right somewhat attainable metric is that that we can publicize. I think where I where I have an issue is and even with the word mandate, I feel like it's you say it's a positive word. To me as a as a resident, it feels like a negative word of like you're telling me
what to do. And this at the end of the day is a voluntary program that relies on people being going through extra effort, enthusiasm, and voluntarily complying. and and to me the best way to do that and I know you've tried things and I know and in reading all the
articles it is very hard to move the needle on this stuff um but I still feel like using a word like banner mandate will not help the cause I think it will only potentially um have an adverse effect on I think you'll get the people that are going to do it anyway will
comply and the people that don't want to do it won't and then I wonder if you're not seeing the results you achieve in a year where do you go from mandate, you know, do you then backtrack and say, well, let's social go and when I look at the different programs and I was looking
carefully at the Bedford program which did a pilot program and their recommendations coming out of that where they did see some meaningful reduction in in the people that did participate. All the recommendations are uh quote success stories, engage residents in educational process, incentivize private
pay uh pay participation, um explore the possibility of a utility credit or rebate for residents. It's all positive incentives, education, outreach, and you said you even used the word a positive community goal. That to me is the language that resonates more.
And as a select board member, I would endorse that language. And I would also endorse the select board in our in our next goal planning session to make this part of our annual goal tied around a tangible um quantitative goal that we can
publicize at the transfer station and we could encourage people to get involved with. I still feel like certainly banned but even mandate to me feels forced. It feels you need to do this. I I honestly don't think the word makes that much difference in terms I think it's going
to work we do to to get the community excited one tell here is two months ago when we came before you you were on the front page of the mosquito okay how many letters to the editor published how many city in the woods people are not you know right whether we use mandate or ban
I don't think makes a difference I mean we'd prefer band-aid but not a big deal >> but the policy >> but I would rather make it a and I had given this feedback earlier of I support something closer option three which is encourage and I would even go so I could I think we could even strengthen that to say it's a goal or an initiative of of
the community to do that and we could make that a select board goal and do the outreach to the schools but to me it still feels like man even though mandate is softer that to me still feels like an imposition or forced and I don't think that'll be ultimately productive
>> I mean we can work with the policy >> yeah I have a comment on this um you know I understand exactly sort of your you know how it how it strikes you or how it comes to you that the word mandate um but I'm thinking about say
for instance the community preservation act you know which was something we um adopted at town meeting but you know every year you don't have a choice as a property taxpayer you are paying you know that 2% into a fund and why did we
choose to do that why did we continue to choose to do that because there are community benefits that we don't um have the ability to fund in in any other way. >> That was also approved by the town, not imposed by the select board.
>> No, no, but but it you know, you don't see people coming forward and saying, well, um let's let's change this because it's been forced on me as a taxpayer. I didn't you know, all the new people that have moved into town, they didn't have a chance to vote on that. My point being, Scott, is that
>> um I I think it's very clear from any number of surveys and what's in the master plan that there is a a um a very significant increase in the popular concern not just in Carla but you know
across the world uh about climate change and this this is a very small bit but it's a small piece piece of saying to people in this community, we the select board feel that it's really important to
exert leadership in this area and we're saying that we we want to see everybody in town doing this and and to say um you know my screen's gone down but you know the the uh encouraging people um the responsible disposal of food waste
that's in essence what what the TAC has been doing right they've tried in numerous numerous ways and you know it didn't come directly from the select board but um you know there's been a lot of public discussion publicity you know
individual outreach uh I just think as a select board member that we are at a time when we should be unless we don't think it's a significant concern that we as a select board should
be behind our town reducing its carbon footprint, however you want to describe that. You know, if we think that is important and you're saying, "Yeah, we could make it a goal of the select board, then why is a goal stronger than a mandate?" No,
it's not. It's saying we would like to get there, but it's not saying we want as a town for all of us to get there. So anyway, I'm I'm obviously supportive of um moving ahead as a select board to
support a mandate. >> Barney, to your analogy though, the CPC funds, those are tax funds. So there is a a stick behind that. You know, if you don't pay the CPC fund in, it's you're
not paying your taxes. And >> yeah, but I mean, but Travis, come on. We we impose taxes all day long. We don't have a He's well he's arguing that it's an unfunded mandate. >> Everything we do, we impose all kinds of stuff when we make decisions about whether to build a fire station or
whether to pay for sustainability day. We are imposing tax on the people. We are saying we believe it and therefore we're packing it in the budget and you taxpayer got to pay. We're elected to tell you that. So it's completely disingenuous to separate this little piece out from all the other stuff we do
on an economic basis. Now, his argument I think is okay. I mean, it's a reasonable argument to say a carrot or a stick, but the financial argument is a BS argument. I'm sorry. >> I'm well there's a stick is what I'm saying. >> Everything we do has a stick to it.
That's what I'm saying. To single this one out is silly. So, I wouldn't make that argument. I think the argument that I think is resonant is whether we would whether we would do better psychologically holistic if we were gentle and encouraging or whether we use
the B- word or the M word. Right. >> I agree with with Barney, but I don't but I can see >> Scott's argument and >> and when I look at other programs, that's what I see in terms of the recommendation. I don't see put a mandate, put a ban in place. I see these other >> That's a reasonable debate to have. So
that leads me to believe if those other tactics were successful or effective, why don't we see them more? >> Vermont is working. >> The what's the language around recycling again? You said it's not stipulated recycling. What is the language around
recycling? I mean that's achieved >> state statute around state law is called a solid waste ban. Vermont's uh >> 85% comply which is not We'd be pleased as punch if we had 85% compliance with the solid food waste. Right.
>> Absolutely right. Yeah. >> Eventually. Yeah. >> I mean Vermont offers the same things we offer which is that people have places they can take their food waste for no cost and that's a big factor in in the capacity with a lot of towns in Massachusetts.
>> And if I could speak just briefly, Vermont is a ban. It's a statewide ban. We bring it up because there are a lot of communities in Vermont that are more like Carlile operating with a transfer station uh as contrasted with Hamilton. But the um uh but it is a ban. It has
the thou shalt not impact to some uh but but there's also a public policy statement that it is driven by uh you know by by voluntary uh participation in uh in the goals of the band. So, so, so
yes, yes, we can say that, you know, Vermont is soft on the way it's doing things, but it's starting with a a top- down um statement. >> But did there did the um individual
>> did they do it on a town by town basis? >> Yes. >> And did that follow the statewide ban or precede it? >> Uh I don't know what preceded it quite frankly. >> I mean, one way is to wait till the >> but 2030 I know Governor Healey wheeled
the big stick and then we'll follow up. >> I mean, what I what I'd like to see happen is, you know, I know I know you've tried things. We haven't made this a priority of the select board before. I still prefer the carrot in terms of making it a priority. I mean, I
>> you're already given a carrot. You're just patting people in the back. >> Well, and you know, you're you're you're doing outreach. You're trying to get other other groups involved, including the PTO and the school, and and bring them along. Oh, remind. So, clarify that for me. The school does or they do receive. >> Yeah, I know they're separate.
>> They do, but they do in fact compost, right? Through >> food prep, not the waste from students. >> They aren't talking about the school. They aren't composting cafeteria that kind of fell by the wayside is certain parents and students. Let's fix
>> that's not included in this. Do you not think if we if we made this a goal and we set a goal and and and got the community involved that that there's not some chance of success? >> I think there's a chance >> and that if that doesn't work then we can take the next step of a of a mandate or something. >> Sure.
>> I just I would I would Christine says don't bring up the school but if we use your approach I would absolutely go back to the school say what are you doing get on the wagon. >> Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah, >> but that's up to the school committee and the PTO and whoever to >> come on. And I it's somewhat semantics.
I have a negative reaction to mandate the word and I'm sure there's some portion of the population that does as well. >> Yeah. >> Um so that's that's the semantic part of it. Um, but I mean I would prefer to see it be a goal, be a community goal,
measure it, get people involved, and I again, not necessarily just TAC, select board, um, the school committee and and use that approach. And if we're not, >> we do have the support of the ESC as I know you have I see Christina and Eric
here as well. And if we're not seeing any improvement and we're not seeing any traction, then we can say maybe we need to ratchet this up. And and I don't know, can we do, you know, we've done non-binding resolutions at town meeting to get town's input on do they support a ban? I mean, maybe the town supports a
ban, but I would want to hear from the town. I haven't heard anything from the town. I've talked to some people about it and I generally get a universally negative reaction to it to be quite honest, but I don't know what the town thinks about this. I suspect >> in terms of what you're proposing, are you proposing the third language or no language at all?
>> No, no, I'm definitely proposing >> language. >> The third option. Yeah. >> Yeah. And I would Yeah, I would and I would even strengthen it with mandate, but I personally think we can succeed with the third thing. I mean, that's my opinion. Anyway, >> I'd rather try that as a from a select board standpoint. My preference would be
to take take that tack and if it's not working, >> then we can ratchet it up. >> I don't mean five years from now. I mean, >> let's set a goal of 200 households. Sure. >> So if the select board comes out with something stronger than encourage, but we feel this is you very important and
we want to achieve success or reduce our you know >> we want 200 more households composting >> and so people will read that and what the mosquito or you know it's like oh okay well you know >> no we'll talk to the we'll say this is a select board goal to the school
committees to the different constituents >> schools you have to rely on all the parent volunteers in many ways. I mean, I'm I'm saying that could happen, but that's we've talked a lot about >> I don't think mandate is going to >> the school wouldn't they're not doing much right now about sustainability in
general. We'd like to see him have a a paid position for a teacher to manage this an environmental club that may help us in 2028. Not going to help us 226, 2027, but they should be doing all of that. Absolutely. >> I agree. >> Yeah, >> I agree. >> I don't disagree with it's all about the wording and the tactic versus the goals.
>> So, I don't know. I mean, I I would like for us to at least endorse one of these >> tonight and and because I think the black earth thing is a is a good thing. >> My preference would be >> the third option with a commitment that and we can we can talk about this in the
in the planning session that we make this one of our select board goals in 2026 >> and we can have our own wording behind it >> and and set set our own goals, you know, take you off the hook a little bit. Um, but I think it's us taking a little more ownership than we have in the past and
driving it. And maybe that works and maybe it doesn't. I know it's been really tough to get people to do this nationwide, but I would prefer we try that. And then if not, then you can bring out the stick. >> But that's my view. >> Travis, Christine, Arie, I know.
>> I think we could probably do a lot to clean up our act with what we dispose of. Um, you're right. Most people don't appreciate being told what to do, but it would probably carry more force. So, u I was actually okay with their their suggested wording. Um, >> which one?
>> The first one. I actually was um you know, I it is true. It's it's not enforceable. So, that that is kind of a it carries no teeth. So, when what's the purpose of a mandate with no teeth? Um, but there is a lot more that we can do. In fact, when we read the statistics of
all the towns, we have the most waste. We're I mean we are clearly not a very neat bunch. So >> big houses with a lot of waste. >> Yeah. So we we need to clean up our our footprint for sure. Um yeah, >> Travis.
>> Oh, I generally would feel like you that I think a s a goal but this, you know, a stepped approach to this would make I think more sense. David, >> I line up with Barney, but it's more important to me to have a unanimous vote
than a 3-2 vote. So, I would support yours >> if everybody else got behind it. >> Is it important that we're unanimous? >> To me, it is. >> Oh, well, for something like this, >> you don't want to suck. >> You know, it's >> they suck. That implies division. It's
not a good thing. Trust me. Just don't >> Well, but you also >> It implies that we didn't resolve it enough within us. We're five. They were a tight bunch. >> Yes. >> I mean, I believe in town government. I'll say this because, you know, I'm on the way out. Like, I believe in town government really strongly. And what one of the things that makes it work really
well is when you have a cohesive committee that's worked together and understands each other, which I believe we have. And so, you got to give a little to get unanimous support. So, >> yes, >> I support Scott's version. >> Okay.
>> Okay. All right. We're beyond our time. Um, does someone want to make a motion? >> Sure. >> I move that we adopt option three, which says in anticipation of the state's ban to residential food waste from the solid
waste stream, the select board effective April 22nd. >> Are we okay with April 22nd or do you want to change it? >> Well, we can make this if it's this one. I think we can do it >> effective April 22nd. Yeah, why not? >> Yeah, this one. I mean, we switched to July 1. encourages residents to
responsibly dispose of all food waste and stop disposing it in the solid waste bin at the transfer station. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Further discussion or deliberation? Well, I wonder if we could add um
something to the effect of um and that this will be a and I know it easy for me to say because I'm not going to be on the board, but something about it'll be uh part of the goal setting uh for the select board for 2026. >> I was going to say that not as part of
the motion, but I would commit to being a proponent of that being a goal for the select board. Obviously, that'll have to be voted on by the select board, but I will personally be a proponent of that, >> but I don't think we should include it in the motion. >> Okay. How about you, Tra? >> You can't bind the >> Would you be a proponent?
>> Yeah, I want to reduce waste at the transfer station. I think that's an important I mean, we we absolutely should >> and it's good for the environment, too. I just I think it's about the the how we do this more than than the actual thing itself, >> which is just good to have the public,
you know, commitment. Sure. >> Um, and you're good on that, Christine. Yeah. Great. >> That's three votes for the for the goal setting. >> It's a majority. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, we have any further discussion or deliberation. >> Let's do a voice vote. All in favor of
the motion say I. >> I. Opposed. >> Motion passes. So, thank you very much. I very much appreciate all the work >> Yeah. >> to get to this point and all the work you've done and >> this will be a priority for next year. So, thank you. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Absolutely. Thanks for your
consideration. >> All right, for the work. >> We are moving on to finalize and sign the annual town meeting warrant. We're going to open that with a discussion. I understand Wayne is out there in the internets. Um discussion with Wayne about is that his little
>> He's the flower. Sorry, I was looking for you, Wayne. I didn't recognize you. Um >> so I let that go a little bit long. But um we're going to have discussion with Wayne, the town moderator about town meeting logistics. So, if we can begin with that. >> So, um I'm not quite sure what
um in particular you um you need to know about. Um we're starting the main thing for the public to know is that uh though we've experimented with some Sunday afternoons and uh personally I hope we
will go back to that for a variety of reasons. it didn't make sense this spring. So, uh, you, the select board, scheduled for Monday evening, May the 18th. And the important thing to know is that we're going to have a 600 p.m.
start rather than what we used to have, I believe, 6 p.m., somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but we're earlier than the usual 700 p.m. that we had done in the past, >> right? uh in part to um address the concerns of
people who wanted to get in and vote on the budget and the important financial articles and if they had to get back and put kids to bed, they could do that. Um and the other logistical thing, something that we introduced last year and that people seem to appreciate is
that we're going to get down to business right away. And so, uh, the budget and some of the most important financial articles will be coming up front in the warrant rather than starting with just the housekeeping stuff. And it's half an hour until we really get down to the
meat of the meeting. >> Okay. Ryan, was there anything >> I don't know if there are any other questions or Ryan, there are particular things you thought I ought to address? >> Nope. you did have some concerns about the solicitation bylaw, which I know
we're going to discuss tonight. Just wanted to make sure you're going to be comfortable with that process. And then we have some some numbers to discuss in terms of what goes on the warrant, what doesn't uh for CPA articles, but we've fully vetted the the warrant with with town council. We're
down to just your your recommendations and opinions at this point. >> Ours being the select board, you not Wayne's. Yes. So, not exactly logistics, but just on the solicitation by law. Um, and I haven't seen the very
latest draft of the warrant. I saw the one last week. Um, but my concern from a couple of weeks ago was that we didn't have the full text or the correct text of the proposed uh the actual bylaw
language. Um, but that um, correct me if I'm wrong, Ryan, but I believe that your current draft of the warrant now does have the full text of the bylaw language in. And so if that's in and you're talking about it and um, you know, the
public is aware of it, then that that takes care of the only concern I had about that particular um, uh, warrant article. And we have gotten public feedback on that bylaw and some changes have been incorporated based on that feedback. So good.
>> Yep. >> Who's speaking to it? And Madola >> at town meeting. Yeah. It'll either be >> me or the chief. Most likely the chief. >> I Well, we're not we're still on We're talking about town meeting though, not the actual right
>> solicitation by law. Okay. Was there anything Wayne? Do you have any sense? We we've been discussing do we think this will be a one night meeting or multiple nights? We'll plan for two, but do you have a sense of that on your end? >> Um uh
>> part of the reason we started at six. >> I honestly don't. You're well you you have uh your fingers a lot closer to the political pulse of Carlile. Um, and uh, so I mean I don't I don't I don't see
anything on the warrant um, that has me particularly concerned that we'll be debating something for 90 minutes, but um, you have better insight uh, on that than I do. >> Wayne, are you are you uh, one question just came to mind with regard to any potential amendments that might be
brought forth? Are you using the same um approach as at the special town meeting? Do people need to submit those in advance or is it um being handled as in previous town meetings to that?
>> Oh, you know that is a a great question. um the the I would I would like to do that on these um bylaw uh amendments. Um, I I think
that that's that in particular is a sound procedure because the the language um uh the language matters and having the opportunity for um the proposing board
or committee, you know, in in the case of the solicitation bylaw be you. In the case of the uh zoning um bylaw amendment, it would be the planning board uh to have the the proposing board itself have the opportunity to review
the language. Sometimes the language is an improvement. Um and if they accept it and you know incorporate it into into the actual motion that's made on the floor, it's more efficient and also you have the opportunity for uh thorough
legal legal review. So, I think it's a sound procedure um uh for both efficiency and for good decision making, but I only want to do that on a bylaw where we have the precise language published in in the warrant. Um other
other warrant articles where the precise language is um often less less critical. I I'm reluctant to put too many um new rules or constraints on people uh coming to the meeting and saying, "Well, I have
a better idea." >> Okay. So, procedurally that'll be communicated to anybody. >> And how does that get out to people? Um there it strikes me that um we probably ought
to put some sort of note um in the uh in the published warrant um and and also uh in the various other uh communication communications that we do the podcasts um
uh letters to the mosquito things like that. I think we can we can highlight that for folks. >> And and do we have a date? What was it? Two was it was it a week prior or >> what? Yeah. What did we do last time? >> Lead time. Remember
>> there was a deadline? I think it was >> Yeah, we had it. It it was about a week for the special um >> MBTA >> town meeting. Um and I think um what
given that you'll have this this warrant will be published what with within a week from today right >> is that the plan uh Ryan >> be published tomorrow >> it's seriously >> it's you know I think a week a week
deadline is you know still >> people have had three weeks to figure it out um >> to to me that I think that's that's adequate. We could we could we could probably go shorter if if you wanted, but um
uh you know it's certainly if it if it's in the Monday if we say 5:00 p.m. the the preceding Monday then um you know if anyone want if any of the boards or committees need to schedule a last minute meeting there's plenty of time
for them to post a meeting and you know arrange for it to happen. Uh otherwise they can handle it at a if if as you do you know post a meeting um for the the day of the uh of the town meeting it can
be handled that way. >> Brian, did you say the warrant or the motions? Which one? >> The warrant. >> Yeah, that'll be posted tomorrow. >> Okay. Um I just I'll have a couple of little changes on the dates the terms of the
CPA grants. So I can I can type them up and send them to you right now if that's okay. >> We're gonna go through it. You're gonna go. >> You want me just give it to you then? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Anything else for Wayne? >> Any other I I don't have anything else
uh logistically. Um I think some of the main um you know we've had a a number of larger procedural changes that we put in place over the last couple of meetings. Um, so this this year it's more of a
consolidation and um getting getting into a routine. >> Good. Great. Yeah. I'll just say uh this Wayne reaches out to the staff, coordinates all of us. Uh we have very productive meetings. It's nice to work um with Wayne and the staff on this. So
>> just wanted to make sure that you didn't have anything else for town meeting the select board needed to discuss. >> Great. >> Appreciate it. Thank you, Wayne. >> Okay, I'll um I'll turn off my camera
and uh I'll try to stay available just in case as you're going through if any um anything pops up on one of the articles that you feel like you need my input. I hopefully I'll still be connected on Zoom and I I can tap back in as needed.
>> Great. >> Thank you. Okay, now we're going to discuss some of the contents and the actual warrant itself. And I wanted to start with a discussion of the classification and wage plan. And included in the packet is
a uh a timeline that I I put together um of the question of the health director title. Um, and the reason that we're we're spending a few minutes on this tonight is um just to surface an issue that exists that needs to be corrected.
And it's it's been a point of discussion um between the staff and the various boards. And I just wanted to um highlight the timeline overall and just surface some of the some of the information just so it's all out there and people understand um the history, how we got here and how we're going to
fix it. So, um, in the pack and I'm just going to run through the the timeline, uh, briefly, and I know Dave Ericson is here from the board of health, uh, to provide additional commentary and answer any questions we have. Um, but going back to April 28th of 2025, the the
board of health approved the title change for the health agent and they approved the change from health agent to health director. There was no change in wage. It was a title change only. And the board of health believed that they had the authority to do that and they
did not. And the um title was also not included in the fiscal 25 or fiscal 26 uh town approved salary and wage table which means that essentially ultimately all the titles and wages in town have to be approved by the town. And in the
interim there's a process by which you can get interim titles approved and and that wasn't done. Um, and then fast forward, it wasn't caught. So, it it wasn't included in the salary and wage table at that town meeting, nor was it brought up in the special town meeting.
And then in January, when our health agent or health director, Linda Fantasia, she announced her public retirement publicly and the at that time the board of health formed a search committee and began the process to fill the position. The position being health director, the title. >> Right. Yeah. Yeah. She was right.
>> Right. So then between January 22nd and February 11th and I just include those dates just to give people a sense of the the tight time frame that things were operating under um the position was advertised. A search committee was formed um that included our um HR
director and some people outside of the board of health. That process surfaced um Kelly is it pronounced Kao? Kelly Kao >> Ko >> Ko sorry it surface C Kelly who was unanimous recommendation of the search
committee. Um she interviewed with uh the board of health and ultimately the board of health authorized the chair to give her the the job offer of health director for Carlile. Um the offer letter was sent and it signed. Um and then subsequent to that there was some
further emails about um to the board of health from the town administrator and the health director about regarding the health director and and the need to approve at town meeting this title. And so um Patrick had emailed both Christine and I um with his
accounting of the timeline which matches this accounting um and also he contacted town council um who recommended approving a town meeting. I also talked to town council independently to see if there's anything the select board should be doing in the interim. His answer was given the proximity to town meeting the
best course of action was to simply include the title in the salary and wage table and have it approved at town and that there was nothing required in the interim. So long story short that recommendation is included in the salary and wage table. Um and that's the ultimate fix that's needed here.
>> Right? So that's the fix. But the root cause is what that there was not enough education. I mean we talk about onboarding and training right but we tend to focus on open meeting law and stuff but don't our boards and committees need to know like the laws
that govern their behavior like wage and class would be any hiring authority board needs to be I mean for the future. Okay, they messed up. But back in 25, I mean, that change should not have been a somebody should have said, "Wait a minute. We got to look at a procedure,
right? Where where where are we with training on that? Where what are we going to do to fix that?" >> I think they were >> There's two pieces missing from this that that I would like to to be clear from staff. So, this was discussed in 2024 and 2025 with Linda as a position change. So, we were aware that they were
looking at the position change. We were just never invited to the conversation. Did you tell them that it needed your approval? >> Yes. >> And they ignored that. >> I don't know if I want to say ignored, but we were never >> You got to say, Ryan, we can't fix unless we say >> when no one >> Were they informed?
>> I'm not sure how the board of health communicates. >> Okay. >> I want to give Dave Ericson. I see your hand raised. The second the second thing was on January 20th, we sent an email to the board of health asking them to discuss this position when we knew Linda was retiring to make
sure that we went over job descriptions and other items. So this was well before the process started in order to try to alleviate some of these concerns. So I don't think that the staff isn't informing boards is we don't have the authority to assist in HR in in boards
that have their own HR authority. >> They still have to follow town policies, >> but we can't make them as staff. >> I see Dave, you have your hand raised. I want to give you the chance to to answer to that. As I recall, and I don't have everything right in front of me, but as
I recall, before we changed Linda's title to health director, we checked with town council to see if indeed we had the authority to do that. And the town council said we did have the authority to do that, which is why we did it. Uh, >> Dave, that's not reflected in your
minutes. >> You're saying in April of last year, >> I believe that we had the minutes that we were going to check. Uh, no. It wasn't April of It was the previous me, I believe. Uh, I believe in the minutes we were going to have,
uh, Patrick check with town council, which he did. And, um, perhaps I neglected to put it in the minutes, but, uh, I recall the report was the town council said we did indeed have the authority to do that. So, we did we did that at the next meeting
>> and the town council uh on a followup in March, you know, had looked did a review of the bylaws and and confirmed to to both ourselves and Patrick that it wasn't authorized and that's at the same >> Okay. Well, that that's fine, but at the time we did it, we thought we had the
authorization. Uh so I I certainly would like to get this cleaned up and so if we can get the and put it on the uh on the uh bring it before the the town meeting uh it would be good. Then there will be no
disagreement because >> what >> it is a little distressing. I I I do feel very strongly that Linda deserved the title of health director. Uh and of course we hired Kelly uh for
the position of health director. So getting every all the all the uh tees crossed and eyes dotted uh I think that would be a great thing. >> Yeah. But I want to distinguish between corrective action which we'll take and clean it up and root cause fix to make sure it doesn't happen
again. So David, to your point, >> it's very important to me that that it's clear that Aubrey did articulate to the board of health that this did need to be classified and she was told that essentially that they were going to do that >> they were going to do that. How?
>> So So when did uh when did Audrey >> just I'm sorry just to finish. So so Aubrey did try to classify this correctly. So it wasn't it wasn't the staff saying hey we don't know or whatever. We we clearly articulated the process that need to be done here. Whether or not the appointing authority follows that
process, we don't have any control over, but we we did make it very clear. >> We say we have no control, but we have rules. We have bylaws and we have we have rules and whether or not they're elected or appointed is irrelevant. Appoint officials of the town, you, us,
the board of health, anybody else has to follow the rules. What mechanism do we have to make sure they're following the rules and enforce those rules? Otherwise, you got a wild wild west. I mean, >> that's true. >> We got to have rules. We can't have people deciding on their own. I'm even not that comfortable with boards just
going willy-nilly to town council, but >> you know, you got rules and you need training and you need to rules, not to the not to the select board. >> So, we are in a somewhat different position than other boards and and there was an attempt at the last town meeting
to change that. It was overruled. Uh so we are a little different than other boards. Nevertheless, I we would certainly like to work uh to make sure everybody is happy with the result. >> So one one thing that's clear to me to your point about how do we avoid this? We know how to fix this particular
issue. How do >> this one? I get >> how do we how do we avoid this issue going forward especially as boards begin to turn over and aren't as familiar with the discussions in the past and >> and I had mentioned um I had a conversation with Aubrey and and and one thought I had was I know one of the challenges we've had when when we were
doing the TA bylaw each each independent board is supposed to designate their HR rep that hasn't necessarily happened and so I think we need to put a tighter process on that when a when we start a new board we should have a literally a form that's like signed off by that board that lists the responsibilities
and and designates that person. I don't know >> person on the board to be >> on the board and we know it's been approved by that board. >> So can we force an independently elected board to fill out that form? So the question is if they don't appoint that person you
know what do you know do they not have access to the posting board like what is the what is the remedy at least we can I do think we have to remind people what the responsibilities are >> right >> I think it's I think education is is important so um while I've heard Mr. Mr.
Ericson say before that the board of health reports to the state. That's true for the regulatory authorities that are assigned to the board of health, but the elected officials of any town report to the voters and the voters in Carlile through bylaw have dictated how local policies should should be followed. And
town council very clearly has articulated that um because the board of health has reporting requirements from the state doesn't mean that they're exempted from HR policy. >> I mean, >> okay. Well, uh I don't believe the board of health is going to be appointing anyone in the near future. Uh, as I say,
I would like to get this corrected. I'm sure everyone else on the board of health would like to get it corrected. Well, so I think it's great that it's going before >> Dave, I'm this is Barney and I just wanted to ask you specifically though um
the information that you were given uh about the correct process to follow on this. Why why did the board of health not follow it? Why why wasn't there the you know working with our HR director to
do this appropriately? >> So So Linda Fantasia I was just checking and of course this was announced during her retirement. She was hired in 1986. Uh I presume although I couldn't verify this that she was hired in the position of health agent. So she had been in the
same position for nearly 40 years. How many people work in any company and never get a promotion? >> That's irrelevant. >> I mean, if nothing else, it strike strikes me that that there was >> Dave, I'm I I understand your point, but I don't think that's not really what I'm
asking. I'm asking if the information that um the board of health received um you know prior to um starting the process of um interviewing and hiring a new uh health agent, health director,
all that information was provided to you to the board of health. And so I'm I'm just trying to figure out why the board of health didn't follow the procedure. >> I believe Aubrey Thomas was was on the on the selection committee on the
interview committee >> and she made recommendations. >> We were working with the town, >> Mr. Eric. She made recommendations to you and was told to stay in her HR lane. >> So, >> okay. Well, I didn't >> she helped you with the >> I mean, I'm not sure who said that.
I I mean it is true that I I and if I had been talking to her, I believe that the the board of health is responsible for hiring their their employees. So >> I don't know what her comment was that
that where she >> I I think and I don't want to I don't want to speculate but I don't think the entire board of health had the full picture >> of what well anyway look >> so I don't and there's yeah >> we have our we have our issues with the board of health alluded to some of the
bad blood from before. I get it. So we're done. But going forward and I don't care if it's a board of health, school board, library, I don't care. It's really important that we establish some kind of system whether it's a training a form that we check off does I
mean the health agent director if she goes on a conference I presume she fills out an expense report. >> Is that true? >> Yes. >> And she can't make up like a charge right she has to follow the rules we lay down about expense reports. >> Yes. >> So this is like that like we have rules
and you follow rules. I know I know this doesn't sound factual, right? It sounds charged, but I will tell you that every single board in every single department follows HR policy except for the board of health. So, I don't think this is a townwide policy. >> Okay. But is it they follow I mean, is
it willful or lack of training? >> We we can't ask him that because they're >> Well, he's right here. Ask him is it willful or lack of training, David? >> They're an elected body. >> Well, I don't know. So, so what HR policy I mean there was some disagreement perhaps uh about what
position we should be hiring from for uh so I will grant that uh what HR policy were we otherwise not following >> well the town bylaw >> unfortunately because of HR policy I can't I can't just talk about different
policies that were were not followed but I but I can say for sure that the board of health believes Is there an independent HR authority that does not always need to operate within the the policies set forth by the town? >> Honestly, I think you need to go to the
state. I don't think you put up with this as a town. I think you got if you if you really feel that way, I'd say go to the state to the wherever the board of health reports up to and say tell us state what policies we put in place that
that board needs to follow. Please tell us that in writing. Well, well, you say that that we did not follow the policies and now grant that perhaps we had disagreement on the title, but you won't tell me what policy it is that >> Well, we'll find that out. >> So, I have difficulty answering it.
>> No, that's the you know, I mean, town council was clear about the bylaws and policies that were not followed and and Patrick, to his credit, acknowledged that the board of health did not have the authorization and then they did it anyway. and he and he promptly
>> he promptly emailed both Christine and I with a timeline and said and and contacted town council um and said you know we need to fix this. So I why there was a gap of that time I don't know if they were given bad information >> which our HR director said you're not
following and was told to stay in line. I mean okay fair enough. I mean listen this is I don't want to this is a waste of time right now but I honestly believe if you feel that there is any board that is not following the procedures that we
believe are properly all boards need to follow elected or appointed then we should go to the state authority and get it in writing. You either do or do not have to follow these rules including bylaws and get it in writing. I mean, if we have to do it
that way, it's kind of stupid, but >> are are you saying that to me? >> Yes, I am absolutely saying that to you. >> So there there is no state board that does that. So the only people that the board of health answer to are the residents of Carile, >> right? >> No, they report up to something. Don't they always win? >> Only for health regulation,
>> state department of health >> because they're elected, >> they only >> there's got to be some there is town meeting and the voters. It's one of the problems with HR law is that if you if you don't want to follow as an elected official, you don't have to.
>> Dave, it sounds like Okay, so at one point um about a year ago, your board was told by Linda that you have the authority to promote her. I mean, just in general as a board,
one might see a conflict of interest there, right? She's she's suggesting that, you know, of course you have the opportunity to promote me. And then when given contrary information
by Aubrey, you chose to believe your own employee. I mean, I I get, yes, we all rely very heavily on our town staff, but it just seems like there should have been a little more factchecking. >> Okay. Well, I would agree with you. Uh I had thought I mean, I don't recall
exactly who it was. it may well have been Linda that we'd asked to talk to the town council and she reported back to us that the town council said whoever it was whether it was Linda or Patrick and I I can't say that I remember for sure but somebody said that they did indeed
>> the the minutes the minutes >> and you're right you're right trusting Linda to report accurately what the town council said there should be some question whether that was wise or not you're right >> the minutes say that Patrick took the action
to go talk to town council. And at least as far as the minutes record, he didn't do that until January, let's call it March. Yeah. So, it's some span of time past for sure. Almost a year. Okay. So, I hear you. The
past is the past. We'll make it right at town meeting. But in the future when town staff comes to the board of health and says that something is required or needs your attention, we would expect that due attention be paid
and I would agree with that for I mean certainly things like HR issues I mean any anything that involves inappropriate action or anything like that we certainly want to follow. Who who on the board of health currently, Dave, has
sort of HR responsibilities? Who will be reviewing Kelly's performance at the end of the year? Who's responsible for signing that off and handing in a form to town? >> Likely be the one. I mean, assuming he's still chairman, he will he will be the one. I mean, basically,
uh, we all have the opportunity to to report uh, our perception of how things are, but Patrick's the one who in the past has actually sat down with Linda or or the the health agent or health director. >> Does your board not rotate the chair
role? >> Uh, we don't have a rule. No. Uh, I think Patrick has been chair for the last two years, I think. longer than that. >> Yeah, longer than that. Okay, >> that's up to you guys. Just just so long as somebody is filling out the performance evaluation and getting it
back into town hall. When I was doing that as leazison to board of health, >> we proposed I proposed I proposed to the board of health on behalf of the select board that they adopt the policy we have which is a open meeting performance
evaluation and the mechanism we adopted of how to do that and all this and that and in that meeting the one meeting we had on it I think was pretty categorically rejected as not workable not right lots of reasons why no So we
did present a form of that to them and they said that won't work for us. We're not going to do it that way. We don't believe in it. So they've gone to I think I guess the chair sits with the health now director and I don't know
what work product comes out but to my understanding there's no goal setting. I don't know if there's any metrics. Now, again, and I understand David's point, like you have a 40-year employee who's been around much longer than any of the staff. Now, you have a brand new employee. There is a chance, and I would
encourage the board of health to be proactive and set it up the way like we run the rest of our government, >> right? Set rules. set rules, set protocols, and and consider an open EVAL because that is if you're going to step up to director
like superintendents get evaluated in open meeting and town administrators get evaluated in open meeting. That's kind of >> Have you guys set goals yet, Dave? >> Uh, as I say, Patrick has been been doing the the reviewing, so I I'm not
actually sure what he's been doing. I would encourage >> I don't recall having a meeting to actually specifically set goals. I mean, in general, we've been pretty happy. We've been happy with with what Linda had been doing. Uh, you know, basically things seem to be
running pretty smoothly. Now, you're right. We now have a new employee. So, I think that it's this is a good time to to perhaps evaluate our procedures and and see how they can be improved. And I I also I would recommend that you not
it's beneficial to have the entire board involved in that. Um it minimizes bias. It it it it maximizes transparency. Um that's true of any board or any chair. Um that process, the evaluation process,
goal setting should all be involving the full board. Um and I think that's that would be a strong recommendation is that the board of health adopt that approach. Yeah. >> I mean, two years ago, I think we all did write our view of how Linda was doing. I don't know that we did the last
the last time. So, that we gave our input to Patrick and then let Patrick do the review, but we're not actually involved in the final review, but okay. I think that's a fair point and and uh we should uh it's something that we should discuss.
>> And I don't want to belabver this, but I do think we should um working with Aubrey, I do think we need to put in some safeguards going forward to ensure that a these independent boards have actually designated officially and we know it's been voted on an HR
representative and b that there's a at least every year as part of that process there's a review of the policies and bylaws andor responsibilities that they are responsible for as elected officials. I I think if we don't have
that thing, I think it should all be part of the same thing. It'll force >> the discussion at least and the visibility and then on the other side of the table, we'll have the piece of paper that says this is our person because I think part of the confusion too was >> what's what is the goal? What is the
board voted on and endorsed versus an individual? And so there's it can just get um confusing there, >> right? So I do think there's some process things we'll look at going forward to the benefit of all boards, independent boards, but in this case um
the remedy is to update the wage and classification. >> Okay, we got it. >> And I will say I met with Kelly, our new health director. >> Y >> and great meeting, very excited about um her perspective and I've heard nothing but good things. So
>> great. >> So So who's speaking right now? >> This is Scott. Oh, okay. >> Yes. No, and I know uh I know Kelly's met with Ryan and relations there so far seem to be good. So, >> uh
>> she was great. And I know I know the selection committee and the board of health all had very strong things to say about her. So, we're excited to have her. >> Good. Good. So, are we >> all right? Can we move on? >> I will say that that was part of the
that was part of the issue. uh we didn't want to allow the process of hiring a replacement get too drawn out and Kelly did appear to be the ideal candidate. I mean I will have to say uh the board was
very concerned about what would happen if Linda left and and there was no one to replace her. So we did feel that we were under some pressure to try to hire someone fairly quickly. >> Okay. So with that let's move on. Thank
you, Dave. Um, let's move on to the other items to be discussed um as part of the uh town warrant. Did you want to talk about the the canvasing and solicitation bylaw next? >> Yes. So, logistically at town meeting, Aubry is going to present the changes to
the waging classification plan and then the board of health can or cannot present the change of the health director and then that that would be voted on as a article. So, in the um in the warrant that we have got today,
is there is is that already showing the change for the health director? >> Correct. >> So, that would be you're saying it would be highlighted in some way to indicate that this is a change that the town has to approve. >> There's and there's several of those.
>> Yeah. Every year we we show all the changes to the wing classification. >> Yeah. No, I know. But I'm just saying um >> these all the bold ones are >> are changes. Okay. >> So the thinking was Aubrey would typically give a brief this is normally
part of the consent agenda and I think just given for the issue of transparency and visibility that we break this one out. Aubrey can speak to these um these other title changes and then um the board of fellow can speak to the health
director title change briefly if we want to do that >> I think that makes sense. >> Yeah. Do you have any questions about There's a bunch in there that I'm not familiar with. >> Yeah. No, I wasn't familiar with either, but um
>> there's a lot of Well, I think it's important, you know, given all these changes that we do at least take a minute to explain this to the town. We're making kind of a big deal out of this right now. And even myself being guilty, someone that's been involved in town for 15 years, I never give much thought to this thing. And you can see where it's
>> right >> everyone needs a little reminder of that. This actually is important, >> right? >> Yeah. And Aubrey's here if if you have any detailed questions, but the significant changes are the reclassification of DPW positions as we presented to you last meeting talking
about the different certification levels and then by moving the entire facilities department onto the town wage plan. All of those positions now show up. So it looks like a lot of bold positions, but it's really from those two large moves. >> Okay. Yeah.
>> Okay. All the facilities positions used to be in the school HR plan and now they're on the towns. So they're just moving over there. There's no new positions. They're just now on the town side. >> Okay. >> And then just for clarity, the health dire the health agent and the health director are both grade 11.
It's not a change in grade there. >> I thought I saw something in the Wasn't there something in the packet about a change? >> No, they did. There was no change in wage. I thought we hired the new health director at a significantly higher salary
>> at the top of that scale. It was It's still grade 11. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Do you want to talk about solicitation? >> Uh so there's a few things we need to accomplish with the warrant tonight. Uh there's a couple outstanding recommendations to include the ZBA
amendment, the ZBA bylaw amendment, the solicitation bylaw. I want to talk to you about the fire station and then there's some CPA comments. Um and then review the entirety of the warrant if if you so choose. >> Got 10 minutes. >> All right. I'm going to I'm going to go
through what I think would be relatively quick and then stop where we need to. Okay. So, the budget chart that you're used to is now in the warrant and it matches the presentation you got on March 24th with all the facts and figures that were
supported by the finance committee. So, that's article one. Article two, we've included the capital item uh chart per the for the moderator's suggestion to make sure people know what they're voting on. So that is now a set a set item. They won't change much with the motion
>> and they'll be people will speak to them like DPW load somebody will >> present on the big items. >> Oh just on three James and I'm also projecting it here. So James does uh present this and adds >> department heads as necessary. Okay.
Okay. I got it. Okay. >> 35 in the packet. >> Facilities maintenance that includes the the bucket of items under the control of the municipal facilities committee. Yep. >> Okay. So, generally identified but available for all facilities adjustments that are necessary.
>> Okay. The um fire station project. I want to talk to you about this briefly. So, right now we don't have the final number. It's still out to bid. The last number we received is this 17,466,760. That is in the summary for transparency, but that does not need to be there or it could be a different number. Just wanted
to know what you're comfortable with. This is your warrant article. So right now the motion is set for any number. The summary is just explaining it for transparency. >> That number at the moment includes the contingency and all the other little bits and pieces. >> Yeah, that was the recommended number.
>> We've had this issue before about whether to include or not. And if it came in at 19 million, are we doing a disservice? >> This is what this number in the yellow this goes out tomorrow. this gets
published this effectively. >> Yeah. >> And so to Travis's point, you're going to learn some you're gonna get a little more fidelity in the next month or whatever and >> a lot more fidelity. >> Yeah. >> And so that number will change and if it changes by what percent are we
comfortable in pushing it forward? >> That's why I have it highlighted here. >> Yeah. >> So it's right now it's justformational, but it can be it can be leading. So, >> yeah. >> Well, do we have I know it's hard to >> Eric. Eric's raising his hand, too, from the committee.
>> Oh, is he out there? >> Hey, Eric, do you want to say a word on that? >> Uh, just say your name, please. Quick one. >> Uh, this is Eric Balos, uh, Null Farm Road. >> And just as a very quick one, in the recording that we made today for display
on the on the website for the town meeting information, uh, we used the 17.4 for number as as a number that was based on the estimates from the construction documents that was presented to the select board on whatever the meeting date was. That's
how it was framed in that discussion which will probably appear on the Carlile website. Just wanted to let you know that's the number we used and we described it that way. And we also described that we're out for the bid and that we expect higher fidelity, a more
reliable number that will be available at the time of town meeting. >> And it says that in the summary, an updated number based on actual bids. >> Yeah. I mean, I'm not saying we're misrepresenting. I think it's more like, okay, so 10% is 1.75
million. Is that like a upper collar? like I'm looking for some >> Well, I think on the 28th or the meeting after we're going to have to look at the number and say, are we >> okay? Well, we've already said we recommend that. Yeah.
>> Do we want to suspend that and say, >> let me put it this way. We could not move. There's a world where you don't move the article, >> right? If we move the article, I assume we're recommending passage. >> If it comes in 25 million and we're like, whoa, >> then I don't think >> we don't need to handicap it right now.
I don't I don't I don't think we would move the article if if it was so out of whack that we wouldn't recommend it. >> Right. Right. Okay. Fair state. >> Is that fair? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. So, your your your position is that we will in one in the next meeting or the meeting after that but
well before >> the motion before town meeting we'll have a number and we'll be able to decide are we going forward or not >> or there may be remaining unknowns where we're just we just say this is not ready to bring to the town. >> Okay, that's fair. I I accept those, >> but I think it's a binary like do we
>> Right. So, it's not a matter of a certain percentage above or below. It's just a gut check kind of. >> Yeah. I think I think and I think we have to wait to see what comes in. And and also the outcome of the planning board discussions. >> I'm I'm okay with that. They haven't finished that. I thought they were all sorted out.
>> The word million in there. >> Go ahead, Eric. >> One last quick thing is that in that 17.4 24 number. There was a contingency uh that's primarily reserved for surprises during construction. Um but there is a contingency. I don't have that off the top of my head. I'll try
and relay some of that information to you as well as the exact date that we expect the bids back and uh you know another day or two to review them and then could supply you with a better number. >> Yeah. >> Were you saying the word million shouldn't be >> I took it over because that would be
>> Yeah. 70 million million, >> right? We might end up there. >> 17, >> right? >> Million millions >> trillion dollars or something like that. >> So I don't know. I think just leave it in. That's >> as as written minus the million.
>> Minus the million. Correct. >> I would, you know, if I were I mean I think it's silly actually to say >> the estimated cost is 17. I would say 175. Like just because then it's clear it's an estimate. Yeah. Yeah, it >> seems weird if you a very exact precise
number. >> 24 cents, >> right? Exactly. >> Yeah, >> I can put the million >> and I guarantee it's not going to come in at 17,466,7. >> I don't know what the number is, but it won't be that one. Right. >> Um, >> as an engineer, I agree completely.
>> Go ahead. >> As an engineer, I agree completely. >> Significant digits, Rick. >> Okay. Some discussion contingency for final. >> How about what's the uh what's the h
what's the the new thing that they the prediction market one? >> Oh yeah market >> poly market we know the overind >> 17.5 last call. >> Yep. Going boom sold to the man with the
tie. Why are you wearing a blazer today? Oh and >> a tie so I can match your >> four minutes left. Let's keep going. >> All right. uh DPW same concept the number to be decided we may have more information we may not but right now the number is 1.4 4 million. >> Okay.
>> The motion will include that. The town hall borrowing authorization. Um we expect this to be 1.3 million during the motion. >> Can I I'm sorry. I got to go back. >> The the article four and five are both
going to be ballot box >> and six. >> Okay. Go ahead. Sorry. >> But wait, I'm sorry. You said for the DPW there will be a dollar amount in here. There has to be in the motion, >> but it's not in here. No, but I mean in the summary, >> there's a small chance that we have
actual design costs for >> Oh, okay. I see. It's down here at the end. Okay. 1.4 million. Okay. >> Sorry. >> For six. Um, I don't have it in the summary. I can add the 1.3 million if you think that makes sense. >> Um,
>> is that the number it's going to be? >> That's what the MFC probably should. >> Yeah, I think you should. Yeah, >> for consistency. Sure. So these three articles, twothird town meeting vote and a ballot box majority. >> Bot box two3
>> majority. >> Okay. I'm going to blow through the consent agenda. I'm assuming you want a consent agenda. Absolutely. >> You like the town report >> or you have to do it anyway. The elected officials, you got to pay them. You got to pay them. >> That moderator is getting like an enormous amount of money.
>> You still on board? >> Um act the OP. Did you change the >> relatively required? >> Y >> uh spending chapter 90. I'm assuming you still want to do that. All right. PEG. Stopping quickly here. The the demands on PEG are increasing as we look for
projects. So we increase that number to 450,000. Typically it's 100 and it was 250 in the first draft, but now it's 450. >> Where does it come from? >> This comes from your cable payments. >> We don't pay it. >> Well, you might if you have cable you pay. Oh, he'll pay it that way.
>> But it's not it's outside of the town budget, >> but it can only be used for this. So, it's a good thing. So, this is just saying that we can spend that, not that we are. >> But this reflects, you had mentioned the potential project at the school and >> it's at least 50,000 of the school, the police project, which means we'll decrease taxes from that project, which
is good. >> Okay. >> The school is looking at adding a studio to their school for programming. Fire is going to have a community room that we'll be able to use some of this funding for. and the station. >> Nope. It is.
>> You might just want to >> Cory auditorium in the Corey auditorium. >> If you have a if someone for some reason decides to hold this one, it would be good to just have a quick accounting ready to >> we'll have a whole presentation. >> Okay, good. >> Yep. >> Okay. Department revolving funds. There are no requests. Well, there are
increases, but they have been vetted by the finance team as reasonable and the finance committee. Yeah, >> this is just so that no one's capped like the youth commission who continues to see increased participation in their programming. Uh your amendment to the Veterans and Celebrations Committee is just a name
change amending a a L street easement vote from 2020 that is administrative. uh correcting the mistake that we made with the cemetery perpetual fund and the personal property tax exemption
which you were presented uh by the board of assessors. Any any holds? >> We talked quite a bit tonight about article 18 which is the salary and that's incorrect.
>> Article 18. Oh, >> what's what's incorrect? The Oh, I changed everything in my timeline to be consistent with that, which is like what do you call these things? >> Okay. Uh classification plan, we talked about that. The wage plan is reflects
the 2.5% cola. 19 and 20 are your safety committee articles that you talked about at the last meeting. Fully vetted by council to and the safety committee for the appropriate language. I'm going to stop very briefly here. Article 21, lease of municipal property. So, we did receive a bid today from Verizon
Wireless. >> Um assuming that we're going to present it to you at your next meeting, but Verizon Wireless bid 30,000 a year to to lease this this um spot on the poll and increase communication service in town. So, it's a positive development. We're going to present it to you, including um
what it'll look like in the graphics at your next meeting. >> And does that just go in the general fund? >> Yes. >> Cool. under your local receipts. Okay. And now uh canvasing and solicitation bylaw. So this this is in there the language.
It some changes were made based off community input and we degendered it so that it doesn't reference a male police chief. >> And the the big change based on community input was referencing the no solicitors list. So
>> and no trespasses. >> You can be on a list to say no solicitors. So >> people have complained about you or what? How do you get on there? >> You just like I don't >> I don't want anybody coming to the police department and say I want to be on the >> police gives the person you get the permit to do solicitation but you can't go to these people. >> Right. Right. Okay. Right.
>> And apparently that exists today. >> Yes. They disregarded. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh you saw I sent you information about this. The you can't you can't like exempt the the Girl Scouts or the Boy Scouts. Okay. But people have to report
on them in order for this to be a problem. So as long as no one's against selling cookies, you won't see an issue. >> So the Girl Scouts don't need a solicitation permit. >> They do. >> Technically, they would. Y >> they would need it, but you can't say no to it.
>> You can't spe You can't carve them out as a special group without carving. >> You can't not You can't carve them out. They also have to go get one. >> Okay. I see. And then your other question was um this does exempt for first amendment stuff like religious. So
>> so the Jehovah's Witnesses don't need a permit but the Girl Scouts need a permit. >> Yes. >> They're selling something. >> And um tell me about the the each applicant shall pay a fee. Um what what is the what is it's set by the
town administrator every year. So, is that something you would imagine bringing to the select board or are we talking about a tiny what what what is this referencing? >> So, it'll be for you to decide >> it. Well, okay. >> I decided, but I'm going to come to you with comps and
>> it has to be the same no matter what you're selling or >> we could do a tiered fee. It can be anything you want. >> We should shake the Girl Scouts down. >> One box of cookies. >> Yeah. profitable. >> A box of cookies for the town administrator
>> daily. >> I would do well in jokes. >> So if this passes, you would then bring a fee >> to the select board in short order. >> You'd approve. Yeah. >> Okay. I mean, what do they run like? Is it like a hundred bucks, 50 bucks, thousand bucks? >> I think 25 to 50 is what I've seen.
>> Each applicant. So let's say the Girl Scouts have 12 girls in their their scout club. They would have to pay per scout. >> I think they'd go around as a group, but I'm I'm just I'm not advising, but I'm advising that they just roll the dice
and sell their cookies and see if anyone can like the people that go to the transfer station to sell oranges and >> all that stuff. >> That's different. That's Townland. >> Okay. So, they may not go down south anymore. >> Oh. H. >> What'll happen? >> Or your neighborhood. You just do your neighbor.
>> They won't Well, you could do your neighborhood without it. as a scout as a scout leader right now. I would tell you we wouldn't go door to door. >> No, you wouldn't you go to the fire you go to the transfer station >> like um but what what if um a girl scouts do a you know phoneathon thing
and they're calling people by phone. Is that considered the same? >> No. >> No. Huh. That's interesting. Okay. So the you're saying the religious groups do not need to file at the police department. >> Correct. >> And why is that again? >> First amendment. You have the right >> freedom of speech.
>> Cookies are a form of speech. >> That's not a local decision. That's a >> But I mean, okay, if freedom of speech to me means you stand out in the town common and say your spiel, but coming and knocking on my door, that's not
freedom of speech anymore. That's making me like, >> yeah, >> get up from whatever I'm doing. >> Put your no trespassing sign on your driveway. Does the no trespassing thing refer to Does that also apply the no the
do not call list? Does that also apply to the Jehovah's Witness? >> The no do not solicitate, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Ryan, do you know >> we we do not want to legislate against the First Amendment. So, we're advising
you that you don't include that in your policy. >> Got it. Okay. >> But you can if you want to. I I personally would be against any group except if it benefits town causes. >> So if it's benefiting >> run into trouble.
>> Okay. Yeah. You know >> that's your group of things and maybe it's different from someone else's. So >> So this this will be debated. This will there'll be plenty of debate on this guy. >> Okay. >> I I think we we're going to sail through the first 21
articles or whatever and get a stub our toe on this one. That's okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, your decision tonight is to include this or not and to recommend it or not. >> Uh, so what >> the finance committee recommended it because there's money.
>> But I mean, has it worked? Are we Is there a problem to solve? Has it been a problem in the past? >> Can we set the fee? >> We have a policy now. The police don't think it. >> We set the fee. >> Yeah. We don't want to put that in the bylaw, though, because then we can't change it. >> Right. Right. Right. No, but I would be in favor of setting that fee pretty
north of $25. That'll be a future select board meeting. >> It will hundred million. A million dollars. >> Yes. >> We just need one. >> So, Mr. Chair, inclusion and recommendation. >> Yeah, sure. >> So, you want to vote on to include it?
Is that what we're >> recommending that you >> Well, and we including it, but then are we going to take a position on it? >> Agree with Scott. If we're not prepared to support it, we shouldn't include it. Well, >> well, this is who's sponsoring this? This is from >> Please,
>> David. Dave, do you have a comment on this? >> Uh, yes I do. Uh, it's been a while since our kids were in the Girl Scouts, but we did indeed go doortodoor and uh our oldest daughter sold something like 200 boxes of cookies, but our
youngest daughter uh sold considerably less than that. So, if the fee were very high and it were per person, that would be a a real problem, I would think. Just want to let you know. Thank you. >> I agree.
>> Um, so inclusion, this is sponsored by this is requested from the chief >> chief of police. >> Chief of police, >> but it's in response to complaints from citizens >> and their ability to do something about those complaints. >> So our current we and we're not filling
a gap per se. We do currently have a bylaw and this this new bylaw shores up some gaps in the current bylaw. is under the current bylaw technically can the Girl Scouts sell cookies? >> I don't know. >> So, we didn't change compare We didn't
compare the two bylaws. >> We did. >> We did. >> So, what changed? >> The chief of police believes that this is a better bylaw. >> Do we have a marked copy of the old one to the new one? I mean, >> uh, you did have one in your packet last month. I didn't include it this month. Mistake.
>> Yeah, but we didn't pay attention to it last month. So I would recommend if you wanted to see more we can have the chief come to your next meeting and you just make a recommendation at town meeting. >> It would be helpful in that to have a marked copy to see what's changed and what was not found effective. And by the
way do we have any comparables from other towns? >> Yes. >> And have a lot of towns adopted one like this. >> They found similar problems according to the police department. Yes. >> And did their fix fix the problem? Did their changes fix the problem?
>> Yeah. The chief had sent a packet with comps and and a memo about this. >> Okay. >> I think Travis sent something around. >> You guys remember all that? >> So then you know what's the answer? >> What's that? >> Do you remember? >> I thought I thought that technically the Girl Scouts couldn't do it under the
current B I >> Right. >> this I didn't My understanding was this wasn't much more restrictive than what we currently had. It was more of a a better written more comprehensive bylaw, >> which is a good thing, I guess. But then if we're paying attention to it Yeah. I mean, okay.
So, but all this stuff that Brian said was in some prior packet. Do you remember it? You >> There was there wasn't It wasn't this draft, but the original draft. >> Oh, but I mean about comparable towns and fixing the problem and all that was >> um >> Yeah, it was Weston and
>> Yeah, there was >> Was it an item? >> You sent Travis had sent around information from Weston. Yeah. >> Why don't we have the chief come in your next meeting and >> Right. But send us prep materials. I apologize. I didn't focus on it. But but I mean you don't want to create so in
trying to fix one annoyance you don't want to create this other problem. >> So what's the big win here? >> Yeah. If a few people I mean >> and what's the big law? Is there any change? If it's just the same then it's >> well I mean there's two different things. If if cleaning up language helps
then that's fine. But if increased attention about solicitation catches Girl Scouts in its web, that's creating a new problem. >> Right. I mean, the language is I don't know about, but I'm assuming the
language change is to address a gap which certain residents may feel has led them to an inconvenience. The Christina problem. Somebody I don't want coming in my house is coming in my house and I have no >> And for example, I don't think the no solicitors list has any teeth to it. >> Right. Okay. So, we could say, well, we
want to fix that. We want to help. But if if in fixing it, we create an issue where >> somebody else raises their hand says, "What about the Girl Scouts? They've all got to get $25." >> And I'd like to know if for a group like the Girl Scouts, can we set a can we set a tiered rate that would encompass it like a five cents or something
ridiculous? >> Yeah. I mean, you could tie it to the percentage of the value of the service. Well, I I do know the answer to that and it's no. >> What? >> Discriminate for everybody. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. >> All right. So, we'll add that to the
28th agenda and for now we'll leave >> we'll leave it in the warrant >> is that and we'll we won't take a position. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Okay. The next one is article 23 which is the amendment to the town zoning
bylaws. um generally known as as a ZBA. The bylaw, the planning board did have their hearing last night and recommended this language. So, it's in the warrant assuming you want it. It's been done correctly. It's been reviewed by council. The only thing left is uh recommendations. So, you
could either have planning board or Julie come and explain this to you at your next meeting or you can back their their process and policy. >> I'd like to have them come in and give an explanation >> just so it's public. I don't know if there's any awareness of this. So,
>> I haven't been paying attention to this. I'm not sure exactly what this is. So, why not have her come in and we can take a >> Didn't she >> I thought Julie explained she did graphics and everything made sense to me. >> Yeah, >> it's correcting something that was has
been incorrect for >> it seemed pretty. >> Sorry. >> I don't know that she needs to come back in. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I'm I'm comfortable. So, but they were just they had a hearing last night. Did they take a position on it then? >> And they finalized it. >> Okay.
>> All right. >> Not comfortable supporting. >> Okay. >> You want to make a motion? >> I'll move. >> Uh, go ahead. >> Uh, I move that the select board supports uh article 20 >> three >> three. >> Second.
>> Any further discussion or deliberation? Seeing none, we'll do a voice vote. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. unanimous passage. >> All right. Uh, articles 24 and 25 are your cemetery, both your fees and the expansion. And just as an FY, Jim Hall
is creating a podcast about article 24 called Grave Concerns. >> I love Jim's sense of humor. >> Oh my gosh. >> We just need a little levity there. All right. Uh, for article 26, this is all of the recommendations of the the CPC
about CPA spending. So I want to talk to you about totals and you are re town council and I believe you are recommending their entire slate or not. So you can't recommend >> Oh interesting >> individual things. >> Can we vote on them? >> It's either all five projects or nothing
or none, >> right? So if so like thinking about it logistically, if you wanted to make three motions because you know there isn't support for two, then then you could split that up. So it's doable in any way, but really you're saying do you support their slate? Got it. Oh, I see.
>> So, and the slate is >> the appropriations for FY27, which I highly recommend you agree with the um CCHS $465,460 for the amenities building. And the the
one correction there would be on the term of the um grant and they uh because they Brian Wat who's you know representing us on the regional school committee he's suggesting that we make it 123129
so that it matches what conquer is doing for their CPA funds for this >> December 31st >> 29 so it's a two and a half year grant instead of twoyear And this gets pulled if they don't if Cocker doesn't approve it first.
>> They already had H haven't they already had their town meeting? >> They have. >> They approved it. They approved it. >> They took a page out of our playbook and did it pull finger on the pulse. >> I'm embarrassed. I'm sorry. >> Spent too much time in Lincoln. >> I didn't realize that.
>> Um, okay. So, that's amenities for the library project. We we will have a good number at the end of this month and the article is written no more than $500,000. So up to 500,000 per their request. >> Y >> any change on the term here?
>> Uh yeah, the term would be um uh >> right now it says >> 63029. Yeah, that's what you have. Yep. 63029. >> Okay. The next recommendation is for the preserving the town's vital records through the town clerk's office. $14,000
>> and Yep. And this one, the um the town clerk said a one-year term is fine. So, it'll be 2027, June 30, 2027. >> You guys are going to miss Barney when she's not doing CPA anymore. Um >> yeah,
>> why why are we hemming ourselves in like that? >> Well, because the way um Ashley and and Melissa are doing it, they're what's needed is a bunch of supplies in order to preserve these documents. So Ashley's plan is to buy them all this summer.
>> Okay. >> And then as they're do going through their regular daily work, they're going to start, you know, >> doing piece by piece. >> I'm spend the money in front. >> Yeah. So it'll be spent. >> Okay. >> Well, before the year is up. >> Got it. >> The next one is the cranberry bog house
design funding. Uh do you want to keep it as a sum of money, Barney, or do you want dollars in there? >> Yeah, they, you know, they thought they would have one by the end of this week. Um but what we had said before was 200 thou 200,000 was the you know the the
the figure that we've been using but um >> uh >> you don't have a CPC vote then it should stay ambiguous. >> Yeah, we have not voted on this one. We're we're waiting to
>> Are you going to have a vote before town meeting? >> Yes. Yeah. We will communicate whatever number it is heavily leading up to town meeting. >> Okay. >> The term is correct. June 30th, 2028. >> Two years.
>> Bog design. June 30. >> Yes. >> Design before7 stuff is >> that's this is article 97 is part of it. >> June 3028. Yep. >> Okay. And the last one is the two-year $100,000 investment in rental assistance
from the CHT. So the question I have is, are you ready to recommend the slate or would you like to make them a town meeting? >> Just one quick question. Uh Ryan, is the the specifics there of the requirements and and um is is that something that you
and Jeff have reviewed going forward for the next two years? because I know at one I had written to Jeff and I didn't get a reply last week about whether there was any I because I know it there was discussion about some discrepancies
and maybe changing the maximum. So I wouldn't want to lock him in for the next two years if there was some thinking about changing it or or maybe the language needs to be uh softened in some way. I don't know. Anyway,
>> so it's it's the CPC's recommendation. So, we Jeff and I couldn't change it >> without um you would directing us to, but I can tell you it can change in the motion at town meeting. >> Okay. Yeah, this is what we what we
approved uh what we recommended. So, if you're going to change, we should either have another meeting in CBC where you would change it and then we change it in the motion book or you can do it all the way up to town meeting day. >> Yeah, we we do have another meeting. I guess mainly it's getting the
information from you and Jeff about whether it's desirable to to have this be different any of these numbers because otherwise then this is committing the COS to follow this this these set of
requirements for the next two years. >> All right. I'll make sure we get that for your next meeting. >> Okay. >> But leave it as is for now. So given the changes, I think it's might be appropriate for you to recommend a town meeting the slate.
>> So does that mean all these individual recommends will go away and there'll be one at the bottom of it? >> Okay. >> That's what my draft has now. >> Okay. And is one the transfer of the 75K appropriations that part of the slate?
That's like a housekeeping thing, right? >> Yeah. No, it's part of the >> Yeah, >> it's part of what was recommended by CPC. So, you're Yeah, >> that's just to make sure there's enough money in these other buckets or what? >> Well, that's meeting the requirement of the CPA statute, but you have to put a minimum of 10% into the other buckets.
>> And so, the strategy is >> 10% of >> the total funds that we have uh available to us between the town >> searchcharge and the states match. >> Okay. So >> statutoily you have to do it that way,
>> right? But um 300,000. No, >> it's about half a million. >> Not even. Are you kidding? 3 * 75 is 200. >> It's like 250 now. >> Um
let me go to my handy Kelly. >> I was just looking at the audit report this morning and there's like $4 million in the CPA. Uh Barney, I'm online. If you want me to give you a hand here. >> Yeah, sure. Hi, Kelly. >> Um, so the the 75,000 represents 10% of
what the estimated revenues are for the next year, David. It's not based on the balance. That's >> I see. Okay. >> You know, the whole pool of funding that's available for projects. It's based on an annual revenue uh stream. >> Okay. So, Kelly, that's a requirement. If we think we're going to raise
750,000, 10% of that each each 10% has to go to each of these little funds. >> Correct. Yep. A minimum of 10% >> for administrative is not >> right,000. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Yep.
>> All right. So, do we want to just hold off until it's all finalized or do we want has CPA recommended all these since our last meeting? We have not voted on the um bog house >> because we're waiting for a number. >> We have
>> So we should wait till >> So let's just wait. >> Okay, let's just wait. Fine with that. All right. >> All right. >> All right. That's the >> That's the warrant. >> So what do you need from us? We need to final approve approval. >> Sign the sign the one piece of paper in
the >> Do we need to vote or anything? >> Oh, yeah. Vote. You should vote to approve it and then Thank you. I want to make a motion. Yeah. Whatever that is. >> Yeah. Did we get one at the beginning of the warrant? >> This one? >> No. >> Yes. >> Uh I move that the uh select board
approved >> the um annual let's see what are we calling this the >> just in case >> approve the warrant for the annual town meeting on May 18th, 2026 as >> amended.
>> Amended uh during the select board meeting this evening. Second. >> Any further discussion or deliberation? Seeing none, we'll do a voice vote. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Okay, motion's approved. I'm going to
send around three copies for everyone to sign. Might miss that one. Um, and then we're going to move on. We can move on from this one. Ryan, are we we do everything we need to do? Do you want to sign first? >> All right. So, we're moving on to item
five, discuss, revise, and finalize charter. Opening with the LAN Stewart Committee revised charter. Is there someone online? >> Hi, Scott. It's Neie. >> Oh, hey. How you doing? >> Hi. Good. How are you? >> So,
I'm going to admit I'm a little confused um just in terms of what's being asked of the select board tonight. In our in our >> Hi. >> Okay. So, um, in our packet we have draft three, a markup of draft three of the revised charter.
Um, now my understanding is on the 26th you approved a revised charter. >> That's correct. >> Okay. So, we don't have the final >> it's actually up on the website, the
land stewardship committee site. Okay. Um >> but in terms of our packet, we all have the markup I think you were looking at on the 26th. >> That's correct. And then um my understanding was that the LSC
was a subcommittee and that consom approves the charter. Yeah. >> And per policy they need to notify the select board which gives us the you know the opportunity to comment or >> um >> you know provide feedback. Um Gretchen
and Ashley suggested that it would be advisable for the select board to also approve the charter because it's a little unclear I guess the definition of subcommittee is that and I'm not sure where the where the lack of clarity is. So I'm not sure
what we're we have a copy of the revised charter. I know uh some members had comments, but can you just give us your view on the status since I know you've been playing a leadership role in this of where things are at in terms of consom and the revised LSC charter and and what if anything you're hoping from
us tonight? So, um, because it's this new charter kind of changes the outlines of the LSC to be more of like that advisory role and not making decisions independently.
Um, I think that it changes the conversation and and sort of the need for the select board to approve um this charter, but I'm happy for you guys to vote on it and approve it and, you know, add your uh comments if there
are any. Um but uh sort of the overview is that the the LSC will sort of morph back into an advisory role that has some structure and some outlines in terms of how they operate, how many members there
are. As you can see in the um the published version on the website, it's um you know, it runs through a little bit more of an organized um organized approach to how the LSC is going to function um including their
purpose and guidelines. And um at every step of the way throughout this charter is there's a highlight of um engaging with the stakeholders of uh the town. um for these parcels so that all
voices are heard. I think that's sort of the theme of this charter. Um but again, I I'm not really sure what the select board needs to do today. I'm happy to present more detail, you know, help you guys, you know, review any comments you
guys have. >> Um but yeah, I'm kind of looking to you guys for direction. I I don't know how this all came about this way, but um happy to >> to work with you guys. >> Well, and I know we had originally just put a placeholder at this particular
meeting knowing that you were working on the charter and you also had a a hearing of sorts and took public feedback. Correct. >> Yep. That's right. >> And and in terms of the revised charter, what's the is there unanimous agreement from consom on this? Are there
>> Yep. there's unanimous agreement and not not every member was at that meeting. We were missing I think one person. Uh but there was unanimous agreement for those who were in attendance. Um and we the prior to the vote on March 26th, the
meeting prior, I don't remember the date off the top of my head, which was a hearing where um we had a lot of public input. I mean, we went until 11 something p.m. Wow. um reviewing everybody's thoughts and comments and sort of word smith
smiththed the entire documents so that it was representative of of all people's voices while keeping the overarching theme which is that of an advisory committee but um with certain priorities
that I don't think were very well outlined previously And in with regard to any select board feedback, um are is that something we can provide and that you can review at your next meeting or
>> Yeah, I think I think that like this is a living document, right? So, uh that's one thing that I think previously wasn't completely embraced. um that this is a charter and a charter can be uh revised
at any point. So if there are sort of meaningful and approved edits or comments that need to be incorporated in this, I think we could bring it back to the consom for consideration for sure. >> So should we send those comments
directly to you or what's going to be the best >> I think um to Megan. I think Megan has been compiling commentary, but like >> Yeah, but you know, Megan and myself, I think that'd be a good >> But do we want to do it as the comments
of the select board or just individual members of the select board? >> That's a great question. >> I mean, I guess why don't So, my thinking on this is the KNSCOM has done a lot of work on this. Um, and this is,
I think, at the highest level, reflects what we've been asking them to do and improves what we think have been some of the problems. Um, it's unclear exactly if the select board needs to approve the charter, if we should approve the charter, but
regardless, um, I think we should have a discussion tonight, if people have had a chance to review it, to raise any what I would consider like very substantive, um, comments. Maybe not. You know, I know there's some questions around words wording here and there and clarification, but um we should address
any substantive issues we have and as a select board maybe take a position on those to communicate back to consom and then any individual, we'll call them wordsmith or clarification comments we send directly to Megan because I don't think we have time to go through all
that tonight. Mhm. >> If there aren't any what I would consider >> deal breakers, I would endorse the select board. Um >> I don't know what the word is because I'm not sure >> supporting the revised charter so that
the process can continue. Um ultimately we do need to I'm not sure how many members of the LSC are there currently. >> Currently there are three. >> So you don't So there's no quorum? No, but I think the the reason to move
this along quickly was to be able to advertise the open position. So, the way this charter outlines that there should be seven regular voting members, so we'll be advertising for four, >> right? >> Uh, spots. >> They want to lower the quorum. So,
remind me, the the old LLC was kind of disbanded. >> It wasn't disbanded, but there were several members that resigned. >> Okay. So they're down in this nub. And then the consom, its parent organization, >> took it on itself to make this charter. >> Yes.
>> With >> advice and consent from the remaining LSC members or >> No. So what h how this unfolded was um to present a draft to be able to have a to have a starting point to work from. I
put together a draft. I circulated it to the consom with a procedural documentation as well. sort of when Conscom would review the first draft, circulating it to stakeholders, what that date would be and when we would uh
you know review feedback and when the next draft like I I outlined it it pretty detailed way that we also that process letter and sort of outlined was also voted by the consom and then that was distributed to everybody including
AGCOM, CCF, LSC I mean it um you know put out on the website and um for public comment as well and uh subsequent to that the uh LSC members um
resigned the ones that did. So leaving the three >> this work product reflects the comments of all the AGCOM and >> yes >> public and former LSC members maybe or >> yes I I I think I think the former LSC
members uh uh aside from Brian Murphy did not um participate in this but the the remaining there was one or two remaining LSC two remaining LSC members who were in attendance of these meetings
to um offer their commentary as well. >> This was driven by consom though, >> right? So they're technically I'm confused that there are even any members. Do they are they going to completely reconstitute the committee and then invite whichever former members to apply like anybody else or
>> Well, there's >> I think >> Yeah, go ahead. >> Well, my understanding is there's currently three members. >> It's still a committee. It's still a subcommittee without it with the >> right >> I think it's still a committee. So they >> it's a committee. So I think the best way to look at this is you are the
appointing authority for the consom. The consomcom is saying they need another committee to help them do their work. >> We got I know that >> you're still the appointing authority for the LSC, >> right? >> So whether you think you need to approve their charter or not, which I do think you do, >> then >> but we never approved the previous charter.
>> You should be comfortable with >> we did it right. >> You should be comfortable with it because you're the appointing authority. >> Right. But yeah, >> so the last time this happened and the reason why it matters is when the public came to complain to you about what was going on, >> the only recourse you had was to appoint
or not. So you being comfortable with the charter up front is very helpful. >> But remaining members apparently they still have a term. There's been no formal like you're no longer a committee. We're making a brand new committee. There's still >> that's correct. Yeah, we never for charter >> the three who have terms who've decided
to stay stay and then to her point we can advertise and build up >> and we would want conscom to interview and recommend appointees right >> so there's a step before we can appoint >> so what do we need to do tonight >> so I guess the I know so the question is
if we can if we can go through from a select board standpoint if you have any any word smithing or clarification questions questions that are, you know, wording related can go directly to Megan. Any substantive questions or comments we should discuss tonight and
then potentially take a a position if there's nothing that's >> okay. >> We don't think can be corrected. >> All right. >> I had two I guess what I would think of as substantive. Um now I I I did I had only had a chance to review the draft three. I was just looking online. I'm
sorry I didn't get that ahead of time. But u one one uh comment. Let me go uh >> and Nav just just for our benefit the the draft that's posted on the website incorporates the recommended edits from
draft three. Correct. >> That's correct. So so from draft three there was that sort of marathon meeting which um uh everybody was able to add their comments and then the result is
what's on the website right now. I'm not I'm not sure exactly what I can look and see, but I'm not sure exactly what's in your packet in front of you. But >> we had the markup. >> We have the markup version. So, it's a version >> and there was there was editing
subsequent to that during in in real time in the meeting. >> Okay. So, going off the one that's on the website, I I guess my my two comments and maybe you can just kind of help educate me a little bit. I I really appreciated that the trails committee is
included in this. I thought that was again more outreach and really valuable. Um under the section that is called responsibilities and core tasks, there is a bullet in there that says engage in informal collaboration with the trails
committee when trail re relocations or new trails are proposed. And I actually um am part of a group that uses the trails for mountain biking activities and and there have been you know I I think the trails committee worked really
well to try and when there was some disruption of the trails and they tried to mitigate that through a ride that's done annually and you know it was a process and I thought it was really a good public process to to try and have different groups trying to work together
to solve these usage issues. And so I was just curious about the trails committee. Um I I would have or I would suggest maybe it also includes not only the trail relocations or new trails but
trail usage because there's there are questions that residents have about which trails are going to be allowed for mountain biking or for this and that and I just think the trails trails committee should be included in that process. Um, so usage would be and I don't know does
does the trails committee currently determine usage or does the land stewardship on the trails or maybe you don't know the answer. >> So let me just make sure I'm um thinking about this correctly. So I think there's the usage is going to be
presented to the land stewardship committee but approval basically everything including that there's going to be final review from conscom um in terms of relocation that's its own separate thing and I think that's where
consom has to take more of a uh ownership role because ultimately altering uh parcels in any way like how it's being used that's going to have to come to consom for for approval. But yes, trails committee should be um that
was the intent that they will be engaged in those conversations with LSC >> for you know usage. >> Okay. Well, it didn't it didn't say usage in there and I just think it's it's good to have more I mean that's one of the main reasons we're in this whole situation now is because of usage and so
we should include that. My second comment was really on the um licensing process. So um when I go to the last section, final review, decisionmaking and approval of land use licenses shall
rest solely with the cons the cons essentially, which I understand and I think I personally think that's great. Um because that is what we're looking for is to to if if politically the land stewardship committee you know is moving
in a direction that you don't think is you know fits with the rest of town needs or you know the overall um larger constituencies you can you know override that or or re you know look at it again but I think that's in conflict with the
other section that's in responsibilities and core tasks that says land use permitting. It says the land stewardship committee shall serve as the issuing authority for land use permits related to townowned conservation lands. But that's where I think it's in conflict because at the bottom it says no
actually consom issues the permits. I just want to just make maybe I don't understand it but >> yeah permits versus license I think that there's a difference there. Okay. >> Um Ryan can correct me if I'm wrong but a a permit is different than a license. So, I'm not issuing a permit to a
farmer. I'm issuing a license to a farmer. Whereas permit would be like um the Boy Scouts try wanting to, you know, do a camping um activity on at Foss Farm. That's different. that is a finite
uh usage um approval versus a license which is has a term um and uh more sort of detailed review. Um, so that's why that's why there is that difference that the LSC should be able like it doesn't
need, you know, a boy scouts coming to ask for uh permission to use Foss Farm for their activity doesn't need to come to the consol. LSC can handle that. But a license, a three-year term license with a farmer that needs final approval
from the conservation commission. That's I think sort of um broadly how we defined the differences. Okay, that's that's helpful. >> Yeah, makes sense. Now, I'm uh Is this the one that's on the website now? >> This is the one that's on the website.
>> Yeah. So, um >> and and sorry, just Barney, sorry, I just want to go back to that question about voting and appointing that we do have that in membership structure. We say voting members and associate members shall be um interviewed uh by the LSC, nominated by the conservation
commission, and appointed by the select board in accordance with established town volunteer recruitment policies. So we have that sort of system in place that ultimately select board will be appointing them. >> Sorry, just wanted to go back to that.
>> Um I yeah I I'm looking at the um under the purpose and guiding principle. So yeah, this language is >> significantly different than what was in the draft. Okay. So um I'm just wondering Navnid I I got some feedback
from some folks on the agricultural commission that they weren't or a committee egg commission anyway that um they were a little concerned about um
feeling that the that there wasn't any actual mention of you know food production or farming for food production uh you know And I recall that the agric that the LSC, you know, got a ruling from town council that agricultural
could be defined as, you know, growing uh native plants, you know, when that was kind of an issue. So I'm just wondering um do you think do you feel that um you got input from the a commission and that that input is
reflected in the >> yes >> heavily heavily um like a lot of input from them. they were there. Multiple members from the AGCOM were at the meeting providing their, you know, their
comments, their concerns. And I think the thing that was hardest in drafting this and and, you know, editing it was to not let this document become a tugofwar um among these different stakeholders
>> um because that sets it up for the same issues to arise again. and and Melissa Webster, who's also on this call today, um she she said it very poignantly that the point is is that we need to find
ways to one and one equals three, right? So that we can balance all of these >> uh competing interests, potentially competing interests. But if we turn this document into it's got to have this word, it's got to have that. It it my my
voice isn't heard here. It ends up setting up for that same playing field of argument. And I I sort of see this charter as sort of a job description for anybody interested in joining the LSC that it is about balancing listening to
all um all sides all stakeholders discussing it heavily researching the information coming to a consensus and then presenting that to the cons sort of sort of thematically that's how I see it and so and I I think there there were
people from the adcom who did mention that concern concerned that it's not that agriculture that definition of agricultural usage has been in their opinion morphed away from what they actually do as farmers.
>> Yeah. Um but I you know but I worked into the language that that you know in for example in the responsibilities and core tasks that in collaboration with the agricultural commission with both bodies sharing responsibility for
ongoing communication that that it doesn't h I don't have to have every word to define everybody's you know detailed interest points bullet points in here. It should be about working together and listening and coordinating. And if that's not
happening, that's a problem and that's against and in contradiction to this charter. So that's how >> because it was getting to be a little bit of a tugof-war in in opening this up for editing, like >> a lot of competing
>> voices as to what words should be in there and not be in there. And it was we were setting ourselves up for the same showdowns. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, I think you've done a good job. I uh hadn't >> seen this change under the responsibilities and core task. So, um
>> I have one other quick question of neat. This is I I do generally I mean I think this is a great work of work of art, you know. >> Um no, it's had a lot of input. Um when under meetings and administrative activity, it says when practicable
meetings shall be scheduled to alternate with the CCC and select board meetings to promote coordination and communication. I just wasn't sure what was intended there. Um >> yeah, so this actually was in discussion with Barney. um uh it's when we have
liaison from other committees who are going to be joining the LSC uh it sometimes pose some difficulty for for example for Barney to make it to LSC meetings um >> killed them on the same night as
>> they same night exactly but again it's not a hard and fast rule but when when when it's possible to try to not put them at the same time >> got it thanks >> yep But then at the same time, >> yes. >> All right. So, from a from a process
standpoint, I mean, we haven't really had a chance to review the final charter. Um, I mean, I'm I'm generally without reading the details of the new one supportive of the new charter and typically would >> would would take a vote, but I I do think we should have the opportunity to review it.
>> Sure. Now, neat, from your standpoint, is there anything um if we provide feedback and then take a formal vote at our next meeting after having a chance to review the final >> charter, does that put you guys in a bind at all from a process standpoint?
Uh it will delay being able to advertise I think um for the well actually I'm not sure Brian because the reason for holding back on advertising for the LSC was more we didn't know if we were going to finalize the number of seven members
voting members but since that is if that's not debated can we go ahead and advertise while we're waiting for the select board to review the charter Be better if you had the charter. What's that? >> Be better if they had the charter. They
could point to >> I agree. I just I also >> So, what do you I didn't quite follow all this, but I or the changes the debate you had it does it need editing then in your mind. Travis, you're the closest to it probably, right? Or Barney? >> Well, I just had two comments about the
trails. I I I don't know. I think usage is really important. That's one of the that was one of the goddess. >> It needs It needs some editing. It needs editing. It needs another round as well. >> Well, um I mean I'm comfortable with this revised charter and but I would
agree with you about adding usage if we >> if others were comfortable. Um >> but then they still have to vote. I mean they still have to >> technically no I don't think so. If it's our charter to approve then we have the final approval.
>> We can add the word. >> I'm sorry I'm so late in the conversation but this was the first time we had seen this. Well, we haven't and we have we didn't >> It sounds to me like cycle they they should take a crack at your >> seems to me since they took the lead on
drafting, they should finish the draft with the comments. >> Back to us next time. And >> let me break protocol and say I I'm fine um approving this as a as a draft for the purpose of recruiting. >> Okay. >> I don't see this substantively completely changing for the purpose of
>> Well, we don't need to vote it. Just accepted. So, I think it's fine if they advertise and they use this charter as pending pending final select board approval. >> Yeah. >> Um because ultimately we're going to have to appoint people to this thing anyway. If there's a real issue, >> let's do that, right? So, let's do that. >> So, Navi, why don't we why don't we do
it that way? You can you can advertise it. If you could just note on this the currently posted draft just have it noted that this is pending final select board approval. >> Sure. The one comment and recommendation we have is under the trails committee or under the trails line to add the word
usage as Travis pointed out and then we'll independently review the final version that's posted and then if we have individual comments we'll send them to Megan. >> That sounds great. >> Okay. But but let's keep the process moving and then we can put some time on
our next agenda to review and approve the final one. And I think that gives you guys another meeting to >> So, but are we on the question of quorum? It sounds like the suggestion is to reduce it to give them more flexibility. Are we okay with that? >> Seven to seven.
>> Yeah. To seven. Yeah, we're on board with that. Okay. >> Yeah. >> I wouldn't want more than that. >> No. >> Okay. >> Five was also proposed, right? Did I misread that one? >> Um, five. It was It was five, seven, and 11. These were the numbers that were
thrown around. Conscom recommend >> the seven. >> We'll go with that and that's what's in the >> okay >> the version of >> so we'll circulate that. >> Um you'll have a chance to review any comments hopefully approve a final version that will approve on the 28th
but in the interim you can you can recruit volunteers. >> But this and this March 26th agenda is why is that stuck in there? >> That I don't know. >> Okay. All right. It has nothing to do with this then or >> that's when that draft was reviewed.
>> Okay. >> But they updated it since. So >> Okay. All right. Fine. >> We're dealing with an old version. >> Okay. Got it. >> But I think the new version's even better. So look forward to that. >> All right. Great. >> I got to ask you guys. I got to break for a second. So I I'm kind of at the end of my energy level here. So Mary
Lynn wants to take a picture of all of us. Select board like to do that and I'll pick it up remotely. Yeah. Rest. >> Take a take a picture. And I while while you're coming up to take the picture, I just want to thank Nev Neat. Yeah. >> And Conscom for taking >> great job on that. >> It's an enormous task and you've done a
terrific job. So, thank you so much. >> Thank you. Thank you guys. >> You want to be at our town? We want the town seal. >> Yeah. Shall we stand up? >> No. on the agenda, but all outt.
>> Look at that big smile on David's face. >> She's a short time. >> David, >> excellent. >> All right. Thank you. Let's do an angry one. >> All right. >> All right. Let's do one shows how we really feel about the select board.
>> You feel better, David. >> All right. And the next one, I think we're now in the downhill portion of the agenda. So, um, the second request is to change the name of the committee from the Department of Public Works renovation building committee to DPW building committee. And we need a vote
for that. >> So moved. >> Second. >> All we'll do a voice vote. All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Great. Now we're on to credit card policy. So thank you for >> Oh wow. You >> you stayed all this time just to
>> Well, he showed up. >> I said that said it was going to be 9:45. It's okay. I didn't I hadn't read the agenda. >> It's going off of an email. >> Hello, Chief. >> No. So, uh, Ryan, do you want to just
>> Yes. >> give us a quick debrief on this one? Generally the the finance team is is against the proliferation of credit cards because they they come with lots of problems with the way municipal finance works and as you know from your careers they they can cause difficulty
generally. So the fire chief did approach us seeking a a credit card and a lot of people do. You had approved a policy that only allowed the town administrator and the superintendent, one from each each realm if you will to
have a credit card. Um, we found the chief's argument compelling enough to bring it to the finance committee and they they agreed that the the chief would would be a good ad to this policy. So, in front of you is a is a policy that includes the fire chief as having a credit card. I will also tell you that
Sandy and um with some help from Kelly changed our current credit card. We were using Bank of America and we went to Visa Community with Unity and uppercase if that matters to you. is that doesn't use the social security uh number of of me which is great. It uses uh the town's
EIN and >> the town's on the hook >> under the policy um or under the the new card which doesn't have fees and has to be paid in full each month. Both Kelly and Sandy can help manage the cards. So the finance team, the finance committee
and uh myself are recommending that the chief be added and the chief can give you why he wants to be added. So you can either approve or not. >> So um we have historically uh done reimbursements and so we used to do every two weeks we do a warrant that was
a uh pay the vendors directly and we do a warrant for reimbursement and we just did that every every two weeks. The um we have a lot of things that we have to do through credit cards. So um all of our um certifications most of those require it. anything through the state
requires it, which is interesting, but they require that. Um, we also do a lot of um saving of money by using So, we have equipment that's typically much older than most places. A lot of places
when they have equipment like ours buy a bunch of parts for it. They need one part, they buy three in case they need it. And then 10 years later they they look on their shelf and they say, "We have all these old parts that are very expensive for us to go buy from a dealer, but we can go on eBay and get or
wherever and get them much cheaper. Um, we can also go to fixmy ambulance.com. It's a real thing, you know, go out there, etc. These these places are out there. Um, if we look around, we can often pay 20% of what we'd otherwise pay. Um, and that's the kind of thing we
it's the kind of culture I I think is good for us to maintain. Um so what has happened is using our own credit cards getting reimbured has become more more and more difficult and as that happens um either people eat it or you actually
lose control rather than gain control as people find other ways to get reimbursed. So at this point it's everybody has to do a a um expense report even though it's reimbursement not an expense but it's an expense report and they have to have a
copy of the credit card statement etc etc and for to do this with 50 people out there is hard. This is an attempt to try to make this better and make it so that everything is done completely the right things are in the right categories. everything.
Nobody's fudging things to make up for the fact that something's hard and doing it an easier way. Does that make sense? >> Yeah. >> And you they would now come to you with those requests, >> right? Which isn't the >> you would not give your card to them. >> Uh no,
>> correct. >> But they would bring their computer in. So that most of that is um for the certifications >> and so they have an account and yes, they they'd be in bring their laptop into the station. and I I' we use my credit card and do it
>> for purchasing things. Um that is more they send me a URL say we want this. I mean they used to do it themselves but instead they would send it to me and say I want this thing and I would use it to to do that >> for for actual physical things but and things like you know our ambulance
licenses our controlled substance licenses all those kinds of things we just would do. So you're checking every month. You'll go through it and you know analyze it, right? Or >> Well, so I would then have to do just like we used to do a warrant for my
credit card statement where I say here's all the receipts for all these things and and categorize everything that that goes through. Absolutely. So it would be kind of done almost the same way we do our our warrants now. >> But it wouldn't be a warrant because it's already paid, right? >> It would just be like an expension. >> So that's the problem with credit cards
is once it's spent, it's spent. But um in terms of reconciliation, the the chief does it and then Kelly and Sandy or Kelly does it and then I do it. >> There's a third party over >> but it's it's an expense reporting. I spent this on this.
>> So Kelly's the next level. She'll review the chief's stuff. Is that what you're saying? >> And then I review it and then the select board member reviews it. >> And this is a standard town expense report form. Is there a standard form? Well, it it it in the end becomes much
more like a >> like like the warrant in that you have >> by category >> by category, but you also have all of the receipts for everything that you have. >> Of course, you have that, right? >> Well, but you don't need the credit card statement because it is the credit card statement, right? It's going against this one credit card that you already
>> No, the credit card statement has to be two different things, right? Whether you do it through the warrant or you report your expenses, you have to say, I spent this on this and it goes in this category. separately. You do need to reconcile your credit card statement. That's like a normal practice to make sure that so they're two different
things. They can be combined, but >> I don't need the credit card statement from 50 of my employees included in the >> No, no, no. You are the single credit card holder, right? You get a statement at the end of the month or does it come to the town? >> Question.
>> I mean really the way it should work in my opinion is that and the way we would do it like at my company is you would have a credit card. It's a Carell town credit card like you have one >> and you submit you I spend it on this and here's all my receipts and all that jazz and that goes to Kelly and she
wrecks that and then separately the statement comes to finance like your bank statement comes to finance and you reconcile that like okay are these charges on what you know Brian spent and what's this charge to you Brian did you spend this or didn't right I mean that's
like a normal practice right >> is that what happens >> yes and David, that is correct. That's how we manage it currently is that I um I'm able to access the digital statements um through Bank of America, how it's set up now. >> Um and that practice would still
continue under the new card setup. We have the umbrella of Town of Carile as the account holder, right? >> And there would be individual cards and all of those flow into essentially one master statement, right? So each card holder and whoever uses their card would have to submit the receipts to me for
processing. And you're good with this, Kelly, right? >> Yes. >> You support. Okay. >> That's all I need for me. Aside from >> your testimony. >> Sounds good to me. >> Good. And and what's in the packet, the only change to the policy is just the inclusion of uh fire chief.
>> Yes. >> Motion is >> every everything else in the purchase policy is the same. Correct. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> We'll work with chief to sign out procedures and how to fill out each reimbursement. Okay.
>> Has its own difficulty, but it's easier. >> All right. Should I make the motion, >> please? >> I move to amend the town credit cards financial policy to include the fire chief as presented in the packet this evening. >> Second. >> Second. >> Oh,
any further discussion or deliberation? >> Seeing none, we'll do a voice vote. All in favor? >> I opposed. The eyes have it. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for waiting us out. You learn a lot. All right, we're moving on to item seven, TA report. Right. Good
evening. Here's my report for April 14th. Today, >> the next TA coffee hour will be May 5th at 10 a.m. here in the parlor room. We're hoping soon, maybe this summer, to host our first one at the police station when that renovation is done. Now, we're meeting >> in the town hall. We expect topics to
include the operating budget, the fire station renovation, design, and DPW, and many things that you discussed and approved tonight. In terms of a human resources um report, we did talk tonight about potentially having a shared service agreement for the plumbing and
gas inspector, but Jim, our previous inspector, is has agreed to serve until May 1st. We also are talking with other communities about potentially sharing a building commissioner or if we have to hiring a building commissioner, but Rich is staying on until we complete that as long as we don't completely burn him
out. And we are are still trying to hire a DPW labor position and are always looking for COS van drivers. We will be receiving all of our proposals for our house doctor contracts and we'll be starting our designer
selection committee process in the coming weeks probably before town meeting starts. A quick update on Ottabon Lane. So we renegotiated with our civil engineering firm and got some of the costs reduced to a level that we believe you are comfortable with based
on the last discussion. I just want to final check. So the design costs are now fixed at 15,000 and we still have a construction estimate of 35,000 for a total of 50. And we will include this in the chapter 90 bidding. So we're hoping >> Well, we're only authorizing the first 15
>> and it'll be bid in the chapter 90 bundle that that we can bring to you to report on it. But it would be 15 in design and we think 35 for construction >> if the design supports that that 35 will fix the problem. >> Correct. >> The design comes first. You don't commit
to the fix until >> right the design says it's gonna fix it >> because there was the option >> I know >> premiere >> okay >> keep going >> I'm agreeing that we're seeing general agreement >> there's a pause just keep going
>> for budget updates >> you in a rush >> the budget's now complete in the next week >> long enough someone's going to say something >> in the next week we will publish a budget book uh that you become familiar with which will which will give people a high insight into the budget process. So that can be found on the town meters
what town administrators website under budget information and also anything about town meeting can be found under the town meeting tab and departments upcoming town meeting has every warrant article and all the documentations that supports the various requests. We did receive our first climate leader
technical grant of $119,000. >> That's a big number. >> This was well done. ESC and led by Eric Ballis and Sarah Wasserman's work. >> A lot of work went into Eric. >> So the MFC is right now overseeing the design of an upgraded HVAC system at
Town Hall and this 119,000 will fund the the first part of that design. Give us the technical specs we need to inform the the Warren article that you talked about tonight, which is the town hall rehabilitation. Uh we have access to 1.15 million in climate leader grant funding and hoping
to use that million dollars for the grant in Robins building that has been discussed many times during the budget process. >> I'm glad the chief's still here. He can be celebrated for getting us a $15,500 firefighter safety grant equipment.
>> Thank you for the MBTA saying otherwise explicitly we would not have been open. It said in it that because we are compliant community, we don't have to worry about grant funding. So that that's also true of the climate leader grant. >> That's interesting. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, they are.
>> In your packet, you have Sarah's quarterly CCA report. We provide this to you because you have to make decisions every couple years on this CCA. So, the last two years, we're coming up to the the end of the contract. The new one will start. You've already passed it. Um
the reporting indicates that we lost a little money in this agreement. I encourage you to look at the report. So it was very productive in the first few years. This year it was similar to rates but money was lost for people who were on that rate. So we're hoping >> do we have to actively that was question
we have to actively go in and opt in or we automatically as individual >> with the new contract if you're already in then you stay in. >> You stay in >> you can actively opt out if you want. >> Right. Right. >> All right. We have a mutual aid
agreement currently with Neck. They occasionally ask us to update that agreement. We we looked at it, the chief and I. There's no substantive changes at all. They're just looking to to have a proactive upgrading of the agreement. So, we're asking you to support that tonight. Um, if you're willing to
>> You need a You want us to do the motion now or wait? >> Is this >> It's What is it? Page 68. You already have it. Okay. >> Second one. Um, I move to endorse the inter agency mutual aid assistance agreement with the northeastern
Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council as in mimick >> emch. Uh, look at these bugs, huh? Uh, and authorize the town administrator to review with town council and execute the
contract. >> Is there a second? Second. >> Okay. Any further discussion or deliberation? Seeing none, we'll do a voice vote. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion passes. >> All right. As you know, the the House is currently considering their version of the governor's budget and then the
Senate will follow in May. So, there's a couple advoc advocacy requests we'd like to just bring to you. First, Sandy informed us and had had informal discussions in my in my groups about the MCTA's opposition to eliminating the excise or vehicle marking system. So
this is when you don't pay your excise tax, you're you're marked and you can't register your car or there's some enforcement mechanism in order for you to pay your excise tax. So there is a good faith effort to try and help those who would be who' be greatly hurt by this. Maybe they wouldn't be able to get
to a job or or some other things and there's definitely reasons to consider this. However, for a small town, relaxing or eliminating this enforcement could massively um affect your revenue. So your second biggest revenue source is motor vehicle excess. >> You think people wouldn't do it if they
didn't have a mark. They wouldn't pay their t their tax to us. >> So um one of the biggest rushes of excise tax payments we get is when people need to or have been marked >> really. So they don't or they forget it's >> I'm not sure it's >> they don't actually pay their tax. Wow.
>> It's it's intentional or it's definitely less in Carlile, but communities have seen up to a 30% reduction in collections which for us would be about $300,000. So you oppose the change? >> Yes, you do. It's being considered and I think >> in talking to legislators in good faith,
they believe this is going to help, but they need to hear from small towns that it would not help Carl. >> There are ways to do this and they just need to think it through. This wouldn't be a good way >> in our opinion. Also, the small town administrators, which you know I'm involved heavily with, are um
introducing their priorities to the legislature that include reforming or increasing chapter 70, which is which is funding that we rely heavily on here, increasing unrestricted government aid or UGGA, which helps us as well. >> UG
>> also local infrastructure. So, chapter 90, the multi-year authorization and the $300 million bond bill and that municipal building authority, which Carla would benefit greatly from if pass. And finally, the municipal empowerment act has several provisions that that we would benefit from, especially given our small staff and the
the ability or inability to attract staff. Uh it would free up some some burdens that the state puts on us. So, talking points for you and those talking points are in the packet. >> So, are we >> So, how are we going to how do you want us to support the >> like a letter? initiatives.
>> So that's something to consider at your next meeting. In our conversation with the legislators, they also said when they hear from you directly, it's very impactful. >> Okay. >> From their communities. So they often don't know how you feel, not necessarily Carlile, but how people feel about these things until they hear from people. So
reaching out does make a difference. >> So we should do a letter, but I mean as a board, but also >> do you want authorization? We can just as a board authorize you to write a letter if you want. >> Sure. But are you saying is that more
impact if we write as the select board or individual citizens just calling the represent? >> If I was you given the tax pressures that are coming I would do both. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think that makes sense. >> So to Barrett and to Simon or where are we playing this?
>> That's where I would send it. They know generally, but they're they're under constant debate right now during the budget process. >> Yeah. >> Is there like a draft or something? Like does there like a does someone have a example? I mean, it would be helpful just to have a a template and then we
can customize it and get it out. >> It's got to be >> sure we could find one. >> But we also are saying we want to send one as a board. >> Yeah. >> Coming from the board. >> So we can we can review that at the next meeting. Yeah. And then people can take a version of that and send it individually.
>> Is that um will that be timely >> given their >> should be okay. The house might approve this month, but we'll see. >> Okay. >> Or if you want to authorize me to send a letter, I can do that. >> I'm comfortable authorizing the chair to
>> send in a letter on our behalf, >> but then we also are supposed to call >> and then we could do it individually. >> All right letters. >> What What's >> all the above, David? Yeah, all of the above. >> So, I I'm clear on the tagging, the
excise tax, but then the second thing is like it seems like a whole big bundle of things. Is that all in one package? >> The Yeah, in you'll see in the in the packet there's a one pager that summarizes all of it for you. >> That's not part of the TA report. It's
somewhere else in here. >> It should be in there. If it isn't, then I will send it. Well, there's bullet items in your TA report, but >> but do you um do we need to take a vote to authorize Scott to sign a letter on our behalf or
we just good saying it? >> Maybe we just say it. >> Okay, good. >> All right. It's in there somewhere. I'll get to it. Not I'll send it to you. >> All right. >> Okay. Capital project updates. The elevator is starting to move. approve the elevator project. We've been
approving colors going up >> getting off the ground floor >> colors and and schemes and you're aware of the timeline as it'll start once the school year ends and then move through through the town. >> I I strongly encourage the board to check in on the Cranberry bog dam
repair. So, at the April 29th meeting, there was a discussion about hiring a dam engineer and the the costs are a a lot. You know, the estimate we saw are in the hundreds of thousands, not >> not not the tens of thousands. So, the
commission is inviting Stamky McNary to attend their next meeting to talk about um what could potentially be done, but the the design that existed is is not being supported by some engineering firms and we really want to get a hold of it and bring in an engineer, but it's up to the consom and and they are
working through it. So, they are also looking to approve some of the emergency maintenance repairs that they can do, but again, the GPR identified a bunch of issues and the dam is not in good condition. So, um it's the situation is deteriorating quickly and we need to act
and it it might come at you faster than you think, which is why I'm continuing to update you on it. >> What is our role in this? >> You will eventually be asked to support funding. I believe >> funding from where? >> I mean, Fincom has a reserve fund. Other
than that, we don't have funding. >> Well, maybe a future town meeting or be a big capital project, >> but if it's coming fast, there's not much we can do after for until potentially a fall town meeting, >> right? >> So, it may come fast, but it's it's
gonna sit there fast. >> I don't know if there's a hidden pot of money somewhere for dam, but >> Okay. the hydraology studies, there is additional gather that needs to be gathered and we now have a completion date of August or September and this will inform the eventual design if we
can agree on a plan and a designer. It's >> taking a long time. >> Uh the boghouse you're familiar with the feasibility study and the work that needs to be done after the town meeting vote in terms of the library renovation moving to building construction projects. We received the filed sub bids and the analysis and remain optimistic
that the final bids will be in alignment with what you expect. Final bids are due this Thursday, so we'll know for sure. And the analysis of the library quiz project puts our funding right where it should be. So, we're hoping for positive news on Thursday, so the library
renovation can move for real and inform the town meeting vote that should finalize it. You are all tracking the fire station renovation pretty heavily. Uh the project's out to bid. We're supposed to receive the final bids on April 23rd. So, your next meeting should have a pretty good chunk of the fire
station coming at you. And then your DPW now building committee, the RFQ for their solicitation of designers is due Thursday. So, we'll be working, Travis and I will be working to schedule a meeting there to start the designer selection process. It doesn't really
need to be done before town meeting, but we obviously want to get going right after town meeting. So, we'll start that process. Some upcoming discussions include those pesky personnel policies, the finaliz the finalized items for the the town meeting, the fall town meeting
logistics if if it's to occur. The Highland building is coming and so is a meeting with the historical commission. We did approve a rotary sign for the Gleason Public Libraryies poetry contest and the library is also looking for approval to use the town common for its annual pride festival. We we do not have
the ability to approve the use of town land. So that is another motion for you to consider. That would be on June 12th. They're asking for approval for Town Common Land for their Pride Festival. >> I move to approve the request. The request is from Gle the Friends of
the Gleason Library. No. Who's it from? >> From the library. >> It is from the library. Okay. Uh, I move to approve the request from the Gleon Library for the use of townland for the Carlile Pride Festival on June 12th, 2026.
>> I'll second that. >> Just to clarify, there's there's a request from the library for the poetry contest and the Pride Festival request is from the library as well. >> Yeah, the poetry contest is approved. Just letting you know. >> I just want to make sure we got the right sponsor. Okay. All right. Is there
uh any further discussion or deliberation? Seeing none, we'll do a voice vote. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> Motion passes. >> Okay. Uh want to talk about one of our my employees and then I have an update about ferns for you and then I'll be
done my report. So our ste I want to highlight Stephen our facilities director. So, our our technician, Steve Monroe, identified a leak in the town hall water system, and Steven worked quickly to evaluate solutions. Rather than simply do a one-forone replacement, which had been a lot easier, he assessed
the room for different sizing options that resulted in a plan that was presented to the MFC to downsize the system, which allowed more space in the closet, which allowed us to not have to expand the town hall um mechanical room potentially. Um, and just a lot of good
things came from from that analysis. So, I'm highlighting this effort because Stephen's pretty consistent with this approach in facilities management. He secures the immediate problem and he evaluates the long-term and short-term solutions. And while he can be frustrated sometimes about the municipal finance and and our ability to fund
things, he does come up with a plan and a method that provides us with the information we need to make good decisions. So, I'd like to thank Stephen and his team for their outstanding work and their continued dedication to ensuring we have good solutions for these very difficult problems. All right. And I said I have an update
on Ferns. So, I talked with the I sent this information to the potential owners of Ferns. They are looking for ways to um properly install their septic system. And one thing they asked is if if town land would be an option. in the town
land that's closest to it is center park. Specifically, the parking lot, not the beautiful flower and grass area. So, in order to do that, town meeting would have to approve a lease of the land, which means it would need a town meeting vote. However, before that, they would like to do a perk test to see if it's
even viable. So, if it's not viable, it wouldn't come to you. If it is viable, then we would start this this search and and go down this route. I talked to council about the perk testing, and he said we should sign a license agreement, which is a simple document. and um make sure that they have the right insurance binders and then we could authorize that
perk test and then bring you more information. >> So I'm sorry we had sign a license agreement with Center Park or >> with the potential owners of ferns. Oh, because we don't sign license agreement that lets them do a per test. >> Yeah. To touch our land to evaluate it
and then >> so the prior ferns had this eco it's like a glorified outhouse basically, right? And that's deemed not desirable by the current owners. >> My understanding is in their discussions with the permitting boards that it would not be enough.
>> Not be enough for things they want to do. >> Oh, okay. Not enough. But you could put a second, but they don't want that kind of Those are ones that somebody carts out, I guess. Or >> this. Yeah. >> Or does it self >> I forget. >> Compost. Yeah. >> It sort of self
just decomposes. Is that what that Yeah. That >> compost, >> right? But I mean, are they objecting aesthetically or capacitywise or both? >> I mean, I was reacting to what they said they wanted to do. >> So, I didn't ask them that. All right.
But I mean, if the per test doesn't produce the right results or if there's deemed not enough footprint there to do it, >> we're going to have to find another option. >> So, but I mean for the last years, there was an option that seemed to work,
right? >> Okay. So, assuming there's no u objection to that, that's the route I'm going to take in order to get you the information you need for this. >> Sounds good. >> Can you have a septic under a parking lot? >> Yes. >> Okay.
>> Yes, you can. And other than just highlighting what's coming, so fire station, Highland building, historical commission at your next meeting, that is my full report. >> Final town meeting >> and town meeting stuff. Yeah. >> Um, two items or a couple of items. one,
um, we're going to be discussing Highland at the next meeting on April 28th. Next week is vacation week. Is it possible to arrange for those that can attend some kind of tour of Highland on Monday or Tuesday of that week? I don't know who would give the tour, but it would be helpful to visit Highland.
It does require hazmat suits >> or whatever we can safely even walking the perimeter if it's not safe to go in some I' I'd be interested in looking that at that option because we are going to be discussing it on Tuesday of the
28th. Even just seeing where again looking at it seeing where it sits in regard to the school and >> all that I think is important. >> Okay. I'd love to go on a tour or two, but I'm away next week. >> Not next week. It would have to be the 27th or 28th. Yeah, I'm away next week.
>> Oh, it would have to be that Monday, you mean? Or Tuesday? >> Monday or Tuesday before the meeting? Yeah, >> we will try. >> Who would do that? >> Stephen. >> Okay. So, that might be an optional tour if folks can make it. We'll see if we can find a time in the morning to just
take a look at it. Um, I don't see a meeting scheduled on the list for May 26th, which is the meeting after town meeting and before town election. Um, I guess do we have thoughts on do we
plan on having a meeting that date? >> Yes. >> Barney and David, do you plan on attending that meeting? >> Of course, if we have one. >> Okay. So, that would be the final uh meeting for Barney and David. Okay. >> Swan. It's not been in this list, so I I
didn't know if there was a reason it wasn't on there. >> They're They're making it a surprise. >> You feel like you need one? I mean, >> I don't know. >> I don't I mean, we'll we'll we'll take a look at that. >> We can always >> lame duck session. Yeah, we've kind of been >> Maybe an executive session to review
executive session notes. >> Oh, yeah. All executive. That's right. >> A real barn burner minutes. Um the other thing is I know uh Gretchen at probably one of our May meetings we want to review the code of conduct. Um
>> uh Gretchen mentioned David that you might >> I talked or said whatever the team >> Okay. decided that >> we're going to hold you to that then. >> Yeah. I'm I'm fine with whatever you guys decided. I don't have the time but okay do it. >> Terrific. All right. Thank you. Anything
else? We have to do the cemetery deeds and we have So there is two minutes in the packet. Do we want to >> Oh, right. >> Review and approve. >> Yeah, I'm fine with that. I read >> Okay. Do you want to make a motion on the minutes? We have >> I have the cemetery ones in front of me,
not the minutes. We want to have the >> um >> from March 10th and March. >> March 10th and March 24th. 20 2256. >> All right. I make a motion that we approve the minutes from March 10th, 2026 and March 24, 2026.
>> Second. >> Second. >> Any further discussion or deliberation? Seeing none, we'll do a voice vote. All in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes. And we are on to cemetery deeds. Item nine. >> Keep rolling, Travis. >> All right. I move to transfer land in
the public burial ground at the CE green cemetery as described. Deeds 869 to Allison Kerry and Robert Koenig Jr. Feezan Hill Lane for lot C92 Grave 1. Deed 870 to Shaun W. Martinez, Bedford
Road for lot D46, graves 1 through8. Deed 871 to Quang Zang and How Lee of Carriage Way for lot D 167 graves 1
through 4. Deed 872 to Fangloo and Yuan Tang of Cutters Ridge Road for lot D166 graves 1 through 4 deed 873 to Xiang Sue
and Pat and Patricia Nu of Westford Street for lot D195 graves 124 and five indeed 874 to Rebecca Conl and Michael Rem rem Remen Ram Narin
>> Ram Narin of Autumn Lane for lot C 16 graves 2 three and four >> second anyone >> second >> any further discussion or deliberation seeing none we'll do a voice vote all in
favor >> I >> opposed >> they know that fee increase is coming everyone does I know >> all right any um on the final one any what liazison reports uh I could go briefly. So the uh
superintendent search committee has met several times. >> Brian's running a really tight ship. >> Good. >> It's very timeconuming. We had like 30 something resumes. >> Oh wow. Wow. >> We down selected to five that we interviewed and the final
three. So that's all in executive session. though because it's private and they're running the final I guess conflict traps or whatever but the three finalists will be named publicly. I'm not sure before vacation or not. It
might be before vacation but certainly after school vacation and then there'll be more of an open uh meeting where they meet people in community and teachers and everything else. The three we interviewed I'd say all were highly qualified and would be great interim
superintendent. So, that seems to be working pretty well. This morning, uh, I was part of the it's not really called the audit committee. I don't know what we're called, but we review the, uh, annual the the accountants report and they'll come in. When are they coming,
Ryan? Sort of. >> They're going to come in at the end of the process. >> The They're going to come in May 26th. >> May 26. So, that's why we have Okay. Anyway, we got a clean bill of health. Kelly and Sandy did a great job. There's no findings.
>> We look healthy. Our balances are moving in the right direction. Our oped is under control. Our not that we have any really leverage here, but the teachers retirement and the county retirement seem to be good and uh we're, you know,
we're just chugging along. So, it was a good uh was a good report. >> Good. Thank you. Any other liazison reports? I have one for the town trust fund working group. We're very close to finishing up things. It should have been done quite some time ago, but we were
not able to settle on two items which is how to allocate the scholarship funds and we were waiting for a process on how the allocations would be for the financial assistance. Um so the school committee got back to us and said they were recommending that we take it up
with some other groups. um and they recommended some. And then the uh financial assistance, that process is being written by uh our employee Jeff Katowski. Um if you guys don't know, his wife was due today to give birth. So his
mind is elsewhere. So we've not had a a formal process from the COHS yet. And uh that's kind of what we're hanging on there is just that last bit. So, >> more to come on that,
>> but we're closing in on the finish. >> Okay. >> Anybody else with any other leazison reports? >> Seeing none, we'll move to community input in the room. >> No. Online. Anybody have community input?
Usual suspects. Very good. All right. With that, we can take a motion to adjurnn. >> So move. Moved. >> All in favor? I >> I thank you very much. >> Thank you.