Heat. [Music] [Music] Heat.
[Music] [Music] Good evening. Ladies and gentlemen, and
welcome to the January 6th, 2026 meeting of the Town of Cadam Select Board. Please note this meeting is being recorded and will be available shortly hereafter for scheduled and on demand viewing on any smartphone or tablet device. If anyone else is recording the meeting, including the use of AI
note-taking apps, please notify the chair. Seeing none, pursuant to Governor Healey's March 28th, 2025 signing of chapter 2 of the acts of 2025 extending certain COVID 19 measures adopted during the state of emergency suspending
certain provisions of the open meeting law general laws chapter 38 section 20 until June 30th, 2027. This meeting of the Cadam Select Board is being conducted in person and via remote participation. Every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings as provided for
in the order. A reminder that persons who would like to listen to this meeting while in progress may do so by calling the phone number 158-945-4410 conference ID 203-386491 pound or join the meeting online via Microsoft Teams through the link in the
posted agenda. While this is a live broadcast and simal cast on Chattam TV Exfinity channel 1072, despite our best efforts, we may not be able to provide real-time access. We will post a record of record of this meeting on the town's website as soon as possible. First item
of business is to establish a quorum. Miss Davis >> present. >> Mr. Dykins >> present. >> Mr. Matters >> present. Mr. Smith >> present. >> And the chair is pleasant. Present pleasant as well. Um we have three sets of minutes. We'll start with the to approve the first is
the the minutes of December 9th, 2025. Do I hear a motion? >> Motion to approve. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Any corrections? >> Steuart. >> Um I guess more clarification. >> Pardon m
page seven. Uh it's the one, two, three, four, fifth paragraph down. Um I think I had mentioned that uh we should be seeking alternate funding. Um whether or not that you want
to put it in that paragraph, I don't know, but that's important. >> We could add a sentence >> moving forward. We can add a sentence on that. the town will seek alternate funding. >> And the the other two it this I don't
believe was mentioned, but I think it's just an important point to uh point out on on paragraph 7. Uh Miss Rick stated that the county was looking into possibility of purchasing a smaller third dredge, but to her knowledge, no
other towns owned a dredge. Um Plymouth County owns one and Edgartown owns one. So >> I don't think it was mentioned then but just >> we won't put it in the minutes but >> just for the board members. >> No thank >> okay. Anything else? >> No thank you.
>> Okay. All right with that we'll call the role. And Miss Davis >> I. >> Mr. Dykins. >> I. >> Mr. Matters. >> I. >> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> And the chair votes. It's 5 to zero. Next is the are the minutes of December 16th. Uh do I hear a motion? Abigail.
>> Motion to approve. Second. >> Sorry guys. Second. >> Okay. Any corrections? I have a couple on um page uh three at the very bottom and last line the
sentence that begins that chair of the I would like it to read. It was also noted that that chair of the historical commission was present. It was also noted that the chair and on the next page um
at the end of that sentence after the word present I would strike the period and add um this phrase if anyone had questions. Period. And in the next line uh after Mr.
Costello's name. I would note I would add this and further commented on and further commented on by current t town town council J. Talaman. Uh and then on page six um in the second to last paragraph, the
fifth line after the word unreasonable, I would um strike the word and and insert or. And in the uh 1 2 3 4 sixth line
after the word authority period, I would strike the phrase it is now and substitute the following. Should the HBDC decision be upheld,
comma, it would then be and the rest would stay. Should the HBDC decision be upheld, comma, it would then be up to the clerks. And finally on page seven, uh, under the consent agenda in the last
line, I would change the period to a comma and insert and chair Niccastro pulled these items for same period. Um, okay. Any other corrections? If not, I'll call the role. Miss Davis,
>> I. >> Mr. Dyken, >> hi. >> Mr. Mattis, >> hi. >> Mr. Smith, >> I. >> And the chair votes I. Finally, the minutes of December 23rd. Do I hear a motion? >> Move the minutes. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. I have one
correction. Um on page six third paragraph from the bottom which begins director fairly discussed in the second to last line of that paragraph uh last sentence Barrows the other local
hauler. >> Yeah >> he's not I would strike the other local in substitute a Haritchbased hauler. >> Yeah. Good. >> Other than that >> any other fine. >> Okay. Call the role. Miss Davis >> I. Mr. Dykins I >> Mr. Mattis
>> abstain >> Mr. Smith >> I >> Mr. vote size. So that's 401. Okay. Um public announcements and agenda item requests. I have a few uh but I'll wait until uh anyone else
has anything to say. Stuart. >> Uh it's probably less of a public or a agenda request as maybe adding to one. I think I think next week I believe it's next week we have uh DPW director comes in and gives an update
>> water and the water report. Um, I don't know if that's too soon. It doesn't matter. It could be the next meeting. Um, but I think it would be helpful to at least me to understand uh where we
are with the sewer hookups. Uh I think there was some uh there was some comments at the last meeting and and some previous meetings about the lack of uh well we're not where we should be with the hookups and maybe we could get a briefing at that time.
>> Do that perhaps at a upcoming meeting. Not if he wants to do it next week that's fine too. Yeah, I know he has the information in the monthly reports, but we're a month behind, so it shouldn't be too difficult, but I'll check with him >> and I and he's giving a probably the same report that uh on Monday at the
water and sewer committee, so that already so maybe he can include that. >> Yeah, perfect. Jeff, >> a reading of the minutes prompted me to be reminded that Mr. Burman um com well offered to uh uh prepare a report for our uh water quality samples in terms of
TMDLs for oyster pond and those areas of the town that have already been sewered >> and I just think it'd be fun. It's no not a pressing need but I think it would be fun to look at and take a closer look. Muddy Creek we mentioned we also mentioned the oyster pond area. >> Okay. Uh any others uh from the board
any in in the audience or online? I don't see any. Uh, I've got a couple of um announcements mostly on well they're all on the sad side. Um, first um I want to note the passing of Herbert Ebasset
Jr. Herby Basset whom we all knew passed away on December 19th. He was a deputy shellfish constable for the town from 1987 to 1991. A call fire fighter call firefighter in 1993. He served as a member of the shellfish advisory
committee from 1983 to 1992 and most recently served on the town managers chattam council on aging working group uh for the CFAL this in January of um it says 2020.
Okay. Um, I also want to note uh the passing uh we just learned today of um the wife of our former fire chief um Mike Embrisco, Evelyn and Brisco and um the passing I I would like to
note the passing of a former Haritch select member seboard member Angelo Lamantia whom several of us worked with. I know Jeff and I worked with him on the IMA on sewer and Jeff I think you worked with him on the region regionalization of the school system and finally uh we
the board received a very nice letter uh from the town of Haritch select board relative to the passing of Dr. Duncin I'm I'm going to take the privilege to read it. Um dear members of the Chattam Select Board on behalf of the Haritch Select Board we extend our deepest
condolences to the town of Cadam and to the family and friends of Dr. for Robert Duncinson. His sudden passing is a profound loss not only to your community but to the entire Cape. Dr. Duncinson's vision and leadership in environmental stewardship left an indelible mark on Chattam and beyond. His pioneering work
in wastewater planning and coastal water management set a standard with many towns including ours looked to as a model. The water quality lab he founded and the comprehensive wastewater management plan he helped design stand as lasting testaments to his dedication and expertise. We recognize that his
more than 35 years of service to Chattam were guided by extraordinary diligence, deep knowledge, and a commitment to the public good. His legacy will continue to benefit generations to come and his example of public service will inspire others across the Cape. Please know that our thoughts are with you during this
time of sorrow. We share in honoring Dr. for Duncinson's life and the remarkable impact he had on your town and our region. With sympathy and respect, John Howell, select board chair. So, with that, I think >> was a very nice letter.
>> It was um Yes, I I think I've covered everything. So, we'll go on to our next item, which is a public hearing to consider the uh change uh to consider amendments, specifically a change of manager and change of stock interest to
the annual all alcoholic beverages package store license for New Chatam Corp. Doing businesses Chattam liquor store for the business located at 756 Main Street, Chadam. uh our licensing agent Sha and Neilie is available here for any questions and we understand that attorney Matthew Porter and the
applicants are online. So with that I will invite um the clerk to our clerk to read the public hearing notice and we'll open the public hearing. >> Sure. >> Stuart of Cadam Select Board public hearing notice. Notice is hereby given that the Chattam Select Board will hold
a public hearing on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM in the large meeting room at the town office annex 261 George Ryder Road Chattam and remotely via Microsoft Teams platform to consider amendments
uh change of manager and change of stock interest to the annual all alcoholic beverage package store license for New Cadam Corp. DBA Cadam Liquor Store for the business located at 756
Main Street, Cadam. All interested parties are encouraged to participate. >> Thank you. I see um the parties online. Attorney Porter, did you want to begin? We do want to note that uh we received today a revised page um in the application for paragraph
number six, page nine. Mr. Porter, did you want to speak or did you want your client to go first? >> I I'd be happy to speak. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, board. Uh, my name is Matthew Porter. I'm the attorney for New Cadam Corp, uh, which does business with Chadam Liquor Store in town. Before you,
as you stated, is a twofold application uh, for the ABC. One relates to a change of manager. Uh, currently the there are two partners in the store, Pesh Patel and Gam by Patel. uh Gancham is selling uh his portion of the stock uh to Malav
Patel as well as Capil Patel. Uh so we basically have two new owners coming in and then Pares Patel who's the president, treasurer, secretary, director uh he's remaining in all of those roles and and will retain ownership interest in it as well. So that's the first part of the application. Second part is Capil is
also coming on as the license manager. Um he has been working at the store since 2019. So it's certainly very familiar with the operation, very uh familiar with the rules and responsibilities that come along with the sale of alcohol. Um so an employee
really here stepping into a manager role uh as well as an ownership role uh with a company as well. Uh he is alcohol tip certified. All employees would be required to be alcohol tip certified as well. Um but this is more of an internal uh reshuffleling of of partners than it
is you know anything changing you know from an outward perspective. The the store will still continue to do business in its existing manager uh manner rather. Um no change is expected at all. >> Thank you. Mr. Patella did you have anything you would like to say or
Okay. Any questions or comments from the board? Um, this is a public hearing, so if there's anyone in the audience or online who has any questions or comments. I hear none. So, I'll entertain a motion. >> I move to approve, Mr. Chairman.
>> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. I'll call the role. Miss Davis. >> Hi. >> Mr. Dykins. >> Hi. >> Mr. Matters. Hi. >> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> Chair votes. It's been approved. Good luck. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. Appreciate you. Have a good day. >> Hearing is closed. Thank you. Uh next we
have um there's no consent agenda item tonight so we'll pass on that public comments on the business agenda if anyone wants to make them now. Uh otherwise they can make them contemporaneously with the agenda items. Seeing none, we'll go right on to the first item on the business agenda which
is to consider the use of town property for the possession and consumption of alcohol on town property. special one-day alcohol license and special oneday entertainment license for the 2026 blessing of the fleet May 31, 2026 at the Cadam Fish Pier Women of Fishing
Families WF. >> I'm recusing myself >> and uh select board member Davis has recused herself. Welcome Shannon Aldridge. >> Hi mom. >> Welcome. >> Thank you.
>> Shannon, you want to tell us about this? Yeah. So, Women of Fishing Families is hosting would like to host the Blessing of the Fleet, the Chattam Fish Pier. We brought it back after a five-year hiatus last June 1st um with great success. We
had a lot of fishing families show up and a lot of towns folk, a lot of visitors, and um it was a beautiful day and we want to do it again. So, May 31st, it's a Sunday afternoon. Um and we
would be uh selling beer and wine um having some food vendors and some entertainment during the ceremony. Um we have a request for the alcohol one day special
alcohol permit and then the one day um special entertainment license. >> I just thank you. I just had one question and this was in your submitt um um uh the page that has the the map on it. There's a question there. Can we block parking after 11:00 a.m. in the
lower lot? I don't know if anyone address that or if that's a relevant question at this point. >> It was more a question for the harbor master for Jason. Um last year he was able to kind of block it off at a certain point. It's not critical.
>> Okay. Um, but we we do want like a little corner in the upper or the lower parking lot in that back corner towards the beach. Um, and we were just hoping to block parking there. >> So, that's something to be determined between you and the harbor master. >> Yeah, he was able to help us out.
>> Okay. Any questions for Jeff? Yeah, Shannon, have you used the shuttle before? Did we use it last year? >> Yeah, we did. We worked with Chadam Valet and they were awesome. They had uh parking up at the elementary school and they were able to do the drop off at the
upper lot. I think they did do a couple of drop offs down at the lower when they had folks with some like ex uh accessibility needs >> which was very cool. Yeah. >> So it worked well. >> Worked really well. And the police detail came from Haritch. They were great too. They were really
>> just super awesome. Yeah. It was a smooth day for us which is nice. The weather helped. >> Yeah. Good. Any other questions or comments, Steuart? >> Um, on the second page of the memo, um, request has been circulated for staff
review and comment. It says the police have no issues with the event as described. I assume that's relating to the alcohol park. I don't know what they're >> So, um, our normal procedure with these is we circulate them to the public safety fire police at the time. Um, I
had heard from police. fire also had said they had no issue with the proposed plan either. So, >> and the harbor master doesn't have any issue. >> Harbor master did not either. >> Didn't either. Okay. >> Okay. >> Um Okay. >> Anything else? >> One other thing.
>> Go ahead. >> Sorry. Uh one other quick thing. Um I mean I support the event. I think it was a good event. Um but currently the regulations don't allow for uh consumption of
alcohol. So I guess in the motion we can handle that will suspend that portion of the regulation for that day. Is that what you're >> those the um are those the select boards regulations for the >> pier? >> No one's ever really raised that before. But
>> I think we can handle it within >> is that in there? I haven't >> within the it is in the current regulations, but I I think we can probably deal with it in the motion. I would assume it. >> Well, we're giving permission to use alcohol on town property in the Fish Pierce town property. So, I think we're covered. >> Are we not?
>> It'd be contrary to the regulations. I'm just thinking that it it's not a big deal. I'm just suggesting that in the motion we say, "Hey, we're going to suspend uh you know, the consumption of alcohol for that day for this event." >> Well, let's move along. So, we'll I
would suggest including that language just to get >> Okay. >> You want to offer that motion? >> Yeah, sure. I move to grant permission to use town property um and suspend the regulation for the for the consumption of alcohol at the fish pier and to grant the permission for the possession and consumption of alcohol and town property
including a granting a special one-day alcohol license for wine and malt beverages only and also grant a special one-day entertainment license for live and recorded amplified music and readings to Shannon Eldridge aka Shanty of Women of Fishing Families on May
31st, 2026 from 1 to from 1 to 5:00 p.m. with the Cadam Fishpier for the 2026 blessing of the fleet. >> I'll second that. >> Moved and seconded. And just note that the suspension is just for this event. It's >> not a general suspension across the board.
>> All right. Call call the role. Um Mr. Dykins I >> Mr. Meadows. Hi. >> Mr. Smith. >> Hi. >> Chair votes eye. Four to zero. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> We'll see you guys there. All right. >> Okay. Next. consider a special 1-day alcohol
license for the South Chattam Public Library on January 31st, 2026 at South Chattam Village Hall, 2567 Main Street um and South Cadam and um Peggy Holland is here.
>> Hello. >> Are you P are you Peggy Holland? >> I am Peggy Holland. >> Okay, welcome. >> Thank you. >> Um um floor is yours. Tell us what you'd like. >> Yes. I'm the president of the board of the South Chattam Public Library and we are sponsoring another community supper
in South Chattam at the Village Hall. This will be on January 31st. You're all invited. We'd love to have you come. Um it's going to be an evening uh supper and then a trivia night. Um and last year we did the same thing except we had
music at the time. Uh this year we would like to uh serve alcohol as we did last year. wine is what we serve and um we would like your your permission to to do that this that evening. It is a family event. Um everybody who gets served will
be over 21. Um and we are having wine donated um we hope uh and if not we'll purchase it at Luke's. Um and uh it will not be there will not be a lot but there will be enough for someone to have a glass of wine if they'd like. We'll also
have non-alcoholic beverages served. >> Okay. Thank you. Any questions from the board? Shireen, >> I just want to make a comment. I went to the event last year and it was lovely. It was a great community um get together uh well attended, well organized uh well
served um um by volunteers. I think they were from the school, which was really kind of kind of neat. Um, if so, I'm going to move to grant a special 1-day alcohol license for wine and malt beverages only to Peggy Holland of South Chattam Public Library for January 31st,
2026 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the South Chattam Village Hall, 2567 Main Street, South Chattam. >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Call the role. Miss Davis. >> Hi. >> Mr. Dykins. Hi. >> Mr. Mattis. Hi. >> Mr. Smith. Hi. >> Chair votes. I five to zero. Good luck.
>> Thank you so much. >> Good time. Thank you. Hope to see you there. >> Thank you. Next, um the annual uh 2026 seasonal population estimate for alcoholic beverages regulations. This is used to determine how many uh
special um licenses we get, >> Mr. Chair. So, we'll reorder the agenda to take care of this item. The next item would be the goals and objectives. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I jumped ahead. Well, I'm gonna I'll take it up since since I've already gone through it all.
>> Um, Shauna, >> yes, the seasonal population estimate is required by the ABCC annually. Uh, it does technically um authorize the number of one day of seasonal licenses that we have. But
because our population goes so high, it's really at the board's discretion. In other towns, it really only applies to seasonal package stores, which the town of Chadam converted to annual licenses early in the 80s.
>> So, this is basically restaurants. Restaurants only. Okay. Um, so historically we had 30,000. Last time we bumped it up to 33. Does anybody have any comments or want to offer a motion? Questions? Stuart?
>> Well, I guess it's more just of a question. the it says the board. I'm assuming that's this board. Yeah. And we're we're going to be estimating of 30,000 and then an increase to 33,000. Do we >> any Where's those where do we just
>> where do those numbers come from? >> Um it was 30,000 when I took over from Ramona 18 years ago and the board did not change it until recently. just last year I think for the first time. >> Last year the year before >> we thought 30,000 wasn't reflective of
how many folks we actually get after the last couple of years. >> Yeah. Well, that >> tourism >> that could be true. Um interesting. I didn't >> I guess I didn't realize it was quite that high, but I don't know where we got the number. So, >> fair enough. >> Great question.
>> Okay. Is there a motion, >> Shireen? >> Yeah. Thanks, Steve. Um, I move that the board as a local licensing authority estimate the seasonal population will be 33,000 in July 10th, 2026. >> Second.
>> Moved and seconded. We'll call the role. Miss Davis. >> Hi. >> Mr. Dyik. >> Hi. >> Mr. Morris. >> Hi. >> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> And the chair votes I. Okay. Now we'll do >> uh consider this 2026 select board goals and objectives. This has been continued
from November 18th. Um and uh because um we wanted to give Stuart an opportunity to um uh fill out the form that we had filled out way back um when we first adopted these goals um and offer his comments
and suggestions. How shall we take these up? Jill. >> So Kathy's going to share her screen. So I would suggest um that the board start with the vision statement. The comments by select board member Smith are noted in bold and underlined,
and I can certainly read it if you've want. It says, "Chadam in 2030 will be a forward-looking, engaged, and exclusive community, I'm sorry, inclusive community of demographically diverse year-round citizens that maintains a unique integration, a preservation of
its pristine environment, promotion of a healthy economy, and the added language is through yearround employment using local and Cape Cod citizens, fiscally responsible and responsive leadership, and a welcoming environment
for call to chatam. >> Okay, let's focus on this first, the vision statement. Are there any comments on it? Sharing? >> Yeah, I I I think I uh I I just have a one comment on it and I think when I was
reading it, I wanted to um ask myself uh is this statement through year- round employment using local and Cape Cod citizens? Um does it do anything to distract from our seasonal economy? Number one. And number two, um is it,
you know, um are we looking at it as a a you know, like an aspirational strategy to strengthen year round the year round economy? I just wanted to know what Stuart's thoughts were when he when he uh when he wanted to add that in so I have a better understanding.
>> Sure. And and those were my thoughts to uh to to uh emphasize that not to be exclusionary but to emphasize the importance of having uh um yearround uh employment uh using uh folks that live
here and on the Cape. Um in in on on some occasions that's not going to be possible. I get that. But it would be nice that our primary focus is to deal with the folks that live on this sandbar with us. I had a similar question as Shireen and
I wanted to suggest one minor tweak to it. Um because it is aspirational and I think we all recognize it would be great to have this um strike the word through and substitute the word encouraging encouraging year-round employment using local and Cape Cod. How does that
>> Sure. >> that's fine. That's good. >> That's good. >> That's good. >> All right. >> I just had a quick question on the difference between local and Cape Cod. Does local mean? >> Chadam. >> Chadam. Well, and then I would say it. >> You could say Chad. Yeah, that's what was my >> that's what you mean. Then that's what
you ought to say. >> Change that to Chadam. >> Yep. And they've got citizens. >> Okay. Any other comments on this particular? >> Yeah, I think the word encouraging is very good. I was going to suggest and when possible or feasible through Iran, but anyway, I like encouraging a lot.
>> Okay. Um, so shall we just go to the next uh uh item where Stuart had offered some suggestions? I think it's under educational excellence. >> Is that right, Joel? >> Yes. So that's the top of page two.
Sure. >> All right. So the goal bucket that we have here is educational excellence. The town will support the educational excellence of the Monoy Regional School District through funding for capital infrastructure, support for needed
support for needed innovative student programs and activities and stimulation of enrollment growth over the next three years. Below it, it lists the objectives and then the added language is the last bullet is encourage younger people to
serve. >> Thank you. Are you encouraging them to serve in >> Well, I'm not >> in what re what? >> Yeah, this isn't the I'm not sure it's the same format that I used to uh when I
filled out the forms, but um that you could almost strike because it's it's contained in um page three at the top of the first red encourage younger people to serve uh providing incentives. So, so I think I just got
>> Where was that on page? If I may, the reason I put it there, just so you're aware and you're I'm more than happy to strike it. I just wanted to tell you why I put it. >> Um because younger people, I was thinking, you know, the high school graduates, the college students, um if
under education, there's a way to maybe >> buy in, but if you want to strike it, that's fine. But that was my logic behind putting it in both places. Um >> good logic. >> I'd like to keep it and not strike it. Can I just um maybe it needs to have a
little more substance to it because >> what are they serving? That's what I really want. >> What are they serveing? Is it Is it >> or in what capacity? >> Yeah. Is it Yeah. Is it >> Could we expand on that? >> Yeah. >> Are we encouraging them to serve on
committees or >> in town government? Well, the my intent was to be very generic in that it uh you know encouraging the younger people to serve >> the community >> the community in general businesses the community um and the same
um the same for on or similar for page three. So >> is it more um Stuart like civic engagement to serve in civic you know civic engagement? >> Well I didn't want Yeah. I mean it is yeah >> or community engagement. I mean, >> I didn't want it to be um like once
again, I didn't want it to be exclusionary. I was trying to be very broad in that. >> What if you to combine them and say civic and community engagement >> uh in this provision? That's >> what wherever you want to put it. >> Yeah. In the in the first one, that's fine. Um yep, that would be more
definitive. Corey. >> Well, I'm just trying to understand a little bit um because we're focused on a kind of school age population right now and there are like there are several internships with the Monoy school program that have students involved in a variety of you know businesses and
activities and stuff. So there is some level of this already and I'm trying to figure out exactly where we're trying to nudge this um into are we talking more involved in you know uh you know getting involved and encourage engagement with
our committees um attending meetings town meeting um I'm just trying to I just I'm I'm fine with it. I just want to make sure I'm clear with what the message is. I mean, my the intent of my message simply was to um encourage the
younger folks here and then gets a little more definitive further on, but uh the younger folks here to um uh be uh civic-minded um and in and um participating
uh in our local uh businesses and activities. I think um I'm not maybe as familiar as you are on what level they're doing now. That's fine. I'm simply suggesting that we continue to encourage that we
>> Do you want to replace the word younger people with students if you want to be specific in that area? >> Yep, we can do that. Sure. Yeah. >> Just on page three or you going to do it in both places? >> This is page two. I think >> that's the bullet for educational
excence. Yeah. >> How about on the pre on the first entry of that? Did you want to change that to students as well? >> Yeah, we got to change it there. Encourage students to >> Yeah. >> Could it be >> students to serve the community through civic engagement? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think you wanted it more broad
on the the latter part of the goals. >> So, encourage students to serve >> to serve in the community and schools to serve engage Yeah. Encourage students reads right now. Encourage students to serve the
community through civic engagement. I don't know if you want to expand that to include the schools. I mean, they're >> including the schools. >> Fine. Yeah. Oh, I like that. >> Yep. And schools. >> Serve the community through civic engagement, including the schools. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
That's on page three. That's on page two. >> Top of page two. Yep. >> Okay. All right. So moving to page three under the goal respond effectively to the needs of a diverse welcoming the new language is
comma safe comma healthy and livable cadam. >> That looks fine to me. >> Let's let Kathy catch up to us. And then there's >> three bullets on the bottom that are in red.
Encourage younger people to serve by providing incentives. Strengthen select board oversight of committees, boards, and commissions through greater consideration of the appointment authority with within the bounds of the charter. And then provide a civics 101
class municipal academy for all Chattam residents. And the last one continues on the last page. Conduct a policy review. to ensure all policies are codified in writing and enforced accordingly. >> Okay, why don't we take these one by
one? >> Sure. >> Why don't we take these one by one? Let's just start with the um the overall goal, the addition of the word safe and healthy to me. They look okay. I don't know if anyone has any questions or concerns about those. >> No issue.
>> No. >> Okay. Then we have the encourage students. So are we going to have the same language we had on page two for that? >> I think younger people's broader than >> Yeah, this is broader. >> Younger people. >> Yeah. >> Okay.
>> What kind of incentives? >> Yeah. Well, you know that uh we certainly can chat about that, but um >> it strikes me that uh >> we you know we I think the board has tried and to some degree succeeded in in
uh like recruiting younger folks in the community to participate, but as I look out at the audience here, not only do I not see young people, I don't see anyone. Um so um incentives for instance uh might include for
instance like this board um a lot of people in Chadam the younger folks need to work second sometimes three jobs to live in this very expensive community and area. And um it seems that if we
want to encourage them, we're going to have to uh provide some sort of uh uh financial incentive for them to uh participate because in order to do that, you know, they they may have to give up another position that they currently
have working, you know, I don't know where uh but you know, landscaping or what have you. But um you know I've chat with a few people who um who are younger than me and um
they seem to be you know time constraint with families and children and financially uh they just they have to work these other positions in order to live here. That's kind of, you know, it's distressing, but um I understand
it. And it seems to me if we're going to want to encourage them to well, for instance, running for for this board, um it's uh I I I don't think that somebody could
give up their second job to to participate here for uh you know, the the uh minimal money that is made here. And you know, we we do it because we can do it. Um, but there's others that don't
have those means. And, uh, I think the only thing I can think of in order to get them here is to, uh, is to pay them. And, uh, they they've got to offset any loss of um, um, uh, income in another
position. And it it if they, you know, they may want to serve, but they can't afford to, and that certainly shouldn't be the case. Um and uh so I thought financially that would be uh something.
Um I don't know whether people realize um and I'm I'm not even sure the extent of it but um the the board is offered um I think is yeah they are is offered um
health insurance at the town rate. I don't know whether the the younger folks understand that that uh if it were more you know we go through the budget and it's you know it's approved there I get that but I don't know whether it's
advertised well enough for to create you know that's some incentive or could be some incentive for people who let's face it health costs are just ridiculous and um that could be a uh you know a helpful relief. Um so those are the two things
that jumped out at me. I'm sure there are other incentives that we could we could discuss. Um but uh even even early retirees you know people are retiring earlier and um ear you know younger in the sense that they haven't reached uh
uh you know social security yet. So uh that could be some incentives. But when I mention it, people, it's not like they're surprised. They just weren't aware of that incentive. So, um, and I don't know if there's a if
there's a if there's an incentive after, uh, social your social security age, whether there's a um an insurance incentive. I I just don't know that enough. Um, but I'm not quite there, but I'm getting there. Uh, in age. So, those
were a couple of things that I thought um you know, we talk about getting the younger people involved and um if if we mean that and I know we mean it, but if we want to if we want to help that along, seems to me uh finance funding is
the way to do it. Well, I guess with respect to um providing funding um you know the board members get a stipend which is voted every year um and approved at town
meeting. Um almost every committee is not compensated. I think there are a couple of exceptions. is the assessors get a small stipend and the park and wreck commission or the cemetery cemetery commission gets a small
stipend. >> Um >> is that the only cemetery commission? There's no other commission that I >> I think just the assessors. >> Oh, airport commission. >> Airport commission. >> Yeah. >> A stipent small stipen. >> Yes. So we would be introducing uh and I and
I don't know I don't know whether legally you could you know have a an age determinant of whether you qualify or not you know I don't know >> well I wouldn't make it age determinant I would make it if we chose uh after we
have some discussions about it um just make it an opportunity doesn't it's not age dependent it's more if you serve >> um we're going to the community wants to encourage that sort of thing and we're going to provide X Y and Z whether it's
a you know uh some sort of some sort of health insurance plan that the town already has or uh some sort of financial incentive in order to once again to uh so they they they can afford to be here.
It shouldn't cost them money to be here because they're going to have to give up another income. Well, let me just keep f keep the focus for the moment on on stipens versus health insurance. I think I will turn to Jill on health insurance in terms of what the implications might be if more people were made eligible.
Certainly the information about the eligibility that exists now which is present to any um employee of the town including elected officials and I think some participate and some do not. Um but
on the money side I you know I how many um um members committee members do we have total we have about close to 45 50 committees I think we have to think about you know do we really want to do
that or not I mean I before I ever got on the board and maybe even before Jeff I think is the most senior member by tenure on this board wasn't there an effort some time ago, maybe even before you got here, Jill, to eliminate all
stipens of committee members. I sort of remember reading about that in the newspaper. >> Well, I don't I don't I don't, but I remember >> you you were >> But anyway, I'll throw it out for discussion. I have I mean >> yeah maybe it's just maybe it's just those regulatory >> groups that have more responsibility
clearly um as opposed to but >> those yeah those are the type of discussions that I think uh um uh if we were to to agree with this that would take place. >> Okay Corey and then Jeff and then Shireen
>> totally commend you for for thinking outside the box and trying to get more people involved. I'm just trying to think. I mean, I've been around for 18 years. You know, I spent eight years on the planning board. I got involved because I got nudged on the tapped on the shoulder said, "Hey, actually,
someone actually put an application in for me officially. I didn't actually put the application in. By the way, you're going to have an interview." That's how I got involved in all this. Okay. Someone nudged me. >> That was a friend. >> It was a friend. No pass. Um, and I, you know, did that for eight years. Then I was fortunate enough to start you know
in 2015 elected to this board and I've been on for this my 10th year. The the stipen was never a factor you know it's it's not a lot and I don't think we are going to be able to provide a stipen to any committee member on any of the board committee that is going to
be such a you know golden ticket to to drive them. We really just got to find a way to engage people. um they want to serve and younger people, younger, and I mean 20, 30, 40, they're working like crazy. They're paying their bills. They're they got
their kids, especially when they're younger. I mean, there's a lot of I mean, I've, like I say, I've been on here, I've been 18 years of service, two businesses, four kids, and I've I've seen kids grow up. I've had kids born during my service here. You know, it's
it tugs at you sometimes. I mean, you have to give give and take. There's, you know, there there's meetings that I've or meetings I've attended and I missed certain family events and I've made that choice and, you know, and then I've been fortunate enough to, you know, a couple years back, you know, one of my kids was
in a state tournament soccer game and you guys were kind enough to, you know, support it and I was I was away, you know. So, I think there's a lot of internal support that we can have and it's just it's about recruiting people. I don't know if the monetary incentive is going to be there. Health insurance maybe yet that that could that could be
considerable. I think there's some pros and cons with that. Um, but it's definitely something, you know, that's a different discussion point. Um, but it's it's getting people to want to serve and that's of any age in this community. That's that's the sad hurdle that we're
dealing with. Um, so figuring a way to to me more, you know, more be able to recruit individuals of any age, um, you know, would be nice. Um I just don't know if I I don't know what the golden ticket is.
>> Yeah. And and the discussions that I have are it's not uh only on this but that people might be interested in serving but they're so concentrated on trying to
afford to live here that it it it you know it moves back on the uh chain of importance to them. And somehow we have to move that. I mean, I think it would behoove us to move that up and uh you know, the young people that do remain
here um and those those numbers are dwindling uh to to um you know provide some financial incentive to help uh with the affordability aspect of uh of being here. Cy. And then one little small
thing I think is a hurdle with getting people to serve is kind of the meeting schedules because when we have meetings at 2 or 4 in the afternoon, which work for for certain people, those people who are working, they can't. They're not going to choose a quit their landscaping
job is they're going to be done at five or six or, you know, even later in the summertime. So, you have a, you know, 4:00 meeting. it it does create a hurdle for younger people to be engaged because they're more they're freer later in the evening or or other times I don't know
>> and I think it's you know one thing that technology has helped us a lot and that you can participate remotely so you would think that that would help people I talked to an young person who uh wasn't aware that they could participate remotely and I said yeah the town has
accepted that so it changed their thinking um and then of course the discussion went to affordability and how much time can I give it with if I have to give up my job at the liquor store or wherever. So, you know, just thinking a little bit broader. Anyway,
>> Jeff, you were next and then >> Yeah, thank you. Um, I think the what we're driving at, what Stuart's driving at is kind of addressing diversity and livability in Chadam. And I I I'll I'll offer this type of thought as a this is a larger a larger more of a macro
statement, but investigate opportunities to provide creative incentives, including financial incentives to promote and prompt greater civic engagement by all strata of our demographic, our local demographic. I mean, it's not just younger, but we want
younger folks. and younger, meaning as Corey noted, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, um because our demographic is is just so marketkedly skewed to the elderly in this town and and it's an incredibly expensive town in which to try to to to survive to to live and and raise a
family and stuff. It is it's tremend It's like >> Is it okay? >> Yeah, I like the addition. Yeah. >> Okay. Before you do that, Sharon, >> um, I was going in the same direction about the idea to promote the greater civic engagement piece because, you
know, um, we all, if you look at a lot of, uh, of of, you know, our adults lives, we are, we're hustling in our 20s and 30s and, you know, the kids raising kids and things slow down. You know, your career is on a good pathway and then you think about your community. I
mean, that's that's that's how I've always seen um I've seen it work that people start to become more community engaged unless there's some really interesting issue that really like grabs them and then compels them or just
skyrockets them into advocacy and then also into the idea of of community service. And I think that um I think the idea that we could um just create more of a like um especially what what Jill
and your team are doing with the municipal academy. Why do I serve? I think that kind of program is a really good program for people and you might not be able to get people to come to the come to the classes, but maybe there's a as you had discussed before, maybe
there's a spin-off of that. Maybe there's a a TV, you know, like channel that could be done, that kind of thing. It just gets more of that, you know, um the public awareness piece up there and testimonials to people of like why did why did you want to serve? I mean, it's
always a question people ask me, I'm sure that they ask everybody is what pro prompted you to do this, you know, and why? And a lot of times, you know, like I think I started off with mostly it was timing for me, you know, and and it worked well, you know. So everybody comes from with a different experience,
but I also think that there is that sort of um age where you start to think more about your community and civic um uh conditions that you want to be part of. I know I was very active with school and school committee when I was raising my kids. That was where I landed for civic
engagement at that time. So So I I like the bullet change. I think it's um I think it it raises the awareness of the need. >> Is that what you had, Jeff? It's on the board now. >> Provide creative incentives including financial but creative incentives to promote greater civic engagement by
alter. >> Yeah. Investigate opportunities. What I said was investigate opportunities to uh pro to um provide greater incentives including financial to prompt and promote greater civic
engagement by all strata of our local demographic. But that you know that's basically investigate opportunity by great incentives to promote. Yeah, that's fine. You substituted greater for creative. >> Mhm. >> I did. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. >> To to investigate opportunities to
provide creative incentives including financial. I mean, we really are thinking out of the box here. There some of the stuff. >> Do you want the phrase including financial in there? >> I do. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. Because I think at some point you have to make a commitment and that would be include it include stipens. It would also include other
creative incentives that >> will help people buy houses and stuff. I just want to make a historical comment. I mean, when I was city solicitor many, many years ago, the city council in the city of Quinsey and I
think in many other cities met every two weeks, not every week. And they weren't the chief policymaking body in the town. They were a legislature. And they were getting paid back then probably 7,500 a year. I bet they're getting about 20,000
plus right now. Um, and I think it's important that the public understands that this position here involves an incredible amount of time and the stipend is nice. We doubled it a few years ago, but it's not meant to be
compensation for the time that's put in. >> It's sort of honorific as it were. >> Yeah. And I and um I don't know kind of ongoing discussion but I don't know whether we've outlived that. >> Uh
>> probably have. We thought we we were at the time I remember we had some I think we were all on the board. Were you on the board at the time Shireen? >> We um were hoping it might encourage some more people to run for select board and I'm not sure it did but it's probably worth looking at it again at
some point. >> Yeah. I mean, uh, well, anyway, those types of discussions is what I was trying to >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, I think we've got some language up there that we're all comfortable with. >> Yeah. So, the next one is, uh, the strengthen the select board oversight.
>> Yeah. >> So, you want to talk about that? >> Sure. the I I suppose that there's some philosophical, you know, discussions we can we could have about this subject, but um clearly
the select board is the appointing authority for committees, commissions, and boards. Um and uh uh the town manager is the appointing authority with some uh with some uh
input from the board through the charter on uh staff appointments. Um, but it it seems to me and and I'm just I'm the newbie here, but my my uh my look is that
we make appointments and maybe it's by design. I'm not honestly certain, but we make appointments and then we kind of h have a good time on whatever committee or board or commission we've appointed you to. And um it kind of struck me with
some recent discussions. Uh most recent the the the board of health um I thought some of the dial you know some of the correspondence we got afterwards was you know was kind of it was interesting. I'm trying trying to see everybody's side to these issues and um you know do
they get the amount of guidance that they either want or should be getting because leadership is uh not making an appointment and then saluting and saying we'll see you uh when you get your
reappoint in three years. Um it that's not the type of um well that's not the type of and I don't call it management because it really isn't um because the chairman of these board chairperson of these boards and commission and
commissions under the statute is you know they they manage the the group um but the leadership is whether we really like it or not is this board. Um, so you I always like I'm always thinking, well, you don't want to be you don't want to
run the show on, you know, whatever board we're talking about. You want them to have that flexibility to to conduct the responsibility they have, but it seems uh
it seems like it's somewhat unwavery. It's like it's uh um the HBDC was another good example where you know I was had been hadn't been part of this. So it was an interesting um process to go through and uh you know I knew that
the HBDC after I read the information that you know we were the uh appellent to you know people would appeal to us. I found I was a little surprised at that because I don't know if that exists with any of these other commissions and
commiss and boards but you know the airport is a good example. I'm liazison there. I've learned a tremendous amount. We've got some great people serving there. uh honestly the um but it seems like we just sort of I'm I
was trying to figure out okay as liaison what exactly am I supposed to be doing with this group I try not to include myself because that's a that's really the their business if I try to you know guide them on um uh the requirements of
process um but the decisions should be up to these commissions and boards. No question. Um, but I I think that there's a happy medium there somewhere. uh and uh I I I think it it would be a good
discussion now or or in the future to have on okay I don't think making an appointment and then seeing you in other than if you're liazison to that particular group you know I'll see you at your next uh uh you know um renewal
or appointment um maybe we do that through policy we'd kind of do that I um I'll be working with Kathy on the uh committee handbook um to bring back to the board for some you know it's just an older document um so it needs a little
bit uh tuning up but um maybe we can provide more guidance through there uh you know I I won't pick on the commission but there's you know there's commissions that I have learned and I
knew in my previous job but that take action that are and I I don't know whether this board even maybe they don't even know or they don't I I don't know but take action that are contrary to um uh town
meeting action and I think you know is that something that is that the democratic way it would appear it would seem to me that we would want to encourage you know hey like it or not I I I had good luck at town meetings but there's occasion I lost and guess what
you lose you lose you just you you move on um but to to then go to a commission or a board and uh have them go a completely different direction than
town meeting has uh has done you know is that maybe they're legally able to do that but is that something we are comfortable with because a lot of things come up in my head when that sort of thing happens we should be encouraging the democratic process especially
nowadays and Um, I don't think that does. Um, you know, I've gotten I get copied forward information from that that goes to town hall on uh some of the things. It really brought up the civics 101 class because I get comments and I'm
thinking these people are these people are good people, but they don't they don't know the pro they just don't know the process and that's probably on us to ensure that they do know it. Um, so you know, long- winded explanation, but that's my
>> Shireen, you had something. >> I did. I because I was, you know, like there is always a level of like a direction a committee has taken or you know um are they on the path that we are actually um you know have indicated or
town meeting has indicated that they they want to see happen. Um it all starts with our goals and objectives and I I believe our point you know, um, and then if they're a regulatory board, it's about their statute and and the and the
regulations that they're working under. But, you know, the stat there is some onboarding process that goes on with, you know, with the committee handbook and and to get people up to snuff. Um, you know, the I think we have strong staff to assist on on certain things.
But one thing is there is a little gap story. you're you're probably right in some respect about the idea is um for me I take a more laid-back role with my liaison because I'm there if if if the committee needs me but I'm not there to
tell them what to do or micromanage them obviously that's uh their role but I think it's up to us to have an accountability with the chair I think the monthly reports back on our committees would be helpful or better communication where they come back you know we were doing that for a while
where every committee was reporting uh here >> we did revive that >> and we did revive it so it's happening again and I think that that's a good thing um and then that's where the checks and balances could be a little stronger um I think um it's
in the staff reports out monthly on their meetings with the town manager report it's the information is there is it in a something we're getting like this? No, obviously not. But, um, I think if we can figure out a like a a a
closer tighter accountability monitoring kind of mechanism for the board and their relationship with the committees. I I think that that would go a long way in in what we are. But I think we need to remind the the committees is you know we this select board has policy that
they've set goals and objectives and those are the committee's guidelines as well as acts of town meeting that or directives direct directives from us that's their guiding focus and yeah I think you know we have some great volunteers and committees um some are
extremely enthusiastic and are doing a lot um um and and that's great to some degree But it can be a lot for staff. And so, um, that's my long-winded opinion about about it. I I have a degree of maybe we should be looking at
this closely about how we how we're actually so I'm thinking that it stays in there and we look at it in a way that we can, you know, follow up with an agenda to talk about a little more. >> Yeah. And probably that mechanism as you correctly state is the personnel
policies and handsbook. That's that's ours. So, uh, when that, uh, that's on my list. Uh, when that comes back to the board, um, we could we could foster some of the discussion we're having now through that document. That that probably is a is a good mechanism. Um,
you know, I've just heard some and I, you know, I go online and I read or I see old, uh, uh, clips of meetings like this, not necessarily the board. Um, but if I'm looking for a particular subject, I'll go to that commission or board. And
I got to tell you, some of the comments are I'm sure they're well intentioned, but they're they're shocking. Um, and I think it's it's not malicious. It's just that FE folks just aren't aware that um you know there is uh a chain of command
there's a chain of command in the staff and um and there's one uh here uh and I think uh now that we're flushing it out that um that that committee rules and rags or handbook is will be a good
mechanism to have a further discussion on it. >> Jeeoff. Yeah, I agree that uh revisiting uh I think the last time we we revisit Tommy, excuse me, Timmy Roer I think did it years ago. I think that's the last edited version and he did a great job.
>> And uh I did I did happen to fall on it the other day and taking a look. But I I think we need to I think we need to think about the language here just a bit. strengthen select board oversight, okay, of committees, boards, and commissions through greater consideration of our appointing of its
appointing authority, meaning the select board's appointing authority, which which I I think we're pretty clear on, >> but what you talked more about and maybe that's in the not really addressed in the handbook per se, is that the select board's role with term, you know, in terms of its followup, if you will, or
or how what is the select board's role as as liaison? um to the various incendary committees, boards and commissions. I think I think that's what I heard you say. Maybe not. >> No, no, you're on the same >> Yeah. within the bounds of the charter. Now, um to to Shireen's earlier comments
when when you're when I was working, I had zero opportunity to be a liazison, but I tried to stay in touch with the chairs, right? >> Tried the best I could. um since retirement I've been done a little better job in actually attending meetings and paying attention and watching online but it the role is a
very it's a dance it's a balancing act between getting involved with via articulation of our policy and or jumping in my committees or my especially my regulatory committees have been so strong it's been very unnecessary for me to get involved much
at all to be honest with you they've done such a super job um So I mean I I think in terms of the language this is this is a goal we're putting or an objective that I think we need to articulate what it is what it is you're what's our goal here >> strengthen we can strengthen and we
already know how we appoint so in terms of strengthening >> yeah and I maybe it's >> language >> maybe it's how maybe uh in further discussions on this it's how the board is comfortable uh
implementing their responsibility under the charter Because it doesn't end my view, it doesn't end at an appointment, >> right? >> And >> but we the language here is that we know how to appoint. We do appoint. >> Yeah. >> We we >> Well,
>> did you want to priv have the board provide like strengthen the select board's guidance to committees >> or enhance enhance the select board's guidance? >> If I could I Yeah. I think the balance of the of the bullet from the word
through to the end perhaps could could be deleted because I I think it just really says >> yeah boom >> what we already know >> right >> I mean >> so strengthen select set of committees >> shorten your comments
>> yeah I mean the um I I think my second if you want to delete that I I have no problem with that because what I was trying to say what I was trying to articulate there maybe not very well is we have we know we have the authority but we have that responsibility to uh to
to use the charter to implement the what I said beforehand. So that's fine. >> I I mean if I could just say a couple of things and I'm I'm going to take a different approach. I I mean I I don't know if you were present to it. you might have been when I I spoke at the
South Chattam Village Association back in September and they they asked me to talk about literally the ins and outs of being a select board member and one of the things I said was uh related to appointing people to
committees and and my feeling is and I I don't think we drop the responsibility once we make the appointment because I think there are things we should be doing particularly through the select liaison process and the committee handbook and making sure and I think this is done at the staff
level that there's some onboarding and an orientation. I've always felt that the appointing authority should get the best people possible and it's hard to do that because it's not one person making the appointment here. It's it's there's no mayor in this town. We've got five people and we all have differing views
from time to time. You get the best people and you leave them alone. you let them make their you let them do their job. You you monitor what they do. Um and that's especially true on a regulatory board.
Um and particularly with respect to regulatory boards and we all have them for for for our liaison responsibilities. Um um we can recommend things, we can request things as a select board to to a
given regulatory board and we've done that. We can't order them to do things. They have statutory autonomy in many many of these re many of these areas. I I mean I again I'm not saying we should just totally steward I'm not saying we should just totally abdicate
our presence, but it is a balancing act. >> It is. And I and I think I think um updating and perhaps fleshing out more the role of the of the select board liaison in that document that you're working on
>> because I don't think there's much in there about that >> that that >> people ask me right that would probably >> what is a select board really isn't supposed to be doing and we all sort of do we're learning by doing um I know for example I we had the the the historical commission met today so I monitored it
um online and they had one case in front of one application. I tend to not really cover that portion of the meeting. I sometimes I'll listen to them, but then they have their their discussion of policies and initiatives and and and there was some interaction on that. They
asked me uh for some guidance on what to do um on a particular matter and um but we're all different. every every liaison is going to be a little bit different in terms of our own style and personality in terms of how we interact but uh I
have no problem with um you know enhancing our you want to keep the word oversight you want to use the word guidance or add the word guidance that's fine with me >> it it was really trying to convey a message that I think we're all I I I have >> no interest in micromanaging any that's
just not our but >> I I'm trying to find and I think we will through the committee handbook now that we're chatting about that uh that balance where um uh we just don't cut them loose and maybe we can avoid >> we might be able to avoid some of these
more. I think we it would have been helpful uh with the airport commission um has you know looking back hindsight being 2020 uh that um more close uh
working policy with them would have been helpful and we may not have uh digressed into such a you know now that I'm liazison there thank you very much folks uh to to into this neighborhood neighbors dispute. It should never have
gotten to this point. And what I've been I think successfully because we have a good group on the airport commission uh trying to convey is hey listen you guys you guys have a responsibility to uh fix that. Mhm. >> You have a responsibility and um I don't
hear it anymore, but when I first started it was no, we we do what we do and this is and I was my gentle push back was listen, we all have a chain of command. I I I
report to the citizenry. If they don't like what I do, they're going to vote me out. And that's we all have that. if if uh uh if a if if a staff person gets out of line, we have a position that's going to deal with that. Um and uh I think we
would it would have be it would have helped had uh they had a little bit more guidance. And >> Corey had stand up and then Shireen. I >> was just going to say it. I mean our role as a leison in in my opinion
greatly varies depending on advisory boards, regulatory boards but like the advisory boards I mean they meet once a month maybe sometimes there's somewhere seasonal you know I attend and I sit back and they have a question or they need something answered I mean I don't engage with the we don't have a voting
we don't have a voting position on we we are just there as a resource basically that's how I look at it and um it's nice to kind of keep tabs whether it be in person or watching recording or watching it remotely. It's great to keep tabs on what's going on, you know, to see understand what's going
on. The regulatory, I mean, I served on a regulatory board for years. I had no expectation for a select board member to be there on a regular basis. I wanted to keep a good communication with them, but I mean, they have a they have their own statue. They they have a job to do. They do it. And to have one of us sitting in
in an audience, you know, on a weekly basis really, I don't think is is beneficial. I think it it almost distracts them from doing their work because there may be some sense there's some political tone to whatever is going on. Oh Christ, who knows? But we try there's no actually there's no actual
requirement in writing that I've ever seen saying we even have to attend any of these meetings. We do we do it by choice. >> Interject I I think it wasn't until you and I got on and you you were on the board just one year I think before we maybe two before we got on people select board members weren't going to committee
meetings historically. They weren't going. I went to the board of assessors because I'm their liaison and they said they had never seen a select board member in 30 years at that board. Um and
anyway, so it's it's taken on a life of its own, I guess. >> Yeah. >> But anyway, Corey and I'm sorry. >> No, no, no. And it's I think I I I mean for me, I find it very beneficial to attend some of the meetings. I mean, some of the waterway committee meetings. I'm less on to several of them. So there's some connection to me, you know,
understanding helping each committee communicate better. Um, you know, being able to come back and ask the town manager for clarification on something or staff, you know, it's it's very beneficial. But, um, you know, by we talk about incentives for getting younger people to come in. There's
they're not going to want to have an incentive. They have to show up to all these meetings, especially some of the regulatory meetings that meet for two, three hours every week. Um, it's, you know, it's it can be hard. It can be hard. And we we all try our best. we all have for balancing our you know our political responsibilities. Um but the
key for the key factors is to keep communications with uh I guess the the the town staff leaison um and the chair if possible. That's probably the most ideal situation you know at the minimum. >> Shireen
>> I I'm I'm looking at the sentence because I think we probably should we're getting we'll probably talk about this when we talk about the handbook. That's obvious. But um I I was thinking that to make this a little broader stroke so it does help us along in the process of of
what we'd like to do is um um I think I would like to see it be select uh strengthen select board com commi select board committee boards and commission's relationship. And that would might leave it a little
more that um you know we're designing something rather than saying we're guiding because guidance is just one piece to it, right? Am I am I right about that? Yeah, that way we're just sort of saying, okay, let's look at the bigger broader picture of our select
board appointed committees and uh what do we what are some of the pieces and parts that we need to have the three the things that we want like to be more accountable to each other and to uh be able to give that guidance. So, it's just it's a several rather than one is
all I'm saying. >> Kathy has made that >> okay. Okay. >> You okay with that, Stuart? >> Yeah, I like that. and and you know we can as been has been pointed out you know we'll we'll home in it as we discuss the committee handbook we can uh you know
>> sharpen it slightly >> um and find this >> balance where uh and help them in the long run is really what we're trying to do >> okay so the next the next bullet is um provide a civics 101
and I just this is sort of a continuation of the program that you started that you had initial program and then Stuart turn to you in a second but I want >> Oh, sure. Um just quickly so we started our municipal academy in September and
that's includes um was a cohort of 14 people and it was uh involvement in presentations by uh each town department. uh we copied the format in a way and enhanced it from the citizen
policemies and cit citizen firemies and been going on for for many years I think about 15 years so um so we have that structure in place so I don't if you want to codify it that's fine but I I think over the years maybe we'll reach
some kind of saturation point with the academy and we'll have to think of a different way or more um a different way to engage with the public for educ educational opportunities. So, I was trying to build upon what Trina had said about um a more broader statement and I
can't think of it right now, but I'll I'll turn it back over to you, Stuart. >> Turn it to Steuart first and then Jeff. >> Yeah, I mean I stole I stole the phrase words of municipal academy. It was not intending to plagiarize it or use it, but kind of you know that's an
interesting concept. Um, so maybe we can uh I think maybe Dean you mentioned uh or some maybe it was Jeff that uh you know maybe it's a uh it's a televised uh course in which oh if you're by the way when you get appointed you get to do the
ethics thing but you also got to watch you also got to watch this >> and tired >> of doing the I just got the ethics thing and I thought I was pass >> I know I was current and they made me do it again. >> Go ahead. I'm sorry. I'm really upset with that. Uh so um
so anyway uh you know maybe it's some sort of a televised class that uh that uh hey listen we got a lot of uh more than I even realized sharp people in this community serving on some committees that I'd like to you know
steal from who have history and government background who could you know what they could they could you know any of us could participate in in uh giving a guide and say this is how this is the town structure, here's how it works and
here's why uh you know here's why town meeting is important. Um and uh they're not you know it's not you know I I take town meeting as right or wrong because they've been they've voted both ways. Um
it is what it is unless you want to change it. That's that's that's our guidance. Um >> now I know that isn't legally the case. Uh but in any event in uh I think that uh some sort of a televised class on would help some of our committees and
committees and and the chair people that are running them. Uh having had discussions with some of them it they you know they're perfectly well-meaning people. They just they haven't had this exposure yet. I mean, I've enlightened them on a few uh legal issues that I'm
I'm certain of >> and and some process issues. It was a revelation. They just didn't never exposed to that. >> Let me just before you go, Jeff, uh yesterday, and I haven't had a chance to brief Jill on this, I was at the library
and Amy Andreas and the director approached me about the library working with the town to do something just along these lines. uh some sort of an educational program. She talked about it being virtual and I mentioned we had
this civic academy that you had the municipal academy that you had done. Um so she's going to talk with you about that and they would very much like to be a part of that if they could um in terms of facilitating the education among the
public. >> Yes. I I I just trying to think of how to broaden out the you know educational opportunities for I don't want to say civic engagement. I I think I might have to just noodle this >> just in terms of how the >> some kind of onboarding or orientation
to >> but just she was talking about educating the public about how the town is run. >> Yeah. I had talked to D the the president when she had interviewed me for their strategic plan. So yeah, >> the only um concern I have in the in the
um in the bullet is the word all um because sort of commits us to >> provide a class for every single person. >> Strike all. Yeah. >> Jeeoff, you were next >> for for interested Chattam residents. >> For for Chattam residents, that's fine. >> That's fine. >> Yeah. And I was just going to suggest
that there's a there's a difference between a civics 101 class and municipal academy. There's a difference. There is >> the civics 101 will go through the basics of this is how the town is governed. These are the departments. This is how the government works. This is its organization. This is to whom
people report blah blah blah versus municipal academy where you had a whole bunch of different modules and you you have >> three hours a piece. How many there were three hours a piece? >> Yeah. So, so it's it's a much deeper dive I think into So, I would I would just >> I can strike municipal account.
>> I would do that. Okay. I would do that. >> Not hurting my feelings. >> Okay. Good. >> Okay. because because you have unbelievable amount of of material in the syllabuses for that municipal academy that you could maybe grab. >> Yeah, you can grab it out into like a maybe a 10-inute short or something on that.
>> Adam TV is great at that kind of stuff. >> Are we comfortable with this one now? >> Yes. >> And then the last one is um >> Stuart had uh conduct conduct a policy review. So, and and I don't know whether this is
>> Well, we do have a select board agenda item request along those lines that you have. >> Yes. >> And you're working on with Kathy. >> Yeah. Um so, um so a lot of the questions I get from the public,
I bet half of them are easy. I I just refer I just refer them to the to the department that they really should be speaking to for some reason. I don't know people may find it I think you guys experience the same thing is that they they reach out to us because maybe it's just easier they know us or
whatever. Um but typically there is a pathway forward for their concerns. They just need to know where to go. Um but it struck me that um our uh our when we
you know we make motions. I'm not sure if those are policies. I mean uh when we make a policy we seem to be pretty specific that we're making a policy. Um, and some of the ones that I've seen are kind of archaic and it it just seems
like maybe some of them should like be gone. Um, because I think I think whatever they were trying to the then board was trying to accomplish has been has been accomplished. Um, but the the policy I mean that's one of our
functions that um is uh to me most elusive. Um, so I was I was suggesting here that we that we review and if it's elusive to me, then I'm thinking that the public doesn't
understand it either um completely. So, um I don't know if they're all codified in writing as a document. I'm sure they're in minutes. you know, I'm I'm guessing that they're in minutes, but it seems like there should be a more formal
uh uh document and maybe that exists. Um and uh and then of course um and maybe enforcing is too strong for some but ensuring that um you know that those policies are being uh at least
generally adhered to because I think when we make policy we try to make it um uh um broad in a sense the ones that I've been exposed to. Um there's just some of those issues where you know
we've we've taken votes here in my seven months, eight months and um it struck me I was and I keep meaning to bring it up. I'm going to bring it up with with I might as well bring it up now. But we we'll have a department up here and just
it's really just out of habit. We uh we make a statement and the statement is, "Hey, we'd like police chief or the DPW director, whoever is up there. We we we're d and I've heard the word we're directing the the motion is and the vote
is we're directing so and so to do X, Y, and Z." And it strikes me that's not we shouldn't be directing. I I I think that that's just a uh I don't know how I think it's just habit now. But our direction doesn't go to
department heads as far as I'm a or at least they shouldn't be. Our direction we only have two people that work for us. That's the town manager and the town councils. and um and to ensure that our process works well so
the public understands what the process is. Um, I mean, I've had some really funny questions and comments, um, that our d our, uh, instructions, I don't like the word directives, um, are
addressed to the town manager when we want a department to do something. And the most recent, I think, was the DPW person. Um I forget what we asked him to do but um it struck me as one of those
things that is is is confusing the process and it confus excuse me it confuses the public. Um and I think a lot of it is education just uh and we can accomplish that
through I think we can accomplish it through codifying and having good documentation of our policies where the public can uh well first have input and then understand it. Um so I don't know
if I'm making sense but that's >> well I think I would say two things and then we'll open it up. uh with respect to the instructions or whatever and I use the word instruct a lot. I think it's sort of implicit because they work for Jill that the in directive goes
through the town manager to them but it's kind of a shortorthhand. >> Yeah, it it say that's sort of in my head. >> It's certainly in your head. It's certainly in mine. I get it. Yeah. I can tell you a lot of the public doesn't get it. Okay. Because >> uh well why didn't X Y and Z do as you
well hold the phone X Y and Z doesn't work for us. Uh and our uh and I think it would improve and enhance the communication. Um you know I'm a chain of command person because generally what
I lived under and and that's it it it it encourages clear lines of responsibility. Um, and I think it would help us. But >> the the the other comment I have is I wonder whether this bullet really is
gerine to the topic of of the goal to recited above about responding to the needs of diverse, welcoming, safe, healthy, and livable Chattam. Given that and and given that you have an agenda item request, which we will put on the
agenda when you and Kathy are ready, may maybe it makes more sense to take that up at a select board meeting rather than include it as a >> really whatever you're comfortable with. My intent, >> I'll open it up to the >> My intention there was to this was our
way of getting to what is uh respond effectively to the needs of a diverse, welcoming, safe and healthy community that that our you know safe and healthy is one of our primary responsibilities and um >> so that was what I was trying to do.
>> I hear you. Okay. Any other any comments from other >> Mr. Chairman? Yeah, I I agree with your last two comments. Um 100%. Um when we do a request and or a directive to a staff member, Mr. Burman, for example, you know, it is always through Jill. So
I know we understand that, but you know, >> we do. >> Yeah, we do. Um but you know maybe the part of the civics 101 we can kind of explain that you know we act buy in through the town manager and the town manager takes direction from us and it's
very efficient to have them standing in front of us and saying these are this is what we're most interested in and you know >> Yeah. Yeah. And and I'm not saying that we that we digress completely from that. What I'm saying is that when we make a motion and it's it's oh the motion is to
ask the town manager as opposed to >> because we're not asking. >> And then just my other point is that this is an agenda item um that we ought to take up and it's not really not an overarching goal, you know, especially in this category. But any >> those are my comments. >> Any other comments? So, so I think we're
comfortable with with deleting that last one and we'll hear about that issue at some point in the near future. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> As an agenda item. >> As an agenda item, when you're ready with it, we'll put it on. Great. >> Um, so that being said, I think uh with
these edits that we have made, it's time to take a vote to adopt the goals and objectives for 20. What is it for 2026? Yes. I move that we approve uh the 2026 select board goals and objectives
>> as as we uh review this evening as articulated this evening. >> Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Okay. So, we'll call the role. >> Uh Miss Davis >> I. >> Mr. Dyken. >> Hi. >> Mr. Matters. >> Hi. >> Mr. Smith. >> I. >> Chair votes eye. Great. Okay. >> Thank you.
>> And finally, uh the item Dr. Florence Seldon family support program thank you letters. This was an agenda item request by Shireen Davis. So, board member Davis, I'll ask Shireen to take on this one. >> Uh, thank you, uh, Dean. Um, as you
know, the town meeting voted to establish the preschool family support program, uh, allowing Chattam residents to receive funds to assist with costs of child care. Um, the program provides $5,000 for three-year-olds and up to $10,000 for four year olds. And this
program is called the Florence Seldon Family Support Program in honor of former selectman member Dr. Florence Seldon who was a long lifelong educator. And um so for this year um just to report back I think for fiscal year 2026
17 children are enrolled in the program with eight three-year-olds and nine four year olds attending various preschools in and around Chadam. Um there are some families that are enrolled in the program that attend the Rocking Unicorn uh nursery school in West Chadam and
they've submitted some letters to the town um um uh just in support of the program and to their lovely handwritten note card letters from families um from uh that of students or children that
attend the Rocking Unicorn um which is under the direction of uh and ownership of um Gretch and Cobb. Um I'd like to congratulate her on her for well it's not hers but it is the school's 44th uh year of um year of service to the
community of the town of Chadam and I find that commendable to um to say congratulations to Gretchen and to her staff. Um my children attended there and uh when it was first uh uh Dale Shaughnessy school and then Gretchen's
um afterwards. So, I just wanted to read some excerpts from the letters to let folks know um some of the sentiment of the recipients. Uh and then I will hand these back to Kathy so she can file them
in the Cadam Sunshine file. Um that um is all where all good things go. Okay. Um so these are just little snippets. Um um this is from one family uh who the van miticus family said your support has
eased a real burden for many of us and it is truly appreciated. Um another family said they wanted to express their sincere gratitude for being for being the recipient of the Florence Seldon scholarship fund. um the
tuition is dra h is has drastically reduced um the their child's tuition is drastically reduced and it's made a big difference uh and it's a blessing to their family. Another one um said it's wonderful reassuring that our town
leaders prioritize education and and equity. It's a tremendous gift to the families of our community. Um, and she wanted to thank the Rocking Unicorn uh for they wanted to thank the Rocking Unicorn for their uh preschool program
um where their child has excelled. Another family has said uh thank you for the generosity you continue to show to the children and young families of Chadam as a new resident. The tuition assistance has been uh truly appreciated.
And again um uh we love raising our children in Chadam. fund helps us do that. And lastly, uh really nice letter from um uh um mom and it just says, "Members of the Chattam Select Board, I
cannot thank you enough for for funding for the funding I receive through the Florence Seldon Tuition Assistance Program. Receiving these generous funds is the main reason I've been able to remain living in Chattam near my family. I'm a single mom and being near my family is so great for my son and so
helpful for me. Thank you very much for this wonderful generous gift. So, um I just think it was really nice that we've um in light of going into budget season that we've heard uh uh from one of the schools that uh helps us um provide
these service uh these tuitions to children. And I just um wanted to say that this is one of the um better funding opportunities we have. um this really is part of um strengthening our community um in a special way.
>> Well, thank you Shireen for putting this on the agenda and and for reading those excerpts. The um for the public's benefit, the full letters are in the packet. They'll be um they're going to be attached to the minutes. Kathy, you want >> um if they're included in the packet, I
don't typically, but they >> but they're available in the packet online if anyone wants to see them. And I'm sure Dr. Seldon um would would have been thrilled to hear about these and um Corey mentioned that somebody um I don't
know who it was dragged you into public service, but Florence was the one that >> insisted I get involved some years ago. Um here's Jeff. >> Yeah, thank you Shireen. That was great. And uh you know I just want to comment that this is a a prime example a prime example of the kind of support and
creative financial support we can provide our our community especially our younger community that we were discussing earlier this evening. So that's the kind of creative thinking that that we need to bring to bear continue to bring to bear I should say. >> Good. Thanks. >> Thank you. Okay. I guess that's it for tonight and
>> Stuart. >> Yeah. Um I I just had a couple of questions. I I uh enthusiastically support this program, right? I think it's just another way to help the younger folks in this community. >> Um so there are 17 How many How much do
we appropriate historically to this? >> Um the original appropriation was I think 425,000 back in 2023 and we replenished it I think two years ago with another 100,000. So, with it being a separate
article, the funding carries over into the next fiscal year >> and it's um it's just general general fund taxation type >> either taxation or free cash just depending on the year. >> How much is in there now total you think? >> I have to look. I'm looking at Shauna.
She I think she has it up for us. I believe the total we have $130,000 allocated or awarded for this fiscal year which I believe leaves 200 and some odd thousand um in the in that account. >> Okay.
>> So each year we add to it somewhere around am I reading that right? 130,000 >> depending on how much we've used. Typically it's between 130 and 150,000 a year. So some years we may not need to add to it and we can wait another year. >> Right. Um
and how I see the wording here up to so up to 5,000 for three year olds and up to 10,000 for four year olds. How do how does how is it determined? Do you get if you're a four-year-old? How do you know if you're going to get
10,000 or 8,000? What is there a criteria for that? So the application process does involve uh the birth certificate so we know how which child qualifies for which amount and they don't have to use all 10,000. Some of
them leave some money on the table because the the child just is not in care that much. Um others exceed that amount in which cases the family picks up anything that exceeds 5,000 for a three-year-old or 10,000 for a four-year-old.
The payments are made directly to the to the Rocky Unicorn. >> The provider directly to the providers. >> The town makes the payment directly. Yeah. Right. And um >> so is there an I'm just trying to because this is an interesting use it elsewhere. >> Elsewhere
>> is um how is the who who makes the is there a grading? I mean who makes the event who makes the decision that >> so there's no financial um qualification for this program it's just residency and
age of the child >> interesting no fin so >> so the intent of the program was to provide universal prek to every child in town >> okay great thank you
>> welcome Okay. And that that program was developed through a working group of various >> a stakeholders group of providers, school district, um members of the former Chattam 365 task force. There was about 12 people
>> and Florence was on it herself. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Okay. Stuart, thank you. Uh so I'll accept the final motion for the night. >> Motion to adjurnn, Mr. Chairman. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Moved and seconded. Call the role. Miss
Davis. Hi. >> Mr. Dyken. Hi. Mr. Matters. Hi. Mr. Smith. Hi. >> Chair votes I. We are adjourned at 12 I'm sorry, 7:13 p.m. Good night, Chadam. >> Ready for that next week. [Music]