I'll call to order this uh June 1st uh uh 2026 uh meeting of the select board. And if you could join me in the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. And this meeting is being televised live by Chelsea Tele Media and uh taped for later rebroadcast. Uh we'll start out with public service announcements. And I know Bill Campbell,
I believe, is here to to receive our first uh um proclamation. >> You can go over to the microphone. mic. >> Okay. Our first proclamation for the evening is proclamation for the LGBTQIA
plus pride month June 2026. Whereas the town of Chsford is a welcoming community, an exceptional place to live, learn, work, play, and raise a family. And whereas Chumsford recognizes the importance of equality
and freedom. And whereas the nation was founded upon and is guided by a set of principles that include that every person is has been created equal, that each right has each has rights to live their life, liberty, and pursuit of
happiness, and that each shall be accorded the full recognition and protection of the law. And whereas the town of Charleswood, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transgender, queer, interex, and asexual,
LB, LGBTQIA plus community are a vital part of all fields and professions and contribute to a stronger community. And whereas the town of Chelsea is dedicated to fostering acceptance of all citizens and
preventing discrimination and bullyation bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity. And whereas Chelwood is strengthened by and thrives upon the rich diversity of ethnic, cultural, racial, gender, and
sexual identities of all residents. All of which contribute to the vibrant character of our town. And whereas the Center for Disease Control CDC recognizes that the LGBTQIA
plus teens are at a higher risk to be victims of violence and have increased suicide rates. And whereas it is imperative that the young people in the community regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity feel valued, safe,
empowered and supported by their peers, educators and community leaders. Now therefore, we the select board on the behalf of the town of Charleston here hereby pro proclaim and recognize June 2026
as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans transgender, queer, and sexual and asexual pride month in the town of Charleston and is urged to recognize and celebrate the contributions made by the members of the LGBTQIA
plus community and to actively promote the committ Principles of equality and liberty presented this first day of June 2026. >> Thank you. >> Y so if you want to tell us a little bit about what's going on. >> Okay.
>> Well, first of all, thank you very much for this. We very much appreciate it and of course we agree with it and we're glad you did it. We also have several things we're doing. Uh on this Saturday we're having a booth at the market on the common where we're
celebrating Pride Month. Uh we are doing a couple other organizations. The First Parish Unitarian Church is going to be with us. Channels for Connect. I think there's another group. But anyway, we're just going to be on the other side of the market on the common and we're going to have giveaways and pride flags and
celebrate. We also have pride dance party on June 12th at the CCA where we're having a party celebration kind of like we did soul train dance for Black History Month. We also have uh a screen showing for
Junth on June 27th uh Sarah's Oil and we have a speaker and a Q&A for that at the CCA. In July we're going to be have a booth at the July 3rd and fourth celebration to celebrate diversity. We have kids
giveaways and we have prizes and celebrate diversity on that day which is a big day in Chelsford the July 3rd and 4th. We also uh have a planning for uh a a showcase of indigenous people day on
October 10th and uh we're going to work with the greater l Indian cultural association glick uh to put that on in October and we work with the first parish unitarian church to do transgender day of remembrance in
November. So we have a lot of issues to try and make Chancellor as welcoming as we can and we appreciate very much things like this. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay, we'll go on to the >> We have one more proclamation.
Let me catch up here. It's the town of Chson proclamation in recognition of Flag Day, June 14, 2026. Whereas the national flag is a symbol of our great country, our heritage, and our place in the world. Whereas the flag
represents the highest ideals of in individual liberty, justice, and equal opportunity for all. And whereas the flag is a precious possession deserving the reverence and respect of all Americans. And whereas the citizens of Chums
recognize that the flag is a living thing emblematic of our great nation. And there now therefore we the Chums Select Board do hereby recognize Saturday, June 14, 2026 as Flag Day and demonstrate our support of the national
flag at this ceremony today. presented the 14th day of June 20 26. >> Okay. And the reason that we that we had two copies for to be signed this evening is because um there are usually two ceremonies for flag day that I attend
each year. And the um the people who have those have always asked me to come and and to bring a proclamation and they are at 4:00 there'll be there'll be a ceremony at the Garrison House on uh on Garrison Road. Um, and at 5:30 there is a ceremony at the Elks on Littleton
Road. So, if anybody is um interested in attending either of those ceremonies, you are welcome to to attend. >> And they're both on the 14th. >> They're both on the 14th. That's correct. On Friday. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. Now, we have the Chosen Arts
and Technology Education Fund. Evelyn, do you want to speak on this? >> Evelyn Thorne. I'm the chair of the Arts and Technology Education Fund Committee. Um, this is our 30th year uh since we came before this body. Not any of you
that are sitting here. Um, but we came before this body. George Ripson stood here and asked to be uh have a article placed on the warrant for spring that made the bylaw for the arts and technology education fund. And then by the time the next spring rolled around,
we were making our first awards. And at that point, uh we had the awards of the applications available on January 1st with a deadline of March 31st. And then the awards would always be the first meeting that your board would have in
June prior to the school uh letting go for the the summer so that it wouldn't interfere with anybody's vacations. Now the arts and technology education fund has nine committee members. The superintendent of schools or his designate is always a member. Right now we have two vacancies. So if anybody is
interested, somebody has already reached out. I hope that person will continue to reach out to me uh for the uh so that we can have a full committee uh coming up. But the members uh that we have is Elizabeth Hasty, Candy Chase, myself, either Dr. Lang or Dr. Hirs usually
attends Beverly Barrett, Carrie Miko, and Kirk Marshall. And so we um work very well together. It's not necessarily labor intensive, but it is exciting because when we receive the applications, we see the innovative and
creative ways in which our staff wants to have additional funds in order to make the educational experience in their classroom even better uh as they go through their year. So, this year we have uh f had five applications and we
chose to award each of them. And you also have a list of who they are. I'm not sure if everybody I know some people that are here. Um and if you have any questions, uh you know, feel free to to ask. Um the first one is Stephanie Santos
and her award is for differentiation in an inclusive first grade classroom. Would you like to explain a little bit what that is? Just a couple of minutes. Um this year I requested funds to uh add access to a listening center for first graders. So um my mindset being that
there's a very diverse population in Trumpsford and a lot of the children are English language learners or struggling readers. Um so my grant will allow me to have access to uh essentially kind of going back in time but like books on tape very similar modernized version of that so that all children can have
access to rich quality literature. um to boost their vocabulary and their fluency. So, I'm really excited to be able to do that. >> Okay. Thank you. Can you take a picture? >> Thank you very much. >> Oh, yeah. I can take I can take this.
>> Okay. So, I'll do that one. Next one is for Katarina Bergland for the center library STEM initiative and what she applied for was more of the books relating to science, technology, uh engineering and mathematics in order
to upgrade what was currently in the library. We've have awarded uh many times in the past uh monies to be able to support uh the books, the libraries, different types of things and sometimes they come consecutive because of the
limitation with the finances that we have the cats that we have. So we have consecutive ones different years and it's always exciting to see what they would be doing. So thank you very much. >> Thank you. Okay. Megan Fitz Simmons uh is receiving a grant for $1,000 to benefit students at
Chungset High School. Um and her a um application was for green screens for ASL program. So if you're not sure what that is, that's American Sign Language. And the grow the green screens will do is it
gives a clearer picture so that in order to evaluate the students on their performance and their their the degree of communication that they would have the green screen will not have background to it. So you can see clearer what it is that that particular student
is going to do. It was very exciting to read something a little different than all of the technology and and the things that we have. And I also learned quite a number of things with what she had uh in her application because they also apply stamp to this which is standardbased
measurement of proficiary proficiency that's an international scale. So even though they may not have be hearing impaired the students that want to learn this and that may be something that they're going to do as a profession in the future or they may have a family member with that. So um that was the one
for the high school. Michael Sullivan is on form sports exercise coaching and teaching platform for $799 at for the high school. Tell me a little bit about what you're going to do with it.
Um so it this uh this program or this platform provides uh guidance for students especially at such a key age that middle school ages uh key for motor skill development and it's it's really where students start seeing that skill
development um in those fifth and sixth grade ages. Uh I've always been a big fan of the huddle platform as a uh football coach and basically this on form platform will give us assistance in the fizzed program to really break down a skill uh show them before and after
whether it's performing a basic squat or whether it's shooting a basketball throwing uh throwing skills um kicking skills and then it can provide us assistance for adaptive fizzed too with our special education students too of really showing them before before and
after as an as an engagement tool. So, it should really help out a lot of students see that. So, we're excited to use it for sure. Thank you. So when I read his report, in case you're not familiar with what he was
describing, there's an iPad, there's a um tripod pod and there's a program so that you can stop the action and you can evaluate and you can show where the discrepancies are or you can have them be able to be trained a lot better. And I thought that was I thought it was
fascinating to be able to do that. I think it brings um our education to a much higher professional level when we think about fizzed. >> So I was impressed. Thank you very much. >> I appreciate it. Thank you very much. >> Take a picture.
>> Thank you. >> And Mary Ellen 40 uh from Westland Schools. It's almost like an annual event. Mary Ellen. Um this year it's a little bit more extensive uh for an award for um $800. So if you can tell us a little bit about that, we'd appreciate it.
>> Great. Yes. So in conjunction with the district money, our PTO has funded a book of the month at the preschool. And so we have books that the whole entire school reads and the principal comes and reads to the children. Um and so with this grant, we're going to extend that
and make book bags for the children to bring home so that they can take that book home and read it with their families. We've currently been sending videos of the book, but we think for little ones, especially a hard copy and a real book is going to be just really beneficial to help kids um bring the
classroom home and and give the little ones homework. So, >> thank you so much. So, we're taking pictures so we can put them on the website so people have a better a clearer um like a more personal view of what it is. They can see who the
awardee is. Um we do have a meeting after this uh that we'll uh many of the members will be going to that are currently in the audience. But what we're going to look at because we had changed the bylaw last year uh to modify it so that it gave more discretionary
ability to the committee on how many awards when we would make the awards and whether we would make them for whereas there was more restrictions on the original part of that bylaw. So, we're looking at changing the application for a second round of
awards, but it would be limited to clubs, which would be at the secondary level, at the high school and at the middle school level. So, it would be a little bit different expanse of what the funds would be ex go for. But for anybody that doesn't know what when these funds are distributed, they're
distributed through the school department by a purchase order. So there is a paper trail or a digital trail today. Kind of old school to say paper. Um and if it's a product it becomes or equipment or supplies it becomes the property of the chosen public schools
because it is paid by taxpayer money. The other part is if anybody wants to contribute to this fund it is goes through the town treasurer's office. uh if you get an excise tax bill or you get a real estate tax bill, there is a tear off that's there and you can make a
donation directly to the arts and technology education fund. And as you can see this evening, you can see where some of that money is going. And there's a a wide range of other things that we do, but I won't take up any more of your time. And when we get figure out what our schedule is for this new approach
that we have, then I'll be back to inform you and update you and the community on what we're doing. Thank you very much for the opportunity. Thank you. >> Thank you everyone. We appreciate the work. >> So we have a couple more public service announcements that I'd like to read. We have the Eli Post a celebration
celebration life ride. The Charles River Wheelers Cycling Club cr.org or will dedicate a bench for Eli Post along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail near Hart Pond and reflect on his contributions to the
club on Sunday, June 14th at 10:00 a.m. That's going to be a busy day in town. The Bruce Freeman Rail Trail outside the Hart Pawn parking lot. Eli was the living embodiment of CRW. He was a core member serving as president VP of rides,
editor of wheel people and ride leader. He was a great motivator and encouraged others to give back to the club. His contributions is too numerous to list here. After the celebration at his bench, the club will ride back the back roads of Chelse Westford together as a
club ride is the best way to celebrate his life. Any questions, please contact John Odow at rides-vp@crw.org. >> So Jeff, real quick before you go on um because I had the opportunity to work with um CRW to uh work with DBW to get
the bench in and they decided that um our community and by Harpon was the best place for that bench because Eli and his family had a lot of connection to Harpond in that area. So, if people can get out and check out a a new welcome
bench um on that Sunday, the 14th and then if you're a rider, ride with these guys. I think that um John and the rest of the crew, they will be uh appreciative. And again, thank you to our DPW for fantastic effort at getting that done. >> Thank you, Aaron. >> Thank you, Jeff.
>> So, we have the um event schedule for the Independence Day program, which you all know I'm very proud of. And we Friday, July 3rd is going to start the arts festival from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Center for the Arts. From 5 to 9:00
p.m. will be the country fair presented by the Chos Lions Club on the common. And then from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. the Kitty train rides from the Chelsea Rotary will start at the rear of the public gardens. And from 5:00 to 7:00, we're going to be having a concert with
the Jilly Martin band who played for us last year and was very wellreceived. And during their break, the Suburban will perform at 6:00 p. p.m. And from 7:00 to 8:30, the Charleston Community Band will do their annual concert. And on Saturday, July 4th, the country
fair will open at 8 a.m. The flag raising for the police and fire department will be presented at the center common flag pole. And the arts festival will start from 8:30 to 1:00 p.m. And at 9:00 a.m., the annual John Carlson two-mile road
race. And at 10 10:00 a.m., the annual Independence Day parade. This year is going to be really great because we're celebrating our 250th anniversary of the country. So that's all I have on public service. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Now we're at the
general public input portion of our meeting. If there's anybody that would like to address the board on any topic at this time, you're welcome to do so now with a three minute limit. Anybody here want to address the board? Okay. Uh John, is anybody on Zoom?
>> No, I No, not in the Zoom room. >> Okay. All right. Then we'll go on to our next um >> vacancies. Vacancies. Yep. >> Okay. Okay, we have um one unexpired ter for the age friendly implementation committee and the CCA town hall advisory
committee also has one unexpired term. The clean energy and sustainability committee has one year one unexpired term. The commission on disability has five unexpired terms and the council on aging has one
unexpired term. The cultural council has one unexpired term. The holiday decorating committee has four unexpired terms and the military covenant task force has one unexpired term. The parade parade committee, all applicants are
welcome. I know we're getting down to the end and I encourage anybody if you want to get involved, now's the time to do it. We have one more meeting, then we have our uh lineup evening and if you interested, come join us. Our next
meeting is a week from tomorrow at the CCA and then our lineup meeting will be at Sam and Candy Chase's house uh in June 25th somewhere around. I don't I don't know. I apologize, but if you are interested in serving on a town board or
committee, please complete an online application available on the town website. For more information, please contact the town manager's office at 978-250-5202 or TM office at chfordmma.gov. >> Okay, thank you. Okay, next um uh as you
may recall at our last meeting, I indicated that we had uh reached agreement with a new town accountant who will begin um service in Chsford on August 17th, I believe. And she is here in the audience. And I wonder, Heather Russo, if you would come up and introduce yourself and tell us what you
know about Chsford and how how much you're going to enjoy this job. >> Hi, my name is Heather Russo. Thank you so much for having me here tonight. Um, I am very excited about this opportunity in Chsford. Um, your community is so
beautiful. I just I'm so excited to be part of this finance team. Um, during the interview process, it was actually really awesome. Um the chair actually asked me one of the questions like why why do you want to be here? And just
like the team answers to some of the questions and the teamwork that was going on was just I want to be part of that team. So I'm very excited for this. >> Okay. >> Welcome. Thank you very much for welcome. >> All right. We'll be seeing a lot of you
as the as the summer wears on. So So welcome to Chsford and hope you can make it to our parade. Oh, of course. >> Okay. Thank you so much. >> Welcome, Heather. >> Okay. Next up, we have a couple um some public hearings uh having to do with
poll petitions. The first one is for 228 Bill Rickle Road. Is somebody here for National Grid? There is. Okay. >> Go ahead. >> Vasang 11:01 uh turnpike street north end over mass here for national grid.
>> Okay. And if you want to tell us uh the reason for this uh for this new poll. >> Uh this new poll is for uh system improvements. Uh the pole is going to be a midspan pole in between pole 64 and 65 on Bill Ricker Road.
uh installed in the public way. >> Okay. And I noticed that the um the town engineer has indicated that they have no concerns with the location for this poll. >> Does anyone on the board have any questions for the applicant? >> Okay. This is a public hearing. Is there
anyone that has any comments, questions, concerns about this uh poll petition? Is anybody on Zoom? John No. >> No. No. >> Okay. Seeing none, could we have a motion? >> I'll make a motion that we permit
National Grid to install a J pole on Bill Rea Road beginning point at 539 ft northwest of center line of intersection of Belera Road and Progress have >> second motion. Have a motion in a
second. All in favor? I. >> Okay, it's approved. Okay. Thank you. All right. Uh, next poll petition is 330 Bill Ricker Road. >> Vas Naang, 11:01 Turnpike Street here on behalf of National Grid. Uh, once again,
this poll is needed for system improvement. Um, I believe see it's a midspan pole um installed needed for system improvements and it's going
to be installed in a public way. Which one? I think they're straight. >> Okay. And again, the town engineer has no issues. Uh, anybody on the board have any questions, concerns about this poll? >> Okay. Again, this is a public hearing.
Is there anyone that has any comments, concerns, questions about this pole petition? >> Anybody on? >> There is no one in the Zoom room. >> Okay, we'll take a motion then. I'll make a motion that we approve National Grid's request for an additional poll on
Route 129. >> Second a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Thank you. It's unanimous. All right. Next one is a poll for 20 Robin Hill Road.
>> Vasang 11:01 Turnpike Street here on behalf of National Grid. Um, once again, uh, National Grid is, uh, seeking the town's approval for a, uh, petition approval for new pole, uh, 6-84. Um,
it's going to be needed because, uh, we're going to rem be removing the tree guy that's existing right there. Um, so it's it's a system improvement still. >> Okay. Okay. And on this one, I noticed the town engineer does note that there
be you need to coordinate with DPW and a tree warden for any pruning or clearing in that area. You're aware of that. Okay. Any questions from the board for the this application? >> Okay. Again, it's public hearing. Anybody >> not see anyone in the Zoom room for
this? >> Okay. All right. We'll take a motion then. >> What? Which one is this for? >> This is 20 Robin Hill Road. >> Okay. I'll make a motion that we approve National Grid's request for a additional poll at 20 Robin Hill Road. >> Second motion.
>> A motion and a second. All in favor? >> Okay, it's unanimous. And the last one is for 1 to three Doris Drive, >> Vasna Ang 11:01 Turnpike Street here on behalf of National Grid. Um, National Grid is seeking the town's uh, approval
to install pole 82-2 in the public way. Um, this poll is needed in order to provide service to 1-3 Doris Drive in Chumsford. >> Okay. I don't see a unless I missed it. I don't see a an email from the town
engineer on this one. So, apparently that means it's okay. Anybody on the board have a question or concern about this poll petition? And do we have anybody on Zoom? >> No one is in the Zoom room at this time. >> Okay. So, we'll take a motion. >> I'll make a motion that we permit
National Grid for installing a pole at 1-3 Doris Drive for new service. >> Second. >> Okay. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? I >> Okay. 5. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you.
Okay, we did have one other public hearing um for a change of um manager and uh change of ownership interest for Press Cafe. The this the applicant called this afternoon and indicated that they have some changes to make to their
application, so they're not ready to proceed. Um, so what um we will do is not take any testimony this evening and just uh continue the the uh public hearing to our meeting on June 29th. So if we could have a motion to that.
>> I'll make a motion that we continue the public hearing with Press Cafe change of license till the 29th. >> Right. June 29th. >> June 29th. >> Second. >> Okay. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? I
>> Okay, that's unanimous. Thank you. All right, next up is a license for a one-day all alcohol beverage license for American Legion. And I see we have somebody back here in the back of the room to talk to us about
this. Good evening, chair and committee members. I'm Phil Hamilton, senior commander of the North Chford American Legion. >> I'm Al Richiel, Post Tree 13, general manager, American
Legion. And we're here to ask again if we have the one day permit for outdoor alcohol and blocking the road on Willis Drive to in front of the Legion
for our cookout and um chugalook. >> Okay. Anybody have any questions for the applicant about this one day license? >> Is this a rain or shine event? Excuse me. >> Is it a rain or shine event? In other words,
>> it is. It is. If it's raining, it's it could be moved indoors and >> Okay. >> We We lose the cornhole, you know, on in the bands. >> But we'll try and move as much as we can in. >> Well, let's hope it doesn't rain >> exactly like last year with the 13 weeks
in a row. >> So, I So, I see on the application that drinks purchased inside cannot be brought outside. drinks person that's outside cannot be >> exactly >> I assume you guys do this every year >> oh okay
>> we'll be back in September >> fantastic with >> our next one hopefully >> any other questions >> good >> okay take a motion nobody else has any questions >> I'll make a motion we grant the uh
Legion Hall their one day liquor license for um I don't have the date in front of June uh >> 13th >> 13th >> for June 13th. >> Second motion. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Okay. >> Okay.
>> Thank you very much. >> We'll see you then. >> Have a good evening. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Okay. Reports and presentations. We have uh just one this evening from Weston and Samson about uh 54 Richardson Road.
Good evening. Uh Paul McKinley from Weston and Samson joined by my colleague. >> I'm Linda Cook >> and uh as requested we want to come here and give you an update of the remedial system to uh actually the overall uh release of POS POS the forever chemical
um and uh we've been remediating it bas on on behalf of the town. if you could move to the next slide. Um, so, uh, just to set the table a little bit, um, you know, a little technical, POS is, uh, is the forever chemical. There's a whole suite of, uh,
chemicals in the POS group. Um, we're going to talk about, uh, myself and Linda are going to talk about two in particular. POS, PFOS, which is what was released at the 54 Richardson DBW site. And then PFOA is associated with
background. So, um, other chemicals that are migrating onto the site and not not associated with the release. Um, just to set the table, couple technical terms, but it's important to sort of understand the progress that we've made. We've made excellent progress. We're about a four-year check-in from when the remedial system was installed and and
hopefully that comes across um the the enormous progress that we've made. Um, but also there's, you know, few challenges and we got a little ways to go. Uh, remedial system was installed. Um if you actually bounce back to the last one. Yes, it was installed about
four years ago, July 5th, 2022. Uh pumped 157 million gallons. Um it's been running great. No no no um exceedences or just or or violations on the operation of the system. Um and and something to note here, one thing we're going to talk about is there's several
sources of the PAS that are present on the 54 Richardson Road site. Um, and we're going to have some some graphics here to sort of walk you through how we distinguish between the two and and again to help us sort of evaluate our progress. Next slide. Um, so uh so so
POS we we monitor for mass DP we monitor what's called POS 6 is six compounds which include that PFOS the POS and the PFOA are both included in what's regulated and the standard is 20 parts per trillion. There's a challenge there. 20 parts per trillion is a is a a very
small sort of you know quantity to be measuring in these wells. There's some variability there but but overall um we have some great trends. Um the important thing to to to note on this slide really are the four categories the source of the impact. So so there's the source impacts where we think that POS was
released at the 54 riches and road site. Um there's a mixed profile as actually um we've been cleaning up the site removing that POS. What's left is sort of this mixed profile and Lyn is going to walk you through some of that. Um there's a regional background. Again, what's left over after we treat is this re regional um sort of PAS that's been
migrating onto the site. Um and then there's a different source. This MW101, it's on the south side of the site. They used to do barrel treatment. It's just a different source. It's not really associated with either the background or the release that happened on um 54 Richardson Road. Um we'll talk a lot about the dog park. There's a well out
there in the dog park. It's one of the two sources of POS that were released on the site. U Mass DP is sort of keyed into this. We've been holding off it. Uh we've been treating the major release first and we've been holding off on the dog park, but it is the most contaminated well left on the site after
we've remediated everything else. So we have a plan to tackle that moving forward. Next slide. So here's the site. Um just you know a few things to note. This is this is what we want to differentiate and call the source exceedences and what's left. So we've we've made huge progress at
remediating but we wanted to highlight what's left. um dog park area uh to the north of the site there um and and it's uh designated by this MW monitoring well 104 um in the source area. We're going to focus on MW1. That was the very first
well that we sampled. It was the most contaminated on site and the concentration as you'll see on the next slide was about 1,400. Um we're we're miles from that now. We've really made some great progress. Uh and there's a couple other wells there in the source, but really just a few areas really really to focus in.
Um the original POS P uh FOC release was actually from the the 8 bay garage building and then the dog park area two separate areas of the site. If you go to the next slide. So here's a a graph of of the progress that we made um you know
uh in in Maring well one which is right where we think the source area was and where the release of this PAS happened. Uh it it peaked out at about 1,400 parts per trillion. We installed a remedial system. you see that graph, you know, really really dropped off. The remedial systems been doing a fantastic job. We're really pleased with the progress.
Um it's been um significantly decre decreased the concentrations. Uh back in November, we had a little bit of a spike, but but and and it's sort of trending back down and and flipping back to normal, but we really were below standards for I think it was seven or so rounds in a row. So,
little bit of anomaly, but uh looks like that's snapping back to normal. Um and it really did. the marital systems achieved um the mass DP standard in that release area. So it's really great progress and then everything stems from that as it migrates away from that you
know source area or the release area as we treat the source sort of it it only you know it's been improving the site the groundwater quality all throughout the site. Next slide. So locations with uh PAS profiles are not consistent here. I'm gonna actually pass it over to to Linda and she can walk you through it.
Um, so we look at a lot of that. I get into the nitty-gritty details of the chemistry. You know, if you go back to high school chemistry, if you, you know, those days, um, it's what I love. So, when I look at the profiles that we're receiving on that chemical signature, we
can tell what looks like our source profile versus what looks different. So if you look to the right like MW3 that's a location that's upgradient of our site. So that gives us a signature of what's migrating onto our site from
other sources. We call that we refer to it as regional background. It's most likely in Chelmsford that that regional background is associated with domestic um inputs from domestic septic systems. Chumsford was on domestic septic systems
I believe until the late 90s. And PAS is everywhere. It's in everything. Our athletic gear, our cleaning products, our detergents. It's really one of those wonderful chemicals that it was miraculous when it was discovered and now we're
dealing with the nature of that miraculousness is that it never degrades. So um up in 116 we see a variable source there and um that's towards the north. The 101 that Paul
talked about that's a unique signature that's you know kind of again offsite and cross gradient to our site. Next slide. So this is how I go through the source evaluation. So the top graph what we're looking at are individual PAS compounds
along the X axis and the relative concentration of those along the Y ais. So the signature that we have for the DPW you can see it's predominantly just one compound that POS is what was released. If we look at MW3
again now we're seeing a profile that's much different. It has more contaminants. It's lower concentration but you can see that POA is at a higher relative concentration to POS. So we can use this as a metric to look at our data
and evaluate those relative concentrations. Next slide please. So talking about that MW3 the upgradient station um EPA has MCL's for drinking water that they've set limits at four
nanogs per liter parts per trillion teenytiny amounts. Um what we're seeing coming onto the site exceeds for both POA and POS. It almost always exceeds for POA and most recently it's been exceeding for POS as well. This is not
related to our site contamination. This is kind of what we're going to be dealing with as we pump and treat the water. We're also pumping and treating this background signature that's coming onto the site. And here we're just looking at trends
over time. Um this is looking at PAS 6, which is the regulated parameter, the sum of six of the individual PAS. And what you can see for even when we're looking at those mass standards um even then we're exceeding mass standards for
PAS 6 for you know it looks like about six five of the last oh four if I can count right four of the last five sampling rounds but it's always hovering very close to 20 as well. So it it is what we're dealing with and for POS what
we're seeing coming on site is in that you know historically somewhere between four and 10 nanogs per liter. Next slide please. So we're back to this slide. Um I I
think we can move on to the next one. I'm >> So this is MW107. If you want to pump back just to see where that is. that's kind of close to the site. It's kind of right above the main building. It's right left to the left of that mixed
signatures. So, next slide. This is one of those wells where we were detecting our signal early on when we started sampling. We had elevated concentrations of POS there. That's our contaminant. But as you look over time, we have been
able to get those concentrations down to what we're seeing in the background at MW3. So this is success story. So we wanted to share some success stories. You know, lots of money has been invested. This is working. And this is a station that's
showing us some of that success. And here we're just looking at those same signatures. There's two wells here. We're not going to spend much time talking about 110, but 107 on the left. That top signature was back in 2022. And
you can see that profile that I showed earlier. It's consistent with our site profile. High concentration of POS, which is the contaminant all the way to the right in that graph. It's highlighted in blue. And now when we're
looking at this data in March of 2026, you can see that concentration of POS has really decreased consistently very similar to POA. It's starting to resemble that completely that background signature success story. There's also
this MW10 110 is another similar well where we've seen the same transition happen over time. So good good news. So, we have some wells that are off property on the NCMWD
property. There's 113, which is closest to our site, and well 114, um, a little bit further away. That's the top one highlighted in green. So, if we bump to the next slide. So, here's another success story. So
this is an example of we there were impacts from our site downgradient at MW114S is the more shallow of the wells. Um you can see by those elevated concentrations of PAS 6 and POS. Um it really was an
indication that some of the contaminant from the site had migrated down gradient. But since we've put in the treatment system, you can see a steady decline at that site down to the point where the last three rounds since
August, we have not only been that well has been below the the the PAS 6 limit and those POS concentrations are very similar to what we see in background. So the treatment is working. Our approach to mitigating off-site release of the
contaminants is clearly evidenced by what we're seeing in this well. Next slide. >> Back to Paul. And just actually if if you bounce back one slide just to I I pulled up a few sort of stats here from from one that well 114S and and and it's
really important these well uh clusters are in between the release at the 54 Richardson road site and and the receptors the North Chamsword water district bow wells like this is what the what's going out to the customers there. So we it's really like sort of the canary in the coal mine um and and are
we effectively treating the impacts before it gets out to the receptors and the customers. So um so you know when when the remedial system was kicked on we essentially had 13 straight exceedences started at a concentrations of 85 you know parts per trillion and
since then it it's decreased five of the last six monitoring rounds have been below standards. So um you know really really a good success story. Um this uh is indicative of the water that's leaving 54 Richardson Row largely there's there's there's one anomaly it's
called MW119. We'll get into it and we have a plan to treat it. But essentially all the other data is showing that the the water quality what's leaving the site migrating across Richardson Road and onto the North Chelms water district is actually um for the most part except for the one blip is meeting standards um
you know currently based on this data and multiple rounds over the last you know year or more. So so really a good success story. I mean that's that's you know ultimate goal here. We want to protect the receptors and the drinking water. That was our goal when we put that system in. So um just you know good milestone. We're at the four-year mark.
We just want sort of wanted to look at that and and emphasize that really it's you know we're very happy with the way the remedial systems been going and the treatment's been um improving the water quality. Next slide. So um as part of this uh working with uh Christine Clansancy the DPW director we we wanted
to remove this is actually the point it's a catch base on where we think the uh that was receiving discharge from the floor drain inside the building when we actually thought the uh the the point of release is you know it's sort of our smoking gun. you know exactly where the pas was injected into the groundwater. Uh it was in this catch base and we
removed it. Source removal. Um interestingly enough like we've done a lot of soil sampling out here and pas is really a groundwater contaminant. We we didn't see many. So we actually the soil as we tested it to remove it had PAS in exceedence of soil standard. So another way we're helping to remediate the um
the PAS problem out there. We remove the source area soils effectively. Next slide. So uh you know what's next? you know, so uh we've made great strides. Last year, we sort of been looking ahead here. Last year, we we uh expanded the remedial system. I reported on this
previously. We added two more vessels. We've shown four vessels here. We actually added two more um to expand the treatment. And our and our hope here is to add another leg of the treatment system, which I'll show you shortly. Um but also increase the flow rate. Um by increasing the flow rate, we actually increase our zone of capture and grab
more water from a larger area. Uh and and so here's uh just just to sort of what are the next steps. So uh in blue here is is a recovery well that we're currently operating, but the dog park area is our problem. Right now it's the highest concentrations on the site.
We went from 1400 highest concentrations in the dog park is at 91. If you go to the next slide, I believe there's a graph. Yeah. So here here here it is. Here's the problem. Um it it's appears to be a separate source. It's not connected to the uh the other area outside of the building when we move the
catch basin. Um and you can see the concentrations have been very variable, bouncing up and down. Currently, they're on the rise. Um we've been sort of watching this well for a while, but I think we've come to the conclusion that it's not going to fix itself. Um this is on D's radar screen. We have to be able to in order to get closure, regulatory
closure on this, we have to say we've treated the source. Um looks like a second source, so we're going to treat it. We're going to put a second remedial leg in here and treat this. But again, that 91 coming down from a a st a high of 1400 in the other area of the site. This is the great strides that we've made like those con concentrations were
in the hundreds across the board across the site. We're left with this one area. It's outside of our current treatment area. That's why we want to address it. Next slide. And here's how we're going to address it. So, um the red sort of horseshoe on here shows generally our zone of capture is a very conservative
line um on on a lower flow rate than we anticipate actually operating. Um, and then the yellow horseshoe, if you look at that, we're going to install a well sort of, if you're familiar with the site in the parking lot of the dog park. Um, uh, connected to our current treatment system. Um, the DBW is going
to help us do that to help allay cost and help us do the trenching. Uh, we'll utilize the current system. It's one of the advantages of using that system is we can expand it. Uh, and the hope is to capture that dog park. Um, you know, knock those concentrations down, treat that source. It'll also address that 119
location that's like the one blip as the water's going across the street to the north cha water district. We we we um expect basically to close the loop here and and and and address all of those, you know, P FO sources that are associated with the release on 54 uh
Richardson Road. Uh it it helps capture some of the background, but really we're focusing for regulatory closure on that release of POS that's on the site. Next slide. Do you want I I can talk about this one. So um the EPA is actually um
unfortunately so so we're actually you know creeping towards the current remedial goal of as far as P6 at 20 parts per trillion. Um we were really approaching there. Bad news uh and I think I report this every time is that the goalpost is moving on us the goal line um EPA is is moving the um maximum
contaminant level down to four parts per trillion for POA and for POS. So this is why we spent some time sort of like differentiating with these different components of the POS release. POS is one of those regulated compounds that going to hold us to a standard of four
starting in about was it 2031. So currently that's the plan. It's been changing you know but currently um that that's what's on the books. Um DP needs us as we as we look to our remedial goal. They're not going to hold us to the 20. They they we know this is coming. So they're going to hold us to
this four. So uh and this is uh basically um you know highlighting some of the problems. I mean four parts per trillion is very low. It's uh muddled by the background. Um many many challenges with that in order to get closure. What we're
focusing on is demonstrating that we've removed that POS down to background levels. That's that's our overall strategy. And if we can demonstrate it's background not due to a release from the floor drain or the dog park at 54 Richardson that's the avenue we're pursuing to try and get regulatory
closure. So I think last slide uh key takeaways again the pump system really done a great job. We're at the four-year check-in. I mean, we made enormous strides on that. Uh um PAS associated with the regional background. You know, hope hopefully that came across here
that there's a big challenge. We have uh periodically concentrations in the water and cold streams brookke which which circumnavigates the site. They exceed standards, you know. So, how how do we achieve standards? If we have water flowing on that's achieving it. We differentiate what's ours versus the background. This is this is the
approach. Um and then system upgrades. We um uh beginning in the fiscal year uh 2027 uh we've been working with uh DPW to to have that scope approved and um get the remedial system expanded and and treat that last source area.
>> That's it. >> All right. Any questions for Paul or Linda? >> It's a lot of information. I mean, we're moving in the right direction, I guess, is the is the positive. >> Yeah. We really want to give you a little bit more time because it's sort
of the four-year check-in and and as we crunch. It's a great opportunity for us to look in and and and and look at you how are we doing overall and really look for the 64,000 sort of foot view and um overall we're very pleased with it. I think um you know some somebody asked us you know how long is this going to take
and we were you know about four years we're at a very significant milestone and that we're you know the water that's largely leaving 54 Richardson is meeting the standards as it migrates towards the bow welf district >> right but like you said I mean there's no way you can you can control what
comes into it from outside and >> yep >> I don't know you know good luck with that right >> it's a challenge you know but we but we do have a you know we have a plan you know so uh if we keep remediating, addressing the sources, um, and and look to clean up the background.
That's that's the approach. >> Okay. >> So, just a couple So, first of all, it was nice to have you guys in the room and not on Zoom this time. It's appreciate you coming in. Um, the you've said a couple of times once we get to uh
kind of the regulatory level, what happens then? Does does the plant shut down? Do we continue to operate it or is it a still a question mark? >> Great question. I mean, there's actually a couple alternatives here, but one of uh yes, when we get to the to the goal, what we're going to do is uh shut it
down and and what we want want to monitor for we'll have to do about a year's worth of monitoring, make sure it doesn't rebound is is really the the thought here. So, um but with with you know, PAS concentrations, uh you know, we've been at this four years now and with the treatment and we're seeing what's what's coming on. Um, you know, I
think that's unlikely, but that's the approach is that we would shut down the system, monitor it, make sure there's no rebound. If there is, we have to, you know, we have to, you know, kick it back on. Um, there are other other remedial alternatives that we can do to help, you know, polish it up if if need be. Um, but that's the approach.
>> And then the the four versus the 20, my guess is is that's not the end of the story what we're seeing tonight. Um because to get to 20 has been a bit of a challenge. Getting to four I think sounds like it's much more remediation.
>> Yeah, that that that is the challenge. And so um been been having many conversations. I I I have you know Linda and I work on a lot of POS sites and and talking to the regulators you know what what's the approach here and POS is it's a relatively new contaminant. It's not like petroleum has been around you know
for a long long time. Um this is a relatively new you see the standards are changing. Um and so the regulatory approach it's evolving. It really is. So um again what we can do and what's clear under the regulations is treat the source that the town is responsible for
that P that POS release that's very clearly from the town that that's our mission is to treat that and then um you know maybe the framework or the regulations may crystallize between now and 2031. So >> great. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> I have a question. Um, when we talk
about background, um, I I'm curious, I guess there's been a lot of regulation to remove PAS from a lot of products, right? When will we start seeing benefits from that so that less is getting dropped into the background,
which in theory could reduce it at some point in the future, >> right? It's it's all about stopping that source, >> right? Um but when we think about that source there's a lot of regulations to remove PAS the unintentional PAS no the
um it's not unintentional it's um there are some essential uses the the non-essential uses for PAS like you know my my performance pants my sneakers those are the non-essential uses um but
those regulations really haven't pushed out you know California is ahead of the game in mass. I don't know that we have any set regulations yet. So, there's products still being sold. I think LLBAN has a they were hoping to be PASF free
by 2026. I don't know that they've got there yet. Um, but we are still we still see products, cleaning products, things like that. Um, so shutting off that source will be really important to stop it from being into the groundwater, but
especially in communities where there's domestic septic. Um, those communities have decades of pumping PAS into the groundwater. It's going to be a long time. Once we shut off that source, the PAS isn't degrading. There's no
biodegradation going on. It's lingering there. And my concern at this site as as you've noticed is that four part per trillion limit for POS and POA. That's our back our background is above that you know. So um then you get into the
money of how can we clean up all the groundwater in the country to meet that four parts per trillion and yet that's pretty impossible I think. So we'll see how that goes. But it will be great if we shut down the sources. There are essential sources for PAS that probably
will never go away if anyone has implantable medical devices. There's there's sources that we just can't replace. The nature of PAS is so unique that there's things electronics, aeronautics, medical devices. It really
is essential in our life. We need to get rid of the non-essentials. >> Great. >> Okay. Anybody else? Are other communities seeing the same type of success as we are or are we um sort of leading the pack here?
>> Um I I from my understanding were one of the leaders of the pack um that uh you know this was a imminent imminent problem. A lot of this, you know, started they did a sampling program for PAS and public water supplies, identified it in the North Chams water district and they looked at sources and,
you know, the DBW across the street was a, you know, likely candidate and and here we are. So, uh, but yes, this is this is not unique to Chsburg by any means. Uh, u many other communities are grappling with this. Uh I was at a um uh
environmental business council and I think it was Actton and Conquered and many other municipalities were presenting on on the millions of dollars they're putting towards treatment systems for their water supplies and and the challenges with that. So you you were not unique and by any means unfortunately
>> I didn't think we were unique. I just wanted to make sure we were sort of moving ahead as well if not better than our our neighbors. >> Yeah. No, I I uh have been uh ke keenly, you know, talking to the regulators directly, you know, the PAS statewide
coordinating at D uh the the uh regional coordinator here at the northeast region for D as well. Um and um you know, they're tracking the site. It's certainly on their radar screen and um we've had uh several meetings checking in and I you know, we're we're moving
ahead. They're they're pleased with the progress. >> Glad to hear it. seems to be. >> Let me ask just one quick question. Are there PAS particullet in the air as well? >> Um so there can be yes I haven't looked
at any you know routine air monitoring. There's a site up in southern New Hampshire Vermont St. Cobain where they did manufacturing and they spewed PAS specifically POA into the year into the air. They've contaminated a large um a
large area of the properties around southern um New Hampshire impacting the groundwater as well as in Vermont. So that's a big nasty um >> nasty thing. What we don't talk about we're talking about here of longer chain
PAS. There's also like ultrash short PAS which we might see more in the air. um not seeing a lot of monitoring of that except for incineration. So if we're destroying PAS with incineration, they do air monitoring to see what those
byproducts are. But um if you're interested, I'll certainly look into it. But you know, PAS is across the globe. It's in our rain. So yes, it's in our air sadly. It's it's kind of everywhere. Like I have a slide deck. It's in
everywhere and it's in everything. I'm sure you're all wearing PAS on you now. It's in cosmetics. That waterproof mascara that girls love. It's because of PAS. So, >> the reason I bring it up is because if
the if the water is three parts per trillion and the air is seven, you kind of can't take care of that, right? Yeah. >> And you have little kids playing in dirt and you have dogs running around, they're kicking that stuff up. >> Yeah. >> It would be a problem, wouldn't it? >> Well, it would. And I don't think the
air concentrations are that high. I think a lot of the impacts to the groundwater really have been our pumping. You know, you get up into the mill towns that that you know treated a lot of clothing with PAS. You know those really stain resistant dockers. Yeah.
That PAS. Uh hush puppies. You guys might be old enough to remember hush puffies. >> Pass. Um right. the big Wolverine site. That's so we've just been using it for so long without any, you know, knowledge
of what was really to come. I mean, of course, maybe based on 3M might have known, but um yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you very much for coming. >> Thank you. >> And we'll see you in a few months.
>> It was so nice being here in person tonight. >> It was good to see you, too. Okay, next up, um, at our next meeting on June 15th, we're inviting our legislative delegation to come here as we do twice a year. So, next, uh, our next meeting will be when when we're
expecting, I think, have we heard back if who's going to be here? >> I will check with James on that, but I think we're expecting at least two. >> Okay. Well, that's that's half of them. So, that's good. So, um, usually the week the meeting before then we come we see if we have
any any thoughts or ideas that we want to be sure to bring to them. Um, obviously the Nick Spinale thing is top of the list for everybody. Um, and then some other topics. John, if you want to talk about the ones that >> Yes, thank you. So, uh, and we'll talk a
little bit more in depth on the, um, the bill fire that was filed by the governor firefighter Spani a little later on. And um a second one that I on and this second topic just these are just starting points that we can discuss is um after speaking with both chiefs both
um recently retired Chief Spence and incoming Chief Hanigan um they both um you know indicated strong support for um there's a state program called the jail diversion program and one of the parts of that that affects Chumsford is the um
the adult mental health and support services. So, what this means for the police department is that the um there's a mental health clinician that accompanies officers to calls. And as the chief explained, about one in five calls that they respond to um involve
mental health issues. And so, the the the main uh issue they have is uh with mental health related calls, offices are required to remain on scene for longer periods of time. Also, the clinician can intervene in many cases and try to get
that person help. So, it's more advantageous to try to get them uh for example, if they have a a drug or substance abuse problem, try to get them to agree to do some type of treatment or at least um look into it rather than have them go through the criminal justice system. That's almost kind of
counterproductive in many many instances. So um the cost of that it was actually provided by the state in the current year's budget is about 90 to 95,000 for the cost of having the clinician. So initially it wasn't in the state budget when it was initially
filed. I'm told recently that the Senate recently included it but I thought it would be beneficial for us to advocate for that if because um the costs the funding for that is not included in the um police budget for FY27. So at the time the chief thought it you know the
state program would come through but I thought it would be helpful if we do mention to the legislators that you know it's well it's a very worthwhile program and well needed >> and then one one late arrival that um recent we recently received a notice on a different topic is the Mass Municipal
Association is um asking municipalities to advocate for the um municipal empowerment act that you may have heard um town manager Cohen discuss in the past and initi Actually, the governor filed that when she filed the state budget, but there hasn't been a lot of
updates on that recently and now the Mass Municipal Association is saying that it's coming going to come up um for discussion in the House of Representatives and they're asking member communities to uh reach out to legislators and for those that may be watching that don't know, it's basically it's a series of initiatives that
simplify municipal procurement um create other efficiencies. So, I can send more information out to the board on that, but that's another suggested topic. >> Okay. So, if anybody else has any anything specifically that uh you want to be sure to bring up, um you can um I
guess James maybe can can consolidate any any suggestions that we have so that they have a list before they come, you know, to know what what to expect to to uh that the discussion will be about. And if you just bring them that night too if if we have time. We don't want it
to go, you know, 3 hours or anything like that. But um it is a good opportunity when we have the when when we have them right here sitting in front of us to to bring up these these items. >> Yeah. So that's a great point. Yeah. Please email James or myself and we'll
try to get that list compiled. >> Okay. >> All right. Next up is um Bidder Woodwards. >> Under Bitaw. So, um, I'm seeking the board's confirmation for three, uh, bids
this evening related to public works. So, I'll just give you a summary of each one and go through them. So, the first one involves, um, biome school capital improvements and, um, this is related to paving work, um, some ADA related work, uh, paving of
a court and some other improvements at Bay School. Um, we we received four bids and I'm seeking to award the bid the bid to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Sunshine Paving of North Chumpsford, with a bid amount of
$671,318.80. And I would note that director Clansancy noted that DPW staff has previously worked with this vendor. >> Hey, any questions about >> He's a local as well, right? >> I'm sorry. >> He's a local guy as well. >> Yes. from North Jumpsuit.
>> Any questions about this bid award? >> Okay, we'll take a motion then. >> I'll make a motion that we award Sunshine Paving to do the buying school improvements as recommended from DPW and the town manager. >> Second the motion. >> Have a motion and a second. All in
favor? >> I >> Okay. In the second bid, this is a roof replacement project at the public works facility at 54 Richardson Road and also covers a portion of the school administration building roof at 230
North Road. Um, six bids were received and I'm seeking to award the bid to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, WPI Construction, Inc. of Webster Mass for a bid amount of $434,890. Uh, director Clancy notes that this
company is currently working on two other roof projects at the South Row School and McCarthy School. >> Okay. Any questions about this bid award? >> All right. Take a motion. I'll make a motion we recommend the bid award to WPI
construction for the roof replacement project of the DPW building and the school administration building at 54 Richardson Road and 230 North Road as recommended by the DPW and the town manager. >> Second the motion. >> There a motion and a second. All in
favor? >> I 5. >> Thank you. And our third bid. This is for cleaning services um at three town at two town buildings um excuse me three the nine alpha road the DPW facility
this building here at 50 biller road and then a bathroom at a public works facility at 54 Richardson Road um nine bids were received and I'm seeking to award the lowest responsive and responsible bidder um award the bid to
Pros City Facilities Services Inc. of and they're from Manchester, New Hampshire with a bid of $45,710. >> John, how long is this uh contract for? Is it a one year? >> It's usually a one-year. >> Okay. >> A one-year contract. >> And is it usually changed or is this the same one? >> There has been some change. I believe I
did discuss this with the staff and and um I don't the um this is a new this is a new company and I don't believe the the current company um bid on it. There has been some turnover in recent years with the with >> Okay. Any other questions about this bit
of wood? >> I I was gonna ask the same thing. It seems like this is one that we want more than a one-year contract on and that's what I was curious about. >> Yeah. I mean, could we do more than one year if we wanted to? I mean, would it would could we get a a le better? >> You could. Um I think part of the issue
has been um like consistency and so if you award a three-year it sometimes is very difficult to you have to have a lot of documentation in order to um you know >> uh try to terminate the contract early. So I think that's why they've leaned towards the one year in recent years.
>> So but if we got a good one and subsequent contracts maybe could be for longer than a year. You could and you could also do um the optional, you know, extensions if you had a really good um person or company that you wanted to stay with. >> Sure. Okay. Anything else?
>> Make a motion. >> I'll make a motion that we recommend the bid award for the cleaning services for the DPW town offices and 54 Richardson Road to Pro City Facility Services as recommended by the DPW and the town
manager. Second motion. >> A motion and a second. All in favor? >> I 5. Thank you. >> Okay. Time man reports. >> Okay. So, first first report is on um
that there will be a hearing on the on House Bill 5429 which is the act to provide uh injured on duty compensation to firefighter Nicholas Spanelli. Um the this is going to be going before the joint committee on public service and the hearing will be on Wednesday, June
3rd uh from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. And we did send the staff sent out a news flash on this because you had to register with in advance to be able to provide inperson or virtual testimony. I did want to mention that if someone can attend the hearing, they can provide
written testimony um to the two addresses. There's one in the mass house and then one in the state senate. Um and so that's that would allow someone to write an email or you know um so if they can't attend in person or on video they could still submit their thoughts to the
to the legislature. Um I can I can give those the first address is seda seda karac k oouse.gov and then the Senate address is Jason.wentworth went massacate.gov
and that had that needs to be submitted by Friday, June 12th at 5:00 pm. >> Okay. Yeah, I have signed up to to speak uh during that hearing. Um hopefully I'll I'll have an opportunity to and and anybody is is welcome to do that also.
Um whatever advocacy we can have on this topic is going to be well worth it. >> Yeah, very important. And I did and speaking today earlier with um Chief Ryan, I know he said he is registered as well. So that's good. >> Great to have all all the support. >> Yeah.
>> And then second um under reports is um just to give an update to the board back uh when the town's fiscal year 27 operating budget was adopted at town meeting. You recall that um town manager Cohen gave a presentation just wanted to
outline that, you know, the state aid numbers that were in the town budget for chapter 70 were above the governor's numbers, but he was quite confident that um you know, we would um that it would be the legislature would settle on a number that was above the governor's numbers at that time. So, I've provided
the board with um copies of the um cherry the the cherry sheet numbers from uh the Senate Ways and Means Committee that just came out a couple of weeks ago just so you can see all the detail, but in the table below in this memo, I wanted to try to simplify it. And you
can see that um you know, we always have to talk about how we receive revenue from the state under receipts, but we also have state charges or assessments. And so if you look in that little box on the memo, um the town budget assumed we received just over 21.5 million of net
state aid. That's subtracting out the the charges. Um the House Ways and Means uh offered a number of 21.44 million. And then the good news is the Senate Ways and Means Committee uh proposed a number of 21.56 million.
So, the good news, I think it's kind of an exhale moment on this one item in the budget. We can um that, you know, obviously we'd like the higher number as possible with the Senate Ways and Means, but the good news is if there if the number is a little less than that that they reach a compromise, we're still
going to be very close to the number in the town budget. So, just to give the board some assurance that we that that state aid number looks very solid at this point. Mhm. >> And then the final number, the final um the final part of the cherry sheets and I will send this out on state aid when
it when it's available is now you have the different house and senate numbers. There'll be a conference committee and they'll settle on the numbers and then it will be final and that'll be that'll be it for FY27. And then I also um the last item I just wanted to say that um congratulations to
police chief Hanigan um who took the oath of office earlier today at a very well attended ceremony. Um we wish him the best and I wish him the best as town manager. And I also want to publicly thank the board for um attending the oath of office that was administered by
town clerk Duris last week on last Tuesday when I was sworn into office and I look forward to working with you with us as my first select board meeting in this capacity. I look forward to working over the next several months ahead on all town business that comes our way. So
>> thank you for that. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh we have a uh uh select board appointment. We have an application from Rachel Ford for the diversity, equity, and inclusion committee. Um I don't know Rachel, but um it looks like she has
some background in this um in this area. So um if anybody has any questions or concerns or I mean I'm I'm ready to appoint her and see get her to work there. So,
>> good. >> We'll take a motion. Nobody else. >> I'll make a motion that we approve Rachel Ford >> and appoint her to the diversity, equity, inclusion committee. >> Second the motion. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I
>> I Okay, that's unanimous. 5-0. All right. And we have some minutes. Everybody have a chance to look at the minutes of May 18th? Any uh edits, comments, corrections?
>> Not we can take a motion. >> I'll make a motion we approve the minutes from the May 18th, 2026 meeting. >> Second motion. >> Have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. 5 Z.
All right. So, that brings us to liaison reports. John, do you have anything? >> Yeah, I met with U. Peter Spawn, who is um uh chair of the uh the tree committee,
uh which is actually an anacronym for tree replacement, enhancement, and uh um >> excellence. >> Yeah, I forgot. I wrote it down here. uh a tree replacement establishment and enhancement committee. Um and uh they
have a number of projects that they're they're working on. What they really like is for anyone who is interested especially uh they're looking for, you know, parents of young children or uh
new people in town who are or uh environmentally um uh interested. and uh to to just sort of volunteer their time. They don't have to join the committee and make that type of commitment, but
just to assist them uh to carry forth some of the projects that that they may be interested in. So, uh that's all I've got today. >> Okay, >> Jeff. >> Yeah, I got a couple things. Um yesterday, I got the sad news that we
lost one of our original chumps guys, Mr. Peter Bagy passed away. Um, Peter used to own Bill and Andy's bicycle shop. As any of us that grew up in town, we knew Peter well back in the days when we could ride our bicycles to school.
And Peter was very active in the business community. When my family moved our business here in the late 90s, he was one of the first ones to approach me and encourage me to get involved in town activities and giving back. Um I Peter was a good friend and he's a huge loss.
Um I also had a email exchange with the conservation committee today and I asked what was on their agenda right now. They said they're working on the Smith Street senior housing expansion. There was also concern with the Willis Road at 7th
Street on Freeman Lake. There's a property there that there's I I'm assuming there's going to be some building. his concerns over uh the land down. I I that was just a brief conversation. Um also the cemetery commission Dave
Bole and I will both be attending the New England Cemetery Association meeting down in Mr. Connecticut in two weeks which unfortunately will force me to zoom in for the next meeting. And I promise I'll bring my iPad this time. Um, and parade committee, as you all know,
we're we got one more meeting before we do the lineup. And I think everybody's seen the banners, and I think they look fabulous, and I hope other people agree. And that's pretty much it for me right now. >> Okay. Dave >> uh, attended the Nishoba Valley
Technical High School graduation. Very good event. Luckily, it was on Sunday, not Saturday, so the weather was pretty much perfect for that event. very well done and uh kudos to everybody who was involved with that. Um
also brought some food over to the food drive which was this last weekend here and talked to some folks from the DPW. They had pretty much a full truckload of >> They had three trucks when I stopped. >> Well, I I was only at Market Basket. So, >> well, that's where I stopped by. They when I got there, they had they just
about filled the third truck. But it was great to see a lot of people coming out of the store donating food as well as people pulling in and and dropping off bags of food which is what we did. So it's uh it obviously is going to be well received to the folks who need that food. So those are the two things.
>> Okay, Aaron. >> Um so I did I was able to make it to the last um COA in person. Um so that's the Council on Aging. Um that's a very busy and active um committee. they, you know, Deb and her team keep that keep the COA
running. Um, and they seem to do it somewhat on a shoestring budget and a lot of support. Um, it's, uh, you know, I encourage you, uh, to, I'm not sure if there's one open or if we finally filled that one. I forget. I have to look at the thing. But, um, I encourage anybody
where you can give support. They they just they do so much work for the seniors, not only in town, but it's one of the best senior centers around. So, they get a lot of spillover. one there's one spot open >> there is thank you um and uh and they'd certainly welcome you and if you're looking to volunteer it's another great
place to volunteer so I appreciate Deb and and the board and and the friends for all the work that they do over there uh and we had our last uh age friendly implementation committee with uh with Chief Spence so hopefully Chief Hanigan will will uh be joining us and again
that's a a separate committee that um that right now they're really focused on their garden and if I recall from last here it was 900 or 1,000 pounds of food through their community garden network that they were able to donate. So again um certainly can join any of those
meetings even if you just want to um observe or find out how you can participate. And then uh this week there'll be board of health and uh planning committee uh sorry planning board um and then we are in a little bit of a low for the managed uh growth
strategy right now. Um we're waiting to see how some grant money um comes in. There'll be another meeting. Um I forget when we actually scheduled that, but it's >> Yeah, it was roughly for June, I believe, but no certain date. >> Um so, and we're working with NEMCOG on
that. And again, grateful to for all the committee members and and NEMCOG for the support on that. And then, um obviously folks know we're pretty busy with the town manager, um search committee. So, it's going to be a very, um very active month. And uh obviously we can't share a
whole lot about that. um for confidentiality reasons at this point, but we'll uh we'll continue to work hard to find the next town manager. >> Okay, >> that's all I got. >> All right, thank you. Okay, has uh as has been mentioned, uh there's been a
lot of changes in the in the town since our last meeting. Um Paul Cohen is no longer sitt seated at this table as you can tell. So, uh, congratulations to him on his retirement and and John Souza is here taking his place at least
temporarily. So, welcome aboard and you know, nice job for the first week, right? It's been an exciting week. >> Um, on the police department, um, as was mentioned, uh, our police chief, uh, re u retired as of midnight last night. We
saw him this morning and he was all smiles. He was very happy about his retirement. and new chief Gary Hanigan is was sworn in this morning. So, congratulations to him. And just a couple other things I have last uh last week um we had a ribbon cutting for AVISPL,
which is an audio, visual, video uh specialist company over on Riverneck Road. Um they have a lot of good equipment and I'm sure they're going to, you know, do fine here. They It's a global uh company and but and they chose to have one of their offices here in
Chut. So, we're glad about that. And lastly, um, Ann Jensen passed away. C condolences to her her family. Um, an was uh um the assistant veteran service officer for the town of Chumsford in the
in the mid 1990s. Um, and uh she's also she was also a gold star wife. Her husband had died in the Vietnam War. So she was a a widow gold star widow for the a long time. And uh she was the sister of a former select board member
Eugene Dudy. I don't know if anybody knows Eugene Dudy but >> and she was the mother of Rich that John and I worked together. >> Cemetery and Highway >> Cemetery and Highway employee. >> Oh, okay. All right. Even that. Oh, wow. So, she was Yeah. pretty active around
town then. So, condolences to her family. >> So, that's all I have. So, we will have one more motion. >> I'll make a motion we adjourn. >> Second the motion. We have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I I. >> Not too bad, huh, John?