6 o'clock. I am calling to order the select board meeting of August 18th, 2025. If you join me in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all. Um, this media is being telecast live by Chelmsford Tele Media and being recorded for later viewing by the public. And, um, first up we have public service announcements.
>> Okay. Uh, public service announcements this evening. Um, the Chson Fire Department is, uh, holding a 911 remembrance ceremony. That remembrance ceremony will be on September 11th, 2025 at the fire headquarters right next to
door to town offices here, 50 Bill Recorder Road, Chelmsford, and that's at 8:30 a.m. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Um, please contact Deputy Chief Ryan Hoo at
978-250-5268 or rhul at chumpsidmass.gov. Our firefighter Albon 351-322-9467 jumps with local 1839@gmail.com. The planning board is seeking to appoint two town meeting representatives and two
res uh residents at large to the 2025 managed growth strategy task force. This committee is expected to meet monthly or bi-weekly depending on the tasks at hand based on the number of applications received. The planning board will invite interested parties to attend the
September 10th, 2025 meeting to introduce themselves. Um, if you uh go to the agenda that we have posted for for our meeting tonight, you'll see that there's links there um to go look for more information and um for an
application to join that committee. Uh so the role of that committee will be select a consultant. The task force will work with meet the consultant on a regular basis and with that consultant define the process for developing the managed growth strategy which would include defining the problem that
they're trying to solve definition and done goals timeline and metrics. Uh you'll also be responsible for gathering data and information from various sources including but not limiting to the Chelsea housing production plan 2025 strategic plan and other sources available. Periodically report back to
the uh report back to the planning board on the progress of the managed growth strategy. Draft the managed growth strategy and present the draft to the full planning board for review and discussion. Uh planning board recommends composition of this board to be one
select board member, one 2020 master plan or master plan imple implementation member, two strategic plan members, one concom, two town meeting reps, two residents, and a community uh development director, our adviser. If you're interested in serving on this
2025 growth strategy task force, please submit an email letter of interest no later than September 5th, including including relevant experience to Evan Balansky, director of community development at ebalanskychmass.gov. Take the um take the lower regional
transit authority five-year regional comprehensit uh comprehensive transit plan survey. Um, this will help guide the LRTA with planning for service, coverage, frequency, and more access to transit across the region. Help the LRTA
determine priorities over the next five years by taking that short survey. This survey, you would need to um uh again go to the agenda for tonight's meeting. And if you see the page talking about the five-year um survey, there's a link
there. click on the link and you can go take that survey or I'm sure if you go to the LRTA site, it will be there as well. And that's all I have for public service announcements. >> Thanks, Pat. And next up, we have general public input. And do we have
anyone in the audience here for public input? No, >> nobody online. Okay, just making sure. >> Ask again. >> I missed Yeah, I missed somebody last week. Didn't didn't love that. Um, okay. Next up, committee vacancies.
Okay. Committee vacancies as of August 18, 2025. The Agricultural Commission has one unexpired three-year term ending June 30, 2026. The Board of Assessors has one unexpired three-year term ending June 30, 2027. Bicycle and Pedestrian
Advisory Committee has one three-year term ending June 30th, 2028. The Capital Planning Committee has one three-year term ending June 30th, 2028. Commission on Disabilities has one unexpired three-year term ending June 30th, 2026,
two unexpired three-year terms ending June 30, 2027, and two three-year terms ending June 30, 2028. The Council on Agent on Aging Board has one unexpired three-year term ending June 30, 2026, and two three-year terms ending June 30,
2028. Chumpsuit Housing Authority has one unexpired five-year term ending June 30, 2029. The Historic District Commission alternate member has one unexpired three-year term ending June 30, 2027. The Holiday Decorating
Committee has two unexpired one-year terms ending December 31st, 2025. The Military Community Covenant Task Force has one unexpired three-year term ending June 30, 2026. The parade committee welcomes all applicants to one-year
terms ending July 31st, 2026. Permanent building committee has one three-year term ending June 30, 2028. Vinyl Square strategic action plan committee business representative has one unexpired three-year term ending June 30, 2026. 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 >> chstermass.gov.
>> Um, next up we have reports and presentations and we have our DPW director Christine Clancy here for some project updates. >> Hi Christine. I have some updates for you over um a
couple items. First is I know we were providing I was providing monthly updates for the ARPA um especially going into last year because last year December um was December of last year was a a time where we had to allocate all month all the monies. All the monies
have be have been allocated but we still have to spend them the next um year or year and a half. Uh, so I'll be going over ARPA, ARPA, also just kind of going over some of the projects that we're working on at DPW. Um, I call it our backlog. Um, and highlighting some of
those current projects that you you are probably aware of in the community. So the first so for the ARPA overview, so this is through um the federal allocation coming out of COVID, $10.89 million was allocated to Chumsford. Um,
and a lot of communities use this to upgrade, you know, infrastructure is one of the I think originally a lot of people are using it to for HVAC for ventilation. That was the first focus. Um, going back to 2024, we still had a a pretty significant balance and we had it
allocated. So, one of the timelines was by December of uh December 2024, all the money had to be allocated. Um, but we have until December of 2026 to spend all the money. So we've allocated everything. So across the $10.89 million
that we had um through ARPA, there was 77 projects created. Many of them being DPW projects, but it was across the board. Sometimes some were health projects, health related, police related fire. Um so this I said this funding does end by December 2026. So it's
important that we make sure that we're executing all the contracts that were that were um uh awarded in by the end by this this past December. So, just as a quick update, we have uh 77 total projects and we're still tracking 18 of
those remaining projects. Um we do track monthly amount that has been invoiced and so it's now we're at 86% of the projects have been invoiced or spent um about $9.3 million. Um in looking at the 18 projects that remain, um a lot of
that should probably close out in the next few months. Um, some projects will go until next year and that's, you know, anticipated. Our goal, I mean, we have until next December. Um, but we want to try to close it out because that has to be completely wrapped up by next December. So, obviously, our goal is to
complete it preferably maybe by next next summer. Um, I don't know if it's any also, I do have this, you know, this very large uh present or spreadsheet that tracks each one. Um, I didn't include it in here, but because I think now it's so many projects are closed
out, whereas before we were doing a month-to-month uh tracking, but if there's any questions on it on the program or any projects, I'd be happy to answer um on ARPA. All right. So, um so with all those ARPA projects, we just have such a large DPW
backlog of projects. So, what we do is we track all of our projects um in a internal database. Um and this includes I would say any project like if you have a work order at a school that might not trigger as a project but so some projects are smaller scale you know 15
20,000 and then can be large scale all the way up to you know we're involved in the fire station project and the parker school feasibility so um we have right now we're tracking 90 projects um and and they're all in various phases too some are in they're all these are all
fund some funding has been allocated to these projects so we have 90 projects these are either funded through town resources through grants through federal funds. Um ARPA is too a lot of these are were tied up in ARPA. So that's why I think it's a lot of it a lot of the this
amount the amount of projects we've had the past couple years and that totals to $56 million dollar. So it's really considerable amount of projects that we have between capital federal um other funding sources. Um and I have again the
long list. I did not want to share the whole list but just a lot of projects. We have a lot of roof projects right now that we're we are beginning um and that will continue. We have a lot of elevator projects right now that are underway. We just recently um went to town meet and had had to ask for additional
allocation. We have a lot of other facility site projects. Um this also includes our roadway and sidewalk paving program. So that is annually. Um ADA improvements as well. That was a capital um project that we have. Um this
includes storm water improvements and various assessments. So it could also it could be a uh infrastructure installing drainage. It could also just be assessing we did the watershed study that that be one of our projects. Sewer improvements infilt I put II it's
infiltration inflow removal. Um so we have right a force main assessments going on. We have the Kensington pump station. So in various phases, some are in assessment, some are in construction. Um I put on here fire station number three and number five. It is you know really a larger group of people that's
involved in this with a permanent building committee um fire town manager um and um Patrick Maloney. Um so a lot of people are involved in this but it is something that we do coordinate um as part of the 90 projects. The new Parker
school feasibility study still that's part of a larger group the school committee. Um and then we also have our sustainability related projects, energy um related. So all the charging stations that are you're seeing being installed around town, that's ongoing right now. Um and then I'll also talk about
highlight our tree canopy. I know that is a strategic plan goal for u the select board. So you know we are we have been implementing um various projects to try to with aligning with the tree committee. Um and then we just have other various on call like whether be a cleaning contract. So just a lot of
projects. Um but I find it helpful to track it. So we we track it. Um and myself, the school committee and manager con we meet monthly to go over all of school related projects, but we also kind of check in really weekly on all these project on a lot of these
projects. Um so I just thought it would be good to highlight sorry um highlight some of those projects without going into all 90 projects. And so one of we always get asked about is our paving program. When are we paving your street? So we right
now have three $3 million um in this current annual paving plan. A lot of that is funded through chapter 90 um and also supplemented through free cash allocations um in capital. Um so that right now as you a lot of the streets in
the air streets are um being replaced. We have various um for various treatments. We have micro sealing, which is more like what you see if you you seal your driveway. It's a little more than that, but it's it's more of a um preventative maintenance. Then you have the mill and overlay where we take that
top two inches off the pavement. Um and then we have reclamation where that's more um involved construction where you're rehabilitating the structural subbase. And so um example, Kensington Drive I know is being constructed right now. Um, and what we do is we have a
list from the contractor and we do try to put updates. Um, the directed abutters are notified and we hand out hand out information, but as far as information on our town website, our town manager newsletter, we do provide more frequent updates um, and where we are in construction.
Um, we are contin with weather, knock on wood, is still favorable. So, we're continuing, you know, we see us continuing into the fall to complete all this work. It is 7.6 miles of roadway. Um, and going back several years ago, I think we were doing close to four to six. And we've really done a lot in the
past few years where it's been between seven and even I think it was 10 or almost 12 miles. Um, paired with some of the the t the state efforts. Um, so yeah, so I guess and if if there's any questions along the way, feel free to
ask. Um, another project that I think people are because it's very visible um, right near the McCarthy is the um, McCarthy multi-use court improvements. This was approved at a previous fall town meeting uh, through free cash $975,000.
Um, Ray Contracting is the contractor. Um, they're right now completing the work. If you drive by, you can see it's a very active construction site. They're trying to get as much completed before school starts next week. they the work will continue this fall. Um, and this is a really a multi-use court that will
have two basketball courts, two deck hockey courts with the boards and everything. Um, a tennis court that could also have two that will also have two pickle ball courts on the tennis court. Um, and there'll be it'll be ADA access. We have a walkway that will loop around from McCarthy towards the police
station because we also added parking um, in the front of McCarthy. Um, there'll also be some added perimeter fencing. So really a nice area and this will I mean this is school property. So during um the school year school day it would be for the the the kids at
McCarthy but u outside of those hours in the summer it's really it's another space for for the community. Um so we're targeting fall. I think it's going to be closer to October when we're complete. Another project that is complete um and it's we've been tracking it for a few
years is the Kensington pump station improvements. Um overall project cost was $760,000. There was an initial phase uh $265,000. That was really to put the So this is a lot of our pump stations. We only have a handful that remain where we want to
make sure the equipment is put into a what I call it a shed. So it's protected, easily accessible generator. Um and then we also put in some control valves or um submersible pumps um with with uh improved access to those pumps
as well. Um we was completed Kensington. We're looking at doing some upgrades to three more stations. Clinton Fair, I forget the third. Um uh so this we're I guess we in the foreseeable future there's we'll have all these stations all 41 of our stations will be pretty
much upgraded. Um we're I guess nearing the end of our 10-year plan. I think we have several years left, but a lot of it's more of the minor pump station upgrades. This is more of a major. Um and then so phase one has been completed over a year ago, but phase two is really h really finishing with all the vault
work, the the controls, um the generator. Um and so that is just completing right now. And you can see that I mean it doesn't look like complete because we're paving right now. So we aligned that project with our paving contract. So our paving
contractor is finishing that project. Um, I thought this was a nice project to highlight just because it is from from ARPA and it was initially going back a few I think I actually had it programmed in 2026 27 just because of all the capital needs and then with ARPA we just
thought it was a great project to put on the ARPA um and um Gary Persetti our former DPW dire director he's working for for the um DPW and he did a great job at this project. Um, we were able to procure the the trailer. Um, it really,
and there's a picture here. They pretty much bring in the new one, take out the old one. Um, you have to get the connections and we re re uh reinstalled the ramp. So, there was definitely some pieces to get it in, but it really was a a pretty quick swap. It was over three days. Um, it is is slightly bigger in
terms of the internal um space they have. They have the shelving that they have is a little bigger and they have I think better um refrigeration units but really the HBAC this is a climate controlled area um and it services not
just Chelmsford is really regional to the community um this was ARPA funded but also we had a stateear mark to supplement that funding so in total $138,000 um and it just really went so smoothly so that was beginning of this summer that it came on
It was me. And last project I just want to highlight or projects is the townwide tree planting effort. So going back to a few years ago, we had about 20 trees that went into the town common which I think was a great ad to the town common.
Um and that was really through the select board through like listening sessions. So that was you know aligning with the select board's um goals and I think also the tree committee's goals in the town. you know, we we see that we're have a declining tree canopy of about 2% a year, which is really alarming. Um, so
there's been a lot of initiatives to try to increase that. So last year, I think it was 30 trees and this year we did a lot, 121 trees that was spread of across various projects. So we had the cooling corridor grant from the the dog park, which also includes a maintenance
contract. So they'll water that through this fall that um and again next year that was 25 trees at the dog park. And then what you see here along Graniteville and along in various areas around the high school and the Harrington fields with 66 trees. Um the
ecology club planted five trees and we also had um the DPW planted about 20 trees. Uh cemetery planted a few trees. So when you add all those trees up it's 121 trees which is great. Um we have had a tough season with you know the weather
we've had. Um one so you see here on the right um this is Bob. Um he is a tree committee member but he's also our DPW senior volunteer. So um because so through that project we were able to uh purchase that gator you see in the background and it's really a watering
truck. It holds this holds um 100 gallons of water. And so we have two people um involved where they go out weekly and water all the 66 trees around the high school which really I think is I mean we it has been a harsh um climate
or summer but um so people might have to replace a couple but um but it's been great to have that watering program and that's really so critical. Planting a tree is pretty easy, but it's the maintenance after that is it's been that and it's so what we're looking to do is
as we move forward in this initiative is it might make sense to plant in clusters. So I there's more potential opportunities here at the high school and so this this vehicle here this lives at our facility shop. Um and so it will the next couple years it will be going
out and watering through whether it be through seasonal staff or through volunteers. Um, and then just thought, you know, like Robert's Field or there might be other opportunities to again do some cluster plantings and it was $100,000. So, a large effort.
Um, but it's really great in, you know, trying to build back the canopy. Um, and last project, I just wanted to go over a project that I just recently presented to the Chumsford public schools. Uh, this is the electrification roadmap study um for the schools. So um
you know as as you know the town of Chumsford has their goal of net zero by 2050 for of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Um and so the what we don't know is how do we how do we get there? Um and a lot of the load is at
our buildings. We have older buildings. Um so we had this opportunity through a state earmar to have this funding um $75,000 and we studied all nine school buildings to basically say let's come up with a timeline and what's the anticipated cost to to do this um to
meet the 2050 goal um and in that it would have to be basically fully converted to electric systems. Um this was a very high level planning report because assumptions had to be made. It's all based on industry but I and I'll go over I think it's it's helpful just to
show that there is our buildings are older so there's a large need if you are going to electrify them. Um so and there is a full report I just put the link here it's a very lengthy report has all the assumptions in there but it is available on our website.
So the just quickly the report assumptions it went over looked at all the existing heating plumbing electrical building infrastructure also the building envelope information that's important is because if that is that plays key in how um efficient the
building systems are we also um the consultant looked at the heating and electrical bills um to understand what the baseline costs are. They reviewed our DPW operations but historical budgets just to understand what it took to maintain the existing systems mostly
the mechanical systems that we have. There was an assumption um and that I think it's was it 36 or $40 a square foot of capital cost based on the industry references on um and also we have we had information on the existing capital um cost that we have expended
over the past several years and what we see as a foreseeable future. So that was programmed into there. Um we did look at the existing solar panels. The thing here is that we already have solar panels on the building. So I guess by adding the solar panels, it doesn't really change um doesn't really change.
Sorry, I just there's a typo up here. Public apologize the road road map is it's it's a typo up there. Um and then the also so the electrification there's a lot of um various
uh heating systems you could propose even electric. So we looked at uh air source heat pumps that was the assumption. Um and it assumed that any electrical upgrades would also have to take place. All of our buildings have old switch gear systems. So assuming
that those would all probably have to be upgraded as part of this um electrification. So this SL so in looking at all those assumptions and all that data what it came up with is that you would have so there's a business as usual case right
here you see on the left. Um and so you have an investment cost because you no matter no in 20 years we're still going to have to replace our existing gas systems. Um and then in that cost is a maintenance cost. what does it cost to maintain our existing infrastructure? There's a natural gas cost to to operate
our our existing systems. And then the electricity cost because there's still electricity cost to operate our existing systems. So then if you look at the electrified case, there's a very very large um in the orange increase of capital investment. So really it's a
difference of $41.4 million that you would have to do to invest in the electrification system or to to electrify our buildings. Um there's also potentially um with electric systems sometimes there could I guess it's industry averages b
say that there's they can be more efficient. So over the 28 years I guess you pretend with newer systems you would have a $3.7 million savings in maintenance costs. Um and then electricity because you're electrifying everything you would have a $10.4
million increase in electric costs um in that. So, um, there is a little, as you in the electrified case, there still is a little bit of a natural gas cost because you'll be until you electrify everything, you're going to be paying for natural gas after 2050 that would
drop off. Um, so really what it shows you is that it's it's, you know, just to maintain our buildings, $41.4 $4 million is a lot, but then to add on another uh 43 40 basically another 40 million 40 plus million to for that capital investment,
that's just a lot. I I guess I don't know what the answer is, but it's just that's what we need to to do if you were to electrify the buildings. Um the report also does speak to uh you know I think the our building envelopes
are older and so they're not as efficient. Um we did include Parker in here as part the existing Parker is just an case just to look at it and it's existing. I know any new school is built will have to be electrified and that really these these calculations don't
pertain to a new school because there'll be a new system new build building envelope. So, I think also shows that it's such a large capital investment and a larger electrical cost because you have older building envelopes um that aren't as efficient. Um, also like we
asked we did ask for a timeline. Um, and so this is just, you know, if you were to spend so much money a a year to get to 2050, there's some recommended um timeline and and Parker being the first recommendation that does align with >> is that because of the study that's
>> I think it was based on the a so partially it was also >> we did we we did the energy upgrade to them in 18 did we not? >> So part it's it was part of this was based on the age of the boilers. So Park Parker boilers are aging and so >> but we did the heat the as part of the
energy package >> there was a there was there was yeah there was yeah there were some heat yes we did some yes so there have been upgrades more spot locations um >> but not full full building so a lot of
these conversion recommended timelines align with um the ex age of the existing systems so Parker would potentially be that next replacement and so that's one of the reasons why it was recommended >> and the boilers are about the oldest out of >> they are the oldest and so that's why
you see you know 2043 or McCarthy's 2046 and we're just about to finish the boilers right now so we had planned it to align with our our current um age of our infrastructure boiler infrastructure uh that so I I guess the take away from
there is at least this is helpful and it shows you how much you may have to spend this is very planning level um if you were to do anything you would have to advance, you know, further assessment, but it just shows that, um, you really have to have grant funding or some type of funding to help supplement that. It's
a very large amount. Um, >> yep. >> So, the the orang-ish color that's the capital to maintain on the left and the capital for the new on the right. >> Yes. So business. So the on the left is the capital to to replace our existing
systems as is and then on the right is a capital to replace with electric systems or or yeah electric systems. >> So again I know my eyes aren't that great but if I take away the capital those two bar charts are about the same value. So whether we stay the taking the
capital piece out of it just the maintenance and the cost of the energy and all that's about the same >> essentially minus a couple million dollars. Yeah. So going forward beyond the 2050 is there in theory any savings or at least >> I don't know if we can project that I
guess too because also when we were looking at all these assumptions it was literally based on what's the cost of electricity so it would be hard to project out more maybe but >> um I guess you could run another 25 years and project potentially you could
we we were just looking at the next 28 years. >> Yeah. I mean, the capital's kind of that onetime cost. Everything else is run rate. And, you know, I was kind of expecting that we see more savings going forward. >> The other basically the takeaway is that you probably might want to look at
building new schools. >> Yeah. >> By the time by the time you get that 20 years, you might as well just build a new school and it'll be >> So, this actually shows that because because also the building envelopes are not efficient and so and the cost of electricity. So I think electricity >> this actually was very helpful in
showing that you're going to spend $41 million and then you still have all these other look at the cost on the roofs and the elevators. So it's how much money you going to spend before you need a new because these these schools are aging. >> Yeah, that's right. And so this shows that
>> that could show a different picture once Parker come. >> So this is >> Yeah. Well, no park. So what she said was Park Parker >> Parker is included with this >> but if we took but the new Parker school is not in that second graph because we don't know what those numbers are yet. >> No. So the new So we'll be getting a lot
so we just installed some um we're trying to get more data like how efficient our our electric buildings are and so when that will be something that we'll have a lot more analytics once you know assuming the new Parker school but that's it takes a while to get that data I guess. >> So this is this is based on the Parker
school as a as it is. Yes. >> So, arguably it could be somewhat better. >> Yeah. >> Yes. With the new it would be >> but more immediately Christine if you could talk about the other solution is out outside funding grant funding right and if you could talk about the grant that we're you just applied for for the
fire stations project. >> Sure. Yes. So, yeah. So, if if you have grant and so an example too is the charging stations like so we're installing these charging stations $2.4 million. we would not have had the ability to fund that. But that basically national grids coming in and inst with
another vendor installing that. And so it's it's um in the end, you know, they'll be getting more electricity and they'll be seek seeking revenue through the electrical. But that's a benefit right there. So if there's grant opportunities and another example is through the fire stations. And so when
we were looking at both fire stations, um station three, which is Robert's Field is has more realist. And so the thought was, well, could we do geothermal? And at first, I mean, it's an added cost. We're looking at potential. It's like ballpark. You're looking at at least an additional
$500,000, $600,000. Um, but with our climate action um climate action grant opportunity that we just adopted about a year ago, um we just applied through that first grant. Um and only two communities, as I understand, applied. I think it was us
and in um Watertown. And so it's a onetime million-doll grant. Um, and so this would put new solar panels on both three and five and it would potentially put uh hopefully geothermal at three. So it would make we never really I guess going into it because there is a little
bit added cost. Um, we never thought making station 3 like really truly net zero building, but if this is if this goes through um and that million dollars would be funded by the state. So you or through this sorry yes through the state through this grant um so we would have
that you know so so we really I think need to have opportunities of grant funding to make it more economical for us. >> That's great. That's good news. >> We hopefully hear back soon but it has the real estate um to put geothermal.
>> That's awesome. Um so the electric electrification road mapap study basically assumes that we would go to almost 100% heat pump kind of >> that's the assumption in the model but
you could look at other sources too. like geothermal other depending on the location but the the anal the basically the analysis they did was 100% airsource heat pump that was just to to run the numbers but there and I think also the s the electrificate there's new
technologies that keep popping up so this is yeah that was based off of um >> so this study is completed >> yes completed >> okay um is will there be any kind of presentation or is it just that we got to go look at it and >> present um Yeah. So, I mean, I can give
definitely give more information on it. I presented it to the school committee um and then I guess tonight but I this was this is essentially the >> and the study um includes comparative analysis of what we pay today for energy
costs and what these new systems would cost us um and so on based on if we're doing the right things to the >> very very high level like cost per square foot and then it looked at our I made an assumption our our current what we're currently paying for electricity
and what we anticipate will pay for electricity in the years to come. So, all the assumptions are in the report. I'd be happy to give more information on the report, too. >> Um, well, let's talk about that in a minute. Um, so the other thing I I I guess I'd like to say, we're calling um
this Chelsea Public Schools electrification roadmap study. Um, Paul will remember this. You would you weren't here. Gary and I would remember this very well. We got the heck beat out of us when we did that
energy program back in 2018 and you know so we're we're looking to do more of the same with better technology grant you but I have system same systems in my house and if you're
standing under a register it's cool air it's not warm air but my house is warm >> so one of my points a couple points I want to make here is one I think We should start if if that's the primary assumption I think we should start calling it the electrification and heat
pump stud whatever it is to start to let the citizens understand that this is what we're looking at because there's long memories in this town and they're all going to start thinking back here we go my kids are going to be cold that's my concern the kids weren't cold everything was adjusted we don't hear
anything about it today but >> but well maybe I don't know about maybe maybe we hear about it less but it was a major problem and this was an energy initiative that was you know we got grants for it was good for the town it
was good for the schools but I am concerned that we need to start calling it kind of what it is and then so my next thing if this is what we're looking at and if we're really going to get serious about being green by 2050
I mean this is a tall order >> it's time for a committee you you know, to to look at this and go go enhance the the information so that we can start to make decisions over the next couple of years as to how we're going to meet
these um commitments that we made to um energy by 2050. So, I mean, maybe I'm wrong, uh, you know, but I think there should be a group um of experts, you know, starting to look at this and and then start to look at revenue sources
and just all that type of situation. >> I think the biggest challenge is as Christine noted is school buildings, right? We're we're going to do the Parker school building coming for a vote in two years in 2027, >> right? >> And that debt will be with the town for 30 years. So the question is going to
become what's the town's capacity going to be over the next 30 years to do more school buildings and in what format of that. Um I think you can look at what's happened in other communities. But that's going to be that's going to be some serious thinking because what's really going to happen is you you're going to you're going to we're going to
end up doing we're not going to be able to do seven school building projects >> by 2050. And if you look at what other towns have done, particularly Tukbury and other places, is what you're likely going to see is continued consolidation of school buildings. So again, the Parker site
talking about taking a grade five, six school and making it a grade four through six school and most likely where you're going to have four elementary schools. You're not going to do four elementary school projects. You're probably going to do two mega elementary school projects like you've seen in other towns.
>> And then you then then you got to circle back with the high school. um and McCarthy. So even if you do that, you're still looking at three or four projects. But I don't know how you get to electrification in any serious form because your the town's biggest
facilities are school buildings because think about it, you know, everything else is dwarfed by in terms of square footage and in terms of operating costs >> in need. >> In need and and that's that's that's the conundrum the town's going to have. And and you're right, we've got to get
started with Parker and then as you said, then needs to be a serious discussion of what's next in the queue because Parker probably won't open till what 2031, maybe 20 >> at least three to four years. >> Yeah, exactly. And therefore, and as we know from MSBA getting on the list and
getting funded, you've got to be in that queue because look how long it took us to get into the queue for Parker. >> And if we just finished one, we're less likely to get in the queue for another >> three, four, five years, >> right? That's going to be the big nut and that's why you'll see later tonight
and what we're working on is we've got to maintain these assets. And so when when you're seeing us continue to do work in school roofs and these other things, it's not because gee, we're just looking to spend money. It's like we know that places like McCarthy and and the high school and everything else have
to last us because it's going to take a while and an effort to get to the replacement of those buildings. So I'm kind of blending a couple themes of what's going on is the electrification with the budget stuff which ALS, but it's also about how we're using the town's resources and that's going to be the challenge we're going to have.
>> But I but I think that to Pat's point, so listen, I get a commitment was made and there's a goal of 20150, but then there's real life, right? Nobody I think plans in an economic slowdown or economic chaos and those types of things. But but I do think it it's
exactly what it is. It's a road map, right? So, and technologies are going to change. We have no idea what's going to happen to electricity costs. Again, you do projects like this anywhere outside of like New England and California, there's savings because electricity is so much cheaper. But I do think to the point of starting to look at, okay, what
are some of the elements in here that we want to maybe start focusing on or keep in mind and take advantage of when we can um is not a bad thing to do, but I think that the reality of getting this completely replaced and done by 2050 is >> I just don't know how to attack it. But
you know >> the start is with the sustain clean energy and sustainability committee. They're the ones that we've got to pivot off of. >> Yeah. >> Right. They're the committee that has sort of been pushing for the climate leader designation and so forth. And I think I think that that's how we get there is through that committee and
circling back and and and trying to figure out how do we then move forward. >> I mean there's some strategic planning to do in here too which is the critical probably the most critical part of this. So, it's I'm sorry. >> No, I I was Well, I interrupted, too. We
didn't We We just got something that'll now open this up for grants, too, right? >> From That's the fire station. Yeah. So, it's only1 million. That's the thing is it's only $1 million, which million dollar is great. It's a but it's only $1 million. And when you look at $41 million
>> because we've made that progress of that committee, it opened us up for this opportunity. >> And then you've got the regulatory issues. I mean look what's happening to the state's wind so wind farm efforts and offshore wind and the other problem is >> upgrade to the utility lines. Yeah the
national grid and ever source the other folks are looking to do you can have all this electric but you don't have the capacity in the networks >> and that's the issue is you can have electric but if you don't have the power capabilities you're going nowhere and that hasn't been addressed either. So there's like you said those are factors
that we can't control but we're kind of walking into that environment because we have to. So I I guess hearing all that you know we can think about you know maybe as recycling committee that goes and and studies the report >> clean energy I think
>> clean energy rather I'm sorry >> um >> strategic I guess I see it as like a strategic this is I guess a a a document for the strategic planning of the town. So is that committee still? >> Yeah, because I mean it's all I mean we
got to generate revenue to do if I mean if we were going to try to meet this but >> real life sets in. So uh but I do want to you know if we're going to start talking about this and and kind of you know um getting it on the radar of the citizens so to speak. I think I'd like
to start calling it more of where we're heading just so that people understand that we don't end up my kids are cold and free rooms here filled up with people you know hanging. So um one other question I do have for
you and I just think think about this sometimes. So back to opera just for a minute. I have uh no doubt that we have plenty of contingency to finish all our projects because I think I know you well enough by now to know that we have plenty of contingency. But what happens if we have contingency left over? Do we
just write a check back or or do we find a way to electrical piece back? >> The problem I mean so it's a great program but the problem is that we we couldn't build in contingencies into like we couldn't have it. So when we executed a contract with a contractor we
couldn't build in extra contingencies into like a project budget. It has to be any basically a signed contract. So what we did is we had so that's why we tried to align it with more fixed cost. So like it was very the food pantry trailer. So um I guess if in the end if
we don't spend every penny then we'll be sending it back. But um >> so far we've been good about spending every penny and then there's 18 projects remaining and I'm just trying to basically we're tracking it to make sure we spend every penny. >> Um yeah. So, you know, if we can just
look at this again maybe by the end of the year and just, you know, just think about it a bit and maybe come back and say how what's the best approach and maybe it is just to hand it off to strategic planning and and get some advice from clean energy, but I just think it should be on everybody's radar
at this point because that's the job that we're supposed to be doing. >> Yeah. So, clean energy has seen this report school committee. Um I guess it is a very detailed report with a lot of assumptions and so I was trying to just give a very high level summary of it. >> Um but if there's any questions we'd be
happy to answer or um Chris Haley was involved in this as well our sustainability manager. So I mean it's an important document but it gives you and then also this is just our school buildings. We have other buildings in town too and so it's like this gives us a piece of the puzzle.
>> All right. Thank you. >> Thanks Christine. Thanks, Christine. Okay. Um, next up we have a request for a memorial bench and Aaron took this one >> and went with it. So, I'm going to let
him tell us what this is about. So, the uh Charles River Wheelers, which is a um uh biking club, reached out to us um with their second offer for a memorial bench um to be put up on the
Bruce Reman rail trail. So last year they did one for um uh uh Sandy Gay in um 2023 and they uh recently or recently January now um had
a member of the club Eli Post um who passed away. he was a kind of a larger than-l life figure um with the Charles right Charles River Wheelers and they're all over the state um and they're they're involved in a lot of um you know kind of volunteer cycling activities um
and uh Barbara Jacobs from that group had reached out to us um submitted an application um had the opportunity to speak with her and get a little bit of uh a little bit of information on why they wanted to do this um their funding and all that stuff as well as well as um
why Chumsford and and a bench for Eli. So um you know Eli got sick and his son Alex and he used to spend a lot of time in in um Eli's kind of uh final days spending time down around Hart Pond. So,
having had um and and utilizing the pond in the in the area down there and having um uh done this with Chumsford before for for Sandy's bench, um they thought it was a good opportunity to memorialize Eli in a place that was special um to he
and his family being the the Heart Pond area. They have raised all the money that's needed. They've done this before. um they're more than willing to take whatever direction they need to from Christine, including specs, benches, um how to get it all installed. They've they've got the coverage for all of that
and they've uh they've asked us for um the approval to go ahead um and in letters of support. The bicycle committee was obviously enthusiastic about it. Um as was the uh members of the um Bruce Freeman uh rail trail. So,
um, you know, again, interesting character. There's some in there's some, uh, you know, good stories on Charles River, um, Wheeler's website about Eli, but, um, I think that this is a a project that we should support. And, um, we know that there's always a interest
in some benches along, uh, the rail trail anyways. So, um, having somebody donate one in the memory of somebody that that, um, Heart Pond was a kind of a special part of their lives, especially towards the end, I think is a really good idea. Any
questions? >> They've done this before, right? >> They have. They did it in 2000 in 2023. So >> that's that's picture of the >> Yep. That's the existing one that they did. Yep. >> And I'm assuming that went through you, Christine, or >> maybe
>> Oh, Gary. Okay, Gary. questions, comments. >> So, would I make a motion, we need to accept the gift and then approve the installation um of the bench as presented. >> Approve the request >> because we as a town, we're responsible
for the maintenance of the rail trail right away. So, you're authorizing the installation of the bench in the location and then they'll work with DPW to take a motion. >> Uh I'll make a motion that this board accept the gift of uh park bench
um to be located by Hart Pond um and installed in accordance with the town of Chumsford um documentation as present. I'll second that. Okay, we have a motion, a second. All those in favor?
>> I I >> So So I just first of all, thank you everyone for taking the time to uh consider that and approve it. And um I let told Barbara they have a meeting tomorrow night, so they're going to kind of formally announce this um tomorrow night. So I'm I'm sure they're going to
be happy for it. Again, Christine, I'll connect you with Barbara and you guys will be good to go. Gary Marshall, that famous director that had a famous quote that said, "I never met a bench I didn't like." >> So, it's fair enough.
>> Yeah, but if you're on the rail trail, I guess benches are good things. >> Um, okay. Thanks, Aaron. So, next up, we have town manager bits. >> One item for you this evening. This has to do with the catch basin debris and
street sweeping disposal. Guys, sorry. Can you shut off the air conditioner for me? It's just I'm having a really hard time with the audio. Thank you so much. Sorry to interrupt. >> Fix that air conditioner. >> Fix Yeah, one or the other. Um, so we have one bid award for the um
catch basin street sweeping debris. The bid amount um is $12,650 and the lowest qualified bid which had positive references was Brighter Horizons Environmental Corporation out of air mass. So I'm seeking the
confirmation of the board the select board's confirmation of the bid award to Bright Horizons uh as presented. >> Have we used them before? >> We've not used them before, but their references came back positive. the company that we used before would mysteriously didn't bid this year even though we thought they were going to.
>> Um, but the good thing is this this bid prices market and committed within our budget. >> Okay. Anybody have any questions? >> I'll take a motion. I'll make a motion that the board approve the tunnel managers bid award to
Brighter Horizon's Environmental Corporation of 2011 West Main Street Air in the amount of $12,650 and this would be um for catch basin debris and street sweeping debris disposal contract as presented.
>> I'll second that. Okay, we have a motion, a second. All those in favor? >> I approved. Thanks, Paul. And now we have um town manager reports. >> Yes. Just a few items this evening. Most timely, most important is when you we
gather your next our next regularly scheduled meeting, the Monday after Labor Day, three weeks from now, you'll be signing the warrant for the October 20th fall annual town meeting, which remarkably is two months, just over two months from now. It's just amazing how quickly fall town meeting gets up on us. What I have here is the draft warrant.
Uh there's now 34 33, but there's actually 34 articles. I'll explain that in a moment. Um the only difference what I gave you a week ago is is working with Christine and and and discussing with the town accountant where where we expect free cash to come in and
certified. We we've got a final list of of articles. Um the town accountant uh submitted the balance sheet to the department of revenue uh last Friday. So we would expect within the next couple of weeks uh and certainly before you convene again on the ETH that we'll have
a certified free cash. Uh and basically with that you know this plan envisions that um the only changes and it go back to the discussion that we just heard earlier is we completed the McCarthy switch gear um successfully this summer
uh in terms of the system that's in there and now we really want to pivot over to the high school. So that's the only change is we've added an article to do the high school switch gear rehabilitation. Again, you've got a system that's 50 years old and the and why the switch gear is so important is
it's is if that goes down, you don't have school. Um because of the t the time it would take to to to rehab that. So we're looking why we're asking for it now at fall time meeting is we want to get that work done next summer. Um and the problem with waiting till springtime meeting is is you don't finish springtime meeting till May and you
can't get the work done next summer. Um so anyway so that's the addition uh since the previous agenda uh draft warn I sent you last week and then the only other addition I mentioned an additional article is in working with the town accountant we not only have the town's free cash but also the enterprise funds
free cash and so Christine came up with a great suggestion that is to do the drainage on Westford Street while the bridge is being replaced and so the the there'll be an article um that will be inserted um in the list of capital to to
fund the Westford Street drainage and again the funding source from that would come from the enterprise fund. Um so that's the only change that I expect that you'll see between now and you know when you sign the warrant next meeting. Um, so I'll be sending sent this to council for a legal review because of
the 34 articles, roughly half of them are zoning. And of the zoning, you know, of I think there's over a dozen just pertain to that new zoning district, the the light manufacturing or transition zoning
district, which I think, as I mentioned a week ago, will probably be done on their consent agenda. uh and that you really the town doesn't really want to adopt any of the articles unless you adopt all of the articles uh because as as I explained to you last week, you're going from the definitions to the zoning
district establishment to the youth regulation table to the overlay districts and so forth. So um so that again I think will be considered under a consent agenda. So that's where we are with with the warrant for town meeting. Again, the expectation is probably two
sessions. You know, we would start out hopefully rather efficiently as we typically do with the financial articles the first night. See where that ends given the bundle of the new zoning district depending upon that may be something that may get taken up first the second session because you don't
want to do start that then continue it the next night. And so what I think would happen is there'll be some flexibility of taking some articles out of order that are independent of that like the you know um some of the other zoning requests like going back and revisiting the accessory dwelling unit
revision that the AG recommended or the definition of family or special permits for schools and and also um with there's also a home rule petition that I'm working with new house wildlife and the save wildlife group to do the home rule
petition for the um anti-coagulant rodenticides. So again, that's that's kind of how we'll approach town meeting in terms of that. Um so that's sort of the draft warrant. And while on the topic of town meeting, you see the transition here.
We the next item is is the electronic voting system. >> Can can I just go ahead? >> You got questions on the warrant. Sure. >> Well, I just a couple typos on page page three. >> Okay. >> Um article 11. >> Yep. Um the the first sentence seems to have some extra words or some words to
see if the town will vote to transfer from free cash a sum of money to the provided to the north. >> Oh, it should be to be the word the I I caught that today. To be provided. >> Okay. And and article 13 select and should be select board
>> 13. Okay. Okay. >> I see it at the bottom. Article 13. 14 says border selection. >> Oh, okay. >> It doesn't mine anyway. >> Okay. >> The second reference to us. >> Oh, okay. That's what it was. The first call if you catch it on the second. Okay, we'll catch that. Okay, thank you.
We'll catch that. Okay. If there any other questions, they said it's um so relating the town meeting as we as you recall at the June special town meeting, we once again had an issue of the voting devices failing. Um so in
working with our IT director and finance director, uh and James in my office and Christina Bruce, our my other assistant, we basically are pivoting to the other major provider electronic voting systems for municipalities Meridia. Um so we we
will be introducing that system at the special town meeting. >> Obviously the s this the fundamentals of the system are the same meaning >> the fall town meeting. Yeah. It doesn't rely on Wi-Fi >> speech and no Wi-Fi. >> But but in terms of the devices >> problem
>> right in terms of the devices there'll be three buttons to push one yes two no three abstain you know. So that's how it's going to be. And uh and the key is right the whole sol what we believe is the solution is >> no Wi-Fi and more importantly the issue
that we had with with our current provider is they were working off of the Microsoft PowerPoint platform for their device. And what and I we think or how they explained the issue was when Microsoft would update their software versions of PowerPoint, they would have
issues trying to work the bugs out. Meridia, we explained to them what was going on. They understood and know what was going on. They devised their own solution that's independent of Microsoft. And that's what we think is the is the key. And ago, I remember Ted went in and did
a big upgrade to the Wii because there wasn't enough Wi-Fi to support 165 members clicking at the same time. >> Exactly. >> So, it fixed it, but it didn't really fix it. >> Right. So, >> doesn't work on Wi-Fi. How does it
>> It does. It's the issue of the Yeah, it's basically Yeah, it's it's a you know, uh >> our radio frequency protocol. Yeah, basically it's an RF protocol that works um and avoids the issue of the of the Wi-Fi. Um
>> Oh, yeah. >> As long as we we what the we we we know of other communities in the Commonwealth that use this system. Denim being the most similar with representative town meeting with the you know the voter identification scrolls that we have. Um
and no issues all good. So, so what will what it will be is it'll be a slightly different appearance. Just like if you were using you remember when we were well I don't want to date ourselves but remember when you were using you know word versus word perfect there was always some little night there at night
what we'll do is the first night we'll explain to folks um you know if briefly at the beginning of the meeting that these are the new systems this is how it works and we will have a representative of Meridia at the town meeting so that way if issues arise at the first session we'll work through the bugs but uh again
this isn't new to them. It's not it's not new to us. It it should hopefully work well. Again, it'll just be different. For example, one of the differences is their system doesn't incorporate the clock in the software. So, the moderator will run the 30 second
clock with, as you know, like he does during debate. So, and then those type of similarities, but you still have the detailed voting reports and everything else afterwards. So, again, we we've made it we're making a change and we we hope that this puts the um voting
difficulties, electronic voting difficulties in the past behind. >> Is is there any way on the display >> instead of having it completely alphabetic? Could we have it alphabetic within precinct and have precincts? Is there a reason why not? >> I think the problem is is some people
don't know who their pre what precinct >> but but people watching at home are more likely Well, when they pick when I pick up my my >> Yeah. Um, >> you have to tell them or or they tell me what precinct I'm in. >> Um, because somebody watching at home,
they it it's would be so hard for them to try to pick out the 15 people in there when they're squattered all over the place, >> right? But the other challenge is is is being able to display it. So, it may come down to I I'll ask them, but it may be an issue of how do you display it? because you're probably talking only,
you know, one or two screens as opposed to in a 30- secondond period. You want to be able to see the votes in real time. And the problem is if you have I I I'll look at it. I'll look at it, but it may not be possible. >> But I don't know why it wouldn't, but
>> so that that'll be a change. But again, we hope that it, you know, especially where we're doing a lot of zoning. I mean, if there's ever a town meeting, this has got to work. We need it to work here. >> All right. And then the um next item on my my report is an update on the fire station construction
project. Last Tuesday, the permanent building committee met. Uh they reviewed these presentations. I can't do the justice that the architect did or the um project manager, but I'll give you and people watching this meeting an idea of
where things stand today uh on on on this project. Um, this slide just shows you where the stations are located. So, there's no sense dwelling on that. This is the existing Roberts Field Station. The fire, see the fire station up in the top right there. Uh, and that's the
entire property including Robert's Field. Uh, this is the existing building. Again, I'm not going to spend time on things that we're already familiar with. Um obviously they've done extensive survey work, wetlands delineations and so forth because the footprint of the new buildings in both
cases is going to be altered because of the expan expansion in size. Um and then here's the proposed design. Uh this is obviously the exterior from the roof level above as we mentioned solar facility.
uh the ability to get in and out of the bays, drive, you know, drive through uh in terms of being able to pull a vehicle out uh you know in either side of the building. Um that's again architectural. This is the whole issue of the
screening. One of the things that is critical with Robin's Field Station at West Fire Station, it's very visible as you come down coming from the ice, you know, I guess you call it the ice cream stand or Spencer store, whatever you want to relate it to. It's very visible.
And so the idea is have sufficient screening so that it doesn't detract from the park at Robertsfield. Um, again, especially with the larger envelope of the building in terms of footprint. Um, this is the interior spacing,
uh, apparatus bays, decontamination areas. Um, and then your transition areas and then your your bunk areas. Uh, and then followed by your living quarters and fitness room. Um, that's your basic station, one one level in the
case of u of Westfire Station. Again, the mechanical will be on the roof. There'll be a roof hatch for access to the roof for the for care of the solar panels and the mechanical roof. This is an overhead illustration of what the building may look look like.
Um >> did they ever figure out the wasn't the generator part of the problem? >> No, that's going to be that's going to be in South. That's going to be in South Station. It's really not a problem here at at um at at Robbert's Field because you got plenty of room
>> for the installation initial like >> so if we get to the >> this is the north elevation of the building the west elevation they they want to they the thought was to to soften the appearance to install wood panels in addition to the metal um
along the siding of the building. And so again, this is an illustration of what it would look like from the front. You can see the use of wood tones. It's a fire station no matter what you do. And the idea is to print in natural lighting. Uh so there's not much you can do with the apparatus bay. The idea is
to make the you know quarters and and office area and decontamination area look you know look in keeping with somewhat of a residential area. It looks like real
tight on the side where the water is like they got on both of these. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, you we're outside of the wetland buffer zone. >> Um >> but there's no variances required on on on this station on three five will five will
>> um >> and there's a side there's the idea >> they got to drive through around the building though. >> Yeah. Not not really. You're really >> Yeah, you're really going to back into both stations. I mean because you know >> from the street they're not going to be because right now you can pull in and drive around the side of the building.
>> They can but not with the apparatus. The apparatus is too large. >> But you won't set on south for sure. >> Yeah. >> No, I'm talking about station >> and even that I question how D's going to look at it. Yeah. >> Are they going to drive through there to get into those backs? Like that doesn't
there's no room at all >> right now. It's going to take an elaborate storm drain system because you're going to have to catch anything that possibly get into that water, >> right? There there'll be a full fully updated storm system. Again, we have we have impervious material there.
>> The wetlands have expanded like anything else. So, again, this is where we are in design. The other thing too is I mean because I I went through these thoroughly the other day and I'm like you know I mean I'm I'm all for different applications of different materials and things like that but we
build our mantra has always been build them for 50 years. >> You know what I mean? So I don't I don't want to have to see Christine going and painting that place 10 years from now. You know we should be picking materials that will you know. Okay. So, the metal
panels, they come with kind paint. That's usually 30-year guarantee or something like that. I'd rather see more products like that, but the last thing we want to do is have more buildings to go paint. The problem we have and the
push back we had at the meeting is from the residential abutters particularly in South uh and this is something >> because in south it's tight. Yeah, they have a lot of residential butters, >> right? But it's brick right now. Why not? Why not? We could just do a brick
building. >> Brick would be Brick would be costly. >> It's why we didn't do brick. >> You got to look at the long-term uh cost of maintenance as well as you know your upfront cost. >> They don't like >> Okay. So, so >> they're going to have the ability to go
through, but they're not going to use that. Is that what you're saying? >> No. All we're saying is you you'll have the ability at at at at West Fire Station to pull your vehicle out. >> Uhhuh. >> Um, as you can see, you'll have the ability to pull a vehicle out, but
you're not going to be able to drive around the building and drive through. >> So, basically the the >> So, you'll back in and then therefore if you needed to back up the vehicle out of the building, you can back the vehicle out. They'll have to back >> if you like if you're doing maintenance, whatever. But you're not going to do a drive. It's >> okay. >> And the reason is is
>> they're not doing that now. Now they have to drive around back. They drive the truck. >> Yeah. See what they'll do is like they'll put the boat at the back. >> Exactly. >> You know, they'll put the boat. They'll put a trailer >> right >> behind the apparatus that goes to the call. >> Huh. >> Where are they going to park their cars?
>> Employees park in the back here. >> There's >> Yeah, that's all. >> That's all parking. Yeah. >> So, it's going to be tight back there when the employ >> I can show you the parking. You can see there's parking back here for the employees. >> That's How many parking spaces are back there? Six. I mean, >> well, that's you're only talking four
bed on and >> you have more parking in the front for people who visit the building. >> The other the other thought that that may come long term is is do we really need to keep the emergency management building there >> if it's some, you know, because it really isn't heavily utilized and it's
probably something you could relocate either to station 4 in East Chford or someplace else if if the town at some point needed some space back there because again it's It's just tight. It looks It looks tight >> because because the pro the issue is is
you're expanding your size of your building, but you're not expanding your lot size. And the reason you can't expand your lot size is because practically you've got the you've got the parking lot and everything else there. You also got article 97 issues because that's parkland. >> Yeah. >> Let's see the budgets.
>> Yeah. So that's that's where we are with three. And then just to more discussion was on five. Um, here's where we are in five. You can see it's a very tight lot, tight to the lot line. The these are all non-conforming
today. Very tight corridors around the building. >> Um, you got one-story neighbors. Is that Paul's house? >> Paul's house. I see two over. >> That's Paul's right there. >> He's right next to Paul was at the meeting last Tuesday. >> So, oh, and that's the new
>> So, this is this is this shows you the new footprint. The property line is in red. We're three feet from the property line. >> There's your >> It's tight. There's your variance. >> Looks huge. When you look at this picture, it looks really wide, but when you look at the like that doesn't look
that much wider than the existing >> And you've got a two-story layout here. Again, solar. So, there's there's sort of an illustration of the twotory building. This is Paul Ericson's house here. Got a neighbor here. You got a neighbor back here. And you also got one way back here at the back. um neighbors
was at the meet at the meeting. Um some thoughts on how to provide privacy and scale again the idea of of uh wood panels to soften the appearance. There's a question of color which would be looked
at. The other thing is you can see for privacy they have these what you call sawtooth windows because otherwise back of Paul Ericson's yard you'd have six dorm windows looking out into his backyard. See the idea is if you do these sawtooth windows it gets natural
lighting in but it alters the view. >> We got to look at the cost. I mean we had the same problem over here that we ended up putting shades in the um >> in the bay to for the neighbors beyond. So there's different ways to skin that cat that are less expensive.
>> So there's there's an illustration of the front of the building from Actton Road. One of the concerns that was expressed at the meeting by neighbors and and committee member was well gee it doesn't look you know why isn't there a pitched roof? It doesn't look residential. The problem is if you put a
pitched roof you're going to have a higher scale of the building. Um, and then the other thing is we're also trying to design it to put the uh solar on the roof as well as the uh the h the HVAC equipment and other material. The other challenge with this building is by
code it requires an elevator because it's a two-story building and this building includes an elevator which adds cost to the building. And then the question became well why can't you take the elevator out? Why not get a variance from the state? And the architect's
answer is, and the clerk's answer is, well, you can get a variance from the state, but you can't get a variance from the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. >> So therefore, if someone follows a protest and you've only got three feet to the lot line, how are you going to add an elevator afterwards? >> Yeah.
>> Um, so right now, the plan is is the building contains an elevator. Um, this is a view from the back of the building. >> Again, just the dorm his ways around that Paul because they're they're doing it Bill Rick is doing the same problem same
issue with they're building in they're building a fire station in Bill Rka now and and um again the different architect same issue same demand request >> um and they're putting in an elevator they have
>> in >> um so again >> they're adding one after the fact >> no and the design because they're building it now they're designing which I was like which is what we don't want to have >> up in North Bara again the idea of natural lighting into the building natural lighting the idea of the soft wood tones for the appearance again you
have the ability to access this is how it would look from Paul Ericenard that's the idea of of you not being able to see the you know otherwise he'd have no privacy and you can see lots of landscaping because of the three feet from the lot line we actually have to install the landscaping on the Abutters
property Um and also a screening fence because again for privacy >> does he >> Yeah, they're they're available to Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. He's on I mean Gary can he spoke with him to speak public safety guy but >> he's happy to let them put the trees in.
>> So this is where we are. Um we're awaiting the detailed cost estimate for um for for this phase. What I was informed the end of last week was they believe that they can do this at this point in time, move to design
development without doing value engineering, which is long-winded way of saying they believe that we're within the budget contingencies and allowances for these the 25 million for this project. The way you get there is a couple things. One is there's no
temporary facilities during the um construction. So the the original project budget had funding for temp for construction and operation of temporary facilities. >> So five get shut down >> five and three get shut down for duration. >> Um
>> and three >> and three >> what's the duration? >> Your your construction is through one winter. It's it's realistically about 17 months. >> So at that point you wouldn't do them at the same time. Yeah, you would. >> Oh, you would. >> Yeah. >> So, you'd have two basically you
basically shut down 17 because you want to take the efficiencies of the scale of of construction because we're going to bid it as one project. And the idea would be you get better bid results if you've got trades and work going on with the two buildings that are very similar. If you delay one station and sequence it
by phasing, you're going to blow your gonna you're going to increase the cost it significantly and lose your efficiencies. What is um I don't know what does the fire department think about having two stations shut down for 17 months? Is that a >> that seems like that would be
>> three stations for 17 months. Three stations. What a novel approach. >> I don't know. Well, I'm curious. >> So, we have discussed this. Actually, we actually have done a three station model back in 2001. >> Yeah. Yeah. As part of this discussion, >> we didn't do it for long, but we tried
it when um Jack Powell was chief. >> You actually did have >> We actually had three. Oh, >> we ran engines one, two, and four. >> Closed three, closed five. We only did it for about three weeks. >> So, in this scenario, we'll have one open, obviously, two, and then we'll
have engine four open. There's going to be some challenges, but when you look at most of engine 5's calls, they're in the center down Littleton Road. >> So, that's how they're doing it. there cuz there was money in the original budget for relocation for temporary
facilities, >> renting a you know a spot for you know um for five three we felt like maybe we could stay there. >> So so they've taken that money reaportioned it to cover the overruns. If you recall the studies, we looked at
not only first response, we also looked at the second response. >> So that's where so engine five crew could could conceivably work out of the center. Engine three, their calls come from Palm Manor from Hill and backing up
engine two. >> So the thought process, and we're not locked in right now, but the thought process would be to relocate them to engine two. I know in the long term you don't like that I feel like the idea of three engines is not ideal but for 17 months you don't have a lot of concerns about
about that. >> I mean we'll pivot if we have to but I mean I think the the the having the three years of study three years of data that we looked at looking at only the primary response call but the secondary calls I think kind of supports putting
the the staffing where we're looking to do it. And I think the idea would be you want to design a building for 50 years. You'd hate to be saying, "Oh, we took significant amount of money and build temporary, you know, occupy temporary quarters that it's now gone with no >> Oh, yeah. No, building temporary
quarters. I mean, that does seem like a to me that that just brings the question back up. If we can live with three for 18, I think they there was a plan to >> I mean, there's challenges. I mean I mean, let's let's put it out there. I mean, you're you're pulling engine five away from Harpon. You're pulling engine five.
>> I understand. I understand. >> Responding to they go through Westford to go 495 north. So, I'm not saying there's there's going to be challenges. >> Oh, no doubt. >> We'll do what we can. >> But if we can live with it for 18 months, we could probably live with it. >> I mean, the manager mentioned the elevator. We didn't factor that cost. When we Weston and Samson designed us,
that cost wasn't in there. The elevator, but the bigger one was engine free. We didn't have a new garage apparatus bay. This design calls for that. >> I know. >> So, it's bigger. It's gonna be more expensive, but I think it's the right call. >> But yeah. So, what So, my question to
you was you don't you're not overly concerned about operating out of three three engines for for 17 months. >> We're looking at the dead. No. >> Yeah. >> No, you guys. >> It'll address the issue of firefighter safety for for 18 months. They'll be showing up. They'll be showing up with four people, you know. >> Yeah. >> If major because they'll all show up
simultaneous. The idea of the five stations, remember, was 70% of our calls are are medical or accident related. And the idea was and is is you'd get somebody there quickly as soon as possible. >> Well, that's why the response health and safety. >> I'm you're going to force me to say it.
>> Not going to go there. But that's the, >> you know, I mean, I said it back then. You know, that study committee was all firefighters 100% with the exception of the chair of this board and everybody else was firefighter related. I don't think it had good representation from
people in town that might have been able to live with just an ambulance service in five a smaller building that you know could be done or anything like that. So I still don't agree with the results of that study. I do hope that it comes in
on budget uh because if it doesn't I think that's going to present some real problems. >> So we'll see. I mean again we're at schematic phase. They'll move forward in a couple months. will be back with design development which is when your real customer hits the road and they're
already thinking of what would be some value engineering items. One that was mentioned is you know do we need radiant heat in the floors in in the stations? It's it's nice but is it is it absolute in terms of the buildings that could be one of the items because that is a cost
as well installing radiant heat just you know in in the floor of the apparatus bay or you just go >> you can sit if you want. Thank you. I just wanted your opinion on that. Thank you. That's that's where we are. And again, as soon as we get the schematic cost estimate, we'll get it out to you. I've not been involved in the review of the schematic cost estimate. All I was
told by the owner's project manager, uh, is that they don't believe that we need to do value engineering at this stage of the project because they are doing different >> And you haven't seen anything, Gary, right? Anything budget-wise from um from Hamdia or anybody? Okay.
>> We we know that we know the effort is ongoing. We just haven't seen the results. >> Okay. >> All right. So, that's that's where we are. >> Just a question on that on the design because I may have a question later on when we see this. >> So, did did we basically go to the architects and say, "Give us something that looks like the neighborhood and
they came back with this." >> No, let's architects do. >> That's what AR No, but also they came to be fair, they came with us with with what was it four different uh types of designs >> and we meaning myself, I'll take it. I'm the manager, but I obviously do it with
consultation from my professional staff, but I'll I'll own it. >> Yeah. >> We said we want a flat roof station. >> Yeah. >> Because the goals of the town were were to, you know, again issue looking at the issues of solar, looking at the issues
of of the tight envelopes and the idea with the flat roof building and the fact that other our other buildings are flat roofed, right? >> So, we're not afraid of a flat flat roof building. And the and the other thing is if you then go with a pitch roof like you could make them more of a gamrell and type of thing. They showed us pictures of other stations and we can
find them. They're on the Cape and other places. The problem is >> you're now think about it when you go down Actton Road. Okay, which is the one that was the most concern. Those are one-story buildings. We're now installing a two-story station. If you went to a pitched roof, you'd have two
pitch it be I just think it would >> Exactly. And I just like no, we're not going there. So, so therefore when we and Gary went out and met with the neighbors and so when we show up at the meeting, we get push back saying, "Well, why'd you go why aren't you doing a more residential type of building?" And we're
like, "Because it's a fire station." >> No, you wanted to look like a fire. I think you wanted to look like a fire station. >> I was not arguing with you. >> I was not picking. I was just kind of curious. Did they come up with this or did they give us a poor >> No, they give you typically what happens. Aaron, you know, it's not Everything's boxy today. It's not my
style. So, I was wondering if there were choices. That's all. Every architect has their own style and so typically they're going to take the managers, we want a flat roof, we want XYZ, >> but they're all they have a statement to make when they do a design. It's like art to them. So they have a statement
and you may disagree with that statement. You might like it. >> It was by no it was by no means other than just a simple question. How do we arrive at these as potential? >> But this might also be a trend in fire stations in general because people are putting solar panels. We're not the only
fire station that works and it's within our budget and it serves the needs of the firefighters in the community. I'm good with it. >> Well, I'll go to the, you know, I'll be at the next PPC meeting and and I'm all about long-term maintenance and everything else. And, you know, when now we were adding more >> I added the same thing like why quite
frankly like well why are we introducing wood because of the maintenance issues? I you know and again it was an appearance aesthetic issue and I haven't seen like I haven't seen the budget like so to me I want to make sure they're putting the right roof system on and not cutting a corner there that costs us 20
years from now >> because we didn't pay the money for the right roof system to try to get some other beautifification in there. So, that's why I'm waiting for the budget. Um, because I really want to see what's included, how they've looked at it so far, and it won't have the detail that
I'm looking for, >> but it will be enough detail to say, "No, don't cut this corner over here because that will cost the town a bunch of money 20 years from now." So, those are the things I'm looking at when I review these things, you know, and and they're about giving us a piece of art
and in the facility, you know, that, you know, um, helps them sell the next one. still looks nice in the portfolio. >> Yeah, exactly. >> Again, it will have regulatory review. They will have to go to conservation. They will have to go to board of appeals. They will have to go to planning board. So, there will be plenty
of time for community input in terms of uh but again, what was most concerning to the abutters, as you can imagine, was aesthetics. You know, they obviously they all want appreciate the fire department. They want a good facility. They want a long-term facility, >> but you know, they obviously are concerned about what they're going to
look at as a Butters. And so that's why you see the the big major emphasis on screening, fencing, you know, privacy to to butter. So anyway, we'll we'll continue to update you as this moves along. >> Um that's where we are. And then the
last thing under my report this evening is um ADU um status report. It's been just over six months since the accessory dwelling unit became effective on February 2nd. And a lot of people are wondering what's going on, where are we
at? And and just in real briefly, um I reached out to our building commissioner. And as you can see in his memo, five permits have been issued for accessory dwelling units and there are eight applications in the permitting process right now. And when I said when I did ask, which isn't in here, I said,
"Well, is this tend to be commercial interest or?" He said, "No, these are generally family things and also people who are converting what we're, you know, sort of unauthorized non-conforming >> non-conforming uses anyway and and so that's where we are with ADUs because I
know there's been discussion about you know what's where are we so >> that's that's where we are on ADUs after six months and as you can see on the warrant there is a slight >> technical amendment to the bylaw result of the attorney general's review but it's not substantive um so that's that
concludes my report for this evening >> okay thank Thank you. Um, next up we have select board or appointments. Um, okay. So, we do still have the appointment for the managed growth
strategy task force. Um, and I know last week we kind of suggested that Aaron might wanted to do this or I suggested that Aaron might want to do this because he's already uh the leazison for the planning board and he's heavily involved in a lot of those things. And um Aaron
told me earlier that he would like to do that to be appointed to the manage growth strategy task force. >> Yeah. >> So do it. >> Okay. >> Closes the loop for me. >> Okay. So um yes. So we can go ahead and appoint him and I think we do need to a
motion to do that. Do we do we do we make a motion for select? >> It doesn't really say who makes the appointment if we're appointing our own one of the select board to a committee. We we often do just just like we do so many the only one that we have to vote on is NCOD but
like LRTA you make the appointment >> housing advisory board you make the appointment >> okay >> community preservation you make the appointment >> oh similar leaison right >> basically >> yeah okay so then I don't think we need to take a vote because Erin you've expressed that you're >> a year ago all right great thank you
>> thank you for that >> was enthusiastic >> thank you >> thank you Aaron >> okay and then we have a town manager appointment. >> Yeah. To the uh CCA town hall advisory committee seeking your confirmation appointment of Peter Dues for a three-year term ending June 30th, 2028.
>> And he'll be listening. >> And he'll be listening. Yeah. He might cut us off if we don't put him on. >> Okay. Okay. Um so I will take a motion. I'll make a motion that we approve the
town manager's appointment of Peter Dues um his appointment to the CCA town hall advisory committee for a three-year term ending 6:3028 as presented. >> I'll second that. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. All
those in favor? >> I >> I Congratulations, Pete. Thank you. Okay, next up we have meeting minutes. So, we have some meeting minutes here from August 11th.
And does anybody have any comments or corrections? >> Okay. If not, I'll take a motion. I'll make a motion that the board approve the meeting minutes from August 11th, 2025 as presented. >> I'll second that. >> We have a motion and a second. All those in favor?
>> I >> I motion passes. Okay, we are up to liaison reports and referrals. Um this will just go through. Pat Maloney, do you have anything? >> Um just quickly, um
uh apartment building committee met last week. I wasn't able to attend that, but we did get plans subsequently for the two fire stations. We're awaiting uh budgets right now for that. Um so there'll be much discussion going forward about those. And then um
inadvertently I suggested that the school building committee was last Thursday night. It's this Thursday night, 6 o'clock at the uh meeting room at um uh the school administration building. So, we'll be up there six o'clock Thursday night and uh uh meeting
with the um MSBA on uh August 26th and hopefully we get a read on what they think of our um architects that proposed to us and uh so we'll see how it goes. I think we had six um six responses. So,
um you know, better than three. So, we'll see how it goes. That's all I have. Um yeah, just um last Friday we had four uh new police officers graduate from the police academy and this morning they
were all sworn in as officers in the town of Chumsit and they are Mosab Abdelbium, Cooper Brown, Jack Cerillo and Barry Ducet. And we want to note that Cooper Brown was the top gunner in his graduating class. So um watch out
for him if you see him around town. >> Let's hope he never has to use it. and with a name with a name like Cooper Brown. That sounds Yeah, that seems like that. Yeah. So, congratulations to these uh these guys and you'll be seeing them around town soon. >> Thanks,
>> Jeff. Um most of my committees are quiet right now. Um I watched the conservation meeting the other night, the next day, and I know they were discussing the changes to the Cole's parking area, and they were very encouraged about changing
the draining. I mean that none of that's been touched since ' 74. So they were they seem to be really genuinely excited about the updates that that they were proposing. So that's about all I got. >> All right. I had uh just two meetings
since the last one. Um the COA, which um I didn't attend live, but um got an update from Bob afterwards. Um he reported out that he went to go visit the brand new senior center in Littleton. And although it's in his words, very beautiful building, the
functional as aspects render it not as nice as ours. Um he wasn't a big fan of the the concept. Um and his other comment to note is he's uh he's very pleased to see article 10, which is the um acoustics article on there. Um so
he's he's eager for uh continued support on that. And then um on Wednesday was the um planning board meeting, which is now in a three-week recess. So, those long Wednesday meetings are on a pause now, but they um they followed up on um
on 274 um Bill Ricker Road, which is there's a plot of land right next to um Sunny Acres there um that they want to put in a uh facility for um for uh adult folks
that have um uh disabilities like autism and those types of things. Um >> like a >> Yeah, like a daycare. So they'll they'll kind of operate 8:30 to 5:30 type of thing. So that's that's um ongoing. Um >> there's a big need I think for that.
>> Yeah. And and the woman that runs it very experienced this till group. Um so she was there to to present it. So that that looks like that's um going to continue to process forward. Then 152 Sedman Street um which is the Chelmsford portion of the landfill that you can see
from >> Glenville. Glen View. Thank you. um they're going to there's there's a proposal to put cover that entire area with um wood solar. So, and there were some residents there to to speak about it and had some questions, but generally the project seemed pretty pretty
positive. Um and I forget who it was, maybe Anita asked about, you know, how do we get some of that energy and propagation was uh interested in figuring out something. So, we'll keep an eye out on that. The Chumford Mall was um had a continuation. So that that
um as well as the uh 191 and 195 Riverneck Road. And then they uh they spent some time talking about the um the managed growth strategy and kind of their application status with that. Like I said, they're uh on break now for for three weeks. And um and they're working
diligently to get town meeting stuff prepped. So I know they're interested in getting a bunch of those articles kind of together at once. Um and that's what I had for updates. >> Thanks. Um and I don't have anything. So with that, I will take a motion for
executive. >> Okay. I will make a motion that we adjourn to executive session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation regarding national class action opioid settlement with Purdue farmer bankruptcy
and Sackler settlement and new settlements with nine additional opioid defendants not to return. >> I'll second that. We have a motion and a second. Um, and we do a roll call for this, right? Pat Maloney.
>> I Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. And with that, we are ajourned to executive session.