I'll call to order this uh April 13, 2026 meeting of the council select board. If you'd all 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. Okay. And before we get to the the meat of our our meeting, uh just a couple quick announcement. First, first of all, uh this meeting is being tele uh televised by Chancellor Tele Media and
recorded for later broadcast. Also, you may notice a few new faces, a couple new faces here at the table. Uh first of all, John Kurlin was um elected to the select board last week. Um >> my face is hardly new. Hey. Well,
it's it's been a while. Anyway, how's that? Um, and and to my left is Dave B, uh, newly elected to the select board, who is a a new clerk. And Jeff Hardy is joining us remotely today. He is out of town, and he is the new vice chair, and
I was privileged to be selected as the chair for the um the current select board. So, with that, I will turn it over to Jeff for public service announcements. >> Can I do both proclamations back to back? >> Um, if you want to do the the first one
first, we have the folks here from that will help us celebrate the Armenian one and then we can do the we have somebody here to um talk to us about the Aray one. So, let's do the Armenian one. And do you guys want to do a picture like we usually do? Okay.
>> Fantastic. >> Okay. So once you once you read that, we'll do a we'll do a picture. >> Thank you. >> So >> okay, >> there you go. >> Cherion proclamation in honor of Armenian genocide remembrance day, April 24th,
2026. Whereas Armenians fled the increasing oppression from the Ottoman government during the 20th century, coming to America in search of freedom where they could live in dignity without fear and oppression. And whereas like many ethnic groups, Armenians settled in
Chford seeking a safe place to live, raised their families, practiced their religion, educate their children, they became an asset of growth and vitality for the town of Chsford. Through their work ethic, family values, civic pride, and whereas the Armenian community of
Chsford is comprised of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of the survivors of the Armenian genocide. And whereas 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children, victims of the genocide, perished in the Ottoman Empire from 1950, excuse me, to
1923. Now, therefore, the Chancellor Select Board does hereby issue this proclamation in remembrance of the Armen Armenian genocide of 1950 and urge all residents to take part in this observation signed this 13th day of
April, 2026. Okay, thank you. So, we'll do our picture and then we'll come back for the second proclamation. >> Sure. >> Yeah. Thank you. Appreciate it. Good evening. Uh my name is Arajak Navarian for Percheron Road,
Chamsford and I'm here representing uh several hundred Armenian local citizens of Chsford and the Armenian National Committee of the Marramac Valley. On behalf of the Armenian community of Chamsford, we extend our deep appreciation to the town of Chsford for helping us to remember to remind
residents of the Armenian genocide which at the hands of the Turkish Ottoman Empire claimed the lives of over 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children from 1915 to 1923. Chsford is just one of about 15 local towns where Armenians have gone to their select
boards to have a proclamation issued. So, we're very proud of Chsford. Essentially, every Armenian resident here this evening and in the town is a child, grandchild or great-grandchild of a survivor of the Armenian genocide. My father Abraham and George Simon's mother. I think all you know George
Simon, right? Uh as teenagers, they fled Turkey. They were smuggled out of Turkey and they were able arrived in America in 1918, never to go back to their home, never to see many of their sisters, brothers and parents. Chamsford has always been a welcoming community to
Armenians fleeing oppression in different parts of the world especially the Middle East as well as Azarban. For the past 48 years, Chumsford has been the home of St. Van's Armenian church on 180 oasis road which has its roots in Lowel Massachusetts with the original
founders of the church having escaped the genocide built the first St. Martan's church some 110 years ago. Father Khachad I'm here today. Thank you. Father Khachadur, also a very happy resident of Chsford, uh leads a parish
of some 500 families spread throughout the Marramac Valley in southern New Hampshire. With today's proclamation, not only does the town of Chsford honor the hallowed memory of the men, women, and children who perished during the Armenian genocide, but all the victims of genocide and holocaust. We stand
proud here in Chumsford, vowing never to forget their sacrifice and their martyrdom. Let me close by extending a hearty appreciation to town manager Paul Cohen, who every year has been so welcoming to our annual petition. Now, we understand Paul is taking on a new
position in the town of Exit. So, no worries, Paul. We've already alerted the exit army and you're coming. >> Thank you very much. And we would enjoy a picture if was exciting. >> Okay, we can do that. >> Yeah. I'm not sure if the population is here.
>> Oh, the middle. Is >> this my daughter, right? Now watch your fingers now. >> Oh, I know. >> Perfect. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much. Appreciate it very much.
>> So much so much. Appreciate it. Thank you. >> I sure will. That's correct. >> Okay, Jeff, we're ready for the second proclamation. >> Okay. Town of Chel in celebration of
Arbor Day, April 24th, 2026. Whereas in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. And whereas this holiday shall be called Arbor Day was
first absorbed observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. And whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious top soil by wind, water
and cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce lifegiving oxygen and whereas our community and whereas as trees in an
account increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of the business area and beautify our community. And whereas trees wherever they are planted are a source of joy and spiritual renewal. Now therefore, we the select board do hereby proclaim April
24th, 2026 as Arbor Day in the town of Chumps and urn all its citizens to protect our trees and woodlands and to plant trees to gladden the heart and promote well-being of this and future generations to take part in this program to celebrate Arbor Day started this 13th
day of April 2026. >> Okay. Thanks, Judge. Jeff and just so you know, a couple times in there you broke up. So, um, but I think we all know the Arbor Day, uh, proclamation and it'll be read on Arbor Day. So, Kate Crawford, I think, is here to tell us a little bit about Arbor Day.
>> Hey everyone. Um, we're going to celebrate Arbor Day on the last Friday, which is traditional, of April, which is April 24th. We're going to have our ceremony at 12 noon and we're going to plant a tree um with the cooperation of
the DPW um in front of town offices. If you're standing at the front entrance to town offices, it'll be replacing the dead the dead tree to the right. So, what we've chosen this year after a tour
of Weston Nurseries was a royal raindrops flowering crab apple tree. And um they're very hearty and disease resistant and um it should look pretty. It's has pink flowers. I'll give you a flyer so you can kind of see it. And
I've already um communicated with the DPW and I will also let the tree committee know and all the members of the garden club. And of course, we're letting the public know everybody's invited. So, 12:00 noon on the 24th here
at town offices and um the we'll christen the trade. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. >> Trade you. >> Thank you. We'll see you then.
>> Look forward to it. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> It's a beautiful tree. >> Okay, Jeff, I know you have a couple more uh public service announcements. >> Public announcements. Yes. And I
apologize for my earbuds. They seem to be failing me lately. >> If if you miss something, I will start over. Just let me know. >> Um and keeping in theme with the uh the beautifification of the town, the town cleanup is Saturday, April 18th to
Saturday, April 26th. Please join Chumsford's annual townwide cleanup by helping to pick up litter along Chumps roads, neighborhoods, parks, and recreation areas. >> Plan for your week of Saturday, April 18th to Sunday, April 26th. Volunteers
are urged to wear bright colored clothing to avoid stepping in the streets while working whenever possible. Please bring your yellow bags to your home curbside. They will be picked up with your regular trash until Friday, May 1st, or call for other arrangements.
can register online. There is a website that you might be able to see on that screen. Or you can sign up at the DPW at 9 Ultra Road and pick up yellow bags between April 13th and 24th during regular hours. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 7:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Friday 7:00 a.m. to noon. Any questions, call Chris H. Chris Haley is sustainability manager at 978-2505203 or email him caley at chosenmma.gov.
Also, spring annual town meeting is Monday, April 27th at 7:30 Senior Center, 77 75 Groten Road. The spring annual town meeting will convene at 7:30 on April 27th at the senior center at 75
Grten Road. A copy of the spring annual town meeting warrant is available now on the town's website. Any resident of the town who is not an elected town meeting member may attend the sessions of the meeting and participate in questions and answer during discussion portions and
proceedings. Links to the town meeting presentation document and the finance committee's warrant book will be found at the town meeting web page at least one week prior to town meeting and the Chelsea Forest of the Library book sale is Friday May 1st 9:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. Saturday May 2nd 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and a large selection of fiction, nonfiction, children's books, DVDs, and CDs are available. There is a membersonly event Thursday, April 30th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with lower crowds
and pest selection. Join the friends of the library to attend. Go to childhood libraryfriends.org/memphis. And there is a Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. teachers educator and literacy group for free books. Come through front of the library is
loaded located at town hall gym at 50 B recorder road behi park and enter behind town hall. >> Okay, thanks Jeff. All right, next up is uh uh general public input. Is there anybody here that would like to address the board um during this this part of
the the meeting? >> And just a reminder, you have three minutes. Good evening, Chris Lavali, 10 Edgewood Street. I am here tonight as a precinct 10 town meeting rep and as a uh East Chumsford Water District client. Um I
saw the uh the meeting a few meetings ago where you talked about the consolidation of the water districts uh report and I just wanted to say that I am wholeheartedly in support of that effort um to get more information. Uh in this past month's water bill, we
received um notice that the district, the East Chsford Water District, is increasing our rates uh for next quarter or starting next quarter. The rates are currently $948 per 1,000 gallons. As of June 1st,
they're increasing to $11 per quarter per thousand. So, um, actually, I'm not actually clear if it's increasing by $11 or to $11. It says the increase will be $11 per quarter. So, it could go all the
way up to $20 uh per quarter um rate. I'm not sure. I still have to contact the water district, but this communication alone plus the rate increase really um concerns me. So I would encourage you to keep pushing forward with that consolidation report
and getting uh the cooperation of the water districts. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Is there anyone else? And again, you have three minutes. Brian Latina. I'm a town man rep. I've been for 30 years and and town resident
15 Jesse Road is my address. Um I'm I'm here to talk just briefly about the warrant article 29 that's coming up. It is um designed to reverse the decision at the um last town meeting. >> Okay. Mr. Latino, just so you know, we
will be making recommendations uh today and since you submitted that article, that citizen petition, if you'd rather wait till then to make your pres make a presentation, you'd be I would allow you to do that >> um later this evening. Is it correct? >> I didn't see it in the agenda. Hold on.
>> Okay, it's Yeah, >> it's there. >> Y >> seven. >> It's agenda number seven on the agenda. Item number seven. >> Always have. >> Okay. And and we'll >> we take them out of order, too. >> And we we'll take you first as a currency. So, okay. Thank you.
>> Okay. Is there anyone else that would like to address the board? >> Is there anyone on on Zoom? >> No, there's not not for not further public input. >> Okay. All right. So, uh, next up is the committee vacancies. Jeff, if you want to, uh, list those for us.
>> Okay. As of 4136, we have one unexpired three-year term ending 67 the age imple. >> Okay, Jeff, you're breaking. >> Jeff, you're breaking up again. You might maybe if you turn the camera off
maybe if you Yeah. Or if you have to turn the camera off that would also save some of the bandwidth if it's a >> if it's a um signal issue. >> Can you hear me better now? >> Yes. >> Much better. >> Okay, good. The uh clean energy and sustainability
committee unex one unexpired term three-year term ending 6:3028. The Commission on Disabilities has one unexpired three-year term ending 6:30 2026. Also, two unexpired three-year terms
ending 6:30 2027. And there is another two unexpected two unexpired three-year terms ending 6:30 2028. The Council on Aging has one unexpired three-year term ending 6:30 2026. The C
cultural council has one unexpired three-year term ending 6:30 2020 1288. The holiday decorating committee has four unexpired one-year terms ending 123126. The military covenant task force
military community covenant task force has one unexpired three-year term ending 630 2026. And the parade committee is desperately in need of help. We we're coming up on the parade and I encourage anybody who's interested, please come to a meeting. They're meeting tomorrow
night 6:30 at the uh at the Center for the Arch and learn about what we do. 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 chamsonmma.gov. >> Okay, thanks Jeff. Okay, we're on to licenses now. Um, first license this evening is uh change of manager on the
all alcohol beverage restaurant license for Buchi. Uh, is there somebody here? >> Representatives from Buchi are on Zoom this evening. Okay. Do we have somebody to uh tell us what this uh request is?
>> Yes. Good evening. My name is Dawson Cooper. I'm an attorney at Upton Canel in Devlin representing Beruchi's Restaurant LLC. Berti Beruchi has submitted an application for a change of manager. With me tonight is the proposed new manager of record, Cheyana Luna. Uh
Cheyana is a United States citizen and a Massachusetts resident. She has extensive experience in the food and beverage industry and has worked at this location for the past seven years in various roles. She's also familiar with the rules and regulations concerning the sale and service of alcohol in Massachusetts. Nothing operationally is
going to be changing at this location. Uh this application's being done to maintain the ABCC records in light of staff changes at the restaurant. Um with that, Cheyana and I are happy to answer any questions the board may have and we want to thank you for your time.
>> Okay. I guess um I mean I I'll start with a couple questions based on on what you just said. According to the application um Cheyenne, it's it said she's not a US citizen. Um did she uh fill that out incorrectly? >> Uh she she marked the the the circle for
no. Are you a US citizen qualified alien under the Immigration Nationality Act? Uh and >> yeah, it's it's my understanding she is. She's here. She can she can answer that question. Um, yeah. I'm sorry that may have been a mistake, but I am a US citizen. I was
born here. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, is it is there anything else that um you'd like to tell us about uh before we open it up to other questions from the board? >> Okay. Anybody? >> Um I I think we're we're open to questions.
>> Okay. Anyone on the board have any questions for this applicant? >> Yeah. Um, >> thank you. Um, I think one of the questions was just answered. I saw the same thing you did, Pat, with the uh the check box on the citizenship. Um, and
correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Hooper, but you said Cheyenne has been there for the last seven years because it's not documented here in the application. So, she been what's the role been for the last seven years? >> Yeah. So, um, she can she can add on to
this, but my understanding was she started as a takeout employee and then was promoted um throughout the rank. So, she hasn't we haven't had to put this application forth until this point. Um, she wasn't the manager of record, but um with recent promotions she's she's
taking on that role. >> Okay. With that, >> any other questions? Good. Um, Jeff Hardy, do you have any questions? Nope. >> Okay. Uh if there's no further
questions, I'll take a motion. >> Motion we approve the change of for the application for two cheese restaurant LLC. >> Okay. Do we have a second? >> Second to move.
>> Okay. We have a motion and a second. Um >> any further discussion? If not, uh, we have to do a roll call vote since one of our members is remote. Uh, so Jeff >> Hi. >> Aaron. >> Yes. >> Dave. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> And I'm Yes. 5. Okay. Thank you. Um, okay. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next. >> Next up is a common vict license for Wonder HDR Holdings. Is anybody here for this application?
Uh thank you, Madam Chair, board members. Uh my name is Daniel Brennan. I handle permits and licenses for Wonder. Uh here for a new common vixular license, no alcohol at 90 Drum Hill Road um formerly or Orange Theory uh fitness
center. Uh Wonder is a new quick service concept that's expanding rapidly with over 95 operating locations. A few recent openings in Massachusetts are uh Watertown, NIC, Newton, Framingham, Actton, and Burlington. Uh we're also
working on opening about another 15 locations this year in New England. Uh Wonder is a food hall concept. Uh making where to order from an easy choice. Uh with 15 to 20 different menus and cuisines, the choices seem endless.
At Wonder, they partnered with renowned chefs and restaurants to recreate their recipes under one platform. At Wonder, you can get a Bobby Fle steak dinner, a Marcus Samuelson fried chicken dinner, gourmet salads, burgers, pizza, Italian
Mexican barbecue, all under one order. At this uh this location is 3500 square ft, mostly kitchen. Uh but it does have a dining area with 26 seats. Uh requested hours are 10:00 a.m. to midnight, 7 days, hoping to open end of
June. It's under construction now. Um happy to answer any questions. >> Does anyone have any questions for this? >> One question. >> Okay, Jeff. >> I do. >> Go ahead. >> Yes. Um is this going to operate similar to like a food court in a mall? >> No, it's
>> just out of curiosity. >> No, it's it's still going to be the size of a typical quick service restaurant. Um, so it's there'll be order kiosks when you walk in. Um, and you'll see they they also have a Wonder app where you can sift through all the menus and
make the order that way. So, it's mostly d in, pick up, take out. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Any other questions? >> All right. Seeing none, uh, do we have a motion?
I'll make a motion that we approve a common vicular license for Wonder. >> Seconded. >> Sorry. Wonder HDR Holdings of Massachusetts to be exercised at the premise premises of 90 Drum Hill Road.
>> Second the motion. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Uh will be a roll call vote. Jeff >> I. >> Aaron? >> Yes. >> Dave? >> Yes. >> John? >> I. >> And I'm I zero. >> Okay. So uh good luck. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> See you soon. I hope
>> appreciate it. >> All right. And our next license is a also a convictable license for Poke Brothers. Chumsford. Anybody here for Poke Brothers? >> Am I Am I saying that right or is it >> Yeah. Pokey Brothers. >> Pokey Brothers. Okay. My My mother used
to call some of my siblings pokes. So, I thought maybe it was related to them. >> Hello board members. Uh, this is a Tau. Uh, I'm at the, uh, Transfer Poke Bros. LZ the owners. So, the location here's
the new location and transfer is like the force one. So, we have four store in here. One of rivers, Westwood Bay for his newest forest one on the transfer. It's like,300 square foot. Um it's like
a kind of like quick restaurant like serving almost simply like a um open kitchen serving in front of customer. So we have like a menu so pick customer can pick whatever they want. Um sorry it's the first time I'm wondering
what I'm saying. So um >> this is this is your chance to make a commercial for your >> I I know like like introduced for for my restaurant. So yeah, um it's like a quick like a cryp like sewing food kind
of like business. So it's pretty interesting. So yeah, that's what I'm trying to say. Sorry. Little bit nervous. >> Okay. All right. Um Okay. Are there any questions from the
board? >> Okay, Jeff, if you don't have any questions, we'll take a motion. I'll make that we approve a common village license for Pokey Brothers Sheltered LLC located at 53 53 Crown Hill vote.
>> Thank you. Now I'll second the motion. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. So be a roll call vote. Uh Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, John, I >> and I'm yes. Okay. Congratulations. >> Thank you so much. Thanks so much. I
appreciate you. >> Good luck. All right. Okay. Next up, uh Christine Clancy is uh you want to give us a report on the traffic safety committee request. >> Good evening and welcome new select
board members. Um Madame Chair, so thank you. So monthly the adi traffic advisory committee meets and we talk uh as was made up of DPW, police, fire, town manager's office and we talk about the current traffic items you know that are around town um topics that are brought
forth whether something we observe or if something's brought forth by the community um and we do talk monthly um and and from that action items sometimes come up. Sometimes it's as simple as putting up, you know, or taking down a sign. Um, but there also are actions
that have to be voted on by this board. And so before you tonight, just two requests we wanted to bring before you. Um, one, I'm going to be talking about the proposal to create a restricted left turn lane on Bicker Road at Alpha Road and then also create a new parking zone at the McKay Library on the Newfield uh,
adjacent to Newfield and Maner Streets. These are two requirements that would have to be implemented into our e-code and so requires approval by the board. So the first road to Alpha Road. So I do know this very when this is really in route to the DPW. So um when this came
before us, this actually came before us um as something we've been watching over probably the past six months or year. Um I I travel all this this all the time because in looking at this picture DPW that's Alpha Road on the left. Um right now Bill Ricker Road is two lane is two
lanes. Um and there are a series of as lights as you got on Bil Ricker Road. Uh right now you can travel it's just you can travel straight through on Bilicker Road, but you can also turn left um to the new development on the right. You can turn left on or sorry right onto the new development or left onto Alpha Road.
Um I've experienced it too where when you're trying to turn left onto Alpha Road, you're slowing down because you have traffic coming the other way and sometimes we have people honking on the horn to say like you're not going fast enough. I've experienced it several times. Um, but aside from that, we've also had some accidents at this
intersection and that's really what caused this us to evaluate, you know, potentially could we do something to improve the safety at this intersection. Um, just within the past six months, we actually had a rollover at this intersection and it was someone was was stopping to turn onto Alpha. Um, someone
was was rearended and that vehicle flipped over. Um, so with that more concerned, >> Jeff, I think we're hearing something from your >> I think it's from Jeff. >> I think it's from Jeff. I hope so because we don't have that kind of an audio. >> I don't think it's us.
>> Yeah, I just moved it just muted my >> Okay. >> Um, so so with you know now that we we're seeing accidents more minor, but in this case a car flipped over. We we brought it before the board and said we need to look at this. Um, so the proposal here is to to adjust the
traffic pattern here. So the proposal would to maintain the obviously the one lane on Bill Ricker Road, but that left turn that turns onto Alpha Road, just make it a left turn only. Um, it's a fairly inexpensive change. Uh, we would have to do some modifications to the signal head. We did receive a quote.
It's just about $5,000 for the signal head, plus we would put some sign advanced signage as you're approaching the intersection. Um so this is all all um could be incorporated probably in the next month um or implemented. Um this being a new traffic pattern, we would also put out variable message boards
just alerting people of the new traffic pattern change. Um so with your approval, we would we would uh again be be able to implement this probably in the next month. >> I I don't know if you want to go over both of them. >> Well, why don't we see if anyone has any
questions about this one? >> Anyone have any questions? So, so this is going to be similar to if you're on Route 4 coming say from Vinyl Square towards Drum Hill at Technology Drive there. That >> Exactly. And I and I drive that all the time too because that's up in my neck of
the woods too. And I was thinking because one thing you could do here is you could potentially add some tape we thought about adding some tapering. So you taper down to one lane and have a turning pocket. But you do have an intersection just on the the intersections here are really um right on top of each other. So, we would
propose to not necessarily do any type of striping to uh create a turn pocket. We would just, you know, right after um we would just have this one this turning lane. But yes, very similar because when you're going down North Road, that is a left turn lane. It does right >> that has a longer stretch of road
between Prince between uh Princeton Street and Technology Drive. Um so there is some um some markings there, but here we would just do it with a a sign change or just a a signage and with the traffic signal. >> Okay. >> Yes. It's very similar. >> Okay.
Any other questions? >> Oh, I I like that because on the other side of that intersection, you got two lanes merging into one. It's a recipe for disaster. So, >> yes, and there's I mean, Alpha Road when DPW has been there, but there is I see we see a lot more traffic and there's a lot more growth just in that area. So
there's definitely a need to, you know, we there's the turning, we didn't do a traffic count, but you there's definitely an frequent fairly frequent request for turning onto Alpha Road. >> So coming back, you know, towards the Route Three leading up to this that is
pretty short. So is it just going to be the, you know, obviously the signage warning change, but is it just going to be the one arrow or is there going to be other signaling on the >> So it's just going to be the one arrow. So, we're going to right now we're going to change the arrow on the pavement, but we also will put some signage um
probably on both on both sides just warning people and probably at the intersection. Um because it's a new traffic pattern, we also would use some variable message boards probably for at least two weeks before to make people aware of the the change. It just it can be a little bit of a drag strip
sometimes with both coming out of the light in front of um when you when you get on to Bel Road there all the way up to that merge which I don't like either. So >> yeah. >> Okay. >> So now did you say it's going to be in both directions or just heading? >> No, it's just in this direction but
before thing is the next the intersection it's not shown but there's intersection just before this is really on top of it. So we were talking about that advance advanced signage almost has to be at that intersection. So when you're standing there saying next intersection like showing that traffic pattern. Um I I can think of a few other
communities that have that where there's this intersection intersections right on top of each other. So as you're kind of queued in that uh you know at the previous intersection you know where you have to be because the next intersection is really very close by. So we'll probably start that signage up at that
intersection. But coming from the other direction coming from town offices towards Route 3, there's no change in that direction. >> Okay. All right. Um Jeff, if you don't have any questions, why don't we take a motion on on this uh request?
>> We just want a motion on request only and not the no parking and MO. We're going to do that after. >> We're going to we're going to do that as soon as we finish this this motion. >> Okay, Christine, I apologize. The hotel fire alarm was going off, so I don't see
any danger from where I'm sitting, but we'll find out. I I'll make a motion we create a restricted left turn lane onto Bara Road at Alpha Road. >> Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Uh
this will be a roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And yes. >> Thank you. So the second request before you tonight is to add some signage at McKay Library um adj which is adjacent
to both Manser and Newfield streets. Um we recently redid that parking lot. Um also uh we have charging stations there. Um and so some of the observations um from our police department um and I think also DPW is that sometimes cars are parking on that side of Manser
Street and Newfield Street directly adjacent to the library. Um and the site distances blocked as people enter exit that parking lot. Um also the pavement widths of both Manser they're fairly narrow. So if people were to actually park on either side of the street um it becomes difficult to maintain two lanes
of traffic. So we do believe it is warranted. Uh so the proposal would be to add no parking signs. This is a residential area. Um no parking signs really in that frontage uh adjacent to the McKay Library adjacent to the parking lot. So you now have no sight
distance obstructions um because you have no vehicles allowed to park in those areas. We measured about 60 ft on either side um which is equivalent to about three spaces, you know, if if but you also aren't allowed to park within 20 ft of an intersection. So it's it's probably closer to four or five spaces,
five spaces. Um so the proposal would be you know both so for sight distance um concerns and also just to you know also prevent um a conflict with with having two l two parking lanes and um two lanes
of travel. >> Yeah I I go up there a lot in the summertime for the concerts that they have and I know that's probably when it mostly happens right when >> Yes. Yes, I mean that's the thing is it I mean I think it sometimes though it might even be people parking just for the library if I know the library has
more hours so I don't know if that was if there's a spill over from the library but um but yes during the summer there's a lot more of a need for parking and that really spills over from Vanney and so sometimes it can continue down all the way down here towards Newfield Street.
>> Okay. Um now is uh library staff aware of of this request that that we're making? I have communicated to Leslie, but I haven't shown them this exact figure, but we did talk about what we were implementing. But yes. >> Okay. All right. Just so they can kind of direct the the people that come to
listen to the concert somewhere else to park. I'm sure it'll be helpful. >> Yep. Yeah. For the library concerts. Yes. We will um Yes, that should be fine because usually in that area, people aren't parking in that immediate area anyway. I think they usually have it roped off. Also, before we finished the
parking lot, it was more open. So, I don't think people were parking. So now that we've closed that parking lot and created a curving people, so I think it's more of a recent change where people were parking on Manser Street because before the parking lot was more just open to Maner Street. >> Okay. All right. Any other questions for
Christine about this request? >> I assume that the residents in the general area are are supportive of this. >> We haven't done a particular outreach, but I would I would think so. Um, I mean it is a everyone pretty much has driveways in the area and so the parking needs are more related to events either
at Varnney or events at the library. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Okay, Jeff, if you don't have any questions, we'll take a motion on this one. >> Okay, I'll make a motion that we allow DBW to add no parking signs adjacent to
McKay Library on Nancy Street and New Field Street. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion and a second. So, a roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm Yes. 5. Okay. Thank you very
much. >> Thank you. >> All right. Now, we're going to um start us our recommendations for the annual Springtown meeting warrant articles. Um we'll go through all of them this evening. And so, first up, since Mr. Latina is here and he has a citizen
petition on the on the warrant. Uh we will let him make the first uh presentation for article 29 >> 26 >> 27 >> 26 27 >> 27 >> 26
>> Thank you again. Brian Latina precinct ninet town meeting rep for about 30 years and and uh 15 Jesse roads my address. um put warrant article I guess it's now 26 um up to reverse the warrant article 29 from the last town meeting.
Um this article basically changed our um 40-year definition of family related to zoning um from familial um arrangement to um basically
anyone um definition. Um the family definition during town meeting it was it was described to us as the attorney general came and told us we need to change our definition or it might be good to do that based on federal law. Well the federal law has
been around for about uh 40 40 50 years actually 1968 and they changed it a few times. So, there doesn't seem to be any reason for that outside of of trying to manipulate our town bylaws to what the state likes. Um, and and looking at what
we did, there was a um an example um Commonwealth versus Jaffy as an example of where we had a definition of family. And I believe that uh we actually got that wrong. Um the definition of family in that particular case almost 40 years
ago um was was just the opposite of what we said at town meeting. It wasn't that we had a definition that um didn't support family and it was just the opposite. Supreme Judicial Court said that um it accepted the family
definition um based on relationships versus what what we were told at town meeting. So, we we believe that if you look at the SGC's acceptance of the the black um law dictionary as a professional reference where that that
example was given to us, I'm concerned that we've just defined a problem rather than leaving it alone and and saying that we have a definition that protects our town in our and in in this case our single family housing um that we've had for all these years, ever since our
charter. So my my concern was we made a mistake. We need to go back and look at it. And we had some we had some other examples there that were potential and we didn't use them. Um in March of 2025 before town meeting, the city of
Fitsburg was sued by the Commonwealth and they lost to the Supreme Judicial Court on exactly this topic. They were able to defend their community based on their definition of family. And this is something that is not relegated to the
state. It's relegated to to you, the town of Chsford, to to us, the town of Chsford. We do the zoning bylaws, not the attorney general and not the state. Now, during the during the discussion, we talked they talked about the attorney general came and gave us an example and
she was citing federal law. That's not her that's not her jurisdiction. She's supposed to come and and challenge us when when there are mistakes and we have problems. Well, we haven't had a problem with our definition in all these years since our charter. So, we believe that
they're making a mistake. We made a mistake and we need to go back. It won't hurt anything. It won't change any any lawsuits that we've had in the last 40 years. We haven't had any that I'm aware of. So we would like to go back and ask the attorney general to come and and
give us cases where this is a problem if we need to change it. And the other citation was about 40% of the towns and and cities in our in our state already have a similar definition of anybody living in a building is family. Well,
I'm here to tell you family is is familial. You have a mother, a father, you have adopted children. You might even have grandmother, grandfather. This protects the town and it protects our properties, our single family housing, our multif family housing. We know what
family is and the the idea that we can change the definition of family just for zoning scares me half to death. We do not change word definitions for particular cases when an attorney general toddles in and says, "Hey, we're going to change stuff that you've had
for 40 years without a problem." One of the citations as well was that we had um a problem where we can't enforce this. Well, if we haven't enforced it in 40 years, what are we going to worry about enforcing it for the next 40? So,
I think I think we caused ourselves a problem. We have the potential for anybody, including a frat house moving in next door to me where I had property that is single family housing zoned. I don't expect duplexes to go in there. And the town bylaw, interestingly, does
have and always had a zoning bylaw that allowed a an ADU um a separate 900 foot or 750 foot facility to be built in the backyard of someone's as long as there's family associated to it. And and the the
reality is we do not enforce whether there's actual real family living there or not. It really doesn't matter. we really don't care unless they're in the case of frat house or a bunch of guys living together and making lots of noise or party going on all the time. Those
would be cases where we'd probably want to challenge that single family housing is for single families, not for anybody living there and that's that's what we need to get back to. So that's that's basically all it is. Change it back to what we had for the last 40 years. So
any questions? >> Hey, does anybody have any questions for >> Yeah. Right. >> When I was a selectman back in the day, um I was called upon to um talk to Cub Scout troop that was located in a house
that was occupied by two unmarried women who could only afford to live together and they both had children and under this definition they would be in violation. your change, they would be in
violation. And I'm very concerned about where there's an affordability issue uh around the country, but and and certainly in Chemsford. Um I I think that uh by trying to define family just
be the way that a certain group wants it to be defined is not the best way to uh protect. I understand your situation about fraternity houses. I was in a fraternity um one on my street. >> You have one on your street?
>> We had one on our street until Mr. Cohen's wife um mother moved into that house. Yeah. >> But the bottom line is that if they are bad neighbors, we have other ways to deal with that. >> Right. And and I just I don't want to
discourage people who want to live in town and the only way they can afford to live in town is by by joining economic partnership with with someone else who can help them with the rents or the
mortgages and even though they're not related and and I just um >> well as a lawyer you understand that relationships can be contractual. They can be living arrangements. All of us had changes to all of our health care programs and all the companies and the
private business that allowed those arrangements to be made. And we have never we have never pursued that. >> But you're trying to change that. >> No, I'm trying to put it back the way it's been for the last 40 years. And it has never, in my understanding, never
been pursued or a problem, especially in the case that you cite. This didn't come up because we had two unmarried couples living in a house. It didn't It didn't come up for that. It came up because the attorney general decided that she's looking at our laws and saying, "Well,
you know, you should change it because the state likes to." This is not how it works. The state is not the person that creates the zoning bylaws. And if it does, then we have we have another problem where the state will come in here and tell you five more zoning
articles. we don't like the way you're doing this or that. We've got to stop. This is our responsibility and and the select board should be supporting the residents who live here. >> Oh, I am. That's what that's what I'm doing. I think you're trying to create a solution for a problem that doesn't
exist. >> That's what she did. You're correct. She created a solution. >> What you're doing is is the same thing. >> I'm changing it back. I'm asking the town meeting to change it back to what it has been for the for all the time I've lived here and 10 years back prior
to that. And frankly, most of time most of time family is family. And this is how we zoned it. The original zoning was to protect the neighborhoods from the outside problems that that I described. A frat house, organizations that move
in, the guys down the street that were in Mr. Cohen's mom's house. It it allows you to it allows you to look at it and say, "Hey, we have single family housing." >> I Well, um I just uh um
>> I just I just don't think I just don't think anything material has changed since town meeting last voted on this. And you're asking town meeting to reconsider it? I'm asking town I'm asking town meeting to reconsider because we've had a program that works just fine for the last 40 years and I've
been in the area and the last six months. >> Sorry, let let these two finish. >> I'm I've made I've made my point. >> Okay. >> Sorry. >> All right. Go ahead. >> I just want to bring up one point that you know has come up between the two of you is you mentioned a certain family
that wouldn't qualify under the proposal that's being brought to us. Now, I know no legal things have occurred related to that, but somebody next door could have a disagreement and bring that to court and say it doesn't match what
>> Yeah, but you have to follow the law. The attorney general had no business coming to Chsford and saying you have to change this law because I think it's a good idea. What we did was we misled town meeting to say we should change law because the attorney general said well she's there for four years. We've been
doing this for 40 years. And the example that that the select board member said here was, >> "Oh my gosh, this couple can't possibly live here." She does. They do. >> They can't. What if they file a lawsuit against that couple that they shouldn't live here? >> Who's going to do that? Nobody did. 40 years,
>> but it could happen, right? >> Yeah. The son could burn out, too. >> I I guess. But that means that the people who are living and don't have a lot of money could potentially be forced to move because they can't fight a loss of have 12 people living in tents behind
Walmart and we the state can't do anything about it. You know what they did? They put up no trespassing signs behind Walmart. Go look, there's 12 people living there. I don't have any I don't have any hope for the state to solve that. Took 12 years to get rid of
the outhouses on 495 in our town. >> So Brian, let's let's keep it to this. No, I'm just saying that he's saying that the state may come along and say, "Hey, we got to >> It's not the state, it's the neighbor. >> We need to protect our town from the state in this case." That's my that's
the reason. Let's switch it back and let the attorney general come to us and say, "Here's why you can't you can't have a family definition that we've had for the entire time the town has been here." I I I agree with your analysis, David,
because there are I' I've been around for quite a while and I've seen plenty of disputes between neighbors over petty things and it grows into it becomes a festering sore. And if one of the
parties can use this bylaw changed to get rid of a neighbor that's a good neighbor but just has a a a disagreement. I I >> never happen. It'll never happen.
>> I've seen worse. I've seen worse. Brian, >> not in our town. This is why our town is designed the way it is. Zoning comes from the town. It's designed that way. She had no business changing our zoning. She changed our zoning with undue
pressure. 20% of our town is is arguably deed by the state. Both our 40bs and the MBTA program represents 20% of our housing projects here. And all I've seen is problems with it. >> Okay. Does uh any of the other board members have questions for for Brian?
>> Uh not really a question, but a statement. So, first of all, I want to clarify for the record. I didn't feel misled at either one of the town meetings where this came up. Um I sat through many meetings to understand why it was being changed. Um and I
understand I you know I understand where where Mr. Latina is coming from. Um but I don't think this is a a definition of how we view what my definition of family would be. This is strictly related to zoning to prevent what the my colleagues
are saying. And just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean it's not going to happen. It just means that it hasn't happened. And the the um the other part is I don't think if we don't change this back, life around here isn't going to necessarily change. So I'm not sure I
want to undo something where the state could potentially coming into the fiscal crunch we're coming into um bring a lawsuit because our legal bills are already crazy and I don't feel they need to be more crazy. So, if changing this opens us up for that, I'm a little
concerned about it. >> Yeah, me too. That's why that's why we looked at it and she she is actually causing a lawsuit potential here for the anybody description >> and I am because she harmed our house. She harmed she she harmed everybody that has a single family house
>> by changing the definition out from under us >> and >> without without cause. town is the one that does this and she o she manipulated the planning board to go ahead and make the change and it was nice but I believe she was outside of her her range of
things that she's allowed to do. Again, I think I think manipulation, Miss Latina, I and you know this about me, right? I think that's a little bit of a of a of a strong language. Do I do I agree with you that sometimes a state does overreach? Absolutely. I don't like anything being rammed down our throat.
Um, and I am not a zoning expert, but I do think the state has a lot more purview over zoning um than we think. But again, I'm not >> allowed to touch our zoning. >> I I'm not an attorney. Um, the suggestion was made with a lot of backup through two town meetings
>> to change this definition. Town meeting voted for it. >> We voted no first. >> I'm less inclined to now change this back. Um, and it's and it I can be as simple as I just don't I'm not interested in the potential costs that come with it.
>> It doesn't mean I don't respect your position and I appreciate the article. Um, and I think people should bring these types of articles if there's a concern, but I'm just not sure I'm in the same place as you are at this point. But thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thanks. Uh, Jeff, do you have any
um questions or comments? Fire drill. >> Chief is still here. No fire. >> Unfortunately, Jeff is in. >> Jeff Jeff, did you have any questions or comments? >> No, I u I think you've all touched on
what I was thinking, so I don't see any point to continue the conversation. >> Okay, then I will take a a motion about whether or not to recommend approval. We will make a motion not to recommend approval for article 26.
Second. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. And this is not to recommend approval, just so we're clear. Uh uh so uh roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. And I'm Yes. Okay. Five.
>> Unanimous. Thank you. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Just let me do those. I think doing them the other way around, you know, not voting to recommended and we could vote no. >> Yeah. But just philosophically, um, I wouldn't I wouldn't make a motion that
I'm not going to vote for. So, nobody would have made a motion that they would have voted. Okay. So, next up, I think we have we can have Miss U Mr. Kelly Bey talking about article 27. Now, is this okay? This is considered
submitted by the planning board and not not a citizen position. Is that correct? >> In Kelly, was it? >> Yeah, it's a hybrid, but it's it was certainly I worked with the planning board to craft it and to uh bring it to where it is. So, >> Okay. But it's officially coming from
the planning board. Is that is that a correct statement? >> Yeah, I guess planning board and Kelly be. >> Okay. All right. So, >> think of me as a as a wolffully underpaid consultant. Um, so uh we're bringing back before town
meeting a a bylaw uh proposal that was introduced this time last year. Um, and the reason for doing this at all is the fact that we have on the books a uh an existing outdoor lighting bylaw that
dates from 2000. It's a quarter of a century old. I worked it out with Bob Morrison, the planning board at that time. It was basic. It was one of the few in existence at that time, but a lot has happened since then. I I should mention that at at that in that bylaw,
any fixture uh commercial or residential exceeding 2,000 lumens, lumens being the way that you measure the output of a light bulb, uh would need to be fully shielded. That is pointing down so that no light escaped above horizontal.
And so, uh, part of that is that the planning board at that time began asking developers who came before the the board to submit lighting plans. Uh, which I think hadn't been done up to
that point. And that that practice continues today. And it's a really great thing. It's a very positive thing. You look at the new developments are in town, they have very high quality lighting. And thanks to that goes to the planning board for for keeping an eye on that. Uh if we can go to the next one.
The problem is that it's 25 years old and a lot has happened um in that time. Uh first of all um the original bylaw really didn't have any kind of enforcement mechanism. It just fell under the general purview of the building commissioner.
Also, um the original bylaw had has still some language relating to signs and we have subsequently superseded that with uh changes to the sign bylaw. So, those aren't necessary. But most importantly is that lighting technology
has changed dramatically. And I don't need to tell you that LEDs are a once in a multigenerational change in the way we light our night. And part of the problem is that LEDs allow people to put insanely bright lights uh where there
were they were not insanely bright before because they're so cost effective to to buy and to operate. And a study in science uh a peer-reviewed study in science by by outdoor lighting uh professionals in 2023 three years ago
showed that uh in across the United States the rate of increase of light pollution is 10% per year. Now that's a pretty unsustainable rate. We won't have any stars left at all. And uh I'm I've been keeping an eye on CHS for we're not
at a 10% per year increase, but I would not like to get there. And it's fairly easy to to overlight when you have LEDs. So um the other thing that has has come about is the the notion of what we call
color temperature and I'll show you something about that in just a sec. But in any case, we are we are looking to bring the bylaw to sort of modern standards for lighting in in and address some of these things that I've been mentioning in a way that is consistent
with best practices and and uh uh practices elsewhere. I guess we can go to the next one. Um right. Um, one of the big things that has changed in all that time is a a focus of by the by the uh medical
community on the effects of outdoor lighting uh on us at night. Uh the the notion of glare uh is a major problem in terms of of the safety and security especially of senior citizens. They are less able to see well in the dark
corners of their property or where they're walking or where they're driving if there's a bright light source. And you've all experienced those headlights. You know what I'm talking about here. Um, also the the American Medical Association and others have found that
there is a human um uh sensitivity to all of this light at night and it does cause problems. There's demonstrated cases of that that too much light at night in enough so to disrupt your system your circadian system uh can
increase your substantially increase your risk of certain types of cancers. So for all these reasons and the fact that there is light at night creates environmental harm for pollinators and fireflies and migrating birds and a whole bunch of things we want to try to
address all of that. So the I mentioned the glare. The glare is any light that is below horizontal but just barely so. And uh when you go down a street and you see highintensity bulbs that are really
harsh to look at, that is glare. And that is one of the things that has been um that a lot of the lighting science is trying to address. How to reduce the glare. And you you can reduce the glare first of all if you shield all the lights. Uh but it's also more than that.
It's it's just to design the lights correctly. So, if I can uh go to the next one. This is an example of glare. I did intentionally did not pick a place in Chsford. I could have. I can think of
a lot of them. I've seen a lot of them. You probably have to. This is on Nantucket. It's a school. And these are fixtures on the side of a building. And you can see that it just from the photo that the glare is intense and probably um affecting your ability because when
when you see a strong glare sense uh source your eyes pupil contracts you can't see as well in the dark spaces. It's it's a well-known phenomenon. In this particular case they simply took those lights and they they had Nantucket has a very strong fact. Yes, thank you.
No, that's fine. That's fine. uh they took those same lights and simply pivoted them down. And you can see this is a much more uh uh easy on the eye situation. Now, two things I want to mention about this. First of all, this is exactly what you do in your homes.
When you put a lamp shade around the lamp, instead of having to look at the harsh bulb, you're using that lamp to redistribute the light and even it out. The second thing is when you tilt a fixture like this down, you're not reducing the amount of light that's
coming out of it. You're simply changing the way that it gets distributed. In this particular case, it it takes that same light and it washes the wall with it. And now that wall becomes the light source to illuminate the walkways and the parking lots and so forth. Next one, please. So, one of the things we want to
address is something called color temperature, which is going to be new for you probably and certainly for a lot of the town meeting reps. And yet, it's not that new. It is something that when you go to a store and you buy a light bulb, regardless of where it is, on the package, it will have a color
temperature ranking. Basically, the lower that temperature measured in the Kelvin scale, the warmer the light and specifically the less blue is in that light. When it comes to all of these effects I've been talking about, blue light is the real culprit. It disrupts
our circadian system. It keeps birds from migrating. It uh really affects pollinators and and and us as well. So, uh what what the bylaw hopes to do is to set a threshold uh for color temperature. When our town installed the
street lights that we have 13 years ago now, the the uh Johnson Controls provided the town with two options for for color temperature of our street lights. 57 and 4,000 Kelvin and 57 was the preferred choice because you got
more lumens per watt. Had we done that, we most certainly by now would have been forced to replace them because of citizen outcry would our town would kind of look like a war zone because those lights are very bluerich. We ended up with 4,000. That was then. Now the technology is moving that color
temperature best practice lower and lower and lower. The town of Pil uh two years ago, maybe three, uh installed uh uh redid its entire l street, I'm sorry, redid the entire town with street lights that are only 2200 Kelvin. And they're
very very easy on the eye to see. Lowering the color temperature does not change the output of the bulb. That's important. just because you're changing the color. A gallon of paint is the same gallon whether it's white or black. And that's the same situation here. Next one, please. So, what we're doing this
time, uh, the existing bylaw is a zoning bylaw, which means that any non-conforming fixture installed before the bylaw, uh, is grandfathered in. And what has happened in the last 25 years because it's a complaint driven by bylaw
like many of the ones we have, a lot of lights got installed that should not have been. And so there are a lot of places in town with really bad lighting made worse by the fact that now we can use LEDs to overlight these situations. So, I was recommending I have
recommended a general bylaw so that we can declare a lot of the uh we can declare any non-conforming light to be non-conforming and then we add a 10-year grace period to convert those over to a conforming fixture. During that period
of time, it's it's entirely likely that, you know, you'll need to change that light anyway. I've had discussions with the Chster Business Association about this. They are comfortable with it. Um, I've had uh conversations with uh Christine Clancy and we had initially we
thought that the existing street lights that we have would likely be changed anyway within the next 10 years. Her projections uh suggest that we might have to push that out somewhat. And so that's why this time the bylaw does not
really include municipal lighting. It doesn't include municipal lighting. and and uh we'll just we'll try to deal with that on the side if I can continue please. Um so one of the new things that I oh I I
should have mentioned um uh there are separate going to be separate requirements for both commercial and residential lighting. Instead of saying everyone must comply with this bylaw. One of the takeaways from last year is that a lot of residences a lot of
residents would not have been happy being told that they have new requirements uh for for their outdoor lights. Uh in particular that 2,000 lumen level. It's almost impossible to buy a security light below 2,000 lumens these days. And so what we did this time
is we rather than uh u require residential lighting to be conforming, the bylaw has a series of recommendations that we hope people would follow. Uh and in doing that we hope to to to move the needle a little bit at least on the residential side.
Um, so one of the things I wanted to capture, and probably you're not aware of it, but I I deal I look at it every time I go down Chelmert Street, is that there are many, many street lights uh attached to poles by national grid to illuminate the parking lots of
businesses along there. They're all high-pressure sodium. It's a relatively benign, but also relatively inefficient way to light. And my fear is that national grid is going to come through here, could be any day, could be within the next couple of years. and replace all of those with LEDs. They are
egregiously bad lights and you would not like the outcome. What this bylaw does is put in a requirement that they those lights along the public ride of way would have to be fully shielded and meet these other requirements. Uh, okay. And so, let's see. I think
we'll come to the last one. Oh. Oh, well, I'm sorry. If I could hang up for just a second. We did add a section for enforcement that would give the building commissioner more than just the ability to to issue a fine, which is what would happen in the case of most bylaws. And
in fact, it's it's entirely possible to um determine u really easily whether or not uh say you have two neighbors next to each other and one has really bad uh security lights that overspread and create what's
called light trespass. There's now a way to define that, which the new bylaw would do to uh establish whether or not a nuisance has been created and give the building commissioner some additional tools uh to to enforce this bylaw. Uh
Mr. Negron has been fantastic. I've been with him and talked to him several times. We did a night walk uh one time during the winter and uh it I I'm sorry, it's a bad cliche, but he saw the light of what we were trying to accomplish here. and I think you would find him
very uh engaged on this topic and and willing to see it through. So from last time to this time what most has changed is that we have split the commercial and residential. There are now requirements for commercial. There are suggestions
for residential and the municipal has been removed. Um and so those will and this this includes the street lights. We fine-tuned the requirements for street lights so that our existing street lights, which I have to say are pretty good in the grand scheme of things. They're pretty good
street lights that we ended up with, would not have to be changed within the 10 years. Uh that was really important. What that was probably the main reason why uh the planning board and I decided to withdraw the last town meetings. We hadn't fully appreciated that uh how
tight money was going to be in the years ahead and uh we didn't want to saddle the town with uh a requirement to literally be forced to change its street lights and we've tweaked the definition of what's what's allowable so that the existing street lights meet that
definition. And then finally, I did mention the enforcement and I think that's about it. Thank you very much. Chris, did you want to add anything? >> Yep. As I mentioned, uh, Kelly worked closely with us to develop this. Um, we are not
the lighting experts. He is. So, he, uh, he worked closely on us with us on this. Um, if this were to pass a town meeting, we would then propose that second uh, article after this to uh, eliminate the uh, zoning bylaw uh, for lighting and
refer to the general bylaw. Okay. I I guess um one question I have about this is um um you you know the compliance triggers the demonstrated nuisance um is the one that you know it says commercial or residential. So that's really the only
way that residents are going to be uh required to abide by this bylaw. Is that >> Yeah, it's very similar to the current um bylaw where if there is a light trespass on a neighboring property, uh
the property owner would call the building commissioner. They the current bylaw doesn't give any standards that the commissioner could follow. So, it's pretty much in his judgment. Uh this new bylaw allows him to have standards. Um
he has a light meter now to take the actual measurements. um and he can determine um from the zoning if there is an infraction. So it allows more enforcement. >> Okay. But but absence absence a complaint then like you said it's a it's
a suggested recommendation. I mean um I I guess that's kind of not really enforceable. Is that is that >> that's correct and that was that was we had a discussion with town council about this very topic of the town council said well if it's not enforceable why include it
>> we want to give residents a notion of what best practices ought to be uh without enforcing it. The nuisance component here is the fallback position for an agreed agrieved neighbor. It's
pretty hard to light uh with a single set of lights on the side of a building, a 1 acre yard lot, and not have a lot of that light fall onto your neighbor's property. And sometimes it's not a problem, and sometimes it really is a problem. Um and so because the
residences will no longer be required to follow certain uh u design precepts, we needed to leave something here so that uh um a really bad situation can be corrected by the
nuisance. It's not unlike the nuisance provisions that you have for your noise uh by law. Um, so that so that there's a way for someone to not be forced to put room blackening shades on their bedroom windows uh because their neighbor wants
to light up uh their their yard excessively. >> Okay. >> It's a fallback position, >> right? Uh does anybody else have a question? >> I have a question. You didn't mention motion detecting bulbs at residential facilities, right? Like I have a house
that has motion detecting. They only come on when someone's there, right? And and I know there's some information in there about that, but I want to make sure that, you know, a neighbor may be annoyed for 30 seconds, but it could be, you know, it it could be necessary to make sure that nobody is causing a
problem in the neighborhood. >> Right. So, um that that is one of I'm trying to find where that is. Um >> something in there, but I don't recall all the details. >> There is something in there. And and oh, here we are. It's 5.3.
Uh if your if your flood light in your property is causing a nuisance, a demonstrable nuisance that would otherwise need to be corrected, it can remain nonconforming if it's on for no more than 10 minutes at a time. We felt
that that was a reasonable accommodation. I know a lot of people have installed security lights on their houses that uh would be hard to get to, hard to replace, would require somebody as a professional. The solution there is to either have it be a motion sensor or
simply not use it when not needed. I will confess that I have lights on the side of my house right now that are not fully shielded. They light the way to my compost pile and if they're on 10 minutes in an entire year, it would be a
lot. So we again we were trying to be uh delicate in how we frame this to to not force people to u especially residences to um have to make wholesale changes that they might not be happy having to make.
>> Okay. I I just have one more comment too. I have a post lamp at the edge of my property. It's been there since I moved in. Um I it got run over one time by a car that went down the hill and through my yard and the two other yards.
So my initial thought was don't put it in. But then I thought maybe it's a good idea to have it there so people realize they don't hit something. No neighbors have complained about it. But it has a relatively bright bulb because there's no other street lights in that area to protect, you know, that neighborhood where there's children and stuff running
around and in the summer they could be out there when it's dark out. So I I I have that one on from dust to dawn. That's the only one I run because it does illuminate the street. Is that going to be something that's okay? >> So now you're in the street lighting business. >> Well, it's lighting my driveway. I'm
sorry. I'm being glib. We, you know, we there when we introduced this last time, this measurement of 0.1 foot candle that sets the threshold was at the property line. And we it became clear that that really isn't
necessarily a fair way to do it. And so we've moved the we've literally moved the goalposts to 15 ft inside the property line of the adjacent property or the the wall of a of a dwelling, the bedroom window hypothetically where that measurement would be taken. As for your
your post light on the end of the street, it wouldn't be, you know, it wouldn't be uh under regulation. I would sure hope that you'd think about using a lower color temperature bulb because that bulb
being on all night every night is a legitimate detriment to the flora and fauna that live around your home. >> Yeah, we didn't talk about light temperature there. So, that one's the one that isn't high, you know, Kelvin. I do want to
point out that these specific questions about the residential side is one of the reasons why we relooked at this bylaw this time around and really made the residential side recommendations at this stage. Uh there were a lot of people concerned about how much impact this
would have on the residents um to have to change things right away. And so what we did is we kind of compromised, made it a requirement on the commercial and industrial side and then made it a recommendation on the the residential side for now. Five, six years we'll take
a look at it again, see how things have progressed, see how the lighting has changed and then potentially add some regulations on the residential side or not depending on what we see. >> Thank you. Okay, any other questions there?
>> Yeah. Um, question, a couple comments. I'll do the comments first. So, just to make sure that I'm not misunderstanding anything, but the way I read this is this change, which I know the work I've seen a couple of these presentations. I know I know the work that you guys put in to to get it here. And I appreciate
that because I do think lighting is is a bit of a problem. Um, there's no municipal expense to this right now. The bylaw doesn't require any of that. And I think that's important to just remind people that that's the case. There's also no residential expense. says no mandate for residents. These are
guidelines and and I understand your question earlier, but I think putting the guidelines in writing and and putting some numbers around them. Um if if it gives people an opportunity to stop and think about it and do the right thing, then you know, we don't need enforcement because people will just do it. Um businesses will have an expense,
but there's no mandate for it to happen now. As you replace lights, you make better choices over the next 10 years. So, we're not breaking the bank um on anybody. Um and but what I do have a question on is um how do we handle if there's new
construction, you know, if if there's there's not any mandate in there right now where if a new house is being built, you have to abide by these because it's a residential exception and recommendation. Correct. >> That that's right. Um the
one of the things I talked to the building commissioner about is uh not only new construction like that. Um but also when somebody pulls an electrical permit to do some uh install some lighting on the outside that would never
ever appear before the planning board. It would otherwise fly under the radar. And we want to try to capture those. He and I have talked about having a a handout to give to the when whoever is pulling the electrical permit to say this is this is the bylaw and and we
expect you to you know abide at least try to abide by it if it if it's a residential commercial would be a different issue. Um I want to me just touch on what you said about municipal. It's it is true that there is no cost
municipally uh being born. We took out what what is now section uh uh uh 108.3 standards for commercial and industrial and multif family dwellings originally said commercial industrial municipal and multif family dwellings and that and
that's gone. I have talked to Christine Clansancy about this. Make no mistake, a lot of the lighting that got installed during the uh um Johnson control contract like around the schools and parking lots is really really bad. And
so our hope is that I can work with her. I'm I am not a lighting professional and I don't pretend to be, but I pay close attention to this stuff. Is that we can work to gradually convert some of those over on an as needed basis to bring those into best practices.
Yeah, I I think this is a I think we're doing the right thing. We're taking care of potential nuisance. We're adopting our bylaws to meet the current standards versus 20 years ago. And and uh I think this is one that we I would certainly support. So I appreciate all the work. >> Thank you.
>> I'm good. >> Any comments, questions? >> No, just thank you for all the work. >> Okay. >> You and the planning board have done >> Jeff. Any comments or questions? >> Yes. I I asked Kelly this last year. This isn't going to mess with my Christmas lights. Correct.
>> Actually, that's a really good question, Jeff. Um, one of the things that the version last year had was some wording about string lights. String lights in a in the professional definition, these are what are called
cafe lights. They're what a restaurant would put around the edge with a lot of unshielded just, you know, bare bulb things. And uh it was the finance committee actually that said, "How are you going to distinguish that from the string lights that get put up at
holidays?" And about that time there was a discussion on one of the the news groups on Facebook, Facebook groups, uh somebody had the audacity to mention that they thought the neighbors holiday lighting was too too strong and left on
too light and it created a push back, a firestorm like you can't believe. That is the holiday lighting is the third rail here that we wanted to make sure was exempted uh this time around. >> Okay, I've got one other point I'd like
to make. I know all of us saw the tragic accident of a Guardian airport recently. One of the reports said that when a plane comes out of the cloud, all the ambient from the airport caused by New York City makes it impossible for pilots to see the emergency as opposed to the
runway. So I this is a good idea what we're talking about. >> Yeah, I hope we don't have planes trying to land on Chelsea Street anytime soon, but thank you very much, Jeff. I appreciate that. >> Okay, any other question? >> Thank you for your work.
Okay, Jeff, I'll take a motion about um recommendations or not. >> I'll make a motion we recommend approval of article 27. >> Second the motion. >> Hey, we have a motion in a second. So, do a roll call vote. Jeff,
>> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm Yes. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you, gentlemen. So, as I mentioned before, 28 is essentially uh um replacing the current
zoning uh bylaw with the uh text that you see here, essentially referring to the new general bylaw. >> Okay. Anyone have any questions about this article? Okay, Jeff will take a motion. >> All right, I'll make a motion. We
recommend approval of article 28. >> Second the motion. >> Have a motion and a second. So, roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm Yes. Okay. 5-0. Thank you.
All right. On to article 29. >> Okay. Article 29 um takes the next step um from what we passed at last town meeting uh the CV light zone. Um as you
may have remembered from then uh back in 2022, NEMCOG worked with the planning board to uh look at a study of all the zoning conflicts in town um to see what options we have to mitigate. Um we have
uh long discussed some of these options and uh we do feel that moving forward with the CB light zone in a number of these uh zoning conflict areas is one of the uh excellent uh remedi remedies.
So we did create that CB light zone. Uh we did apply it to Kate's Corner initially in the fall of 2025 town meeting. Um and the current proposal is to apply that zoning to the area on Middle Sex Street near the landing at
Chumpsford Mills along with some other uh small uh zoning changes. Just as a quick refresher, I'm not going to go through all of this, but the new uh zoning district was created. We defined ultralite manufacturing. We
redefined light manufacturing and clarified that use. We uh updated the use table. Um and I will have the zoning handout that I had at the last town meeting. I'll have that again available at the next town meeting. Uh all of the
related and required changes to other parts of the zoning for this district were also implemented at that meeting. Just as a reminder for ultralight manufacturing, the the darkened portions are really where we um are focusing the
specialized high value production like precision uh fabrication, intricate assembly, controlled treatment, packaging and distribution. And then it provides examples manufacturing of precision instruments, medical and dental device manufacturing, smallcale
pharmaceuticals, uh boutique manufactur, boutique furniture making, um smallcale wood and metal fabrication. If you go to the light manufacturing definition that was updated again, this is processes involving fabrication,
assembly, treatment, packaging and distribution. Examples here are paper goods, uh textiles, plastic items, wood products, metal products, and larger scale products. So, this is the current area that we're
looking to um reszone. I'll just go through the um zones really briefly for you. My handouts So the CD district um is up at the top left
uh under the word parcels. That is the general commercial district. Uh the RM district up at the top is multif family. You have IIA which is the industrial district over near the the waterway and the Middle Sex Street
Mills. CB to the right of the diagram is the roadside commercial. Um RC is the residential C district. This is medium density residential. Uh continuing around the clock you have
uh CD which is the general commercial. This is commercial offices, um restaurants, entertainment, commercial uses. Uh that's the uh the establishment area. those mills are in there. Uh you have RC again, medium
density residential and then back up to RC up top. So that's the current uh zone and this is what we are proposing uh to reszone. So again starting at the top under
parcels uh all of that corner off the map remains CD. Um we are proposing to change that CD stretch under the word parcels 2 to RC which is residential.
That's what we have on the ground there. The multif family remains multif family. Um the IA waterway area will change over to CB light and then the residential uh to the
left of that will uh change over to RC. Continuing on to the right of the waterway, we have uh towards the river CB light. Again, those are all train track areas. The residential uh to the left of that
is RC. Um that remains that way. And we're looking to change some of that uh IIA corner uh back over to RC. Thank you, Paul, for the for the cursor. Um the industrial strip
down at the bottom uh we are proposing to change to CB um to make it uh congruent with the CB district. All of that uh down below remains RC. Uh
the RC and CD down in the left corner remain as is. And then up near the uh where it says remains RC, there's a little multif family uh property there that we're proposing to
switch from IIA, which it is now, to uh multif family. And then the rest of those mill areas uh we're proposing to change to the CB light district. That um list is the summary of what we're uh proposing to reszone. Uh it
shows what it currently is and what we're proposing to change it to. This change to the CB light in those mills will afford them the opportunity to put in restaurants, retail shops, um
art artists uh for them to work on. very similar to what uh they had over in Low until recently. Uh the mill number five area um and a number of other opportunities for those mills that currently don't
exist as IIA. >> Okay. Does anybody have any questions about this article? I think this was um you know I supported the initial zone anyways and I know that you know those mills were very interested and approached you guys doing
this um and it's definitely a nice way to to start to solve some of the conflicts in town. Um I just want to ask about specifically where all the railroads are that's IIA. So by changing that to CB light, it's still going to it's still grandfathered into the
industrial use. But how does that help the town if that were to somehow change? >> If that railroad company somehow sells, which I don't think they probably would, um it would it would help the town
because the CB light district is a much less um impactful zone than industrial. Um, and so being so close to the the water area, I don't know how you would even get most industrial uses in there
anyway. Um, so it it essentially helps protect that area. >> And it's not unheard of to change the zoning. Correct. >> Correct. And I do want to mention that um I forgot to mention that the uh the North Shelsford um committee also um uh
voted on our proposal and they also endorse it. >> Thanks, Chris. >> All right. Any other questions, comments? Okay. If not, Jeff, we can take a motion. >> Okay. I'll make I'll make a motion we to
recommend approval of article 29. >> Second the motion. >> They have a motion and a second. So I roll call vote. Jeff >> yes. >> Aaron. >> Yes. >> Dave. >> Yes. >> John. >> Yes. >> And I'm yes. Thank you. 5 Z.
>> All right. We have another one. >> So article 30 is a little bit of uh housekeeping for our seat up. uh overlay. Um we went through that overlay
uh to take a look at uh updating uh some of the language based on some projects that we've had uh come before us recently. Uh take a look at what might need clarification. And so I'll go through uh some of those changes. So the first one is in the
applicability section. Uh currently the applicability only looks at the gross square footage um so that the gross square footage does not exceed the original use. However, what we realized is that only by looking
at the gross square footage that could potentially allow some um some projects in that that might be more detrimental to the area depending on the project. So, we've added the language and the square footage of the building
footprint. And if you go to the next slide, you'll see why. So, our current bylaw with only the gross square footage takes what you have potentially um say on Riverneck Road where you have an
office building with two floors and a and a specific footprint. The current bylaw will allow by right what you would see on the right. um because the gross square footage is exactly the same but as you can see the
footprint doubles. Um so our current bylaw allows this by right. If you go to the next with the footprint um included uh the proposed bylaw would essentially keep
the footprint the same um to be by right. They could always come before us with a special permit. Um but as a byite project it would essentially keep the gross square footage and the footprint the same for a byite project
under use regulations. Um we had a couple uh projects come before us where there might potentially be um proposed uses that might not be um that compatible with each other. Uh, one
example was potentially a contract indoor contractor yard um with residences above. Now, depending on what those contractors are, it might be a perfectly fine use, but depending on what those contractors are, it could
also go the opposite way. Um, you might have children running around and having some potential conflicts of uses. So what we're doing here is where there are primary uses um that are in combination
with each other uh so two primary uses as part of this overlay uh it would come before us for a special permit as opposed to allowing it by right just to make sure that it is two uses that are compatible um performance standards. So for the
next two, it's really about providing the ability for the board to ask for additional data if it needs it. Um some projects have become more complex. Some projects uh depending on where they are might require further study. So the
language here allows the board to ask for uh additional studies. Noise. Um, it might ask for uh documentation that the project is following environmental standards. Um, we wouldn't be enforcing those
standards. We wouldn't be setting those standards, but we would be potentially asking for uh documentation that they do comply with state and federal guidelines. So, that's what those provide. on 119 the application review
procedures. Uh the language here did not include the word structure. It only included the word building. Uh so we wanted to make sure that we covered our bases and uh included the word structure here as well.
Uh the next slide, this one um some of the projects that are coming before us are coming before us with um information um and they're essentially putting it on
the board for us to determine um how they comply with our uh various uh components. What we're asking of the project now is that they provide us that information in the narrative upfront so
we don't have to dig deeper. It saves time. It saves uh both the board and the uh applicant some time um not needing to go through multiple meetings. We're able to get that information up front. The last one um is related to um
potential changes in their plans. Uh one of the things that we realized is that um when this uh overlay was written, we really didn't have the complex storm water systems that are in place now uh
or the requirements. So we added here that any substantial changes to the storm water system or site elevation if there's a lot of uh digging or infill um needs to come as a uh part of the uh
come come before the planning board for review. >> Okay. Do we have any questions about this article? >> It looks like we do not. Jeff. So, we'll take a motion. >> Okay. We're on article >> 30.
>> Article 30. >> Okay. I'll make a motion that we recommend pro approval of article 30. >> Second the motion. >> Okay. We have a motion and a second. So, we'll do a roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes.
>> John, >> yes. >> And um yes. 5. So, the next article um came up after the last town meeting. Um a couple town meeting reps pointed out that based on
our recent changes to the family uh zoning definition, um it there was some overlap with the uh boarding house definition that we currently have. Uh so we wanted to rewrite uh and reword the um boarding
house definition to provide more clarity and to make it distinct from uh the the family household definition. We also looked at the uh state licensing because boarding houses are required to
be uh licensed by the state and so you can go to the next slide. I don't think that might be it. I didn't weren't able to substitute the okay >> presentation after >> um so if you go to the article then
>> so what we essentially did is we struck the current uh definition of uh boarding house and created a new definition that uh references the facility licensed under the state um regulations and added
some clarity um in addition to that for uh use cases that might be too close to the family definition. >> Okay. Do we have any questions about this article? >> What would be the impact should the
prior article uh that was the citizen petition pass? How would that impact this? >> Um that is a good question. try to do those things.
>> I would have to take a look to see what the old definition is. I don't think it would impact this too much because it does it it it would be a very similar type of distinction. We also included the licensing information here uh from
the state which where our older bylaw doesn't have. Um, so I would I'll take a look at it, but I would likely keep this in. I don't think it would conflict with the old definition either. >> Okay,
any other questions? >> Okay, Jeff, we'll take a motion. >> Okay, I'll make a motion. We recommend approval of article 31. >> Second the motion. >> Have a motion and a second. So, roll call vote. Jeff. Yes. >> Aaron. >> Yes. >> David.
>> Yes. >> John. >> Yes. >> And I'm a Yes. 5. Thank you. >> Article 32. Um again, um after some discussions that came out of the last town meeting, uh some of the town
meeting reps approached us and uh pointed out that we actually don't have a definition for Ben and breakfast in uh the town, which means that it is currently not allowed. Um so the planning board did take a look at it um
and looked at if this might be a good idea. Uh the planning board feels that it would be potentially a a good um use for some of the areas in town. Um it would potentially increase our
commercial uh base. And so we wanted to propose this. Um we do have specified uses that include hotels, motel and boarding houses. So this is the next logical um step. Bed and breakfastes do
have a similar business model. So we did uh define this um again we um have the state uh the state laws that define what a bed and breakfast is um and have them
uh licensed. So we essentially are taking that definition um and then revising it for our local area um distinguishing it from uh boarding houses, hotels, motel um dwelling units
occupied by single uh by a family or single housekeeping unit. Um and then we looked at the use table and we're proposing to allow it in all of the commercial districts. We did have discussion about allowing it
in RC. Um, but there was some hesitation about that because of the residential areas might not want to see an increase in traffic. Uh, so we figured we'd keep it to the commercial areas for now, see how it goes and see if it could expand down the road.
>> Well, there is a limit also to what three rooms being used for that. So, okay. >> Okay. Any questions on article 33? Was there a provision in there for a special permit to do this since you don't have
the bed and breakfast in a residential right now? >> Uh, it is current. It is um only going to be allowed by special permit in the commercial, not by right. >> Not. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Any other questions?
Okay. Then we'll take a motion. >> Okay. I'll make a motion that we approve article 32. >> Second the motion. >> Hey, we have a motion and a second. So, roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> David, >> yes. >> John, >> yes.
>> And I'm a yes. 5. >> Okay. >> Okay. Article three. >> 33. >> Sorry. >> 33. um changes the use regulation uh for the
parking garage and structure and uh essentially aligns it with what we did with the accessory parking garages in the CBLT uh and the accessory parking lot in the commercial and industrial areas. Um
prior to this proposal, the parking garages were by special permit from the ZBA. All of the other parking uh facilities in our zoning are by planning board. Um so we wanted to align it so that one board is looking at all of the
parking related facilities. >> Okay. Any questions on article 33? >> Okay. It appears not. So Jeff, we'll take a motion. >> Okay. Make a motion that we recommend approval of article 33. >> Second the motion. >> There a motion and a second. Roll call
vote. Jeff. >> Yes. >> Aaron. >> Yes. >> Dave. >> Yes. >> John. >> Yes. >> Yes. Okay. >> And our final article um is another housekeeping article. Uh we have in a
number of our dimensional tables a minimum depth of zero feet. Um, in some areas it's NA, in some areas it's zero. Uh, zero feet is essentially not applicable as a depth. So, we are
proposing to change all of the zero feats uh to NAS in all of our tables. And I'm not going to go through all of these tables. >> Any questions on article 34?
Okay, it appears not. So, Jeff, >> I'll make a motion that recommend 34. >> Second motion. >> Okay, we have a motion in a second. Uh, roll call. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes.
>> And John, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Thank you, Chris. >> Thank you. >> We'll see you in a few weeks. >> Y ma madam chair, if I may. Um, we've just freed up Chris Lavali for the evening. We have the chair of the of the
permanent building committee here, Tim Harderly, and he's he has a meeting tomorrow night. And so, I'm wondering if we could just do the bid awards for for the fire station and the school so that way we can allow Tim to get home at a decent hour because we got we've got a lot of articles and other stuff ahead of us.
>> We we do hopefully they they won't all take >> 20 minutes each. >> No, no, this will be pretty quick. >> Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, >> so thank you for that indulgence because it would be otherwise it'd be a little while before we get to that. >> Okay. >> I don't know Christine if you want to come up or or um Gary too on the fire
station one. We'll start with that. Um since you know I want to recognize that you know both your efforts in terms of the um leading the town municipal component for this u
extensive bid project, the $25 million appropriation project. uh which we've got great news for you this evening and for the community. So I'll turn it over to you Christine. >> Thank you. I didn't print it out before tonight, but I do have a great report um in that we had the so going back a week
ago the file filed sub bid openings and then just this past week um the bid opening um and it is a long process given the size of this project. They have to go through a whole pre-qualification um that had to take that took place over a month ago. Um, and so four bids were
received this past Friday. Um, all bids, our budget really about $20 million. Um, I know we have $26 million, but we also have all these other fees in there as well. So, um, the lowest bid is, uh, I'm not going to Castalga Construction
17.793 million. Um, and that is the lowest apparent bidder. So, really, it's coming in just about almost $2 million under budget, which is great news. Um there is a proposal in there as well to accept adult we had two ad alterants in there. Um but we're accepting the first one
which is changing the side in the siding of the building from aluminum to zinc which is really a much more durable material um and much easier maintenance. Um and the four bids here are listed. You can see that the the four bids received really were in close you know so it shows that this is still a very
competitive market. um and and that you know um we had four you know four bids which is still great to receive and we're seeing this on a lot of our projects um the numbers are really close um so with this I mean and also I know we're looking to get started very soon the stations have been closed since uh
we've already started some test pitting so we're ready to um to move forward quickly on this >> and if I could add good evening select board madam chair board members new chair new board members and somewhat new board members Mr. manager. Um Cassana has a extensive um portfolio for public
safety projects um in this area. They've done the Westbird fire headquarters, uh Littleton uh renovation, um Burlington Fire Station 2, Arlington um and other municipal projects. So they're well known, well respected. So certainly glad
to bring them before this board. So, so what we're seeking this evening or what I'm seeking is as manager on the provision of the town charter, I'm seeking the confirmation of by the select board to award the contract for the fire stations construction project to Constania Construction Corporation of
Danvers, Mass um for the construction project including alternate bid alternate number alternate number one at a total bid price of $17,931,675. >> Okay. Does anybody have any questions about this bid? This bid award?
>> Okay, Jeff, I think we'll take a a motion on this uh bid award. >> Trying to find my paper so I say it properly. Which sheet does that bid on? >> You could do it on that memo sheet, Jeff, which was sent out today. It
basically it's approve approved the the confirmed the manager's contract award for the Chsford fire stations three and five prior to Castania construction located at 100 Conifer Hill Drive in Danver's Mass in the amount of 17,931,675. >> So moved.
>> Second the motion. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. So roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. Dave. >> Yes. >> John. >> Yes. >> And um Yes. Okay. >> Thank you. And then >> Yeah, we can do the other one. >> We'll do the other one to stop it here
because this one's the South Row School, which is also on the permanent building committee agenda for tomorrow night. And >> and uh again, want to recognize Christine uh and Gary even on the previous one because they also had to do the sub bids and confirmation with the uh project manager and so forth. But on
this one, we got more good news on the south row ceiling project. Uh you may recall previous meeting we did the roof project. Now this is the interior ceiling component. Um and in this project um the uh bids were opened um
pro on April 6th the project cost estimate was 1.4 million. Um five general bids were received. The lowest bid received was from Pequard Construction in the amount of $660,378. And as noted in the memo, DPW has
successfully worked with this company at the McCarthy and Chford High School kitchen renovation projects. Um, and as was noted here, four bids. You can see the pricing, you know, indicates that um, you know, that the bidding market is
just described as healthy. So again, we're seeking the confirmation of the bid award for the south ceiling project to park construction of low mass in the amount of $660,378. Any questions on this bit award? >> No.
>> Okay, we'll take a motion then, Jeff. >> I'll make a motion that we allow the town manager to go forward with the construction bids for the fire station or the south roof roofs. Sorry. >> Okay, second the motion.
>> All right. Okay, we have a motion in the second. So, roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Adam, yes. >> Great. Thank you. And then two more quick ones on we'll wrap up the bid awards. This one is probably for the most important one, which is the Millan
overlay. It's DPW road construction for this coming con construction season um which is calendar year 2026. Um again, despite all this what's going on in terms of petroleum and everything else, the the bid awards as currently uh with
the bid specs, the bid price was estimated to be about 1.6 million. Uh there were nine bids received for this work. The lowest responsive and responsible bid was Newport Construction out of NSHA in a bid amount of 1,282,750.
Um, again, we've had not only positive references, but direct experience with them on road construction projects. Um, so again, we seek the um confirmation of the bid award for the mill and overlay to Newport Construction whose corporate address is Nashville and New Hampshire.
Obviously, we pick it up at the Westford plant. Uh, and again, the bid amount is $1,282,750. >> Okay. Any questions on this bid award? No. >> Okay. Jeff will take a motion. I >> I'll make a motion that we allow the
town manager to avoid the mill and the overlay 26 project to Newport Construction Corporation. >> Second the motion. >> Okay. A motion and a second. Roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John,
>> yes. >> And I'm yes. >> Okay. Thank you. And then the final bid award. This is this is now going into aquatic plant management at Freeman Lake and Hard Pond. Uh this was an RFP which is different than an invitation for bids. RFP is you evaluate an just for
for the new members returning member and new member. Under Massachusetts law you can bid two ways. If it's if it's you don't in a case where it involves engineering and scientific and other components that are you measure that aren't priced solely
based uh which is an request for proposal or an RFP. And what happens there is you you evaluate the RFP from the biders with blind to the price and then if your highest rated one falls within your budget you award. And in this case um we had an RFP for the
aquatic plant management of Freeman Lake and Hard Pond. In this case only one proposal was received um from water and wetland. Uh the proposal was reviewed by the selection committee. Um the proposal is for is basically for an initial one-year contract with two additional
option years and the bid amount for the initial year of the contract is 44,893 and you can see the option for the second and third year is 46220 and 47454. Um so and we've we've worked with this
company uh at Hardpine and Freeman Lake uh for a couple of years now. So again, the references and and direct experience play out. So again, I'm seeking your confirmation to award the contract for aquatic plant management of Freeman Lake and Hard Pond for the initial year to water and wetland located in South
Grafton, Mass in the amount of 44,893 and again retaining the option for additional years subject to appropriation by the town in future budgets. >> Okay, any questions about this bid award? Okay, ready for a motion then, Jeff?
>> Yep. I'll make a motion that we allow the town manager to proceed with a contract with the aquatic plant management of Freeman Lake and our pond for the first year to water and wetland located at 134 Perry Street, South Graphic.
>> Second. >> Have a motion and a second. So, roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. Don. >> Yes. >> And I'm Yes. >> Great. Thank you very much. And again, it's she'll be back with more bids at your next meeting because it's a very
busy bid season for DPW. Uh and you know, obviously with going into town meeting, there's projects there that are coming up that some of which trying to get done this summer. So, returning back to the warrant, we'll go back to the beginning on, you know, the initial part of the warrant, article one. And I
promise it won't be as lengthy as the zoning bylaws uh because I know we're we're entering our third hour of the meeting. Uh but again, stop me u if need be. All right. So, article one, there's no motion. It's it's to hear reports of town offices, so there's no recommendation. We'll provide an update
from the Parker Middle School building committee, the fire station construction project, and a financial overview of this town meeting. Then we move into a consent agenda. Um moderator um Lawrence McDonald is requesting two consent agendas. Um the first one is is
is basically financial is another way to describe it. It's it's it's these are what we call routine and recurring financial articles. We'll go through those individually because we don't want to be bouncing back and forth and for particular for those watching and trying to follow this. Uh and then the second one is for um land use utility easements
and street acceptance. So that's what's going to happen in real time. But moving on to our point, article two, we always place this after the initial reports and gathering meeting. This is adjustments to the current fiscal year's operating budget that's going to um be completed in in less than three months on on June
30th. Um obviously, you know, you budget in advance and then life happens or in this case bad winter happens particularly in terms of a lot of snowfall and some some significant legal work in the town. Um so what's happening under this article and I will note just
as an outset finance committee recommends approval um of all these articles and in fact they mirrored your recommendation on the petition article. So thus far um so I won't you know go through you know find it's going to be recommendation each article because you know it's they've recommended all
articles u and again just emphasizes the detailed process where we're sort of in sync meaning we're not going to bring things that aren't reasonable and in line and I think we've have that history of performance at town meeting. So anyway this one is again adjustments to the current year's budget. We're seeking
a transfer of 769,950 from the general stabilization fund and 375,000 from the $400,000 finance committee reserve fund to the line MGC listed on the screen. Primarily the big one you can see there is snow and ice
removal $645,000. Um municipal administrative expenses is $230,000. That's a big one. That's a lot of that is legal uh services and some public safety. And so I'll go into a little more detail, but those will be the line items that'll be voted. Um
you the public safety again, you I'm not going to read you the slides, but you can see we've had some issues with unexpected overruns on on fire apparatus vehicle maintenance. Um you'll see utilities coming through this because of the utility search charges, although we
have a fixed contract for supply. Um we're we're obviously hitting the market as as our residents on the distribution cost increases in the Commonwealth. Uh as well as some of the solar credits, you know, vary yeartoear as we've seen it and you'll see at the senior center
in a moment. Uh again, you can see slight overruns in terms of cruise replacement equipment and so forth. Uh we didn't budget that we were going to have to do at police chief assessment center and so forth. Um, you can see the big run on on snow and ice removal with salaries and road salt and slightly of
contractors. If you remember the early part of the winter, it wasn't as snowy, but it seemed like the the icing events occurred on nights and weekends uh and holidays. And so what happens there is we don't bring in the contractors. That's why you don't see the that's why you see a disparity between our current
crews versus contractors that come in under heavy snowfall. Um and then um as I mentioned earlier um the senior center electricity was over by $25,000 and again we have slight overages on veterans benefits uh and um
you know we we we had to deal with the absence due to a medical leave by our veterans agent u earlier in the year. So and again just to get the big one being snow and ice you know you can see this is the first time in five years we've gone over on snow and ice. Um, so our
five-year average is about our budget, 1.15 million. It's just that in those prior years, we turned money back. This year, we kind of, you know, the the weather didn't hold out for us. We don't maintain a snow and ice, you know, stabilization fund. It just we put it
into the general stabilization fund. And so, in this case, we're pulling it from the general stabilization fund. So, that's the summary of this article, members of the board. And again, um, >> okay, any questions on article two? Okay. Motion. Uh Jeff, we'll take a
motion. >> Motion that we recommend approval of article. >> Second a motion. >> A motion and a second. So roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm yes.
>> Okay. Thank you. Article three is the Nshoba Valley Technical School District fiscal year 2027 assessment. Um the amount for our assessment is $4,316,932. Um we've received the presentation at the budget breakfast several weeks ago
as well as at the finance committee. And we and our chair happens to be a district member. So if there's any questions, I'm sure that she or I or others could answer them. But you know, this budget again was unanimously recommended by the finance committee and was approved by the Westford town
meeting, which was the first one to go so far. Okay. Any questions on article three? All right, Jeff, we'll take a motion. >> All right, I'll make a motion that we recommend approval of article three. >> Second a motion.
>> There a motion in a second. So, roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm Yes. >> Okay. Article four is the Chson Public Schools u budget for the upcoming fiscal
year. Um the amount is $78,150,000 and similar to that the um budget's been discussed at trio board meetings. The school uh committee has had two meetings where they've gone through the detail of the budget page by page. They also presented to the finance committee. Um
and again at this point there's you know again unilateral support for this budget. Um it basically is a essentially a level service budget. Any questions on article four? >> Okay, we'll take a motion.
>> Right, I'll make a motion that we recommend approval of article. >> Second the motion. >> Okay, a motion in a second. Um, we'll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm Yes.
>> Thank you. Article five is the general government operating budget. Um, as you saw in the earlier article, we made adjustments. We vote by category line items. You can see municipal administration, personnel and expenses, public safety, public works, facilities,
cemetery, community services, library, benefits and insurance, debt and interest, and excluded. Uh, it's a $176.4 million overall operating budget, uh, of which 135 million comes from the property tax levy, 23.8 8 projected
state aid, 13.9 for local receipts, uh, and 3.5 million in otherwise available funds. The, um, as we noted earlier, the public school budget goes up by 2 and a half million, 3.3%. The other town
departments goes up by 3.22% or 1.25 million to 40.1. Benefits insurance was again was the big driver this year. 768% a $2.8 an $8 million increase to 38.8 million. So, we're almost spending as much in benefits insurance as we are all
the other town departments other than the school department. Uh, and then our debt service is up by $550,000 at 10.9 million or 5.28%. Um, the significant increases again, health insurance 1.85 million, our excluded
debt service for the fire station project, $885,000, retirement assessment up by $860,000. Employee compensation. Again, we we have not you see in the asterric. We we the firefighters agreement has not been resolved, so it's not in these totals.
Our non-excluded debt service is up by $300,000, solid waste and recycling collection and disposal by $150,000 and Medicare tax by $65,000. Um again, we we're also continuing some expenditure increases for the PAS
treatment plant modifications and operations uh at Richardson Road. another $100,000 for building maintenance. This is a bianial state election year because what'll happen this year is there'll be a primary election in on September 1st. Then there'll be the November election, then
the April election, unlike this past year where we only had the one election. That's why it goes up $50,000. And then recognizing the trend in legal services and the hourly billing rate, we've raised that budget by $50,000. Um, again, there are things that don't
make the budget and, you know, I think the schools and everyone all acknowledge that. So, it doesn't have funding for for, you know, legitimate requests for additional police officers, firefighters, um, highway laborers, and, you know,
safety positions in the town. So, >> any questions on article five? >> Second motion. I'll make a motion that we approve article five. >> Second a motion. >> There a motion in the second. So roll call vote. Jeff,
>> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Article six, there'll be no action. As I mentioned earlier, this was a placeholder in the event that you know the there were to be to have been an agreement reached with the firefighters union. So there'll be no action under this article. Article seven is the
finest gritty reserve fund. We're once again level funding that at $400,000 for extraordinary unforeseen expenses that may arise during the course of the year that are out fall outside of a spe of town meeting. >> Any questions about article 7?
>> Okay, we'll take a motion. >> I make a motion that we recommend approval of article 7. >> Second the motion. Okay, >> a motion and a second. So, we'll call vote. Aaron, >> I mean, not Yeah. Aaron, you can go first and then I'll go to Jeff. >> Yes.
>> Jeff, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. >> Okay, that's sir. Article 8 is the capital budget. John Souzer, our finance committee chair, uh, is here this evening. He he, um, chairs the capital
budget committee. Um few meetings ago with the prior board, John went through the capital budget presentation which was also discussed at the tri board meeting and at the planning board meeting. Again, there's unonymity and support from the from the finance committee for the $6.4 million capital
um budget as presented. >> Okay. Any questions about article 8? >> No. >> Okay. We'll take a motion. Make a motion that we recommend approval of article 8. >> Second the motion.
>> There a motion and a second. A roll call vote. Jeff. >> Yes. >> Aaron. >> Yes. >> D. >> Yes. >> John. >> Yes. >> And I'm yes. >> Okay. We now move on to article nine which is for PAS treatment plant at
Richardson Road. Um just go through all these slides. As noted earlier, the plant is is functioning as the board receives, you know, periodic reports from our consulting u engineer. This is it raised an appropriate $242,000 to enhance the
plant. Um again, this is for the PA pas removal. The plant's been operating now for almost four years. Um and and as you saw in the previous presentation, the the evidence is is that it's working well.
The D asked that the area be ex be expanded to include the area up by the dog park and that's what this expansion is for is to capture uh because there have been some hits and readings up in that area. Um and so um the installation
it will include a uh installation and development of a new recovery well, the trenching and piping to connect that thing to the main treatment plant which is down by the building in the center of the photo. Uh and then sampling and again this work will be done this fall.
>> Hey, any questions on article 9? >> Just before we vote, I do I was thinking I wanted to do this earlier. I just want to remind everybody that's listening like I did in before I got the opportunity to join the board. Um, we've seen these a lot of times. These have been reviewed. These have been discussed
and a lot of our questions have been asked. So for folks that are watching tonight, we're not just voting these things without following up. We've had the opportunity to do that. So this is this is our final prep to to get ready for town meeting. Um, so if there's any questions, that's exactly the process
that's happening tonight. All right. And the reason that it's done tonight at this late hour is the board changes. And therefore, when we go to town meeting, you have to have the current seated board. So that's why it's sort of this rush, you know, right after the election between the election and town meeting for the new new board to make its votes
known. But as you noted, everybody's been following these for months. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh I guess we're ready for motion. >> Okay. I'll make a move that recommend article I >> second the motion. We have a motion and
a second. So, roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm Yes. >> Hey, thank you. Article 10. Now, we're moving into the enterprise fund budgets, which are basically self standing uh budgets that are accounted for
separately and and basically the funding have their own funding source to support their operations. First one being the sewer enterprise. The requ requested budget is 5.795 million. Um again comes from sewer revenues. This is an increase of $193,000
or 3.44% from the prior year. Um again basically the increase comes from personnel services and the debt service in the project >> operations. Any questions on article 10? N I guess we're ready for a motion.
Is he there? Oh, did we just lose? >> Did we lose him? >> We lost. No, he's Unless he's coming right back in because he's he is shown on the Zoom. >> Jeff. >> Yeah.
>> Oh, there you are. Okay. >> For a minute. >> Yeah. Okay. Article 10. >> Yeah. Ready for a motion. >> Okay. I'll make a motion that recommend 10. >> Second motion. >> Okay. for a motion in a second. So, roll
call vote. Jeff, >> I'll take that as a yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm a Yes. >> Okay. Article 11 again with with pertaining to the sewer operations. This is a $ 1.5 million appropriation that
will be borrowed and this is to upgrade the Clinton Avenue, Fair Street, and Evergreen Street sewer pump stations. Okay. Any questions on article 11? >> Okay, we'll take a motion. >> I'll make a motion that we approve article 11. >> Second motion.
>> Motion in a second. Roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. Article 12. We now move over to Stormwater Enterprise. The stormwater enterprise budget proposed
for fiscal year 2027 is $1.77 million. Um that's an increase of of $97,000 or 5.81% um to maintain our catch basins, drainage outlets, culverts, and detention ponds.
>> Any questions on article 12? >> Okay, we'll take a motion. >> I'll make a motion that we approve article 12. Second the motion there. >> A motion in a second. And so roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John,
>> yes. >> And I'm Yes. >> Thank you. Article 13 is the again staying with storm water. This is the case to purchase a vehicle. This is the rack body truck. It's a request for appropriation of $115,000 that'll be borrowed um to purchase that
truck for storm water uh with it'll also come with a plow to be part of our snow and ice removal operation uh again to assist in the repair and drainage structures and head walls. >> Okay. Any questions on article 13?
Yeah. 13. >> No. >> Okay. We'll take a motion. >> I'll make a motion. We recommend approval of April 13. >> Second a motion. >> Okay, we have a motion in a second. Roll call vote. Jeff,
>> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. Article 14 is again storm water. This is a for a drainage improvements along Rainbow Avenue. It's
an appropriation of $350,000 that will be borrowed um to um address the flooding that's occurred on Rainbow Avenue in recent years uh even in the rather dry conditions that we've had. The problem is the drainage system is
undersized. Uh and this project would upsize the existing pipe outlet and add manholes and replace the b the basins to allow the increased flow in compliance with our state environmental permits. And again, this 350,000 we borrowed over 10 years.
>> Okay. Any questions on article 14? >> Okay. Take a motion. >> I'll make a motion that we recommend article 14. >> Second the motion. >> Have a motion and a second. Roll call vote. Jeff. >> Yes. >> Aaron? >> Yes.
>> Dave? >> Yes. >> John? >> Yes. >> And I'm yes. >> Okay. Article 15 moves into the forum ice rink enterprise fund. Uh this is traditional article of the town uh contract with the company. So again the amount is level it's $65,000 to operate
the form enterprise fund for the upcoming fiscal year. Um and again it's um the operations aren't funded from the levy for that project. And um basically this this provides the town the ability to expend $65,000 in
the event something occurred at the forum. If not, any surplus stays with the fund and becomes part of its retained earnings. >> Any questions on article 15? >> Okay, Jeff, we take a motion.
>> We can we can commend article 15. Second the motion. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Uh Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. And I'm a yes.
>> Article 16 is the PEG access and cable related enterprise fund which provides the funding for the cable television public educational and governmental access channels, one of which we're on this evening. Uh, and this is a um case to address the current year's budget for
the enterprise fund. Uh, basically would transfer $43,000 from their retained earnings um to uh meet uh current expenses for the current year. Um just to give you an idea of what's occurred that you know again unforeseen equipment
purchase included having to replace the outdated control uh room equipment and cameras for this room. If you may recall we got an upgrade in earlier months ago in this room. They also had to replace the HP server. Um they had to replace
computers uh and some truck um their TV truck link capabilities. Any questions on article 16? >> No. >> Okay. Take a motion. >> I'll make a motion that we recommend approval of 16.
>> Second the motion. >> Okay. A motion and a second. Roll call vote. Jeff. >> Yes. >> Aaron? >> Yes. >> Dave? >> Yes. >> John? >> Yes. >> And I'm yes. >> Then article 17 again moves us forward to the upcoming fiscal year. And this would appropriate $682,000
for the PEG access enterprise operations for the upcoming year. Again, um they're they're um managing in a in an era where people are cutting the cord uh to remain selfunded
um from the assessment from the Comcast and Verizon bills. As you can see, they have some capital equipment baked into this budget. Um, basically they're now moving over to the school committee meeting room to do similar work that needed to be upgraded in this room before it totally fails as well as some
again some other uh expenses. >> Okay. Any questions for article 17? Okay, make a motion. >> A motion to approve article 17. >> Second the motion. >> Have a motion and a second. We'll call
vote. Jeff, >> yes. Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Article 18 is no action. Article 19 goes into the final enterprise fund, which is the golf course enterprise fund. And this is um
only a 30,000 appropriation to again meet expenses that may arise in the upcoming year. And similar to the forum ice rink, the golf course is managed by a management company. And again, depending upon weather and level of play, which weather drives, you know,
the revenues come in and again, anything that's not expended um goes to the retained earnings. So again, this is level funded at 30,000 for the upcoming year. >> Okay. >> Any questions on article 19? No. >> Okay. Take a motion.
>> I'll make a motion that we recommend article 19. >> Second motion. >> Have a motion and a second. The roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm Yes. >> Thank you. Article 20 is uh under the
current provisions of state law because they we keep the governor keeps suggesting and the municipal associate keeps asking them to modify this. We have to vote annually to uh renew the revolving funds uh with for the various operations such as the senior citizen
trip program uh the respit care program you know the money that we get from the sale of cruises to put back into the cruises for equipment and so forth. The these funds are the same level they've been for the current year. Um so again we this is on the consent agenda.
Obviously it's a prefuncter vote. Okay. >> Any questions on our application? Okay, Jeff. >> I'll make a motion that we approve article 20. >> Second a motion or >> a motion in a second. Roll call vote. Jeff,
>> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm yes. >> Okay. Article 21, as we see at generally almost all town meetings, this is the transfer from the sale of lots and graves to the cemetery department for their improvement development fund. In
this case, the amount requested is $60,000. And what they're planning to do with that is tree removal and safety pruning at all six cemeteries, installation of a niche wall at Hard Pond Cemetery, and plantings in the mausoleum area at Pineriidge Cemetery. Okay.
>> Any questions on article 21? Okay, Jeff will take a motion. >> I'll make a motion. We recommend approval of article 21. >> Second the motion. >> Have a motion and a second. Uh roll call vote. Jeff, >> I have to abstain.
>> Okay. Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. That's 4 with one abstension. >> Okay. Article 22, uh, it's probably not the most popular one because what it does, but it it's an essential one. This would
transfer 153,000 from overlay surplus to fund property evaluation services to maintain certification of the town's property values by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Key thing here being overlay surplus. What that is is that's the the town each year budgets
funds that are estimated for what people may receive for property tax abatements by commercial residential property owners. As the name suggests, whatever's left over is retained as an as a surplus and then periodically funds get appropriated from it in this case from
the uh for the certification work. Um, and again, we're required by state law before we can issue any maintain the ability to issue tax bills to um conduct inspections of each each parcel in town at least once every 10 years. Um, and
you know, that involved basically sending people out into the field. In this case, we use a contractor to do the full list and measures on the property. As you can see, you know, this is not insignificant. Um we have over 13,500
parcels in town of which over 9,000 are single family homes and you can see the other numbers. Um so again this is this is essential because if you if it's it's important because if you don't do it then there isn't validity and fairness which is what the state's
trying to ensure that the way the master system works is the properties are estimated to be at full and fair market value and that creates equity and fairness in the property tax system. Any questions on article 22?
>> Take a motion. >> Motion that we recommend articles 22. >> Second the motion. >> We have a motion and a second. A roll call vote. Jeff. >> Yes. >> Aaron. >> Yes. >> Dave. >> Yes. >> John. >> Yes. >> And I'm yes.
>> Okay. Article 23. we move into the community preservation fund as customary every spring. Um this basically meets the required a portionment of funds into the community preservation fund designated reserves which under the statute are open space reserve, housing
reserve and uh historic uh reserve. The balance would then go into a general reserve. Um the and there's also $50,000 provided annually to for the administrative expenses uh for the community
preservation committee. Uh so again, we meet our our statutory requirements under the law because the law requires that at least 10% of funds go to those three accounts, historic, open space, and housing. And if they aren't expended, then they're kept in reserve. And then the balance is what's known as
a budgeted reserve or general reserve that can be met for any of those purposes. Um, so that's what takes place under this. We anticipate at this point that we'll we'll assess we'll collect 1.67 million in the search charge. Uh,
and the state will contribute $255,000. So that's where the numbers come in in terms of the 150,000 and budgeted reserve. And this is our debt service in that article. Uh, the column to the right is when the is the last year of that debt service. So something like
Robert's Field, it's a $42,000 debt service. Uh and it will get paid off fully in 2028. We're we're budging for 27. And I always say this so people understand, unlike a home mortgage, the town pays level principal. So these debt numbers decline over over the year of
the debt tenure because you're paying off principal equally over the period. Uh and then obviously, you know, we also have to make some projections because we haven't bonded the center utility project that just got underway. Um so that's what um that's what's requested
under this article is paying our debt service and setting the recommended reserves and the administrative expenses of the committee. >> Any questions on article 23? >> No. >> Okay. >> I'll make a motion that we approve
article 23. Second the motion. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm a yes. >> Okay. Article 24. This is um real simple
article. It it's amending a vote that was taken two years ago at Springtown meeting by allowing the $8,000 for the preservation of headstones at Forefather Cemetery to be allowed to be used for the preservation of headstones at all the town's historic cemetery locations.
Um what had happened was the town had received um gifts from from an estate that allowed that specified for the cemetery. So basically that work was expended from the donation that this board accepted. uh through the finance director. And now
the idea is well, we have this funding, there's other work at other cemeteries, let's apply it there. So again, it's just a it's just allowing that $8,000 to be expended at any cemetery for preservation of headstones. >> Okay, any questions on article 24?
>> Okay, take a motion. >> I make a motion that we recommend article 24. >> Second motion. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Uh, roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Yes. >> John, >> yes.
>> And I'm a yes. >> Okay. The final financial article and final community preservation article is a transfer of $74,000 from the community preservation fund general reserve for the purchase and installation of new handicapped accessible playground equipment at Varnney Playground. Um,
this is the existing Vney Playground work that was recently done out there. Um this phase two is going in that area is indicated in the caption. Um and it's indicated here in the blue the blue and
it's what they call a uh we go round. And basically the the point here is is children of all abilities can get on to the playground equipment and and participate. So therefore you're paying for the structure as well as the surface
surrounding it. Um, and again, it'd be a welcome addition at at Barney. And so, basically, the cost component of that is the structure, the put in place surfacing, and then the site work and installation. Uh, and they did receive a $10,000 grant from the Rare Road
Foundation to reduce the cost to 74,000. >> Okay. Any questions on article 25? Okay. Make a motion. I second the motion. >> Okay,
>> we have a motion and a second. So, I roll call vote. Jeff, >> is he there? >> Jeff, we're having difficulty hearing you again. >> There you go. >> Was that a yes? Okay, Aaron.
>> Yes. >> Thanks, John. >> Yes. Yes. >> All right. Two quick remaining articles. Articles the final two on the warrant 35 and 36. 35 is utility easements for the construction of the two fire stations because we're going from overhead to Underground Conduit. Uh we're required
to grant easements to National Grid at the Old Westford Road and um Actton Road fire stations as depicted. Um, >> any questions on article 35? >> Okay, we'll take a motion. >> I'll make a motion that we recommend
article 35. >> Second motion. >> We have a motion in a second. Roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm Yes. And the final article is the street acceptance uh Proctor Road in this
instance and it's to accept the public way uh known as Proctor Road uh as our public works director and town engineer uh were working to resurface this road. They came across the fact that the road had never been accepted as a public right ofway. Um and it's again
a major arterial roadway in the town. Um and so the purpose of doing this is it allows us to increase our chapter 90 state reimbursement from the gas tax by having increased road mileage. Um so this road will be resurfaced in the um upcoming construction season.
>> Okay. Any questions on article 36. >> All right. Take a motion. >> I'll make a motion that we approve article 36. >> Second the motion. Have >> a motion and a second and we'll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes.
>> Yes. All right. So, that's done. Okay. Next on our agenda is um just a discussion about um the screening the uh request for uh applications for the screening committee for the town manager
screening committee. Um we have in our packet uh um a notice that's gone out I think it's gone out to the press, right? And it's posted on the town website soliciting applications. And then the second page is the one that was sent to
um all town employees or department heads. >> Department heads. >> Okay. All >> No, we sent it to all town employees. >> Okay. All town. >> All employees. Yeah. >> Okay. Um my understanding is there have been there's been I asked on set on Friday how many uh applications had been
received. At that time it was over 20. So we have do we are getting a good response. Um, I don't know the uh the quality or who they are or anything like that and just want to um let the community know anybody that might be
thinking of applying. Um, a lot of the work on this committee will be done during the summer. So, um, if you're going to apply, make sure you're not going to be gone for a month during the summer and not be able to participate adequately. Um, it's expected that at our next meeting, which will be in May,
either May 4th or May 11th, depending on town meeting, that's when this board will make the appointments to that screening committee. Um, and then shortly after that, the the committee will get together and start the process that they need to go through
to um to screen the applications and make recommendations for the new town manager. It's also very important that the members of the screening committee be able to hold the information that they get confidential because a some people who may be applying for the for
the position of town manager um maybe have another similar job in another community and they don't want to make it known that they're applying until until and unless they are uh determined to be one of the finalists. So I guess those
are the two basic requirements to be able to work during the summer and to maintain the confidentiality that's required of the screening committee. So anybody have any questions about the screening committee? >> Yeah. Pat, when do we discuss that
interim? >> That's we that's later on our agenda. >> So we're not we're not there yet. >> Okay. >> Okay. Next item on our agenda um is just the the town manager appointment uh policy. We've look we've
seen this a couple of times already. Um we're in the process. We're we're just at the beginning uh steps of that to to solicit the screening committee and and this and decide who's going to be on the screening committee. Um
okay. Okay. So there'll be early May appointment of the screening committee. Um also at our at our next meeting in May that one of the other things that this committee has to this board has to do is to decide if we want to instruct the screening committee to use a a
search firm. So that's something that we should consider and vote on that at our at our next meeting in May. Um uh the other thing as uh Jeff just mentioned is well that's why don't we wait on that till we get to our that's
actually a an agenda item so we'll wait on that till we get there. So that's the policy that's kind of the timeline that in May we'll do the screening committee and um see how things go from there.
So any questions on that? Okay, next is the town accountant appointment policy. Town accountant. Last week, um, I met with the town manager, the current town accountant, and the HR man, uh,
director. We, uh, made updates to the current town accountants job description to bring it up to date. Um, decided on a a posting for that position. And that posting has been it has been
made. I I've seen it posted at at least one location on the MMA website. The uh timeline for that is is much shorter as you can probably imagine. Um we've asked that applications be submitted by the end of this month and interviews would
begin in May. So hopefully we can we can possibly have a a new town accountant uh within the next couple several months. So, any questions on that? Okay. Um,
um, was it next that we had we were going to talk about the interim or was that >> Oh, that you passed over. >> You passed over it. >> Okay, you're right. I was right after that. Okay. the the acting town manager. There is a provision in the town charter
that if the uh if a new town manager is not selected before the current town manager leaves, this board has the opportunity to appointed an acting town manager for six months and then for an additional possibly an additional six months if needed. Um
I I I know we have qualified people that work within the town. In fact, Paul gives us a list of of three every year that uh would would qualify to for that position. Um and I think, you know, it's my my opinion that we should probably go
to that list to decide who should be the acting town manager. Um I'm really not ready tonight to make that decision. Um I think uh probably at our next at our also at our next meeting in May, we
could invite those three uh people if they're interested to come before us and give a two or three minute presentation. Um I'd like to know you know mainly why they want to to do the position the acting town manager and as as all of
them are currently department heads how the department would function adequately while they would uh had those responsibilities of the acting town manager. So unless anybody has another suggestion or idea that's kind of how I would like to approach it. My only
concern is one of those people is the police chief who'll be retiring on >> Well, but I still want to ask him. I, you know, >> I don't think it's fair to ask somebody who's retiring in three weeks to say, "Tell us why you want to be the acting town man." >> No, but I I wouldn't make him come in. >> Okay. >> Like I said, I would ask him if he's interested. And if he's not, then that's
fine. But I would >> How could he be interested? If I'm leaving on the 24th and he's leaving 5 days later, how could he be interested in being the act? I'm not trying to be disagreeable. I just don't I just >> Well, >> no, no, not Pat. I'm trying to be practical. I don't think it's fair to ask a department head or anybody to come
before a public body and describe their interest in a position which they'd have to vacate in five days. >> Why would he have to vacate in five days? >> Because Chief Spence is retiring. >> I understand that. But why could he not continue as the acting town manager if he decided to do to to do that? >> Because he's not only retiring as police
chief, he's retiring from the Middle Sex County retirement system. Um, and he's told me and I think anybody who's spoken to him that he intends to not work for the next three months and he's I mean I can ask him Pat. I just I just don't think it's in his I just don't think he's any interest.
>> I will I will invite >> Go ahead and ask him, but I just I just I'm just trying to >> be All right, fine. I I again I wasn't trying to do anything other than >> avoid confusion. Sorry. >> Well, okay. Anybody else have any comments?
>> There's only two then potentially that would be >> Well, no. She she thinks that she's going to convince. >> No, but that aside, I was just curious. There's only two right now that we know that were interested. Is that what you're saying? >> I don't know that they're interested. >> Oh, I thought you said they were. So, that was my misunderstanding. >> No, no, no, no. That's not what I what I
meant. Uh, we have those three on Paul's list. >> Okay. >> And those three, I think, would all make good candidates if they're interested. That's the That's the That's the thing. That's the big if. So, if only one of them is, it'll make it an
easy decision. If two of them are, then it'll be a little bit >> And what's the pro? Sorry. >> And what's >> what's the process if um they either decide that they they are interested, but it would interfere with current duties or in other words, if if we come
up with nobody, do we what are we going to do? What's the process after that? Do we know? Um >> if we I don't we don't have to discuss it now, but I just I would like to know what the path forward is after that. >> Yeah, that was where I was leading. Eron is if if they're really interested, that's good, but if they're not, then we
have another problem that we have to mitigate sooner rather than later. Right. >> Right. And and if and if they're not, then um you know, my my preference would be to put the call out to other department heads so that we keep it local because they're more likely to know. And if that also doesn't work,
there are businesses, there are consultants that would be more than willing to fill in for >> Okay. >> Um, you could probably find a retired town manager who who' be willing to do it. That's generally what happens as well. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. All right. So, any questions? Any questions? Other comments on that? >> Okay. Okay. Next. >> All right. Earmark requests. >> Yeah. Madam chair, members of the board,
back in um February, the board discussed potential earmarks in the House version of the fiscal year 27 state budget. Um and that list in a in a more detailed form than what you see on that initial memo in fe February on the screen was
distributed to the legislative delegation. The House of Representatives is scheduled to take up the budget um this month and we'll be voting by the end of the month. So, this is now the time that we pivot to the state senate uh and make similar requests. And again,
it's a different board. Um but the requests are the same. And then how the process works is you don't make the same you don't want the same earmarks in both budgets because that's all you'll get. The idea would be if you get different earmarks, you have the chance of getting both, you know, or multiple ear marks in
the request. Um, so what we've, you know, what we've shown you here is this is our history. It was of roughly $250,000 over the last three years. And then this was the the abbreviated list of that we sent off to them back in um 27 of
$280,000. And basically we allowed the representatives to choose um what it is uh that they're funding. And um and again my thought would be to send similar more detailed descriptive memo
to um listing to Senator Barrett's office. Um we did use this for the um supplemental state budget. So for example, Senator Barrett submitted the Bruce Bruce Freeman rail trail maintenance uh funding request in the state supplemental budget. Um so
obviously that would be dropped out of this and then they could choose to fund senator could choose to fund other items um of his preference in the um state budget operating budget. Uh what we tend to see is why we do this is the senators
or representatives tend to have a more of a connection to certain items than others. So, for example, we know that Senator Barrett is very much involved with climate change and global warming and and so therefore he may be more close to fund shade tree planting as opposed to council on aging, you know,
meals and so forth. So, that's that's what that's why we give him those choices and um we for years have seen Senator Representative Barcier choose the you know the senior citizen meals and so forth. So, so again, what what I'm seeking is your authorization on be
our behalf to submit this list to Senator Barrett's office because again, they'll be taking up the budget next month. >> Now, aren't the design improvements to the center traffic signalization already on that bond bill? >> Yes, that was in the House side. Yep. So, that that will be removed as well.
>> Okay. All right. Anybody have any comments, questions about this list? >> No. So we'll be submitting everything less than those two line items. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> So do you want a motion for that Paul or or you just I mean
>> whatever your com the I can just say the board Yeah. consensus is to submit the list. Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> All right. Um, next we have uh um the uh policy new policy that's been
>> this followed from our audit. I'm going to ask finance director John Souza who drafted this and and you know followed this up from our last audit report. >> Good evening madame chair, members of the board, town manager Cohen. Congratulations to both newly elected
board members. Um, tonight I'd like to propose the addition of a new section to the town's financial policies that covers uh the subject of custodial credit risk. And just to provide you with some background as a town manager said last December the state and local
government manager of our audit firm um C Clifton Larson Allen when they presented the the fiscal year 25 audit report to the select board uh one of the recommendations they made was that the town consider adopting this type of policy. And so after researching um
policies with different towns and then discussing with the town accountant Darlene Lucia um this policy was developed and then reviewed with the audit firm to to make sure it met the criteria that they were looking for. So just to describe it to you um there's basically three parts and um the first
part is it requires the treasurer collector to review um each written excuse me each financial institution where the town has town funds on deposit quarterly using a uh recognized uh bank rating service. So to give you an
example, we subscribe to very bank which is a well-known industry um subscription firm and what they do is they look at the bank's capital structure. So they look at their liquidity um you know their assets. They note if there's any federal fed uh federal
agency enforcement actions. So the benefit to the town of that is I as treasur collector wouldn't have time to monitor all those federal agencies, see if there's any FDIC actions taken. However, by using this service and and using their recommendations, I can
quickly see if there's any banks that we might do business with um that are in, you know, headed for the trouble zone. I can and they use a very um easy monitoring service uh monitoring ranking similar to a traffic light, green, yellow, and red. Um I can honestly say
I've never seen a bank that we've done businesses be in the red zone. um maybe during a deep recession a bank might teeter towards yellow on occasion but then they take actions to correct the problem. So it's just something I just
want everyone on the all the members of the board to know that it's something that we do monitor already. Um the second part uh requires the treasurer collector's office to reconcile the monthly bank statements that we receive
in a timely manner. And so the reason that you know I know it sounds um you know obvious but you want to do the reason you want the office to do that is it identifies any um you know errors or discrepancies that might be on the bank statement or the investment company
statement. And again, um, you know, I want to assure the board the in the nearly 19 years that I've been finance director treasurer, my staff and myself have always reconciled the statements um, in a timely manner. So, it's not an issue for us. And then the third part
deals with um, securities, which uh, for someone that's not in the financial, it's only going to be certain accounts such as a stabilization fund, maybe some trust funds. So basically bonds, stocks, things of that, notes that we might own must be registered in the town's name
and under the town's federal tax ID number. And the last couple of sentences of the policy, um, what it does is it makes an exception to that rule for two pulled investments that are managed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that
we participate in. The first is abbreviated P RIIT, the Pension Reserves Investment Trust, and that's um that's where our the town's OPED liability trust fund is invested. And then the second one is called the MMDT, the Mass
Municipal Depository Trust. It basically functions like a uh money market mutual fund, but it's overseen by the state treasurer, and it's managed by federated investments. And this is where we keep a lot of our smaller trust funds. And so the reason they make an exception to
that is it's kind of similar to like if you or I own a mutual fund, we receive a statement that gives an exact number of shares of that fund that we own and that's what we get from PRIT and that's what we receive from MMDT, but it's not feasible for them to list all of the
thousands of investments they own. You can go to their website and you can look at a report to to see what they own. just like we would do as mutual fund investors. We can go to someone's um you know materials online and look at it all but they don't list it all in the statement. So that's the reason that
they the policy has a carve out for those two pulled investments. But that essentially explains the policy. But I'd be glad to answer any questions from the board. >> Any questions? >> Yeah. Um thanks Ron. Just I think this
is what we're doing is we're just writing it down on the policy because I can't imagine these are not getting done already. >> Yes, exactly. I and that's our office is do already doing all these and has performed them for many years. It's just this is you know I think it it's a way
to lessen risk accord you know the audit firm likes to see things written down and I think um you know standard and pause as our bond rating firm likes to see things written down and >> yeah that makes sense appreciate
>> okay any other questions for Joan about the policy >> good >> okay as is our policy but we'll bring this forward at our next meeting um I'm sure there's not an urgency to to get implemented That's great. >> Right away. Uh and we'll vote on it then.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. Next is uh select what uh liaison and and voting member assignments. Um this is just so you have a list of what uh
liaison assignments are available. Um I don't think we're going to do anything on this tonight either. there's a a blank a list that has all of them blank and then there's another list that all that lists all the current assignments for those. So, if um
everybody could kind of take a look at at what you have now, if you want to keep those and the new folks if you want to make some notes about what you might like. Um and yeah, maybe if you could, you know, send those to me sometime in the next say week or so and then by our
next meeting I can come up with a comprehensive list that maybe will make everybody happy. I I guess my question is um do the people who already have certain assignments want to retain those assignments? Uh because I don't want to
step on anyone's toes and take something that for example Aaron or you or Jeff enjoy doing and saying I want to do that. >> Okay. So, if there are ones that you know any of the three of you really like
a lot and you know that's fine. I just that's my my feeling. >> Okay. Well, I guess what I would say then is you know if you could you know note the ones that that you like and and I can you know if if they're if they're mine and I want to give them up I will. Or then there are some that that don't
have anybody on them right now or a Pat Maloney one on those. Um, and if you if you say you really want one that that Aaron has, then I I'll just check with Aaron and see if he's willing to give it up or or if he wants to keep it. And so
we'll we'll give if there's a if if there's a contest, then the person who currently has it will win. >> Okay. >> But otherwise, it's good to, you know, change them around once in a while.
Any other questions on that? >> Not yet. >> Well, that being said, even >> on those meetings because they're public, >> I I couldn't understand a word you said. Can you say that again?
I was just saying that if um go >> well >> that that was >> um I I don't know if you can if you can clear that up. I heard less that time.
Um the it's it's really breaking up a lot. You want to try one more time? >> He's trying to log back in. come in. >> He's shown on the Zoom thing. Jeff
Christine Bruce says he's logged in, but he has no mic connection. >> Ah, okay. >> And she can't help him at the moment. >> Yeah, there's not much we can do about that. note back. >> Yeah, I guess that's what he's trying. >> Yeah.
>> All right. Well, why don't we uh move on? Uh there he is. >> There you are. >> You want to try again, Jeff? >> Yeah. I was just saying to committee, just stop them to
neighbors and learn about what's going on and report it back to us. Um, mayor, >> you might want to try turning off your video, Jeff. That's the only thing we could think might help. >> Your bandwidth issue.
I mean in our in our packet I don't know if this is something you were getting at but in our packet it does it does mention that um you know anybody can attend any of the meetings any public meeting um it's just that these assignments are are meant just to to be
there in case the that committee itself wants to reach out to the liaison to report something back to the uh to the full board >> and and it's >> yes that's exactly what I was getting at >> okay and it and it should be clear too that just because you're a a liaison
does not mean does not make you part of that committee. So you should not vote and basically you should be just like any other observer to the meeting. >> Yeah, these are mostly committee. >> Okay. So I guess we got through that. All right. Um next one is uh
elect a select board representative of the Northern Middle Sex Council of Governments. Uh this is something that is required by the by the NEMCOG u bylaws. uh supposed to be done at the first meeting after a new board is is seated. Um I have been the NEPOG
representative for many years now. Um I I do feel that um um effective in the on that council um particularly because I'm part of the U Metropolitan Planning Organization which is instrumental in um
programming federal funds for transportation projects in the region. So, I would appreciate um the support of the board to continue my service on Nco. >> So, do we make a motion now? >> Yes.
>> Um not to take anything. >> I'll make a motion that allow to continue as our representative. >> Second motion. >> Okay. So, we have a motion and a second. So, do a roll call vote. Jeff,
>> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. Dave. >> Yes. Yes. >> And I'm a yes. Thank you very much. I appreciate that. Okay. And next we have our proposed meeting schedule for the upcoming year.
Um Paul, if you want to tell us how you came up with this. >> Yeah. Uh again, a lot of what we do is cyclical. Um so again, just sort of walk you through it. We try to have two meet two meetings a month. Generally, we have to navigate around the Monday holidays
and and general holiday periods. So, again, the if all goes well with town meeting finishing in two sessions, we would meet on May 4th. If town meeting were to go to a third session, then you you'd just in the back of your mind have that we would go to the 11th. And the reason is is because of Memorial Day in
May, the only way you're going to get two meetings in would be the 4th, 11th, and 18th because the fourth Monday is the 25th, which is Memorial Day. And as we noted earlier, there's a lot of things that you've got to be appointing and doing in May. So you don't want to just go with, oh, we'll just go with the safe thing and pick 11th or 18th. All
right, so that's May. June, uh, again, you see three dates. And again, you're trying to pivot there around the 4th of July holiday. So again, you can go the every other date, you jump over Memorial Day Monday, so you're back to the second week, which would be the first. Um, traditionally, that's time the board
would do its goals. Um the 15th is the board has recent years has met every six months with its legislative delegation. You also have to do the annual um board and committee appointments because most of those appointments run to the fiscal year. Um and then the 29th um again
pivoting around the 4th of July holiday. It's also you need to be meeting because the finance director is going to be going out with bond council and our borrowers to do the bond sale for all the items that were may be approved at spring town meeting. um including the
you know fire station and so forth for permanent borrowing. Um so then that brings you past the fourth of July. Um and generally the board has tried to go with a lighter schedule in the summer and so recent years we've gone with one meeting in July. So that would be on
July 20th. Um what takes place in that time normally be the town manager and town accountants performance appraisal. Obviously, your town accountant will still be here and you have to adjust your compensation level with the fiscal year. So, you would do her performance appraisal in July. Then you move into
August and now you're sort of looking at the Labor Day holiday at the other end. So, again, you'd meet the 10th. Uh so, you can see the three weeks between the 20th uh and July and August 10th uh and then two weeks till August 24th. Then you're pivoting uh and that's when you
start seeing the drafts of the fall town meeting warrant because the board has to sign the warrant at its first meeting in September to meet the third meeting third week in October's uh fall town meeting date as per our bylaws. So again, you get the drafts of the warrant
in your two meetings in August. Then you're signing it again the first Monday after Labor Day is is the 14th this year. Um, so you'd sign the warrant on the 14th of September. Then you'd meet two weeks later to make your recommendations because you'd then run
into the um a meeting on October 5th because you're which is the following week because you're pivoting around the Columbus Day holiday and the fall town meeting date which are subsequent weeks. So then again, assuming town meeting only goes two sessions, you meet the October 26 date. uh which again if then
you go into November and the reason you're going to meet in November again you're pivoting around Thanksgiving but you got to start your property tax classification hearing which has a night of hearing then it's continued and then you do the vote and the reason you have to do that in November is so that the tax collector who's our finance director
can get the bills printed and issued by the end of December. So again, those meetings would be in November and then in December, you you know, you've navigated through Thanksgiving. Now you're looking at Christmas. So that you would meet the um first meeting Monday in in December, which again is
traditionally the time board has its second semianual meeting with the legislative delegations as well as your annual license approvals because those run on a calendar year for all your liquor and common victual licenses. Uh and then there's typically been a trio board meeting the that second Monday in
in December which is the school committee, select board and finance committee to discuss the upcoming fiscal year operating and capital budgets. Then you'd come back the following Monday. So three meetings in a row in December for the audit presentation and final report
on the ARPA monies because those have to be expended by the end of the calendar year by the federal law. You then navigate around the Christmas and New Year's holiday to meet on Monday, January 11th. And then and then when you come back after the King holiday on the 25th, you start doing your first draft
of the Springtown meeting warrant. Two weeks later, you do the second draft uh and presentation of the operating capital budgets by the town manager. Uh and then you navigate around the um President's Day holiday to sign the warrant for this spring annual town meeting and town election. And then you
have your two meetings in March. um which are spaced three weeks apart because you you got to be navigating around the election date. You don't want to be meeting the night before the election and therefore you then uh would then have the reorg meeting on April 8th and
then a year from now this meeting on April 12th, 2027. So that's the outlay and is as always noted this schedule can change you know subject to to reality or you know happening. So, but that's sort of a good outline be and the reason is
is you you particularly the staff, they need to be out a couple meetings in advance if they're scheduling license hearings and bid awards and other items. So, that's that's the best we can give you at this point in time in terms of an overview. Again, most importantly for summer vacation stuff, one meeting in
July, two meetings in August. Um, go from there. >> Yeah. And and as Paul said, if we need to adjust um and if we have if in the summertime nothing's there, we can we can always skip a meeting.
>> And then also realize at some point, as was noted earlier, some point you're going to be having a special meeting to be interviewing town managing candidates and and you know, and also dealing with the town accountant position. >> We are we to your reports now, I think.
>> Yeah. real real quick. Um I just a few items as we enter our fourth hour. Um just put this up in case. Okay, the first one again a lot of this is grant awards and again I want to recognize the
effort by department heads who make this possible and bring money in that otherwise either wouldn't get done or would be paid for by the taxpayers. The first one is our fire chief has obtained a $24,380 um grant from the uh Commonwealth
Department of um fire services for for public fire safety equipment u for the upcoming year and chief I'm drawing a blank that is for replacement of >> thermal imag >> thermal imaging cameras. Yeah. So, um, again, want to thank the chief and just
recognize that and and recognize the efforts. Um, the next one is our sewer rate relief award. And this this has been an annual one that's been funded by the Commonwealth. Um, and our finance director, John Souza, has been applying and receiving funding from this grant
program for almost 20 years. This year, sadly, amount, the amount is $84. It's the lowest amount we've ever seen. Um, but we're eligible for it. So, it's $84. Otherwise, people would be paying in sewer bills. They ought to call it the
um the MWR of sewer rate relief reward because you can see the of the uh funding that's approved of 1.5 million. The MWR gets 1.234 million. Um, so obviously what's happened over time is the money that the
state's been able to put into this program has diminished. Um, but you know, if you don't get the $84, it's going to go to somebody else. So, again, thank John. I mean, over the years, in all seriousness, we've received well over six figures uh multiple six figures
on this. And, you know, also our sewer debt is declining. So, that's another reason why the award amount um is so minor. Um, and then next one. >> Go ahead, Jeff.
I thought it was a typo. >> Thought it was a typo. >> You found a typo. Okay. >> You thought it was >> I thought it was a typo. No, it's not a typo. Um the next one is from um from um from
e work done by our our um let's make sure I got that. our community development director, um Evan Balansky, he obtained a um hazard and mitigation grant award in the amount of
$35,000 from the Commonwealth um Department of Administrative Services um which is needed to update our hazard mitigation plan. We're required to update our hazard mitigation plan every 10 years in order to comply for federal relief money or state relief money. It's
also a good thing for practical that you're updating your hazardous plan. And so, uh, Evan received that grant award, um, again since our last meeting. Uh, as I noted earlier, we also had a Senator Barrett's office, Senator Barrett
through his office submitted a $25,000 earmark for the Bruce Freeman rail trail maintenance um which again was was um suggested by our public works director that was included in the um supplemental budget that's now in conference committee. So, I think my discussion
with the staff is it's expected that this money will remain and come out of the project. Um and then um couple other things to note. Um the Northern Middle Sex Council of Governments recently held
a um meeting with but hosted a meeting with Nasher and Low officials regarding the possible extension of the commuter rail from Lel to Nasha. Um that was on March 31st.
Um the this is a beginning of a long process. Um the initial work th this rail trail expansion issue has been on and off in the 20 years I've been here in Prague before that. Um the idea is to commute
the extend the commuter rail from its terminus in l ideally initially was up to the Manchester airport and even beyond that it was to conquer but more recently it's been to the Manchester airport. The idea that you could have transit going from travels going from the airport to the
you know to the other airport uh as well as those coming. In more recent years, the University of Lel has expressed an interest in having a rail stop uh at its campus near Pakucka Boulevard um near where the Humane Society is, if you're familiar with that area of LOL. Um so
why I'm notifying you this is this effort has now been truncated by this current iteration to extending it to Nasha, which would involve obviously consideration of stops in North Chsford, Kingsboro, and Nasha. Um and um you know
there there'll be another meeting taking place in May. Uh and again there's a lot of work that will have to be done on this and you know NIMCOG is pursuing through um state funding to see if they can fund a feasibility study and that description is in here and obviously in
the national end they're trying to get funding at their component. So it's just more to increase awareness of this board. It's also was discussed uh at the vinyl square strategic action plan committee because commuter rail stop there has always been a consideration
out there. So again more to come and as we know Pat will continue now to serve on Nimcog and I'm sure if anything comes out of it from that way um or from our planning board rep and our alternate I did appoint reappoint Doug Bruce as our alternate rep um per requirements of the
NIMCOG bylaws. Um, so again, just bringing you up to date on what's going on with commuter rail expansion efforts and I'm nearing the end. Um, I I have the monthly double pole report. Um, the the thing to note there is the
numbers were are nominally much higher than than last month, but this is what happens when they take on a new project. So we have we have a total now of 85 double polls which is a massive increase of 24 from the prior month even though
four double polls were removed um and obviously 31 being added. And where they where it occurred, as I noted in my memo, is if you go out Route 3A or Tingsboro Road at the Tingsboro Chford line, you will see new taller uh utility
poles um on both sides of the of the u the town boundary as well as some of the adjacent side roads. This obviously was an effort by National Grid for pole replacement and probably electricity power enhancement because the poles are tall. They have the three-phase across
on the top. The most recent time we experienced this was in the center here on Bela Road in front of this building to the center and National Grid did move relatively quickly with the other utilities to remove those double poles. So, we'll hope that that will take place with these double poles in the town as
well. Um I you know I did reach out as I noted here to Comcast and Verizon um who have you know over 30 double poles where the ball they're next to move on the projects to um keep the ball moving and get these double poles removed.
Verizon's usually the last one to remove as well as that National Grid can help us with these third parties because you can see there's um there's 36 third party double poles um which are provided you know that through national grid um
so that's it and then my um >> well real quick >> just so we don't have to come back to polls >> first of all I know it's like whack-a-ole >> y >> um but I noticed the other day and I knew we were talking about this tonight the double pole here in the corner of Wilson. Yeah. And
>> and I noticed that >> it's um it's a line of sight issue. >> Okay. So, when you try to turn left, which I make that left often enough, um there are times where like I have to lean back a little bit, but then I can't see on the right. I have to lean
forward. And now, again, I'm not saying it's like a major safety issue. It's got to be done tomorrow. >> No, but I can ask them to prioritize it. Yeah. >> Yeah. Definitely one that I would just think line of sight ones would be a concern versus you know something along the side. >> Okay. >> I I will reach out to them.
>> And then the last thing that I wanted to form you about is speaking of double polls as I provided you with this copy of this lengthy DP Department of Public Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities notice. The important thing to note is they are um conducting hearings
on numerous poll connection issues including double polls uh over the next several weeks. Um I have not seen a summary from the Mass Municipal Association that could put in English what it is they're considering, but I do know that this is one of the governor's priorities and the municipal reform act
and others to basically have a time limit. I think it's six months on double pole removal. Uh and therefore that the actors have to do their perform their work uh in a timely manner because if you gave every attacher six months, you know, it' be three and a half years. So
I think there's an effort here to hopefully address this long-standing issue of double holes. So that concludes my report for this evening. Madam Chair, >> can you have an appointment? I do have one appointment is to the bicycle and pedestrian advisory committee and it's to appoint Wesley Mayor Mather Wesley
Mather um for a term ending June 30th 2028. >> Okay. Any questions on this appointment? If not, we'll take a motion. I'll make I'll make a motion that
>> appoint Wesley Mather to the bicycle or the bike path. >> Second the motion. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. So, roll call vote. Jeff, >> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> Yes.
>> Um, yes. All right. Next is uh meeting minutes from March our March 30th meeting. Um the folks who were here and participated in that meeting um they have a hope they had a chance to look at those minutes
um and if any edits corrections >> jumped out. >> All right. So take a motion on that. >> Make a motion that we approve the minutes from March 30th. >> Second. Okay. We have a motion and a second. So, roll call vote. Jeff,
>> yes. >> Aaron, >> yes. >> Dave, >> yes. >> John, >> yes. >> And I'm Yes. Thank you. >> All right. >> So, we just leave this here. >> Yeah, we'll take it. Yeah, we'll take it. >> That it. All right. Leaison reports. Um,
John, do you have any? >> Not yet. >> You don't have any assignments? >> How about you, Dave? No. >> All right. So, we have two with no no liaison reports. Aaron, you want to go next? >> Um, yeah, the only um uh meeting I was
able to attend was the uh the last planning board meeting. Um, and it was a lot of uh it was a lot of prep for the um the zoning articles that are coming up and some of the future work they're taking on. Um and uh we're you know
we're still pursuing the the managed growth strategy. Um uh John and um Mike are co-chairs and we're in a little li little bit of a limbo right now waiting on some um grant funding that um Evan is writing for us to get some money from
NIMCOG. Um but you know that that work will continue on. Um and that's pretty eager about that. But that's the only report I have for tonight. >> Okay. Jeff, anything? >> Yeah, at recognizing the late hour, I
will spare everybody the weekly begging for members to join the parade committee, but I did want to mention one thing um that about the cemetery. One of our committee members, Kirk Marshall, lost his mother last week, and I want to make sure we this board extends their
condolences to the family. >> Okay. Thanks. Um, okay. So, I have a few. Uh, this week is when the, uh, the author of Chumsford's one book is going to be at the library on Thursday evening at 6 PM.
Ben Chadic will be there talking about his book. And if you have the book and you want him to sign it, he will be here be there to do that. They ask that you register. You can register by going to the library website. Um, uh, also condolences to the Weissfelt family. Uh,
Barbara Weissfeld passed away this past week. Um, you may remember her as the as the wife of select board member Stuart Weisfeld, but she also served as a library trustee. So, she was a a a town elected official. So, condolences to
that family. And I also want to mention last week the uh Chancellor Police Foundation had their annual um award ceremony and they uh um awarded the following um staff members uh different awards.
There was a meritorious service award for life saving to patrol officer Corey Detramont. M meritorious service award for outstanding performance of duty to Lieutenant Steven Frederick's sergeant uh Matthew Fernol detective Jeffrey Blejett K9 officer David Leo detective
Dave Brian Yubili patrol officer O'Keefe to Detective Derek Hill patrol officers Christopher Robinson Robert Rear andrew Robinson and Landon Robinson a meritorious service award for outstanding performance of duty and community engagement with social media
to patrol officer Aiden Gillis and community appreciation awards to school resource officers Daniel Sullivan, David Lindstead, and Ashley Rous. And that is all I have for this evening. So, I'll take one more motion. >> I'll make a motion. Will you
>> second the motion? >> All right. A motion and a second. So, last roll call vote. Jeff. >> Absolutely. >> Aaron? >> Yes. >> Dave? >> Yes. Yes. >> And I'm a yes. Thank you. We are adjourned.