Quite frankly. >> Sure sure. >> I'll come right back if I don't find him. >> Well, he's right out the front door. I didn't say anything. >> I didn't say anything. I thought maybe you couldn't hear what we were talking about.
>> No, I couldn't. You guys just came on, sincerely. >> Jeff left his book at home and Sarah was going to >> I have my book with me. >> No, not Jeff, John. John left his book at home and Sarah was going to bring it. But apparently she's not here yet, but he's waiting at the door, so we're going
to try to get him back up here and we can get our meeting going anyway. I mean, the agenda's >> Hey, Senator. >> posted late there. >> Nice to see you. This is where we are right now. >> Hi. >> Well, Gabe can share his laptop with
him, right? >> Okay. >> It's on my friend. How are you? Good to see you. >> See you. >> You look You look younger, spryer, whatever. >> Well, you're the first person to tell me I look younger. That's great. >> It's always good to see you. >> What's that?
>> You thought we were going to get >> Yes, I did. That's my excuse. Jimmy, you set a a example for me. >> Yes. >> I want to shake your >> All right, folks. >> Senator, come on. >> [laughter] >> Okay, being it's a little after 6:00, I'm going to call to order this June
15th, 2026 meeting of the Charlestown Select Board. And if you would join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag >> of the United States of America. >> And to the republic for which it stands, >> one nation, indivisible, >> with
liberty and justice for all. >> Okay, and just a reminder that this meeting is being broadcast [clears throat] live by Charlestown Telemedia and recorded for later re-broadcast. Um one of our members this evening is joining us remotely, uh Jeff Hardy, and we have another member who is on his
way, John Curley, and should be here shortly. In the meantime, we have our um we have 75% of our legislative delegation here in the room. We have Senator Mike Barrett and Representatives Jim Arciero and Simon Cataldo.
Um and they uh come twice a year generally to talk to us about what's going on at the State House and finance us good news, we hope. So, uh we will open it up to you folks to give an update. So, Senator Barrett, if you'd like to begin.
>> Well, well, thank you very much and thank you for having all of us. It's uh good to be here this evening, and I want to compliment the board. Um we we are not invited by all our towns uh for these every other year Hi, John. These every other year gatherings, and
And is good to to hear from you folks, as well as to report. Um we are um likely I think I'll rely on the representatives to correct me, but I think for the first time in many years we are likely to see a state budget in place by July 1st.
That's speculation on my part, but there are reasons political reasons uh why both chairs of Ways and Means Committees I I think are going to be attentive to deadlines. There don't seem to be serious policy differences outside sections that might keep the two branches
apart. So, while we often blow by this July 1st thing with no permanent damage, but with some some occasional embarrassment to us, I think this may be a situation where we avoid even the embarrassment. And that means that uh
local aid and all the other appropriations will be made available that much sooner to Chelmsford uh and to neighboring towns. So, that I think I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about that. Um the uh you know about local aid figures
because we've we've talked about those previously, although I will uh expect that uh my House colleagues will talk about that again. I do want to say that probably this week, later this week the Senate will
release its major climate and energy policy bill. There are some items of particular interest to Chelmsford and other communities in that proposed legislation, which which is always a a big deal in the sense that there are about a hundred different
sections or ideas in the House bill, and probably a similar number in the Senate. Um among the things that will be of interest to communities, for example, will be um provisions that lift some restrictions that currently exist, and this is and this is in the House bill, but but I
hope we can mimic it in the Senate and add some refinements, too, but there's a there's a limit on municipal solar, the amount of solar that each community can put uh it's 10 megawatts, which is
substantial, but not extraordinary. So, a number of communities are putting enough solar on schools, uh police departments, fire departments, recycling, uh and uh intermodal facilities, so that they're exceeding their 10 megawatts
of electricity they can generate for town purposes. So, we hope to lift that cap. I I do want to give the house a lot of credit. It's in the the house bill. I think Representative Collo may have may have put it in there. Um and that's a good thing. There are other
limitations of various kinds on town solar that uh will be lifted, too. Uh here's another provision that will be of particular interest to municipalities, conceivably, uh and I think this may be in the house bill. I can't quite recall. Uh
we make provision for microgrids. Uh essentially, town grids that would power critical municipal facilities and other non-public facilities. It could be
a hospital, a doctor's office, a uh maybe a religious institution. You would determine what's crucial. We just make it easy for you essentially to provide a kind of backup in the case of power outages that would be town controlled. Uh
and the final thing I'll mention that is in keeping with this general theme is that we're also trying to create the possibility, although this will be some years off, of a a town owning a a geothermal heat loop.
This is essentially ground-mounted uh heat pumps of the kind you're familiar with that could uh loop in a school, um a municipal building, maybe a nearby nonprofit. Uh We want to uh
create pilot programs so that Chelmsford effectively could operate uh these network heat pumps. I won't go into the technology. Some of you know what this consists of, but I'm pleased to see that this there's a possibility here of a new municipal facility
fundamentally that has some real money-saving advantages over time. Um with that, I want to yield to my colleagues, but um in general um and Lord knows there are different areas where we where we're falling short, including the governor's
uh municipal empowerment bill that I think all of us support, but uh within the climate and energy domain where costs these days are rising quickly due sometimes due to international events, we hope to put into your hands a number of tools that
you might find useful over the years. So, with that, I'll close. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Uh I I have a few things, and then I I believe the chair provided like a list of >> Correct. >> items that we can touch on. I think the uh the representative and the senator and I afterwards. Two things I wanted to touch on
was, [snorts] you know, certainly the senator talked about it right now. We're sort of in the midst of the budget process. Um you know, looking to get things done on time. I know that it hasn't always been the case, but uh we feel like we're moving in the right direction towards that. Secondly, uh this session I've
I've uh had the opportunity to be the chair of the Transportation Committee. So, that's brought me across the state on a number of different issues um that are important to cities and towns. And one of them, the one of the most important things we do as legislators, um is vote for the Chapter 90 road and bridge repair bill.
Um this is something we do every session. Um in this particular session, we were able to bond out and and make sort of a larger package um with benefits to the to communities across the state. First is the fact that the formula for Chapter 90
is established essentially by you know, employment and then looking at a factor of employers and you know, types of positions that are there and and how much is out there. Road miles, how many you know, roads are actually
have to be repaired and improved upon. And then and then we look essentially at population. And so this particular year looking towards more regional equity for not just the cities but but certainly the more rural towns and the smaller towns across the across the Commonwealth. We
added additional a hundred million dollars to road miles alone. So for cities and towns that don't have large employers particularly or they have a lot of road miles and they have they have less of of the traditional category. We've been able to invest more and and
do a lot more than we have in the history of the Commonwealth. Secondly, both bills combined provide the Commonwealth for cities and towns about six billion dollars of different infrastructural improvements through grant programs,
also through a number of different programs that cities and towns can opt into. One of them being the culvert repair across the state. I'll tell you before I became the chair of this committee, I didn't I guess I didn't really know what a culvert was. And but culverts and small bridges we
have 21,000 across the state. A lot of them are in disrepair and a lot of them have gone overlooked over those years. So that's one piece of of this Chapter 90 bill that's been improved that we're really you know, excited to move forward with and build upon and I think there's a lot of opportunities for the town of Chelmsford for the
surrounding towns to look at this bill and see how it benefits you. Secondly, and I'll just talk about this within my space cuz it's transportation. Um is we've seen since the pandemic since sort of post pandemic if you will, the proliferation
of e-bikes and a lot of motorized scooters, etc. Well, I've been on this with members of the House and the Senate and and experts in the fields of biking and the fields of public safety. I've been on a commission for the last year
looking towards getting our arms around, you know, the speed of these vehicles in in municipal ways, on shared use paths, on sidewalks. And we not too long ago just heard the bill that the that the governor had filed. And I'll talk about that in one
sec, but essentially what we were looking at was about a year ago we had two doctors in from Mass General who testified and talked about how a year ago about once a month you had a young a young child under 12 that's getting
hurt and coming in for serious injuries. And now it's once a week. So, this bill is going to focus on categorizing by speed these vehicles. Number one, number two, it's going to look at education and educating the
public on, you know, exactly where the prohibitions are for for these vehicles, but also creating accountability. So, we're looking towards a certificate program where it'd be like a registration sticker that could that could actually be as like a QR code on e-bikes.
And third would be enforcement. And so, how how are we going to be able to enforce this on shared use paths and looking at sidewalks, etc. where people have the opportunity or not opportunity to get hurt. So, that is something that's in our committee right
now. We anticipate that bill moving forward. It's in the Senate, so the Senate will have the first crack on it. But I've had a lot of calls probably more so than I would have anticipated from people in our district about this. So, just giving you an update on where we are with that. >> Okay. Thanks.
Simon, you want to give us an update on anything of interest to you before we get to the list that we >> Yeah, we >> sent sent to you. >> yep. >> Uh thanks, Madam Chair, and I'll be brief and just want to note that it's uh nice to be with all of you, of course, but especially David, uh John, and John
for the first time. This I'm almost having a triple take now. It's uh >> [laughter] >> uh new new and somewhat old faces, but but new faces certainly in this setting, and it's great to be here, and uh I just want to note for the record something that we've said a number of times over the past few years how exceptional the
leadership of this town has been in communicating with us, and many of those most important conversations are during these meetings, uh where you all set out kind of our marching orders about what we need to be focused on, questions that we ask about the board's position, and you may not know on the spot, but you get back to
us. Uh that has worked really, really well and made our jobs easier during budget time, especially, uh but also during all parts of the legislative calendar. So, I just want to uh thank you for that. One thing that I will just very briefly flag, uh there's going to be an environmental bond bill coming to
the house. The Senate has had its turn it on it, and I have heard from a number of residents in Chelmsford and leaders in Chelmsford, from the planning board and not on the planning board, about some some provisions of concern related to local control of wetlands and other
water uh related uh regulations, and uh the governor's bill in in efforts to streamline housing production, um takes some shots at cutting down on local control on that issue. I have let
that be be known. I I serve as vice chair of of that committee that uh the bill will be coming through, in Environment and Natural Resources. So, I wanted to just thank uh the members of the planning board and other residents in Chelmsford who have reached out. Uh they're not the only folks in my district, but uh they're making that
position be known, and that's very helpful me in the discussions I've had. So, with that, I'm happy to turn it over to the chair's questions, and thanks again for sending them in advance. >> Okay, and and I also want to thank thank all, you know, all all four of you, even Representative Elliott, who is not here,
for the the earmarks that you invariably put in the the budgets for us. You know, there those are things that otherwise would probably never get funded, or if they would, they're way down the line, and and it's you know, most of them are I really not that significant money-wise, quite frankly,
but they are important. They're very, you know, high-profile to us, so we appreciate that. So, I guess we can just start at the top of the list, the first one being the the compensation for firefighter Nick Spinelli. I mean, everybody knows about that, and you know, I know there was last week, I guess it was last week when
the the public hearing was held. I did try to join it, and for whatever reason, the Zoom link was not working for me, but I know I understand that that you folks did participate, and the fire chief, and members of the union. So, any update on that you can give us.
>> Thank you. And for just for back on for members of the public, this was a bill that we had to craft, the legislative delegation, House Counsel, the Governor's Office, and with the help of Town Council. So, thank you to Town Council for helping with this,
because it is an unusual situation in terms of the legislature having to figure out a way to bypass certain procedures that a town would normally go through with a home rule petition. So, because of that, by law, the Governor, rather than the legislature,
filed this bill. We we figured out that was going to be the best path. So, the bill was filed, it still had to go to committee, so it was assigned to the committee, Joint Committee on Public Service. The committee held its hearing on an expedited basis, even though it's a
late-filed bill, we were able to get that hearing to take place. Thank you to the town for weighing in. Folks, firefighters, folks from the PFFM came to the hearing. The legislative delegation testified. So, at this point, that bill is going to go through the
rest of its process. I think everyone is aware of the sense of urgency and folks have been really good at making sure that we're aware of the timeline. I think we're trying to get this done as quickly as possible despite the fact that it's a
bit of an unusual situation. Everyone understands this needs to get done. If either of my colleagues have anything else to weigh in on that. >> Not too much, Simon, but but certainly was an all hands-on deck. >> [clears throat] >> We all worked together to get this done. There was no real pride of authorship.
We just wanted to get things done and and and help, you know, certainly this individual who's given his life to this community. And so, that was foremost our our most important objective. Secondly, is the fact that we feel that things will move
swiftly through the process. Sometimes it always doesn't look that way with things that we deal with, but we feel confident in that. >> Yeah, I know swift is swiftly through the process is you know, debatable when working with the government. I mean, at any level. We understand that. >> Or the budget usually.
>> [laughter] >> Okay. The next is the the right safe act and this you know, we touched on briefly about the the e-bikes and I know John was one that had I guess he he walks the or maybe even rides the the rail trail a lot.
>> Yes. >> So, he's interested in >> [laughter] >> in this one. >> So, you know, so it So, my daughter's 10 and very into riding bikes these days and I'll tell you on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail anytime we get on there, we're looking left, right, and left center
because people are cruising through there. I would wanted to say one more thing about that. Chelmsford Chelmsford was forward-thinking on this issue because the police department in Chelmsford had put out a bunch of YouTube videos about the law that
existed now and how to get your arms around this law and and what we can and can't do and the sort of prohibitions that would need to happen in order to make it more safe environment. So that I found that um helpful in the initial stages of our sort of information gathering. Um not a lot of not a lot of
police departments have done that. So shout out to Chelmsford. And secondly, uh again, this bill is going to be headed towards the Senate. Um so we're going to have to wait for, you know, that debate and how things go there before before we do get it here. But one
one piece about conference committees, uh I know that the August >> Would you like some water? >> Oh, no, thank you. Uh the conference committees uh and, you know, how sometimes you run out of time. Uh just to sort of double down on the fact that our rules this year allowed us, if we initiate a
conference committee, we can move all the way up until January. We're not going to stop the conference discussion in in August. So that's one thing that's a little bit different on the rules this year. >> Okay. I mean, you know, you had mentioned earlier about the different um sequences of it. And and one thing that I find I I don't know how it's going to
work and I'd be interested in in hearing the concept is is the enforcement. I mean, you can set up all the rules you want, but if there's not somebody there to enforce it and it's hard on the on the rail trail because, you know, the police are not a continuous presence there. We do see them there periodically, but
>> The two major things we did is probably the smartest thing we did as legislators is said, we don't have all the answers. So we're far we're we're creating a commission A on the accountability piece. And so the concept would be a decal. If you're going, you know, um
over 20 miles an hour in a second tier, 20 to 30 miles an hour, um we're looking at creating a decal, which would be a QR code to put on your bike. That's number one for sort of accountability pieces, but on the enforcement end, very difficult. And so,
the recommendation we had on the commission, and the recommendation we've had from um folks in the law enforcement space, is to let them come together in a commission to hash out best practices and figure out how to make this work. And that's what we're going to do. We're not going to come out uh with this sort
of uh omnibus piece of legislation and have all the answers on how they have to enforce. And then very often those those types of um ways of deliberating it legislatively don't work. So, we we certainly want to hear from the people that do the work, and we have on the commission, but that additional sort of
working group would come up with those recommendations. >> Okay. >> And let me just I I just add that we've got the Bruce Freeman uh through through part of our district as well, but also the the Minuteman Rail Trail has been open for years uh
through uh Bedford, Lexington, Arlington, down to Alewife. And I just want to echo Jim's observation. There may not be uh an effective enforcement scenario that's affordable. In other words, towns may not want to deploy
um folks who could write tickets, for example. But occasional enforcement, spot enforcement uh days where officials capable of writing tickets for speeding on uh these mobile devices uh
might be helpful, but it's it is pricey. Um I look forward to the day it could happen where you ask us to sponsor an earmark in the budget to pay for a part-time um uh official capable of issuing citations. It may not be a full-fledged
police officer, could be somebody else, but you may we may want to experiment with spot enforcement because ongoing enforcement of a serious kind is going to be very expensive. The only other thing I I will note from
watching the Minuteman Rail Trail where there was a lot of speeding and a lot of kids to Jim's point endangered is that norms matter. So, disapproval of speeders just sort of public a little public criticism of a little rousing as the
speeder goes by might be as important as anything else. The folks who are speeding in many cases, not always, but in many cases are trying to get to work. They're using a rail trail to get to a place of employment that might be 10 miles away. My home happens to be
very near the Minuteman Rail Trail. It is 9 miles from Air Wife. So, folks living even further out in Bedford are commuting to work down to the subway in that case and um
that's what makes the speeding such a a repeated problem and again difficult to enforce. So, a lot of it is going to be um making people realize over time that they're putting the rest of us in peril.
That's going to be a part of this, too. >> Okay. Thank you. Um [clears throat] what about a home rule petition on the second generation anticoagulant rodenticides? Anybody want to talk about that? >> [laughter]
>> So, this is this is also a bill that's come through the environment and natural resources committee. Uh the committee reported favorably a statewide redraft to give to give local control on this. And this
is going to be something that is dealt with on a statewide basis either through a statewide ban or through the allowing all municipalities to make, uh, to ban rodenticides similar to the home rule
petition from Chelmsford. So, uh, the Senate, I believe, has, through its environmental bond bill, passed the latter. Um, so, it would allow communities to ban rodenticides, and, uh, ours our bond bill is going to be
coming up soon. So, uh, the House's choice of policy on that issue will be coming up soon. Um, I was very happy that we were able to pass the bill through through the House, um, in the committee, which is, I think, you know, a good sign for where we land on this. This is another issue where
there's been really exceptional advocacy from members of the community in Chelmsford. Obviously, New House Wildlife Refuge is here. There are a lot of folks, uh, who care about the issue. Um, so, uh, we should have the answer on that very soon. And, as I said, I think it's
going to be a statewide uh, a statewide bill that will provide the the answer for Chelmsford. >> Okay. I mean, that's I think that's always a better solution for for most things that that go before you, you know. But, >> Yeah, and we see that. I mean, you know,
oftentimes towns will file a home rule to like initiate a conversation knowing that, you know, it's a little bit of a Hail Mary that this bill is going to pass on this on it being a statewide issue. But, I agree. I I think there's a lot of momentum cuz there's been other cities and towns that have filed home rules as well cuz
it's one of those issues that it it really connects with a lot of people, and people get it. From my daughter or younger people all the way up to um, generationally. So, I I think it's one issue that I really I feel confident that we're going to get it done if if not this session, next. >> Okay.
And and >> Several live animals came and testified at the State House >> [laughter] >> about this bill. >> Okay. I guess that's what >> they said. Yeah, he something. >> So, kind of staying on the environmental theme is the the bottle bill, you know, I I think I ask about that every every
single time you you you come here about you know, either well, increasing it increasing >> 5 cents >> the additional 5 cents and >> expanding >> expanding it to water bottles and and you know, non-carbonated beverages. Any chance of that being stated?
>> on that one I'm I'm I regret to say are are poor. Pat, I know >> I don't like hearing that. >> [laughter] >> Th- This is one instance where um the the opposition, which is small
business people. So, these are folks who operate liquor stores, convenience stores and would have to have some sort of storage capacity square feet on their premises because these bills as
written permit me to return an item to a place that sold it. Um once you have a a network of small business people talking about what they're paid for rent and how much square feet would then have
to not go to selling products, but storage and recycling instead, you have a powerful constituency in the other direction. The committee that I chair, effectively the climate committee um it's called telecommunications, utilities, and energy
has passed bottle bills for about 6 years in a row. We've put them on on Senate climate vehicles because they obviously would help a great deal and since most of these plastics are petrochemically based
and uh essentially encourage us to be over dependent on oil-based products we wanted to do something. But uh this this grassrootsy ambivalence on the part of the small business community
has been enough to always defeated and we've tried various strategies because we appreciate that there's real hardship here. This is not This is not fake news the opposition on the basis of of a lack of storage capacity. It is a real problem and one
that we've been unable to to overcome. We funded recycling centers, transfer stations, middleman basically so that um they at least can stay in the business they're in, but I don't need to tell you
guys cuz we read about it occasionally that part of the problem too is the decline in a market for the resulting product. If you haven't got folks who who they're they're still a decent demand worldwide and nationwide for aluminum
cans. Um but uh plastic including many kinds of colored plastics are less valuable. Um we used to um recycle a lot of newsprint. Uh if you want to talk about recycling in general, but with the decline of printed
newspapers the demand for that product is down. So we're to a surprising degree there are intricacies involved in on the market side of of a plastics recycling um and container recycling that further
add to the the bearish prospects for making these things work economically because the recycled product is reusable and and there's sufficient demand for it. So I am this is the year the first year in
six-pack where the Senate climate bill will not involve a bottle bill, an expansion of the nickel to a dime and uh the expansion of the universe of containers covered, we, um, we haven't been able to get,
um, all the way through in the past, uh, and I think, uh, at least for the So, this will not be a a part of of the Senate vehicle. >> You know, what's interesting, Chair? I We've probably talked about this for like 20 years, right? We've heard one version of this, etc.
Uh, but I look back I look back a few decades or even a decade ago, and you think about where Chelmsford stands near the New Hampshire border, you know, Westford, Littleton, this whole region. I felt like there was this pushback economic pushback of the
concern of going over the border to spend money in the blue law situation, and that that sort of argument has dissipated over the last 10 years, and I think with the enormity of the climate issues that we have to deal with. So, I haven't really heard that other argument like we we heard for so many years, and
I think the conversation about the expansion is not is not uh necessarily uh uh, you know, a how it's going to be a win. >> Well, I hope it's a win that's not not too much longer, but >> Certainly. We're all getting older. >> We waited 20 years.
>> [laughter] >> All right. The next item on our list is is one uh Don Sousa, you might have more information on this than I do if you want to >> Sure, thank you. Um, our police chief uh Police Chief Hanigan asked me to relay the importance of this to all of you. I know um I'm sure you've heard about it
in other communities. So, between 20 to 25% of all calls that the police department responds to involve some type of individuals having a mental health issue. So, he had just asked me just to relay the importance of continuing the jail diversion program, specifically that mental health behavioral because
the clinician position because, um, he had received a memo from the Mass Department of Mental Health saying that if the state budget wasn't able to be enacted by July 1st, they would probably fund the clinician for a 75-day period, but he it's just so important to them
because they would much rather get someone that's having a substance abuse or an alcohol problem or any other issue or emotional problem the help they need rather than have to you know, have that person go through the criminal justice system and >> Yeah, that's not lost on us. Um, the
program is usually about $400,000 per year. Um, it's a grant program. And it's a competitive grant program that's been out there. So, um, this is something that, you know, over the last 7 years, probably since police reform and moving forward is this whole idea of of a
different viewpoint on you know, on police work and and having social workers and and people that to sort of de-escalate situations and work to de-escalate situations. So, we we completely understand and and we support, you know, more funding for that. And I think Simon, if you don't
have anything on this, um, we can we can sort of double-check with the Ways and Means Committee to see where where this is. >> Um, just the the only thing is if the town would I see that um, and thank you again for sending these in advance. I see that
uh, there's a funding collaborative from the five towns and it's funded at least in part by a >> [snorts] >> uh, DMH grant. Is that correct? >> I believe so, yes. >> Um, so it would be helpful to us when you go about applying the next time if
you just let us know and we can do our weighing in with DMH. If you know now how much the town receives, if you have that information and wouldn't mind sending it, that might also be helpful to know as we look forward to the next budget cycle. >> Okay, no, we can do that. You know, cuz
it's just so important to them to Yeah, thank you. Thank you for your support on that. >> Yeah, as you mentioned, I mean, it seemed like so many of the calls now have more to do with, you know, that type of of a call than it is, you know, other types of crime or whatever you want to, you know, whatever
else is going on. So, All right. And um I I don't know who asked this to be put on the list, but it's there, the status of the audit in the legislature. >> Well, uh I'll just offer a a perspective. The [clears throat] Senate has uh
complied opted to comply with uh an audit understood in a narrow sense as as a financial audit. Uh actually, the House and the Senate pretty much comply right now with the requirements as you all know because it's these arguments have been repeated
so often. We are audited. It's not a fake audit. It's a real, live, boring audit. Uh it is a look at numbers and uh as with your small businesses, um we are audited routinely and always have been.
The trouble is nobody wants to see that audit, which is a which is posted on our websites. It it makes for very sleepy reading. You you could put your baby to sleep uh reading an audit of either a business or a governmental unit. >> I should try that. >> So, [laughter] uh so the buzz the buzz
and the reason this is got is such a an an interesting issue is because the expectation, sometimes actively encouraged uh when the auditors are angry, maybe uh she actively encourages the idea that she should be doing something else entirely, a performance
audit. And that's where it clearly would be unconstitutional, right? Uh the auditor's a member of the executive branch uh in that sense, she might as well be the governor, uh although she's independently elected. A politician in the executive branch
cannot audit the legislature uh and nor can we can she audit judges, the judiciary. Uh that's a long-standing question of the independence of the branches. Uh, and uh, I ask my my constituents to engage in a
kind of thought experiment with me. All of this seems to be ridiculous when everybody's a Democrat. You say, "Why don't you just let her take a look at your performance?" But, um, five of the last seven governors of Massachusetts have been Republican. During which time the legislature has
been consistently Democratic. It is very likely, were we to not challenge the constitutionality of this arrangement, that we will have a Republican auditor soon. And then the warfare that you'd like to see avoided in state government will really break
out in earnest. And it will immediately be stamped with a with partisanship, the accusation of partisanship. You will have an auditor from one party uh, questioning the the decision-making of a legislature of the other party.
And because financial audits are so boring, this, uh, auditor will focus again on performance. Uh, the, uh, auditor will question them why we appropriated as much money as we do for human services.
Uh, the auditor will want to question why we're spending so much on health care, MassHealth for folks with low income. The auditor may very well want to question why we are so concerned to protect immigrants who are accused unfairly, uh, legal immigrants,
unfairly, uh, and have their status. So, as soon as it becomes partisan, people will readily understand why this cannot be. Why the performance of a branch that is consists of human beings who are elected by voters to whom they are
accountable can't be questioned after the fact by a a politician from the executive. But, because we're all Democrats at the moment, it seems as if we're obstructing, holding back. I will say that, uh, and I think I think this was true for the speaker, um, I know
it's true for the speaker, but it's certainly true for the Senate President. She is an attorney. She cares about these constitutional matters. She knows that, uh, the executive branch should not be questioning our performance. That's for the voters to question. We
should be held accountable when we misbehave, but not by an executive who herself is seeking publicity and perhaps nursing hopes of a run for higher office. You want to avoid that kind of stuff. I'm not accusing the current auditor of any of that. I am saying
that, um, things that seem to be, um, see- things that seem to be inexplicable now when we're all Democrats would become readily understood as a sore point were there a division of parties, and there will be again. So, we have to
stick to our guns. We have to be We have to be financially audited and post the results, but we have to insist that the voters question the the performance of legislative officials, not, uh, another another elected
official. And and the final thing I always point out to people is, in a sense, the performance of the legislature's audited all the time, right? It's called journalism. It's called the press. We are audited and held accountable for our performance and
often criticized, uh, sometimes with justification, as long as we have a healthy press. Uh, other voices chiming in, including including, uh, members of the executive branch wouldn't be as consistent a source of
constructive criticism as elected officials are and as journalists are. So, we've got a system. It works imperfectly, but it works. And, um, I believe in the constitutional principle and our resisting
respectfully, but firmly, attempts to audit our performance by the auditor of our own party or another party. That's just my position. >> Okay. Thank you. All right. So, the only other thing on our list was and it's already been
mentioned is the Municipal Empowerment Act. You mentioned that you all support that. Hopefully, some progress will be made on that cuz we know there are some There are some items in there that that we are of interest to the town uh having to do with the procurement and remote meetings and
things like that. >> And I think as as the governor's bill um various sections have been split into different committees. >> Okay. >> So, like there is some stuff in the revenue committee um and vice versa. So, depending on the subject matter because it was a governor's bill, I that that's how the legislature divvied up some of
the sections. >> So, so might they separate it out then into separate bills then or just uh still try to bring it all together? >> I think they're they're they're going to collaborate to get something done. >> Okay. >> There's some pieces that are in sections in in different parts of the committees. >> Okay. And I'm going to ask the other
board members if they have any any additional topics they'd like to discuss. So, I'll start with you, John. >> Well, but [clears throat] um Selectman Quave and I attended a Selectman seminar uh this past week. And one of the things
they did talk about was the issue of uh that there is a sunset on um hybrid meetings, which we have right now. Uh and the importance really
in our society where uh we really want to encourage attendance and participation by all members of the committee who, for whatever reason, are not local, can participate um
and I believe that the sunset's the end like June 30th of next year. Um, but that's that that isn't I still think that that's one that should not have a sunset. I think that we should just make it a permanent thing. We it it's done in business, it's done everywhere.
And and I I think that we you know, that's my opinion. I'd be interested in yours. >> Thank you, John. And thanks for attending that seminar. This has been an issue since I came into the legislature 3 and 1/2 years ago and
it's continued to be punted or preserved. My read on the situation, my colleagues should feel free to disagree with me on this, is that there is consensus that this needs to be permanent. What I've heard from several different community So, I represent Chelmsford. I also
represent Carlisle. Very different situations in terms of the capacity for you know, the technological capacity, the ability to get to town hall, things like that. And so, I do think that the devil is in the details in terms of what
that permanent law will be, but everyone I talk to thinks that this needs to remain a possibility, an option for the communities. So, I would not I would not fret about the sunsetting of that. I think the
question is going to be are we going to have a a extension of what is currently allowed or are we going to have a permanent new set of laws on the books about that and that's I think the conversation that's been happening. >> And we you know, I I wholeheartedly
support it. It's probably an issue I hear from my other towns all the time. Um as you know, I know Simon is is chaired committees. Um, the senator is a chair. I chair committees. We understand the engagement has completely increased
since we've had these options, right? You've had more individuals that are interested in tuning in and and sort of um seeing how they can get involved and you can reach people you can't reach before. We have done this. We have extended it a number of times, but I I do believe we're going to get there.
It's been a little frustrating, but um but I I I do believe we're going to get there. >> Yeah, and I I I I I agree with my colleagues. They um I was thinking of Carlisle, which I I share with Representative Cataldo and other small towns. It it could be uh that the hold
up has to do with with um situation non-representative town meetings where everybody in town can take part, where verifying the identity of folks who are remote and at home is more of a problem because you're not talking about a roster of elected
officials. Uh there are some um voter uh security and and uh identification issues that exist in an open town meeting situation. They can be addressed, but it would be in some cases quite
expensive to put into place a verification process that would be available on the fly to a voter who had never participated previously, but who wished to participate because some issue was really commanding for him or for her. So um
the uh the non-representative town meeting situation could be delaying resolution of this and might lead to another extension, but I I agree with Representative uh Cataldo and with Representative Arciero that everyone knows that especially in cases of
representative town meeting, uh this is an easier lift and that extensions have to continue until there's final resolution. >> Mhm. >> Thank you. >> Anything >> No, that was it. >> Okay. All right. >> Well, I I
appreciate the update and um you know, I definitely and the girl on the same boat here. That we want to see um the legislation passed concerning firefighter Spinelli. I mean that that's very human element and I
definitely want to make sure that it's clear that we all support you know this behavioral health unit because it's not just keeping people out of the criminal justice system. It's a safety issue for the people around the incident for the people involved for the
police involved. You know with all the calls today they're mental health related. It's just important that those things those loops get closed. So but other than that I I appreciate all of you being here today and the updates. Thank you. >> Jeff, do you have anything?
>> Yeah, Jim I'd like to touch base again on the It's not just bikes but then you have the scooters which are basically skateboards with handlebars and I the problem I find is that when they're on the main roads and I almost
had an incident on route 110 Trumpster Street which is a very busy street with a gentleman kind of going one of these scooters kind of waving his way down. I he was dressed in dark clothes. I couldn't see him when I pulled up and he started banging on my window screaming at me
and I was like look I didn't see him. I apologize you know. What So I went to I went to Chief Spencer and I said is there anything we can do about this? He goes our hands are tied right now. He goes honest and Jeff these guys unless we see them physically doing something
dangerous we can't we can't do anything about it. I mean we're not just talking the bike bike path. I'm talking the main roads. >> Yeah. >> So you know >> That's a good >> we all saw the we all saw the video a while back about the guy who ran the light and almost got killed. You know
the driver didn't do anything wrong but their life is now changed at no fault of their own. >> Absolutely Jeff. You know again we we had our hearing last week on this on the governor's bill and the governor and lieutenant governor came in and our second speaker that we
had were two surgeons from Mass General and just talked about how once a week people under 14 years old are coming in and a year ago it was probably once a month once every other month or something like that sparingly and now it just continues to increase. So, one
thing is I think the the enforcement piece as well as the registration piece um over a year of sort of deliberating about this about this subject matter and trying to come up with recommendations. We we just felt that you know, having
obviously folks in the public on the public safety space on the commission, we felt it was best that they have a working group to come out with recommendations because legislators and members of the commission, you know, shouldn't act like we know exactly how to enforce
all these things and we we we we deal with our experts and in this case it would be folks in the law enforcement space. >> Great. Glad to hear you guys are working now. Sure. >> Yeah, I I just do want to mention that I was at the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail over the weekend.
I did see bikes going really fast, but the other part of that is a lot of people they're oblivious to the fact that there are bikes on that path and so it's not just the bike riders the bike riders that are going fast are going to hurt somebody, but people need to pay
attention when they're there. >> It's it's basically traffic and if they don't think it is and they are wandering back and forth across the trail or just standing there stopped, that's going to cause a problem just as bad as someone going fast. >> Our goal is to categorize in three
categories. Zero to 20 would be like a regular bike or be assisted and then the second category would be 21 to 30 miles per hour and then 31 to to extended to almost a moped or a motorcycle. But that's kind of what we're seeing here. Um you know, you go
to any sort of here, of course, but you especially you go to any sort of uh smaller city or a Boston, a bigger city, a Springfield, or something like that, and you'll see the the the our our economy is completely different since the post-pandemic. You're going to you're going to see
a number, a multitude of people driving around delivering stuff on a regular basis. And they're driving on sidewalks, shared-use paths. It's not safe. >> Okay, Joe. And Suzy, do you have anything you'd like to bring up to them? >> Just briefly just on the Municipal Empowerment Act. Sometimes, you know, it
doesn't it's not a really um it may not seem like a very interesting topic to people, but just just so all of you know, and you may already be aware of this, it would really help us from an efficiency standpoint because in talking with our public works director, um you know, that when there's different dollar
limits for when they're doing bids for whether it involves a municipal building or a school building, if they could just if some of those procurement laws that you talked about could be simplified, that would, you know, increase the efficiency for several town departments. So, anything in that regard would be
appreciated. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, once again, thank you all for coming. >> Well, thank you. Thank you very much. Well, no, we were trying to figure out Well, like we've got to talk about some of the earmarks, so >> Which one?
>> Okay, no, no, not right now. No, we'll look at we'll look at that. Just two earmarks I'll jump on is the $25,000 for the Bruce Freeman Trail that we were able to get that you guys asked for, and then another 25,000 um this I'd say another because we last session we were able to get the the food
pantry 25,000. We were able to do that again this year. So, I know that's not the only two, but those are the the two I was assigned to, so these gents. >> Um and thank you. Just so the members of the public know, the reason the way that we come up with this is through these
meetings, and you know, Paul Cohan has always uh sent us the requests well in advance so that we can socialize this with our colleagues, present it to Ways and Means. So, that's how this happens. We don't come up with this this ourselves. So, thanks again to you. So, this um uh we also uh
are were able to through the stadium arc pay for a part of the aquatic life sta- study for Hart Pond and uh traffic signalization improvements in Chelmsford Center. >> Mhm. Yeah, and and I'll let you know >> just add that there are two kinds of earmarks and I think you folks uh
I've appreciated this over the years. Uh whenever an earmark is included uh in a bond bill, it's iffy, right? Because the executive branch at the end of the day has to choose to uh issue the bond in question. Timing enters. Uh you don't want to try
to sell a bond at a time when it's uh going to be when the finances aren't going to work, when interest rates aren't right. But, even more than timing, the legislature authorizes more spending
than a prudent executive would want to end up doing. So, some of the authorizations wind up on the cutting room floor. Uh and only subparts of a bond bill actually get realized in terms of projects.
The other kind of earmark, though, is real money as opposed to uh bonding money, which we sometimes call funny money. Real money is when we take advantage of the the state's annual budget or a supplement to the regular budget and we really do
mark certain amounts of money for a local project. Uh those those tend these days uh in the hands of a good executive branch to transm- to become money for you in relatively short order. And so, both legislators mentioned uh
real money earmarks, which really do result and benefit. Uh I appropriated we got appropriated I should say $45,000 for a a demonstration project for town sort and curbside composting, right? I do composting uh
uh uh in in my hometown it is it is meant that we um divert a significant amount that would have gone into a landfill for something that will end up as fertilizer in somebody else's garden. Uh these composting projects uh are um
very handy. They you don't have to go to a central collection station. You can start to use food waste in a fashion that's going to result in its being reused um usefully. So uh curbside recycling is worth
experimenting. The question is whether it will see significant uptake. And and that the track record in in Lexington for example is uneven. While we have funded curbside recycling and it's free effectively or at least paid
for through a through a municipal levy relatively few take part. So this is where communication and marketing really matter. And it's why we should be funding demonstration projects before we go whole hog because a an earmark like
this once a program catches on may very well then become a a permanent feature in a municipal offering and eventually become something that a municipality has to pay for after the earmarks run out. You might want to do that if there's
widespread participation and real buy-in. But I you want to build toward that moment when people are where enough people appreciate the value of composting over time. So you could see mounting a demonstration, talking to people here in town about whether
whether like it or not, whether it's convenient for them or not, what adjustments can be made. Once you have the conditions for large-scale buying, you could consider offering it as a municipal service if town meeting were to commit. So, um I I hope that we can get some feedback
on curbside recycling and figure out if we're on the right track or if uh we've got something that people want. Thank you. >> We have a a very um enthusiastic and energetic recycling committee and sustainability committee um that are
always on top of things like that. I mean, we you know, if you go to any event in town, you always see them out there and they're they're very active. So, um you know, if if we if we start doing something like this, they are very good about getting the word out and recruiting people to to do that. I mean,
it's it's never as many as you want, but like you said, you have to start somewhere and it's >> There are lessons to be learned. >> Exactly. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Simon, do you have some office hours coming up? >> Oh, uh I do. Thank you. Um
My Chelmsford office hours are coming up on uh Monday, June 22nd. Uh from noon to 1:00. It's going to be at the Chelmsford Library. >> Was that a planted question? >> [laughter] >> I would you know, I can assure you, Representative Arciero, it was not a planted question.
Uh but uh but Chair Wohl just did actually bring it up and >> Okay. >> Uh would love for anybody to stop by and they can get more information about that if they like just by reaching out to me. >> Thanks. >> Okay. And once again, thank you for coming and we'll thank you. >> We'll see you guys on the 4th, definitely, if not sooner.
>> and we'll see you back here in about 6 months. >> Yeah, we'll check for your shirt. >> Take care, guys. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Bye, guys. >> All right, we can move on to public service announcements. Jeff, if you want to handle those. >> Sure. Um
Let me get my paperwork squared away here. And Now, the first thing we have for public service announcement is the Main Street Improvement session input public input session on June 17th,
2026 7:00 p.m. at the Chelmsford Senior Center on 75 Groton Road. The Main Street Improvement Project began in 2025 with reviewing previous data, collecting existing condition in existing
condition, and understanding the design and consideration. Analysis has been completed. This meeting will summarize the findings and propose next steps. We are seeking public input before final finalizing the report.
The 2026 2026 Main Street Design Presentation, the report is available on the town website. chelmsfordma.gov/181/engineering. Any other questions, please call 978-250-5228
extension 3352 or A Repucci A R E P P U C C I at chelmsfordma.gov. So, the next public service announcement will be the Town of Chelmsford 2026 in town day
program. Friday, July 3rd, the Arts Festival will start at the Center for the Arts from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. The Country Fair will start will go from 3:00 to 9:00 at on the Center Common. The kiddie train rides, sponsored by the
Chelmsford Rotary, will go also go from 5:00 to 8:00. From 5:00 to 7:00, the Jilly Martin Band, sponsored by the Chelmsford Parade Committee, will perform on the center common. They will have a break at 6:00 where the Suburban X drill team will also perform.
And from 7:00 to 8:30 will be the Champs Community band doing their annual Independence Day program. On Saturday, July 4th, the country fair will open at 8:00 a.m. The flag raising for the police and fire will be at 8:00
a.m. as well. The Arts Festival will go from 8:30 to 1:00 p.m. One thing that's not listed on the schedule, we're going to have Carl Sweeney, a member of the Concord Minute Men, is going to stand on the stairs of the CCA and reside recite the Declaration of
Independence in full colonial garb. And then at 9:30 will be the annual John Colson Road Race. And the And the Independence Day parade will kick off at 10:00 as always.
The other thing we have is the Town of Champs will convene the 2026 fall town meeting on Monday, October 19th, 2026. Articles to be included on the warrant must be submitted to the office of the town manager at 50 Gorham Road prior to 4:00
p.m. on Monday, August 3rd, 2026. Petition articles must carry the signatures of at least 10 voters. For more information, please contact the town manager's office at 978-250-5202. Thank you. >> Okay, thanks, Jeff.
>> [clears throat] >> Okay, next on our agenda is a general public input. If there's anyone who wants to address the board on any topic, now is your chance to do this. There is nobody here in the room. Is there anybody on Zoom? >> Not seeing anybody, Madam Chair, in the Zoom room. >> Okay, so we will skip right over to committee vacancies. Jeff, you're up on
that. >> Okay. Um committee vacancies as of six as of today is CCA Town Hall Advisory Committee has one unexpired term. Clean and Clean Engine Sustainability
Committee also has one unexpired term. Commission on Disability have five unexpired terms. Council on Aging board also has two unexpired terms. The Cultural Council has one unexpired term.
Holiday Decorating has five unexpired one-year terms. Military Covenant Task Force has one unexpired term. Parade Committee is still welcoming all applicants. We are hosting our final lineup meeting on the final
Tuesday of the month at Sam and Candy Chase's home at 6:30. And anybody who wants to see how we set the parade up, I encourage you to attend. If you are interested in serving on a town board or committee, please complete
the online application available on the town website. For more information, please contact the town manager's office at 978-250-5202 or tm@chelmsfordma.gov. >> Okay, thanks, Jeff. All right, next up is licenses. We have two
one-day all alcohol um licenses requested by St. St. Vartanets Church and I believe we have the applicant here. >> We have Bruce Kayajanian in the zoom room. >> Okay. >> Yes. Hello. >> Hi, you want to tell us a little bit
about your events? >> Uh yes, um one of the events on June 26th, it's actually a memorial service in celebration of life um for one of our long-time parishioners who um passed away. Uh so, the family had
asked if they could have alcohol served during their luncheon that they're having um during the event. Uh and then the other event on August 2nd is our annual picnic and food fair
that we that we have every year. Um so, we would appreciate if um you folks would be willing to approve those. >> Okay, does anyone have any questions for the applicant on either of these applications? Okay, apparently not. So, Jeff will take
a motion. >> Okay, I'll make a motion we approve the two requests for one-day all alcohol alcoholic beverage licenses for the church's mercy meal being held on June 26th and its annual picnic being held on August 26th August 2nd
at 180 Old Webster Road. >> Second the motion. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. We'll do a roll call vote. Jeff? >> I. >> Aaron? >> Yes. >> Dave? >> Yes. >> I. >> And I'm I. That's unanimous, 5-0. Okay, thank you.
>> Thank you very much, everyone. Have a good evening. >> Thank you, you too. >> Thank you, too. >> All right, next up is town energy bid awards. >> Thank you. So, this evening we have two uh bid awards for the for Department of Public Works. And so, the first one
is for the 2026 full-depth reclamation paving contract. Uh I'll note that Public Works um received five bids and my recommendation is to award the contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Newport Construction of Nashua, New Hampshire with a bid
amount of 2,337,000 even. Uh Public Work directs Public Works Director Clancy noted that their uh references were positive and the DPW staff has worked with this firm previously, so seeking the board's confirmation on that.
>> Okay, why don't we do that one and then we go on to the other one. Anybody have any questions about this bid award? >> No. >> Okay, apparently not. So, Jeff, we'll take a motion on this one. >> I'll make a motion that we support the town manager and the DPW directors
recommendation of a bid award for the 2026 full depth reclaim and paving to Newport Construction of Nashua, New Hampshire. >> Second the motion. >> Okay, we have a motion and a second. Uh we'll do a roll call vote. Jeff?
>> Aye. >> Aaron? >> Yes. >> David? >> Yes. >> Jeff? >> Aye. >> And I'm aye. It's unanimous, 5-0. Okay? Next bid award? >> Yes, for our next contract, this relates to design services for the Adams Library HVAC replacement project. Um after
issuing a request for proposals, uh public works received eight written design proposals. A selection committee then reviewed and and evaluated the proposals and determined that the proposal from NV5 was the most advantageous for the town.
My recommenda- My recommendation is to award the contract for the Adams Library HVAC replacement project design services to NV5 of Andover, Massachusetts for the amount of a $125,000 even. I did want to note that Public Works Director Clancy and her staff have
worked with this firm previously and received positive references, so seeking the board's confirmation of that. >> Okay, anybody have any questions on this bid? >> No, good. >> Okay, and this is kind of what, about a year and a half project? >> Most likely about a year and a half.
They are hoping that the um construction's anticipated to be completed um in 2027, so uh you know, this this is an important step because the system has to be designed cuz the whole HVAC system is being
replaced. >> Okay. If there's no other questions, we'll take a motion. >> I'll make a motion that we support the town manager and DPW director's recommendation for the Adams Library HVAC replacement project RFP
to NV5 a vendor. >> Second the motion. >> Here we have a motion and a second. We'll do a roll call vote, Jeff. >> Yes. >> Aaron. >> Yes. >> Dave. >> Yes. >> Shawn. >> Yes. >> And I'm yes. Unanimous, 5-0. Thank you.
All right. Town manager reports. >> Thank you. I thank you, Madam Chair. So, on the first report, I wanted to start by acknowledging the work of our community development director, Evan Belansky, for submitting a successful grant application. My office received notice last week that
the town will receive a $35,000 grant award under the MTTA program, which um is an acronym for the Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance Program. And this grant will provide funding for the town to update its hazardous mitigation plan.
And the importance of that is that a hazardous mitigation plan is required by FEMA for a community to be eligible to receive non-emergency disaster funding. So, that was good news to receive that award letter.
And then secondly, um the double poles report that's in your informational packet, um I did want to note that the number increased by seven to 94 from the previous month. I did want to inform the board that I did contract the contact representatives
from National Grid, Verizon, and Comcast uh recently. I have heard back from Jillian Riley of Verizon and then Kerry Morris of Comcast. They're going to dig into it a little deeper to get me more specifics, but I just wanted to introduce myself as the acting town manager and make sure they knew that
you know, there was update there and and asked them whatever they could do. I I did emphasize that it's the board's um you know, uh has put a priority in trying to reduce these in town. So, hopefully we'll hear back on >> We had been making good progress, I thought. I thought we had it down to
like the 50 to 60 range and now it seems to be creeping back up again, so. Yeah, so we'll have to see. Maybe maybe with the summer time coming and we'll be able to get to them a little bit more frequently. All right. >> It's nice to see the national grid is down to zero.
So, at least somebody's completed their work. >> All right, next up is appointments. This is the annual um reappointment time and we have a list of all those who have been contacted, who have who have agreed to be reappointed to
their respective boards and committees. Um don't know if anybody has any questions or anything on those. Um If not, we can take a motion to take all of all of those in in one fell swoop and then we'll get to the individual ones
after that. We have a couple of in- individual ones that we also need to take care of. So, anybody have any questions about the first one? And um and John, I know at at our next meeting we'll probably get any stragglers or a follow-ups or anything. >> Yes, I would expect some in the next
meeting. >> And after that, we might have a longer list on our committee vacancies, right? >> Exactly. >> The ones that don't get filled right away. >> I'm in favor of taking them together. >> Okay, so um Jeff, we can take a motion on this group of reappointments.
>> All right, I will make a motion that we approve the select board reappointments in the town venture. >> 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? >> I. yes. >> I.
All right, that's it. Unanimous, 5-0. Next one is the um a select board appointment for the board of registrars. Um This is the time of year that we uh have to um appoint one person or reappoint one
person to the board of registrars. It's a three-person board. The composition has to be at least one Democrat, one Republican, and one of any. And the one that we're working on today is the any. We have the Republican and the Democrat,
and we did get um from the person holding that seat that uh appointment right now is Jim Lane. He is He was um submitted by the Republican Town Committee, but like I said, it could be either a Republican or a Democrat, and he has been um his name
has been resubmitted um from the Republican Town Committee, and I know from the Democratic Town Committee, we received Actually, we received just one um nominee, that be Kristen Underwood. Um they do note on their letter that Thomas
Fall is a is the current Democratic member of the um registrars of voters. So, those are the two candidates we have for the registrars of voters. Is there any discussion
from the board about >> So, is it Jim and Tom Fall? Is that >> No, Tom Fall is on the on the board of registrars right now. He's the He's the current Democrat um representative. The The current Republican representative is Curtis Barton. Jim Lane is the other.
And either we can appoint one of either party for that for that other position. Right now, it is Jim Lane, who happens to be a Republican. We can reappoint him, or we can appoint Karen uh Kristen Underwood, who the Democrats um nominated.
So, So, we can only appoint one of those two, either Jim Lane or Kristen Underwood. Um it would be my suggestion. I I That's This is a This is a pretty critical um position, I think, in the town. Uh voter
elections are so important. They have to be handled correctly. Jim has been on that on the board of registrars now for this is probably his third term. Um he does a good job. I always see him around during elections. Um you know, we've had situations where
we've had to do a recount, and he's uh he's very active and knows the law and does it well. And in full disclosure, even though I am a registered Democrat and Jim is a registered Republican, um I would support Jim's reappointment
to this position. >> I would also say that I've served as a selectman with Jim, and um I know that he's very um nonpartisan, for the most part, uh in my experience, and uh I would uh
I would second, if that's your motion. I'm not sure what it is, but um uh but but uh you know, I have the utmost respect for Jim. I'm not taking anything away from the other candidate, but uh and I'm unenrolled, so um
but I think people know how I really feel. Um >> [laughter] >> so, I would I would support Jim, as well. >> Yeah, as working clerk for a lot of years, I've worked with Jim and Curtis and um Tom, and I think they all do a good job, and I would support Jim being
renominated. >> Okay, um any thoughts, Jeff, about either candidate? >> No, I've known Jim for years, and he's always been a straight-up guy. >> Okay. >> So, I would support having him up, reappointing him to that position. >> Okay, Dave, do you have any thoughts?
>> I would support the rest of you. >> Okay, so then Jeff, if you want to make that in the form of a motion. >> Yeah, I'll make a motion that we appoint Jim Lane Jr. to the Trump's report of registrars will expire on June 30th of this year and it will be
appointed except we'll we'll be appointing successor for a 3-year term expiring on June 30th, 2029. >> Second the motion. >> There we have a motion and a second, so we'll do a roll call vote. Jeff? >> Yes. >> Aaron? >> Yes. >> David? >> Yes.
>> And I'm yes. >> 5-0. Okay, thank you. And the last um appointment is a town manager appointment uh for the Age-Friendly Committee. So, John, if you want to tell us about this. >> Yes, so I'm seeking the board's
confirmation of my appointment of Mary Reese to the Age-Friendly Committee. Uh I did want to note that on her application uh Mary noted that she has been volunteering and working with um the senior senior center director, Debbie Siriani, for about 6 months.
>> Okay. >> I've I've met her on that committee. She's made a couple of those calls, so. >> Definitely a good call. >> Okay. Any other comments about these potential applicant? If not, we'll take a motion.
>> I'll make a motion that we vote the town manager's motion um appointment of Mary Reese to the Age-Friendly Committee co-chair. >> Second the motion. >> There we have a motion and a second, a roll call vote. Jeff? >> Yes. >> Aaron? >> Yes. >> David?
>> Yes. >> John? >> Yes. >> And I'm yes, that's 5-0, unanimous. Thank you. All right, we are on to meeting minutes. Everybody have a chance to look at the May 1st meeting minutes for any uh corrections or comments?
>> June 1st. Minutes, you said May I thought. >> I did say May, I meant June 1st. You're right. I was just checking to see if you were paying attention. >> you. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. My eyes were closed, but I was not asleep. >> All right, everybody have a chance to look at the June 1st meeting minutes.
>> Yes. >> Okay, I'll take a motion then. >> I'll make a motion we approve the June 1st minutes of the select board meeting. >> Second the motion. >> We have a motion and a second, so do a roll call vote. Jeff? >> Aye.
>> Aaron? >> Yes. >> Dave? >> Yes. >> John? >> Yes. >> And I'm an aye. That's 5-0, unanimous. Very good. All right, we are at select board liaison reports. Uh Jeff, we'll start with you. >> Okay, I'll start with the cemetery
commission cuz I'm currently attending an annual meeting of the New England Cemetery Association in Mystic, Connecticut. I'm with Dave, our superintendent, Dave Boyle. And Dave is very active on this association. He's brought some great information. So,
hopefully we can continue that. Um I'll immediately go right over to the parade. Obviously, we're in the home stretch. We had our final meeting a couple weeks ago and it went very well. And I'm happy to say that financially we're in great shape and the
banner drive has been incredible this year. We've pretty much sold out all our spots. We I don't think it's happened since the 350th. But, I'm excited for the future of this organization cuz we've got two really good chairs on board. Amy Gillette, I've
got to give her all the kudos in the world because she's you know, a fireball. And uh I think um Eric Lynes that is going to take us to a new a new place and I I'm I'm encouraged by them both. And that's it for now.
>> Okay, thank you. Erin. Um, yeah, just a couple quick ones. So, um, the last I attended the last planning board um, meeting and I think it's important that people are aware that um, particularly on the Riverneck
Road stretch there, there's um, discussion about converting um, a lot of the IA that's in that area, which is a little bit of a patchwork in the middle of all this residential um, into their new CBLT zoning. Um, and it was nice to to get a lot of
feedback from residents and and potentially people that own IA properties that would be um, be impacted and I think it was a good discussion and that's uh, that's ongoing. Uh, the board also started some discussions on um, on data center um, zoning overview. So, I
think that's important. It's a topic we're all aware of. Um, I thought it was interesting that the the uh, the there's the headline of data centers and that's the AI data centers that are taking huge uh,
tracts of land and energy and those types of things. And then there's the everyday data center that exists in buildings to just run their own IT networks. Um, so I think you know, if you're interested in all in that at all in understanding the nuance, it's definitely worth at least tuning in for
those. Um, and then um, unfortunately um, we're losing John on the managed um, growth strategy um, for the time being because he's our acting town manager. Um, but Mike will continue to um, to chair that committee.
Um, and then um, I have Where's my other one? Oh, I didn't bring it over. So, uh, just a quick update on the um, town manager screening committee. So, um, obviously for for reasons I think
people are aware of that's that's done um, confidentially until our recommendation can be made to the select board to start those interviews, but that process is got ongoing. There's a lot of work. The committee members all nine are extremely engaged and we will continue
that process throughout the month and into the summer, but I did want people to know that it is we are very active with that. Sometimes two or three nights a week we're here in this building, so rest assured we're working diligently to get a slate of candidates to present to the full board
here in the future. That's all I got. >> Thank you. Dave. >> I attended the high school graduation. Right, so that was a great event at the high school August with most of the select board was there as well. So nobody mentioned it yet, but seemed worthy of mentioning.
The other thing that happened was also Nathan Hay received his Eagle Scout. >> Nice. >> So that was a big ceremony that they had and spoke to a number of people there as well as Nathan and it looks like he's got a bright future in front of him. So good news there.
Also attended the Eli Post bench dedication. So that was part of the thing. They were very ecstatic the town helped out. I gave kudos to you and the board for doing a lot of this because this goes back to 2025 when I read some of the data that's out there. A lot of
other towns they approached didn't ever respond. So Barbara Jacob >> Yeah. >> was very happy about this whole thing. So I I sent some pictures to Aaron if you want to see it. It's pretty nice little bench right over by Hart Pond. So that was nice. >> Barbara did send a nice note and very
appreciated that you could come, so >> Yeah, they were very appreciative, so So anyway, last one on the list was the MMA select board training. I know you mentioned it a little bit about that earlier, but John and I were there. A lot of good information on processes, new processes,
potential new laws that may come up as well as executive session notes, which they say the state is getting a little more rigorous on validating those notes because in some cases they haven't been really doing a good job taking them, so anyway.
I think that's it for me. >> Okay. >> Well, well, um I was just busy doing everything everybody else was doing. David and [laughter] I went to the MMA event. Uh I want to commend Aaron Cunningham. He's the chairman of the town manager screening committee and
he's doing an outstanding job. I have to say he's doing a better job than I ever would do, so I want to give him kudos for that. Um and the you know, the Eagle Scout Court of Honor is really something that I enjoyed my first go round back when I
was young and not as decrepit. Um and and it was really great to see Nathaniel Hayes um and his family celebrate that that terrific accomplishment and Aaron and David were
with me for that, so that's all I've got. It's just same old, same old. Oh, and the graduation, too, which was very good. >> Okay. Sounded like there was a the full house of select board members at that at that Eagle Scout ceremony. I was at a I happen to be at a
yesterday at the Garrison House for Flag Day ceremony and the that that troop did the raise the flag and the parents of one of the groups said commented about how I wasn't at that Eagle Scout ceremony for the first time in years. Said it was the
first time she could remember that I wasn't there and I said, "Yeah, I had to send three in my place, so >> We did We did We [laughter] did show you up, though. We made sure that they knew that you would have preferred to have been there. >> I I definitely would have, but I just have a couple reminder general reminders for the board.
Um at our next meeting we have a couple of um events that are items that I want to um comment on. First of all, uh the it will be the last annual performance review for Town Accountant Arlene Lucier. Uh she has sent us all
her her notes on her her past year's review. Um I have met with her and I know at least one other board member has. So, if if you want to meet with her and discuss, you know, what she has written, um feel free to do that sometime this week. And then if you have any comments that you would like included on the
public performance review, which will be presented at our next meeting, um send those to um Christina Bruce and she'll consolidate them all onto one form to be presented at that meeting. So, you have till next Monday to do that, to meet with Arlene and/or send comments to
Christina Bruce to be included on that review. And also at our next meeting, um we will be having an executive session at the end of that meeting, not like we did the last time. This will be jointly with the ZBA on the same topic as the
last um joint executive session was. So, just to to everybody is aware of it. Um so hopefully the the regular meeting won't go too long and then we'll have that meeting that executive session meeting after our regular meeting. And the only thing I other thing I wanted to
mention is congrats to the Chelmsford High School graduates. And with that, um I'll take a motion to adjourn. >> Yeah, what's the date of our uh next meeting? >> 29th. Two weeks from today. Of June 29th, yep. >> Okay, perfect.
All right. Well, I'll make a motion we adjourn. >> Second the motion. >> I have a motion and [clears throat] a second, so do a roll call vote, Jeff. >> Yes. >> Aaron. >> Yes. >> Dave. >> Yes. >> Jon. >> Let me think about it. Yeah, yes. >> Well, if [laughter] you don't I'm going to say yes anyway, so we'll pass.
That's unanimous and we are adjourned. Thank you very much and have a good rest of your evening. The sun's still out there.