Okay, Madam Chairman, you're good to go. >> All right. Thank you. Um, welcome everybody um to our January 7th, 2026 meeting. And D, would you like to start us with the pledge? Thank you.
I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you.
>> All right. It's nice to see a nice full room. Thank you everybody coming out on this cold, slippery night. Thank you. Um, can I have approval of the minutes of December 16, 2025? >> So moved. >> Is that okay? All in favor? >> I
>> I opposed. At this time, we're going to do new public business. Um, the clerk will have a threem minute timer. And anybody in the audience, please come up, introduce yourself. Thank you. Please go up.
Hi, Lois McKenzie, precinct 3 town meeting member. Um, I'm here to address concerns regarding the ongoing problems with the HVAC system at the senior center. I've been attending the senior center for nearly a year. During that time, it's become clear the heating and
cooling system is not functioning act adequately. The past fall and into early winter, the center was closed for three days due to a lack of heat, and there have been at least 10 additional days when services were interrupted because of temperature issues. In the large room where I attend
classes, the space is consistently overheated, even though there is a separate thermostat in that room. My understanding is that this thermostat does not actually control the temperature. At the same time, the front rooms of the building are often uncountably cold. This uneven
temperature throughout the building is a persistent problem. I've also heard that the senior c center's heating system is controlled by town hall and I would appreciate clarification as to whether this is accurate or not. Um, in speaking with employees who've
been attempting to address these issues, I was told that a new HVAC system was installed this past summer. However, when the heating system was started, the control company was reportedly not present. From a business perspective, it is concerning that no representative was on site to ensure the system was
operating properly. I was also told the individuals individuals responsible had indicated the problem was resolved when in fact no effective correction had been taken. There was no heat the next day. While I personally do not rely on the senior center services as heavily as
some others, many community members do and this situation is especially difficult for them. I believe is believe it is time for the town to take a thorough and serious look at this issue and bring in a qualified professional who understands the system and can
ensure that the entire building receives consistent and reliable heating and cooling. I recognize the town contracts with various service providers, but when decisions are p based primarily on choosing the lowest bidder, this is often the result. In the future, I would
encourage the town to place greater emphasis on experience, reputation, and quality of work, even if that comes at a higher cost. Thank you for your time and consideration. >> Thank you, Lois. And we'll have the town manager look into that.
>> Madam Chairman, I brought it up last week. Okay, good. >> Brought it to the manager's attention. She was aware of it. She mentioned it. >> This is news though. >> Okay. This is good news. >> It's not surprise. So, >> yeah. No, we definitely want to take care of the senior center for >> Thank you for the detailed information.
>> Yeah. Thank you, Lois. You know, >> people >> I was in there with my coat on. >> Yeah, we need to take care of that. >> Thank you. We need to definitely take care of that. Please go up. Yeah,
>> good evening. Lauren Steves, uh, town meeting member, precinct 3. Um, I want to take some time to address a procedural detail discussed at a previous meeting that may not have been clear to the public as it relates to the subject of electronic voting, which we've has been heavily discussed. Um, at
a previous meeting, the select board has agreed to place an article on the warrant for the upcoming May 2026 annual town meeting to amend the bylaw to allow for electronic voting. During discussion, it was stated that a funding article could not accompany the bylaw article because the budget cycle is
already underway and funding cannot be allocated for something until a bylaw is adopted. Um, I want to provide some additional context because Massachusetts town meeting practice does allow for this. Um, under standard town meeting procedure, an authorizing article such as a bylaw amendment and a related
appropriation article may appear together on the same warrant in sequence. The appropriation article is contingent upon passage of the authorizing article at the same town meeting. Once the authorizing article passes, the funding article is fully in order to be considered immediately. Damvers use this process at the 2022
annual town meeting. Article 31 and article 32 appeared together on the warrant. Article 31 established the revolving fund bylaw and article 32 reestablished the revolving fund accounts and spending limits. Both were debated at the same meeting and article 32 became operative when article 31
passed. This demonstrates that an authorizing bylaw and a related financial article can and often should move together under our local practice. For additional context, the town of Shrewsbury followed the same approach when adopting electronic voting in 2025. One article established electronic voting and a companion article
appropriated the funding at the same annual town meeting. This bylaw amendment was later approved by the attorney general's office to provide clarity for residents and town meeting members. While there is anticipated to be an article to adopt electronic voting in May 2026, currently no funding
article is planned by the board. Not because procedure prohibits it, but because the option has not been pursued. With roughly four months remaining before the 26th annual town meeting, there is sufficient time for the town to gather cost information, whether that's through vendor quotes or an RFP process, so that a funding article could be
prepared if the board wishes to consider one. Other communities have completed similar work within comparable time frames. I raised this solely so the public has a complete and accurate understanding of what is procedurally possible. With that clarification, it may be helpful for the board to revisit whether a funding article should be
considered alongside the bylaw amendment. So expectations for the T town meeting are clear. Finally, if there are any questions about the accuracy of what I've just outlined, um I would refer this to the town manager as she and I have both spoken about this. Thank you. >> Wonderful, Lauren. Thank you for that information. We'll have the town manager
look into it. >> Yep. Thank you. Anybody else? Thank you. >> Uptown. >> Good evening. I'm Bill McKenzie, precinct 3 member. >> Um, I just want to bring up an issue at
32 Center Street. >> I don't know if you all have noticed the unregistered vehicles that have been parking there for more than a year. There's a truck out front now that's been there for at least 6 months full of trash. And that's supposed to be a historical historic area in Danvas and
you drive down that street and all you see is that I saw there. I don't know if if Davis has reached out to him. I know we do have bylaws on registered vehicles on property. They have them stacked all the way down the back of the property. It'd be good if you could take care of it and look into it. >> Yeah, absolutely. Thank you, Bill. I
haven't been by that way in a while. Tell me, can we look into that? Thank you. >> Anybody else? Okay, so board members, uh, if we could, I would like to, um, move item number
five, um, the hazard mitigation plan up. um just before number three. So we'll make number five number three >> if that's okay. And um the board will consider Is that okay with everybody? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Sure. >> All right. Dan, >> sure.
>> See? Okay. Wonderful. So we don't have to have Brian wait. The board will consider adoption of the hazard mitigation plan. Thank you very much for coming. >> Thank you and appreciate you moving me up on the agenda. Um Brian Barry, the fire chief. Uh, good evening and thank
you to the chair and members of the select board. I'm here this evening to request your adoption of the town of Damas hazard mitigation plan update dated May of 2025. This plan was updated using federal hazard mitigation planning grant funding
with technical assistance from Kaplan Consulting. The update was developed over many months, close to a year actually, by the hazard mitigation planning committee, which included representatives from public safety, public works, utilities, planning, schools, and town administration.
I'd like to thank the members of the committee, town staff, and Kaplan Consulting for their time and collaboration throughout this process. Just a little bit about the plan itself. Uh the hazard mitigation plan identifies the natural hazards that pose the greatest risk to damis including
flooding, severe storms, extreme heat, and dam safety. Uh and more recently, uh we're keeping a close eye on drought um effects of droughts. More importantly, it establishes a set of practical prioritized actions the town can pursue
to reduce longterm risk to residents, infrastructure, and critical facilities. Adoption of this plan is required for the town to remain eligible for FEMA FEMA hazard mitigation funding programs. Without an adopted plan in place, Danvas
would not be able to apply or receive these federal mitigation grants. The plan has been reviewed and approved by FEMA at this point, and local adoption by the board is the final required step in the process. Adoption demonstrates the town's commitment to proactive risk reduction,
protection of life and property and long-term community resiliency. I respectfully ask the select board's adoption of the hazard mitigation plan update. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, we do have the adoption which the clerk can read, but board members, do you have any questions, Gardner?
>> No, no. I uh downloaded and read the rather lengthy document. >> It's over 400 pages. >> It is. I stopped printing at 50 and just kept online. Kept looking online. Uh, no, very comprehensive, very thorough, and I'm happy to support the U resolution.
>> Terrific. Mike, >> uh, yeah, a couple questions. Uh, hi, Chief. How'd you get stuck with uh, having to give this to us? >> Uh, I'm the emergency management director, so it falls under my purview. >> Well, there it is. Thank you. Um, I went through the whole thing, too. It was lengthy and good read if anybody wants
to. Uh anyhow, uh I don't know if I'm thinking of this the wrong way, but if we're having a hazard mitigation plan and we talked about floods and droughts and uplifts and downdrafts and uh the
demographics, financing, planning, all the other agencies involved, should should there be in that plan, and I'm just putting it out there for conversation. >> Sure. >> Maybe it'll lead to something. If we had a tornado rip through the town and it took out a neighborhood, where do those
people go? Do we have a plan? Would we send them to the high school? Do we have beds? >> So, yeah, that falls under emergency management as well. And that falls under something called the comprehensive emergency management plan. Stay tuned. You'll be looking at an update on that soon as well. >> I hope it's just as long, too. Awesome.
>> It's it's 100 pages, I think. So, >> um >> but yeah, so we we do have plans for that. uh in part of this if if you look through you would have noticed we we talked about a backup generator for the senior center. It's so we can use places like that for a I know we the heat's kind of the sensitive sensitive subject right now but you could use it and we
have in the past used it for a cooling center in the summer or or a warming center in the winter if we have you know um long really frigid temperatures etc. So um it that's a very expensive venture which you know the only way to do it is
be t be funded with town funds or have the plan in place which opens up opportunities for federal funds. So everything in the plan we're not going to get federal funding for. They're all goals. It is a plan and we're going to try to accomplish as much as we can and there is a priority. Um but there's a
lot of covert work for certain parts of town that tend to flood and things like that. And I know this is kind of outside um but um should there be anything in in it about say the airport um I know it's not a natural thing but it's it would
>> so that would fall more into the emergency management plan. This is natural disasters. This is weather related. >> Yeah, I saw all that. That was great. >> Yeah. >> All right. Um thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> Thank you. Mike D. >> Uh no no questions. Thank you. >> Thanks.
>> Thank you. Dan, >> thank you. Um, granted, given that FEMA's approved it and the last step is for this board to adopt it and approve it, I'm willing to do that. I only got through half of the 400 pages. Some questions came up. Not
going to bother now, but at some point in time, I'll pose those questions through the manager's office. Um, but it's certainly very thorough. Um, good job. I guess you had four planning sessions to discuss this. >> Yes. >> Over the past year. So
>> we did with a lot of leg work by a lot of people in between. >> I could see I could tell. So okay, all in supportive of it. Thank you. >> Me too. Good job all of you. Right. Teamwork. Good teamwork. Thank you for your being so thorough. And madam clerk, would you uh
>> sure like to read that? Y >> town of Danverse, Massachusetts Select Board, a resolution adopting the town of Danverse mass hazard mitigation plan update. Whereas the town of Danverse recognizes the threat that natural hazards pose to people and property
within the town of Danverse. And whereas the town of Danverse has prepared a multi-hazard mitigation plan hereby known as Town of Danverse MA Hazard Mitigation Plan Update in accordance with federal laws including the Robert
T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistant Act as amended, the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 as amended, and the National Dam Safety Program Act as amended. band.
Whereas the town of Danverse mass hazard mitigation plan update identifies mitigation goals and actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property in the town of Danverse from the impacts of future hazards and disasters.
And whereas adoption by the Town of Danverse select board demonstrates its commitment to hazard mitigation and achieving the goals outlined in the town of Danverse MA hazard mitigation plan update. Now therefore, be it resolved by
the Town of Danverse Mass that section 1 in accordance with MGL chapter 40, the Town of Danverse select Board adopts the Town of Danverse MA hazard mitigation plan update. While content related to the Town of Danverse may require
revisions to meet the plan approval requirements, changes occurring after adoption will not require the town of Danverse to readt any further iterations of the plan. Subsequent plan updates following the approval period for this plan will
require separate adoption resolutions. >> So moved. >> Excellent. Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. Thank you. Thank you, Chief. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you very much. Yeah, >> by the way, tornadoes are mentioned pretty extensively through here
throughout here. >> I'm sorry. >> Tornadoes are mentioned pretty extensively throughout the report. Um there's a big section on it and like 97 references to it. So >> yeah. >> Yeah, it's obviously a weather emergency, but as far as the shelters and things like that, that's not part of this plan. That falls into the emergency
management and emergency response plan. >> Okay. So, see you in five years with another update. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> All right. At this time, we're going to go to a public hearing will be held on the vote by mail for the May 5th, 2026 annual
town election. and the town clerk will request votes by the board regarding the 2026 election. Uh please folks remember this is a public hearing um on the vote by mail. Madame clerk, would you uh >> sure
>> like to let us know? Thank you. Thank you for your work. >> Okay. >> So we are required to have a public hearing on vote by mail for the annual town election. So tonight um in the audience we have invited the registars. We have Wally Typbert, Mark Lentini,
Marilyn Hazel are all here tonight in case um there are questions related to vote by mail. Um the position of the registars has been once we started to offer vote by mail, we should be consistent and continue to allow voters to the best
option for them. Um so we've been doing vote by mail since at least let's see here. Um, from a local perspective, we started in 2024.
Um, so 2024, 25, now we're into 26. So, this would be the third year for us to do vote by mail for the local elections. So, if the board has any questions and then we can open it up to the public. >> Yeah. Anybody in the audience have any questions? If they'd like to, please. Yep. Thank you. >> Board first.
>> Want to go to the board? Well, >> do board first. >> Yeah, we'll do the board first. That's fine. >> Governor, >> no. I I mean I we received this grid last time and I appreciate the >> large number of people who like to vote by mail. >> Yes. >> Um and uh I think it's helpful for the
electorate to for those who can't get out on election day. I'm fully supportive vote by mail. So >> wonderful. >> Thank you, Mike. >> Um to the clerk, um how many what percentage I guess of people vote by
mail in the town meet in the town uh elections? Um, well, it varies. We've only done it twice. So, in when we talk about voting early, so it's a percentage of early voting to total casted ballots. So, in
2024, which was a presidential election, it was 49%. So, it was almost half. >> In 2025, it was 6%. >> That includes vote by mail and in person early voting. >> Okay. >> Swing. Yeah. Well, and the reason for
that, right, >> is that in 2024, that was a presidential election. So, the presidential primary was in March. >> Yeah. >> The state sent out the vote by mail cards prior to our local election. And
the voters checked off all elections this year. So, because they checked off all elections this year, they got a vote by mail for the local election. >> Okay. And does did they actually vote by mail at the town election too?
>> Yes. >> Yeah. Okay. >> So, for example, in 2024, we have we had um 3,700 people requested a votebymail ballot for the local election, mostly because they checked off all elections. And of those
3,700, like 1,800 came back. >> Wow. >> Okay. >> It's a good number. >> It's a good deal then. Yes. >> Thank you. >> Right. >> Is that it, Mike? >> Yes. >> Okay. D. >> Uh, no. No questions. I I support it.
>> Wonderful. Dan, >> it's great that we can uh support our residents and give them all the opportunity to vote. Every opportunity they get that that's that's good. Just a limit to one day can hinder some people from getting out to vote. So, I think it's great a good idea.
>> Yeah, it's a wonderful idea. Um, this is a public hearing. Uh would anybody in the audience like to get up and please? Hi Sally. Good evening. >> Sally Calhoun um from uh precinct 3.
I've seen something locally recently in the um in the media that the postal service is changing or is considering changing the postmarking process >> for mail. I don't know if that is part
if that's an issue that the town needs to address with um voting by mail, but I just wanted to call it to people's attention. They might need to actually put their ballot in the in the mailbox or drop it at the post office sooner than they had to in
the past because the postmarking process is going to be not the day the piece of mail arrived there, but the day that the postal office process it or or something. I might I might be inaccurate in that statement, but there's something
uh that's being considered in terms of the a change in how postmarks are actually um issued. >> I can kind of add to that. >> Um on a local election, ballots are only counted that are received by 8:00 p.m.
on election day. So a postmark is not going to matter on a local election. Once we get to September and November when we're talking about the state election, um there are some changes with that where it the postmarking may come into play, but people should certainly
return them as soon as possible and they can always drop them in the dropbox out front or in our office in the clerk's office, but to return as soon as possible is probably the best way. >> That's wonderful. Does anybody else want to talk about that? Um I'd like to thank Marilyn, Wall-E, and Mark. Um, do you
want >> I don't know if they had something to add or >> you have something to add to that. Wall-E >> Marilyn Mark >> Kathy does a great job. Yeah. >> Yeah. No, thank you. It's it's a team effort again. Thank you so much. Um, all right. So, let's have a motion to close
the public hearing. >> So moved. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Okay. Town clerk. >> And we we'd like to do this as a roll call. So, um I've prepared potential motion if someone would make the motion.
>> Uh madam, I make a motion to affirm to allow a vote by mail for the May 5th, 2026 annual town meeting. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> No. I want to do roll call. >> Town election. >> Yeah. Okay. >> For the annual town. >> For the annual. Yeah. >> The first number one.
>> You said town meeting. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Town election. Excuse me. >> All right. So, you want to do a roll call, Kathy? >> Yeah, sure. Um Tras. Yes, >> Bean. >> Yes, >> Bernard. >> Yes, >> Bennett. >> Yes, >> Jooko.
>> Yes. >> Thank you. >> 50 Z. >> I move we hold a one day of in-person early voting to be held on Saturday, April 25th, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the TUMI room, One Silven
Street. >> Roll call. >> Second to do the roll. >> We're gonna do the roll call. >> Yep. I'm I'll do it >> and then D seconded it. >> Okay. Um Tras. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Bean. >> Yes. >> You wouldn't take >> Jooko. >> Yes.
>> Bennett. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> And then the the third item is um for the assignment of police officers. So we're looking to um defer that to the um police chief in consultation with the town clerk for the elections for 2026.
We need a motion for that. >> I would I'd like a motion. Would >> like a motion, please? >> I move that the select board delegates the authority given to them in chapter 92, section 72 of the acts of 2022 to detail a sufficient number of police officers to each polling location at
every election therein to preserve order and to protect the election officers and supervisors from interference with their duties and to aid in enforcing the laws related to elections to the chief of police. in consultation with the town clerk. >> Roll call.
>> No. Second. >> Second. First. >> Second. >> Sorry, Dan. >> Okay. And we'll do roll. We'll do a roll call vote. I'll go the other way. Bennett, >> yes. >> Jooko, >> yes. >> Bernard, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Tras,
>> yes. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> And then there's one more. Um to de um delegate the authority to the town clerk to appoint and assign pole workers as needed. I'll make that motion. >> Thank you. >> Second. >> Second.
>> Okay. Roll call. >> Um, Tras, >> yes. >> Bean, >> yes. >> Bernard, >> yes. >> Joe Goat, >> yes. >> Bennett, >> yes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. I thought you were going to stop maybe in the middle, but >> I don't know. I got confused. I appreciate that. Thank you. And I'd like to thank the registars for taking time out of their day.
>> Yeah. You Well, we You don't want to say anything? No. Mark Maryland, thank you so much. Thank you for coming. Yeah. >> And then I also here I will update um the important election dates and post that to the website for everybody so
they'll have that. And then I did have one other um note that um the census went out the beginning of the week or the end of last week and people should be receiving the census um any day if they haven't already got it. And it's a new updated form with some great
information on the back side. >> So take some time to >> I just got mine in the mail today. Yep. >> So, everybody look for it in the mail. Thank you. Y Thank you everybody. >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. All right, we're going to move on to the board will review the warrant for the
February 9th, 2026 special town meeting. All right, so item number four, board members, the board will review the warrant for the February 9th, 2026 special town meeting. The draft warrant was included in the members packets. Okay, everybody got that? and posted
online so everybody could review as part of the meeting materials. The warrant includes a select board's recommendate recommended changes to town meeting act and the town manager act which have been discussed by this board at length and what did we start this way back in
August right August. Uh, the board is in receipt of a new article 54 recall bylaw as the one included in the draft did not reflect the discussions of the board as of December 16th, 2025 meeting. Have members reviewed the
updated article 54 to be included in the warrant? Um, and any questions or changes? >> Madam Chair, I have extra copies of anybody from the audience. Yeah, if there's copies at the front in front of the town manager, if you'd like to come up,
thank you. >> Take a few minutes for people to come up that came up to get to review it. I have an extra copy. I printed one out. >> You're welcome to this one. >> Thank you. Sorry. >> Thank you. Thank you, Gagna. >> Did you Okay. So, any questions,
Gardner? >> No. No. I'm uh uh I went through it obviously and uh looked at I had a couple of questions that were answered by the clerk and the uh town manager including the uh modifications that are now in our hands. So I'm comfortable with everything in the report.
>> Okay, Mike. >> No uh no questions. >> Right, D? >> No questions. Thank you. >> Dan, >> well I I would request that we get a in public a little um update on number one and number two. We those those are items
that are new. >> Yep. >> Before we take a vote. >> Oh, that's that's what I was going to do. Yeah, that's on my list on the list. Yep. That's next, Dan. >> So, um so the two items included in the warrant the board have not previously discussed is article one unpaid bills
and article two Damas um retirement system co I should say. Rodney King is here, director of administration and finance is here to answer any questions regarding these two two matters. Uh Rodney's at the podium. Dan, did you have any questions for Rodney?
>> Um well, number one is self-explanatory. You got to pay the bills. >> Yep. >> I get that. >> Although it's quite a few of them this year. >> Two, can you explain the cola? >> Sure. >> What's happening? >> Yep. So, this is a cola for the Danver
Contributed Retirement System. So, retired members of the Danver system, each year the Danver Retirement Board votes um a COLA, a cost of living adjustment. A maximum by state law is 3%. Generally speaking, Danver like every community usually votes that 3%
cola. It's not on their total pension. It's solely based on what they call the COLA base. For Danverse, for as long as I've been here and going back many years, that number has been 13,000. So, the first 13,000 of someone's pension would be subject to that COLA. So they would get that 3% increase in perpetuity
on that 13,000. The action before you which was voted on by the Damas retirement board but requires uh town meeting approval would be to increase that base to 14,000 which brings it in line with the peers. So in the description below it shows that roughly
83% of the retirement systems in Massachusetts have a cola base of either 14,000 and some um significantly higher as well. But for we've debated this for multiple years. 13,000 was sort of middle of the pack for many years. Over the past couple years, more and more
systems have bumped that up to 14,000 or more. So, we felt it was the right time to bring this before uh town meeting. >> So, the 14 makes sense. But what is the colar increase? 3% of what? >> It would be three. So, right now, if we voted at 3% colar retirement board, it
would be 3% of 13,000. Moving forward, it would be of the 14,000. >> Okay. the 3% of the 13 plus a vote to go to 14. >> Yes. So, and the reason why we brought this under this extra special town meeting is that it can't go into effect until it's passed. So, you know, the the
minute it's passed by town meeting, we could put that into effect for the retirees. >> You don't have to go to the attorney general. It goes into >> it'll probably go through the normal legal process, but >> after that it be approved. Okay. Thank you, Rodney. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. And it says right in here, Rodney, right? It says uh where um the cola
retiree would receive uh it's going um 13,000 to 14,000 would increase the cola that a retiree could receive by $30 for a total of 420 per year. Right. And that's where you said about the 83% of 104 Massachusetts retire retirement
systems have base amounts that equal or exceed 14,000. Um so that is in article two there. Um, do you have any questions, D? >> Uh, no. No questions. I I support it. >> You support it. Good, Mike. >> Uh, no. No questions. Thank you.
>> And Gardner. >> All set. >> All right. Me, too. Excellent. Um, thank you, Rodney. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, we're going to go on >> folks as we're going along at the end. >> We're doing right now. >> So, that was in the booklet if anybody
wants to read that. >> Yeah. You're going to do >> I'm going to do this. Yep. So, article one, um, unpaid bills. Do I have a motion? >> Motion to approve the unpaid bills presented. >> Second.
>> And any discussion on that? >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> Excellent. Article two. >> Um, >> so moved. >> Okay. Do I have a motion? >> Second. >> Move to accept. >> I'm sorry. >> Any discussion?
>> Move. Yep. You made the motion. You second it. Now discussion. >> Yep. Discussion. Any discussion, Dan? >> No, we heard we heard the explanation. >> Good. Yep. All in favor? >> I'm sorry. Procedurally, did we go to It's a public hearing. We didn't go to the public hearing. >> It's not a public. >> No, it's not a public hearing. >> Oh, this is not >> No, this is not all right.
>> Nope. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. So, all in favor? I >> opposed. >> Okay. Since we have discussed the the town meeting at section by section several times, I'm recommending that we have one motion regarding the associated
articles, articles 3 through 18. Is there any objection to this? Are um are there any articles in this group that a member would like to discuss separately? >> Dan? >> No, I'm in favor of voting on the town meeting act articles 3 through 18 as one
vote. >> Okay. Um >> as presented. >> Thank you. And are you okay? Did you make that a motion, Dan? Or >> I did. >> Okay, I'll second it. >> Okay, any discussion? >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> I >> opposed. Okay. >> I move we accept the uh remaining
articles >> 19 through 53. >> 19 through 5. >> Thank you, Governor. >> Four. >> No, sorry. 53. >> Respectfully, can I interrupt briefly? Um, the committee that was formed to study the town meeting act and the town
manager act. Many of us are here tonight and we were hoping to have a chance to address a couple of these warrant articles. >> Okay. But at this um this has already been um the the the board sets the warrant articles at this time. Sally
>> hearing on the 16th we have >> right on the 16th. >> Well, I'd like to be u just on on the record on behalf of the committee who worked hours and hours and hours on this stuff. um the the warrant article the draft warrant articles came out just two
days ago or that we were able to reach get them anyway and as we've reviewed them they're different than what we discussed on the 16th of December and um we were hoping to have an opportunity to explain to the town our position on these various points. Um, I understand
if you're saying this is not a public hearing and this is not there's no more time or room for us to raise uh questions or to make suggestions about these warrant articles. So, so be it. But I'd like to be on record that we are here tonight in hopes that we'd be able to.
>> All right. I I'll allow it for a quick >> Right. I'll allow it. >> Could I could I ask a clarifying question? Um, specifically, Sally, what do you think changed between the 16th and now? uh because I thought we as a we we pretty much went through everything. We
had clarity on what we wanted modified with the only open item being the clarification on article 54 which we received. >> I think we left all of the other ones as we the board decided was appropriate and it's reflected here.
>> Is it article 54? I somehow miss or misunderstood that and um felt that we would be given an opportunity to to respond to the warrant articles as drafted as written up. Um they basically
um ignore most of the recommendations that the committee made and there's no reference to the work that the committee did. the town meeting has not seen the the report that they voted us to generate. Uh so the process just doesn't
feel right to me and to my committee. >> I'll defer it to the town manager. >> I'm I'm sorry. First of all, if you if the committee feels that way. Um the town meeting the member the recommendations of the committee have been available since you since June. So I think the town meeting members should have had an opportunity if you if it
would if it's the will of the board. I'm happy to include a copy of that in the in the packet that goes out to town meeting members. Um the the tw the 1216 meeting materials included all of the
changes to date. So anything so that was the public hearing where everybody had a chance to speak on everything. So then any anything that changed post then was debated by this deliberated by this board that night. I think the I mean I went through it, town council went
through it, the board members went through it. The only one that didn't reflect what the board had already discussed was was the recall bylaw because we that was an error. So that one was updated today. >> So I I apologize if the process wasn't clear, but the public hearing was posted
for December 16th and and held. um very few people spoke which was unfortunate but um and then there was a public hearing on uh by the finance committee on January 15th and as as the committee knows the
select board sets the warrant. So >> could I also ask for a quick not so I I'm I'm concerned that you that you're concerned that you felt that it wasn't your work wasn't mentioned in this warrant. >> It's not anywhere. I I appreciate that you that your feeling on this one.
>> Was the town meeting vote to create a committee to report to the select board or to report back to town meeting >> because Oh, please if you know the answer to that. >> I do. Well, I do. It's it says that they're to make recommendations and then re any recommendations and it doesn't
say their recommendations are the select boards are to be sent then the town meeting has the final vote. But the only people who can send recommendations to the town meeting is a select board because they set the warrant. Yeah. because I I'm sorry to feel that way because I think we've been pretty affusive about your all the work that's been done. We thanked it every meeting
we've had. We've appreciated and thank the the the the the input and at this point this is the town select I'm sorry this is the select board's warrant >> warrant right >> as we the board choose to forward it to
finer >> right >> and they can go forward I'm concerned that if we um that opening this up at town meeting is just going through that effort again of deliberating between the the the things
we we heard you say and asked you to to validate and some of them we most of them we agreed with. Some of them we had differences of opinion and it was an advisory board to us to to to guide us on what things we may not have thought of. I really appreciate all the hard
work that people put into this and but that being said not everything that was recommended was adopted. >> Yes. those things. The uh I'm sorry to uh to interrupt, but um uh the town manager asked if there was any
particular example I could give of where I felt that >> No, I did. I'd be interested if there's a particular >> warrant article. Yes, thank you. Um and one that you know I I could be wrong about this. Um but the warrant warrant article 26 which deals with section 8 of
the town manager act. That's the section that deals with um uh the sentence about whe the town manager having to be a um resident of the town of Damverse. >> I'm sorry, what page is that on? >> It's uh >> 19.
>> Thank you. >> My understanding from the last meeting was that the select board had agreed that the that it should just read said town manager shall not be required to be a resident of the town or of the Commonwealth. In fact, the warrant article just
deletes the sentence altogether. And I have argument for why I don't think that's uh >> if I may, I believe the opposite. You guys, there was someone who spoke at the public hearing who said you're going the opposite way and going too far, saying you don't have to be a resident of the
town or the Commonwealth. And my notes reflect that this will the board was you didn't want to specify it either way. You didn't want to say no, you don't have to be. >> That's what I thought. >> I mean, so that was my understanding
from the notes. Again, it's up to the board. >> You guys had I mean, reviewed it and pointed it out. If I if it's not reflected correctly by the will of the board. >> Um, again, it was myself and town council who reviewed it. >> Madam Chairman, may I Yes.
>> try to recreate my memory? Mhm. >> We to discussed that article and a member for the audience got up and spoke about out of state and we had a discussion and we decided to change the language as it is in this >> and I'm also reading the minutes uh from
that meeting and it reflects your recollection Dan that that um Tom Ano that is anticipated that there will be an article for each sex blah blah blah um uh as a matter of fact uh Nova pointed out that some of the uh some of
the communities are are closer in proximity to Newampshire towns in in the state. >> And so um we agreed to omit we we voted on a motion to forego the language about being in the Commonwealth or adjacent
towns or anything. We we left it to the deliberation and the and the job description that the select board would go ahead and forward. So I think your recollection the minutes reflect that >> and that was at the public public meeting
>> county. Thank you. >> I think that that's a mistake but it's past it's too late to do anything about it >> that way. It's not too late. >> You got town meeting. >> We have town meeting. >> We also have Vincome open meeting. >> They have a public hearing at Vincome >> January 15th.
>> January 15th. >> Thanks. >> Thank you Sally. All right. So, do we want to go I want to go this one here, right? I want to go to >> motion. I think I made a motion to adopt
19 through 53 as presented. >> And we have a second. >> Second. >> Okay. Discussion. >> I made the motion. Second. >> Thank you, Mike. All in favor? I opposed. Okay. >> Okay. Article 54, recall bylaw. As a reminder, we are voting on the updated
version submitted us via email today and handed out here tonight. Uh town manager has given out copies if anybody would like that. And just to let people know, what specifically changed between what was
presented online and now is section A, where we broaden it to uh where we identified a any holder of a townwide elected office. And then we put in the language that we had talked about at the last time. Um
uh FDA may be recalled from office by the registered voters of the town of Damverse in a manner there here and provided provided however that the vote of an elected official on a matter other than the connection with the conflict of interest violation shall not constitute valid grounds for recall. Everything
else remained the same. And that was just a we we talked about it. We voted. We deliberated. We voted on it. Motion it just it was a cut and paste. Mhm. >> Omission. >> Do I have a motion?
>> I move we accept the now amended or the most recent version. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Any disc >> conversation discussion? >> Yeah. >> I voted last time to move it forwards on the warrant. >> Mhm. >> At town meeting. I be voting against
this article. >> So you changed. Okay. You have that So God made a motion. >> Who's going to second? >> Mike is seconding it. >> Discussion. >> We had discussion >> and that was your second my discussion. >> Yep. Do you have any discussion? >> I don't either. Mike,
>> no. >> Con there. Any more discussion about that? >> No, I'm all second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> I opposed. >> No. >> Okay. >> All right. Well, thank you Um, next steps, housekeeping and important
dates. The warrants will be emailed to all town meeting members and posted on the town website by the end of the week. If town meeting members would like a printed copy, um, they may request one by contacting the town manager's office or even the if if you can't get a hold
of town manager's office, you can naturally call the town clerk. The finance committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the warrant on January 15th at 7 p.m. in the TUMI room. We encourage the public to attend. That'll be a good time for you to come. Once the
finance committee has made their recommendations, all town meeting members will receive the warrant and finance committee recommendations by email and mail. It will be posted on the town website, too. The town moderator
will be holding open office hours on February 5th, 2026 from 5:30 to 6:30 in the TUMI room. This is an informal opportunity for town meeting members to ask moderator questions related to procedures, potential amendments, etc. I
encourage people to attend. I'll be there. Also, the special town meeting is scheduled for February 9th, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at Danvas High School auditorium. With that being said, I want to thank uh the review committee members for all
their hard work and for being here with the select board throughout the process. Sally Khoun for chairing the committee and thoughtfully answering our questions throughout the process um and her committee. fellow select board members for all their hard work on this over the
past several months. Um, I'd also like to thank the town manager, the town clerk, and I'd like to thank the public, um, Ann Freredus, too, um, for all her hard work, too. Um, so, thank you very much with that being said, madam chair. >> Yes.
>> Generally, the what goes out to the uh, uh, town meeting members head of fin is usually has warrant explanations. At least can we have a cover letter that adequately or that that thanks the committee, notes the committee, thanks the committee um for the and provide a
link to the committee's report online similar to to the warrant article online. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you, Governor. That'd be great. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> And uh through you, if no one else wants to, I'm happy to attend as the select board representative at the FINCOM
meeting. >> Okay. Unless someone else wants it. I'm just throwing it out there. >> Um I'm I was going to go. >> Okay. >> I think it's the role of the chair to represent this board. >> Well, we've often split it up because >> when there's five nights, it's one night. That's fine.
>> Yeah. It's okay. I mean, if I was making two people go if we want to or just one, do you like more than two? You want you can go. >> Well, you you'll be speaking. If we all go, we can all go, but if you're the representative, we we won't speak. >> All right. >> That's fine.
>> All right. Well, thank you for offering. >> Yep. >> Appreciate that. Um, let's see. Where are we now? Town manager will report to the board on various items of interest. Okay. All right. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um,
All right. All right, I'm going to start I'm going to start with some quick ones um and end with kind of the more fun stuff. So, um quickly just to update the public and the board um since it's been a topic here often, 17 Elm Street, the
building commissioner, I believe it was Monday, um inspected the scaffolding around 9:00 a.m. that morning and approved it that he has lifted the stop work order on the site and construction may resume. If there are further questions from the select board members regarding specifics about because now
it's out of um the realm the authority of the select board which is the use of the public way but if you have questions about the project send them to me through my office and I will get you answers. Um, I mentioned last time that uh we have been working with our uh
Essex Tech uh school committee rep, uh, Mike Landers, um, as well as other mayors and superintendents on the Northshore related to their new lottery system. Um, yesterday, town officials attended a community meeting at Essex Tech um, regarding the potential changes
to the to the school's admission policy. They were required by legislation to move to a lottery based system and now they are working on finalizing the policy for how they are going to implement the lottery. Um we were joined by many other member communities and representatives. There's a good
discussions on the new admissions and member allotments um and the impacts on community school districts themselves. So as this moves forward I actually think their next meeting might also be the 15th of January. Um I will we will keep you posted on any uh new policies
that get adopted. I wanted to give some further explanation on the water quality notice. Um I'm going to preface this with this. I went over this with um assistant town manager Jim Breaker, Steve King, and um
Jason who runs the water plant. So I I think I have it fully understood, but if there are follow-up questions, I'd rather bring them back to make sure I answer them correctly. but I will get you the information. So, I shared with the board um in case the public hasn't seen it um the link on our website that
has the letter as well as additional FAQs, but I'm going to provide some additional information. So, on December 26, the town issued a water quality notice as required by Mass D. This noted this notice was required to be issued to the public as a drinking water
regulation requirement there. There was not a public health risk. The town was notified of the regulation violation that occurred in August and and September of 2025. We were notified by D of this in November uh November 26 and
we didn't receive the language for the not notification until mid December. So that was I know a lot of people were saying if this happened in August why didn't we know till November? Well we didn't until December. We didn't know from them. Um so our violation wasn't based on a
health risk. This violation was on a regulatory notification requirement related to corrosion control. Our water treatment includes corrosion control treatment. This treatment helps prevent lead and or copper in the plumbing systems from dissolving into the water. Our corrosion control treatment consists
of pH adjustment and the addition of phosphates. In August and September of 2025, we missed our planned targets for pH and phosphates. Deviations outside of our planned target ranges can impact the effectiveness of our corrosion control treatment and influence how much leader
copper leeches out of the pipes. Failure to have corrosion control treatment within the required perimeter range for more than 7 days is considered a treatment technique violation by the Massachusetts drinking water regulation. Failure to have rep reported the change
is where the violation came. Our water quality control parameters requires that we notify mass DP of any deviation within 48 hours. This this again is the detail that was missed um by the water treatment plant and ultimate ultimately resulted in this violation and public
notice. Um our previous so so some background on how that happened. Our previous chemical supplier sent us a corrosion control product that underperformed. We have since corrected the issue and at no point was there public health risk. The
town will be sending out to all residents a copy of the letter that has been on the town website since December 26th. This is not a new violation, but additional information for residents who may not have been able to access a letter online. Hard copies have been available at the senior center library
and various town offices and the housing authority since December 26th. The reason that we ended up having to do the postcard instead of the letter is because we had to go back and forth with the language with D. they have to it's very prescribed and we couldn't through the holiday time our printer couldn't
get a letter out so they agreed to a sufficient postcard as long as we had the letter on the website. Um if any residents have additional concerns or questions the water treatment team is available to answer and their contact information is available in the letter which you'll receive on our website or
by reaching out obviously to my office. I think the short version is um it is a obviously the water treatment is a delicate balance but I think the important message that the team asked me to get through tonight was the violation was in our reporting.
Okay. So I want to make sure we have that. Um and and I think the second part is if the public receives another receives a letter it's not a second violation. It's the followup to the postcard. I have um I also want to let the board know
that the I'm joining Superintendent Bower and his team including some students to welcome the commissioner of the department of ele elementary and secondary education to Danverse High School on Friday. Uh Commissioner Martinez assumed the role on July 1, 2025. So he's getting to know the
districts and we're thrilled to welcome him here to Danverse. Uh we have I think it was our last meeting the board accepted a gift from Danver's Rotary related to um uh the MU mural restoration and hanging.
So, I wanted to let the public know as well as the board that that installation is scheduled for Friday, January 9th, and will impact access to the main staircase lobby and in particular Rodney's office. Um you will be able so public will be able to access inspectional services and
the retirement board only through the front doors. Other departments can be accessed by the doors on either side both Silvin Street and Holton Street and use either the elevator or this back staircase to get upstairs. Um we expect
the work to be completed between Friday and Saturday. If there are problems it would carry into Monday. Um this will all be out on socials and our website. So, and there'll be signs on the doors um and is being communicated to staff as well. I do want to thank Danver's
Rotary, um Danver's Historical Society, DPW, um Natalie has been chaperon like really pushing this through to make sure it got done. So, thank you. It's like it was literally hurting cats. Um but we're there. It's we're there on Friday. Um
and really looking forward to it and thank them all for their hard work. Um, so please excuse our mess for a couple of days, but I think um >> it should it should go smoothly. So, please come see them when when you have a chance. Um, and I believe they're working on descriptions for each of them as well.
Uh, curbside Christmas tree pickup is Saturday, January 10th. Trees need to be curbside by 7 a.m. Artial artificial trees cannot be collected. Trees that aren't bare won't be picked up. No lights, no ornaments, all that kind of stuff. Um, and wreaths will not be
collected during this pickup. That leads us to the reason they're picking them up. Um, Saturday, January 10th with a rain day of the 11th is the Falcon Fest winter bonfire at Plains Park starting at 5:00 p.m. This is a joint effort between Falcon Fest, the
fire department, police department, DPW, and town manager's office. The bonfire will be lit at 6:15, and more information is available on their website. I saw their food truck lineup looks pretty good. So, please join us. And January 19th, join the Human Rights
and Inclusion Committee and the public schools to celebrate MLK Day at our annual Move Like King celebration at the high school atrium from 3:00 to 5:00, student art exhibits and musical selections and interactive community building activities for children, youth, and adults. The hallmark of the event
will include presentation of the seed of hope award and snapshot narratives from community members who will share how they are moving like Martin Luther King Jr. through their life and work in Danvers. I'm very much looking forward to it. So I hope to see all of you there and with that town offices town hall
offices will be closed on January 19th and obser observance of Martin Luther King Day. >> Thank you Tom manager. Um all right so >> sorry what time was the move like king event
>> 3 to5 >> all right um the board will cons >> could I just add to you madam chair is um is there a reason why they don't pick up the leaves >> I don't know the answer my guess would
be because there's wire behind them >> okay >> is it wiring Okay. Okay. >> If I may offer, if you strip the greenery off it and put it in a trash
bag, a paper bag that picked other things up in the past. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Um, and not to dwell on this, I I the the another question. Um,
yeah, the water and thanks for the clarification, but I just as a resident, I'm still confused. Um, I saw the letter and I saw a news article on the Salem news
that was pretty confusing. We spoke about that. Um, you're saying that the violation was in the reporting. I'm not sure I understand what that means. Uh, do you mean there was some corrosion
that we were supposed to report within 7 days and that didn't happen? >> When there's any deviation in the corrosion um, what's the word I was looking for? Control. when there's any de deviation in that we are supposed to report that
to them and that's what we did not report. >> Okay. Do we know why it wasn't reported? >> I know why it deviated which it was the the the company we switched companies that we bought it from. So when now we know we can't use that company. Um when
I asked staff why it was over I mean it was overlooked. They were we were in the middle of another water crisis where TBD and Danver's water were mixing and that had to end. We had he was focused on that. So he did not um he didn't he missed the reporting date. It was a it was an error, human error.
>> Okay. So have we put in some guidelines or like has anything been done since then to prevent this from happening in the future? >> Yeah. So we went well the number one Yeah. The number one thing being that we
know now we can't deviate the vendor for the product is the most important. The um the pH levels are that sensitive. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> I think after the questions Jason's had to answer, I don't think he will miss a reporting deadline again.
>> Anybody else have any questions about that? >> I should say they were both both Steve and Jason were willing to be here tonight. So really, if you do have follow-up questions, please and to the public as well, >> reach out to our office. I mean, they really want to be transparent and and open with the public on this. So, please, >> it's important >> ask questions.
>> Thank you. >> All right. The um >> Oh, Bill, did you want to ask a question? Go ahead. >> Of course you can. Go ahead. Remember, three minutes, not even >> Wait, let me get this. Hold on. Wait. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Go.
>> Hurry. It's starting now. to save the town some postage money. Wouldn't it be possible to add the letter that's supposed to be sent out in everyone's electric bill because we all receive them? I'm trying to save the town some money.
>> Thank you. But D has very strict requirements about mailing these notifications. We're not allowed to combine it with anything. We're not We don't even get to say what we're going to That's why it took so long to get it out. We we actually didn't get to say any of the stuff that I said. >> Make a suggestion to save money for
individual communities. >> I know. I agree very much. Please make that that recommendation to the governor and DV. >> I know it's always put in committee so I know we're in >> and it is a good idea that but the the the other issue is the electric cycle is quarterly. >> Yeah.
>> So some people may not get a free >> water. >> But it was a good idea. It is a good idea unfortunately regulates exactly how what we say and how we say it. >> Sorry. >> Go ahead. >> One more about about the water. So
>> the doctor here. Yes. >> No. No. Um >> like it. >> So when when and if there's a deviation it gets reported to the state EPA or whatever. Do residents also get notified
or there's a threshold where the resident will get notified if if do they have like a window which they don't find it as a health risk? >> Yeah. >> And they just let the EPA know >> but then when it reaches that other
threshold then people in their home get notified. And how does that process work? So, I don't want to misspeak. So, um I will follow up with you on that question and I will email the whole board. >> Yeah, that'd be nice to know. That's a good good question, D. >> I think I know the answer. I think we
are supposed to report to them and if then then we do follow-up testing and then if there's an issue, we have to notify, but I'm I don't want to I'm not sure I'm correct. So, let me get the correct information. >> Thank you. >> Great. All right. Anybody else? Okay. The board
will consider consent calendar items as they appear below. Motion to accept. >> Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> I >> I opposed. Okay. >> All right. At this time, we will do correspondent select board new business previous new business update. Select board closing comments. Uh Mike, you
want to start? >> Um I don't have much to say. Just um I read an article today talking about w water that the federal government's going to ban fluoride after the 20th of this year. Did anybody read that? >> January 20th. So, I don't know if that's
a allegedly that's a good thing. So, we'll see. >> That's all I got. >> That's it. Okay. Got >> uh no, I didn't get any correspondence that we didn't all get as part of uh from as part of normal business. Uh I
didn't get anything from residents. So, I have nothing new to report. >> Thank you, Ghana D. Uh >> no, just happy new year to everyone. And Mike, I'll be curious to see that article if you can >> share that. >> Okay. >> I I think the local board of health have
some say. Uh I don't know if it's all federal government decisions, but yeah, >> it's probably a JFK recommendation. >> Well, when we moved to Damas, right, people always said you want to go to Damis because there was fluoride in the water, right? It's like
>> Yeah. Right, Mike? With Damas. I mean they they always saying toxic the dose makes the poison, right? So >> excess of everything is the problem. So >> not good about >> No, thank you. >> All right. Um Dan,
>> thank you. I have a question through you, Madam Chairman, if I may. >> Are we working on a foreign article to ban Bitcoin machines? >> Yes. >> That's for the May >> May. >> Is the machine a total tobacco or Bitcoin machine? I don't know that
answer. >> I saw it in the window. I didn't go in to look. And are those licensed at all? Anybody can put one up. >> I would have to go. I mean, the chief >> I know that's why we're working on a a
warrant article, but that's a ban. I just >> um Anybody can put one >> I think. So they don't >> I could put one in my office. >> Well, >> you don't issue a license for that. >> You might want to put it out front. >> Out front? Yeah. We get more action now.
My office too far back. >> No, seriously. I'm just curious how >> I know we don't issue a license for it. So, >> okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, madam. >> I don't let you do the closing at the end. Um, I just want to say hope everybody had a happy new year. Um, I want to thank the committee again. I
want to thank the registars Wall-E Mark and and Marilyn. Thank you very much and everybody's hard work on Thank you board members for all of this. Um I want to thank the clerk and the town manager and like I said and Ian and everybody. Uh what else did I want to say? I'm having
to Oh, I wanted to say congratulations to Gardner's son on his marriage. And I also wanted to say congratulations to Mike's a new grandfather. Him and Katie, right, for a baby boy. >> So many more kids. >> Have so many more kids. Yep. just got to keep on working the rest of our lives.
And uh thank you for um all your research everybody out there too. I appreciate it. And uh with that being said, I'll let Dan >> Yes. When you see a vet, say thank you for your service. >> He or she. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Good night. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Donna ref shirt in here somewhere. Where are we? >> We haven't lo