All righty. Good evening, Danas. Welcome to the select board, March 3rd, 2026. And Mike, would you like to lead us off with the pledge of allegiance? >> Sure. 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, Mike. >> Thank you. >> All right. Can I have approval of the minutes of
February 17, 2026? >> All moved. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. All in favor? I opposed. >> Thank you. Welcome everybody. Thank you for coming out tonight. Um at this time we're going to do new public business. The clerk uh
will have the timer for three minutes. Um please go up to the podium, introduce yourself and welcome. Good morning. >> Good evening. Lauren Steves, uh Tommy Member Precinct 3. Um I have two questions. One is about the warrant
which you're voting to close. I believe the date looks like March 20th. Warrant review isn't until April 7th by the board. So are all the articles that are going to be on the warrant going to be published prior to March 20th. >> I would say manager would you um Joe?
>> No. No. That's when the warrant closes for submissions from the public. >> Okay. So the public doesn't know what's going to be on the warrants. So, they don't know if they need to do a citizen's petition or not because they don't we won't know what the articles are. Correct. >> And that's that's my understanding of
how the process works. >> Okay, I'll make note of that. >> Um, and then the second question I have is I'm I'm looking for uh obviously not the answer now, but it seems like our new $687,000 back truck is broken. We've had to contract out at least four or five times
for companies to do water man and sewer work that our back truck should have been utilized for. Um, I find that to be unacceptable as this is a brand new purchase. Um, and I'd like some answers on how it was broken, why it was broken, do we have anybody trained on it, and
and what's going to happen going forward. >> Okay, Lauren. Yeah, thank you. I did hear that, too. And Joe, can you find those questions out for us? And she'll get back to us on that. Thank you, David. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. David McKenna, Davis Historical Society and chairman of
the Rev 250 Commission. Um, we have a lot of things going on for the for the next year or so as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of the United States. We had talked about having a warrant article at the annual town meeting to recreate the warrant
article passed by the Denver's town meeting back in 1776, but decided it probably made more sense to do a resolution supporting and honoring those who made had the courage to take on the most powerful army in the world and declare our independence and become the
United States of America. We do have a lot of things going on. March 18th, Dan Gagnner is going to be giving a presentation on evacuation day in Boston. That'll be have at the historical society. April 9th, we're
going to have a ceremony here uh dedicating the um mural that was right hung in the front foyer uh commemorating the shot that could have been heard around the world if the British had been standing there to shoot back, but it
didn't. So, we had to wait another couple of months. and Lexington got the honor. Um on April 20th, Patriots Day, the alarm list will be visiting all the cemeteries where patriots who died in that day are buried. On April 19th,
which is the Sunday, the uh DA will be having a presentation on the history of General Israel Putnham who played a pivotal role in the revolution. Um, in May, of course, we have the town
meeting. In June, we're going to have um a uh a talk on the uh on the history of the revolution by uh Paul O'anosy, who does a um reenactment of General Gage, explain why he was in
Danvers and what he was hoping to accomplish. Um, a lot of these items are all going to be listed on the Danvers Historical Society's website and get more details. Go to Danvershistory.org and all those events will be published.
One other thing while I'm up here, I just want to give kudos to the Danvers public works for the absolutely incredible job they did after that last storm. I went out that morning trying to plow my cemeteries and I couldn't even see where the hell I was going. It was
so bad out there. They did an incredible job. They had the streets cleaned down a bare pavement uh on the mo main streets and damn close to it on the side streets. And I know I'm not going to give them a a bonus. That's up to you guys, but I just want to give them kudos
and a big round of applause. Great job, guys. Thank you. Be happy to answer any questions if anyone has them. >> Thank you, David. >> Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair, if I may. as the liaison to the rev 250. We did meet last night discuss the uh change of
the warrant to a uh resolution made sense. >> Uh the alarm list company would like to be present at town meeting which is we know is held in the school with their musketss. We want to know if that's appropriate for them to be there with their musketss.
>> Ask the town manager look into that. I don't know if the school committee needs the weigh in, but um they won't be there if they can't be in full uniform. >> Will they fire anything? >> They'll be unloaded. There's not enough time to put this fill the cartridge up.
You get you get out of there. No problem. >> No. If that's permissible, >> that would be great. Thank you. Thank you, David. >> Anybody else? Nova. uh Nova Sam town meeting member precinct
one. I just had a couple comments um based on the last meeting when the transfer station was discussed. Um I'm not sure how much the town spent on having Weston and Samson research the viability of the town running the transfer station, but after their
findings presentation, uh I can't imagine that we should spend any more looking into this. It seems pretty obvious that it isn't a good idea and that we're not going to save money doing this or make any. Um, I feel like we should really be focusing on reducing the amount of trash we make. Uh, there's
going to come a time when other places don't want our trash that we can't put it on a train and ship it to the middle of the country. So, we really need to focus, I think, on reducing it for our budget and just for environmental purposes. It's just too much trash. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Bill. You sure? Anybody else? Okay. All right. Let's see. The board will issue a proclamation in recognition of motorcycle awareness month. Um board members, do we have any comments at all?
>> We're going to read it. >> Yeah, I was on it. Comments first and then >> No. Did you read it, D? You read it. >> I did. >> Okay. Dan. And then um >> seems the same as the last five years. And who's here to speak on behalf of that? >> Yeah, Paul, thank you. Introduce
yourself. >> Hi, thank you. Uh Paul Cotay uh from Amesbury, Massachusetts. Grew up in Salem. Spent a lot of time in Damis and still do. Uh I want to say thank you to the board and it's I think believe been more than five years that the board has
done it. uh past board members uh have issued in conjunction with the governor the annual motorcycle safety and awareness proclamation uh as we think spring and during a snowstorm that's going on right now. But uh in speaking earlier with the chief uh maybe one
motorcycle accident in Danvas last year with no serious injuries and I really believe it's it's it's hard to measure the I think uh Gardner would uh attest to it. Uh there's a lot of near misses uh when you when we're riding the bike
and we see things in front of us. Um and we have to be cautious. Uh but that's phenomenal for the amount of registered motorcyclists uh that are in Damas and uh the surrounding areas.
Beverly Salem uh Peodyy, they issue their proclamations. Uh we got the governor's today online and uh we'll be doing uh the end of the month the kickoff on it for March 22nd through the end of April. So just want to say thank
you and I think that your continued support years uh have saved lives. So thank you. >> You're welcome. Going to have gardener read and anybody have questions at this time for Paul Mike? >> No. Thank you. >> Okay. Gardner, would you read it,
please? Um, so I'm I'm very happy to do this. I've done this for many years on on behalf of this group. I think they're they do an amazing amount of work. Loud pipes do save lives. I agree. And uh as a former rider, we actually I used to uh ride in a registered motorcycle club,
the Danver Falcons, and we used to raise a lot of money doing bike runs for the u for the band uh for many many years. But whereas the motorcycle is a popular mean means of transportation for commuting, for touring, and for recreational purposes. And whereas there's an
everpresent need for cooperation among drivers of automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians who use our streets and highways in order to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities, and where it is critical for all Massachusetts citizens and visitors
to our area to increase their knowledge of the rules of the road and the rights and responsibilities of all roadway users. And whereas there are hundreds of motorcycles owned and operated by our fellow citizens, homeowners, and residents of Danvers and the tens of thousands more visiting and touring our
town from neighboring communities and states. And whereas numerous departments and organizations are committed to making our streets and highways safe for all motor vehicle related transportation, urging and reminding drivers to check twice, save a life. Motorcycles are
everywhere now. Therefore, we the select board of the town of Danvers join with the governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all agencies and organizations to proclaim March 29th through April 30th, 2026 as motorcycle o safety awareness period in the town of
Damverse and wish all those who ride an enjoyable and safe riding season. >> Excellent. >> So moved. >> Thank you. Second. >> All right. All in favor? I >> opposed. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you.
Have a good spring and a good snowstorm. >> Yeah, they say spring is coming. I'll believe it when I see it. >> Hold on a second, Paul. And we have a We'll have a signed copy for you. >> Get that. I'll have to get that to him. I need to make a copy. >> Great. >> Wonderful.
>> Thank you. Be >> safe. Thank you. Thank you. >> Great smile. >> Thank you. >> Big cup. >> Big cup. >> Put it on the side.
>> It's a Yeah. >> Oh, >> there's a >> town manager. >> Madam town manager, there's a suggestion. Can we put it on the town sign boards? Perhaps. >> I'm sorry. I didn't I didn't hear you. >> There's a suggestion from the audience. Perhaps we can put motorcycle awareness on the sign boards, the electronic sign
boards at some point. >> Let me find out. >> The town of Drake at uh Wemouth, Amesberry, they have uh some the some of the the flashing signs in front of a town hall that have five or six community messages and uh we have their
DPW signs that >> Thank you, Madam Clerk. I'm going to get the proclamation to him. I have to make a copy first. >> Okay. So, I'll reach back to you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Good night. >> Put it up there. >> Okay, that's fine.
>> Sure. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Have a good night. >> Thank you everybody. A public hearing will be held in the application of Duke and Fonal LLC DBA Gian's Pizzeria Constantino's Panols
110 Newbury Street for a transfer of a common vehicular license at the location formerly held at Center Street Pizza. who is here to speak. Thank you. Welcome and please introduce yourself. >> Um good afternoon board members. Uh I'm
here um on behalf of u um Demetrios Ducas and Constantinos Panes who are the owners of the business and I am Constantino's wife uh and the official business spokesperson and that's why uh we are here tonight. Um we uh are here
because uh we would like we are um taking ownership over uh center street pizza like as you mentioned 110 street in dams and uh we will request uh the change of the name to Giana's Pizzeria.
Uh some of the changes that uh we will be making are in the menu which are uh removing for instance the Mexican food and uh replacing it into a more specialized focused menu that concentrates in uh Greek recipes. Uh
both my husband and his uh cousin are Greeks. Uh or pizza dough is mostly uh you uh made with a Greek recipe. Uh and we also uh are specializing in calzones and subs hot wraps, cold wraps and um
among other comfort food items. Uh also uh we um Demetrios and Constantinos they both have experience in the pizza business uh since more than six years ago. They both work in a in a
in a pizza place in Rhode Island. And also Demetrius, he used to work at uh that same business before uh he took ownership. So they both have experience uh working in uh food preparation uh delivery uh working with customers and
also uh Demetrius is very uh familiar with the Dambur's community. He personally lives here with his uh Greek family and uh that's what we are here for. And um if you all have any questions, uh we are more than happy to
answer them. We also brought some menus as well. >> Excellent. Thank you. Uh welcome. That was a great presentation. >> Um Dan, do you have any questions? >> That's just curious. The layout and the building is going to stay as it is now. >> No changes.
>> Inside or outside? >> Inside. >> The Yes, it's going to stay the same. >> Okay. Thank you. No other questions. >> Next one. Uh would you have any kind of lamb on the menu? Like kebab and >> like lamb? Yeah. And we are adding we we
will add and also the famous steak dips with the Greek recipe. They're really really good. >> I'm working on that. >> Thank you. >> Excellent. Mike, >> um no questions. Just uh congratulations and I hope you uh I hope you do well.
>> Thank you so much. Ghana. >> I don't have any questions other than that this is an opportunity. You're on t on the cable. When do you plan on opening or have you already opened? >> We we are already open. Okay. We just haven't changed the name yet, but we're we're working on that. >> And what are your normal hours?
>> Oh, yes. I'm so sorry. So, it's uh from Monday through Saturday from uh 11 to 8:30 and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Everybody's welcomed. >> Great. Good luck. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. Oh, well, it sounds
fabulous. Can't wait to try it. >> Yes, please. >> Um, this is a public hearing. Um, does anybody in the public have anything to say? >> Motion to close the public hearing. >> Do I have a second? All right. All in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> Congratulations. >> No.
>> I move we accept the application um as presented. >> Second. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> I >> opposed. >> Now, congratulations. >> Thank you so much. We have menus here. >> Double see double congratulations. >> Thank you. We'll take the menus. >> Yeah, please bring them up.
>> I'm sure town. Yeah, >> that's right. >> Fantastic. >> Sounds wonderful. >> See you all. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> And one for you, Mackenzie. >> All right, moving right along. The board is in receipt of an application by Essex
Northshore Agricultural and Technical School, 565 Street, the Lockan Center. Jill Sawyer, event coordinator for three one-day wine and malt licenses for the following events. And Jill, if you can go up um and it if it's okay, I think
we'll take take them separately, each one. You can start out with the first one and then we'll vote. Okay. And then we'll go on and so forth. Thank you. >> Good evening. I'm Jill Sawyer um from Essex Tech as well as Ryan Monx, our director of facilities. Um so we have three one-day liquor license coming up.
Um the first one is Thursday, March 5th from 5 to 7. It is a networking event for the Northshore Tech Council. >> Okay. Um questions, board members, Gardner, >> uh can I assume that Vinwood Catering is going to be your servers?
>> Yes. >> Great. Thank you. That's all I have. >> Okay. Uh Mike, >> no. No questions. >> D. >> No questions. Thank you. >> And Dan, >> all set. Thank you. >> All right. We're all set. So, do I have a motion? Motion to approve the Northshore Tech Council networking event
Thursday, March 5th, 5 to7. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> opposed. Terrific. >> Me. >> Okay. Mike. Yep. >> And then the second one, Jill. >> Sure. Um the second event is um next
Saturday, March 14th from 4 to 6. It is a campaign kickoff event for Jamie Belceto. >> Tell us a little bit about that. Um, so this is uh she's running I believe for Congress. Um, and it's just a campaign kickoff event that's obviously open to the public.
>> Okay. Board members questions? Gardner? >> No questions. >> Mike, >> no. >> D, >> no questions. >> All set. >> All right. Do I have a motion? >> I move we accept the application for the campaign kickoff event, Saturday, March 14th from 4 to 6 p.m.
>> Second. Anybody? >> Second. >> All right. All in favor? >> I opposed. >> And me. Okay. >> And the third event, please. >> And then lastly, um we have a event, a fundraising event on March 21st, um from
6:00 to 9:30 with the um last call being at 9:00. Um and this is for one of our Arbor teachers, Greg Gier. He is running the Boston Marathon um in support of Children's Hospital. >> Nice. Okay, good. Do I um have a motion?
I'll approve the fundraising event to support Essex Tech teacher Greg Gagny who's running the marathon March 21 6 to 9:30 with last call at 9:00. >> Do I have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I
>> opposed. That'll be me. >> I get it. >> But I'm glad he's running. >> Yeah. >> Excellent. >> It's a runners at our school. >> Thank you. Uh Madam Clerk, is all everything in order? >> Paperwork is in order. >> All right. Thank Thank you very much. Great. Thank you. >> All right.
>> All right. Now, let's see. Where am I? The board will vote to accept a gift to the town in accordance with MGL chapter 44 section 53A for the Leo Support Fund. And Chief, can you tell us about this please?
>> Good evening. Um, in 20 2014, uh, we began training our officers in the use of, uh, quick clot, trauma bandages, and tourniquets. Uh by 2016, all our officers were issued tourniquets um upon graduation from the academy and they're encouraged to carry them on their person while they're on duty. Um recently,
Ostro Deanado, who oversees our first responder program, came to me and asked if we could update our tourniquets because over the years we have a mixed match of different ones. Um he thought it'd be better if we could get everyone with the same tourniquet on duty. Um obtain a carrying case for it as well as
some quick cloth for each of the officers. Um with that became a question of uh funding the project. >> There you go. Hey. Oh, wait a minute. >> He even came and tested it.
>> Yeah, saw it on your screen. >> Here we go. What's up? whenever in doubt. Right. >> There we go. It's coming up. >> Unplug it. I might have to come in. >> Thank you. for the implementation.
I'm going to have I'm going to bring the mic over There you'll see a sample of what the kit looks like. It's that plastic package which contains most the tourniquet, the uh carrying case which you see in the right hand side and a quick cloth bandage. Um the cost of each
kit is about $100 per. Um, Officer Gibbonado was creative and reached out to the law enforcement officer Support Foundation who provides these tourniquet kits to uh law enforcement departments across the United States and they were willing to donate 50 kits to our department which
would be uh more than enough to outf. Um, so my request is to accept the gift from the law enforcement um officer support foundation of these 50 tourniquet kits. Excellent. Um, board members, Dan, any
questions? >> No questions. No, >> Dan. I mean, D. Yeah. Um, >> D too many DDs. >> Uh, no questions. Just Thank you, >> Mike. >> Uh, yeah, Chief. Uh, please tell me you haven't had to use one of these.
>> Um, we have not used them on any offices. I believe there was incident where we use on on someone in the public. Um there was an accident about I think a year ago in pe on 95 Route One that area with a motorcyclist who was struck by a vehicle and I believe the officers used their own tourniquets on
the motorcyclist to put tourniquets on both of his legs to save his life. So as much as it is for the offices is also for the community as well between the click quick clot which is a a gauze pad with a hemostat on there that will help blood clot quicker or the tourniquet
itself. It can be used to the officer or the public. Um after the 98 new brace street incident, we realized that our tactical vest didn't have uh individual first aid kits. So now also all of our um plate carriers have a kit as well that contains gloves, tourniquets, and
all these life-saving equipment as well. So we've we're progressing as we go along. >> How much does that vest weigh now? >> They're heavy. U put all the magazines and all the equipment on there. They get they get pretty heavy, but the uh plates are a little bit lighter than the old ones were. So All right. >> Thank you.
Donna, >> I am all set. >> All right. Um, >> yep. Motion. Uh, do I have a motion, please? >> Make a motion to accept the gift to the town in accordance with Mass General Laws chapter 44, section 53A for Leo
Support Fund. >> Second motion. >> Okay. And all in favor? I opposed. Thank you, Chief. >> Want to stay up there and we'll go right into the board. We'll hear a quarterly update from the police chief. Thank you for coming again for the update. >> One minute. I'm gonna try to fix
it perfectly before we started. >> I know who's been outside. The question is inside. >> Inside. Okay. >> Yeah. On the stage. >> Oh, is outside. >> Okay. >> Perfect timing. >> Okay. >> All right. That looks much better.
>> Sure. >> If you want to put the laptop up here, Chief, I'll advance this this my keyboard. Be happy to help. >> Oh, wait a minute. you you know I unplugged that mic so you could take it with you if you want to present from closer it's up to you
>> if it's not doing >> he's got Rodney >> okay it's working from there >> all right so we go to the first slide please thank you um so one of the last meetings you guys were board asked if we could do some comparisons year-to-year um stats so what we did we did a review
of 2023 2025 and 20 20 23 3 22 23 20 No 24 26 >> No 24 >> Yes. 22 2 >> You don't have 26 yet. >> Yes, we don't have 26 yet. 23 24 25.
>> Um so calls for service in 23 were uh 26,783. Uh we had a dip uh the previous year. Uh last year we figured we end up with uh 27,277 calls for service. So, um, no real
reason for the the drop, but definitely we saw an increase last year. In regards to criminal charges, again, we have the three years and the average. So, in 23, we had 281 arrests. In 24, we had 198 arrests and in 2025, we had 271
arrests. The three average is 250 arrests. So, again, uh, we had an increase in arrests last year from the previous year and above the average. uh summones were down a bit in 2025. Um but we did have more arrests so it kind of I think it evens out um as far as what we
were doing for activity. And then for warrants in 2025 we had 45 warrant arrests applications and arrests which again was increase from 22 the previous year. Uh next we get to motor vehicle stops.
So these motor vehicle stops are standalone traffic stops. These are when officers are driving around and they observe a violation and they initiate traffic stop. So in 2023 we had 677. In 2024 we had 734. In 2025 we had 1,24
traffic stops. And again those are selfinitiated not on a selective not on a DDAX just an observation during uh the the patrol day. As far as selective enforcements again in 23 we had 976. We had a decrease in 2024 to 719 and then a
significant increase in 2025 to 1,390. Selective enforcement activities. Uh DDAX, which stands for datadriven approach to crime and traffic, we had uh 74 in 2023, dropped down to 29
in 2024, and up to 57 in 2025. Some citation data. So, uh, written warnings, we did it the three years again. Uh, so 23 it was 897 written warnings. In 2024, 813, and then 2025,
we had 1,170 written warnings. For civil fines, in 23, we had 42. In 24, we had 43. And in 2025, we had 125. Again, above the average year, three-year average, and
above what we had previous years. Uh for criminal complaints uh again in 23 we had 99, 24 we had 81 and in 25 we had 75. Um arrests resulting from traffic stops
uh 42 in 2023, 33 in 2024 and then again up to 46 in 2025. Just some more information as far as some of the traffic traffic enforcement activities. So in 2025, DMS officers
conducted 3,93 traffic stops throughout the entire year. Um, select enforcement activity was responsible for 1,357 traffic stops resulting 643 citations, six arrests, and four criminal complaints. the DDAX which again was
data driven approach to crime and traffic safety. There was 57 operations uh typically most in the evening shift mostly on 114 and uh Andover Street area resulting 368 traffic stops. And then during grant operations in 2025 there
were 44 operations resulting in 344 traffic stops and 304 citations issued. Again, just as an overall, there was 1,424 citations issued, 125 civil fines, and 75 citations involving criminal charges. Uh, top speeds, top violations
are speeding with 591 citations, crosswalk violations, 159, use of electronic devices with 156, and stop sign 69. U, Rob Svin's a lot of our traffic uh, studies and a lot of our traffic data. Um, and he had this interesting stat that I guess I never really thought about too much before is
that all those citations are typically the result of the work of 22 officers. So, we have 22 officers assigned to patrol. Um, typically I don't go out and do traffic enforcement. The captain doesn't, our lieutenants don't. The sergeants, their responsibilities for overseeing the shift and to be do
administrative tasks while they're on duty. So, a lot of those traffic stops resulted 22 people or 22 officers doing that that work. We can go into uh motor vehicle accidents next. Again, bicycles. Um in
2023, we had nine. In 2024, we had eight. And in 2025, we had 21. So, we had an increase in those bicycle accidents, including those bicycle accidents. Our ebikes and mopeds as well. Um hit and runs were down significantly in
2025. So we had 192 in 23, uh 191 in 24, and then 113 in 2025. Accidents without injuries, um again 694 in 2023, we increased to 745 and 24, and
we're down to 601 in 2025. Pedestrian accidents again trending in the right direction. We had um 18 in 2023, 17 2024. We're down to nine in 2025. Um NVA's motor vehicle accidents with
injuries again trending downwards 195 in 2023 uh 184 in 2024 and 173 in 2025. And then for rollovers again trending downward 21
in 23 13 2024 and then only 14 in 2025. um some more crash data to go over. Um again, there was 1,152 accidents in DMS this year. Of those accidents, of those accidents, um 375 crashes were documented through officers reports. Uh
the rest didn't meet the criteria. Um 173 crashes resulted in injury. Uh again, 14 were rollovers. Uh we had one fatal accident on 128. It was a wrongway driver that entered the highway and struck a vehicle head on causing the death of the other operator.
So in 2025, I did a review and um we had 19 reports of wrongway drivers on either route 1, 128 or 95, which is a significant number and very concerning. Again, one of those involved a fatality.
Um, on December 17th, I attended a wrongway a wrong a wrongway driver discussion group sponsored by Senator Bruce Tar who is trying to initiate some changes in the law. Uh, it was a very good group to be part of and they're ongoing some of the work. There's some recommendations they've put forward um
that they can hopefully do in the spring to help kind of curve some of these um wrongway driving incidents. And again, as I mentioned previously, we had nine incidents involving pedestrians and the 21 involving bicycles. As far as call types are involved, in
2029, um, we had, I'm sorry, 2023, we had 229 shopliftings. 2024, we increased to 353. 2025, we went down to 292 shoplifting calls. uh mental health, medical mental health and medical aids uh again a high
in 2023 of 2710 reduced to 2448 in 2024 and down again to 2386 in 2025. Again for bees we did see a slight
increase in 2025. Um that was mostly due to the spree of car brakes we had off of the Route One area of Summer Street in that area uh last year with unlocked vehicles. Again, that was a group that was targeting communities from um
Dammeris all the way down to uh Waltham. Um Beanie residents, we had two residential beanes. Um so motor vehicles, there was a decrease from previous years. Um, a lot of those vehicles uh were part of the Kia challenge where was online phenomenon
teaching kids how to break into a Kia and try to steal it and the kids were stealing them from Lynn, dropping them in Damis, stealing from Damis, dropping in sus and there was bouncing around with stolen vehicles. Uh, so that contributed that and then youth complaints we continue to see an
increase. So we had 110 in 2023, we had 101 in 2024, we had 164 in 20 and 25. So, I know youth complaints is a concern for everyone in the community. So, I wanted to talk about a little bit of
where we've had what we've had since January 1st. Um, so from January 1st till February 26, we've had 29 complaints received during this period. Uh, location generating the highest number of calls was Liberty Tree Mall with 15 calls. Most complaints involve large groups of youth causing
disturbances in stores or inside the mall. and additional complaints involve youth operating ebikes erratically, often traveling in large groups. Some yearto-date enforcement. Uh so far this year, we've we've impounded four
ebikes. Um eight juveniles been summoned to court for public offenses, including disorderly conduct. And we've had we've made arrest of nine juveniles including charges for disill conduct, trespassing, zombing a police officer, shoplifting, resisting arrest, illegal possession of
a knife, and possession of alcohol. >> Chief, I'm sorry. Was that this year from January or >> That's just from January alone. >> Okay. >> We've had the uh eight summones and nine arrests just this year alone. uh want to discuss a incident at Sky
happened on January 31st. So approximately 9:15 p.m. D police dispatch for a second call for disturbance at Skyone delivery tree mall. Uh five DMs police officers including the supervisor responded. Upon arrival between 75 and 100 youth were gathered inside the mall outside the Sky
Zone doors. Uh Sky Zone is having one of their glow nights which is a night where they turn the lights off. They have like blue uh in like the different lights that glow in the dark. They have music. Um the kids all jump around on on the equipment. Um it was believed they had
150 youth inside the facility at the attendance. Uh the event was shut down by the management after numerous fights inside the event. Um once they got spilled into the into the mall, officers entered the mall and observed additional fights starting to break out between
that group and the mall. Now uh due to the size of the fatality of the crowd uh mutual aid request was made to area departments as a result six mass troop state troopers arrived including one supervisor four PB police officers three Beverly police officers one sale police
officer and one top officer uh two arrests were made during the incident and Dam police remained on scene for over two hours until we could disperse all the kids and ensure everyone's safety. Um hopefully this is going to work. On the right hand side is a a video that was on social media. Um it
shows outside. The space bar might work. Outside as you can see uh they're all surrounding the cruisers in the parking lot trying to take videos serving the area when dispersed. Uh so this was the group that the officers faced at the
event. Again, there's other videos online that actually sold the arrest, but obviously I don't want to post those here. But that just gives you an idea of what the officers kind of walked into. >> Was that an expected gathering or was that another incident?
>> Um, it wasn't really expected. It was kind of one of those meetup groups. We're on social media. They they started posting on Instagram and Snapchat like, "Hey, everyone show up to the glow night. Um, let's take it over and see what happens. Um, so later in the evening, we started seeing social media
posts of that video that you saw and probably three or four other videos of inside the mall, kids running through the mall, videos of officers arresting two juveniles being surrounded by the group. Um, there was also additional posts saying, "Hey, let's repeat the
takeover on Saturday, February 21st." So again, obviously I was concerning based on the group and the resources we had to pull in to deal with this group. Um so in the weeks that followed trying to be proactive, we called for meetings with Dam Sky Zone manager. We
met with the operations manager, Liitri Maul, the security director from the mall and then eventually SkyOne's corporate office because we weren't really getting the response we wanted from the original u management. Uh the purpose again these meetings was to meet together and discuss how we could have a
safe event and make sure the kids are safe, the community is safe and that we could have a you know a safe a safe time. Um as a result some of the activities from Sky Zone is they canceled the glow nights for the February 20 21st and 27th 28th. That was
the 20 and 21st was during school vacation week which obviously gets a larger car because it's school vacation week. So, they agreed to cancel the glow nights, those nights, which um again, it was still open, but it wasn't the darkness, it wasn't the loud music, they just had a regular jump night. Um
although the maximum capacity is 186 jumpers, they agreed to reduce the number of uh children to allow into the facility. Um they confirmed to us that the staff ratio would be one staff for every 20 jumpers. And they also said
they'll be evaluating the security department and deciding if they want to uh change to a new security provider to help with these events. Uh Litri Mall um hired a private detail for that weekend. Unfortunately, we couldn't fill it. They um assigned
additional security personnel and um Sky Zone also had some additional security personnel. Um throughout the weekend, we actually assigned two officers at a time to walk the mall and or be out in the parking lots to patrol the area to make sure that um everyone was in order and
behaving. And as a result, we had two additional arrests that went for trespassing. So that's kind of our Sky Zone thing. So we're still working with them. We're still trying to be proactive in having increased presence at the mall during these events and working with the
management from the mall and Sky Zone to help keep this from happening again. So, we'll keep you updated on that. Uh DMS parking ban is another issue that we've been kind of dealing with. So, little history on this. Back in January 2013, the town initiated a pilot
program to modify each winter parking ban. Uh, prior to 2013, there was a parking ban from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. December 1st through April 1st. So, that means all all winter long, cars were not allowed to park on the street and they were all ticketed if they were parking in violation. Uh, the pilot program
wanted to try having parking throughout the year and that it would only pay for parking during a snowb. Um last winter the department um reviewed its enforcement practices and we realized that we needed to have a stronger and more consistent enforcement. Um previous
years we haven't had a lot of snow last year and this year we've seen a significant increase. Um so this year we we really took the took an initiative to be proactive in the uh snowb. So once the snowb is declared uh patrol units are assigned to identify
violations in their sectors and areas. um the violence any violence issued a $25 parking citation and the town's on call tow company's notified to tow the vehicle. Um again, this winter has had a large amount of snow storms. Just a breakdown of what we have for some numbers. On the January 18th storm, we
had 22 vehicles ticketed and towed. On the 25th, we had 15 vehicles ticketed and towed. We thought we're trending in the right direction. Uh February 7th, we had seven vehicles towed. Then February 10th and 11th, we had 31 vehicles towed. And on the 22nd through
23rd, we had 37 vehicles ticketed and towed. So we had total of 112 vehicles ticketed and towed during the snow bands. Um, again, we were encouraging the officers to get out there early and do the enforcement when it began because at some point during the storm, it's not safe for us to be out there as much. We want to be off the road so the plow
drivers can plow safer safely. And again, we don't want to um, you know, put our office in um, a dangerous situation. So, we've been very proactive on the uh parking enforcement. >> Chief, where are the cars towed to? >> Uh, typically uh DMS Auto Body works
with um Alice Towing. Uh they use both their lots and I believe DS Auto Body leased some property downtown area to have the overflow. >> So, seven cars is a lot for those lots. >> So, they they have secure parking and they did outstanding job. Uh sometimes
we just gave them a list of the vehicles and they would just follow up as they get there. Um in the meantime, if someone saw it, moved their car, no harm, no file. They got citation and that was it. If the vehicle's there, when the tow company got there, they removed the vehicle. >> Thank you.
>> And from the entire winter so far, we've had one complaint that I'm aware of. And we, you know, there's there's a question about um a tow fee and referred them to the state DOT who actually um mandates and does all the towing fees. So there's
an appeal process through the uh state. Um as far as the um traffic enforcement, another issue, another thing we got uh back in uh November 12th, the department was issued additional 41,348
in um federal uh national highway safety admission uh roadway safety grant. Uh this money will be used to address impaired driving uh pedestrian safety equipment. So, we're purchasing another speed sign that can be p dispatched around town and money for a youth
engagement through a bike rodeo in the summer. Uh we had some good weather in January between the storms. Uh the officers took advantage of that time to go out and do some enforcement through this grant. Uh during the first two months of this year, uh they made 87 traffic stops on these grants. Uh 63
crosswalk violations and 24 cell phone or red light violations. So, in a short period of time, the officers have been out there when the weather's appropriate and they're going out there and making some stops. Uh, department staffing. So, at the start of 2026, as of January 1st, the
police department was fully staffed for 14 days. That's been our best we've had in quite a while. So, we felt pretty good about that. Um then on January 18th, uh Lieutenant Balsy announced that he was resigning from the department to take on a position as the chief of police with the Raleigh Police
Department, which we wish him the best of luck with. Um on January 19th, uh dispatcher, Supervisor Brian Pratt, uh resigned from his uh position in the dispatch center as a supervisor to pursue a full-time position with the Winnham Police Department.
Then on February 13th, Officer Jason Scain officially retired after 28 28 years of dedicated service to the town of Damis. And just add just add just add just add just add just add just add just add just add just add just addition to his municipal service. Officer Scain served in the US Army uh including deployments in Operation Desert Storm in in Bosnia. And for the past seven years,
Officer Scain has been at the Holt Richmond Middle School as school resource officer where he um really enjoyed his job and made an impact on a lot of the kids in the Denver public school system. So with that, we also in January had two new student offices start the academy.
Student officer Chris Butler and Kayla Robinson began Lynfield Academy on January 5th, 2026. The academy is scheduled to graduate in June on June 22nd and upon graduation, they'll complete an 8week field training program and hopefully permanently be assigned to
their shifts in September of this year. So regarding our staffing right now, uh the dispatch supervisor position is currently being posted internally. We hope to have an internal candidate for that. The entry level civilian dispatch position is posted on the town website.
Uh we shared a link today on our Facebook page. So if you know someone who's interested in dispatch position, encourage them to go on to the town of Damis website, go to the HR section and look at that job description. Uh we plan to request a promotional exam in the
fall for lieutenants's position vacated by Lieutenant Balsley. Uh we hope to start the recruitment selection process for up to three employees um this month. Uh we currently have two positions open uh for Officer Scain, Lieutenant Ballsley, and we anticipate a third
retirement prior to July 1st. Um so that's our goal is to try to address those three before July 1st. Uh back on November 6, 2025, we had a promotional ceremony at DMS High School where we recognized one patrol officer, Officer Honen, five sergeants, and one
lieutenant. Again, here's a photo of the uh group. So, you have myself, Sergeant Lemur, Sergeant Smith, Officer John Honen, Sergeant Shallow, Sergeant Moch, Sergeant Gafting, Lieutenant Kala, and Tommy Andrew.
Uh some other I like to try to highlight a few of the good work the guys are officers are doing. So back in uh late 2025 uh D police detectives initiated drug investigation with the assistance of the state police and Salem police. As a result of that
investigation on Friday, December 12th, a traffic stop led to the seizure of over 200 grams of fentanyl and 100 grams of crack cocaine. Um a suspect from New York from the Bronx was taken into custody and charged with two counts of traffic and control substance. Uh this was a three to fourmonth investigation
um in conjunction with those departments and the officers did a great job. Um the district attorney's office was was instrumental in giving us some support with that and we appreciate the DA's office and the state police assigned to the DA's office who provided some technical assistance as well as um just
being part of the investigation. Second one is um we got um a voicemail from a lawyer who represented um Bay Rich Hospital who wanted to thank us for uh one of our officers involvement in an incident. So if you hit space but bar one more time.
>> This is attorney Thomas Shabone Bay Rich hospital lawyer and I just want to express the appreciation for the hospital from the hospital staff for the availability for officer Chris uh partner to testify. He did a really fine
job. Um, but was even more striking is that the Danver Police Department is one of the more enlightened departments, the way that they handle behavioral health, mental health, uh, crisis responses. I just want you to know uh, it's very impressive and the family was very
appreciative and acknowledged that the department really uh, did their best to respond to somebody in a behavioral health crisis. forward now if you want. >> It's attorney Tom Shioone. It's not >> so I thought it was a nice reflection on the off hard work of officer Free
Partner. Again, it was a civil commitment of a gentleman who was in a mental health crisis. So um again, great job by officer Free Partner. During the uh last presentation, I mentioned that the department Safewatch program was up and coming. Um it has now launched. Um so this is a great
opportunity for someone um who can go come to who can fill out a form on our website. Uh if you have a loved one with Alzheimer's, dementia, um autism or development disabilities. Um it's a form that you can fill out. Uh it provides information like who the person is, description, you can add a photo, um ask
some questions as far as what's the best way to approach this person if they're in crisis. And again, this information is then attached to a Mastercard system. So, if I had a a form on myself, if dispatch ran my name internally, a flag would come up saying SafeWatch program,
they could scroll to the bottom and it would say, you know, what my issues are, how I like to be approached, um what's the best way to talk to me about different things, what I like, what I don't like, and a photo. Uh again, this is very helpful when there's a a missing child or someone wanders from a from a
from a home to get the information out to the office with updated photos, descriptions, and information about the individual. So, anyone who's interested, go to our website. It's very quick and easy. Um it is confidential. It stays within our house. It's encrypted form, so it's safe. And again, it gives us
information that if we have someone in crisis or someone missing or we can, you know, do the best to uh approach them. Uh, also one of the last meetings we talked about the virtual currency kiosk prohibition bylaw. Um, I worked with town council. We have a draft. It'll be
going to the select board and to be part of the warrants, I believe, and hopefully be voted upon in the Maytown meeting. Um again I think it's important to do it this time because a lot of local towns have started implementing this process. Um the cities have a little bit quicker way of doing it through city council where we have to go
to town meeting which is fine but we also don't want people from other cities coming to Damas because we still have these machines. So I think it'll be important to get this passed in May and we can work with I think we have two kiosk left in the community. We work with those business owners to get those removed and help um protect vulnerable
people from being scammed out of their life savings. Uh back on November 14th, Captain Samour, Lieutenant CL, and myself appeared before the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Uh this was um a three-day conference. Uh we had a hearing on the
14th, which was Friday. Um James police department was found to be in compliance with 396 standards that represent best practices in law enforcement. Uh during the conference, Lieutenant Kala attended a sign significant amount of training. Uh he'll be taking on the role as credit manager. Um the MP is one of four
municipal agencies in Massachusetts to be nationally accredited through Kala. Um first being accredited in 1986. So we've been doing this for a long time. I believe we're either the first or second in Massachusetts to ever be accredited. Um, so it's something that we're very proud of. And as we begin our new
four-year cycle, our first annual view will place take place on May 22nd through May 30th. So we'll be having our first annual remote onsite um during that time where they'll start reviewing our standards for our next accreditation process.
This is a photo that was posted on our social media site with the director of Kalia and uh Captain Sam, myself and Lieutenant Kala. uh one of our standards which is 45.2.2 requires the agency to conduct a citizen citizen survey at least once every two
years. So back in uh December 10th to January 15th we sent we issued a 10 seven question uh survey that was available on our website. Um our old surveys like was almost 45 questions and we realized that people got halfway
through and gave up. Um, I know if I get a survey, it takes me more than three to five minutes, I typically move on. So, we kind of uh got the questions down to seven that would answer the questions that we were looking for. And we posted that on our uh website and promoted on
Facebook and Instagram. Uh we did have 200 people complete this survey which was completely anonymous. Uh we don't retain information on who sends it in and it's all anonymous. Uh from that, I have some of the results from that survey. So the first question was the overall performance of Dam Police
Department and again we had uh 20% exceptional 33% above average 31% average 6% below average and 2% unacceptable. Uh the next question we asked was overall competent competency of the police department employees. Again, we
got 26% exceptional, 36% a above average, 28% average, 8% below average, and 2% unacceptable. Uh the overall attitude and behavior of DMS Police Department employees towards citizens and residents, again, we have
30% exceptional, 31% above average, 20% average, 10% below average, and 2% unacceptable. How safe do you feel in the neighborhood or your your place of employment in Dammers? Again, 52% exceptional, 25%
above average, 16% average, 5% below average, and 2% unacceptable. Then, based on your most recent contact with Daniel Police Department employee, do you believe that you were treated fairly regardless of your race, religion, ethnicity, social status, sexual orientation, or gender identity?
65% agreed. 14% went neutral, 5% disagreed, and 16% was unallocable. And the second to last question was, what is your greatest concern regarding safety and security in Damis? We had a list of all the uh options we gave
people and they could check as many as they wanted to. Um obviously we found out that youth disorder remains as one of the most uh highest concerns for damaged residents followed by traffic violations and then drug use, drug sales and robbery and so again this is a
helpful tool for us to get some feedback from the community. Um you know we had 201 responses a little bit higher than we had the last time we did this. I think we're in the 185 190 last time. So uh definitely a little bit better. I think shortening the survey
helped us a little bit. Um, then there was actually a free text where you could just leave a comment and we had some comments that were very positive and we had some very negative comments. So, um, that's all I have.
Excellent. Do you want to go up? Bruce >> Tar. So >> um so they're working with um Connecticut who's done a lot of work with this. It goes it goes from the extreme is putting in light systems that
when a driver goes the wrong way like large lights come on. Again that's very costly. So that's going to be a tougher one. Um one of the basic ones they discussed in the meeting which will hopefully done in the in the spring. uh this time of year it's tough with the salt and sand in the road is putting markings on the pavement. They do have
the signs on the ramps, but they say, you know, through studies that an impaired driver driver typically drives with their head down focused straight ahead. They're not looking up. They're not looking around. They're trying to they're trying to maintain their operation of the vehicle on the roadway
and they typically will look straight down at the road. So putting these signs appropriately wrong way stop on those ramps appropriately is a somewhat cost-effective option they can do. So I think that's something looking at after
the winter once the sand and salt are all cleaned up this time of year. They said if they tried it it would it would just be gone within a couple couple months. So that was one of the big ones. Um again this is an ongoing um study. Um Senator Tile was very passionate about this. Uh there was a tragedy up in
Gloucester which is what kind of kicked this off. Um a lot of the departments involved with this were up the Gloucester area when we had the fatal indamus. They reached out to me and says hey would you come to the meeting on Tuesday? I said absolutely. We went and it was it was actually eye opening for me because before the meeting I did that
research of how many wrongway drives we had and it wasn't easy to find because each dispatcher might um designated differently in the CAD system. So I had to search the CAD and I was surprised that we had 19. So definitely a concern. >> Madam Chair, could you go to the board first before opening up?
>> Sure. All right. Hold on. You guys can have questions. Dan, do you have a question? >> Thank you, >> Chief. >> Chief, uh, your feedback on changing chapter 10 secondhand articles. >> Yep. Uh, so that bylaw, I think, was
changed in 2008. At the time, um, 17 was an adult. I That's why we use the age 17. Since then, it's 18 for an adult after 18. Um, I think your recommendation was to make it up to 21 be to be able to pawn or sell at a
secondhand shop. Um, I think that there's definitely a concern of that 17 to 21 age group and I think it would be helpful to change our bylaw to reflect you have to be 21 to sell at a secondhand shop. Um, right now in DMS we
have four locations right now with the fifth pending. So we have two eco ATMs at Walmart which check IDs. I think it'll be easy to change for them to make it 21 to be able to do it. And then we have uh Best Buy and the jewelry store downtown. So, both um organizations we
could work with. Um I would recommend having legal counselors review the the changes in the bylaw to 21 to make sure it's in line with uh the law. Um we also have changed where before you have to keep a book. I believe the book is referenced in the bylaw. Uh we now work
with Nespin, which is the New England State Police Information Network, and all of our secondhand shops now, uh download electronically to Nespin to a database. So police officers from all of New England can say, "Hey, I'm looking for a PlayStation with serial number
ABC123. They can search it in Nespin and say, "Oh, Damas had one on last weekend and you know, John Smith sold it to him." Um so we could update that as well in the bylaw. >> Thank you. That's good. D, >> do you have questions for the chief? Uh,
>> thank you for the update, Chief. That was a lot of information. Um, as the spring comes along, are we doing anything for the youth complaint still kind of high there? Um, are we taking
any proactive steps? >> Yep. Again, >> as the weather gets nicer, especially for downtown and >> now I hear the mall, too. Typically, I think in the in the past, this was our quiet time and obviously as you saw, >> it doesn't seem quiet. Exactly.
>> You know, the mall has been super busy. Um, you know, kids running through Target, kids running through the mall, Sky Zone, causing problems with the movie theater, so that's increased. So, again, we're proactively patrolling that more. Uh, the down the ebikes, we've
already had a couple in with ebikes. Um, some that again, we we've we've impounded four. um other ones they've fled on us. They they they won't they refuse to stop and it's a balancing act, you know. Um it's dangerous pursuing a vehicle. It's even more dangerous to
pursue a motorcycle. It's even more dangerous to pursue an ebike, right? >> Um so, and again, these are young men and women, not experienced drivers. Um so, we're really reluctant to pursue, but we, you know, we work to try to identify them and follow up afterwards.
So again, you know, as the the warm weather comes, we're going to have to increase our presence in the square, increase our presence um dealing with the ebikes, work with the school resource officers to identify these kids who are driving around these ebikes because most of them are coming from
school or going to school. So we use the school resource officers to help identify them. Um it's going to be a busy summer looking at the numbers already. Uh we continue to work with some of the businesses downtown uh trying to encourage them to reach out to us and contact us when they have problems. Um during the tree lighting
there were kids running crazy in CVS. Um I was down there at the tree lighting. I walked into CVS. I cleared the kids out. I asked the manager to please follow up with us with video so we can identify these kids and we haven't heard anything. So we're trying we're trying to build those relationships to get more information so we can hold these kids
accountable. But it's going to be a lot of work this summer time. Yeah, thank you. Yeah, I I totally agree and I'll probably say something that's it may be above your pay grade. Uh but I'm calling upon my board members and the town managers some with the constraint of the
budget. I I think we need to have a youth center in Denver. I I think we got to start thinking about how do we occupy these kids out outside of school. Yes, they can go to the Y, but you have to
pay to go there. Um, you can do sport if you a sport person or other things, but there there's some kids who probably would need some they need some place to go, >> they need something to do. Uh, it cannot
all be the work of the police to police our kids. So, we as parents have to do better. But I also think as a town we need to start thinking about what is it that we have in this town for these kids to do when they are not in
school. And and as a father with young kids, I don't think they're much. Um, just food for thought and I'll probably be bringing that up maybe not this year since we have a $2 million deficit, but we need to start thinking about what is
it that we want these kids to do after school. >> Um, and where do we want them to go? >> I know superintendent has been working with the YMCA and there has been some additional programming with the YMCA with the with the middle school kids. So those programs, you know, there has been
some improvement in those, but again, it's not perfect, but there has been some improvements. >> Definitely. I mean, we even the wreck, the wreck has a lot of programs, but for most of them, you have to pay for it. >> And it's true that there's a provision that says if you cannot afford it, you
should probably contact the director or something. I spoke to a mom who told me one time she was just too ashamed to say that she cannot afford it. >> So, she didn't contact anyone. Right? So, that's something we need to think
about. Um, uh, what is it that we have in place to do we have any summer job program for these kids? Um the I think as a town we could do better to help these kids
being occupied for positive things instead of just hanging out in the mall. It's not your it's not for you to answer, but that's just something to think about. Thank you. >> Thank you Mike.
>> Uh hi. Yes. I I I got a few things. Uh but first uh through you um uh madame chair um to the clerk. Do we this board have any authority to have um Sky Zone come in and speak with us? Do we have any authority over them?
>> They do have a look they do have a an entertainment license, >> right? >> You could invite them in if you like to have a conversation. >> I think we should to back up the police department because they shouldn't have to go through that. that's out of control and they need to do better as a business and not risk injury to our uh
people that are, you know, protecting us here. So, I think we should put that down and have them in, you know, they can't skate. You can't make the money and then just act that way. >> We can just the town manager. >> Yeah, that's a good idea. >> Well, could you ask the board for consensus on that before we have them?
because I I didn't hear the chief say that their business practice is at all uh at fault. And I think having them in just for the fact that something occurs at the mall or occurs at their business is out of their control. If you if you have belief or if you've heard from the
chief that they have a business practice that is faulty or is is not protecting the public or they're just a business that happens to be able to have 100 people in it and they have glowits and this is a flash mob. No different than
the mall being present when they have a car flash mob. I I I don't mind bringing it in a business if someone has identified a gap for which we would ask them to come before us. But simply because they were the place that it happened, I'm not comfortable bringing
them in for that reason. We haven't What are you going to ask them to defend is the question I would have. Uh, I guess I would just ask them to have a policy and they may have to shell out a few bucks to have some security so that uh maybe these things could be, you know, uh, hit
at the beginning and and we don't have to have 19 cops show up and and risk injury to the to the young people as well. And and let me just throw this out at you. I'm speaking from the experience I had um uh dealing with the hotel in town and their corporate shut us down
for going in even though you could go to that hotel today and there's still uh four floors of crime going on and this is 20 years ago that they were shutting us down. Don't come in and do your job. So what I'm saying is some of the businesses if we have some authority over I'm not looking to flex on them.
I'm just saying come in own up and then we don't have to see them again. So they just need to step up. That's all I'm saying. >> Unless you've identified in some way that that business is faulty or failing, I'm not going to support bringing them in for a general discussion in in to
admonish them because an event happened. If the chief feels that that is appropriate, sure, great. I'll support that. But the fact that they had something happen there is not their fault that something happened there. And to suggest they don't have security or they don't have policies without you don't know what they are, I think is is
preemptive and is is not appropriate. Madam Chairman, Madam Chairman, hold on. Should we go to the chief for a comment about >> Well, he could repeat what he said about what they did would be helpful because I heard they changed the staffing ratio, limited the lowered the number of people
kids in there, did eliminate the glow night. Is that correct? What you said? >> They did those for those four dates. They eliminated the glow nights. To be honest, our initial conversations with the local manager was not positive. >> You You said that, right? You had to go above them
>> until that we put the pressure on corporate office that we got some uh better response. >> The the managers in there get paid to sell the place out. They're not going to be proactive unless they're told to be by their top management. So that's who
you need to speak to. Reach out to top management. >> Yeah, I I I agree with that. I think I think it would be a good idea at at a minimum repeating that but maybe on glue night they have more security that could be I mean if we give them an
entertainment license and then that could that we feel like it could be an issue having those proactive steps are not a bad thing. So I I I'll support bringing them in. Uh I think it's important that they confirm that they
they taking some extra steps in light of what have transpired >> and I think what the chief said when he said he tried at the one level and they weren't responsive you know why does the chief have to continue going again I'll tell you where's the respect right
>> exactly and even if they were responsive I think just the fact that the event happened having them in to make sure that we can talk about steps and what is it that we can do to make sure it doesn't happen again. I think is appropriate >> for the safety for all.
>> Exactly. >> Yeah. I agree too, Mike. Yeah. >> Yeah. I just think we should You can't do it all yourself. And you know, we'll just have three or four officers out injured for three months and Sky Zone will be selling tickets every day. So, just to speak to them if you think it's
a good idea, chief. You know, I think we should I think we should do it. >> Again, you know, they're issued intimidations from your board. If you want to bring them in, have a discussion, I'd be happy to come back and you know, we can't what happened to our side of the event and stuff and we can have a discussion. >> Okay,
>> Dian, you want to bring them before us, too, I think. >> Yeah, there's no harm in bringing them. I just >> There's no harm, right? Let's And it's not to Let's just ask them questions and >> Right. But who are we going to bring in? The the manager of the store or their corporate office? >> We'd have to >> Who owns the who who's responsible for
the license? >> We'd have to have the madam clerk look into that, >> right? Let's see whose name is on the license. >> Look into that for us, please. >> I might have the answer right here. >> Look at that question. Maybe >> you might have
>> um I do have I do have a name assigned to that entertainment license at that location. So, I could certainly send them a letter and ask them to come in. If we want to pick a date that you would like to have them come, we can certainly do that. >> That's a good idea. board members.
>> I'm done. >> No, I I I'm going to disagree unless we know something's wrong. We don't bring We didn't bring CVS in because they didn't provide camera footage of what happened on the tree lighting. Something happened there. They didn't do that. We don't bring in McDonald's when there's
incidents of the bike kids at McDonald's on High Street on a regular basis. We don't bring McDonald's in to explain why they're not adding more people or why not they're not doing things. >> McDonald's isn't hosting an event, though. >> It doesn't matter. That business is to host events. that business is to have events >> properly
>> and and your presumption is that they're not doing it properly. Your statement tonight is that they they've doing something wrong and I don't want to have that presumption. >> All right. Well, why don't we say why don't we take a little vote here on bringing >> them? I think I think the difference at least in my mind um
>> we don't we don't have an entertainment license that we give or CVS. They're just a regular business in town. Whereas in this instance, we own that. Well, not we like I mean the town issued that entertainment license which is something
extra than just running a business. So I I think it's appropo appropriate to bring them in and for the good of all to find ways uh for them to keep the place safe and keep our officers safe and the kids
safe. >> Okay. Dan, do you want to? >> We should we can do that. Okay. D. >> Yes. >> Warming. Yes. Mike. >> Yes. >> Do I have to We have to create a motion. >> It doesn't hurt, right? I mean, >> it's not a motion. We're just discuss request them to come before this board
and discuss their business model. >> Just to let them know we're thinking of them. >> Yeah. >> That's all. >> Should we pick a date, madam clerk? >> Right. It's our job. >> I think that the tonight's the 3rd of March. The 17th might be a little too soon. You could go as early as um the
April 7th meeting if you like. >> Let's do that. >> That's the warrant review, I believe. >> Yeah, the 7th is the warrant review and we may have a second meeting that week on the 9th. I mean, April and we April's very busy. >> Second second meeting in April. What's that? >> That's the 21st.
>> That's the 21st. >> That's the 21st. >> Right. Everybody good with that? Dan? >> Yes. >> B? >> Yes. >> Okay. Mike, >> yes. Let me >> Can I ask a question? Sure. >> Is this going to be a report to the board or are you going to make it a public hearing?
>> And the reason I I ask is we keep we keep blurring those lines and it's bothersome. >> Tonight we're hearing a presentation by the chief police to this board. >> It's not a public hearing. It wasn't posted in that manner and to take and to just allow audience members to ask
questions from the audience. >> No, I think just I think it's a Yeah, I think >> report to the board. Yeah. >> As tonight is >> as tonight is. Yes. >> Great. Thank you. >> Thank you, Chief. Um, I'm sorry. Can I just uh finish up a couple of things there, Chief? Um,
so at some point, I'd like to know if I get together with you and town manager, we could just talk about creating a traffic division. Maybe my ideas are terrible, but I could take 15 minutes of your time um on that. And I'm glad you're doing the parking ban the way you
do it cuz it used to be miserable before when it was 70° out and you had to put a parking ticket on somebody's car. Um, and hopefully that works out well. Thank you for all the information. Uh, it's very helpful and as always, I know I'm a broken record on this, but I'd love to
see more traffic stops, crime travels, and see what we can do. Your drug bus there was made on a traffic stop, so it's good work. So, thank you, >> Adna. Um the only thing and maybe it was in and I didn't see it specifically but
how are motor vehicle thefts doing? >> Again we had that increase to about 21 I think it was 21 this year and again that was mostly that that that Kia challenge where there was a social media thing where >> it was a swap around between >> cars and just stealing cars different locations
>> because we speaking of the dream mall it used to be years ago known as the car theft capital of the area >> 80s and early 90s. Yes. >> Yeah. So, but it appears that that's dropped dramatically. So, glad for that. Okay. Other than that, no, I appreciate the the hard work and fantastic job.
Thank you. >> I think Thank you, Chief. Um, so just for the record, we're going to have the clerk send out a letter to ask SkyOne to come uh to report to the board here on April 21st. And and Chief, if you could be here and uh if anybody out there is
listening, uh it is going to be just for a report to the board. If anybody has any concerns, residents, you know, email your select board members and we can ask questions. Thank you. Thank you, Jamie.
All right. >> Yeah. Okay. Do do we um we're going to set that up. Do we want to take a two-minute break, Betty? >> Sure. Why not? >> All right. We'll say three minutes. Keep it consistent. >> Oh, three minutes. Three minutes. Set the timer. Put the timer. Time. Ready. Go.
>> I didn't I didn't use the mic. So, give me a second. >> Don't worry about >> you don't want to hear. >> Don't say anything you don't want to hear in court. >> Record is still >> I know. I'm going to make it.
>> I was wondering when you said a license, I was like, what license? >> Entertainment. >> The entertainment was before they opened. >> Yeah. >> And then it just says it just gets renewed on the calendar. She has if they're still there or >> he may or may not
>> worship should be one of those two. He did like booted for a minute but I let him back in. >> Okay. >> Some one of those is on Oh, both are on mute. >> One of them is the room and one of them is me back here. Let me know. >> Yep. Okay. Yeah, I won't take up much
time. I don't have that much to say. >> Thank you so much, Chief. >> Good job. See you tomorrow. What time is it? I don't even know what time it is. I can tell you. I'm >> still on the winning side here. It's 5:08. 75. >> All right. We're doing good.
>> Okay. All right. Are we ready back there? >> Okay. Thank you very much. Um All right. Thank you everybody. Uh the board will hear the town's independent auditor for fiscal year 2025. Welcome.
Welcome. Hi. Um, thank you, Madam Chair. Um, we have Rodney Con Connley, our finance director here, and Heather Russo, our town accountant here, and Scott McIntyre is our independent auditor, um, representing CBiz, and he is joining us virtually um, due to the
snow, which they were supposed to get more as you headed north. So, thank you, Scott, for being here. And I'll see if Rodney wants to add any introduction beyond that. >> I can turn it right over to Scott. >> Great. Thank you. >> Uh good evening and thank you very much for the invite to come in tonight and
thank you very much for being able to do it remotely. Um I do have about 5 in out there and it's starting to rain so I've got uh some work to do after this meeting but uh nonetheless appreciate the opportunity to be with you tonight to review the results our the results of
our audit of your financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025. My objective tonight is to just give you an overview of the audit process, tell you how the audit went, and then walk through some of the highlights in your ACFR. I will share my screen in a couple
minutes. Um, and I will uh share my screen and go to a handful of pages in the ACFR. And I hope to leave you with some takeaways about the key things. It's a as the report as the name of the report implies, it's a very comprehensive document. I'm only going
to hit about five pages in there and hopefully give you some takeaways. Uh, but before we get into the numbers, want to let you know how our audit went. Um, and I'm very pleased to be able to report that our audit of your financial statements went very well. What that means, in my opinion, in the most basic
terms, is that when we came in to audit the books and records, uh, cash and key and all key account balances were reconciled on a regular and timely basis. Um, I know I've said that before in Dandras. I think it should be just stated again uh that you know this in
this particular year fiscal year 25 was the year you converted to a new financial management system. Um we I've been doing this job for a long time. I've seen a lot of challenges with computer conversions and uh here we are essentially the 1st of March uh you know
presenting the the June 302 audit. It's usually slightly earlier than this. Uh but but it I really don't think it had anything to do with with the conversion. Uh again, we found the books and records to be in good working order. And as a result of that, we did not need to propose any significant audit entries as
a result of our work. And if um some of those things I just articulated uh sound like um I I maybe say them every year and I actually say them a lot when I do these meetings, it's because they are required communications uh to to those charged with governance.
In this case, the select board in Danas. Um other things that the uh our professional standards require us to communicate uh deal with the estimates that are in your financial statement. There are some significant ones. The largest of which are your uh net pension liability in related accounts as well as
your net oped liability in related accounts. But those estimates are are based on actuarial assumptions and we audit those assumptions as part of what we do. And I can tell you that your assumptions are extraordinarily similar to most every other community in in the
Commonwealth of of Massachusetts. Um I also am required to tell you uh that we did in addition to being your independent auditor uh we did perform what we call a nonattest or a non- audit service um in Danvers as we do in
virtually all of the work we do in Massachusetts and and New England. Not all but virtually all of it. We assist with the preparation of the ACFR or in some cases it's simply a basic financial statement. Just a service that we provide. We have software that does it quite easily. Uh but technically it's
called a non- audit service and the professional standards require that I communicate that that to you. Uh with that I'm going to uh begin to share my screen and and and talk about the uh uh the the numbers and what this report is all about. So I'm just going to take a
second and get the right screen up here of course and you should see um our independent auditor's report on your your financial statements. It's um if you're following along, it's print page 12. Um and if you happen to have a PDF of it, it's uh it's
a additional 10 pages. So the print page is 12 and the PDF page is is 22. Uh what this tells you right from the beginning is that in our opinion, your financial statements are materially fairly presented in accordance with GAP or generally accepted accounting principles. We base that opinion on it's
really this paragraph right right here. We follow two sets of auditing standards. generally accepted auditing standards in the United States of America and generally accepted government auditing standards uh promulgated by the um the office of management and and budget. Um both of
there are so many similarities between those two sets of standards, but there are some differences and uh as a recipient of uh an in an organization that expends federal dollars, we are required to follow not only US GAS or generally accepted auditing standards,
but generally accepted government auditing standards as well. The opinion goes on for three pages and most of that is because you prepare an ACFR or an annual comprehensive financial report. So there's there's issues in there that talk about your required supplementary information and your supplementary
information and and other information. Um there's different levels of assurance on all all three of those three three of those categories. But in the end based on our our audit work uh in our opinion your financial statements are materially fairly presented in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles here in the United States. Now following the opinion is your management's discussion and analysis. I may refer to that as your MDNA. Um, I'm going to come back to that at at least one occasion during this quick wa walk walkth
through. U, but I'm actually going to start uh on before I get into the the number pages. Um, I like to remind readers and listeners to this that there are essentially two sets of financial statements in in a government's financial statements under the current
model. I just simply refer to them as the long-term perspective financial statements and the short-term perspective financial statements. With respect to the long-term financial statements, um, me just jump ahead to print page 28. So, or or PDF page 38. Um, it's your
statement of net position. And for the most part, I'm going to focus on the first column of numbers here. It's your governmental activities. Essentially, all of the of all of the funds that the town has except for your three enterprise funds. And you can see on this page, it's on the asset side of the equation. I'm going to scroll down to
the second page. And again, focusing on this first column of numbers, there's really two account balances in here that I just want to point out. In our opinion, we would be remiss uh in a conversation about any local government's financial statements not to discuss both the net pension liability
and the net op liability of the organization. Again, starting with the net pension liability, June 30, 2025, $88 million liability. uh that's down uh about uh $6 million o over the prior
year. It's obviously a large number, but I like to put it in perspective. And what I'm going to try to do tonight is just uh the the most recent funding schedule that's been approved by Perak has the unfunded piece of your liability maturing in at at June 30 of 2026. So
what does that mean? It essentially means if you keep doing what you're doing until until June 30, 2025, this $88 million liability will come down to zero. That assumes, of course, that all of the assumptions hold true. Uh, and your assumptions are again consistent
with most organizations here in in in the Commonwealth. That takes us to the net OPED liability or OPED stands for other postemployment benefits. And when they say other, they mean other than pensions. And what this really is is retiree healthcare. And at June 30,
2025, uh, in that first column of numbers of governmental activities, it had a a liability of just under $94 million. That's down, uh, over $25 million over the prior year. And one of the reasons for that is it it's it's
related in many respects to the uh, pension liability. One of when I mentioned the the the pension liability is scheduled to be fully funded at June 30, 2025. Um, and how that how that relates to the the OPED liability is when that past
service cost liability matures in 2035, the town has a policy that's been accepted that basically says starting in fiscal year 2036, instead of adding a million to the OPED trust fund a year, you're going to add $5 million a year
because when the pension schedule fully becomes fully funded, it creates some capacity and that capacity is going to be used towards the the the larger OPED liability. So, that's all I really wanted to talk about um on the uh the
two long-term perspective liabilities. There's a wealth of information uh in in your financial statements and in particular if you were to find footnote 15 and footnote 17, they give you all the detail information on your pension liability and your in your oped
liability as well as your RSI or required supplementary information. In general, it includes 10 years worth of trend analysis on these two two liabilities. Well, OPED, that liability, well, pardon me, that standard has only been around for about seven years. So, there's only seven years of history
there working up toward towards 10. So, with that, I want to hop forward to um what I if this is the long-term perspective balance sheet, I want to hop forward to uh the short-term perspective financial statements. And again, I'm going to focus on the first column of numbers. I should just point out that
this is is um print page 32 going to focus on the general fund first column with numbers and that is of course the the the primary operating fund of of of of any any government and I want to focus down here in the fund balance section. Uh the first place that
almost all readers of your financial statement will turn is this unassigned fund balance the third number up from the bottom on this first column of of numbers. the unassigned fund balance with an account balance as of June 30, 2025 of $22.8 million. Now, as as a
point of reference, that that account balance uh compared to June 30, 2024, it's increased by about $865,000. So, a nice increase that you see in that key account. And again, that's the first place that most readers are going to
turn to turn to. Um, it also rep this 22.8 8 also represents about 18% of your annual expenditures or I shouldn't say your annual expenditures, your fiscal year 25 expenditures. Um, and that 18%
is consistent with similarly rated communities in in in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Now, I actually want to go back in the document here for a minute. This is uh print page 32. I want to go back uh to uh print page uh pardon
me, PDF page 22, which is I'm sorry, I got my page numbers mixed up. I'll find it here in a second. I apologize for that. Um what the MDNA is designed to do is to give the reader an an understanding of the the key account balances. And um it's this page right
here, print page 22. There's a couple of things I just want to point out to you. Um, I mentioned that the unassigned fund balance was 22.8 million and it had increased by 8 $865,000. You see that right here, uh, sort of in the in the comparative schedule that you
have in MDNA. And here's the almost 18% that it that it represents. Now, it's the paragraph right above this that te tells the reader what drove the change of $865,000 in general. And I'm not going to get into this in too much detail. I can
certainly take questions on it. Uh but fiscal year 2025 uh you had very strong budgetary results uh to the tune of about uh $10.6 million. In other words, revenues were favorable compared to budget and expenditures and incumbrances
came in less than expected less than the budgeted by about $10.6 million. Now that is certainly softened because the town of Danvers elected to use free cash uh towards a couple of things. one was uh about $4.8 million was used for the
FY26 capital program and another $55 million was added to your debt stabilization fund. So the positive budgetary results of of 10 10.8 was just brought down because you elected to use free cash uh towards funding capital in
FY26 and adding to your your your uh debt stabilization fund. Now, there's one I'm going to go one more page before I hop back into the to the basic financial statements, if you will. Uh, and I'm going to want to focus on this 10.5 or $10.6 million, the the favorable
budgetary results of operations. I'm just going to scroll forward one page and you see a section here of your MDNA called general fund budgetary highlights. This is another good takeaway that I just want to point out to you and any reader of these financial statements. You've got a nice uh couple
of paragraphs here that tell the reader what generated as not doesn't go to the penny of course uh but what what gener what transactions occurred compared to budget that generated over uh over $10 million in favor favorable budgetary
results uh in fiscal year 25. So with that I'm going to hop back over to um I'm not going to on on the not on the general funds. Uh, I want to this time I want to go to the enterprise funds. Um,
and right here, your enterprise funds are your water fund, your sewer fund, and your electric division fund. Not I'm not necessarily here tonight to speak about the electric division. I I go to a meeting here later later this month to that specific board. I'm really going to
focus tonight on water and sewer. Uh and what you have here is you see the assets and scroll down to the liabilities. So obviously this is your balance sheet or technically it's called your statement of net net position and then you have your statement of revenues and expenditures and changes in fund balance. I'm going to skip over those.
Rodney's heard me say this before. I'm not saying they're unimportant. I'm saying but I what I am saying is the most important page in the financial statements for an enterprise fund is the statement of cash flows. uh anytime I've been in meetings with uh credit rating
agencies or financial institutions, they go right to the statement of cash flows. And if we look at the water fund, for example, what what a financial institution is going to look at is this number right here, net cash provided by operations. In your case, it's $3.3 million. And is it sufficient to cover
the principle on the bonds and the interest paid during the year? And of course, that's that's about million 7 and five about 2.2 $.2 million. >> What page is that? >> I'm sorry, sir. That is print page 38 or
PDF page 48. So, it's the statement of cash flows. Um, again, I'm won't say the balance sheet and the income statement are not important. I'm just going to say that in my opinion, the cash flow statement uh is considered the the most important. And that's the relationship
that people will look for. Is is the net cash provided by operations? Is it sufficient to cover principal on long-term debt and interest? Of course, in your case, it leaves some funds available for capital activity as well, but that's the primary uh relationship
issue that readers of a statement of cash flows are going to look at. There's also a wealth of other information in this in this report. Um, detailed disclosures of your uh the town of Danver contributo retirement system. Uh, the electric division disclosures are in
there. uh all I mentioned footnotes 15 and 17 which are your pension and oped disclosures as well as in the back of your ACFR or annual comprehensive financial report um is both combining schedules
uh and statistical pages. The stat the stat statistical pages or I may refer to them as stat pages are essentially 10 years worth of trend analysis on revenues, expenditures, fund balances, uh net position changes, uh largest
employers and and and things like that that um again credit rating agencies like to see all that that information in one one place. And that's one of the benefits of preparing an ACFR or an annual comprehensive financial report. So, it's a super quick walkthrough of of
of your financial statements. And I when I before I started sharing my screen, I was telling you about the audit process. Um, I would just kind of reiterate uh where I started, which is our audit in Danverse for June 30, 2025 went went
very well. Found the books and records to be in good working order. Um, I know I've said that uh in in this community before. Uh, but I think it's worth saying again that the the basically you're getting the same report card when you went through a uh quite an
overwhelming systems conversion. So, um, I think that just deserves to be pointed out. You with that, I'll turn it back to the chair. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. Um, Gina, do you have any questions? >> Um, no. I I I I thank you for going through
the numbers. I appreciate it every year. I I particularly appreciate the statistical section. and I think it's one of the most important sections in this report. Um I um I don't have any questions on the numbers as it were. I'm just double
checking my tags here. Um I think I'm all set for the for the moment. Thank you. >> Thank you Dan. >> Thank you. Um thank you. You explained page 18 for me. I appreciate that. The financial highlights. That was one of my
questions. But I do have a question on page 129, the ratios of outstanding debt by type. >> What what page and what is your question? >> 129. >> Print page 129. >> Print page 129. Ratios of outstanding debt.
>> Yep. So I'm seeing in the top general obligation bonds a figure of 60,987 which represents a percentage of personal income of 0.09%. And then when I look down below on the
business type debts we have total debt outstanding 97 million with a percentage of 0.04. Can you explain to me why those percentages vary and what they equate
to? >> Um, I may have to go back into some workpapers to to answer that question unless Rodney can answer off the top of his head. I can't answer that that that's a great question. I just can't answer it off the top of my head >> because I look at the the business type
is a larger number. >> Mhm. But the percentage is lower. So I don't know if it's something that's inverse >> through you, Mr. Chairman. So the the >> it's divided by what we get from the census on the uh median cap uh median
income. The percentage on the bottom the 04% that's being divided by the total debt outstanding. So the total 97 million not just the business activities. >> So the top one the 009 is >> okay. So yeah, the larger number is divided and it comes into a lower
percentage. Okay, exactly that that makes sense. I wasn't sure. So it is inverse. Um and I point out that the outstanding debt is 158 million plus. >> Nope. The total outstanding would be the 97. So if you add
>> the general obligation bond, >> so general obligation of 60.9 plus the 20 plus the five plus the 10 gets you to 97. So the 97 is a is the big cumulative. Correct. It's not I didn't shouldn't add them together. Yeah. Thank you. I feel better already.
>> Thank you. That the other questions I have really are going to be directed to your department heads for Saturday. I don't expect the auditor to be able to answer these questions. >> Yep. Absolutely. >> Good job, Dan. Yeah. Anything else? >> Uh no, not Rachel. Saturday.
>> Yeah. D. >> Thank you. Rodney, can you translate all these numbers for me? Scott, can you translate these numbers for D, please? >> Uh, >> how much time do you have? >> I know you you and I was looking at that
page. You said something about we're paying f 1 million and we're going to start paying 5 millions in 3036. >> So, I can that caught my attention and I wasn't quite sure what that meant. >> Sure. So, this board, I believe it might
have been around 3 years ago, uh, took a vote that once the pension assessment is fully funded, which we're on track for 2035, that'll create surplus in the budget, and that will use that surplus to then tackle the OPED liability. Again, that's ultimately be a decision
for the 2036 select board, but that's the policy we've adopted. So when they evaluate our long-term liability, they incorporate the fact that our current policy is to redirect those funds to reduce the OPED liability once the pension liability has been resolved.
>> Okay? So it won't be that we need to create a $5 million revenue to >> it would be the $4 million that we were cutting a check to take care of our pension liability. We'll instead be using it towards our >> That makes me feel better. Thank you. >> D I follow up on your comments. Um
what if we looked at going out to 2040 as allowed by the state? What would the impact be? >> Um >> so it would get it would delay everything but financially would that give us more working capital from now to
2035? >> Um I wouldn't necessarily say it would. It depends on the investment returns on the money we're getting in. And so obviously we would end up paying more to reduce liability because instead of getting the in returns you're spreading out to 2040. Um the ratings agencies would likely look unfavorably upon it.
>> I understand that. Yeah. Yeah. But um >> it's a lot of money that we're paying now and I know it's pay me now or pay me later but things are going to be pretty tough the next couple of years and come 2030 you won't be able to make any changes. You'll you'll be locked into
that 20 35 number. Correct. That is correct. >> Well, I mean, you can change it every two years when we're revalued, but yeah. >> Right. So, I just put it on the table as something to have a discussion on. >> You got three years to make a decision.
>> Good point, Dan. >> Thank you. >> No. Anything else? >> Dan. Okay, Mike. >> Uh, there's this in my head. So, uh, no, my questions are sorry, they're for Saturday, but uh, were we a week ahead, uh, a week early with this stuff. Seems
like we got a lot of information in short time. I thought we had more time last year. >> I think we always get the budget to you as sally required on March 1st. The hearing is on the 7th. I think normally it's the second Saturday in March. So, a little bit up there and then again like uh Scott mentioned with the financial conversion everything. We're a little
bit later on the act first. So, yes, you are getting unfortunately apologies a lot of information at once. Yeah. >> Oh, that's okay. Thank you and I appreciate the audit. >> Yep. Thank you, Auditor. Thank you Rodney and Heather for what you do. Uh those were my questions too when you
when both the 2035 fully funded you know that was like a big number. Um but I'll be saving my questions too for the department heads. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Can I make note this is a new company. It's the same person but it's a different company. Am I correct madame
clerk? >> That is correct. Scott, do you want to talk a little bit about the changes over the past couple years? >> Sure. Be happy to. Um, this may be I I didn't necessarily do homework here, but this may be the third time I'm in front of third year in a row that I'm in front
of the select board here in in Danverse. And uh, three years ago I was with Meansen. I was Meansen. Uh, and I've been with Meansen since the the mid80s. Um, but a couple years ago, I think I've said this, you know, there there's a
shortage of people going into accounting and we needed to avail ourselves of uh the resources of a national firm. So, we we joined first forces with Markhamm CPAs. Uh, that's who I was representing last year. Um, little did I know or
little did basically anybody know that about a year after uh we joined forces with Markham that CBIZ, a publicly traded corporation uh would would acquire Markham. So I I do think I'm here for the third year in a row in front of you uh with uh basically a
different label on on the auditor's opinion, but we're the same but by and large with this same crew crew of people. we have additional resources. Um, and during fiscal during last calendar year, I think it was the summertime
perhaps, uh, Danvers issued a request for proposal uh, for auditing services. I think it had been several years since they had done so. Um, appreciate the opportunity, we appreciated the opportunity to submit a bid. uh and also very grateful that we were the selected
firm uh to continue to provide auditing services to to CBiz. So uh that's just a little bit of a history uh behind the the name changes. Again, it all stems from the fact that um students are not going into accounting anymore. So they're um resources are very hard to
come by and and we needed to be part of a larger firm in order to continue to provide services. >> Excellent. Thank you for bringing that up, Dan, too. Yep. >> Excellent. >> Board member, anybody else? No. Okay. Thank you, Rodney. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Scott. >> Okay. The board will vote to close the warrant for the 2026 annual town meeting potential potentially March 20th, 2022
at noon. >> Um, >> so if I may make a comment. >> Yes. if it's appropriate. Lauren had a good question earlier. >> They won't know what's on the warrant. We won't either >> till it's closed and everything comes before us and we get a printed sheet.
Have no idea what's going to be on the warrant other than the budget >> and the things we've discussed here >> and some certain things. Yeah. But I mean the complete warrant is not >> ready until it's closed. Until it's
closed. Okay. Yeah. >> Anybody questions? Gardner >> Mike and >> and just to follow with Dan who has more experience. Is that out of design? Is that's what the policy is? Like that's nothing new.
>> No, people have up to a certain date to put in any citizens petition or bring anything before us. We have the opportunity to discuss different items that we want on the warrant as chapter 10, but that's not everything that's going to be in there. uh they're probably still developing some of the
financial requests and how to pay for it either free cash or borrowing. We don't know yet. >> Okay. >> Madam Chair, if you'd like an update on the schedule in general. >> Um so and so the reason for uh similar to the special town meeting um for
closing the warrant is because then we have to prepare um staff has to prepare the warrant for the warrant review by the select board. So, um, March 20th at noon, and that's we requested the board put that out there in advance, um, so people have time in case they're working on something. We've already received a
couple. Anybody who's interested in what's what we're working on, feel free to reach out. I'm happy to share whatever we're working on. I don't think there's anything that hasn't been either discussed here or is kind of common in the past. Um, the schedule then from there goes this board. So, we will have
that warrant prepared by the end of the month at the latest, like March 30th, I think, is a Tuesday or something. Um, the the select board will review it um and workshop it here at the select board meeting on April 7th with a second follow-up date on April 9th if
necessary. Then the following week, April 13th, uh Monday, April 13th, Wednesday, April 15th, and Thursday, April 16th will be the finance committee's review of the budget. Then we uh the following week is school
vacation week, so no meetings. And then well, you'll have a select board meeting, but none of these. And then Monday, April 27th and 29th, the finance committee will review the warrant. And that leads us to the um annual town meeting on Monday, May 18th. So clear
your calendars for for nights on in April. We'll be here. >> Okay, everybody have those dates? Okay, great. >> So I make a motion that we close the warrant on March 20th at noon. >> Second the motion. >> Second. All in favor?
>> I opposed. I mean, all in favor? I opposed. None. >> Right. Okay. >> I'm sorry. Did you say at noon? Right. No. Okay. Okay, great. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you for that. Uh the board will consider consent calendars.
>> I move the uh banner application. The consent calendar is presented. >> Okay. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Favor. >> I opposed. The town manager will report to the board on various items of interest. Thank you, Madam Chair.
>> Um just following up on the closing of um the auditor's announcement that there's not many people going into accounting. We are thrilled to announce that we have a new assistant town accountant coming on board. Uh it was not an an easy recruit um as we face in
most of our municipal positions right now. So um we're thrilled to have her coming on board. The date >> Monday >> Monday, March 9th. Um, that was not in my original report, but I thought, hey, if we're talking and if anyone wants to go into accounting, please do. We need
accountants, we need mechanics, we need I have a laundry list. If you're wondering what we could do here. Um, I also want to talking about staffing. I want to announce for those who have not heard publicly that we have officially appointed a new DPW director. Um, it is
Steve King. Um, Steve, as most of you know, has been with the town of Dampers for over 10 years. most recently as our town engineer. Um he's taken on a lot of additional responsibilities in the vacancy of a DPW director including preparing the budgets for both FY26 and
now FY27. So um that process I was very pleased with the process um knowing um how long it had been and and um all the pieces of um you know both we had candidates um in internal and external. We recruited a panel of external
municipal officials um to do to work with me on the search. Uh they did the first round and then I joined them for the sec second round. So um for me it was a really great experience. The panel was incredible, incredibly knowledgeable, included um former town
manager, an assistant DPW director, a CIO and um innovations director. So, a varied array of experience um from outside of within the region, but with outside of of the town in particular. Um
Stephen and I have been meeting quite a bit to get prepared for the transition. He officially moves into that role on March 9th. Obviously, we'll still have a lot of work um related to the town engineer position until we get that filled. So, keep an eye out any engineers out there who'd like to join
our team. Um today, we met with all the division supervisors. Um and received a lot of important feedback and uh we're really looking forward to working with them. I think what we've we're setting working on setting our
goals for um the next fiscal year and um we'll re-evaluate those 6 months in so that we can start that realignment so that our goals can help um feed the discussion around the budget and your budget goals which we'll start doing a little earlier too. So um there were a
lot of people in DPW who worked um a lot did a lot of extra things and pitched in the team is really incredible. I want to thank uh Rob De and Steve for their leadership over the last 18 months, but there are a litany of others who stepped up. Um I know Chuck from the streets division. We had folks in engineering.
We had folks in the office. Um the the team really put to came together to support each other through the transition. Um and we're looking forward to the future. Uh snow budget I know is something that everybody is wanting to know and did not expect to see snow today. As Ronnie can
tell you, I was throwing a little fit. Um so so I wanted to give you an update with uh numbers as accurately as I can get them year to date. So year to date actual money we have spent we are 700 approximately $770,000
over the snow budget. Um we are continuing to process payroll which includes um overtime and overtime related e the state of emergency. So, there's many v varying factors, but from this last blizzard, we're expecting that
the number could increase by approximately another 200,000. Um, who knows what tonight will do to us. Um, so we're working the team, the DPW team's working to cover that overage as much as possible within the FY26
uh DPW budget. They'll work closely with Rodney and his team and any of the remainder will be presented first to the select board and then eventually to town meeting through a free cash transfer. So you will um I know people in the public and and the board have been asking for specific numbers.
Hopefully it'll stop snowing and we will get some and at the end of the day the board and the town meeting will have the the vote on what the final number um over the budget is. So um stay tuned. We will continue to bring you updates on the snow budget.
Um, I wanted to one of the things I'm working on with the senior team is a grant strategy and that includes um matching uh our capital plans with um grant opportunities that are in front of us. Some are large, some are small, but
one that I thought was appropriate that came through recently um is Massoot has a uh speed feedback signage program that they launched. provides um communities up to well the the entire package was funded for a million dollars for 2026.
Um Lieutenant Sullivan took the initiative on his own to make sure that Danvers applied for a speed trailer and so as soon as we find out and we hear we will keep you posted. Um, so one of my goals here is to help educate the board and the public on uh the grants that
we're seeking and um what we receive and over time I'm hoping you will see us receiving increased amounts over time. Um I think a few of these we talked about last week but I'll bring them back up. the rain the great American rain barrel company. We're partnering with them again and to offer residents high
quality rain barrels at a discounted price of $89 each. Plus, Danvers will rebate the value of up to two barrels per household at pickup. So, order deadline is April 12th and the details are on our website or available by calling the DPW.
Um, the last fun, the motor vehicles excise tax bills were mailed out on February 20th and are due March 23rd. Residents can pay online, in person during business hours at the treas treasur's office, by mail, or using the white dropbox in the front of town hall.
Um, and as you know, on this Saturday, March 7th, the select board will have its budget review in this room at 9:00 a.m., but prior to that, Falcon Fest is hosting the annual pancake breakfast um 8 to 11:00 a.m. at the high school, and information is available on Falconfest website.
That is all for now. >> Excellent. Can you ask a question? >> Sure. >> The most often question I get in downtown and hear from staff is what's going on with 17 Elm Street? >> Can you enlighten us? >> I I don't have an update in front of me,
but I can get >> Well, there's a lot of lot of hammering going on. >> Okay, I can get one. >> Thank you. >> Can I can I ask a question? >> Sure. >> All please. um to town manager. Um what's the initial uh budget for snow
per year? >> I have to look at this year's Do you know it off the top of your head? No. I want to say it's in 700,000, but if you let me look it. If you give me a minute, I will. >> Sure. >> Let me find my budget for this year. Let's see if this makes it faster.
I'm looking to see if I find it in this year's Rodney's faster >> through you, Madam Chair. It's a little over 600,000. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> And we're 770 over. >> Yeah. >> And we're 770 over. >> Thank you. >> Yeah.
>> M, can I make a comment on snow and ice? Come on, >> Dan. I was going to do a sad deal, but looking at the auditor's report, I believe they said 25 were over budget. My question is the last five years, 20 to 25.
What's the delta over under? I know you average five years last year's expenses to come up with a number. Is that correct, Rodney? >> Yes, that's correct. we do a rolling five-year average. The only time we would deviate is so for example in 2015
and the way it's going maybe this year we would we would skew a little bit down because this is a once a decade storm but generally it's a fiveyear average. So prior to the last two years we had three years we return money back at the end of the year but >> shouldn't we perhaps be figuring a
larger number because you can't predict the weather. >> We can't predict the weather. The only concern is that larger number that we'd have to bet on will come at the expense of other services. So that's the giving >> get turned in too. >> Yeah. >> So your great $10 million extra.
>> I'm you know it's it's tough. >> So the 27 budget as you see and we'll talk about more on Saturday does have a slight increase to that budget as well based on the fiveyear average. >> Well they have to go this year. Right. All right. Thank you. >> And and kind of piggybacking on that we got our we got our uh budget books and
I've got the Excel spreadsheet. Thank you very much. The one thing that is problematic for me in the Excel spreadsheet is not that there's faults with it, but we we state the past 5 years the actuals. So 2020 actual, 2021,
22, 23, 24, but we don't say what we actually budgeted for. And so it's it's hard to tell whether we overbudget underbudget on a regular basis is and unless it's ridiculously easy. Is there
a way to get those numbers as well as not just what it the act because for example um uh the the the I think it's a select board budget. The actuals are there. we we ask for a lot for um uh in
the budget and then the actuals trend the same way they've been trending. So it's hard to say we should actually be reducing the ask based on the fact that we continually overestimate in this case the snow same thing. It's hard to tell
that's a way different issue because of the nature of nature. Um, but if we're continually asking for a lot but not spending it all, we should be probably revising what the ask should be. And that can go in
either direction. Um, if if if we're not if we're not asking for much enough and we're continually um going back to free cash to fill a hole, I'd rather not have to do that and rely on that. So I don't know if there's a way of seeing the the budgeted amount
versus the actual amount in previous years >> um through you madam chairman I think for presentation purpose it would get a little unwieldy but to actually have that information I would refer to and I don't think Scott touched on it but in the act for which the past at least 10
years I believe are posted online there's a budget to actual page towards the back of the document that shows that year's budget to actual I think that's probably the easiest cleanest way to see it >> okay but I'll take a look at that and see if I can screen scrape it off the PDF. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Y
>> uh question for the town manager. Uh I know I think the governor declared state of emergency during the past storm. >> Do we get FEMA money for that? And if if not, I thought when they declared state of emergency, correct? Get some federal
funding. So just declaring a state of emergency makes the Commonwealth eligible for uh potential FEMA money. Um that doesn't necessarily mean we will get some or Massachusetts will get some as a whole or the Danvers in particular. But yes, it puts us into a position
where then we document um all of our activity, all the funds spent any um kind of particularly ex um extenduating circumstances like if we had a major flood or a major tree down or a major something like that, we would we document all of that through our
emergency um services director who's the fire chief. Um so it allows for the eligibility. I will say on our calls with MIMA um and the governor during the storm, we are not counting on federal
reimbursement necessarily at this time. Um I would say we've have been in the situation um where in the city of Gloucester where we were getting the we were applying for the reimbursement takes several years to process um out of the federal government too. So it's potential. Yes, it puts us in the spot
to do it, but I wouldn't count on it. >> Okay. Anything else, Dan? Did you want to say? >> Nope. >> Okay. >> Okay. Where did I leave off left? Mike, >> I I I said you started. >> I said my piece. >> A >> I am all set. Thank you.
>> Okay. Good. Um Joel, I have a question for you. Um when we talk about the budget hearing this Saturday, um can the public ask questions during the bud public hearing during the budget hearing? >> That would be at the discretion of the chair. Um my understanding is that is the past practice here in Denver. So
>> all right, good to know. Okay. First time chair. I forgot. >> Okay. Thank you. Um All right. Anything else? You're all set. >> I'm all set. Thank you. >> Thank you very much for the report. All right. Um, at this time, correspondent,
select board, new business, previous new business, update, select board, closing comments. Um, I don't know. Mike, you want to start? >> You want me to start? >> Sure. >> Um, the only thing I'd say is, uh, thank you to uh, electric light, all the snow
plowing people. Uh, please fire. Um, the last storms we've been having have been, luckily, they've been all light snow, but they've been a lot of snow. But when you hear of all the different places in the state or northeast that lost electric and you know we keep our fingers crossed here but we have our own
electric company and they always do a great job. So we're spoiled uh but uh appreciative too. So I just thanks to all those people that have to go out in that weather and deal with that. Appreciate it very much. Thank you. >> Thank you. Mike D. >> Uh I'll second that. I mean kudos to our
DPW. All you had to do was drive into Salem or Peabody to know like how how spoiled we are here in Das. They they did an amazing job. Um I did attend the river committee and uh not much to
report, but I'm still really amazed with the work that these volunteer citizens do to keep our waterfront in Denver what what it is. And to you, Madame Chair, I I don't know if maybe as the weather get
nicer, we can schedule something to have um Chris and his team like maybe take the select board member who want to see some of the the peers and the work that they're doing out there.
>> When we have when we have our retreat >> on the on the boat maybe. Yeah. But but I do think they they do amazing work and I was I keep getting blown away with what Das has to offer as far as um
waterfront. Uh question about the parking ban and I know people can sign up to receive like um messages and things like that. And this last storm I know the police was going around telling people to move
their cars. How do people know when it starts and when it ends? What if someone is watching? What should people do when they see snow to know that this is when the parking ban is going to start and this is when it's going to end?
>> So my answer is always the same and I tell this to all of you when you ask first question you should always ask someone is are you signed up for the notifications? That is the absolute most important and most effective most timely way to get any information. Um, even if you don't have a computer, you most
likely have a phone, it can go to your email, it can So, that is a number one. If you want information in a timely manner, make sure you're signed up. Um, second would be website. Um, access the website. It'll always have uh any parking ban there under um action like
news up, latest news I think it's called. Um, as well as all the social media channels, we'll put it out and not just the town, but with the police share it and the the public works and all the above. Okay. >> But the but definitely do the system. >> If you look out in the street and your
car is the only one there, you may want to move it. >> Not if you live on a cla uh or maybe on the website if someone logs onto the town website. Could that be the first thing that comes up? So you don't even have to look for it. I'm not
I'm not an IT person, but I think the more we can make it easier for people like you lo you loging onto the town Facebook, Twitter website, the first thing that comes like they can have a B says parking b starting at 10 p.m.
tonight. >> It's something that um member Tras has brought up to me as well, the having a snow center. one of the buttons that you see across the bottom saying snow center which would say is there a parking ban is school open is the library open kind of all what's trash >> exactly
>> um so we'll we can work on that for for next year >> I I think that'll be very helpful >> thank you >> it's excellent now >> I am all set thank you >> okay Dan >> all set >> right I'm all set too thank you for
everybody coming on on the snowy night um Dan would you like to close it out >> please if see a veteran he or she thank them for their service. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And where's Bill Brad Street?