Okay. Uh, good evening. Welcome to the town of Dyon's board of selections regular meeting. Today is Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 at 5:15 p.m. This this meeting is in person and via Zoom at Oldtown Hall 11:11 Somerset AD in
Mass. Um, can we please have a call to Oh, no. I'm sorry. This meeting is being recorded. The listing of matters are those reasonably anticipated by the chair which may be discussed at the meeting. Now, all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by
law. Could we please have a call to order? >> Mark Pico present >> and Peter Karen present. And Nicole um Bellow is absent this evening. Uh we need a to go into executive session. So, if we can please um have a roll call for that. I'll make a motion to go into
executive session under MGL 38 section 21 A2 to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-UN personnel but to collect collective to conduct collective bargaining sessions or conduct negotiations with non-UN
personnel non-UN contract negotiations under MGL 38A section 21A3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation If an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body
and the chair so declares clerical union impact bargaining and and under Massachusetts general law 38 section 21A7 to comply with or act under the authority of any general or special law or federal grant and aid requirements
approve of the BOS executive session meeting minutes of November 19th 25 December 1725 5 and January 1426. Okay, I'll step down as chair and second that motion. All those in favor, Mark, I Peter Karen, I
>> not too bad. No. >> How are you? Guys, do you want to do the uh circle. >> Thank you. Um,
appoint pointing to this position. What position is it? Is somebody even listed here? Is it supposed to be the chamber of commerce? >> I won't be making the motion. >> You're not going to make it. Okay. >> Nope. So, you don't have to worry. >> But what was it? you know, >> uh, economics in economic development development order.
>> Hey, how are we? How are we today? Good to see you. >> Good. Good. Good. Good. >> How you doing? >> Doing all right. How you guys? >> Good. Good. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Really good. Just >> budgets. >> Yeah, I know. >> Well, you you're well aware. >> Oh, yeah. >> Um, voting just discussing in executive.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> How we proceed? >> Yeah, that's it. >> Does snow keep you busy? >> Not too bad. No, don't know how to drive in it now. Sorry. >> By this time of year by this time of year. Yeah, it's the first snowfall or the first couple. You know, >> you know,
>> at least know they do. They do in a few years. >> Yeah. >> I I know we got this cold out and there's still a bit of snow, but at least this time when snow happen, it kind of evaporates fairly quickly. >> But I think we're going to be looking to March before this is all warm.
>> Oh, the temperatures starting to creep up. >> Yeah. Yeah. over 40 next week. One day and hopefully it's rain on Monday, not snow. >> Oh, yeah. >> You know, you know. So, all right. I'll talk to you. >> Yeah. I have to check with Nicole for next
week. I really like her to be here. >> And um like I said, it doesn't have to be on Wednesday. If >> be Monday or Thursday for me too, right? >> Yeah. For me, I think in Nicole if she can't make any particular night um if
it's it's not an open session. So, it's just executive. >> I think it should be both. >> What's that? >> It should be both. Executive to open to executive to open but no agenda, >> right? Just to ratify whatever you did.
pray. I'll say that. >> Okay. Uh good evening. Uh we uh I just returned from executive session and I hate to disappoint anyone but after we adjourn this meeting, we're going to go back into executive session. Uh so everybody would have to leave.
We're not doing autographs after. Um anyway, we uh need to stand for a moment of silence, please. We lost three residents this week from the town of Dagen. Uh they are John Burton, Haye, Mary Pina, and uh Jane Moore Thompson.
>> Thank you, Chief. You're up. This is a review discuss act appointment of a part-time dispatcher. Good evening everybody. >> Hi, good evening. >> Um, this is Mr. Duffy. Um,
he came to us uh who applied for a part-time job a couple months back. Um, and I know we've gone down this road before uh hiring part-time help. Um, and we just can't seem to retain uh part-time health because they're getting full-time opportunity to go to other departments. Um, so it's my
recommendation tonight that the board consider appointing the following candidate, Mr. Duffy. Mr. Duffy resides here in town at 16 1667 William Street. Um, the above name applicant must pass and matter to pass and complete. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Wellington Street. I'm
sorry. I'm sorry. Excuse me. That's my fault. uh must may uh must pass and maintain all the certifications. Should the applicant not meet the required certifications, um he would be withdrawn and another applicant would be named. >> Okay. >> Um he would just be uh filling in like
like the other other um part- timerrs that we've hired, the occasional workforce if we call it to uh to keep the overtime cost down. >> Yep. How many part- timerrs do you have now? >> We have one. >> Just one part-timer. Wow. And how many full-timers? Um the three four time
special. >> Okay. Is somebody retiring still? >> Paul Reired. >> Oh, that was it. >> That was it. >> Okay. And um Michael, thank you that you want to do this. It's uh it's an important job. >> Yeah. >> And and I'm glad you you stepped up.
It's it means a lot to the town. Thank you again. Um any particular reason why you want to do it? Well, uh, in 1978 I graduated Farm University of New York >> with a criminal justice degree and I wanted to be the f one of the team
member on the finest force, >> but it didn't work out at that time because >> and so forth. >> Okay. >> Went into a culinary field and retired from that. I was at the University of Rhode Island. I was a steward on a research vessel Endeavor for many many years and then retired after co and then
uh living here in Don. I'm like, "Well, gee, I don't know. Maybe I should do go back and figure out something to do with >> Yeah. Nice. >> I walked in and I met Teresa and I introduced myself to her and she said, "Boy, you couldn't come at a better time. We really need some help." >> One thing led to another and I'm like
really uh reliving that degree I had in. >> So, even communications. >> Yeah. It's all right. >> You know what I mean? Yeah. >> Yeah. Um, well, if the chief recommends you, then I have no issues at all. Mark, do you have any questions? How what is the goal for part-time dispatchers?
>> What do you mean? >> How many what what's the level of part-time dispatchers you'd like to have? I apologize. >> Four would be ideal. >> Four would be ideal. >> Yeah. So, um we have we have a retired person that would like to try to come back. Um I I told I'd have to cons um go to the retirement board and see if
there's I mean minimal hours they could work, but we'll we'll visit that at another time. >> But I'm trying to just you know maintain some part-time help. It's like I said, they want people want full-time, right? have the we don't have the vacancies for it right now. You know, we have the four we have the four that we have to fill the shifts that we that that they are
they're assigned to >> and when they're out for training or taking time off, having a couple part- timers, you know, at hand is is nice. I mean, but four would be I mean good because there's other obligations in their life they may have to fulfill, but >> Okay. >> having two that would be great, you know.
>> Is is it the position advertised on the website? >> It was It has It's still there. >> It's still there. Okay. Perfect. >> Still there. It's been there. um in the uh uh the full-time position for police officers. Still up there, too. Just taking applications and um >> Okay. >> Who knows, you know, the future of
those. >> Yep. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. >> Awesome. >> Okay. Uh motion on the floor then. >> I will make a motion to appoint Michael Duffy as a part-time public safety dispatcher. >> I'll sit down as chair and second. All those in favor? >> I. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you, sir.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Oh, thank you. >> Thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you. I appreciate that. >> Sure. >> Just welcome to the team. Thanks very much. Thank you. >> Mr. Perry, you're up.
>> This you discuss an act. This is a revisit for the swap shed, right? >> Good evening. Um here this evening uh to hopefully have the first reading of the issues u documentation regarding the
swap shed. Um last time we met I I consider a very productive meeting. There were a number of inputs made uh number of changes required a number of changes suggested and as a committee we met and
incorporated all those into this document we'll hear this evening. Uh before I get started on that there were several issues that came up from sele which I like to address. Um we took care of the um the typing and the format
regarding uh the time AM pm etc. >> And um in the reading uh you had some concerns about uh who has custody etc. That's embedded in here. More issues with that >> you know we can address it then and
there. Uh, regarding the fire chief's input, um, we have an email from Chief McGee. The fire department has no concerns about the building. We don't require permits for ships. Perfect. >> Uh, building commissioner
stepped in. We have an email. It says, "Building department will require permit from this office. The permit fee will probably be waved by the town. Probably be waved by the town administrator." Perfect. Uh we'll also require necessary
information uh as to location on the property, setbacks, etc. which would be required. Okay. And u we'll formalize that um either just before or just after the the building is put in place. Okay.
And then there was an issue regarding ADA. We have a um email from Mr. Gale said uh the shed will have to have clear flat surface roll up wheelchair access uh with the correct width. In addition, direct
access to the shed would require door handles and lever format and the correct height. Uh there is more I'd like to discuss and again that becomes a function of um you know vertical height positioning etc. Right. And of course
requirements. Um but I can't tell you specifically it's going to look exactly like this. >> Right. >> So does that you know cover those issues that that you were concerned about? >> Yes. I'm happy that you reached out to all those folks. I appreciate that very much. Thank you.
>> Uh before I start reading document any other issues that >> um not that I have. I'm happy with the policy, so I'll vote to support it once you're done with your first reading. Um, however, the whether it's a shared
versus a container, I thought while we have to do the three readings on this for the next three meetings while we work on this if it's amendable to the uh to the board, it'd be nice to get a couple options instead of just a container like if we could have some options for sheds.
>> Mr. Ferry can probably address that if you don't mind. Yes, it sounds sounds like just to entertain you for discussion one in this meeting here also or committee level >> it would be great if it went back to the committee but personally I'd like to see
three options on you know three different options for sheds instead of a container >> in terms of this I think uh the basic intent here is to have some sort of a space >> right
>> okay to do it now um nothing is fixed at this point. So would uh would it be acceptable to leave it as is understanding that there will be some sort of a space >> uh required that could take the form of a container. It could take the form of a
structure uh it could take the form of a portable building. You know that's a little bit down the road. Our objective here is to get the documentation, the procedures, the pros and cons in place >> before we reach that point. >> Is that that okay?
>> That is definitely determined. >> Okay, I'll start reading. Proposed swap shed missions mission statement. The mission of the Dyton swap shed is to provide a facility for residents to drop off clean serviceable items they no longer need and or pick up
items they find useful and to reduce the weight of material going into the waist stream, thus reducing disposal costs to the town. Swapshed rules. Dyon transfer station employees and volunteers reserve the right to reject any items for any
reason. Patrons must respect must respect the personnel on duty and abide by their decisions. Access to the swap shed is a privilege, not a right. Actions such as arguing over an item, obscene language or gestures, physical
confrontations, damaging or destroying an item in the shed, damaging slashdefacing the shed will result in removal of the individual or individuals from the swap area. The transfer station attendant or volunteers have the right to restrict
access to the shed for to any individual they feel may be interfering with the operation of the shed swap shed items must be complete unbroken and in good working condition and clean. We ask the question would you bring them into your
house or your home? Swap shut will be open on April 1st through December 31st. Hours of operation are uh Friday 9:00 am to 11:00 am and Saturday 8:00 am to 3 pm. Items are asis. Take at your own risk.
Patrons are limited to three items per visit and one visit per day. This is to prevent patrons from collecting items for a yard sale. A tenant reserves the right to impose a time limit to prevent overcrowding. Some items may not be acceptable due to
limited space in the ship. Stickers are required if a any use of any use of the transfer station for disposal of any materials on the current transfer station rates and and that is
as we do now. Use of the swap shed and any use of the transfer station for disposal of any materials on the current transfer station listings. Stickers are not required if residents will use the swap shed only.
All acceptable materials, items brought to the swap shed are considered to be under the control of the town of Dyon. Liability. The town of Dyon accepts no responsibility for items left or taken from the shed. Other options for
donations to town's people include uh Facebook by nothing site, Savers, St. Vincent of Deval. And by the way, that's just an abbreviated uh items not acceptable. Recalled items are not acceptable. Items
requiring electricity, batteries, gasoline, oil, or other petroleum based products to operate. No furniture larger than 4T in any direction. No textiles, clothing, stuffed animals, cloth, pillows, blankets, sheets, or curtains.
any bottle, liquids, animal or human shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, or toiletries. No no household chemicals, herbicides, or hazardous materials. No food or canned food. And you could contact the Dyer Food Bank. Expired
child seats or recalled baby, infant, or child items, construction or remodeling debris or scraps. This includes sinks, toilets, windows, doors, fixtures, etc. No fireworks or weapons, including knives, swords, or martial arts weapons,
etc. Any combustibles, including propane tanks. No items containing liquids such as lava lamps, snow globes, etc. No appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, dishwashers, or air conditioners. And no obscene items or pornography.
Acceptable items: toys, games, educational items, puzzles, etc. bicycles for exercise equipment, sporting goods, for instance, golf clubs, skis, skates, etc., uh, hobby items, beach equipment, so on.
Household items such as kitchen wear, kind canning jars or baskets. Decorative items such as knickknacks, art, handcrafts, holiday items, etc. Baby items, but no crib, mattress, or car seats would be accepted. Wanted to reemphasize that again. That's why we
put it in twice. and tools, uh, garden, yard, outdoor items such as hand tools, supplies, decorative items, grills. Again, no propane tanks, office furniture or supplies not larger than four feet in any direction, and
entertainment centers such as uh videos, DVDs, CDs, or records. And we like to limit it to five instead of people coming and dumping a you know, pickup truck load in there. that um gentlemen is uh what was called down from the
discussions we had last time as well as you know other items we discussed in the committee. So, is that acceptable as a first read? >> Is with me. Very good. >> Yes. Thank you. >> Okay. We'll be back two more times. >> Perfect. Okay. Thank you.
>> I'll make a motion to approve the swap shed policy as presented and uh move it forward to a second reading. >> Okay. Step on as chair and second. All those in favor? >> I >> I thank you. >> Thanks, Mr. Perry. Hi Tom.
>> Are we ready? >> Anything? Um, as you know, we were working on filling a vacancy in the H department, >> right? >> We need to revisit the job description in the posting. >> Um, do I need to read it or you have one here?
>> Uh, I have it here. It's also published as part of the agenda on the website. >> Yes. >> So, no, I don't think it's necessary to read it. Mark, did it uh did they make all the changes that you wanted to see?
>> You did. So, I want to thank uh Tom and Karen and Ralph and the union for working together collaboratively as a team and I will say you guys really set the standard. This is exactly what um I was looking for as far as a job description. I think the formatting is
great. Um, I'm glad that it follows the policy and I'm pleased to see the applications that go into the Sluckman's office. Um, so I hope this is the way we do it moving forward. I I um I thank everyone for for
working together. That's really what I wanted to see is just all of our different departments working collaboratively as a team to move these items forward. So, um, so seeing that and seeing that everyone took, um, you know, took the message and ran with it,
I'm I'm in support of this. >> Yeah. Uh, so am I. Nice job, Tom. >> Thank you. Um, have you posted the job now? >> No. >> Okay. >> Waiting for permission. >> Okay. And um
as far as moving up to the the formant um is there anybody within it that's going to take that position within your >> It would be from in the house. >> In house >> within the house. Yes. Um but I believe we're going to table that at this time.
>> Okay. just on the form and it was on the agenda and now I see it's off but just just to be I want everyone on the same page you know we did discuss a couple meetings ago about you know we have a dead exclusion vote coming up so I I
don't think it's appropriate to have the >> assistant foreman on an agenda until after we know the status of that but as part of the motion we also said that we should have a review of the highway department and uh I just want to clarify
in that this job description is great. So, I'd like to see the same thing for any other positions within the highway department. So, if you have an assistant foreman um and you're working on that, we should also see the foreman and u the highway superintendent, you know, you have an
office manager or whatever that title is. Um I think when you review a structure of a of a town department, we need all those job descriptions. Um and um you know, make sure everyone's on the same page. make sure all all of the different um stakeholders are on the
same page on what those job descriptions should be before you bring it back to us so we can comment. So, while we wait for the status of the debt exclusion and um find out what direction we're going to go, um I hope that everyone works together on that so we're prepared and
ready for that discussion when it does come back. >> But I don't I hope not to see it on an agenda personally until after April. >> Okay. Um, this is a review discussion act to vote on the uh job description itself.
>> I'll make a motion to approve the operator class one job description as written and to authorize the posting for one position. >> I'll step down as chair and second. So motion has been made and seconded. Any more discussion? All those in favor?
>> I I thank you. Thanks, Tom. >> Uh, you want to read the announcements, Mark, or do you want me to? >> Sure. All right. The highway department public notice. There is a townwide parking ban in effect from November 1st, 2025 to April 1st, 2026.
No person shall allow any vehicle to remain in the street so as to obstruct snow removal. The Dyon Lions Club Food Bank will be held on Saturday, February 21st, 2026, located at the town hall 979 Somerset AA lower level. The Dyon 250th
Anniversary Committee for America presents Rand Devius with Rachel River as Dyon celebrates America's 250th on March 1st, 2:00 p.m. at Old Town Hall, 11:11 Somerset. A message from the town
clerk's office. The annual town election will be held on April 11th, 2026 at the Dyen Elementary School from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Nomination papers are available at the town clerk's office for the following offices. Board of
selectmen, three years. Board of assessors, 3 years. DR regional school committee, two positions for three years. Parks and recreation, three years. Public library trustee, three years. Sewer commissioner, three years. Planning board five years. Planning
board two years. Housing authority five years. >> Great. Thank you. I just want to make a mention that the pling board for two years is to fill a term that somebody is leaving. Uh so they'd have to run again in two years if they wanted to stay on
the planning board. Uh this is the first of two public inputs. Is anybody interested in speaking at this time? Yes, sir. for the minutes. Uh, James Dupont, 118 Elm Street, East Rainham. Have prepared statement and I'll leave a copy with the secretary. >> Sure.
>> For for your approval at at your convenience, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. >> This is a prepared statement. It takes a little less than three minutes. >> Okay. And I know under new business and things, you can't have any discussion, but I'll I'll thank you for your time. >> Sure. >> Uh, good evening, members of the board.
I come tonight to deliver a message regarding a matter of grave and immediate importance to the town of Titan, its elected local officials, and its residents. The issue is twofold. First, it concerns the decades long underfunding by the Massachusetts state legislature of the various categories of
so-called local aid, which as you both know is a significant factor in setting the rate of the local property tax and hence how much the property owners are asked by you to pay. In recently published news article remarks by Ton Mayor Shauna Okonnell herself a former state legislator expressed her concern
for the stagnation of returning state revenue to the cities and towns. Prior to fiscal year 81, the first year in which Proposition 2 and a half was in effect. The cities and towns simply put another nickel on the local tax rate to make up any shortfall locally and went on with things. I'm also a former
selectman in the town of Rainham in 18 years member of the virtual Rainham school committee. This is something I've dealt with every year since 1973. You put another nickel on the tax rate and you went on about your business. After Proposition Two and a half took effect, the cities and towns were
limited in how much they could raise the prior year's levy. Consequently, many local services were paired back due to the annual recurring shortfalls. The life at the local level went on. This brings me to my second point. Where does so-called state revenue come from? And the answer is it comes from every
resident in every business in every city and town including Don. Why isn't that money being returned to the people like you who need it for day-to-day things like police, fire, seniors, veterans, and schools? It's been my experience that our state legislators have not made
full funding of local aid a priority. Members of the majority party bemoan how tough things are this year on Beacon Hill, while the minority party elected representatives shrug their shoulders and say there isn't much I can do about it. Last year, my town's annual budget process resulted in a failure to pay the
regional school district's annual assessment. 40 people were laid off after propositions one and a half override to meet that shortfall failed. A resident I discussed this with said, "Sounds like bad management to me." When I responded that it wasn't bad
management, but rather a shortfall caused by our state legislators not fully funding aid to education, the largest category of local aid to any city and town of Massachusetts. His response was, "It sounds like our local government mismanage their relationships
with their state legislators." Mr. Chair, this leads me to the conclusion that the time has come for all local elected officials to demand that their respective state legislators change the way local aid is calculated from the current here's what's left
to here's a fixed percentage of how much your town or your city produced in terms of tax revenue. Seems eminently fair that if your town provides the services that lead a resident or a business to locate in your town, then a fixed portion of the state taxes paid by them
should go back to that city or town. As long as our state reps and state senators can get lauded for giving us half a loaf, then the residents and the businesses will be told to make up the difference in you. The two of you, your finance committee and your school committee, not
the governor or the legislature, will have to bear the brunt of the public eye when taxes go up and services go down. We need to change the way local aid is calculated as well as distributed. Make it a fixed percentage of the state revenue that came from each city and town. If the state has a shortfall, let
them raise taxes. Let them do a massive layoff instead of you to accommodate that shortfall. I'll thank you for your time, Mr. chairman and leave a copy of the remarks. I'm not asking for any action by the board, but I just as as longtime 26 years in public office in
Rainham, every year, every year I sat through the same discussion of how tough it was on Beacon Hill and they just couldn't do it for us and and we had a Republican member of the legislature and Reham of course would we had John Parker for many many years and then Mark Pico
followed him for many years and they told how tough it was or there wasn't anything they could do and I'm telling the board as elected officials. I think that we all owe it to the people that elected you to do this job. And I know you don't get the thanks for it that you deserve. Uh I'm doing this as an
individual person. I'm not running for anything. This is just one of those things that I said I've got to be get to go out and talk to the people who I I've ran a few times, won a few times, lost a few times, and I know what it is to be accused of bad management when you
know you don't. little towns like B& Heaven and Don, you guys work awful hard saw some evidence of it here tonight and it's just not fair and uh so instead of here's what's left, how about how much did you take out of here in the first place? Give it back to us. I'll thank
the chair for your time and I'll sure secretary. >> Absolutely. Thank you. Nicely done. >> It's still public input. If anybody else wants to participate at this time, there will be another one. >> Mr. Chairman Jonathan Gale. >> Jonathan Gail.
>> Yep. I had my hand raised. You probably just didn't see it. >> His hands up. >> Jonathan, can you hear me speak? >> All right. You see my Can I go? >> Yes. >> Okay. I >> Yeah, he can go. I I barely hear him,
though. >> All right. Can you hear me? >> Let's see if I can get >> I'm very close to a mic. >> Okay. Okay, I have three short things just to bring to your attention. >> Hold on, Jonathan.
>> Am I using the wrong one? >> That's the right one. This is >> I think you just changed the source. >> I did, but I All right, then. Go ahead. >> Can you hear me? Can you hear me any better now?
I have a hard time. >> Can you hear me now? >> You're very click right here and hit these these different parts right here. >> Yeah.
Do you see which one? >> So it's Yeah. Maybe try speakers. Maybe that will do it. >> Give us a test. Jonathan, >> can you hear me now? >> That's it. That's our options.
>> It could be on his end, too. >> I'm I'm wide open. >> We can hear you. It's just very soft. >> Is that any better? >> Can you still hear me? >> Yeah, I think we can handle it. >> All right. All right. Do you want me to
give it a shot? >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Okay. So, there are three very quick things just to bring to your attention um that I just wanted to note. The first was you've already discussed already, which was for the shed. Um I was reached out first time today. Did not know it
was even in the planning phase or stage. And I just want to remind the board of selectman and those who are working on it to please keep me in the loop as you're looking for planning and what you're doing with it and the type of shed because it does have to meet an ADA standard. So, but I appreciate the fact
that they did take the time to reach out today. That's just a a comment and thank you. The second thing that I want to note, which is what I brought up briefly two weeks ago, which is regarding the town's policies and procedures, and that's most policies and procedures that
might govern public access, public public input or employment in the town as it affects people with disability. That all comes under title one, title two, and title five of the Americans with Disabilities Act. And I'm hoping
that the town administrator, myself, and the HR director can sit down in the near future, which I've said before, and start to look at the policies and procedures, see what language is currently in there or what language needs to be changed so that it's covered
correctly under the Americans with Disabilities Act. That also includes potential new hires who might eventually tell you when they're hired that they have disability or once a person is hired if they self-declare for at some future point and what the policies and
procedures are for that. So I'm going to keep that on the radar because I haven't heard anything back from anyone yet. Last but not least, >> last I would encourage you to reach out to the town administrator um and set up a meeting. >> So we will lower your hand to 8 seconds.
I hear you. Okay. Last, I have a meeting with the town administrator next week anyway, so I'll I'll put it on our agenda. >> Except last but not least, just to let you aware, I haven't had a conversation with the school department yet, but and this is this is for the school department and for the town to be aware
of. Although we are relatively accessible now through our town's website, the school department is extensively not accessible. And that's every aspect of what the school department has to deliver from the parent portals to access records, access
report cards, filling out forms, etc. The Americans Disabilities Act, now the new regulations are going to require that communities over 50,000, which isn't us, have to be fully compliant in every public sector of accessibility for
digital technology by June of this year, but by June of next year, we have to be fully compliant. And that's not just for our website. It's for anyone that uses Facebook pages for public announcements and meetings to the town. But it also extends to the school department. And the school department, my concern is
that they're not nearly ready for that. Nor do they have the support staff to become compliant. So I will be reaching out to Bill Rooney. That's something that ultimately, just so that you're aware, may have to be factored into the budget for the school department when you're looking at line items because they're going to have to put something
in there for digital accessible support to have everything tested, to have everything redone, and have all of the code renewed. So, I just wanted to put that out there so that you're aware of that when it comes up sometime when you're looking at the school budget. That's all I have. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thanks, Jonathan. >> Anyone else at this time? No. Nobody else is out there. No. >> Okay. Um, moving on to uh Sleman's reports from public input. Do you have anything up tonight? >> I do not.
>> Okay. Neither do I. So, on to the town ministry's report, please. >> Excuse me. Thank you. Um, few things. I want to give you few updates and then, you know, we can discuss. First, I think some some good news. I know some well improving news.
Let's say I know a few weeks ago we received information from Congressman Arl Claus's office that uh that he was moving ahead on $350,000 for the uh for the Dy pump station. U it's it's made the next hurdle. So it's
continuing to move forward uh through Congress. Uh just you know next step it goes from Congress to the Senate. Hopefully uh we'll pass that hurdle and then eventually be voted on for the president. This is a $350,000 update the
night and pump station. If you are aware, we kind of um you know, we lost those AR funds, but we >> we did our we're doing our best to to get that funding back so so we could so we could get that task. Um the next
thing is I wanted to put before the board uh the dead exclusion mail. looking at it, see it, you know, our hope our idea is to have it
good to go. You guys good to go next next week so you can vote on it so we can mail it out. um in uh before you know before I pause on that um I just want to say that I'm starting to set up
um um meetings to do uh to do that exclusive presentation. I'm going to be putting it on the website. The first uh the first meeting I'm having I'm doing at the at the COA breakfast uh on the February 26 I'll be speaking uh to civic
organization. >> February 20th That's the COA is February >> 20th, right? >> It's the 20th, right? Sorry. >> No, that's okay. And on the on the 26th, um I have uh another going to do another
presentation and on the 12th we'll be doing it at the library. Um I'm trying to set up a um a fourth presentation. We're going to be getting that information out. we have to do the cable >> interview and I and then um I'm having a
discussion of you the local business owners almost to have like a coffee with the town administrator and I as I affectionately call donuts or debt exclusions sit on the corner you know anybody who wants uh to buy the donut
hear about debt exclusions uh I'll be available but we're going to get that we're going to get that out to the uh to the public via our our website and Facebook and every I'll make announcements when I set up those things
at the just going to pause right there and take a look at the uh at the main >> that's I I I have I >> um so I want to thank you for your work
on the mailer um something we've been working on for a long time and this is something new to the town. It's new to all of us except in that master no law was new. Um, of course, this mailer is what a yes or a no vote means if the town goes through a debt exclusion. And
we really as a board want to make sure that everyone in town has an idea on what direction the board of select will be going if the town votes no on a debt exclusion. With that said, in the proposed
language, there were positions mentioned and when the town gets something wrong, I think it's good to be transparent about it. Um, and I think we got this wrong. So,
we had an executive session in January where it was discussed. You know, when you have executive sessions, you can't dis you cannot disclose what's said in executive session unless it is um
one uh put on open session or if the executive session minutes are approved and neither one of those happened. But we did that we did start preliminary discussions. Um there was no votes taken. It was preliminary discussions.
Um but in the yes and no vote there is um positions mentioned. Um so I I apologize you know to the employees that um being transparent I I and not to throw anyone under the bus. It wasn't shared with the board at that
time that it was going to be shared with specific employees. Um, so I I like to own things. Um, but that that wasn't shared with the board, but I still think it's good to be transparent about it. Um, so
with that said, um, the we are going to have a follow-up discussion. Um, and it will be voted on an open session. So the board is going to have a open session um you know executive session to
finalize our discussions and then open session next week. Um we're working on next Wednesday and at that time um the board will at least let the town know what direction that we're going with positions.
But I also want to point out that everything is on the table. So, even if the board does vote that we're going to go in the direction of uh certain employees or personnel reductions because it's a reduction in force, um we haven't gone through the budget process
yet with the finance committee um and things can change. So, just because the board shares uh a preliminary idea to give the taxpayers um an idea of what they're voting on for the debt exclusion at town meeting uh at
the annual town election. Um nothing set in stone and anything it and it can change. Um and I also want to point out that at the end of the day um the town's people have the vote at u the ultimate say at town meeting when we put the
budget forward. um you know what what um what budgets look like. So uh that's my thoughts. I think we could have gone better. So to any employees that have anxiety, I hear you and um
but I think we'll have some clarity on what direction the board's going to go in in just one short week. So thank you. >> Okay. Thanks, Mark. >> You want to continue? Well, >> yeah, sure. Um, I know I had informed the board that we're working on our uh our policies,
our personnel policies. I just wanted to give the an update to the board on on where we are. So, um, so you know, we have uh the tenant has 18 uh 18 personnel policies. We started our our
review team back at the end of July, beginning of August. We've we you know we've done six uh we've completed six at this time like from from our perspective. So uh you know per labor council as a statement labor council has
to look at it um you know have a discussion with you know with the coordinator labor council department we have want to make sure everybody everybody takes a look at it and then um and then you know we present it to the
board. Uh but you know my plan is you know it's taking us this long. We I didn't anticipate this long. So we'll be sort of bringing in blocks for you you know for you to look at. Um I anticipate the first uh block should be sometime
after April. Let's let's get through the budget process the budget process first and the summer hopefully we'll be we'll be bringing this forward. But I I was um I guess I was a little overly enthusiastic. think that we could get this done by March. Um, but we're not.
But I just want to be here give you an update. So, we are, you know, working on it. We have a meeting. We meet every other week and and and we go through it and it's it's a surprisingly tedious process. So, so we're going through it.
So, I just want to then uh lastly uh I have before you main appraisals. Um, it's only $50,000, which I have authority to sign, but I haven't signed it yet, but you know,
I want to make sure. >> Oh, I I see it now. >> This is um for this all goes to the uh Pleasant Street Bridge. part of that and probably have to do some some small land take. So, um we
have to uh we have to start doing this getting these appraisals underway. So, I just wanted to give you um an update on um that contract. That's all my updates for now. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Moving on to old business. There's none. So, we'll move right into new business. This is uh review, discuss, and act the open annual town meeting warrant. >> Yeah, it's it's >> it's here. >> It's here. So uh so I guess first things
first, well, we're anticipating having uh town meeting on June 1st. So uh um so you know we're looking to open up um open start accepting
accepting those articles and I'll sort of together um as you see um we have the uh we have the schedule uh listed and uh we're going to be you know
we're looking at doing the joint meetings uh with to the finance committee at the beginning uh the beginning of March March 3rd, March 5th, March 10th and then uh if needed March
17 everything posting and everything up to Um, I have no issues with it. Uh, just one quick question. Not that it really has too much to do with it. Have we heard from the school yet? >> I I abiding by this
dates. >> Uh, we put it out to them. So, >> yeah. Okay. Oh, you're back. Okay. Okay. Okay, Mark, do you want to make a motion? >> Um, is the town moderator, the state works for the town moderator and the
town clerk? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Okay, perfect. Um, >> we asked them first. >> Great. Good. I appreciate that. Um, I'll make a motion to approve the annual town meeting schedule as presented and to open the annual town meeting
warrants. I will step down as chair and second. All those in favor? Well, any discussion? All those in favor I >> I proposed to meeting schedule first. >> I threw that all in one motion. >> Oh, you did?
>> Yes. >> Go ahead. That's me. >> Um then this is C review discussion actman's representative for the clerical union bargaining. Um Mark, you had said that you would be willing to do that.
>> I would um >> just as just if I if I may, as part of the discussion today with the union representative, uh we we're going to start the process the week of March 22nd. Yeah. March the week of March 22nd. >> Okay. Is it do you think when we have
those discussions, Wednesday evenings are best for me during work hours like you know 4:15? Do you think that'd work for everyone else? I just before I commit to it, I just wanted to see if >> I think typically they they do during the day work day. So um >> during the workday because you guys are
there till 5:30 on Wednesdays. >> Yes. Uh these um these meetings are like usually within they could be short or they could be two long >> two and a half hours. Mhm.
>> So, um I mean if that's something you're interested in doing, we could we could see if if the union or anything representives want to meet, can they meet Wednesday afternoon? >> Okay. If not, if you just bring it back to us, we can redis it. >> Okay.
>> You want to table it for now then? >> Um I'll take it unless if they have an issue with your schedule. Okay. So uh again this is a we discuss and act. So I'll step down as chair and make the motion to appoint Mark Pico as the uh
union bargaining representative for the selectment. >> Thank you. I'll second that. >> Motion has been made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> um review discuss an act letter requesting legislature accept enacting an act authorizing the town to use a
portion of conservative conservation land for public way purpose. Um, similar to last week, this is a following up to our uh to um our special town meeting requesting the legislature
to uh do a home petition to allow us to use some conservation land for the reconstruction of the tree bridge. >> Okay. sign. I know. >> Is there a letter or is it just I just have the um
>> There should be a letter in there. >> I just have the uh the article. >> Okay. >> I can show you the Yeah, it's similar to last week. >> Thank you. >> Mind if I read it into the record if we
haven't seen it? >> So, February 11:26, the Honorable Kelly Duna, State House, 24 Beacon Street, room 213B, Boston, Mass. Special legislature approval of town meeting article. Dear Senator Duner, enclosed is
a certified vote of article 18 from the town of Dyton's special town meeting held on November 6, 2025. Article 18 will allow the town of Dyon to use a portion of conservation land for public way purposes. The article
passed by unanimous vote. The town approved article authorizes the Dyon Board of Selecmen to petition the general court for approval. Please present article 18 to the legislature for approval. Should you have any questions, contact the Diton board of selectman's office by phone or email and
they're listed. Sincerely, Peter Karen, chairman, board of selectman. >> I have no issues. >> No, neither do I. >> Okay. I'll make a motion. >> Make a motion to approve the letter requesting the legislature accept an act
authorizing the use of a portion of conservation land for public ways as presented. >> I'll step down as chair and second. Any more discussion? All those in favor? >> I. Um Dan, are you going to talk on the um
on the development committee appointments? >> Mark, I would like to take these individually um if you don't have uh an issue with that. >> I don't. Thank you. Lincoln Avenue, chair of the development committee.
>> Um so we've had major problems in the past year. We've only met a handful of times to put out a forum. So, um, couple changes. Um, Robert Gear is an associate member has, um, the Chamber of Commerce has asked him to be their representative, which would make him a
voting member, which I think really helps us with our quorum issues. >> Sure. >> Um, Barbara Catavia, who is a member, um, would like to stay involved, but she realizes that as a voting member, her lack of ability to attend regularly is
contributing to the quorum issues. So, she's asked if she could become an associate member, non- voting member, and therefore not a an issue there. Um, you know, Paul Reynolds is is right and this has been uh coming for a while, but
he just I can only accommodate, you know, so much in his schedule. So, I appreciate all the time he's put in over the past two years. Um, the skill stuff leave us with two openings at the end of this if you make these uh changes, but I think our quorum issues would be very much resolved. Okay.
>> With the changes also. >> Sure. Who's on the board now? >> So, it's uh myself, Raphael Delphin, um Laura Smith, uh Joe Pacico, um Joe. Yeah. Um
and uh Robert G as an associate member. >> Um Paul Reynolds, Barbara. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Um Chris Ready, >> right? >> Who's also the current chamber representative but has had trouble attending. Okay. So, Paul is going to step down and
Barbara doesn't want to be a voting member anymore, >> correct? >> But she's going she wants to stay as a member. >> Yes. >> Okay. Um and Chris obviously is um is leaving the uh chamber.
>> Okay. Mark, do you want to make the motions? I'll make a motion to acknowledge the resignation of Paul Reynolds from the Dy Economic Development Committee with thanks and appreciation. >> Motion has been made and I'll sit down as chair and second. A motion made and seconded. All those in favor.
>> I'll make a motion to acknowledge the withdrawal of Christopher Ready as representative from the Ton area Chamber of Commerce. >> I'll step on as chair and second. Motion made and seconded. Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I. I'll make a motion to appoint Robert Gear as representative from the Ton Area
Chamber of Commerce. >> Motion has been made and I'll step down as chair and second. All those in favor? >> I >> I and um you don't want to continue. >> I have no other motions. >> Okay. There's no other motions at this point.
>> Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh approval of the warrants, please. I'll make a motion to approve the warrants paid by February 5th, 2026. 32A26
for $133,746.78. 32B26 for $140,451.50. 32 C26 for $446,748.93. warrants paid by February 12th, 2026 for 33A26 for $139,9822
33 B26 for 184,863.95 33 C26 for 3,350,477.50. Motion has been made. I'll step down as chair and second. Motion made and seconded. Any more discussion? All those in favor I >> correspondence letter from Christopher
McGee uh appointing a new call right Chris is not going to speak on anybody's behalf this evening >> no >> just a strong >> making the recommendation okay I'll make a motion to place on file
>> motion has been made I'll step down as chair and second any more discussion all those in favor I >> um minutes. >> I'll make a motion to approve the board of Selecman's regular meeting minutes of January 28, 2026.
>> I'll step down as chair and second. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> uh public input. This is the last of the two. Anybody? Yes. Mr. Mill. What a gentleman >> he 519 street
um if my memory serves me correctly didn't we vote a few years ago when the police station debt came up a debt exclusion to exclude that debt? >> Yes we did. So, it's my understanding
that you haven't taken advantage of putting that outside the levy limit the debt service. >> We did not because we didn't have to. >> But maybe now you do have to. >> The bond's going to drop off pretty soon. >> For the police station, how many did we
have it? >> If I may, that is that is a debt exclusion. We're carrying it outside the levy limit. >> Oh, we are for the police station. >> Yes. It's in the budget. We I don't think it's excluded. It is. Yeah.
>> Yeah, it is. >> I don't remember. >> Yeah, I guess we did. We talked about last week. >> Yeah, voted on. And >> I know we paid paid it out of free cash for a few years >> and then it was moved to the operating budget.
>> I I didn't think it was excluded, but if it is, >> okay, >> okay. But if not, maybe we take that option and save some some jobs. >> Sure. Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Hall. For
>> the record, Leonard Hall, 760 Main Street, D. I commend your transparency. Y >> I'm troubled by what I heard this evening. That's not a reflection on you.
I just caution the board that it as you go forward talking about potential of the negative effects of a debt exclusion that you talk about money
not positions for a lot of reasons. It can create morale problems. It could create departments interdep department fighting. It could create fear amongst employees
that will leave >> right. >> In addition, you haven't heard from the school department yet and that can have its pluses and minuses. He also
there are many creative ways for a department to handle budget cuts in some instances depending on how drastic maybe not laying off people
furlows job sharing those are all options there are a lot of creative ways so please for a lot of reasons When I spoke to meetings and I I was looking for
numbers, you know, department number and through the budget process that'll be determined what those numbers mean. Is it vehicles or is it people, >> right? >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Mr. Hall.
Anyone else at this time? Nobody's out there. Okay. Um we're going to uh make a motion for adjournment, please. >> Um motion to go back into executive session. >> We don't adjourn this one first. >> Come out from uh executive to adjurnn.
Okay. Um motion has been made. I'll step down as chair and second. Motion made and seconded. Any discussion? >> I'll I think I should I do the full motion on all the reasons all the MGL's again? >> No, we're just continuing on executive session.
>> Okay. So then I >> um and I'm an I as well. Thank you guys. Unfortunately, Adam, I can't talk to you this evening. We have to stay. Um we'll I'll give you a chat. Okay.
>> Thank you.