Okay, we're ready to go. All right, 5:30 we are going to convene the select board meeting for July 28th, 2026. I call the meeting to order. I'd like to acknowledge and welcome Dave Tully to
the board. >> Thank you. >> Three. >> Yeah. Glad to have you here. Um I think you were once before and then whatever that was. >> Yeah, >> that was easy.
>> Okay, so me's call to order. Public comment. Do you have any public comments? Seeing none, uh, approval of the meeting minutes from the July 8th, 2026 meeting.
>> Move to accept minutes of July 8th, 2026 board meeting. >> Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All in favor? I. >> I. >> All right. And appointments. So we have um affordable housing committee,
affordable housing trust fund, board of trustees, master plan implementation committee, council on aging and using unionions union building rehab committee. >> Okay. So
>> yeah, do we have a motion? Is that your motion to appoint? So we have there are three here that don't have people. >> So these are um these are the remaining select board designated positions that
>> we were kind of waiting to have a full board to consider. >> Right. >> So um >> we can do was >> the um former representative on these three. So,
>> so you you've got three um openings here that you're looking to fill with EOS members, correct? >> Right. >> Affordable housing committee. >> Were you you weren't on that, were you? >> No. >> Uh yeah, I thought so. Uh master plan
implementation committee and um affordable housing trust fund board of trustees. So, uh, >> I have a question. >> Yeah, go ahead. >> So, for the master plan implementation
committee, we need a person on that. At this point, it looks like I'm going to be filling that role for the community preservation committee. Can I serve both boards at one time? Otherwise, if we have two people, we're going to have a conflict.
>> That actually would be the ideal scenario so that we don't have to post, >> right? Okay. you know, a select board meeting and a master plan implementation. >> Okay. So, I I can do that. I can represent both boards. >> Yeah, I think you can too. I think it's the size of the town that makes that
possible. >> Okay. >> All right. So, I will do that. >> So, Leah, you are going to be the select board designate on uh master plan. >> Correct. >> Great. And I will be glad to take
affordable housing trust fund trustee if that's okay with everybody else. And maybe David, we can ask you to take the affordable housing. >> Yeah, I think it. >> All right. We good here, Jason, with that. So, perfect. >> All right. >> Okay.
>> You have a motion? >> I do. I move to approve the appointments to the town boards and committees as they appear on the appointment staff committees, boards and commissions with the addition of David Tully third for the affordable housing committee, Ron Michael for the affordable housing trust
fund and Liam Bazbains for the master plan implementation committee. >> We have a second. All in favor? All right. Woodwoodville Dam Raceway. >> Is it really called a raceway? >> That's what it's called. Yeah, corporate. I guess
>> we did this project with the help of Hoyo Tanner. We received four bids and the low bid was experience shop freak LLC for $18,395. >> And um so the recommendation is to award the contract to Extreme Shot Breaks. so
that we can get this project going. This is funded through um CPA. I don't I don't have any qu I don't have any issues um creek has worked for me before on found doing foundation work.
Yeah. Up in Derry, New Hampshire. >> They've done work all over the place. work at Brown University where their historic buildings >> sign them up and he was he was here for the bit opening too. >> I mean if the guy was here and he was youtubing how to fix a dam, we might get a little sketchy but
>> he was looking over Jason's shoulder opening and excited about the projects. I'm okay with them. They're the contractor. >> You did good. Any question? >> No, I'm good. All right. Then I move to approve the
contract with Extreme Shot Creek LLC in the amount of $18,395 for the repairs to the Raceway of Woodwards Mill Dam and authorize the chair to sign the contract on behalf of the board. >> Second. >> Second, David.
Uh all in favor item six creation of a council on aging face. >> Yeah. So check this phone um reached out to me and asked if the town would be
comfortable with the consultation creating their own Facebook page to promote their activities and events um that they offer. And so I look back at our social media policy and it says that the selectable needs
needs to approve any additional um social media or account page etc. And so the request is for you to consider the approval of a consignation Facebook page to allow them to um you know
independently um manage um their own page and to promote their events through that. >> So there are no changes to this actual policy. >> No, I just wanted to put it in there just your reference. No changes at all. Just the >> just an additional account that will
have to adhere to the policy. And Chuck has read this and he's aware that he needs to do a lot of work with this making sure it's meeting open meeting law etc. >> He's been he's been given >> okay
>> other than Chuck right the council on aging staff. What's the opposition on this? Everybody's excited ambivalent. >> No, I believe it came from the board. >> Oh, it did? I believe. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I believe they've been talking by >> All right. No, I mean and then in terms
of the Facebook page, >> I'll confirm I'll confirm that though. But I think >> Yeah. Just just, you know, knowing a lot of those folks probably don't have computers. I mean, you can use your phone. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> But they may have family members who do who can
>> Yeah. And and and this isn't going to cost anything, right? It's it's not Okay, great. >> All right. I'm I'm going to be okay with it. Any questions? >> Jason, who has access to it? Just Chuck. >> It would um yeah, it would just be be
Chuck. I mean, the I will say the policy I think probably we need to kind of look at again, maybe time it up a little bit. Um because you know for instance also for media postings required for both department head administrator or the
designate usually that would generally fall to me to be honest. Um but uh I'm not approving every single social media post that's out there right now. That's just how it's getting done. But um but
yeah, Chuck would be the the staff person responsible to manage the page access to it. >> Have a motion. >> Yep. Move to approve the creation of a council on aging Facebook page consistent with the rules and
regulations of the town social media policy. >> Second. All in favor? >> I. When we when did we do this policy to begin with? >> This was >> 2023. >> This was close to years ago. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, this was we put this
together when I >> Yeah. >> When I right around when I started cuz it was basically when we created our social media accounts, we thought we need a policy. I'm sure we would >> it was regulated some way. So, there are some things that we probably now that
we've kind of have the experience of having Yeah. that project to be reviewed. >> I'll put that on the list. >> Yeah, actually it says right here approved 52323 >> years. All right. Item number seven,
installation of flat screen in town hall meeting room. So I'm going to assume that you have more than one flat screen. >> Yes. So well, so here's it's more of a question for the board. So, we have about $4,000
in um grant funds to um basically digitally equip our meeting spaces here. And we've done that. We've purchased our the our equipment. We purchased these um these
uh devices and um now it's fairly simple. Um, even I couldn't mostly figure out how to do it and it works pretty well. Um,
we still have a balance of the $4,000 remaining and one of the things we could use that balance for is new flat screens. Um, so it's more of a question for the board. Um, we're thinking about
purchasing two, installing them on the walls and um, having them using them for remote access to our maintenance. Two, one, have you run this by the historical
society? >> But what can get put on the walls in the building? H >> what I think cuz I didn't >> I don't think it would be applicable to >> I would ask them the interior. >> What if they say no? What do we do then? Can't put a flat piano up on the whole
>> saying I would ask them because people dinged the you know the walls before and there was comment. >> I would just ask but >> I mean I don't we can definitely ask them. I have no problems I have no problem with asking anybody. >> Yeah. I think I think their opinion
should be sought. Okay. >> Um, and secondly, maybe another idea, something that we could put up at swallow for town meeting use, or is that just likely to get nailed by a basketball? >> They might be able to
>> elementary school kid, but >> I think they're putting in new equipment, but in the they want us to they would like us to have autonomy in the calf rather than the gym, and they're putting all new equipment in the calf space. >> Yeah. Okay,
>> I can ask. I can ask. It would take I think it would take a tweak in our grant agreement, too. But they might be open to that, too. I can I can look at that. >> Just a thought. I mean, >> well, you have your have their money and you know, as a cursory, you just say the
historical commission that, you know, we're going to be doing this. You guys got any objection to it? >> And uh as far as what you're going to do over at Swallow, I I don't know. I could see what they come up with cuz I think they're going to put I had heard they
were going to put a screen on that stage in there. >> I think they are. >> All right. Right. >> And project. >> Oh yeah. Oh yeah. >> That's what I heard they were going to do. So >> all right. I wasn't aware that it was happening. So >> y uh Okay. So we're good with that one
last stream. Private well testing for PAS. So, this was another issue that um that was brought to me by the resident
um uh Brian Flynn. I think he actually brought it up at town meeting too, um when he were talking about appropriating money to our reserve accounts. And so, um he followed up with me. We
talked about this um and he actually followed up with me and said that he found a program that the town of Westford um offered to residents which I've included some information in your packet on that I was able to find um
online about it. So the question I have it's not it's not seeking approval of anything at this point just because we're not even close to being there. The question I guess I have at this point is would you like me
to pursue creating a proposal for you to consider on supporting private well testing for PAS through some of the PAS mitigation funds
that we've received. So just the testing >> just the testing >> and then what then it's up to the homeowner to do something about it or not. >> So there I there are a lot I have a lot of questions about how it would actually work and you know
>> if we support the test do we want the results if we want the results if we have the results what are our obligation I mean I there are not >> it could snowball into something enormous. Yeah, there are >> not that it's not a concern. The people
obviously is a huge but there >> and the one the one in the program in Westford that was offered >> um they it looked to me as though they received the results back and they
actually trying to find it. They I think they mapped it out so they knew where the contamination was and what levels so they could kind of >> Yeah, that map is there's a lot going on there. >> Oh, there it is. Yeah. Yeah. >> So, um >> colors didn't come through, but
>> No. No. But you kind of get the get the gist of what they what they did. So, I mean it could serve a purpose for us too in terms of a better understanding where PAS is in the town. Um,
so those are the type of things that that I I do have a fair amount of questions about it and how it would work, >> who's going to manage it, all that. >> Yeah. >> I didn't I didn't read the entire thing from Westford, but there's a lot of lot of info there. >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Um, did you know does Brian have a particular goal he's trying to achieve or is he just >> I I I don't want to speak for Brian, but I think he's just concerned. I mean, I think he has a genuine concern about the
issue of PAS contamination and thinks that if there is a way, the town could support people and better, you know, um, support people identifying the issue. I think we would like to say it's three time
>> and once the data is gathered I mean here there are a thousand questions then what is this like a setup to then whatever not a setup but >> preparation for like a step two of >> do we hit the state or EPA or 3M for
>> yeah I know >> money to resolve that I mean yeah it's just never ending cycle >> you know Westford has kind of some of those things carved out. Not a lot. I think that's I'm going to have I've got some experience having this
done and you know that test is from the showa analytical uh almost 400 bucks a copy. >> Is it? >> Mhm. >> It's 500. >> 500. >> Is it 500?
And so when we look at it, right, you know, how many people are going to pass this done and then you know the contractual liability, we're going to pay for it and we're
going to pay so much money for it, but it's going to be clear that when we get those test results back, they are public record. Well, that's the that would be one of the questions is if we are the public money's going to support the
testing of the program, would we require the test results to come back? Cuz I mean, I guess conceptually you could say you're on your own homeowner. You identify, you hire someone to do it. You
provide the invoice, the bill, the receipt of payment, and then we'll reimburse you 50% of the cost. >> I'm making this up as the talk, but it could be something like that. So, we aren't even part of we don't have
>> the information, but would we want to do the program if we didn't get the information is the other question. So, I just there are a ton of questions that I have about it. Um, I want to I haven't reached out to West, but I want to reach out to West. um to learn about their
experience in doing it. Um >> I mean that's a whole rabbit hole we could go down. I mean I I get the PAST is a huge problem and I would love to be able to not only provide the testing but help people resolve their issues. So I
mean us just getting the data is great but kind of just leaves everybody hanging there. It's like, okay, now you've you've paid $200 to get it tested. Now it's going to cost you four grand to put a filter, whatever that cost is. We're not going to be able to
help with that. But I mean, I don't know. >> That's not a quote and number. I'm just >> I'm just we're using ballpark numbers here. Yeah. I saw you flinched. But yeah. >> Yeah.
>> It's hard to say without know. I mean, I have no idea. I mean, we may say, you know what, let's offer a program and we may get two people who take advantage of it. >> That may just >> or you could have everybody >> or we could have everybody,
>> you know, what would happen? the I mean you only have we only have so many dollars in that bucket and potentially we could have more testing um applicants >> from West Virginia
>> unless we work out a deal with NOA or somebody like that that says hey you guys are going to do our work we want you to give us a >> decent number you got a good amount of late work to put this administrative so it's first whoever asks Yeah.
>> Um, >> Dave just pointed out that Westward they capped it at 50 households. >> Yeah. Yeah. I don't know if they left, >> but they did it under ARPA. That's why >> Yeah. No, they Yep. That's correct. That's correct. >> Yes.
>> I'm live on camp so I'm one of the neighborhoods that is been affected by fast. I did pay my first test if it hadn't come down into my neighborhood. >> It has now come down. So, they've been
testing a couple of times a year. Um, for some reason, every neighbor around me has it just not even people beyond me. Is this done differently because what they label is affected and and they're
doing the testing and paying for. Is that going to change? >> No. This is an overlay plan to people who want to have it tested and have not already had it tested. What you're doing in chemistry in that area over there is funded by GR and
dustable the school district all that stuff. This this is not going to take the place there but this is going to supplement to others. I mean we've got people that up on Main Street forever reason have said they have the stuff in
their water. I so you know we're we're going to offer it and if I'm speaking wrong here please jump down me. Um we're going to offer it to residents who want to know and you know what happens with that information after it's known is
really going to be up to the homeowner at this point. Well, the thing with that though is the source is going to be completely different and not from, you know, is there an an expectation
that oh mine my well tested positive for PA assets higher. So I want the town to cover it just like they are for the >> it's not the same source. >> That's a really I'm glad you asked that question. It's a really good question
and important clarify. So the areas of Chem Street, Groten Street, um, and then the streets in Grot in the town of Grton, those have been determined to be cost by
the high the high school fire. And so because of that, we are um required to address it and help um residents in that boom area access to
clean water. And so um that's basically why that big water infrastructure projects happening. This is like as the chair said is entirely separate and um the plume for the high school has essentially been defined.
>> Yeah. Um and DP has basically given its um it's you know >> it's blessing >> the definition of the which kind of sets the boundaries for um
>> right >> for the contamination and the cost of contamination. So anything outside that plume um would be a different presumably a different cause >> right not associated
with this we need to establish >> so but you're where it is >> and it's an oddity I mean if you had one house and everybody else around was good I don't you know I I really don't know yeah and
I mean you have false positives and false negatives and that that that could be I don't know >> but there are millions of sources for this stuff >> and and most most water has >> some some levels of PA in it. >> Yeah. >> You know,
>> so at this point I think the charge is to develop that program to come back to you with >> Yeah. And then I I I know, you know, follow Westford, but I would probably get a little bit of guidance from Brian before we just
>> Okay. >> go off and do this because I don't know contractually if somebody wants to have their well tested and they ask us, you know, they'll fill out a form or something, we just >> Yep. But yes, to maybe he's had
experience with it and other times I'll I'll do that. >> Okay, moving on. Number eight, item number nine rather, I'm sorry, building gas and
plumbing permit fee schedule update. Move to table that to the next meeting. All in favor? I um number uh 10 administrative report. You all set? >> It's up to you. I can go through it
quick if you've already read it. >> I did look at it, but um read anything. Just Yeah, just kind of give it like an AI summary or something. >> Okay. Um, we got two budget earmarks thanks to
Rep. Scarsdale and Senator Howard. Uh, $20,000 for a new bulletproof vest in the police department and then a $25,000 earmark that has a lot of flexibility. So, um, we're putting a plan together
for to to spend on that. I have some ideas I've included that, um, I'll seek input later on. um budget working group has had its first meeting. Uh Ron, you participated in that as well. >> Yes. >> Um
municipal citizens academy that's going to start. We're going to start promoting that this week. I have provided testimony for the um for the bill that the select board um filed on filling a vacancy.
the ground region school district committee rather than a one year or three-year term appointment. Uh there's a P PAS meeting um in Grten on August 6 at 6 PM to update residents
on the project and the project progress. Um see master plan is ramping up. They had to find a meeting. union building update where um I have the grant agreement with the mass cultural council in place now. So now we
have to issue an RFP for um feasibility, reuse, business planning and market analysis work um for the ultimate um end use of the building. We also have a um
the design for the interior is very very close to complete and the cost estimate to do significantly higher than anticipated. Um so the union school the union
building rehab committee is working now to look at options possibly facing off Chinese and um and maybe some value engineering to get the price slightly lower. V chief has put a comprehensive emergency management plan together and
will be before the board hopefully at your next meeting. Um, Ron, you were asking about the LEAP grant project. So, that's I had a meeting with them, follow-up meeting. They're going to try to incorporate some of the feedback received at the last
public meeting that the select board hosted. Um, to get to continue to advance design, we're going to need somewhere between 25 and $40,000 to get to final design. So um that's do we have enough money?
>> Never phone that. >> We don't have any money. We did sealed all of right. We have no money earmarked for this project outside of the grant we got. >> And Mass E needs to it won't work for free.
>> Mass won't work for free. The consultant certainly won't work for free. So, um, so yeah, we need to we're going to have to put our heads together and see how we can how we can continue to advance it
because I thought at the meet at the meeting the board posted there was a lot of a lot of residents interested in the project. a lot of I I thought very good constructive comments about the project and
um and a desire to make the intersection safer. So, um I prefer this one not to sit on a shelf, but just finding the money to keep it keep it going.
Um you already did. >> I don't know if you only talked about Max. >> No. effective those are big things. >> Anything else from the audience?
>> No. Coming up the entertainment. >> Yeah. Um topics not reasonably thought of. Do you have anything yet? I don't >> David. >> No,
>> I don't I don't have um anything either. And but I just want to think through this um and this is just me, right? This mil um street over street and main street thing, right? You
know, I there's a side of me that says that I wouldn't mind having the abuters involved in some sort of an ad hoc where they can participate because some of the people talked about the layout
and how odd it was going to look and then, you know, I didn't disagree with that, but you know, in terms of trying to have like consensus thinking, we could just ask those folks that our so you know Brian ran and all those Brian
doesn't round but he's an ab that's he lives there um I just don't know but the one thing I I do agree with you so I wouldn't want that s of all the projects we've got we we got to figure this one out because
that was a bad accident and you know it's it's a tough intersection >> I know the road commission talked about the project at their I don't know if it was their last meeting or one of the one of their recent
meetings. Um so it's on I know it's on their radar too. >> You're talking Highland now? >> No. >> Oh okay. Oak >> Oak. >> Yeah. >> Oak Main and Mill. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm saying if we got the and I'm
just reaching here. If we got the residents into like an ad hoc committee saying look guys these are your designs you know what's everybody thinking this were here nobody can say well you know they didn't talk to me yeah you guys
live in that area um I me I have my own thought as to what that would look like but I don't live there and you know I think we've got to probably drive this a little bit just to get it done >> well I think you know it's it's a money It's a money thing. Yeah. But it's a
safety issue. >> No, I I I agree. I mean, even if to the extent of putting, you know, the road comes out like this, big triangle in the middle. >> No, I know that this >> department hates that. But
>> yeah, because but >> that this triangle, right? So, this is coming off of Maine. Yeah. This is going out to Maine, right? This is what she's got is what I was going through. But I don't I don't think anyone was I mean
there we have engineers for a reason. >> I know. >> And I don't think anyone was opposed to the design generally speaking. They had I mean I didn't get the sense that
>> No, they want to see something happen for sure. >> But I didn't get the sense that people were like blow this up >> and commentary are different. No, I think >> I think what happened is the engineer that was there, she spoke about, you know, lengthening the
sidewalks and there was a discussion about people's driveways needing to be extended. >> We had no sidewalk. >> There's no sidewalks and there's one driveway >> and the driveway. So, that was one of the in the in the follow-up meeting I had with Tech, that was one of the
issues that was discussed was is there a way to rather than bringing the driveway out on Main Street because that's kind of how it went with the extension. It was >> can we move get it back to come out on Oak Street, >> which would are some geometry changes,
but I think they they're >> they're looking at that as part of the final quote unquote conceptual design. And the other issue that was to me kind of a major takeaway that I asked them to look at was on the other side on Mil
Street. There was a telephone poll that was talked about by a lot of people and then there's a little kind of green. It's not very green, but it's a unpaid area. >> People put their couches out there to
take for free kind of thing. So was there, you know, there were several people who said, if you move the pole, can you use that space to make the intersection safer and basically to make it square it up a little? >> Yeah.
>> And so they look they're going to look at that issue as well. Those were the two big there were other there were other smaller things, but those to me those were the two >> Yeah. talk about cut the vegetation, cutting it back further along, >> the sight distance
>> here, and >> they were concerned about, you know, looking at this and but I think you're right, bringing them on to Oak Street instead of here. >> Yeah. >> And then they can put some plantings a little bit further back. >> Mhm. >> To block the I mean, the view's not
blocked out, but So, >> yeah. I Yes. if if they can rethink the driveway a little bit so that it can continue to come out oak, I think that would be beneficial. >> Um, but I think extending
extending the um the curb well, it's not a curb line, but you know what I mean. A curb line >> Yeah. >> will help square that off and and dissuade kind of cars from just going 50 and taking a turn. Yeah,
>> both in both ways. So, um >> So, are they at a standstill right now? I mean, have they used the funds up? >> They're they're not at a standstill. They're trying to kind of make some of the um make some of the changes based on
feedback they received at the meeting. >> Okay. >> Um which were primarily what I just I just mentioned. And then but don't forget this is still preliminary concept design. >> Oh yeah. So I mean it's
>> any literally anything combination anything could change on this because it's it's simply not at a point >> um where it's developed that that much. So >> what was the amount of the grant from leaving the >> So it didn't it it's funny the way this
grant works. It doesn't give you an amount. says you get technical assistance for conceptual design. >> Oh, >> and then they hire >> okay >> um the engineering firm. >> So why don't they just cover the rest of this then >> have to change not us.
Um, so you know, I think that the next step is like you said, it it's getting the money somehow, finding finding the money to advance it, >> and then um, if we're able to do that, if we're able to get an engineer on
board to continue the >> continue the design, then having working meetings with the buyers and neighbors, it makes makes a lot of sense. >> Okay. And then once we get to 100%
design, do we is this a tip? Do we do we have money to >> for free the actual work or >> the good thing about this project is it is included on our um complete streets
prioritization plan. >> Okay. >> And so because it's included on our prioritization plan, it is complete streets eligible. So, um, and I think I'd have to go back and look at the the, um, the maximum complete streets award, but
I want to say it's 250. So, it it I think it fits it. I think this project would fit well in the complete streets grant. >> Okay. >> Complete streets. Is there, and this was put together years ago when Tracy was with us?
Is there a time when you revise your complete streets? I mean, because there are some projects that have been we can tick off, right? Um >> um I don't remember that. >> Do you ever add to it? Do you revise it or is there a process for Right.
>> You'd think so. >> And you all did that like I mean it is kind of >> been 10 years stale, but it is quite a few years. Yeah, I'll check. >> It's like 10 or 11 years ago. >> Probably 10.
>> I'll check. I think the only I wonder if Let me check. That's a good question. Yeah, I'll check. >> All right. I got nothing. >> The the traffic island that was built Yeah. I'm asking you. >> Yeah. >> The traffic island that was built at
depot in Maine, right in front of Harold's house. Yeah. >> Didn't we do that ourselves? the town didn't the road commissioners the road guys do >> they may have I don't recall do you know >> I do not >> I thought I could be wrong but I thought
they that um >> yeah that was added in wasn't it >> it was I think we did that ourselves and I'm not I mean this one's bigger but it's certainly you know saw cutting the pavement and pulling the asphalt out and
putting in curbing or a burn or some dirt there and a >> and a nice big flashing sign for Joanie. >> Joanie, the the you know, like they have now the the red flashing stop. >> What about crosswalk there, too? >> Yes.
>> I don't know. I'm just throwing it out there because it's a way to get it done without I mean, if you're going to end up getting a contractor in, >> it's a I mean, a possible temporary fix. We really have any extra money laying
around to do that. >> Okay. All right. >> Anything else? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. Those in favor I