Good evening and welcome to the July 14th, 2026 meeting of the East Salom Town Council. I'll call the meeting to order and ask that we stand for the pledge of >> allegiance. 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. And I would ask that we take a brief moment of silence to reflect on all of the events going on both at home and abroad. Thank you. In accordance with Mass General Law, this meeting is being recorded by LCAT. And if there's anyone
else in the audience recording, if you could identify yourself. Seeing none, our next uh topic on the agenda is a reorganization of the town council. Uh so per article 2 section 3 of the charter each year when we have a full complement to the council, we have
to do a yearly reorganization where we elect a president and vice president. Uh since I've served my two consecutive years, I'm happy to pass the to someone else this evening. Um, but I will say it's been an honor and a privilege to serve all of you and the town as a whole
for the last two years. And I can't believe how quickly it went by, but I feel like we've done a lot of good work. It's hard to remember all of the things that we've done sometimes because you're always chasing the next uh agenda, but I think the town is in a good position and I have no doubt that we'll continue to
do great work. So, thank you for that. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Conor. Uh at this time I would entertain nominations for president of the council and I would start by nominating. Are
>> there any other nominations? >> To second that. >> I will make a motion then to elect Ralph Page to serve as president of the town council for a one-year term pursuant to article 2 section three of the charter and rule one of the council rules.
>> Second. >> Second. Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Uh, we'll do a roll call. Jim, >> yes. >> Kathy, >> yes. >> I'm a yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> And Anna, >> yes.
>> Motion passes. And then now for vice president. >> I would like I second that. >> Breaking up. Anna, >> waking up. Oh, I am.
Y >> can I make a motion? Can I make a motion? >> You can. >> All right. I move into service. >> That clear enough? >> Yes. >> Second. >> Is that okay? >> Yes. >> Okay. Motion was made and seconded. Any
other discussion? Jim? >> Yes. >> Kathy? >> Yes. >> I'm a yes. Yes. >> Yes. Ralph. >> Yes. >> And Anna. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> All right. >> Congratulations to >> Thank you. Two years of actual
impeccable um planning and laying out and um >> I I can guarantee everyone here that I am not as organized as so please bear with me. Um, with that being said, President, I would ask if you would
continue to run tonight's meeting as you are completely prepared. >> Absolutely. It would be my privilege. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you, Ralph. >> I will say since Marilyn is in the audience this evening, again, thank you to her for all of her years of service. And it is tripping me up with roll call
votes not saying Marilyn's name. They have >> still. All right. Next is public comments. Is there anyone in the public audience that wishes to make a comment this evening? I see no one physically here and no one with their hand raised on Zoom. Uh
council comments. Any counselors with a comment this evening? >> I have a couple if you don't mind. >> Sure. >> Um the first is with regards to the 250th celebration. Um I'm not sure whose idea it was for the lighting in the center, the red, white, and blue. Um
that was a huge hit. It was awesome. It was a nice surprise. I didn't know it was happening and just to see it um it was sort of like uh you know the icing on the cake. Um the banners were beautiful. Everything was done way over and above the parade committee
did a fantastic job knowing that I mean they were basically thrown into it this year. Um you know as far as setting up because of the new high school and all and everyone just brought it together. They did a great job. Um the second thing I wanted to mention is um I had
someone drop off some paperwork to me and I found it extremely interesting. Um it is from 1965. It was by done by a study committee um that was put together by the selectman at the time and I'm just going to skip
through it real quick to tell you some of the findings. Um they found that the town hall was deficient in size and that to continue an adequate government we needed to enlarge it or do something with it. Um and lucky for us uh roughly
this was uh February 20th 1965 and lucky for us um we've done something about it. So um that thank you to everyone on that. Um I knew we had gone back quite a ways with different committees and all. I did not realize it
went back to 195. >> Um the second thing was an article in the paper um which is a huge article all about uh East Long Meadow and the industries. Um but it goes through I I haven't seen anything like this. The
schools, the businesses, how they did um this was from 1966. Um the thing that caught my eye is uh they were extremely proud that they were ma maintaining the tax rate for that year at $28 per thousand. Um but again
it you know you start looking back and that's when Milton Bradley had uh expanded another 80,000 square feet of business. They talk about package machinery uh American saw and then a lot of businesses like the ski house. It was their first year in town. Um, very
interesting article. I appreciate uh being dropped off and I thought I would share that with the council and I will pass that along to Jackie if anyone would like to see any of it. It's uh extremely interesting. Things change but they stay the same.
>> That's interesting. Thank you, Ralph. I would echo the same that was going to be my comment this evening was about the parade and overall Fourth of July festivity festivities and the 250th. everyone uh did a great job from all the various committees and everyone that
organizes it and runs it. It went very smoothly from everything that I saw and our participation in it. So, thank you to everyone. >> All right, next town manager report. Hi, Tom. >> Hey, good evening. Um,
so, uh, attached are the project reports for June 15th, 22nd, and 29th, uh, for the high school. Uh, back to one building on campus. Uh, the demolition of the old high school is complete. Um,
Fontaine's, uh, wrapping up the building and site work with an expected substantial completion date of July 30th. Um and then shortly thereafter, we'll begin populating the building with uh essential personnel um under a temporary occupancy permit uh
which will sort of give the building back to the town of East Saw Meadow. Uh right now the the builder is assuming most of the risk for so um we are saving July's insurance cost on the high school which is sizable.
Um you can get updates anytime you want. Uh uh all things high school, you saw memma.gov elhs building project. Um as the council restructures restructured, uh I just want to uh sort
of echo Ralph and sing the praises of outgoing president Connor O'Shea. Um those of you that have held the position before know just how much work goes into this uh job. Um, it's way more than just running a meeting every other Tuesday.
Uh, and far too many calls from the town manager at inopportune times. No doubt. Uh, Connor's leadership has been exemplary. His organizational skills and demeanor have uh set a strong example for the rest of us. Um, and the town has
seen numerous successes in his two years in the chair and and he has his fingerprints on all of them. Um, and I am very appreciative of all the time that that we got to spend together professionally and and personally too. So, thank you. Uh, the the town folk
other than the people watching this meeting won't know how much you actually did in the last two years, but it was monumental. So, thank you. Um, I want to uh offer congratulations to uh my neighbor uh Mr. Torcha uh on
his successful re-election campaign and our new counselor sort of uh Matt Boucher uh unofficially being elected to the town council. Um the results of the election were confirmed on the afternoon of June 29th after a recount verified
the results uh from election day. Uh I look forward to working with you both and and I guess I'll segue to say great job from Jackie and everybody on the election team. Um, obviously it's it's a lot of work and uh it's nice that the
results were confirmed also obviously, but um thank you so much for all the hard work. I know it it's a it takes a long time and uh but the team was was great once again. So, thank you. Um another year, another great Fourth of
July in East Meadow. Uh the 250th celebration of America's birthday was more than worthy. Uh thanks to the collective e efforts of seemingly everyone in town. Uh there really was like a good energy from the end of June
like all the way through the parade. It really was it was spectacular. Um special thanks to the Rotary Club. Uh they're instrumental every year obviously. Um but brought out all the stops this year uh to provide many days of entertainment on center field and the
laser light show. Um thank you to the town council uh for for the generous appropriation to the celebration fund which uh we spent most of uh on the extra pageantry this year, but it really was it was worth every penny.
The the town looked amazing. Um Ryan Quimby and the parade committee uh for their tireless efforts in planning and coordinating the parade. A lot of moving parts this year. We had staging areas at Lennox. Uh the medical buildings on Dwight. Thank you to them for allowing
us to use that space. Um thank you to Go Graphics. Uh all those signs were were basically their design team trying to figure out what we wanted to see and they nailed it. There's just no doubt about it. Uh, it looked
amazing. Um, and then the DPW. So, the lights, you can thank Dr. Fenny. That was his idea. And obviously the DPW guys went out and changed all the light bulbs. Uh, but that was really cool. That that was that was pretty awesome. Um, and again, so DPW for for, you know,
making the town look great, festive, and putting all the pieces together, police and fire keeping us all safe. Um, and judging by all the positive feedback, I think we have no choice but to go big for the 2501st next year. Uh,
so, uh, in the midst of all that celebration, the police station, uh, and facility at Pineol were struck by lightning, uh, on the night night of July 4th. Uh, no one was injured thankfully, but uh, significant damage to a lot of the electronics, electrical
equipment. Um, it uh, and DPW did an amazing job getting that building back online uh, quickly. I mean, very quickly. Um, we're still kind of picking up the pieces and looking through everything. We'll undoubtedly have a
lengthy insurance claim to put together. Um, and then I'll let you know how that all shakes out. But uh we are running that uh full full cylinders at the police station. Um so so that's good. Um
also in accordance with the provisions of article 5 of the charter uh I want to inform you of some appointments uh that went into effect on July 1st. All five of the appointments are reappoints uh based on exemplary service that all have
shown already on their respective boards. Uh those are Rob Terrell uh on the planning board. Uh Marty Grudgen, board of assessors, uh Christine Johnson, board of health, Larry Bowman, board of library trustees, and Michelle Jones uh board of library trust
trustees. Uh upcoming events, uh we have the 2026 time capsule burial, uh Thursday, July 16th, uh 6 p.m. at Heritage. Um, and
then they have scheduled the unveiling of the 1976 time capsule uh right here at the COA on August 6th uh at 6 p.m. They'll have um like a projector uh so they can sort of show everybody what's going on. It can be seen on the screen.
I assume Jamie will be there. She's always there. Uh and uh so that should be kind of a fun evening to see all the things that we were able to salvage from. So, um that's uh the report for this evening. Unless you have any
questions, um obviously here to answer. >> Great. Thank you, Tom. >> Yes. Thank you, Conor. >> Oh, yes. Anna, can >> I say something something? >> Of course. >> Sorry, I was to get back. and
over the last year. >> I appreciate it. Thank you, Anna. >> Thanks so much, everyone. >> Enjoy. >> And so with that, we would be remiss not to mention Anna's job for the last two years. >> Absolutely. >> She was absolutely wonderful stepping in
whenever need to be and um following up with us if we had questions or anything. So, >> no, she was definitely a great help and uh we had many a conversation and a lot of productive work. So, thank you for your help, Hannah. >> We did. >> Any questions for Tom?
Okay. Thank you, Tom. >> Thank you. >> Have any communications correspondents or announcements this evening? Uh, next we had our public hearing for 6:15. And thankfully, we talked long enough. >> We're right in time.
Okay, this is a public hearing for an application for Gatsby Golf Company LLC doing business with Gatsby Golf for a new all alcoholic beverages retail restaurant license at 45 Street. Council members from left to right are Kim
Leiden, Kathy Hill, myself, Connor O'Shea, Matt Boucher, Ralph Page, and John Torsche. And I would ask the clerk to read the legal notice into the record. Notice is hereby given under chapter 138 of the general laws that Gatsby Golf
Company LLC of 45 Baldwin Street has applied for an all alcohol beverage liquor license. Town council will hold a public hearing on July 14th, 2026 at 6:15 p.m. in the media room of the council on agent
located at 328 North Main Street. The public hearing may also be attended via Zoom webinar for the council. Jackie Sullivan, town clerk, clerk of the council. >> Great. Thank you, Jackie. Um, at this time, if the applicant is here, I would
ask you to come forward. >> Sure. >> All right. Just sit here is good. >> Yeah, sitting here. >> So, >> and if you could just before you start, state your name and address for the record, too. Sure. It's Joseph Trembley. It's 59 Llewellen Drive, Westfield, Mass 1085.
>> Thank you. >> Uh Jackie's been great. Uh town hall has been awesome and everyone this whole experience has been very seamless. Um I've just been very impressed with the town and the organization. I applied for a business here uh 6 years ago and we're
still operating at 45 Baldwin as a design build company uh next to the brew practitioners. So gotten gotten to know the town a little bit. obviously really like it because I'm starting a new venture within it. So, um but long story short that uh we've decided it's a
little more showroom space than we needed. So, we're dividing out um part of it to do this. So, that's kind of a little bit of the background. Um I submitted plans and I actually um scaled them back a little bit. So, the requirements are a little bit less, but I brought copies for everybody tonight.
I emailed them to Jackie, but um it's kind of a you know, work in progress with the architect. So, uh, just, um, just bear with me while I get these out. >> I also just kind of prepared a sheet. >> Just be careful. >> Make sure you don't trip on that. Just so you
>> saw that, too. Slow motion. Yeah. >> Okay. And I prepared like a little comparison sideby-side sheet to what the old plans, which you had a copy of, look like. >> Um, hopefully I don't leave anyone out. It looks like all together. If someone didn't get that sheet, just let me know.
My copy. Here's the insurance. Thank you. >> And then this is the sheet with the sideby-side comparison. And I felt like I might have missed somebody. Thank you. >> Did you Did you get the little one to me?
>> All right. Um, keep one if you need one. >> Uh, I think I have a set over here. >> Yeah, I can share. >> I've got a new set. And um, one was a duplicate. I did print out eight copies of that, but I don't know if someone got an extra one maybe of the
sideby-side comparison there. So, okay. So, uh what would you like to know from me? I suppose >> um if you could just give us a walk through of what you're looking to do, um and what the overall operation would look like and then I have some questions from there. But that would be first
start. >> No, no problem. So, um what we're looking to do is an indoor golf simulator space. There'd be eight bays. I don't know if how familiar you all are with those, but they're, you know, kind of high ceilings, these big wide screens and exactly like that and and hit golf
balls into them. It kind of gives you a realistic experience. It's going to be kind of like on the higherend equipment. Um, basically kind of found that looks like this was probably a good good fit for the space for that. And uh that's the the primary business. So you you
reserve, you know, a time slot, come in for two, maybe three hours, depending on how many, you know, if you got four of you and you're trying to get 18 in, it's probably going to take about three hours. Um, and then, you know, we want to also serve alcohol, but as an ancillary, uh, the bar is can only sit
four people. It's really meant to be like a waiting bar. It's not like like a real like serving bar. It's kind of needed something there like as you walk in say, "Okay, I can grab a drink here. I can check in here or I can go sit." We have like a little seating lounge area on the plan. But yeah, that's kind of
the main idea. And then along with the uh you know, just residential golfers who want to come play, we'll offer uh we'll probably do summer camps, something to that effect for the down season because nice in New England, everyone's out on courses. Uh so we'll have, you know, something to that
effect. Um and then we'll also do um lessons. So we'll have you know uh agreements with pros who who do lessons. So then um lastly I think terms of of operation of this. I think that pretty
much covers it. We'll be closed on Mondays. Um probably operating 10 to 10 for the most part. Maybe till 11 Friday and Saturday. I haven't fine-tuned that yet and I'll probably pilot it just to say, "Okay, we're not getting anybody in here at 10:00 a.m. or we want people in
here at they want to get in here at 8 and they're mad that they can't come golf at 8." So, we'll tweak those, you know, a little bit, but um the the night time for the simulators tends to be, you know, the most popular time because, you know, people uh are out with their friends after work. So, that's, you
know, tends to be the uh the big big draw there. We'll do some corporate events, um business events, people can host there. And uh you can play a tournament um within the software. So which is kind of cool. You can have a scramble, right? You have eight teams, you know, in all eight bays and they're
all playing the same scramble tournament and your score is coming up on the screen. So it's kind of fun. That's pretty much what we're looking to do there. Great. Uh before I open it up for the council to ask any questions or clarifying, since it is a public
hearing, it is an opportunity for anyone in the public audience if they wish to make a comment or ask any questions. >> Anything Marilyn? >> Marilyn, more information. >> Okay. If anyone has anything else, we can certainly come back to the public. But
at this time, I don't see anyone on Zoom with their hand raised and no one in the audience. So now if the council has any comments or questions. Um I guess I'll start. The first thing um that I noticed our our town bylaws and liquor license rules require that you have to serve
some form of food along with any alcohol service. Uh so what was your plan? >> Light snacks. Yeah, light snacks. No kitchen for sure. We don't we have to take more space than that's really currently available to us. It is possible, but uh the plan is to to have
like a snack bar and coffee as well. >> Okay. Okay. >> And non-alcoholic drinks too. Like I'm not just serving alcohol, >> right? >> You drink or you leave? Yeah. No, none of that. So that's the plan. >> I'm sure I have other questions, but does anyone else have anything,
>> Ralph? >> Um you're citing light snacks examples? >> Uh pretzels for sure. Uh going to have a lot of pretzels. >> Pretzels, chips. Yeah, pretzels, chips. Um, I'm blanking because I'm on the spot right now, but I did have a few other
things in mind. I didn't specify like in my business plan exactly which foods, but it was just snacks that would be of high demand. Like dots pretzels came to mind. Like that was one for sure I thought should be there. Um, and probably something that's a little
more absorbing, too. Maybe a little heavier, but I always feel like pretzels is a pretty good pretty good list. I mean, I could try and come up with some more specifics if you >> nachos. >> Nach nachos with cheese. Any as long as as long as it doesn't require like a
full kitchen stove, but like microwave, toaster oven. Um, yes. One thing was frozen pizza. That was another idea, too. Um, that was that was one thing I came up with that I was blanking on just now. So, >> sure. >> Have you been to the planning board yet?
Um, so I'm assuming this is be considered a commercial recreational facility. >> Bylaw looks like it's going to be a special permit for it. >> Correct. >> Started that process at all. >> Uh, no, I haven't.
>> So, though >> I I I didn't uh we did go through the building commissioner. It didn't seem like we were I don't know that we were going to need one. the architect's been in contact with them. It sounds like we're about ready to to launch just trying to figure this part out because it would change the plans dramatically
if I wasn't approved. So, that was kind of I just I'm not 100% sure yet the answer to that that question. I guess I was under the I was just under the impression that we're about ready to pull the permit. >> I think we need site plan review
approval. I'm sure Ralph will find the answer in the meantime while he's um looking for that on the proposed plan. I would assume that for health department reasons, even though it's like light snacks and not a full kitchen that you
would have to have some sort of like preparation sink and clean up and stuff. Where would that be on? Uh so that would be if you can follow me to um you see where the bar is there. >> Yep. >> Uh if you look um I guess south of the
bar if you're looking at a plan top being north uh there's a sink right there in the >> Oh, okay. See it now. >> Question for the council. This would probably require a common Vic license as well, right? cuz he's serving
food. >> I think so. >> I think that there's a line where you don't have if you're not like making food in a kitchen that that's I think that's the line he's trying to not go on. Okay.
>> Correct. Yeah. >> Microwaving a toaster. >> Yeah. I don't know. >> That would be making food. >> Yeah. But >> even if you're feeding it, >> I know exactly where the line is. Yeah. Um, what you're getting at is correct though. My point is to have some some
available without triggering that because it ends up being not possible basically, right? >> If I get into that uh is kind of what the architects told me for a full kitchen. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So to to keep the light snacks available
uh you know where it's not actual food preparation. Uh that's that was what we're going for. So, >> sure. >> Chair, I just have uh concerns because um our zoning bylaw
doesn't allow a bar, a tavern, per se, a lounge. We have restaurant permits for all alcoholic and without food service. I mean, it's specifically stated when um when we do
it that you have to serve food at all times that alcohol is available. Um, and we've had issues with this. And I know, um, we have other recreational facilities like, uh, Shaker Bowl that, yes, they serve alcohol. It's a
recreational facility, but they also serve full food. Um, that's the way it's always been done. Um, and I would have a hard time looking to change from that. Um, as far as the
zoning portion of it, um, this wouldn't fall under golf recreation cuz that's only allowed in the golf recreation district. Um, so I would assume this would be a recreational facility, commercial or private and in industrial
industrial garden park, you do need a special permit for it. So we'll definitely in my opinion looking at this unless they come up with a different location for the business uh different >> category or
>> category I would be okay with uh conditional upon uh uh obtaining the special permit if that's the case that's the case and I'm I'm happy to you know satisfy whatever rules needed. Well,
>> so I know brew p sorry >> I know brew practitioners as you walked through uh the entry door had a kitchen area um because before they switched over to what the pouring permit they had
full food service there um which I would assume means that there's a kitchen or something available up there. Would that be >> Well, the problem um problem is it's it's still in their space. Uh they don't have they don't have the that kitchen there anymore. They've kind of I think
they're re they've reutilized the space. >> Yeah. And I think they basically didn't need the kitchen because they went to the pouring permit which is under a whole different not under the ABCC per se. >> Part part of our business plan too just so you have an idea is um to actually
give our customers gift cards. I know this doesn't really, you know, it doesn't put food on premise, but we would do like a GrubHub gift card or a um a Uber Eats gift card. So, they can actually order food while they're there as part of their stay. So, it's going to
be basically built into the cost where they can, you know, they come in. All right, they've got an Uber Eatats card. They don't have to order food if they're not hungry, but they have the, you know, the option to have food delivered right to the doorstep. That is part of part of the idea there uh to to circumvent needing to put a
kitchen in. >> It's an interesting idea. >> I think that gets in Sorry, >> mean to interrupt, but I think that they were having this problem with the uh concession stand at the high school because they were bringing the food in, but you're still it still counts.
>> Yeah. >> Like even if somebody else is bringing the food in, you're essentially preparing andor giving out the food. So it it does trigger that and we had to go through that when we did the the new concession stand. >> Okay. >> Do you know for the business that you
currently operate there what the was there any like I don't know if it had previously gone before the planning board for what you were currently doing like were there hours of operation that were already set foration? >> Yes. So uh the you're talking about the design build company that's there. Okay.
So it's we're subdividing out. So that will still be there. Uh hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday 10 to 5 10 to 5. That's what the hours currently are there. >> Okay. >> And that was probably site plan. So that
>> right. Yeah. That >> necessarily a condition of approval. Right. >> Right. >> So one other note if you don't mind. So, I was looking at um your certificate of organization through the Commonwealth and you did list here retail sales uh
food and beverage service where legally permitted and that's why I had the hope that hey maybe you're going to you know make some mini pizzas or something on that idea. Yeah, that's you know that. So they I mean make you check something,
right? And that was the closest to to what we would be doing cuz I was I am planning on, you know, giving out food there, selling, you know, whatever snacks and stuff like that. >> Have you have have you sat down with the health department yet? >> I have not. >> Okay. Maybe that's maybe that's a thing
that we can do. Set that up. >> Okay. Then at least you know where where that line is. >> Yep. >> Um >> because I think there is a line, right? Like and you can sort of get right up to it without having to impact your space
with a full commercial kitchen. >> Yes. >> So my whole thing is we're giving out a a restaurant license. Should be a food service. it should be a restaurant, >> right? >> Um, and there's definitely a difference
between the two unless the council at some point chooses to allow, you know, what we haven't whether it be taverns, bars, lounges. Um, and again, I think that would be a conversation that we had with the
planning department. Um, because I know at least when I was on it and as far back as I can remember, that's always the way it's been. Um, and I think the thought process was if you're drinking alcohol, we want you to be able to consume food which
>> hope takes up some of it and offsets it. And um >> yeah, I think from my perspective, I think it's a great idea and I don't have a problem with the business itself, per se, but it does seem like there's a little bit of a gray area in terms of like what we might currently allow
legally versus maybe the line that we're trying to find in the sand there. So, I'm not opposed to it, but I don't know that we could approve it even conditionally tonight without doing a little more research and working with you on that. >> Okay. >> I don't know what everyone else's thought is.
>> I would agree. >> So, what's the best course of action for me? Do I withdraw without prejudice or do I >> continue this? We have when we continue it, we have to pick a specific date. So, we could pick our August meeting >> and then we may or may not have something in time for that. If we do,
great. We can pick it back up then. If we don't, then we could just continue it again from August to another future time if we need more time to to work through it together. >> By continuing it, you won't have to have it readvertised and all. So that cost won't
>> and that's why we try to do that that way. >> All right. And so specifically, you're looking for basically the health department to kind of say this is what is required to be with the alcohol kind of thing or what exactly? I mean, I guess I just want to understand 100%.
>> I think there's probably three parts here that we have to look into. I think one is the health department because I know like depending on what kind of food you serve, they have certain regulations on like what sort of sanitary facilities are required and whether it's like the three-step sink and all that as opposed to like the one that you had um in the
plan. Two, I think, would be with the planning department to see if there is a special permit required given the the land use. Um, and then if there was already a site plan or if you need a revised one given the hours of operation that would be changed to for this kind
of use. And then I think the third would be with us to determine what that gray area is in terms of food service and what actually counts um to be served along with alcohol.
>> Okay. I don't know if I'm missing anything, but I think those are really categories. >> You did it all. And I um I appreciate Ralph you pointing that out about the special permit. I the architects definitely did not mention that to me. Um but I >> I think the build there actually said I
believe this is going to require one. So I think that was at some point flagged but because I didn't hear it from them. I guess I just didn't register that we needed one. So but either way I would just pull one. And I've I've done special permits before in other projects
and no issue doing that. I don't really see how I don't really I mean it seems like I'm >> special permit can put different criteria and stuff on it. Um >> and yeah and a lot you know I think last time what I think when we did the
hearing for the um the building uh to the bu design build company was the primary concern were people you know traffic flow and then cutting down that side street there you know to cut through which they do regardless of me. Um, you know, the storage has got the
most traffic going on there that I've seen, but um, yeah, the process was was I thought pretty pretty good. I thought pretty fair for for the special permit, so I'm not too too worried about that. >> Great.
>> So, before we continue this, um, I get the health concerns, special permit concerns. Is this even something the council can approve in terms of a liquor license? Like I thought my admittedly basic understanding of the bylaw was
like you needed a kitchen serving hot food to have the liquor license which if this isn't something I kind of get the impression and I'm not I'm not knocking it. I think it's a great idea. I'd love to say I looked at this earlier today and I said oh that looks that's great.
Sure. In my head. Um, but like if the council can't even approve this liquor license, why would we continue with the health and the special permit discussions? Like, is this something I don't know the exact language of the bylaw, so this is
just a kind of a question for the floor, but is this even worth us kind of sending you on a >> I don't want to say a wild goose chase, but kind of a >> fact finding mission? Yeah, a factf finding mission. if this isn't even something that can like because there's
no actual like there's a kitchen but it's for >> snacks and is the line like sandwiches or is the line like >> m like microwave pizza sounds like it might like okay that's like like ser or like nachos with hot cheese which is
what I got the impression you're kind of getting at with like if it's just chips I don't think that would even be we couldn't even if we wanted without looping in the planning board and a bylaw change, right?
>> Yeah. So, I know um with one of the restaurants in town, actually, I think most of them, we mandated that their full menu be available and not just a bar menu. >> Yeah. >> Um >> but what's that? I I guess I want to
know and like what is the actual what is the bylaw? What does it say? Like what do we like what like okay special permit sure health okay sure looks great can we even put it in there can this idea even happen
like just bare bones I don't know the answer to that question off the top of my head >> admittedly I don't either which is why I wouldn't be in favor of like stopping the process I'd hate to see them have to restart at least >> I just want to make sure it's not like a no and we're just continuing it
>> I love doing homework the script Okay. Okay. I just want to make sure it's not like a oh, maybe we'll continue it cuz no one wants to say >> no. No, >> no. >> Well, and I I don't want to I don't want to um set a new precedent. Not looking to do that. I'm also not um I'm not looking for any type of special favor. I
But I what I am looking to do is see if there's a way to make this work, you know, for the betterment of the town and the betterment of the building for us uh specifically and for our own personal business. Um, I think that, uh, if you,
you know, put yourself at at the golf course and you're out golfing, you have, you know, you typically like to have a beer or Tom Collins or whatever it is that, you know, people drink. I don't actually golf that much. I probably shouldn't say that. Um, but, uh, I am interested in the whole simulator
business thing. So anyway, um it's really an ancillary part as a just a like a most musthave when you're golfing. So that's that's kind of, you know, I was like, I I feel like I have
to at least try to make this work >> because that's really the, you know, primary thing you're doing when you're golfing is you're have, you know, you're socializing with your friends and a lot of times having a drink >> and two hot dogs and a hamburger. That's just me.
>> I will look into figuring out what is required. Also, I can if they say, "Hey, you yeah, you if you want to have an all alcohol license, I don't know if it's different between the different uh stages of licenses. I know there's like five or six of them. Um, if I if there's
not a trigger for the food kitchen from another option, I much prefer this for mixed drinks, etc. Um, I would also explore that as a last resort. I'd also explore putting in kitchen, very last resort. um just because it
really doesn't work with our plan um without majorations. So um but that's what I'll I'll go through it and if it works it works and if it doesn't I suppose it wasn't meant to be. >> This is just me speaking not for anyone
else. But um I can understand like our historical reservation about you know just like traditional bars and lounges and that sort of thing without food service. But if it came down to it perhaps we could explore modifying that
bylaw and maybe still prohibit uses like that that are strictly related to only a drinking atmosphere. But maybe there's something we could do if that's like an ancillary use to some other activity that's occurring in a commercial space.
>> I can tell you that that I I don't know if other towns have done that, but when I was putting this plan together over the last 9 months, 8 10 months. I um I visited a bunch of these and a bunch of them do exactly what I'm doing. It seems to be the best model. Uh and then they
have some type of, you know, food service. No one even buys it because they're golfing. No one. They're trying. You're paying $85 an hour, $60 to $85 an hour to be in there. And you don't even most of the people don't really want to put their, you know, take their time to
eat food. They're they're trying to get their 18 in before it triggers another hour because it's the, you know, time is of the essence. Um, some people don't care. They're in there to relax and play as long as they want. But um it's the food and drink is truly just there as a
convenience more so than like a primary that and I can't stress that enough. Um I I put it right in my business plan that it's I frankly did I created the business plan to move forward with or without the alcohol license, but I just felt like it was actually just really
like a huge plus. Um, the building actually has an alcohol license for the entire building. When brew practitioners applied, it was for the entire address, the entire premise of 45 Baldman. So, alcohol is currently permitted on my premise, but I felt like that would have been a loophole. I
really didn't want to try and not stretch too much. So, um, but no, I'd rather have it independent all done correctly, obviously. So, um, I think that's I I think that's a good plan moving forward, though. I agree with the idea of going to the health department and
saying, "Hey, like where do you want us to draw this line?" And if that means building a kitchen, then I have to look at that and uh think the the the special permit is is good news that you're finding out about it now because it does take a while to sort of advertise. So, let's call the
office tomorrow and let's like work on that so we can get you on a schedule regardless of how the rest of the scenarios play out. So, and I think the reason why the architects now that we're kind of going through this probably just didn't even mention it is because they're like, "This needs to be final before we do that because if we're going
to apply for the building permit and the special permit, those plans have to be final." Final. And if you know the Council says, "Hey, you got to put a kitchen in." Well, we got to go back to the drawing board, figure that out. >> Yeah. Fair. >> So, I think that might that make makes sense to me why I just that we hadn't
even gotten to that stage yet. Great. >> Well, I'm sure we between now and next month, we can definitely all work together and at least on those three months and at least get answers on all those things. >> Yeah, no problem. When is the meeting next month? Just so I have that.
>> It would be >> Tuesday, August 11th. >> 11th. Okay. If I'm traveling, I can jump on the Zoom. >> Yes. >> Great. >> Yeah. Reach out to the manager's office tomorrow. >> Sure. was the planning director is uh vacant right now and we're assuming
additional responsibilities. >> Sounds good. >> You want to open it back up to the public? I know you had mentioned it. >> Yeah. If there's anyone in the public that has any thoughts or comments, they're more than welcome to. >> Marilyn Richards, former town counselor,
former member of the planning board just for notice. Um the struggle is our zoning bylaws quite frankly. I think um I mean I look at what we're doing with with the another recreational use in
town that has a kitchen that serves food and it's not just in my opinion serving food to satisfy the bylaw. It's it's a responsible thing to do when you're serving alcohol and that's what the town
has always supported and I hope there's a path to success because I think it's a great idea that we want to you know bring the sea slow. >> Oh, thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thanks Marilyn. >> Anyone else? >> Then I would entertain a motion to
continue the public hearing to Tuesday, August 11th at 6:15. >> So moved. Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Um, any further discussion? >> I don't know if we have to continue it. >> I think we do.
>> Yeah, we'll do it. >> Jimmy, >> yes. >> Kathy, >> yes. >> I'm a Yes. >> Yes. >> Ralph. >> Yes. >> And Anna was >> we are continued to our next meeting. >> Uh, thank you. Is there going to be a transcript available of this meeting? Is that is that something that's available?
>> Uh, yes. >> Reference. It'll take a couple days, but our clerk can get you a copy of the minutes in advance. It'll be a draft form before approved, but >> LCA, we'll have it. All right. I won't say couple days. >> You want to watch the video, too? It's online. >> Sounds good.
>> Tomorrow. Wow. Really? >> No. No rush. No reference. That way I can >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I've got most of it up here, but you never know if I miss something. >> Go to the videape. >> Sounds good. All right. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
Okay, next we had under orders of the day licensing matters a one day liquor license for a wedding reception. I make a motion to move to approve the application for a 1-day liquor license for St. Paul the Apostles Church, 235
Dwight Road for a wedding reception on August 8, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. >> I'll second that. Motion is made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. I.
>> Any opposed? Motion passes. Okay. Next, under financial matters, we have the FY26 year-end transfers followed by the year-end financial report. Um, I first just wanted to say again, this is a great testament to the
work that I think that Kim and Tom and the entire town department has uh >> done. the I remember the days where we used to have many pages of transfers and things moving around and the fact that it seems like we've got the budget pretty welloiled where there's just a
few, you know, usual things like snow and ice that's always unpredictable, but great work. >> Agreed. >> Uh any questions on the transfers? >> Yeah, I don't have any. Just as a note
for the public, there would be transfers totaling uh $554,881.11 coming out of health insurance and ambulance stipened and going to fire department overtime, snow and ice
categories and um training seminar for ambulance as well. And it seems like I mean we can't say for certain but there's approximately 261,000 from the chapter 90 what is that
winter recovery assistance program look nailed >> it that we're expected to receive that would even offset that but >> it's almost half >> it's not approved in time for us to do it at this point. >> That's awesome. >> All right. If there's no questions then
I would entertain a motion for those transfers. I make a motion to approve the year-end transfers as presented in the budget appropriation transfer form with the description year end transfers multiple departments. >> Second motion was made and seconded. Any
further discussion? Uh we'll do this one as a roll call since it's financial just in case. Jimmy, >> yes. >> Kathy, >> yes. I'm a yes. >> Yes. >> S. Ralph. >> Yes. >> And John, >> yes. >> Okay, the motion passes. Thank you.
Thank you. Then next we had the year end financial report. Um again overall things seemed to be in line. Nothing really came out that we weren't already aware of or weren't
expecting. Um unless Kim has anything else that or Tom that they want to add. No, again I think uh obviously Kim's work and her team's work speaks for itself, but again I think it's important
to note that uh all of the departments are not no one's going into the negative. No one's spending up to the right. We're all turning back what we can because we understand that every dollar does matter. So kudos to every department
>> um for for being a good steward. I I know we had talked about it, but I don't remember what the number approximately was. Do we know how much approximately would be turned back from FY26 yet or is that still in flow?
>> Yeah. So, it's we're at about two 2 million, >> right? And again, the majority of that is health insurance because we have been trying to keep that budget up a little bit so that when we see those double digits, it's not going to be a huge
increase in one year. >> Great. Um I and as I said when I sent the email about how the year end's looking um I didn't go department by department yet and really um analyze it but I did look at 24 versus 25 and 26
and the turnbacks have been coming down which is what we've aimed for because there were you know just a lot of budgets that were out there with 300,000 coming back for absolutely no reason. So, we've been looking at those reducing the budget so that the turnbacks look more appropriate.
>> Great. No, that's definitely good news. Any questions? Ralph comment. >> Sure. >> Um, we received an email um with regards to the different fund stabilization, capital stabilization,
and um percentages uh that we had earned. Um absolutely fantastic. It was good to see it. It's good to see us earning money on money that's there. Um, but I did have a question. What is
the Carlilele scholarship fund? Um, I mean, I've been through I can't tell you how many budgets and all now and I have never seen that line item. Um, >> go ahead. Go ahead, Kim. >> Who administers it? Where I mean, >> go ahead.
>> If it's up% um that means there's quite a bit in this fund. >> Yeah. There's there's a reason for that. It's specifically Apple Shares. It was donated by Mr. Carile and it was a scholarship that was um donated to the
East Long Meadow um public schools. So those right now are Apple shares and the fund is being managed by Flynn Financial. So at some point they could be sold depending on you know what
their decision is. A portion of that could be sold and reinvested or it could stay as Apple shares. But that's why it's doing so well is because Apple shares, >> but it's a scholarship fund. >> It is. >> Do we issue scholarships out of >> the dividends? Yeah. The dividends that
we get on those Apple shares are is what is supporting the scholarships at this point. >> And they're administered or they're given out every May. >> Yes. >> Good. Yeah. Are >> they given out through >> eaf or >> I mean is it just
>> hey we have a carile scholarship apply for I've never heard of it and it's like >> yeah they he just donated last year or the year this one two just two. >> Oh so this is a new >> Yeah. Yeah. It's brand new. >> Okay. >> It is pretty recent. I think it was 2500 shares of Apple that
>> very generous >> and there is a there's a specific um >> for >> criteria for it. So we can always forward that to you so you can see the details of it. >> Don't accept the donation. >> So in that case it's probably >> the the uh school committee would have
accepted the donation. >> Right. But it it would be administered then the criteria and the selection by the high school. Correct. Yeah, they do their awards night in May >> that Frank and and Gordon were involved in the Yeah.
>> And they give scholarships from a variety of sources. So that sounds like they would be managing. >> And we're still talking about this because I don't think we've nailed down the all the specifics of this scholarship. >> Yeah, I think the the final agreement.
I'm not sure if it was >> there was spec like again specific instructions by the donor. uh all sorts of how's this going to work and I think we're still ironing that out. But yeah, this has only been a yeah a year or so. I think there was only been >> Yeah, because initially after we had
gotten the shares, he had given an additional I think 40k just to kind of get the fund going >> so that the scholarships could very nice. Yeah. >> Wow. >> Um I do have one other question which isn't in anything. Um the Porter Poor
Fund, did we do away with that? That was through the Council of Aging. Um, >> no, they >> No, I feel like we still have fun. >> You just did an What did we just do? >> Wasn't there just a request for a small amount of money? >> Yes.
>> At some point, can we get a just a tally of what's in there? And >> um >> more than just the big more than just the big accounts is what you're saying. >> Well, again, it was one of those it popped up because I'm like, Carla, I never heard of that. Just like the Porter Poor Fund. I had never heard of
that. >> I think the Porter Poor Fund there's um like a small amount that gets approved by the town manager that can be spent for the year and then um the Council on Aging spends it. But I can I think there's a very recent email on that. >> There is. >> I wanted to say it was a couple years
ago they came in front of us. >> Yes. >> To ask if we would um approve donation so and so. And um and then I hadn't heard anything about it and I'm like, does that still exist? Did they encompass it in something else?
>> Yep. We just we just made a appropriation in April. >> And maybe that's what we had done at some point is turned it over instead of us making that decision to the town manager. >> Yeah. Because it was probably before
done by like the board of selectmen or it was >> exactly >> done by town meeting or something and now it can be done by town manager. >> Learn it tonight too. >> And obviously the balance sheet is attached to the email. So I asked all these questions when I got the request
from COA, >> right? >> Which I can just forward you that whole thing right now if you want. >> Perfect. Somebody >> just curious more than anything. Like I said, >> think these are little things that definitely can help out citizens. It's awesome. >> Yep.
>> Great. Any other questions or comments on the your end report? >> No, great work. >> Thank you, Kim. >> Great work as always. >> All right. Then the next two that we had were donations for the library and then
the Council on Aging. These are to catch us up since we haven't approved the donations in a few months >> at least. Sorry. >> Make a motion accept the donations for the library in the amount of $12,852.75
as pres as as presented pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44 section 53A. >> I'll second that. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in say I. >> Any opposed? The motion passes.
>> Thank you all. And one for the COA. >> I make a motion to accept donations for the Council on Aging in the amount of $51,34159 as presented per Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 44, Section 53A.
>> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. I. >> Any opposed? The motion passes. Thank you to everyone that motions. >> Certainly gener some generous people in town. >> Takes a village.
>> Yep. Sure does. >> It does. >> Next, we have approval of our June 23rd open session minutes. >> Move to approve the June 23rd, 2026 open session minutes. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all
those in favor, please say I. >> Any oppose? >> I abstain. >> Thank you. One abstension. Motion passes. Then our executive session minutes from June 23rd. >> I make a motion to approve the June 23rd, 2026 executive session minutes.
>> I'll second that. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? >> I abstain. >> One abstension. Motion passes. Okay. Okay, next under old business we
had discussing the municipal municipal fiber project. This was just a followup from our last meeting that we had with a brief presentation from Whip City. Uh we don't have the full number breakdowns that we were
>> correct >> looking for. So with Ralph's blessing that was something that we were planning for our August meeting was that we would hopefully have an update on that to talk about it. >> We will unfortunately have an update on Thursday. So, uh, we had requested a
bunch of information, a bunch of different scenarios for borrowing, uh, from bond council, uh, and, uh, with vacations and stuff. They weren't able to put that together for us until, uh, at the end of this week. Um, and we have
a meeting with them on Thursday, so it all kind of will tie together uh, for for some other borrowing opportunity for our FY27 stuff. Um so we really uh I think we're all sort of itching to
move forward. Uh but without this sort of scenarios for borrowing um and what those look like, I think we really um just we need that information before we make any big decision now. >> Right. Yeah. I did just leave it on here though in case anyone any overall
questions or concerns >> just in case. But if not, we can pick that up next time. Anything? Okay. Then we have the bylaw review committee report with recommended bylaw changes.
Thank you, Ralph, for putting together the many pages of information there from the committee. So, I will jump right in. Um, I made the changes. I got them to you. Um there's
highlights. So anything in red with a strikeout is language that uh the committee is recommending be removed. Um any of the green um within the document is language we've um suggested to
replace um or put in place of uh what was removed. Um, I actually highlighted in yellow specifically under chapter 97, there's two or three sections that I noticed as I was going through the
document that the review committee had missed and it happened to be um like um annual report was required under chapter 97 like three different times. Um, it's
one of those we just I think it had been moved at one point and never removed from the document. So, it shows up multiple times, but those will be suggestions that we look at to um improve what we've already done. And then on HR, there was a comment that we
hadn't addressed. Um, they rewrote their paragraph for purpose and the comment from HR was, "It's a work in progress. I'm still not happy with it." So, I took that and I put it into AI, which suggested a few little changes. So, I
put that in blue just so that we could see a few different options. Um, but the general bylaw portion is set. Um, it would be my suggestion that we refer it to our subcommittee to look at the
bylaws and that way there they can put down a list of um major changes that they feel as though may have to go separate. Um because I know when the charter amendment passed, it was most of
the codification would be done as one, but that we would pull out anything that seemed extreme or uh controversial and talk about that separately. Um so I think that would be a great job for the subcommittee and they should be able to do it
>> within a couple meetings. >> Sounds like a good idea to me. Any thoughts? Then I would entertain a motion to refer it to the council's >> general >> general bylaw review committee, not to
be confused with the bylaw review committee. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Okay.
And next we had under new business discussing a proposed zoning bylaw amendment for accessory structures and definitions and to clarify how the definition should be used. >> So again this was uh one that I asked Connor if you would put on the agenda.
Um I think there is some interpretation differences um from what is um historically been accepted in town to um what seems to be
um the thought process now as far as uh the definitions for accessory structure and what's allowed and what's not allowed. and I would like to send this document on to the planning board for them to review it. And what I tried to
do is clarify what had always been historically understood. Um, you know, there's always everyone that reads a document is going to read it in multiple ways. And so I'm just trying to remove like the use as compared to um
the dimensions of a building and stuff like that. Um hopefully it'll clarify it to what has always been accepted. >> The only question I have I mean it made sense when I read through it, but were there like particular examples that
triggered this that would either help or clarify that come to mind or just what some of the confusion may have been in the past. So, a lot of the confusion surrounded um the use of the definition. Um definitions
are not meant as they're only meant for clarification of the bylaw. Um they're not actually meant to be used and said you can deny something or approve it because there's a definition for it. And I think too many times um people are
relying on definitions and saying, "Well, the definition says this, so you can't do it." And that's not what the definitions are there for. And that's why I had listed in there um that they're interpreted as permissible,
allowed, or not allowed. Um, so the definition is strictly to give you a general idea of basically what they're talking about and not whether or not you can do it. You have to look to the actual bylaw itself. Uh, we have table 32 which is the table of dimensional
regulations and that states, you know, you have to be so many feet from the back line, the sideline. Uh it tells you how high the building can be. It tells you that there's a 25% block coverage for uh buildings on a lot. Um that would be the
area if someone wanted to say, "Hey, we don't want an accessory structure over a,000 square feet." That should be the area that that goes in. Um they shouldn't rely just on a definition um that says customarily incidental and
subordinate. Well, what exactly does that mean? I could tell you what it means. It means usually, but not always. which is just as clear as nothing. So, um, and again, I think what they're trying to say is in this like an
accessory structure in a residential zone, well, if you drive by a 100 houses that have a detached garage, 98 times out of 100, the garage is smaller than the house. But there's still two times that it's larger. It's,
in my interpretation, allowed under the bylaw. And now it's being said, no, it has to be smaller than the primary structure because it says subordinate to. Well, subordinate doesn't necessarily mean smaller. I mean secondary to. So these
are some of the clarifications. Um I'd like the planning board to look it over because I'd like to be there to go through it with them and then bring it to the planning matter subcommittee afterwards and see if we can't hammer it out so the language is clear. Um, again,
it's as clear as can be because everyone can interpret something multiple ways. Um, we had that with farming in town when the zoning enforcement officer at the time said that, you know, if you have a residential parcel with a house on it, you couldn't farm because farming
was not in the accessory use. It was only a primary use and the residential use was primary. So, that's never the way it was interpreted. Um, but if you look at just the writing, he's probably right. Um,
so this is just to try and clarify some of that. >> Oh, thank you for the context. That makes a lot more sense. >> I think as a general principle, this idea of having everyone in the town of Islam know exactly what things mean is
should be put into practice 100 more times in the next two years. Right? We a couple years ago we had a building commissioner make a determination. Then the town of E SO zoning board of appeals essentially changed the definition, >> right? >> And said, "No, this is what it means."
And so if we can all know exactly what it that is saying, that's great. I I I would support a million of those. I think that aligns with the um zoning diagnostic presentation that we had from that consultant a while back where that
was one of the recommendations was sort of separating the regulations out of definitions because it's supposed to describe something not tell you what you can do with it. >> Exactly. >> We're we're we're essentially making sure everyone's following the same rule.
And if we have a different person in an office or a different person on a board and that rule is sort of changing every few years, we can't have that. It's not the historical context is important. As Jesse would say, the Webster's dictionary definition is important in
terms of the law. Like all these things if they're if they're just made more clear makes everybody's life easier. So, I will say going forwards, our charter bylaw committee, our next task
is to look at zoning. Um, I I expect that to take multiple years. I I'll be truthful. Um, because there's so many intricacies and sometimes you you change, you know, one sentence or a word or something and it changes everything.
And I'm hopeful that during that process, we will be able to secure a grant or something for a professional to come in and at least give us a basis. Um, I've looked at Eastam and Medford and others and they look a little bit
clearer than what ours are. Ours is, what do I want to say? As clear as mud. Um, and it's tough. Um, and it's tough to remember. Well, why was this in? Was there a specific reason for it? And there there's going to be a lot of work
in front of us over the next few years. >> This is cutting through just on one one issue. So >> any other thoughts? Then I would entertain a motion to refer it to the planning board. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Then next we had reviewing the council rules.
I don't know if anyone has any potential changes or additions or >> just two small ones if I can find them again. Sure. Well, I had notes here somewhere. I've
moved everything. So, um on page 10 of um the rules and regulations, uh under the general bylaw standing committee, um
for any proposed new bylaw, um the third sentence down, it would be my suggestion that after proposed new bylaws, we put a period and then everything after that remove because it goes into in working with town cler to update all current
bylaws in preparation for codification >> already been done. It will meet with the codification vendor need to the cification's all done and bring the related recommendations from the vendor to the council. It's all been done. So I would suggest that we just
remove that portion of it. >> That makes sense. Mhm. >> And even though some of those activities have happened since, that's really not this bylaw committee. It's the other bylaw. >> Right.
>> And then my second one is under the town manager performance evaluation standing committee. Um it states that uh the committee will be responsible for meeting quarterly with the town manager. I don't think quarterly works. Um, I
think semianual, uh, twice a year, once every six months is probably a lot more accurate. I don't think that committee has met with any town manager ever quarterly. Um, it's because by the time you meet, you're pretty much meeting again. You have a
couple meetings and hey, how'd you do on those goals? And so, I just think uh if we switch it from quarterly to semianual would be uh appropriate. Those are my suggestions.
Those make sense. Any other suggested edits? All right. Hey, and here they are. There they are. Okay. Then I would entertain a motion to amend rule 11 to change orderly under
town manager performance evaluation standing committee to semianually and under general bylaw standing committee at a period after proposed new bylaws and strike the rest of the paragraph. >> So moved second was made seconded and
thirded. Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. Which then to our next topic was for every counselor to affirm the rules for rule 15 that we have in our council
rules. And we'll have done that. Perfect. Thank you all. Okay. action items for the next meeting. Um, I'm sure there will be more, but the ones that I had, we have an an additional executive session for the
contract update. This was something that we had done a few meetings ago for the contracts. I think there were three of them, right? >> Yep. >> That we started talking about and we had some follow-up items for Tom and those follow-up items will be ready for our
next meeting. Uh we'll have an additional update on the fiber presentation >> and we continued the liquor license to 6:15 at our next meeting. >> Yep. >> And let me just double check the calendar to make sure that there's
nothing else I'm missing here. All good. um if there's any capital projects that were closed. That was just a general reminder for us. Then I think we had done it a little late, so
we may or may not do the reviewing of executive session minutes in August, but somewhere around that time frame. Okay. All right. Then we do have an executive session this evening. So this is an executive session that I will make a
motion for. I move to enter into executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A section 212 for the following purpose to conduct contract negotiations with non-union personnel police chief Mark Williams.
I would declare that that would have a detrimental impact if it was done in open session. >> So move >> are you returning? Oh, and to return to open session only for the purpose of adjournment. >> So moved.
>> Thank you, J. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Matt, >> yes. >> Ralph, >> yes. >> And John, >> I'm a yes. >> We are in executive at That's