Good evening and welcome to the December 9th, 2025 meeting of the Islam Town Council. I'll call the meeting to order and ask that we stand for the pledge of allegiance. I >> 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. Uh oh. >> And I would ask that we take a brief moment of silence to reflect on all of the events going on both near and abroad, especially around the holiday
season. >> Thank you. In accordance with Mass General Law, I'll announce this meeting is being recorded by LCAT. And if there's anyone else in the audience recording, if you could identify yourself. None. Uh public comments. Is there anyone in the public audience this evening that wishes to make a comment?
Seeing no one online or in person, we'll move to council comments. Is there any counselor with a comment this evening? >> Ralph's not here. >> Okay, seeing none, we'll move to the town manager report. Hi Tom. >> Hello. Good evening.
>> Good evening. um attached we have uh project reports for well gez uh the month of November uh for the high school and editorium. Uh we're we're so far into construction at this point that we're working on the
moving plans already. So um fall of 26 will be coming quite soon. Uh, also just a reminder, uh, you can go on the website. All this information is on there, phasing reports, everything you could ever want to know about our high
school project. Um, that's esaumma.govhs building project. Uh, winter's officially here. We had our first uh, snow event of the year uh, last week and and DPW once again showed their affinity for top-notch snow removal. Everybody
that comes to the office, you can always uh tell where the town line is. Uh it's where the roads turn black. Uh so it was messy, a little bit of everything, but um were open for business and the roads were were roads were in the best shape
of uh in the area once again. So thanks to the DPW. Um on the uh November 20th, uh EPA published their grant guidelines and timetable for uh FY26 brownfields grants. Uh Rebecca sort of jump started
the process a while back getting all of our uh you know, we kind of had an idea what it was going to look like. So we we got a she got a head start on that. Uh the the deadline is January 28th. Um this is obviously uh very crucial for uh
cleaning up the Carlin combustion building at 70 Maple Street. Uh so this will be a major priority for us in the in the next few months uh including uh probably some time on one of your agendas in January. Uh there's the public participation aspect of the
application. Um the town retained an McFarland Burke to perform our business improvement district uh feasibility study. Um this uh and services were made possible by a onetop for growth grant uh and and
excited to have her on board. Uh the proposed bid would consist of the current property owners and serve as an independent organization that could work alongside the municipality to provide supplemental programs and services for the town center. Um, so this is just an
opportunity for our business community to uh develop its own voice in advocating for changes in town. Uh, I don't I wrote I don't know if there's enough room in my report uh to talk about Diane and Jeie, so I won't so I
don't cry. Uh, >> but uh I I've appreciate both of you uh so much on so many levels. Um and and really uh thank you for everything that you've brought to our community. Um you'll be missed.
>> Thank you a lot. >> Um we'll officially begin working uh on the FY27 budget soon. We we already have obviously, but uh the finance department sends out their budget memo. Uh looks
like December 19th will be that date. Uh with submittals for level one budgets from the department heads due uh in mid January. Uh capitals in uh the capital advisory committee is set and um typically there's a member of the
council on that committee. Anna, was that you last year? Uh I I would appreciate it. Obviously I'll leave it up to you, but I would appreciate um if you if somebody could sit in on those meetings again. I think it it's extremely helpful for the entire
process. So, appreciate that. Um, with the uh support of Mass Office of Disability Grant funding, uh, the ADA self-evaluation reports uh have been completed and circulated to relevant departments for review. Uh, we're making the full set of documents available for
public review and comment. Um, and collect feedback until December 23rd. uh review submitted comments with the commission for people with disabilities at their next meeting. Um and the final results will help inform uh the final transition plan which will be presented
to the council in early 2026. Uh so there's a link here that I won't read because it's too long. Uh but essentially if you go on the Islam Meadow page and you go to the Commission for People with Disabilities web page, uh the link is on there. Um, we also
want to wish a fond farewell to officer Tim Daly, uh, who retired last week after 25 years of service at the East Law Meadow Police Department. Um, Tim joined ELPD in 2000 and served the community with the utmost
professionalism and uh, a great smile. I I'm sure you know Tim, he is a wonderful human being and uh, we wish him the best uh, in his future endeavor. Um, some more exciting news. The uh Esau Meadow Fire Department uh promoted four of
their members to the rank of lieutenant last week. Uh, so congratulations to Brody Allen, Brian Perau, Chris French, and Matt Adams. Um, quick congrats and shout out to the East
Medal Spartan football team. got our Thanksgiving going uh on a good note and beat Long Meadow 28-21 on Thanksgiving Day. Ghost Spartans. Um and since this will be our only meeting in December, I'll take a minute to wish everybody a
healthy uh holiday season and and a happy new year. >> You too. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anyone have any questions for Tom? I would just add that the uh ceremony that the fire department held for their promotions for those uh four new
lieutenants was nice and uh it was great to be there and be part of it. >> Yeah, thank you. >> And you did a great job. We really did. >> Thank you. >> Okay, if there's nothing else, we will move to communications correspondence and announcements. The first one we have this evening is a retirement citation
for our director of assessing, Diane Bishop. We have both one from the council and from our state legislators. >> Yeah. If you don't mind coming from >> Oh, he has to jump the fine.
We go. So we the East Law Meadow Town Council hereby extend our congratulations to Diane Bishop to commemorate 16 years 11 months of service to the town of East Long Meadow and to wish her well in her retirement on January 9th, 2026. Diane was hired and served as the director of assessing
since January 12th, 2009. In witness whereof, I have here to set my hand and caused the seal of the town to be fixed this 9th day of December, 2025. Your town council president, Connor Rocher. Congratulations, Dan. You come this way. Council, get in
there. >> Ready? One, two, three. Great. >> Diane, it's uh nice to see you. Congratulations on your retirement. And unfortunately, Rep. Ash and Replo who also represent East Long Meadow couldn't
be here today. Actually, Rep. Ash is dressed as an elf right now. He is in >> another part of his district reading to children. I said he should come here anyways dressed in a very festive thing. But seriously, uh, on behalf of the Massachusetts House and Senate, there
are a lot of positions within town government that don't often get a lot of recognition and credit. And even though assessing sounds like a very naughty word >> and for folks it's an essential part of making sure uh government functions at
the level and taking in the revenue to support our schools to police our fire and everything that's so on behalf of the Massachusetts Senate I'm pleased to present to you this citation. The House one will go after not as fun. On behalf of the
Massachusetts Senate, be it known that the Massachusetts Senate hereby extends its congratulations to Diane L. Bishop, Vissong Meadow, in recognition of your celebration of dedicated and committed work in public service. 17 years of working for the town of Isang Meadow as a director of assessing
on the occasion of your retirement and be it further known that the Massachusetts Senate hereby extends its best wishes for continued success that this citation be duly signed by the president of Senate and by me Senate. Congratulations. Thank you very much. >> Oh, Bruce is here from Rep. Puko's
office. So, >> I don't have to actually read the house. I >> All right. >> I got I got to remember what this says. Be afraid to know all the Massachusetts House of Representatives offers its sincerest congratulations to Diane Bishop in recognition of your nearly 17
years of committed and dedicated service as director of assessing for the town of Esong Meadow. The entire membership extends its very best wishes and expresses the hope for good fortune and continued success in all endeavors. I don't have that memorized like given this ninth day of December at the
state house signed by the speaker of the house Ron Mariano by state representatives Angelo J. Pupelo and Brian M. Ash. Congratulations. >> Selfie with take a picture of you taking a selfie. Congratulations. >> Great. Stay in here, Bruce.
>> We'll turn these around and we can take an official one this way, too. So, >> one that's not a selfie. >> You stand in the middle. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> Thank you.
Diane, >> congratulations. >> No. Then likewise, our second item under communications correspondence and announcements is a second retirement citation for our town clerk of the council. >> Do the front part again.
>> Okay. >> Getting the walking experience. So we the East Sal Meadow Town Council hereby extend our congratulations to Gan Arquagli to commemorate nine years one month of service to the town of East Long Meadow and to wish her well in her retirement on December 26, 2025.
Jeannie was hired as the assistant town clerk on November 21st, 2016 and has served as the town clerk and the clerk of the council since October 1st, 2019. I have signed this citation as your town council president on this 9th day of December. Congratulations.
>> Yeah, that's better. answer frozen. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Don't go far. >> So, all of us that are in elective office know our city and town clerks probably better than anybody else
because we need to go to the town clerk in order to file our nomination papers and get them in. And I remember when I was first running for the state senate, I came in and Jeie said, "Ah, I'm a love person too, right Kathy?" There's a few
low people that are around and you know my family as well. My uncle Russ I was telling my I was telling my uncle that you were retiring today. He's like she can't retire. She can't retire at all. And he was telling me, you know, my family grew up on Katie Street, which is
on one side of the pipe. He said you were on west side west a on the other side of the pipe. But you know it's really a pleasure because I think town clerk is a position in a community that a lot of people don't know well but it's such an important part of the community
because you control a lot of the functions of government that are essential including you know the ability to run fair elections and making sure that people have access and legislators like us. We're always throwing more demands on town clerks. You know, we
expanded voting. We expanded access to voting during the pandemic, early voting, mail in voting, and it was a lot of work. And a lot of times during the pandemic, you didn't get extra staff, you didn't get extra pay, you didn't get extra stipens for all the work you did, but just I think people need to
understand how important their role is. And when we have a functioning democracy, um you need people on the ground that are willing to step up and fill these roles to ensure that democracy is preserved. And on our 250th anniversary of the country and making
sure that you know democracy continues to exist and that we elect town counselors, school committee members, state reps, state senators, and others to office. We need people like you stepping up. So just congratulations on behalf of the Senate. Um, be it known that the Massachusetts Senate hereby
extends its congratulations, Jeanie Quiglietti, Town of Islong Meadow, in recognition of your celebrated celebration of the dedicated and committed work in public service for your eight years of working for the town of Islong Meadow as clerk and your 20 years in municipal government on your
retirement. Be a further know that the Massachusetts Senate hereby extends its very best wishes for continued success that this citation be duly signed by the president of 75 state senator. Congratulations. Me too. >> On behalf of Repubalo the senator I like
to provide >> be it known that the Massachusetts House of Representatives offers its sincerest congratulations Jeanie Quigley in recognition of your 20 years of committed and dedication to municipal government including your eight years as service as town clerk of the town of
East Long Meadow. The entire membership extends its very best wishes and expresses the hope for good fortune and continued success in all endeavors especially in retirement. Given this ninth day of December 2025 at the state house signed by Ron Mariano, Angelo Pupo and Bren Ash.
>> Thank you so much. >> We'll do this again. >> Congratulations. All right, we'll do one this way. Oralized one. >> There you go. It works. >> Thank you. >> This way. Thanks.
>> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. >> As I'm breaking this, I'm put this back in. >> Well, you're fancy in the house. They got these plastic things. Congratulations. >> Thank you so much. Nice to see you.
>> Nice seeing you, too. >> Picture picture with Oh, I missed it. >> Oh, got it. >> We're good. >> I just wanted to say too that um >> we did metrics for the departments and I have my little mini metrics I mentioned to you at the town department head
meeting. This is my 20st council meeting. >> And Kathy, you've been my common denominator through >> 101. Wow. >> Yes. And I had to do that twice to count that. And that doesn't include bylaw meetings and licensing meetings and
charter review meetings and uh five council presidents, 18 counselors, 20 elections. And I think I started um stopped counting the new bylaws and amendments after 40. Those are my metrics. So, thank you very much everyone. Appreciate that.
>> Thank you. >> The 250. She's like, "No thanks." >> Oh, I will. Okay. >> No, but it's it goes without saying, but thank you again to both of you for all your hard work that you've done over the years. And I mean, I think as Jake also
just mentioned it, there's a lot of work that goes in behind the scenes and people don't realize from the public perspective what those two different roles do in town, but without them, we wouldn't be a functioning local government. So, >> thank you. >> Very true. And thank you.
>> Thank you for all your support. >> Thank you Diane. >> Thank you Diane. >> Diane. >> Hey, that was the only correspondence I had this evening. >> Thank you. >> Happy holidays. >> Thank you. You too. >> Thank you. >> Thank you everyone. >> Thank you. >> Yeah.
>> We have no public hearings scheduled for this evening. So next we are under licensing matters uh under orders of the day. Our first one is to approve a one day liquor license for East Village Tavern December 31st. Is there a motion? >> I make a motion to approve a one day
liquor license for East Village Tavern for December 31st, 2025 for extended operating hours from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. uh 1 to 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. So extending it from a.m. to 1. >> Second. Motion's been made and seconded.
Is there any further discussion? Seeing none. All those in say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Passes. Okay. Next have done. >> Next we have approving the 2026 license
renewals which in the agenda was exhibit A. >> Okay. >> Typical thing that we do every year time in December. I don't know if you want to introduce anything else to >> Kathy. I know um Jeanie is so uh adept
at creating this spreadsheet and um sending out the renewal applications in October >> or October. Yeah. U my only question would be most of the I would guess the
greater majority of the um lences are also adept at filling out their applications and returning them in a timely >> we do have a handful of um liquor licences that haven't completed their annual building inspection.
>> Yeah. and they were just reminded there's at least six that I'm really surprised at. So, the building um department has reminded them today if they don't get their building inspection uh certificate, they can't get their liquor license. So, because of the motion that they have to be compliant
with every department, we do have four um common VIC licenses that are not up to date with their taxes. So, I sent them a letter out last week to contact the collector's office. So, what I usually do every year is once you make the motions, they have to be compliant. I will literally physically hold on to
those licenses until they they uh behave good. >> Uh, no questions. I'll entertain to approve. >> Make a motion to approve the 2026 annual license renewals as shown in exhibit A contingent upon each licensing with all
town departments. It's been made and seconded. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. I. >> Opposed. Motion passes. >> Next, under financial matters, we have
appropriating $59,360 from free cash impact from the fire department's uh contract ratification. Is there a motion? I make a motion to appropriate $59,360
from free cash to the fire department general fund budget to fund the impact of collective bargaining for the east limit 2426 firefighters union contract. >> Motion was made and seconded. Just under discussion, this was something that was on the agenda that we tackled a couple
meetings ago. I forget the exact date um when we approved the contract itself, but we held the appropriation until after the um pre-cash number and the tax rate had been set so we didn't have to do that extra fun.
>> Finance department thanks you for that. >> So if there's no other discussion, we will vote. Um all those in favor, please say I. I. >> Any opposed? Passes. Okay, next we have appropriating $9,93642
from LCAT retained earnings to fund the purchase of two cameras. Um, I don't know if there's anything Jamie since you're here that you add for us >> meeting. You want me to get behind the camera? Oh, no.
>> Um, basically over the summer, Adobe, which is what we used to edit, they stopped recognizing the file format that two of our camcorders film. It's an M2T file instead of an MP4. So, I've been converting them, which is then degrading
the quality. And so, it's just time for an upgrade. >> Yeah. >> Great. Makes sense. >> They do. >> We'll subract 10 puppies. I would like >> I move we appropriate $9,93642
cents from LCAT retained earnings to fund the purchase of two cameras. Second >> motion's been made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? The motion passes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Jamie. >> Jamie.
>> Thanks, Jamie. Then next we have appropriating $5,381.50 from retained earnings to LCAT and DPW salaries. Uh this was something from the uh compensation and classification study
that was done that we talked about a couple meetings ago as well. Um and now that that's been settled in terms of the positions and so forth, this is just to bring those few folks in line. Um the rest had already previously been done
from the I'm forgetting the name of the >> reserve fund transfer. Yes. >> Um which is something that the town manager can do given the amount that we appropriate each year in the budget. But since these couple positions part of their salaries are funded either from the LCAT enterprise fund or the other
enterprise funds for DPW, we have to be the ones to make that transfer happen. >> Perfect explanation. Okay, I'm glad. Is there any further questions on that before we uh
seeing none, then I'll entertain a motion. >> Make a motion to appropriate from return earnings a total of $5,381.50 from the following. So retained earnings $1,9125. Water retained earnings $1,9125.
So water retain earnings $374. LCAT retain earnings $1,25. Two, account number 6010123 5113. LCAT DH salary $1,25. Item number 134401-510,
excuse me, 5110 allocated at the uh >> DPW department head salaries uh $670. Line item 124501-5110 allocated DPWD uh department head salaries $670.
Item 13441-5110 allocated DPW department head salaries $34125. Line item124501 5110 allocated DPW department salaries $34125. Line item1344015110
allocated to DPW department salaries $374. Light item 124501-5110 allocated DPW department salaries $374. Item 60204905110
allocated to DPW department salaries $374. It line item1344015113 allocated to DPW department salaries $516. Item 1245015113 allocated DPW department salaries $516.
>> I'll second that. Motion's been made and seconded. Thank you for reading all that. >> Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Passes.
>> Next, under financial matters, we have accept a recycling dividends program grant for $18,700. I make a motion to accept the recycling dividends program grant in the amount of $18,700
for Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44 section 53. >> Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> Opposed. Motion passes.
>> And next we have accepting a donation for $1,000 for Ley Field. I make a motion to accept a donation in the amount of $1,000 from Andrew Robinson for the Lehey field improvements account per Massachusetts general law chapter 44 section 53A
>> second's been made and seconded. Uh the only discussion I would have is just to thank you again to Robinson for that donation. >> I think we get one annually which I think is amazing. We do and I if I recall they had already donated this
year so this is an additional donation on top. So >> extra thanks to them. >> Any other discussion? Seeing none. Uh all those in favor please say I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes.
Okay. Then next we have accepting the Massachusetts Office on Disability Grants for $83,9727 to accept the following. Massachusetts Office on Disabilities Grants totaling $83,972 per Massachusetts general law. Chapter
44, Section 53A. Town Hall door automation, $20,000. Library walkway sidewalk $24,420. Library signage $4,650. Library fountain $4,500.
Library flooring $29,83727. And then library assisted listening devices in kick stools for $500. >> Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded. Um Rebecca, if you wouldn't mind, just for the benefit of the public audience watching, if you could provide a quick
overview for >> Yeah. So, um this is actually really exciting because, um last year we did a self-evaluation and transition plan and we did a lot of work to engage department heads on, you know, different facilities that we have across town. And
through that process, we saw that we were we had a number of projects um that were outstanding from 2015's self-evaluation transition plan that were going to be included in the forthcoming transition plan. Um and so we identified a handful of projects that we could get going on um really quickly.
Um the town hall annex uh did not have uh a door automators for um universal access. And so that was something that uh Audra identified and I worked on. And then the other items are um library um
projects. Um and I did a lot of work to coach Katie through the process, but um Katie did a lot of the leg work herself. Um but so we're really building capacity in that sense to have more people go after grants and and get them win. So,
um the flooring what we what the um self-evaluation and transition plans found was that the flooring was too shiny and would create glare for people that have um sight difficulties. Um slope on one of the main walkways going
into um the library, the one that's like on the um the the loa side is how I think of it. Um the slope was too steep, so that's going to be um leveled out. Um signage including um braille signage is
going to be something that's included water filling station because um it was previously a um water fountain that protruded and would create um ease of access difficulties for people in wheelchairs is going to be converted into a filling station like a a bottle
filling station. Um, and then there was some additional money for um, listening assistive devices and kick stools so that um, people that are in wheelchairs can get to tables and um, do work in the library more easily. So, that's a nice little package of uh, projects that um,
don't come at the town expense. >> Great. Thank you. >> Yes. Any questions about >> good work you Thank you for all of that. >> You're welcome. >> Okay. Okay, if there's no other questions or comments, um, vote. Those
in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. >> Okay. Then next, we have approval of our November 13th minutes. Is there a motion? >> I make a motion to approve the November 13th, 2025 meeting minutes. Second.
>> Motion's been made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. >> Okay. Next, under old business, we had previously, believe it was two meetings ago, tabled
the center town district topic to this specific date for our first December meeting. Uh, so I would entertain a motion to move the topic from the table so that we can bring it back up. Sure. Um, just as a note, as written, uh, I do
not agree with the layer bureaucratic regulation nor the mandates that this bylaw seeks to create. Um, so I'd like to make a motion to not refer this bylaw to the planning board and to remove the center town district bylaw from the table.
>> Is there a make a second for discussion? Is there anything else you want? I have some thoughts, but if >> that's all I just I don't agree with them as written. anyone's thunder? >> Oh, >> okay. Um, normally when we get a bylaw,
um, for the council to review, we make a decision, you know, whether we feel it's it's worthwhile to go on to the planning board. That's I think that's always been our our position. In fact, I remember the the drone bylaw and the I think it
was parking vehicles on the front lawn or something, right? you know, we just felt that they weren't in the best interest of the entire community and so we didn't pass them on. Plus, I think when you pass a bylaw on to planning board, um it sends a message that we're
probably okay with it. Maybe there's some tweaking or language corrections that need to be made. Um I don't feel that with this bylaw. I've read it twice and you know we've been talking about this
issue for a while and um there were some things that I thought would be in this bylaw. I mean we talked about looking at the the various zones that are in the area and perhaps looking at adding maybe
a use that wasn't there but it would be more suitable for the town center or taking it away. I know there was discussion about the industrial zone and I wasn't sure how that was going to play out and I was thinking I was going to see all this. Um
most of it is has to do with residential highdensity housing and while the rationale for doing highdensity housing is it's not an issue for me it's the density itself. Um, I think that we um I
mean I I read the business west article that our wonderful town counselor uh was probably was interviewed for, I guess, and you did a great job. But in that article, I also heard, you know, the
town center. It's it's it's been we need to do something about the the actual movements of the town center. and and I would I don't want to see any housing going in until we can improve the infrastructure that's around the area.
Um that's my opinion. Um if you took the residential piece out of this, there's not much left. And um when we talked about it years back, we didn't even really talk about the residential piece. We just spoke about making having the
opportunity for some of our perhaps um businesses to to add some housing on upper levels. I know when we did the mixeduse village district, we talked about the town center as being a possible uh location for a modified mixeduse
district. And I just think we need to work on this more. Um so that's that's my opinion. That's why I, you know, I wanted to hear what you had to say and I wasn't sure where this was going on the agenda tonight and
since Ralph's not here and I wanted to at least share, you know, some of the things that that I'm concerned about. That's it. >> Thank you, Marilyn. Is there other discussion? um as it relates to
Marilyn's remark about um the concern around making sure we are settled regarding infrastructure in the center town district. Um what comes to mind is the Rotary study
that was done by um Mr. Specs >> group. Uh my recollection was that when you and Rebecca met with him after you presented to the council that you were asking him to look at perhaps another
option and to come back with that. >> Am I y >> to presume that that that's still >> yep >> on the back burner >> and he's still >> it's moving forward. >> Okay. No, I didn't mean >> Yeah. Yeah. Okay. >> In terms of presented to us. >> Yes. Right. So, he's still working on
something, >> but I would I would agree with Marilyn that I would like to see the issue of moving around the immediate Rotary or the what will become the center square district, the environments of it
resolved before um I would want to consider what housing opportunities there might be available or how to go about that. There are other comments. >> I guess I'll just add, you know, the the the process that we have seen played out
regarding the steering committee and all the stuff that was brought forward regarding development. Um, it's not reflected, I don't think it's reflected accurately or holistically within the way that that bylaw is written. Um, I think there's a lot of community input, a lot of things that people said, and
it's it's to to Marilyn's comment, once you take the housing piece out of it, there's not much there's not much there. I'd like to see something that's a little more uh holistic in terms of what we what the town would envision as the center district.
If I may, you know, some of the things I thought about, I mean, years back, we did a um town, we we attempted to create a town district zone. And then the out on the out the outside circle, we were going to try
to combine business and commercial and maybe make some of the uses more palatable for that location. And I'll be honest with you, the whole project went down in flames with we had town meeting at the time and and it would never got to town meeting, but we had some public
hearings and it was just not a the town was not receptive to that change. I would like to see if we're going to be talking about walkability and our areas that are more accessible to our people. Um we talked about with
the design change adding more buildings you know maybe we could look at some criteria about um setbacks for instance um maybe it's more attractive to have the building right close to the curb and have people walking and have all the
parking in the back. Right now, the buildings are set up the way they are, but if we were going to have any new construction, perhaps that might be something that would be suitable to enhance what we're trying to do um as
far as accessibility, walkability, um userfriendly kind of a a town center. But, um you know, I think it we need we need criteria. Um, this particular zoning bylaw talked
about um, you know, different um, different financial levels of individuals who would use these perhaps um, occupy these units. Um, there's no criteria that tells me where the balance is. Um, are they going to be all market
rate units? Are they going to be all loan to moderate? Are they going to be I don't know. And I think that for a project to be successful, there needs to be an element of a standard in place that a project can
only have x amount of this or x amount of this. Um we did that with the mixeduse village district when we put an inclusion um inclusionary um component to it and it was 10% of the housing stock which would have been you know it
was 400 units. So, it would have been at least 40 units that would have been affordable. That was a start and unfortunately we didn't get there. Um, but um I you know I there's value to what we're trying to do. I just don't
feel this document addresses that. >> So, my comments before we vote would be I don't necessarily agree the motion that you presented on the floor, Jim, for two reasons. One is not that I necessarily disagree or even agree with
everything that's in the language that may have been presented to us thus far, but as you phrased it, it would you included to not recommend it to the planning board, which I think is too preemptive at this point because if we if we voted in favor of that, that would
mean that we're now not discussing anything relating to do with the center town district for at least 6 months per the council rules. and I don't think that's doing a good service to the residents of the town if we're kind of preventing that discussion from happening at that point. Um, and then
secondly, I think it this is also just the first step in the process is starting with the planning board to have them recommend something regardless of whether we even agree with it or not. And this is really the forum for us to all publicly state
what our opinions are and what we think should be included or should not be included in that. But we're kind of cutting that discussion off before it even happened because sure our expert town people in the departments planners and otherwise put forward some language
and we're kind of just saying we don't want to move forward with that but we're not exactly allowing them to have the opportunity to provide something else to us or even work with us at a public meeting to do that. So to me I would will be voting no against the motion
that's on the floor. Um, but I would be happy to allow the town to withdraw what they've presented thus far and then allow us to work on something collaboratively after the new year. >> I think they can still have that
opportunity. I just don't think as presented um I think it's important for what was presented for the council to show the planning board some leadership on it. Um it the intent was to have that input. I think the input could have been presented to the planning board prior to
the submittal to the council for us to refer it back to them. Um for a two and a half year process of everything that that all the discussion that was that was bantered about. Um I think the bylaw was kind of lacking in depth in terms of what we're looking at. So as a jumping
off point, I don't think it's even a jumping off point. Um and I stand by my emotion, but that's that's kind of where I'm at with it. Could you read your mo could he give the motion again so I can refresh my ma'am? >> I'd like to make a motion to not refer
this bylaw to the planning board and to remove the center town district zoning bylaw from the table as presented. >> Any other discussions? So, I was just going to say, um, I think like I do understand where Jim's coming from, but I think that like when we're talking
about infrastructure or eventually updating the center, whether it's public safety stuff, businesses, I think housing is in has to be in that conversation because I think it's sort of interchangeable. We already have so much housing that's on the peripheral and I think there is
opportunity to at least it's I think the one area of the town where I think we could experiment with um doing something whereas like you already have a lot of builtup infrastructure there whereas doing some type of center district in you know like
other parts of town it's primarily residential so you have that sort of center area already. Um I'm kind of on the fence. I mean, I I there's certainly maybe I think some things that could change in it, but I'd love to keep the conversation maybe going in some type of
way u because I think this is really important because I think um there is a lot of I think unused potential. I feel like I've said this before in our meetings and I think just like you know housing I mean we're getting to a point where there is going to be a lot of there's a lot of demand but there's not
a ton of supply. I don't necessarily want to open the floodgates and have, you know, kind of unchecked or uncontrolled, but you know, for people that get, you know, want to age in place in this community or that grew up in this community that want to, you know,
stay in the community um for those folks trying to maybe figure out a way um to move forward with them. Um but yeah, I think I think it's I think it is important though. It should be a document that incorporates we've done a lot of I think great work of getting the
community involved and hearing from them. So I think it should be though a document that sort of best tries to best reflect that with also also balancing um you know we've got expert planners and people that are um familiar in this field already too. So but I do like a
lot of the discussion that everybody's been saying so far this week. >> Yeah. So, um, not that I don't disagree with your opinion. Uh,
originally we wanted to just remove this, bring it up and remove it, withdraw without prejudice, which means the six months or the two years or whatever that is is not in play. Um, but I feel like procedurally I just need
to understand the the the subject matter, the details of which are not really the topic right now, the the center town district, the as a whole is a good idea or not a good
idea. Meaning, we're going to have 700 conversations at planning board before it comes back. So, so the bylaw language at this point is sort of immaterial almost. It's the do we want to explore a
center town district of some density and some mixed use and is it a good enough idea to move forward? Right. See, I I I I see it a little bit differently where as presented, if it was like a bare bones kind of bylaw
setting some parameters on what we want to see. Like I I I I told you from a year ago, I really want to see a good mixeduse type of development in the center. Make it livelier, more walkable, um more diversity, more residents. I
think the way this is as as written is setting a floor on a conversation. And I think >> I'm sorry, just I What do you mean by set? What do you mean by that? >> Almost 80% of that bylaw just centers around affordability
and there's no depth around the type of development, what are we really looking for? Um, square footage for commercial, square footage for residential, you know, setbacks, you know, everything that Maryland raised. There there there's there's nothing in there, you know, to
that effect. Um, I think it could have been crafted if you if the if the if the objective was to create a conversation, we've been having that conversation for two and a half years. I think there's been enough conversation that I think to get a pulse from the residents, from the
town council of what they what they what they also envision. And I just don't I just don't see that there. I'm not trying to stifle a conversation, but as as written, this particular by bylaw, I don't think this stops a conversation. I think this stops this bylaw as presented. But if we want to work on a different bylaw and bring it back to the
council, I don't think it necessarily stops a discussion on a center town district. No, this is the first part of this is meant to start the discussion and and whether or not you think we should have a discussion about a center town district. And if you think that we should, the idea just gets sent to
planning. So simp simply put, the piece of paper could have just said proposed center town district mixed use some density. Is that a good idea? Then you say yes. >> Then why doesn't it? >> It doesn't. What? And why doesn't it be
>> because we submitted the language that we had written. It's there the the the language could be totally different when it comes back to you and in all likelihood it will be right. >> I think the language is important too especially the developers mandates the
deed writers income restrictions eligibility. I mean, it's all very very specific. And if if the if the objective was to then take this to the planning board and start a new and start fresh and put those ideas in there, great. But I think as presented, I I can't vote for that or support it. And that's
>> Yeah. But you don't have to vote on it for six more months. It's going to planning for however many public hearings. Then it comes back to you for a first reading. Then goes the planning matters subcommittee for who knows the last the last bylaw we talked
about of this size of this ilk they talked about for two years. I mean I don't think the initial submitt language is going to derail a a a good product a year and a half from now. But again, if that's the
feeling of most of the council, I again would like to withdraw without prejudice and we'll submit a different bylaw. If that's the way that most of the council feels, then then I whiffed. Then I whiffed. I I can eat that. If if everybody this is way off of what
everybody thought was going to be submitted, then please let me withdraw without prejudice so we don't mess with any timelines and we'll submit different language that I >> sure >> I feel like we have to meet in the middle here. I feel like maybe
with drawing it how you presented your um motion is going to, you know, just set a different timeline that we don't want to waste, you know, six months worth. But we also are kind of like fed up with,
you know, and I and I get that you guys were just submitting something. You can you can put your hand down. We'll come if it's okay. We'll just I don't want you to sit there like this whole time. But um great, I lost my train of thought. So I think we need to
meet in the middle. I think if we if if Jimmy resends his motion, I think when it comes back to us, it has to be a little bit more a little bit more not just 80% housing and you know what uh
Marilyn mentioned and you know and maybe we have conversations with whomever um to help that along. I'm not really sure, but I think we just need to work a little bit more together on this and to
get this going because we all want this, >> right? But just needs to make more sense for us. >> Yeah. I would like to see in January if it was drawn without prejudice today that in January we could start the discussion before any language is even
drafted. So at a council level we can even get our ideas out there because I think part of the problem is certain individuals may have made their points known but I don't think collectively as a council we've really given any direction to the administrative folks on the town side to say what do we want
them to draft. I think we know what what Jim wants the language to >> I don't I I don't think you do. No, >> maybe we don't, but I don't think we know where really all of our collective >> and I wanted to add one more thing really quick if you don't mind. I just
when we recommend it to the planning board, I understand it's just a procedural thing. It's really not recommending what's in it, but I don't think it's something we feel comfortable doing when we don't agree with what's in it. So, I think when we recommend it, we want to feel good about what's written
going. >> Okay. Sorry. procedurally and you talked about process. We have a responsibility. The bylaws come to us first. They don't go to the planning board. The bylaws come to us, a proposed bylaw, and it's
our responsibility to determine if it's worthy to go to the planning board, simply procedural law. And I looked at this and for me to send this to the planning board for them to then pick apart,
it sends a message maybe to someone else that well she thinks it's probably okay and I don't. >> Right. Right. >> I don't um I I don't know how we missed the mark truly. I mean, we've made it very clear in terms of Yes. 40R
um this basically reflects in fact that's what you said in the I'm sorry in the um business west article that basically what we're going to end up is a with a project that's like a 40R but we don't get the money and that's and I
took exception to that. I really did. >> Okay. I mean it's all it's all just components of this. >> I know that. I know that, but I, you know, this thing has been rolling in a certain direction. Um, and I feel like we need to put the brakes on and
basically maybe make a list. Okay, this is what we want. This is what we want. We want a samp we want some housing, but we don't want high density housing. We don't want we want to be able to have some criteria to know when the builder comes in to want to build something hopefully that he knows what he's
supposed to do. And it doesn't, this doesn't tell us really. I mean, it's just all residential. And I thought that we were going to be doing something else. We were discussing this with Mary McN when she was still here. >> And so, um, yeah, I, as I say, we, this
is the first time I've had a chance to really vent because I've looked at it twice on this subject. >> So, again, why don't we I I know you want to say something. It's okay. We're we we just would like to withdraw
this language without prejudice and we'll take the other conversations into account when we resubmit. I is that an unreasonable request? Not unreasonable. Um I would I would resent I mean if you
want to vote on vote I'd resend it. No problem. Um, I've been given assurances in the past and we're still sitting here having the same conversation around this subject. That's what's kind of not sitting with me at at at this point. Um, quite
frankly, uh, I would love to move forward. I'd love to tomorrow have something, you know, that we could pass and, you know, and have terrific new development at the center. I I I that's that's what I want. Uh, I am not an expert in zoning nor planning and I
don't pretend to be. Um, it's pretty straightforward with the with the residents when when I when I ran for this position. Um, and I know to echo Anna's point, you said this is part of a process, but for people who would read
about it and see it, they they they don't understand that. And for me personally, it's almost a betrayal of how I ran um in in saying that. And as you know, we do and I've had conversations and as and said it's
nothing has nothing has moved forward since then and you know it's gotten to the point at least on this subject with me that I said I would if you're asking I'll give it to you. I that's not a problem but I mean I really want to move forward on this. I don't want to be sitting here six months from now and
having the same conversation. >> That's that's great. and and if we could have that conversation maybe the first meeting in January where we could get some ideas of right I mean I'm pretty sure I know where you stand on things but everything that's in this bylaw came
from somewhere right the density for instance is what we've identified through other developers what they will are willing to build and again I I'm
just saying the the the the the affordable component has been identified since the master plan was put together. This is a an idea that people in town would like to see. So, it's all just
again the same components at different varying levels. So if if if the levels that we've set right here are not good or are not where you thought you that I was going to put them, then I'll change
it. I just need to withdraw it tonight without prejudice so that we can get to somewhere where we can all agree. >> I withdraw my motion. >> Thank you. >> I have to I have I'm thinking about my second. >> Keep venting. Keep venting. I won't be
here anymore. You don't have to listen to me. >> I love listening to you, Marilyn. >> And the motion on the floor has been withdrawn. Is there a different motion to allow the topic to be withdrawn?
>> I make a motion to give the item leave to withdraw without prejudice. >> I'll second it. Motion's been made and seconded. Is there any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Passes. The item has been.
>> Thank you. Thank you. >> Okay. Next under old business we have the 250th anniversary celebration which I think will also tie under new business the acceptance of the settlement of incorporation celebrations
um related slightly different um slightly different in the sense under old business this was uh what we had discussed a couple meetings ago if there were any ideas that we've thought about over the last month or two that we might want to see uh the town do over the next uh
year or so, especially as the budget is being started. Um, but it's separate or combined in the sense with the new business item that that may play into the separate celebration fund account for any of these ideas that we might have to actually make them a reality. I
don't know if you have anything. >> Yeah, I mean, we've been having smaller conversations. I met with uh Tom Behan and Dan Bureak about the um uh what do you call that thingy bury in the ground? Uh
>> thank you. >> Uh and what that could look like when we dig it up and this that and the other thing. Uh so we'll we'll we'll start these conversations will start ramping up about the the whole sort of celebration plan, but I don't have anything outside of that uh to update
you at this time. uh the the new business that you spoke of. I think Kim texted me while the last meeting was going on the MGL to accept so that we could set up this account. Uh but that's all I got.
>> I think setting up, you know, passing that item on the agenda item, put your glasses on. Item two under new business uh needs to occur. So to me that's the catalyst to move forward >> right you know the little odds and ends
and how are we going to what is our input going to be for the celebration. >> I agree and I think the nice thing about that celebration fund account is it of course would help us with the 250th but it does allow the town if there's other future celebrations whether it's the
town anniversary something else right use it for those purposes specifically too. We had one but we had a line item years ago that was celebrations that it's still in there. Anyway, I think it's a great idea. >> It's that line item is still in there
for celebrations. Is it? >> You have a why >> the account? >> There's an account for that we use. >> It's not a bylaw. It's an account line item >> that we that the town contributes to. >> Yeah. The celebrations account. Uh we
have a few line items for the Fourth of July, right? Uh um flags for Memorial Day. >> All right. Okay. >> Veterans Day. >> Well, maybe, you know, I maybe I was asleep at the switch when it came back because I remember when it was, you
know, we were in a tough time. >> Yeah. >> And we felt we couldn't do celebrations if we can't if we can't have teachers, that kind of thing. >> Yeah. >> So, >> yeah, there's been no I don't think any increase to that account. And and I do. >> Yeah. Yeah.
These are those things that we want to keep outside of the general budget, right? All these little blip things we don't want to add into the budget because they compound themselves so we can figure it out with another account or free cash or something. >> Well, that's what we were doing. It was
a line item in the budget, you know. So, that that's maybe why we, you know, we stopped. But anyway, I support it. >> Does anyone have any other ideas? Um, >> I know I'm going home. All those >> the last time we discussed in terms of
ideas uh celebrationwise or >> keep talking about that over the next few months. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Then we will continue from the old business topic. We'll vote on it when we get to uh the under the item under new business. >> The new business we have the traffic and
pedestrian safety survey. I know we have Rob here this evening from planning for it. Can I come up first? >> Sure. Yeah, if you don't mind. >> Hey, Rob. >> Hello. >> Evening. >> Good evening. >> So, I don't know how you want me to
approach. I didn't have any slides prepared or anything, but um >> just a review of what was for the public. Um over the summer I did a survey um out of the department's own valition just to understand residents perspective on
roadway safety and how they felt about moving around town whether it's in their vehicle whether it's walking around or if it's use of a bicycle and how they felt about certain intersections including the rotary uh Westwood Maple and other intersections throughout town
that might be seen as problematic. Um so the survey was open for about one month in July. Um, we got a decent amount of responses around 356, which is pretty good for a population of East Law Meadows, sorry, a town of Eastlaw Meadow
size. That's a good survey size. Um, residents were very um, opinionated, which is a good thing to see in these types of surveys. Um, and I say that with both a sense of humor and also with um, joy because we get a lot more data
that way. And when we get all that data, especially from the written answers, that helps us kind of identify areas where, you know, we could see improvement, areas that we could focus on more, and then things that we didn't think of that the residents brought to our attention. So, the survey just just
kind of asked overall, you know, are there specific intersections from this list that we have here? And we included like five intersections such as the Rotary, uh I believe it was Maple Street, Westwood Avenue, Westwood, North Main Street, and then Shaker Road, Chestnut Street, which is a really
problematic one. Um folks expressed whether or not they were satisfied, dissatisfied with those specific intersections. And we also gave them the opportunity to tell us what other intersections they thought were problematic throughout town. Just from that question alone, we we made a map
that shows at least 12 different intersections throughout East Law Meadow. Several of which I don't know what's up with Porter Road, but there's two different intersections back to back. I believe it's Porter Road Allen Street and then Parker Street Porter Road, which people have had a lot of
trouble with past there. Um, and then Shaker Road too has had at least four different areas along that stretch where people have had issues of some sort. And then, you know, we kind of moved on to asking more about how did residents feel about the town's responsiveness or the
process of reporting concerns to the town. Overall, residents were satisfied or showed some sort of satisfaction with the town's responsiveness to doing sidewalks, to fixing issues with the road. Um, but the process of reporting that was seen as more problematic for
certain folks in town. So that's just kind of like the split pain that we've seen at least in the town side of it and how we um provide services to fix these issues that residents are looking to fix. Walkability was another thing too that residents were showing
unsatisfaction with. Um we do have the rail trail which is very popular amongst residents in town but residents feel that certain areas might be hard to walk by or walk around because of lack of sidewalks. Uh some of the roads might feel dangerous. People might be
speeding. Um, crosswalks may not be the safest um, type of crosswalk. It may not be placed appropriately. There might not be the appropriate signage and there might not be enough mitigation to help with traffic calming. So, we've seen a lot of good responses here. I I put all
this into a report which I believe is in your packets. Uh, we also have this report available on the town's website. Um, you know, and it took me long enough to do it. I I did the survey of the summer. It's now December. Um there may there may or may not have been a giant warehouse project on Chestnut Street
which took up a lot of my time. So that might have delayed things a little bit. Um glad that one's over with now, right Tom? Um he had the same reaction as you. Um, and you know, I think this document overall provides better guidance for my department and how we should focus
moving forward on our mass DOT grants, whether you know, we want to do maybe like a roundabout here or like sidewalks here or like, you know, better signaling here, more walkways, um, stuff like that. And, and overall, it was a really good effort to kind of help solidify
that information. So, I can take questions if council has any questions for me. And, uh, thank you for your time. I thought it was a great survey. >> I like the visuals. It it really captures essence of the what the >> nice sorry look nice
>> um giving you for feedback. >> Appreciate it. And you know we're hoping this document uh can help guide policy too. So you know we can decide moving forward like what items residents are most in need of. And it seems like walkability is a big one, but also
fixing a lot of those intersections. You know, how can we fix these intersections? That's a big challenge that we have to face. And it seems like moving forward that might be a priority for at least my department and DBW on how we can get the funding to fix those intersections that are causing issues. So that's that's kind of the big
takeaway here from this whole effort. >> Yeah, I agree. I think it's nice to see the the compiled report with everything in one place because over the last few years we've heard a lot of different parts of it but nothing like all the different concerns into one place and then being able to kind of look at the
map that you put together and visualizing what we all know but is you sometimes forget about >> and the map sure I was one of those people too that talked about the border in Allen and Porter in Parker. >> The map also is spread out throughout most of town. It's not just in one
specific area, which I kind of noticed was surprising. It's like, oh wow, that area is mostly residential. Then you have other areas that are more commercial, and it's not an area that's specific to one type of place is what I'm trying to say, >> right? >> So, I think it's our job as as town staff at least to start prioritizing
these areas for future improvement. I think on the prioritization topic that you just mentioned, that'll definitely be helpful because I think there's some avenues that we already have, whether it's like the sidewalk fund and maybe we just need to prioritize like what are next on the list given the concerns that
we've heard about in the the survey, but then others we've never really addressed like the, you know, four-way stops that potentially could be roundabouts or something else. Um, and so those might be areas that, you know, maybe there's grants or maybe it just needs to be on
the town's capital plan, but the sooner we get some of those things on the plan, the more likely we'll be able to see it in 10 years rather than it being 25 years away. >> Furiously scribbling notes. >> I know. >> Also, on the positive side, DOT, despite
the federal cuts to a lot of programs, DOT has actually increased their project uh funds. So, it used to be half million dollars for four years. I believe now it's a million dollars. So we have more room to work with to do a lot of these projects there. It could be like a roundabout in a less dense area which
would work better than in the middle of a really populated area. Whether it's from more sidewalks, whether it's for more walkability, crosswalks, you name it. I mean, there's there's more room now, which is good for us. And I think that's that's to the benefit of not only just us in this room, but to everybody
in town. So yeah. >> Any other comments or questions? Yeah. Well, thank you for coming and presenting the report. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> Thanks, Rob. >> Thanks for having me. >> And next under new business, we have the
acceptance of the MGL for the settlement incorporation celebration special fund. >> Make a motion to accept the Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44 section 531 settlement of incorporation celebrations special fund. >> Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded. Is
there any further discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. >> Next on the agenda, we had received a email from the Fair Haven Select Board
um that was circulating a combined support letter um basically asking the state legislature to increase local aid um essentially to distribute some of the you know interest that was in the rainy day fund to local communities. Um, and I
figured I would just add it to the agenda in case there was any interest from a town of Vango Council perspective to either sign on to it or draft our own version of it or do like what we did with the MMA uh letter a couple meetings
ago and just stay out of it. But >> how big is the rainy day fund? Oh, it's got to be I think >> I mean if we're if the interest been it's been built up over the prior administration pretty substantially. But I was just reading something recently.
There's been 18 >> Yeah. 18 municipalities just in I think the last six months or so that have had to do Prop 2 and a half overrides. >> And that's like a lot higher than I think years past. >> Six of them failed. Yeah. So, one like
>> I I think that if there was a rainy day, I think that a lot of communities are thinking that right now. Um I think it seems like a pretty it's a little bit different from like the municipal legislation where you know there's maybe things in there that maybe not every community might whereas I think this is
a little bit more straightforward of like we do need I think an increase in the local aid. So whether we maybe consider, you know, supporting something like this or maybe something writing something a little bit different that's more styled in Easton Meadows way. Um but I think we would be immensely
uh benefited if there was some because that that local aid fund has been I think kind of not seen much of an increase at least in the last couple years postco. I to your question, Marilyn, I did just look it up. As of June 2nd, 2025, the
state's rainy day fund is 8.2 billion >> billion. 8.2 billion. >> Pretty good. >> Could be a big rainy day. >> Mike, you got a big umbrella. We we generally I feel like we're in a
lot better place than than I think a majority of municipalities in the state. But you know we're I think facing the same issues that some of those other you know place I think every one is um I think I was reading Cambridge is expected to raise their property tax
rate by like 13%. And businesses by 22%. And Boston is trying to change the way they just tax things I think in general because they're I forget the specifics, but like basically like the um property owners are going to take on a larger
increase than businesses because they had a huge increase in their budget the last few years. So like whereas I think you know we've we've done a really good job managing things. We haven't had I think shock and awe type issues going on but you know it's definitely we still
have our own problem you know in the long run things. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I think it's not necessarily a a bad thing and it would be nice of course if the state provided additional local
aid. I think my only concern with that is it's kind of like an easy way for them to distribute funds by using the interest from the rainy day fund, but that's not going to be something that even if they say yes to it every year that we can count on in perpetuity. So
it's it almost creates a little bit of a cliff locally that great, it could help us next year or the year after if they did it, but then what do you do? So I don't know. It wouldn't hurt to get more funds, but I don't know that it's really the right approach if we were to
get anything. >> Do these things work? >> I think, you know, there's I feel like a strength in numbers. I mean if um you know we all on a particular issue I mean if there's 351 cities and towns I think if you know a vast majority of them were
to sort of say the same similar thing I think it would catch their interest especially if it's if each legislator or a lot of legislators are hearing it um or the legislators that represent multiple towns in one district um
could happen but I agree You don't want a situation where like they do this one. It would have to be something kind of more longterm that they could yeah they could change with the the local ash. >> I'm just thinking like what did what did these communities do to get so far in
the hole? >> That's a good question. >> I mean I know it's a huge conversation but it's like you know Yeah. And I think the other thing that their letter that they sent us didn't explicitly call it out, but I know a lot
of the other general letters that have been circulating asking for support had been more heavily talking about changing Prop 2 and a half itself, which personally I don't think is a good idea. I think it's there as a good protection. And it doesn't mean that a community can't go above and beyond it, but the
whole point was to ask the voters if they agree with it or not, right? So it might signal the wrong interest from our town if we signed on to these things. >> Yeah. I mean it's always good to have a
conversation I suppose if if whether you want to or not. Again I I'd love to answers answer Anna's question but I'm not going to do it on camera. >> Okay. There's no other discussion. We will move on. Uh, next we had our town
manager goal review under new business. This was just our informal halfway through the year check-in point. Um, it's not the normal yearly formal review that we're all filling out our our papers and going through the the process, but this was on here just as a
check-in point to see if we still think things are going well. If there's any areas of concern, um, if Tom had any updates he wanted to share on any of the goals or if there were things that I know he's done over the last six months that we didn't even identify as one of our agreed upon goals, but have been
completed or worked on. Um, and then I think the followup to that was we had discussed um, compensationwise when we approved his raise back in June or July, I believe, that if we thought things were going
well according to to plan midway through the year, we would consider some sort of additionalation. Not that we have to decide on that aspect of that tonight. That could be a January topic, but just to at least get the pulse this evening.
So, I don't know if you have anything you wanted to first, Tom, in terms of goals and >> No, I mean, uh I don't I don't I don't did we get to a point where we sort of consolidated everybody's goals on the
evaluation and and sort of get those into one place? >> I think so. Yeah. Actually, I have all the copies at home. >> Oh, good. >> No, but but we've done it. I don't didn't look at the date. I don't know how long ago we did it.
>> We did. >> We did. I just got to find the paper. Well, and and obviously we're we're still working on so much since the last year or two with the with the whole pavement plan, which uh you know, unfortunately Bruce is out right now,
but um he he had given me a first draft also of the uh um building plan. Uh the Yes. >> Yeah. Uh and we've been working with
architectural uh architecture eel on that whole space space plan as well. So between Bruce and them um that's coming together. Um I would like to uh once we get capital kind of zeroed in uh have a
serious conversation about um a a large sort of outlay for a a pavement project. uh either this spring and we can kind of talk about the timing of this, but because our paving projects for Mass DOT that were supposed to
happen this fall did not, which means they're going to happen in the spring or summer. And uh I don't want to stretch DPW out too thin. Obviously, uh doing all these projects are needed, but we also need people and paying attention to
them so that they're done correctly. uh and fiber has been really frustrating uh waiting for uh the final numbers from National Grid. We're two applications away. Uh we were supposed to get those
in August and then the end of August and um I've had to sort of climb the ladder chain of command at National Grid to stop. >> When do they expect it? we should have them by the end of the at
the end of the year. But again, I I don't I don't know what that means or if that's actually true. >> Um those are just a couple of things that are just kind of like hanging out. Uh which is like I said, uh a little
frustrating, but um I still think fiber should be our our focus. Uh and and once we have those numbers, we can sort of plan it out correctly. Uh but uh not only are we
certainly somebody everyone agrees on the state of um communications in town or options for communications and that uh at the same time we'd be creating another revenue stream. I think
uh that really needs to be 1A. Um still still think that way and again I don't even know what the numbers are going to come back. Uh the make ready work is actually uh slightly under what I had figured uh for for a number all of which
will be phased out because well if it takes almost a year to do applications I can't imagine how long it's going to take for them to do the actual work in the field. So, this is going to be a process in
which we'll we'll we'll be paying smaller amounts really. We'll see the big price tag, but they can only do certain areas at a certain time, at which time we'll be right behind hanging fiber and uh hooking up customers. So, uh I think that's really uh my biggest
goal for the winter is to get that plan to in front of you. Uh because I think that that needs to move sooner rather than later. We just keep it's like everything, right? The the cost just keeps going up because the calendar keeps flipping. And so, uh we need to we
need to we need to start. >> Um I have a question. >> Sure. >> Just a curious um question. Do you have a sense regarding other towns who are trying to get to the same spot with fiber if
they're struggling with the same type of things either through Eversource or National Grid? >> Do you have any sense that it's so it's not just you need to >> Yeah. And Westside is doing it. They're rolling out right now and they had
>> all these problem. Westfield is helping them too. Yeah. >> Uh they had all the same problems with the utilities. And again, this is not uncommon. Uh you know, every every construction project you see, it's mostly done except for the two poles
that are still in that lane that they can't remove the jersey barriers and then the poles get moved at some point 18 months later. But um this is a common thing. Um there there's a lot of well there's a lot I guess I'll stick up for
our utilities and say there are a lot of things on the polls. So when you have to deal with one utility it's one thing but now you're dealing with all four and so their communications with each other take a long time and then that
communication to get back to us. So it is a long process. However, we were told that we'd be done already and we are not. So, uh, but yes, it's not uncommon. >> Yeah, I think unfortunately that it's not uncommon to the point that that was
in the Municipal Empowerment Act was to allow some more local control over the whole double pole issue that some communities have. So, >> we'll see if any >> like every 10 years they get really staunch on the double pole. >> I know goes away.
Um, of course that's the one paper that I don't have printed out of the prioritized, you know, list of three or four that we had settled on, but looking back through the um, evaluations that I had that we had done back in May, um, the ones that were on there that were
mostly common amongst all of us were centertown district communication, the building space plan, um, financial issue, special communication there, pocket plan. Um, so I think we'll see where the center town stuff goes
starting in January again. Um, I think on the communication front, I think that's been better than it was before. I think some of the challenges that we've identified, at least in so far as art communication and department
head kind of stuff, I think has been better and we haven't had some of those same things that we identified previously. I don't know if the council feels similarly from from your perspective, but I think from my perspective, it's been an improvement.
I think >> I do thank you uh for doing our uh individuals. I still have a couple to reschedu, but um again, I want to make sure that we're communicating so that we we clearly
understand each other and where we come from. And again, we're we're not always going to agree. I I I get that and it's okay. Um but if we're communicating in a in a in a nice way that we can just move on the agenda to the next item when
we're done, that that's the way it has to go. It's okay. So, I appreciate it. >> Otherwise, I feel like in in summary, I think things are going fine. I don't have any particular red flags or
anything that stands out. So, >> what the budget looks like? >> I know. Anyone have anything else? Then last but not least, under new business, we have authorizing the town manager to appoint the town clerk and
wave the council's remaining veto period. stage. >> So to introduce this topic, of course, um as we saw at the beginning of this meeting, our town clerk and clerk of the council, Genie, is retiring at the end of this month. Uh which means that we
needed a someone to step into that role to continue the operations and also to continue the council's operations as well. Um we had posted that position after our forget I think it was our November first the first meeting that we had in
November. The day after on that Wednesday, Audra had posted the position multiple platforms and I think we received 18 total applications but of those there was very limited number that
we would say would be qualified or capable of stepping into the role without a lot of hassle. Um then on Tuesday, December 2nd, we held an interview with Jackie. And so then I'll
turn it over to Tom for his >> decision. >> Uh yep. Uh it was it was uh an easy decision finding the best candidate. Uh luckily in the same office. Uh it's
Jackie Sullivan. Um she's uh been doing uh the clerk's job in Long Meadow and East Meadow for over 20 years. She's been our assistant clerk for six. Uh, tons of knowledge, obviously knows all our processes and procedures and people.
Um, and so we were very happy to uh offer her the job. >> Did she accept? >> And she accepted. Was that a cliff? Was that too much? Like I'm out of here, too. Congratulations.
Congratulations. So with that said, I would entertain a motion. >> I make a motion to authorize the town manager to appoint a town clerk to succeed Gene Pugleti upon her retirement and wave the council's remaining veto period. >> Second.
>> Motion's been made and seconded. I'm just make a motion to amend that motion just to clarify that that person that we're that Tom has appointed would be Jack Becky Sullivan. >> Is there a second to my amendment?
>> Motion's been made and seconded to the amendment. All those in favor of the amendment, please say I. >> I. >> Amendment passes. And then on the overall motion, is there any comments or questions? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. I. I
>> any opposed? Motion passes. So the day that Chenie retires, we will officially have Jackie as our >> and then we'll have someone different taking our minutes. So >> yeah, who's going to do our minutes? Advertise tomorrow.
>> I know. Oh, >> yeah. It's already in the box. Exactly. Well, welcome. I mean, Jackie hasn't been capacity and >> welcome to the other side of the other side, right?
>> I look card table, card table, kids table. >> And while I'm sad to not work >> kids for the next meeting, I'll be looking forward to working with you for our next >> Definitely. >> Hey, thank you.
>> Thank you, Tom. uh action items for the next meeting. Um I think we'll bring back up we can pencil in we'll talk about center town ideas so hopefully as a council we can get some clarity on where everyone
thinks before new language attempts to be drafted. Um we'll probably have an executive session to discuss compensation for the town manager given the goal review this evening. Um, I don't know if it'll be on the first or the second
uh meeting in January that we have, but I'm sure Tom will have something for us for the capital outlay that he's thinking about in terms of roads and fiber and free cash. Um, whether or not we make a decision, at least we can talk about the plan. >> Earlier on, there was some discussion or
question about someone serving on the capital planning committee. Y >> are you going to do it again? I wouldn't mind, but unless >> Well, I was going to volunteer, but if you want to do it again, I don't mind doing it again. >> I'll leave it open to all of you who want
>> right over just >> I think it does it does help with the process that that somebody's represented in that room when we're talking about all the projects. Not necessarily voting on which projects make it on the
plan, >> but to see the capital plan. Like there's a lot going on. >> There's a lot. >> Appreciate that. Thank you. >> I think Anna's going to do it. >> No, I know. But hey, you get points for volunteering. Hey, >> unless Ralph wants to do and then he'll
just bully me. >> I'll do it before Ralph. And then the last three that I have uh penciled in, we'll have the quarterly financial report in January. Um also in January, I think in our council rule, we
have bianually that we would conduct a license fee um evaluation. So I think it it won't necessarily be at a council meeting, but at some point starting in January or February, the licensing subcommittee would meet to
>> re-evaluate those. And then I'll have to reach out to the school committee members, but at some point in January is usually when we do our joint meeting with the the school committee to kick off the budget process. I think that's everything I have, which is already a lot.
>> And that's the 13th. >> That would be the 13th as our next meeting. And then starting in January, we'll be back to our normal two because we'll be out of the holiday >> conflicts. And then we'll have one on the 27th as well. Is there anything else I'm missing that anyone wants to see in January? Okay,
seeing none, I want to entertain a motion to adjurnn. Motion >> to adjourn. Second motion's been made and second. Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed? >> Journed at 7:35. Thank you.