Good evening and welcome to the June 23rd, 2026 meeting of the East Amity Town Council. I'll call the meeting to order and ask that we stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. >> I pledge 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. >> I know what I asked that we take a brief moment of silence 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. [clears throat] Seeing none, public comments. Is there anyone in the public audience that wishes to make a comment this evening? Seeing no one online or no one on Zoom with their hand raised. >> Oh, actually, Connor, can you mute pause
for one second? I >> Now, if there's anyone on I don't see it yet, but Council comments. Is there anyone in the council that has a comment this evening? Yeah. Seeing none, town manager's report. Um
>> Hi. Uh good evening. Um So, uh attached are the project reports for weeks uh of June 1st and June 8th for the high school and the auditorium. Uh not lost in the excitement of our
beautiful shiny new school, uh we're reminded of fond memories and appreciation for just how much our old school meant uh to the people of this community. Um it is sad to watch as the bricks come down, but uh progress for the future and
uh the building of many new memories for future generations is where we turn our focus. Uh onward and upward. Uh and just a reminder you can get all your scheduling and progress information at any time on the website uh easton meadow ma.gov/lhsbuildingproject.
Uh every time I go by there's like another section of the school that's down, so that's happening fast too as we've been going with every [snorts] phase of this project. Um and as we say goodbye to the old high school, we also say goodbye to the person who has led the way for the
school department for the last 16 years. Uh congratulations to Gordon Smith uh as he completes an amazing career and leaves us for retirement. Um it's really impossible to quantify the impact that Gordon has had on the school system and the people of Easton Meadow.
Always smiling, always dapper. Uh they talked about his hair a lot in his his retirement party. Uh still perfect. Uh it's hard to imagine him not being around and seeing him all the time, but um very few can lead with their head and their heart uh and he was
a master class. Uh he'll be greatly missed and we certainly wish him the best. Uh I'd also like to acknowledge that the first meeting of the school committee in July will be the first meeting of the school committee in 20 years without Greg Thompson. Uh Greg has served our community with
vigor and his passion for the education of our youth has been unparalleled. Uh two decades of service to a community is enough to garner a maximum level of respect in its own right, uh but Greg will leave behind a legacy of improvement, advancement, and one of and was one of the champions for the new
high school. Uh thank you for the your service to your community, Greg. >> [clears throat] >> Uh we're also wishing well to our planning director, Wael Abdelchilla. Uh Robin and his wife will be moving to uh the eastern part of the state. Uh he has accepted a position to be the
planning director for the town of Wellesley. Uh Robin has advanced operations of the planning department by leaps and bounds in his short tenure here. Uh, his knowledge, organization, and passion for his field will certainly be missed. Um, we wish him the best of luck as he
starts a new chapter in his life. Um, there's a flyer attached. I'll take a break from saying goodbye to people and things. Uh, there Actually, it's for hazardous waste cleanup day, so you can say goodbye to some of your things. [laughter] Attached is a flyer for the hazardous
waste day. It's uh, August 22nd from 9:00 until noon at the fire station. Uh, as you recall from last year, um, you do need to pre-register for this event. You cannot just show up. Places with hazardous waste as a rule. Um, but there's a certain amount of stuff they
can take on site, so you have to sign up. Uh, there is a uh, QR code on the flyer. Uh, and also you can reach out to Elizabeth Bone at the health department uh, with any questions that you might have.
>> [sighs and snorts] >> Last and certainly in no way least, uh, I want to say thank you and an emotional farewell to our colleague and dear friend Marilyn. Uh, words can't express what you have meant to this community for the last
nearly half of a century. >> It's a lot of years. >> [laughter] >> You [clears throat] always did what was right. You did it with grace. You did it unabashedly. There isn't a person that knows you that doesn't carry the utmost respect for
your passion for our community, the sheer breadth of your institutional knowledge, and the shining example you always set for us all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support you have given me over
the years. And I promise to wait until at least July before I start asking you to join any more boards and commissions. >> [laughter] >> Uh sincerely, um I I think I speak for everyone. Um thank you for everything. We love you so
much. >> Thank you. >> Um don't be a stranger and I will be calling you soon. But thank you for everything, Marilyn. >> Very nice. >> Appreciate it. >> Appreciate it. That's it. I made it through without a tear. >> Me, too. >> [laughter] >> All right. Thank you, Tom. Any
questions? Comments? I'll just echo a lot of those same sentiments. It was nice to go to Gordon's uh retirement party on the council and it was well attended and then it was a nice ceremony. Um likewise, it's
both sad, but wishing both of them well, both Gordon and and Greg in their next chapter of life beyond town service. Um now communications, correspondence, and announcements. That moves to our first
item is to recognize Marilyn formally for her years of service. >> Woohoo! >> [laughter] >> Was that my son? >> [laughter] >> So, first on behalf of the council, we the East Longmeadow Town Council hereby
extend our congratulations to Marilyn M. Richards to commemorate her 46 years of service to the town of East Longmeadow. Marilyn began her service to the town on the Council on Aging Board in 1980, served as the first woman elected to the Board of Selectmen in 1988, then served
on the Planning Board in 1997, and served on a myriad of additional committees before joining the Town Council in 2019. Marilyn's hard work, dedication, and expertise have contributed to the town's success over her tenure, and she will be deeply missed. The Town
Council extends our best wishes to Marilyn in her retirement from elected office, and myself as your president. >> [applause] >> Good morning. >> Now, I know we have some additional representatives with us this evening.
>> Some additional. >> [laughter] >> We we didn't get the memo about wearing red. So, I'm not a red tonight. So, first of all, we apologize for that. >> We're here for the free shirts. >> [laughter] >> I'm coming out I'm coming out here so I
can hug. >> [laughter] >> I'm just glad to see >> Congratulations. >> Thank you. You too. >> Well, first of all for Marilyn, you know, I'm so pleased to be here tonight because after reading the article and the reminder about your
years of service, I was doing a little math. I'm not a math guy. Um but the town of East Longmeadow has been around for 132 years. >> Jeez, you're not [laughter] that >> For all of it. But you've literally dedicated your life to a third of the history of this entire community. Uh for
46 years, whether it was as someone who was advocating for streetlights within this town coming back from nursing, whether it was making sure that planning boards, which is one of the unsung heroes of a community in a town form of government that has to deal with it,
whether it was the first female member of the board of selectmen, which aren't really called selectmen anymore because of that reason, called select boards, and then your later service on the town council in a new form of government, you've dedicated your life, your adult
life, to the town of East Longmeadow, and it's just an honor for me representing the state Senate side, and I know that Brian and Angelo will have words to share as well, but you've dedicated your life to this community. You have contributed to everything that
you have within this community for from, you know, the midnight early 1980s all the way till today. But, the one thing that I think makes you stand out amongst everything else is that, you know, we all serve, whether you're sitting on this town council, whether you're a state legislator.
In these roles, you can you don't make a lot of friends sometimes. >> That's true. >> And you can disagree, but the one thing that makes you stand out is that you can disagree without being disagreeable. And that is something that is important to have in local government, it's important to have
in state government, it's important to have at every level of government. So, on behalf of the Massachusetts Senate, be it known to all that the Massachusetts Senate hereby extends its congratulations to Councilor Marilyn M. Richards in recognition of your distinguished service on the East
Longmeadow Town Council and your more than four decades of unwavering dedication to the betterment of this community and the residents who are in public service. And be it further known that the Massachusetts Senate hereby extends its very best wishes for continued success and that this citation be signed by the President of the Senate
and by me, your state senator. Keep on staying involved, and I know you will. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] >> Uh you can take this, but I'm going to turn it over to Representative Ashe and >> [laughter] >> Thank you, Senator. Marilyn, um
obviously Jake stole my notes there and said everything we wanted to say, but sincerely, um you know, as Jake alluded to, working in in politics and anything like that, it it's tough to know who your friends are. It's tough sometimes to work cuz you're on different different angles with things.
But, personally for me, from the bottom of my heart, it's been an absolute pleasure working with you, whether it is coming to some Veterans Day, Memorial Day, or any of the events here, or coming in here. I think the last time I was here, I was late cuz I went to the wrong door. [laughter] Yeah, I know, right?
But but it really has been a joy working with you and it is easy to see whether speaking with you or whether seeing what you're doing in a meeting, how much you care about the community, how much you care about a town you you know you love and it would have been easy to have the time that you had
before and call it quits. But you didn't, you want to give more and and that is so so commendable and to see somebody that that wants to keep giving back to the the community that you feel has given so much to you. We hope we get a red shirt before we leave but >> [laughter]
>> I told you. >> Don't tell him that. You'll be back tonight. >> It's been an absolute joy working with you. I wish you nothing but success and and fun whatever you decide to do. I know this pulled so much time from you.
>> Thank you. >> [laughter] >> No, it has been a joy and I will read the citation after Angela's >> After Angela's. >> So just again, I want to thank all the town council members obviously being here, the town manager, the clerk, everybody and all the veterans, everybody that's
here tonight. There's no place that us three would rather be than be here tonight certainly to say thank you Marilyn but it's a couple things. I I I did a lot of research because I thought Well, [laughter] I I do some it's easy with you know chat GPT, right?
I did a lot of research and I and I I thought there was an age requirement when you started working because there's no way I said you started when you were like >> [laughter] >> two or three years old but seriously you know again it's an honor and privilege to be here and all of us had served on a
local level too and I think that's important. So we know that's really where you know the rubber sort of meets the road if you will. I mean you you know as Jake alluded to I mean there's a lot of tough decisions in the town. A lot of tough decisions that you're you're on the front line, right? And you know people come at you whether it's at a dinner, whether it's here, whether
it's there. We've got the beauty of that in our district-wide, next week statewide. People come up to us no matter where you go. But when we were local and you're local and you know, and everybody here I think realizes the fact that, you know, you're on the front line. When something doesn't seem the way, you know, some resident may want, they they're at you, right? And uh
>> They give them your phone number. [laughter] >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that's good. You know, that's good. But but no, I mean, that's the point, right? And and to be involved for so long, 40 years, and all the hard work and dedication, and commitment really does, you know, uh transpose into a love
affair, obviously, with the town, but obviously a love affair with helping people, constituent service, and making sure that, you know, the place uh that you call home here in East Longmeadow is is continues to be a great place. And as I think we've all said, we're going to certainly miss you. We've enjoyed working together. Uh we've had a great relationship, and we're going to
continue on. We hope that you continue to stay involved. Uh and they may have to bring you back as a consultant. >> [laughter] >> They may need some help at some point, right? That's what everybody does, right? They'll get back as a consultant. [laughter] Uh but again, seriously, congratulations on behalf of myself, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. And again, no place we'd
rather be here tonight than just to simply say thank you. >> Your work is appreciated. >> Thank you very much. >> And thank YOU VERY MUCH. >> [applause] >> AND BEFORE HE HANDS YOU THAT, I GOT TO USE MY LITTLE LINE, RIGHT? >> OKAY. >> Jake'll give you one, too. It's the only thing for you'll ever get from the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. [laughter] So, enjoy it while you can. >> You know, when you made a joke about Anzu too, I think that's so important. Everybody here knows you have to have a sense of humor. If you don't, it'll be tough. I know you I know you don't do this job for the money. >> [laughter]
>> Um so, on behalf from the House of Representatives, be it here by known to all of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, offer What's the M stand for? >> Oh, jeez. >> Uh-oh. >> [laughter] >> Apparently no G's. >> Matilda. >> Matilda. Oh, that's a lovely name.
>> It's a strong name. That's a good strong name. >> even know what to say. That's what you Everybody Everybody needs Saugus Matilda. >> [laughter] >> Hereby known to all of Massachusetts. I said I had you whisper to me. >> It would be funny if it WASN'T AN M.
>> [laughter] >> UM IT'S A SINCERE congratulations to Marilyn Richards. Believe me, I'm not. Your tenure on the Town Council serving the residents of East Longmeadow for over 40 years of commitment to public service leading with grace, style, and
unparalleled dignity. The entire membership extends its very best wishes and hope for future good fortune, continued success in all your endeavors. Signed by the Speaker of the House, by Angelo Puppolo, and by Mike Brian Ashe, state reps, and uh serious It's sincerely It's been an
absolute pleasure working with you. And they're going to be a big loss when you Congratulations. >> [applause] [applause] >> I SHOULD PROBABLY GET IN THE FRONT. >> How about all the town councilors coming, too? >> I suppose. By the way, this is the first time that I've been to a town council
meeting where everybody's here in person. So [laughter] >> Yeah, we're always in person. We must be troubling Marilyn if they all showed up today for you. >> Just come around front. >> No, we going around front? >> Yeah, let's come around front. >> I do apologize.
>> Thank you. Thank you. >> How you doing, Marilyn? >> I'm fine, thank you. >> How you doing, sir? >> I know. >> Line them up. >> Line them up. So much red. >> I know. >> I know. >> Thank god you guys didn't wear red. >> Oh, yeah. I'm wearing red. >> If we know Where we going? Come on in.
>> Oh, yeah. >> Okay. We're all short. >> Marilyn, you got to be up front. >> Then the people are everybody else. Otherwise, no one will see them. >> You go in the middle. If you can see your arm. >> of on this side. >> [laughter] >> I'll take up the whole side. >> All right, ready?
1 2 3 This way. Okay, phone number one. >> [laughter] >> Okay, ready? 1 2 3 >> That's you, Marilyn, in the picture. >> No, no, we're good. >> All right. >> All right, we're good. >> All right, so just pick up Marilyn.
>> [laughter] >> Thank you so much. >> Are you good now? >> How's everybody? >> [laughter] >> Yes. >> [laughter] >> All right, I'll see you. >> Thank you. >> Always here. >> I'm always here. Thank you. >> Got it.
>> He's coming. >> Thank you, Victor. >> Are we I don't want to rope you in. >> [laughter] >> It's like moving your computer over. >> [laughter] [laughter] >> Do you think I can keep going another 27 years to even catch up?
>> [laughter] >> Okay. >> No, you don't. >> No, no, no. >> That's okay. Okay, you ready? >> Yes, we have one final >> Okay. >> Oh, [laughter] no. >> So, Marilyn, on behalf of the East Longmeadow Town Council, um
we have decided to place a banner along the parade route for you >> [laughter] >> and I wanted to show you um it proudly celebrates your service for the town. >> serious? >> Absolutely. >> [laughter] >> But, this is what you're going to see when you walk in the parade. >> [applause] >> You've all been really great. Um it's
been a real pleasure. As I said in the reminder article that the neat part about serving is as colleagues we become friends and I really believe that. Um we've been through a lot, but it's been really great. And thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you everybody.
>> Thank you. >> [applause] [applause] [applause] >> Last but not least. >> Marilyn, I thought you >> [laughter] >> I thought we might as well add one more citation to the pile. Um so, [clears throat] I I I think I speak
for everybody here. You've been like such a mentor. Um I have always loved government, but like having somebody to lean on to, you know, talk about the issues, talk about the things both here and when I was on the planning board, uh you have always been
I consider you now a friend and and and a colleague um and just so great to work with. Um so, in that in that vein uh on behalf of the governor and lieutenant governor, so you have all forms of government represented tonight here. Um Marilyn Richards, on behalf of the
residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I am pleased to confer upon you this governor's citation in recognition of your 46 years of dedicated service to the town of East Longmeadow. We commend your tremendous contribution to the town's success, serving in various capacities throughout
your tenure, including as the first woman elected to the select board, and now retiring from the town council, which you've been a part of since 2019. The Commonwealth thanks you for your time and talent and wishes you all the best in the years to come. The 23rd day of June in the year 2026. Maura T.
Healey, governor, and Kimberly Driscoll, lieutenant governor. >> [applause] [applause] [laughter] >> Okay. Congratulations. >> Thank you. I don't believe this. >> [laughter] >> Uh next under communications, uh was
just the 4th of July parade. We'll all be participating in that again this year. Um Thank you, Ralph, for securing the golf cart, and Cathy again for the decorations as usual. Um we [clears throat] can meet um church parking lot as usual.
>> With the cart. With the cart. >> [laughter] >> See everyone then. >> Awesome. >> All right. Next, uh we do have a public hearing this evening. Was scheduled for 6:15. Uh this is a public hearing for a proposed bylaw
amendment amendment chapter 500 fee, fine, and penalty schedule as a second reading. And I would ask the clerk to read the legal notice into the record. >> The East Longmeadow Town Council will hold a public hearing on June 23rd, 2026 at 6:15 p.m. in the media room of of the
Council on Aging, located at 328 North Main Street for a required second reading of a proposed bylaw amendment, chapter 500 fee, fine, and penalty schedule. For the purpose of an annual update of all fees, fines, and penalties for the
town of East Longmeadow. The public hearing may also be attended via Zoom webinar. Information relating to this bylaw is available for public inspection at the town clerk's office. Oh. Sorry, for the council clerk. >> [laughter]
>> Oh, the council clerk. For the council. >> Thank you, Jackie. Uh the members from left to right this evening are Jim Leyden, Kathy Hill, Anna Jones, myself Connor O'Shea, Marilyn Richards, Ralph Page, and John Torsha. And then since it is a second reading, we will quickly do that reading this
evening. Um under section 500-6 fire department fees, fines, and penalties, we have the I'll say it in the form of item and then the new fee would be the
BLS emergency and emergency transport is now $1,000 445.09. BLS emergency transport Medicare is $473.92. BLS non-emergency Medicare $296.20. ALS one emergency non-emergency
transport $2,309.26. ALS emergency transport Medicare $562.79. ALS one non-emergency transport Medicare $355.44. ALS two emergency transport $3,475.70. ALS two emergency transport Medicare
$814.56. >> [clears throat] >> Mileage per mile $38.99. Intercept fee $321.36. And if we go down to Sorry, many pages later, if we go to What chapter is that? Uh 500-12 public
works department, fees, fines, and penalties. We were skipping that one. >> Oh, you are? Okay, stop. Yep. >> Oh, okay. >> Then under section G, water, sewer, and storm water rates, water standard rate would now be
$4.97 per 100 cubic feet. Water agricultural rate be $3.73 per 100 cubic feet. And sewer rate is $5.06 per 100 cubic feet. And that is it.
At this time, it is a public hearing, so if there's anyone in the public audience that wishes to make a comment, now is an opportunity to do so. I don't see anyone online or in person. That will close the public input portion of the hearing. Now, it is the council's opportunity to
make any comments, questions, concerns. I would just first add that um [clears throat] we're not changing any of these at this time um above and beyond. These are really just copied from what we appropriated in the town budget last month and updating them in the town bylaw because chapter 500 is
a place that residents can see anything that the town would charge you all in one consolidated place. This is really just to keep it in sync with with the budget. Any other comments? >> So, I would make a motion to close the public hearing.
>> Motion has been made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. >> Any opposed? The motion passes. Close the public hearing. And then, is there a motion to approve >> I will move to adopt the proposed bylaw amendment
chapter 500 the fine and penalty schedule as presented. >> I'll second that. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, this is a roll call vote. Jen? >> Yes. >> Cathy? >> Yes. >> Anna? >> Yes. >> I say yes. Marilyn? >> Yes. >> Ralph? >> Yes. >> And John?
>> Yes. >> Motion passes. Okay. Next under orders of the day, financial matters, we have an appropriation to match donations received by the Veterans Memorial Committee. Um I know this was a topic that we've
discussed over the last couple years uh with the Veterans Memorial Committee to try to get the Veterans Memorial project to completion. Um I don't know if you have anything to add to the topic, Ralph. I know you did some of the
discussion and legwork here. >> what we're planning? I I do believe so, but like I said, if you want to have to hurry up, that would be great. >> You're also welcome to come forward if you have any comments as well this evening. >> I'm going to have a seat. So, um >> Of course. >> Of course.
So, I know uh this topic's gone around a few different times, and um we're we're coming close to the end, and so my thought was um in celebration of the country's 250th birthday, uh what better way to help us celebrate
by remembering those from East Longmeadow that have given their all at a memorial. And so, I asked Connor to put this on the agenda as a matching donation so that anyone that contributes, uh we would also contribute up to a
total of 100,000. I know they're looking to generate the last $200,000 roughly, and uh I thought maybe this would be a great way, um that it it's for the town, um and I thought this was a good way to celebrate our
birthday, and to give it a little push, and to also put some out there for the businesses, um knowing that it's a one-to-one match. So, if they made $5,000, $5,000 would also come from the town, and hopefully we get them there, and I'd
love to see a shovel in the ground by Veterans Day this year. >> That'd be nice. >> There you go. >> That would be great. Is there anything you want to add on behalf of the committee? >> Well, you have all these guys in the red shirts on the side of the aisle. >> [laughter]
>> You got the email. >> Seriously, we'd like to First of all, I want to say congratulations to Marilyn. >> Thank you, Terry. >> On behalf of this committee, uh you've always been a strong advocate and supporter, showed up at our fundraisers, and uh we really appreciate that.
Uh [snorts] but going forward on why we're here is [clears throat] uh this committee is strongly appreciative of the conservative concerted effort of what you're trying to do, especially
trying to get us across the finish line, uh especially after eight long years of fundraising. And uh but working together now, I think it's really important that the strategy is that we get this word out to the community, we
get it out to all the businesses, all the households, and all the veterans. And uh directly ask them uh through a donation request form that uh they support this East Longmeadow Veterans Memorial.
And it's important, I know you all realize this, but there's people in the community, I think, that are somewhat unaware of what we've been doing for the past eight years. And this is really to honor the 20 East Longmeadow veterans who did give
their life for this community, uh but also to honor and pay tribute to everybody who served, especially from the town of East Lyme East Lyme Meadow. And I think if we if we don't get this across the finish line,
we're going to run the risk of forgetting. And there's the phrase that is in the common circle of all veterans, and that is three words, "Lest we forget." Because what those three words mean, it's a solemn promise
to [clears throat and cough] perpetuate the legacy of the veterans who gave their lives. And it's always been a solemn tribute. So, thank you. Thank you very much, and uh I know you have asked for uh paper forms. Um I did bring 10 of them
tonight. And if you need more, you can you can make copies. And uh also, Ralph, I can you know, once you generate that letter, >> Yep. >> um I think we talked about corresponding with each other. >> Absolutely.
>> other's input. But I also um think it's important, and I'll give you this, is uh there's three documents that probably should be inserted to accompany that letter. And uh that is this flyer right here.
It's uh really our symbol, the Battle Cross symbol, but it also uh specifies when, how, and where to make a donation. Uh many people can just walk in to People's Bank and make that donation. And this flyer also
designates uh what our uh EIN number is, tax-exempt number, so that people can avail themselves of that number. Uh the other document is a picture of the memorial. And the last document is the actual
paper form, which is very specific in terms of I don't know Maryland bought one and uh how to buy a day before. And uh so we do um
we did make some uh small cuts to uh what we was originally asking for, $202,000. And those were uh to give up the $12,000 in the benches that we were going to
buy. And also to uh strip some of the uh bushes and the things of that nature. Although it's still going to look beautiful. >> [clears throat] >> But uh since that happened in the interim, uh we had a donation of uh
for almost $4,500 from someone in the local area. And we went out and did buy three benches that one of our members uh Ed Brown coordinated with a company in another state. And we all we have the
benches already. And they were delivered to the trailer where we have everything stored back there. So with all this cuts and everything, uh we came down to where we penny for penny, we actually need $186,349.
But um having said that, all of the vendors who did bid on this project cannot hold to the price of what they originally gave. Uh I know this for a fact. Um out of the
four or five vendors, uh there might be one or two right now that are going to have to increase. The longer this goes on, obviously we all know that that's going to impact the price, but hopefully not too much. Our our architect and uh
which is Kevin Rochelle architectural we all, W.J. Quinn our general contractor. They're working feverishly to hold the line. Yeah. You know, with that. And they're doing an excellent job. So. That's That's all I have to say. >> Thank you for the update, Terry.
>> Thank you, Terry. >> I think >> If I can come forward, I'll give you all this information. >> Sure. >> I'll just step >> Oh, yeah. Be careful of the cord, too. That's Give it Yeah, give it a jump. >> All right. >> Yeah, these are the 10. >> Perfect.
>> Um And these are the other documents. >> Awesome. >> Okay. >> I think there's three. >> Yeah, that's all three. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you, Terry. >> Terry. >> I asked Terry for the donation forms cuz I know we've heard
about them in the past. >> But >> at least for me, I wanted it for my own personal donation. >> And that's very specific of where to send the money. >> Exactly. >> [laughter] >> Thank you again. >> Great. Thank you, Terry. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> If there's no other comments or questions. >> Thank you. >> Hey, do you want to stick around for the motion? >> Here. >> Yeah. >> Hey. >> Terry. >> [laughter] >> Why don't you guys stick around for a few minutes? >> Don't go. >> Stick around. We're going to make a motion to actually do this.
It hasn't been done yet, so. >> Hopefully we can take it. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry. >> Yeah, it's not finalized yet. Come on in. Let's make sure this goes through. We still have to vote on it. >> [laughter] >> My wife didn't feed me. Go ahead.
>> Okay, so I move to appropriate $100,000 from free cash to match donations received by the Veterans Memorial Committee between June 23rd, 2026 and October 1st, 2026
dollar for dollar up to $100,000 to be used for the design, construction, and costs related thereto of the Veterans Memorial. Provided that all donations submitted for matching are supported by detailed itemized
documentation identifying each donor and the corresponding contribution amount. Matching funds shall only be expended once sufficient total funding has been verified to fully complete the project. Any unexpected any
any unexpended funds such as unused contingency shall revert to the town's general fund and shall not be retained by the committee. Prior to the release of any funds, the town's director of municipal finance or
their designee shall review and approve all donation documentation. >> Second. >> Motion is made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, do we want this as a roll >> Roll call, please. >> Jim. >> Yes. >> Kathy. >> Yes. >> Anna. >> Yes.
>> I'm a yes. Marilyn. >> Yes. >> Ralph. >> Yes. >> And John. >> Yes. >> It passes. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Terry, if you'd come up for a minute. >> Oh, jeez. >> That's good. >> Yeah, watch the cord.
>> He tried to get him. >> [laughter] >> So, now that the town has agreed to matching grants, I'd like to make the first donation from my company Page Landscaping. I can let's work this together and let's get this done. >> Yeah. >> Well, um when I stepped out into the
hall uh there's a gentleman in the audience. And uh, sitting right there. His name is Thomas Flaherty. He's the general manager of Westfield Gas and Electric. And once we get the uh the donation request form and out, uh
he's the company's going to give us a donation of $5,000. >> [applause] >> All right. Thanks everybody. You really Thank you. Yeah, you really don't know what this means to us. >> Now now you can go. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. Thank you for coming.
>> [laughter] >> Okay. Next we have approval of our June 9th open session minutes. >> I move to approve the June 9th, 2026 open session minutes. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion?
Seeing none, all those in favor please say aye. >> Aye. >> Any opposed? The motion passes. Next under old business, we have the 250th anniversary. Uh you'll notice this evening we're all wearing red, and that's because our polo shirts for the town council came in. Uh we're still
waiting on a corrected version for the town manager, but >> Oh my gosh, I didn't even notice. >> town councilor this evening. >> [laughter] >> Thanks to your vote. >> You're one of us tonight. >> [laughter] >> But now we'll all have a consistent look for the 4th of July and 250th
celebration this year. I don't know if you had anything else. >> No, uh the banners are going up. Uh some of the bigger banners are going up tomorrow. Um the fence is up for the carnival, so we're we're pretty much got everything all planned out and ready to go.
Um yeah. Looking good. >> The the banners do look really good. >> They do look very nice. >> Flags and towns um um it really makes a difference. You come in you can tell immediately. >> And I'm glad we did the three types. The different type you know, the different >> They look good.
>> They look very nice. >> Right. >> Soon to be four. >> Yeah. Soon to be four. >> [laughter] >> That one's Can I have that one after so I can hang in my office? >> Well, we didn't tell you that's 10 ft by 15. >> [laughter] >> Where's this going to be? >> You're left to find them all.
>> Oh, yes. >> Oh my [laughter] god. >> Okay. >> Let's see. >> Next under old business we had the town manager's performance evaluation. Um So, I had met with Tom earlier to kind
of discuss we all collectively as a council had had talked [clears throat] about evaluation wise so he's not caught off guard by anything that we're uh thinking of here, but I had submitted a memo to you in advance of this meeting just to kind of summarize everything. I'll just read through it so the benefit
of the public audience. >> Mr. Chair, I know we have an executive coming up. Is something that we could actually do after the executive? >> Sure, we can do that. >> I would make a motion that we um out of order and
come back to this after executive session. >> Motion was made and >> Second. >> Second motion made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor to move out of order please say aye. >> Aye. >> Any opposed?
Motion passes. Um I would expect it should just be >> Yeah. >> 5 minutes. >> [laughter] >> Okay. Then I move to enter into executive session pursuant to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 30A
Section 21A2 for the following purpose contract negotiations with non-union personnel town manager Tom Christensen. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Oh. I was going to say, should we do all this then executive then instead of
doing this? No? >> It's only going to take a couple >> 5 minutes? Okay. All right. >> A motion was made and seconded. Jim? >> Yes. >> Cathy? >> Yes. >> Anna? >> Yes. >> I'm a yes. Marilyn? >> Yes. >> Ralph? >> Yes. >> And John? >> Yes. >> We promise it'll be quick. >> Yes. [laughter]
By the time you close the doors, you'll be able to walk away. >> Almost. >> Are you locking me in? >> Yeah, so if you just Uh yes. >> Yes. >> Well, yes, yeah.
>> Oh, oh no, I just recorded and now I think Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. >> You just what? >> Recording in progress. >> Thank you, Jamie. Thank you all for your patience. Uh we are back from executive session. Um so just to quickly recap the town
manager's performance evaluation, the subcommittee had met on Tuesday, June 16th. Um overall, Tom, out of the 10 categories that we evaluate our town manager on, he scored 85 and 1/2 out of 100 if you add them up math-wise.
Uh but in our breakdown, that falls into generally exceeds and always exceeds the performance standard in most categories. So, thank you for your deserved service to the town. Um each year the council has to put together goals that are mutually agreed
upon by the town manager per the town manager's contract. So, this year's goals that we've agreed to uh the first one is to review health insurance costs, reconvene the insurance advisory committee, and evaluate potential stabilization funds. That was also an action item that came out of the
financial oversight committee recommendation from this year. The second [clears throat] is to provide a municipal fiber build-out plan within 6 months due January 2027, which I know part of that is this evening, but we expect that there will be more reporting and uh planning.
And then the third is to improve the town's online presence, including the town website, social media, and expanded use of open government code. Um Overall, the town manager's current salary was $147,680.
Given his rating that the council all gave him, his contract says that he would get a minimum 4% increase, which would be $5,907. Um but then the council in executive session made an additional motion. So, for public transparency purposes, I will
entertain that motion now. >> May I? >> Sure. >> Okay. >> [clears throat] >> I move to approve a 7% increase, $158,195, to the town manager's salary based on his performance evaluation score
exceeding generally meets the performance standard, effective July 1, 2026. >> Second. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Just so it's explicitly clear, the 4% is built into that 7% number, so it's not an additional above the 11.
It's really just 3% more for your exceeding performance above the line that we set. Thanks. Um any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes.
And then we have one more motion to adopt the goals. >> I move to adopt the goals for the town manager for FY27 as presented. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say aye. >> Aye. >> Any opposed? Motion passes.
>> Thank you. >> You all. >> [snorts] >> All right, next under new business we have a municipal fiber update presentation from Whip City. >> [clears throat and cough] >> Brush coming up. >> [laughter] >> Just want to let the record show that uh I thought I did that
on the side the contribution and uh but it's something that we do. We're we're huge on the community support. Um in Westfield alone last year we donated close to $300,000. Uh plus a million dollars towards the uh high school field project. So
Um we're doing the same in West Springfield. Helping out quite a few uh non-profit organizations there as well. Thank you. >> The town definitely appreciates the support. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> Goes. All right. Well, uh thank you for having us this evening. Um
my name is Andrew Shaw. I'm the key account sales manager for Westfield Gas and Electric Whip City Fiber. My left is Tom Flaherty, uh our general manager. My right, Jameson Carter, our fiber superintendent. From Mitchell, the assistant general
manager, and I think you all know Ryan. >> He's the top fiber guy. >> [laughter] >> Um so yeah, so thank you for having us here this evening. The goal of tonight is to provide you with an update. Um I think the last time we spoke to the committee or the council was probably 2 years ago.
Um so there's been a lot of work going on um that not necessarily that you see, but is actually foundational to moving the project forward. So, we'll start today. We'll give you some background and sort of some of the roles of uh Westfield Westfield Gas Web City Fiber. Give you an update as far as
where we are today. Uh then we'll go into sort of, you know, what what does Web City Fiber do? What's the coordination that we provide? Uh talk about the FSAs, which are fiber service areas. So, the whole town, as part of the design and engineering, gets split up into a neighborhoods or fiber
hoods, which are fiber service areas. Uh we'll talk about some build costs and expected revenue, anticipated income. Um and then uh we'll sort of close with some sort of next steps and how we plan the phased approach to the build of uh
your fiber network. Um so, with that, we'll just jump into the first slide. Um so, we you know, we talk about completed engineering and design. So, what that meant is uh we actually mapped out every street, every house, every
pole in the whole of uh East Longmeadow. And that equated to roughly 75 miles of overhead and 35 miles of underground construction that would be required. Um in all, there's about 7,300 uh dwelling units, so potential
customers. And we anticipate a take rate of around 50% of that. So, what you're seeing tonight is based on those sort of numbers. Uh that equates to 34 individual fiber service areas, FSAs. Um
Moving from that, uh we then uh acted as the general contractor for that design company. So, not only do we uh manage the network and are able to build that network for you, we also manage the
the uh contractors that are required for some of the work. We also um uh get involved with designing the hut, what goes in the hut, the equipment that's required, how many huts do we need, the placement of that hut. We worked in conjunction with with Tom and Ryan.
Also during this period, we found that two things happened which kind of was a were a little bit of a delay. One was a company just came in and just started tagging every single pole. So that meant that they were the primary person on the
pole. So we had to work to move them out so that East Longmeadow was the primary person on the pole. So that was a little bit of work that we did. On top of that, one of our utility partners changed the pole application
process. So you batch the poles that you're going to strand onto that you're going to put your fiber onto. So you batch those. That had a number of I think it was 200 per application and they changed that
halfway through to 125. So that meant we had to go back and rework all those fiber service areas and pole applications. Interestingly enough with the utility partner here in town,
you have to go on a GIS map and individually peg every single pole that you want to run strand on. So it's a pretty laborious process. But that works all being completed. And we're at a stage now where we not
only have a full design, full engineering build out. We're ready to go. We've worked on phased approach which Jamie will speak to. Which will provide the best
way for the town to receive benefit quickly from building out the the fiber infrastructure. So with that, any questions so far?
I just want to point out, I'm looking at some concerned and puzzled faces. We apologize. This is complicated stuff. There's our utility partners and the Department of Public Utilities and with your East Longmeadow Municipal Light Plant,
you're now a utility. >> [laughter] >> It's complicated. We're trying to make this as simple as possible. Trust us, we've done this before. So, if that helps. Yeah, I can give you some idea. We manage right now over 20 communities.
We have just over 19,000 individual subscribers that we are supplying daily and that we keep active every single day of the week. I'd like to hand it over to Jamie just to talk about current state today. >> Sure. So, where are we today? So, right now we have bi-weekly meetings with
National Grid. We also have meetings with Verizon and we have communication with Charter, who is your communication company right now. Through those bi-weekly meetings, we are conducting basically they're giving their estimates for the make-ready work that's supposed to be completed on the poles in order
for us to provide a service to East Longmeadow. Those estimates are coming in. Lucky enough for us, we have four individuals that were ex-linemen, ex-gas guys that are used to doing the work. They understand what's going on in the poles. So, they're able to basically address
the poles once not every so often, but once National Grid comes in, give us the estimates per pole and they call out maybe pole replacements, certain moves that need to happen, light replacements or light movements. We're able to go out there, take a look at those [clears throat] poles and say,
"No, we don't need to do that. This needs to be done on this pole." So, we're able to shave some of that cost off because again, we have ex-linemen that are able to identify those certain things on those poles that need to be addressed and what doesn't need to be addressed. Also, there's forestry stuff that's been
called out on some of those and we've been able to tackle those through our bi-weekly meetings. I did count a couple numbers here just to let you guys know. We had some forestry challenges in and 50% of those forestry challenges so far have been overturned to us in our favor. So, that's good. They don't have to perform those.
Also, we've had 117 pole challenges and we're currently working on those today with National Grid. They have a ex-lineman themselves who's going out to these poles and we're riding out those poles with him to identify those issues and overturn those issues that the town will not have to pay for. So,
>> If I may interrupt, what does a pole challenge really >> Sure. Yep, absolutely. So, if you look obviously when you go outside you drive around you see poles out there. What they're challenging is that there's enough make-ready room for us to attach a line. We need 40 in from the
secondary. So, your your basically your electric line that goes from the pole to the house, your house, that's called secondary. If there's not 40 in on that pole between Arcom and electric, they need to change that pole out or perform some movement on the pole
so that we can put our line in. So, again, each pole is being identified. Andrew was speaking to you guys about 125 poles. There's multiple applications. We're seeing all those surveys and estimates come to us and we're challenging those big ticket items. Those big ticket items are going
to what's going to drive the cost higher and we're making sure that everybody's playing on the same even level playing ground here. Um so, with that, that's where we are today with the make-ready estimates. Uh discussing a phased approach to build. Obviously, um
if you take a look at this map behind me, you'll see >> Let me stop. You want >> Yeah, I'll talk about it. >> Perfect. I'll get the other I'll get the other one for the other half. >> So, the poles >> Thank you, Jim. >> Thank you. Vanna [laughter] White.
So, the poles that we had we engineered it to the >> and based off the design we figured [laughter] that a great location for a hot site would be here on Vineland Ave. From Vineland Ave, we're looking to
build out a phased approach to start off in this general vicinity and as make ready's being completed, we're able to basically start climbing out and build out other FSAs. Now, obviously as you build an FSA, a customer taking that service
that service is now going to fund more FSAs to be built out. So, what I say phased approach, money's coming in, people are taking service, you're able to pay for more more FSAs to be delivered. So. >> When he says Vineland, that's uh on the
same property as the Vineland pump station? >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Um there [clears throat] was enough room for us to easily locate that sort of out of the way on our property, which was nice. >> Yep. >> It's also on our municipal fiber backbone. >> Correct. There's We've got We're able to
work with Ryan here as well as Tom to identify that you guys have conduit already in place, which gives us transport to get to other parts of the town to then spider out to those other fiber service areas. Um >> What are the um I see like the different colors, but I
see the fiber service areas. What do the colors mean in relation to >> So, if you look at this, >> Oh, okay. >> So, this is based off the fact that let's say that National Grid performs their make ready work, all the poles are ready for us to start putting fiber service on there. Once they do that, these other areas are
shaded based off of the areas that we would build out first. So, right here we're calling bid one in 2028, which which would be this section of town because it's the closest to the hot. That's where you're going to spend the money to get your make ready done and then go further out as you progress.
Got you. Any questions? >> Yeah, this area made sense just because as Tom mentioned, there was already land that we could we could utilize and also when you looked at the the homes that are in this area your cost per passing with less.
>> They're very consolidated so there's a lot more homes in that area so you're able to get a higher take rate. >> It's overhead. >> Right. >> So it's cheaper to run. >> Return on investment. >> It's cheaper than underground. >> Yeah, a lot. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> And your return on investment is faster
rather than building way out on the other side of town a lot of dollars to get your first customers. There's a nice density in there so your return on investment be quicker, reinvest, keep building. >> And so I see the the triangle where you have that first hut on Vineland. Would
there be other triangle huts elsewhere throughout town as you expand the network? >> So right now with talking to Ryan we had the original assessment of putting two huts but after talking to Ryan there is the possibility and I think it's a strong possibility that we could just utilize
one hut only and be able to use use your current underground conduit. >> Okay. >> And then express it out to the area where we thought your second hut location was going to be and then spider out from there. And it's underground which means it would be >> [clears throat] >> less susceptible to pole hits, tree
damage, etc. So that's where we would have your kind of safe haven. >> That area was down on the south side along the >> Yeah. >> The second second location was the Chestnut Street pump station property. >> Yeah. Okay. I like that. >> All right. >> So from there we can hop into our
conduit which goes under the bike trail which is even more protected from just being on the curb side and get up to the Vineland pump station. >> So you keep saying our underground conduit. Don't we already have conduit with fiber that runs through the
town and connects everything? Are we hooking into our existing main fiber? >> No. >> The thought would be to keep it separate. So fiber has a lifespan. It's 25 years. >> Yeah, so 25 years and obviously it's we've had fiber in Westfield today that
was put up in 1996 and it's still there today and works fine. So, and that was to basically handle our north ring and south ring. Uh we have we own the fiber in Westfield, so NBI does not run through Westfield. So, NBI runs on our fiber through Westfield.
>> So, I know Ryan when we first talked about it that was one of the benefits that we thought we'd be saving money basically already using our main line and the fiber. Is that one of the reasons why the price in 3 years 3 and 1/2 years that we've already been
looking at it? Initial [clears throat] we were hearing 8 11 million and now we're up to 31 million and it looks like we're not even going to start a build out for 2 more years. So, where are we going to be? I mean, let's be truthful. Where are we going to be with the total
cost by the time this gets built out? I think the 31 million if that's today, you got to be looking at least another 10 million on top of that. Uh >> I don't believe that will grow that much. I'm I'm thinking around 2 million. However, with the
um this includes the worst-case scenario from National Grid on the make-ready. So, if all all of our challenges come in, I'm not sure what the total amount that will come off maybe you know 500,000 to a million dollars will come off of that make-ready as well. >> And like National Grid's make-ready if I
got it right was like 7 million. >> Yeah, it was 7 to 8 million I think. >> Yeah, I think so. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Just the make-ready is almost what we were discussing at the beginning the total cost of everything. And the longer this goes, I mean, we rushed through, we made sure we got our
votes in time to start the plant and everything. Um I was at the meetings when we first met and we were talking total 5 years for the make-ready and total build out and like I said, we're close to 4 years in and I mean, we're we're still sitting here
talking about, [clears throat] you know, what's got to be done with make ready and all that. It's very frustrating, um at least for myself. Like I said, some counselors were here, some weren't, but um for a long time. >> those bi-weekly >> bi-weekly meetings. >> Yeah, so working with the utility, it's
been challenging, but we've been trying to drive in your favor. >> Is that typical to have to um wrestle with the utilities if I >> I I I hate to say, unfortunately, yes. Um you know, we had established
relationships when we were building out our 19 Hill towns, but those established relationships were also pushed by the government, you know. The governor, the lieutenant governor was pushing that to make sure that those towns are built because they were under served, right? >> Under served.
>> So, again, we are still pushing that same momentum. We have a great relationship with Eversource. They're working well with us right now. National Grid, we haven't worked with them since we've done this. I think we're starting to get in a momentum where things are going to work
in our favor. Um so, we through those bi-weekly meetings and they're and like I said, by us going out with their line folk, >> [clears throat] >> discussing the challenges, that's also working in our favor as well cuz they see that again, we're not Gateway, we're not Joe Schmo off the
street. We are a utility that's coming out and we have knowledge of the utility electric line department. So, we're able to give them that insight and they agree with us on most of the causes. >> Well, >> Yeah. >> I would like to assume that these
numbers are at a 50% participation rate, but were to go to 60% or 65, then monthly cost for [cough] um a subscriber would be lower. >> Or you would make more money to pay off the the bond sooner.
Um some of the towns that we work with in in the Hilltowns have already paid off their debt you know, 10 to 15 years prior to what was originally planned. Um they're also working on an an 85 to 95% take rate because they had
absolutely nothing. But you have towns that like New Ashford up in up by Williamstown, they have 96 customers. You know, they had but I think a potential of 99 customers in in that in that one town. Like that's that's one of the towns. Building out West Springfield, we're
already seeing from the pilot area take rate of 50%. So that that payback is going to be that much better. In Westfield, we're just over 55% and we we're actually just doing a study to find out what what it's taking for for people to to change over. What I've
found in in kind of beating up some of my friends that haven't switched over is they're just they're used to pressing, you know, 822 for for NBC or or you know, 849 or whatever it is for for ESPN. And I'm like, but you're okay
paying, you know, upwards of 450 dollars a month for this and I'm like, your savings, you know, verse what I I I have a I said it before and I think Ralph heard it. I have an an antenna in my house which gets about 40 plus channels.
10 of them are bilingual channels, but a lot of like the 22s and 40s and channel 3 out of Connecticut and stuff like that, they have a bunch of sub channels. Um but you know, streaming, we were just talking out on the hallway about watching the World Cup. You know, so for a month and a half, I bought, you know,
Fox One so you can stream all the all the World Cup games and then you can cancel it. So you decide what you want to watch, what bundle of of programming you want to watch. There's a lot of one of our biggest take rates in Westfield, which was a concern at first, is actually people over 65 because
they're on fixed incomes. We help them. We told them you know how to get an antenna, you know, to get the local channels, but then they have the internet and we taught them how to how to stream. We hold you know, we still hold programs on that. We started holding those in multi languages in in West Springfield as
well. It's a huge bilingual community. So we hold those and they're very well attended a lot of times by the by the same people. Some you know, it's that's their day out or whatever you know, at the senior center. But they're the the take rate has been going really well.
>> How long has Westfield had fiber? >> So Whip City Fiber proper is 10 years old this year. So >> So after 10 years you're at 55%. >> After 10 years we're at 55%. >> Cuz I know originally talked we were talking around 30% would basically cover
all our costs. >> Yeah. >> Anything above that would be >> And that was our original business plan for for West So I was for Westfield I was on the the board at the time the municipal light board and our projected take rate was going to be 30%
and that would that would pay off the debt service. Our original debt service was 15 million. To totally build out Westfield was just over 40 million and everything over that first 15 million we paid with cash. We also are the ones doing doing the work, doing the installs
and and and all of that. So we're we're a little bit different, but we're also running that business and and going out to 22 and 22 total communities today that we didn't plan on back in 2013 when we were originally doing the business
plan. So it's a little bit of a of a difference and again our business plan might be different than other people's, but you the the town of East Long Meadow own all the infrastructure. We just provide all the services. The money that comes in goes directly into East Long
Meadow's account or West Springfield's account or any other community that would that we work with on top of that. >> And the principal. >> Right. That Yep. So, you have to pay pay off your bond, and you you get a monthly bill from us. >> Um kind of Can I um So, I'm looking at
your construction schedule. Um >> [clears throat] >> at first five uh colors up on top and going through 2030, and then you have a to be determined in yellow, which looks like half of our town. >> Yep. >> So,
do we have a a general idea of how long before the entire town would be built out? >> So, that would be based off of that what National Grid works. They've been giving us estimates of how fast they can work. So, if they work fast, we can follow
behind them as fast to build it out. >> And the other thing is underground. >> Yes. >> So, obviously you want to do the poles, it's cheaper, you get a lot of take rate. Um my concern is um truthfully, I'm hearing from the public, and they're getting a little tired of
waiting. Um is there a location, let's say Great Woods, where there's a lot of houses condensed together, the big houses, the take rate would probably be good, where we can start doing underground and not wait for National
Grid, and maybe hook it up to the main line under the bike trail? >> So, the underground we don't have to wait for National Grid, but we have to fund it. And get to it. >> I I mean it's one of those where
if you put some in and people like it, they're going to be talking, and then everyone's going to be excited about hey, what's going forward. Um people can't get excited about me telling them that it's another 2 years, maybe another three, and they're like, you told me that 4 years ago. >> Yeah.
>> So, that's that's why we're here, because we're at that point. >> Mhm. >> So, Grid is finally uh we we have an understanding with Grid now, I think, Uh after the last couple meetings that >> Cheers. >> uh huh? >> It's a couple beers. >> Allegedly.
uh that we expect and fully expect a partnership with the town of East Hampton, right? National Grid is on our property and that we want to start a utility in town and and therefore uh we expect a
certain level of collaboration. And so they have been working to change the way they do things to allow us to build this in a way that GoFiber, GoNetSpeed, or whoever wouldn't be allowed to do because that's
what we expect. So we're at this point now where we've been challenging and fighting and scratching and clawing and waiting from last June to get our estimates to this June to get our estimates. And now we're here. And so
now's the time to sort of look at how this can be funded and let's let's hit go. We we don't we don't have to wait for Grid anymore. We're we're at that point where we can figure out what the other agreement
looks like and how the construction is going to go. Um that that specifically is I think why we're here to say let's go. Um I think there's a little bit of a a spreadsheet there that it's probably hard to read to that that shows
the the cost of things. And again, uh we had sort of earmarked quite a bit of free cash. Um and that uh a couple months ago about maybe putting two like a couple million dollars towards this project. Uh Kim and I have been talking with bond counsel
about our options. Um Of all the things, uh ca- capitalizing interest is allowed for this type of project. Um and and pretty much the only way you get these things off the ground to to get this much money. We don't borrow
interest payments or or it just increases the cost of the project. However, like we've been saying since the beginning, this is a project that is going to generate revenue for us. Um, so it's a whole different animal. But, like Kim was saying or like I was
saying, Kim and I were talking uh with bond counsel about our options. Um, and it and it appears that uh we're we're all we're likely to have another couple million dollars in free cash available um when we certify again in September.
Um, if we want to uh use that to fund this project. But, uh we are at the point now where it's time to go. Um, grid's almost there. The design is done. Um, >> [clears throat] >> uh Whip City has been doing a ton of
work on our behalf for the last uh year and a half checking in, uh taking meetings, having phone calls, you know, fighting the good fight. Uh, but we're here. Um, this is what it cost. I think somebody asked the question before. I think we
said we we sort of added escalation a little bit into the pricing of that. So, if uh the $31 million is what, you know, some sort of escalator of what you'd think the cost would be 3 years from now. That that's sort of in the equation.
>> Right. And also, when we originally priced it, um the the mileage for the underground was half of what the actual came back on the engineering study. That was the largest largest increase in addition to the um the increase in the in the uh estimated make ready.
>> Yeah, so the the underground piece while while we wouldn't have to wait for grid, and that I can't disagree with you on. It I mean, the cost is three to four X to try to build it. Um, it is extremely expensive. Um,
and I still think this is the right plan. And we've talked about this a bunch of times. This is the way to spend our money wisely and have revenue generating within a couple years of of giving a check to Grid to start moving their stuff out of our way.
>> And in the first areas, if Grid moves quicker, you'll see the the bid timeline. You know, right now we're we're doing 10 fiber service areas. A fiber service area is about 250 locations. But we're doing 10 a year in West Springfield, and that plan's working fantastic with that partnership
that we've developed through with with Eversource and Verizon. Verizon was a little bit slow at first, but they've they've even come to the table. Verizon is it's kind of that snail, you know, going going through and they're they're tough to work with.
Here, that's not as big of an issue. You do have two utilities to deal with. Eversource is up on that right on that Springfield line. But if we can get those built out faster, we can we can the make-ready work faster, we can bid those out faster. And great part about
it, we do all the installs. We're just talking about that in the hallway. We do 100% of the installs. Our direct employees. We don't contract that out. The only we we do contract out the you know, putting the strand in in the distribution system out there. Everything else is done by us.
>> So, what did you just say about 250? >> 250 in each fiber service area. So, each puzzle piece >> That's what you can do in a year? >> No, no, no. >> No, no, no. >> Each one of those puzzle pieces, the FSA, like if you look at FSA 7, >> 50. >> that's about 250 locations. It can
>> We're doing 10. >> So, we're doing 10 about 10 a year in in West Springfield. However, with with that, it's it's built it's capable of 288 connections. We we leave that many open. So, you'll see
I know Mr. Page, you're on the the south side of town if I remember correctly at one point in our conversation. No, but if you look at that you look at the growth Yeah, I know. I know. >> [laughter] >> But, you look at that area, you know, that that area is expansive. So, when we
build that that fiber service area might only have 225 cuz there's potential for that growth in there. And and the key is, you know, when we have the fiber cabinet there that has the 200 and 88 connections, you don't want to put another cabinet. You want to size
every area correctly so that you can expand when that load comes in. >> Roughly 300 acres close to me that will be all developed within, well, by the time fiber is done. >> There you go. Perfect timing. >> That's building code. >> Uh building code. >> Development. >> Yeah. >> When you when those developments are
announced to speak with that developer to have conduit put in as part of that development and then that's >> And Connor, I I think I think Ryan had mentioned that once before at a planning board meeting. >> Yeah, about 2 years ago. 2 years ago. >> We actually had it installed on Scarlet
Drive, whatever that Oakwood Estates off Parker Street. Tom Bratt agreed to put in conduit for fiber. So, that's being installed. And again, >> We have a development going in Westfield now that has 20 20 homes. They're higher end homes, but the developer physically bought the conduit from us
and is installing the conduit. So, that's, you know, a big chunk of change that we don't have to invest in. >> It We're we're we're we're taking that leap again when we built all our other infrastructure, water, sewer, storm water, like
this is this is a big moment for the town. And again, it's got to start somewhere and we are at that point where we either start or we don't. And I think and I think everybody over there thinks that we should start and I
think we're in a good place financially to get there and have revenue coming in be you know, maybe even before we have to make that first payment. Um >> So I don't want to cut it short, but I would suggest that this is a lot of
information for us to to digest. So if you're open to it, maybe we could schedule another meeting. Um maybe later this summer or so where we can come back and have more discussions and give us some time to think about it internally and formulate any questions that we have.
>> Sure. >> Yep. >> Mr. Chair, question for you, Tom. >> Um I'm fine with that. But is that hindering us? Is it Is there a timeline you need something from us? Is there >> Well, we're still we're we're we're waiting a little bit to finalize things with National Grid. I think we're
making, like they said, uh more progress in the last couple weeks or a month than we've made for a few months. Uh based on sort of everybody laying their cards on the table and and sort of expressing what we expect uh from the partnership. Uh it seems like that those
numbers will be coming probably by the end of the month or or or yeah, so um at that point it's going to be finalizing our agreement with Grid to start the work and finalizing our agreement uh with Westfield uh for or
Whip City. Um and and we'll get rolling. Um >> So just to be clear, get rolling means get the poles [snorts] ready for >> Yes. Yes. >> Yes, that's right. >> Start the hut. >> So the hut's got to be there before you do anything. >> So we've already established our first
13 applications that National Grid will start working on. That's already been set in place for those first FSAs that we have on the map there. >> So 13 * 125 >> 125 >> So if we start the make-ready, if you don't mind, um if we start the make-ready, we're still looking probably
2028 before the people actually get the high speed fiber. >> As long as they move if they move the faster they move the faster we can move. That's all I can say. >> And this is all >> And I'm basing that basically on what you >> Yeah. >> Our options that we can't start one of
those colored areas until it's the the full make ready work from the utility is done. So, we can't go out and start hanging strand or >> We have to really be conservative with our estimate uh based on past experience, the fact that we didn't get the estimates for how much it was
going to cost for a year after. Uh I don't know how long it's going to take to actually do the work. Uh so, that's that's a difficult thing to gauge. Uh they they say that it can be done in a certain amount of time, but >> The positive part about this town just so you're aware is
in West Springfield the pole setter is Verizon. So, Verizon obviously has just Verizon workers doing that. The pole setter here in town is National Grid. National Grid could contract out other contractors to work the town, which means your make ready will go a lot faster.
>> [clears throat] >> I will put that on our agenda for our next meeting that we can continue the discussion. Um that way that we're not proceeding without making any decisions from a council level whether we want to but I expect that we're going to stop the project but before we have a chance
to decide and discuss. >> Does council meet twice a month or once? >> Uh typically in the summer July and August we meet once a month unless there's a special need uh but then starting in September we meet twice a month again. >> When's our next meeting? July 14th? >> July 14th.
>> Right after the holiday. >> Right. >> All right. Thank you for the update. >> Thank you. >> Thank you guys so much. Thank you. Appreciate the questions. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Would you like your board back? >> What's that? >> Yeah. >> That was a lot.
>> [laughter] >> Do you want to keep it? >> We can keep it in the chamber. >> The wall. What? Yeah, sure. Let's do that. Thank you, sir. Good to see you. Next step I held it very well.
I mean Oh, next one's me, huh? >> Yep. Next we had the bylaw review committee report with the recommended changes. I will table this to the next meeting. I am through. I am doing chapter 315
right now, which I'm running into major issues um with the chapter cuz every time I go to move something or adjust it, I lose columns and I am not really good with word and it took me over 2
hours to figure out how to change the color of some of these. But I got that down um and like I said >> It's not Ralph cuz I had that same problem with zoning bylaws to changing colors. >> So I am literally writing all of the corrections I'm doing
in order to get it correct and I'm I'm readjusting like uh we split up emergency services to fire and police departments and so the police department is going under P. So I've literally moved that to where it's supposed to be with all the
corrections and I'm trying to make it as easy as possible. So when we read it you know, it'll be read. We're taking this out. We're adding this. And as it is I can't tell you how many corrections. I
believe I'm at close to 300 commas um not to mention all the other wording and all and the commas are the hardest cuz I I go through and all of a sudden it's like that's a different color. Um but I will have it ready absolutely no later than the next meeting and I
will circulate it ahead of time. The last third of the document I scanned through and there's only 150 or so changes. So it'll go quick. >> Oh, that's good. I think more time is plenty fine. I think we still could take
the motion that we talked about at our last meeting though to allow us to kind of split that report into two phases where this first one that we would start talking about at the next meeting would be just the regular bylaws and then zoning could still continue on.
There are movement. >> Would you like a motion? >> I would. >> I move to authorize the bylaw review committee to submit its required report in two phases. First with recommendations on general bylaws submitted first, second for zoning bylaw recommendations submitted
at a later date. This shall satisfy the requirement of the charter allowing additional time for more complex zoning review. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor please say I. Any opposed? Motion passes.
Next under new business, so per the council rule five, we have to prepare the calendar for the upcoming year. So I've done so as usual for July and August we'll have the one meeting unless there's >> Very nicely done.
>> any changes or things that pop up and otherwise we'll resume to two meetings a month except for December. The last couple years we've only had one because of the the holidays and being busy and so forth, but um thankfully the spreadsheet's pretty nice. You just change the year and anything that we
have figured out that has to be done as it automatically calculates, so >> [clears throat] >> It's great that you just volunteer to do [laughter] that every year. >> Yep. >> Appreciate that. >> You're never going to leave us. >> [laughter] >> All right. Then next action items for
our next meeting, uh the first will be reorganization that we do annually. We'll elect a new president and vice president. Um for that meeting as well, we have to do our annual acknowledgement of the council rules nation. So, [cough and clears throat] if you have any suggested changes or if you think
they're fine as is, then for the next meeting, um we'll have fiber on the agenda again to discuss. Generally, we'll have the year-end financial report and any transfers that are due cuz it's the >> [clears throat] >> had all that final year-end paperwork by
the following day, I believe. And then, um >> A lot of motions. >> a review report. That's all I have so far. >> That's fair. >> We'll entertain a motion to adjourn. >> Marilyn, take us away. >> I move we adjourn. [laughter] >> Motion is made and seconded. Any further
discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. Any opposed? Motion passes and we are adjourned at 7:42. >> Thank you. So, we're done.