Good evening and welcome to the January 27th, 2026 meeting of the East Meadow 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. And I would ask that we take a brief moment of silence to reflect on all of the events going on both here and abroad. Thank you. In accordance with Mass General Law, this meeting is being
recorded by LCAT. And if there's anyone else in the audience recording, if you could identify yourself. Seeing none, uh, public comments. Is there anyone in the public that wishes to make a comment? I see no one physically here and no one on Zoom. Council comments. Uh the one that I have
this evening is just a thank you to our town's DPW for the great job they did on on our roads. I know driving through some of the surrounding communities, especially to work this morning. Others were not as not as well done. So, thank you to our town.
>> Any other council comments? Great. Town manager report. Hi, Tom. The ink's still wet. Good evening. Um
uh so attached um to this report are uh three weeks of uh progress reports from the high school and nuditorium the week of January 5th, 12th, and 19th. uh keep trying to think of things to say and I wrote I sound like a broken record
at this point but uh just watching the the progress of the whole thing in real time is quite remarkable and seeing the updates every week is just uh uh unbelievable and obviously now we're in the calendar year when we're going to have this high school open to the kids.
So it just it just keeps getting more and more exciting. Um and uh again you can always find this information on uh easttomma.govhsb building project uh scheduling and progress and the whole bit. Um most of
the country was interrupted this weekend due to winter storm Fern uh that dumped almost 20 ines of snow here in East. I still can't get used to that. We're naming the winter storms now. Is I I almost tropical storm Fern. uh which is obviously would have been
inaccurate. Um uh I'll echo those same sentiments. Thank you to our uh DPW. Uh not only the amount of snow, but the duration of which uh I think you can imagine uh a lot of people spent a lot of hours
>> uh making it so. Um so I I want to thank them too for a job well done. Again, I I went up there this morning. a lot of uh a lot of tired eyes, a lot of phone calls, a lot of there's still a lot to do. So, um but we are appreciative of of the job our our
Department of Public Works does. Uh both both in the field and indoors. Obviously, there's a lot that goes into it. Um so, in the aftermath of a storm that big, this is going to be a whole another project this week. Uh clearing sidewalks, uh intersections, hauling
snow away. I don't I can't see uh Chipotle when I park my car because there's a massive pile of snow in town hall. So, uh if if you have questions or concerns or issues that come up, please please please call the DPW uh the the
office number 5255400 uh extension 1,200. Um, and the reason I asked is is that they they they'll put a work order in for this work and it just helps us track everything to make sure every issue gets a work order. It gets
assigned to somebody and then closed out when it's done. Uh, this helps us track all this information for this storm, future storms, and and just to make sure we don't miss out on anything. Um, so again, be a little bit patient here for
the rest of the week because, uh, the crews will be out pushing back snow banks and doing whatever they can to, uh, you know, fill these work orders. Obviously, there's probably some new potholes opened up. And, uh, so we they'll be out uh, for most of this week
trying to take trying to get rid of and and handle this snow uh, safely. So, uh, be patient, please. Um Kim, Rebecca, and I attended the MMA annual meeting uh aptly named the Connect 351. They a
little rebrand. Um they held in Boston, uh Thursday to Saturday. Um about 1,400 local leaders from across the Commonwealth. Uh went to the uh Manino Convention Center. I also got to bump into Councelor Leiden, which was
nice. Friendly face. Um there was a lot of uh workshops uh trade show big huge trade show uh guest speakers the governor lieutenant governor um the keynote speaker uh I
kept tell it's one of my favorite things to watch people that know how to public speak like it's a hard thing to do and uh the the keynote speaker was Dr. uh Tim Shrivever uh who gave a message about communicating and and doing so with with dignity and not just yours but
the person you're talking with. Um so it it it was it kind of sort of hit home in the sort of the times we live in where we we sort of always talk about the the civil discourse has sort of uh gone by the wayside in certain situations. And
so this was talking about uh you know just just having a nice conversation. Um uh the governor also gave us some good news. Uh it looks like the the uh the chapter 90 funding level we saw last year. Uh we're going to try to keep that
in the budget which was that 50% increase from from prior years um and an increase um in state aid of 4.4% over last year. So, um, uh, thanks to the MMA, uh, Mass
Municipal Association. They're they're a huge advocate for for all 351 communities in Massachusetts. So, uh, thank you to them for for putting on another well-run and informative event. Um, we're we're all our budget, um,
stuff, speaking of the budget, level one budgets were submitted Friday. Um so we're I say we finance is compiling all that information into sort of a working document uh where we can wrap our heads around the initial submissions and meet
with department heads that we need to meet with um which will most likely be everyone even even some of the ones that maybe we wouldn't put on the list. We have a lot of new department heads and a lot of uh people submitting their first budget. So, uh, there's bound to be some
questions and clarifications and no, don't do that. Um, I promise I won't do too much, but, um, so after that, we'll have a pretty good overview of what we're going to look like. We we have some good, um, estimates on on most of our numbers. So, uh, I'm hoping even
before, um, the draft on April 1 this year, we can chat about, um, some goals and directions based on where we sit in late February or something like that. Um, and then, uh,
I'm going to end on a a more somber note, I guess. Um really sad to uh report the passing of uh our historical commission chairperson Tom Behan. Um our thoughts and prayers are with his
family at this time. Uh he passed away unexpectedly this weekend. Um I could probably talk about Tom all night. I'm sure most of you could too. Um, I guess I'll just say that for those of us that were fortunate enough to be
around him and have him in our lives, um, we're going to miss his kind soul, warm smile, and his genuine love for his community and every person in it. Um, it's a big loss for for for the whole
town of Isome and and he'll be missed. So, Thank you, Tom. Does anyone have any comments or questions through the chair? >> Sure. >> Um, I just wanted to bring up I know we had this horrific storm um for the
residents that have a fire hydrant in front of their house. If they have the ability to clean it out, it would greatly help. I know um a lot of times the fire department goes out and tries to clean as many as they can, but if you have the ability to and you have it
there, um hopefully it's never needed, right? >> But it's nice if they can get to it if it is needed. >> Um and then one last thing, I know the town's moving snow. Um, I know in the past, um, uh, superintendent of the DPW, a prior
one, um, had asked about using the Brown Farm for storage of snow, and I don't know if that's been thought of or not. It's got a huge parking lot up there. For the most part, it's not used in the winter. Um, >> okay. >> So, they've piled snow up there in the past, and it seems to be convenient, um,
easy in, easy out access. So, I just wanted to throw that out for >> for your thoughts. That's that's good. I will I'll talk to them about uh the possibility of that. I mean, obviously, I'm sure they have places that they go now and I >> believe me when they're going to be full. >> Well, I went to talk to Bruce this
morning and I was totally intending on not talking to him for a while because I know that they're busy. >> Of course, the temperature at town hall was 48 degrees, so I had to talk to him about something. But, uh, we'll we'll sort of probably have a debrief like in the next couple days with with Daryl.
And um so I I I'll bring that up as a a possibility for >> town properties that a lot of times we just forget that we have it. >> Well, and >> and again, we put in a huge parking lot that's gravel that that worked beautiful in the past for it. So >> and and and a school right across the
street that they got to haul snow out of. So yeah. No, that's that's great. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Ralph. Anything else? Okay, seeing none, there are no communications, correspondence, or announcements that I have. We have no
public hearings, so we'll move to orders of the day. Our first one under financial matters is accepting a $1,000 donation from Bay Path University. Is there a motion? I move to accept the donation in the amount of $1,000 from Bay Path
University to support the East Long Meadow Fire Department per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 44 section 53A. >> Second. >> Motion's been made and seconded. The comment that I would have is thank you to Path again for their support of
both the police and fire department. Now, >> um and then since we are in a hybrid meeting this evening, all votes will be roll call. Any other discussion? Seeing none. Jim, >> yes. >> Kathy, >> yes. >> I'm a yes. Marilyn, >> yes. >> Ralph, >> yes. >> John,
>> I'm a yes. >> Motion passes. Thank you, Bay Path. >> Sorry for all that confusion. >> No worries. It confused me just as bad. >> Uh, next under financial matters was
just an update um with our transparency bylaw that we had put into effect this past year. Uh part of that was to uh post the yearly uh town employee wages on the website under the transparency tab and 2025 was compiled and is now on
the website as well. Of course, it was in your packets for your research. So, no other action, but just as an update that we've completed that milestone in the uh bylaw. Okay. Next, we have approval of our
January 13, 2026 open session minutes. >> I move to approve the January 13th, 2026 open session minutes. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Uh I think the one discussion point that I would have is they were good overall. The only
thing I would like to see is under the um the point where we were having the discussion about the center town district and we had the link to the >> the meeting on YouTube. I think it's fine to have the link, but it would still be helpful if we included just a
couple bullet points of what the overall discussion was in the text format. I'd like to go one step further and you know the link could really provide an opportunity to see the entire meeting which is covered by our minutes. However, I'm not sure how mass general
laws even looks at that because I looked up the the statute a couple years ago for my own research and I thought the written word had to show enough of a summaries so that if you weren't at the meeting you would know what was going on, >> right? And so this but I don't think
that would satisfy but I actually I was disappointed I was going to sit down and read it. I didn't have 15 minutes to watch the video. So anyway, >> would we should we amend the motion?
>> Um okay. I I move we amend the motion to um provide an adequate summary for the discussion regarding the center town district >> second. >> Do we just want to further discussion?
Do we just want to postpone uh the acceptance of the minutes until that point >> we could postpone to our next meeting and then >> probably the easiest way to do it. And so the general marching order would be to actually summarize in in a minute form >> like like everything.
>> Okay. >> Yeah. We don't need pages and pages of what all the discussion >> not verbatim. No, >> but just some of the top Yeah. >> Yep. Okay. Just want to make sure we do it one more. >> So if everyone is okay with rescending their motions and seconds. >> Yeah. Yes.
>> Okay. Thank you. We'll take that on at our next meeting. Um, is there a motion for our January 13th executive session minutes? >> I move to approve the January 13, 2026 executive session minutes. >> I second that.
>> Motion made, seconded, and thirded. Any other discussion? These ones look great to me. Thank you. Uh, seeing none, Jim? >> Yes. >> Kathy, >> yes. >> I'm yes. Marilyn, >> yes. >> Ralph, >> yes. >> And John, >> I'm a yes.
>> Motion passes. Thank you. Okay, next under old business, we had our standard placeholder for the 250th anniversary. I don't know if anyone has any else since our last meeting for it.
>> We'll have to regroup and we'll have a better update next. >> I'm sure Tom was involved in that much. >> A very, very big way. Yep. Um, do we want someone in particular to look at banners and see what the cost would be?
Um, like what we did at the 125th? >> Oh, yeah. That would be a good idea >> to put on the light poles >> exactly. And I don't know how many we did at the 125th or anything like that. >> Right.
Yeah, that's a good idea. We have a cost uh basis for it and >> Yep. >> Was there still one banner hanging somewhere? >> My conference. >> That's what I thought. Okay. So, you know the size. >> Yeah.
>> Perfect. Yeah, we'll definitely talk about that. Thank you, Ralph. >> Okay. Okay. Next under old business somewhere. >> All right. Next under old business we had revisiting the proposed charter amendment relative to multiple bylaw
changes simultaneously. Uh so for both this item and the next item, I had prepared two multi-page documents to kind of recap the summary of the timeline because in part because I was losing track of what we did and when we did it over the last year. Um
>> very good. >> So I'll just go through the quick synopsis too for the benefit of the public who's following along. >> Uh so this started originally around February 11th of 2025. So at that time Ralph had put together
some draft language for us to consider. Um the impetus behind this was in our charter every 10 years we have to review all the town's bylaws and potentially take action on them. But
if we were to take action on them normally we have the provision in the charter that we have to act on things as single topics rather than one big collection. And if these things spanned different topics that we were considering changing
throughout this 10-year review cycle, that would be a lot of public hearings and added cost to the town, never mind the fact that it would take forever for us timewise to actually go through all of these things um in a public setting. And so
the proposed language to change at that time would be to allow the council just for that 10-year review cycle to act on these sort of recodification activities as one unit rather than separate bylaw
actions. And we already had a provision in the charter that allowed us to do that, but it was just for the original recotification when we switched forms of government. And we sort of had forgotten to include this 10-year review cycle period in that.
>> Did we reflect the same language as we did originally for the request? >> It's almost identical. >> It was pretty much identical. It just included the the 10ear cycle in addition to the first part. >> It passed then, but this time Okay. >> Exactly.
And so beyond that February meeting, then in March, we had a special town council meeting to approve language to amend the charter with the section that would have been changed, which was article 2, section 2-6, town bylaws. And
then from that point, even though the council votes on it, it's not something that takes effect because the voters have to approve what the council is recommending as a modification to our home rule charter. So then back in March of last year
after that first meeting that we had voted on the language that has to go to the attorney general's office to make sure that everything is correct with that and they approved it. And so then we at that time our clerk Jeanie had put
together two different options of language that could appear on the ballot and sent that to our town council legal, not this council. >> Unless he >> for his uh opinion
uh because ultimately in Mass General law it has to be the town's legal council that dictates what would appear on the ballot for something like that. And it was his opinion that the language be, you know, shrunken, put in a more concise form on the
ballot, which is what we ended up with last June 3rd of 2025. Ultimately, there were 631 yes votes, 658 no votes, 116 blanks. So, it marginally failed. We
could come up with reasons as to why, but it's probably because the language was almost too vague in the ballot question and made it sound like we were giving ourselves very broad authority when it was specific just to this 10-year review cycle. >> Um, so that leads us to today. The town
council's bylaw review committee that we formed last year has been meeting since and we'll have its report and recommendations to the council within the next few months. But if we take no further action, it'll
probably be hard to actually implement any of those recommended changes if we're to undertake them individually. or if we did, it would just be maybe a couple things that we felt were the most important and the rest would would get skipped. So that leads us to the
question of do we try the ballot question again and try to amend the charter um only because if we were to go down that path, we have that time frame where we have to vote on the language for it to make it on the ballot in time
for >> through the chair Ralph. Um, how far are you along in the process? >> Um, the general bylaws have all been gone through. Um, we're still touching up on a couple of the departments. We've
asked for uh, uh, feedback from them. Um, we have a working document with numerous changes, but most of the changes are more format type changes like the location of the annual report that's required from each department.
you know, sometimes it was listed the number two thing in the department, other times it was at the end. So, what we've tried to do is collaborate and put it all together in a simple format. Um, few name changes. Um, >> it sounds like there's sufficient that
we should probably try. >> Oh. Oh, yeah. >> And there were some departments too that had like multiple divisions even though they really weren't division-based anymore. And then others didn't have it when they should have had it. >> Right. I think a lot of it was reorganization and making it consistent. Not like
>> we're changes. I mean easily, especially when you add in the comments, >> right? >> Got to be correctly correct. >> And another thing, too, is is this isn't just for this time.
>> It's no going forward every 10 years. 10 years is quite amount of time and a lot of things changes in that time. Um, like I said, whether it be, you know, adjusting departments or something like that or um, so I'm just thinking for the
future. I think uh, we should put the the question back. Um, my only concern and again as we go through the process, it would be the final language that makes it to the ballot >> because I will be truthful. I read that three times. I was the one that proposed
uh the initial change and all and I didn't understand what the ballot question was asking for. And if you're this involved with it and you cannot figure it out, >> then >> I'm I'm surprised it was as close as it was. >> I agree.
We would definitely need to try to finesse some of the uh the language to make it not too much lengthier where it's hard to understand, but at least more clear about what we're actually asking for here. >> Right. >> And again, I think a lot of people were
concerned that well, they just want to do away with the public hearing. They don't want us to have any input and that's not the case. >> We have to still hold public hearings on it. Um, and again, it's just that we're able to vote on, you know, we're going
to change 52 commas. Is that okay with everyone instead of going through separate? Well, this we're going to um, like I said, I just think I think a lot of people are concerned. Um, >> they're they feel as though, well, there's no transparency. And I just want
everyone to know that the public hearing still has to be held. you're going to be able to look through uh strikeouts and everything and see what was there, what we're proposing for changes, and if you don't like it, you can speak up. We'll set it aside. We'll go to the next and then we'll come back and walk through
each one. Um, right. I think that's a good point to make that it's not as if this provision would get rid of any of the public input. It just makes it so we don't have to have that public input process a hundred times. We can do it as one
original advertisement and instead of trying to publish 400 pages in a newspaper, we can post a summary and here's how to go find all of the information that is publicly available and accessible in the clerk's office on the website, etc. And then, as you pointed out, if there's things that
there's any disagreement over, we can always take that particular item out of the package, vote on the rest, and then handle the disparities right >> after the fact. So given that I had included in that
packet the language that we voted on last time was on page three and it's also in the motions as well. >> So if we wanted to proceed and start the
process with it, it's there. But I'll leave that up to the council's pleasure. So, one of the questions I have um on procedures, >> Sure. >> is this language has already been vetted through our town attorney. Um the necessary changes have already been
made. Is this something that still has to go to our town attorney so that he can look and go, "Hey, I think I already said yes last year. That'll be so much." >> Yeah. Um, and again, I know it still has to go
through the attorney general um for their uh okay on it, but again, if the language hasn't changed, it should almost be a rubber stamp process. I'm just not sure if it has to go through our town attorney. >> I think we have his written opinion on
and I think that's good enough to go that there's no sort of statute of limitations on his opinion of the language, >> right? Yeah, I would agree with that. I think because we're not even changing a word of what we said previously. I'm sure when it gets to the after
everything is approved and then it's the ballot language stuff, then we can go back to him and >> figure things out there. But at least in terms of what we would be forwarding his way this time. Yeah, >> it would be my thought that we go
through and uh vote on it and let's get the process started. >> Yeah. That way there gives us a month to figure out the rest rather than down to the last minute like last year. >> It's when everything gets done. >> Exactly.
And I would entertain a motion >> that the town of Eastong Meadow home rule charter be amended by removing the last paragraph of article 2 section 2-6 town bylaws replacing it with the following language. I said it was this long. Notwithstanding the above, the revision
or recodification of general bylaws or related legislation commenced by the town council pursued to article 9 section 9-3 of the charter along with any qualifica qualifying amendments or new bylaws proposed as part of that process be voted on by a single as a single subject being proposed. Any vote
pursuant to article 9 section 9-3 shall be preceded by the public by the publication of a reasonable synopsis of the proposed changes in a local publication or newspaper at least 14 days prior to any such vote. A comprehensive record reflecting the entire scope and contents of the changes
shall be available for review in the office of the town clerk and on the town website at least 14 days prior to any such vote on the proposed changes. Any proposed recontification will not require the use of strikeout type brackets or underscoring as set forth herein or reform or reformatting
reumbering or retitling existing sections and making grammatical changes. Any proposed changes, additions or removal of language to the bylaw shall require the use of strikeout type brackets, underscoring or marginal notes in such a way as to clearly identify the changes being proposed. Approval of any
qualifi qualifying amendments or new bylaw shall require an affirmative vote of the majority of the full town council except as otherwise provided by the general laws or this charter. Nothing in this paragraph shall relieve the town or town council of its obligations to comply with the applicable state laws
regarding approval or amendment of bylaws, including specifically compliance of Massachusetts general law chapter 4A with respect to any and all local zoning bylaws. Second >> motion has been made and seconded. Uh
the further discussion I forgot to add in my summary to in my research since all of this had happened last year as well. Uh in terms of ballot question, there is a mass general law that I don't believe we've opted into that could I'm not even sure if we should because it
would affect like everything that we do, not just this particular topic. um MGL chapter 53 section 18B and provision B of B um essentially
would require and allow a town to not only post the text of the question on the ballot, but they could also provide a one-s sentence sort of summary of what a yes vote would do versus what a no vote would do, which is similar to how when state ballot questions are out
there, you get that red packet in the mail that describes all the questions and kind of gives you the pro and con of everything. This would allow the town to do that with local ballot questions, but of course we would have to do that for any sort of question going forward, not just this particular
topic. And then there's also provisions in there that you have to solicit feedback from the proponents and the opponents and there may be more work involved than >> than desired. And so we don't have to decide that now, but it's something to think about. Any
other discussion? >> Can you um just say that general login again I'll write it and I did read >> subsection B 53 18B subsection B. >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> I just was watching you. >> I'll email you. >> Why am I not writing it? >> We are a mail cat. >> Hey, seeing no other discussion. This is a roll call. Jim, >> yes. >> Kathy, >> yes. >> I'm a yes. Marilyn, >> yes. >> Ralph, >> yes. >> And John,
>> I'm a yes. >> Motion passes. >> Second. >> Okay. Then our next topic under old business was the proposed annual town election ballot question relative to
recreational marijuana. So, similarly, I put together a timeline for this one as well since this has been an ongoing thing. Uh so back in around the same time of February of last year as well, um
it had been originally thought that we needed to have a ballot question to ask the voters to either confirm or overturn what had originally been voted on by the voters back in 2017 to
prohibit marijuana cells in the Slam Meadow. recreationally um since they had as the voters originally enacted that prohibition. Then after subsequent um opinion by the town's legal council
back on around between February and April, it was then determined that we actually didn't have to do that because the Mass General law only requires the ballot question if you're prohibiting
it. But it really makes no determination if you're not prohibiting it and therefore kind of reversing a prohibition that you have to seek voter approval to do so. But this council had felt that it would be appropriate given that it was it wasn't a close call back
in 2017 that we wanted the public's input on the question. But since it wasn't something that we had to do, it wouldn't necessarily be a binding question. So after some discussion and different options that we considered, >> what about this language here?
>> Uh so that was in his opinion as well. He made two determinations. One was that we didn't need a ballot question to do so. The second part was that the citizens petition that we had to kind of start this whole process >> couldn't be added to the ballot last
June in time because it was missing the social equity provision of the proposed bylaw change. >> Right. Right. >> Um that was required by the cannabis statute. >> So that piece couldn't have been lawfully adopted either. Correct. >> Right. So, even if we had met the
timeline components and didn't necessarily do it the council's ballot question way, it still couldn't have been adopted in the form that it was at that time. Now, had the provisions been in there and everything aligned with Mass General Law, it could have happened
at that time, but we kind of missed the cut off at the point to to correct it. So then after it had not been able to be on the ballot last June, we had some additional discussions with the folks
that had brought the petition to to us uh last summer in the August time frame. And at that time the council had after some different options that we had decided that we wanted to proceed with a non-binding question so that we would still be asking the public for their
input before sort of unilaterally going in our own direction and voting on the topic. So that leads us to now again similarly because we're at ballot question time deadlines. Um if we still want to add
that as a non-binding question to the ballot and then that would appear on the June 2nd, 2026 local election ballot for the voters to say yes or no to. Since it is non-binding, it wouldn't hold the
council to whatever the yes or no. But I think it was our intent that barring something being super close or out of the ordinary, it's not as if we're going to do the exact opposite that the the residents wanted. >> So curious with the non-binding ballot
question language, where did the language come from? Did you draft it? >> That was just something that I drafted as a sample. >> Okay. I wasn't sure if that was our attorney or not. So >> no, that was just me. So, if we go forwards with it, I would
make some suggestions on the language. Um, I I would simply say, um, as a non-binding question, uh, shall the East Wong Meadow Town Council repeal the 2017 voter approved ban on recreational
marijuana sales in East Wong Meadow? And that way there, it's straightforward, easily understood, um, and it's non-binding. Could we say that again? Just >> I was gonna say that. >> I know. So, it it'll start. Shall East
Long Meadow Town Council repeal the 2017 voter approved ban on recreational marijuana sales in East Long Meadow. I'm just taking out a few of the words >> again. You're good. I think that's good
enough of this. >> It's a good idea. >> Is it important to let the voters know that the outcome is non-binding? >> I think they put that in there. >> Yeah, I I think it's goes under the heading of nonbinding ballot question.
I'm assuming, right? >> That's what I'm not sure how it ultimately gets formatted. if it ends up under a heading or if we have to put that in the question. >> Yeah, that may
>> require an opinion. But >> yeah, >> Jesse would be able to tell you, but I think usually it says non-binding question and then the question Yes. No. >> Yeah, because it really doesn't
This is I I'm trying to figure out how to say this right. It doesn't matter to necessarily to the voter that if it's binding or not. Except for it can't be right. But it may matter in terms of the legality
of the results. Right. Right. Right. >> In terms of how what we do with them after the fact, right? Like this is binding. This isn't binding. >> Truthfully, you could have 10,000 people, 9,900 say repeal it and the council may say, "Yeah, you know, after thinking about it, we don't want to."
Right? >> That's the non-binding issue. But I think for the council, we're just trying to get an overall feel of the town. Correct. >> And what their thoughts are, >> right? >> Isn't there also um a ballot question
from the state level coming forward for in the fall? >> There is. That'll be on the November ballot for the state >> to repeal the sale of marijuana, >> retail sales. But similarly at a state
level you mean >> it's a state ballot question. Yes. >> But similarly kind of I think a lot of people also don't realize that the state ballot questions are pretty much all non-binding and the legislature can opt to do whatever they want. >> We know that
>> given last year's >> lack of audit. >> It's interesting. I didn't know that. >> Yeah know that. >> Yeah. They're more just suggestions than they are questions unfortunately. >> Um,
>> so I don't know if >> I think we should go forwards. >> I think so. >> But with the caveat that we would ask legal >> would be a quick >> Yeah, we don't >> question answer time. I I talked to him at least once a week. So I mean I'll just throw that on the agenda and
>> and timeline >> for a non-binding question. Are we still pretty much under the gun or? >> No, this one we have more time. The binding one with the charter we had to do by kind of like March 1st or 5th or so to meet the attorney general's
timeline as the worst case scenario. Last year it ended up being quicker than the 8 weeks lead time that they normally require. But for non-binding ones, as long as it's I think like 30 or 60 days before the publication ballot. So, we still have till March or April or so
easily to >> to do that. >> Okay. All right. >> So, we can wait definitely for a meeting or two to hammer out the language with Jesse to make sure we're good and then then we can vote on it at that time. as I'm standing sitting here thinking with the non-binding question on the
ballot as well as the um well the election and then the charter question um who knows who will actually come out and vote and I mean I think everybody should vote but the point is that um there may be a lot of um interest or
discussion about the marijuana piece we need to try to keep some information out there about our question as well. Um because it would be very disappointing if people got to ours and didn't even want to read it cuz it was too long,
you know. So, I just I'm just thinking about who who's going to come out to the to the ballot, I mean to the voting booth based on what we're asking them to vote on. >> It'll be interesting to see the response. >> Yeah. And it might be a more popular election given the variety of questions and the number of
>> I'm glad I'm not on the ballot. Thank you. >> Yeah. No, thank you. Good. So, take that up at a future meeting once we have some better direction from Jesse on that. Okay. Okay. Under new business,
originally we had some discussions about the time capsule, but as Tom mentioned, since Tom had unexpectedly passed, we will table that for now so that the historical commission and the Rotary has some time to regroup on that and figure out the next step.
>> We should be good for the next meeting. I've spoken to a few. We're going to meet probably end of this week, early next week. So, we should be good for the next agenda if that's okay. >> Great. Next was a proposed bylaw chapter 320
right to farm as a first reading this and that was proposed by Ralph. Is there any volunteer or do you want to first provide an overview for how we got here Ralph? And we're not a right to farm community. >> We are not a right to farm community at
the moment. Um >> absolutely. >> So what I've done is I looked at multiple towns um I believe there's 140 something towns towns and cities in the Commonwealth that actually have uh right
to farm uh general bylaws. Um, in essence, what it's basically saying is that, uh, under the general bylaws, uh, the town acknowledges that they've been a farming community. They like farms in their community, they want to keep farms
in their community. Um it basically tells people um that are interested in moving into the town that you know understand that there's certain inherent uh qualities that go with farming, whether it be um what some people may
consider nuisances. uh whether it be, you know, following a tractor down the road as the farmer goes from one field to the next at 4 miles an hour or whether it be um you know them using natural or organic fertilizers
with the the odors. Um you know, there are there are certain things that happen around farms. Um, and so this basically lets people know if if you're not happy with that, this may not be the community to move into because you're going to run
into some of this. But it also gave um some clarity as far as, hey, if you do have a problem with a farm, this is the way to go about this is who you contact, who you file a complaint with. Um, it
also uh lists in here Um the declaration um it suggests to real estate uh agents to notify clients when they're moving here. Um but a lot of towns had uh
penalty, you know, well, if you don't give your client, you know, this particular page, uh the town can find you up to $300 for not doing it. I didn't think that was right. I think it's better off requesting the agents to
notify people. Um, and again I I tried to take language from multiple but the format I think they basically have a a set format to go through and uh so I tried to keep that all the same
and it doesn't include chickens at the moment as far as the numbers or anything. Um what this is basically saying is uh a farm as determined under Mass General Law Chapter 4A um which is basically well most of them are 5 acres
or more um and what they're allowed to do. That's a quick overview. >> Great. Thanks for the overview. >> Now you want me to read it? >> Sure. >> Or we could break it up into >> subsections. That was my suggestion.
>> Oh, if you want to stop. I've got it in front of me. >> Jim had a nice long one there. So, the least I can do is take this. Okay. Um, I move that we adopt the following. Um,
under chapter 328, right to farm, subsection 328-1, legislative purpose and intent. uh in East Long Meadow where farming is an essential part of the town's history. Farming continues to be a necessary and
desirable activity that provides food, clean air, economic diversity, local employment, cultural and recreational activities, and open space for all citizens of our community. The purpose and intent of this bylaw is to state
with emphasis the right to farm accorded to accorded to all citizens of the commonwealth under article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution and all state statutes and regulations thereafter including but not limited to
Massachusetts general laws chapter 48 section 3 paragraph 1, chapter 90 section 9, chapter 111 section 125A and chapter Chapter 128, section 1A. We the citizens of East Wong Meadow restate and
republish these rights pursuant to pursuant pursuant to the town's authority uh conferred by article 89 of the articles of amendment of the Massachusetts Constitution Home Rule Amendment. This general bylaw encourages
the pursuit of agriculture, promotes agriculturalbased economic and employment opportunities, and protects farmlands within East Slung Meadow by allowing agricultural uses and related activities to function with minimal conflict with the butters and town
agencies. This bylaw shall apply to all jurisdictional areas within East Long Meadow. Subsection 328-2 farm farming activities agriculture or agricultural activities.
The word farm shall include any parcel or contiguous parcels of land or water bodies used for the primary p purpose of agriculture. words farming or agriculture or their
derivatives shall include but not be limited to the following. Farming in all its branches and the cultivation and tillage of soil dairying, production, cultivation, growing and
harvesting of any agriculture, aquaculture, floraulture, viticulture or horicultural commodities. Growing and harvesting of forest products upon forest land and any other
forestry or lumbering operations. Raising livestock including horses. Keeping horses as commercial enterprise. Keeping and raising of poultry, swine, cattle,
ratits, ratites such as emus, ostriches and rias, and camelids such as llamas and camels, and other domesticated animals for food and other agricultural purposes,
including bees and furbearing animals. Farming shall encompass activities including but not limited to the following. Operation and transportation of slowmoving farm equipment over roads within the town. Control of pests
including but not limited to insects, weeds, predators and disease organism of plants and animals. Application of manure, fertilizers and pesticides. conducting agricultural related
educational and farm-based recreational activities including agurism, processing and packaging of the agricultural output of the farm and the operation of a farmer's market or farm stand including signage thereto
maintenance, repair or storage of seasonal equipment or apparatus owned or leased by the farm owner or manager used expressly for the purpose of propagation, processing management or sale of agricultural goods.
Onfarm relocation of earth and the clearing of ground for farming operations. Construction and use of farm structures and facilities for the storage of animals, waste, farm equipment, pesticides, fertilizer, agricultural products and livestock. for the
processing of animal waste and agricultural products, for agurism, for the sale of agricultural products, and for the use of farm labor as permitted by local and state building codes and regulations, including construction and
maintenance offenses. Subsection 328-3, right to farm declaration. The right to farm is hereby recognized to exist within the town of East Long Meadow. The above decide the above described agricultural activities may
occur on holidays, weekdays and weekends by night or day and shall include the attendant incidential noise, odors, dust and fumes associated with normal acceptable agricultural practices. It is
hereby determined that whatever impact may be caused to others through the normal practice of agriculture is more than offset by the benefits of farming to the neighborhood, community, and society in general. The benefits and protections of this bylaw
are intended are intended to apply exclusively to those agricultural and farming operations and activities conducted in accordance with generally accepted agricultural practices. Moreover, nothing in this right to farm
bylaw shall be deemed as inquire as as acquiring any interest in land or imposing any land use regulation which is properly the subject of state statute regulation or local zoning bylaw.
Subsection 328-4, disclosure notification to real estate buyers to allow prospective purchasers to make informed decisions prior to a real estate transaction and to promote harmony between farmers and their new
neighbors after a transaction. The town of East Long Meadow requests selling landholders and or their agents and assigns provide written notice to respective purchasers substantially as follows. It is the
policy of the town of East Long Meadow to conserve, protect, and encourage the maintenance and improvement of agricultural land for the protection of food and other agricultural products and for its natural and ecological value.
This disclosure notification is to inform buyers that the property they are about to acquire lies within a town where farming activities occur. Such farming activities may include but are not limited to activities that cause
noise, dust, and odors. Purchasing and henceforth occupying land within East Long Meadow rem means that one should expect and accept conditions as a normal and necessary aspect of living in East Long Meadow. Written notification may occur in one of
several ways, including but not limited to a disclosure form, addendum to a purchase and sale agreement, and should include an acknowledgement by the buyer that they have received notification. Subsection 328-5,
resolution of disputes. Any person who seeks to complain about the operation of a farm may not with notwithstanding pursuing any other available remedy file a grievance with the zoning enforcement officer, board of health or the town
manager depending on the nature of the grievance. The filing of the grievance does not suspend the time within which to pursue any other available remedies that the agrieved may have. Subsection 328-6,
severability clause. If any part of this bylaw is for any reason held to be unconstitutional or invalid, such decision shall not affect the remainder of this bylaw. The town of East Long Meadow hereby declares the provisions of
this bylaw to be severable. Other than that, there's nothing. Um, one thing I would like to note in there is uh the note that this is a general bylaw. It still has to meet our zoning bylaw. Um, so if for some reason under
the zoning bylaw, you're not allowed um like in I think it's residential C doesn't allow uh farming. That still holds that this doesn't change any of the zoning bylaws or any of the zoning requirements. This is basically saying,
"Hey, we're a right to farm community." Um, as long as it meets the zoning bylaws, um, then this is the standard. >> Great. First reading is done.
>> Any comments, questions? >> Yeah, I guess I'm guess I'm generally in favor of it. Um, with the exception of the disclosure and notification of real estate buyers. I just find it kind of cumbersome and I'm just questioning the practicality of it.
>> I think what it's doing is asking them um and that's why I I refuse to put any type of penalty or anything in if you don't do it. >> Not that I'm asking for a penalty, but then it goes to the question of >> how do we police it? >> Why? So, >> you don't I mean, that's really what it
comes down to. Um, I I think it's if someone's looking through our general bylaws, they're going to see that. And um, good real estate agents when they go to sell a house or want the buyer to know as much
information as they can. So, um, again, I think this should go to the bylaw subcommittee anyways because I think there's a few other things within it to probably hammer out. >> Oh, for sure. >> I'm sure there's some things that, but
nothing major. >> There's no other questions. I'll entertain the motion. I move to send the proposed bylaw chapter 328 right to farm to the bylaw review committee for their review and recommendation to the town council. >> I'll second it.
>> Motion was made and seconded. And just for our clarity, this is the council's bylaw review committee, not to be confused with the 10-year bylaw. If there's no other discussion, uh Jim, >> yes. >> Kathy, yes. I'm a yes. Marilyn, >> yes. Ralph, >> yes. and John.
>> Yes. >> Motion passes. >> Next, >> um, we had a proposed zoning bylaw amendment relative to farming, but I don't know if you >> So, this is >> was it the same thing or was it
>> No. So, this is more of a a question for the council. Um I'm in the process of crafting a zoning bylaw amendment with regards to um agriculture and the definition of agurism.
Um and before I spend a month on this um and incomplete, I was hoping to get a little bit of input. Um I know we have a state senate um bill that's making its way through. I don't
know if it'll make it to a vote or not, but it basically defines agurism. Um, what I've noticed is in every single town there's different zoning requirements
and language and I'm trying to find out I guess in general I've talked to the chair of the planning board a little bit um what type of things we want to allow and what don't we want to allow. I mean, I think there's certain things that
I would guess would go without saying. Um, a corn maze. Um, that's part of agurism. Um, you know, maybe hay rides in the fall, stuff on that idea. I think those are the easy things. Um, I know Red Fire
Farm in Graanby um was approved for what they called a an event barn. Um, and what that does is, um, it allows their barn, which they're building on site, to occasionally be used for events. The events could be like hot chocolate
during the hay rides. Um, could be um, you know, for their um, farm stand that they do. Um, I just don't know how far we're interested in going. Do you want a
list of different things? I mean, I know it ultimately comes back to us anyways and we're going to cross some out. I just I wanted to make sure before I got into it too much that that the council was generally okay with at least looking
at this and sending it to the planning board, seeing what their thoughts are and stuff. Um, >> um, I wrote from the general bylaw that, um, I wrote the question farm-based recreational activities And that sort of triggered some thinking
on my part. What does that mean? Um, and perhaps in this bylaw, it could be more specific. >> Exactly. >> Um, I don't necessarily want to see farm related activities that resembles like a sunny's place on summer's. No, no. I'm
sorry. No, no, no. I understand what you're saying and I agree. you know, I I don't want it to lose lose the flavor of a farm family atmosphere. Um I think when we see it, we'll know if we like it or not when, you know, in terms of what
what's proposed in the bylaw. >> Um but we see what um what Squire Farm has done. We see what the Apple Place has done and in my opinion, you know, they they seem to satisfy what the
requirements are for a farm in terms of the products that they sell and they seem to be very successful and welcome in the community. So, you know, you might pull from those examples a little bit. >> I think the main thing is we don't want
to just open it up for anything. We still want it farm-based. Um I I think there's uh the thought process out there at least some of it is that hey if I plant uh you know tomatoes I can do whatever I want other than that and I
want to make sure that it's understood that no that's not accurate. But we also understand that you're not going to make a living off of you a few people do but for the most part you can't make a living off of just growing the produce.
um that other things I know um years ago Graciano Gardens asked to do in the fall um cider donuts and stuff like that and they were shot down and said no, you can't do that. Well,
I I personally don't see a problem with them selling it in order to try and draw more people in to sell more mums and stuff in the fall. Um, I just wasn't sure if that's just me thinking that or if that's in general or not.
>> Yeah, I mean I would agree that I think and I'm just generally broadly in favor of giving more people autonomy over their their land. And I mean, especially when it comes to farms, it I agree. You're not going to, if we want to keep the farms in town, you're not going to
keep them by just allowing them to grow a couple crops in the ground and hoping that they're financially successful over the next decades. But um certainly understand that we can't go too crazy with what we permit in terms of what the definition of a farm has historically
meant. But any of those sorts of accessory things that bring people in as like a event that's not necessarily the primary purpose like a wedding. >> Yeah. >> I mean people have farm weddings. >> Um you know I I'm not against it. I you
know but I would not want to see a wedding every weekend then it becomes a real you know um >> business I guess >> I think if we can set something up that basically mirrors a lot of what the Apple place has done you know they've
brought in a little bit of music and a little other events here and there they have the corn maze um craft fairs >> craft fairs um and again it's all trying to get people to go to their farm to buy the different baked goods, the different
products, their apples, their peaches and stuff like that. And >> um I mean that in what the last 15 years, 12 years, the Apple Place has completely changed from what it used to
be. Um for the good, I think. Anyways, >> and if that's okay, like I said, I'll work on this. Do you want me to bring it back and show you this before I send it to the planning board? >> I think that would be appropriate. >> Okay. >> And that'll give us some time too
because >> independently over the next few weeks we could also kind of research >> our ideas of what do we think agurism and all that stuff means cuz >> I think the best written bylaw that I saw with agurism was for Granville Mass.
They they broke it down to certain things that were allowed by right and then a few things that were maybe a little over the edge that they put under special permit, you know, like a a one-time event type deal. Um, which I
thought was interesting. >> Ralph, and I excuse me. Um, I know we talked about this. Was there some pretty good language for the bill? Was there a number on it? Was it like 3351 or Yes. And I have it sitting at my house.
Um >> cuz I I think we we when we when we chatted about this a little bit too, we were thinking if >> So they changed the number on it, >> right? >> It was like 21. >> I'm sure I didn't get the number >> and then it they swapped it um for this
for this year. >> I will send it over to you. >> Yeah. Well, yeah. I was just thinking further conversation if >> so I've reached out uh to Senator Alivera asking okay that he look at it
and hopefully he can support it and um >> just so we don't head off in a direction that >> the state you know what I mean >> trust me if the state passes it anything we do will be well within >> okay >> um you could drive a Mac truck through
what they're proposing >> anything you basically say, you know, something farm and it's fully allowed, which >> it seems to be happening lately. Um, you know, we we saw it last year with the ADUs. The the the state is peeking
around at some of these zoning things, >> right, >> on the local level. And so that's why I bring it up because it is like we keep hearing like chatter about, you know, site plan review and all this stuff that um and obviously we already have the ADU thing. So, right.
>> But, um, >> I mean, I'm thinking like McCrae's farm, you know, the haunted hay rides and stuff. Um, you long haunted hay ride. I mean, I'm sure one of the farms would be able to do it. Um, I just think there's a lot of
things that we could allow that's low impact that would really help the town. And, um, >> we'll see what we can put together. >> And it's kind of a new thing too, right? like the whole aggra tourism like it's happening everywhere >> everywhere.
>> Again, we don't want to get, you know, roller coasters, but >> everybody's going to these farms to to hang out and and do these things. And >> get some rules in place for >> Yeah. >> On the East Law Meadow side, I've got three farms right around me. And right
over on the Connecticut side, there are a few more. And I'm looking at all these words thinking, why do we even need all those words? You know, these farms are there. they're not hurting anybody. Um, everyone loves to have them there. Um, but you know, if if it comes to a point
where people start to object, then maybe perhaps we need some guidelines. >> And the the the lot size too, right? Like you said, the the reason we prohibit it and see is because that's the smallest required lot size, right? So, you can't put a farm on a 50 by 100 foot lot because that's not really fair
to your neighbors or the neighborhood or um >> don't see anyone buying up, you know, 30 houses to get the right acreage to put a farm in. >> Not not likely. >> And right right close by, Cloverleaf Farm. That's something new. And then
Quarry Pond Farm is out on Summer's Road. >> You don't know about that one? >> Oh, I do. Yes, I do. Yes, you do. Yes, I do. That was the name of it, though. people with, you know, nicesized property are developing their property in a very healthy way. It's nothing I
don't see anything wrong with it. >> Um, >> but I do think specific language, you know, maybe not overly specific, but there's certain things that you need more control over. Um, I know Hawks
Landing, they went through a site plan review looking for the number of parking spaces and stuff like that, which um, if you're going to have an event, you're going to need parking. Um, I know the Apple Place had their fall festival this year, and you can tell when it is
because they're parked >> all the way up somewhere, >> all the way down past Metobrook, almost to Metobrook Farm. and they get out of their car in front of me brook farm and they walk all the way up to the apple place. Um it was a fantastic event. It's
only for the weekend. I think it was a Saturday and Sunday and the people love it and they go back every year for it. So >> I will put some stuff together for everyone. >> Thank you. >> Fair enough. Sounds good.
>> Okay. Action items for next meeting. Uh so far what I have we'll review our bianual uh executive session minutes. We may have a pending discussions with Tom a general overview of the budget
after the level one submissions that happened. Um >> maybe not the first meeting in February. >> Yeah, because I we got to meet uh but I'm hoping the second we'll have a pretty good picture. But >> the um capital Oh, that's right. Yes.
But we will have the capital um the detail that I had asked for about the capital projects outstanding, their status. Gotcha. >> All right. We will have our January 13th minutes. We will possibly either the
first or second meeting have an update about those utility poll banners for the 250th. We whether it's the first or second meeting, we'll have some language for the non-binding question, the time capsule for next meeting. We can continue to research what we think
acurism means >> and our capital project status. >> That's what I have so far. >> It's enough. >> I'm missing a thing. Can we add on I don't it doesn't matter which meeting but coming up um the oil
recovery container at >> oh >> Summer's Road >> Oh L transfer station. Thank you. >> Just an update and if we got any numbers or anything on it >> and I understand that's why I haven't
pushed. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> No, I'm sure >> and I'm sure someone else takes me I I I actually instructed them to have it in their operating budget. >> Uh so I I I haven't seen it, but I have
it. >> Great. There's nothing else that I'll miss and I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Any other discussion? Seeing none, Jim >> I. Yes. >> Kathy, >> I'm a yes. Marilyn, >> yes. >> Ralph,
>> I. and John. >> Hi guys. >> Have a great night. >> Hi