Good evening and welcome to the May 26, 2026 meeting of the Islam Meadow Town Council. I'll call the meeting to order and ask that we stand for the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And I would ask that we take a brief moment of silence to reflect on all of the events going on both near 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. Okay, seeing none, public comments. Is there anyone in the public that wishes to make a comment this evening? I see no one on Zoom or in person. Council comments.
>> Yes. Hi everyone. Um last week, this time every year, the former grand marshalss get together and pick out a new grand marshall for this parade, this Fourth of July parade, and we discussed a few candidates, but um the one we
chose, and we're very excited about it, is George Kingston. >> Nice. >> George has served over 35 years in our town. And um we're very excited that he will be the grand marshal of the 250th
>> anniversary of the 4th of July. >> Welld deserved. >> Sorry. >> Thank you for that update, Marilyn. That's very exciting. >> I've just got a couple comments. Um, the first is just to notify the council the
golf cart is set. A four-seater for everyone. So, we are good to go with the golf cart. >> Who's driving? Jim's oldest. >> You don't want that. >> Was that the one that was in trouble today? I'm sorry. >> I got the gas one. So, it's going to have a little zip to it.
>> Don't let Kathy drive. >> I'm good at that. >> He has a lead foot. >> No, it's got a cover on it. is I wanted to talk about the Memorial Day service uh that we just had. It was absolutely amazing. Um and I just want to give a
huge shout out to Terry Glasco. Um he did a fantastic job going through uh each individual and their background and all and uh um just really appreciative. Um American Legion did a fantastic job along with Terry. Um the last thing is
just a quick reminder. I know as we go forwards um we are going to have to advertise for a uh general bylaw change for the fee schedule and it's just something to keep on the action list going forwards and um send that out to
everyone so that we can take an indepth look at these because there have been some uh concern over some of the fees. So that's it. >> Great. Thank you, Ralph. Uh, on those two fronts, I also echo the same sentiments. I was at the Memorial Day
ceremony yesterday and it was well put on and it was nice to see the turnout. They did a good job. And then on the um bylaw changes for next month, uh Jackie already does have it slated to be advertised and Tom was sending something
around to the department heads for input as well. So, the only thing we'll have to schedule is the um council's bylaw review committee in between the two meetings to review any changes we come up with. Right on target. Any other comments?
>> Yeah, just real quick before we get into the budget. Um number one, just I see some of the members of the finance oversight committee here. Um I wasn't able to attend a lot of them because of the time, but I personally found them very very valuable, very very insightful and educational. So, thank you so much for taking that time. um and to our
council president for kind of putting that process together. Um I thought it worked out great. Um I found it very very valuable. So thank you for doing that. >> Of course. Thank you, Jim. That was it. >> I'll also echo I think it was great. I didn't get to really attend a lot of them either, so it was helpful to be
able to see them on LCAT, be able to look at them afterwards. Um and it was such a beautiful Memorial Day event. It was um it's just knowing that it's like going to be not only the last Memorial Day event in there, but probably one of the last events in the old high school also I think was like a big kind of
seminal moment for a lot of us here that went to East Long Meadow High School's graduates just knowing that that kind of chapter is coming to an end is um you know just a big chapter change for the community. Um but it was a great event to end that um to be one of the last
ones. Okay, thanks John. Anyone else? Seeing none, town managers report. Hi, Tom. >> Hi. Um, I got a brief one for you so we can get down to the fun part of tonight. Um,
uh, the final or the project reports for um, May weeks of May 4th and May 11th uh, of the new high school and auditorium are um, attached. reports number 99 and 100 high school, which is
uh unbelievable to think we've been under construction for that long, but um we're so close. It's uh it's just I don't know. Every time I get one of those reports, uh I'm just so excited to see the progress. The building looks different uh literally every week. It's
it's really exciting. Um and I I'll I'll take a minute to sort of echo your sentiments about the Memorial Day uh ceremony. Obviously, um thank you to anybody who had any part of planning it. Um the what I always
find uh sort of encouraging uh for humanity is the um multi-generational attendance >> at these events. So that um when you say words like remember and never forget um
you're sort of instilling all this in all these people from you know uh 2 years old to 92. Um so again uh thank you to everybody that that had anything to do with with the event. It was very
very heartfelt and just um you know great great ceremony. Once again, um we have some upcoming events. Uh this Saturday, uh is the time capsule kickoff. Uh it's at 100 p.m. 1 to 3 at the Norcross
House. Um sort of, uh a smaller event just to kind of let everybody know what's going on with the time capsule. Uh we've talked about it uh at multiple meetings at this point. Um, but to open up a a vault that's been buried for 50
years is certainly going to be exciting. Uh, and then to uh lay another one in its place for everyone to open 50 years from now. Speaking of multigenerational, um, it's just a cool uh, fun historical thing that that the town's um, getting
involved in and going to keep being involved in. This is sort of the first event to kind of let everybody know what's happening. uh things uh you know we're obviously looking for stuff to put in it. Uh so we have suggestions and then obviously uh band items and things
like that. Um but uh so that's that. Uh this Saturday uh we have uh the annual town election is uh June 2nd. Uh so turn up and vote please. Um and then uh Springfest, Summerfest, there's a couple
different names. We're going to fest. Um that's June 6th from 11 to 4:00 uh at Brown Farm. Uh there'll be another sort of uh time capsule booth there again just to kind of continue to promote um
you know this that it's really just a historical event this year. Um we got a lot going on in town. Um 250th like Marilyn alluded to earlier. Uh it's just really exciting. A time of year that we always do well. we're gonna do even better this year. Uh, and it's really
exciting. So, hopefully we see um a bunch of folks out on June 6th. Um, that's pretty much it. I'm sure we'll talk again when we talk budget, but uh, thank you. >> Thank you, Tom. Any questions? >> So, just a comment.
>> Sure. >> Um, nothing to do with your report, just a thank you. Uh the decorations on the town hall, the bunting, the flags, they look nice >> coming together looking great and definitely noticeable and uh appreciated. >> Great. Yep. No, it's they they're
looking good. I thank you to um Bruce Moore and the historical commission for um sort of leading that charge to get some of that that those decorations up and about. So, yeah. >> Anything else? Okay. Thank you, Tom. Uh
nothing under communications correspondence and announcements. So we'll move to our public hearings. So we have a 6:00 public hearing. This is a public hearing for the proposed fiscal year 2027 capital improvement plan and operating budget for article 6 section
one of the meta home rule charter. The council members from left to right are Jim Leiden, Kathy Hill, Anna Jones, myself, Marilyn Richards, Ralph Page, and John Torsche. And I would ask the clerk to read the legal notice into the record.
>> The East Long Meadow Town Council will hold a public hearing on May 26, 2026 at 6 p.m. in the Council on Agent Media Room 328 North Main Street and via Zoom webinar to review the proposed FY27 capital improvement operating budget as
outlined by article 6 section 3 of the East Long Meadow home room charter. The proposed FY27 capital improvement plan and operating budget can be re reviewed in the clerk's office or on the town's website.
Public hearing can also be attended via Zoom webinar for the council. Jackie Sullivan, town of the council. >> Thank you, Jackie. Um at this point I would ask our um representative that we have Rich Petero from our financial
oversight committee Denver as well. >> I first want to >> evening everyone. >> I just first wanted to say thank you again behalf of the council. she's so eager >> to all the members that served on the
committee this year and to the council for attending most of the meetings as well. So, thank you for your uh valuable input and now the floor is yours. >> And I would like to thank you for your appointment uh to this committee. I thought it was really well done. Like I think we both agree that Tom and Kim did
an outstanding job. Uh they had answers for everything. If they didn't have it that day, they sent it. It was in a timely manner. Well done. Thank you. >> And if I could, so I had the pleasure of serving with George Kingston for six years on the planning board. Just
outstanding uh individual for the town. And I would be remiss to point out that I don't know when your last town council meeting is, Marilyn. >> Two weeks. I mean, two meetings. Two more meetings. >> But this town is really built on people like Marilyn Richards who give their
time and their commitment not only to the town, but to organizations in the town. I've been serving for eight or nine years with Marilyn on the Brownstone Gardens board and I know the effort that she puts into all her boards and committees. Really fortunate to have Marilyn and others like her.
>> Very kind. Thank you. >> You're here. >> All yours. Well said. So, um I'll be presenting the financial oversight committee's uh report on the FY27 budget. I'll be using the uh letter or
document you received from from our chair Jim Brick and I like to go kind of smoothly paragraph by paragraph highlighting the important information in each section. So starting in paragraph one, it gives you our timeline that we met extensively during the month
of April and early May. The second paragraph gives our recommendation. We recommend the FY27 fiscal year budget for the town as submitted by Tom manager Tom Christensen. And even though we recommended with no changes, I want to
emphasize I think Ralph is I'm sorry um Mr. Denver has already said this. >> Not Ralph's already said is that we really debated, we studied, we questioned this budget really a deep dive to make sure that it was going to be successful for the town.
and we all believe that's a committee that it was and is going to be successful for the town. On the uh third paragraph talk about the people who were involved. Um the committee as follows was chair Jim Brick, uh Russ Denver,
myself, Kathy Hill, Andrew Jones, Connor O'Shea as exeicio. We also were very privileged to have Ralph Paige and Marilyn Richards with us at every meeting. Uh, also in addition to really highlight the uh, expertise,
we had the town manager Tom Christensen and director of municipal finance Kim Collins with us. And at one meeting we also included the superintendent of schools Gordon Smith, assistant superintendent Pam Blair and the chair members in of the school committee. And
once again that word deep dive. We worked collaboratively together but we questioned and we really emphasized to make sure this was the right budget. And I'll end about the people being there uh because I have to really compliment the precise minutes of Miss Jackie Sullivan.
Thank you very much for being there. Right, Kathy Hill? Another one. We were the fourth paragraph gives you the facts. The budget is increasing by 2.5%. On the town side, a decrease of 2.0% 0%
a combination of a increase in town expenses and a decrease in general fund and debt. On the school side, the increase is 3% that was achieved through elimination of elimination of six staff positions. So when we look at the the uh
tax rate at the time of this document, it was 1920. My understanding now that it's been revised that the tax rate will be 1909. Am I correct? Correct. Uh the fifth paragraph talks about the general fund budget. We feel that the
town is in solid financial condition. Um that um we have uh projected 5% for free crash free cash and 8% in the stabilization fund. On the next page, it's a six paragraph. We have a lot of compliments here. Mr. De's already
complimented our town manager Tom Christensen and our director of my initial finance Kim Collins. They knew this budget extremely well and as Russ said if we had a question they either answered it right then and there or before the next meeting we had an
answer. Um so there's much hard work done by the uh by those two to make this the final budget. Uh the seventh paragraph and our last is concerns. We do have some challenges ahead in the area of payroll, insurance, and health
benefits and retirement contributions that will make the budget more constrained for the town and the schools. And I'm going to ask Mr. Denver now to go over the recommendations. When I said that this was very collaborative and a deep dive, Mr. Denver was instrumental. He had a different view of
the budget. It really allowed us to to really learn more about how health benefits affect things, ret time and costs affect the types of um uh uh contracts we have out there with our unions. So, I'm going to ask Mr. De to
kind of explain the four recommendations that we have in front of you now going forward. Just the first was to review the current health insurance program for active employees and retirees to see if changes can be made to slow the increase in cost. to review all union contracts
under the town's purview and get an accurate view of how much the extras are costing the town and determine within the town council scope what changes the council might recommend to the town manager to bring those costs under control as an example step increases end
of uh end of employment notice bonuses paying for unused sick time and uniform reimbursements three study whether the town adopted Massachusetts paid family medical leave act would financially and and administratively be beneficial. And
then the fourth, which I know you are very interested in, is to reactivate the town's insurance advisory committee and setting aside in a health insurance stabilization fund money that is put into the reserve count, which could then be used by the town council rather than
putting the money into uh a reserve account, which the town council could use for other expenses. So to conclude, we're very excited with this budget. Uh we feel it is accountable and will serve the citizens
uh of this town uh well. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh since it is a public hearing, there is now the opportunity for anyone in the public to make a comment for anyone in the public that wishes to do so. I don't
see anyone with their hand on Zoom or anyone in the public audience. So I will close the public input portion of the hearing and now it is up to the council to >> so instead of closing it we just bring
it back to the council just in case as we're talking that someone wants to >> yeah we can entertain that. So if anyone on the council has any questions or comments now's your opportunity. >> Why is everyone look at me?
Um, so I do have a couple uh concerns, comments. Um, so going over the budget, um, thank you to the finance oversight committee. Um, I did have one concern that I saw with regards to the school
budget. Um, when we have departments and there's money left over at the end of the year, um, we require them to turn it back. Um, it looks like the school has decided to take 225,000 and prepay some
services for next year. Um, so it's my thought process that it's not a true 3% budget. It's 3% plus 225,000 that they're using to already prepay stuff for next year. Um my only concern is
going forwards if they don't have that same amount each year they're going to run into a problem down the road. Um again it's just something that I saw that I mean we've been very adamant with our departments that you know just cuz you
don't spend the whole thing doesn't mean hey go out and buy you know 20 weed whackers or a new mower or something that that gets rolled back. Um, and then my only other question is on the school choice. Um, I know there's going to be
76 students, um, because they've increased it, which at $5,000 a student comes out to $380,000. Um, and I know they were saying that they don't consider that revenue and
they've put it into a separate fund and all and I'm just trying to figure out whether it be from a town manager or I I consider that revenue. Um, I mean going forwards there's going to be 76 kids.
There's 380,000 coming in. I I don't think that should be a separate fund. I think that should be considered part of their revenue. And then from discussions, I understand that that's money coming into them. But on the
opposite side, when we send kids out of district, that comes out of the town side. Um, >> correct. which I mean to me that's that's a really good reason to continue to bring in as many kids as you can because hey we're not
paying for this but yet we're bringing in all this money for us to spend. Um so it's just some concerns going forwards that I think we have to uh keep our eye on. Um I'm I'm okay with the budget as a whole. I think uh keeping them you know 3% for
the school and I think the town was negative 1.54 something like that um means that we're tightening our belt. We're looking at everything. Um you know and I just want the residents to realize we're not just
out there blowing money just because hey the money's coming in. We're spending it on anything. That's not the case at all. And I think going forwards we're going to have a couple tough years. Um, it's hard with prop two and a half keeping you at two and a half%.
Especially when our coal is 2 and a half and then you have step increases and all these other things. I mean, the average person's probably getting four to 6% raise and we're stuck at 2 and 1/2 and at some point those are going to cross and create issues.
That was my main site on the school. Um the other uh the only other issue I have is under the water enterprise fund. Um I have concerns like I said before on the slumber lane and Greenwich. I appreciate
the additional information that was sent. Um we received a 30-year capital plan for water which created even more questions. Um because under that Slumber Lane's not even listed.
And so was that something that dumped the whole sheet because of another issue or I mean I know they've got Greenwich Road and Slumber, but those two roads aren't they don't even come together. I mean one's here, one's
here. Um it's it's hard for me to understand on a 30-year plan why those would be included together. Um, again, that it's neither here nor there. Obviously, under the capital, it feels as though
the general consensus is we're going forwards with it. I just had concerns. I mean, like I said, we're getting a 30-year capital plan that doesn't even include one of the roads on it that we're saying is necessary this year. Mhm. >> Um the other thing that I noticed that
I I'm concerned with Summers Road under the 30-year capital water plan. Um we have that in 2031 and yet we're going to be letting the state repave the road in 2027 and four years later we're going to tear
it all up to do a water mane. Well, I think that that would change the the outlook of that date for sure. Um, basically, if there were issues with the main that >> made us keep that schedule, then um I think the reason that Slumber and
Greenwich are on there is because the amount of breaks that each of those streets have had in the last four to 5 years have sort of bumped that into a place that was not on the original plan. Um, and slumber itself, not that I
that's one of those uh streets in e uh in Springfield that we feed the water and Springfield takes the sewer. And so there was thought when we we used that to share the information so that they could build sewer. And there were a few
other, you know, abuing streets that we had to share the information. And we we reconciled that. But there was thought that we were um possibly going to sort of figure out a way to have them take the water infrastructure from us. Uh
which obviously didn't happen. Um, but these things happen, right? We have these plans and then we have four water breaks in 5 years and we say, "Well, this this this isn't as good a shape as we thought." Um,
>> and I will say the people in Slumber Lane, I've talked to a few different residents and um, yes, they're excited that that this will go forwards. Um, as far as on Summers Road, um, >> Oh, yeah. >> We've got two
Summers Road listed here uh from St. Joseph Drive to the Rotary from St. Joseph's Drive to the Rotary. Um but they describe two different water manes. They're both going to be changed to 12 in existing one. The second one says 6
in CI and 6 in AC, but the one up above says it's an 8 in AC. One's going to be done in 2036, one's in 2032. Um I'm pretty sure we don't have two water
manes on Summer's Road. Um not active >> especially not from St. Joseph. So um >> yeah and is there any chance so either we do such like a moratorum
and say hey listen let's because we're going to pave the road we can't do summers road the water for at least 10 years I mean let's face it if we did it and let the the state pay um pave the whole thing and then we come up in four years and tear it all up >> yeah it doesn't look good >> that that's going to come on every
single one of us and they're going to be like are you is crazy. Um, >> so we again we that's how we would have anybody follow the 5-year moratorum after we pave. Certainly wouldn't do that and that's why we try to coordinate with our work. But in the last 18
months, we found out that um that road was getting paved. So, I'm guessing they just haven't updated the water plan yet because I'm not letting that >> way to get that >> I'm not letting that water man plan get on there in 2031 >> and there's no way to get the water main
>> before >> installed before probably not. >> I mean, now I can understand, but we've pretty much >> been waiting already a year. >> Yeah. And again, maybe we just have to sharpen our pencil on some of these dates that were probably put in a
spreadsheet in 2022 or 2021. And now things have happened that have caused two water manes that aren't on the list to be on the capital plan. So we just have to constantly update these things. And it sounds like maybe it just hasn't been updated.
that a water mane on prospect or unless it's an emergency, nobody's getting in that road for 5 years at minimum and and we'd like to see it go further than that. >> I mean, I think life expectancy is over 20 years on a road. >> Yeah. Well, depending on the treatment,
but yeah, >> like I said, I just know if if we're going to be called Long Meadow and Converse, they pave it, they dig it up, they pave it, they dig it up. >> Yeah. No, we >> I don't want that. >> No, but I will um I will pass along
those concerns about the the plan anyway. >> And thank you for all the additional information with all of the rates. Um obviously the last thing which will come under a motion is the water rates,
right? Um, I know we uh had talked about it and I'm of the mind that we should remove uh the reserves that we had in it and adjust the rate down to 8%. Um, that that's going to be the way going
forwards that I'm going to recommend and vote, but I just wanted to put it out there for everyone. Other than that, after two and a half months of looking at the budget, I think we're good. I feel the same way. >> Good to share. I sure a followup to uh
Ralph's concern about >> um the school department paying forward their um assessment to LPDEC with this year's money. If we as a council feel that strongly that that practice
shouldn't continue for FY27 going into 28, we should be making that decision among ourselves and then conveying that to the new superintendent sometime in the early
fall and Pam Blair uh so they don't position themselves to to do it again. We can't tell them, but we can say we strongly advise against it. >> And I think the thought process at least with the school is obviously when we
vote, we're voting to give them a lump sum of money and then it's up to the school committee to spend that transportation. >> It's just like I said, we've encouraged other departments not to. So, >> and again, we could encourage them whether they do it or not comes down to
the school committee. Yeah. So that that is one of those um call it oversight in in sort of the the accounting of for the general law is the the revenues are controlled by the
school committee and all the expenses on the cherry sheet come to the town to the general fund. So, it's kind of lopsided and I don't know that um the the state actually thought about that when when the accounting was set up by the statute, but um it's one of those things
that um that all the revolving accounts are controlled by the school committee and um but the expense is the general fund. >> Other thoughts or comments? Yeah, I mean the ones that I would have are fairly similar. I mean I think it's
been a a good process overall. There's been a lot of for as much information as we've received in every previous year. It seems like we continue to receive even more information and supporting documents. So thank you. It's a lot of reading material, but I would say we're
pretty well informed on every aspect. >> We keep going to seminars with DLS, too. So you're just going to keep getting more. Um, I took a note though that from the four recommendations that we had from the financial oversight committee, it sounds like we're sort of adding two of our own recommendations from the
council to give ourselves six total. One would be the the school things that we just um mentioned about the prepayments and school choice. And then the sixth would be kind of revising the whole capital planning process for water and sewer and how that might tie into other
projects going on in town or at least having updated information for them. That's everything that I had. Otherwise, feel like we ironed out all the the kinks that I may have had in in the meetings leading up to the hearing.
>> Just one last question to Tom. Are >> is the DPW still looking into doing a tiered water rate. >> Yes. Um we have a report uh um I want to say a proposed rate structure uh again
it came some point in I think miday uh and so it wasn't anywhere near trying to talk about in this budget but uh we're I would like to have that conversation at the council level uh probably start that conversation in like August or September
so that um it looks if it's something that we think that we should do which I would recommend and uh at least in theory uh the the the details of which we can all work out together, but um that we should have something uh I think
we should have a meeting about it in the first quarter uh of FY27. >> I would agree. Okay, >> good idea. And we have a seventh thing for the list. They can be your goals, Tom. >> All right. >> He said it's already completed.
>> Is it? >> Let me check. I meant we just started. >> Yeah. >> All right. Anything else? One last opportunity for the public if there's anyone. Still no other people online. Anyone else in the audience? All
right. close the public input portion of the hearing and then I will ask for a motion to close the public hearing. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I.
>> Any opposed? Public hearing is closed. And now we have the pleasure of more than a dozen motions to appropriate the budget this year. I move that the town raise and appropriate $42,975,488 for the town purposes and charges in anticipation of revenue during the
fiscal year ended June 30th, 2027 for the operation of the town departments as contained in the town of East Long Meadow FY 2027 proposed town budget using the column headed 2027 town council adopted level four. >> Second.
>> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. >> So a suggestion because we have so many
Jim started. Can we just work around? >> Sure. One at a time. That way there's no dumping or anything. And >> I'm going to be recusing myself in motion 1B. So I don't think I should be putting it down. >> How about if I take that one? Okay.
probably >> or or would you like go ahead >> and I'll take hers and then you can go straight >> I was hoping you got the next one but >> yes >> okay >> and just to put on the record I'm uh we'll recuse myself as well from motion
1B and basically leave the chamber >> chamber >> and for you know for the public's understanding and for the record uh the purpose of my recusal and and Jim's as well is because we both have an
immediate family member uh as an employee of the school department and it would present a conflict of interest otherwise. >> Okay, thank you for that. >> Okay, ready? I move that the town vote to raise and appropriate $ 38,12,54
for for the town purposes and charges in anticipation of revenue during the fiscal year ended June 30th, 2027 for the operation of the school departments as contained in the town of Isome FY2027 proposed town budget using the column
headed 2027 town council adopted level four. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed? >> Motion passes. Two.
>> Oh, thanks. >> That was quick. Just text. I don't know. I read text. So we get done. >> All right. >> All right. I'm doing the next one. >> Number two. >> Corona.
>> Okay. I move the town vote to raise and appropriate $100,000 to be added to the other post employment benefits liability trust OPEB number 8225 for fiscal year 2027.
>> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I opposed. Motion passes. >> Okay. Two. Sure. Sure. I move the town vote to raise and appropriate 75,000 to
fund the compensated absences reserve account number 8226 for fiscal year 2027. >> Second. Any other discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> I. Any opposed? Motion passes. All
right, this is a fun one. I move the town vote to raise and appropriate, transfer, and reappropriate and/or borrow in accordance with Mass General Law Chapter 44 for capital projects for the 2027 fiscal year a total sum of 8,36,835
for the purposes and in the amounts set forth in the proposed FY27 capital projects, a copy of which is attached to this motion as follows. raise and appropriate the sum of $3,779,246 for general fund capital projects to be
funded as follows. 1,811,20 from free cash and $1,968,226 from raised and appropriated funds. Raise and appropriate the sum of $1,654,000 for sewer enterprise fund capital
projects to be funded as follows. $1,554,000 to be bonded from the sewer enterprise fund and $100,000 from retained earnings. Raise and appropriate the sum of 1,690,695,000 >> $95 for water enterprise fund capital
projects to be funded as follows. $1,600,000 to be bonded from the water enterprise fund and $90,695 from retained earnings. Raise and appropriate the sum of $52,718
for stormwater enterprise fund capital projects to be bonded from stormwater enterprise fund. Raise and appropriate the sum of $70,000 for LCAT fund capital projects to be funded from retained earnings. raise and appropriate the sum of $150,000 for CPA fund capital
projects from the CPA historical resource fund balance. Capital projects in the amount of $190,176 were approved contingent upon grant funding as noted in the table below. >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Any other
discussion? >> None. All those in favor, please say I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. >> Okay. >> Okay. Connor, what do you want to do about it? We have the motion in the alternate
um >> discussion before. >> Yeah, we could do the discussion before. We originally had as part of the packet the original prepared motion from the budget that was submitted by the town manager by our May 5th deadline. And then from some
discussion that we had at our last meeting, we had asked for some alternates based off of um different options that we had with the water enterprise fund um similar to what Ralph was talking about whether we kept the rate the same as what was proposed in
the budget versus lowering the rate um using different methods. So potential alternate is available. I'm not sure what the pleasure of the council is in terms of which one we would like to go forward with.
Now, Ralph had stated. >> So, my my suggestion was uh to try and give a little relief and uh go with the $4.97 per 100 cubic feet. Realizing that uh this doesn't affect any of the capital
projects, doesn't really affect the fund. it just doesn't increase the amount of retained earnings within the fund. Um, it basically says that what we're raising, everything we're raising is being used. Um, I think that's the best way to go. It's an 8% increase,
which still adds up, but but it's better than 11%. >> The 497 is the 8%. >> Yes. >> Yeah. Right. What's the 506? >> Nope. Motion five, it would have been 510. >> Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. I'm sorry. I'm I'm
flipping too many pages. >> Sorry. I would echo Ralph's rationale. >> I think >> No, I was going to say I I agree with that. I think when we saw the backup documentation that was sent to us of the rates that were from some surrounding
communities, well, there's always some outliers that are lower or significantly higher. It seems like most communities are around the $5 mark. So, if we go to 510 as originally planned, that's a little bit higher than some of the surrounding uh communities,
and I expect that we're going to have to increase the rate again next year. So, if we can keep it as appropriate as possible, it seems prudent. >> So, with the 8% there would be no retained earnings. >> Yeah. Well, um
>> we still have 1.2 million in retained earnings. >> We basically Yeah. the the retained earnings, the the the line that got cut from the expense was just a budget surplus item. And the reason that we we budget that is
to to add money to the retained earnings. If we have less expenses in this account, we could still have retained earnings. So, so it's just an estimate based on whatever we think we're going to use over the year. And then we like to add a surplus so that
the account is replenished in the event that we actually go over. Um so we're basically overbudgeting a surplus because of the plus or minus usage that we get every year. And so just by
removing that uh surplus that we're budgeting that drops the rate pretty considerably. >> Yeah. Um but but doesn't necessarily um like Ralph was saying hurt the the operation. Um it would just be uh our
our policy has always been to budget a surplus so that we continue to hit our goals on retained earnings which we're at andor over on all. Um so it probably wouldn't be as big of an impact uh because the account's in such
good shape. I guess as long as Tom and Kim feel comfortable >> not having the extra return uh retained earning. >> So there were there were a couple other
scenarios there and after the 8% one we start getting into that no-fly zone that we don't like to talk about using >> reserves to fund the budget. >> Yeah. because that's just a whole you're gonna have to make up next year anyway.
So that's not really temporary relief. That's sort of cutting off your nose despite your face. This is uh would be a temporary relief and not hurt the account. >> Okay. >> But that would be as far as say we would
be comfortable recommending a budget for the water >> at the 8%. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Okay. I think as long as you two are comfortable. Kim's not saying anything. >> She's shaking her head. >> Shaking my head. I just interrupted. >> She looked at me and I shook my head.
>> I have to be honest. I don't mind the 510. Um because again, exactly what you said. I don't want to cut off my nose despite my face. I looked at my water bill today and I think if it went up to the 510, it
would be like $20 more. if I figure it out properly. I don't know if I think I did. Um, so I don't necessarily have a problem going to the 510, but if everybody feels comfortable at the >> 497,
I'm fine with that as well. So, unless anybody else feels strongly of going to 510, I mean, I'm good either. >> I I feel comfortable going with the 8% in comparison to all of the other options that were there. If the retained
earnings were not at the point that they're at, then I would say no, we right now. I think with the level they're at right now, I think it'd be fine. >> We're okay. Okay. >> He's the boss. All right. >> Yeah, I would agree with that. If we were if we only had, you know, a couple hundred thousand and it was kind of iffy
as to what happened. It would be risky, but >> I think we're stable. >> So, I'll move ahead with the alternate motion, and if it fails, then we'll move to the original. I move to increase the water rates from $4.60
to $4.97 per 100 cubic feet for fiscal year 2027. Said rate has been factored into the water enterprise fund budget for fiscal year 2027. >> Second. Motion was made and seconded.
Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. Motion number six. I move to increase the sewer rates from $484 to $56
for 100 cubic feet for fiscal year 2027. Said rate has been factored into the sewer enterprise fund budget for fiscal year 2027. >> Second. I'll second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all
those in favor, please say I. I I >> Any opposed? Motion passes. >> I move the town vote to approve the proposed FY2027 storm water fee schedule, a copy of which is attached to this motion and is
made a part here of by reference entitled FY27 storm water enterprise rates in column recommended FY27 storm water fee. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? discussion. >> Sure.
>> So, if I understand correctly, we haven't increased the storm water feed level would last. Perfect. Thank you. >> Good call out. >> Any other comments? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I.
>> I. Opposed. Motion passes. >> Oh, back to me, huh? So, that would be the alternate, right? Considering we've already >> done the rest. >> Okay. >> I move the town vote to appropriate
$4,69 $69,617 for the enter water enterprise fund budget for fiscal year 2027. and that $4,69,617 be raised from enterprise receipts, a
copy of which is attached to this motion and is made a part here of by reference entitled water enterprise fund. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. I.
>> Any opposed? Passes. >> Motion number nine. I move the town vote to appropriate $2,746,444 the sewer enterprise fund budget for fiscal year 27. And that 2,746,444 be raised from enterprise receipts of
which is attached to this motion and is made a part hereof by reference entitled sewer enterprise fund. Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I.
>> Any opposed? Motion passes. >> Number 10. I move the town vote to appropriate $468,813 the storm water enterprise fund budget for fiscal year 2027 and that $468,813
be raised from enterprise receipts a copy of which is attached to this motion and is made a part hereof by reference entitled storm water enterprise fund. >> Second motion was made and seconded. Further discussion seeing none. All
those in favor, please say I. I. >> Any opposed? Option passes. >> Okay. Number 11. I move that the town vote to appropriate $172,788 for the LCAT enterprise fund budget
fiscal year 2027. and that $172,788 be raised from enterprise receipts, a copy of which is attached to this motion and is made a part here of by reference entitled Elcat Enterprise Fund. Motion
>> was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I opposed. >> Motion passes. >> Okay. I was trying to decide how to approach this.
>> I'll try. I move the town vote to authorize revolving fund spending limits for various town departments appropriate pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts general laws chapter 44 section 53E and a half for fiscal year
2027 as follows. Revolving fund, solid waste disposal number 2805. Authorized to spend fund, the health department. Revenue source, sale of trash bags, recycling rebates, and
mattress fees. Use of funds, salaries, expenses, supplies, and contractual services to operate the solid waste disposal and recycling program. Spending limit 1,149,966. Revolving fund, Council on Aging, number
2809. Authorized to spend fund, Council on Aging. Revenue Source: General Council on Aging Programs and Events such as fitness room memberships, exercise class
fees, event fees, facility slashroom rental, use of funds, salaries, expenses, and contractual expenses to operate these programs at the Council on Aging. Spending limit $28,948.
Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. >> Okay. Motion number 13. I move the town vote to raise and appropriate $20,000 to
fund the Dwight Road Maple Street District Improvement Financing Program, DIFF, DIFF, account number 2663, fiscal year 2027. >> I'll second that. Motion made and seconded. A further discussion. I just
have a question since we do this every year and I know it started quite a few years ago when that happened. Is this something that we're going to keep continuing on for an indefinite period of time? >> 20 years. >> 20 >> 20 years. >> Not indefinite. I'm not >> I think it's 20. >> I think it's
>> I was involved in it when it was created. It program >> good question. >> Thank you. Any other discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes.
>> I move the town vote to authorize receipts reserved for appropriation for the ambulance fund pursuant to the provision Massachusetts general laws chapter 40 section 5F for fiscal year 2027 as follows. >> Amen.
>> Should I? >> Nope. And raise and appropriate. >> Yeah, you missed a sentence. >> Oh. um and raise and appropriate funds to subsidize the ambulance fund with the total funding for the ambulance fund to be provided as follows.
>> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Any further discussion? >> Considering the motion says as provided as follows. Can I read the uh do we have to read that in? >> No.
I think if you're willing to amend it to say as >> attached as attached >> as as attached >> attached here. >> I'll amend my motion. >> Note those appropriate >> and I'll second my motion. >> All right. >> Yeah. So just because it does clearly
state like two 2,130 is coming from the fund and then the 305,65 is coming through general fund subsidies that out of the general fund. >> Oh, I see what you're saying.
>> So do you think we should read all of them or just those two came? No, I think because it says in what you've referenced that we're raising on the portion and then the rest is coming out of the >> Okay. All right. So, we are good. Any further discussion?
>> Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. >> I move that town vote to approve the FY 2027 ambulance race as presented below. BLS emergency base rate current rate
$1,43 proposed rate $1,4459 BLS non-emergency base rate $1,43 current rate proposed rate $1,445 ALS non-emergency base rate $2242
current rate proposed rate $23926 6 ALS1 emergency base rate 2442 which is the current rate proposed rate $23926 ALS2 emergency base rate current rate
$3,3742 proposed rate $3,47565 specialy care transport current rate $2242 $2. Proposed rate $2,3926. Mileage current rate $37.86.
Proposed rate $39. Intercept fee current rate $312. Proposed rate $321.36. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I.
>> Any opposed? Motion passes. >> Motion 16. I move the town vote to accept the recommendation of the community preservation committee and appropriate from the community preservation fund reserve for fiscal year 2027 from the revenues estimated to
be 300,000 for the purpose and the amounts as follows. Administrative expenses 5%. Historic resource reserve 10%. Community Housing Reserve 10%.
Open space reserve 10%. Undesated general reserve 65%. And to appropriate from the CPA fund to the following pineal pool payment of principal and interest $36,400.
Brown property payment of principal and interest $45,040. >> Second. Motion was made in second. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. I. >> Any opposed?
>> Passes. Number 17. >> 17. I make a motion to accept the FY2027 chapter 90 of portion meant in the amount of 96,16126 to be expended under the jurisdiction of
the Department of Works and said some to be reimbursed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. I. Motion passes.
Okay, with that >> 17 motions later, we now have an approved budget for FY27. >> Great. Um, we we uh decided uh in your all the alternates to not
give you the updated budget sheet uh with eight different iterations. So, we'll make changes based on your votes tonight and that will be posted uh to the website prior to June 1st. >> Fair enough.
>> It definitely saves a lot of rework until we decided what we >> you know, >> no, but thank you for putting together the uh the alternates and all of that information. Kim, >> thanks for all your hard work. >> Thank you. Okay, now that we have the budget done,
uh orders of the day, we have no licensing matters or financial matters. We have accepting a donation. I make a motion to accept a $400 donation for the Eastong Meadow Summer from Frigo's Gourmet Foods per
Massachusetts general law, chapter 44, section 53A. >> Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Any opposed? The motion passes. >> I guess I would just say thank you to
them for the donation. >> Next, we have approval of minutes from our May 12th meeting. >> I make a motion to approve the May 12th, 2026 executive session minutes. Second. >> Motion made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in
favor, please say I. I. >> Any opposed? Motion passes. the open session minutes. >> I make a motion to approve the May 12th, 2026 open session minutes. >> Motion made and seconded. Any further
discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion passes. >> Okay. Next, under old business, we have our 250th anniversary. Uh the first topic was the
design banner proofs. So, let Tom take it away since he did the coordination on that. Well, uh obviously, um thanks to Jim White, um and uh his team at Go Graphics, uh they put together, um some
pretty cool ideas, uh I thought, um for for some options for banners, um and signage for the 250th um which, um I think, uh Connor forwarded to all of you. Um, we had to
move a little quick on one of the uh I think so. >> So, the answer, at least with me, is no. Um, okay. I did not >> I don't think they were attached. >> Yeah, I I got >> You got the email, but they weren't attached. >> Oh, maybe the attachment didn't go
through. >> You're fired. >> Oops. >> You got it. I'll just >> I just sent it to everybody. Sorry about that. Um we we um
there was one in particular that um was was fairly you know festive but also had a sort of silhouette of the town hall. Um, and we we sort of moved to use that um
on the time capsule uh because um we needed to sort of have that ready for display um at the kickoff meeting on the 30th and the time it takes uh to wrap the vault uh the cap the time capsule vault um we we use that design uh or
portions of that design on the capsule. >> There we go. Yeah, he just sent it. But again, >> um I think uh you know they they have a few different iterations all sort of with their own uh sort of spin on uh
celebrating uh 250. Um we did find during the course of this that the the national 250 symbol uh is a registered trademark. So, if we wanted to use it, um, we were going to have to pay this.
>> Uh, so a lot of this is just containing our seal. Uh, sort of there's their take on the the 250th thing. And then, uh, the one with the town hall on it has the mass 250 on it, which is not a copyrighted >> yet. Now that I'm talking about it, I'm
sure it will be tomorrow. Um, so, um, I don't I I I was planning on, uh, you know, if we sort of came up with some kind of consensus of it doesn't I don't
think you can kind of go wrong with any of the three designs. Like I said, I I do like option one. Um, it's kind of old timey. Um, and it has the town hall on it, which I love. Um, >> can't see my office, but whatever.
>> Um, we I I actually dug up Ryan Quimby helped me dig up the the receipt from the 125th. Um, and we bought 30 of them. Um, to hang on the it was basically just the spokes coming off the rotary. It
wasn't the entire parade route. Um, so that you kind of got the feeling for it when you were down towards the, you know, coming into the center. uh the the decorative light poles and um so that that's sort of where I was aiming. Um
but again, I I welcome any and all input uh thoughts. Uh you want to get more, we can do that. Um you know, I think we should probably try to make a decision sooner rather than later so that they
can be made and put up prior to July 4th. >> I like that. Um, but I I anticipate a leaving a lot of this stuff up >> like zero >> April >> for most of uh most of July and August uh if not all the way to Veterans Day.
But uh >> right. So the um example you spoke about with the town hall um are we using that or would you like to use that in the 20in by 30 in banners on the polls? >> Yes. >> Perfect. Looks great.
I mean, I had to get to that picture. >> Yes. >> I don't like the zero. >> What? >> Yeah. I don't like the zero in it. >> They need the donut. >> They need the >> You want like a smiley face emoji? >> No, my face. >> Brought to you by counselor Joan.
>> I think we need the donut hoe. >> Yeah, just put a hole in there. Make his cuz it looks like a It looks funky. >> It looks like 20. >> But isn't that Isn't that the official >> I think that's the the mask. That's their thing. Who was asleep at
the switch on that one? >> What kind of zero is that? >> So, how about this for a zero? >> We can't if it's adopted. >> Oh, no. If you just scroll up a little bit under fire department wall option two, you can see the 250th
>> fire department. >> Oh, here's one. Yeah. >> Third from >> I like the town hall. I like the town hall being in it. >> Yeah. No, no, no. I like the town hall. I'm just saying for 250 do it like that. >> That's Yeah, this type of >> I don't
>> of the scrolling. >> Yeah, if you go all the way down to the bottom and then come up. >> Don't go above two slides. >> I can't find the fire department. >> It's slide 17. >> Oh, there it is. >> 17 and 19. >> Oh, this one. That old 17 to 19. >> No, now go up.
>> One more. Go up one more. >> Go up one more. >> One more again. >> Right there. Right there. So, see the way the 250 is, >> right? >> Would you want to have the Americas like >> instead of it being a solid? >> Yeah. Uh, >> so it says, you know, up above it, the
mass, but the 250 just changed the design to that. >> I'm sure we could take the mass 250 thing right off of there. >> Put a hole in the zero either way. >> Yeah, I think we could just put a hole in the zero.
simple for them to do. >> Anna brought it up. So So it's decision. >> Yeah, that that that seems fair. I think it's there. It's obviously there because that's the s that's the >> the state one, but I don't think it changes it necessarily if we >> Yeah.
>> You know, make a make a hole and make it blue in the back. I mean, that that's that's fine. >> I have a question. So >> for the mesh banners, >> we have three options. for
hold on pole banners three options or we're going to pick one and it's going to be on everything same for all. >> Well, that's that I guess that could be part of the conversation. >> I keep the price down. >> I guess it depends on pricing, but it
would be I would like to see I mean I kind of liked all three of them. If we had to only pick one, I would pick option one over the other two. But if we could do all three and have a mix, that would be kind of nice. >> Would you say last time we did 30 of them? >> Yep. >> The turquoise. >> 10 and 10.
>> It's not really red, white, and blue. >> Oh, see, I like that one. >> You like the turquoise? I like option three the best. >> Yeah. >> You're going to get all of this and we're all going to have a different opinion. >> It's fine. >> Hannah's going to go around with her. I'm >> just going to I'm just going to get spray paint. Go.
It's be a perfect circle. >> Hey, listen. I'm going to get silly string on all of you when you go by. Yeah, I mean uh there there >> this one too. >> If we went with say one option for all the the banners on the street and then a
different option for some of the other I I don't know what everybody's appetite is to be putting banners up all over the buildings and this that and the other thing. And the the wall in Napa was probably the biggest thing I've ever seen. >> I love that. Oh, >> well, I mean, you're going to have the
carnival and all going on, and that's what everyone's going to see, >> but we'll have to get permission from the property owner. >> I don't think that'll be, >> too. We be thinking about putting one on the new town hall as well. >> Yeah, >> that's a good idea. >> Yep,
>> that's a great idea. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I think that um you know, strategically we can put these wherever we want. Uh I I was sort of following the >> that's a good one >> the design. So the reason for that is
it's like putting the flags up. They put them in the same spot every year cuz the hardware is there and it's easy to do. And so a lot of the poles where the banners were still have the band on the pole. So, uh, we probably could just run
the same playbook and buy the 30 that we bought last time and then have an extra one for town hall or when they come down, keep one somewhere or um, I I I'll do whatever. Again, like I said, I think we we kind of got to figure out what we
want to do if >> I think I mean, >> again, for me, I I kind of like the idea of having the mix of all three so that you're not just seeing the same exact banner on 30 poles. It's kind of nice to see a >> a sequence of them. >> And then even the same sort of thing for
the um the large printed banners. It would be kind of neat if different sites had a different one to It's almost like a scavenger hunt in a way. Did you design? Yeah. And again, the the these were all from their brain. I I I had nothing to do with the locations that
they suggested or what was this is all go graphics in their imagination, which is kind of what I asked Jim for because I don't I don't have it. Um so, >> but if you're doing three different designs, it's going to the setup is going to be more challenging. And will
how much difference in price are we talking about >> that? I don't know. We're not there yet. So, I guess when I was thinking about it, like if we did three options, I would think about it like the poles would be all the same than like a banner on a building would be different. Like,
you know what I mean? I feel like if the poles were like alternating, I think it might look funny. >> I like the turquoise. >> Um, I think it might not look as good. So with the polls, like the telephone poles, you got to realize that this
isn't >> like each pole like the flags every four poles. >> So there there's a pretty good distance in between the telephone poles with our flag. >> Well, less less uh important for the banners.
We have the poles on every light, every pole with a light, >> which is every fourth pole. >> Well, some of them are every other. and then the intersections. And so there are a lot, but they all are the holes with a light so that we're following the rules. But these banners we could kind of go
anywhere with. They don't there's no there's no rules on lighting banners at night and this that and the other thing. So um >> Oh, I see what you're saying. Because it's flag >> the flag is lit by the street light. >> So maybe that's the next um point. I
mean, I think if we had to make a decision, it sounds like it's hard because we're pretty good with all three of them, but >> with the exception of the zero. >> With the exception of the >> good call on that, >> but it kind of sounds like we're good to proceed with pricing and see. >> Okay. >> Are there different prices if we go with
all three or is it, you know, the same price no matter the >> I I'm going to I'm going to guess it's price by the sizing, not necessarily by the designs they showed us. I think um so >> so we could probably do all three and it not >> Yep. All right. Okay.
>> Well, maybe instead of t-shirts, we could have um Jim do a rap for each of them. >> Be okay. >> We really need to sit on the golf cart. We're not going to be able to walk. >> 250th toas or something. I don't know.
>> But thank you to them for putting that together. >> Yeah, that was it. Sounds >> excellent. Really cool looking. I feel bad for the one person there going, I really like that zero. >> Yeah, no one liked that. >> All right,
>> very nice. >> Thank you, Tom. >> Excellent job. >> Right, then the second thing for the 250th anniversary is a polo shirt proof that I had put together. Um, >> very similar to what Ralph had. >> I know the runal slightly
>> doesn't need one. He already has it. >> Just a slightly different font. >> Yeah. for the town council portion. >> Um, >> I like that you have a male shirt and a female shirt. >> Me, too. I think that's really nice. >> It took a little time to find a
>> to find a brand that did both the the options cuz there were a lot of like unisex ones that didn't seem to work well for either. >> But, um, so that's what I had put together. I don't know if you had any thoughts and Ralph had found like a different specific 250th anniversary.
They are going to look like a >> one. Keep it real. >> You should get that for yourself. We have the red one. >> I might have that one on >> strictly for the doing that one right now. >> And then the red one be that we wear at
different events and all. >> So, you're going to order these um shirts right after the election so that the new whoever ends up getting elected going to need a shirt. >> I was going to be Yeah, it seems like the time frame we have a couple week lead time. So, I was
going to order them ahead of time and order some extras in different sizes. >> That way, they're no matter who gets elected on the outcome, >> right, >> we'll be ready. And then even then for future councils a couple years from now, we'll still have some extras hopefully for
>> that's a good thing to do >> in case makes a comeback. >> Yeah. >> You never know. >> You never know. Never say never. >> So, does everyone like >> I like the red. Yeah, >> the red one. >> Mhm. >> I like the seal.
>> Very nice. Looks good. >> I know your design had all white and I know what with the black stitch. >> I don't like the black. >> It's cuz you're looking at me. >> Turquoise.
>> Yeah. >> I like this one. >> Yeah, cuz it'll put the >> I like the white. I like the white background. The white thing. >> Yeah. Okay. Sorry, Ralph. It's buy a new one. Ralph just didn't want to buy another one. >> Turquoise. >> I'm still wearing this. So, >> I would also like to suggest that we Tom
has one that says town manager. >> Oh, >> I can make one for you. >> Since I don't have the sign, >> right, >> you should have a sign. >> Usually the guy Usually the guys with the with the town council sign are banging into the back of me. Um,
>> now the question is, do we want the town manager to have the same red color or do we want to make him wear blue or something turquoise? >> I would suggest >> I mean that's that's sharp. >> Yeah, >> thank you. >> The the fire department did um
>> provide me with the tire last year. I've asked the police department to do the same. I mean, I don't know if they're going to, but uh I may be all set, but I would appreciate uh >> I think it would look better if you had >> a police shirt. >> I think it'd look better if you had something that said town manager instead
of a different town department. >> All right, >> I agree. >> Okay, sounds great. >> Do you still want red or a different color? >> Should I be >> right across the back though in capital letters? Town management.
>> Blame me. Yes. Number one. Bullseye. >> Number one. >> Yeah. I mean, if if you I'd wear red. All right. >> If that's okay. >> Of course. >> Red. >> Great. >> Right. >> After the meeting, I'll take a count of
all the sizes we need and then I'll order >> and we I have to stay the same size till I >> Damn it. >> You can eat after the parade. No. >> All right. Um, I'd like to bring bring something up. >> Sure. Yeah. There's still the 250th.
>> Yeah. Um, I'd like to see our guy back at East Village, our Uncle Sam. >> Is that a motion? I'll second it. >> What if they don't want to give them up though? >> I think I I got a little pulled there. >> Well, you do. So, just take care.
>> Is there any way I don't know what the I can't remember what the issue was last time. Something about >> Doesn't matter. We have 30 days. >> So, It was it was >> sign or billboard or I forget >> determined it was a zoning violation because it was a sign
>> sign >> um based on our very loose vague definition of a sign in our bylaws. Um probably on purpose um and quite effective um but yeah, Ralph's right. Uh there was
a 30-day there's a 30-day appeal period in which you don't have to do anything about it. Oh, isn't it in Hasn't it been placed somewhere else? It's >> in front of Nathan Bills, isn't it? I think so. >> Currently. >> Oh, okay. All right. Down by the um
Mass Mutual Center. >> Yeah, he moves around. Yeah, >> but he could come back for a few weeks. >> Middle Sex Village. >> As long as I feel like he's welcome. >> Comes back. We should give him a shirt. >> Yeah. A big shirt. That's a big size shirt. It's a >> triple XX.
>> Yeah. I mean, I don't want to, you know, do anything to purposely violate the bylaw, but at the same time, >> do we do we do we have a building commissioner? >> We're still waiting for that. >> Uh, actually, uh, I forgot to update. Uh, we have a building commissioner
starting on Monday. >> Nice. >> July 5th and so >> pass an exemption to it. >> Yeah. >> I know. Can we >> maybe like a resolution of some >> I would think if a counselor could
persuade someone to have it moved here. >> I I I might be able to do that if that >> I suppose just for the record I have to be the one person to disagree with bringing him back into town. I thought it symbolized I mean I know it was painted patriotic colors but I didn't
appreciate the historical symbolism of it in town and I thought it sent the wrong message to our community. So I don't want it back in town. >> He was a plantation. Yeah. >> But wait a minute. He was a mutual for man before that >> right. But no >> that's his origins
>> knowing the named past that he had >> people change. >> That didn't sit right with a lot >> people change. >> People change. >> Actually >> truly I didn't I never thought about that but I understand your point. >> You what? Originally he was called Uncle Sam and he became the mutual Ford man
and then they moved him up in front of the plantation in >> on road which >> which was a motel. >> Yeah. >> And I know I mean I know there's the 30-day period but I don't think we should knowingly be trying to circumvent
our own bylaws without changing them. Okay. >> So, the sign bylaw has pretty much been found to be um obsolete and uninforcable. >> Actually, all the signs were putting on
buildings >> truly. I mean, really, >> it also brings up a broader sort of point of like maybe reooking at like our signed bylaw like >> the bylaws. Well, but like right >> like is a statute
just taking it out of this context like is that considered like a sign even if like it doesn't have anything written on it or anything like you know because I think it's just the the figure itself right there's nothing written at >> currently anything that draws attention
is considered a sign >> literally if you read that definition you could make a bird >> sensation >> no sign violations for 30 Yes, I feel like the original purpose would have been like to, you know, speech or
other, you know, act like real signage whereas, >> but that's bigger discussion than what we're talking about right here. But, >> right, >> it it but it it would it prevented you from just putting anything up of any
size anywhere you wanted without going through the zoning process. But it didn't prevent the mural on the side of the ski house. And it didn't prevent many others from going up that were considered illegal, but nothing was
done about them. That's that's part of the issue, >> right? >> But but with that, I don't think um I don't think the council can take a vote one way or another. Um, I don't know if it would be appropriate to take
a vote to violate our bylaw, but obviously, >> but if you're asking me personally, >> no, I mean, I don't think we should violate the bylaw, but I feel like if we >> want to have him for the 250th,
>> there's a way that we could >> get him. I would say what a private property owner chooses to do or not do as their valition, but as long as it doesn't appear on any town property. >> Okay. >> Well, that makes sense. That's true. That's true.
>> And it would be enforced. That person is well aware of our feeling about that's it. >> Got it. That enough resolution for you?
>> Loud and clear. >> Bring them into town under cover of darkness. >> Speaking a 40ft statue around. No easy task. >> Any other 250th topics? >> Wasn't in the wire. No. All right. Uh,
next we had under old business an update on road paving projects. Yeah. Um, so obviously, uh, we're we're going to have a busy year this year. Um,
well, thanks to the, uh, official approval of, uh, the capital plan, um, and $1.8 8 million and change. Um we'll have so this year on the paving plan for
sure for sure our Pleasant Street in its entirety uh Summers Road in its entirety. Prospect Street uh basically in its entirety with uh the the section that we
paved recently I believe is just getting a micro surface which is um a skim coat just to >> seal it up again. Um as well as uh Chestnut Hill which has
become very in very disrepair uh just in the last like year. Um, and so since we're we're do we've already done that part of >> prospect and are doing the rest um we're going to Mark's going to have
them mill down the hill. Um I don't know a few hundred feet. >> Yeah. Down to >> Yeah. Okay. >> That's in really bad shape. Um and then depending on um the budget uh from chapter 90 um
the uh the last water main project which was Niagara Kingman Avery that whole neighborhood back over there >> uh which will be nice. I think a few years ago, one of my last years in DPW, we did uh this neighborhood uh behind
the park. Mhm. >> Um and it was nice to be able to bang out a whole neighborhood with six or eight streets and that's how that that water main project is going to look. Um the way Mark has been doing things uh
we're also uh with the new um the new data on the um pavement management plan. He has been using a certain amount of our money to, and you've probably seen him because he's done a lot more uh a lot more than the streets that I've just
mentioned, uh taking pavement cores, uh and and virtually every street that came up red, which are the the really really bad roads. Um I stepped over one on Windham, which is in my neighborhood yesterday, and it's just a you know 4-in
diameter hole. a core to decide uh what kind of treatment is appropriate. So this plan is built um you know by professionals but uh you know by sight above ground. You can sort of tell by the way uh pavement wears and cracks
what kind of treatment it needs and that's where their scoring system comes from. Um, but in order to plan for a project and then estimate it properly, uh, you you take a core so that you know not only what's going on with the pavement, but what's going on underneath
it, which is really, uh, some most of the roads in the red are a full reclaim, meaning a full depth rebuild of roads, which is why we sort of backed off going down side streets when the budget was really tight. um because we just didn't
have the funding uh to make it uh worth our while to spend that kind of money uh on such a low traffic street when we still have Pleasant Street and Summers and Prospect in some of our main roads.
Um so depending on when that data comes back and it gets sort of thrown through the the ringer, we'll know uh how much more money we can spend. But for right now, uh, the one the names I just mentioned, that's the top of the list
and and in all likelihood, uh, all those will be done this year. I don't know the state schedule just yet, but I would assume that, uh, they're going to get most of that done prior to uh, the calendar year changing because who knows
what happens in the spring and their contract has to be done June 30, 2027. Um, so, uh, my my thought, uh, again, I I sort of wrote in my selfie, Val, too, the the the funding by the state was
encouraging again that they kept this elevated level where we had previously been at 580 to $600,000 a year, and now two years in a row, uh, we've gotten 900,000. Uh, you just read a motion. Um,
but the governor's been trying to make that a 5-year aortionment and it's been unsuccess unsuccessful last year and this year. Um, so there's really no guarantee that we're not going back to the old chapter 90 formula next year. Uh
luckily for us uh I would expect a similar size capital project uh in next year's plan using the same if not more amount of free cash uh to try to catch up. Uh I would mean Kim and I were just
talking today. We forget the rest of it. We're at $3.5 million in excess uh for investment income that will get rolled back into free cash next year. Um so we should have another um reasonable pretty reasonable amount of money to to lay out
towards paving which um you know until we get some some continuity I think in the state sort of level of funding uh it would be it would be nice if they could make that kind of five-year commitment because I think at the end of that five years uh
you wouldn't even sort of notice just carrying that through for another five Um, so that's where we're at, uh, right now. Um, and again, the I probably did the same thing when I was
in Mark's shoes, but he's very, uh, protective of that list that he puts out because almost everybody wants their street paved. And if their street came out in this as red, they really want their street paved. Um, and so Mark's
doing a good job. There he is. There's my buddy. Um, and so Mark's doing a good job of in these years where we've got this extra funding and if we continue to fund in the capital plan, uh, which I think we should and I will recommend again next year, um, like I said, where
we can continue, uh, sort of the aggressive nature in which we're doing our secondaries and our primaries, but also taking a percentage of our chapter 90 money and start picking off these neighborhoods um, that are really suffering. uh because it was just our philosophy
for so long that we didn't have enough money to even think about spending all of our chapter 90 budget on one side street or one culde-sac. Um but I but now I think we owe it to the people on those culde-sacs and those streets to to
start having a plan to get some of that work done. um whatever the cost. Um again, so that that's where we're at right now. That that list of streets is where we're going to be at for FY27 uh with the potential of adding um some
other streets if if the data bears out and the budget bears out. >> I have uh two thoughts on that. >> Okay. Well, three. First, thank you for getting that list together. Uh, second is um I know you just said them all now,
but could we also post that on the town website? So, >> oh, Mark's gonna kill me. All right. >> Not the potential like maybe we'll do it, maybe we won't if the numbers bear out, but at least the ones that we know would are happening so people >> once it's in right >> clear idea.
>> Yeah. Right. And then um the third was I know from that pavement management report that we had there were like alternative things that were recommended to do like like crack ceilings like is that something that would come out of these funds or is that just something
that comes out of the normal highway budget to do those? Those are typically chapter 90 projects um depending on the size and scope of that work. But um again, I applaud Mark and Bruce for sort
of taking this data and doing what you're supposed to with it. Uh you wouldn't think um you know Maple Street we did four years ago, they've already put crack sealing in some of the spaces where they think they needed to and fog
sealed it because that's how you make it last. And you sort of are protecting that investment cuz that was 2 years of chapter 90 money way back when. That that whole Maple Street corridor was $1.2 million. And so, um, they're making
sure that part of that budget is going to crack sealing a road after 5 years or fog sealing after two or, um, >> it's more than just going out there and milling and overlaying, which I'm ashamed to say was really the only
option I had when I was in Mark's seat. We we didn't have the money and we didn't have the um, maybe the talent uh, to to come up with these ideas. Um we we just kind of were roughing up the places we knew or got
complaints about and then put some new map back down. Um but they have there there's there there's just so much more out there and Westwood is is uh basically the equivalent of a full reclaim
at like a third of the price because they're just recycling the material and putting it back down with a mix. And that's where taking those cores out of the road really help because they design for what they're going to pull up what they need to add when they put it back
down. And then you end up with with I mean let's face it, Westwood looks amazing. >> Um so um I expect more of that. Um you know the a lot of these projects are going to need uh DOT approval through their portal. There's a timeline. Parker
and Metobrook and uh Hampton Road will not because that's our money and we don't need approval other than yours to go spend it. So I would expect that that will start shortly after July 1st. Uh as long as that works with Mark's
contractor and getting I'd like to we have a lot of pavement uh even outside of roadway pavement that's going down this year. Uh, and I think it only makes sense that we're trying to market this to a singular person so that the price
comes way down for all of this. So, you guys know the more the tonnage goes up, uh, the better price we get. So, um, provided we can get some quick answers from DOT on approving these projects, which they've been streamlining their process online, um, we should be able to
get these all out to bid andor started in the early part of of FY27, which is great. >> Excellent. >> That would be awesome. We'll go from hearing complaints about roads not getting paved to why are five streets closed? >> How do I get around this town?
I love those complaints. >> I know. >> Todd, do you have a price tag like on Pleasant and Prospect and Chestnut? >> So, Pleasant is somewhere between 900,000 uh and 1.1. I'm trying to remember off
the top of my head. I don't have it printed out. Um, but it is almost the equivalent of two years of chapter 90, like waiting uh to let that bank fill up so that we could do a large street like that. It's the full length of Pleasant from Porter Road to the Rotary.
>> Correct. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Yeah. Because the last time we did it, it was two separate sections that kind of failed independently. >> Un >> unpleasant. >> Yeah, I can get better numbers uh as they come
out. Like I said, um >> I think pleasant. Huh? >> That that was like that was a ton of money, right? >> Summers like Yeah. So the total was three but over two of that was Summers Road. Um because the length of Prospect
uh isn't as wasn't as far and we had our we paved I think 10 years ago from >> the center to Chestnut on Prospect and we had just done the other side of Chestnut down to P Pembroke. Is that where Great Woods comes out again?
Pemroke. >> Um about five years ago. So those aren't uh it's not a full um mill and overlay in those sections. Uh but yeah, Summers is is 2 and 1/2 mil something like
somewhere in there. >> Yeah, it's it's uh it's pretty expensive. >> So Edle Road was the entire road that we're going to be doing. >> Yep. >> Hamen road from where to
>> from Parker to the town line. Parker to >> uh Yes. From Parker to the Telegraph. >> So from Summers Road to Parker doesn't get done on Hamden from >> Yep. >> That got done. Yep. >> 12 years ago. And I think they had just crack sealed that three or four years ago.
>> They did. >> That's why I was looking go we're going to redo that road we just did it. >> Yeah. No part leading into Hampton that was kind of in rough shape. >> It is in really rough shape. >> And Parker is from like Timber Fernwood. >> Fernwood. Okay.
>> Yep. Fernwood all the way to Metobrook and then Metobrook will turn into the new pavement on summer. So, um >> that's awesome. >> Yeah, it's it's gonna be it's gonna be great. >> That's a that's a lot of paving. >> Yeah. And like I said, I think uh it's
not unreasonable in prospect. Obviously, the state's doing those and it's on the state's time, but um at least we know they're in the schedule and in the loop. Um >> and and I I really think uh a project of that size partner in Hamen
and and Metobrook uh at minimum will be in front of you again uh next year. Uh I think we're going to be in uh a good good shape when we turn back uh some of this investment money over our projected revenue. So >> I have a question. Y
>> um the state's going to do Summers Road. How how much involvement does the town have with that particular project? Or do they does the state bring in their people? Do they pick who they want to do the or do they just give us the money and we
>> No, no, no. They'll they'll they'll do the project. >> So you don't have So then you can concentrate on something else. >> So yes and no. Oh dear. >> Um >> Mark will inevitably spend a lot of his time. >> Again, it's it's still a contractor. Um,
and so we'll want somebody to inspect to make sure that that is what we're supposed to be getting. Yes, we're not necessarily in a way putting the money up for it, but we all did already, didn't we? >> Um, so >> um Mark will inevitably spend a lot of
his time out there making sure uh you know, making field decisions on the back on behalf of the town. um if things don't look right, you know, when they go from 2D to 3D in the field, typically some decisions will have to be made. Uh and then um we did we did a fair share
of um drainage work just to make sure our stuff was all uh up to speed that the state wasn't going to do. Um we did it so that we'd be all set when they came through. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, that's exciting.
to follow up on Summer's Road. So, I'm assuming saw cutting will be done. So, there's a few people with new driveways and they have reached out to me with concerns that they don't want the state, the town when we're doing these roads to
come in and tear up their new driveway. And I tried to explain to them, no, typically they're going to saw cut it and they'll butt it up nicely and um but I don't want to be hung out to drive. Yeah, it's >> that's yours problem. >> I know this is a thing that is difficult
and a lot of times when people get their driveways done, the driveway gets feathered in further than the driveway, meaning past the edge of the pavement. >> And so naturally, when you cut the edge of the pavement, now you got to make up a a 3-in lip getting back down to that
grade instead of how they had done it, which is 6 in horizontally into the pavement. So, inevitably, unless you want a bump at the end of your driveway, they're they may have to chase back a little bit to to make sure that that's smooth.
>> I'm certain you know who I I'm talking about. >> We we we had to do this a lot and there's a lot of people with like stamp concrete or pavers or and and most of the contractors will be out there working with the neighbors. If you're doing a project to this side, you got to
notify everybody so they can get out of their driveway to go to work or park their car down the street because they're going to be parking in front of their house. So, I would assume uh every contractor we worked with would go around to the neighborhoods to let them know where they were going to be um so
that if you needed to be somewhere at a certain time, you could leave your car somewhere. >> Whole condo association. >> Yeah, you're right. >> You're exactly right. And so like summers we're going to have to >> do a lane or
>> we'll have to sort of get at. So for instance, we try to communicate this information as much as we can to everybody. Long Meadow sent me an email that I to forward on to the chiefs when this this uh construction was going to
start. That's where they go to the hospital. They they need to know if there's an alternate route which way to go. So, if we're going to impact uh travel this much, we're going to try to let everybody around us know um when and when this schedule is is playing out.
>> Thank you. >> Yep. >> And what's North Main Street? Was that for next year? >> So, it was originally on for FY27. Uh that's been pushed to FY28. >> Um >> I would I guess I'll >> phase, right? >> Huh.
>> We're still in the >> We're at 25%. >> Yeah. um next goes >> the next will be 75%. Um my guess is there the administrative part of getting to this next part with the layout. Uh
the abutters uh if there's any real um changes to the layout uh if we have to take some property um that they'll try to not do that. And again, I think that's where their roundabout instead of
the traffic lights conversation uh sort of halted because there wasn't really enough room over there and the grade coming down to stop and shop. Um but yeah, we'll we'll I'm hopeful we get going at FY28. Again, we we've been
approved. The money was there for this project. Um so, uh I can get an update for you on where we stand with the design. And I know uh last time I talked to Van who lives in town who works for VHB um he was excited that they got to
the 25%. Um, and moving on. And phase two, we already had a meeting on phase two, which isn't uh which is another four years out, but that's from uh right outside here where this first project ends all the way to Brook Street, which
includes the Westwood uh intersection, which would be I would I would assume the distance between projects would stay the same if this project moves. So, 28 and 33, 32. Um, >> wow. >> But yeah, that that's been frustrating,
the the design process um getting to these hitting these milestones late because then again, now you're pushing the next milestone off and um it it sort of messes the whole procedure up. But I will have I'll try to see if I can get an update on the on the tip project um
for next meeting. If they end up with extra asphalt on any of these projects, any little patching on North Main Street, I'm sure would be appreciated. >> Yeah. The last two thoughts I have on the paving discussion. Um, one is just
for the the public. I know it's frustrating even for us that it seems like it took so long, but there was a lot of planning and a lot of time and money that had to get. And then once we do, now we're going to see the the benefits of all of that, which is good.
Um, then the only other thing that I was thinking of, because you just mentioned the the three-part tip project on North Main Street, is the rotary is in pretty rough shape now, but I know we're sort of in a what do we want to do for the the future, but I think we'll need to start thinking about that cuz I don't
think we can wait, even if that's part of a tip project or something, 10 years before we repave that in some capacity. So >> yeah, I would assume from a using our sort of traffic logic um that could use a treatment uh sooner rather than later.
And even if it were uh the micro surface, you know, 38 of an inch and just sort of bring that back up to clean. Um that's worth an investment based on the amount of traffic that that area sees. Um, so that's probably going
to be the answer because any full sort of redesign, re-imagining, uh, is at least that many years out, right? Uh, >> and that's where you get into these at some point you've got to do something, >> right?
>> Right. So, >> great. Thank you for the updates, Don. >> So, Connor, just a footnote. Um, just want to thank you for, you know, reaching out as far as for the capital. And I think it was a great idea to pick certain areas and streets and say,
"Okay, what's the cost of that? That's what we're going to put in towards it instead of just putting a clump of money aside and going, we don't know what they're going to do, but here's a million dollars towards it." Y >> projects was definitely the way to go. Thank you. >> Of course. And
then just real quick, I think it's not the road paving necessarily, but uh there was a question and or somebody brought up the uh master sidewalk master plan >> that has now been updated and I think uh I know the plan's been updated. Whether
or not it got uploaded to the site yet, I'm not sure. But uh those changes, all the sidewalks we've done since the last thing was was done. And then uh I think the chestnut was the exact was the one that somebody had asked about. >> Someone had asked. Yeah. >> Um which again will fall in line in
whatever order comes in. The the problem with some of these areas is there's nowhere to land uh in the middle of these two segments. Uh you want this part done, but there's no sidewalk on prospect or shaker or so. Uh we kind of
got to pick those off strategically as we go. But, uh, I just wanted to address that because I know that's came up more than once, uh, in in meetings. >> Perfect. Thank you, Tom. >> You're welcome. Next, we had the farmers market fees uh, from the speaker that we
had at our last meeting. Uh, so we did some additional followup from that and I asked a few more questions based on the answers that we we got to try to get some clarity around that. Um,
this >> more confused now. >> Me, too. >> That's what I said. I read it like three times and I think Tammy's answers I mean she did a wonderful job explaining it and
answering my questions but it seemed like I got more confused about like I think we almost need a a chart of like if you're a town resident and you want to do this what does the workflow look like? If you're not a town resident and
you want to do this type of good, what does the steps you have to follow look like? cuz it seems like there's so many different layers of rules that you have to follow and fees that apply in this step but not this step that I couldn't confidently tell someone how much they
need to pay in order to participate. We can't explain it and we're the ones setting the fees. I don't know how the public would understand it. >> But it also gets complicated if an individual branches out in different directions and each direction, you know, causes another fee, right,
>> based on whatever they're doing. So that and that may not be anything we can really fix because we don't know what individuals are going to do. I mean, if you're just going to bake things at your in your kitchen and and have folks pick that up, that's fine. But if then you're going to bake your stuff and take it
someplace else, >> right? >> You know, that creates another issue, right? >> Yeah. I think there's some of that that we won't be able to solve just based off of the state's health regulations on different categories of food, >> but at least from a town perspective of
someone coming to us and they want to do something, we should have a clear path of >> absolutely what's required more simple, a little bit more direct. >> And maybe this is an opportunity. I know she mentioned the the form could use some work, but maybe we just need to get this into a e-code process where if you
you know what are you trying to do with the farmers market? You're trying to sell this type of good and you check the boxes. Great. That requires that you do these things and how much it costs. That might make it easier. >> So through the chair. >> Sure.
>> So under uh one of the emails um that this got me. It's a um cottage kitchen um residential kitchen permit. Says this permit is to produce food in your home and does not cover the sale of the food
offsite. You're making food in your house. What are you supposed to do with it? The reason for the cottage kitchen is to sell it offsite. You make cookies, you bring them to a farmers market, but yet the permit doesn't cover that. and it
only covers you making the food. Doesn't allow you to sell it just to make it. I'm like, and again, I don't know if that's part with the state or whatever, but stuff like that just doesn't make sense. If I'm paying for a permit to
make food in my kitchen, you got to be able to sell it. I mean, why would you make it if you can't even sell it and Oh, no. Okay. Well, that that's one in order to make it. Now you need another fee in order to sell it. Now if you go to a farmers market, you
need another fee. And I I think that's where it comes in. And then on top of all of this, you need your business license. And if you're doing it out of your house, you have to go to the planning board. Um it just it's like,
wow, I don't want to cook. >> Right. I think that's where it comes in. It's I think the more I was reading everything, it doesn't even seem like a $75 fee is itself is necessarily high, but when you're adding it on top of all of the three or four things that you
have each have their own fee, right? >> That's where it gets unruly. >> So, it'd be something to look at like at the local level because I think when Dev brought up a good point like all these other communities, some of them had like appreciably lower. So clearly like some
of it might just be at the local level like because these other towns are already pricing in that state regulation but like that first thing like that that doesn't make a lot of you know like because you might it's like a fee to just cook in general >> which if that was the case if we were
all paying >> then you also need a site a site review permit for and I'm like what are they going to look at where your stove is and it's in your kitchen. I I some of it just didn't make sense. And I I think
before we um maybe finalize our fee schedule that we just look at this um a little more in depth and try and pull from other towns and see what other towns are doing and and it may simply be that we have a separate category for a
cottage kitchen. This is what the fee is on that and that allows you to sell at farmers markets and stuff. >> That makes more sense. sort of automatically gives you this other right. >> Yeah. This >> I feel like most people would that are doing this would be in that category. You usually a farmers market or like
equivalent. I don't think there's really a lot of other situations >> that we're dealing with here. >> And I know and I told you and I I'll tell you Tammy is obviously more than willing to come in. >> Um you know what we always when we were talking about this we knew that we were going to have the two meetings talking
about the fees uh in June. So Tammy andor the board of health will be more than happy to explain sort of the rationale andor uh suggestions on how to sort of maybe limit some of those fees. Uh I kind of like that uh all-inclusive
permit, right? Like if you're going to have this cottage thing, maybe that entitles you to go to bring your stuff to farmers market sort of by right, if you will. It seems like that would just more benefit residents where if you're coming in from the outside, you're still absorbing the fee. But if you're in
town, >> you do this fee, come from or it gets built in or >> and I made my ginger snaps. I just bring them right over >> from the other. That makes sense, >> right? Because it makes sense if you're, you know, still a full-blown restaurant in town that you need to follow all the
different categories. But if you're just trying to sell cookies, like you said, it's like, do you need to do all three separate categories or can we kind of do a bundle package here? >> Yeah, >> I agree. >> Great. So, I think we'll take that as an
action and we'll keep that uh >> see if I can um plan for or have Tammy plan for some of her time at least the first meeting in >> that would be great. >> Got my hand. >> Oh, yeah. You also have an end with the board. Yeah.
>> Thank you, Tom. All right. >> Dinner. >> All right. Next, we had the town manager performance evaluation. Um, I had extended the due date for the council to submit their evaluations to me till our
first meeting in June. >> Thank you. Um, but of course the >> guess I'm going right home after the meeting. >> Yeah. So, this will be to be continued at our our next meeting, but we Tom did submit his selfie vow to us with his manager report. So, at least we now have
that to reflect on when we're drafting our comments. And uh >> you mentioned, excuse me, you mentioned in yourself that um you were going to get a um sort of a report in the beginning of June. >> Mhm. Um
I just have a question. You I'm curious. You are This report is being put together by architects eel. >> Yeah. So I I had them help me uh take our existing space study and do one for
the new space and sort of see what that merge will look like. >> Okay. Um so so to facilitate what that move will look like. >> So that study doesn't include anything having to do with other buildings and
and assessment in terms of >> So Bruce has the uh he already has the existing document for all of our buildings. That's how he sort of populates the the capital plan. >> And so how do you how do you formulate
that information? Is that part of this too or it >> it's all going to go together. So I >> as as I was thinking about this, yes, we need to know all the things you want to know about all our buildings, but how I I turned it
into the making the move into the new building. So, and that involves some space programming with our existing uh staff and space uh and then any future needs and what that's going to look like over there and giving them some ideas
about uh perhaps having a meeting room in their uh council chambers or something like that. Um and so um >> so we'll be able to have the report before the >> I would assume. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> Yeah.
>> Great. Secretary of the Chair, I know um in the past we've done on a scale of 1 to 10 and there's multiple questions and all. Um what's the thought of uh having Tom fill out the same form and see uh >> see what his self-evaluation opinion is
on that as compared to how he perceives or >> bet my scores would be higher. >> Double self evaluation. >> I mean, I do it anyway after I get yours. uh typically uh yeah I mean I I'd
be willing to >> objectively fill out a form >> again some of the stuff is very hard to go through and analyze um I mean how he deals with department heads how are we supposed to really know that
unless we bring in each department head and yeah and and analyze it I I I can't answer that question and if you leave it blank Hank. Boy, does his score drop. >> Yeah. I mean, if he's amendable to it, it doesn't hurt. Is another point of
reference. >> Done. >> It's easy. Just >> 99.5. >> You should hear how self-critical I am. It's not going to be good. >> Do you need the blank one, Tom? I think his wife should fill it out. I would move that. >> Compare the two numbers.
>> Is there a motion? I'll second that. >> Leave the first lady out. >> I have an issue and she's not an employee, but >> uh do you do you have that in a >> Yeah, I can. >> I mean, I have the filled out copies on my >> No, I can send you last year.
>> If you could send me a blank one. Sure. >> Sure. The do >> Yeah. I just think it would be interesting for us to be able to compare um what his actual thought is on how he's doing with it. Um >> I'll tell you what it would do. It would be way easier than trying to type a a
selfie valve from from nothing. Like it's the worst experience. At least I had Friday off last week and so I finished it barefoot which is at least a little comfortable. Um but uh yeah, that would be cool. I I actually that's a
good idea. >> Sure. And then looking ahead, so we will of course for our next meeting which is the >> second Tuesday in June, right? >> Yeah. Because the first Tuesday is the town election and council is the second meeting.
>> Um we wouldn't do it. We'll have the responses from you all at that point, but then we'll have our performance evaluation committee review that for our second meeting in June. Um,
>> so as long as Marilyn, Ralph, and John are still good to serve on that. You're >> they were on it last year. >> He said he wasn't. I thought he was >> I'm gonna have to keep a running list like you, Marilyn. I'm like,
>> that was Marilyn, Ralph, and John. Now remember, Marilyn said nine. >> Yes, I would I would love that. >> Great. >> So then by our second meeting in June, we'll have the everything consolidated with some potential goals and then
>> close out. >> We'll close it out for the end of the fiscal year. >> Great. I'm crazy that that's already happened. >> All right. Anything else on Val? new business. Uh we have one topic to
discuss support for the Senate uh bill 3050, an act to build resilience for Massachusetts communities. Uh thank you Jim for drafting >> a support letter. Um, of course that overall bill has lots of language and
probably a whole ton of provisions that who knows whether we all agree with each of them or not, but the specifically >> you understand them, >> right? That too. >> Yeah. Understand what it's actually talking about. But there's two specific
amendments 38 and 42. Uh 38 would establish u representation on the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission with communities that actually receive water from Springfield Water and Sewer. Islam being one of them. Um to me that
seems important as we've talked about before and it's not exactly the same structure, but it is similar to what we do with Westcom. That seems to work that hey, we're all member communities of it. we should have a a vote and representation and the direction of
what's going on in the budget and all that sort of stuff. And then amendment 42 was for the West Parish water treatment plant remediation and that would change the the level of funding. I think originally in the bill it was something I forget the exact dollar
amount but maybe 10,000 or 100,000 in this significantly up >> 5 million million. still probably doesn't cover the cost of what they're looking at, but it's >> something >> something more than than what we were looking at. >> Something more than nothing.
>> Exactly. >> Yeah. So, if it's the council's pleasure, we could vote in support of those two amendments and we have that draft letter that we can to send to our state reps
and see if that gets us any further. I make a motion to um support or uh have our support for the letter for support Senator Alivera's amendment to S3050, an act to build resilience for Massachusetts communities. um supporting
both amendment 38, equitable representation on the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission and amendment 42, West Parish Water Treatment Plant Remediation Funding using the >> letter that councelor Leiden put together
seconded >> seeing Jim created the letter. >> Motion made and seconded. Any further discussion? I think this is a great issue and I thank Jim for highlighting it over the last couple of weeks. I think it's been really
important. I think hearing from residents on it too, some people that may not have known about it. Um, so I think it'll hopefully other communities will enact it that are affected as well. >> Yeah, I think it's pretty important. I mean, thanks to Jim for spearheading it. I know we're all passionate about it and
in agreement with the topic and certainly since we just appropriated the budget this evening for next year, we all know that the the water and sewer rates increased, but a large part of that is just a pass on cost from what we get charged from Springfield water and sewer and hopefully this could help
nudge some change in that direction. Not to say that the cost would never go up, but >> at least we would have some input and control in that. >> Any other discussion? vote. >> Okay, seeing none, all those in favor, please say I.
>> Opposed? Motion passes. >> Great job, Jim. Thank you. >> Great. >> So, action items for our next meeting. Let me look at our calendar. So, as we said, our next meeting is Tuesday, June 9th. We have town manager evaluation.
We'll continue with um with your submitted goals. Of course, for the 23rd is when we'll actually have everything compiled. And final, we'll have the first reading of chapter 500 for the fee, fine, and penalty schedule. I expect changes between the 9th and the
23rd on that. Um, we'll continue to review the Oh, >> mean to interrupt. Did Did you know Do you want Did I Did me or Jeie did we do that um word document with the changes last year? I can't remember. >> I think so. I think we took what was
just approved in the budget, kind of redlined it. >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> we can do it. >> Okay. >> If you need help. >> No, no, no. I So, I think we have the um um
we can download into a >> word document because we and then we can just put on track changes and spit it out. >> Perfect. Then we'll continue with the farmers market fees and schedule. Um,
let's see. I think that's what I had so far. Am I missing anything? So, I think by the next meeting, I should be able to submit to you from the bylaw review committee the general
bylaws highlighted with a few changes. >> Just a couple. Jackie was nice enough to print it out for me. We only have chapter 3 315 to update. Um the updates that were suggested weren't included in
this. So I will talk to Mr. Quimby to have him update it. >> Great. No, that's a good point. And then by our next meeting, the election would have concluded. So we'll know the outcome to the ballot question, how we even proceed with all of those >> changes.
>> By the way, you did a very good job. both of you at the candidates trying to explain get people to understand sound was good. >> Thank you. >> Which on that topic too before I forget
um if it's the council's pleasure too. I was going to try to summarize some of those thoughts that I shared at that forum uh forum to post online to like explain what the ballot question is so people aren't surprised when they get
to the polls what it means. >> Yeah, like I said, I think the language is already basically in there, right? >> We just didn't put that we use it every 10 years. We didn't think ahead. Anything else for the next meeting? I'm
sure we'll have stuff to come out. >> All right. If there's nothing else, I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion was made and seconded. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. I. Any opposed? Passes to 808.