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for the duration of the meeting unless you are participating in the public speak time or in the public hearing. Thank you. This meeting is now called to order. Maryanne >> Connie Denim >> here. >> Felicia Jazzic >> here. JP Quisinski
>> here. >> Tom Peak >> here. >> Brad Riley here. >> Tamara Smith here. JT Terrell. >> We have a quorum. Excellent. At this time, I'd like to take a moment of silence
and ask everyone to reflect on how we can become a city that is the best we can be, the most civil, the most working willingness to work and listen to other people that we can
possibly have. I thank you. At this time will rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I will work my best to achieve. >> At this time, we have the high privilege of inviting the mayor to the podium. And Maryanne, would you please take the
honors >> down here or there? >> I would uh defer to your judgment in this call. >> Wherever you'd like. >> This is where we normally do. >> That's great. >> I can't see.
>> I state your name. I Salem Derby >> to solemnly swear >> to solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully and impartially >> that I will faithfully and impartially >> discharge and perform >> discharge and perform >> all duties incumbent upon me >> all duties incumbent upon me
>> as mayor of the city of East Hampton >> as mayor of the city of East Hampton >> according to the best of my knowledge and abilities >> according to the best of my knowledge and abilities >> agreeably to the rules and regulations >> agreeably to the rules and regulations >> of the Constitution of the United States of America the Constitution of the
United States of America, >> the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, >> the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, >> and the city of East >> the city of Eastampton. >> Congratulations, Mr. MAYOR. MOST IMPORTANT PART.
You have any words you would care to give at this time or you going to wait for speak? Good. also very unusual in November, but I would like to call Jonathan Schmidt up at this time. Jonathan ran for
counselor at large and received the most votes for the position and now has the opportunity to serve as of certification. Maryanne, please. >> I state your name. I, John Schmid,
>> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully and impartially >> that I will faithfully and impartially >> discharge and perform >> discharge and perform >> all duties incumbent upon me >> all duties incumbent upon me >> as city councelor at large
>> as city councelor at large >> according to the best of my knowledge and abilities >> according to the best of my knowledge and abilities >> agreeably to the rules and regulations >> agreeably to the rules and regulations >> of the constitution ution of the United States of America. >> of the Constitution of the United States
of America. >> The laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. >> The laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts >> and the city of East Hampton. >> And the city of East. >> Congratulations. >> Jonathan, >> we do. Jonathan, we have a formal duty
here and that is to formally sign in. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And here I have something for you. >> And you may right next door where you want to go. >> Yes. I'm sorry. You're going to go over
there. >> That's right. >> Thank you. >> Pick a seat. Any seat. We have the privilege of inviting back one of the counselors who is currently serving and
was uh elected by the council to serve until the election. And at this time I would invite councelor uh Yadzik Jadzik to be here for precinct one >> two two
I apologize. Yeah. I am so excited that you're back that precinct 2 and you were elected without opposition. Thank you. >> So raise your right hand please and
repeat after me. I state your name. I, Felicia Jazzac, >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully and impartially that I will faithfully and impartially >> discharge and perform >> discharge and perform all duties incumbent upon me all duties incumbent
upon me as precinct 2 city counselor as precinct 2 city councelor according to the best of my knowledge and abilities according to the best of my knowledge and abilities agreeably to the rules and regulations agreeably to the rules and regulations of the Constitution of the United States of America of the
Constitution of the United States of America, >> the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, >> the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, >> and the city of East and the city of East. Congratulations. >> Thank you, John. Thank you.
At this time, we have an additional counselor to uh bring aboard and that is councelor Amanda Newton. I would invite you forward who was uh successful in her
bid to uh precinct 4. Congratulations, >> Maryanne. Raise your right hand. Repeat after me, please. I state your name. >> I >> do solemnly swear >> do solemnly swear >> that I will faithfully and impartially
>> that I will faithfully and impartially >> discharge and perform >> discharge and perform >> all duties incumbent upon me. >> All duties incumbent upon me >> as precinct for city counselor >> as precinct for city counselor >> according to the best of my knowledge and abilities.
>> To the best of my knowledge and abilities. agreeably to the rules and regulations >> agreeably to the rules and regulations >> of the Constitution of the United States of America >> of the Constitution of the United States of America >> the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
>> the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts >> and the city of East Hampton >> and the city of East >> Congratulations start Congratulations. >> That's all good. >> It's definitely not a usual meeting. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Just
>> every meeting you have to shake everybody's hand >> and sign in. So it's like a sports >> game. Good game. >> Thank you. >> You can just transition to highlights. Take a seat. >> Congratulations one and all. Thank you
very much. We're so excited to have you join us. At this time, uh we have our minutes from October 8th. I would entertain a motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Second.
>> I hear a second. Thank you. We're all good here. Are there any discussion on the matter? >> None. Hearing none. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. >> Abstain. >> Abstaining. We have Jonathan and Amanda.
So now you formerly counselor Schmidt and Councelor Newton. My apologies. >> Thank you. Uh motion passes. Uh we're moving on to public comment. At this time, uh, you have the opportunity to address the council for any matter that
is not on the agenda or on, uh, for the public hearings. You have uh up to two minutes to speak on whatever matters that may be on your mind. At 6:15, however, we have the public hearings.
So, at 6:15, we have announced the public hearings. They're published and we will break from public speak to the public hearings, finish the public hearings, come back. Anyone online who cares to speak, you would certainly be
welcome to join at that time. >> Please state your name. >> Hi, my name is Kayla Crow >> and address >> 140 Lovefield Street in East Hampton. >> Thank you. And you have up to two minutes. Um my concern. So um there was
a new park um like um a new park this is so stressful. Sorry. >> You're okay. >> This is like public like super public. Okay. Sorry. Um a new park >> it's okay >> bench was there. Um and I just wanted to
kind of like understand if Oh sorry. Um if there's any um plan on maintaining um like privacy um for my home and it's like like it's like right across the street
from the newly installed bench. Um so I just wanted to understand if there was potentially any plans for that. I I have already spoken to the Manhan Trail Committee as well on Monday. Um and they had mentioned to come to you all. So I just wanted to put that in there as a plug um to figure out
how that can be addressed in that capacity. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh I will announce and I should have said this sooner that we do not respond immediately to anyone anyone's particular comments otherwise
uh that would might be a violation of open meeting law. So you're welcome to bring the topics to us. We will I would ask you to either contact the clerk's office and leave your name. I'd be happy to contact you or you're welcome to coun to speak with any of the counselors here
at the table. Uh >> great. Thank you. >> So, so feel free to stop in or call mine. I'll give you my number if you're interested. 575609. So, feel free to use that. >> I appreciate your time.
>> And I will announce that uh depending on how short your your your time is, we only will have time for your you or one other person. >> All right. I'll try to be brief. Um I want to say congratulation or Ken Robin Quaid at Jones Drive. uh city councelor elect. Uh I want to say congratulations
to the counselors that got got sworn in tonight. I look forward to serving the community together on that side of the podium in January. Um I also want to thank the counselors for the resolution in support of uh workers collective bargaining rights. I really hope that it passes unanimously tonight. Um and last but not least, uh I wanted to speak to the concerning development regarding the
mayor's office in the overhaul of the executive uh assistant position. Uh since the election, I was really happy for the opportunity the city had for both Salem and Lindsay to work together in the mayor's office. we would have gotten the best of Salem's creativity from his years on council matched with the best of Lindsay's experience getting things done within the city. And I'm
really disappointed to hear this wouldn't be the case. I'm also really troubled to hear the executive assistant role is being replaced with a clerical position beyond the serious personal impact this has on a public uh servant and working mother who's dedicated nearly a decade to the community. This also hurts our city's institutional knowledge and capacity in the mayor's
office. Lindsay did a lot of critical work all these years and removing that position will only hinder our city in solving the challenges ahead. I also think this will make it harder for our mayor to be more responsive and accessible to the community more broadly if he's taking on more administrative tasks formally well handled by a professional. I totally understand and
respect them that the mayor should be surrounded by a team that helps them feel supported and do their best even if that's not um Lindsay, but I think that removing department leadership capacity will do the opposite. As Lindsay had planned to do if she won, it would make sense to redetermine the needs of the position based on the skills and the needs of the sitting
mayor and to negotiate a fair reduction in compensation and responsibilities alongside that. I don't think this heavy-handed approach is warranted, especially when we are literally weeks from the election. I won't assume Mayor Derby's intentions behind this, and I think we all benefit from assuming the best of each other, but this makes that
challenging for me. If I'm being honest, I think this sends a really bad message regardless of the original intent. 15 seconds. >> It looks like a disregard and dismissal of the critical work that Lindsay has done for the last seven years. I've also had multiple people reach out to me personally to express similar feelings um since the Gazette article was published yesterday, which is why I felt
the need to express this publicly. I truly want Marby Marie to be successful and I want to be able to work together in the best interest of the community, but that includes disagreeing when I see choices being made that I feel will harm their community. I really hope that those who can will push back on this and um we can find a a good resolution.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Then this brings to 6:15 the time for the public hearing. And so I apologize to anybody who would like to speak right now. There will be time to speak afterwards. >> I would uh at this time entertain a
motion to open the public hearings. So moved. >> Second. >> Second. Motion in a second to open the public hearings. Any discussion? All those in favor? Opposed? >> Motion passes. The hearings are now open. Councelor Peak, do you have any
comments regarding tax classification, >> which is >> something we have to do? Yes. >> And is important and we're glad it's coming in a timely fashion. >> Yes. So, we met with uh Martha, our our principal assessor, uh the finance
committee did did a few weeks back and we went over uh the options that are available to us for uh sort of uh when it comes to tax classification. Uh broadly, for the whole time that I've been on the council, we've gone by with one uh approach. And the main reason for
that is that a lot of the other alternative options that are set out don't necessarily make uh a lot of sense in the opinion of the board of assessors, the principal assessor or the finance committee. Uh they don't necessarily make a ton of sense uh for East Hampton given our particular
property mixture and size and whatnot. So Martha will be able to explain that. I think I think she has a presentation prepared, but um ba basically the the short version of it is that we are not recommending any changes to what we've been doing for the past few years. >> So, council the process will be that
we'll hear from our principal assessor and then be able to ask questions at that time. >> I do have a presentation. I just don't have my IT crutch with me. >> Do you need help signing? >> Yeah. Okay.
Is she a co-host? >> I'm going to make her a co-host. >> Um, yep. I lost it. I mean, it's up. >> So, if you can get out of this for a sec, then you can log in as a host on this computer.
>> I did join, but I think you're in your own meeting. >> This is a special meeting. Sorry. invitation. That's right. It'll take one second. Sorry. No, it's not your fault. >> It's because we had multiple meetings tonight.
One second. Almost there. All right. Now I'll make you a co-host and then you can go. >> Okay. Here. I can do like where >> and then right here >> and then here and then here
>> and then I share. >> Perfect. >> Oh, success. >> And then I come back here. Where is it? But I want all of it.
>> Is that good? >> Um, >> it's not. So, >> this is one thing I do know. >> Oh, I don't want that either. >> We're all going to take turns coming up there and doing something. >> Oh,
>> yeah. I was full screen here, but I think >> Can we get my face up there, too? Don't tell >> I thought I had this under. >> You can mute your camera.
>> Yeah. >> Um, can you go back to your presentation? >> I know to do this on Zoom. >> Go back to the get out of this. Don't know why it's not showing. >> It was showing earlier because I practice multiple times. >> People will still be able to see it.
>> Okay. Well, I'm going to I'm going to >> speak it anyway. Wrong way. No, I don't know. All right. Okay. Now, why is it It's not up there. All right. I'm just gonna just gonna
speak it. Okay. We're here for the tax classification. I'm Martha Levy. I am the principal assessor. And um the purpose of the tax classification is that before the tax rate can be set, city council must hold a mandatory
annual public hearing required by Mass General Law, chapter 40, section 56 to consider the tax rate options available to the municipality under property tax classification. This hearing is held after assessors have determined final
values and classified all properties and reported this information to the department of revenue. These values set the parameter the city may adopt. The main goal is to vote on a residential factor and other local options that
determine the percentage of total property tax levy each property class will bear for fiscal 26. This hearing does not determine the total amount of money to be raised, nor does it decide the tax rate for the city. Um, many of the figures were used
from FY25 because we don't have our complete picture of FY26. There are five classes of property for tax allocation purposes. There's the residential class one which is single families, multif family, condos,
apartments, even non-owner occupied properties are still taxed at the residential rate. Open space is land maintained in open and natural condition and very few communities classify property as open space. East Hampton has no properties classified as open space.
Commercial is class three. Industrial is class 4, manufacturing, processing, and utility real estate. and personal property for anybody who owns a business. It's the tangible items not firmly attached to land or buildings
such as machinery, tools, merchandise, furnishings, equipment, etc. And that would be for businesses of most legal structures. And um the common grouping is the class 3, four and five
known as the CIP, commercial, industrial and personal property. This would be a good one to see. Uh we have to submit to the state what's called an assessment classification detailed report which is an L4
for FY26. It breaks down every property class. There are multiple classes for the residential um from single family, condominiums, trailer homes, properties with ADUs
which would be considered multiple houses on one lot, multif family, uh four or more, and that's the largest class. East Hampton's total taxable value for FY26
was just over $2.6 billion. The average single family home value, which is property class 101 for FY26 was $418,545. This is an increase of $26,930 from last year's average single family
value of 391,615. And I will say that most single family homes will see an increase of 7% in their assessment. Why do we change values every year? We are required to. Under the guidelines
established by the Department of Revenue and Mass General Laws, Chapter 59, assessors must assess property at 100% full and fair cash value. The annual adjustment serves two main purposes. to accurately reflect market conditions,
what properties are selling for, and to ensure the equitable distribution of the tax burden among property owners within the community. To achieve this, we continuously review sales, inspect properties to maintain accurate records. These visits are
called cyclical inspections and are required by the Mass Department of Revenue with all property interiors and exterior exteriors inspected at least once every 10 years. And while assessors are mandated to attempt to get in,
homeowners do not have to let us in. They can say no. Additionally, new construction, additions, or significant alterations to existing properties necessitate a review and reinspection to accurately reflect their impact on market value. These
regular evaluations combined with the cyclical inspection program form a comprehensive approach to maintaining accurate and equitable property assessments through East Hampton. Um there's a chart to show the
calculation for a single tax rate which is basically uh simplified to the total amount to be raised minus estimated receipts. You get the tax levy. You divide that by the total valuation. You get a tax rate for last year was 0.01367
times a,000. 1367 was the tax rate for FY25. Now the meat local option one the single rate versus the split rate. City council must decide on a residential factor. They can decide on a single rate which
would be a residential factor of one where all classes of property residential, commercial, industrial and personal property pay the same tax rate. And for this year, our residential makeup is 88% of the levy and the CIP
makes up 12%. Or city council can vote to reduce the percentage of the tax levy paid by residential property owners. The difference is shifted to the CIP class resulting in two different tax rates. A lower one for residential and a higher
one for CIP. The maximum shift is limited by the minimum residential factor or MRF which ensures residential properties pay at least 65% of their full fair full and fair cash value share of the
levy. CIP cannot pay more than 150% of their full and fair cash value of the levy. the total levy stays the same and East Hampton has historically chosen a single tax rate. Uh I'll just break down this chart. Do
you guys see the chart? You don't see the chart. Okay. So with a residential factor of one, we had the 88% for residential and CIP percentage was 12% which led us to a 1367 across the board tax rate.
um a various scenarios. The maximum would be a residential factor of 0.93 with a CIP factor of the 150%. that changes the levy to 82%. The percentage of levy for residents is 82%
raising the commercial industrial percentage of the levy to 18% which led to a tax rate which would have led to a tax rate for residences of $1274 and $20.50 for commercial.
Using the maximum shift, the average single family assessment from last year of 391615, lowered the value, the tax bill lowered the tax bill $364 and with an average commercial industrial assessment of $62,611.
It increased the commercial industrial tax bill by $4,116. The next local option would be the residential exemption and this shifts the tax burden within the residential class one. City council may adopt a
residential exemption for all residential properties that are the principal resident of the taxpayer. The exemption cannot exceed 35% of the average assessed value of all residential properties. This fixed
dollar amount is exempted from the value of all ownereoccupied principal residences. It is intended >> for a taxpayers's principal residence not for vacation homes, investment properties or higher valued homes. The
impact would be lower valued owner occupied homes would see a tax reduction. The tax burden would then be shifted to owners of residential properties, vacation homes, and higher valued homes. The majority of residential properties in East Hampton
are owner occupied, and shifting the burden to rental properties could potentially lead property owners to pass the increase on to tenants. And these residential exemptions are usually adopted in larger cities and towns with a high percentage of non-owner occupied
rental properties like Boston, Brooklyn, etc. And then many resort communities like the Cape and the Islands. And lastly, the small commercial exemption. This would provide an exemption of up to
10% of the property valuation for commercial class 3 properties. In order to qualify, a property must be occupied by a business that has an assessed value of less than $1 million, has an average annual assess has an
annual average employment of no more than 10 people, and if the parcel is occupied by multiple commercial occupants, all occupants must be eligible. Adopting this exemption increases the commercial industrial tax rates. The higher rate creates a shift
that reduces the taxes paid by owners of properties occupied by small businesses and shifts them to larger commercial and industrial taxpayers. This does not change the total taxation for commercial properties and it does not benefit the small business. It would only benefit
the owner of the real estate and communities that have a large commercial population like Auburn, Ava, Avon, Bellingham, Berlin, Brainree um have adopted the residential exemption.
The assessor's recommendation for this year's classification hearing is to adopt a single rate or a residential factor of one. The board recommends against adopting a residential exemption and they also recommend against adopting
a small commercial exemption. Thank you. Questions, >> Brett, >> councelor Riley, >> thank you for that. Um, so first thing that I I wanted to um to ask, I know we had some technical difficulties with the
presentation. Um would you be able to forward this on to say the city council president um to share with the um new counselors who were just um >> sworn in tonight and then also for the the new ones who will be coming in a
couple of months. I think it would be helpful to kind of contextualize what it is that we're talking about. >> Yes. And it will be on the assessor's website. >> Perfect. Okay, great. Um and then you know so the question that I have for you is um in my um recollection we have adopted the
single rate of one as as long as I've been a a city councelor. Do you see anything on the horizon um where we might need to reconsider that in the future? Are there any sort of things that um you know might
uh start to come you know out of balance or you know that we would have to think about you know doing one of these exemptions >> for the split rate that usually works in communities that have a large commercial industrial base. Ours is 12% of our
total levy. Um it's cities like Westfield, Holio, uh Springfield. Um, residential exemption. Again, the majority of our properties are owner occupied, are residential. So, that sounds like it would be helpful, but it
would it would also raise the uh taxes for our higher valued homes. And my thought would be if people play pay a higher rate for their higher priced home, they
might sell their property to move to a community that does not have a residential exemption. We don't have I mean we have multifamilies, we have large complexes, but um >> we don't have enough where that would make a huge difference. Okay. Um, and
the small commercial exemption I think would be great, but it doesn't benefit the business itself, only the property owner. >> Right. >> So, coming down the line, unless we have a bunch of properties come in or a bunch of businesses come in, then maybe a split rate, but at this point, it's
pretty >> um it wouldn't really make sense. >> Okay. >> It's just best to have a split tax rate and hope >> sales come down. >> Yeah. Okay, perfect. Thank you for that. I appreciate it. Councelor Newton,
>> is it okay? Um, so for the residential exemption, is that like a complete 100% exemption or can we make it a small smaller percentage? >> I think you can um go up to 35% of and so that fixed amount would come
off. It's not 100%. There are exemptions which um there might be another time. There are senior exemptions that help the taxpayer veteran exemptions if you're a disabled veteran of 10% or more. Um, but the uh residential
exemption I it really is in communities that have a large rental or vacation home population. Um, >> do we have the veteran exemption in the >> We do. I'd be happy to go over that if you ever want to stop by the office, >> but it's already in place.
>> It's already in place. It's it's uh it's a separate exemption that the state um you can adopt various um income levels, age limits um but it is across the board offered in every community here just it varies um the amounts in town by town.
>> Could we raise that or >> uh JP and I um will be looking at some of the other there are local options within those exemptions that we can look at. Um, we've adopted, you know, increasing the senior exemption from 500
to a,000, lowering the age for seniors from 70 to 65. Veteran exemption is pretty much there. There is one that is in the works which could exempt um there's various
uh not prices, amounts that get exempted. So, if you are a disabled veteran with 10% or more, but not 100%, you would get $400 off your taxes and you can raise that to up to 100%. So, you could get $800 and use a COLA.
They're two separate um recent with the Heroes Act uh local options. So, you can adopt one or the other or both together. >> So, I know the veterans agent was looking into it. And so who sorry for the question but who decides who raises
like whether the senior exemption or the veteran exemption gets raised? >> If I might interrupt for a moment >> uh >> the matter at hand is not the senior exemption or the other. So I would like to focus the conversation on what we
have before us since it we can discuss the other options later. They are in addition to what is currently what's on the on the table tonight is >> strictly classification of the split >> the tax classification and the split rate. >> I'd be happy to discuss that.
>> I I'm sorry to interrupt. It's okay. >> Please continue if you had other questions. >> Okay, great. >> Uh any other questions from counselors at this time? I would open this up to the public. Anyone in the audience here who has any
comments or thoughts on the tax classification matter? Don't all raise your hands at once. Okay. Seeing none, I turn to the uh uh online uh group and offer the
opportunity to weigh in on the subject. Anyone online? Please raise your hand and you will be called on not seeing anyone >> in the on the online. You're not too
late. Please come to the podium. >> Are we all set? >> No. No. We have we have we have someone who rose here and you're entitled to >> not the right place. Carl Prawl, 22 Gaston, just had a quick question. Uh, trying to do some back of the napkin
math. Um, this was a $27,000 increase of the average home value, which again, my math skills are not strong, but that's working out to an increase of $850 average property c uh tax. And the last
two years going, our social security increase, COLA increase, has been $50 or $600. So, this increase is entirely going to eat into our seniors cola increases plus some. And I'm not saying
it's under the purview to dictate the law. I know this is, you know, the parliamentarian decides how we do this apparently, but um I hope we're keeping that in mind that this 15% increase in property values is going to price many
people out who have fixed incomes in our community. Thank you. >> Anyone else? Before I invite anyone else, the principal assessor, would you care to comment on the on this on the subject?
>> Um uh 15% uh the percentage pretty much across the board is 7%. There is some variations. Uh if you improved your property then on top of the 7%. Um, and there's a lot of factors, style, square
footage, outbuildings, extra features. So, not everybody's property will be exactly the same, but I do um would love people to come into the office or call and I'd be happy to explain. Um, I think
there's a lot of misinformation and as I said, this is something we have to do. It has nothing to do with our budget. It has nothing to do with Proposition two and a half. It's solely based on sales. So, just for some background for FY26,
we're a year behind. We're using calendar year 2020 for sales. So, the market if if you're paying attention, which I know everybody is, um it's been crazy. I think things have started to slow down a
little, but we I get asked why did this sell for so much? Why did this sell for so much? These are valid sales and the state wants to know why did a property sell for well over the assessed value. I
call realtors and these are valid sales, but people are finding alternate financing to put a down payment to pay cash. So, they are flush with, well, not flush with cash unless you're from
Boston or California. Um, which has been a problem. Um, but they are paying cash offers well over ask just to get into a home. And that's a valid sale. We can't um they're called coded out. So if it's a family
sale or there's personal property involved, we can code those sales out so they don't count, but the sales the assessment to sales ratio keep falling every year. So we have to bump it back up. Um and it's
unfortunate. Um it's the aspect of my job I do not like. But I do really like talking to the taxpayers when they come in and have a question. So I really encourage people to come in. Do not rely on Facebook for your information. Come to the source,
please. I'm happy to um explain as best I can. Um because that's all I can do. So I appreciate it. Thank you. >> So we're here tonight to discuss the tax classification, not the tax rate. My
understanding was the rate is typically set >> the rate will happen after. So you have to decide what factor you want to use. If a factor of one which has been standard then it stays with a split tax
rate. Um I haven't been able to get where we might be at with our tax rate right now. Not all the information is in. We submit everything to gateway and it's not all in there. So I can't get an idea. I think we still have to
include our debt exclusion. >> Um so it's up to the city council to decide on the this matter >> first residential exemption and then the small business exemption. So I'm sorry I know we got a little off but I kind of expected that. These are these are not
good times. >> They're all they're all good questions. Anyone else from the audience or online? Last call. Seeing none, I would invite the counselors if they
have any final questions on the matter. Nope. Seeing none, I would entertain a motion. >> Sure. Um, I would move that the city council adopt uh the board of assessors recommendations of a residential factor
of one. No residential exemption and no small commercial exemption. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Have a motion and a second >> to adopt a single classification. Is there any further discussion? Seeing that uh this has been the way the
matters have proceeded in the past also that our city is not at a point where we have a commercial base or an industrial base sufficient to support a change at this time. Uh typically, I believe most communities look to 25 or 26% as a
minimum amount of other types of property before they shift a burden to those properties. And so at this time, I'm certainly in favor of this motion. And seeing no other discussion, I'll
call for a vote. All those in favor? >> I >> opposed abstain. Thank you. Motion passes. Councelor Peak. >> Okay. So, the next item that we have up is a uh request to adopt Mass General
law chapter 200A section 9A is amended by section 65 of chapter 188 of the act of 2010. Uh which is an alternative procedure for managing abandoned funds or unc unclaimed checks or tailings. Uh
so I I think um Mayor Derby or somebody from his staff might have some more to say on this, but uh before he does, largely this would streamline um the process of what happens if the city writes a check uh to an individual or an
organization and for an extended amount of time it goes unclaimed. Um the current process is uh sort of uh it it's difficult. Um so this is this is an alternative uh way of handling this that
uh that the um state has made available to cities. Uh the city council reviewed this proposal and uh voted to uh recommend it three to zero. The city council finance committee uh voted to recommend this three to three to zero.
Mayor Derby. >> Thank you. So, I had no idea what tailings were until I became interim mayor. Uh, and our um treasurer, who's really great, brought it to my attention that we have a significant number of checks that have gone out that never got
cashed. And if we want to try to get people that money, we have to go through a process that where we advertise that. Um, and if you've ever seen on a check void after 180 days, um, which is a pretty standard thing, um, this would be
those checks that have been voided, um, that the city had issued. So maybe 20 years ago, I misplaced a city council check and never found it. Um, so this would allow the city to advertise that that check is outstanding. um and that
starts a clock and that clock would then allow us within that time period, I think I believe it's a year, um if nobody responds to that, then all of that money can go back into the general fund. Um and so then we don't have outstanding liabilities that we're not sure if these checks are going to cash
or um so this was something that was brought to our attention by our treasurer who was paying close attention tidying up our books and um it made a lot of sense to bring it forward. >> Counselors any questions for the mayor?
Seeing none. I uh looked at this and met with the treasurer, met with the mayor, and certainly it seemed to me that it was the prudent way to proceed because the city uh was is in a much
better position to help to get the funds to anyone who may feel that they have funds out outstanding. uh money's owed them and it enabled the city to take steps toward that matter towards that return of the funds. If the funds uh
aren't collected again, we're able to go ahead and uh balance the books, put the books, everything back in order because otherwise you're carrying liabilities that just they're not going to be liabilities anymore. So that can get
cleared up after the year. Uh we would start the clock by moving this forward. Not seeing any other questions or further discussion on the matter. I would entertain a motion. >> Yes, we have >> public public's going to weigh in.
>> Is there anyone in the public who cares to comment on this? Thank you. >> I thought we'd have streams of folks just ready to go. No one's owed money. It must not be any any of you. All right. How about online?
Uh, is there anyone online? Any hands from the online group? If we will recognize you and allow you the opportunity to speak. Seeing none, we can move forward.
>> Okay. >> Council the peak. I would move that uh we um adopt uh Massachusetts General Law Chapter 200A section 9 as amended by section 65 of chapter 188 of the acts of
2010 alternative procedure for managing abandoned funds unclaimed checks or tailings. >> Second. We have a motion and a second uh to adopt a chapter enabling us to move forward with uh an alternative
procedure for managing abandoned funds. Any further discussion? Seeing none, all those in favor? >> I >> opposed abstain. Motion carries. Thank you. Now, this one I'm sure everyone's going to
have comments on, so we're prepared. Okay, so this is a supplemental appropriation of $85 for a veterans dental bill. Um, so basically, if you're just checking in on this, if when um
when the city has to pay an expense that occurred in a prior fiscal year out of funds that were budgeted for this fiscal year, they need to go to the city council for an appropriation to sign off on doing this. Usually when this
happens, it's particularly uh it it's usually in the first half of the fiscal year and it's usually because a bill came in late or there was some miscommunication and as a result um something was not paid in the year in which it occurred. Uh so that is what is
going on here. It's an appropriation for a fiscical year 25 dental bill uh that we'd be paying using fiscal year 26 funds. Uh the expenditure has already been approved for 75% reimbursement for the state. So it's just $85. Uh this is
probably the least controversial thing uh I've voted on in my time as city councelor. So um yeah, >> and we are required to deal with it. So any of the counselors have any uh questions or comments? Anyone from the
public here have any questions? This is your public uh hearing time to speak up. I'm seeing none about anyone online again. No one. I see no one. Uh this uh matter may proceed.
>> All right. Uh request is hereby made for the approval for approval of the following appropriation. Amount requested $85 to be transferred from account number 001.5440.5772 $85 to be transferred to the same account $85.
The amount requested will be used for the following purpose. The appropriation will be used to pay an FY25 dental bill for a chapter 115 benefit recipient using FY26 Chapter 115 funds. The
expenditure has already been approved for 75% reimbursement by the state. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> We have a motion in a second. I will say to the public, it doesn't matter the dollar amount. This is the So I hope we can keep everyone awake through this. Uh
so that's why it's important that we deal with it. Uh is there any other questions from the counselors? Excellent. Uh I will call the vote. All those in favor >> I
>> opposed. Abstain. Motion passes. I'll take a motion to close the public hearings. Some move. >> Second. >> Motion is second to close the public hearings. All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes. Thank you. We
return now to public speak time again to review. Two minutes per individual. Uh anyone who'd like to come to the podium and speak your mind. This is the time to do so. Uh we ask you to identify yourselves and again we do not comment
directly back. Uh but we will be in contact and please feel free to contact me at 413-575609 should there be any issues that you would like resolved or contact the clerk or any of the counselors. Next in line
>> um Nathan Marque 37 Holio Street. I'm a city council or elect. Um before I go into my statement, I do want to say that um I'll be speaking about the elimination of the executive assistant role um at the mayor's office. I do want
to say that I believe that the mayor should have his own team, should have people that he's comfortable with, but I think that it's too abrupt and I think there should be a solid transition period. Um let me Okay, good evening everyone. I want to
address the significant concerns that have arisen regarding the mayor's recent administrative restructuring. I'm specifically referring to the decision to re reduce the critical executive assistant role to a more generalized administrative title. This decision has
implications that go far beyond a simple title change and we need to discuss them openly. My first concern is the optics and timing. We campaigned on a promise of unity and a commitment to working together for the future of our city. To to have one of the first major actions
of this administration is to be a change targeting a role held by a recent political opponent and to do so without public justification inevitably raises questions of political motivation. At this critical juncture we we must prioritize building trust and not
creating division. Secondly, we face a potential loss of institutional knowledge. The executive assistant position is frequently the repos repository for complex unwritten processes and historical context. The
necessary knowledge that ensures con consistent effective city operation from grant management to interdep departmental interdep departmental coordination. Downgrading this role without a systematic plan for retaining and documenting that vital expertise is not
streamlining is a risky decision that unnecessarily jeopardize the seamless functioning of our municipal services. Its potential impact needs to be f fully justified to the taxpayers. Finally, I can end. >> Please finish your thoughts. >> Okay. Finally, I raised the point of
understanding regarding the executive office itself. While the mayor served admiraably on city council, the responsibilities of the chief executive are fundamentally different. This action suggests a potential misunderstanding of the highly specialized complex support needed to manage the city of this
magnitude. We need assurance from the mayor that fully appreciates this expertise as um that has just been removed from the core of its operations. >> Thank you. >> Hi, good evening. My name is C. Backter Chandler. I live at 209 Main Street. I
want to express my disappointment and concern over Mayor Derby's decision to cut the salary hours and eventually eliminate the position of executive assistant position currently held by Lindsey Sakula. I feel like this is a short-sighted, ill-informed, and
illtimed decision by a firsttime mayor. It ignores the complexity of the office and the needs of East Hampton, East Hampton government. The argument that this is a common practice of new leadership coming in and making significant changes really falls
flat with me. I've worked 25, 30 years in administrative and program uh director positions watching new leaders come and go and the best new leaders that came in would come in get a sense of what is needed to be done took the
time and thoughtful um put some thought into making changes. I respect that Mayor Derby has been serving as intramor, but this has at best been part-time and it's been with Lindseay Sakula in the position of executive assistant. So, I'm really
concerned that he will become overburdened by the tasks of uh the executive position. And please know that this is coming from someone who overfunctions in this job that I have attempted and failed to do similar
things, take on um tasks that I could have delegated to other people. So I understand that drive, but it's taken me a long time to to understand how the importance of trusting of other people. >> 30 seconds. >> But the timing and the specific nature of this elimination is also worrisome.
Approximately one week after he wins an active election, the mayor decides to eliminate the position held by a former political rival. A woman who has held this position for years and by all reports has done a good job. I really urge the council to consider this. I
understand that you don't have uh regulation over the uh position changes like this, but you can um make a motion to disapprove of the decision and I urge you to do so. >> Thank you. >> No, you're fine. Seth Durant. I live at 49 Campbell
Drive. I'm a high school senior and it's my first time voting in elections. So, I'm just sort of I'd like to concur with the three previous statements. The future of elect Cayenne and the others and of course Nick Marquee and the what
really what I'm trying to say here is >> take your time. >> Sorry. It's my first time you ever doing this. >> You're doing great. I guess I'm more afraid of the checks and balances angle here. I I I get you you that he won a popular mandate, but
it was so early that it was cuz he got got sworn in today. This occurred before that even happened, which is was when he was acting mayor, which I think it would have made more sense to to at least by the very minimum
wait until he was sw until being sworn in to consider any proposal like this. And I felt there should have been more the ability of the public to weigh in before making such a decision that which I think was to use harsh terms rash and
a little shortsighted personally because I feel we school has had seven years of experience in the office and though obviously we all know derby's had 20 years of experience as a city counselor I think it's a good idea to work together in in these divided times
instead of instead of burning bridges And I I feel that's that's my biggest fear is that this is burning a bridge with a potential that the the two I see that the the two of them is much more similar than different. And I think this is burning a bridge that we don't need in this city, especially as as I I just
feel they could work together much better as he's as eliminating the position in the way it is is not nearly in my opinion the best move. Thank you. >> Thank you. Please. Uh, I would ask everyone to refrain from applause or any other
acknowledgement. >> Okay. Hi, I'm uh Bonnie Lambeath, 117 Cottage Street, Big Dragon House. Okay. So, um, I've been an East Hampton citizen since 2020. In 2022, I began volunteering in Brookside Cemetery of
unearthing graves that have been sunken in to the point where you can't see them and helping on uh just like older cemeteries. Sometimes they need a little help just to keep them, you know, in good condition enough. Um, I sought former mayor Nicole Chappelle's
permission to do it. I even posted my work on a social media page called Ender, developed a website, had a whole following for it. Everyone loved the posts that I was sharing. I loved doing it. I took pride in it. And the other day I uh had to tell my followers that
I'm retiring. And it the reason that I'm retiring has to do with the way that Salem conducts himself as mayor. I'm not working on city property without the permission of the current mayor. I think that that's just a terrible idea to keep comfortably working in the cemetery. I would have to ask him for permission and
I don't trust him. Word around town is that he promised to endorse someone during the election, then ran for mayor himself. I normally don't trust the reliability of the rumor mill, but the quality and quantity of people who told me this makes me believe it. Especially since he didn't start out running for
mayor. In the end, he won fair and square. But I'm taking his actions while trying to be mayor into considerations because of his behavior as acting mayor. Not even he was only sworn in today, so this was unofficial mayor. I'm raising an eyebrow at the fact that he restored
all the jobs that the previous mayor had cut and then simply removed the career of a former competitor. He cut her yearly salary from 92,000 to 56,000 a year. That is a massive decrease of 36,000. >> 15 seconds. >> What?
>> 15 seconds. Just >> Okay. He said, and I quote, "I don't need a high level assistant that is getting paid more than the mayor." And I have a question about that because he's supposed to serve the city and he has trivialized this into what can she do
for me. >> Thank you. >> Um Roger Anderson, 50 Westview Terrace of this topic. It's been a discussion tonight. I just wanted to put in the context of my understanding of it. Um I remember in 2018 when this new position
was proposed by then uh Mayor Lash Chappelle. To me it seemed kind of um nonsensical that the city this size the mayor would need a co-ayor essentially that was paid the same amount. In 2018
it wasn't approved. I was glad. In 2022, it was proposed again and um approved at that point. And so this current move really is just returning the city to where it was in the previous three mayors. The previous three mayors um
felt they were able to do the job they were elected for without an equally paid assistant and they did it very successfully. So it makes sense to me that the current mayor would be able to do that, too.
Thank you. Thank you, >> Miriam Ansar, 359 Main Street, Unit 2A. I think what the previous speaker said is quite important, and uh I hadn't thought about that, but I am thinking about the following. First of all,
I'm thinking that I don't really get the whole story here. Um uh and I don't get the timing of it. So what I actually think is that I had a hard time deciding who I would
put number one and number two among Lindsay and Salem. And I think Lindsay is wasted in the position of executive assistant. And I would be surprised if I were to hear that that's where she wanted to continue. I'm assuming that
her preference is to go on to be a city manager or uh town manager someplace else using the skills and the experience that she's had for the last seven years. So, what I'm feeling is that at the beginning of this new
um governance structure that we have of mayor and counselors that we're getting off to a start where it's all tied up in personalities and how things were done, what things were done. I have only to go
by a newspaper story and rumors and I don't like that. I think that number one, I'm surprised that we would need a co-ayor. I would prefer it if Lindsay chose to
stay until maybe January where everything starts again. I don't know what's going on behind the scenes. I don't know that it's actually relevant. What I think is most relevant is that somebody supremely qualified did not get elected in the city for
mayor and should go on to all successes someplace else. And we should be wishing her that good speed >> and wishing good speed to our new mayor and our new council that's coming in and just go on with life.
>> Thank you. Not seeing anyone else here. How about online? Any commenters online? Anyone care to join the public speak time? >> Please raise your hand. >> I see Janet.
I would ask you to unmute yourself, Janet, and you would have up to two minutes. Janet, can you hear me? We cannot hear you. How about now? >> How about now? That sounds good. We'll uh >> start your time. You have up to two
minutes. >> Thank you for the opportunity. >> Little louder, please. A little louder. >> Oh, okay. >> If you can speak right to the microphone. >> Okay. How about this? >> That's much better. Thank you. >> Okay. Okay. I am very disappointed in
the approach the new mayor is taking. While I do believe he is passionately committed to the city's future, it bothers me that Lindseay Sakula's skills, experience, knowledge, and relationships are being minimized and
not fully acknowledged. These are assets that serve our city well. While I have no criticism of the mayor's wish to make adjustments to the weekly work schedule, responsibilities, and salary, it is shortsighted. that demonstrates
an unwillingness to negotiate something for the good of East Hampton. I had hoped for a team of rivals approach going forward. Thank you. >> Janet, before you break, would you mind just telling us your your address and for the
>> Yes. Janet Mazi, three Alden Street. >> Thank you. >> Julie, you may unmute yourself and begin. >> Hi, Julie. in precinct one on Concord Drive in East Stampton. Um I think that
what Salem Derby did, Mayor Derby did is a good move for East Hampton. The previous mayors prior to Mayor L. Chappelle did not need an assistant. Mayor L. Chappelle chose this on her own abilities. His abilities are different.
He is pulling in the responsibilities back to the mayor's office. That's where it's at with him. If it's his decision that it's not needed and that he needs to do a realignment, that is his choice. He is the mayor. That is what he does to
be fiscal responsible. It would be abuse to keep somebody who felt entitled to be in a position when it's not needed. He's making the right decision. Unfortunately, it happens. It happens in corporate world. It happens in private sectors. It happens in our federal
government. It happens and it sucks, but it is what it is and it's best free stamped. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else in the online group, please raise your hand
to be acknowledged. Not seeing anyone else. Anyone here? Going once, going twice. Public hearings are now or public meetings rather public speak time is now closed for the evening. We will sh
proceed with our agenda. Uh and we have items for immediate actions. A resolution in support of workers collective bargaining rights brought to us by councelor Pete, councelor Denim, and councelor Jadzik, I believe. No, >> Smith.
>> Councelor Smith. My apologies. Uh who wants to speak to the matter? >> I can take it. >> Tom. >> Sure. Councelor Peak, please do. >> Yes. Uh thank you. Uh so yes, I uh I was approached by um uh a group of labor
organizers um earlier this uh year uh who were interested in a resolution uh of this sort. um when you're trying to do union organizing, there's going to be a lot of um potential efforts put in
place to uh prevent that sort of organizing. and uh their f their feeling I think uh and they'll I'll have an opportunity to say it better than I but that was that um just an affirmation from the city that we value and respect
and honor the the ability of uh workers to organize and collectively bargain uh would be uh something that would would help uh workers feel more comfortable uh organizing and taking those sorts of
actions. knowing that the that the city uh council has has made a statement that uh this is something that we value and that we support. Um so uh um I think that's uh the short of it. I
I imagine I'll I'll probably read it at the end, but um I imagine that some of the organizers themselves will will want to speak and >> that's not typically >> No, we read it first. No. >> Will they only speak during public speak?
>> They only speak during public speak. >> Even if it's an item for immediate >> even on Yeah. Even though it's an item for immediate public hearing. >> I thought we >> was There was There was There was public speak. >> We just amended it. It got moved up in the agenda.
>> Yeah. >> Um I misunderstood that. Is it possible we could reopen public speak then? because I think I gave some people some bad advice. >> Can I point of clarification? >> Um, >> please clarify. >> Can I can I make a motion to suspend the
rules to allow for those individuals to speak? >> That was going to be my suggestion that we have a motion to suspend the rules. >> Yes. >> So, you would speak to your request. This would allow everyone to go back and for the public to comment
uh at this time regarding a specific matter. >> So I'd like to second his motion to >> We have a motion and a second on the floor. Any further discussion among counselors to suspend the rule?
>> Seeing none. All those in favor of suspension I. >> Any opposed? Motion carries. The rules are suspended. The public may speak to the any sub to
to the the subject at hand, which is the matter of the workers resolution, workers collective bargaining rights. Please come to the podium. You'll have up to two minutes. >> Democracy in action. We love to see it.
Um and we're excited to speak. I'm Ian Petty. I live at 51 Taft Avenue. I'm an East Hampton resident and a member of the Northampton Association of School Employees. Last year I was a member of the East Hampton Assoc Eastampton Education Association as a PAR educator
at East Hampton High School. I've also been a member of the uh National Association of Letter Letter Carriers. And I've held many non-UN jobs as well. And I cannot tell you how stark the difference is. My pay has always been better. my benefits have been always
been better um in my union jobs. But even more than that, I think something that unions bring um that is sometimes underappreciated, but uh at the heart of what it means to be in a union and what the importance of collective bargaining is is its democratic nature. Um unions
are pretty much the only place that ordinary working people have a chance to get together, um see what their common interests are and work together to actually solve the problems that face them. um that is exceedingly rare that working people have that power and
chance to deliberate and exercise their power um in our society. Uh city government is maybe uh one other place where we get to do that and we're doing that now in our civic capacity. Um but that social capacity to make real material differences to our pay, our working conditions where we spend most
of our waking lives um is just as critical and as important as that is to our social lives and our democratic culture as a society, um it is nonetheless opposed often um by the people we work for. Um and so it is important that workers stand up and
organize together. I'm excited that there are many unionized workers here and more unionized workers coming. Um, but it also means that we have to have uh public support uh in the form of community members and our elected representatives. So, I encourage you all to vote yes for this resolution and I'm
excited to hear from a fantastic gathering of the labor movement in East Hampton as we work to make this a city that works for working people. >> Thank you. >> I ask you to please restrain from any applause. >> Good evening, council people. Good
evening. Uh, Mayor Derby, my name is Glenn Pettit. I've been a resident of East Hampton for about nine years now. I also work in East Hampton as a a certified history teacher and as a PAR
educator at the at the high school. During my time as a member of the Mass Teachers Association, I've been able to move forward knowing that I can continue to speak out and organize as I'm doing today
in the secure knowledge that I'm free from spurious accusations that have plagued so many colleagues, not so much in East Hampton, but in many other local. and that is due to the ongoing vigilance
and good faith efforts of the MTA here in East Hampton. I don't think I need to remind everybody here that collective bargaining and union membership in general is under attack at the highest levels of the country's national governance
and that union membership has been a key component that's enabled the creation and maintenance of an up until recent stable middle class. So, I would really urge the uh the council and the public
here to uh to support our resolution here tonight. And as uh as the son of uh union educators from from Long Island, I I would appreciate your support of this matter. Thank you for your time.
>> Thank you. Just so everyone just so everyone who's speaking knows, we I've asked Maryanne to notify and call out at 30 seconds so you'll know how much time is left. >> Okay, great. Uh, hi, my name is Ben Parr. I live on 47 Holio Street here in
town. I also work at the East Hampton Public Library. Uh, my current workplace is not unionized, but I should say I've never felt a greater sense of solidarity, support, dignity, and purpose in the workplace as I felt when my former union went on strike to demand
better pay and a more sustainable contract. As this resolution notes and as other speakers have noted, the ability of workers to freely assemble and negotiate for fair treatment is not only fundamental to their own well-being, but also foundational to civic and communal life and to the
rights we all enjoy, union member or not. Given that organized workplaces strengthen communal bonds and make our entire city more prosperous, the city should endeavor at every opportunity to support workers rights to organize and negotiate unencumbered
um and to have workers backs when they face retaliation for doing so. So, I urge you to adopt this resolution. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Uh good afternoon or uh evening everybody in attendance and the city council. Uh my name is Jacob Lore. Uh I
live on 139 Pleasant Street. Um I am a cultivation technician at INSA in the mill buildings on Pleasant Street and uh I just wanted to announce at the beginning that as of November 9th we are officially recognized as members of the UFCW local 1459.
Um I was raised and have lived in East Hampton all of my life. I attended and graduated from East Hampton schools. I'd very much like to continue living in the city, but as the years go on, I've been finding that increasingly harder to afford. Um, unfortunately, my recognized
status as a fast and efficient worker has not changed the reality that my current pay uh at $17 an hour is far less than most of my co-workers, even though I've been with the company nearly two years. Um, that's why I've come before you today to ask that as a city, we stand together in favor of equality,
fair wages, and collective bargaining. Um, I found a career that I can take pride in and be passionate about, but I fear that unless my company agrees to offer a fair wage, I may have to look for new work in a new city. And as a single adult with no children living in
East Hampton, uh, study performed by MIT puts the base living wage for someone like myself to be approximately 25 an hour. Uh, at more than 20% below this figure currently is my average rate of pay um, in East Hampton and fields similar to my own. Uh, and I feel
confident that support from my city council will give me and my co-workers at Insa additional assurance, >> 30 seconds remaining, >> that both the community and our elected officials are behind us as we negotiate our first union contract. So, I ask you please to make East Hampton a place where every member of the community can
continue to not just live, but flourish. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. My name is Jason Rodriguez. My address is 40 Brightside Drive. I live in Holio, but I live but I work in
East Hampton. I hope to move here at some point because I am growing to love this city. And that's why I'm here today because I'm growing to love this city. I think that it is extremely important
for us to continue having the right to unionize and bargain for our contracts. Why do I believe this? Because I believe that these rights we have
are not privileges. They are principles. They're principles that are even deeply rooted in the foundation of our great nation. And if we do not allow ourselves the
opportunity to get together and discuss essential matters that are needed to discuss to allow our districts to function properly, then why are we even here today?
What's the point of electing officials? What's the point of having council men and women if we don't have the opportunity to come together and discuss properly in a civilized manner?
And so I'm asking everyone here today to please support this resolution for us to continue the the right and the principle of being
able to bargain and unionize so that way we can continue our jobs. We can receive the pay that we deserve.
and we can give these kids a brighter future. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. Uh my name is Mark Florence. I live at 35 Main Street. I've lived in East Hampton for 10 years now. Uh for the last 5 years, I've been a
cultivation technician at Insa. Uh I would like to echo the words of my uh coworker. Um uh we recently formed a union at in the cultivation department at INSA and having the support of city councilors as
we begin our first contract negotiations with the company would be a huge source of support for me and my co-workers. Specifically with health insurance costs cons uh constantly rising having the option of the union provided insurance would go a long way towards expanding the quality of our healthcare. About 7
years ago I had a heart attack. At the time, I was lucky to have excellent health insurance, but right now, the insurance that my company offers does not meet the same standards as I previously had. Recent changes to our insurance policies may leave me with unaffordable or inadequate healthcare.
Our right to collectively bargain provides us with another avenue for coverage that is more affordable and provides better overall coverage. With the support of the city council passing the collective bargaining resolution, my co-workers and I will have the additional confidence we need to negotiate with our company. With the
existence with existing support from the community, we can be sure that INSA workers are a valued part of our city. On behalf of myself, my co-workers, and the community members here today, we of the city council pass a collective bargaining rights resolution.
>> Thank you. Hi, I'm Ruth Jennison, 28 East Maple Street. Um, and I'm humbled to follow these uh worker organizers. Um, today I'm I'm going to speak uh as a member of the executive board of the Western Mass
Area Labor Federation. I've been a resident of East Hampton for 20 years and I've been a union educator for 30 years and I'm a proud MTA member. Uh here in East Hampton, I also occupy the labor seat on the housing authority and I rise in strong support of the
resolution reaffirming our city's support for workers collective bargaining rights. From the early days of the pandemic to our present day, workers have been taking action in record numbers, organizing together to build power. In Massachusetts, established unions in education and
health care have been organizing to defend workers quality of life and democratic rights in the workplace. Workers in smaller and non-traditional shops are organizing, too. From Trans Health in Northampton to Smith uh Smith College preschool educators to Hadley
Barnes & Noble workers to Starbucks in Northampton and Westfield to cannabis production facilities in East Hampton. Uh across our towns, workers engaging in this brave new organizing require and deserve our support and solidarity.
Unions formed the basis, the social and economic basis of East Hampton, bringing higher wages and benefits, safety on the job, health care, and pensions. East Hampton workers are fighting once again for power and democracy on the job. And
if the past is any guide, it is likely workers in this city will anchor the region's labor movement. This resolution will broadcast the message that our city and its elected leaders are in full support of workers concerted efforts to
collectively bargain in their own interests. The Western Mass Area Labor Federation believes in the expansion of democracy into our workplaces when workers bring their expertise, experience, and voices to organize together. East Hampton prospers. Thank
you for your consideration. >> Thank you. Still operating under the suspension of rules. Uh we will open this up to anyone online. Anyone online, you'll have up to two minutes. Please raise your hand and we will call on you.
I don't see anyone. Excellent. Thank you for the uh extra speak time and for the comments. Um councelor Peak. >> Um sure. Uh well
>> or any of the other counselors care to speak to the subject or read the resolution? >> I will speak. >> Councelor Smith, please. >> Um I just wanted to thank everybody for their testimony in talking. I've been a union member since my grad students day
days in my early 20s and there are a lot of things in my life that I could not have done without the benefit of my union behind me and I am in solidarity. I just wanted to say that council Riley.
>> Um I also wanted to um thank everybody for speaking tonight. Um, the right to unionize and to have a fair and livable wage is not only something that everybody in our
community deserves, um, but it's also a way to give back to um, so many immigrants that helped build East Hampton into the community that it is today. Um, you know, I'm I'm reminded of um how impactful
uh the Polish contributions were to our history and that we would not be here today if it weren't for the work that they did. Um, I want to put a finer point on why I'm so enthusiastic to support
this resolution, and that is to to address the the sort of capitalization of cannabis within the United States. Um, like many of my colleagues here and those of us in the room, we remember
what it was like to live in a culture where the government criminalized and destroyed lives for people who were using cannabis. And moving towards medicinal uh, cannabis
and recreational cannabis was was a way to rectify what had happened. And you know, to to know that there are employees that are working for
uh organizations in the cannabis industry who are who are getting caught up in the same patterns of capitalization and power and control when it comes to cannabis. to me feels like a potential that we are sliding
back into the old ways of letting the government or letting people with money dictate what happens with cannabis and the people's lives that are impacted by cannabis. So yes, all of the things that people have
said before, but I would urge everybody to vote yes on this resolution to protect this industry that we allowed to flourish within our community. And we can't allow just the people who own the
industry to flourish. It has to be everybody. Um that that's really all that I I want to say. Um yeah, thank you. Thank you, >> Councelor Denham. >> Thank you, Miss Herza. I'll be brief.
Um, you know, I'm enthusiastic uh to be able to support this. Uh, I've been a longtime union member. Um I think in the last several years our unions have been under assault and I'm very pleased that um people are fighting back and I think
our cities need to fight back um and push back against um I think the injustice that uh labor is seeing uh in terms of how they're being treated. Um, so I also encourage anyone and everyone
to to support this and um I I enthusiastically support your efforts to to unionize within the city. So I appreciate all of you for for being here today. >> Thank you, Council Peak.
>> Sure. Uh I'm ready to read this if nobody else has anything, but I have a couple things first. >> Please do because I would like to. >> Okay, cool. So, first of all, um to the uh the INSA folks in the room, I just want to say congratulations. Um as a member of uh MTAPSU, I am I'm
proud to call you my union brothers and sisters. So, thank you um for all your work on that. Um I became a union worker in 2020 for the first time. I work in research and consulting. So I never thought I would find myself in that place but I ended up
working uh getting a job at a university and then that particular thing got my research unit got transferred from the UMass president's office to UMass Ammerst. So I became uh a union member and in the same union as counselor uh
Denim. So, um I wasn't uh I I I've always supported unions, but I wasn't sure what that was going to mean for my workplace. And what I really found was that um it's been an incredible experience and my work uh I think runs better than ever because people feel
safe in a way that they didn't before to speak up. And so there's things in projects where you might get a a a younger, newer person who feels comfortable saying, "Are you sure we want to run it that way?" because they're not worried about getting not that anyone in my office would retaliate
against you, but like they don't know that they just got here. And so like I think that there is like people there's a more frank uh more comfortable flow of communication and I really do believe that leads to better uh output. So uh I feel really good about that. Um, the
other reason why I I really haveve come to really enjoy this uh over the last few years is the more that I've realized that a big part of what unions are about is about democracy at work. You know, and we talk a lot about democracy since it's under the constant attack at the
federal level. Um, since at the state level, they don't always live up to what I'd like to see them do in terms of honoring it. Um, and everyone here who's in this meeting knows that democracy isn't just showing up every four years to vote for a president, you know, like
it it's also about, you know, what you do at your your state level and and at your local level. But how how can we really expect a culture of democracy to flourish in a meaningful way when so many people spend a third of their lives in a in a
in workplaces where there is no democracy, where it's completely there there's there's no there's you have no rights, you have no um there's no rules about how these things work. There is no collective bargaining. It's you you're here at the pleasure of your boss until
you're not. And and I think that um I I think that the more people that we have uh finding themselves not in those sorts of environments, the the more I think that there there is a strong relationship between the strength of
labor and the strength of democracy. So when we're at this place right now as a country that I think many in this room would agree is kind of scary, I really see standing with labor and making it clear that as local government we support labor. I see that as an
important step to take. So that's why I put this forward despite my generally not particularly caring for resolutions. Um and um and uh and and thanks to everyone who who brought this forward. I appreciate it. Thank you.
I'll be brief in my comments. Uh I uh come from a union family. My family did did better because dad worked for uh a company that uh was
originally called Fisk and then became Uni Royal over in Chavey. It was a big plant. They had 1,700 employees and each employee was a cog except there was a union. There was a union and that
enabled a decent level of uh of pay and it enabled for a decent health care policy for everyone in our family. As I grew a little older and got a little bit more mature, I really began to
appreciate those benefits. I'll say right now, I wish that we weren't dependent on union contracts to help us negotiate for our healthcare. I wish no one would be wondering whether
or not they had the right to be able to get good health care. Everyone deserves that. I'm thrilled every time I hear that there's another union being formed and there's another approval. So thank you for sharing your
recent experiences. U I think by working together with employer with employers everybody together can raise and move forward. That's my hope. That's my goal.
Thank you. Not seeing any other comments. I would ask for the reading of the motion. >> All right. I've been known to trip over my words with these long ones. >> Anyone else want to be? >> I I know. I'll I'll do my best. Um >> I offered.
>> Would you like to? >> Okay. >> Okay. East Hampton City Council resolution in support of workers collective bargaining rights. The East Hampton City Council recognizes the historic role of labor unions in our city's workplaces and communities. Uh,
free association of people is a fundamental right enjoyed by all citizens of East Hampton. Free association guarantees the right of working people to choose whether or not they will collectively bargain with their employer. Uh, through collective bargaining, workers reach a written
agreement with employers guaranteeing rates of pay, wages, hours of employment, and other working conditions. Whereas the cost of living continues to rise year after year, impacting all basic household expenses, including but not limited to the cost of
groceries, housing, utilities, and health care. And whereas the Massachusetts Institute of Technology calculates a living wage for a single adult with no children in East Hampton of 24.59 per hour. However, in May 2024,
the Bureau of Labor Stat Statistics uh recorded the mean regional hourly wage at as 1958 for manufacturing workers and 1954 for farm workers and laborers. And whereas uh union workers enjoy higher
wages and better working conditions than their non-UN counterparts, union workers make an average of 15% more than non-UN workers and have the protections of just cause provisions and recourse for unfair treatment. And whereas more prosperous
working residents benefit our community through reinvesting their incomes in local businesses, schools, and services. And whereas unionized workers are important and valued uh are an important and valued section of the community. Uh
when people uh when working people in our community engage in workplace democracy through their unions, they participate in the civic life of the community. And whereas freedom of association is a fundamental human right. And working people must be able
to exercise this right in the absence of pressure from their employers uh whether implicit or explicit in the forms of coercion, threats, interrogation, promises or spying. Thus, the right for employees to petition for membership in
a labor organization of their choosing must not be hindered uh by conditions that would deter free and fair choice. And whereas uh union busting prevents free and fair association of employees
and East Hampton workers may uh encounter retaliation from their employers in the form of tactics that violate the spirit of labor laws if not the letter of the laws. And whereas the rights of employees to organize and bargain collectively are
naturally bound to the social and economic justice to or sorry to social and economic justice. And the city of uh council has demonstrated its commitment to social uh and economic justice in recent resolutions, including an act
enabling cities and towns to stabilize uh rents and protect tenants and East Hampton City Council resolution in support of the TNGI community. And therefore, be it resolved, uh, the East Hampton City
Council shall utilize its authority to assist in upholding, uh, both the letter and spirit of laws directing employees rights to organize and collectively bargain with employees, employers. Um, therefore, be it further resolved, the East Hampton City Council affirms
workers rights are human rights, and uh, should said rights be jeopardized in fact or in spirit, uh, supports a policy of employer neutrality in instances of workers seeking uh, to engage in legitimate forms of uh, concerted
activity. Uh, be it further resolved that the clerk of the city council shall cause this resolution to be submitted to US Senator Elizabeth Warren, US Senator Edward Marky, State Representative Omar Gomez, uh, Sen State Senator John Visas,
uh, Governor Mara Healey, and attorney general, uh, Andrea Joy Campbell. >> Second motion and a second on the East Hampton City Council resolution in support of workers collective bargaining rights. Any further discussion? All
those in favor? >> I I >> opposed abstain. Motion passes. Thank you very much. Thank you. Moving on to our next order of business. If anyone needs to leave
right now, that's fine. I know you came for certain certain >> but if you Yeah. Thank you. >> And then we'll be able to move on. If you could carry your conversations
out in the wayback, that would be appreciated. Communications from elected officials, boards, and commissions. Anyone here on the council have any communications they care to share? Councelor Den.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh the Municipal Leadership Academy, the applications are open, so if you are interested in participating um in in the academy, uh it's a nine-week program. Uh it's a great opportunity to meet with department heads. Uh you have the
opportunity of the mayor um and um learn about the various uh operations within the city. Um there'll be opportunities to tour various facilities um and just a general uh opportunity to to be able to ask questions and and learn about the
city budget. So uh I encourage anybody and everybody to uh participate in that. Uh it's also a great opportunity um when you are thinking about how to get involved in the city. If you want to participate in a um city committee,
commission, uh advisory board, etc. It's it's a great way to learn about um kind of how the city functions and operates. So, it's a great stepping stone into being able to do that. So, you can go to the city website uh for that uh under vac uh under um
uh there's if you just if you just search for municipal leadership academy, it'll be take you there for information about that and you can also um apply online. So, >> can't endorse it any higher.
Please do attend. >> Anyone else? Okay. Uh, moving on. There's no correspondence. Um, President Communications,
I wanted to say uh a few things about uh what is going on in East Hampton to help bridge the gap between this group and that group and In case anyone's noticed, there tends to
often be silos and patterns and people aren't talking to one another. And our job is to bridge that gap here. But I want to do a shout out to two other counselors who attended a session this past weekend and
particularly to the counselor who invited everyone to this. Counselor Jonathan Schmidt, the new counselor, Jonath Jonathan Schmidt, uh, had introduced a opportunity to talk to a group and be part of a group and
councelor Denim and I joined that. I didn't see any other counselors who were available to do it at that time. But this is open to the public and to everyone in the community. That's called the braver angels. Their mission is to
bridge the gaps and to allow groups to speak with one another, not to point fingers and accuse, but to really listen and learn from one another, to develop the skills. And so I
wanted to point it out. Braver Angels is the group. Uh they are meeting every once in a while. There's other other meetings. I would look them up online. and ask you to uh call one of us. Uh it
took place at the library annex. They're free and open to the public with the goal of helping to bridge the communication gaps and help people develop better skills. I would encourage everyone to participate and I thank you again, Councelor Schmidt, for bringing
it to our attention. U that being said, mayor communications. >> Well, thank you. Um, so I just have a couple things. I I'll keep it brief. Um, so one of the exciting things that happened last week
was um got to go to Boston to the state house with councelor Peak and Representative Omar Gomez um to speak on our um petition the bill H835 um which we put forward to uh allow rank
choice voting to be used in our multimember uh body elections. Um I felt like we got a good reception um from the joint committee. Uh and we also I think we also spoke in favor of a broader um bill to allow rank choice voting to
happen in around the state. You know, this is something that's been stalled in a lot of communities. Um and as we just saw, it allows for the greater ex I'm not going to say exorcism, but the the greater exercise of democracy. Um and and so that was a really great
experience. Um and and I think that rank choice voting uh we showed it can be effective and it can work. Um uh and I also wanted to uh talk about uh I was able to attend um the office of fair housing um their regional listening session that was in Springfield on
Monday. Uh it was a really uh enlightening session um talking about some of the housing discrimination and also the housing issues that have been happening around the state around the country. Um with rents um being you know
jacked up significantly by out of town landlords um by the the treatment of of people that are in these housing um units. And uh it was it was really eye opening and it was great as a municipal leader to be there to look at how we can
um a encourage more fair housing in our city but also encourage the development of more types of housing that can help kind of alleviate some of these things. So that was um really great. And then finally um one of the things that I've been updating you on happened and it
happened on Monday when I got back um from Springfield. Uh myself, um Dennis Gribner and Chad Alexander uh walked from city hall to the East Hampton Community Center and we delivered um I delivered uh a check for $2,000 to Robin
Bleki uh to provide direct meal assistance to residents. Um, and the East Hampton Police Association, um, and the East Hampton, um, uh, I I want to say Veterans Flag Association donated
$2,000 to match. Um, and so we were able to deliver $4,000 to Robin on Monday. Um, right before the holidays, um, she had just said that she had spent $20,000 on turkeys. >> Um, and she had already given out 140. Um, so you know, this actually is really
great because what it does is it'll it sets a precedent that has not been set in East Hampton before, which is figuring out a way to provide direct material support to the East Hampton Community Center through a contract um for them to provide food assistance to the people that go there. And that is
something that's really exciting because it's hasn't been done yet. And it and we were told that it couldn't be done because of the anti-aid amendment. But what we did was we contracted with them and that changed everything. Um, and so I'm I'm really excited about that and I'm really excited um about the fact
that we were able to use ARPA funds um because ARPA funds when they generate interest that money is still restricted in the same way that ARPA funds are restricted. All of our ARPA funds are are dedicated to things that they've already been spoken for. So we can't use our ARPA money, but we used interest for
this. Um, and so that was really exciting kind of creative way to get around it. So, um, and I the last thing I'll say is I know that there was some talk about the restructuring of my office and since it's a personnel matter. I, you know, I'm not going to get deep into it, but I would, um, love to talk to anybody individually, um, if
they have any questions around that, um, and to explain my rationale and, um, you know, because I think that that is important for people to understand, but because it's a personnel issue, I I don't feel it's appropriate to talk about it um, in this forum. Um, and I would encourage
uh, you know, counselors who elect, you know, to open those lines of communication. I think that's really what's important is to, you know, understand where people are coming from and to and to open those lines of communication before we, you know, cast the first stone. Um, so I I just want to
say that and I want to thank you for your time and I hope you have a beautiful evening. Thank you. >> Any questions for the mayor? Any seeing none? Thank you, mayor. We appreciate your efforts and are especially pleased to hear about the
creative way of working with the community center. Uh the contracts do wonders and enable the anti-aid amendment to not be violated and yet to be able to serve the public.
So, kudos to you on that. Thank you. Standing committee reports finance. Councelor Pe. >> Uh thank you, Mr. President. Uh so we had I think the shortest finance meeting of all time. I don't know we'll ever
beat it actually. Um to to uh last week to uh talk about this uh veterans dental bill. Um so right now uh I think we the only thing that there's no new
business for us or oh there is um >> uh so I'll in that case uh uh am I mistaken? So we will be meeting at our usual time. Um >> want to announce the time? >> Uh that's Wednesday at at 5:30 in conference room one.
>> Thanks. >> Yes. >> The day. >> Is that the day before? >> Next. What do you guys think? I'm in town. >> Might want to >> I'm here >> reconsider. >> Jonathan, you're the new finance person. I >> city hall at noon Wednesday. >> We haven't announced yet, but
>> so if any public wants to attend, building will be closed, >> right? >> Building. >> So Friday, >> Wednesday, >> Wednesday, >> I am available. >> If if if we met, >> we can do it hybrid, right? I I don't want to I know this is something that's
important to John Mason and I don't know what the rest of our weeks are going to look like. >> I'm fine coming in person. Uh I think that we can let people in. >> Sure. >> If they need to to be let in or and it can be hybrid as well. So if there's
people who >> only want to show up online, that's fine as well. >> Yeah. Okay, that works for me. So yeah, um that's the plan. >> Um and uh we'll be discussing that. Um the the one other thing, um
there was a little bit of a a miscommunication. Uh so this should have been something that I I handled last time. Um I I'd like to set a public hearing at this time um for our first meeting in December um
>> December 3rd. December 3rd uh at 6:15 in these chambers for the acceptance of the land and water conservation trust grant for nonatuk spray park. That's just a resolution but I think it does require a public hearing is my understanding and
so I would like to set that at this time. >> Is there a second? We have a motion to second set a public hearing on the acceptance of the water and land conservation trust grant for Nanatuk spray park for
the December 3rd meeting here at these chambers at 6:15. Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. Motion passes. >> Councelor Pete, please. >> This concludes finance. Thank you.
Public safety. Do we have a member of the public? >> I am the only one I think that's left. >> You're the only one here. >> Um public safety has not met. I I'm not sure when. It's been many months. Um so
we will have to get new members um added on. >> I will making an announcement shortly on that. >> Perfect. Thank you. Um and then I I know um councelor Terrell is is the chair. He's not here. So I I would defer any
um restructuring and and scheduling to him uh if he will be attending the next few meetings. >> He did notify us that he was unable to attend. >> Okay. Perfect. >> This evening. >> Yeah. Perfect. Thank you. >> Um there is an matter that expires on 122. I would ask
>> you to ask for an extension. >> Yes. I I would like um >> roadway infrastructure and pedestrian safety. uh 90-day extension for roadway infrastructure and pedestrian safety items in the form of motion, please. >> Second. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second for a 90-day
extension. Uh all those in favor? >> I opposed. >> Motion passes. Thank you. >> Oh, >> I'm so sorry. Um I just realized that there was something that should have been extended on my finance agenda.
>> Uh we'll entertain that. So yeah, we had we had rescheduled this hearing until um >> yeah, >> November. So we basically res but we never extended >> we extended till February >> to February, right? >> February, right? But we never formally
extended it. So um I would I guess ex uh 90 days. >> Yes, that should do it. >> Get us through. Uh, I'll make a motion to uh extend the uh city council action request to adopt chapter 329. A 90-day extension on that item.
>> Second. >> Motion and second to extend the city council action request adopting chapter 329. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion passes. This is extended >> for 90 days.
>> And thus uh thus concludes for public safety. Public safety concludes appointments. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. President. We met on Monday of this week to discuss several different city council appointments. Hold on. Let me find them
all. I have multiple windows open to do this. And of course, now it just went berserk. >> Of course, they go blank at the right at the wrong moment. >> So, let me figure it out. Okay. No, it's the wrong one.
Okay, got it. >> No, that's not it. >> Okay, got it. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, >> in the old days, we just shuffle papers, you know. >> So, we met on uh like I said, we met on Monday at six o'clock and we had several
different uh appointees in front of us to discuss. And the first one I'm going to do separately because we need to have someone abstaining. But I would like to talk about the 911 committee. Um the
first appointee that I'd like to recommend for the full council to consider is Rebecca Bell with a term expiration of 123126 for the 911 committee. Second
>> mo motion and a second to accept Rebecca Bell for the 911 committee. >> Any discussion? All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> Motion carries. >> I'll abstention. My apologies.
We have one extension. Councelor Denn I believe. Right. >> Correct. I am abstaining. >> And I'd also I'd like to vote but I won't. >> Okay. I'd like to make a motion to um review Carolyn White for the 911
committee with a term expiration of 123126 and Mike Tossnik for the 911 committee with a term expiration of 123126. And um I neglected to mention earlier that all three of these recommendations
were voted 30 from the appointment subcommittee. Right. So then a second on the other two. >> Okay. Motion and a second for three appointments. >> Any discussion? >> It's two appointments. >> Two appointments.
>> Two two appointments. My apologies. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I >> opposed. No extensions, I presume. >> Okay. And >> carries. Um, I'd also like to bring forth six
appointments to the CH TNGDI committee with a term expiration of 123128. And that's Mia Lurer, Keith Aaron, Hunter Free Tag, Muna Huntley, Tyler Carson Eisenman, and Francis Scars. I'm
sorry I said that wrong. Um, Scars and Arars. H >> Thank you. Thank you. Appreciate that. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> Second >> motion in a second for the TNGI committee appointments.
Uh I just will speak to how fortunate we are that folks here in Eastampton will step forward for appointments uh in all committees and this new committee. So, I'm very excited
by it and I know about the pronunciation because I did speak with the person and clarified it. >> Councelor Riley. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. President. Um, so it would give me such incredible joy to
vote yes on this motion because of how important um my own queer identity is to myself and to advocate for um transgender and queer people within our community. That being said, I have to recuse myself from
the vote because I am the chair of the board of directors at Tapestry Health and one of those individuals is an employee and I don't want to give the appearance that I am voting to uh grant them something uh with with the the similar roles that
I play between two agencies. So, I'm going to sit this vote out, but I I am very proud um that we have this committee um being formed. >> Thank you. Anyone else?
We have a motion and a second. All those in favor? >> Opposed? >> Abstain. Council Riley. And our next meeting will be on
Monday, December 1st at six o'clock to review the 18 reappoints that will be coming up in new business. And thus concludes. >> Thank you. >> Ordinance. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um we met on
um November 12th uh to discuss uh some last minute amendments that the uh fire department uh proposed for the general ordinance. Um and at that time
we had um voted uh in support of that. Um although I think there are some kind of outstanding questions that um may be had uh regarding those um
amendments. Uh but um we will be uh having a public hearing uh on December 3rd at 6:15 in these chambers uh for both the uh general ordinance as well as
the um zoning ordinance uh zoning ordinance amendments that uh are related to the short-term rental as So, there'll be both of those um that we will have the public hearing for um on December 3rd. Um
the uh our next meeting will be December 18th at 6:00 p.m. in conference room B. Um and at that meeting we will uh be talking about uh amends uh exhibit A
classification of employees to add addition uh add position of public safety dispatch director. Um and we will also be um starting up our conversations again regarding the um housing
partnerships zoning uh uh amendments that they have proposed. So we'll be talking about those um items at that particular meeting. Um the committee also has uh we need to extend the uh ordinance review committee
final report um by 90 days as oh actually uh I'll take a motion to uh extend the uh uh ordinance review committee final report by 90 days as well as the
um review uh request to review general ordinance amendments regarding short-term rentals. by um I'm going to say 90 days because I don't know what's going to happen at that next meeting. So I'll just say that. >> Second. >> So we have a motion in a second to
extend the uh deadlines for by 90 days on two matters. Ordinance review committee's final report and the request to review general ordinance amendments short-term rentals. All those in favor? >> I opposed.
Motion carries. And that's everything that our committee has to offer council this evening. >> Thank you. Property councelor >> Peak. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, yeah, property needs to meet. So, I will
be uh uh contacting uh the members of property and we will be setting up a meeting because there's a couple things. It's not a huge deal, but a couple things we got to get squared away by the end of the year probably. >> Excellent. And that concludes >> that concludes
um I'll wait till the end of our reports to announce assignments of committees rules and government relations. Uh we don't have any report tonight. Uh so now we get to the new appointments.
Councelor >> Denn. >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to acknowledge that this evening the um appointments committee approved the 911 committee. Um so I just want you all to know just as kind of a housekeeping thing that I'll be reaching
out to to that committee to help them kind of schedule their first meeting so that that process can begin. So I just wanted you all to know that that step is being taken. >> Excellent. Um, with the new councils, the new counselors, uh, we have, uh, joining
finance committee, Jonathan Schmidt. He will also serve on the property committee. Uh, councelor Amanda Newton will serve on rules and also on public safety. I will be moving off of rules to make that
accommodation so that we can do I will retain uh the work uh on property and move to ordinance in the interim. Okay, that being said, >> can I ask a point of clarification
please? >> Please. So you now know who to contact for sure regarding all the committees. >> Yes. >> Um thank you Mr. President. So, I know that um in the interim there was a question of whether or not
you as the president of city council could serve in a chair capacity and that that that question had evolved around the fact that um Mayor Derby was then acting mayor Derby. Um, so the the question that I have for clarification
is going forward from today, does that mean that you could no longer serve as the chair of a committee or does that start effective January 1st? >> That would uh start on January 1st, but we don't have any conflicts because I'm not
on the rules and government relations. >> Oh, that was the one you were the chair of. >> That's the committee on which I was a chair. Perfect. Okay. >> So, we don't have any questions. Excellent. to deal with. >> Yep. No clarification needed. >> Thank you. Understood. >> But that those are good questions. We
appreciate that. Uh new business. >> Oh, I have new business. >> Councelor Smith. >> Okay. I would like to make Oh, I just did it again. Hold on just a moment.
>> Surely >> I'm going to say it as one fell swoop. >> Yeah, don't worry. >> Okay. I have quite a few uh positions that are going to be up for reappoint
and so I'm going to make a motion in the form of one large motion and I just need to read all these names off and what their committee role will be and the term expiration. So bear with me. >> Sounds good. >> Okay. In the form of a motion, I would
like to move the following names to the appointment subcommittee for consideration. Robert Newton for the aquifer protection committee, which is a reappoint term expiration 123128. Jamie Pquette for the bees committee
reappointment 123128. Genevie Goldleaf, Bees Committee, reappoint 123128. Gail Cannon, Charity Funds Committee, Reappoint 123128. Deb Peavey, Council on Aging, reappoint
123128. Katherine Kerry, Council on Aging, reappoint 123128. Peter Flet, East Hampton City Arts, reappoint 123128. Connie Dawson, Energy Advisory
Committee, move to full member reappoint 123128. Jamie Pette for the energy advisory committee which is a reappoint 123128. Beverly um Wadika for the historial com
I'm sorry the historical commission which is a reappoint for 123128. Evan Garber for the Manhan Rail Trail Committee reappoint 123128. Robert Albertson, Manhan Rail Trail
Committee, reappointment 123128. Beth Tiffany, National Pond Committee, reappointment 123128. Wendy Taylor Jordane, Planning Board, Associate Reappoint 123128. Anthony Carella, Plumbing and Gas
Inspector, reappointment 123128. Leslie Button, registar of voters, reappoint 123128. James Johnson, Veterans Council, reappoint 123128. And Richard Reesei, Veterans uh Council
reappoint 123128. >> Second >> motion and a second to move these appointments to the appointments committee. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries. >> Thank you, Counc.
>> Uh approval of the city council 2026 meeting calendar. I'd entertain a motion to move this to committee. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any particular committee that you're thinking of? Were you thinking of uh that be sent to >> rules?
>> Rules. >> That's what I was thinking. Excellent choice. >> Uh so we have a motion on the table to move to rules. >> Second. >> We have a second. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Motion carries.
and the acceptance of the park grant for the East Hampton All Wheels Park. You want to move that to >> Yes. Uh I'd like to make a motion to move that to finance and to schedule a public hearing for this item for uh
December 3rd at 6:15 in these chambers. >> So, two motions, one to move to finance and a second one to hold I'll do that in a single. So yeah, that let's do >> that's okay.
>> It's fine with me. >> That's how we usually do. >> We have no objection. >> Okay, >> that's how it's usually. >> Good. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second. Motion to move to uh finance and to uh hold the public hearing for
December 3rd. Any discussion? All those in favor? I. All opposed? Motion carries. >> Thank you. Motion to adjurnn. Second. >> Second. >> We're not all having fun.
>> All right. Listen, thank you very much and once again, congratulations to the new counselors. >> We're looking forward to working with this season. Thank you. >> Motion second. >> Yeah. >> All those in favor?
>> I opposed. Motion carries. This meeting is now closed.