WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=Mbn_iSbdPto

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: Mbn_iSbdPto):
- 00:03:55: Local Business Advertisements: Megaet, K&K Talent, and Martha's
- 00:05:20: Microphone Audio Testing and Level Adjustment for Broadcast
- 00:35:17: Repeating Local Business Advertisements for Second Round
- 00:37:23: Falmouth Select Board Meeting: Pledge and Citizen Proclamation
- 00:40:53: Recognizing Alden Kindred, Fields, Smith, Citroen, DPW, Police
- 00:43:19: Recognizing Police Graduates, Palmer, Announcements by Board Members
- 00:46:25: Town Manager Report: Fire Chief and Drought Conditions
- 00:51:36: Public Comment: National Grid Assistance Event Announcement
- 00:54:43: Public Comment: Concern Regarding Operating Budget Deficit
- 00:56:23: Consent Agenda: Licenses and Administrative Approval Items
- 01:00:05: Public Hearing: Barnstable County Fair Entertainment License Approval
- 01:03:53: Public Hearing: Shipwreck Road Race Afterparty Entertainment License
- 01:12:22: Naming Shiny Sea Bikeway Extension After Johnsons
- 01:17:23: Old Casino LLC Transfer of License and Entertainment License
- 01:21:11: Farming Falmouth Update: Community Food Discussion Series
- 02:55:12: Strategic Plan Overview and Community Input Request
- 02:56:50: Farmland Protection Goals and Strategic Plan Extension
- 03:00:58: Prioritizing Financial Stability and Consultant Process Concerns
- 03:04:18: Actionable Goals, Consultant Appreciation and Approval Urgency
- 03:07:22: Strategic Plan Adoption Motion and Priority Debate
- 03:10:25: DEIB Update: Foundational Work and Consultant Proposal
- 03:27:22: Request for Support: DEI Consultant Model Discussion
- 03:43:56: Public Comment: DEIB Scope and Town Hall Focus
- 03:52:15: Public Comment: Committee Reccomendations - Shorten Timeline
- 03:55:02: Cape Cod Country Club Solar Project Update and Agreements
- 04:04:12: Public Comment: Recommendation to Negotiate Further Land
- 04:06:46: Sewer Loan Approval and Bond Issuance Discussion
- 04:15:20: Rescinding Bushwood Affordable Housing Fund Award
- 04:29:58: Public Comment: Kevin Deely, Broker Representing Owner
- 04:47:02: Winter Storm Fernando: After-Action Report Presentation
- 05:06:41: One-Stop for Growth Grant Application Discussion
- 05:12:57: Meeting Updates, David Vieira Note, and Closing


Part: 1

1
00:03:55.920 --> 00:04:11.280
Hosting services for fct.org are provided by Megaet Communications. Megaet offers a wide array of internet services including Mega Backup Cloud Service, server collocation, T1, Fiber, Metro Ethernet, as well as telephone

2
00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:28.000
services such as hosted PVX and digital voice. Their number one goal is to keep your communications network up and running and allow you to focus on growing your business. 877-6342638 or meganet.net. >> Proudly serving the New England area,

3
00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:43.360
K&K Talent Partners provide a personalized approach to full cycle recruiting services. >> Their level of integrity and empathy is rare and it speaks volumes about who they are as people and as recruitment partners. Our goal is to build trusted

4
00:04:43.360 --> 00:05:04.160
relationships and to create genuine connections that help companies grow. >> K&K Telepartners ktlepartners.com. >> At Martha's Vineyard Bank, we know Felmouth. With locations in Woods Hall, on Palmer Avenue, and the Village Green,

5
00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:20.880
we deliver personal banking tailored to your needs. Business solutions to help you grow. Flexible lending to move you forward and investment strategies that work for you. Whatever brings you in, we're your local partner.

6
00:05:20.880 --> 00:11:47.760
Martha's Vineyard Bank. Your goals, our guidance. testing one two three testing testing. >> Okay, that is coming in. Perfect. >> Test one, two. Test one, two. >> Test one, two. Test one, two. Test one, two.

7
00:11:47.760 --> 00:12:12.120
Good. Got it. >> Test one, two. Test one, two. >> Saying hello to Mike. >> Old two. >> No, he go to Margaritavville. >> Old Silver Two.

8
00:12:23.600 --> 00:13:13.839
first that just basically says Yeah, sounds great. >> We'll be fine. >> Do we have headphones to communicate with each other or >> no? Yeah, >> I'll be fine. We'll be fine. Um,

9
00:13:13.839 --> 00:13:36.800
>> put one on the wide shot. You run the other and then uh let's do the mics. >> Um, also there is >> good to know. Thank you. And was testing old silver two. >> Old silver two. Test one, two.

10
00:13:36.800 --> 00:14:01.680
>> Yeah. Well, I'm leaning right into it. Test one, two. Test one, two. >> Don't mean to do that. >> I understand. Yeah. Yep. >> Old silver 3 test one, two, test one, two. Old silver four. Test one, two. Test one, two.

11
00:14:01.680 --> 00:14:24.560
>> Test one, two, test one, two. Old silver four. Old silver five. Test two. Two. One, two,2. One, two, two. This is uh probably Bob's chair. >> Test one, two. >> Got it.

12
00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:52.720
99 98 97 96 95 94 95 >> 94 I'm good. Old silver 6 99 98 97 95 94 90 >> surf drive

13
00:14:52.720 --> 00:15:13.199
99 98 97 96 94 >> Surf Drive 2 or Surf Drive. The other surf drive 91 90 89. Is that okay?

14
00:15:13.199 --> 00:15:34.560
>> Good. >> 98 97 96 95 94 93 Oh my gosh. Thank you. >> Testing. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

15
00:15:34.560 --> 00:15:59.920
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 6 37 38 39

16
00:15:59.920 --> 00:35:17.200
40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Thank you so much. Oh. Heat. Heat. Hosting services for fct.org are provided by Megaet Communications.

17
00:35:17.200 --> 00:35:33.839
Megaet offers a wide array of internet services including Mega Backup Cloud Service, server collocation, T1 fiber, Metro Ethernet, as well as telephone services such as hosted PVX and digital voice. Their number one goal is to keep your communications network up and

18
00:35:33.839 --> 00:35:50.400
running and allow you to focus on growing your business. 877-6342638 or meganet.net. >> Proudly serving the New England area, K&K Talent Partners provide a personalized approach to full cycle recruiting services.

19
00:35:50.400 --> 00:36:04.240
>> Their level of integrity and empathy is rare and it speaks volumes about who they are as people and as recruitment partners. Our goal is to build trusted relationships and to create genuine connections that help companies grow.

20
00:36:04.240 --> 00:36:25.920
>> K&K Telepartners ktlepartners.com. >> At Martha's Vineyard Bank, we know Felmouth. With locations in Woods Hole, on Palmer Avenue, and the Village Green, we deliver personal banking tailored to your needs. Business solutions to help

21
00:36:25.920 --> 00:36:43.000
you grow. Flexible lending to move you forward and investment strategies that work for you. Whatever brings you in, we're your local partner. Martha's Vineyard Bank. Your goals, our guidance.

22
00:37:23.119 --> 00:38:04.480
Yes, you need Okay, good evening. I'm going to call to order the town of family select board meeting for Monday, May 18th, 2026. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance of America and to the republic for which

23
00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:25.040
it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh our first order of business is a proclamation. Uh and I'm going to uh read that proclamation.

24
00:38:25.040 --> 00:38:41.359
Uh Felmouth Chamber of Commerce 2026 outstanding citizen of the year proclamation. Whereas the Felmouth Chamber of Commerce annually acknowledges and pays tribute to a citizen of the town of Felmouth who has made a lasting positive impact on the

25
00:38:41.359 --> 00:38:56.640
community through participation in a broad scope of activities and whose commitment to the town has been demonstrated by many years of service beyond his or her profession. And whereas Ron Nunees is an exceptional citizen of the town of Felmouth,

26
00:38:56.640 --> 00:39:13.119
Massachusetts and New England, well known to all for his professional accomplishments and widespread contributions to the betterment of society. And whereas Ron Nunees is a model citizen admired esteemed for successfully balancing his devotion to

27
00:39:13.119 --> 00:39:29.119
family with years of integrity, tireless civic participation, and commitment to community progress. And whereas Ron Munz quietly works to build a better town, to provide support and food to those in need, to support the active boards and committees so vital to all our

28
00:39:29.119 --> 00:39:44.240
interests, to preserve Falmouth open space, and to protect the values and rich character of Falmouth Cape Cod. And whereas Ron Nunees's many accomplishments and contributions singularly and collectively are memorialized in the minds of those he

29
00:39:44.240 --> 00:40:01.760
has touched and chronicled on the pages of organizations across this town and as he continues to make a difference in the town of Felmouth. We do hear and declare that this citizen is worthy of high praise and great recognition. And now therefore we Robert P. Mscali,

30
00:40:01.760 --> 00:40:18.839
Heather MH Goldstone, Douglas C. Brown, Colin W. Reed and Jack P. Richardson as members of the select board of the town of Falmouth by the authority vested in us do proclaim Ron Nunez Falmouth's 2026 outstanding citizen of the year.

31
00:40:27.119 --> 00:40:53.520
>> Thank you. absolutely on Thursday night. >> Okay. Well, thank you, Ron. We'll uh we'll get this to you. It's got to be processed in town hall, but we'll get it to you. But thank you. And and I'm not sure if there's any tickets left, but if

32
00:40:53.520 --> 00:41:13.680
you haven't, uh the uh uh the the event is Thursday night at the Serest, the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year dinner. Um so moving on uh recognition uh and I would like to um

33
00:41:13.680 --> 00:41:28.160
recognize um the Alden Kindred of America has selected Felmouth artist, author and community leader Karen Ronaldo whose lifelong devotion to art and history has made her one of Cape Cod's most

34
00:41:28.160 --> 00:41:45.280
respected artists as an honore for the 19th Speak for thyself awards which celebrate women who embody the courage and spirit of Mayflower passenger Priscilla Mullins Alden. So congratulations uh to to Karen. A well welldeserved

35
00:41:45.280 --> 00:42:00.720
recognition. Any other recognitions? >> Yeah, I think this is one of those uh Falmouth is has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to our incredible uh residents. Uh would like to recognize uh Reverend Neil Field Nell Neil Fields.

36
00:42:00.720 --> 00:42:16.400
Apparently, I'm done talking for the day. Um, uh, of WO Church, who was recently recognized, um, as a Commonwealth heroine, one of 147 women, um, in the state, recognized in that way. And then also to recognize uh

37
00:42:16.400 --> 00:42:33.040
Wilson Smith who on the occasion of his 85th birthday was recognized uh by our state representatives for his longtime service to the town of Falmouth in a range of volunteer positions including his uh service on the finance committee and for multiple nonprofits.

38
00:42:33.040 --> 00:42:48.800
>> I have a couple as well. >> I'd like to recognize Laura Citroen, our finance director. She's only been with us a couple years, but she's done a lot in that short time. I know she's retiring a little ahead of what she had hoped to do for family commitments, but uh I really appreciate what she's done,

39
00:42:48.800 --> 00:43:03.680
especially in this last month of putting this whole financial pro projection together for us. So, best wishes to Laura in her future. And also, I just noticed today that it's national uh Department of Public Works Recognition

40
00:43:03.680 --> 00:43:19.760
Week. So, hats off to our DPW, probably one of the best in the state. And uh May is police appreciation month as well. So there's a lot to be thankful for. >> Oh, that reminds me. Um recognizing Felmouth's three recent uh police

41
00:43:19.760 --> 00:43:37.440
academy graduates. Um Abigail Burns, Julia Croft, and Carlos Frier. >> Good. >> And uh speaking of retirement, I'd certainly like to recognize our 20 plus years town clerk, Michael Palmer, who will be retiring at the end of this

42
00:43:37.440 --> 00:43:57.440
month as well. All right. >> I should have said at the beginning, please silence your cell phone and notify the chair if you are making a video or audio recording of this open session meeting. The placement and operation of the recording equipment should not interfere with the conduct of

43
00:43:57.440 --> 00:44:13.599
the meeting. Uh, moving on to any announcements. Is anyone on the board? Mr. Richardson? >> Uh, two things. One procedural. I do need to adjourn from 7:05. I will return at 7:25. Uh, fortunately, I am in campaign season

44
00:44:13.599 --> 00:44:28.880
and there's some things I can't move. Uh, and I also just want to say thank you, Falmouth. Tonight is my last meeting on the select board. Uh, it's been an honor to serve with the people of my right, uh, to my right and I've learned a lot from you guys. Uh, and I think we've done a lot of really impactful work. So, I thank you for your trust and uh, I'd be honored to serve

45
00:44:28.880 --> 00:44:45.520
this community further in the new year. So, thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Richardson. >> Uh, Mr. >> Any more announcements? Go ahead. >> I just want to announce uh there's another celebration of the Shiny Bikeway on Wednesday, May 20th. Oh, let's see. That's Saturday, May 30th, 1 to 3 at the

46
00:44:45.520 --> 00:45:03.280
bus depot. I thought it was a typo, but it's confirmed. So, there's another celebration there. We just had one a couple weeks ago. And then uh Wednesday, May 20th at the Lawrence School from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. is the uh the Mass D, the Mass, uh DOT

47
00:45:03.280 --> 00:45:18.960
presentation on capital projects, you know, roadway projects if people are interested in that. >> And I I'm not sure of the particulars, but there there will be also a discussion of the betterment by uh by Amy Low this

48
00:45:18.960 --> 00:45:35.280
>> that's that's correct, Mr. Chair. uh wastewater superintendent has a community meeting. >> That's what it was. >> About 170 residents. >> I didn't fill in that note. Thank you. >> That was what I meant to say about the Lawrence School at 6:30 on Wednesday. >> Thank you. >> I also wanted to announce uh tomorrow at

49
00:45:35.280 --> 00:45:51.200
both 400 p.m. and 7 p.m. um in the libraryies uh Herman room, the solid waste advisory committee will be hosting an information and question and answer session on the new trash cart programs. Um thank you to um that committee for all of their efforts over the past few

50
00:45:51.200 --> 00:46:06.640
weeks to get information out. So a couple more sessions tomorrow if you have questions or answer uh questions you would like to get answered. >> And um and the final announcement for those of you who don't know member Colin Reed uh is a new father and deserves a

51
00:46:06.640 --> 00:46:25.040
round of applause. >> Okay. Now >> my lovely wife deserves a round of applause. Should be announced that it's election day tomorrow in case anybody doesn't know. >> Just in case. So, why don't you announce it? I don't want to sound self-s served.

52
00:46:25.040 --> 00:46:41.680
>> Okay. Tomorrow's election day. Everyone knows it, but just don't don't forget to vote. >> Okay. Um, so, Mr. Wrenchure, town manager report. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, two items. We have the lengthy agenda, so I'll try to be brief. Uh, first and foremost, uh, this is a recognition and a welcoming of

53
00:46:41.680 --> 00:46:56.720
sorts. I want to recognize our new fire chief, uh, Mr. Jeff Lewis. Jeff is in the audience. Uh Jeff, this is week start of week three uh with Felmouth Fire Rescue. We're thrilled to have Jeff as part of our team. He's already hit the ground running. Uh decades of

54
00:46:56.720 --> 00:47:13.680
experience. Jeff came from us, as you all know, from uh the uh county of Fairfax, Virginia, uh where he had just a tremendous amount of responsibilities in a very large uh urban uh uh fire rescue department. Um, I'm really excited about Jeff's emergency management experience, um, search and

55
00:47:13.680 --> 00:47:30.480
rescue, uh, just a vast amount of, uh, experience in that area. Um, Jeff started on May 4th, so I said this is the beginning of week three for him. Um, and, uh, he's what what immediately impressed me about Jeff even during the interview process, but certainly meeting and working with a face to face, is his

56
00:47:30.480 --> 00:47:47.760
uh, analytical skills. He's very analytical in nature. Kind of looks at a problem or breaks it down into component parts. And we're we're excited about Jeff being here. Jeff, do you want to say a few words? >> Sure. >> I will be very brief. So I know you have a very large agenda. Um, as I have told

57
00:47:47.760 --> 00:48:04.160
many, uh, if if you asked me to construct a department to be a part of and to be the chief of foundless would be it. This is exactly where I want to be. And on top of that, the personnel and the community have been incredibly accommodating and incredibly welcoming.

58
00:48:04.160 --> 00:48:20.319
I would be remiss if I did not thank Chief Smith for his efforts and Chiefs Abston and Fasher and all the personnel in the department for all the help that they have provided me during the transition and all the work that they've done in in during the transition. Though I expected it to be busy, I did not

59
00:48:20.319 --> 00:48:38.880
realize just how much I was going to be jumping into the middle of, but it has been an absolute blast. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Thank you all very much for the opportunity to be here. >> Thanks very much, Jee. Thank you. >> Welcome, Chief. And uh secondly, Mr. Chair and select

60
00:48:38.880 --> 00:48:55.520
board, um there's been a lot of uh uh not confusion, but some questions uh recently regarding uh drought level conditions, and I just wanted to spend a couple of moments, if I may, to talk about there. First off, this is kind of a public service announcement. There's a tremendous amount of information on the public works website, the water division

61
00:48:55.520 --> 00:49:09.839
site. So, if you haven't visited the uh the water division website, please do so. Um, but I want to take just a moment. Um, as as some of you may know, um, the town follows the Massachusetts drought management plan, which is administered by the Executive Office of

62
00:49:09.839 --> 00:49:27.599
Energy and Environmental Affairs. Um, this plan, the drought management plan outlines how drought is defined using, as most of us know, five drought levels uh, for six drought regions across the states. Drought levels are established after review of various parameters and this is important. precipitation, stream

63
00:49:27.599 --> 00:49:43.760
flow, groundwater levels, reservoir levels, fire danger, and crop moisture. Massachusetts also has a drought management task force. A lot of folks in the community that I've talked to recently seem to think that the town itself kind of sets these conditions. This is actually a statewide initiative

64
00:49:43.760 --> 00:50:00.000
and effort. Um, and it's led by this drought management task force, which consists of officials from a wide variety of state and federal agencies and professional organizations with responsibility for areas likely to be affected by drought conditions and who have technical knowledge about drought

65
00:50:00.000 --> 00:50:16.079
conditions. The task force makes drought recommendations to the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, who in turn declares these drought conditions for Massachusetts. And as you all may have seen, uh, we just recently were advised that we improved our our conditions. We went from a level two

66
00:50:16.079 --> 00:50:32.400
significant drought here in Felmouth, uh, the Cape specifically, uh, to a level one mild drought condition. That's not the same for a lot of our, uh, our partners' neighbors in other parts of the state. Um, the majority of the state of Massachusetts right now is in a significant level two drought and

67
00:50:32.400 --> 00:50:48.400
particularly in the islands, uh, Nantucket uh, is is in a significant drought, level two drought. Um again um I wanted to point out that um all the recent prec precipitation and snow melts a lot of folks have asked me well what about all the snow we had this winter doesn't that have any impact yes it does

68
00:50:48.400 --> 00:51:05.359
but it's a cumulative effect um and all that snow melt have led to some localized improvements the overall system remains well well below normal precipitation levels the current drought which began back in 2024 continues to affect the natural environments like steam flow stream flow

69
00:51:05.359 --> 00:51:20.720
vernal pools and ponds and dependent species fish migrations and declining groundwater. The droughts also drying out vegetation and ground cover. While local water supplies are currently stable, the persistence of drought conditions combined with the start of growing season and increased water demand across all of our communities

70
00:51:20.720 --> 00:51:36.720
makes continued conservation even more important. So last PSA, if you if you'd like more information, please do visit the water division's page. There's a lot of links directly to this drought management task force. Very informative information. So thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Okay. Thank you. We'll move on to public

71
00:51:36.720 --> 00:51:53.119
comment. Uh public comment may be made on routine matters not on the agenda this evening. Comments are limited to two minutes. Please introduce yourself and since the matter has not been included on the agenda. The select board may not participate in discussion of the

72
00:51:53.119 --> 00:52:15.119
topic. Would anyone like to speak in public comment? Please address the podium. Identify yourself. Thank you, Chair Miss Galley. Uh, I'm Eleanor Ling and I'm a member of the energy committee and I just have a very

73
00:52:15.119 --> 00:52:30.880
short announcement on behalf of the committee. Um, we would like to take this opportunity to help publicize the National Grid customer assistant event to be held on Wednesday, May 27 from 2

74
00:52:30.880 --> 00:52:47.680
to 6 PM at the Gus County Community Center, which is right next door. The purpose of the event is to help Felmouth community members to manage their energy bill. Um experts will be on site to help

75
00:52:47.680 --> 00:53:04.160
customers to explore options and determined eligibility for assistance such as discount rate for gas and electric accounts, payment plans, budget plans, and other programs.

76
00:53:04.160 --> 00:53:18.480
Representatives from other companies such as Eversource and Cape Compact may also be on site to provide assistance. Eversource advises customers to bring their energy bill and other relevant

77
00:53:18.480 --> 00:53:37.440
documents such as benefit cards and our acceptance letters from other assistant programs to enroll in the discount rate program. The sustainability specialist Stephanie Matson and the energy committee are um

78
00:53:37.440 --> 00:53:55.119
partnering to have a table at the event as well. So um we hope to you know be able to provide some additional information as needed. Um I will leave some flyers on the uh first seat on the

79
00:53:55.119 --> 00:54:10.319
third row there. Um if you are interested and you know you're welcome to share the flyers with uh your neighbors your friends in the in in Felmouth. Um the flyer me because the flyer mentioned the type of specific

80
00:54:10.319 --> 00:54:26.640
benefits cards and acceptance letters for eligibility determination. So thank you very much. >> Elena, could you just repeat the time? And I think you said May 27th, but what time? >> Yes. Yes. May 27th from 2 to 6:00 p.m.

81
00:54:26.640 --> 00:54:43.079
>> You don't need to register. People can just stop by. >> Okay, great. Thanks. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Ling, and thank you for good work of the energy committee. Thank you. We will now move on to the consent agenda. >> Oh, I'm sorry.

82
00:54:43.839 --> 00:54:59.280
Mr. Dubie, introduce yourself. >> Richard Dubbie, Blacksmith Shop Road. Um, I would request that the board include on a future agenda a discussion of the enormous operating budget deficit that was part of the presentation

83
00:54:59.280 --> 00:55:16.559
by um the the um director of finance um to the finance committee in the form of the operating and debt forecast. This was originally presented to the select board on April 27th of 2026. This forecast shows an operating budget

84
00:55:16.559 --> 00:55:34.960
with a cumulative deficit for years 2026 through 2035 of $105,953,82. I would also request that a future agenda item include a discussion as to why article 8 of the town charter

85
00:55:34.960 --> 00:55:51.440
calling for a quote revised long range financial plan for the town including anticipated municipal problems was not in recent times developed and presented to the town manager basically what the finance director just presented. I've

86
00:55:51.440 --> 00:56:05.920
spoken with members of the finance committee and they have no memory of having been presented with such a plan. The purpose of any proposed discussions is not to assign blame but to ensure the town understands the issue and can

87
00:56:05.920 --> 00:56:23.040
identify solutions. Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Okay. And then we will move on to the consent agenda. Licenses. Number one, consider the application by Cape Kids Treasures for a secondhand dealer

88
00:56:23.040 --> 00:56:38.720
license. Number two, consider a vote to approve an application from Barnstable County Agricultural Society for a special 1-day all alcohol beverages license for 7 days for the Balstable County Fair, Cape Cod Fairgrounds, 1220

89
00:56:38.720 --> 00:56:54.160
Nathan Ellis Highway, East Falmouth, from Monday 7:20 to Sunday 7:2626. Number three, consider a request for administrative approval of updated floor plans for Devour Artisan Eery LLC, DBA,

90
00:56:54.160 --> 00:57:10.079
the Rebel Room, including an all alcoholic beverages restaurant license, an entertainment license, and a Sunday entertainment license that were approved on May 4th, 2026. Number four, consider a request to

91
00:57:10.079 --> 00:57:26.400
approve an application from WM Cycling Events, Inc., very special one-day wine and more liquor license for the really rad festival of Cycllo Cross at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds, 1220 Nathan Ellis Highway, East Melmouth, Friday through

92
00:57:26.400 --> 00:57:43.280
Sunday, 10:23 to 10:25 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Number five, consider a vote to approve an application for a special 1-day wine and malt liquor license from Shipwrecked LLC for the Shipwreck AS6 Felmouth Road

93
00:57:43.280 --> 00:58:00.079
Race after party in the parking lot of Shipwrecked the Heights Hotel, 263 Grand Avenue, Felmouth, on Sunday, 8:16 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Number six, consider a vote to approve

94
00:58:00.079 --> 00:58:18.480
the application by Historic Highfield at 56 Highfield Drive for six special 1-day wine and mall beverages licenses to be executed as follows. June 21, 2026, 400 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. July 20 July 1st, 2026 7 p.m.

95
00:58:18.480 --> 00:58:37.200
to 8:30 p.m. July 26, 2026, 400 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. August 2nd, 20 2064 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. August 9th, 2026 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. And August 23rd, 2026,

96
00:58:37.200 --> 00:58:55.119
400 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Administrative orders. Number one, discuss and consider the approval of the submission of a one-stop for growth grant application in the amount of 1,00 1,200,000 for the construction of a new roadway

97
00:58:55.119 --> 00:59:12.720
and associated utilities in support of the proposed affordable housing development at zero Locustfield Road. Number two, consider a vote to appoint inspectors of animals Katherine Poquette, Khloe Ericsi, and Molly Mason.

98
00:59:12.720 --> 00:59:28.960
And number three, consider a vote to approve and sign a regulatory agreement for the units deed restricted at 120% of the area median income at the affordable housing project located at 464 Main Street.

99
00:59:28.960 --> 00:59:44.240
Uh, is there a motion? >> Yes, Mr. Chair, with thanks to staff for their uh work on the regula last regulatory agreement and the revisions there, I would move approval of the consent agenda as read. >> Motion. >> I'll second that. >> We have a motion and a second. Any

100
00:59:44.240 --> 01:00:05.200
further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. We're going to move on to uh public hearings. I'm going to ask Vice Chair Goldstone to read the public notice. Notice is hereby given under chapter 140 section 183A of the general laws as

101
01:00:05.200 --> 01:00:22.799
amended by chapter 299 of the acts of 1926 and amen and amendments there too that Barnstable County Agricultural Society has applied for an entertainment license and a Sunday entertainment license for the Barnstable County Fair to be held at Cape Cod Fairgrounds

102
01:00:22.799 --> 01:00:37.440
1220 Nathan Ellis Highway East Felmouth from Monday July July 20 through Sunday, July 26, 2026. The hearing on the above application will be held in the Old Silver Surf Drive program Room, Senior Center, 780 Main Street, Falmouth, on

103
01:00:37.440 --> 01:00:54.640
Monday, May 18th, 2026 at 6:45 p.m. >> Thank you, Miss Mr. Rancher. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, Miss Wendy Brown of the Barnes County A Society has applied for an entertainment license and Sunday entertainment license for the county fair to be held at the fairgrounds, as you mentioned, Mr. chair

104
01:00:54.640 --> 01:01:11.359
from July 20th through Sunday, July 26th. Um, I did not know this, but I'm very impressed. The Barnes County Fair has been annually held annually since 1844. The hours of of operation are from noon to 10:00 p.m. The county fair is scheduled to have uh country bands and

105
01:01:11.359 --> 01:01:26.559
light rock bands on the main stage during the hours of 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The applicant has provided a list of the bands scheduled to play and their performance times along with an area map showing the location of the main stage as well as other attractions and amenities. Um and as you all know, the

106
01:01:26.559 --> 01:01:42.880
county fair will have various amusements and ground acts during the hours from noon until 10 p.m. And Mr. Chair, following the public hearing, it's uh staff's recommendation that the board vote to approve the applica application by the Barsell County Agricultural Society for the entertainment license and Sunday entertainment license for the

107
01:01:42.880 --> 01:02:01.760
Barnes School County Fair. >> Okay. Thank you. Is the applicant present? Please come to the podium, address yourself, and tell us a little bit about the event. >> Hi, my name is uh Wendy Brown. I'm the general manager of the fairgrounds and

108
01:02:01.760 --> 01:02:16.880
it is uh as the dates are July 20th through the 26th just as described. It's uh our intent is family um family entertainment. Um we actually open Monday through Thursday at 400 p.m. and close the gates now a little earlier

109
01:02:16.880 --> 01:02:33.200
9:30 and the midway at 11:00 and then Friday, Saturday, Sunday we open at noon and close by 10. >> Okay. Thank you very much. Anything else? No. Any questions? Mr.

110
01:02:33.200 --> 01:02:49.599
>> Point of procedure. Uh, we've been doing this since 1844. Is there any way to make it more efficient for the Barnesville fairy uh fairgrounds to do this on a three or fiveyear basis instead of a every every year? >> I'm not sure that charter allows for

111
01:02:49.599 --> 01:03:05.359
three or five year licenses, but certainly something to look into. We may have a licensing next year. >> Reminder to get out and vote tomorrow. >> Okay. Any other comments, questions from the board? Uh, anyone in the public have

112
01:03:05.359 --> 01:03:21.839
anything to uh add or questions with respect to this application? >> Motion to close public hearing. >> None. There's a motion to close. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. Any further discussion amongst the board? >> Um, >> I move approval.

113
01:03:21.839 --> 01:03:38.000
>> Second. >> Okay. So move approval of Sunday entertainment license and entertainment license for Barnesville County Fair, Cake Cart Fairgrounds, 1220 Nathan Ellis Highway, Eastbound for Monday, July 20 to Sunday, July 26, 2026. All in favor?

114
01:03:38.000 --> 01:03:53.520
>> I. >> Okay, we'll move on to number two. Vice Chair Goldste. Uh, notice is hereby given under chapter 140 section 8 183A of the general laws as amended by chapter 299 of the acts of

115
01:03:53.520 --> 01:04:10.480
1926 and a mandist thereto that shipwrecked LLC located at 263 Grand Avenue Fmouth Massachusetts has applied for a one-day entertainment license and Sunday entertainment license for an event to be held in the parking lot of Shipwrecked and the Heights Hotel 263

116
01:04:10.480 --> 01:04:27.200
Grand Avenue on Sunday, August 16th, 2026 between 9:00 am and 6:00 p.m. A hearing on the above application will be held in the Old Silver Surf Drive program room, Falmouth Senior Center, 780 Main Street, Ma Felmouth, Massachusetts, on Monday, May 18th, 2026

117
01:04:27.200 --> 01:04:44.160
at 6:45 p.m. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Briefly, the uh applicant Shipwreck LLC submitted its application for one day entertainment and Sunday entertainment license back on April 14th. The internal working group for special events met about a month later on May

118
01:04:44.160 --> 01:04:59.760
13th and recommended approval of the licenses. Uh the application for entertainment was submitted along with a narrative which is included in your packets. Uh the application states that music consist of live entertainment and the music will be lightly amplified uh

119
01:04:59.760 --> 01:05:16.480
during the race but will not infringe per the application upon the proceedings of the road race itself. Mr. Chair, following comments from the public hearing, staff is recommending that the license applications be approved. >> I see the applicant is present. Would you care to come to the podium, Mr.

120
01:05:16.480 --> 01:05:33.599
Khan? Introduce yourself. Tell us a little bit about the event. >> How you doing? Uh my name is Alex Khan. I'm the owner of Shipwrecked and uh the Found with Road Race uh has been a real um joy for me personally. I started

121
01:05:33.599 --> 01:05:50.720
running it when I was seven. And uh obviously it wasn't my decision at that age, but uh but it was uh it's something that I really look forward to and to be able to continue that, be part of it uh with with my my kids and uh and

122
01:05:50.720 --> 01:06:06.160
having an opportunity to see old friends from when I used to lifeguard and hanging out and growing up in the summers and found. It's just such a joy. We have been doing this personally uh since I've um owned Shipwreck, but obviously well before that. And um it's

123
01:06:06.160 --> 01:06:22.480
an event that a lot of people really look forward to. Um and uh I think that it's uh it's a great time and I appreciate u the board's uh consideration to continue this moving forward. Thank you.

124
01:06:22.480 --> 01:06:38.559
>> Okay. Thank you. Any questions? Any other members of the board? >> Uh >> Mr. Brown. >> What year? How many years have you been doing this same event now? >> So, uh me personally running it or me uh hosting it at Shipwreck? >> Hosting it at Shipwreck. >> No, I'm kidding. So, uh at Shipwreck,

125
01:06:38.559 --> 01:06:55.520
we've had it uh since I purchased the uh the property in May of 2021 and every year it's it's uh really become a staple for people's summer. >> Yeah. Thank you. Well, when the full

126
01:06:55.520 --> 01:07:22.559
event, any other questions? No. Anyone in the audience uh like to speak? Yes, sir. >> Uh please up there if you can. >> I got the memo on the blue wager and the tackis. So, anyway,

127
01:07:22.559 --> 01:07:39.839
uh my name is Bill Coin. Uh my wife and I own a piece of real estate, uh summer home at 9 Nantucket Avenue, which is about 30 ft from the parking lot that we're talking about here. It seems to us to be a bit extreme to

128
01:07:39.839 --> 01:07:54.720
have music at 9:00 in the morning when the race starts in Woods Hole at 9:00 and the general finishing public doesn't get to the heights until 11:00 or so. Uh, I would respectfully ask you to

129
01:07:54.720 --> 01:08:12.000
change the time from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for music and the place usually clears out by 4:00 in the afternoon. would ask you also to roll back the five o'clock uh end to four o'clock in the afternoon. There's plenty of activity

130
01:08:12.000 --> 01:08:28.719
over there to be sure, but uh the music uh is an impediment to those of us that live proximate uh and uh that is my request of you. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Mr. Khan, would you care to address Mr.

131
01:08:28.719 --> 01:08:48.080
Coin's comments? Yeah, this year is um a little bit different. The uh the road race is starting an hour early and so as you all know it's very difficult to get down to the heights um in general particularly

132
01:08:48.080 --> 01:09:03.600
uh in the morning. So, we feel that the music should start around 9:00 when people are getting there, getting themselves situated. Um, and um, at the end of the day, it it does it does tail off. I don't mind having the music stop

133
01:09:03.600 --> 01:09:19.440
at 5. Um, but, you know, it it hasn't in the past. And, uh, and, uh, it seems to be a great event that more than uh, a lot of people enjoy. And and I've said this before, it's it's really one of the

134
01:09:19.440 --> 01:09:36.159
town's biggest marketing events um that that we can be proud of. And I I think that a lot of other towns, the other 14 within the Cape Cod would dream of having such an event uh there. And if if

135
01:09:36.159 --> 01:09:52.480
it's one day, uh we have a a special event where there's some music and festivities that to be honest people had been doing since 1973. Then um I think we should allow it personally.

136
01:09:52.480 --> 01:10:08.400
>> Motion to close public hearing. >> Uh I have a question. Let's just see if there are any other comments or questions from anyone else in the public and then I'll turn to you, Mr. Brown, see if there's anyone else. Okay. There's not Mr. Brown. >> We have to vote. We have to vote.

137
01:10:08.400 --> 01:10:25.920
>> Mr. Khan, can you uh offer to turn the music down between 9 and 11? >> Absolutely. We're not It's not a a rap concert by any means. It's people kind of still getting ready, getting going up. And um we we typically try and keep the music down anyway. Um and certainly

138
01:10:25.920 --> 01:10:41.840
we are it's is we have to be good neighbors. We are nestled right in uh a neighborhood and uh and and uh we have a lot of neighbors that uh really come out and tell us that we are good neighbors. So, we're going to try and continue that

139
01:10:41.840 --> 01:10:57.600
as much as possible. >> All right. Appreciate that. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh there's a motion to close the public hearing. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Second by Mr. Reid. All in favor? >> I. Motion to approve the application from Shipwreck LLC for a one-day

140
01:10:57.600 --> 01:11:16.080
entertainment license and Sunday entertainment license for the shipwreck/acmouth road race afterparty in the parking lot of shipwreck in the Heights Hotel 26th Gramouth on Sunday August 16th 2026 as presented. >> Okay, there's a motion. Is there a

141
01:11:16.080 --> 01:11:30.880
second? Mr. Reed is seconding. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? >> I do understand. Sorry. Go ahead. >> While I do understand um living in close proximity um the the concerns, I I do

142
01:11:30.880 --> 01:11:48.239
think it's one day and uh I feel like in past years with this same event, we've actually we didn't hear a lot um this year, but we've actually heard from quite a number of neighbors um to Mr. Khan's point um that Shipwreck is a good neighbor and they actually enjoy the

143
01:11:48.239 --> 01:12:04.480
event um and and embrace it. Um, so I I guess I would be in favor of approving the license. >> Okay, so we have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I Okay, thank you very much. >> I'll be adjourning until 7:25 and I will recuse myself from any items I missed the discussion of.

144
01:12:04.480 --> 01:12:22.080
>> We will be waiting for faded breath, Mr. Thank you. Okay. Consider the request from the friends of Felmouth Bikeways to name the shining sea bikeway extension from downtown to North Falmouth as the quote Patty and Leonard Johnson bikeway

145
01:12:22.080 --> 01:12:39.199
extension and to place a plaque in their honor. Mr. Wraw. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um the uh naming process uh was initiated uh last year last February 11th um by representatives of the friends of Felmouth Bikeways uh

146
01:12:39.199 --> 01:12:57.040
per our uh facilities naming policy. The reasons given for honoring uh Patty and Leonard Johnson are described in the supporting information provided in your package this evening. Um as you all are aware, select board designated chair MScali to seek input from town staff and committees while uh with oversight of

147
01:12:57.040 --> 01:13:13.440
the shining sea bikeway. Um, at its select board meeting on May 4th, Chairman Mscally reported on the information he had gathered uh from speaking with staff and uh and others uh familiar with the bikeway and the board voted to schedule and advertise tonight's public hearing uh to seek input from the community. And uh Mr.

148
01:13:13.440 --> 01:13:28.320
Chair, select board, as you know, following the hearing, the board may vote to name the public facility or place as requested. A vote of four members of the select board is required to approve a naming request. >> Okay. Well, thank you, Mr. Rancho. Yes, I was honored to be able to investigate

149
01:13:28.320 --> 01:13:43.600
this and report favorably uh on the uh on the request to uh to dedicate the the black uh you know, Patty and Leonard Johnson are stellar residents of town of Falmouth have done so much for the town

150
01:13:43.600 --> 01:14:01.440
and it goes without saying that the extension that six mile plus extension uh probably would not have happened but for Patty and Leonard Johnson's effort efforts. Uh I'm going to call Mr. Paul Sylvia to come to the podium uh in in

151
01:14:01.440 --> 01:14:16.960
connection with the friends who made the application. Tell us a little bit about uh Mr. and Mr. Johnson. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. Um I I can't say enough about uh Patty and Leonard.

152
01:14:16.960 --> 01:14:32.000
Um they were the ones who be who started the friends of um Felmouth Bikeways back in 2009. I believe that they are the only ones that are still on the committee. They're

153
01:14:32.000 --> 01:14:50.000
uh playing leadership roles in the friends of the Felmouth bikeways. Uh Leonard has been treasurer for I think the the whole 17 years that it's been in existence. Uh Patty was the president

154
01:14:50.000 --> 01:15:06.320
for many years. And um beyond the the work that they've done that way, they've um worked with the the bike lab and made contributions to the bike lab on uh

155
01:15:06.320 --> 01:15:25.120
Ticket Road. Um they've uh sponsored um bikes not bombs. Um it's an organization that is in uh Jamaica plane that um takes any bikes they can get and

156
01:15:25.120 --> 01:15:42.000
they refurbish them and they dispense them to uh the the youth in Boston that need bicycles and they also uh ship them all around the world on cargo containers

157
01:15:42.000 --> 01:15:58.239
and um they usually have a a card of tools that go with each shipment so that some of the under developed countries uh will have a means to uh perpetuate uh cycling.

158
01:15:58.239 --> 01:16:14.640
Um in getting this uh extension approved the the final uh five and a half miles um went on for years and years and years. I believe it was 2009

159
01:16:14.640 --> 01:16:31.679
when um the extension uh went from Carlson Lane in downtown Felmouth up to u North Felmouth at the terminus. And um that was many years of

160
01:16:31.679 --> 01:16:46.800
Patty and Leonard. I I think Patty did more of the road work going into Boston to harass the people in the uh several departments and uh she prevailed as

161
01:16:46.800 --> 01:17:06.480
always. She is uh a terrific um person and uh has done many good things for the town. Um, so at this point, um, are you going to say something, KJ?

162
01:17:06.480 --> 01:17:23.679
No, I guess not. Okay, >> please feel free uh to to say something, but just could you speak to the cost and who's absorbing the cost for this plaque? Would you >> uh in paying for this extension? How much it cost? >> No, the the the the plaque.

163
01:17:23.679 --> 01:17:44.719
>> Oh, the plaque. Uh, we don't have a figure with it yet. We've um change. >> Okay. So, Mr. Cloud, we're going to deal first with the transfer of the license. You want to address that issue? >> Absolutely. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh

164
01:17:44.719 --> 01:17:59.920
members of the board, uh Mr. Chair, if it's all right. Um even though we're dealing these one at a time, my presentation is going to be effectively the same for both. So to avoid redundancy, kind of present once and then if there's any questions, happy to address. Uh for the record, Kevin

165
01:17:59.920 --> 01:18:15.760
Clower. I'm before you this evening representing the Old Casino LLC. I'm joined tonight by the owner, Alex Khan, as well as the proposed manager of the restaurant Chase Con. Uh we before you tonight seeking approval for a transfer of the all alcohol restaurant license

166
01:18:15.760 --> 01:18:32.159
from the existing holder Rosem Corp uh to the old casino LLC for use at the property at 286 Grand Avenue unit 9. Uh we're also seeking an entertainment and Sunday entertainment license. Again realize these are separate applications but mostly the same relevant information.

167
01:18:32.159 --> 01:18:48.719
This site has been the location of a restaurant for decades. Um, and since being raised and rebuilt in 2006, it's continued operation as a restaurant, most recently as the Wararf under the uh leadership of the Richard family. They've since uh opened up a new restaurant on Main Street, have ceased

168
01:18:48.719 --> 01:19:05.920
operations at this site. So, uh, the properties owned by Mr. Khan. U, he purchased it just over two years ago, and he's decided to undertake operations of the property himself uh, in order to complement his existing business at Shipwreck. So, Alex has owned and operated Shipwreck since 2021.

169
01:19:05.920 --> 01:19:20.960
He's been a great corporate citizen, donating time, money, and effort to local organizations. So, we are requesting that the board approve the transfer of the existing license uh from Rosem Corp to the Old Casino LLC, as well as the appointment of Chase Khan as manager for the liquor

170
01:19:20.960 --> 01:19:36.960
license. Chase has worked at Shipwreck since its inception on a full-time basis since the fall. Uh he's experienced in retail services. He's tip certified. uh I think is well suited to be the manager of the operation. Just to clarify, we're not seeking to alter the operations as

171
01:19:36.960 --> 01:19:53.040
have existed in any meaningful way. We're effectively assuming operations from the prior owner. Um we talked a lot about um the loss of third places um outside home and work. And I think what I know with shipwrecking hoping to do here is to create a third place where

172
01:19:53.040 --> 01:20:08.080
people enjoy coming. The ambiance is good. The environment is good. They were there to see friends. that they're not to take in a concert, but the music's there to help supplement what they're doing. >> Okay. Thank you. Any other questions or comments from the public?

173
01:20:08.080 --> 01:20:23.199
If not, I will entertain a motion to close the public hearing. >> So moved. >> Okay. We have a motion. >> Second >> and a second. All in favor? >> I. Okay. Any further discussion with respect to the application? If not, I

174
01:20:23.199 --> 01:20:39.520
will entertain a motion for approval. I'll make the motion to approve the applications by the Old Casino LLC, DBA, the Old Casino, 286 Grand Avenue, Sweet 9 Felmouth, for the entertainment and Sunday entertainment licenses. Monday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. be approved as presented.

175
01:20:39.520 --> 01:20:55.280
>> I'll second that. >> Okay. >> Uh 100% trust Mr. Khan's record, absolutely believe in third spaces, but I'm just going to abstain because I did not hear the full public session. >> Thank you, Mr. Richardson. Okay, we have a motion and a second. All in favor? I >> abstain.

176
01:20:55.280 --> 01:21:11.920
section. Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. We appreciate your time. >> Thank you. >> Good luck with the new place. >> Moving on to the business portion of our agenda. Uh and I am going to ask uh presenters to uh adhere to their aotted time. We do have a very long and lengthy

177
01:21:11.920 --> 01:21:32.080
u uh agenda. So uh uh this presentation update from Farming Falmouth. You have 15 minutes, Miss Cowell. Thank you, Chair Bob. Good evening, everyone. >> Oh, yeah. It's not a

178
01:21:32.080 --> 01:22:03.760
>> I like Chair Bob as an opener, >> please. >> Yes. Bear with me. Um Good evening. I'm Jess Cole with Farming Famouth and executive de director and

179
01:22:03.760 --> 01:22:20.800
thank you for having me tonight. We are here to discuss Farming Famis community food discussion series uh establishing a baseline for future grounded in resilience, sustainability and equitable local agricultural production. Our

180
01:22:20.800 --> 01:22:38.719
vision over four sessions for farmers, educators and community members identified core themes to strengthen FAMUS regional food system. These key findings coordinated food system were food policy council

181
01:22:38.719 --> 01:23:04.800
participants repeatedly identified for farmland protection, grower resources, food distribution, and public education. Many discussions pointed toward the potential value of food policy council or similar coordinating body that could include

182
01:23:04.800 --> 01:23:26.080
representation from the town, schools, nonprofits, farmers, and community partners. Second was farmland preservation alone is not enough. Land must remain active. Conservation preservation alone

183
01:23:26.080 --> 01:23:41.040
doesn't guarantee food production. Participants have emphasized that land must remain an active agriculture to serve the community. Gaps identified included underutilized town lands and the need for farms to farmer support

184
01:23:41.040 --> 01:23:59.760
systems to maintain legacy farms. Some of these policies were farm worker housing integrating affordable housing for farmers directly on on or near preserved land. A perfect example is the 545 Main Street project.

185
01:23:59.760 --> 01:24:16.080
tax ex um incentives utilizing to and transfer tax revenue or short-term rental tax for land trusts access for small-cale farming lowering barriers for new and underser under reserved farmers

186
01:24:16.080 --> 01:24:31.679
to secure land infrastructure support providing access to water soil health programs and climate resilient tools. The third was supporting local farmers required shared infrastructure and

187
01:24:31.679 --> 01:24:48.639
workforce development. Farmers consistently identified labor shortages, housing challenges, and the lack of shared infrastructure as major barriers. Residents expressed strong support for shared processing kitchen facilities, equipment, and

188
01:24:48.639 --> 01:25:05.440
apprenticeship programs with local schools and colleges. a formal a formal growers consortium of collaborative network better access to grants, marketing assistance, and technical support. Many participants noted that

189
01:25:05.440 --> 01:25:20.719
the region's aging farmer population makes succession planning increasingly urgent. Fourth is equitable access. Food access is about transportation, trust, and

190
01:25:20.719 --> 01:25:36.000
relationships. Participants emphasized that rel relational outreach work works better than institutional messaging. Suggest suggestions included a SNAP outreach coordinator, transportation and delivery

191
01:25:36.000 --> 01:25:52.880
partnerships, buddy programs to help firsttime farmers market visitors, partnerships with organizations such as Brazilian resource center, and educational videos and multilingual outreach efforts. Residents also stressed that food access efforts must

192
01:25:52.880 --> 01:26:12.239
account for seniors, immigrant communities, uncoised residents, and families unfamiliar with the existing services. Fifth is our food education emerged as the strongest area of consensus. Ideas were school gardens and composting

193
01:26:12.239 --> 01:26:28.080
programs, farm-based summer camps and internships, cooking and nutrition and food preservation classes, partnerships with local schools, Cape Cod Community College and Upper Techch, youth engagement through gardening and farmers

194
01:26:28.080 --> 01:26:48.560
markets. Opportunities for townwide partnerships. Community members identified several areas where the town leadership could play pay play a meaningful role in supporting farmland and local agricultural legislation. Exploring land

195
01:26:48.560 --> 01:27:04.719
use and zoning strategies that encourage an active cultivation. Strengthening collaborative collaboration between schools, nonprofits, and growers. Improving visibility of local food systems and resources. participating in

196
01:27:04.719 --> 01:27:22.480
broader food system coordination efforts in um a case study for collaboration is the patch regenerative success acquired in 2022. The patch is a model of farmland revitalization.

197
01:27:22.480 --> 01:27:39.679
It focuses on no till methods, permaculture and affordable housing for the lead farmer. This project demonstrates how neglected land can be transformed into productive community hub through strategic partnerships. I also want to note that this is a project

198
01:27:39.679 --> 01:27:55.760
that I'm sure all of you are aware of, but I want to say that it's a perfect example that you can have open space, affordable housing, and agriculture all in one space. And we hope that this is the groundwork for future projects.

199
01:27:55.760 --> 01:28:12.880
In conclusion, at its core, the process revealed that residents see food not simply as an agricultural issue, but as a community issue connected to public health, education, housing, environmental stewardship, economic

200
01:28:12.880 --> 01:28:31.520
development, and quality of life here in Val. Help us build a more resilient, equitable, and local locally rooted food system. advocate for round table with we advocate for round table with the select board for local legislation and parking

201
01:28:31.520 --> 01:28:47.600
fountain. We encourage you to buy fresh buy local. Please join us at our food summit in early fall at high school and please visit us at patch

202
01:28:47.600 --> 01:29:05.040
this summer. Thank you so much for your time this evening. Any questions? >> Thank you. I have a couple. Um uh you mentioned uh 540 >> you mentioned 545 uh main street uh what

203
01:29:05.040 --> 01:29:20.000
would be the involvement of farming found with that project. So the number one thing that um we come across is that farmers need access to housing and as a workforce we know lots of projects and

204
01:29:20.000 --> 01:29:35.840
areas that need workers and in order for those workers to come here they need housing. this question for for council. Um I think to look at um I know that under the seasonal communities act uh there

205
01:29:35.840 --> 01:29:52.560
was a special carve out for artists and during the common process uh uh suggestions and comments were raised with respect to uh uh to to people engaged in in farming. Uh that never made it into the uh into the final

206
01:29:52.560 --> 01:30:08.639
regulations. Uh but I was reading an article and a town on the Cape. It might have been Dennis. I can certainly forward the article. But apparently at town meeting they chose to uh include um farmers

207
01:30:08.639 --> 01:30:26.880
farming as a as a as a class to uh uh to to permit for affordable housing under the seasonal communities. Uh and I'm wondering if that is something that is possible. uh and that if it is possible, I suggest that we consider it uh for

208
01:30:26.880 --> 01:30:42.480
town meeting in our November uh warrant uh or October 26th warrant and I appreciate you know a look at that to see if that is something that we can uh implement by uh by town meeting. So

209
01:30:42.480 --> 01:31:01.800
thank you. Okay, any further questions? Anyone else? Mr. Brown, then Mr. Riches. Is there some also an idea that farming or maybe it's another group that was going to want to try to use the kitchen at 545 to do meals outreach

210
01:31:07.440 --> 01:31:24.320
>> is our president board of directors and has much longer history with that project. So I'm >> hi thank you very much. Um so there is a kitchen 545 name obviously because it was for the nursing home and we we

211
01:31:24.320 --> 01:31:40.480
believe very much that the town could use and uh there could be quite a bit of economic development around having a commercial kitchen in the town. So we think that's an excellent site and we have written a letter of interest to express the

212
01:31:40.480 --> 01:31:55.679
our recommendation that that that kitchen space be used as a a commercial kitchen where education can come in uh where people can come and rent space and time and they can take even when they're growing in their own half acre or you

213
01:31:55.679 --> 01:32:12.719
know 20 by 30 uh garden if they can take that and turn that into product they can they can create income. So, we think it's a a very potent opportunity for the town. >> Well, following along on that thought, there have you been able to interact

214
01:32:12.719 --> 01:32:27.760
with any of the restaurants along Main Street to work with them to, you know, get involved with Farming Found and have them purchase work with you as their outreach to to current res?

215
01:32:27.760 --> 01:32:42.960
>> I'm going to answer. Um, so right now all of the food that we grow is donated to the Fountain Service Center, Cape Island's Veteran Outreach Centers, and soon to be a place at the table. We took ownership of the patch on June 17th of last year. So, as we're building out our

216
01:32:42.960 --> 01:32:59.920
capacity this year, our plan is to be growing more and work with restaurants. We do we do know that we are supplying um eggs to Water Street Kitchen um and we will continue to grow.

217
01:33:00.800 --> 01:33:17.120
Mr. Richardson, >> do you want to respond? >> I didn't. >> No, I just I I was just ask that that answer your question. >> Yes. Yes. >> Um again, congratulations on citizen of the year. I can't do that Thursday. I

218
01:33:17.120 --> 01:33:32.639
hope I do here sometime when I see him. Um thank you all for all the work you do. It's been uh tremendous work you've done. Um you know, one thing I would encourage and I know I said that uh last uh listening session you had at the library uh is to see how we can bring

219
01:33:32.639 --> 01:33:48.239
this to the upper cape beyond I think there's a lot of resources I know Mashie uh through general commerce diva has had a a free trip dispensary mash where they have addition space now so expanding this this is really being

220
01:33:48.239 --> 01:34:04.639
an upper case and hopefully a capewide initiative I think and state grants become more competitive having a a a you regionwide effort. Um, you know, I think it would be really good to get some investment from whether it be state or or or private. Um, so I

221
01:34:04.639 --> 01:34:20.719
would encourage that. Um, and then also, um, how how do you, you know, when we considered our strategic plan, which we're discussing later, uh, agriculture and farming just like did not come up at all, I'm pretty sure. Um, how do you see

222
01:34:20.719 --> 01:34:37.600
the town's role in ensuring that this is part of of of what we're doing going forward in terms of our respect as as a town? >> I think it's incredibly important for you to look at currently owned town land and how that that can be turned reverted back into um agriculture, community

223
01:34:37.600 --> 01:34:57.360
gardens, as well as looking at forming a farmland trust funded through, example, a portion of short-term rental or room tax revenue. I think that it's incred. Um, collaboration is important. I know

224
01:34:57.360 --> 01:35:12.639
that housing is important. Open space is important. We are all willing to collaborate and we need the town behind that. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> So, um, thank you for for what you have

225
01:35:12.639 --> 01:35:28.239
done in this um, the food system assessment and these conversations. I think have have been really important in getting us um as a community the information and the ideas that we need. I love the idea of um the round table

226
01:35:28.239 --> 01:35:44.239
because in the one community conversation that I was part of and in informal conversations since then I think obviously this is the value of having community conversations when we got folks from different parts of the town together with folks from state representatives um legislative

227
01:35:44.239 --> 01:35:59.120
delegations um we were able to very quickly vet ideas and and generate new pathways and figure out what's actually going to work. Is it, you know, modifying the seasonal communities designation or is it something else? Is there another way to move this forward? So, I think that's

228
01:35:59.120 --> 01:36:15.199
a great idea. I will also just note that um I agree that making sure that we think about um town goals, not only in terms of municipally owned land, but just kind of thinking about um our town as a whole, what our goals might be in

229
01:36:15.199 --> 01:36:32.080
terms of farmland and food production. um and recognize that um our municipal budget is really really stretched, but the environmental bond bill that is currently pending at the state level has tens of millions of

230
01:36:32.080 --> 01:36:49.360
dollars going toward should this all pass toward grant programs for the acquisition and preservation of farmland specifically. Um so getting this all together into kind of for lack of other better term shovel ready projects that

231
01:36:49.360 --> 01:37:04.880
can go to those state grant programs once um this is hopefully through um and those opportunities are there. I think there's a growing recognition at the state level right that's specifically called out in addition to um conservation for climate or ecological

232
01:37:04.880 --> 01:37:21.360
purposes. So >> and I would ask um thank you for bringing it up um Heather the environmental bond we are as far we are behind this 100%. So as that you all know the first farmers market of the season is this Thursday we will be there

233
01:37:21.360 --> 01:37:37.360
collecting signatures please come by and say hi >> Mr. Reed want to connect a few different things some recommendations just some thoughts thinking out loud. Um, on April 13th, the Association of Protect Cape God came here and talked about the valuable

234
01:37:37.360 --> 01:37:55.040
resources of the land that remains open. If you have not connected with them, I would suggest connecting with them because a joint force there would be good. I'm seeing head nods. You probably already are. Um, I think something that we just touched on um, very quickly through the kitchen

235
01:37:55.040 --> 01:38:11.840
is the form of economic development. Um, I think it's nice to say an incubator kitchen could help. I think we need numbers. I think we need business plans because what we're going into now, um, later on in this agenda today, we're

236
01:38:11.840 --> 01:38:26.719
talking about what Mr. Richardson brought up with our strategic plans current form, but very last item, sorry, Jed 10:05 is the one stop for growth grant application to work on our local comprehensive plan. All of these are

237
01:38:26.719 --> 01:38:43.040
going to feed together for what could be economic development and business development in a form in which you could actually have a piece of this pie. Um, at the end of the day, this is another thought out loud. Um, I come from a um I

238
01:38:43.040 --> 01:38:59.040
was born in Vermont and we have a lot of farmer co-ops. I know our farms are dwindling here as they are nationwide, but they're able to get access to the consumer in many ways. Mr. Mscali talked about restaurants. I think that

239
01:38:59.040 --> 01:39:16.000
connection is very good. Um I think we have to look at how you're getting into uh grocerers beyond uh windfall. Maybe someday dreaming about what a co-op could be here in town. A co-op grosser. know it takes a lot to get to, but I think we have the demographics that

240
01:39:16.000 --> 01:39:31.520
could support it. Um, and then I think it just extends your buyer group, your clientele from um the farmers market where many people can't get to to something that's available during, you know, more regular hours. So, there's

241
01:39:31.520 --> 01:39:47.760
it's all tied together here, but there's a lot of economic potential to what you're discussing and dialing it back all the way to we need more farmland, but we need to aligning ourselves with these large groups to make sure our priorities are aligned. Thank you for

242
01:39:47.760 --> 01:40:04.080
all that you do. >> Thank you, Mr. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Jess, great presentation. Thanks for doing this tonight. I just wanted to bring out and uh board member uh Reed, my chairstone, and member Richardson mentioned it. We do have a couple of new milestones added

243
01:40:04.080 --> 01:40:19.920
in the soon to be adopted strategic um specifically addressing identification of open space and farmland conservation. >> Yeah. So so I I thought we talked about it and I was trying to remember and of course months and months to do this but um >> it is in there.

244
01:40:19.920 --> 01:40:38.880
>> I'm glad it is in there. Um nice job for >> Mr. Brown. Sure. >> Just one last easy one. Why uh what's why is it important to have a no till method? I mean I tell my garden every year why should I stop? >> Sure. So there's mium in that soil that

245
01:40:38.880 --> 01:40:56.159
helps your plants grow, gives them more nutrients, protects the water, protects the land. Um by doing no till, we've taken a piece of land that was that um follow and it's producing more food now because of the way we were farming.

246
01:40:56.159 --> 01:41:12.400
>> Will I get bigger flowers if I stop? Maybe um I just want to follow up with um this was an executive summary over the full summary. I didn't think you guys wanted me to go through 17 pages from the findings. We will be going into

247
01:41:12.400 --> 01:41:28.000
that in deeper when in the early fall. I'm waiting on the school to release their calendar so I can have a date to give for our shaping the future uh food um food system summit and expo. Before you leave the podium, I believe you also

248
01:41:28.000 --> 01:41:45.679
have an event coming up at the patch. >> Care Day? >> Yes. >> Friday. >> There's a live event, Heather. Um, this Friday we are hosting Care Day alongside Care for Capan Islands. It's from 9 to

249
01:41:45.679 --> 01:42:01.040
1:00 p.m. You can still sign up. We are building a brand new field that will be growing specialty crops such as ginger and edible flowers and it's going to be a lot of fun. We'll fire up the cob oven if anyone's experienced our cob oven. We're going to have patched flatbreads

250
01:42:01.040 --> 01:42:19.840
for to eat for lunch. >> Okay, thank you very much. >> Okay, well now we will move on to an update from the 250th anniversary task force. Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh just as an

251
01:42:19.840 --> 01:42:36.159
honor to the chairs here from committee task force, as you know, uh was uh formed last year by the sele organiz events to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Um in effect, the fellow 250th is engaged,

252
01:42:36.159 --> 01:42:52.480
educated to celebrate their 250th anniversary um in developing comprehensive plan celebrating our anniversary this year. According to events we found the school district according to towns events from local state regional federal officials and identified funding needs uh potential

253
01:42:52.480 --> 01:43:08.480
funding for public and private sources. Thank you very much. I I'll only take five minutes. >> Get us back on track. Mr. Thank you. >> I will do that. Uh just want to give folks an update. Yeah, I was here last couple.

254
01:43:08.480 --> 01:43:23.280
>> You should chair committee. I was here a couple months ago uh asking for approval to put up the um on the uh the street the banners which will be going up in there really

255
01:43:23.280 --> 01:43:39.520
for the 250. It's up to we did last year. But our big event is going to be on July 1st. So you're all invited. July 1st, we'll be doing a dedication of a plaque up on the uh on the heights right next

256
01:43:39.520 --> 01:43:55.199
to the casino and uh it's going to be in 10:00 and it's going to go from 1 10 to 11 random shine. I'm hoping shine and but we're going to have a group of speakers there. Mr. Red will be our lead

257
01:43:55.199 --> 01:44:11.119
off speaker there. He doesn't know any but he'll be ke and uh so we have the chamber the sheriff's department and number of other our keynote speaker is um is Dr. David Mton, he's an author and historian. Some

258
01:44:11.119 --> 01:44:28.159
of you may have heard of Greens a number of times. He's going to be talking about the film and so it's going to be a nice event and we'll be doing black education. Also too is after is going to

259
01:44:28.159 --> 01:44:45.520
be a journey to the casino refreshments to offer us to look forward to that. We've had a series of meetings uh a meeting with the uh the DBW and the uh the police uh for that

260
01:44:45.520 --> 01:45:02.880
day. We're actually have a meeting this Wednesday just to make sure uh everything is in place in the event that our speakers are all lined up should be excited. And then the final piece of it that we'll probably do later in the summer is uh you might have seen

261
01:45:02.880 --> 01:45:16.719
on page three of the enterprise this week. I did a great story on the tree. We're going to be uh doing a liberty tree and uh across the country uh liberty trees are coming up early for

262
01:45:16.719 --> 01:45:34.239
the 250 and uh so I the trustees and uh to get approval for planting tree we actually have it. It's a it's a 20ft elm tree and uh historically uh you saw a great piece in the paper about

263
01:45:34.239 --> 01:45:50.560
historically and you know that the elm tree has really been a symbol of liberty and freedom for hundreds of years. So we did not want to be the town that did not have a liberty tree. So we do have a liberty tree and we just hope to have it soon and then we'll do a small

264
01:45:50.560 --> 01:46:06.480
dedication uh for that sometime later in the summer. So, uh, we're looking forward again. Love to see everybody. Tell your friends and neighbors uh to be at July 1st. Okay. Thank you. >> At 10:00. >> 10:00.

265
01:46:06.480 --> 01:46:22.080
>> Yeah. >> M. Mr. Ripley, what is the uh the future of the task force after these two events that you're talking about? Will it continue in existence and bring us to uh the Battle of F? It's going to

266
01:46:22.080 --> 01:46:38.159
continue to the end of the year. The battle of salmon will be of course that 1779. So that will be another committee that will take over. I am not asking on behalf of the committee that we don't continue for a couple of years. So if we're done

267
01:46:38.159 --> 01:46:53.360
you've done great work and another great committee. So thank you for your your time in Africa. Thank you. >> Just one you will close that rope and ask the manager to have that rope closed. I don't I think that was discussed on minutes.

268
01:46:53.360 --> 01:47:09.679
>> So we had the uh police chief and uh so we had we had the meeting two meetings ago came with a number of his officers to discuss that. So they said we're working with

269
01:47:09.679 --> 01:47:26.880
some chairs and tent a podium and so you know we'll be meeting over the next couple weeks. We chose the wind Wednesday July 1st because obviously we didn't want to choose July 4th and we're hoping that uh you know we won't impede

270
01:47:26.880 --> 01:47:42.400
the beach there and but it was important that we really do it. >> Yeah. Just such a busy road. It's going to be tough such a tight location. >> Thank you.

271
01:47:42.400 --> 01:48:00.400
>> Okay. Any questions? If not, I see our water superintendent getting a very vice water superintendent, a very anxious group of points to call me in this evening. Uh, so this will be a presentation and discussion of great pond phase one sewer

272
01:48:00.400 --> 01:48:18.080
betterment assessment. Uh, Mr. Renshaw, please. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, as you mentioned, our standing wastewater superintendent, Miss Navy Wall, is here tonight. She's going to be presenting and then leading a discussion with the select board regarding the great 51 sewer measurement assessment including

273
01:48:18.080 --> 01:48:33.600
but not limited to the assignment of sewer equivalent units or sus properties in the service area has been identified updated project cost estimates and the resulting cost to be covered by the veterans cost to be covered by the town and cost per

274
01:48:33.600 --> 01:48:52.480
um and importantly Mr. SH there's no um action request. >> Thank you. >> Wasn't trying to jump up here. I just wanted to give my presentation. Um,

275
01:48:52.480 --> 01:49:18.159
let me see. Get it to run. I can't see how to uh get it full screen. Oh, here we are. Okay. Thank you for the introduction. Thank you all wastewater superintendent.

276
01:49:18.159 --> 01:49:33.520
um you have a detailed memo in your packet. I have summarized that and there's a presentation um and uh get started. So the Raycon phase one service area is outlined here. It's um between

277
01:49:33.520 --> 01:49:49.520
Sandwich Road and Fountain Court, the entrance to Fountain Court and the um on Route 28 and South Room 28. uh the select board voted a betterment policy in July of 2028 and uh excuse me

278
01:49:49.520 --> 01:50:07.280
of 2025 July 28th of 2025 and that policy was in your packet. I'm summarizing it here for um any audience members on uh watching at home. U the project costs applicable to the service

279
01:50:07.280 --> 01:50:23.440
area in that are part of that as voted in that government policy are the project costs um are the collection system construction. uh the cost of the grinder pumps if in a later vote the select board um purchases

280
01:50:23.440 --> 01:50:38.239
votes that the town will pay for those grinder pumps as well as 60% of the construction engineering cost 70% of those costs that I just listed the project cost applicable to the service area will be paid by service

281
01:50:38.239 --> 01:50:54.400
area property owners via benefit all of the remaining project costs would be paid by the towncl that includes the lift station enforcement contract, uh grinder pump subsidy if approved by the site board at a later date, police

282
01:50:54.400 --> 01:51:12.080
detail costs, and the utility allowance. Betterments would will be based on sewer equivalent units or seus to be assigned to parcels in accordance with the table which was in the betterment policy. under the um betterment assignment

283
01:51:12.080 --> 01:51:28.560
table, single family residential properties, which is most of the properties in the sewer area, as well as single residential condomin condominium units, um and multifamily properties up to four bedrooms total are all assigned

284
01:51:28.560 --> 01:51:45.280
one sewer equivalent unit. Multif family properties of five bed five bedrooms or greater as well as apartment buildings and motel all assigned.25 a quarter of an SU per bedroom based on the assess based on the town's

285
01:51:45.280 --> 01:52:02.719
records as to numbers of bedrooms. All other commercial property and there are a few different types in the area were to be assigned based on water use. one sewer equivalent unit per 135 gallons per day of water use based on the average meter of water use over the

286
01:52:02.719 --> 01:52:18.639
preceding three years with a minimum of one SEU per commercial unit or property. The 135 is um the 135 gallons per day was used because that's the average water used for a single family home in

287
01:52:18.639 --> 01:52:36.480
the great pond wershed. Vacant lots were to be assessed based on zoning and acres. um using the SUS for potential uses uh as listed above and multi-use were to be a sum of the sewer equivalent use used for the for the uses

288
01:52:36.480 --> 01:52:52.960
within that property. So the proposed betterment sewer equivalent units have now been assigned with assistance from the assessors department, planning department, the building department and the conservation department. There are a total of 799

289
01:52:52.960 --> 01:53:10.080
properties in the service area which includes those individually owned residential condo units most of which are in common court. Um of the total 749 of them were each were assigned one sewer equivalent unit which again includes single family residences the

290
01:53:10.080 --> 01:53:25.280
condos the residential condos and commercial property with water use of less than 135 gallons per day. There were 30 vacant or town or stateowned properties that were assigned zero sus meaning they will be not not be

291
01:53:25.280 --> 01:53:42.159
charged to betterment and that's because they are deed open space or drainage or recreation or were considered um clearly undevelopable for other reasons fully wetland coastal bank no access um

292
01:53:42.159 --> 01:53:59.520
20 properties the remaining 20 properties were assigned to more than ICU and those were some multif family residential lots um the two motel uh or called motel commercial properties with water use more than 135 gallons per day

293
01:53:59.520 --> 01:54:16.719
uh and combined commercial residential so the total number of sus uh with that allocation was 848.25 which is 18.25 25 more uh more sus than estimated last July and we I'd said back

294
01:54:16.719 --> 01:54:35.040
in July that that was an estimate of the number of sus. The betterment list was included in your packet and the betterment list is about 20 pages with a list of all the properties in the area and there uh the assignment of the number of SUS and then the the um cost

295
01:54:35.040 --> 01:54:51.040
for that or the betterment assessment the proposed betterment assessment for each of those properties based on the number of SUS signed. The total project cost has been updated. Um the total project cost is almost $50

296
01:54:51.040 --> 01:55:09.119
million. Um $49.65 million. It's about it's almost $10 million. Uh it's actually more than this was almost but it's more than $10 million less than the previous estimate and the appropriation which was $60 million because primarily

297
01:55:09.119 --> 01:55:24.480
because the collection system uh construction contract the bid for the little bit of that work uh were substantially lower than the engineering for that work. Um, in addition, the construction engineering agreement was lower, but that's not as significant as

298
01:55:24.480 --> 01:55:39.280
the first. Um, the 25% SRF loan forgiveness reduces the total project cost to uh almost $40 million. Now, those of you who are doing the math in your head will realize that

299
01:55:39.280 --> 01:55:56.480
39 million is not um 75% of 49 million. And that's because the SRF loan does not apply to all of the project costs. doesn't apply to all the project costs that I list. For example, rental pumps uh and the rental pump reimbursements are not included on the SR loan. Point

300
01:55:56.480 --> 01:56:13.920
is the loan forgiveness reduces the total project cost to the town to a little less than $40 million. Um so this table shows the updated project cost distribution between the betterment and the cost to be paid by

301
01:56:13.920 --> 01:56:29.920
the town. The cost paid by Betterment is paid solely by the um property owners assessed to betterment within the sewer area and the cost paid by the town is the rest of it. These two numbers at the bottom, the 14.7 million and the 244.6

302
01:56:29.920 --> 01:56:47.280
add up to the total project cost in the previous slide. I have another slide that shows, you know, the amount by the by the that's going to be covered by the loan and, you know, all the other divisions of cost, but I'm summarizing here um to keep it a little simpler. Um,

303
01:56:47.280 --> 01:57:04.080
as you can see, there's some zeros in here for the cost to be paid by the property owners uh via the betterment as as discussed in that summary. The lid station and the force pans to the wastewater plant. That's not going into the betterment. That's being paid for by the town as a whole as is the grinder

304
01:57:04.080 --> 01:57:21.040
pump subsidy if that's voted by the select board at a later date. police details and utility limits are all zero under the veteran column because they're being covered in the town hall. So, if you take that estimated total to be paid via Betterment, that's the

305
01:57:21.040 --> 01:57:36.159
bottom of this the the uh Betterment column here. Um if you take, excuse me, that number and divide it by the number of sewer equivalent units, you get uh $17,379

306
01:57:36.159 --> 01:57:53.440
is the current estimate of cost per seu. So for every property that's charged one su that's the that's the betterment assessment 17,39 $17,379. If a property that's assigned multiple

307
01:57:53.440 --> 01:58:11.280
sus of course would pay multiple um multiples of that unit. The veterans can be paid over 30 years at 0% interest. uh if the property owner elects, the town is going to be getting a 0% interest loan for most of the project costs

308
01:58:11.280 --> 01:58:25.360
that's covered under the in the betterment column and uh and and part of the rest of it as well. Um and the town is um so the town has planned to charge 0% interest under the benefits and uh it

309
01:58:25.360 --> 01:58:41.920
can be paid over 30 years. Um, so if you pay that over 30 years, the cost per seu per year over 30 years is $579 a premium. So again, a single family residential property owner or a the owner of a condo unit, residential condo

310
01:58:41.920 --> 01:58:59.840
unit would pay $579 a year if they elect to pay this back over their 30 years. uh this cost is uh significantly lower than the July 2025 estimate again because the total project cost is significantly lower because of the bid

311
01:58:59.840 --> 01:59:16.800
the good bid price we got on the collection system in particular and because the number of SUS is slightly higher if the final project cost ultimately ends up being lower than the four than um than the total the sum of these two

312
01:59:16.800 --> 01:59:32.239
numbers Um then uh the betterment assessments can go down but they cannot go up after the order of assessment is voted by the library which I'm which we're not asking to do tonight. And there's no vote proposal for tonight, but once that is

313
01:59:32.239 --> 01:59:49.119
voted, the assessment pie uh so just um I'm getting close to the end here, but the uh the betterment assessment process at a future meeting um to be determined based on the

314
01:59:49.119 --> 02:00:05.840
discussion here, how how soon you want to get to that point. The select word will vote the order of assessment with an attached betterment plan set which shows all the properties being better and where the sewer mains are as shown on the plans currently. Um and a and a

315
02:00:05.840 --> 02:00:21.360
list the finalized version of the list that I attached to um the agenda item. Then uh so before that meeting a notice would be sent to the property owners via um certified mail to the owners of record for each of these properties. And

316
02:00:21.360 --> 02:00:39.440
after the uh order is signed by the select board, it would be reported at the register of deeds. After the project is complete uh which is expected for late 2027, the select board will vote to certify the final project cost and the

317
02:00:39.440 --> 02:00:56.639
sewer equivalent unit value. So the final version of the numbers that we're talking about today based on the final project cost. The collector's office would then send an assessment notice to all the property owners telling them what that final betterment number is for their property and asking them to say

318
02:00:56.639 --> 02:01:13.440
whether they want to pay it in full upfront or whether they want to do it in installments over 30 years. Um after that the assessments will be added by the uh collector's office to the real to the real property tax bills um expected

319
02:01:13.440 --> 02:01:29.440
in 2028. The betterment assessment is a lean on the property. On transfer or sale, the betterment responsibility is to be negotiated between the buyer and the seller and the lenders have generally have may have an opinion about

320
02:01:29.440 --> 02:01:48.159
that. Uh the property owner may seek an abatement within 6 months of the date that the collector mails the assessment notice. Um so that's uh that third bullet step there. Last slide here. It's about prep betterment tax exemptions for deferrals.

321
02:01:48.159 --> 02:02:04.000
Um that there's under Massachusetts law, people over 65 whose principal residence is in Fallon may qualify for an annual real estate tax exemption uh that can be um that can be applied towards the

322
02:02:04.000 --> 02:02:19.599
veteran. There are other income and asset criteria. Uh on the last project um the the uh town signed sent people a letter that could be used to apply for this exemption. Um so the town can can

323
02:02:19.599 --> 02:02:36.480
do that again. It is not applicable for everyone. Full deferral betterment payments. This option if the town wants to use it would have to be approved by town meeting. Uh it is not it has not yet been adopted by town meeting to my knowledge. Under Massachusetts law, a

324
02:02:36.480 --> 02:02:53.119
homeowner 65 or older whose principal residence is infallant with less than $40,000 of annual income may be able to defer the betterment until a house sale or estate settlement. So, this is a deferment in in in some pretty narrow

325
02:02:53.119 --> 02:03:08.239
circumstances. It requires an annual application and there are other criteria as well. Um, so I we we should before fall town meeting or in well in advance of fall town meeting decide that this is an

326
02:03:08.239 --> 02:03:23.360
option that we want to um make available for those for whom it applies. The Cape Cod Aqua Fund will help with sewer connection costs, but it cannot help with bed costs. Um, and uh and the

327
02:03:23.360 --> 02:03:40.880
Whoops. the income income tax credit income tax credit is not applicable for event. So that's the end of the presentation. >> Could could you explain the abatement and what what's entailed with respect to the abatement that's available?

328
02:03:40.880 --> 02:03:56.320
>> Okay. I I um I cannot give a lot of detail on that. Um, but I can say that um the law provides some pretty narrow um it provides a description of what

329
02:03:56.320 --> 02:04:13.360
what might be um how an an abatement might be applicable. Um it and uh it would have to be appealed. It would have the abatement would go through the select word. Um so um the I assume the select word would get feedback from the

330
02:04:13.360 --> 02:04:29.760
assessor's office but it would have to be the criteria involve whether it's a it's basically if the assessor summarized it as a mistake. Can you prove to us that we made a mistake in estimating the value of this sewering to

331
02:04:29.760 --> 02:04:45.599
this property compared to the other the other properties? Um, but uh we can talk about that more as we get closer to >> I I know it's not real and relevant to to your discussion, but could you just touch upon the options that the

332
02:04:45.599 --> 02:05:02.159
homeowners have with respect to the connection from the their home to the to the sewer? >> Okay. >> Available options available to them >> for >> for low cost interest loans. I I don't

333
02:05:02.159 --> 02:05:19.119
have a a slide on them now, but they I will I will back up and just say there are right now this presentation is just about the benefit >> and uh there are two other costs that to the property owners of the sewer project. Um one is um the cost to

334
02:05:19.119 --> 02:05:34.080
connect their property their building to the sewer. And so each of those property owners will have to get a contractor to abandon their existing septic system and connect their building to the sewer. And there will be a cost for that. And there

335
02:05:34.080 --> 02:05:50.400
are fund there are some there is support available for that. And I have a slide. So a couple of things I didn't mention here. One is that I have a um I've there's a property owner information meeting scheduled for this Wednesday at

336
02:05:50.400 --> 02:06:07.199
the Lawrence School which is 113 Lakeville Lake View Avenue here in B and that's from 6:30 to 8 uh day after tomorrow Wednesday May 20th and it is specifically for property own property owners of property within the service

337
02:06:07.199 --> 02:06:22.400
area and so I'll talk about the betterment and about this meeting tonight. Um, but I'll also talk about the sewer connection process and I have a slide in that uh that reviews financial assistance that's available for property owners. Um, the main

338
02:06:22.400 --> 02:06:38.800
assistance is the Cape Cod Aqua Fund which can provide low interest levels. >> And again, I realize it's beyond the scope of your discussion, but how soon do property owners need to connect? that I'm sure will be discussed on on

339
02:06:38.800 --> 02:06:54.239
Wednesday, but I'm just wondering if you could touch on that a bit. >> Good question. So, property people can't connect to the sewer until the whole sewer system is available. And that involves not just the pipes in front of everybody's properties in the road, but

340
02:06:54.239 --> 02:07:11.440
also the sewer lift station uh on the Brick Kilm Road site, 100 Brick Kilm Road, and the pipe from that lift station up to the treatment plant. So we expect that whole set of projects to be done by the end of 2027. So we will be

341
02:07:11.440 --> 02:07:29.760
notifying property owners via mail uh when the sewer is available and that they have about a year to connect after that date. So we expect to be sending out that connection letter at the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028. So they'd

342
02:07:29.760 --> 02:07:45.840
have likely they'd be connecting in 2028. >> And one final question, the allocation of what the town's paying and what the Benamin is covering, is that consistent with what was done uh with the last sewer extension of Marabista as far as

343
02:07:45.840 --> 02:08:00.719
town picking up the police detail and stuff like that? >> Um overall it is similar, but there are some differences. Um, one of the differences is that that project did not have a major lift station and the major

344
02:08:00.719 --> 02:08:16.639
pipes up to the plant. So, right now the the the project on this particular project the cost to the town overall is greater because it includes that big portion which is um going to be used not

345
02:08:16.639 --> 02:08:33.840
just for this project area but for other sewer areas. So this project has a a larger portion that's being paid by the town as a whole because it's covering a larger part of town or it'll be used by a larger part of town. The police details I think may not that was a a a

346
02:08:33.840 --> 02:08:49.440
choice of this particular board for this particular project given the estimate that we're talking about last uh July I don't think it was exactly the same on the real time project. And then one final final question. Do the do the numbers change at the outfall pipe does

347
02:08:49.440 --> 02:09:15.920
not go forward or >> no. >> So regardless of what happens with the outall, these numbers are are good. >> Yes. >> Mr. Le. >> No, I'm sorry. >> That's so Thank you. Right. Please fine.

348
02:09:15.920 --> 02:09:33.040
>> Mr. Brown, >> uh Amy, would it be correct to say that um the number the 1737 or whatever anticipates that we will vote to pay for those ground pumps? Is that right? So yes, it it assumes number one that

349
02:09:33.040 --> 02:09:50.079
the that the um it assumes it assumes that the select that the select board votes a grinder pump policy that uh involves the town paying for the the grinder pumps for residential properties, single family

350
02:09:50.079 --> 02:10:04.960
residential properties, including those condos. However, let's look at that. Okay, so the grinder pump procurement, right? If the town didn't buy any of the grinder pumps, if on on this on this

351
02:10:04.960 --> 02:10:20.719
slide, if the town did not pay for any of the grinder pumps, then the total project cost would go down by that grinder pump procurement line and um it would go entirely to the property owners. This is a conservative, this is based on a conservative estimate of the

352
02:10:20.719 --> 02:10:36.320
cost of the grinder pumps. Um but that line item would disappear from it would be subtracted from this table and it would go entirely to the uh property owners who identified those. >> Right. Thank you. And one other

353
02:10:36.320 --> 02:10:52.719
I read this it says letters being sent this week to owners. >> I forgot to say that. Yes. So >> you must have written that a couple weeks ago or >> I wish I' written that a couple weeks ago. I wrote it last week. Um and um the

354
02:10:52.719 --> 02:11:10.560
so I we sent a letter to all the properties in the service area last week um which most of them would have received by Saturday, Friday or Saturday, but some of them still may not have even received it. Um honestly and

355
02:11:10.560 --> 02:11:28.320
they the letter says you're the owner of this property in the in the sewer service area. for assessing a betterment. This is the uh number of SUS that have been assigned to your property. Here's the cost of that number of SUS and it lets them know that the

356
02:11:28.320 --> 02:11:42.560
select board will be discussing this at this evening's meeting but not voting on it and that there is this public meeting on Wednesday evening uh this property owner information meeting on Wednesday.

357
02:11:42.560 --> 02:12:00.000
Is there um any opportunity to send an email just to back that up? You have an email list? >> So, I have what I there done a few things. So, the the letter went out to all the property owners and I I would expect that they they would get that um

358
02:12:00.000 --> 02:12:16.560
today. They would have gotten it today if they didn't get it earlier. Uh but they also I also sent out an a notification via notify me uh the town's app which has 160 property owners signed up for it. Um the precinct 3 captain

359
02:12:16.560 --> 02:12:33.840
also sent it out to his email list. I do not have an email list for the entire service area. We have told people, you know, on many occasions that they can sign up for the notify me app, provide their email address to us and we can um

360
02:12:33.840 --> 02:12:54.960
put their link on that. But uh that's that's what I have. >> Okay. Thank you. >> First of all, I just want to say thank you and kudos. Um, I mean, a $10 million drop in project uh cost is um is

361
02:12:54.960 --> 02:13:12.320
impressive and important and given all the conversations that we did have last summer about fairness in how the costs are split and ensuring that this is uh not an undue burden. It is an additional burden um necessary work um but that

362
02:13:12.320 --> 02:13:28.400
it's not an undue burden on these property owners. um just really pleased to see that and we'll also just uh say that at least from people that I've talked to my personal experience and my select board inbox um kudos on how the

363
02:13:28.400 --> 02:13:44.719
project is going so far obviously having um wrote uh disrupted uh is not easy um but it it seems to have been going as smoothly as as possible. So great job on the project management. Um

364
02:13:44.719 --> 02:14:02.480
what can you just uh lay out from here because there are a number of these votes that need to be taken and you said assuming like once the betterment um letters are not these forms you just sent. Um once that is set, it can only

365
02:14:02.480 --> 02:14:18.800
go down and there are a few votes that we still have to take with Ryer pumps and um a few other things. And then there's also any uncertainty in actual project costs as it comes to fruition. So can you just kind of lay out the next

366
02:14:18.800 --> 02:14:36.719
steps of what needs to be voted in when we think we might be at that point of saying it will be this or less? >> So there are two two things. One is that um we need to the select board needs to vote the order of assessment which um

367
02:14:36.719 --> 02:14:52.480
this is the first discussion of of this. Um and the select board can decide how many how whether they want to have whether you want to have another meeting before you do that and how you want how you want to proceed to that point. It

368
02:14:52.480 --> 02:15:08.639
could be the well one thing we have to finalize a betterment plan before that um meaning a set of plans that go to the registry of deeds. Um and I I I'm not I think it will take a month or so to do

369
02:15:08.639 --> 02:15:24.800
that. I have kicked that off um now that we have a list that is I believe very close. Um like you know some the select will want to change something and then you know something will change and we'll get those those plans revised. So I need to get the plans revised but then so the

370
02:15:24.800 --> 02:15:43.360
select board can needs to vote the order of betterment and you can do that uh at at a hearing um um in the next month or whenever you wish. Um then uh there needs to be a a

371
02:15:43.360 --> 02:16:00.000
set of meetings in a a vote on grinder pump policy uh on the on the grinder pump policy for this project. >> But wouldn't the grinder pump policy potentially affect the betterment? >> Yes, but it would go down, not up. >> And and just for clarification, we're still waiting for the approval of the

372
02:16:00.000 --> 02:16:17.199
state legislature with respect to the grinder pumps and the ability of the town to purchase them for private land owners. >> Yes. So we have been updated most recently uh that it that it crossed another hurdle in the legislature is moving along. I

373
02:16:17.199 --> 02:16:33.760
expect it to pass uh before the end of the session which is the end of June. Um but yes that's right. We've been waiting to finalize that or have that grinder pump discussion until we have that option by the legislature. So to clarify

374
02:16:33.760 --> 02:16:49.599
that the costs to the town for grinder pump procurement subsidy that are in this chart that we're looking at um are costs that we know we can pay without that. We don't need to wait for the state legislature in order for us to

375
02:16:49.599 --> 02:17:06.880
be able to pay these costs. It would just be if we were paying additionally if we were taking the rest of that cost property owners out of it. So um we have an appropriation right that covers all of this. Um and then we and

376
02:17:06.880 --> 02:17:24.639
we our SRF loan doesn't cover it. So we will need to borrow you know do separate borrowing for the bread and pump costs. Um so that is borrowing that's authorized by the appropriation. the what I was saying about the cost. If if

377
02:17:24.639 --> 02:17:41.359
the town if the select board decided not to pay for any of the grinder house and let the property owners pay for those then that would mean this this $14 million number would be lower and so the cost per seu would be lower but it

378
02:17:41.359 --> 02:17:57.920
wouldn't be higher. He couldn't it couldn't increase that number after if you if you vote the Brian pump policy after the veteran is voted it it just means that the the cost would go down but you don't have to you don't have to vote a new number here the the final

379
02:17:57.920 --> 02:18:15.519
vote where the betterment is fully set is at the end of the project when you know the final cost of the project. So here um um this oops

380
02:18:15.519 --> 02:18:31.840
this second bullet here after the project's complete late fall 2027 the select board will vote to certify the final project cost and the sewer value. So we'll go back at that time to this number and we'll we'll really we'll go

381
02:18:31.840 --> 02:18:47.920
back to see what the total is of the project cost and then and you know apply these same rules to it. So we'll have the final version of this top number divided by the same number of seus that was previously voted and have

382
02:18:47.920 --> 02:19:05.040
a final final betterment cost per seu. And so if the slant voted at a later date not to pay for the micro pumps that would reduce the cost of the cost per seu below the 17,000 but you don't have

383
02:19:05.040 --> 02:19:21.920
to vote that again until the end of the project because you're going to have to take that vote again at the end of the project. Maybe I'm meeting dead. So if if the vote were not for the town not to cover the grinder bus that comes out of project cost altogether it just

384
02:19:21.920 --> 02:19:37.920
goes directly to them and that's why the betterment goes down. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Sorry if that wasn't >> any further questions. >> Yes, Mr. uh put on my financial hat for a second

385
02:19:37.920 --> 02:19:54.399
and you know at a time that we have had personal speak uh about the budgets that we have for deficits. This part in our April 27th meeting um I

386
02:19:54.399 --> 02:20:12.240
think was one that was not discussed but it was one that the select board hasn't uh selected as a must do project previous but it still has ramifications on our taxpayers. So we're talking right now for for SEU is 579.

387
02:20:12.240 --> 02:20:29.840
Um, I just implore our select boards to keep an eye on the taxes and fees in totality, not just necessarily in in silos because in 2027 or 2028 when this uh hits our taxpayers, even if it's just

388
02:20:29.840 --> 02:20:46.479
a small subset of a butters, um, we have to be cognizant of everything else. But yet, we do have to do this because it does improve the town, right? we do have to do these things because we have to make make sure continues operations and

389
02:20:46.479 --> 02:21:02.560
maintenance of everything. So I'm cognizant of the things that we have to do. I would just implore us to uh at our next financial discussion have a maybe a standalone session of the sewer. Um because it is very complex because it

390
02:21:02.560 --> 02:21:21.120
does involve federal, state, town, uh different exemptions here and there, but at the end of the day, I think you need to just figure out what's going to come out of our taxpayers over time. Anyone else?

391
02:21:21.120 --> 02:21:37.280
No. Anyone in the audience have any questions respect to this? There will be more discussions come forward and if you're an interested I for you to attend the meeting on on Wednesday. Okay. Well,

392
02:21:37.280 --> 02:21:52.560
thank you very much. Thanks for all your hard work on this. Okay. Moving on to discuss the ecosur found with tap substation project. Consider a vote to submit an intervenor

393
02:21:52.560 --> 02:22:08.240
petition to the energy facilities sighting board. Mr. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh as you mentioned, although the uh the significance aspect of this item is going to be to discuss and consider a petitioner's

394
02:22:08.240 --> 02:22:23.359
intervention intervent intervenor petition. I want to give a little bit of updates and background. As you all recall, Eversource came and gave presentations to the select board back on March 23rd. It was the first presentation that Eversource representative gave uh to the select

395
02:22:23.359 --> 02:22:38.479
board um last week, as you all know. Um and during that, I'm sorry, during that March 23rd presentation, great uh feedback and comments by select board as well as members of the audience. Um as you all know, last week on the 14th,

396
02:22:38.479 --> 02:22:56.160
there was a public hearing held by the energy facility sight studying board. Uh having attended both of those meetings, uh my personal observation is although there were great suggestions and comments about what could potentially be done to lessen the impact of this project on those neighbors the same

397
02:22:56.160 --> 02:23:11.359
road. Um my observation was ever source representatives have failed to the state to make any of those changes. That's just a personal observation um having attended both of those conversations. So that being said, again the significant of this item is discussed consider

398
02:23:11.359 --> 02:23:28.960
potential votes select board to file this motion to intervene. With that, I'm going to turn it over to town council who I ask to present kind of the chronology and deadlines, if you will, and uh what filing this motion to intervene is all done for.

399
02:23:28.960 --> 02:23:45.600
>> Thank you, Mr. Tom. Um, so I've provided a little bit of an overview of um the substance of the petition before the EFSB in the um agenda item summary, but I wanted to provide you with some

400
02:23:45.600 --> 02:24:02.240
additional background on what the petition to intervene actually is and what it does. So um here we are considering whether to intervene in this procedure before the EFSB in which the

401
02:24:02.240 --> 02:24:18.160
in which Everest is seeking certain waiverss from Felman's zoning bylaws um in order to construct the Fal substation and um I

402
02:24:18.160 --> 02:24:34.880
put the series of um specifically waivers that they're looking for in the agenda summary. just briefly um what they're looking for waiverss for uh waiverss from are um uh substation public utility use in an

403
02:24:34.880 --> 02:24:51.359
agricultural AA district substation public utility use in a water resource protection overlay district site plan review for wildlife quarter overlay district site plan approval dimensional controls for accessory structures and

404
02:24:51.359 --> 02:25:08.720
permitting of temporary structures measures site plan review, a landscaping plan, earth removal limitations, and then certain other miscellaneous performance requirements related to construction. So here um the town has an

405
02:25:08.720 --> 02:25:26.000
opportunity to not only participate but to intervene as an actual party in the proceedings before the EFSB. um if has broad discretion to allow a petition to intervene or petitions for limited participant status. Those are two

406
02:25:26.000 --> 02:25:44.160
different categories of ways that um other parties can uh can get a chance to participate in the proceedings. Under chapter 30A section 10, it states that um any state agency like the EFSB can

407
02:25:44.160 --> 02:26:00.240
allow an interested person to participate uh by presenting um arguments either orally or in writing or uh for any other limited purpose. Under the regulations, when the EFSB considers a petition to

408
02:26:00.240 --> 02:26:17.680
intervene or to participate, the board, the EFSB will consider um the scope of the proceedings, how how um difficult they are and how how much um information they're going to need from parties with

409
02:26:17.680 --> 02:26:33.040
other information than what Ever Source has can bring to the table to help them get through the um the vast amount of that they're going to have to sort through in order to make their decisions. They'll look at the nature of the petitioner's interests and whether

410
02:26:33.040 --> 02:26:49.359
and to what extent the petitioner's interests are unique and cannot be raised by anyone else. Um also whether the petitioner will be able to assist the EFSB in understanding um the nature of some of the interests of um the

411
02:26:49.359 --> 02:27:04.800
butters or simply of the town. Um abutterss are customarily permitted to uh intervene rather than participate because uh as a butters the project is likely to impact

412
02:27:04.800 --> 02:27:20.160
um uh their personal interest in the property. So the difference between an intervenor and a participant here is important. Interveners can present evidence, they can file briefs, and they're considered a full party in the matter, which means that they have the

413
02:27:20.160 --> 02:27:36.640
right file motions and have a right to appeal. Participants can receive any documents submitted and they also have a limited ability to file briefs. Um I will note that if the select board um

414
02:27:36.640 --> 02:27:53.280
does decide to intervene um the petition to intervene is almost automatically granted because our rights are inherent because we're hosting the the property uh hosting the project within the boundaries of the town. So, with that, in addition to the

415
02:27:53.280 --> 02:28:09.840
information that I've provided in the background summary, um the motions, the petitions to intervene are due a week from Friday on May 29th. We um have an initial draft ready to go

416
02:28:09.840 --> 02:28:27.359
if the board so chooses. Um and then once that deadline is met, the EFSB will consider any motions that they've received to intervene and to participate in a limited manner and then the um

417
02:28:27.359 --> 02:28:45.600
they'll proceed to do discovery and um they will receive requests for documents and uh that will that information will start to be shared as long as >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes. Um yeah, I I attended along with um

418
02:28:45.600 --> 02:29:02.560
member Brown, member uh Goldstone and Teriy the meeting on the 14th. Uh what I said in that meeting was well it's one thing to host listening sessions for the community. It's one thing for the company to actually put uh our recommendations and our concerns into their plan and I think it was very clear

419
02:29:02.560 --> 02:29:18.800
uh from that meeting that they didn't do anything. uh you know they they unfortunately the Boston Globe's front page article was on air source today and over timing uh they had mentioned that cost concern was considering a secondary project um but uh the company just

420
02:29:18.800 --> 02:29:35.120
posted $1.69 69 billion in earnings, double what they did previous year. At the same time, their CFO received $15 million, 10% higher than what they did last year. So, respectfully, I don't understand why we can't make changes and pursue a different uh alternative um

421
02:29:35.120 --> 02:29:50.640
because clearly they have the money, but they're asking rateayers to pay more uh as they are making record profits. Um I think it's really important as you mentioned with that deadline uh to intervene. And also, you know, we're not saying we're against a company putting their resources in. Uh, you know, we

422
02:29:50.640 --> 02:30:06.880
support energy and it's really important we upgrade our grid. Um, but neighbors need to be listened to. What was also mentioned in this meeting is this is uh one of the most affordable pockets of Felmouth. Um, and I think it's it's time that uh, you know, we need to respect areas of towns. Uh, you know, we

423
02:30:06.880 --> 02:30:22.319
shouldn't keep putting projects where um, people who are in the most need are keep getting their property values and over. So, uh, I I will be making a motion. Um, but I know I just spoke first. >> Well, I'm going to echo what you said, Mr. Richardson, and what the town

424
02:30:22.319 --> 02:30:39.359
manager said. I was at those hearings as well. Um, you know, Eversource has been a, you know, a good neighbor and and a good partner with with the town of Fmouth. Um, there's been give and take over the years, problems that have been worked

425
02:30:39.359 --> 02:30:56.560
out. uh and u I'm somewhat disheartened that in this particular instance uh it seems that Eversource is not u being as collaborative and cooperative uh with respect to what town resin's concerns

426
02:30:56.560 --> 02:31:12.080
are and and what I think the concerns of this select board uh is. So um I'm going to vote in favor of motion to intervene as well. Motion to authorize town council to file a motion to intervene. >> Second. Okay, we have a motion in a

427
02:31:12.080 --> 02:31:27.520
second. Any further discussion? >> Just think it's important for us to explore the opportunity to consider some of this infrastructure being built on the adjacent town property that was mentioned by one of the residents. I thought that was a good suggestion to at

428
02:31:27.520 --> 02:31:44.960
least be explored. >> Can I ask one question with regard to the intervenor status? Um given that um they are seeking waiverss from essentially all town site plan

429
02:31:44.960 --> 02:32:02.240
review um and clearly as has already been stated multiple times are not responding in a collaborative uh less formal way to request for changes to the site plan. Um, does that intervenor status give us the ability to specifically to request or to to request

430
02:32:02.240 --> 02:32:17.280
that they sign these waiverss? That can be requested, but um I will uh just I don't want to just um sort of manage expectations. The reason why the

431
02:32:17.280 --> 02:32:34.479
EFSB exists is to grant these waiverss. Um they that is probably the the the um task here with the least amount of success that Eric and I will have um at

432
02:32:34.479 --> 02:32:51.680
Google when we intervene. We are going in there to um try to explore uh other sites. We're going to go in there to try to explore um being able to get the project moved in a way that has the least amount of impact on any letters as

433
02:32:51.680 --> 02:33:08.080
far as setbacks and screenings and that kind of thing goes. The project will go forward. Um it's really just a matter of being able to again try to get in there and as an actual party to the litigation. Um that might give us an opportunity to

434
02:33:08.080 --> 02:33:25.200
collaborate and to negotiate in a different way than we would on the sideline. As far as being able to fight for the denial of waiverss, the success on that is minimal. But this is the only pathway that potentially tries to do that. There's

435
02:33:25.200 --> 02:33:40.960
there's no other pathway for the town to try to get those those waivers tonight. We will certainly ask, but I'm just I just >> No, I'm just I I just want to make sure that there's not something else that we could or should be doing in addition

436
02:33:40.960 --> 02:33:56.399
to to try to get those waivers. So, I look at the EFSB a lot like 40B that it's a statutory allowance that um is designed to roll over local zoning

437
02:33:56.399 --> 02:34:13.840
regulations. Um so, again, just like the CPA fights as hard as it can um when faced with a 40p project within within the boundaries of the law, um we'll get in there and put our gloves on, but I just want you to that what would you

438
02:34:13.840 --> 02:34:29.040
tell them? >> Mr. Brown, >> is there any uh I don't suggest right now that we would go there, but isn't there any opportunity to take them like to Land Court or some other venue that

439
02:34:29.040 --> 02:34:50.800
another >> So again, the EFSB is designed to circumvent that and to prevent that from happening. Um the course of appeal after this would be um through the superior court system and um the body of case law

440
02:34:50.800 --> 02:35:07.920
especially recently is all favorable to the EFSB. >> Thank you. >> Okay, we have a motion and I believe we have a second with respect to the intervenor status. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor that we

441
02:35:07.920 --> 02:35:23.520
intervene. I >> I Okay, thank you very much. Okay, moving on to the SCTV update from the digital navigator project. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. As our presenter is working her way to the podium, I want

442
02:35:23.520 --> 02:35:40.800
to give some brief background. This goal may recall last September the town was awarded an $85,000 grant from the Massachusetts Wild Institute. Um the town subsequently issued a request for proposals or RFP from qualified entities to manage this grant um to create the

443
02:35:40.800 --> 02:35:56.399
town's first digital navigator project um and included in tonight's package the scope of services of that RFP document. Following a very extensive review of the uh submitted proposals uh back on November 14th of last year, the town awarded a contract for the pro provision

444
02:35:56.399 --> 02:36:11.760
of these digital navigation services to our outstanding community partner found with the community community television incorporated. Um there's a letter of that award attached to your packet as well. Mr. share site board members for the terms of the agreement between the

445
02:36:11.760 --> 02:36:28.080
town and FCTV. Um FCTV has submitted a midterm report um just uh last month that copy of that report is also attached real briefly and I I think Debbie is going to talk about this. The digital navigator program uh aims to bridge the digital divide in

446
02:36:28.080 --> 02:36:43.120
communities. These programs provide a wide variety of important services and FEMA, including one-on-one supports, training, and access to technology, and help individuals access the internet, set up devices, and generally use online services more effectively. Digital

447
02:36:43.120 --> 02:36:58.880
navigators frequently help with using smartphones, tablets, which is going to talk about, computers, uh providing guidance on accessing online services such as healthcare, job applications, housing, and education, and provide safety tips for online privacy and security. So that turn it over to Debbie

448
02:36:58.880 --> 02:37:14.680
Rogers who's going to make the presentation. >> Thank you so much. Good evening everyone. I'm Debbie Rogers. I'm the founder of Community Television. I'm the CEO. I'm pleased to be here with you tonight. I'll be introducing uh the members of the team uh shortly.

449
02:37:20.560 --> 02:37:36.080
So as Tom manager Ranch gave you a little bit of background, I was going to also give a little bit of background. So sorry for any repetition. Uh just just so you know how we got here. I did put this in here. The town fountain municipal broadband light found

450
02:37:36.080 --> 02:37:52.000
broadband municipal life plan in partnership with Cape Cod Commission developed a municipal digital equity plan. Using this plan, the talent secured $85,000 in Massachusetts American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 AR funding and issued an RFP for a digital

451
02:37:52.000 --> 02:38:07.280
navigator program funded at $79,900 in October 20 for the period of October 2025 through September 2026. On November 14th, 2025, SCTD was not selected and the board agreement was signed on

452
02:38:07.280 --> 02:38:26.479
November 20th, 2025. So, how did we launch this? Uh, we looked at five areas. We looked at management, partnerships, communication, training and support, and resources. And we're going to get a little deeper into these. Uh, first we identified the team,

453
02:38:26.479 --> 02:38:42.000
and then we recruited and hired a digital navigator, project manager. We looked at partnerships, communication, training, and support, and resources. Um, under partnerships, we met with our partners, we pursued other partners, and we've secured commitments. We've been

454
02:38:42.000 --> 02:38:58.399
working on our communication promotion via video, social media, website, flyers, and under training and support, we've been developing curriculum, starting classes, and providing support. We've sought additional funding of resources, including volunteers and

455
02:38:58.399 --> 02:39:13.920
computers. We'll get into that as well. And we've onboarded volunteer navigators. to introduce our team. Um, as you know, I'm Deborah Rogers, executive director and chief executive officer of Community Television. With me is our production and education manager,

456
02:39:13.920 --> 02:39:30.880
Adam Russell, CTV's digital navigator project manager, Natalie Ruska, who began on March 3rd, 2026, and received her Gridville digital navigator certificate on March 31st, 2026. Other RCT team members who work on this

457
02:39:30.880 --> 02:39:46.080
project are Anthony Sierra who handles marketing Kurt Aken and Riley Woods video colleague Andre and Marie Joe Juice administration. I'm going to turn it over to Natalie now to give you some details.

458
02:39:46.080 --> 02:40:01.359
>> Thank you Deborah. These are our partners for the digital navigator program. I'm going to start with the Fallon Public Library. They are a computer internet training satellite location for the digital navigator program. We provide weekly tech help

459
02:40:01.359 --> 02:40:17.520
Tuesdays 12 to 2 and we also have a volunteer digital navigator on site. We provided them with four laptops for resident. Our next partner is found senior center. They are also a computer internet training satellite location. We provide

460
02:40:17.520 --> 02:40:34.240
weekly tech help. That's Thursdays 9 to 11:00 a.m. And we have a volunteer navigator on site. We also have a monthly info table over there the second Thursday of every month from 11 to 1. And on April 13th, we held a

461
02:40:34.240 --> 02:40:50.080
presentational about our program and told them what we can do for them. And we have a future presentation for July. Our next partner, Fallon Service Center, we provided them with 1,00 bilingual English Portuguese flyers and these were

462
02:40:50.080 --> 02:41:05.840
distributed to clients in their food bags that just outlined the program, provided them with some resources and on May 26, our digital navigator will participate in our open house. Our next partner, Fall Community Veteran

463
02:41:05.840 --> 02:41:23.040
Center, they are a computer internet training satellite location available to veterans. drop in hours for tech help and they held a fraud workshop on May 9th with additional workshops are in the planning stage with them. Our next partner Kate Bernie Cultural

464
02:41:23.040 --> 02:41:40.880
Center and Museum. They are a computer internet training satellite location. We provide them with weekly tech help. Fridays 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. we have a volunteer digital navigator on site to help them. We provided them with two Chromebooks and three laptops for lending or on-site use. and they also

465
02:41:40.880 --> 02:41:57.840
help us with providing some translation services for our flyers. Our next partner, our newest partner, Neighborhood Development, since March 18th, they are a computer internet training satellite location. We provide them with weekly tech help or we will

466
02:41:57.840 --> 02:42:13.439
starting May 22nd, Fridays 10 to 11:00 a.m. with a volunteer digital navigator on site. And we provide them with two Chromebooks and two laptops for on-site and lending use. And we also have inhome assistance in the planning stages.

467
02:42:13.439 --> 02:42:29.439
And finally, Fallon Community Television is our computer internet training location. I provide individuals with weekly tech help. That is three days a week, Mondays 9 to 11:00, Wednesdays 3 to 5:00, and Fridays 10:30 to 12. We

468
02:42:29.439 --> 02:42:45.200
held classes on March 23rd, March 26th, April 27th, and 30th for 11 participants just talking about scams, basics, and technology, anything kind of any direction they wanted to go. Uh we also held a class for capabilities. 12 people

469
02:42:45.200 --> 02:43:00.479
showed up on April 29th to learn all about the program, online safety, smartphones, and pretty much anything else they want to talk about. SCTV computer lab. We have established this with eight Chromebooks, 20 laptops, all

470
02:43:00.479 --> 02:43:18.240
for on-site use and lending. All right, a little about the communications we've done via video website and flyer promotion. uh a lot of flyer distribution to over 30 locations throughout Fmouth, churches, libraries, administrative

471
02:43:18.240 --> 02:43:33.920
offices, public bulletin boards, and many of these flyer postings were also supported by some follow-up outreach. We have a logo that we developed with web pages created with program information and sign up options for volunteers and

472
02:43:33.920 --> 02:43:49.120
participants. We also have a monthly client newsletter at the suggestion of a client. And we also have created and produced and shared a promotional video via FCTV partners and social media. Shared through FCTV partners and social

473
02:43:49.120 --> 02:44:07.680
media. Okay. So far, we've served 40 residents in our group classes. We've held 30 one-on-one digital navigator sessions. We have six volunteer digital navigators trained and set up at least 13 weekly tech help hours.

474
02:44:07.680 --> 02:44:24.399
So far, our training and support has addressed a wide range of needs, including email use like spam issues, managing phones, MacBooks, smartphones, e-readers, tablets, storage issues, um basic online navigation, use of apps like Uber, the senior version, um my

475
02:44:24.399 --> 02:44:41.760
chart, video calls, using Zoom, more about scams, and online security and basic tech use. All right, thank you. And I'm going to turn it over to Alan Russell, our education production major. >> Thanks, Natalie. So, uh, we've certainly

476
02:44:41.760 --> 02:44:55.840
sought out some additional resources to help get this, you know, program off the ground and to keep it moving forward, uh, in, you know, future years as well. We want to make this a sustainable program that, you know, far outlasts

477
02:44:55.840 --> 02:45:12.960
this grant. Um, and so in efforts, we've reached out to the Felmouth Fund. We received uh $5,000 uh in funding from them. We also uh applied through MBI um to receive laptops um and that's where we got 42

478
02:45:12.960 --> 02:45:28.000
different devices from that we've been able to loan out to all of our partners and get our um computer lab up and running with uh and those come with Microsoft Office pre-installed on them. We also have Deep Freeze, TD Snap, Jaws,

479
02:45:28.000 --> 02:45:44.800
Antivirus software, all of that is included through the RAM. Um so that was a huge help for us. We also uh have an informal commitment from Falmouth um that plans on uh giving us around $24,000 to help with this program. And we have a

480
02:45:44.800 --> 02:46:00.319
few uh future grant opportunities that we're currently uh applying for and uh trying to receive. One is the Cape Cod Foundation Catalyst Grant. So, we applied for uh three-year grant from them uh for $50,000.

481
02:46:00.319 --> 02:46:15.760
And we also have an upcoming meeting this week with the uh Billian fund to um see if we can get some funding there as well to really keep this program going into the future. And so far it's 100% positive responses

482
02:46:15.760 --> 02:46:32.720
from all of our uh clients and participants and partners um from you know really enjoying the hands-on assistance. Uh they they don't know that we could do any better. They they say we did the very best. It's a much needed service. Many thanks. Um, and so we've

483
02:46:32.720 --> 02:46:54.160
gotten tons of great feedback from everyone so far that's participated in this program. >> So, um, um, I know you're asking that the it be extended to December 31st, 2026.

484
02:46:54.160 --> 02:47:10.720
Um, does that require any formal action by this board this evening, Mr. Rancho? As far as you know, >> not as far as I know, Mr. Chair, >> and also Mr. Chair, if I could. >> Yeah, please, but I just want to, as Alan mentioned, the whole team really, the goal of this, and I've seen it in

485
02:47:10.720 --> 02:47:27.680
other communities, is to grow a strong foundation and then add on and make it a sustainable program. So, I want to applaud SCTV for putting together such a solid plan, but also reaching out and obtaining additional resources. It's going to be a great asset going forward. And I'd be remiss one last comment to

486
02:47:27.680 --> 02:47:44.960
not thank Mr. Peter Clark um and Mr. Cordy Bird and the members of the municipal white board for their involvement initially in the uh in the award $85,000. >> Okay. >> Yes.

487
02:47:44.960 --> 02:47:59.120
>> Just want to applaud the efforts of education. Um my folks just recently were uh targeted and successfully not at the time positively for them. Um they were scammed because they didn't know

488
02:47:59.120 --> 02:48:17.760
and my dad totally fell for it. Right. Um the misperception or misconception is that it only happens to older folks. We see that you're trending right now towards older folks, but younger folks are more online longer uh on more

489
02:48:17.760 --> 02:48:34.479
different devices, social media, AI generated things that are now happening. Um and they're more likely to fall for scams more frequently. So my question is version one, you're building a foundation. Um you're getting positive results. You're showing us the number of

490
02:48:34.479 --> 02:48:51.040
residents that are being um that are leveraging your services. What's the next level? Do you have thoughts of getting into schools? Do you have thoughts of um getting into um the everyday workforce? Because this is a growing problem. >> Nass

491
02:48:51.040 --> 02:49:07.680
take this. >> Yes. So, absolutely. Uh we've been working on a whole summer program that we're looking to roll out. Uh Natalie's been working uh really closely on this. the flyers should be coming out in the schools this week. Um, and it's going to be uh family focused. So, it's going to

492
02:49:07.680 --> 02:49:22.960
focus on kids and parents. Um, and that's really uh kind of something that we we plan on focusing on pretty hard during the summer. And then we're hoping in the fall to move on to more workforce development and um you know, how to

493
02:49:22.960 --> 02:49:39.520
actually find jobs as well in this uh this climate as well. So, we're, you know, currently exploring with a mass hire uh to kind of take take that on in the fall. >> Mr. Brown, are you tracking the numbers, how many people you're impacting because I know when you're going to go for

494
02:49:39.520 --> 02:49:57.520
grants, they're going to be asking you that. >> Yeah. So, so far, um, you know, we've only have recently gotten started in the past couple months. Um, so we've had 40 people in so far, uh, through our group classes. But I think the biggest impact we're really having on people is with

495
02:49:57.520 --> 02:50:13.439
the one-on-one sessions. Um, because we can really sit with them and nail down what issues they're having. Um, and I think Natalie has done a great job working with all the people that come in and really helping them understand the technology, but also, you know, taking

496
02:50:13.439 --> 02:50:28.399
the time to walk them through different scams and stuff that are going on. And we had the police department come in and help walk us through all of that and give us some great resources. Um, and we've also been working with the sheriff's department and FBI on that as well.

497
02:50:28.399 --> 02:50:45.200
>> And if I if I could, I just want to say a thank you to our partners. So, you heard the list of current partners. We're looking to grow those partners in all different directions with all different ages and needs. Um, the other way we're going to really be su successful is by having volunteer

498
02:50:45.200 --> 02:51:01.840
digital navigators. So, we have six trained so far. I think we have another two waiting to be trained. So that'll be eight that we can send out or have in house. Um and I think that the more people that we can find to help to volunteer, we can touch more people in

499
02:51:01.840 --> 02:51:17.120
the community. >> Mr. Richardson. >> Yeah. Thank you all so much. I really like you know um you know reminds me of lenders from you know from people from one to 99 you guys really targeting everyone and helping the entire community. Uh one other person I can I would encourage you to reach out to is

500
02:51:17.120 --> 02:51:33.840
um district attorney Robert Gallo. He's trying to establish an office on elder fraud specifically for the Cayman Islands. He's been requesting funding from that from the state legislature. So I think you know again kind of like what folks in their work with other regional partners uh you know as much as we can work together you know it really helps

501
02:51:33.840 --> 02:51:49.439
make a difference on who you can help uh try to get more money for brokers like this. >> Okay. Yes. One more comment and then we're going to wrap this one. >> Couple of questions. Um in the feedback you're getting do you know how people are finding you? That's a great

502
02:51:49.439 --> 02:52:08.800
question. >> On our survey or form, how did you find out about us? And from the feedback I've seen so far, uh, one was a church flyer. Um, another one was a flyer. I think it's mainly the flyers, but also a lot

503
02:52:08.800 --> 02:52:25.200
of us here at the senior center is word of mouth. >> Yeah. just because especially folks who are looking for help with computers would see that the flyers are probably going to be more effective than social media. Um so thinking about where you put your your resources going forward. Um I'm also curious how you determine

504
02:52:25.200 --> 02:52:42.080
what services go to or with each partner, right? That you've got loaner computers going out to through the Cape Cod uh Cape Verdian Museum but not the Veterans Center and that sort of thing. And and then also what has the uptake been on the the laner computers? How

505
02:52:42.080 --> 02:52:56.880
important a resource is that? >> So in terms of determining what's needed, there was an evaluation done. We we had meetings with our partners and there was an evaluation done of what they had and we asked what they needed. We also asked what they wanted to do and

506
02:52:56.880 --> 02:53:11.840
some wanted to do do more than others. But once we determined who wanted to be a training lab or a computer learning center um or just an access center where people could access internet computers um we didn't really talk about library

507
02:53:11.840 --> 02:53:28.800
which has states of place but is also a partner. Um we were able to determine what it was they needed in terms of the classes that we're offering that is also on our surveys and we do we do reach out we ask both the partners and the individuals that reach out to us what what it is they would like. That's where

508
02:53:28.800 --> 02:53:48.319
those one-on-one classes are really important. >> Okay. Thank you. >> That does it. Thank you very much and your team. Okay, moving on. We discuss and consider adoption of the select board FY23 to

509
02:53:48.319 --> 02:54:05.600
FY27 strategic plan. Mr. Winro. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, so it was kind of late for 25 minutes, but I'm trying to make up some time. As you all recall, I think it was back in March when I first presented a copy of the strategic plan. Um the past two years um the uh

510
02:54:05.600 --> 02:54:21.680
review process uh for updating the FY23 to FY27 strategic plan has typically involved a single workshop sessions and a Saturday night um facilitated by myself and the assistant town manager um and typically has been conducted in late

511
02:54:21.680 --> 02:54:38.800
summer. Uh following this review and vision process, the select board has to be approved and adopted the review and strategic plan uh in the fall late fall of each year. Um we decided this time around the third year uh to uh change that model a bit. As you all recall, we

512
02:54:38.800 --> 02:54:54.560
hired consultants uh college center university of Massachusetts Boston to uh help lead and facilitate a 3-day uh workshop session. This was a very deep dive into the existing um or formally uh adopted previously adopted strategic

513
02:54:54.560 --> 02:55:12.319
plan. Um the representatives from the college center scheduled again a series of three Saturday meetings. Those took place as you probably recall September 20th, November 22nd and December 6th of last year. And uh importantly, one of the primary goals of the uh the

514
02:55:12.319 --> 02:55:28.720
workshops was to produce a streamlined strategic plan uh comprised of seven key strategic priority areas which uh again the plan is included in your pack and this is the most important part um to create a more objective measurable set

515
02:55:28.720 --> 02:55:45.439
of goals and milestones with each one of those seven key strategic focus areas. Uh what I'm asking the select board to do uh this evening is to review again the copy of the updated revised uh plan. Um it's a red line plan and I want to thank the SL board. I think it was a few

516
02:55:45.439 --> 02:56:02.080
weeks ago I sent out distributed individually to the board and asked for some last uh edits comments and I want to thank you all for providing those to me. I think I've incorporated just about all of those comments, but if I miss something, uh, tonight is, uh, is my ask

517
02:56:02.080 --> 02:56:16.960
is the time of you to provide those to me so that I can document and final stages and hopefully have this plan adopted and I'll mention real briefly and then stop talking. Um, this is likely going to be the well, this is the final year of this particular 5-year

518
02:56:16.960 --> 02:56:33.920
plan. Um I think it's going to behoove the town going forward the next uh iteration of our strategic plan to involve comm community input into the process. I think those absent from the current strategic plan is going to be important elements that go forward.

519
02:56:33.920 --> 02:56:50.479
>> Okay. Well, thank you. Um I don't know how we want to approach this. Uh we'll start with Mr. Richardson and work our way down with respect to any comments or questions with respect to the strategic plan. Um,

520
02:56:50.479 --> 02:57:06.560
can you go the other order? >> We'll start with Dr. Goldstone. How about that? We'll go that way. >> Excellent. I've got um too uh quick to at least get out there. Um so, we were talking earlier tonight about farmland.

521
02:57:06.560 --> 02:57:23.920
Definitely um protecting farm net is in here, but we have not had a lot of the conversations to rigorously determine what the goals would be in terms of like what percent of town land we would want protected and in fact what is currently in this draft very appropriately is x%

522
02:57:23.920 --> 02:57:42.240
is protected for farming. And so my one proposal would be that um we modify one of the milestones under the optimizing our use of formal restrictions to protect natural ecosystems and farmlands um to be uh convene discussions and um

523
02:57:42.240 --> 02:57:58.399
determine goals for farmland protection um for the town of um so that we can actually move that forward and do it in a responsible way. How would we do that this evening or in the future meeting? I mean, >> you mean in terms of that provision? >> Yeah.

524
02:57:58.399 --> 02:58:13.120
>> Um, my proposal would be approval with that amendment. >> Okay. >> Um, I have one other amendment that I would like to propose and this is part of a broader discussion involving the

525
02:58:13.120 --> 02:58:31.439
comprehensive plan as well. Um but given the um fairly comprehensive process that we went through for this strategic plan and the fact that we are looking to kick off a comprehensive planning um process

526
02:58:31.439 --> 02:58:47.760
which would involve significant community engagement and which should ideally and by charter influence our strategic plan. Right? Our strategic plan should be aligned to the comprehensive plan. Um I would like to propose that we extend this strategic plan by one more fiscal year to an end

527
02:58:47.760 --> 02:59:03.600
date of FY28 to be updated next year but then to be fully uh you know the next 5year cycle to be initiated in a way that could align with um the end stages of a comprehensive planning process for the town.

528
02:59:03.600 --> 02:59:19.920
>> I I'm hoping that we would be able to start a new as Mr. Menure mentioned u in FY27 and and scrap the old one and and and move forward as opposed to as using this one as a as a basis and extending

529
02:59:19.920 --> 02:59:36.640
it by a year. Yes, Mr. Ensh. >> So, uh thank you Mr. Chair for that. Um vice chair is correct. Um and it was mentioned by some member Reed I believe earlier about the uh how this dubtales should dubtail with the local comprehensive plan update. So my desire

530
02:59:36.640 --> 02:59:53.520
to get this version through um and start new so to speak next year is probably going to be dependent and probably needs to be slowed down on initiating LCP I'm sorry the comprehensive update so I I I

531
02:59:53.520 --> 03:00:10.319
would suggest Mr. share um the board does consider extending this a year to allow that dovetail into the developments of the LCP comprehensive plan and this process to kind of go simultaneously. >> I was going to say I think my hope would be that essentially we would be starting

532
03:00:10.319 --> 03:00:25.200
the process you're talking about Mr. share of the community engagement necessary to to get to a fresh 5-year, but that that would be part of >> encompassed within the discussion on the LCP >> community engagement around the the LCP

533
03:00:25.200 --> 03:00:41.840
so that we can essentially more bang for the buck, two, one stone, whatever be starting that community engagement to get to both plans. I I I think the key takeaway is that uh you know we need to really adopt a strategic plan that makes sense, that's concise, that's targeted

534
03:00:41.840 --> 03:00:58.240
and focused so that we can make sure we're adhering to it and with with community engagement. Anyone else? Mr. Brown? >> Yeah, I think we should change the uh the order of the prioritized list and put financial and economic stability at

535
03:00:58.240 --> 03:01:14.240
the top. That was one of my suggestions in the uh response to Mr. Winchester's request for final edits. The uh financial situation I think is the primary concern that we would at the top

536
03:01:14.240 --> 03:01:30.319
of the list. Uh the other comment I have is and you know this was an interesting process with the consultant but I felt like it was maybe a little too much geared toward the the uh assembly of the

537
03:01:30.319 --> 03:01:47.520
plan as other than should have been more to the details of the plan. I felt like at the end when these consultants had us writing down ideas on the sticky notes, it was wasn't as well managed as I would have liked. I really prefer the

538
03:01:47.520 --> 03:02:04.720
thoughtful discussion that we typically have every year and we take the goals that we have and adjust them and modify them. I know sometimes that leads to a sloppy document and I think we can maybe use Mr. Ranch's leadership on the uh the focusing, but I still think that that's

539
03:02:04.720 --> 03:02:21.120
an important element of the drafting of the plan is I really feel like we should be sitting down on one more Saturday and refining these priorities, but I'm willing to work with this as it is for now, but I also want to remind the board

540
03:02:21.120 --> 03:02:36.640
that typically every year we would update the long range plan and we would adjust the date on that and we haven't done And now we're talking about changing it to a new date or I think you just suggested a whole new strategic

541
03:02:36.640 --> 03:02:53.600
plan document. I'm not sure what what you mean by that, but I think we should just update it every year and adjust it as needed as we change our rep prioritize as the conditions under question. >> Just just just a note with respect to

542
03:02:53.600 --> 03:03:10.800
the priorities. I I think what's listed in the strategic plan uh is that they are listed alphabetically and and there's absolutely no indication as to one being more of a priority than than the other. Clearly economic or economic

543
03:03:10.800 --> 03:03:27.439
situation cries out for uh for for further discussion. But I don't no one in no one should look at the strategic plan and think that the way they are laid out is in any way an indication of what what our priorities are. >> Well, historically it was. That's

544
03:03:27.439 --> 03:03:46.640
another thing that's changed. Well, you know, with all due respect, I think it it had always said that that the priority that they were listed in alphabetical order is not >> and u you know and that I always questioned that they really were in alphabetical order because the first one

545
03:03:46.640 --> 03:04:03.439
was housing which was not the first one in alphabetical order but in any event uh I don't think they are in any way indicative of what our priorities are. Well, I think they should be and that's another part of the conversation, >> but that that we can that discussion we can have, but what's in there now is not

546
03:04:03.439 --> 03:04:18.479
are not listed as priorities. That's not the point I'm making. >> That's where the conversation is important. >> So, I'm going to go before I think he's going to talk a lot more than I am. >> I doubt it. >> No. Uh, since this is my last meeting, I

547
03:04:18.479 --> 03:04:34.000
won't be as hyped as I usually am. Um uh I I really do appreciate this process and and thank you Mike and Peter and the consultants who brought in. Um I just I just really like the way that we uh refined a lot of the goals to be

548
03:04:34.000 --> 03:04:49.760
more actionable. Uh and a lot of these goals we have already uh approved or or in process to be done which is terrific. Um the only thing is I I I do agree with Doug. Um, I think that I I kind of wanted I think our first meeting we're kind of going through the process and

549
03:04:49.760 --> 03:05:06.240
you know we our expectations versus what was supposed to be in that first meeting I think was uh was a little off. I think after that it got a lot better. So I I agree with Doug. Um you know I think one more session uh on the weekend I don't know how that would work with me legally being off the board uh in 48 hours but

550
03:05:06.240 --> 03:05:23.319
um you know I think that uh is part of the process. Um I do I do see um Mr. following the point about separate strategic plan as well moving forward. But um I do I agree with I think that we should get the details of some of those items in one more session.

551
03:05:24.000 --> 03:05:43.040
>> Made I think we should make I think we should approve it with the basic revisions right now and move on. Um I think in parallel starting right away asking town management to put together a um almost

552
03:05:43.040 --> 03:05:58.080
an enterprise risk management type of evaluation uh proposal for us that involves community input but also is data driven to help us figure out our long range plan, our local comprehensive

553
03:05:58.080 --> 03:06:14.000
plan and our strategic plan so that they are all united and starting on that. Um because I think Mr. Renshaw and Mr. Johnson's dog and the entire team have done young work tying all of their work

554
03:06:14.000 --> 03:06:30.000
to a strategic plan for compliance reasons, but it's not driving um their work the way it could. It's not helping them the way that it could. There's a lot of tiebacks, but we need to we need to look at the strategic plan as driving

555
03:06:30.000 --> 03:06:47.200
forward for the major needs. and we can go back and forth with small edits. We're here till, you know, Timbuk 2. We're not going to get it until we like put a period on it and start over. Um, use the plan that we have cuz I think with what Mr. Wrench asked us to do in

556
03:06:47.200 --> 03:07:05.279
those few sessions to get to actionable, I think it was great. We were able to take it from a shelf trophy to something more actionable than before. Now, I think we need to get to the next level. So, um, with that, I don't know what the appropriate motion is to approve, um,

557
03:07:05.279 --> 03:07:22.080
with the suggested edits, um, or not, but I think we're ready to move on from this one and really start getting into something better. >> I agree. I'll second that motion. >> Okay. Please,

558
03:07:22.080 --> 03:07:41.200
>> can you just clarify the motion that >> adopt the revised uh select board 20 FY23 to FY27 strategic plan with Dr. Gold Stone's and Mr. Brown's

559
03:07:41.200 --> 03:07:58.319
suggested changes. I don't think we need to see them. I think we can just have that and then be done with this. And to clarify, Mr. Brown, your suggested changes that would be included are >> I would just suggest that the first priority would be the financial and I

560
03:07:58.319 --> 03:08:15.680
understand Mr. Scali doesn't agree that that was any indication that it's a more important issue. But in my opinion, it does indicate that and I thought that was >> well then what's number two, three, four, five, and six and seven? I mean, I'm not sure that this is I think that's

561
03:08:15.680 --> 03:08:30.640
just going to draw this out a little bit honestly. Yes. Just a quick comment. So I I do appreciate uh s member Brown's desire to have have a focus on prioritizing. To be clear, um the old strategic plan I'll refer to as the the

562
03:08:30.640 --> 03:08:46.160
the historical reference to alphabetical order was that housing was now housing was affordable housing and then it truly wasn't alphabetical order. When we changed that last year, um it it upset that that order. I'd suggest as part of

563
03:08:46.160 --> 03:09:03.200
the overall updates, you know, extending this a year to allow us to meet with the community, have the community engagements um as part of this update process and the local comprehensive plan. That's when you get the community input and help the select board identify those priorities. I I don't know how

564
03:09:03.200 --> 03:09:20.160
this board, I'm going to be frank, would would identify the right order and priority one through seven these key focus areas right now. I think that's what we rely on public input. process. >> Mr. Brown, would you be willing to uh wave your uh your suggestion with

565
03:09:20.160 --> 03:09:35.279
respect to priority and we'll discuss it going forward further so that we could move the strategic plan as as it's written? >> I suppose I'd be willing to go along, but I just point out that in years past, we did reorganize what was on the top of

566
03:09:35.279 --> 03:09:54.319
the list and it did have importance. So, it's not just Mr. around. I'll be driving the financial >> I don't think anyone is questioning that. I think it's the the other ranked orders that that you know at this point

567
03:09:54.319 --> 03:10:09.040
would would be difficult for us to do at this point and I think we need to move this. >> We can now. >> Thank you. Okay. >> Motion to approve with Dr. Goldstone. >> Dr. Goldstone second. All in favor? I

568
03:10:09.040 --> 03:10:25.600
>> Okay. Finally. Thank you very much. All right. Um, now we are at update on diversity, equity, and belonging, the IB activities, and discuss town management's proposal to retain a

569
03:10:25.600 --> 03:10:42.960
consultant. We have allocated 20 minutes and Mr. Reno. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, first I want to thank our HR director, assistant town manager, um, for helping in preparation of the presentation. Uh Susan Lumping, our HR director is going to lead us through a discussion. I have some a

570
03:10:42.960 --> 03:10:58.800
slide that I prepared, but I wanted to offer uh some opening remarks. Um so three years ago when I was hired as town manager, um one of the goals, objectives was uh in regards to the uh DEI officer position. Um we had, as you recall me

571
03:10:58.800 --> 03:11:15.040
saying, uh a couple of unsuccessful attempts at filling that position. So the decision was made at a management level um that it was important to lay a foundation of of knowledge within the organization. The uh diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging principles I felt

572
03:11:15.040 --> 03:11:31.120
um have tremendous value in any organization. Um so we uh hired consultants to kind of led an initial process. Um Susan's going to talk. I think this is important. Over the past two years um we've taken great strides

573
03:11:31.120 --> 03:11:47.680
and um and and across the organization, not just the HR department, but all of the departments have really um identified um the and understood the value of having strong DIP principles and and development. Um we've incorporated

574
03:11:47.680 --> 03:12:05.200
ingrained and it's become the fabric of our hiring practices um recruitment and retention practices. Uh we recently had um I think some fantastic training that was provided uh by uh labor council Jack Dolan back in it was February that training was provided. Um so my point to

575
03:12:05.200 --> 03:12:22.560
all of this is that uh and in order to have a strong foundation I feel that we need to continue moving forward educating training staff. We tal just had a long discussion with regard the strategic plan. There are some elements uh currently incorporated in the plan

576
03:12:22.560 --> 03:12:38.319
that was just adopted. Um there's room for improvement in that certainly but having some powerful metrics that can measure our performance and progress towards making um Fmouth the town of Fmouth the most inclusive um inviting uh organizations possible. It's important

577
03:12:38.319 --> 03:12:53.840
to town management. So, I'm going to turn it over to Susan to go through the slides and and the purpose of this is to have a discussion with regards to um all of the work great work that's been done over the past at least two years, probably even longer. Um but also to talk and get some feedback um and

578
03:12:53.840 --> 03:13:11.520
support hopefully u from management's uh direction to uh bring in an upset consultant or consultants to assist us and again improving and enhancing that strong foundation which I think has already been built upon. Uh one of the uh benefits of having a consultant at

579
03:13:11.520 --> 03:13:26.240
this period of time in my opinion is it's going to allow us an opportunity to select specific skill sets that perhaps one person um uh would not have. So it really allows us a little bit more flexibility to bring in um some very

580
03:13:26.240 --> 03:13:43.920
specific skill sets. So that's turn. >> Thank you. Good evening and thank you for the opportunity to provide a brief update regarding the town's diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives. A foundational step in this work began in the fall of 2023 when town manager

581
03:13:43.920 --> 03:13:59.040
Mike Brenshaw began a collaborative process to develop the town's first mission and vision statement and identify town core values. Over a period of several months, each division and department review the select board strategic plan and discuss townwide

582
03:13:59.040 --> 03:14:14.960
mission vision and core values proposals with their staff. The management team then came together over a period of months to propose and then refine a proposal um that then came before the STEM board in May of 2024 when the select board officially adopted these

583
03:14:14.960 --> 03:14:31.279
mission and vision statements and core values which included accessible and inclusive language focused on serving all members of the found community. We then use the select strategic plan and these newly adopted statements as found as as a foundation when describing the

584
03:14:31.279 --> 03:14:47.120
town of Palmouth as an employer, most often during recruitment efforts and to applicants through job postings and during interviews. And as we repeatedly described who we were and who we were trying to be as an employer over time, we got better at it. And in the fall of

585
03:14:47.120 --> 03:15:02.880
2024, we realized that there was an opportunity to strengthen the town's written commit commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging to match our verbal messaging that had evolved over time. So, this led to the town's first value statement proposal,

586
03:15:02.880 --> 03:15:19.680
which the select board reviewed, discussed, and improved upon to the final statement shown on your screen. The town of Thomas strives to be an inclusive, welcoming, equitable, and diverse community and an employer that provides the highest level of customer service to all individuals and groups of

587
03:15:19.680 --> 03:15:36.319
various abilities, cultures, backgrounds, and identities through the equitable application of policies and procedures. These current statements establish an important foundation for the town's CEB initiatives, which are intermingled with workforce development and organizational

588
03:15:36.319 --> 03:15:53.439
culture efforts. Our human resources team feels very fortunate to have a role in workforce development and organizational culture efforts. And as part of this broader foundational effort, we developed a written departmental vision focused on hiring exceptional staff supporting town

589
03:15:53.439 --> 03:16:10.479
staff and advancing a healthy, safe, and inclusive work culture. We view our employment practices and our work culture is vital to our DEIB initiatives because our approach is that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging work is not a standalone initiative. We believe

590
03:16:10.479 --> 03:16:25.680
that these principles are best achieved when they are woven into the fabric of the organization. As town manager Benchaw stated, through each staff member performing their individual role through an equitable and inclusive lens. As part of the effort to hire qualified

591
03:16:25.680 --> 03:16:42.479
candidates who share these CIB values, we have updated our written recruitment and employment communications to describe the workplace and public service culture that the town is building and striving towards. This written description of the town empowerment as an employer, which we are

592
03:16:42.479 --> 03:16:58.960
continually improving, is posted on the employment opportunity section of our town website and is also part of the job posting for each recruitment that we conduct. And I'd like to take a moment to read this important communication. The town of Felmouth is a people-

593
03:16:58.960 --> 03:17:13.840
centered municipality committed to public service excellence. We strive to foster an inclusive and supportive work culture grounded in professionalism, collaboration, and accountability. And we invest in our employees through ongoing training and professional

594
03:17:13.840 --> 03:17:30.160
development opportunities. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates. The town offers competitive compensation and benefit eligible positions offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance and other

595
03:17:30.160 --> 03:17:44.800
valuable benefits and include participation in the town's pension plan. All applicants must be able to interact and work effectively and respectfully with individuals and groups of various abilities, cultures, backgrounds, ages,

596
03:17:44.800 --> 03:18:01.960
and identities. All of our positions, including police and fire, are non-Ivil service, which means that anyone can apply directly to an open position, and our employees perform meaningful work that provides vital services to the common community.

597
03:18:02.000 --> 03:18:17.760
In addition to using this important messaging in each recruitment, we're updating our job postings to use accessible and inclusive language. And in the hiring process, we focus on transferable skill sets and demonstrated competencies rather than prior titles or

598
03:18:17.760 --> 03:18:34.000
exact matches. And one of the ways that we try to objectively measure those transferable skill sets and competencies is through the implementation of skill screenings for many of our positions. We evaluate minimum qualifications carefully and accept equivalent experience for education when

599
03:18:34.000 --> 03:18:49.760
appropriate. We advertise as willing to train for entry level and select positions and we look for ways to eliminate barriers to applying. For example, for lifeguard positions when we which require certification will include a link to how to obtain that

600
03:18:49.760 --> 03:19:06.239
certification. Our HR assistant removes any photos that people are increasingly providing as part of their application so that those are removed prior to the applications are reviewed. And during our interviews, we reiterate the town's values by explaining to candidates that as an

601
03:19:06.239 --> 03:19:22.960
employer in a diverse community, it is very important to the town that all community members receive the same high level of customer service and equitable service delivery regardless of their ability, culture, background, age, identity, or any other factor. And we

602
03:19:22.960 --> 03:19:39.760
include interview questions to provide insight into the candidates's ability and desire to be part of the team with those values. Using these practices, we've been very fortunate to hire many new employees, including those in chief and director level positions who share these values

603
03:19:39.760 --> 03:19:55.600
and who bring an equitable and inclusive lens to their positions in their respective departments and positions. Another way that we are integrating these principles throughout the organization is through updates to employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements, and job

604
03:19:55.600 --> 03:20:10.960
descriptions, which are being updated in collaboration with department heads, division heads, union stewards, and union representatives to reflect genderneutral pronouns and more inclusive language. These updates may be as simple as using

605
03:20:10.960 --> 03:20:27.840
chip strength instead of manpower. Or it may be a complete rewrite of a job description like the example shown on your screen for the recreation program administrator for enrichment and special events in which we rewrote the primary function. and primary purpose to read

606
03:20:27.840 --> 03:20:44.800
performs professional, administrative and programmatic work to design, implement and oversee a diverse portfolio of enrichment programs and community special events that strengthen community connections and enhance the quality of life for residents of all

607
03:20:44.800 --> 03:21:01.200
ages, cultures, abilities, identities and socioeconomic backgrounds. And you can see that language carried into the first essential function of that position. In addition, as we update each job description across the organization, we are adding must have the ability to

608
03:21:01.200 --> 03:21:18.319
interact and work effectively and respectfully with individuals and groups of various abilities, cultures, backgrounds, ages, and identities in the required ability section of each updated job description. These updates are critical to integrating DEI principles

609
03:21:18.319 --> 03:21:34.319
as job descriptions are also foundational documents that are given to an employee when they are hired or when the job description is updated and they're used to clearly communicate expectations and for accountability. And I want to emphasize that these documents are all being updated

610
03:21:34.319 --> 03:21:50.319
collaboratively with other town staff and with union representatives were appropriate. And as we've had continuing conversations about the town's values and we've continually updated these documents, these groups have come to expect these updates and we're all on the same page as we're reviewing that

611
03:21:50.319 --> 03:22:09.920
which has been um really successful. We've reviewed the work that we're doing to ensure that we're bringing in new hires who share these values and we also are engaging with current staff regarding DEI principles. In the fall of 2024, the town conducted a survey, a

612
03:22:09.920 --> 03:22:25.520
staff survey to better understand the current staff's readiness to integrate DEI principles and to identify training needs and opportunities. Approximately 34% of all town staff responded to the survey and 63.2% of the respondents were

613
03:22:25.520 --> 03:22:41.120
not managers or supervisors. Through this first attempt, we discovered areas in which we could improve future surveys. But the information gained from this first survey was a good starting point. In January 2026, the town held training for townwide management for the

614
03:22:41.120 --> 03:22:57.439
townwide management team focused on increasing awareness of and reducing barriers to conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Raising our individual and collective consciousness, and bias, highlighting ways that bias and inequity

615
03:22:57.439 --> 03:23:16.160
can manifest in individual actions, organizations, and communities, building allyship in the workplace, and supporting a workplace culture that welcomes and values everyone. As this foundational work has progressed, we are seeing the new employees we are hiring and our current

616
03:23:16.160 --> 03:23:30.960
employees performing their individual roles throughout the town with an equitable and inclusive lens. And I'd like to touch on just some of the examples that are occurring across multiple areas of town operations. Under accessibility and ADA related

617
03:23:30.960 --> 03:23:48.560
initiatives, the town has secured CPC funding for the design of the multigenerational accessible case space to be located in Google Park and designed to be inclusive beyond ADA compliance. We have started providing additional mobile maps and accessible beach chairs. And the DPW completed a

618
03:23:48.560 --> 03:24:04.000
pilot program for accessible playground maps. The recreation division provides accessible portable toilets at each of their field sites. And the library accessibility staff development day and have accessibility and have improved their accessibility features on the

619
03:24:04.000 --> 03:24:20.720
public computers. Under community programming and engagement efforts, the town of Alabama community services department organizes pride events annually and more recently bianually since 2023. The human services division supports

620
03:24:20.720 --> 03:24:36.640
weekly LGBTQIA plus support and conversation groups. And one of our human services clinical social workers attends the found high school's engage straight alliance meetings to promote intergenerational connections within the LGBTQIA

621
03:24:36.640 --> 03:24:53.359
plus community. The library has implemented Walk This Way, the town's first regularly scheduled LGBTQIA plus programming. And we're seeing an increase in gender inclusivity across the town as different departments and divisions are updating forms, library

622
03:24:53.359 --> 03:25:09.439
cards. We now have a family dance instead of a father or daughter dance. Um trying to be more inclusive um in all aspects under language access and inclusive services. Pictured in this photo here is Heleni, our first part-time bilingual

623
03:25:09.439 --> 03:25:24.800
clinical social worker who provides social worker services in Portuguese for our Portuguese speaking community members. Our young adult librarian enhanced and promotes world languages collection in the young adult room with an emphasis on books written in Portuguese.

624
03:25:24.800 --> 03:25:40.880
And when reviewing new software, one of the factors that we're looking at is the ability to translate and we're working on providing top flyers in multiple languages as well. under ongoing training and organizational development activities. Lieutenant current and he has provided

625
03:25:40.880 --> 03:25:57.600
the AEL training and we're also the human services department offers funding for homeless prevention and stabilization mental health services. We have our affordable housing efforts that go on throughout town. And these are just the I want to emphasize these are just the initiatives that I know of as

626
03:25:57.600 --> 03:26:14.319
the individual departments divisions are performing their roles through an equitable and inclusive lens. There are other initiatives that I'm not even aware of that that they're doing on their own through that um through their work that they've learned through the training and and their own initiatives

627
03:26:14.319 --> 03:26:32.080
that they brought to the organization. I wanted to to highlight two upcoming events. Uh on the left, the Pride Carnival uh coming up on June 12th. This is the town organized community services department event. And on the right,

628
03:26:32.080 --> 03:26:50.160
Junth on um June 19th, the town supports the um the Junth celebration committees annual event that they hold and just had their walk as well. So next steps like like town manager mentioned um we are are proud of the

629
03:26:50.160 --> 03:27:04.720
meaningful foundational work and initiatives that we've done but we recognize that there's a lot more to do that this is ongoing work and one of the ways that we're working to move forward with this work and integrating the principles across the organization is to

630
03:27:04.720 --> 03:27:22.239
establish a strategic plan and as town manager rental mentioned the next step would be an RFP for a consultant to help evaluate the work that we've already done and help provide a road map for future work. >> Thank you.

631
03:27:22.239 --> 03:27:39.760
>> Thank you, Susan. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Sorry. Again, my ask tonight and and this was intended to be a discussion. I wanted Susan to be able to provide uh the board and the community an update of all the great efforts and activities and initiatives. Uh but the uh the primary

632
03:27:39.760 --> 03:27:55.520
goal tonight is to obtain this like board support for this uh model of moving forward with consulting services. Again, I think there's some significant uh positives uh with regards to identifying specific skill sets of one

633
03:27:55.520 --> 03:28:10.960
or more consultants likely more than one consultant based upon an assessment of needs, current needs within the organization. Um seen this be effective in other communities with regards to again laying that proper foundation. Um so yeah, what we're looking for tonight

634
03:28:10.960 --> 03:28:27.760
is uh support to go forward. We've had this uh uh draft RFP which included in your packets this evening uh for about a month and a half and an opportunity to attend I believe it was last month's uh DIB advisory committee um where we feedback uh from the group members that

635
03:28:27.760 --> 03:28:42.160
were present at that meeting. Um the draft version included in your packet does not include a couple of those comments, but we certainly consider adding some additional uh edits. The important thing in my mind um and this is critical is that we move forward with

636
03:28:42.160 --> 03:28:58.560
this RFP um as quickly as possible uh because I think we're losing um kind of an opportunity that was gained um with the uh January uh trans management team. I want to kind of build upon that, not lose that.

637
03:28:58.560 --> 03:29:14.000
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I I agree. I think it's time to move this forward. It's been around for a long time. uh and I would be supportive of moving forward and and uh directing the town manager to proceed

638
03:29:14.000 --> 03:29:30.080
with its proposal to retain a consultant according to the RFP. Uh Dr. Bolstone, I know you've been involved with the uh with the committee. Maybe you have some comments with respect to this. Certainly. And I would like to say uh welcome and thank you to multiple

639
03:29:30.080 --> 03:29:45.760
members of the DEIB committee who are here this evening as well. Having um uh been in not all but but many of the recent conversations of that committee and and uh I think speaking to the the

640
03:29:45.760 --> 03:30:02.239
passion that um our residents have uh for this work. past members of that committee have showed up um to recent meetings to also engage in those conversations and and really appreciate um all of that. And then also having

641
03:30:02.239 --> 03:30:20.720
been in uh conversation with uh town manager and town management um about this plan. Um I think sometimes um there's a sense that we're farther apart than we actually are. Um, and I

642
03:30:20.720 --> 03:30:36.720
think it's really important that um, we remember and focus on the shared goal, which um, I I just want to say thank you um, uh, to Susan um, and to all of our town staff. I think it's

643
03:30:36.720 --> 03:30:54.399
really important that this work has essentially started with the functions of recruiting, staff development, workplace culture because it's uh difficult if not impossible to expect

644
03:30:54.399 --> 03:31:12.239
people to do work to um include others and uh you know extend beyond their maybe current skill separate comfort level if they're not being supported, if they're not committed to the values, and if they don't feel valued themselves at

645
03:31:12.239 --> 03:31:29.760
work. So, I think that's a really important core to start from, and you're starting to see it ripple out from there. And and to the town manager's point, it's really important that we capitalize on that momentum and move this forward. And what the select board put into our strategic plan was that we

646
03:31:29.760 --> 03:31:46.560
need uh I think the language has modified a couple of times, right? We need an assessment. We need a strategic plan. We need an action plan. We need someone um who can fully dedicate their time because this is well beyond the scope um Susan of of your already very

647
03:31:46.560 --> 03:32:03.439
full days to work with every single department head, division head, what have you to figure out, all right, where are you? What's the what are the next steps? How do we move this forward? Um and while I know we've had this um position that was approved by town

648
03:32:03.439 --> 03:32:19.600
meeting um for years, I think this the consultant pathway does offer us as the town manager has said an opportunity to get um first of all sometimes someone who's outside the organization can can give a perspective um that someone

649
03:32:19.600 --> 03:32:35.520
inside the organization could not. um but have an opportunity to really more rapidly bring someone in who is who's doing this work on a regular basis and really help us accelerate and see where that leads us in terms of once we know exactly what's needed and what the work

650
03:32:35.520 --> 03:32:51.520
is to be done see what is needed in terms of of future resources. So um in reading through the um the scope of work I think personally I think that the focus is great. It

651
03:32:51.520 --> 03:33:07.359
really does convey that sense of we are a service-based organization and what we need to do is is help our staff figure out how they can best interface with the community in a way that reflects and upholds our values. Um,

652
03:33:07.359 --> 03:33:25.200
and I guess I had a couple of minor suggested uh tweaks to the um the scope of work really um one in terms of the demonstrated

653
03:33:25.200 --> 03:33:40.640
experience. It says demonstrated experience in the field and again I think this focus on service based organizations is really important and so making sure that we have language in this RFP that'll like it could be really different working with an organization whose work

654
03:33:40.640 --> 03:33:56.640
does not involve as much interfacing with the community they might have done incredible EIP assessment work but if they haven't worked with communities or with organizations that are doing that kind of work where what needs to happen is is figuring out what we need to do internally to be able to project that

655
03:33:56.640 --> 03:34:12.880
outward. Um, so just put to proposers with demonstrated experience in the field or working with community serving organizations or some you know wording to that effect. Um, and I I would like to see it it I understand from a budget perspective

656
03:34:12.880 --> 03:34:29.600
um the need to absolutely focus on utilizing county resources to the greatest extent possible. But I I personally would really love to see that bullet in the scope of work built on to say utilize existing town resources to

657
03:34:29.600 --> 03:34:47.120
the great extent possible and identify critical additional resources needed. Um so we do also have in addition to here's the work that needs to be done um have coming out of this RFP and here's how we what we need to get that done.

658
03:34:47.120 --> 03:35:05.439
>> What question? Um yeah, I commend the town and of course many former and current committee members for all the work they've done. Um is there any way and I understand how much of that it's just not been possible to hire someone position. Is there any way we can continue forward with a

659
03:35:05.439 --> 03:35:20.399
consultant but still have the vision of an open of a long-term hired personnel? Um so we don't give up on that. Is there any way to do both? Uh at least that's very clear to me. I I I think the goal is to hire someone in that position at

660
03:35:20.399 --> 03:35:38.080
some point over the next 12 to 18 months. >> So I I want to be candid with the board that that's been my goal since being hired three years ago and I've said that public has support. I think there's value. Um I also um said last month during my my uh budget presentation that

661
03:35:38.080 --> 03:35:53.760
I think we need to going forward look at everything in terms of adding additional cost to the organization. Um, and I was I was candid last month when I met with the uh the advisory committee in this specific position. Um, I think it's I think that discussion needs to be had in

662
03:35:53.760 --> 03:36:10.239
in this summer's um discussions to the budget um and going forward. Um, is this a this a position that the community sees have value to to to fill the position or do we continue along this path model?

663
03:36:10.239 --> 03:36:24.239
>> Right. The only thing I want to be cautious on that it's town meeting that's just town meeting decision. I don't do that personally. It's artist for that. But um for me it's we haven't made a position you've been trying

664
03:36:24.239 --> 03:36:41.680
years. So, uh, you know, I I not at all questioning at all your commitments. It's just if there's a way we can still keep that possibility as as we have and I just want to be clear that's what we're still trying to do here, but this is so we can get continue on implement. >> Yes, I think that's an option that we need to continue to pursue. I'm just

665
03:36:41.680 --> 03:36:59.120
again I want to be candid in with the board. I think that needs to be part of the overall budget discussions for this position and and the other vacant positions that we're going to hold. Tom made improve the creation of the position. That's correct. Um and we did have a couple of unsuccessful attempts

666
03:36:59.120 --> 03:37:14.239
to fill it. Um right now I think the best path going forward is to again utilize consultants to to continue uh the great work that's already been done. >> And thank you to you Susan and Vice as well. Um you know this weekend we all

667
03:37:14.239 --> 03:37:37.120
joined the u community celebration committee for their lewalk which is fantastic really I see that the uh the budget isn't complete because the scope of work is not fully refined and I'm wondering should this actually be a

668
03:37:37.120 --> 03:37:55.760
request for qualifications rather than a request for proposals and then we use the response from the RFQ to tailor an RFP more informed. I think we have a pretty good sense of

669
03:37:55.760 --> 03:38:12.000
the the qualifications that we're looking for and I think we can hire a qualified firm um and proceed with the tasks that we've identified. We can certainly modify the scope going forward in future phases,

670
03:38:12.000 --> 03:38:29.279
but uh you know I think we're we're eager to move this along and to actually have a consultant on board and and start um making real progress. And I don't I guess I personally don't see where a two-step process is. It's going to be

671
03:38:29.279 --> 03:38:44.319
more work for us. It's going to be more delays. I don't know it's going to result in better outcome. I just wish we had at least a general idea of the budget. Seems like we're committed to something here that it's an unknown. How will we determine the what the

672
03:38:44.319 --> 03:39:00.319
appropriate budget is? >> Well, we'll have a cap. >> Well, we will have a cap when we issue the RFP. We'll have a cap on. Can you share what that would be? >> Um I I just don't want to spend as much money as what we might actually hire somebody

673
03:39:00.319 --> 03:39:15.520
on consulting. Yeah, it's a temporary thing, but it's still one more expense. >> We're going to stay with We have to stay with the moment of the budget. So, it has to be under the salary. >> I can give you an example. Uh last year,

674
03:39:15.520 --> 03:39:33.200
we utilized about $50,000, I believe. Um so, Peter's correct. We cap it um and have to maintain any expenditures within the available budget. And then to be again candid, we're utilizing funding that we're currently carrying the the operating budget for the decision offset

675
03:39:33.200 --> 03:39:50.399
cost. So we keep moving those. >> So when's the last time we actually advertised and is it ongoing? Is it open? >> No, we haven't posted a recruitment and Susan can probably answer this better than I can. It's been it's been 18

676
03:39:50.399 --> 03:40:08.239
months since since the last project. I'm wondering physician is not actively posted. But do you feel that the consultant is going to set the stage more effectively for the person to come in? Is that the reason for the

677
03:40:08.239 --> 03:40:24.399
consultant now? >> So that that's one reason and I think I've said that publicly in the past too. Uh and I've talked about laying found strong foundations. um that was that's that that was the rationale behind the decision to move forward with consulting last year. But yes and as you read

678
03:40:24.399 --> 03:40:43.760
through the scope of services uh scope of work I should say um phase uh one is um apologies phase two is is the creation of a strategic plan with some measurable outcomes and milestones. I think that's lacking. um we identify that clearly um

679
03:40:43.760 --> 03:40:59.920
is is one of the one of the lacking areas in the current strategic plan. That's going to be one of the important um assignments of the consultant is to again assess needs, where are the gaps and then create a a strategic plan that

680
03:40:59.920 --> 03:41:16.160
put us in a better position going forward. And ultimately, and I've said this before, um with that strong foundation, with the DE with the uh creation of a strategic plan, focusing on DEI, allowing uh in the future um a DEI officer uh to be more successful

681
03:41:16.160 --> 03:41:31.840
having a strategic plan, being able to have all the groundwork already laid out. >> Good. Thank you. I >> So, I didn't realize it had been 18 months. It's a little concerning. I thought this was kind of something we were still doing. Um,

682
03:41:31.840 --> 03:41:50.560
>> is there a reason why we kind of pulled it? I mean, other than we haven't been able to fill it, I think 18 months is an incredibly long time, especially with the amount of layoffs that have been happening around the country uh in this field specifically. >> Is there a question there? >> Yeah, I I just I didn't know that. It's

683
03:41:50.560 --> 03:42:05.840
a little >> Why why the delay from the from the last which I think was the third recruitments. Um I can speak to uh I can speak to that the delay initially was due to the fact that um we didn't feel like going back out to the markets at that point. This is probably uh closer

684
03:42:05.840 --> 03:42:20.640
than 18 right after the the third unsuccessful attempt. We didn't feel like going out to market um in that environment was was productive. We' had two previous failed recruitments. Um so um in the interim we opted to use this

685
03:42:20.640 --> 03:42:38.960
consulting model and uh and again um we had I think made great progress um and we discussed in the past you know u the uh the miss perhaps with um previous consultant was in some lack of responsiveness and that needs to be

686
03:42:38.960 --> 03:42:54.000
addressed and and better managed I think going forward quite honestly um in terms of setting expectations for for deliverables you know, using the secret deliverables extensively in this RFP. Um, that that was the reason why I spent a year and a half. I didn't feel at the

687
03:42:54.000 --> 03:43:10.160
time the market it was going to be productive to go back out and I didn't want to to basically waste time not doing anything. So, we decided to use this model. >> Okay.

688
03:43:10.160 --> 03:43:25.840
>> Yes, Mr. Reed. And then >> say I think the minutes will clearly reflect the importance of this position and what it means to the town. So with that, I'd like to move to support the town's managers proposal to retain a DEI consultant

689
03:43:25.840 --> 03:43:56.560
while we before we get there though, I do want to recognize Dr. Famon Silver who's had her hand up for a while. If you'd like to approach the podium, as the maker of the original motion in uh June of 2021

690
03:43:56.560 --> 03:44:13.760
in the middle of COVID uh when uh the DEIB position was sort of on its last legs. Uh the town town meeting voted to fill the position and to uh move forward

691
03:44:13.760 --> 03:44:30.080
on hiring somebody to fulfill fulfill this position. In the interim, the position itself has transformed. And whereas formerly it was a town of Felmouth

692
03:44:30.080 --> 03:44:44.640
diversity, equity uh inclusion and belonging uh officer. The town of Felmouth, not Town Hall in Fallon. This position has been radically

693
03:44:44.640 --> 03:45:03.920
transformed to serve a small subset of our vibrant population. And there's so much more to diversity, equity, um, inclusion, and belonging than training, employees, and town hall.

694
03:45:03.920 --> 03:45:20.399
We have work to do in our community affairs, in the business community, in the real estate community, in um in our uh service uh to elders

695
03:45:20.399 --> 03:45:37.120
and to um people with disabilities. And these people do not live in town hall. They live in our community. educating our population to what it truly means to be a diverse and

696
03:45:37.120 --> 03:45:53.120
welcoming community. And ideally, the diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging person is the leader of that movement. is a charismatic person that people who are directly impacted by

697
03:45:53.120 --> 03:46:11.279
issues and problems related to race or gender or sexuality um or age uh find a safe person that they can go to to complain to voice their concerns. I am on the board. I am

698
03:46:11.279 --> 03:46:27.760
the Felmouth representative to the Barroom Human Rights Advisory Commission. And what that commission has found in Falmouth for year and not found but in Kwide for years is that racism is the number one problem

699
03:46:27.760 --> 03:46:46.239
that is is expressed in our communities whether whether it's racial uh racial uh events at at the schools in the schools that are not dealt with in a way that children learn and and grow uh and learn

700
03:46:46.239 --> 03:47:03.600
to embrace diverse people other unlike themselves. Or whether it's in town where people are harassed on the sidewalk, on the street where racial epithets are thrown at people from different ethnic uh or

701
03:47:03.600 --> 03:47:18.319
cultural groups. So we need to move out of town hall. I mean, you can do all the trainings and all the workshops that your staff needs, but we have the rest of the town to uh

702
03:47:18.319 --> 03:47:33.520
to bring into our diverse diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging uh uh image and ideal and vision for our community. So, I ask you to go back and read the

703
03:47:33.520 --> 03:47:50.080
job description of that position that strategically added, you know, and the town of Balance, not just town hall. because when we walk out of town hall, we you know, and I'm not even sure that

704
03:47:50.080 --> 03:48:07.359
that we've solved the crisis of of uh hate in in the town hall of Balma or related uh employees and so forth. So, I really strongly encourage you to

705
03:48:07.359 --> 03:48:22.319
go back to the drawing board, go back to what we envisioned. And for many years, our last town manager almost got rid of the the line item for that job

706
03:48:22.319 --> 03:48:39.040
when it became obvious that that the schools were going to hire their own full-time person. And the town of Falmouth had to hire at least a half-time person because the money was there, the line item was there, and they committed to a full-time person. So now you're going to erase the line item

707
03:48:39.040 --> 03:48:54.640
again because you can't afford it. Well, our town should be able to afford this person who would provide should be an executive level position and that person will provide the leadership and

708
03:48:54.640 --> 03:49:12.080
vision and passion to make sure that EP episodes that I heard about from people in town going to a restaurant and being uh treated very badly because that person

709
03:49:12.080 --> 03:49:29.120
was acting in a racist fashion. And this was a person who had just come to town, a man of high esteem in town who had a very important job here, went to a local restaurant wearing a hoodie. And the people in the restaurant

710
03:49:29.120 --> 03:49:45.840
practically would not even serve him. >> So back up, please. >> We have got to find a better vision. >> Thank you. Okay. Oh, we do have a motion on the floor. Is there a second? >> Second.

711
03:49:45.840 --> 03:50:01.840
>> Okay, we have a motion and a second. All in favor to direct the town manager to proceed with the RFP for consultant. >> Before we before we close this, I I do actually with all due respect, Dr. Fayman Silva want to Oh, and I see now

712
03:50:01.840 --> 03:50:15.840
other hands up in the the back of the room. I I do think we need to be realistic about what a town of Felmouth employee is and can do. And

713
03:50:15.840 --> 03:50:34.080
no employee of this town can solve all social ills within our town. what an employee of our town or a consultant working with the employees of our town who are not just in town hall they are all through our community they're doing

714
03:50:34.080 --> 03:50:49.840
an incredible amount of good work what a DEI consultant and or staff member can do is work with each and every one of them to make sure that they are having the biggest impact within our broader community not just in

715
03:50:49.840 --> 03:51:05.760
town hall but I don't think it's realistic to expect any employee of the town to solve all of the very real and important problems that you're talking about. And I think that expectation is probably part of why

716
03:51:05.760 --> 03:51:21.199
um recruitments in the past have not have not been successful or we've not been able to retain people. That is not a realistic expectation for an employee of the town to solve all of the issues that that you're raising. We can set a tone and and we can attempt

717
03:51:21.199 --> 03:51:38.000
to lead, but we cannot stop every unwanted behavior in town. Mr. Brown, >> and if I could, uh, Mr. Wrench just illustrated that this is a consultant to set the stage for the next DEIB

718
03:51:38.000 --> 03:51:53.439
person. So, it's not giving up on the line item. It's just refining the mission and the goal so that it's more effectively fulfilled. >> I I'll reiterate that I don't think anyone has decided to absolutely remove

719
03:51:53.439 --> 03:52:15.279
that as as a as a goal in the future. So So I do think we have a motion and a second. All in favor? >> Mr. Just wanted to make sure you saw >> Yeah. I mean to the extent that it uh is consistent with what Dr. Fame and Silva

720
03:52:15.279 --> 03:52:43.760
said I I you know if if there's something to add and then then I'm happy to hear it otherwise I'd hope not. Okay. >> I'll be very brief. Uh my name is Nasen, chair of the uh diversity, equity,

721
03:52:43.760 --> 03:53:00.560
inclusion and belonging at the time of conduct. I'll be very brief. First of all, absolutely massive thank you to Susan Lumpin and my manager and also board. We are all going to the right towards the right direction. It's all

722
03:53:00.560 --> 03:53:16.399
tremendous work. Um it's like 10 step uh a step back, one step forward. going to the right direction. So, thank you for that. My comments today is uh I believe the our committee has sent to

723
03:53:16.399 --> 03:53:33.040
the select board a memorandum and this has not addressed was not addressed tonight. Um so I'm just going to read the recommendations of our committee as you prepare to make the motions and I'm going to skip the two pages because you

724
03:53:33.040 --> 03:53:49.680
have the copy. that the comments are if the town elects to proceed with the consultant approach the committee recommends to shorten the proposed timeline from 12 months to from 18 months to 12 months or less. So

725
03:53:49.680 --> 03:54:06.960
practical and timeline um uh topic here and we requiring the consultant to provide a clear road map for hiring and retaining a DID officer as the court deliverable and the third recommendation is

726
03:54:06.960 --> 03:54:22.160
requiring the consultant to assess the risk and impacts of the failing to establish and retain the TI officer implications of the time DB initiatives. So as you prepare your motions, those are our recommendations. Thank you, >> Mr. Ch.

727
03:54:22.160 --> 03:54:43.760
>> I move approval with suggested amendments. >> At this point, I just appreciate the the motion to direct the town manager to issue the RFP as presented, which is the original motion. There's a

728
03:54:43.760 --> 03:55:02.479
motion in a second. All in favor? >> I >> I >> Richardson of state. >> I >> Okay. All right. Very good. Thank you. >> Moving on to an update on Cape Cod Country Club Solar Project and I think

729
03:55:02.479 --> 03:55:19.199
we're going to hear from Mr. Johnson. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So, the uh Cape Cod Country Club solar project, as the board is well aware, is a private developer of Cur Sky Energy, is pursuing a large scale ground mount solar array

730
03:55:19.199 --> 03:55:36.239
on the property at 48 Theater Drive, which presently operates at the Cape Cod Country Club Golf Course. Um, I always feel obligated to say the um this project was initiated by the owner of the property and not by the town. uh and

731
03:55:36.239 --> 03:55:52.560
uh that's that's what brought this um this project along. The developer has received its approvals from the Cape Cod Commission. Uh the developer um also uh so the sorry the the scope of the

732
03:55:52.560 --> 03:56:07.680
project is that the developer proposes to donate the entire property to the town and lease it back uh from the town to the developer sky energy will own and operate the 23.3 megawatt direct current

733
03:56:07.680 --> 03:56:25.359
solar array and battery energy storage system. Um just quickly some of the steps that got us to where we are today. November 2025 town meeting authorized the select board to acquire the property from the owner as a gift and to petition

734
03:56:25.359 --> 03:56:40.640
the Massachusetts legislature for special legislation to approve the procurement process appropriate for this unique transaction. Town council has filed the special legislation. is now in third reading in the house um working its way through the

735
03:56:40.640 --> 03:56:56.960
legislative process. Also, the planning board has undertaken a site plan review for the project that in involved notification of a gutterss. Uh the planning board addressed issues like screening, setbacks, fencing, walking

736
03:56:56.960 --> 03:57:14.399
trails, etc. Um and the planning board did approve the site plan on April 14th of this year. So the steps that we now still have in front of us are to negotiate five agreements um between the town and the

737
03:57:14.399 --> 03:57:30.080
developer. The first being a land lease which ultimately would be brought to discord for execution. Um there is a payment in lie of taxes which the developer um would um is interested in pursuing that would address the per

738
03:57:30.080 --> 03:57:45.279
personal property tax. So the value of the solar arrays but not the real estate taxes. Uh so that's a second agreement. A third agreement is a decommissioning agreement. So the by our town bylaws and I think it's also in state statute. The

739
03:57:45.279 --> 03:58:01.920
developer must be bonded and be responsible for removing the solar arrays um either at the end of the useful life or if something happens in the in the project is no longer viable. uh there is a donation agreement that's sort of a parent agreement to this whole

740
03:58:01.920 --> 03:58:18.560
thing that lays out the steps of the transaction and then the final element is a subsidy that is offered by the solar developer and this is part of how the project that's financed under the state community shared solar um system

741
03:58:18.560 --> 03:58:34.080
where they have to provide certain um certain subsidies certain discounts to help um anchor tenants and categories of individuals with their electricity. So in our case, we are um we will be as

742
03:58:34.080 --> 03:58:50.880
part of this negotiation um looking to negotiate an alternative on bill credit purchase agreement. Essentially, it's um allocating a portion of the town's electric load that we would get a subsidy from this project. Um and so

743
03:58:50.880 --> 03:59:06.319
that's what we are doing. Um the Wii is a team that is comprised of associate town counsel Eric Hammerland uh sustainability specialist Stephanie Madson. We have retained special counsel

744
03:59:06.319 --> 03:59:22.960
Jenny Mer Jenny Merrill of Harington Heap uh and she brings specialized expertise in energy procurement and complex performance Joe. Um and finally we are um we issued a bid and we will

745
03:59:22.960 --> 03:59:38.160
soon be contracting with a um an appraiser. So an an appraiser that has particular expertise in appraising energy um energy projects. Um so that is the group of folks that are working

746
03:59:38.160 --> 03:59:55.199
through these negotiations and many of them ultimately would be executed by the town manager but as I said the lease agreement will be coming back to this board. Um, so we have we have a ways to go. It'll probably be a good 90 days before we have a the results back from

747
03:59:55.199 --> 04:00:11.600
the appraisal and that's sort of the foundational piece for the financial elements. So that's sort of what we're looking at in terms of timeline. But in the meantime, we are working in the form of these agreements. >> Thank you. Anyone have any specific

748
04:00:11.600 --> 04:00:27.760
questions? >> Yep. I thought I had understood um much earlier in the process that um lowincome residents of the town stood to benefit and I thought so you're nodding ahead. So I thought when I was reading through

749
04:00:27.760 --> 04:00:43.840
the packet all I saw was that the town of Falmouth would benefit. So can you just clarify that please? >> Absolutely. Thank you. Thank you for raising that. So I I've been hyperfocused on what's our negotiation. the um the community shared solar does

750
04:00:43.840 --> 04:01:00.960
require a percentage of those subsidies that I mentioned though there are two categories one is for low to moderate income residents and the other is available to residents of all income streams those are mandated under the um under the financing that the developer

751
04:01:00.960 --> 04:01:21.680
is pursuing so it's not something that we negotiate >> Mr. Brown, >> will the town participate in the negotiation of the power purchase agreement with others? >> Uh, no. No. So, we're only our only negotiation is the lease and um the on

752
04:01:21.680 --> 04:01:39.040
bill credit that that the municipality would be a direct um recipient of. So, we're not involved in any of the other um piercings. when we did the uh the EDIC did the one at the landfill, they did participate in

753
04:01:39.040 --> 04:01:54.720
how they uh discounted the energy rate for the town and I was hoping we could get in there and get something like that for the schools as well because I think that the discount only applies to municipal properties but not school building. Is that >> No, that's not correct. It's school and town.

754
04:01:54.720 --> 04:02:10.399
>> Oh, it is. Yep. Okay. Uh, with respect to the pilot, it's only with respect to the the solar array and the personal property. Is that correct? >> And as far as real estate taxes, >> you're responsible for full >> full real estate taxes. That's not a

755
04:02:10.399 --> 04:02:26.720
pilot. That's just their obligation. >> That's correct. >> Thank you. >> Do you Mr. Brown any other uh advantageous side benefit similar to the one from the land with the discount? Is there any opportunity for

756
04:02:26.720 --> 04:02:43.760
Yeah. So the the the program that uh that the landfill was done under was a different it was a completely different state system for um regulation and financing of solar projects. So what we are going to be negotiating is exactly

757
04:02:43.760 --> 04:03:00.239
what I've outlined. So what we're you know the town's going to get the land all of the land gets permanently donated to the town. We'll have a lease payment. So, as part of the lease, I guess that's something I didn't, you know, probably should have mentioned more prominently. Part of negotiating that lease is what

758
04:03:00.239 --> 04:03:16.399
is the payment that the developer is going to make to the town. So, yes, we're negotiating the lease payment. Yes, we're negotiating a a subsidy that's based on our um our usage. The minimum is that they would take

759
04:03:16.399 --> 04:03:32.560
any any portion of our electric load that's not already committed. So a portion of our load is already committed to the landfill solar. So we can't credit that. We can't get a discount on that through both projects. So of our I think it's about 11 megawatt 10 or 11

760
04:03:32.560 --> 04:03:49.040
megawatts. We figure that we've got um at least 3 1/2 megawatt that is available that we could get this credit on. And then the question becomes the state law says the minimum credit is 10% and can we negotiate something higher?

761
04:03:49.040 --> 04:04:07.399
And that comes back to us for final approval at least. >> Um, yeah. I I'm I I'm not sure that that does. The least the least >> the least the least does. Yeah. Okay. Nice Mr. Julie and chair board.

762
04:04:12.640 --> 04:04:30.640
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, John Burley, uh, council representative of K Commission. It's been my understanding that um Pierce Sky is going to purchase 14 approximately 145 acres to be the entire golf course in the surrounding land and

763
04:04:30.640 --> 04:04:48.000
they they're planning on donating 138 acres the town and they're going to keep seven seven acres out of the donation and I just u ask the clerks to negotiate

764
04:04:48.000 --> 04:05:05.040
with Sky to try to get them to include that additional seven 7 and 12 acres. It's basically the fourth fall of the golf course as can be and it would be a perfect site for affordable housing through an RFP

765
04:05:05.040 --> 04:05:21.920
or we've had discussions tonight about farmland. Uh it's just perfect for why they're keeping it out of the donation to the town. Little bit of a mystery. one guide commissioner being able to ask a question. They indicated they were

766
04:05:21.920 --> 04:05:36.880
keeping it in case they had to raise some additional funds and I just encouraged that the time that the whole 145 acres we we could we did

767
04:05:36.880 --> 04:05:54.399
ask directly Mr. Kerry who was here representing the the development and I specifically asked that and seemed like we kind of missed that opportunity a couple years before when we signed our projects and they weren't they were not

768
04:05:54.399 --> 04:06:11.520
willing to part with it and we accepted that last year when they gave us that answer has been discussed before and we appreciate you bringing it up again Mr. J. Well, it's been finalized. I can't say any more about it, but it has been

769
04:06:11.520 --> 04:06:28.319
finalized. There are there are three homes on the site that are going to be torn down and when they make the presentation cut commission, I couldn't get to cut commission to include housing is part of their

770
04:06:28.319 --> 04:06:46.960
original impact. They basically set aside such value to our area that housing was not part of the condition. So >> So that's my two cents. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> You got it.

771
04:06:46.960 --> 04:07:03.439
>> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Johnson. And moving on, we are a little behind schedule. So, uh, discussion and vote to approve the issuance and details of a loan from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust and sign

772
04:07:03.439 --> 04:07:19.760
related closing documents. Um, Mr. Renshaw, um, if you want to give us a little background. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I will. Uh, so last April town meeting, as you recall, uh, town meeting approved the issuance of $60 million in debt for the

773
04:07:19.760 --> 04:07:34.800
construction of the great phase one sew. Um, as you heard earlier this evening, that amount, this construction amount is actually less than that. Um, town meeting and the voters uh approved it and and uh the voters approved it in May 20th of last year. The annual town

774
04:07:34.800 --> 04:07:51.600
election that is tomorrow. Um, construction bids on the project as I mentioned and as Mrs. LOL mentioned came in much lower than anticipated. Tonight, the select board is being asked to consider and approve two interim loan notes. Um the purpose of this is

775
04:07:51.600 --> 04:08:06.880
basically at the point now when construction as you all know painfully obvious it's underway and uh and funding is needed to pay the contractors. The select court has asked tonight to consider the approval of two inter loan notes in the amount of 37,1,35

776
04:08:06.880 --> 04:08:24.000
and $4,285,000 between the town felmouth and Massachusetts Clean Water Trust to finance the trust elible portion of the cost of the project. Um the finance director noted that um the intro notice and certificate which are included as part of the packet were prepared by

777
04:08:24.000 --> 04:08:39.840
town's town's bond council. Uh the notes will be issued at 0% interest rate as Mr. L indicated earlier and also as she indicated are eligible for an additional subsidy in the form of principal forgiveness and 25% to keep that information

778
04:08:39.840 --> 04:08:56.479
and Mr. Chair, my recommendation is that the board vote tonight uh to approve the issuance of bonds and details below and importantly as as recommended by bond bond council have the clerk of the select board which I understand vice chair read into the record the votes of

779
04:08:56.479 --> 04:09:13.920
the slide board. Again that document is document motion to approve. >> We apologize for the length of this uh statement that Dr. Gold Stone needs to read into the record at 10:20

780
04:09:13.920 --> 04:09:30.319
p.m. But it is absolutely essential apparently according to bond council that it be included. So >> and the order of operations is that I read this prior to a motion. >> I believe so. Yes. And then we'll have the motion. >> Excellent. I, the clerk of the select board of the town of Fountain of

781
04:09:30.319 --> 04:09:48.239
Massachusetts, certified that at a meeting of the board held May 18th, 2026, of which meeting all members of the board were duly notified and at which a quorum was present, the following vote was passed, all of which appears upon the official record of the board in my custody. voted one that the

782
04:09:48.239 --> 04:10:05.760
town shall issue a bond or bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60 million in rents these the bonds pursuant to chapters 29 C and 44 of the general laws and a vote of the town adopted on April 7th 2025 article 15 and

783
04:10:05.760 --> 04:10:20.080
excluded from the limitations of proposition 2 and a half so called by a vote of the town passed May 20th 2025 question one for planning or construction of sewers or other water and other water pollution control

784
04:10:20.080 --> 04:10:36.319
abatement infrastructure. The project two that the terms of the financing agreements between the town and the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust Trust together the financing agreement and the project project regulatory agreements between the town and the department of

785
04:10:36.319 --> 04:10:52.960
environmental protection of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts D. the project regulatory agreement each relating to the notes and bonds are hereby approved. Just want to check and I did keep going here. >> Okay. Three, that in anticipation of the

786
04:10:52.960 --> 04:11:08.479
issuance of the bonds, the treasurer is authorized to issue an interim loan note or notes the notes from time to time in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $60 million. Four, that each bond or note shall be issued as a single

787
04:11:08.479 --> 04:11:25.279
registered security and sold to the trust at a price determined pursuant to the financing agreements. Five, that the treasurer is authorized to determine the date, the form, the maximum interest rate and the principal maturities of each bond and note and to execute financing agreements with the trust with

788
04:11:25.279 --> 04:11:40.720
respect to the sale of the bonds and notes such date, form and maturities and the specific interest rate or rates of the bonds and notes to be approved by a majority of the select board and the treasurer and evidenced by their execution of the bonds or notes. Six,

789
04:11:40.720 --> 04:11:56.720
that any certificates or documents relating to each bond and notes collectively the documents may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be regarded as an original and all of which shall constitute one in the same document. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a

790
04:11:56.720 --> 04:12:12.880
signature page to a document, by electric mail, in a PDF file, or by other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart signature page to such document. and electronic signatures on any of the documents shall be deemed

791
04:12:12.880 --> 04:12:28.000
original signatures for the purposes of the documents and all matters relating there to having the same legal effect as original signatures. Seven, that all action taken to date by the town and its officers and agents to carry out the project and its financing,

792
04:12:28.000 --> 04:12:43.279
including the execution of any loan commitment or agreement by the treasure, are hereby ratified, approved, and confirmed. and eight, that the treasurer and the other appropriate town officials are each hereby authorized to take any and all actions necessary or convenient

793
04:12:43.279 --> 04:12:58.960
to carry out the provisions of this vote, including execution and delivery of the financing agreements and the project regulatory agreements relating to the project. I further certify that the vote was adopted at a meeting open to the public. That no vote was taken by secret ballot. That notice stating the

794
04:12:58.960 --> 04:13:15.680
place, time, uh place, date, time, and agenda of the meeting. Which agenda included the adoption of the above vote was filed with the town clerk and a copy there posted in a manner conspicuously visible to the public at all hours in or on the municipal building that the

795
04:13:15.680 --> 04:13:31.040
office of the town clerk is located or if applicable in accordance with an alternative method of notice prescribed or approved by the attorney general as set forth in 940 CMR 29.032B 032B at least 48 hours not including

796
04:13:31.040 --> 04:13:46.399
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays prior to the time of the meeting and remained so posted at the time of the meeting that no deliberations or decisions in connection with the sale of the bonds or notes were taken in executive session and the official record of the meeting was made available

797
04:13:46.399 --> 04:14:00.640
to the public promptly and remains available to the public. All in accordance with GLC30A sections 18 to 25 as amended. I further certify that the vote has not been amended, supplemented, or revoked and

798
04:14:00.640 --> 04:14:27.640
remains in effect on this date. >> Congratulations. Thank you. I think she would deserve a round of applause. >> So, I'm going to wait for Mr. Richardson to be back here. >> My entire

799
04:14:29.199 --> 04:14:47.199
>> So, so just to just to clarify, we are are voting to approve the issuance of details of the loan from the Massachusetts Clean Board of Trust and sign the closing documents as outlined by vice chair clerk of the the board. So

800
04:14:47.199 --> 04:15:03.040
move. Okay, we have a motion, >> second >> and a second. Uh, all in favor? >> I that's sufficient council as far as what we need to do tonight. >> At council, sorry. >> At law council's direction, I believe so.

801
04:15:03.040 --> 04:15:20.640
>> Okay. Thank you very much. Very good. Moving on. Yeah, there are papers that need to be signed before you leave tonight. Uh so the next item is the select board acting as trustees of the

802
04:15:20.640 --> 04:15:36.000
found affordable housing fund discuss and considering vote to resend the financial award from the fund to Bushwood 545 LLC. Mr. Rancho Mr. Thank you Mr. Chair. Uh so as was discussed at our last meeting

803
04:15:36.000 --> 04:15:53.279
on on May 4th um it was back on summary on October 29th of last year. My board acting in their capacity as trustees and the founding of the formal housing fund voted to award Bush Bushwood 545 LLC Mr. Michael Glasso being manager a financial

804
04:15:53.279 --> 04:16:08.960
award of $3.4 million from the development affordable housing fund for a housing project located at 545 Main Street. These funds have not been dispersed to the developer because the developer did not meet the requirements for closing on the purchase of the

805
04:16:08.960 --> 04:16:26.239
property. Purchase and sale agreements between Bushwood 545 LLC and the owner of the 545 Main Street has now expired. The time was notice by the owner of the property at the expiration of that purchase and sale. On April 14th of this year, the owner of 545 Main Street

806
04:16:26.239 --> 04:16:41.920
entered into a purchase and sale agreement with a different developer, Felen Housing Corporation. This agreement is attached to the meeting packet this evening. On May 4th, as I mentioned, the owner of the sorry, on May 4th of this year, the owner of the property, the Mamry family

807
04:16:41.920 --> 04:16:57.600
sent an email to Mr. Colossa stating in part, quote, "The Memory family and the seller will not entertain any further proposals, assignments, or involvement by you or your affiliates with respect to the property or any related transaction. This position is final and

808
04:16:57.600 --> 04:17:13.680
not negotiable." Mr. Mr. Chair Sword, it's clear now that the owner of 545 Main Street with the Mammary family will not move forward with the project proposed by Mr. Glass on behalf of 545 Bushwood LLC. As such, importantly, the question you put tonight is not whether

809
04:17:13.680 --> 04:17:30.479
it supports the project that's proposed by Mr. Glass or whether the board supports project being proposed by Felon Housing Corporation. The question is whether or not the select board began acting as trustees of the federal affordable housing fund decided to

810
04:17:30.479 --> 04:17:45.920
resend the $3.4 million award in the town and that project again acting fiduciary capacities trustees Mr. Sher select board um the u project 545 main street proposed by Mr. Passover has

811
04:17:45.920 --> 04:18:03.040
reached impass and the funds can be made available for future projects should be the start to send funding by 45. >> Um just just a couple of things in addition to the uh the email that you

812
04:18:03.040 --> 04:18:18.479
mentioned before that was addressed to Mr. Basso, the select board also uh received an email from uh from Mr. memory uh with respect to his intentions with respect to the property and it's my understanding that our council also had

813
04:18:18.479 --> 04:18:36.640
a telephone conversation uh with Mr. memory uh in regards to that and I'm just wondering if town council can uh recount or summarize that discussion >> just very briefly. Um I I did have have

814
04:18:36.640 --> 04:18:55.600
a um a conversation with the owner of Mr. Jamie and he just wanted to let me know that he was very frustrated with um some of the events of um the last few weeks with regard to

815
04:18:55.600 --> 04:19:12.080
um the facts surrounding this this agenda item. And in particular, he um said that he had obtained counsel and was seeking advice about um

816
04:19:12.080 --> 04:19:27.439
uh concerns he had about the interference that's going on with an existing contract that he has with Falmouth Housing Corporation and Linda Clark. and um he has every intention of proceeding with that contract and he's

817
04:19:27.439 --> 04:19:45.359
distressed that there are efforts to thwart that um with a project that is non-existent right now. Um and I I uh um through the course of the conversation

818
04:19:45.359 --> 04:20:00.640
um Mr. Mayor said that he'd come and talk to the SL board and offer any additional information. Um, I let him know that there was um I I was glad that he extended that um that offer, but that

819
04:20:00.640 --> 04:20:15.680
I think we're going to be able to move forward here because the facts are pretty clear. Um there is no longer any contract with um Bushwood LLC and

820
04:20:15.680 --> 04:20:33.120
um the owner of 545 Main Street and Mr. Memory has an existing contract right now with Linda Clark and Fountain of Housing Corporation. Because of that, there's no more entitlement to the $3.4 $4 million uh

821
04:20:33.120 --> 04:20:50.159
for a project that is it simply just doesn't exist anymore. Um as a side note, um I I hope that in the future there will be another project and that the fment housing found housing fund can

822
04:20:50.159 --> 04:21:05.120
put money towards that. But for now, today that's not that's not a reality. Um, so I just I just want to say sorry just want to say that I just want to say

823
04:21:05.120 --> 04:21:22.479
that uh you know as as I think everyone understands you know the sweat board is the policym um entity for the town of Fountain and I think the policy that this board has expressed support for uh over the past

824
04:21:22.479 --> 04:21:39.760
few years in support of the Mr. Gosso's application has been that there is a need for workforce housing in the downtown area which Mr. Gasso's project sought to uh sought to provide. But the matter before us this evening is not a

825
04:21:39.760 --> 04:21:54.800
policy decision. It is a fiduciary decision that as Mr. Lure as has as mentioned we are trustees of the Fmouth affordable housing fund and as such uh we need to approach this discussion and

826
04:21:54.800 --> 04:22:11.439
this question solely with respect to our responsibility as trustees and our fiduciary responsibility. the ultimate uh use of that property uh will will will proceed according to to a

827
04:22:11.439 --> 04:22:27.920
process uh that that will go forward. Uh but I think the decision or the discussion this evening uh is is clearly with respect to uh our responsibility uh as trustees and our fiduciary responsibility.

828
04:22:27.920 --> 04:22:46.199
Um I will afford Mr. also an opportunity to want to speak to the issue if you would like to do so. >> I'm just going to say personally my last vote on the select board will not be to kill one of the most affordable housing projects. >> Oh, thank you, Mr.

829
04:22:46.239 --> 04:23:05.840
>> I said good evening. Thank you, Mr. Chair, members of the SL board. I'm Michael Gasso. I'm the managing member of Bushway LLC. So I thank you. How much time do I have Mr. Chairman? Because I know that some other people if you would allow them

830
04:23:05.840 --> 04:23:21.359
wanted to speak. So I don't want >> I'm not sure there's going to be any discussion with respect to the issue of the policy. Mr. Mr. Gaso. I mean as I said I think the issue is is is going to be solely with respect to you know the the precision if if that's what the

831
04:23:21.359 --> 04:23:36.960
board decides or or not. But with respect to, you know, discussion about the, you know, the policy with respect to the need for workforce housing, uh, I don't think we're going to take comment on on that issue. That's that's my decision.

832
04:23:36.960 --> 04:23:52.080
>> Let's let's, uh, stick to, >> but you have 10 minutes, Mrs. Okay. So, when I signed the original contract in Dennis Murphy's office right down the street, purchased the Royal Nursing Home from Mr. Mory, that's Mr. Jim.

833
04:23:52.080 --> 04:24:07.600
um whose uh realy trust owned and operates a rural nursing home uh in our committee. Mr. Mary said to me, Mr. Jim Mry said to me, "Michael, I'm selling this my nursing home to you because you're going to turn it into housing

834
04:24:07.600 --> 04:24:23.520
that I need as a nursing home operator for my staff." That was his intent during the last few years. Yes, it's been a bumpy road for some of us. we were never able to uh secure a contract that was long enough for us to do all

835
04:24:23.520 --> 04:24:38.720
the work that we need to do. So we had numerous revisions to the original contract and um whenever we went into the negotiations there was always another buyer involved as part of negotiations and we lost the contract. I'm going to

836
04:24:38.720 --> 04:24:54.239
cut short my presentation because I want to make sure I don't have as much time. Um we um you know our our we had numerous discussions with them over the years. Um and we lost our contract when they

837
04:24:54.239 --> 04:25:09.920
wanted to reduce the purchase price which we very much appreciated and in order for that they wanted to get a char a charitable donation to their their entity. In order to buy that that charitable contribution, we needed to

838
04:25:09.920 --> 04:25:27.199
retain a nonprofit entity in order to do that. We had a nonprofit entity working with us. We actually asked Linda Clark if she wanted to be that nonprofit. She never got back to us on that. And so we took some time while we were out of contract to secure the nonprofit. During

839
04:25:27.199 --> 04:25:43.040
that time when we were out of contract is when the family housing corporation made an offer on the property. I believe that if we of course I can understand some Jonathan Mry's comments these days because you know who would want to have

840
04:25:43.040 --> 04:25:59.680
another offer on their property. You know it's an offer that has a number of contingencies on it that um gives them a certain amount of time to secure. One of those contingencies is that this town receives money from this project in

841
04:25:59.680 --> 04:26:16.479
order to allocate it to that project. That's the That's the bottom line. You may allocate it to some other projects, too, but the real intent is to take funds from us in order to fund their project, which we really don't know a lot about. I want to talk before I quit for a

842
04:26:16.479 --> 04:26:31.760
moment on some of the conditions contained in the commitment because that's really the document that we have a commitment letter from the town that says for the next 3 years we have 3 million4 available to to develop our

843
04:26:31.760 --> 04:26:47.199
property save the historic building at 67 unit that's what's within the committ there two sections of section seven that says that we have two years to put together all the funds for the project which

844
04:26:47.199 --> 04:27:03.359
we're waiting along doing that. We have 25 27 million put together for the project. The other portion of that says that the um the town

845
04:27:03.359 --> 04:27:18.720
has the ability to extend the time period of the commitment letter and I believe that's allows time for us to resolve any issues that may come up during during the three years of time in

846
04:27:18.720 --> 04:27:34.640
the committee. I think the sled board when that condition was added was looking ahead knowing that just for projects like this sometimes have some bumps in the road whether it's losing contracts for a little while construction costs going up. So the town

847
04:27:34.640 --> 04:27:52.000
was right enough to include a provision in the commitment letter that allowed them to select board to extend time to resolve those such issues. We hope that you take a look at that portion condition number seven and apply that to this case. I think that there's an

848
04:27:52.000 --> 04:28:09.840
opportunity for the town to have it to save the historic building and housing for our workforce. Many people are here tonight in our community and to save an historic building and find an alternative location for senior project.

849
04:28:09.840 --> 04:28:25.199
There are many great locations I've seen a project be developed in this town. Some probably even more favorable than turn down a historic building main street. And I think that those opportunities should be explored too and not just cancing funding for a project

850
04:28:25.199 --> 04:28:40.560
that I believe everyone in this community wants to see developed. So let's work together, find the solution. I've started that campaign and talked to a number of people of land that would be appropriate for a 15 unit senior project

851
04:28:40.560 --> 04:28:55.120
and not destroying what we've worked for for a number of years. Please retain our funding that the town is committed to and give us an opportunity to look at other alternatives that could be done so that maybe the town

852
04:28:55.120 --> 04:29:12.239
found corporation our entity can all benefit from this. people from farmer town here. They want to use some of the facility there which is I think a great idea. Dan is here who's the chairman executive director of our nonprofit that we're

853
04:29:12.239 --> 04:29:26.560
working with but submitted an offer to the min offer and put up $100,000 deposit. So there are other options I think for this floor. I think um taking away our commitment taking away the commitment of

854
04:29:26.560 --> 04:29:44.359
town is remarkable today. So I thank you for your time available to answer any questions. I think we have a lot of opportunities here that help solve a number of our health issues taking a way our funding is not. Thank you very much.

855
04:29:58.880 --> 04:30:14.239
Thank you. >> Okay. >> To hear from some of the other members of the board, Mr. We've already heard from you, but uh you'd like to expand on that. >> Last time I get on the soap box. >> Go right ahead. >> Yeah. I again I'm not going to let my

856
04:30:14.239 --> 04:30:31.120
last no disrespect to the last two items. My last meaningful vote be to kill an ambitious affordable housing product. Let's let the partners in the private sector do what they need to do. We should not our our board should not be the one killing this. And then from a fiduciary standpoint, uh the money is

857
04:30:31.120 --> 04:30:48.720
still there. This is the money is not going anywhere. We're not losing any of this money. If this hasn't been able to work out two weeks from now, then the money is still returned to the final level. But we're not losing any money here. So I I I favor of letting let's

858
04:30:48.720 --> 04:31:08.319
let them try and work it out. If they really can't, then uh you know, >> anyone else Mr. Brown? >> Yeah, I'm I'm not ready to resend the funding. This is a project that we funded. The other project we had a vague

859
04:31:08.319 --> 04:31:32.800
idea what it would be. It was not what we voted for. It's not the the primary uh use that we were interested in the workforce housing. Oh, I'm not ready to send the funding. >> Mr. Reed here. I would second what my

860
04:31:32.800 --> 04:31:49.120
two colleagues on either side of me said. I guess that would be a third. Um I think workforce housing is an absolute critical need. This is a project that's here and now. Um we cannot read the future. Um, we're not fortune tellers,

861
04:31:49.120 --> 04:32:05.520
unfortunately, but we know that in 25 years, the people that are not going to be able to live here in town are those that work in our grocery stores, in our restaurants, in our bookshops, in our coffee shops, etc., etc. Um, and this is

862
04:32:05.520 --> 04:32:22.960
one of the first projects meant strictly for workforce. So, I'm not in favor of rescending it. Um, and to Mr. Richardson's point if it fails in two weeks um that's not on our conscious it's still um we still have to give past

863
04:32:22.960 --> 04:32:42.080
effort for workforce Dr. Yeah, I think this project um well push to be clear um represents

864
04:32:42.080 --> 04:32:57.040
what I wish every uh project in this town embodied in terms of innovativeness, creativity, responsiveness to the town's needs. Um

865
04:32:57.040 --> 04:33:17.439
and we recognized that um incredible fit and um and the uniqueness of the project with an unprecedented uh commitment of resources. As has been

866
04:33:17.439 --> 04:33:33.279
said, none of that money has been dispersed or will be dispersed until um LLC closes on a property. Um and so I

867
04:33:33.279 --> 04:33:48.480
guess my question and and Mr. you phrase this as a fiduciary question is I guess I'm having trouble seeing the fiduciary risk in allowing the

868
04:33:48.480 --> 04:34:05.920
commitment to continue. I see potential competition for resources um for that 3.4 million. Um >> well I mean so there's a finite amount

869
04:34:05.920 --> 04:34:21.039
of money in the family housing uh affordable fund. Um the um I think the the responsibility of of of the trustees of the fund is to uh is to take a look

870
04:34:21.039 --> 04:34:36.799
at those funds uh and while they are um you know not dispersed uh but currently earmarked for a project that uh does not seem to be moving forward. uh the we as

871
04:34:36.799 --> 04:34:54.320
trustees I I think have a have a duty to consider uh that those funds might be able to be used uh in in in a different way. Now they may or may not be decided to to to be used in a different way. Uh

872
04:34:54.320 --> 04:35:11.760
but while this project uh is uh while these funds are allocated uh towards a project that that does not seem to be moving forward uh it is stiming stying the uh the fund from from

873
04:35:11.760 --> 04:35:27.760
taking other actions with respect to other other possible other projects that are you know that are that are out there. So that's where I think the fiduciary responsibility is. Uh I I don't think this uh you know it's I

874
04:35:27.760 --> 04:35:45.279
think we're conflating somewhat the issue of of policy and and and what the particular issue is here uh this evening. But it does not appear uh that uh that there is uh you know support amongst the board for resending the uh

875
04:35:45.279 --> 04:36:02.639
uh the uh the award at this point. Uh it would require a positive motion. Uh and I'm not hearing if anyone is willing to make that motion. >> Can I ask one last question? Um and apologies I didn't give anybody a heads

876
04:36:02.639 --> 04:36:19.760
up. Um Miss Fish, I'm guessing you have these numbers emlazed in your your brain in terms of you do have those. Okay. affordable housing fund and if possible pending requests um for those funds.

877
04:36:19.760 --> 04:36:36.480
>> Yes. Um thanks to Kim. We do have this information handy. Uh so I'll I'll sort of simplify it because there we have funds in hand and we have funds that are authorized by by town meeting that will not become available until July 1. So,

878
04:36:36.480 --> 04:36:52.080
but putting them all together, um, we have $5.7 million of revenue available. The projects in the pipeline, um, looking just at projects for town land

879
04:36:52.080 --> 04:37:08.639
that we have initiated request for proposals and are looking to develop. Um, those projects total 5.3 million. So we have a balance unencumbered of $400,000. So you know enough for

880
04:37:08.639 --> 04:37:26.320
two and a half units of housing. Um so and you know my question you know recognizing where the board is tonight is um how long right because these this is a a large amount of money that's tied up in this project and at what point does

881
04:37:26.320 --> 04:37:42.639
the board revisit the question? Well, I have privilege the question um as meeting but again I just think um just let them figure it out and it's very clear two 3 weeks from now it's not moving anywhere and that future board

882
04:37:42.639 --> 04:38:01.959
which I will not sit on unfortunately uh make that decision for me it's I don't think we should we should be uh this I have work at 7 a.m. motion we do nothing and move on. That's my belief.

883
04:38:04.320 --> 04:38:27.920
>> Just if I could just remind you that the other project is another half a million dollars and more for the acquisition. But but again I I I don't think we should be focusing on the other application.

884
04:38:27.920 --> 04:38:48.639
Um we we know what the contract says. Um we don't need necessarily need to deal with that right now. I think the overall question as you know Mr. Johnson stock points out is uh how long uh and while

885
04:38:48.639 --> 04:39:04.959
and and until we make a decision um those funds are going to be tied up and projects are not going to be able to be to move forward. Uh but as I said I mean uh there doesn't appear to be a a sense

886
04:39:04.959 --> 04:39:21.760
for a positive motion to to resent. Uh Dr. Goldstone, you have your finger on the microphone. You have anything to say? >> I could just one more comment that >> sending the funds slows the whole thing

887
04:39:21.760 --> 04:39:48.280
down even more. There's a possibility that this property could be closed the next day. We leave the funds in place. We don't know that that won't happen. Can I make a comment, please? >> Mr. Thank you.

888
04:39:59.280 --> 04:40:17.280
>> Thank you. My name's Kevin. I'm a broker in the town of Common and I represent the owner of the property and I have for since 2022. I dealt with Mr. Gasso originally and Mr. Glossal had great intentions.

889
04:40:17.280 --> 04:40:34.638
Unfortunately, his project has been underfunded. He has continued to make commitments to the owner that he's not been able to fulfill. He's entered into a purchase and sale on three separate occasions.

890
04:40:34.638 --> 04:40:49.520
The purchase and sale we're speaking of now would require an owner not only to take a million dollar contribution off of the sale price. But for the owner to take back a million dollar mortgage on

891
04:40:49.520 --> 04:41:05.840
the property in the second position. this owner is to the point where there is no credibility left for Mr. Golasta. It is not the fact that he didn't want to do business with him. He wants to see

892
04:41:05.840 --> 04:41:23.040
the property develop. It would either be themselves that would do it or somebody else. But he's not willing to enter into a negotiation now or in the future with Mr. Nolas. It's unfortunate, but it it's come to

893
04:41:23.040 --> 04:41:39.280
that point. Mr. Gasso wasn't able to make committed payments for operating costs all the way back from December a year ago. And unfortunately,

894
04:41:39.280 --> 04:41:56.320
that meter had continued to run. The owner had continued to substantiate and be able to absorb additional costs. He's not willing to take back a million dollars in paper. That's why the project

895
04:41:56.320 --> 04:42:11.280
has failed to move forward with Mr. Gasso. He entered into a new agreement with a nonprofit that was the arch dascese of Austin that Mr. Goso brought forward.

896
04:42:11.280 --> 04:42:29.200
they left the project. That was why he was willing to take back a million dollars in paper because of that nonprofit. I just think that, you know, um there are no winners, there's no losers here.

897
04:42:29.200 --> 04:42:56.160
Bottom line is Mr. Gasso had great intentions, but unfortunately he will not be able to move this project forward. Thank you. Careful. Well, I guess we're at a point where um

898
04:42:56.160 --> 04:43:12.638
uh there's not support for the recision of the award from what I'm hearing. um to uh to at least let the process play out. And without any indication as to how I would

899
04:43:12.638 --> 04:43:31.920
ultimately vote, I will make motion that the select board move to resend the award uh to a 545 push. If there's not a second, then the motion will fail.

900
04:43:31.920 --> 04:43:47.680
>> Answer the question for Peter Johnson stop. Do we put a 30 or 60 day review limit on it or to revisit this in 30 days? >> The closing date of the current purchase and sale on the

901
04:43:47.680 --> 04:44:04.400
property is June 30th. Um, I do think it is in the best interest of the town and uh in terms of our strategic priorities for housing that we do keep a very close eye on this. And certainly um if for

902
04:44:04.400 --> 04:44:21.280
whatever reason um that does not go through that we'd be ready to um to consider um contingency plans and and think about the future of that property in a constructive way and in a creative way and if that purchase and sale does

903
04:44:21.280 --> 04:44:39.680
go through then the question is moved. Just sorry I missed which purchase and sale are you speaking about? >> Uh the I believe what I'm looking at here is the uh existing purchase and sale uh with

904
04:44:39.680 --> 04:44:56.160
housing corporation >> which is contingent upon financing that we've heard is not available at this point. Is that correct? And that's my understanding. So,

905
04:44:56.160 --> 04:45:13.520
so I don't know how we get to where you think we we would be if if we don't have the ability to and I'm not saying we would, but if we don't even have the ability to entertain the application because we don't have

906
04:45:13.520 --> 04:45:35.440
the funds available because they're committed to this project, then how does that project how does that get forward? How do we keep an eye on it? As you said, >> I mean I >> have a motion. >> I I guess you know to your um

907
04:45:35.440 --> 04:45:52.320
I am we have not had a presentation of that project um to this board. But I am not hearing uh support from fellow board members for that project concept. I'm hearing continued commitment to the project concept that we've already

908
04:45:52.320 --> 04:46:08.560
committed funds to, understanding that that project is highly unlikely to move forward. Um, and so I think this board needs to put some serious and creative thought into what other options um might

909
04:46:08.560 --> 04:46:24.560
be. We have been willing to commit $3.4 $4 million um to see that parcel developed um as diverse uh affordable housing. And so thinking

910
04:46:24.560 --> 04:46:43.760
about um if it's not one of the two projects that are that have been proposed or currently on the table, what it might look like to try to advance those those priorities. >> Okay. Okay. So, there's not a motion. So, we

911
04:46:43.760 --> 04:47:02.560
will not be receiving the award at this time. Okay. Moving on to a presentation and discussion on winter storm Fernando afteraction report from Mr. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. It's late, so I'm

912
04:47:02.560 --> 04:47:18.160
going to keep my comments brief. We have included in the back a uh over 13page afteraction review reports concerning our performance during wintertorm fernando uh during the period of February 23 through February 24th this

913
04:47:18.160 --> 04:47:35.920
year. Um as you all likely know the purpose of an AR after action review is to have a candid discussion uh group discussion with all the participants and first responders um looking at what wealth uh what we need to improve upon and uh and and develop a timeline for

914
04:47:35.920 --> 04:47:50.958
those improvements. I won't discuss I won't go into a lot of detail was a bad storm 27 in of wet snow and 75 mph wind gusts resulted in in a lot of um a lot of impacts that beyond even what we projected in terms of down trees.

915
04:47:50.958 --> 04:48:08.000
Ultimately um we experienced significantly greater impacts. Um 250 trees in total came down. Many of those trees remain blocked roadways, arid and snow entangled in and down the firewalk down powerful lines awaiting resources

916
04:48:08.000 --> 04:48:24.080
response to deenergize the lines. We maintain a level one coverage which is basically an all hands on deck the fire rescue and police department for 72 straight hours. Responded the fire rescue department itself responded over 250 calls for service including a structure fire that occurred on Monday

917
04:48:24.080 --> 04:48:39.920
evening in the storm. As you all know, as I reported over many% of the town was without power for a significant amount of time through the events. What I wanted to do u Mr. Chair is talk about again some of the limiting factors there we areas of weaknesses and some of the

918
04:48:39.920 --> 04:48:56.718
recommendations for improvements. Um again I won't go through each page 15 point after review but I'd be happy to answer questions but I'll hit several of the highlights. major limiting factors in areas where performance improvement was deemed necessary. Um following that March 12th afteraction group review. Um

919
04:48:56.718 --> 04:49:13.280
in the area of communications during the first 24 hours of the storm, messages to the public were disseminated by only one outlet and that was generally Facebook fire rescue. >> We realized that the RA found alert system can be used to send voice messages to all the landlines in town

920
04:49:13.280 --> 04:49:28.320
and to include individuals who registered their mobile phones and email addresses. What we also realized um late was the fact that um there's 19,000 subscribers to the Final Alert system. However, the categorization of the

921
04:49:28.320 --> 04:49:44.958
different um uh information uh requests that people want in terms of storm coverage, road closures, we really need to do a significant clean up of those categories within the Felmouth alert system. While a number of felt departments have have had a social media

922
04:49:44.958 --> 04:50:00.480
presence, there's no overarching town social media presence. We've had a discussion internally as soon as town manager and I regards to having a town social media account. Um perhaps having someone be assigned an account for maintaining that power outages a huge

923
04:50:00.480 --> 04:50:15.920
issue throughout the storm. Um but primarily after the first 12 hours of that 72-hour event um loss of emergency generators of radio tower degraded public works communications and operations there's a very specific radio

924
04:50:15.920 --> 04:50:31.440
tower and I won't mention it it's over I like to mention it's over in the uh industrial park area um that generator failed and required us to borrow borrow um a generator from Eversource. Um what

925
04:50:31.440 --> 04:50:48.000
we learned is that we needed to uh have redundant generators and supply. So that's already been addressed. Public works recently purchased a uh a portable generator similar to the current model that we have beyond the police department powers the police department and communications.

926
04:50:48.000 --> 04:51:04.400
Um what we also learned um was that as a result of losing power of that public works antenna radio degraded radio communications with plow crews and lack of a software system that allowed us to accurately monitor and report on road segments that will clear the snow during

927
04:51:04.400 --> 04:51:19.840
the storm. Uh we've been in communications with Bartown of Barsel. They have a uh a package that will allow us to do a better job in the next storm. uh it it began monitoring progress as crew as a road crew plows a street for the first time. It uh basically

928
04:51:19.840 --> 04:51:36.958
illustrates in the map real time that plow that that road has been punched through the initial clearing conducted and then ultimately those pls after the after we're at a certain point in the recovery those plow crews go back out into a final layout. So it allows us to better track and monitor u exactly where

929
04:51:36.958 --> 04:51:57.120
we're at percentages of roads cleared. We received multiple complaints and you've seen a lot of them from residency plan stated that it had been a lot they hadn't seen the properties on the roads um the major arterials and the tractor streets and ultimately they find the neighborhood streets um but

930
04:51:57.120 --> 04:52:14.160
having a better system going forward in terms of tracking and monitoring those roads that clear snow important um a lack this is a huge um uh issue for us and and I have a recommendation going forward. Um other communities, coastal

931
04:52:14.160 --> 04:52:28.638
communities that I've had the opportunity to manage in have what's referred to as a pre-event disaster pre-management uh plan in place. Basically, you contract with a with a with an outfit, a contractor that provides assets, mobilizes those assets

932
04:52:28.638 --> 04:52:44.240
in advance of a storm. You have them on station, so to speak, without having to to wait for the resources to be deployed. um it supplements and augments the the the heavy equipment that municipality has in place. It also um like I said has those assets mobilized

933
04:52:44.240 --> 04:53:00.400
in advance of the storm so that we're not in finding ourselves in a position of having to beg borrow from other agencies in the middle of the storm. um is was reported by DPW director included in the afteraction report. Um

934
04:53:00.400 --> 04:53:17.520
we have uh multiple very poorly maintained private roadways which created significant challenges for our DPW. A lot of the roadways are are are constricted by um overhanging tree limbs that damaged quite honestly a lot of our DPW equipment. They're attempting to uh

935
04:53:17.520 --> 04:53:34.638
to plow private streets. So coming up with a policy revision to address some of those issues, requiring that those streets be clear of that vegetation is going to be hugely important going forward. Um failure of emergency power generators included in the packet is a uh is a

936
04:53:34.638 --> 04:53:50.638
PowerPoint slide presentation was put together by our facilities manager that talked about um some of the issues that we experienced with generators. Um having again um redundancy in the backup uh generators is important. I mentioned that DPDW recently purchased within the

937
04:53:50.638 --> 04:54:06.798
past couple weeks actually had to deliver a portable generator similar to one over the police department facility. Warming center operations. Um clearly it was evident early on in the storm that we need to do a better job scheduling. We had group numbers of volunteers for our warming centers. The school stepped

938
04:54:06.798 --> 04:54:22.160
up and provided a warming center when our recreation investigated the facility uh generator failed. Um and not having adequate volunteers lined up in advance of the storm event. That was it was a serious challenge for us. We need to do a better job number one more communicating internally with regards to

939
04:54:22.160 --> 04:54:38.798
lining up volunteers and also with Bars County regional purchase management. Those folks are ultimately the ones that make the decision about um a shelter versus a long service. Loss of internet connectivity um a huge

940
04:54:38.798 --> 04:54:54.320
issue for the police department. We lost um ability um with regards to some of our like computer assisted dispatch. Um expanded fiber redundancy and examining what options we might have um with other providers to have redundant fiber optic

941
04:54:54.320 --> 04:55:09.040
backup is important. Right now we rely almost exclusively on Comcast and having a third provider again providing some redundancy and and fiber connectivity is really important. Um this is a simple correction that

942
04:55:09.040 --> 04:55:24.638
nobody saw. Uh the need of having IT members of our IT department embedded in the emergency operation center um is important when things started to fail. We were fortunate the first 48 hours of the 72-hour event. We had the system set

943
04:55:24.638 --> 04:55:42.080
up in the EOC. It was performing well. There could have been some adjustments with regards to um the phone system and how they operated, how the ring feature operated on the phones and on the consoles and EOC. It could have been if we hadn't been it were able to they were already stationed at the EOC. We had the

944
04:55:42.080 --> 04:55:58.000
ability and flexibility to make those changes. Fortunately, that impacted our ability to to change some of the phone configurations in advance of the storm. um in throughout the report in the DPW public public works uh limiting factors is

945
04:55:58.000 --> 04:56:13.200
heavy equipment. Um recently advised that they ordered using chapter 90 funds ordered another front end loader to add to the inventory. Um so we're not as reliant on in the future going forward on outside assets and move

946
04:56:13.200 --> 04:56:30.400
away from this from other counties. Um, as you all know, we had a couple of counties um, offkate provide some additional equipment. So, those are a couple of the highlights and again I can answer any questions that you might have. Um, the report I think that does uses a template that I've used in the

947
04:56:30.400 --> 04:56:47.200
past for these after action reviews. I think there's some valuable information in there, valuable lessons that were learned. We're making progress as I mentioned on multiple items that were identified as various weaknesses that we've already addressed and between myself and the senior management team. We'll work on addressing these other

948
04:56:47.200 --> 04:57:02.560
items with regards to group communications again that social media presence perhaps even at one point having somebody that's assigned this kind of public relations is going to be important for future discussions to talk about. Um with that

949
04:57:02.560 --> 04:57:18.560
I'll stop and answer your questions. I just uh one want to commend you for the uh the detail of your afteraction report. Uh a lot of good information in in that report. Uh I think that going

950
04:57:18.560 --> 04:57:35.280
forward uh as we discussed internally uh that it would be a good idea for uh for the the for the town to hold uh a meeting uh maybe prehurricane season and

951
04:57:35.280 --> 04:57:51.120
pre u uh pre snow season to let people know uh how they can sign up, where they might be able to go for warming centers and have some public discourse about that in advance of uh of of those

952
04:57:51.120 --> 04:58:09.280
possible uh weather uh instances. So that's that's kind of what I'm thinking. Anyone else, Mr. Reed? >> No, I commend the entire team um for the emergency response uh of this storm. Uh

953
04:58:09.280 --> 04:58:24.000
second to none, it was great. Um, I think my biggest concern is that we've discussed before is the role of communications. I think this was an experiment that showed us that as technologically advanced as we are in

954
04:58:24.000 --> 04:58:40.400
society, we still need to, you know, be able to do some of the rudimentary things for communicating to people. um whether that be uh the old I still have a hand crank emergency radio uh

955
04:58:40.400 --> 04:58:55.200
reminding people that we might need to do that because when the internet goes down so does everything else. Um so to that point Mr. I appreciate that you talked about the role of the public information officer. I think that is a role that we need in town for the size

956
04:58:55.200 --> 04:59:13.200
of the town that we have, but also the um size of our budget that's this the complexity of everything that we do um let alone the crisis communications in an emergency like this. So whether it be um assigned to somebody right now, I

957
04:59:13.200 --> 04:59:30.240
know the new fire chief who has a lot of experience as a public information officer, maybe there's somebody else. We need to be able to communicate across all channels, all mediums, uh all media, all and and answer TV requests um and be

958
04:59:30.240 --> 04:59:46.560
available and have not only a primary PIO, uh duties assigned, but also an alternate um so that if someone is pulled away, we can always answer when the phone rings. Um, and I think the more we can do that to communicate at a

959
04:59:46.560 --> 05:00:01.920
rudimentary level to the most complex, I think it's great. Um, just experientially our own group on the uh on the select board, hey, we're in emergency text chain. Um, we realized that not all of

960
05:00:01.920 --> 05:00:18.718
us were on the break alert. Um, and it is very complex. So, the more we can do to Mr. Mscali's um point of pre-informing and educating better. So a brief again that's just constructive

961
05:00:18.718 --> 05:00:34.160
criticism to help us to get to a better spot of communications, but overall I think you did your team did an amazing job digging this out literally and figuratively. Uh, if I could add the pretty much the exact same exact same point, the actual brick and mortar

962
05:00:34.160 --> 05:00:51.600
getting it out, getting the Doug Jones, tremendous work from you, from police and fire. Um, I'm glad you mentioned specifically the social media one cuz that was a concern I brought up when we talked about it. So, thank you. Um, but again, this is just for me reaffirms two things. One, and sorry, Peter, I still

963
05:00:51.600 --> 05:01:06.798
believe we need a new website. Uh, from what I've heard from the community, and this is my last chance to say it. So I said I still think we can revamp our website to be a little bit better so uh you know people can kind of see these emergencies. Uh and secondly you know Paul wiki uh president of kit chamber of

964
05:01:06.798 --> 05:01:23.360
commerce after this said the need to invest to go towards underground utilities um which are much more resilient in this. So anyway we can support that effort that's a little bit outside of of this but still kind of parts you know how how do you mitigate uh emergency responses you can help

965
05:01:23.360 --> 05:01:41.200
mitigate power. And that's something that any we can support that effort we should consider. >> The the u we were really lucky that the temperature rose after the storm and what I'm most concerned with is that our

966
05:01:41.200 --> 05:01:58.240
warming centers were closing at 9:00 and if it was really cold it'd be really hard to send people home to a cold house. I'm wondering is there any possibility that we can set up a place with CS that could be overnight facilities.

967
05:01:58.240 --> 05:02:14.000
>> So that that Mr. Chairman Brown that would be the definition of a a shelter versus like a warming center. The warming center is supposed to be temporary and I I I understand your point completely. We're having that debate between the EOC. We're going to tell people to go home and whatever the

968
05:02:14.000 --> 05:02:31.280
time and all of the warming centers were closing and the uh the uh in in in the late evening hours. Um the shelter operation and uh and uh establishment of a shelter is directed by our support of emergency regional emergency management

969
05:02:31.280 --> 05:02:46.480
and that they involve when you operate and open a shelter it involves an entire host of Red Cross volunteers and other folks from outside the area. So having and I I talked about that having a better coordinated response

970
05:02:46.480 --> 05:03:02.400
regional emergency management at the county level. Um and our facility what I'm trying to say is found could not make a decision independently of the county to open a shelter. Um yes and that decision was made at the regional

971
05:03:02.400 --> 05:03:19.440
level to open a shelter and they rotate based upon availability of Red Cross resources. Um and that information is kind of held by and coordinated by Marster County region. So maybe each municipality the way the system is

972
05:03:19.440 --> 05:03:34.878
currently set to operate does not have the ability to open up its own shelter. Maybe actually our biggest challenge in planning for future events. You've outlined a lot of things that concrete steps that we can take and it's great that we're able to we didn't have any

973
05:03:34.878 --> 05:03:50.878
loss of life and you know we can look back and learn from this and I'm glad what you brought here was really well thought out appreciated but that part is just shelter planning um needs to be needs to be addressed and and and again

974
05:03:50.878 --> 05:04:06.638
um we have we have Felton High School is one of our shelter locations is it has staged and stored all the equipment you mentioned the cops and the um mobilizing is primarily Red Cross as I understand

975
05:04:06.638 --> 05:04:22.560
here those assets um and making them available to a county shelter as a decision was made and regional emergency management >> maybe we need a petition to to get some rules here so we can up >> it's worth the discussion and you know

976
05:04:22.560 --> 05:04:37.280
we too you know all of the all of the agencies involved the the local county and state level. uh what what what model works best cuz that was a concern at one point to we think the nearest shelter I want to say there's a shelter that was

977
05:04:37.280 --> 05:04:54.878
opened um down down Cape um it was a ways and how how is somebody from Father Mash or Stanford going to get to the shelter down Cape >> in terms of how that decision is made is there advocacy that we can be part of

978
05:04:54.878 --> 05:05:11.520
now to shift that and make the case for an upper cave shelter location. And I I'm fully admit I'm more than a little biased, especially with the fact that not only do we already have the equipment at Mount High School, but we are working toward a resilience hub at the high

979
05:05:11.520 --> 05:05:25.920
school. I think we make that a great candidate. But but can we be doing something now proactively to try to influence that decision? >> Yes. having those discussions in the dialogue with with all the local, state and and county officials making sure you

980
05:05:25.920 --> 05:05:43.760
know the plan and to be fair each of the other municipalities also have C store at their high schools. So they have facilities as well. I guess my point is the decision to mobilize the resources needed to operate that shelter is handled at that county level and

981
05:05:43.760 --> 05:06:00.400
that's something that we just need to have a dialogue and discussion. Is that the best model? Is there a better way? I >> mean, if it comes to it, I'd rather be in non-compliance than send somebody home and freezing weather. >> And I'll just echo everybody else's

982
05:06:00.400 --> 05:06:16.080
thanks that this is I think a really important I know it takes a lot of time and effort to do this kind of deep dive after action report. I think it's really important. Really appreciate the insights here in there. And we do have in our strategic plan that we just approved um to consider dedicated

983
05:06:16.080 --> 05:06:41.200
communication staff. And I think this is one more uh example of why that's in there. >> I highlight the need for sure of having that dedicated consistent messaging. >> Moving on. Just why? I was wondering that myself as we are

984
05:06:41.200 --> 05:06:56.718
here to discuss and consider the approval of the submission of a one-stop for growth grant application in the amount of $150,000 for the update to the town's local comprehensive plan. And Mr. Drench, do you have anything to add?

985
05:06:56.718 --> 05:07:16.560
>> Motion to community develop. >> No, Mr. Chair, Mr. Corn is up there ready to go. So just generally the overview. Well, um, thank you for having me. >> I'm all so I'm really excited to apply for this

986
05:07:16.560 --> 05:07:33.520
grant again. Uh, this will be our second go at it for the One Stop for Growth program. Um, this year we're applying for again the $150,000 max. Um, and we seek to hire a consultant to help us update our local comprehensive plan. We've talked about it uh at times this

987
05:07:33.520 --> 05:07:50.320
evening and we've touched upon all of the different elements that it would cover. That's housing, it's transportation, it's natural resources, it's open space, etc., etc. There's a lot to it and so we're very excited to apply for it. Included in the board's packet is also a letter of support. So,

988
05:07:50.320 --> 05:08:07.520
if you do um uh agree that this is an important initiative, we I would just ask that you support that letter as well. Um and one uh really um exciting part of this application is the participation of the EDIC. Um uh member

989
05:08:07.520 --> 05:08:22.638
Reed was at the meeting that I attended last week uh where I outlined what the LCP would be and the uh efforts that we would go through and the EIC uh voted to allocate up to $20,000 as a match to

990
05:08:22.638 --> 05:08:40.798
this effort and to also be a partner in the application. So, I think we're going to put together a really strong application that we're um crossing our fingers that we get before you. So, with your support, we'll submit it by the deadline. >> First of all, I'm going to apologize because I think I'm the reason that

991
05:08:40.798 --> 05:08:56.240
you're here instead of on the consent agenda. >> Okay. policy accepted. >> Um, wonderful to see EDIC um with the the potential $20,000 match

992
05:08:56.240 --> 05:09:12.878
and I see you're also seeking $30,000 in matching funds. Um, and I would love to see if if the board and town management think we could go a step further and muster those matching funds now to kick off the community engagement

993
05:09:12.878 --> 05:09:29.360
and input as kind of a phase process and make that very clear in the grant application that we are committed enough to this process that we put our match up front. We're starting the work and we need 150 to finish it. So there's a challenge in doing that

994
05:09:29.360 --> 05:09:45.120
simply because well one I I don't have the staff to in you know start that work but if we were to go out to hire someone it's challenging to solicit a consultant who may or may not get the the next uh

995
05:09:45.120 --> 05:10:01.718
stage. I understand the concept um because I I think a lot of people have have sort of been pushing this this idea and really want to get started. So I would just caution you on on that component at all simply because of timing.

996
05:10:02.320 --> 05:10:18.958
>> Yes, Mr. Reed, >> just as the co-chair of the EDIC, um we fully endorse this because we at the EDIC are looking at what we can do to assist the town with um developing a vision but also a plan for economic and

997
05:10:18.958 --> 05:10:38.320
business development. EIC was formed to uh be really a projectoriented uh body and we're looking at what can we do to assist the town in creating a vision and um some things and this is our way to um

998
05:10:38.320 --> 05:10:54.080
support the town in this endeavor for this grant. We think it's extremely important. We want to be a partner and we will be a partner um as much as Mr. will let us be. Um, but we want to really help with economic vision,

999
05:10:54.080 --> 05:11:10.400
sustainability, business development side of that house of many different facets that are in there. We were very interested. So, >> thank you. It's about time that the EDIC stepped up and realized what its importance to this town is. So, so thank

1000
05:11:10.400 --> 05:11:27.080
you because it is definitely u an important part of the economic development of this town. So, thank you. Another technology park potato chips gone. >> My last motion motion to authorize the actually I'll

1001
05:11:27.280 --> 05:11:42.400
>> just never mind before before your last motion was made. I I'd suggest we amend the motion as listed to include um uh the uh signal of the uh uh letter support motion to authorize the community

1002
05:11:42.400 --> 05:11:58.400
development director to submit a onetop for both grant application of $150,000 for the updated council government plan and to send the letter of support. >> I would like to offer an amendment with some strengthening sorry of the letter of support. I want to make sure we get

1003
05:11:58.400 --> 05:12:15.280
this and if we're not going to actually start it, I think the letter of support needs to say >> that we have a commitment of $30,000 of matching funds from the town of Faboth as well as $20,000 from our EDIC that this is a community that sees the absolute need for this LCP.

1004
05:12:15.280 --> 05:12:40.798
>> I agree and I think we should spend another half hour spending. >> Thank you. Uh mo motion for to to do motion. >> Second. >> Okay. We have a motion and a second motion.

1005
05:12:40.798 --> 05:12:57.760
>> I Okay. >> Move approval of minutes. Jack. >> No. >> So I I just want to mention that I did receive a a text from David Vieira during our meeting. he wanted to at least clarify with respect to the

1006
05:12:57.760 --> 05:13:13.200
statement about a bill being in its third reading. Uh he says that uh that in fact the the bill was engrossed by the house last week and sent to the senate but it is not in third reading. So I just want to clarify that. >> Which one is that?

1007
05:13:13.200 --> 05:13:27.840
>> Uh with respect to the kick country club I believe. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Um, so, uh, we have minutes and I think we should make sure we approve them because it is Mr. Richardson's last

1008
05:13:27.840 --> 05:13:43.120
meeting. Uh, and we want to make sure we get them approved. So, Mr. Richardson, do you have a motion with respect to the minutes? >> Uh, hate to say, just one correction, which is maybe it could just be deleted because I couldn't make sense of it on

1009
05:13:43.120 --> 05:13:59.920
par. Uh, minutes of 427, number five, paragraph 5, Mr. Brown mentioned to see a shared use path to little one. I have no clue what that was. I think that was in reference to the path of 151 maybe that I would like

1010
05:13:59.920 --> 05:14:15.760
to see us. >> Yes. >> Continue that. Okay. With that amendment, it could be either amended or deleted. >> Deleted. >> The uh there's one word I said that's not in the minutes. >> Yes. >> Correct.

1011
05:14:15.760 --> 05:14:32.000
>> I would like to hear the minutes. your career. >> I don't on that advice. >> Okay. So, is that a motion as as as amended with Felician? All those in favor? >> I agree.

1012
05:14:32.000 --> 05:14:47.360
>> I Okay. Board reports. Anyone? >> Thank you. >> Well, thank you, Mr. Richardson, for your service. Uh and uh we always appreciate and hope you come and visit us every now and then.

1013
05:14:47.360 --> 05:15:07.120
See, in November, go ahead. Get it out there. Come on. >> It's only 112. I attended the MO being the municipal planning organization for transportation. I found it interesting

1014
05:15:07.120 --> 05:15:24.958
today that the chief authorities requesting $15 million of CIP fund to use on the parking lot amenities 14.7 and then another laundry list of other

1015
05:15:24.958 --> 05:15:42.000
small things. I I'm in favor of it because I thought but just keep that in mind when they tell us that they take everything out of the air box because it's really not always the case.

1016
05:15:42.000 --> 05:16:47.840
>> We only have one card. Make sure everyone would take a vote. Motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Second. All in favor. All right. Thank you very much. Hosting services for fctv.org are

1017
05:16:47.840 --> 05:17:03.040
provided by Megaet Communications. Megaet offers a wide array of internet services including Mega Backup Cloud Service, server collocation, T1, Fiber, Metro Ethernet, as well as telephone services such as hosted PBX and digital

1018
05:17:03.040 --> 05:17:21.040
voice. Their number one goal is to keep your communications network up and running and allow you to focus on growing your business. 877-634-2638 or meganet.net. >> Proudly serving the New England area, K&K Talent Partners provide a personalized approach to full cycle

1019
05:17:21.040 --> 05:17:37.040
recruiting services. >> Their level of integrity and empathy is rare and it speaks volumes about who they are as people and as recruitment partners. Our goal is to build trusted relationships and to create genuine connections that help companies grow.

1020
05:17:37.040 --> 05:17:58.718
>> K and Ktelp partners. kklepartners.com. At Martha's Vineyard Bank, we know Felmouth. With locations in Woods Hole, on Palmer Avenue, and the Village Green, we deliver personal banking tailored to your needs. Business solutions to help

1021
05:17:58.718 --> 05:18:15.200
you grow. Flexible lending to move you forward and investment strategies that work for you. Whatever brings you in, we're your local partner. Martha's Vineyard Bank, your goals, our guidance.

1022
05:18:15.200 --> 05:18:32.160
Felmouth Select Board Chair Bob Mscali and town manager Mike Renshaw are recapping Select Board meetings on FCTV's newest series, Select Board Report. Watch new episodes of Select Board Report Thursdays live at 5 at

1023
05:18:32.160 --> 05:18:48.440
fctv.org or on YouTube. Have a question about what happened at the last Select Board meeting? Ask our hosts by visiting fctv.org/watchbr. org/watchpr. are.