WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=6W3OgC4jRQ0

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: 6W3OgC4jRQ0):
- 00:00:06: Meeting Called To Order; Open Session Minutes Approved
- 00:01:15: Fire Chief Authorized For Ambulance Abatements; Memorial Bench
- 00:02:35: Hathaway Park Bench For Mariano Rosendes Jr. Discussed
- 00:03:42: Chandler, Son-In-Law of Mariano, Shares Memorial Bench Details
- 00:05:37: Bench Details; Material, Location and Funding Discussed
- 00:08:53: Memorial Bench Approved; Second Bench Donation Discussed
- 00:11:36: Winters Family Bench Donation; Park Bench Program Proposed
- 00:14:17: Winters Memorial Bench Accepted; DEP Water Supply Letter
- 00:15:58: Town Buildings; Public Water Supply Questions Arise
- 00:17:27: Responsibility Clarification; Health Department Vs. Water Department
- 00:19:07: DEP Staff To Review Buildings; Testing Costs Discussed
- 00:20:45: Monitoring/Testing; Who Pays For It, How Often
- 00:24:03: Kevin, Health Agent, Clarifies PWS Regulations and Costs
- 00:27:06: DEP Site Visits and Collaboration; Public Health Concerns
- 00:28:27: Other Towns Compliance, Water Department's Role
- 00:30:07: Clarity Needed From DEP; David To Work With Them
- 00:31:34: Pro-Active Approach To DEP; Water Department To Assist
- 00:33:03: Water Department Accepts Additional Responsibility; End Meeting
- 00:38:03: David and Water Dept Assigned; Health Insurance Contributions
- 00:41:08: Employee Health Insurance; Retiree Contribution Rate Discussion
- 00:43:51: Historical Agreements On Health Insurance Contributions; Tabling
- 00:47:18: Historical Information Needed; Roadway Complaints Discussed
- 00:48:57: Roadway Complaints; Employee Photo ID Discussion
- 00:51:53: Police Department's ID Policy, Chief Rose's Input
- 00:54:34: Town Clerk's Letter; ID Policy And Future Plans
- 00:57:18: Tabling ID's; COA, Library, and Community Building
- 00:58:39: COA, Library, And Community Building; Debt Exclusion
- 01:00:19: Short vs. Long Term Bonds and Savings Discussed
- 01:03:04: Bond Structures and Cost To Taxpayers Discussed
- 01:05:35: Public Water Supply Concerns & Building Process Discussed
- 01:08:16: Bids To Determine Actual Cost; Public Awareness Stressed
- 01:11:14: Community Needs vs. State Standards Debate Continues
- 01:13:19: Financial Burdens and Town Vote For Library Building
- 01:15:00: Long-Term Expenses; COA, Building, Vote to Move Forward
- 01:17:11: Personnel Needs At New Library; Infrastructure Cost Concerns
- 01:20:07: Approve COA; Moving to Debt Exclusion Questions On Ballot
- 01:21:32: Ballot Questions; Social Media Responsibility
- 01:24:29: Social Media; Open Meeting Violations, Disclaimer
- 01:26:05: Selectmen to respond; Disclaimers and Voting 
- 01:30:06: Verbiage and Voting; Public Hearing and Circle K
- 01:31:26: Circle K Application and Corporate Reorganization Clarification
- 01:34:40: Circle K Application Approved; Personnel Board Appointments
- 01:36:57: Personnel Approved; Town Meeting Warrrants Opened
- 01:39:20: Annual and Special Town Meeting; Salt Shed Approval
- 01:41:50: Village Schoolhouse Grant, OPEB Study, Police System
- 01:44:50: All Warrant articles Approved; Annual Meeting discussions
- 01:46:13: Salary Compensation; Water enterprise funds
- 01:47:52: Spending Limits; COA to Fund
- 01:50:36: Police and Amazon; Cable and Questions
- 01:52:28: Battery/Town questions
- 01:53:31: Ground and Board members discussion
- 01:55:07: Building Standards and Land issues
- 01:59:14: Water Funds and Boards
- 02:02:12: Boards and Committes
- 02:04:38: Petition Issues and Discussion
- 02:06:44: Mike and Foreclosure Issues
- 02:09:17: Issues approved and questions
- 02:11:14: LAnd questions and discussions
- 02:12:46: Burdens and Transparancy
- 02:16:37: Discussion Concluding 
- 02:20:00: Questions and Answer with Mike
- 02:22:26: Power Discussion
- 02:24:20: More Powers to Discern
- 02:26:27: Mike Says Goodbye and More
- 02:31:59: All done to end the call


Part: 1

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At 6 PM, I will call to order the Freetown Board of Selecting Meeting. Please note that this meeting is being recorded and will be available on our town's YouTube page. Um, I'm going to uh next to the Pledge of Allegiance.

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>> Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. to the force it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all you um I'm sorry I also forgot to ask is

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there anyone else recording this meeting thank you all right we're going to jump right into it agenda item number one discussion and vote whether to approve the open session minutes from 39206 and 3:30 2020 26.

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Look through them. Everything looked good. So, >> I'll make a motion. >> All right. So, I'll entertain the motion. You'll make the motion. I'll second it. All those in favor? >> I >> I. >> Selectman Carella. >> I. >> Selectman Zer. >> Yes. >> We got a roll call because we're on

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zone. >> All right. Agenda item number two, discussion. Vote whether to authorize the fire chief to approve the ambulance abatements and write offs. Uh, so as you all know, we we approve these um through our board, but in my eyes, this when I

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read this, I'm like, this makes 100% sense. I mean, he's the one who's dealing with it, right? So, um to streamline it to allow him to do it. Uh I mean, I don't see any issue with it. I don't know if there's anything else to add to it, but um it seems pretty straightforward decision to me.

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>> It's going to send me the monthly report so I can just keep an eye on it. >> Yeah. Yeah, most of it's insurance writeoffs anyway. There isn't a whole lot you can do about it. So, it is just a formality that would be easier if they do this way. >> Yes, it's one less vote for us to call

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and one less thing for you guys to do. And they obviously know what they're doing. >> All right. So, with that, I entertain a motion to authorize uh the fire chief to approve ambulance abatements and writeoffs. >> So, move.

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>> I will second it. All those in favor? >> I >> I >> Sleen Carbalo >> I. >> Sleen Zagger. >> Yes. Agenda item number three. Discussion vote uh to place a memorial bench at Hathaway Park in honor of Mariano

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Mariano Rosendis Jr. and which funding sources to utilize. >> So, let me give you a little bit of background on this and and I know Chair was here probably want to speak as well. When um Mr. uh Mariana Risan has passed away. There was donations sent into the

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town for work on Haway Park and and whatnot. And there's still some funding left in that account. I think around $1,400 >> is left available. And I think the purpose was that that a bench in his in his memory should be placed at the

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Hathaway Park. And why I say funding sources because it might run a little bit more than 1,400. So what I wanted to suggest is that we use the remaining donation funds that were donated when he passed away and uh use the selectman's donation account for anything over

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uh the cost of the the the bench. Um Chandler's here. This is a a family member of his and so he might have some insight as to the bench where they'd like to put it, what they might like to see. So I'm going to pass it over to Yan.

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Thank you very much. Um, my name is Chandler and I had the pleasure of being the son-in-law of Mariona Rosendi Jr. I'm Dan Rosendi's partner. Um, the he was instrumental in creating Hathaway

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Park when it was nothing. So, he his brother Ken Rosendis um got a group of people together. From my understanding, my memory of it um he They went down, cleaned up the park, made it a beautiful

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place for the community, and um he was also a selectman for 26 years for the town of Freetown. And um at his funeral and afterwards, we took donations in. Um Dan said he believes it was 30 around

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$30,000. And I think a lot of that went to the play area for the for the kids that's down there. and we were told there would be a sign or something memorializing him. Um, and so you guys came up with a bench idea,

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which is awesome. I presented it to Dan. He's like, "Absolutely." Uh, and so we Lan provided this catalog and we went through, picked out a bench and then we'll have it inscribed um with his name and some other something else on it. and

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we haven't figured out quite what yet, but um uh maybe the the dates of his life or you know, we aren't sure exactly, but it'll it'll have something nice to memorialize him because he dedicated his his life to the town um

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which he loves so much. his family has been here since the 1850s and um they have they the whole family contributed >> in many ways to um there go >> to uh you know to the town of Freetown.

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Um, so it it it'd be a great honor to be able to put this in. And I know that the bench we chose, it's $1,139. >> Okay. >> For the for the bench itself. And I'm assuming that includes the engraving or routering, whatever it is. Okay. >> Um,

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>> perfect. Yeah. >> And the reason why we were doing that, uh, there's a couple options. You can router in it or engrave into this uh weather resistant material or you can put a brass plaque, but somebody could always take the plaque off. So, we're

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trying to make it something more permanent. And from from what I understand, it it'll last a really long time, many many many years. So, um you know, that's the idea. And Dan said thank you. He couldn't be here. He has had to work tonight. Um so, I'm I'm here

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on behalf of, you know, both of us. So, >> do you have any any idea of where you want it? >> She froze here. >> We we wanted to go over this past weekend, go down there, and he ended up having to fill into work over the weekend, so we weren't able to do it. Um

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Um So, >> I I don't I don't know. I would say we can talk about it. Yeah. Yeah. Because I I wanted to go um sometime this week. I'll take a ride down. Maybe Dan and I can both go tomorrow after I get out of work and just take a look around so you guys can, you know. Yeah, you you

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probably want to move on it, you know, sooner rather than later. So, we'll we'll take a look and see what he thinks. I'll see what Dan thinks. And >> it's taken a few years to get here, right? So, I'd like to I'd like to keep the ball rolling on it. >> Yeah. He passed in 2015. Um, so,

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you know, 11 years. >> Like to leave that speaking. >> Oh, a little bit. Okay. >> All right. Sorry, I can hear myself. So, I thought it was too loud. Sorry. because we obviously want to put it somewhere where it's going to be seen

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and used. And you know, >> one of the first places I think of is around the playground because parents are watching their kids on the playground to sit on the bench and use the bench or whatever. But then there's also the water, right? So there's the water, right? And that's

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>> but we're we're like or me I'm thinking, should it be in the playground? Should it be in the water? I near the water and same exact thoughts. Yep. But the playground area probably be good. >> Um along the edge or something. I think there's a tree over there too. So maybe over there.

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>> I mean you said you guys go and look and you know you can brainstorm with Debbie and >> Yeah. Yeah. >> I'm assuming we can get Chuck to put down a pad. >> Yeah. I think that >> Yeah. You'll have to do a pad of some kind. >> Absolutely. Or the bench will >> disappear. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So we'll definitely take care of that.

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And like I said, it sounds like there's going to be enough funding in the donation account to take care of it. I just wanted authorization. If we want a couple hundred over, then we could take it out of the select. >> That way, >> then it's done. Then I don't have to deal with that for. So, >> all right. Yeah. And the pad should

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probably be as flush to the ground as possible so people don't trip over it because I've seen them where they install them high up and >> you know, you're following their kids are around so probably flush with the grass. >> Yeah. But anyway, >> that's that. >> Questions, concerns?

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>> No. All right. Thank you. >> Thank No, thank you, Jan. I appreciate it. >> All right. So, with that, I'm going to entertain a motion to place a memorial beach at Hathway Park in in honor of Mariano Rosendes Jr. >> and uh use the selecting donation

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account to cover any overages if need be >> over the um park over the >> the donation account that was uh donated in honor um when he passed away. >> Yes. So it >> I will second that. All in favor? >> I >> I

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>> Sleman Carbellum >> I. >> Sleman Zagger. >> Yes. Agenda item four. Discussion and vote whether to accept the donation of a memorial bench from the family of William and Germaine Winters and suggested uh placement thereof. So

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>> yeah, I think I'm not sure. Are they on Zoom? Len, someone's trying to get in right now. I know they had they had submitted something to the town that they would like to place a memorial bench as well at the at the park. Um >> they did say that they wanted it at that

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park. I was trying to see if there was something that showed where they they would >> I don't think they suggested where. So I was just that I put that on the agenda that to have that part of the discussion. Um we could also ask for Chuck's input. Um, so basically this would be accepting the donation of the

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bench if the if the um the board is is willing to do that and they would give us the bench and I would probably still have Chuck install it in a similar fashion. >> Um, yeah. Any luck, Len? Is it any

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>> They're not in here. >> No. Okay. All right. So, I mean, I guess does it make sense to put two benches there in that same park or do we try and put one um I don't know what I'm trying to think of the gazebo or

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>> band I say I'm sorry stand >> yes >> their me their note here did spec specify that halfway park I think >> it apologize >> sorry >> no please I'm glad you said it >> they do a lot in town for the you the

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fireworks and stuff. So, they're enhanced. >> I mean, um you you could I mean, I I think there's plenty of room at that park to put seating, right? You could put some up on the hill >> cuz people sit up there or walk the street. A lots of times they walk down

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to that park. >> A really good idea. >> You know, you could put um you know, so that you're not taking up space, but like you say, near the playground, near the water. I think there's numerous locations to put it and I think it's big enough for that and it's a nice it's a

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nice attribute to the park >> because I see park people using that park every day I drive by all all hours when I drive by there's always somebody there. >> Mhm. >> So a lot of a lot of people by the water, a lot of people fishing, kids playing basketball. It is used quite a

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bit. Um, but then maybe, you know, we can play off of what Chandler just said, right, where we have two different spots now. Actually, you brought up a third, so we'll have a spot to put it. >> Yeah. >> Right. Based off of what we determined with >> with the first bench. So, Y.

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>> Yeah. I think great honor. >> We can ask them for their opinion and then, you know, go from there. >> Absolutely. >> Do you have any just reading their letter right now? Yeah, it's >> one of that halfway part.

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>> Yeah, it does call it out in there. >> Yeah. >> So, yeah. >> Makes sense to have theirs in. >> Well, they I mean they I think they want theirs at Hathaway Park, too. So, I think it's it's not really I mean there's what, as we just discussed, you

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could put it down by the water. We could put it at at the playground. We could put it up top, which I actually, you know, someone who has someone who really likes the park or is proud of the park and could have something to overlook the park, too. So that's, you know, but then you have and

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you have people walking. So you could have Yeah. So I think there's plenty of space. It won't look like it's out of place by having two in the same park. So >> mic, >> put your mic on, Chen.

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>> Yeah. So, I I have a thought about because now we're thinking um you know, the winters want something and my father-in-law is getting something and we could do a bench program for the parks if people want to memorialize.

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>> Yeah. I mean, somebody in town structure it somehow, but that way we can get more benches for people to sit on in different areas. Um especially like you guys are talking across the top, right, where people sit. Um and then look at the fireworks. There's already something built in there. Mhm.

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>> down by the water. You know, just a thought if there are other other people in town that >> Yeah. >> should be memorialized or that other families might want to do that. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, >> kind of a nice thing to >> for longevity. Yeah.

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>> And like saying possibly at the band stand eventually, right? It would be nice to have some seating around the the perimeter. >> Yeah. But for now, we got two, which is pretty amazing. both in the same meeting. This is the first time I've done it in all

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the years here and I got two right in a row. >> So, you good? >> I'm good. >> All right. So, with that, I entertain a motion to accept the donation of a memorial bench from the family of William and Germaine Winters and um work

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with town administrator on placement of the bench. >> Perfect. >> So, moved. >> I will second it. All those in favor? I >> I >> selectman Carvalo. >> Iman Zer. >> Yes. Hi. Uh,

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agenda item number five, discussion and vote on next steps regarding the Department of Environmental Protection letter regarding public water supply. So, I believe we got some gentlemen here. >> Yeah. And you may have somebody on Zoom as well. Um,

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>> we do. Okay. >> Do we have >> Welcome, guys? Do you I was going to say, do you need to open your meeting? >> Open the meeting. >> I got to open the meeting. >> If I can make motion that we open the meeting of the Freetown Water and Sewer

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Commissioners here at the police uh room on whatever time it is, 6:20 on the Today's the 22nd. >> 27th. >> 27th. >> 27th. That's all close. >> Mhm. All

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>> I'll make the motion. >> Second it. >> All in favor? >> I I >> Now we have to It's This is a Zoom meeting. >> Yes. >> Paul Sadic. Yes. >> Bob Parker. Yes. >> Okay. >> Welcome gentlemen.

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>> I think the um board of health also had a a meeting posted, but I don't think they they're going to have a quorum. But do we have somebody from the board of health on Zoom? I believe the health agent is on. Are you there, Kevin? >> Okay. Um, so at some point, um, Margaret

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might show up just to cancel her meeting. So, if you see her on Zoom, Lan, let us know. >> Okay. Um, I I assume you've all seen the letter that came from the D. >> Yes.

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So, um this is all in regards to um public drinking water supplies at all our uh town owned buildings, >> right? >> So, um basically they're looking for us to determine what what areas would be

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considered public drinking water supply, right? >> Based on the parameters. >> Mhm. Um, >> isn't it more like they're looking for the public buildings that have wells? >> Yes.

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>> That sort of thing. And that really doesn't water department doesn't have anything to do with that. >> That's basically the health department. The way we feel anyway. >> Mhm. >> Well, there's no doubt

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wells do not come under the free time water and so department. We have our own water system. That's what we manage. >> Now, I mean, this is something completely out of the blue. >> And uh this nothing has changed with

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these facilities. All of a sudden, we have this letter. Why doesn't Did anybody ask DP why we have this letter? >> To my to my knowledge, no. Um, you

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haven't heard anything, right, as to why this came about? >> I I don't know why. I I believe the D was probably in town for some other reason and maybe they had a question regarding this, but I don't know. I know that this letter calls for us to um make

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an appointment with the D to have a staff member accompany them to the buildings, you know, to review the bylaws. So, that's kind of where we're at with this. This is just to make you all aware of it and to see who we're going to who are we going to assign to

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go to each building to determine whether they fall under the public water supply uh rules and rags. >> Wouldn't this be somebody from the health department that would go to these facilities? Because we have nothing to do with wells. You know that,

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>> right? I think that the reason that I wanted to involve the water board was because if in fact it's considered a public water supply, right, we're going to have to do some required testing and some other things and where we have Whitewater do a lot of our work within town, we may be looking for Whitewater

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to do a supplemental contract to work to do this as well. Right. So, that was kind of why I wanted to involve your your board and because I I'm going to need your resources to do some of that. Not your resources, not your budget, but white water.

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>> Well, if that if this comes true that we have to do this, you you're gonna make this part of the water department, these public water supply wells. Is that the plan? >> Mean it >> I mean I I if that's the plan, that's

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the plan. But we need to know about >> I don't know that we have a plan. I don't have a plan. This is sort of uh you know uh news you know this is brand new and it's something that we're not there yet. The first step is to comply with this letter and reach the D and

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schedule these on-site meetings for each building supplied by a well clearly like the town hall has public water. The annex has public water. The Hathaway library doesn't have water. >> It makes it easy. >> It does make it easy. Um so it's it's

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probably more like the COA. I I think is the one that comes to mind where you may you may meet the threshold for the 25 people. >> Couldn't couldn't this building meet that threshold as well? >> I don't know. We'll have to look at it because it's for so many days, right? So, that's the things that we're going to have to look at. I know that the COA

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keeps track of their their people coming and going and so does the library in East Freetown. This building, I'm not so sure on that. So, we'll have to look at that and that is something we'll have to analyze with the D agent um >> because tracking the amount of members

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of citizens that are in each meeting here would be tough and how often meetings happen. So, do they go based off of the capacity of the room or do they go based off of >> I I don't I don't think so. And I think that you know um we'd have to have that conversation and do a little bit of

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homework on it. I also know that you know both the COA and this this building has filtration systems in place that we have put in place. Um so and they're up and functioning and Carl maintains them. So I don't know the details of what a

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public water supply entails. I'm thinking periodic testing. Um but this is sort of a preliminary like step one. Where do we go that we got this letter? We need to respond to it. How do we get to the next step?

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>> Well, would this would be a town expense as opposed to a water department expense. The water department shouldn't be paying for this, >> right? I think this preliminary part of it is not um is shouldn't be a huge

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expense at this at this juncture. But one of the things I I said maybe we get a a quote from Whitewater if we have to do the testing so that I know what the expense is where we're right in the middle like we're finishing the budget season. Do I need to add money into some budget to pay for the testing moving

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forward? >> I think I personally wouldn't have a problem with our department overseeing the testing by Whitewater like we oversee the testing that Whitewater does now.

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>> Right. My concern is the allocation of time and money. I mean, we run our department as an enterprise fund >> with 690 customers that pay for everything. In fact, this year we our

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our department actually had to buy the truck. The last time we had to buy a truck, the town paid for it. So, you know, the 690 customers are footing the bill for everything that has to do with water, except when a hydrant gets damaged by a car, which just happened.

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But I wouldn't have any issue as long as we come up with a a way to compensate our department like we compensate your department for indirect cost. >> You'd have to compensate our department for the time that our people monitor

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these. And I so I mean if this is something you want us to do I mean the commissioners will have a discussion and I think we we we would agree to it as long as the financial and doesn't fall on the customers that we have >> and yeah and I understand that like I said we're not quite there yet. Um I

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have no idea what it would cost. I have no idea. >> And how often you have to do it? I mean every day. >> I don't I I don't know that I'm trying to get the schools. >> The schools do the schools do it. Yeah. >> Do they do it every day? >> I don't think so. >> To test the water.

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>> I don't know. >> Nobody knows. >> Does Kevin know? >> Kevin, >> I'll I'll I'll briefly interject if who's I don't know who's running the meeting. >> Y >> um if I could.

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>> Absolutely. >> Uh the schools are going to be monitoring every day. They're responsible for monthly testing, quarterly testing. they're a public order system and that's exactly what would happen um in these instances. Um it's

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the same requirement for all municipalities, for all restaurants that are on well, you service more than 25 different individuals for more than 65 day 60 days a year. You're considered by the law to be a PWS.

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Now, typically if you're going to develop a a groundwater source, there's going to be identifying the area, making sure it has step set steps and radiuses with limited to no activity within them. Uh then there would be subsequent

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testing for a duration of time so you can get a consistency in results. Then there'd be a determination relative to treatment, filtration. Um, do we have to chlorinate like they do at the schools? And then from there, there would be a determination on the

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need for oversight. Obviously, there would be the requirement for water systems operators, treatment operators, more than likely if you're going to be doing treatment. So, there would be the uh the perpetual cost, so to speak, the yearly cost with that. Um,

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it's ju just just to get a survey done to see what we need. You're talking tens of thousands of dollars. I mean, the schools the schools have spent a lot of money. I know they're applying for a grant now for $25,000 just to combat

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uh a more recent issue uh that we're having, you know, with the the the results of the well testing that they've had up there. Um, so this is not I don't I don't think that this is something that's just, oh, we're going to have White Water come in and do

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a few a bit of testing. And I I wish D was a were being more forthcoming on exactly. Um, I would anticipate that when they come out, they'll meet with the representatives from the town and make

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their determination whether we decide a building is requires it or not. I I think they're within their authority and they would make that determination. And again, there there's an infrastructure uh you know, certain activity within uh the well radius for a public water

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supply is limited. Um, so not having any conversations, just educating myself. Uh, you know, I haven't talked to anybody at DP, but um, there there could be there there could be a lot of time,

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effort, and money that has to go into solving this or getting into compliance. U, my humble and professional opinion is that not all of our facilities serviced by wells meet that minimum threshold. Um, I have my opinion on which ones do.

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Um, but I don't I don't think that every one of them do. So, um, I I know someone said, "Is this something that all of a sudden they're doing?" Yes. Uh, simple answer. They showed up they showed up at

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at at the at the COA one day um and uh had told subsequent conversations with us that that's the that's the direction that the D is going in to ensure compliance and what they're finding is while a lot of the restaurants and all are good but

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municipalities have been I guess short on on doing that. So, I think with the attention that's already been paid to the our elementary school and they're doing a good job, they're in compliance, you know, uh with the stuff they need to and they're working with D on on some of

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the other issues as you would with the groundwater supply that that's that's old. Um we and that area came on their radar when they look at setbacks and what's within that setback and what's the activity. several town buildings are there. And

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that's that was the infinite. That's how they showed up here in town. >> Okay. Thank you, Kevin. I appreciate the the the insight and all of it. So, Paul, I you had something. No, you're good.

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Um, so Kevin, I just have one quick question for you because I know you're not on for this, but well, not not here to answer questions, but um have you heard of them going to a lot of other towns doing the same thing? because that was a question I had I had uh received.

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>> So, no, I have not personally heard of specific towns. >> Yeah. >> I was just told by the two gentlemen that showed up >> and and again, it wasn't that they showed up in any, >> you know, ill manner. They weren't stronging. They just they showed up and

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legitimately and were asking questions and said that this is something that's on their radar. And >> Mhm. >> you know, I think they might be like a lot of agencies where where you know, over time things might not have been at the forefront. Well, you know, now now maybe this is, but we we whether they're

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and and again whether they're going after uh you know, other towns or not. I I think you hit the nail on the head, Jared, when you when you said this is about public drinking water and public health and the concern that the town has for it. I think ultimately there is

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going to be a responsibility. We just need to figure out at what locations and what that entails. You know, are we going to be able to utilize the existing water and systems that we have or are they going to require us to do an extended testing prototype? I I I think

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there's a lot of questions that people um I dare say smarter than me, right, that have a little bit more uh experience with uh groundwater source development uh that that we we enlist their services or at least reach out to them. uh to get a better understanding

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and and hopefully when D shows up they can at least add add some clarity to it, right? Because quite honestly, if we have to do it at all of our buildings, you know, >> um >> you know, you you got the two ball fields,

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right? You got the the the white police station, fire station, COA, and the highway bomb. >> Yeah. So >> yeah. No, it's definitely a there's a lot behind it and the problem is is

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there's a lot behind it with very little answers and that's what everyone's sitting here scratching their head saying, well what do we do? What's the next step? And it can be a big issue. Um, you know, >> well, yeah. Yeah, J. And again, not to cut I mean, I think that I think the letter

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was pretty specific in that they've asked us to do our own assessment, but then they they say in the next sentence that they then want to come down and then they will make their own assessment. And >> if I I don't know what level of self

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assessment they looking for. Are they looking for us to go to outside? uh are they looking to just for us to just do a very rudimentary hey here's the buildings we think um and you know so my suggestion would

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be that we try to work with DB and not spend any money on the upfront to figure out what buildings if they're just going to come down and tell us where which ones in their humble opinion require >> I I listen I couldn't agree more um Paul Paul you got something for sorry

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>> yeah when the people from D uh from D came Who did they speak with? >> What's that? >> He he was asking uh who when the D came in, who did they speak with initially? >> Oh, they um they started at the Council

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on Aging and then they left there. Um, I found out that they had that they had been there, I think, and then they I think they came back over there because they were walking in the ball field to look for the well in the ball field and they came back and then they asked to

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come down to the board of health and look for records. Uh, I gave them and I had a conversation. I explained to them they could have done the courtesy of calling us. Um, and then they left and said that they would be in contact with the town after that.

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That was several months ago. >> All right. Yeah. Um, >> and we're just getting the letter now. >> Kevin, is this a new law or has this been on the books for years? >> No. No. The ground law. So, Paul, um, if

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if we we've kind of done and and I don't know, I would imagine there might be a difference if you're looking at a large system, but the the town, specifically the water department, when they were looking to create their own water source, uh, looked into the cost of developing a

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water source. Uh it's in a it's in a report that the water department has when we're looking at options of you know getting water from New Bedford Creed. Um and and so there may be some insight if if if people want to read that to see what the protocol might be.

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Um it's pretty straightforward within the law. You can simply go to mass.gov gov and groundwater rules developing a new well uh cut and dried a very extensive list of minimum testing requirements to develop that well again depending on those testing results we

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could be treating we could be filtering you know anything from VOCC's to iron manganese pas any number of things are going to have to be tested for and and uh depending on what their limits are we

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would need to again do the same thing that the school are doing. They they they they filter or or and and then they treat, right? They they um they treat with chlorine. They chlorinate um uh which requires I I believe a treatment license

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which requires an outside operator or an operator licensed by the state. Um so no, this isn't a new law. any public water supply that's that's from the ground when you're developing a new one. Uh that's that's pretty straightforward

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like like those like the the campground for spawn campground and and uh uh the Boys and Girls Club camp. They're both PWS's. They have an outside uh um operator. They have the filings they do yearly. they, you know, very similar pa

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to what the water department does now. Maybe on on a bit of an abbreviated schedule, but but very very similar. There's going to be, you know, monthly, quarterly, annually, there's going to be lead and copper. Well, maybe not the lead and copper, but there's going to be things like that that are going to have

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to be tested. Um, and then there's the uh the sanitary survey where I think they're only every five years for for that. Um, but it's going to be very similar, you know. So, you're looking at if there's multiple locations, you're you're looking at an extensive operation

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uh uh you know uh contract. >> Well, I mean, I think at this point we still don't have all the answers, but I would say that we need to go back to the D and let them guide the ship as to what they want, right? Because

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we're all sitting here and we have some educated people in the room with this stuff, but we still don't know everything. So I think we need to why are we going to hire someone to come in and test and spend money to say these are the these are the facilities and then have the D come in and say otherwise really doesn't make any sense

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>> for them. >> Yeah. So I think I think we need to let them guide it. So really the only issue is is then who do we have work with them? >> I David you got my you got my eyes. Yeah. I mean, I I think at this point,

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as long as you guys are okay with it, we have uh David work with them and then, you know, I think Paul brings up an excellent point that you are an enterprise fund. So, if this does turn into a bigger issue, then we'll we'll work with you guys. We're not trying to, you know, do something for nothing and then not give it back to you in return.

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So, since you since I mentioned enterprise and you me mentioned enterprise, I'm gonna say what I've been talking about for years. we should not be an enterprise fund. DEP was surprised that we were an enterprise

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fund. They said, "How you're such a small How can you be an enterprise fund?" >> Mhm. >> Okay. Well, >> we should consider that. >> Yeah. I mean, I guess we can something we can look into and talk about. It's it's a it's a legitimate thing, Paul, right? like if you're saying that cuz

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we're all we're doing is passing numbers around right at the end of the day to we're all servicing the same people in town and doing the same stuff. So yeah, and if it makes your jobs easier at the same time then Amen. So I don't know

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everything behind that. So I but I will say that yeah we'll we'll look into it and see what we can do about bringing it all in. So So David, you're okay with that? >> Yeah. Yeah. I can serve as a representative to Yeah. >> meet with D. Absolutely.

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>> And and and if you guys are all set with it, I don't know if you want to call a vote out on it. Do you need a vote on it? It's it's up to you. I >> Yeah. I don't think we do. We can have David be the representative. You know, >> Yeah. And we can I mean, I guess what you're trying asking us is that as the

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water commission, would we accept this additional responsibility? >> Yeah. just to have him work with us so that >> that our department would accept the additional response billing until we sort this thing out. >> Yeah, >> I'll make that motion. >> Oh, I'll second it. >> Any further discussion?

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>> All in favor? >> I >> I >> Paul Sadic, yes. >> Paul Parker, yes. >> Motion's carried. >> Thank you. I just for for reasons of clarity, right, for us to have the vote on it makes sense. So So yeah. So, I mean, I don't I don't know if you have

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anything on it, but I really think that that's kind of the way that we start this and then it it'll play itself out and I'm sure we'll be talking about this more, but um yeah, I I think really that's kind of it. So, all right. So, um

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>> do you guys want to just follow up with that same? >> Yeah. Yeah, exactly. Yep. All right. So, >> yeah, just give me one second. So, all right. So, I'm going to entertain a motion that we have David and the water department deal with the initial

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assessment with the DB on determining um everything as far as the public drinking water supply. >> Should we are we responsible to to reach out to them and set up this so to speak inspection or >> I'll work I can work with you and

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Chandler. >> Okay. If that if that's acceptable. Well, I I I just feel like it would be a more proactive thing to reach out to them considering they sent us what >> can be assumed a letter of consent.

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>> Yeah. >> You know, to to comply I think that can >> I think being proactive about the three can work together. I agree. I agree with that. Let's let's do that. So, >> yeah, because in in the letter it says to contact them within four weeks. >> Contact them. Us to contact them. Exactly.

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>> Well, make that move. >> All right, I will second it. All those in favor? >> I >> I suck. >> I slew >> Zagger. >> Yes, >> no. No. Thank Thank you, gentlemen. I appreciate it. >> 646. >> Thank you,

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>> gentlemen. Thank you. I do appreciate you coming down. >> Shop's open yet. >> It's not open yet. >> Oh man, >> open. >> See you guys. >> You guys have a great night. >> Thank you.

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>> Thank you. >> You're welcome. Thank you. >> Just give him a second to All right. Agenda item number six, discussion and vote to have uh an employee retiring after January 1, 2026 uh to contribute to their health insurance at the same percentage as they

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were when they were an active employee. >> I'm just going to correct the date. July 1st, 2026. Did I >> You said January. >> Oh, I'm sorry. July 1st, 2026. I definitely don't want it to be January again.

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>> No, it's >> um so I guess a little bit of background on this. >> A little bit of background. Um obviously there's couple pieces to this. our our benefits that we provide our employees, we continue to pay health

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insurance um when they retire if they because they can retire before the age of 65. So if they retire any time before the age of 65, they stay on the Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, family plan, individual plan, whatever they have. And the town consistently now pays what

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their active rate is on that portion of it when they which is 7525 currently for most employees. when they turn 65, they have to get a Medicare supplement, right? It's the law. They have to go on Medicaid,

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Medicare. And when they hit to that point, for some reason, I'm not sure why, we were paying 95% of the supplement. >> 90, right? >> 90. Well, we were paying 95, >> which was against the law statutoily.

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>> So, if you remember a couple years ago, we changed the law. We brought it to town meeting and got the law enacted 32b and then the select men voted to change the contribution rate to 9010 because there was some discussion that there was

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a deal made back when they were trying to get um employees to go to maybe a less expensive plan that that that was the the con like how they um you know negotiated it. Yeah. At 9010. So we

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continue to be at 9010 and of course as the expenses continue to rise I am looking for ways to um lessen the burden to the town and it seems odd to me that you'd be at 7525 when you're working but when you retire and hit Medicaid it's

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9010. So, of course, not knowing all of the historical value, I don't want to go go in the face of somebody that negotiated the deal and that the town has promised them this deal. I don't I don't want to change that. So, my thought process and I have talked about

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this. I've brought it up at the insurance advisory committee that I wanted to do this that when you retire, it's already 75.25 for the first portion, but when you hit Medicaid, it's 7525. the same rate as when you were

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active employee because it just doesn't seem right, you know, right why you would go up to 90%. So, um that's the vote. It just requires a vote of the board of selectmen. Doesn't require town meeting and it would become effective uh this uh this

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July 1. So anybody anybody that's already existing stays at their current 9010 and I think it's the easiest fairest way to accomplish what I think ultimately everybody should be at the same ratio.

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Everybody should be paying it should be active employees and all retirees should be at the same rate and that really is the law. It should be all the same rate. But we've been doing it this way for a long time and I don't I don't I think it would be we'd get a lot of push back and

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I don't want to hurt the seniors that um can't really afford it at this point. >> Yeah. So that's >> so I was part of the negotiating fee during that time >> and that was a big thing when when uh the select board at the time wanted

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everyone to go to 7525 and we had a lot of feedback from retirees and that was their big thing to keep it at 9010 and that's what was agreed upon. Then I think the retirees even did some

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their own little thing with the select board and came in. So you're saying that people that retire even when it was at the 7525 is still doing the 9010. Yeah. See that wasn't supposed to happen. It was supposed to be the ones that were

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collecting 9010 when they retired. We're going to continue doing it that way. And I don't have a I mean I don't right I don't have a lot of because there's I think it's 2013 like I have some prior to 2013 that they are still actually even on the regular insurance because

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they're not Medicare eligible and they're at the 9010. Um but yeah if you just retired last year and you turned 65 this year you go to 9010. >> Yeah. >> And what you're saying is that they were supposed to be just the ones that had already retired

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>> were supposed to keep it at 9010. and they were concerned and everyone else that was agreeing to the 7525 would also take that 7525 when they retired. >> Can we look into that a little bit deeper and see if there's any literature that we have in in regards that would

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there be anything that we could find >> that would state that based on union negotiations in the past. I just want I don't want to rush a decision >> and then find out that, you know, >> it was something else. >> Someone that that was very involved was

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uh was Walter. >> It's a wiki. He would know. He would probably have the paperwork for it and everything like whatever we decided at that time. >> I think I mean I think he's where I've gotten some of the history from. Paul said also like he should have stayed history on this too because he's one of

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the ones. it was still, I believe, a reserve for us at that time and part of negotiations as well. >> Um, >> cuz because you know what I mean. I don't I I'm not saying >> I'm not saying I necessarily disagree or agree with it, but I'm just saying I don't want to rush a decision

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>> and find out that we told we told people certain things and then we're changing against >> was part of the insurance he's part he's the insurance advisory committee. So, he we did have this discussion and he didn't he he didn't seem to have an issue. he understood what I was doing because >> yeah, >> I don't want to go backwards because I

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think those people bargained for the 9010 >> and I don't want to disrupt them. >> Um >> and and we're not going to disrupt them. They're going to stay on. This is just for new people, >> just new new and I do have a couple retirees that are coming. I've talked to them and they're okay with it.

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>> Um you know, I do have a couple that I know are retiring this year and I had that conversation just because you don't want to hurt people. This isn't to hurt people, but at some point the town has to >> um our our budget for health insurance this year is $2.3 million.

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>> I think it's higher than the fire department, lower than the police department, but you know, we've got the school PD health insurance, right? So, you just have to really look at where it is in comparison to our budgets and how expensive it is. Um, and people are living longer and and and you know, I

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think there are more. It's just it's just getting to the point where we can't sustain it and >> I think that if we especially if it was called out before, >> I'm pretty confident that's that was the way it was then. That's what it should be. >> Ask um Walter and Pulsic to get more

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information to make sure and I can see what I can find for paperwork. I don't know. >> I don't know what they'll be for paperwork, but I can try to at least get the historical value. Yeah, if we can get something from them at least, you know, we'll make >> we could move this to agenda. >> I should say we push it off to the next

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agenda. I mean, hopefully we can get something out of them quick and >> Okay, >> I appreciate that. Thank you for information. So, um I'm going to >> drop agenda item table agenda item six.

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Agenda item number seven, discussion on complaint on roadways by railroad tracks 79 Forge and Malbone. So um >> so yeah, I got a complaint from somebody regarding this and and they were supposed to come to the meeting but um

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regarding the roadway there where the you know the railroad tracks uh redid the roadway putting in the crossings uh right you know where the intersection is where the railroad tracks are at the top of Forge Road. Um, and I don't know if you recall

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>> that there was a big pothole there that I, you know, that we were complaining. I I was trying to get them to repair that because the the roadway there wasn't um built correctly and then this big sinkhole came. They said it was run off from the house that was built on the

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hill, but the house was there before the track before they did the work. So, they did come and repair it and it looks like it's it's deteriorating again. and their concern is why should the town be on the hook for this when this was work that the MBTA did. So I I I thought I would bring it to the light, but I will do

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some more work on this as well and I this person should be hopefully at the next meeting can give you some more details and I I did not speak to Chuck and I meant to and I apologize for that. >> No, no, that's fine. But I I mean it's a legitimate concern that if they did work on the roadway and within a year or two

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it's already fallen apart. And that's what when you started saying it, that's what I was thinking of initially was that pothole that they came in and we're trying to blame on someone else, but inevitably fixed. So, um, yeah, because they're going to end up coming to if we don't do this, then we're going to be

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being on the hook to fix it. It's not fair. So, >> I think that, you know, and if it's if it's happening there, is it going to happen? We have all these crossings. We have 13 crossings. Is it going to happen at all of them? And then we're fixing the road everywhere. So, >> exactly. That was what that discussion

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was. >> Yeah. So, it looks like there'll be some more to come on that, but I appreciate it. Agenda item number eight, discussion and vote whether to issue town employee board committee photo IDs and uh process

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to complete. So, it looks like we got some feedback on this. This was initially brought up due to uh different boards and uh people having to go on private properties and or properties in general and wanting to be known that

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they are in in actually part of the town, right? Um so we did get some feedback on this from a couple of different people um making sure that we were aware. So, there it does seem like there might need

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to be some more work done behind this. Um, I'm just trying to get to it. >> We have Chief Rose on the Zoom as well. >> Oh, okay. Hey, Chief Rose, how you doing? >> I'm doing well. How are you, Jared? >> Great. Thank you. Um, do I know one of

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the the letters that came across was from you. I don't know if you want to give any insight to to this. >> Sure. Um, one of the issues the police department has dealt with over the years is uh, a lot of town um, employees or

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entities within town government are looking for a issued ID card of their um, identity as a town government employee. Now, for years, the police department in

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part of statute were required to have a police ID identifying police officers. And that's why it's always been very important for law enforcement u to have IDs with them that goes along with the badge identifying them as a police

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officer. And over the years, it's it's changed. 30, 40 years ago, we were creating our own IDs and laminating them with a picture on it and identified our name, our rank, date of appointment and expiration date of the card. That was

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all done internally and we were able to manage that later on when we became part of the accreditation uh process. It's actually an accredititation standard that we have to have department IDs issued with that information I just

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mentioned to you. But what's more concerning is the town overall does not have a general process or a policy on how it deals with all the other entities in town government. And uh in the past

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it's been pushed to the department to make IDs. Um, occasionally an ID has been made here and there, but there really should be a legitimate process that the town has in place to authorize

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um, an employee or an appointee with an ID card. Um I had mentioned in my letter that at least the town should consider just that having a policy having a form available to be able to identify what

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the the person's title should be the proper name the authority of who's giving this ID to this person and then process an ID card for that person. So there should be some steps in place. It's it's a it's a big recommendation.

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It shouldn't be on the burden of the police department to authorize and grant these ID cards, but I think um the town going forward should create a process. >> Yeah, I I agree. And I have I also have

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an a letter here from town clerk kind of kind of reiterating what you had already said, right? just having uh policies in place and as far as collecting DAC badges because you know badges people change boards change um so having

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everything clearly written out so the problem is is how do we come up with the the process who do we put in charge of coming up with the process what's the process look like um because I do agree with the initial concern about people

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having some sort of badge to to show who they are, especially if they're walking onto um a citizen's uh private property. So, >> I I chief, do you have a policy in place for the IDs?

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>> We do. We have a an internal police policy and I'll be happy to share it with you but um you know keep in I >> you know keep an idea that um look a lot of appointments are usually done yearly.

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So you could be making a an ID card every year. Um that's something the town has to consider. We normally uh issue our ID cards in conjunction with our license to carry cards. And for that reason is that we know when their LTC is

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about to expire, we're also reissuing them a new ID card. The ID card is actually property of the Freetown Police Department. So where that person goes, that ID card goes. When that employee leaves, that ID card comes back to the

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police department. These are all things that the town has to consider going forward in dealing with this ID card pro process. And again, be happy to share our policy with you folks and you can come up with some type of idea where the town wants to go with it.

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>> Yeah, that would be a great starting point for us to work on a policy um to to piggyback off of yours and just change it to make it um more suitable for the rest of the town needs. Also the appointments, we are trying to transfer the appointments so that they equate the

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terms as opposed to yearly reappointing everybody. Um, so that might minimize the amount that we have to do. So I'd love to look at your policy and then see if we can't adapt it to our needs and bring it back before the board.

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>> I'll have that forward over to you tomorrow. >> Thank you, Chief. I appreciate that. Um, >> you're welcome. I think it'll be a good starting point to Deb's point and uh we'll take it from there and then we'll have to figure out about making them and

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>> I I believe the old police equipment Cheryl has access to that what they used to use to to make it. I do she I do believe she does have that. I will tell you in Hansen we had um placards, you know, with our picture and who we were. Um I was a planner. I would go on people's property so I'd have that. We

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had the vocational school make them. So, that's an alternative if we can't do it in-house. Um, but I do believe Cheryl has the the the equipment. She might need training. I don't know, but she can possibly do it at the clerk's office. >> It sounds like we have a good starting

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point and hopefully we can get this rolling pretty quick so that way people have that and feel comfortable with it. So, >> makes sense. >> I agree. Um, so all right. So I I mean at the end of

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the day we can still call out a vote I guess but it's really we don't have um the >> do process I think. Yeah >> vote on that when I can get them to >> like it's just I don't it really wouldn't be a complete vote and we'd

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have to revote it. So I'm just going to say we tabled this until we get that from the chief and then we can move forward. >> Perfect policy. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Exactly. So agenda item number nine, discussion and vote on whether to

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approve the co council on aging library community building to move forward to town meeting on 6126. >> This is just basically a formal vote right here. We are we're here with the new building. We have the final not you

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know not the bid docu numbers but we have the final proposed numbers of 26 million and change. I rounded it up to 26,500,000. We know that we have roughly $9,500,000

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in combined savings. We know that we have a grant that's just about $10 million. And we know that we're going to have to borrow $7.5 million and it's going to have to be debt excluded in order for us to afford to pay for that that debt. So,

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at this point, um, I think a vote needs to be made that we're going to continue moving forward and putting that article on the town meeting warrant to ask the town's people if they want to vote to appropriate $26,500,000 for this building. And if they want to

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vote to approve borrowing, we have to actually technically borrow $17.5 million and pay it down with the with the grant. So, we probably will never actually borrow the $17,500,000. >> They lump the money back to us or do we

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have to they pay it back over? >> We don't take it all at once when we bond fund. We're going to do short-term bond and then a long-term bond. And at the end, we'll just we'll we'll take short-term bonds to get us through the construction and then we'll take a long-term bond when we're done and we know what we're going to we're going to

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um actually borrow, which should be the $7.5 million. >> I only ask because of interest, right? I'm thinking it's it might not be a ton of money when you're talking about this large of a number, but if we're having to pay money over time, right, and we're paying interest on that throughout the

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time if we didn't get the the lump sum. >> So, I'm going to round up the grant, the $10 million grant. It's um paid out in over five years. So, it's paid out, you know, as soon as you you accept the grant, you get your first lump sum payment of 10%. So, we'll get a million

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dollars, right? And if you look at the cash flow and the timing of it, excuse me, somewhere in the mid construction, the cost of constructing the building is going to outpace the grant coming in. So, we're going to need this funding to

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sort of bridge it. Um, so that's why it sort of has to be voted that we're going to authorize a $17,500,000 borrowing to be reduced by the amount of the grant, I should say, not necessarily paid down by by reduced by the grant. So I don't believe we'll ever actually have

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to borrow more than the 7 million $8 million, >> but we still need to authorize it that way. So when you see the paperwork, it's it's going to be confusing. Um but again, I think at this juncture you know um we we need a vote to go

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forward with the town meeting which will come up again in the warrant question but also you'll see coming forward will be the ballot questions. But the first question is, do you want to continue to move forward with this building now that we know the figures

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and um we're here. >> It's it's a lot of money. It's what but it's kind of what everyone expected it to be and I think that there's been a lot of people doing a lot of hard work to get us to this point and we need to let the town's people decide.

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>> Okay. Yes. is the uh duration term on the cost >> 20 year is what I'm proposing a 20-year bond um on Wednesday night's meeting which will be um the joint committee

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meeting with the FINCOM. One of the things that I'm going to be asking the joint both committees is um to look at the two bond structures that they're 20 20 years um one is a level uh

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a level debt payment and one is a declining a declining debt and they're different and the amount that you end up having to pay in interest is very different. The one that I'm proposing is the declining one. So, the $135 cost to each resident or each home is the

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highest and it goes down from there. Um, and the reason why I recommend that one is because the actual cost of borrowing is about a million dollars left in less in interest to the town's people. >> And based at the $135 annual cost per tax per property owner,

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>> yes, >> that's based on what value of their property at current rates? uh $560,000 which is the average of our town. >> The average and how many uh taxpayers do we have property tax? >> I think we have about $3,200 um

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residents >> and that's going to be that $135 over approximately 20 years. >> Uh the 135 if if we go >> it'll be diminishing over time. >> It'll diminish um the other way if we keep it level every year. I think it's

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125 every year for 20 full years where so I thought it's much better to do the declining one because it >> about 24 $2,500 per taxpayer. >> Yeah. $135 and then it'll go down from there. >> About $2,500 over time per tax. >> Yes. So well yeah

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>> I mean I don't I don't when you buy a car it's not your monthly payment that matters. It's what you pay for the car. >> Yeah. >> And that's that's the way I look at it. Um finance. I don't look at it that, you know, well, I can afford a $59, you

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know, $600 monthly payment. Oh, and the car salesman gets me in at $589. Wow, I'm $11 to the positive. That doesn't work for me. So, I just this is going to come up at town meeting. And I think it's important that I'm not real

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comfortable with the overall cost of the of the project and the overall size and scope of the project. And I know that that 9 and a half to$10 million cookie is very attractive but it leaves some questions in my mind.

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>> And so I do have a spreadsheet like I said Wednesday this is going to be on the joint committees meetings and I do have those spreadsheets so I will share with you. I also have the you know the alternate ones that um 30-year schedule uh 15ear schedule I have them all. I uh

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we have a um an adviser that does these for us. So I have all of that that information and at different amounts, right? So I do have all of the information. I certainly share it with you. Um and you can see what the cost is over over the life of the bond. >> So backtracking to an earlier discussion

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which you had with the water commissioners uh regarding public water supply. This building is going to require absolutely require a public water supply. >> Absolutely. And has that been incorporated into the cost the cost of

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that infrastructure and that and has the research been done to to provide that for this building? Because the building we sit in now, the police station initially could not be built according to it was select Pico.

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Um this building wouldn't be able to be built unless a water line went in on Chase Road at the to the tune of $5 million. Well, somehow we're sitting in a building that has water in it and I don't know if this qualifies as a municipal water supply or not, which you

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know, so there's, you know, are are all of these things incorporated into this project because what I what I found with building of this building was every single penny of the contingency fund got eaten up and it was very frustrating as

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a taxpayer to sit here and or to sit at the time at the senior center and listen to, you know, oh, you know, they came back for another 5,000, they came back for another 35,000, they need to do this and nickel and dime us to death. And I

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don't want to see that happen to a library project, especially with the position I hold. >> Yeah, I I understand your concern. Just understand where we are in the process, right? We have conceptual drawings and

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where we have conceptual budgets. This if this gets approved and not only at town meeting but the election that's going to follow the town meeting because this has to have two votes has to have a ballot question and town meeting vote both have to vote positive. If that

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happens, the next step would then be to engage an architect to start doing construction drawings, which are very very different as you know than conceptual design. So once the the um construction drawings are done, then the

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whole project can go out for a bid. And until we have that bid, we honestly it's your best guesstimate I want to say, right? We I mean we use our conceptual drawings. We budget based on the conceptual drawings. we come up with a number and we we have that number and we

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work with that number when we're doing the construction drawings so everybody's well aware of what the budget is but until you actually put it out to bid and a lot can change because it'll probably take a year to do construction drawings. A lot can change between now and then. I mean people have already uh stated that

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the war is causing obviously gas prices have gone up, things have gone up, right? So I I can't guarantee you that the price is going to be the price. I can guarantee you if we vote $26,500,000 for a building and the bid comes in at $30 million, the project's done. Okay,

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that was going to be my reply is that, you know, if if the vote is affirmed and the override is affirmed for the $26 million project, then if it if the bid comes in higher, then we're basically we either have to go back to a special town

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meeting, >> right, >> and acquire the, you know, get approval for the funding or >> you're done. I mean, we can't we can't do more than what we're authorized to do. I just want the process to be and it's important that the town's people understand the process

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>> and they understand and they can go and they can look at this meeting if they you know they may not come to the meetings but they can they have the opportunity to review the meetings after the fact and you know and hear the discussion and hear the answers >> and that's and that's what's important. That's why I'm here. >> I'm going to equate it to buying a car

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like you said, right? You know when you see those ads and you say you can lease this car for $3.99 a month and then you go to lease that car and they said yeah but that one doesn't have wheels on it. If you want the car with wheels it's actually $500 a month. It's the same thing with the building, right? We we we

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price it. We do the best we can with what we need. Um I will tell you that through the process I'm always like trying to get them to value like we can't do that. You need to keep this in budget. This has to stay in budget. and we're constantly checking through the construction design process

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uh for the the planning. But again, things can change and the the costs can go up or down. I will tell you that the trend right now is that the bids are coming in lower than um the projects being estimated. So, let's hope that continues.

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>> So, Lakeville has a project at like $22 million and I think the bid came in at 11 million, right? So, they're coming in substantially lower. I I did hear there was some compromise as far as the roofing materials doing something maybe not a metal roof going to an asphalt

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shingle roof that's >> whereas a metal roof might last 35 to 40 years and an asphalt shingle roof lasts 15 to 20 years in in reality and you know that that again that's a cost that comes up pay the bond off and next thing you know

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we need $3 million to put a new roof on the building. I mean it's not cost effective. You buy you build and you buy quality upfront. It cost it costs more or you get less. You get a smaller building. But unfortunately, we don't have that option of a smaller building.

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>> You don't. >> And that's and that's some of my frustration with this whole project. I mean, I'd almost quite frankly rather fund it all out of town expenditure, build a smaller facility that we can manage and we can maintain

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and build it to our standards rather than to what the state is telling us we need to have. >> Yeah. And I think that that's, you know, that's a conversation that's come up in the past, right? >> We're a small community. We're 9,500 citizens. Um, yes, we'll bring people in from other towns. We'll come to see the

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new library. the new library will get old very quickly. >> Mhm. >> Because that's generally what happens. I mean, you know, look at this. Look at this room. Selectman's meeting. There are two people from the community here. >> Yeah, this room does get used a lot

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though. >> But it does it does for some meetings. It gets it gets quite a bit of use. >> I think there'll be a lot of different positive other things that can happen there. Um, and and a lot of the stuff that you've brought up, Mark, I I assure you, we've been talking about one of I'm going to give you something is the

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public drinking water supply, right? That's why they were saying this building couldn't be built here because it was within the buffer of public drinking water supply. Well, we're going to have unusable land over there that we can put wells in and then we can back feed over to that building and over even

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to the elementary school here. Well, my my feeling was if this qualifies as a public if the police station qualifies as a public drinking supply, >> we could run a pipe right to the senior center. We own all the land between here and there. That's for the >> Yeah. And but that so we have over

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there, right? So, these are things that we've already been trying to discuss behind the scenes, but I I mean I agree with you. We don't want to see stuff go running in in a bad direction. So, >> and the plan is to have the infrastructure put in place over there so that um the well will be considered

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public water supply. The septic will be considered big enough because we do know that we want future expansion, right? We're going to need a town hall at some point. So, the infrastructure is is, you know, I've been telling them it needs to be to able to accommodate that in the future. I don't know when that will be,

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but that's definitely something that um is forefront as well that we know that that's that's a need that's going to happen. The other the other concern is is again the override. The people who are going who want this the most in the sense the seniors that want the senior center who've been waiting for a senior

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center you know a bigger senior center a better senior center with more capabilities more facility. Unfortunately those are the people who are going to bear the it's going to be the hardest. The burden of paying that override is going to be the hardest. And

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unfortunately, the law says you can't give them a tax break because it's it's unconstitutional. So, I mean, you know, it's it's it's a kind of a catch 22 to balance this out and make it and make it all viable and

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make it so everybody in town feels good about it. >> Mhm. Yeah. I mean, I think of you nailed it right there. And then I think of the roughly 160 families that we have in town that go over to the food pantry every week, right? So, um, you know,

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it's all a legitimate concern. And then it's weighing out that if we weren't to take that grant and then what we could build, would it be able to fit the needs of what we could build? Right? The size. So, we say, "Okay, we need to take $15 million and build out a building. Is it

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going to be big enough to put the library and the COA in all on our own dime? So that's, you know, these are all things that have come up, but I think at the end of the day, the the long and short of all this is is, you know, the work's been done to get us to this point and we need to bring it forward to the

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voters to allow everyone in town to make the decision. Hopefully a lot of people show up and voice their opinion, >> their opinion. there. >> Um I don't know if you have any >> the cost savings for for maybe for not using the other two libraries when it's built. We don't know that yet, do we?

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>> No, it's going to be minimal because >> I know they're falling. One we don't own technically. The other one is kind of just a >> Yeah. >> shack. >> Yeah, they're very very minimal. I will get that number for you, but it's minimal. Like the electric bills are like $200 a month. The heating bill might be $3,000 a year. It's not a lot.

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One of the benefits will be getting rid of the annex and moving those those pe those offices into the COA, >> which that's not even I mean that's $18,000 a year, but it's still a saving and their and their electric bill and their heat bill for that facility. So that'll help somewhat, but obviously I

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think I've said this publicly, the cost to run this new building, my estimate is $300,000 a year. >> That's the biggest issue in my not the biggest issue. One of the be biggest issues is in my eyes is that going forward, right? Because we've seen it with this building. We've seen it with this building and I'm basing it

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basically cuz everything has to be electric in the new building and the electric bills are outrageously expensive. So the electric for this building is $6,000 a month. So um and that building might be even a little bigger than this. So you know I

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I'm I'm I'm basing it on that. Um how I'm proposing that we fund it will be that the Amazon tiff will be hitting our books um in 2029. And so that's an increase in the taxes on Amazon um of 250,000. I'm estimating that

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number. Um so that and then and then the red reduction in the um expenses for the annex and the two libraries gets me to almost the $300,000 threshold. The other the other thing that we've got to consider as a library trustee that

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I'm concerned about is is that a 14,000 foot building library is going to require additional personnel just to basically have eyes because especially if you have youth in there um you know I

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I don't think two librarians is going to be sufficient to operate that facility. um just just it's just too large a facility. >> Mhm. >> Uh and you know with separate areas I mean it's just

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the whether it's security or safety of the individuals utilizing the facility. There's going to we're going to require additional funding for the library trust. We're going to we're going to need additional funding on top of infrastructure costs.

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>> Mhm. Um and you know to say well we can try it with two. We cannot understaff a building and wait until something goes wrong. >> Mhm. >> To remediate it. We've got to eliminate that possibility especially because the

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people utilizing that facility are going to be a lot of them are going to be youth. they going to become after school. And it's, you know, it's not a not a serious concern, but it's it's a serious consideration that we can't overlook. We can't just say, well,

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you know, let's see how it goes. We can't wing it >> because winging it usually doesn't, you know, doesn't work too well. >> No, it's a valid bring up. So, all right. I just don't want to get too far off track on it. >> I'll let I'll let you continue the meeting. Thank you. >> Yeah. No, no, I trust me, I appreciate your insight. You know that. So, all

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right. So I I do think at this point we do need to move forward with it. It's kind of what the direction everything everyone's hard work has gone into and we'll inevitably let the towns people decide. Um so all right. So with that I'm going to um

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I'm going to entertain a motion that we approve the >> I just have one question because I don't know how the the debt exclusion thing works. So the just say the 125 just say it is. So when the tax rate doesn't go up, right? It's just like it's a

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It's a percentage like here it's 0.24%. >> Your tax rate is based off that percentage. >> So that so she's Yeah. So that percentage going up >> add it times the amount value that she >> I just didn't know if it was like a

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separate like okay you pay a taxes and then there's >> not a separate bill and we calculate your tax rate. We add it to your so you know the tax levy >> just say it's $10,000. We can only go up 2.5%. So it's 12,500. Yeah.

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>> Then we take any debt exclusion and we add it to that number. Okay. >> And then we divide it by the residents and the values. And that's kind of where we get to tax rate. It's really backwards from any kind of budget plan you ever seen. >> It's weird. You'll you'll be in the meetings and um you'll see it

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>> when it gets paid off. Just say that falls off >> down. Yes. >> Okay. >> All right. That's how I was thinking it worked, >> but I just wanted to make sure. It will after 20 years you might get a you'll get a $20 reduction. >> Yeah.

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>> Make sure you hold her to that, Chad. >> I will. >> All right. So, with that, I'm going to entertain a motion that we approve the Council on Aging Library Community Building to move forward to town meeting on 6126. >> I'll make that motion. >> I will second it. All those in favor?

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>> I >> I sle >> I sle >> Yes. Uh agenda item number 10 discussion vote on debt exclusion questions on the ballot for purpose of funding the council on aging library community

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building. So um >> he's just authorizing us to move forward with the the the ballot questions for the building. >> Perfect. That's pretty simple. We need to do it. So I with that I entertain a motion um on

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M on debit. I'm sorry. I'm just trying to make sure I have it word in there correctly. I entertain a motion to um move forward with the debt exclusion questions on the ballot for purpose of funding the COA and library community building. >> I'll make that motion. >> I will second it. All those in favor?

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>> I >> I second Carllo. I second zer. >> Yes. Sorry. I don't know why that one like hiccuped me real quick. You can >> see me in the planning board meeting. Anyways, agenda item number 11. If >> we Steve knows he's laughing over there.

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>> We can't laugh at ourselves. Who can we laugh at? >> Make that motion. >> All right. Agenda item number 11. discussion and vote whether to submit a ballot question to the town clerk to transmit the ballot question as reviewed and finalized by town council to the

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town clerk in accordance with MGL chapter 54 on all other applicable elections laws and regulations no later than May 4th 2026. So this is just calling it out >> procedurally what we have to do

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>> procedurally. Yeah, exactly. So >> I will make that motion. All right. Yeah. So, I'll obtain a motion that we Yeah. All right. So, he'll make that motion. I will second. All those in favor? >> I >> I select Cabala. >> I select Zer. >> Yes. I

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uh agenda item M number 12 discussion vote whether to vote persuade to Mass General Law Chapter 39 section 10 and Mass General Law chapter 54 to call a special town election for the purpose of submitting the debt exclusion question

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to the voters to be held on Monday, June 8th, 2026 with polls open from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Uh same thing. This is just procedurally what we kind of have to do, right? >> Yes. >> So, um, with that, I'll entertain

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>> time provided to you this motion. >> Oh, okay. Look at that. Even better. All right. So my motion I hereby move that the board of selectment persuade into the authority vested in us under mass general laws including but not limited

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to mass general law chapter 39 section 10 and mass general law chapter 59 section 21C vote to call for an election to be held in the town of Freetown on June 8th 2026 for the purpose of submitting a debt exclusion question to

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the registered voters in the town and to authorize the town clerk to take all actions necessary to preparing for and conduct said election in accordance with the laws of the commonwealth and the town's bylaws. Do I have that motion? >> So move. >> I will second it. All those in favor?

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>> I >> Iman Zagar. >> Yes. >> Do you have the language of the question in your packets? >> Yes, I have it right here. want to read it or >> Yeah, I just want them to approve that

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language because I didn't really do that in in the series. Shall the town of Freetown be allowed to exempt from the provisions of Proposition 2 and 1/2 so-called the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to pay costs of

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designing, construction, constructing and equipping a council on aging, library, community building, including the payment of all costs incident incidental and relative there too related there too rather. Sorry.

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>> All right. So, um >> just make a motion to approve that. question. >> All right. So with that, I'll entertain a motion to approve the language that was just read by Lumen. >> So moved. >> I will second it. All those in favor? >> I >> I select Cabalo. >> I select Zer. >> Yes.

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>> Agenda item number 13. Discussion and vote on which selectman will be responsible for responding to social media platforms. >> So this is an interesting >> it is. you know, we probably should have done this a long time ago because you know that you can't all respond on public social media because it would be

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a open meeting law violation. So, in order to eliminate that and for people to understand why one selectman will respond, but not all of the selectman is because they cannot, right? They cannot they'll be brought up on open meeting law violations. So, I thought it would be good for us and and we can wait until

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select Mopes is here. It doesn't matter whatever we're nominating him anyways. >> Um, okay. I just thought it would be good to have a formal role so that way it's just called out that that's why what's going on so that um people understand more

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than anything why a selectman don't respond sometimes because they cannot in that arena because if all three of you start deliberating in essence on social media it becomes an open meeting law violation. So I just wanted to sort of clarify it and solidify it. >> No I think I think it's a good call. I

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guess the only issue I so I read this and I thought Carlos loves to respond so you know whatever but that's and which is good. Um, but my issue is is if I'm tagged in something, you know, am I responding at that point, right? Am I

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responding am I having him respond to something because it's being my name's being brought up in as a selectman, right? They're asking me as a question as a selectman or a town employee and I'm tagged in it. Am I

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still having Carlos I keep saying Carlos having another selectman respond in my >> So I guess my thought would be no if you're being tagged and you're the only one being tagged then you would respond to your own and I think that would have to be clarified amongst the three of you

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so that you all understand that that's the case and then go from there. But I think just in general, you know, I I know that and it has been Carlos, right? We know that he's been very very um active on social media. But I just like I said, my reasoning was lots of people

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say, "Well, nobody else, you know, the other selectmen don't talk." Well, they can't talk. So, you know, just so >> Well, I think you're doing it to protect us. And I appreciate that because I can't tell you how many times I've seen someone in public and I'm like, "Mark, it wasn't disrespectful that I didn't respond to you. was that Chad already responded to you and I so I can't you

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know >> so so if I can comment >> absolutely >> um I think you have to pick one and because you know previously as a water commissioner now as a library trustee I can't respond you know I can ask a

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question or but I can't render an opinion >> exactly >> um on something that's pertinent to a board I sit on unfortunately for the selectman you oversee everything. So your every opinion you have matters. >> Mhm.

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>> My opinions only matters for the specific matters that I see. So >> Mhm. you would have to come up with maybe a blanket disclaimer that, you know, unfortunately I can't answer this, you know, or Carlos would answer it on

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your behalf and with a with a two-line explanation to due to open meeting law >> and and and people will eventually they'll eventually the people on social media will >> hopefully learn that >> and not and and they're not going to be offended by it.

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>> Yeah. No, I think that that that's actually a good call out. And I know you were saying you were just going to >> I was thinking that in my head has right before you were saying that >> that we should have maybe like a disclaimer like >> uh selectman Lopes is our social media representative. We we are not allowed to

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talk about town business. He's the only one allowed you know something professional. That's a good idea. And then >> the only time I know town council has said cuz we had that meeting where they came in and discussed with us and he said the only time one of the only times that it can actually be done is when you're up for election right like I can

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comment on things and say things a little bit different in the manner of rerunning um on my platform right so that that can be a little bit different but daytoday someone decides to ask a question about

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the new COA library, you know, and they they tag me, then I can just put that disclaimer and, you know, let it somehow tag and even tag say Carlos or who >> you can work on that and bring it back to another meeting if you >> Yeah. No, and I and then that way we can

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vote with him here and not just throw him under the bus. So, >> do that in front of him when >> Yeah. go right in front of him to his face. So to give you an example, I can come to a selectman's meeting and I can comment about the library and whatnot

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outside of a library trustees meeting because I'm I'm also an individual. But I don't think I can do that on social media. >> Mhm. >> It wouldn't be appropriate. >> Yeah. >> You know, >> yeah. See, for us it's because of the board of three, we're creating quorum by

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if chat comments and then I comment. >> But you could still create a quorum if you have a if you have a board of five. And everybody's talking on social media. Oh yeah. It's it's an open meeting law violation because that's >> and that's kind of what we've talked about. Like I said, we literally had a whole meeting dedicated to that with

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town council just discussing all these things. So I do like that that. So, I think we'll we feel like I tabled a whole bunch of stuff tonight, which we normally try not to do, but let's put it aside and try and come up with some verbiage and then when the three of us

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are back in, then we can um you know, vote at that point on who. So, that way if he doesn't want to do anything with it, then we can discuss. >> Cool. Now, >> I do think that's a good call. Um

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should it's 7:36. Do you think I should >> Oh, >> pause on. Well, we >> are they on >> Is there anyone on? >> Uh there is a gentleman. Tyler, are you for here for Circle K? >> Uh yes, I am. >> I thought so.

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>> Okay. I wonder if we have any other representatives that we should be waiting on or you know >> I don't believe anyone else is coming. >> Okay. >> Is are you the only one coming, Tyler? >> I I It's just me. >> That's what I thought. You have to open it and read the statement. >> Yeah. Yep. Okay. All right. So, I'm

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going to just pause on our regular agenda and then go into um the public hearing that we had scheduled. Sorry. All right. So, first I am going to um make a motion to enter into the public

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hearing. >> All right. Go ahead. >> That motion. >> All right. I will second. All those in favor? Hi. >> I >> Tabalo. >> Hi, >> Squan Zagger. >> Yes. All right. So, now I'm just going to read this so everyone bear with me here for a second. Uh, the notice that

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went out. Uh, town of Freetown public notice 48 2026. Notice is hereby given that an applicant has filed for a change of officers and change of uh beneficial ownership interest application for uh Circle K Massachusetts LLC DBA Circle

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K7518 Fort Chase Road, East Freetown, Mass 02717. Manager Halley Reynolds. Um, a public hearing to consider the above matter will be held on Monday, April 27th, 2026

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at 7:30 p.m. Freetown Police Station Community Room and virtually on Zoom. Uh, 15 Memorial Drive, East Freetown, Mass 02717, Freetown Board of Select. So, um, the meeting's now open. Public hearing is

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now open, I should say. >> Uh, thank thank you, uh, attorney Tyler Hensler here. Um, I'm having a little trouble uh hearing uh the board right now, but um I'll just continue and and I'll take any questions uh when when I'm

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done. This is very straightforward. Uh circle K, this is part of a a corporate reorganization uh which involves insertion of a new entity in their ownership chain uh for insurance and liability purposes. There

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will be no change at the Freetown location. Um, this is also, I guess, technically an officer change, but it's really just the removal of someone uh an individual on the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth uh signing

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authority list. Um, they're doing this at all their Massachusetts locations. uh the ABCC requires us to file uh these applications so that the town and the and the state have updated ownership records but again this is just uh the

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result of a corporate restructuring and and not an actual sale of the business or anything like that. Uh and and again nothing on the uh uh at the Freetown location will will change. >> Thank you. I appreciate that. Can you hear me better now by any re by any

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chance? >> I can. I I can. Yes. >> Okay, perfect. Yeah, I had to bring the microphone a little bit closer because they were they were saying this before. Um so yeah, so thank you for that clarification. I do appreciate it. Um we we had Miss Reynolds in what feels like

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a few months ago here um being added on. So I was kind of curious as to why this was happening. So I do appreciate that. So um it it does seem pretty straightforward. Uh do you have any forum questions, concerns?

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I do not. >> No. Okay. All right. So, um, procedurally now, I'm going to have to clo I got to close the public hearing. So, um, I have to make a motion to close the public hearing though, right? Yeah. All right. So, with that, I'll entertain a motion to close the public hearing.

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>> I'll make that motion. >> I will second it. All those in favor? >> I >> I zagger. >> Yes. All right. So now um I'm going to call agenda item number 18 discussion and vote whether to approve the change

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of officers and change of beneficial owner interest application for Circle K Massachusetts LLC. Um you know for all the reasons just discussed I think it's pretty straightforward that we do this. So, uh, with that, I'll entertain a motion

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to approve the change of ownership and change of beneficial ownership interest applications for Circle K. Massachusetts LLC. >> Select Zerger. You said um to change the ownership twice that you want to change the officers and the

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>> I'm sorry. I apologize. Thank you. All right. So that I'll entertain a motion to approve the change of officers and change of beneficial ownership interest applications for Circle K Massachusetts LLC. Uh should I I probably should call out

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the address and the the names. >> Sure. >> I think Okay. All right. at 4chase Road. Um, manager Halley Reynolds. Uh, Circle K, Massachusetts LLC DBA, Circle K7518 for Chase Roadies, Freetown, Mass.

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Manager Halley Reynolds. >> I'll make that motion. >> I will second it. All those in favor? >> I >> Iman Cavalo >> I. >> Slickman Zagar. >> Yes. >> Sorry, I kind of fumbled up on that one a little bit. So, thank you, sir. I do appreciate your time tonight.

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Thank you very much. You have a great night. >> Thank you. >> For one minute for one moment. >> Think I lost my second page. for the agenda.

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>> Yeah, cuz we said 18 with like >> Wait a minute. >> It was the public the next p the next one would just be the one with the uh public hearing on it. >> It was that that's all it was. >> Yeah. 18. >> So if you look it'll see this right here. It's down at the bottom. This one

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looks >> I don't need it. >> It's just a one pager that you had on it at the bottom of the notice. >> That's what that's how we confused. >> Well, if you stepped up, do you want to do the personnel board appointment to

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>> Yeah. Yeah. While we while we wait, we might as well jump over to agenda item number 17, personnel board. >> Sure. So discussion and vote whether to approve the following appointments. We have

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Melissa Lopes McKenna to Agricultural Commission effective uh 42826 until 6:3027. Marie Oh yeah. Marie Kid

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as seasonal beach boat ramp manager effective 4:3026 until s uh 9826 C uh William Ericson as park and control officer effective

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4:3026 until 9826 and D Nancy Dery as joint transportation planning group municipal uh representative appointment effective

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6126 until 53127 any discussion >> no I mean I'm I'm excited that we getting some people over to >> Absolutely. So, um, all good stuff. >> All right. So, I will, uh, entertain a

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motion to accept A, B, C, and D. >> I'll make that motion. >> All right. I'll second it. And all in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Sleman Gabalo. >> I. >> Slman Zer. >> Yes. All right. So, now we're going to jump

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back up to item number 14, discussion and vote whether to open, add, remove articles, approve, make recommendations, finalize, and close the annual and special town meeting warrants for 6126.

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>> Yeah. So, you want to start with the annual town meeting warrant? >> Um, have a just bear with me. I got to figure out what page I'm going to have. >> Do we need to make a motion to open it or >> we just review? Um,

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>> yes, you need to make a motion to open it and then we'll we'll go through each article and formally add them >> at the end. >> All right. So, with that, I'll entertain a motion to open uh the annual and

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special town meeting warrants for 6126. >> I'll make that motion. >> I will second it. All those in favor? I >> I >> Sleman Cavalo >> I >> Slickman. >> Yes. All right. So now just bear with me here one second. I'm going to get two. >> Make sure everyone was awake.

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>> It's page 27 here. There we go. Thank you. >> All right. So, I'm going to read through each article here. Uh, >> are you on the special? You're on the special, right? This is the first >> special town. Yep. >> That's fine. >> Okay.

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>> Reallocate funds uh appropriate for the salt salted engineering. Um, this is for the $100,000 is discussed with Chuck um recently about adding in new salt shed.

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Um, do you want me to read through each description or do you think I should just read high level what it is? >> I think highlighting it I mean um this this Yeah, it's highlighting and just approving the Warren article. >> Okay. >> Are we making recommendations tonight or

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are we going to do another time? Well, >> do you want them to do the recommendations tonight or another time? >> I um I >> think just moving them forward, right? Not making a recommendation. >> Yeah, I think we could do the other to open it back up to make recommendations,

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>> right? And you only have a couple meetings left. >> Yeah, we're kind of tight on time. That's why. So, um >> I think they don't recommend it. It doesn't go it shouldn't go on the warrant, >> right? So I think just then by deciding to put it on a warrant inherently means they

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recommend it >> unless um yeah so let's just move forward with them and all right so the next article is to fund the salt shed for the highway department to see if the town will vote and raise appropriate funds uh for $150,000.

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Um this is all kind of the same thing. This is for the site work in the actual soul shed itself needs to be done or should be done. I shouldn't say needs to be done. Fund the match for the Massachusetts Historical Commission's grant. Um so we got $25,000

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but it was a match grant. So commission grant to fund an feasibility study for the village schoolhouse um and take any actions relative to there too. >> So we don't have the grant yet. We've applied for the grant. I'm sorry. >> But the grant will be like we're going

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to get notified probably sometime in early June and we have to have the match by June 30th. So if you you see this this would give us the match. But if we didn't get the grant then we wouldn't use the money and it would just go back to the general fund.

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So it it does I think say that um maybe in the explanation that that's what I got to find my that's what that's that is. So the next one is um other postemployment benefits OPED study. So

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this one is to see if the town will vote and raise an appropriate andor transfer from available funds the sum of $81,000 for the purpose of updating a two-year uh architectural I just

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Yeah. 8,100. >> Yeah. Oh 8,100. Wow. Not 81,000. Wow. Other postmployment benefits study. uh and take any actions altered there too. So yeah, this kind of straightforward we need something we need to do, right? >> It's required. So yep.

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>> Uh the next one is police station surveillance system and network uh server replacement. So this one is to see if the town will vote and raise an appropriate andor transfer from available funds the sum of $60,000 for the purpose of upgrading technology

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software systems at the police department's video surveillance system and computer network servers. uh system. So they're crazy to think, but their system is coming to end of life. So this is the the amount of money it will take to um redo it all.

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>> So just to also inform you that the chief originally asked for $66,000. When I asked him for the backup for that, it was there was a contingency built into the request. We are very tight. As you know, there's $550,000 of

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free cash and so there was more requests than what we're putting through. So I reduced it to $60,000 which so should give them enough money to do the to do what they need to do. >> Thank you. Really appreciate that. So I mean it was all

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I said. >> I don't see an issue with any of those going forward to the town's people. So, do you just you want to vote to um approve all of the warrant articles on the special town meeting warrant and

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recommend them? >> All right. So, with that, I will entertain a motion to approve all um articles on the special town meeting warrant and approve them. I have that motion. >> I'll make that motion. >> I will second it. All those in favor? I

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>> I >> Sleman Cavalow >> I >> Sleman Zer >> yes. >> All right. So now we're going to go on to the annual talent meeting. So first one uh town and Freetown fiscal year 2027 operating budget um which that

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number will come into right. So um >> yeah this is the standard goal that approves our yeah budget >> our budget. So there's still there's no real number into that right now, right? So uh to see if the town will vote and race, it's no need to really read that

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one. It's kind of that has to be there. Um the next one is salary and uh compensation for elected officials of the town of Freetown. So this is just what um everyone's elected being paid. Um, you know, moderator, board of

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selectmen, town clerk, uh, board of assessors, and the tree warden, highway survey, surveyor, Freetown, Lakeville Regional School District, uh, committee committee. Wow. And water sewer commissioners. So, um, very standard,

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happens every time. See an issue with that one. Uh, operating budget for the water sewer enterprise fund. Uh this is what uh Mr. Sadic was bringing up before and how they operate. So um to see if the town will vote to approve the sum of

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uh we still need to know the amount to operate the water and sewer enterprise fund. So that one obviously needs to stay on there as well. Amend uh bylaw to increase fees for weights and measures. Uh so this is just

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so that the businesses pay for what needs to be done legally. Um it has so we have like the I'm going to use uh LPG meters is $55. So it's just

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going to change and the reason being it changes because the cost is going up. Right. Right. >> For us to to have someone an outside company come in and do it or the state. Y >> so um once again this is kind of a a pass on that they're the business they're the ones who should be paying for it

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>> not the town >> so I don't see an issue with that being on there um spending limits uh for assorted revolving funds um to see if the town will vote to establish the following

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fiscal year spending limits for each revolving funds established under article 29 general bylaw laws and take any action relative to there too. Um, so this is just money that they can each

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department can spend, right? And it what was the purpose of this one, Deb? I'm sorry. >> So, this is basically like um monies that come in. So, um, say community programs. Say that um, Kylie has a

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program and she charges $25 to go for paint night. And so she has that money in in an account that she can then take that money and spend it, but she can only spend up to the amount that we authorize her to spend on community programs. So like vaccines, you know, um

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Lori does vaccine, she does vaccines. Well, she gets reimbursed from Medicaid or say for issue for doing vaccines on on people residents. And so that money goes into it's a revolving fund sort of a thing, but she we still have to authorize her to be able to spend out of that. One of the big ones and I don't

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know where it is. I'm sure it's here somewhere. Is the boat the boat ramp, right? We get all the >> selecting long pond. >> Yeah, that Oh, is it on there? Oh, that Yeah. So, is it on there? >> Yeah. 375. >> Oh, yeah. So, that's the biggest one, right? Because we get all the fees from the parking, but we're spending all the

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money on the uh parking attendants and the manager down there. And so, that authorizes to spend up to 37,500. We have more than that in the revolving fund, but that's what our projection is what we're going to need for the year. So, it's just an authorization that you can spend that amount of money on your

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expenses for your for what you're doing. >> Does that make sense? >> Oh, it 100% does. Thank you for the clarification. Once I saw the the vaccine revolving fund, I'm like I I kind of had a funny feeling where you were going with that. So, because that's something that definitely >> these are not tax dollars necessarily. These are these are people

398
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>> money coming in. >> Yeah. The town report is donations from people putting ads in the book and whatnot. really good one. Fund the construction phase of the combined uh council on aging and library building. >> So that's just to infectuate what I

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talked about. >> Yep. To effectuate it. Yep. So no need to read through that one. Uh continue police cruiser lease agreement program. So that's very standard. It's about us getting you know new police cruisers every year. Um

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cable fund appropriation. So, uh to see if the town will vote to appropriate and transfer the sum of $35,000 from the special revenue receipt reserve for appropriate account known as the PEG access and grant related funds. So, we get that every year from

401
01:50:36.080 --> 01:50:51.360
local cable access or whatever, right? And we can use >> we get that mostly from Comcast, right? Because they're the provider in the town. They pay us a certain pennies for all the customers on Comcast. So, we get funding, but we can only use that money for broadcasting. So like

402
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>> John, yeah, we put all the equipment in this room and then when we John comes and films our films our movies, our shows, then he gets um money and it comes out of that. So that money is basically to pay John to film what we ask him to film and put it and put it on YouTube.

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>> All right. Thank you. Approve the petition uh general court to authorize recall of members to the school committee. So, this is what we've been working on for some time between the two towns. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> this has had to be and tried to give you

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a little bit of background. Part of the issue is is this had to be in conjunction with Lakeville because of >> Okay. >> Um, >> yeah. >> You know, it's it affects two towns. So, uh, it looks like we finally have the language and everything worked out. So, now we can bring it forward to the the

405
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town's people. So >> and KP Law Draft, they were town council for both towns at the time and they drafted the language. So we both have the same language. I will I will circle back with Andrew, but I believe we're both on the same page there. >> Yeah.

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>> Um so that one's okay with the next one. Child care at town meetings to see if the town uh will vote to advise its officers on the following questions. uh the result of what shall be non-binding

407
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uh an advisory in nature and taking your action. Should the town appropriate f future funds in future years to provide for child care during annual and special town meetings? >> So it's kind of an interesting one, right? A lot

408
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of a lot of parents say I'd like to go but I can't because I'm home with my kids or whatever. So if we could find a way to be able to >> Yep. I think he's just yeah trying to see what the flavor is if people are interested in that or >> and notice that these are non-binding the dot questions next one are

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non-binding questions but they are questions so >> yes >> Mike McHugh is asked >> would like to speak >> I can't think of anyone better >> go ahead Mike >> all right Jared you beat me to the punch

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I would wanted just to emphasize that those two articles are absolutely nonbinding they're basically survey of the people that are in the room. >> Yeah. >> Awesome. Yeah. Thanks. >> Well, thank you. I appreciate it. I'm glad I'm glad you're on, Mike.

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>> Um, >> thanks. >> But yeah, no. So, uh, as as we both just said, the next one will be the same thing. Amend bylaw to include battery energy stored. Wait, I'm sorry. >> No, >> I just jumped. >> Yeah, you jumped.

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01:53:31.440 --> 01:53:46.880
>> I'm sorry. Uh, date and time of annual meeting. notice non-binding to see if the town will vote to advise its officers on the following questions. The result of what shall be non-binding and advisory in nature and take any action

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relative there too. Should the date and time of the annual business meeting be changed from the first Monday in June at 7:30 p.m. to the first Saturday following the first Monday in June at 100 p.m.? Uh, this is something that's

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been brought up by several people is that uh, you know, it's during the week. I can't make it. You know, I don't have child care. I got to work the next day. So, there's been questions about uh, doing it on a Saturday. Okay. So, I guess this is trying to also get a

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flavor of that and see what people think. >> It's a good question, but I can tell you June on a Saturday at 1 p.m. unless we're doing it a little Fenway, no one's coming to our meeting. >> Mhm. Yeah. >> You know. >> Mhm. Yeah. No, I mean, listen, I think

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at the end of the day, there's there's it this could help some people. I think a lot of people >> a lot of the seniors won't drive at night and so that's a big issue. All right. We we encourage. So, but maybe that's a good we have a good discussion at town meeting and get what a good time would be. Would it be better to be at 3:00 on a Saturday? I don't know.

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>> Yeah. >> Um what's best um >> you know and unfortunately we're going to get the people that can make it. Those are the ones that are going to be there having this >> thing seniors or the people although we should see a lot of seniors this at this meeting because of the the building,

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right? So, we probably will have more seniors. So maybe it is a good it's a good time to have that question come up. >> And Mike, since you're on, you're getting asked another question. If we if the room comes up and says yes, then it's a a Saturday would be better. Then

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it's by law. It's it's statute, right? So we would have to then have a vote separately. Yeah. >> In order to change it, right? >> Because it's bylaw. >> Go ahead, Mike. >> So yep, you're absolutely right. Um, we have a bylaw

420
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for our annual town meeting that specifies that it must take place on the first Monday evening in June. Uh, as a board of selectmen, you have the ability, and we've done that a few times, to delay it later in the month of June. Um, but the fixed date is the

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first Monday. And of course with special town meetings, you're free to schedule them at any time needed. Uh part of the reason for this particular question is over the la over the years and particularly over the last 25 years

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we've alternated back and forth between week nights and Saturdays. Sometimes depending on the time of year, sometimes depending on the issue. Uh you may recall when we were voting on the Lake District question, those were always for whatever reason scheduled on Saturdays.

423
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Um, other meetings typically are Monday nights. And what we have is uh sort of a cross-section, which I I think you might have touched on a second ago, is we have folks that say the Monday nights are inconvenient because they work the next morning or they can't find someone to

424
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watch their children. Um, we have other folks who have said over the years they prefer the Saturday afternoons because for whatever reason they may not like to drive at night and they don't want to come out on a Monday night. So um the result of this may be that there

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is no change but at least we'll have asked the question and we'll have gotten people's opinion on it. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. I like >> I appreciate that. >> Great. >> All right. So I'm going to move on to the next one. Amend the bylaw to include

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battery energy uh storage systems. Um, this additional bylaw will create a new overlay district for battery energy storage systems to ensure safety. >> Yeah. So, I can kind of speak on that one. >> Absolutely.

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>> Planning board. Um, state's coming out with more laws and rules and if we don't have a bylaw out to manage the battery storage stuff, we're going to have no nothing.

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So, we'll have no restrictions. Uh, and the state might allow people to build them anywhere they want in town. So, this is going to make it so it's in our control and

429
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>> getting out ahead of it. >> We'll have them in. It's getting out ahead of it. Yes. So, we're getting out ahead of it. We had a meeting with a representative from from the state about these and there's going to be a permit and process that they can use. They can use the state's swan or they can use

430
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ours. But we have to at least give them the option to use the state. They use the state permit. They still have to come through us, but the state also has a has a say if we were rejected or something. But if we put the bylaw in there and put the zoning protection in

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there. So I want to see if it says it in here. Currently what we're doing is um industrial area >> is where we want to put the the zoning forum. Um if we don't restrict it to that then the state may allow probably

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will allow people to put them in general areas and stuff like that. And our thing is if there's a fire we don't want them in general areas in town where we also have residential houses and stuff. So, we want to get >> I'm I'm glad to hear that you guys are getting out ahead.

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>> We're trying to be proactive over there with everything they're throwing at the plan of born. The states rough on the planet board the last few years. So, we're getting ahead of it and it needs to be in probably before October is when they're going to start their own permit in the state. So, we want to get

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something >> something in. NY's actually been working pretty good diligently on that. She came up with something good for us. So, >> thank you. >> All right. uh add employment positions to bylaw to see if the town will vote

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and amend the general bylaws. Chapter 48 personnel uh clarification and compensation plan section 48-8 positions by adding the following positions to the list of positions contained therein the assistant water

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superintendent. Um so this is just >> yeah this is just um preempter because you know we have uh uh water departments growing. We have hired another person in there. We're talking about extending the line

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up to the uh Howland Road area the dump the transfer station. We're talking about possibly adding a line coming you know to surface Lakeville through Freetown. So the water department may be growing. So, I'm preparing um to add this position um you know, so it needs

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to first be in the bylaw before we can even discuss it. So, >> all right. Uh amend zoning bylaw section 300-1.4 definitions and word use. >> Okay. So, that's also planned board and

439
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we had a few issues come up >> and we search our bylaws for definitions and they're Maybe in one bylaw the definition is different in another. So what we did is we are

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uh we got all the definitions to match and if we didn't have a definition for something that was important we put >> will we have a list of all the ones that >> Yeah, I believe we should have a list of that. Um >> yeah, there's file it is on file. >> It's extensive. So it's on extensive.

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Yeah, we went through uh Nancy again and and Brenda and they went through and really did some some good work on that and got us some definitions. There was a few things where they left the bylaws had some definitions that were up for too wide of

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a interpretation range. I wonder if there's a way for us to put something together and it might not my answer might be very well no is like what it entails like a one paragraph. So people because people like they they

443
02:01:56.000 --> 02:02:12.800
feel like they I giving them smoking mirrors right saying something and then saying oh we're changing a bunch of stuff and they're like well what is it? Well you know the list is too extensive for us to go over with you. >> So that's a good Yeah. You're right. I mean, the purpose of this is to clean up language, combine duplicate definitions,

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and add significant terms to the zoning pilots. I mean, >> what is it, right? And that's what I mean, that's so to people to you and I, it's not a big deal, right? You you know it. So, but to the the general citizen, they're going to say, "Well, >> are they going to be able to hang up that list or >> town council's reviewing it? I'm not

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sure if it's back. I think they're they've been going back and forth, Nancy, and town council. So when it's solidified and complete, we will definitely be publicizing it. And lots of times I bring copies to town meeting for everybody so that there's so while they're sitting there waiting, they can review it. Um this year, and I tried to

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do it last year, I'm going to hopefully do a better at it this year, is that I want all the department heads there at tables when you come in so that they'll be sitting there. So if people have a question about something the planet has done, Nancy will be there and they can ask her that question before they go in

447
02:03:01.280 --> 02:03:18.400
and vote. So they'll be out in front. Um I like you know we it was a little awkward last year but you know these things take time to iron out but I want the and people don't realize they're going to be there, right? So I want the department heads to be there to answer these questions for people before they go in the room and vote. Um and I think

448
02:03:18.400 --> 02:03:34.080
the more that we let people know that these people are going to be there come you know come come a half an hour early ask your questions. All the information will be there. We're certainly not trying to hide anything. It'll be, you know, and I'm going to have a meeting here the week before town meeting as I've done the last couple of times for

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an informational session. So, I all of that will be here. If I think there's going to be a lot of questions about that, Nancy has accompanied me to answer those questions too because I can't always answer 100% of the planning board stuff. So, definitely we're going to get it out and we'll we'll highlight what's

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>> the transparency, right? Like that's why and I know listen, we pride ourselves on being transparent as possible. So, um I just when I read that that's kind of what's going on. So, but it sounds like we're already heading in the right direction for that. So, >> yeah. And I'm sure they'll have us we'll you know

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>> Mhm. >> be a little we'll be prepared for that too. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, so we're going to be very soon I'd say within the next week or two where we can really start pumping out the information. It'll be all cleaned up for from town council. And then the last one is a citizen's petition, which if

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it's that's what it is, then needs to be on there, is the purchase and parcel of land uh to see if the town will vote and raise the appropriate andor transfer from available funds. The sum of $110,000 to purchase the parcel of land on the east side of Richmond Road, shown

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as lot 111 on assess map 207 being 42.66 acres. Um, so yeah. So it's >> I do believe that the conservation commission is going to purchase this land. So this is probably going to be mute, but we can't take it off because it's a citizen

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>> citizens. Um, which is really a good thing because we don't have $110,000 anywhere. Um, so I think that that they're they're vote they were voting it could have been tonight to purchase it. So when we get to town meeting, this actually might >> not be an issue beyond the one.

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02:05:11.840 --> 02:05:27.679
>> This still has to be on there, right? But but we can just say it's gone. Yeah. >> Yes. >> Mike has a comment. >> Thank you, sir. >> Mike. >> No. Once again, Deb beat me to the punch, but that's completely correct. The conservation commission voted

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tonight to purchase the property using their own funds. You will see that on your agenda. I believe it's next Monday to uh basically approve of them doing that. So, the article will be you Dev's right. You have to keep it on

457
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there, but you you don't need to worry about it at all. It's going to go away on its own. >> Good stuff. Thank you. >> So, yeah. >> Thank you, Mike. >> So, that's it. So, now you guys got the requested articles. You have this list.

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I I brought it to you in the beginning. >> Thank you. All right. So, now we have some >> Mike while he's while he's on here. Um, one of the things that I asked him to be on here was this, um, this bottom one, acquired parcels in lie of foreclosure.

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>> So, if you want to do that one, um, this is just, uh, a new a new article that our warrant has already gone to town council, so we can't start messing with it until it comes back from him. So, this is one that's proposed to go on the warrant, and I I think it should be, and

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I brought a little map. I don't know if I I handed it to you so you could see these little tiny possums. But Mike has all of the history if you want to hear it because it's pretty interesting. >> Yeah. Okay. So, do you want me to start with that one? I can start. >> Yeah, start with that one. So, Mike doesn't have to stay on any longer unless he >> But Mike loves spending time with us.

461
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>> I know. >> All right. So, uh notice how he didn't say anything. Acquire parcels in lie of foreclosure. Uh this is to see if the town will vote and authorize the board of selectment to acquire the fee in in the parcels of land located in Summit

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02:07:00.719 --> 02:07:17.440
Park, East Freetown being parcel 68,80 and 84 and assesses map 245 by the deed in lie of foreclosure pursuant to the provisions of Mass General Law chapter 6 section 77C for general municipal

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purposes and take any actions relative there too. So, Mike, I heard you got some more information on this one for me. Us, I should say, not me. >> Fun fun history lesson time. >> So, you're familiar with u Willy Wonka, Charlie Charlie in the Chocolate

464
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Factory. The golden ticket gets you the tour of the factory. >> Yes. >> U about 125 years ago, there were some companies that actually did things like that. One of them was a company in New Bedford that sold, if I remember correctly, the name of it was called

465
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Grandma's Night Cap Tea. And >> right, >> yep. Also known as box of tea. And if you were lucky enough, you got the golden ticket and the company gave you a free piece of land 20 feet wide and 80

466
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feet long in East Freetown. Uh you could ride the trolley up from New Bedford and uh have a little garden on County Road. This is County Road right by the New Bedford line. Um, so what what happened

467
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was uh in the in the 60s a family bought a large piece of land over in that area to build a home and they started acquiring some of these what were called tea lots and uh the family has moved out of town

468
02:08:44.639 --> 02:09:01.040
but they have a couple of these scattered teenytiny lots that are left over. Uh what's happened now is they've stopped paying the taxes on them because they I think weren't completely aware that they still own them. And uh they

469
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have said they have said that uh they don't intend to resume paying the taxes. So they would like to give the land to the town in exchange for the taxes. And that's something you're allowed to do. you're allowed to basically accept a

470
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gift of land to forgive unpaid taxes. And uh because these pieces of land are so small, if you took those three pieces of land, added them together, the total property tax bill for all

471
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three of them is less than $25 a year. >> All right. Wow, that's wild. What a interesting story. and for us to take them and pay for those >> happened in a couple of other places out on Martha's Vineyard. They called the

472
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medicine lots and it was the same thing in West Tisbury. You bought some kind of medicine and and you got a free extraordinarily tiny piece of land on Martha's Vineyard that's probably worth $2 million now because that is great. Thank Thank you for that.

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I appreciate that. So yeah, I mean that Wow, but but cool. I mean and why not, right? It's a It's a small amount of money that we're forgiving. Um and then we have it. >> Yeah. And it cost us a lot more money to to foreclose on the way.

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>> Absolutely. Yeah. Know we've learned lately of what it takes to do all that. >> And the new rules are terrible. So >> So yeah, I'm okay with Mike. I do appreciate that. So I just got a couple more quick ones I'm going to go through. Raising appropriate funds to transfer into conservation land.

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>> So this is the one they just so to give you purpose. They give, you know, they ask for $30,000 every year just because they want to have money in their coffers, unfortunately. So, they put in the same one that they always put in. We don't have it. >> Okay. >> We don't have it. I don't know where

476
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we're going to get $30,000 from. So, I pulled it off and that's why it's on the separate page because I don't know where I'm going to fund it from. And they don't have a particular use for it. They just want to put it in their savings in case something comes up in the future. So, I I would rather entertain possible,

477
02:11:11.119 --> 02:11:26.800
you know, want to have free cash in the fall, but again, we're not where we've been. We've been able to do this in the past because we've had the funding. I don't have it. So, I would say I I don't think that the selectment should put this warrant, this article on the warrant. >> Yeah. No, I mean, I agree with that. And

478
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especially, I mean, it's it'd be a different argument if we said, "Hey, we need this $30,000 so we can purchase this." We don't have something that we're trying to purchase. We're just trying to get it into a savings account, which it's great, but we don't have to pull from and I So, I mean, I'm okay

479
02:11:43.040 --> 02:11:58.960
with leaving that one out. Um, but um that's a >> um >> and then >> fun the pretend Lakeville Regional School District. >> So, this is a discussion about how you want to present the school funding. The

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next three articles are all the schools. Um, we generally put them in the omnibus and they go through in that in the omnibus. Um, there's been discussion about being transparent and putting them separate. I I left them off just um

481
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because it's new and it's different and I didn't know what the board what does that >> Yeah. I mean, I guess I I understand it in good faith, but at the same time, I also do you really think that it's a good idea to change up the way we've done it?

482
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Do you think it makes sense or do you think that I don't know to me it looks it looks like we're try are we trying too hard at this point to to separate them out? I don't know.

483
02:12:46.400 --> 02:13:03.280
>> I don't I you know the omnibus is the omnibus. It's all it's always it's laid out there which will be another attachment. Right. So we give that out at town meeting. Mike usually goes line by line and you can if there's something you're not happy about, you can put a hold on that line, right? And we can

484
02:13:03.280 --> 02:13:19.360
have further discussion. >> And I guess that's what you're you're saying it much more eloquently than I was saying it is that we're separating it out, but it's already in there kind of separate it out. So I don't know why we would separate it out there and then again or or completely away from that

485
02:13:19.360 --> 02:13:35.599
budget and not just have it where this these numbers are going to be called out in that budget, right? So it's not >> I don't know that these numbers need to be in particularly held completely separate. Um I I would kind of disagree with that because I think most people

486
02:13:35.599 --> 02:13:52.320
that are not participating in government or or whatever would think that if they call out a certain line item on the omnibus then it might affect everyone's cuz I know a lot of times we usually go in there and I know the last meeting I

487
02:13:52.320 --> 02:14:08.239
think someone just said they'll make a motion and we passed the whole thing in in in like 30 seconds. >> It was crazy. I think because maybe because obviously I I think because schools right now across everyone's got it in

488
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their head. It's a hot topic. I think we should just give the people a chance to to vote them in. >> Well, yeah. I guess well then the only other thing you could say is make sure you have people understand that that they can put hold on any line item that they don't agree with. >> Yeah. Yeah. I guess I think so too. I

489
02:14:24.159 --> 02:14:41.679
mean Yeah, >> I don't have a problem with I I think it's actually better to do it separate. It almost to me I feel like some people out there might I mean I understand the schools might think we're trying to

490
02:14:41.679 --> 02:14:59.920
to put them in the spotlight, but I think other people might think we're trying to conceal the >> I I know I know Listen, I'm I'm seeing both sides of the coin. put all three out there. It's not like we're singling out one. >> Yeah.

491
02:14:59.920 --> 02:15:15.119
>> Or anything. We're putting on and and everything's new like >> Well, it might make it I mean because I've been saying too BP's budget is getting >> and it's and it's new and this talk going on about BP just in general good and >> I guess so. The only way that the only

492
02:15:15.119 --> 02:15:31.360
reason why we can say because I just don't want like I said I don't want to make it look like we're trying to hide something or do something with this is here for transparency, right? quite the quite the opposite. So I guess with we can kind of use this as a kickoff point

493
02:15:31.360 --> 02:15:48.560
because of BP coming aboard and that way people can see it. So that way it's not just looking at the number and saying x amount of millions of dollars and it's just schools in general. They can see what we're spending on Freetown Lakeville, what we're spending on BP, what we're spending on BA. So,

494
02:15:48.560 --> 02:16:04.719
>> and that's that's been asked in some some meetings like what are you what are you giving >> what if well I guess they can do this on any level but I'm just concerned that they say yeah we're going to pay for the re the the regional school but we're not paying for BP

495
02:16:04.719 --> 02:16:20.000
>> what do we do with that >> is true like what do we do >> or vice versa we're not going to pay for you know the regional but we'll pay for the other two or we're not going to pay for like what do we I I mean I think either way they have the right to do that Now they have the right to not vote

496
02:16:20.000 --> 02:16:37.359
for the omnibus budget, but then they would be almost declining >> the whole budget and they they could make a motion to reduce what we pay for the school on the school floor, right on the town meeting floor. I just think

497
02:16:37.359 --> 02:16:55.760
this would be very awkward if one got approved and one didn't. It'd be very awkward. So just think about that. That's what could happen, right? by separating them like this. I don't know, you know, I don't know. I I just that's my only concern. >> Do you know how how other towns do it?

498
02:16:55.760 --> 02:17:12.080
>> I think they do it like we usually do it, which is it's all in the omnibus budget. >> So, the total budget is like 30 30 $32 million, whatever the budget number is, and it's line by line, >> which I've given you the omnibuset budget. So, that's what we present at

499
02:17:12.080 --> 02:17:29.840
town meeting. So, it's in there by a category. Um, and the schools are all, you know, by category. Um, so they certainly have the opportunity to, um, >> you know, put a hold on those numbers and >> because even if we're not going to separate, if we don't separate them,

500
02:17:29.840 --> 02:17:44.719
I'll >> do we have see if Mike I know Mike's still on. >> He's still on. Mike, is there is there a I'm not sure if you've heard what we're talking talking about, but um is there a way for us to let people know that if they wanted to put a hold that they

501
02:17:44.719 --> 02:18:00.319
could put it on any individual line because um >> um so so in the years that we have read the budget, I've tried to tell people that they can do that. Um usually people who are regular attendees at town

502
02:18:00.319 --> 02:18:15.359
meeting are savvy to that and they will put holds on Uh what you see sometimes is folks who are not regular attendees or coming for the first time don't necessarily realize they can do it. Um

503
02:18:15.359 --> 02:18:32.639
so you could always do if nothing else you could always do a handout or if Tim has the slideshow there could be something in the slideshow that reminds people of that. >> Yeah. where you run the risk is like last year and I think Chad alluded

504
02:18:32.639 --> 02:18:48.000
to this last year someone made a motion to wave reading the budget. So although we said if anybody has questions you know come on up and ask them the entire budget passed in probably less than a minute

505
02:18:48.000 --> 02:19:05.920
with no discussion >> and you always have the risk of that being possible. somebody could do the same thing. I mean, in what in one way it's a nice testament to people are confident that the selectman and the finance committee have done all their homework. Um,

506
02:19:05.920 --> 02:19:21.840
but it takes away that opportunity for discussion if nobody gets up and and causes the discussion. Uh, one one thing and I I heard part of this a second ago, but the sound cuts out every now and then. Um,

507
02:19:21.840 --> 02:19:38.399
in the past, I I know it was in the 2000s. I don't know if it got past 2010 or not, the Freetown Lakeville school budget actually was a separate article, but it was on there twice. Uh, in in the beginning of its history,

508
02:19:38.399 --> 02:19:56.080
you did the town budget and then the regional school budget was a separate article entirely. It kind of progressed to the regional school budget was in the omnibus budget, but then for some reason it was also a separate warrant article

509
02:19:56.080 --> 02:20:11.520
and because that was a duplication, the separate warrant article disappeared. So it wouldn't be totally without precedent >> to put it back as a separate article if that's what you wanted to do. I my suggestion to you if you did that would

510
02:20:11.520 --> 02:20:28.160
be it used to go omnibus budget elected official salary Freetown Lakeville school budget article I I would make sure that it was right up close to the budget it wasn't later on >> okay >> what is his opinion on that

511
02:20:28.160 --> 02:20:46.399
>> what yeah what's your opinion Mike if you would be so quarantined >> I don't really have a strong feeling one way or the other I I liked the observation that uh what do you do at that point with well Bristol Plymouth or

512
02:20:46.399 --> 02:21:02.399
Bristol Aggie or whatever little bit of old colony we may have left. Do you have those in the omnibus budget and Freetown Lakeville as an article? Do you have all of those school items as separate articles? Um

513
02:21:02.399 --> 02:21:19.120
or do you just leave it as it's been? That's that's something you would have to figure out. But it would be kind of weird if the Freetown Lakeville budget was a separate article, but all the vocational budgets were still in the omnibus budget. >> Well, I think it needs in my eyes needs to be all or one or Yeah. All or none, I

514
02:21:19.120 --> 02:21:36.960
should say. Same. >> Yeah. All or none. Yeah. >> Um but I just I don't know. I kind of like the way it is and I I just >> I don't know. I I guess if you was going to wave reading the budget again,

515
02:21:36.960 --> 02:21:53.840
having it as a separate article would at least cause it to be discussed separately on its own. Um that that might be the only real difference. If it had been a separate article last year, the school budget would have still been subject to discussion even when the rest

516
02:21:53.840 --> 02:22:10.479
of the budget was not. Mhm. >> Um you know that that might be the because you I mean you can do that with any part of the budget. So when we vote on the budget usually when in the years when we do it the traditional way I'll read all the general government budgets

517
02:22:10.479 --> 02:22:26.800
then we vote on them. Then I move on to public safety and we vote on it and then public works and we vote on it. You could do all of those things as separate articles. You could do each segment of government as an article by itself. Um, >> yeah,

518
02:22:26.800 --> 02:22:41.760
>> it's not been done that way in the past. >> No, I don't. That would that would take things way too long, right? >> Um, it I mean, if Yes and no. It part of it wouldn't actually change because that's the years that we read it through

519
02:22:41.760 --> 02:22:57.760
everything, we still vote on each segment separately. >> So, it would having them as separate articles would take about the same amount of time as it does reading through line by line. It's the years when like what happened last year happened.

520
02:22:57.760 --> 02:23:14.080
Anything you've separated out is going to take more time than if it had been folded into everything else. >> But last year was also an anomaly. I mean, >> yeah, >> I think I've been moderator 11 or 12 years and other than when we were on the football field during COVID and nobody

521
02:23:14.080 --> 02:23:30.960
wanted to sit in the 90° sun, we've never skipped over reading the entire budget like that before. And I don't think I don't think that ever happened when Bruce was moderator. I don't know that that ever happened when Bill White was moderator. That was just a very unusual motion that got made last year.

522
02:23:30.960 --> 02:23:46.080
>> All right. So then So then normally we're reading through it. We're going through it. So I guess in my eyes just for keeping it the same. I almost want I'm almost inclined to keep it the same. >> Yeah. >> Is the way it was just so it doesn't

523
02:23:46.080 --> 02:24:02.319
look like we're changing stuff up on the last minute. Yeah. I don't >> No, I'm leaning towards what you're saying. I understand. And then um you're right. >> So, yeah. So, I I mean, I'm gonna argue that we keep those all in as part of the

524
02:24:02.319 --> 02:24:20.960
budget. So, thank you, Mike. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> I appreciate that. >> Absolutely. That's what I'm here for. >> Yeah. Yeah. Because if someone if someone does try to just So, Mike >> Yes. if someone does try to

525
02:24:20.960 --> 02:24:36.720
uh just pass the budget through, which you're saying is actually a compliment to us in a town administrator and finance committee. Um someone can object to that, right? If they want to talk about the the budget. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, what happened last year

526
02:24:36.720 --> 02:24:52.240
was um and I'm avoiding I know who it was that made the motion, but I'm not saying >> you do as well. >> Think we all do. Um, somebody makes that motion. The motion to wave the reading of the budget requires a second and it

527
02:24:52.240 --> 02:25:07.840
is a it's a debatable motion. So >> yeah, you can >> it would be Yeah, it would be a motion to wave the reading, a second. Is there any discussion on doing that? If none, then you vote and and you don't read it. And then accepting the budget

528
02:25:07.840 --> 02:25:23.120
as a separate motion. So that's last year we took like a two-minute pause and said if somebody has a question about any of the budget lines, get up and say something. No, nobody got up. It it was that was a room last year that was

529
02:25:23.120 --> 02:25:37.280
not interested in discussing the budget. It maybe because they were more interested in discussing the MBTA last year and we don't have that this year, right? Maybe this year they're going to be more interested in discussing building a library than than all the other I mean you you never know exactly

530
02:25:37.280 --> 02:25:53.840
what has actually drawn people to come. >> Thank you. >> I I'd love to say everything drew people to come but the fact that usually we have one thing that happens and then threearters of the people get up and walk out of the room tells us that's not the case. But >> yeah,

531
02:25:53.840 --> 02:26:12.160
>> I think they come for you Mike. >> Outfit. It's Mike in the outfit. Yes. >> Um, all right. So, I'm just going to >> It's always a roll of the dice. >> Well, yeah. I would say obviously everyone spends a hard a long time and a

532
02:26:12.160 --> 02:26:27.439
lot of work doing the budget and it is a compliment when they when they do that and we and we want them to do that because we've already like this is the budget we made. If they say no to anything, we're back to the draw report. So, I I would say that uh I was just

533
02:26:27.439 --> 02:26:43.600
thinking full transparency was kind of the key. That's what it looked like to me. >> But if they can if they can say no, no, no, I want to talk about the this part of the budget, that's fine. So, I would say that with >> Yeah. And it's still going to be more than likely it'll be read out in >> I mean, obviously, we're recommending

534
02:26:43.600 --> 02:27:00.080
these budget items. We want it to be approved. >> Yeah. So, um I just got one more on there, which is fund the roof repairs to fees. uh see if the town will vote and transfer the school stabilization funds for the sum of $160,000 for the purpose of the overlaying of a section of school

535
02:27:00.080 --> 02:27:18.000
roof. So, uh this is to to repair some >> holes in the roof. Um so, obviously we need to now make a recommendation of what to move forward, right? So, >> yeah. >> Um, I'm going to entertain a motion that

536
02:27:18.000 --> 02:27:34.640
we recommend to move forward with, uh, the article to raise and appropriate funds to No, no, actually, not that one. I take that back. Not that. Um, the only ones we're going to do is I entertain a motion to recommend and move forward

537
02:27:34.640 --> 02:27:50.720
with acquire the parcels in lie of foreclosure and then the article to fund the roof repair at FES. I'll make that motion. >> I will second it if all those in favor. >> I >> I >> So you're going to >> I suffer. >> Yes. >> You're going to add those to the warrant

538
02:27:50.720 --> 02:28:06.960
and then I need a motion to approve the articles that were already on the warrant the town the annual town meeting. >> All right. So with that, I am going to entertain a motion to approve the articles that were already on the annual

539
02:28:06.960 --> 02:28:23.200
town meeting with the addition of the two articles as just read. >> I'll make that motion. >> I will second it. All those in favor? >> I >> I >> Stephan Carell. >> I sle. >> Yes. All right. Um >> almost there. >> Yes.

540
02:28:23.200 --> 02:28:38.399
>> So now you need to >> we can do it. >> Close it. >> All right. So with that, I entertain a motion to close the uh SPE annual and special town meeting warrants for 61 2026. >> I'll make that motion. >> I will second it. All those in favor? >> I

541
02:28:38.399 --> 02:28:54.399
>> I >> selectman Kavalo. >> I selectman Zer. >> Yes. All right, we're almost there. I discussion vote whether to send a postcard for the special and annual town meeting on 61 2026. So, uh, recently,

542
02:28:54.399 --> 02:29:09.760
past couple of years, we've been sending off postcards to every household. Um, trying to highlight the kind of a little bit of everything, showing them what, you know, where where it is, when it is, and what what's involved. Um, so it

543
02:29:09.760 --> 02:29:25.200
looks like we got some different uh two different companies here that can pro for us. We got KA Printing and Moonlight Design. And we can either go with a six and a half by nine postcard like kind of a oversized postcard or a eight and a

544
02:29:25.200 --> 02:29:42.880
half by 11 folded with one one wafer including postage. Um so and then yeah so it's looks I mean years past we've been we've been sending

545
02:29:42.880 --> 02:29:59.520
off the full-size paper. Right. >> Right. Because we have the MBTA community. So, I did a whole back just on the MBTA, which this time I was thinking I would do the COA library building. >> There you go. Yeah. And it's really not much more money. So, it's it's kind of foolish not to do it. >> I didn't I didn't look at that, but I

546
02:29:59.520 --> 02:30:16.640
was thinking of drafting a whole page uh on the COA library building. >> So, >> there's a lot there, right? And people are going to that's going to be what I think drives a good majority of the people to the meeting for >> them to know about it. So color helps

547
02:30:16.640 --> 02:30:32.880
make it pop, right? It doesn't look like just like >> Yeah. >> a piece of uh local trash mail that you know you're like >> I think we did color last year. >> We did color. >> So um if I'm looking at this correctly,

548
02:30:32.880 --> 02:30:48.640
>> KLA printing, we would I would suggest that we go with them for the 8 and 1 half by 11 color. >> Um I don't I don't see how we how we wouldn't. I mean, they're they're the cheaper of the two. Um,

549
02:30:48.640 --> 02:31:04.560
and and they're actually it's folded already. The other one's not folded. So, it's it's literally a no-brainer. So, >> yeah. >> You questions or concerns with that? >> Oh, all right. So, all right. So, with that, I'll entertain a motion that we

550
02:31:04.560 --> 02:31:20.800
use KLA printing um to print um I'm going to call it postcards for the special annual town meeting on 612026 and go with a 8 1/2 by 11 color version. >> I'll make that motion.

551
02:31:20.800 --> 02:32:04.280
>> I will second it. All those in favor? Five. >> Five. >> So I kind of just rolled in 16 at the same time because it was discussion. So all right. So that's all set. All right. Perfect. So, now we're going to sign chief just to sign these.

552
02:32:04.720 --> 02:32:21.359
>> My daughter was picking on me about my singing she >> I had to sign something for. She's like, "What is that?" >> I signed my full name. And I wish I had just been like XP. >> I signed my full name, too. Yeah. I think these guys are like scribble.

553
02:32:21.359 --> 02:32:36.640
>> Yeah. >> I always joke I want to look back at what my first signature when I joined the board looks like versus name >> because it's probably so much worse than it used to. >> That's like me. I have to sign so many things. I used to sign my full name. Now it's like they all sign below us. It's

554
02:32:36.640 --> 02:33:08.359
>> real messy. Like is it two of them or just one? Oh, that's going to be she gave me that for all English. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> This is backwards because that was the how you gave me that for language.

555
02:33:10.000 --> 02:33:43.439
I have to sign with you. >> Well, anyways, >> thank you. >> Everything. >> That is it. >> All right. So, with that, I entertain a motion to adjurnn. Oh, I'll make that motion. >> I will second it. All those in favor?

556
02:33:43.439 --> 02:33:53.640
>> I I select >> already gone. I select. >> Yes. All right.