We do have Paul before we get started. We do have a little bit of business to take care of when we get into our town meeting stuff. So that's okay to jump right in. All right. Are we rolling here, John? Okay. Okay. Hey, the time now is 5:31.
I'd like to open the Halifax board of selectment meeting for Monday, May 11th, 2026. We are here at the Halifax Elementary School. We are getting ready for tonight's town meeting. We are in the large conference room. And just a quick announcement, this meeting has been posted in accordance with the
provisions of Mass General Law Chapter 3A section 20B. And pursuant to chapter 3A section 20F, notice is being made that this meeting is being recorded and will be posted on area 58 community access channel, the board chair, which is myself, reasonably anticipates the
following matters will be discussed and or voted on in this meeting and agenda items may be taken out of order for time management considerations. Normally, we do the pledge of allegiance. We do not have a flag here, but I know we'll be doing it at town meeting, so we'll push that off till then. Um and we'll start
with some warrants and commitments. Bill. >> Okay. I move to affirm approval of the following warrants and commitments. Payroll warrant 101 for 442,641 1 cent. Vendor warrant 10289,38567. Withholding warrant number 103 for
$151,42.86. School worm number 104 for 258,95513. Mobile park fee number five for $5,160. A table commitments 32726. It's 5326 for $159,98.90.
>> So uh sorry, just a quick uh clarification on that ambulance. uh commitments that that is March. It's not supposed to be April. Double checking. >> Oh, no. No, it is March. >> March. Okay. Yep. Just double checking. >> Yeah. Long time. >> Okay. So, uh all those in favor? I I
oppose. Passes unanimously. >> Do we want to get into guys? Do we want to get into the town meeting preps first and then and I I think we need to hold those till last if that's okay. Let's just get this stuff out of the way. Uh and then that way we can jump to our town meeting preps. So, I'll jump down to B, which is approve the select
meeting minutes. Uh Pam did a nice job on the minutes for April 14th. So if you guys have all had a chance to read them, I'll entertain a motion to approve the minutes for April 14th, 2026. >> Second. All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. >> Um again, sorry, a quick introduction
too for folks. We have our moderator Bert Gainer here. We have our assistant Pam McSherry. We have selectman Bill Smith, selectman Tom Pratt, selectman Jonathan Cely, town administrator Steven Silbo, and our town council Paul Den is here in in attendance.
>> Get that for the record. >> Oh, and yes, the lady hiding over in the corner is our town clerk. >> Thank you. All right, down to see road openings. Uh, we have two road openings in your packet, guys. They are for 370
Montit Street and 596 Montit Street. Uh Pam, did they have all of the sign offs from all the departments? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, they've been signed off by fire, uh highway, all this good stuff. >> I could
Okay. So, any other questions for the board at all? Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion to approve the road openings for 370 Mont Ponzet Street and 596 Mont Ponet Street. So moved. >> Second. All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous.
>> All right, we'll go down to section D, personal vehicle use policy for non-union personnel. So, uh, we've had, uh, folks here in Halifax, uh, that have used vehicles, um, for, uh, to to drive
basically back and forth from their residence. Let me see if I can find it here. So, we now have a new, uh, to make it official, we have a new take-home vehicle policy for non-UN personnel. Um, and the purpose of this policy is the use of town- owned vehicles on a
take-home basis is authorized only when it serves a clear public purpose, including but not limited to improving response time, ensuring operational readiness or supporting specialized job functions. This policy established criteria and procedures governing such
use. Uh, so we would be looking to extend that to um there's also other parts here as far as policy statement um authorization. You guys want me to read this whole thing or it's up to you. There's uh it's kind of lengthy. There's two pages but or three pages. I could
read the whole thing or we could vote on it just as. It's up to you guys. >> Drew, I I've read it. I've said my I said my thoughts. >> Okay. Um so that said, we would need a we have the three 1 2 3 four positions
here that were uh being considered for this. Is that correct, Stephen? >> So, officially, um, just to nail this policy down to make sure that everybody's on the same page, um, that everybody's being held to the same standard. We want to make sure that, uh, some of the folks that have been taking,
um, personal vehicles home, uh, we get it on the books and we're square and it's there's no gray area as to, uh, what we're dealing with. So, um, we have a we have the building commissioner, zoning enforcement officer, we have the building maintenance director, we have the highway surveyor, and we have the
water superintendent. Um, those as of right now, um, we're currently being taken home. Uh, we did have the issue with a building commissioner, zoning enforcement officer. Um, we uh wanted to make it clear to the town uh at least in
my opinion that uh I do think our building commissioner needs access to this vehicle. Uh god forbid there is a structure collapse, god forbid there's a fire, god forbid there's any sort of emergency where we need to have um somebody come in and make a call as to
whether that is safe. Um I think it just makes sense to have him have his vehicle. Um do you guys want to vote individually on each one? Does that work? You raise your hand. Yes. We have a we have a resident right here. Just name and identify yourself. >> Take over 12 301 Home Street. So, just
as far as the justification for the building zoning enforcement, what's his justification with having that vehicle home? What kind of specialized equipment does he have that he would need first response, you know, to be able to go, you know, obviously the town hall is pretty close proximity to the town line.
Uh he's coming from Northwalk, which is out of this county, right? What is the justification for him to take home a vehicle and is it in the budget as far as providing the vehicle and expenses? >> Sure. Um, in my estimation, and again, I
don't think we've had any sort of structural issue, but I would feel terrible if we had, say, a a deck collapse or a building collapse or something of that nature where we would have to wait for um our building commissioner to come in, get to town hall, switch vehicles, go back out to
the scene. So, that in my opinion is is worth doing. >> So, just to stem off of that, >> so we do have a mileage reimbursement section of our the town's policy, if that accurate. Sure. >> For people that have, you know, responsibilities to report to alert. So there is a section of that that has mile
mileage reimbursement. So if he did have to get called out for something, he could utilize his own personal vehicles reimbursement. Don't you think beneficially, financially wise, it benefit the town if in maybe out of the blue that it's called once a year?
>> Yeah. >> That he'd be able to put in for that mileage reimbursement rather than utilizing a vehicle. Me myself, I'm a fleet manager. I I work with six EV vehicles right now. >> Yeah. >> I understand that this vehicle was taken into a grant. You bought it as a grant, but who maintains
>> the necess the maintenance for it? >> The town does. Okay. The town. >> So, it is a financial financially. The town is responsible for the repairs. >> Sure. >> The charging. Can we speak on the charging? >> Sure. So the electricity that's that's at that station right now for the
charging station for that. >> The town does. >> Yeah, we use that for our town vehicles. >> The charger itself. Was that >> He has a charger in his house. >> Okay. So is that a level two or a level three charger? >> I don't think it's a two or three. That might be a one. So Ford does not recommend that it in a very
>> low circumstance that they say that you can charge it like that, but without the proper surge protection and all that stuff, it could put uh deterioration on the battery itself, >> which you're talking 15 to $25,000 replacement for the battery because Ford would not cover that level.
>> Yeah, we can look at the level. I have a I have a an electric Jeep, so I have the level one, you know, so I know it's probably not ideal. it takes me like 12 hours to to get my charge on. So, I understand that. Um, but yeah, I mean, whatever the board thinks, but in my
opinion, I just think it makes sense to have our building commissioner have have the vehicle. I have a question. He's responding to emergency vehicle business. He's in a car accident. Is he coming?
>> Yeah. I mean the the primary policy would be the vehicle that the policy that the vehicle is listed on which would be his primary vehicle. If he could make the the sustained argument that he was traveling for mandated work. >> Yeah. >> The extension would be that the problem is if somebody's hurt bad enough or worse, >> no one's going to want to pay.
>> But the primary contributor policy would be the policy of the vehicle listed on which be his primary policy. Now, if that voluntary company, Marbella, Geico, Mafrey, whoever got wind of it, they could, hey, you're going to work. You're not you're on somebody else's dime with your insurance.
>> Just to stem off of that. So, what's the justification as far as if you were to come to the town hall, take your vehicle, go through, I mean, it's within a mile from the town line, so he's going to have to more than likely cross this path of the town hall to get to it. I'm just going over there.
>> If he's if he's responding, I see. told come to the town hall, get the vehicle. I mean, I'm just going off the MIA property casualty group. It uh the mid payout doesn't according to this doesn't say that it has any uh payout for that. So, even if he's operating that, if he
gets in an accident, is the medical payout on that? It says no on the >> We're looking into that. >> Yeah, that needs to be adjusted by >> that. Well, the only thing I have just stemming off that conversation would be >> do all the highway guys who plow take
home a vehicle? >> No. >> Right. So, they respond from their home to get to the barn to grab a vehicle to >> that would be the same circumstance as building a zone force officer coming to town. >> I think they go early. They don't really
wait. Usually they go to the vine. >> But then they're done. But then they're done by they go home. >> Right. Yeah. So yeah, again, don't want to jump into it, but same with the first responders that work at the fire department that's on call. They respond to the fire department, convince the apparatus and respond to the call.
>> My guess without knowing cuz I'm not I'm not a commercial expert. My guess is municipal insurance respond, but it wouldn't be easy and the primary policy would start with this primary. My thought, >> what did we do before we had an insurance guy on >> you put medical?
All right. So, um, yeah, say it's good for one, it's good for all. How can you say no to one and the other one's going to take home? Sure. >> Well, except for the fact that the water superintendent by somebody from the water department has to respond 7 days a week. >> Yeah. >> Uh, the highway surveyor, same thing. Always be the emergency one plow. When
was the last time you had to call in the zoning uh enforcement officer or building? >> Well, we haven't I don't want to jinx ourselves, but we haven't had an an incident that warranted, but that doesn't mean two weeks ago. >> What's that? called building
after hours 3 weeks ago when we were we couldn't lock the building in the building made that was called the tournament right that's not the only >> J so again it's justification for the equipment that you would have in that vehicle for its response
>> I don't think it's equipment I think it's getting in there as quickly as we can okay that's that's my take >> and as far as the financial side of it that that's been through finance and budget, all that stuff, and it's okay with them. >> Um, yeah, I think in my opinion, guys, and this is opinion, I don't think the
this the smaller increase would be worth the risk in my opinion. >> Yeah. So, just to stem off of that, will other members in the boards, you know, have access to take home vehicles moving forward if we set as president of, you know, people being able to take home
vehicles? >> It would have to come. It would have to come before us. Okay, we would have to try to make a call again where anything else. >> And will he be responding? So if there's a zoning issue outside of normal work hours, he'll be respond now that he has a take home vehicle, he'll be able to respond. So if I call the police
department because of a potential serious zoning, you know, issue, he'll have to respond to that. >> I think it Yeah, I think it' be an have to be an emergency situation. I don't think uh >> so it's a like a violation of the town bylaws would be >> it would have to be I think it would have to be a public safety
>> yeah like a public safety incident I don't think uh you know hey this person is playing loud music >> no so like in an industrial zone if it was like a burning like so industrial zoning they're not supposed to burn at all burning per stuff like that they're not supposed to be issued that so say for instance I above an indust
industrial zoning area and I see somebody burning that' be emergency response so not only would I notify the fire department, but I notified building zoning enforcement agent and he would have to respond to enforce it, right? >> I I would say so they're burning illegally. You're saying >> I would call burning call the fire
department. Fire that would be a fire department call >> and then the zoning enforcement would have to come down and put some kind of restriction on that too. >> Yes, probably not. So I would think the fire department would respond to take care of that immediate situation and then the followup would be for for the zone. >> So I know you had justified about the
structure collapses and stuff like that. >> Yeah. All right. you would come out to it directly when that happens. It wouldn't be after fire clear and all that stuff like the following day. >> No, it would be in my opinion as soon as we could get that thing cleared to to look at. I believe it would be that that
time. But you can speak to that. When there was a fire ring like that, first thing the fire department's going to do, he's going to call him out. He has to come out before they can even leave the scene to make sure it's safe. But what do they have to do to that scene? What do they do? You definitely have about
that be 2:00 in the morning, 3:00 in the morning. Yeah. >> Okay. Appreciate that insight. >> You're good for something, huh? Good. That makes sense. Shake. >> Who's a backup? >> We have a backup. >> We have uh assistance. Yeah. But they're
very limited on this. Yeah. I mean, they're just basically assistance. They come out mainly on emergencies. And then right now the current flexible electric system on vacation. So try to fill that position as well. We don't have to drive.
>> Yeah, it's tough to find part time inspectors. Maybe slide stop while he is on. >> Yeah. >> All right. Any other discussion? You got anything on No. Uh anything Tom? Anything Bill? So do we want to Stephen?
How do you want to do it? You want to take these like individually and go through and it's up to you. I make a motion or Yeah. Okay. Um, so that said, I will entertain a motion to authorize the personal vehicle use policy for uh the Halifax Building Commissioner Zoning
Enforcement Office. So move. No second thought. All right. I will second that. All those in favor? >> I opposed. >> Nay. Passes two to one. All right. Next up, uh, building maintenance director. Does the board have any discussion on, uh, the
necessity for the building maintenance director to take their vehicle home? >> All right. Seeing none, I will entertain a motion to authorize um the personnel vehicle use policy for the Halifax building maintenance director. So move >> second. All those in favor? I opposed.
Passes unanimously. >> Moving on. Highway surveyor. Any discussion? Seeing none, I will entertain a motion to have the personal vehicle use policy offered to the Halifax Highway Surveyor. >> Second. All those in favor? I opposed.
Passes unanimous. And then finally, water superintendent. Any discussion? Seeing none, I'll entertain a motion uh to extend the personal vehicle use policy for the Halifax water superintendent. So move. >> Second. All those in favor?
>> I opposed. Pass unanimous. So are the chiefs all in the contract? >> Yeah. >> That's who I use to uh give overall policy. >> All right, moving on. We have E. We have a appointment of public employee to uncompensated position Michael Broen as
town planner. So this one was announced uh when did we announce this originally? Py remember >> back in April. Was it the 14th or the 28th? >> It was our meeting one of the meetings last month. the 20th he arrested on the 14th
um that was on that. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Um and then so there was just for everybody's clarification there was a open >> Is it in the packet where I didn't see >> you response?
>> Oh on the on the minutes the minutes from the 14th was when we had Michael >> right and then >> but then we had the the 28th >> was when we addressed it. And then and then we had a response. We had to get um by seven. >> Yeah.
>> And then so then she wrote it then was the response. >> Yeah. I'm looking for where that's what I'm looking for. >> The last page. Last page right before the um take home music. >> I don't have it. Okay. Right. >> Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So according Sorry
guys. I thought you meant the last page on the pack. I'm sorry. >> Yeah. Um, so it says here the select board uh should recap the discussion on the 14th to appoint Michael Broen and then motion to ratify the following vote that was taken on April 14th, 2026 meeting. So, uh, because of that open
meeting law complaint, uh, we talked to our council. They said that we should essentially repost it, redo it just to make sure there's no confusion. Um, so that's what we're doing. So, um, if there's any discussion on the the board
would like to have, pardon me, uh, for, uh, the the uncompensated position for Michael Broen as town. >> So, is it incumbent upon us to just recap what we've already discussed or >> Yeah. Okay, we can do that. Might as well. >> Sure. >> So, so essentially, uh, Mike has offered
to the town of Halifax, um, to do some planning, uh, work essentially to streamline processes here in Halifax. I believe his estimate is 3 hours um of uncompensated time. Um and in his opinion uh this is we've looked into it.
This is legal to do. We have Paul here if we have any questions I guess. But um you know he's he says that he's a firm believer that you can still you know hold both positions as both your zoning enforcement building commissioner and planner. Um but you just have to keep
church and state separate apparently. And Paul's offering it to the town uh because I'm sorry, Michael, we got Paul and Ray. Uh Michael's offering it to the town because he's noticing that in his role um as building commissioner, he's seeing some things, I don't want to say
fall through the cracks, but a lot of projects are getting bought down. They're not moving forward. We have a coffee shop in town that's been sitting for almost half a year. Uh part partly because there's nobody uh you know, keeping things clicking along. So, in
Mike's estimation, um, a planner will help that kind of move a little quicker through the system, uh, and do a little more, uh, a little bit more synergy to help things get through uh, what they need to get through. So, did I did I kind of summarize that pretty well, guys? >> Yeah.
>> Is there anything else you'd like to add? Go for it. I would just like to add that I said this on the 14th. Um, I like Mike. He seems to be a nice guy. Um, the work I the work he's done in town, I think, is valuable. Um, I hope he's here for a long time. Um, I'm against it. Uh,
I'll be a no I was a no vote. I was an abstain that I'll be a no vote tonight on this. Um, seems to me that we're just opening up a little bit of a box here. You know, we don't have a planer on the books. We're going to do for as long as he's willing to do this uncompensated. Uh, what happens when he no longer wants to do compensated
>> or what happens when he leaves and we've done it this way for 9 years now. We're 20 weeks or 14 days and it worked great. But now, hey, now we planner. Well, now it's discussion on a $ 1.5 million override tonight. We can't afford a planner now. What's to say we're going to need one? Best practices. We always
have one. Are we establishing a practice by having one now uncompensated? It sets us up for a limit of failure downward. I get that, Tom, and I you always look out for the town's, you know, bottom line, and I appreciate that. My response to that would be, uh, every situation is different. Uh we have a town
administrator here who has a very different contract and a very different situation than a town administrator that left. So I don't think personally that we're setting a precedent. Uh I think we're taking advantage of an employee that we have that's very skilled at what he does uh and is offering by doing this
to help him and his main position. And do you do you are you of the opinion that the next time uh an increase in wage or competing job comes up that he'll want to say gez I've been doing this for 40 hours a week and it enough I was doing this for 12 hours
a month too. So there's that, you know, talking about >> that's he can bring it up. >> Not with Michael, but you don't think that open us up to >> hey gez, you know, been doing this just just because it was a good idea and being a nice guy for all this time and >> and no, in my opinion, it's uncompensated and that's how it'll stay
and that's just my that's my take. >> Um Jake, so >> yeah, just to stem off that, so what was the process of of hiring this person? Uh because I I myself would absolutely love to dedicate three hours a week of my time as a town planner for this town uh
uncompensated. I just don't understand how the process was. Typically it's a talent bank. You created a position stuff like that. I know he's overwhelmed. I've sent him over in the last >> five 6 months I've sent him over two dozen emails I have not respond any
response to. So I know he's overwhelmed with work. So why would adding something to his daily operation benefit his position and why not just add it to somebody else's operation like somebody that's going to say I'll I'll dedicate 3 hours of my time as a town. I
and correct me if I'm wrong here folks. I believe that by him already being involved and know a lot of the background of this stuff I think it would be easier for somebody that has knowledge of situations to be able to handle that 3 hours. But as to speak to
the hiring process, Stephen, I'm not sure. Um, >> the reason this came about is he was being dragged into planning discussions and decisions based on his position as a building commissioner because that's the way it's always been done. Those two
those two things are not select. They're not together. He was being called to make decisions on sites as opposed to inside the building and then was being held to task on. He is not the enforcement officer for plant. Not until
now. And then you can help streamline those permits through the process, get the right information to the chair so your chair can review it because the chair should be the one who was making these decisions. So he was getting called in on a lot of planning information probably not correctly and
then was trying his best to deal with it. And we saw this as an opportunity cuz I do have somewhat of a planning background. I saw it as an opportunity to make his job as building commissioner a little bit easier in the capacity he was already serving. Um if an outsider
wants to do it, I'd want to look at the credentials and make sure that they had understanding of because what Mike has above other planners is an understanding of mass building codes. Um and he also has a very good understanding of zoning enforcement and he's very good at interpreting bylaws. So right there,
that's a combination skill set for a planner. Now, the only thing he wasn't administering was the actual site conditions. That was the only piece missing cuz we had the zoning enforcement as far as setbacks. We had the buildings themselves taken care of because these the top as far as the path
goes great. We just didn't have the site controls. So, this sort of fits in the middle almost like a sandwich just fits all together effectively. They all flow down the same stream. So that's why I thought it was the best opportunity to include it with the financial situation in the town of Halifax as well, being
able to have the same two folks, Danielle and Mike, you know, combined to streamline that process through the planning. Um, and I think the planning board would say that it's gotten a little bit more clearer for them since uh he's been on board and yeah, my
concern mostly is just the conflict. Uh, you know, I've seen the last couple meetings with the planning board. Fortunately, tonight we do have a planning board member here um that there's been conversations during that planning board meeting that I can consider would be a conflict with. He's talking about stuff that could
potentially be zoning enforcement, building inspection inspection later on down the line that he's working in both capacities. If you're speaking on behalf of building and zoning as the town planner during the planning board sitting on the board itself might
be a com. So he doesn't sit with the board during the sponsor. So I I'm on the board of >> No, no, no. He's mean he sits up at the table, but he's not technically >> openly just That's my >> pointing the the board. Okay, question.
That's >> I staff this board. >> I think the question is I don't know if this, but I think the question is is does he have unilateral uh property to just contribute or should he wait for the chair to be called upon for help? >> I can I can answer that if you like.
>> This is Bainer. uh he is a he is a non voter certainly elected to that position. We have uh asked him the time for information and whatnot. Very intelligent, very smart,
very knows his stuff. But uh you were absolutely right. He has to uh get the be recognized by the chair uh with a specific question with a specific uh >> I don't know that that always happens. So that
>> exactly then I think you bring that up the chair. Yeah. >> Yeah. Right. You know, I mean pointed it. You're seeing it. point that out to the chair. >> Talk about dynamics. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Just like tonight, folks aren't supposed to speak at town meeting until the
moderator recognizes them. Similar situation in my opinion. >> Yep. It's Tom. >> All right. Um, any other discussion, guys? We do have, you know, a decent amount of town meeting stuff to get ready for here. Anything? No. Good. So,
is he being appointed or is that >> We're going to take the vote. We're discussing now. We're taking it taking the vote now. So, no other discussion. I'll entertain a motion uh to appoint uh Michael Broen as an uncompensated position of town planner for the town of
Halifax. So, move I have a second. I'll make that second. All those in favor? I opposed. Passes to me. All right. Moving on to the next thing. the ambulance abatements uh for April
2026. I'll entertain a motion uh to recognize the abatement for $124,31.77. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Passes unanimous. Okay. Now we can jump back up to town meeting
preparations. Um we are here. Stephen, can I hand this ship off to you? >> Sure. Yeah. So this is uh he's the going to be associate moderator in the allpurpose room. >> So he lost the bet.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Good. We we can put the screws to him. >> I've known Dan for many years. He's done this position as an associate moderator in the past for the last couple. appreciate the very next.
>> Um, yeah. So, I'm not really used to this process. Oh, sure. How you guys did it last year or? >> Uh, do we want to go through one thing we have to do, guys, is there were a couple of couple articles in here. >> Yeah. That we haven't given our recommendation on. >> Um, so I guess we can just go through
the the warrant here. Um, and just make sure that we're all on the same page. So, article one uh is going to be moved by Tom. And just a quick clarification, Jonathan, we were asking earlier. >> Yeah. >> Article one, we read it. We read the motion, and if we so choose, we explain
it. >> Um, yeah. So, so article one will go through. Um, you you read it here. >> You stop here. >> You stop here. Yeah. And then he'll Bert will ask for B, you're going to ask for the selectman recommendations and the board and the the the finance committee recommendations.
>> And then I'll ask if you're I'm going to make a note. Yeah. Mr. Speak to that. Yep. >> So then I read the motion again. >> Yeah. So no, you know what? Who says article one? >> You don't you don't have to say you say article one and then Tom, you read the motion. >> Motion explanation. >> Yeah. You don't read this top one.
Perfect. >> Right. And then go through and then uh you know you'll say Bert do you want care to speak to that motion? And then you have your explanation here and then if there's anything personal you'd like to add you know to the >> the explanation. Yes. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's right in your It's right in your uh Oh yeah. If you guys haven't seen it, take a look here.
>> So just so B's going to say article one and go here. He's going to stop here and they say, you know, talk. Do you want to speak to you want to talk to everyone? Make the motion, make the explanation. >> Yep. And each one bill will have an explanation in there as to what you know why it's being presented and kind of the background to it. So that's article one
that's being presented by Tom. Wait a minute. >> Sure. Sure. Go ahead. Yeah. >> We had discussed previously when we according to our bylaws one for us. Okay. Usually 1 through three. Well, one
through 3B 3 A 3 B. There's only three. We only have three. >> Sure. >> Did you still want to start with 3A or three? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. We have to go. We have >> We have to go 3A then 3B. >> So then 3B and then article one. Are we going to go with
>> No, no, you go. >> You go. Well, then we had talked I had asked >> if we wanted to skip article one. >> Yes. >> Cuz it talks about a 2% cola increase. That's correct. So is it backwards to vote on a 2% increase when we don't have the overrides coming? >> So can we do 3A and 3B and then get back
to article one which is the cola >> say according to the All right. So bylaw says that makes sense to me. >> Yeah, it's a good question. So how do we know what to vote if we don't? >> It's just going to it's going to be awkward when we're asking for raises for 18 employees. That's voted one way and
then the override subverts it goes. It's just going to be >> Yeah. >> So I was trying to stick up for the 18 employees. >> I I misunderstood that because I I thought one through three as long as we did one, two, and three >> in some order in some
as the moderator would order. But if if it has to go I don't know where it says after we vote. >> Can we make a motion? >> Yeah. All right. So, while Paul looks that up, uh we'll continue on guys to the next one.
>> So, article two is um the salaries of uh elected um officers in town. So, that's going to be presented by Jim Walters. Um so, really not much. Yeah, that's finance committee should be. Do you have that on your sheet there? Yeah. The
green. >> So, see that green line there? >> Different color. >> I know. You're probably from the color blind, you know. So, the green one will tell you who's who's uh who's speaking to or who's making the a motion. All
right. So, that's two. Three. We have uh the budget. So, again, that's being presented by Jim Walters of the finance committee. Um, >> I think he's going to opt to try to take down the blocks. Whatever. >> Okay. Bye bye. >> Yeah. Or
>> on the pink sheet. Jim wants to move through the budget by blocks. >> Yeah, that's usually what you do. You'll usually do general government first. >> Didn't start that last year. >> Oh, really? >> Started jumping like that and then we blocked it off. >> Yeah, >> I think you're going to start by trying
to block it. >> So B, you'll see there on the budget on the big sheep all night. I don't know if that's the pink sheet that he used. >> That's it. That's the pink sheet. But is it the correct one? >> No. Is it? >> Does that have my initials on the bottom? >> Does that have his initial?
>> That one's This one has no initial. >> Okay. We want the one with the initials. >> Just so everybody knows, guys, the one we want. >> No, no initial just to make sure it goes. >> Yeah. So, so B, so you see how general government is the first category on the sheet,
>> right? So just do each category at a time and then pause you know like as you're asking for holds first >> so you'll go down the list there right and see how that one is uh general government you'll fire down all those
looks like 44 lines right there uh and then you'll review the holds right >> okay what we did last year did they get a little bit confusing I think I know one through 15 and then I went 16.
>> Sure. >> If you want I can be >> I can be your hold guy, Bert, and I'll and I'll make sure that we star the ones that get held. >> I would appreciate. >> Yeah, absolutely. And then you see on the next page, uh, police, you know, you got about eight lines there. You know, you do police and then, you know, just basically
>> an issue like them all. >> Yeah. Yeah. Do them all through. I think that's probably the best way to handle it. relatively quick until we get to something like uh public work. >> Yeah. Some of the bigger ones probably. Yes. Sure. Sure. Sure. And that's again that's this is your meeting. So that's
your discretion. >> All right. So that's 3A. I know that uh I myself I think I mentioned to you B and I think Tom does as well uh would like to speak to the budget at some point. So uh maybe before we get into before we get into the lines. I
>> I don't mind doing that before. Okay. I due to the uh you know complicated structure and and the discussion uh to resolve the matter I was going to ask the town administrative up presentation go to you
guys >> I think should I have something I think you'll have more in peace Oh, you want to borrow some? >> No, no, no. >> So, so then from from 3A, we're going to go over to 3B. >> You'll follow Steve and I'll follow you.
>> Yeah. Can we go right like right down the line? >> Sure. >> You can bring him home. >> 3B is Mr. >> 3B is Mr. Walters. Yep. That's spincom. >> So, those per those first four, even though we're at 3B, those are the ones that are locked in place. After that,
Sue will do the lockers. >> Oh, yeah. >> All right. So, from there, So unless Paul has something to do at 5:30 says that they shall be acted on in the following order. >> 1 2 3 4
>> shall one through four and one through three bacon order. >> One through three be in order. >> Shall shall's different. Yep. >> Arin force back. >> This is why we fall in big. >> I hear you. I hear you. So four is uh one that's being moved by me. That is
revolving funds that we're setting up for the EV charger. >> Right? You guys remember that one? Uh essentially just a housekeeping one. Right now the money's going into the general fund. Just adding an extra step. We're making a a revolving fund so that we can easier to come in and out of it.
Uh, five is reserve fund and that's going to be moved by Jim Walters. So, we really don't have to speak to that. Um, six, Tom, this is your government study one. You're going to move that one. Um, which is the motion here. It's a pretty lengthy one, so make sure you're well
hydrated and have your throat laws in ready to go. >> I have six I have six through 10. >> Did you say that you had mentioned something about the government study? Oh, if you get one, you're going to attend all five in a row, right? If one pops up in the ping pong balls, did you want to
>> uh Sue? >> I just My thought was on that was the reason that you separated them was to do them separate. >> Okay. Okay. >> So that So you're not If one of those government study ones comes up, they're going to be taken individually. Can't can't run them all together.
>> All right. Yeah, that'll be good though. >> Yeah. >> No, that was what the government study committee wanted to do. Three up. Five. >> Well, five. Yeah. Second business. >> Three. Three elected. Two. >> Three elected.
>> Water. And then the name change. >> Get on the page and read the whole thing. So you say >> as printed in the warrant. >> No, he's going to he's not going to he's going to put speed up. >> All right. And then 12 guys is the anti-anvasing
uh new bylaw that's being proposed. I will speak to that. Um I'm going to make the motion. I'm going to give the explanation. I did reach out to >> I did reach out to Chief. Well, I'll just give I'll give the explanation here and if they need more Gus um chief said he would glad we saw you're being called
busy busy. >> All right. Uh 13. Bill Smith has entered in chat. You are that's the >> doing the revolving funds. >> Yep. So you'll see here here's your motion and then it gives you your explanation. Again, we're not putting
money in any of these. Uh we're just setting spending limits for the various items. >> Again, you don't have to read them all. >> Y say it's printed as printed in the orange. >> That's like that's your so moved. I like that. >> Yeah, that's your so move. If somebody
has a specific question on on one of the areas then uh I mean we don't have it enumerated hold on something you may get a >> Yeah. And anybody have questions on any of this? Yeah. >> Um and they could move to uh paint.
>> Can they amend? They can amend Paul the amounts on revolving funds. >> Yep. Okay. Yeah. >> All right. 15 is uh the free cap well the capital plan. Um, and again, I know we're looking at doing a um a town meeting in the fall to handle free cash
kind of after the chips fall from this override vote. Uh, but there are a couple things that are going to be included. Um, so I'll just hit a couple of those. You're doing >> I am uh I am doing it. Sorry. >> I got a question about that. Could we make a motion to change something? I
mean, yeah. 15. >> That's 15. I'm doing 15. That's 14. >> I'm sorry. 14. No, I had the 15 tab, but it was in front of 14. The reason >> The reason I say that, I'm still
concerned about the two screws not lasting that long. At least give them one. Now, both got 80,000 miles on them. >> You can you can make if you repair, >> you want to make that amendment, Bill, you're you're more than allowed to do it.
>> 144 nothing on the capital plan. Sure. The other thing though that we have to make sure folks know is the capital plan committee hasn't really met. So I think we need to at least give our capital plan committee a chance to look at
everything. I do have the capital list so we can see what's on >> right and you are going to have folks that say well we get this free cash you know let's use it. We got to remind folks that we have a laundry list of items that we need to use that $1.4 million. capital request for this year
>> capital. >> We're going to have to >> the ambulance. Oh, >> yep. >> All right. So 15 I apologize. 15 um is bill veterans and that's Nope. That's Southshore County Legal Services. So
that's usually a and Ham is awesome and put the background information there if we need to see it. Uh 16. What's that one? Um Oh, unpaid bills. So, um I'm going to definitely postpone
the subject matter about bills. >> No unpaid bills right now. >> Oh, you get off scot-free. See? >> Yes. >> You got to read it. But you don't. There's no unpaid bills to discuss. >> I made this ad that I paid all the notes. >> Oh, good for you. >> Almost a famous. Hi.
>> Good for you, Phil. Love you, man. >> You get a freebie. Bill gets a freebie. All right. Article 17 is Southshore Resource Advocacy Center. That's the domestic violence one. Uh again, Bill, you'll have the motion in the explanation.
>> Uh let's see. Nope. 4 is next. That's the uh the county cooperative extension. Uh I am doing that one. So that's 150 bucks so that we can participate in things like 4 and agriculture stuff. So that's a pretty easy one.
>> That's right. Um 19. Here's one that we have to make our recommendation here, guys. This is setting up a PAS settlement stabilization fund. And you'll have to help us, Stephen, because I'm not exactly sure why we punted on this, you guys, in the last week. If
>> I remember correctly, because we were waiting, you'd see seen that the FICO had done the same thing. Okay. They were awaiting language cuz it had originally uh talked about just water >> and they wanted to add environmental as well. I now see that >> that the environmental is
>> see environmental has been added. >> Okay. >> So it it actually just probably opens up. I did verify that within the statute you can't put environmental in there. So I just added more environmental. So maybe would those monies could apply to not necessarily just drink water but
other environmental issues that may come up. >> Yeah. Who knows how they're going to be classified going forward. want to make sure that we have to avoid respect. We're not we're not pigeon holeing ourselves. >> So 19 is establishing a fun. >> Yeah. So that is a that is a tandem. >> 19 and 20.
>> Yeah. 19 and 20 are linked in both >> in first. You heard that too. >> One gets called. You got to do 19 first and then 20 or vice versa. Right. So 20 goes. >> You can't put 20 in 20 gets called. Can you go to 19? Yes. You have to do it
though cuz we need to establish the fund before we put money in. So 20 is me as well and that's uh to essentially put that money that's in the general fund into the newly established um that we have. So do we want to do an official an official vote on it guys?
>> We know the amount infrastructure see before start. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. So >> I do have the budget. So >> any other discussion on article 19 as far as our recommendation goes? If not,
you make it into a special purpose stabilization fun. >> Okay. So, would you recommend us changing the language on this bill? Yeah, I would think will spend the money without having
process. >> So, what's our recom what's our recommended language then on that? >> It's the same as you have. >> Yes. Um EV, right? Oh, that's a revolver. Pardon me.
>> Uh, where was the other stabilization guys? Do you remember? Remember >> five or five? >> 545. >> So you said a special purpose. >> Special purpose. >> The special purpose stabilization.
Okay. So let's look under here and let's look to amend uh a special purpose stabilization fund. Yes. >> Okay. What's the number? >> So that's 19 that
>> special. >> Okay. >> Then here's how it works. >> I think it would work rather than we get to article 19 or article 20 something that's recommended by the board. I'm going to uh ask the where it's proposed by the board of selectmen. I I have the
name Jonathan. >> Uh that's going to be up to you to make the motion to read it as it as it appears on the uh on the wall. Okay, I'm going to go do that and ask every single time rather than leave it up
unless you want to do it >> in and you like. >> So Paul, just to clarify, I'm going to make this motion. I'm going to include that special purpose in the motion. Do I need to give any sort of different acknowledgement to the to the voters as
to me changing that language in the warrant? >> Yes. Okay. >> All right. Okay. You're taking it from 2/3 to majority simple majority, right? >> By adding that simple. If you see me start to trip, throw me a rope. Okay, I
got you. Sorry. Appreciate it. Cross out and sir. >> Yep. >> Well, it's actually adding to where it's special purpose. >> Where you at? >> So 19 under the motion. >> Yep. See where it says, "I need that the town vote pursuit to master general law
chapter 40 section 5B to establish a special purpose stabilization fund." And in Paul's mind, that covers us to be a simple majority going through. Okay. Okay. So, you're going to make the motion. If you second it, it's it's
going to go to the to the floor >> to make that make amend. >> Do I I need to get an amended vote first? >> No, I just put an >> Okay. Okay. >> Original motion. >> Okay. >> Just explain it. >> You would have made you would have made
me amend it. I know what you would have done. >> Yeah. >> So, you present it as you could. >> We're very close. >> With those words, but you explain to the voters. >> Yep. >> That there's two words more than what you see. >> Yep. Yep.
>> And the reason for that is Wayne Town Council over here. >> Okay. Throw it over there. All >> over there. Bob and weed. Bob and weed. Bob. It's just to make life easier. >> Yeah. Okay. Floors. >> Okay. >> Do that. Let's turn the radio on so we
don't get another coffee. >> Okay. Uh so 20 is tied to that. I'll handle that as well. Um in spiritual I know these are better than the other ones. It's the same change. I'll leave that change.
There you go. >> Yeah. And you're going to again, you're going to not want what's in that path. Okay. Um, so that said, guys, we have those changes that we're going to make. Um, I'll entertain a motion for the board to officially recommend article 19
for town meetings. So, >> second. >> All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous. Pam 30. Uh following up with the second one which is article 20, I'll entertain a motion for the board of selectment to officially approve uh article 20 for town meeting um for 2026
>> with the amended language. With the amended language thank you. All those in favor I oppose passes unanimous. Okay. Uh we're moving down to 31. 31. That's you. Bill 21.
>> Wow. Give us >> 10 star. >> So this is um this is changing. >> That's it. We just we fly. This is changing um the uh Massachusetts General
Law Chapter 13 section 12D authorize authorizes the legal licensing authority to approve the conversion of certain on- premises wine and malt beverages license to just cover all alcohol licenses as set forth. Pretty straightforward as printed in the warrant
>> as printed in the warrant. There you go. And then I think we do have one more, right? We have 22 which is our soils our citizens petition. Um, so I know you guys have been following us. I've been following this as well. Um, I can make my thoughts known. Uh, I know that we
sent this even off to our town council and essentially our town council has rendered this uh as uh not going to fly essentially with the attorney general's or with the state. So, uh, given that uh, and given the fact personally for me too like our our board of health hasn't
officially made their recommendation on this thing yet, uh, I think it's premature. uh not only for that but then if it does pass too I even think it's it's a point because it's not going to get through the state according to our according to our council proposed this >> oh so um
>> I think it was official was it was it Chris Wow res >> so I think you'll be asking for >> okay uh should be given given an opportunity to withdraw this >> where it's where it's not going to pass by uh >> does he know he knows that
>> he knows it's not going going to pass. He's been talked to. Paul, do you think it's in the best interest to give him the option to withdraw his article before pass over before the town meeting starts or >> So this there's no bar in bringing it back again. >> Okay.
>> So it's not like there's a penalty for him to not withdraw. It may be more dignified to say I want to bring it back on later. >> John, are you suggesting taking no position or voting to not bring it back? >> Um down. You start to say,
>> "Oh, no, no, no. I I do think we should Oh, I'll finish my statement and then we'll go back to that." So, because of that, I will vote not to recommend personally that if the board is is ready to do that. Um, I just think it would help with last year what five or six articles would be illegal.
>> But they but they didn't appear in town. >> No, they did. >> No, the ones that the citizens petitions last year that were brought forth >> that that was the uh Chesky ones. No, no, no, no, no. There was um the audit. There was >> there was like six of them, seven of
them troops and nine citizens. >> But Paul, just a quick question. If it's brought up in the meeting and it's rejected, is there that 2-year hiatus? >> No. >> Okay. How do we know for sure? Well, how do we know that it would not pass by the
general? I I want to say >> I have a lot of >> I'd like to be able to say we know for a fact that it would not. Well, we don't know for a fact. >> We don't know for a fact, but I have a list council has advised. >> I also have a list of about 30 questions that I have prepared for Mr. Warren that
talk about fan at the town level. Who's going to enforce this? Um, a lot of things that are missing from the bylaw itself where it can be viable and I want to see if he can answer those questions. >> I don't even think we need to go down that road. I think I have questions ready. No, if our town
council's opinion is that >> we're saying it's not going to fly is that all of these things that are not going to be regulated here belong to the state. >> Okay. >> Essentially what we're saying is we're taking this away from the state and
we're going to do it. >> We're going to handle it. >> And the problem with that is that they are a superior government to >> what they want to do governs not what we say. >> Yeah. Sure.
>> Not on all issues though. Maybe zoning issues that might not necessarily be the case. >> But I would say this is a popular position. I've seen these articles. >> Okay. >> And people love them because you want 10 minutes of soil in our town. >> Sure. >> Why would they bring the content of soil?
>> Sure. >> The state has the authority to regulate what to do with them. >> All right. All right. So, so Tom, quickly on this, >> I was just going to say why why I'm taking a position. I mean, >> it's true.
>> That would be my >> What's your what's your thought to it? >> I don't think it's a terrible idea. I just if the board of health is weighed in and legal says it's not going to fly, then we take a position. Could have disagree with the sentiment, but it's not not ready for action. >> They're premature. It's not a bad thing. It's just premature. >> Set back a further study.
>> So, you're So, you're of the opinion bill to have no opinion or no? >> Set back. No. February is done. >> Okay. All right. >> Um, don't forget at the very end >> and on Saturday, May 16th, >> because we didn't come up on that.
>> Okay. Have to announce that. >> So, we have to answer. We have to vote on that. >> We got to set the elections, Bert. So, right when we're done with the last one, don't forget this last page. >> So, it says on Do I have a motion to >> What do you have to sleep under? I don't know.
>> I did. You know what? typical panor. >> Okay. So, I'm going to officially ask um I'll entertain a motion for the board of selectments to take no position on article 22. >> Second. All those in favor? I opposed. Passes unanimous.
>> Okay. >> Any other questions before we uh adjourn and go to town meeting? All right. I'll see a motion to journ and proceed over to town >> meeting. All right. So moved by Tom,
seconded by by Bill. All those in favor? I I this meeting adds Pam at 6:27 meeting tomorrow.