Good evening, Hollist. Uh, tonight we are here on the June 8th meeting of the Hollist Select Board. We're going to get started um in just a moment. So, um there's a little chatter out there. We might uh Okay, there. I was going to say we closed the door, but not. So, we're going to start off with a couple updates
from the Hollison Police Department. So, we're going to invite uh Chief Stone to to the table, and he can bring up uh anybody else he would like and uh give us uh some updates before we get get going too much. Good evening, Chief. >> Good evening. How are you? Good to >> see you as well.
>> Well, thanks for inviting us. The uh the hallway is full of uh people for the meeting and from the department. We just all can't fit in this room. Um I had asked Frank a couple of weeks ago for the opportunity to speak in front of the board and provide some updates um in terms of personnel, some movement, and some structural changes uh that I
thought were positive. I'd first like to uh Tyler and Gus and Costa are here. I think they're out in the hallway. >> Come on in, gentlemen. >> Afternoon. >> Welcome.
>> So, these are our three newest officers. I came in before you uh recommending them to be hired. Okay. >> Um couple of months ago. You guys want to maybe just by the [laughter] just move slightly that way [clears throat] just so that way uh you're not in front of the camera. Perfect.
So Tyler, Gustavo, and Costa all came before the board to get appointed at one point, and all three were sent to the academy by Hollist. Uh that process takes us about a year and a half. So uh a little bit, probably late last spring, I was asking if it would be okay to send
them to the academy. Uh since then, all three have graduated from the MPTC Academy. Tyler and Gus graduated from the MPTC Marorrow in January of 26. They then came back to us and completed a 12-week in-house field training program with the senior members of HPD. And both Gus and Tyler are on solo patrol uh as
of the middle of May. So, they're out on the road now working the evening and midnight shifts. Costa graduated from the East Falmouth Police Academy on May 8th, 2026. Uh not only did he graduate, but he was the recipient of the academy class academic achievement award. Uh he
currently is in week six of our field training program, six out of 12 and he's expected to uh resume assume solo patrol in mid July. So all three officers have been doing an outstanding job. I've already got emails from a couple of residents uh with uh experiences for
each one of them. So I'd like to officially welcome them here on patrol. Um and this is the product that you get. Thank you. [applause] >> I won't put them on the spot, but just to highlight uh the process by which we, you know, recruit, we bring the best best possible candidates before you. Um,
and for them to graduate the academy and be out here on patrol with the community is a is a huge undertaking, but one that's worthwhile in and serves positively for the community. So, thank you guys. >> Welcome. Thank you. Thank you again. Can they
[applause] don't go through because there's a couple of Yeah. >> things you want to do first. >> Yeah, that works. >> Pictures right there. >> Well, we'll do it. Let's There's a couple other So, we want >> I might Do you mind sliding over? >> Oh, [laughter] is Lieutenant Hagen out there?
[laughter] >> Okay. while they're while they're waiting. Um, >> we got >> Yeah, [snorts] anytime. >> Someone new to introduce. >> So, we like all of our officers. Obviously, we treat them all, uh, the same, but there is one, uh, that we do
treat a little bit differently, uh, in a better way. Uh, so late winter, uh, we acquired our new K9 unit, our new canine member, u, Kine Blitz. And K9 Blitz is a year and a halfyear-old German Shepherd that came in came to us from Slovakia. And I'm going to give you a little
history because as soon as he walks in the room, nobody's going to pay attention to me. They're all [laughter] So, uh, K9 Blitz began training with Officer Hume at the Boston Police Academy on March 9th, 2026, and he's expected to graduate, uh, this Thursday.
Officer Hume, who is his handler, uh, has been with HPD since 2020. He's one of our field training officers. He's a department health and wellness instructor and he's also done a myriad of professional development courses that involve motor vehicle law, drunk driving, advanced roadside impairment.
Uh so we want to welcome both Alex who's been here for 6 years, but also his new partner who will resume patrol with our K9 on the evening shift as early as Thursday. So again, another investment into the town, uh new officer in town. Um so when you see K9 Blitz, we ask that you don't pet him, but you can certainly
come up and say hello. So, okay. [snorts] >> The grand finale. [laughter] >> We understand who has the real authority here. >> I did. [clears throat] >> So, this is our third K9. Um, I began the program in 2012 with K9 Kesh. Uh, Lieutenant Hagen had K9 Mattis who's
retired and now we have a year and a halfyear-old. And you probably see the puppy in him. Um, but when they graduate on Thursday from the Boston Police Academy, um, they'll be proficient and certified by the Boston Police K9 unit in obedience, area
searches, building, searching, tracking, criminal apprehension, and handler protection. So, having been a K9 handler myself, Lieutenant Hagen just retired K9 Mattis and now Officer Hume, um, it's a huge asset. It's a tremendous asset to the community, to the town. again a financial commitment, a training
commitment. Um, but the bond that these two officers will have and be able to provide to Holl, um, whether it be a missing child, an Alzheimer's patient, criminal apprehension, uh, and for officer Hume, it's a built-in uh, partner and backup with him every [snorts] night. So, it's a tool that
we've used now for over 14 years for the department, and we're proud to carry that on now. And as of Thursday, they will [snorts] be graduating, not with us. I'd >> like to welcome K9 Blitz. [applause] >> Thank you, gentlemen.
[laughter] >> Okay. >> Much more. I have one more if that's okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Actually, I have two more. >> It's fine. >> I know you guys have a full agenda, too. >> No, it's okay. Um, so we have a strategic plan, a 5-year strategic plan, we're in our third year. Uh, in our FY23, FY27 plan, uh, the need for a six
sergeant position was identified and that was came from an outside agency that we hired to do our plan. The reason behind that is improvise off, it improves officer supervision, accountability, it helps with risk management, reduces liability, it also increases leadership and um, supervision
in the in the street. So, we began a promotional process back in March of 2026 with a promotional exam that was taken by eight of 21 eligible officers. The most we've ever had interested in taking a promotional exam prior to this was four. So, we've doubled that, which
tells tells me there's a third of the patrol force that that is interested in future leadership. It was a very competitive process, one that included a comprehensive evaluation of all candidates, but at the end, Officer David Craig was awarded the overall highest numerical score. So, if I could,
I'd like to invite Officer David Craig, soon to be Sergeant David Craig up as well. [applause] [applause] So, Dave joined HPD in 2022. He's a veteran of the United States Coast Guard. He holds a master's degree in
cyber security. He was the president of his police academy class in Plymouth. He's one of our field training officers and also a mentor to our newer officers. He's one of two FAA certified drone operators on HPD. He's an EMT. His list is pretty long. [laughter]
He's also say what he can't do. >> He's a husband and a proud father of an almost one-year-old. Uh and he just recently completed along with Sergeant Parent a twoe firstline supervisor course down at Roger Williams University. So, not only do we have a promotional process, but we then send
them to a two-eek class um at a at a at a prestigious college. So, I'd like to welcome David obviously as has been here for a while, but as a new supervisor uh in an exciting new position. So, uh congratulations and I think your mom's going to [applause] [applause]
Don't stick them. [laughter] >> [applause] [laughter] >> We just have one more if we still have time if that's >> Yeah, go ahead. >> Um, I'd like to call up Martha Ellis if she would. [applause] Come on, Martha. Can you see him?
>> Yeah. No, I'm okay. >> Good. >> Thank you. >> So, if you don't recognize Martha, then you probably haven't lived in town for very long. U Martha started about 6 months before I did uh in Hollist. And we wanted to invite her here tonight because she just retired um after 20
plus years as our crossing guard. Um so, we we're very appreciative of all of her efforts. In recognition of that, of your many years of dedicated service as a school crossing guard with the Hollist Police Department, through good weather and bad, you are a constant presence at our post. And some students could always
rely rely on you to help them get to school safely. For more than two decades, you welcomed young students and their families with a smile while ensuring their safe arrival to and departure from school each day. Your dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the safety of our community have been truly
appreciated throughout the years. Your friendly smile, and positive attitude always had a way of brightening the day for the students and families who you safely crossed each morning and afternoon. With sincerest gratitude, Chief Matthew Stone and all of the men and women of the Hollist Police Department,
[applause] Sure. [applause] >> So, quick story. >> So, at one of my crossings, I um a little nervous. So, uh, it was when I first started and I was down at the
four-way stop down by the package store and the traffic was coming and going for the parents dropping off and returning, going to work. It was very busy all fourways. And I thought, "Oh, no. This is ridiculous. This can't happen." So, I
went out into the middle of the intersection and I started directing the traffic, both sides of me. They're going in front and and in back of me and then I'd stop them and then then I go the other side and do the other way. And then finally the cruiser came up and
said, "Uh, you can't do that." [laughter] >> Okay. [laughter] >> Cross it. Thank you for everything. >> You were all great and very supportive and of course I enjoyed most every minute of it. [laughter] >> No. And thank you for, you know,
changing my my stops and the different experiences and everybody was really great. I really appreciate it. This is unbelievable. I >> So with with that, I'll conclude. Again, I want to thank you for the time. Um I I think it's important to highlight um
those are just a handful of ones that we picked out of new officers, promotions um and and you know things of the department, but these things are happening every day with the men and women that we have on the department. So I think it's important to highlight that and I appreciate the time. >> No, we appreciate all that you do for us. So thank you so much. >> Thank you, Chief.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you, Chief. >> Thank you very much. >> Thanks, Chief. See you soon. >> [laughter] >> Nice meeting you guys. >> Thanks. >> Thank you everyone. >> Thank you. >> Good evening.
>> Thank you so much. [clears throat] >> Thank you, Martha. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. >> We appreciate it. >> Thank you so much. >> Congratulations. >> We're going to get a second to
get the next group in. We need the people out there to come in though. [laughter] >> There's people out there that we need here for the next one. [snorts] >> Who am I calling in? >> I'll go [cough and clears throat] and see. >> Come on in.
totally >> works. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yep. >> Wherever you Sorry, you going on this side? >> Wherever you'd like. Where would you like to be? >> This work? >> You need more room for me now, please.
>> Good evening, hi Tracy. How are you? Hi. How are you? >> Sure. Yep. Just to keep it a little easier though. You got it. >> Sorry. >> Just made myself right at home.
>> All right. Sorry. >> Okay. No one needs to know. >> All right. Uh on to number two. Okay. Thank you. Uh just uh so everybody understands. So we have the school committee here with us.
If you just don't mind because some of you have your back to the audience and they might not be able to know if you could just make sure you introduce yourselves just so everybody knows who who else is at the table here uh with us. I not everybody might know who you are. So just just in case if you could just go around please. Sure. >> Tracy Blicker,
>> Frank Ogoro, >> Hillary Breham, Jess, John Norski. Wonderful, wonderful to see you all. Uh, thank you very much for coming in this evening. Um, so what I'll do is I'll just start out with a little bit of like what's happening here, what we're going to do, and how what what started this,
and then what we'll do is we'll kind of go into a few different things. So, uh, we're here to talk about a joint appointment to the school committee. Uh, this was made, uh, possible because, uh, Joe Peru had resigned in April. And uh
we had a meeting last week to discuss some of the uh to discuss the candidates for this position. And uh we've had some things happen uh since then. And with that and um tonight what we're going to
do is first we're just going to sort of talk about where we are, what's going on, give everybody the opportunity to speak up. Um I'll go first and then I'll give it to Don and then we can go to whoever else would like to speak. I assume you like to make a statement at that point, right? >> Yes. I calling the joint meeting to
order, too. >> Sure. Absolutely. We're all in we're all uh meeting this is a joint meeting between both both boards and we are in open session for for both boards. Um so that being said, um so what we're going to do is we're going to make be able to make statements. Then we're going to
kind of ask whether or not, you know, with everything that has happened over the past few days, if everybody's comfortable moving forward um with an appointment this evening. And then we will go through uh a process by which we evaluate at that point. And then um further at the uh conclusion of that
process we will talk about there is another resignation and we need to discuss what that looks like and what the process is for that so we can all understand and be move forward with that with that process as well. So um I will begin by making uh we got a couple
comments to make about uh things that have happened over the past couple of days. And um just to sort of state sort of where I was on Tuesday because I know some people had had questions about um what I was doing and what was going on
there. So um basically I had been under the uh expectation that we were going to put forward several candidates to discuss tonight Monday evening and I was expressing my uh opinion about that and
um obviously I am one vote. I am one person and I didn't even have a I did not have a vote at that time and uh certainly the school committee has a process and you have your own process and nothing was happening that was improper. It was unexpected for me and I wanted to express that. I wanted to
express my disagreement and that's it. So it was not me intended to do anything else and it was not intended to um express that anything was happening improperly. it was more that I had I had a different expectation for the outcome of that evening and I wanted to make
that clear. Um I also wanted to sort of mention here that um there's been a lot of uh vitriolic and bullying language used in different places and it's unacceptable. I don't accept it. I don't
allow for it. I don't think it's okay in any case towards anybody. And um how we conduct ourselves is in my opinion almost more important than what we do. And um I take it very seriously and I am
I feel that Hollist is better than that. And I'm very disappointed with some of the things that have been said. And I want to ensure that tonight everything is respectful and civil. And when we get to opportunities for public comment, we can talk a little bit about that. And uh
I have a plan to to work through that. And let's disagree civily. We're allowed to disagree and we should disagree. We should have discourse and that's okay. And we can do it respectfully. And that's important. And um I want to make sure that we do
that tonight and moving forward. So I would that's important as we go through additional processes. We'll be we have a lot of stuff to work to on together as a as a group and um collaboration is important and essential for all of us.
And um I will hold myself to that standard and I expect I I hope everyone else will be able to hold themselves to the same kinds of standards. and I want to make sure that we we do so. So, um that's all I have to say right now. Um and uh I'll let Don if you'd like to
make uh make any statements or any comments at this point. You >> Thank you. Um you know, we I not just speaking for myself um as acting chair, but I was did have the opportunity to meet with our committee before this to go over communication about the events
of June 2nd and also a little bit about the process. So, I just wanted to explain that we're in the process of filling two vacant seats. Uh, the vacancy process is defined by Mass General Law. Um, chapter 41, section 11, Holston bylaws,
and our school committee policy. The three members of the select board and the school committee's remaining six members meet to fill vacancy by a roll call vote. A majority is required to appoint the replacement. um and that person serves until the next annual town
election of May 2027. That vacancy seat occurred in April and then an additional vacancy occurred when our chair resigned on June 4th of this year. In April, um I believe the select board chair had stated the school committee seat vacated in April would be filled after the May
19th election. On May 20th, the town manager posted a request for letters of interest to be submitted by May 28th for the one-year school committee appointment. Residents that were interested in serving were invited to submit letters of interest to the town of Hollston. And then a joint school
committee and select board meeting was posted on May 28th and scheduled for June 2nd. And the purpose on the agenda was to review and discuss the candidates together. Um, in addition, the school committee at that time reserved their right at the June 2nd meeting to vote on a candidate or candidates for
recommendation to the select board. Um, again, this notice was provided on May 22nd. In addition, on June 1st, a joint school committee and select board meeting was posted for today, and that is the one that requires that joint roll call vote. Um, and again, we're talking about the April vacancy. Um, at the June
2nd joint school committee and select board meeting, following a review of each candidate's letter of interest, and upon hearing candidate statements, the school committee members considered the responsibilities of the role, including oversight of the district budget, superintendent evaluation, collective
bargaining, and policy development. Members also considered each applicant's experience, qualifications, and readiness to contribute during what we believed was a particularly important year for the district that includes contract negotiations and significant leadership transitions. We recognize,
however, that the explanation of the process implemented in the June 2nd meeting was unclear to some and resulted in community frustration. We take responsibility for that and we're committed to doing better in future situations. We will work to provide greater clarity regarding the process
being followed and the rationale behind our decisions. We also want to acknowledge that the candidates who step forward to be considered for the position. Volunteering for public service requires time and a willingness to contribute to our community and make um at times difficult decisions that not
everyone will agree with. We are grateful for their interest in serving the Holston public schools. We also want to address the conduct that occurred at the conclusion of the June 2nd meeting and continued thereafter. Hollist is a community that has long valued service, civic engagement, respect, and
inclusion. While disagreement and passionate advocacy are important parts of a healthy democracy, personal attacks, misinformation, online harassment, and efforts to disparrage individuals are inconsistent with those values. Public service should not come with the expectation that volunteers,
candidates, elected officials, staff members, or their families will be subjected to harassment or misrepresentation. Regardless of one's position on a particular issue or decision, we all share a responsibility to engage with one another respectfully. We recognize
and respect the public's right to disagree and to express criticism of our decisions. However, we do seek civility and respectful engagement. We remain committed to listening to community feedback and reflecting on how we can improve our work. We welcome questions,
concerns, and differing viewpoints. And we're grateful to the residents who continue to engage constructively in support of our schools. So again, it's on behalf of our committee. >> Okay. Thank you. Does anyone else on the school committee want to make a statement or you is that the >> Okay. I just wanted to give you a chance
if you did want to. Uh do either of you want to make any comments uh at this time? If you could just define the process next, you're going to call for feedback from the board as we go through this. >> I don't have any statement to make, but >> yes. So the so after we finish conclude this, we're going to we're going to go
through and ask and see like is everybody comfortable going forward with the appointment tonight. Um and then we will go through a if yes then we will go through a process by which and then we would um discuss the second um uh resignation and we have that appointment
process just to make sure everybody again to to Don's point that we all have clarity on what exactly is >> perfect. All right. Thank you. >> Do you have anything? >> Oh yeah just briefly. I think everything you've said I think we would probably concur with completely. Uh for me, one of the things that I want to be focusing on this next year is making sure that
whatever processes we undertake, they are the most open and the most transparent processes available. I think that's to the benefit of everyone in the community. Even if we disagree, we should make those disagreements very visible. And as long as we're comporting ourselves with decorum, those disagreements, that friction makes diamonds and we should not sherk away
from it. That's where I stand. So, thank you. >> Thanks, D. Okay. Um so um at this point um I would like to sort of ask you and the school committee if you are if you've already taken a vote that's fine or if you want me to go through to say like are you comfortable
going forward with an appointment process tonight or would you like to take a step back and take a and and do and go through a not do it tonight. I basically like what what is the consensus here? >> I I think that that's something we have to all talk about. If if the question is
being directed [clears throat] personally to me, I think it's not a time to run for the hills. I think, you know, this is a this is a decision that we need to move forward um with and and we need to discuss and move on from. That being said, I do reserve our right if if again if any one on school
committee um wants to make another recommendation to put um a particular candidate forward, I do think we we have that right to do that to put one candidate or two candidates forward. But I do want to move forward um this evening and and and make a >> decision. I was I was kind of asking
because you did say you you talked about um the statement as a jointly. I wasn't sure if you had talked as a >> No, I'm clarifying now. [clears throat] That's my my position. >> Okay. So, you want me to go through I can pull through everybody. Jess, how are you feeling about going forward tonight? >> I think I I agree. Um if the three the
three Kenneth who are still willing, I think let's move forward today. We haven't scared him off yet. >> Okay. >> I think >> Okay. >> I'm comfortable moving forward. >> Okay. Hillary, what do you what do you think? >> I agree. >> Okay. Frank, >> originally I thought, you know,
depending how tonight turned out, obviously, and I know we had chatted quickly, Ben. Um, I guess the question I would have I know you guys are voted so putting you on the spot like >> do we want to give the candidates any last statements or like cuz I mean we'll
say Tuesday to say wasn't tainted. I think would be incorrect. So like a last statement to say like >> you know how what they would think about. >> Yes. >> Um I think would be fair but I would be assuming um you know we give them an opportunity I would be okay with moving forward.
>> Okay. I had spoken to the three candidates and um I see two of them and I apologize there's one other candidate. I don't know what they look like or whether or not they're here but they said that they would be here. So, okay. >> Um, as far as I know, all three of the candidates who are still remaining have said that they were in attendance and if
we'd like to hear from them, then we can. >> Tracy, are you comfortable going forward tonight? >> Yes, I would like to. I think any attempt to sort of further push this off would be detrimental. >> Okay, great. Okay. This is consensus from that from from the school committee. So, I think you add this time.
>> Uh, I was going to actually make >> Okay. Uh my feeling is I I would be wide open to a conversation about deferring having a cooling off period to put some distance between uh the events of last week but also the events uh in between
last Tuesday and tonight. I mean the uh there's been a significant amount of change in the process that we all endeavored to join together in prior to Tuesday. Uh there's been a significant amount of change uh over the past seven
days. Uh and as a response to that that change and uh what's been um consumed by the public as they watch we this board has received an enormous amount of feedback. Uh and much of the feedback has concern about process either it be the school committee's process or the
select board's process. Either it be an individual on either board or committee or an individual in the public. We've received an enormous amount of feedback um with concern a gen I think it's fair to say without using any flowery language here that there's a general
concern over how this is moving forward without pointing any fingers has come from all directions pointed at everybody. So for me what feels appropriate is to put a bit of an arms length distance between the events of the past week uh in an effort to cool
things down. But I think it's more than that. I think that perhaps we could collaborate and work with perhaps an organization like the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Perhaps contact the executive director Glenn Cooer and ask him to step in to
work with the two boards committees on a joint statement that to the community describes the process moving forward and sort of resets. So bringing in a third party outside, an expert in the the uh issues the school committee is obviously faced at faced with in the two uh empty
seats that you have, but perhaps a third-party expert in this in this arena of school committees could come and guide uh the town through this process. I I'm understand that that is a role that the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees would take on. Uh and I'm
interested in hearing the thoughts on that. So, that's one suggestion. If we were to take a cooling off approach to bring somebody in like that, if we were to get to a point where a third party could help us navigate through a joint statement, it gives us time too for you to have your school committee council
review it, the town school committee, uh, excuse me, the town's council review it, and then when we come back together, we have a clearly defined, vetted by external um, voices, experts, and also reviewed by council that we can present to the public to say moving forward
forward because I think what I hear most of all in all of the comments from everybody at the table but also from the public is folks are looking for collaboration and um a togetherness as we go forward. I don't think anybody has
enjoyed anything about the past week. Uh and I wonder if that's a solution that satisfies the public attention that we've gotten but also defines a process for everybody here at this table that we can all agree on. Not that we don't agree, but uh that we uh are developing
and agreeing on moving forward. That that's a suggestion that I have. I'm open to a conversation about it. But that's my my um opinion. >> I think my response to that would be that we are a seven member board that's down [clears throat] two members now and we have a significant amount of work to
do during a leadership transition that's happening very shortly. Um and [clears throat] so I I while I am not opposed to bringing um MASC in and I've reached out to Glen Cooer on other issues in these past seven years, I actually see an
opportunity to reach out to them and we're going to have we will now have three brand new members and there are certainly some trainings that um MASC can provide to new membership and to all membership. So, I see that as something that we could later reach out on, but we
have a a lot of work to do and and it's not waiting and there's only five of us now. And I also think that, you know, we don't have to be lawyers to look at Mass General Law 41 section 11 and our bylaws. When we put the select board on notice of a vacancy, there is a 30-day
time period. And we're now past that time period. Right? I'm not saying you've you've done anything wrong here. What to to be clear, what I'm saying is that that was triggered on May 1st and then it requires that 7-day notice period and that's occurred and we got a candidate pool significantly larger than
I think you you've certainly been through this with the library just last summer and with other boards. Um, and sometimes you may only get one candidate or you get two candidates or three candidates. As it stands, we have three candidates. We had the opportunity to review letters of interest. We had the
opportunity to review candidate statements. We've asked them to make themselves available tonight for additional questions. Um I would very much like to fill both this vacancy and then set a timeline to move forward and fill the next vacancy. Um we will have
new leadership at at a number of positions. Um and you know three out of our seven members are going to need to get up to speed on what they did. I think just to kind of understand and and Jess can speak to this too. One of the things you have to sign up for an eight-hour course. There's a lot of
certifica, you know, trainings that they undergo and certainly trying to get MBSC in. We'll have a brand new superintendent, a brand new assistant superintendent of finance and operations and a brand new director of curriculum instruction um coming aboard in just a matter of weeks and they would like to
be able to meet with school committee and move forward with a plan. So, I don't think delay is is where we should um be headed. Yeah, I I I hear what you're saying. I understand what you're saying. My suggestion really comes from I understand the school committee has very specific needs that you're you're looking to accomplish here, goals that
you're looking to accomplish. Um my suggestion is in response to the extraordinary events of the past week and the public feedback we've received. So, we serve I think we all serve multiple um needs and goals and so I I don't disagree at all, Don, with the the needs of the school committee uh and
what you're trying to accomplish. Uh very respectful of that. Uh I'm I'm bringing forward the suggestion for everyone at the table to consider given the other aspects to this this decision and this process that we're engaged in >> and and I am I am agreeable to a joint
communication. I'd certainly work with that. I know you have a busy meeting scheduled. I work with you this evening on that if you would like or we [snorts] could reconvene later this week. Um, we could certainly um we could make a motion and and direct one person to work with one person from the select board and we could sit down later this week
and then we could reconvene next week and put out a joint statement if you would like. Um, so I'm not opposed to a joint statement. Um, but I would like to be able to move forward and get an additional member to join us and start that training process. >> I also I hear your point about the
community feedback, but I also don't want to set up a precedent that the behaviors of the past week as um Mr. Spar just pointed out the the way in which we were treated the way in the vidual that was online that that is an acceptable form of governing in this town and it's not. So the past president
of appointees has gone the way we have set it up and so to change it midame seems unfair to the community. So I'm certainly open to moving forward after this but I think the processes in place need to continue as they've been set up and to change it now would be unfair and listening to a small vocal group. We got
just as many emails this week um in favor of how things moved and sort of supporting um the direction the school committee was looking to go. So I would um encourage us to move forward with that not change it. >> I would add to that I I balance in my head Tina as well. Um should we pause
the question becomes how long does a pause become right pausing a week? What would that do? And and seeing I I I do think a lot of folks in town our neighbors woke up with what happened last week. It was not a good invent or events that followed too. But I think a lot of people woke up and said this is
not right and we ended up here tonight honestly how the process was meant spelled out. So if we ended up in a different scenario where it was against not against but not align with the process that was laid out originally I would say maybe we do need to pause and rethink it. But you know not happy I
don't think anyone happy is how we got here but we laid out exactly I mean what then what you laid out is where we're at right now. So like why pause it? And that's I did again I'm I'm only put on perspective out there having the candidates give one last you know >> sure >> statement I think would give them one
last voice so that we can consider before a formal vote is taken. >> And Ben if I may clarify one thing perhaps I misspoke. This will be my last comment. Um I didn't mean to refer to the events of the June 2nd meeting. What I meant to refer to is the withdrawal of the candidate that you voted for to move
forward and then also the resignation of the chair. That was what I was referring to into the as in regards to the extraordinary events of the past week. >> Um that's really what my focus is on. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Anybody any other thoughts here?
>> Dam any any comments here? >> Um I'm all right with moving ahead. I think with the three candidates I appreciate um the olive branch you're trying to extend here. I do think that time is a bit of the essence. So I I'd prefer to move ahead at least for this appointment with the three. uh point of information. Have you two already
discussed potentially time framing for the next appointment? >> We'd like to discuss that. >> I think we want to put it like I think we we've sort of thrown out some I threw out some ideas, but I think it's it's a discussion we need to have as a group so we can all agree on what's going to happen. Um and I'm you know and I I do
agree that like you know I think we can kind of meet halfway here. We do want to put the things forward tonight. We have three candidates. um they should all be here and then we can maybe we can talk about a joint statement to sort of push through to to work together on on on some kind of
communication as a group and um agree on a process for the second seat. So that way everybody we have everything moving forward and then we can just execute the process and we're not you know we're not um sewing any confusion along the way. So I think all right so it feels like
we're comfortable moving forward. um it feels like there's there's enough uh uh interest in doing so. So um what I'll do first is I will um talk about the three candidates just mention who the three candidates who were remaining who um I
reached out to all the candidates that had not previously withdrawn. So there were five I reached out to all five and heard back from all five. Uh, two candidates withdrew their candidacy and three candidates have said that they are interested and they explicitly said that they were still interested in
continuing. I asked them all to be here. I think I saw one one I know is in the room and I apologize if Karen is Karen. I apologize. I just I So Karen is here as well. So we have the three candidates are all in attendance. So um are people I I guess my question for you you folks
just to make sure like do we want to hear from the candidates at all or do we want to ask them questions? I like I I don't want to I mean you know I want to make sure that you know we can it might be easiest to just sort of have give them a chance to have a a couple comments and if people have a question they can ask is are people comfortable
with with doing that u at this point. So the three candidates are there's Ali Lima who was is on the zoom we have David Kim and we have uh um Karen Demonica. So we have those three candidates. Um two are in the room one is on on Zoom. So, um, if it is
possible, if we could spread out >> spread out just a little bit, just as long as there's a microphone and then we can introduce you have each one the two in the room if they're amendable to come up and just >> Sorry. >> Intro reintroduce yourself and just, you know, and and if your group has a
question or two. Yeah, we got a chair. We're good. >> One chair or two? >> We only need we'll do one at a time. One person at a time just to make it a little bit easier. So, if you could just introduce yourself and then um you know, if you have a couple comments this evening um people
I'm sure who have been able to review your statements and your letter of interest and then I'm just going to throw it open to see if there's any questions for you at this time. Is that okay? >> Yep. >> Okay, great. So, David Kim, 442 Fisk Street. Um I shared in my last message
just my history here in Hollist. You know, one of the things I didn't go into was, you know, each year we have our budget. Um, you know, Miller is probably $10 million compared to, you know, the 40 million, but we're in charge of that.
And I've been in charge of it for 23 years. Um, we have to each year fight for our staffing, you know, based on the needs of the kids and make sure we have what we need. If we have tutors and
things and we've got needs that way, we put in our budget requests that way. Um, regards to negotiations, I have not sat on teacher negotiations, but we have I've sat in on arbitrators, moderators,
uh, things like that that can sometimes be worse uh, than the teacher uh, negotiations. Uh, going from room to room while people discuss certain things. I do know the teacher contract because I've lived it for the last 27
years. Um, and you know, there are things administratively we would like to see in there and I can see where the teachers, you know, have their points. Am I friend with teachers? Absolutely. But at the same time, I've been their principal. Um, and you know, you have to
have those tough conversations with people that you've worked with, but part of those tough conversations is relationships. And I feel over my 27 years, people will say that's one of my strongest attributes is building the relationships on either side. Um, am I a
principal? Absolutely. But I will not be when I'm on school committee. I will no longer be hired uh by the Hollist public schools, the town of Holliston. It would be my responsibility to do my job as a school committee member, and that is budget and policy. Uh my job isn't to,
you know, be on the principal's side. My job is to support the superintendent. My job is to support, you know, the people of Hollist. >> Okay. Thank you. Um, anybody at the table have any questions for David right
now? >> I have one. >> Okay. Go ahead. >> Uh, something that's come up a lot in public comments and I I'm kind of putting you on the spot because you're first past the post right now. So, everyone else is going to have a few more moments to think about it. So, take your time. Um, we talk a lot about the fact that the schools make up the
majority of the budget in the town. Obviously, taxpayers are kind of sensitive to that and a conversation that we hear a lot is one about measurable outcomes and how can you tell if you're getting what you're investing back and I'm kind of interested, you've probably faced it through decades. This
is a conversation that pops back in and out. But what kind of objective measures would you as a member of the school committee now, not an administrator or a teacher from the past, look at to say this is something we can measure to know if objectively the investments are worthwhile, if they merit more
investment or if we're at a good plateau? >> Yep. So, one of the things we focus a lot on is our accountability um status through the state. uh and they make that public. And so we look at where our weaknesses are. Uh and as a school
committee member, I can see that for all four schools and see, you know, what do we need to do to improve? Sometimes that can be with an MLL population. Sometimes that could be with, you know, um just um
high needs students. Um but at the same time, there's accountability data right there. recently um and again it's the talk of the town not the program but I Ready itself looking at where kids are three times a year not the program
itself but the accountability data you can see growth uh for students uh and so as and all uh we're using it placentino's using it middle and high have a different one it's just looking at that data and making sure kids are
improving >> thank you appreciate it Yep. >> So, I have a question, Dave. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> how do you think your position as it currently stands, which you'll be retiring in a few weeks, congratulations again. Thank you. How do you think that
positively helps and also blind spot in the cause? >> Positively, I know the players in the field. Um, and I hope that I can build that uh relationship uh with Kimmo on the other side and hopefully he can
utilize that relationship uh in his dealing with um the staff. I think I'm the senior admin across the district [clears throat] uh right now. So, I've got history. Uh blind spot. Um I would hope that people
could point that out to me as we're going along if they see it. I'm open to changing because we all have blind spots. Um but that's why they're called blind spots because you don't see >> where one additional question. Y >> um
>> can you tell me about a school committee decision that you disagreed with or you think we didn't get quite right and what you would have done differently? And I say that because I think it's important um for if you're sitting in this seat to be able to bring that um we should have
we shouldn't always agree um and we should have those difficult conversations. Um but can you think of a and again this is part of what I asked you? >> Well, I think I shared it with you and I'm going to benefit of everyone here. >> You know, originally um they wanted to do two separate bus runs. One with
elementary and middle and one with our kids and the high school kids. And Dr. Slaney and I disagreed with that and we voiced that in a school committee me meeting where there were school committee members who felt those should be the two runs because we were trying
to um make sure that the high school students were getting out early enough for sports but yet the the timing of everything was working. Um, and because we added the 15 minutes in our schedule, we were never able to combine Placentino
and Miller because of the time. There's unified arts teachers that span both buildings. And because we added that 15 minutes, we were actually able to put a schedule together that we could be on one schedule. And so, we were able to
make the the the buses work, the pickup work. I tell you, that first week we probably took us a half hour to get out of school. we are done in 10 minutes now getting all the parents through and everything. Um, so I did did disagree with that and I'm glad we went in a
different direction. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else have any questions? >> David, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I'd like to invite Karen if you come on up. >> We only got to hear >> back to follow.
>> I know [laughter] we we we uh were able to hear your statement, but we're actually able to meet you now. I I was I was on an airplane to Nebraska with one of my boys was >> I love going to Nebraska. >> It's flat. [laughter] >> Lots of corn. Lots of corn flat.
>> So if you could you introduce yourself and >> I am Karen de Monica 125 Westfield Drive. Um I've lived here for the last um just about 14 years almost 14 years. Um, so I have four boys, um, that have
all, like I said in my statement, have gone through the school system in various ways and I would say that without, you know, kind of the supports and needs and, you know, that they've had through the school system, they would not be, you know, where they are now. My oldest son, you know, he was on
an IEP all through school and he's a plumber now. My next one, he wanted to go to boarding school for competitive hockey and basically Holliston set him up great for being able to be successful in that endeavor. He just graduated. Um
my 15-year-old is at uh the high school. He's a ninth grader. And then my next one is at Vanilla. He's in third grade. >> Which boarding school was it? >> He went to the Graten School. >> I went to Middle Sex. So >> Okay. [laughter] So, um yeah. So, and then I am um an
educator myself. I work at the Ashlin public schools and I am a fourth grade teacher. I was a third grade teacher for a long time and I currently moved to fourth grade. >> Wonderful. >> Um do we want to >> Yeah, I'll just ask the question >> without the preamble this time. What kind of metrics do you think are useful
in measuring the outcome for investments to the school? >> So, so funny. I was just at my data team meeting today. So, >> great. Um so we use a lot of the same like um so kind of piggybacking on what David said. So even you know the state metric we look at that every year. We
look at um specific questions. We look at what can we do differently? How can we change our scope and sequence? How can we you know so you can you know kind of broaden that and that would be the same type of way that you could use that and think about the schools you know across you know the three schools that
use that. Um, we also use I Ready and that's a great tool to measure growth and to see where they're growing, why they're growing. You can also look at specific standards. So, you know, what standards are they not mastering? Why are they not mastering them? You know, what can we do differently? And how does
that look in curriculum? How does that look in, you know, execution? How does that look in teaching? So, um, there are lots of different metrics usually within the school that you can use that, you know, look at growth and how students are doing. >> Thank you. Great. Do you want to ask
your same question? >> Yes. [laughter] Um, can you think of a recent school committee decision or any school I mean, you've had kids through the district for a number of years, but a school committee decision that you disagreed with or you would have approached differently and just tell me a little bit about that. >> [sighs] >> So, and I and we had this conversation
and I guess really as a community member, I try to keep an open mind and I try to be thoughtful of there are lots of things that I don't always know that are happening behind the scenes. As much as everything is transparent, as much as we, you know, want to be able to know
everything, there are still things that we don't always know. I did sit on the school bus committee when we had to do the school bus times and had to pick which school which two schools would ride together. And I think in that what was hard was that we were told
specifically you cannot they cannot start at the same time >> and that was >> and [laughter] then we quit >> because I the same thing. So, and I guess I feel like and you know and that coming from the school committee and that coming from the district, I think it made that
difficult because how do you decide which kids are going to go together when you had to mix really little kids with, you know, older kids? But I don't necessarily know as if I didn't necessarily agree, but I also
wouldn't have thought that that 15 minutes would have made a difference with the um you know the schedule changes and again like things that as the public that we aren't always privy to. So I try to keep an open mind of if maybe I didn't love it, but I necessarily wasn't privy to all of
everything that went into making that decision. >> Thank you. to ensure we're asking the same questions. Um I'll pivot a little bit differently because that was really pivoted towards Mr. K, but um >> as an educator um >> what benefit would you bring the
committee in your own opinion and and what scenario where you would have a blind spot? Maybe not a blind spot because you David answered appropriately area where you feel like um you need to get up to speed or or think differently. Um, so as an educator, I think because I'm familiar with curriculum, I'm
familiar with negotiations more from my end, but um, but then I, you know, as our union president used to say all the time, it's not a list of demands. You know, you have to be able to work together with people in order to
kind of meet in the middle. Um, so I think that's something that I understand and think would be a positive strength. And then you know we implement policy we have to read new policy you know anything that comes down from our school committee or you know things like that
and budget other than I can see the budget every year I understand that there's money that has to go certain places I understand that it is not always cut and dry that you know just because you get this money it might have to be allocated for here. Um so I feel
like I can catch on and and learn those things. Um, but where do I think I think that probably where my lack of experience might be, you know, um,
you know, where I would have to be brought up to speed in a lot of things and and learn. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Can I ask? Sorry. >> Oh, no. Go ahead. Go [laughter] ahead. Yeah. >> One of the things that stood out in your letter was um your experience with the
new school building committee and Ashlin. Can you speak a little bit about your involvement in that and lessons learned? >> So um so when after it went through the MSBA approval, they formed a committee of teachers, um parents, um community
members, um the superintendent, the architects, and so we met [sighs] monthly sometimes bimonthly. And so we talked about things, we talked about location, we talked about size, we talked about layout, we talked about um
you know the benefits of different locations. So where the building is now was built on the same plot of land that our old building was on, but we also talked about building it toward like where the middle school was and the benefits of that. And so it was really just, you know, kind of thinking about
how the building would work, the layout of the building, the arch, like we got to see mock-ups of, you know, things that the architects did. Um, and so one of the things that I had said like, and so I sat on it for the first two years and then they just they had different
people kind of go through so that they could have different perspectives. And we also helped when they were picking furniture. So they would bring some in, they would talk to us about like desk size. So that and so desks are one of them that I can really speak to as a teacher. Um so we have trapezoid desks
and we thought they were going to be like the coolest thing and this was the new thing and the architects were like these are so great and everybody loves them and I hate them >> because it's really hard to configure the class. I move my desks around a lot so they're hard to put together. They're hard to group together. Um, so it's just
like, you know, some of those things we they did things in wings and so like I'm teaching fourth grade, but I'm in the third grade hallway because it just so happens this year that we have 11 fourth grades, but each wing is only 10 classrooms. So, it's just sometimes
thinking about that flexibility and but at the time that we built the building, we had never had 11 classrooms in one grade. So, it's really being able to have that forward thinking and that being able to think about things, you know, I mean, our building is beautiful and I love it, but just some things that
you hindsight if you could think of and um put together. So, I think that's one of those things that it's a benefit of being able to kind of sit through the process, you know, at the beginning and the things that you talk about and then having lived in the building after the fact and kind of with some of the
decisions that were made. Gota. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else? Okay. Thank you very much. >> Chief Cassidy, can I ask a little favor? Can you hit the Thank you so much. Um
Ally, are you on? >> Yes, I'm on. Can you hear me? Okay, >> we can hear you. Okay. Uh so Ally, do you want to make a a comment to start out and then we're going to ask you a couple questions? >> I'm sure. I I don't think I have anything new to offer per se. uh meaning
that um you know in my letter of interest I I talked uh kind of more in depth perhaps than I did at the last meeting. Um I think I'm kind of complimentary to the other candidates in that I have a corporate background and um you know I'm an engineer, I'm a
numbers person. Um spreadsheets are my are my thing. Um and so I'm you know that that's definitely u my forte. I'm happy to entertain any questions you have. >> Okay. Um, we're probably going to ask the the questions. So, if you heard,
they're probably going to be asked again. Um, so I'll go to Damon first, then Don and Frank. And I don't know, >> maybe we'll see. So, we'll start with Damon here. >> Hi, Alison. Just to recap, um, what kind of metrics are you interested in when it comes to judging the progress of the
schools and how might you use them? Um, I think what I what I hear mostly from the public is is sort of how we stack up against other districts. Um, for me, one of the kind of most important thing is actually kind of the
people uh staff. Uh, retention, you know, how is how easy is it for us to hire, you know, highly qualified staff? Um, do staff stay? Are they moving? Um, I think that's kind of the biggest
asset. So, in terms of metrics, um, that's something that's super important to me relative to staff retention. >> Thank you. Thank you. Uh, Don, >> thank you. And Ally, I'll I'll ask you what I had asked you previously um when we spoke um leading up to that June 2nd
meeting, which is um can you just reflect on a recent school committee decision um and whether one that you might have disagreed with or you would have approached differently and tell us a little bit about that. >> Sure. Um, well, I guess first to
reiterate our our conversation then, I think as a member of the public, it's actually kind of hard to to fully understand all the like all the little pieces that go into all the discussion. Um, and certainly when there's things that are covered in executive session,
it, you know, it's hard to know. So, I I would put that big asterisk on it. I mean, the short answer is I don't I don't know. um because I haven't been behind the curtain with all of you. Um, I will say, you know, I just had two high schoolers graduate and the
um movement to adjust the high school schedule through the block schedule to um the future schedule. Um uh it felt very rushed and and it felt like um you know everybody was just sort of rushing to judgment and it was hard to get
answers to things not necessarily from you you know in terms of kids following up with teachers to understand what this could look like. And so I think um I don't I don't actually have any problem with the change in schedule. Um, but I
think that it just it it felt rushed and I don't know if that was like a communication piece. Um, or maybe that I wasn't really engaged early early enough on um, and then the other thing I would just offer is the meeting that I did go to, there were students that spoke
during public comment. And I think public comment is such a funny thing, right? Because you want people to be able to comment. Um, and there's kind of no back and forth. And in that meeting, the school committee tried to offer some back and forth. Um, but I felt like
against um one of the the students who spoke um it was almost sort of correcting their lens of how this would impact them um and and I didn't think that was appropriate. So that's it. >> Okay, >> thanks.
>> Thank you, Ellie. Uh >> I'll continue to refine my question. It keeps getting better [laughter] these rounds. Um what um start off saying what benefits you mentioned your corporate background what sets you apart from the other candidates um and what are areas you feel like are of opportunity.
Um, I think for me, uh, one of the things I took away from the last meeting, um, is that the school committee is really focused on the budget piece and that that's a gap. Um, and the the members
that are currently on the board. Uh, and so I think to me that's I don't want to say effortless because there are obviously nuances with school committee budgets and municipal finance and I I don't have those. Um, but again, as a
numbers person, that's not something that that really is a concern for me um at all. I I think what I'm uh you know coming from this past week and and sort of the things that have happened over the past week
um you know I I think it feels like um people are on on kind of all sides of the issue are rushing to judgment um on you know from the community
towards the school committee and and I and I so I feel like that gap of communication um and specifically what are the rules of engagement shall we say as a school committee member
right I've never sat in the seat I've never gotten the training and so that's something that I you know would be a priority for me um so that the communication going forward could be collaborative um in nature
>> [clears throat] >> Um, Jess, did you want to >> Sorry, I'm taking notes, too. Taking minutes. >> Um, >> did I >> You asked about MSBA experience for uh >> So, do you also I I know you said you
you've worked in your letter, you say um that you've worked um on the design of some elementary schools. Those were not MSBA projects though, correct? Okay. But can you talk a little bit about your experience and your involvement in those
projects? >> Sure. Uh for clarity, the the schools that I've been involved in are USfunded projects. Um not in the US. The particular schools were in South Korea.
Um and you know that's where one of my clients is. Um and so relative to um you know a school the the life cycle of a school um it it first needs to be
programmed um which means you need a shall we say a good idea of what this needs to be square footage you know how many students everything to the you know utilities that are feeding the school and and how things you know how the
whole site works. do you have enough land and identifying the cost to that? Uh all of that I would I would call say the program but it's really high level. Um, and so coming out of off of that,
I've participated um in Sharette meetings, which are essentially big group collaboration meetings that pulled in everybody from, you know, the DPW guy that's going to maintain the HBAC system to the superintendent of the school to
the crossing guard that's concerned that kids can get there safely and really looked at the school as this holistic place. I think in Wallist it's also an opportunity to to try to understand how it could also serve the community um you know secondary to to the the school
population as well. So uh you know from a school standpoint um I've been involved in all of those early things all the way through um through design and writing specifications and drawings and and all of that.
So, specific to Massachusetts, I've been involved in no projects, no school projects in Massachusetts. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. All right. Thank you, Ally. Appreciate you you answering some questions. [clears throat] So, all right. Um, so we've heard from
the candidates. Um, at this time, I was going to open it up to some public comment. And, um, I wanted to add three things to public comment. And the first is obviously we can't tell people what they can and can't say, but we would ask
that people were civil and respectful. Um, you know, I can't, you know, people are allowed to say what they want to say, but I would, uh, implore people to, uh, to be civil and respectful. You're on camera and, you know, we're all neighbors here, so we're going to run each other at coffee, so remember those kinds of things. Uh,
the second thing is is that I would ask that all uh, comments be made to me, the chair. Um, and uh, we're not going to go in a back and forth in a conversation. Um, because I know there's a lot of interest here and I want to make sure that everybody has a chance to speak, but I also want to make sure that, you
know, we uh, we can keep things uh, even um, and so that I would I would ask that all comments be made to me and questions can be will be answered uh, at another time, not at this time. Um, and [snorts] then the third thing I'm going to do is I'm going to ask for a limit of three minutes. there is a lot of interest and
I recognize that putting limits on uh public comment is something that some people um don't love but at the same time because I want to make sure that we get to comments you know if you think about that if there's 20 people and there's three minutes we're here for an hour so I want to make sure that we're respectful and we give an opportunity for everybody to have a chance to speak
but we also ensure that um the time is uh respected for everybody here so uh with that um if there are people in the room um you can raise your hand people on Zoom, please uh raise your hand through the um uh reaction button. Zoom
keeps changing it, so I'm always I'm always wrong, but it's reaction, right? Uh so if you can raise your hand on Zoom if you have one. Um but what I'll do is I'm going to go back and forth depending on what's happening. So if there's somebody in the room that has a hand up and I see one hand, so I know that person. Um I see you. I see you Barbara.
And then um we'll go to the Zoom if there's a hand up at that time. But uh Barbara, if you want to come up to come forward, what'll happen? And I'm going to set my timer for 3 minutes. And uh you're off to crutches. That's good. >> Yes. >> How you feeling? You okay? >> I'm good. Thank you so much for asking.
>> Um and what I'll do is I'll just raise my hand when you have about 30 seconds left. Okay. I won't say anything, but you know, so you can finish your thought. So >> don't run the stop. >> What's that? Um I' I've got it, but if you you want to do it, that's fine, too. So um so please go ahead. >> Hi. Um good evening, select board chair.
I'd also like to say good evening to the school committee members here [music] um as well as the other select board members um the town manager >> name your name and address >> oh sorry Barbara uh Ryan 14 place and also to our town manager and assistant town manager um I wanted to take a
moment to speak about the opportunity that exists ahead of us over the past week our community has experienced including myself frustration disappointment and differing opinions surrounding the school committee appointment process regardless less of
where people stand. I hope we can all agree, and I've heard that this evening, that we can focus now on moving forward constructively and in the best interests of Hollist students in our schools. This one-year appointment is important, and we've heard all the things that you're
going to be facing, particularly this year. It is also a time of transition. We have new district leadership, dedicated billing leaders, teachers, and staff who show up every day committed to our students and serving our students. Throughout my career, one lesson has
remained constant. The vast majority of people come to work or a position to do a good job. Effective leadership creates conditions for people to succeed, supports them when challenges arise, and holds them accountable to high
standards. And I've heard that talked about this night, and I'm really happy to hear that. And I assumed that is how things always happen. And as we move forward, I hope we continue to foster this culture where people feel welcome to participate in public service, share
differing viewpoints, and engage in respectful debate. We do not have to agree on every issue, but we should be able to express our views, listen to one another, and serve our community without fear of personal attacks or retaliation. And my hope is tonight that this appointment serves an opportunity to
help rebuild trust, encourage respectful dialogue, expand meaningful engagement with us, the community. Healthy communities are not built on unanimous agreement. Healthy communities are built on the ability to listen, to learn from
another, disagree respectfully, and continue working toward the shared goals. And this goal is healthy schools. um and um a strong community. Again, we have an opportunity to support strong schools, successful students, empowered administrators and educators
and staff, and a community that works together in service of all of them. I very much thank you all for your service and your elected positions um to our town Hollist. Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Barbara. >> All right. Um, I'm not seeing any hands
on the Zoom. Is anyone on the Zoom have any? >> Yeah. >> Any comments? Otherwise, I'll go back to the room. Anyone in the room want to make a public comment at this time? Going once.
No one on the Zoom. No one in the room. It's okay. Okay. All right. All right, we're going to move on then. Thank you. Thank you, Barbara. Um, okay. So, um, we've heard
from the candidates and, um, we can, um, what I'd like to do now is just sort of go through, um, with you folks, uh, from the school committee. We're if you're prepared to talk about some of the candidates and sort of like your thoughts and uh, where you what you want
to do going to go forward, we can sort of just open this up and hear from you what you think. And uh whoever wants to start can go ahead. >> May I ask a question of our >> of course joint session members who are from the school committee. Um so we I think we obviously we've lost a few
candidates on the way but we do have some very qualified candidates still remaining. Um I would love to hear as you as we deliberate here um which of the skill sets that you see are the most important for this particular position in the shorter term knowing that we will have another appointment ahead of us. I'm trying to bifurcate those and not
see them as, you know, one plug in, one plug out, the same thing. Tonight, I'm very much concerned about this particular spot. So, if you could reflect on that as you discuss and help me out to know what you need as a committee to succeed, I would much appreciate it. Sure. Um, and I think I would start by addressing that it it
it's very much the same as it was last Tuesday, which is that, you know, we do um the the parts that I think are the most important for this upcoming year. um is we we lost two experienced um uh
members who had um uh you know one of which had gone through contract negotiations and um had extensive budget experience and that is where I see um the the deficit in the area that we need someone with um experience in. Um, so I
think, you know, in reflecting on, um, the budget and negotiations experience of the three candidates that are before us, um, I I, you know, David Kim's experience with his own budget within
the Miller school is important. Um and while he hasn't gone through the process of um negotiating with the teachers union um he is well experienced in education and um the needs of the community. I think it was really
important the part that he spoke to about relationships. He has those relationships and that's incredibly important in um in in all the work that we do. Um but again I think you know superintendent evaluation policy uh
certainly areas that we do work in but for next year budget and negotiations is the part that weighs the most on me. Um and so and for that reason I um I appreciate uh David Kim's years with our public schools and I think of the three
candidates he really stood apart from me um as as as being that person in those areas. Anyone else want to >> I please [laughter] >> I really appreciate the three candidates
because I think we have three people who are all bring um strong skill [clears throat] sets provide a very reflective and thoughtful responses to the questions. Um, and for me, I'm also thinking about the same things we discussed um, last week in terms of budget negotiations, but also I'm
considering that we are in a period of transition, not only as a school committee, but as a school district with leadership transitions. Um, so I'm also thinking about somebody who can kind of help support the district through that transition. Um, and so what I would add
to what Don said is also support David K because he has that institutional knowledge. he has strong relationships um and I think he could bring a lot of experience and knowledge to the school committee from that lens. >> Okay.
>> Um at the risk of agreeing three for three at the moment um I appreciate that uh everyone uh sort of contributing and answering questions um and fanding a little bit on their experiences as they pertain to what the needs are. But I I don't think our needs have changed as a school committee. I think they are still
the same as they were a week ago. Um and I appreciate uh Mr. Kim explaining a little bit more sort of after hearing our needs last week and sort of the specifics him sort of going to those areas in particular. Um and so I would support Mr.
>> I I think each um candidate came forward guess we call candidates right now. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Brought different skills to the table. Um, and you know, Damon, you had mentioned like for this role
specifically. Um, I'm balancing in my head the external knowledge versus the internal knowledge. Um, so as a program at this point, but um, there is a time and a place for external knowledge. I I think some folks in the community have spoken
out like different way of thinking is important. I think we're bringing a lot of that to the district next year. Um I don't think there's ever too much but certainly having that bridge and and the bridge that David Kim can bring just understanding the people is a key
benefit and then obviously living the budget living with the negotiations that the outcome of those like brings him uh for this moment uh for me uh the top candidate. >> Okay. >> Jess you want to >> I will echo what everyone else has said
about Mr. Kim. Um, I feel comfortable knowing that he has worked within the school budget before. Um, that said, I was very impressed with Alli's um, experience as well um, with budgets and just she's she's a literal engineer, so
like I think she's pretty capable of handling a budget. But I do like she said like thinking from like the municipal finance lens and um, a school budget. I think Mr. kind brings that. Um
I I know he spoke to, you know, his um relationship building skills, which I think is going to be incredibly important, especially in light of everything that's unfolded in the last few weeks. I think he's a um familiar face, a
kind person who can bring us together and get us moving in the right direction. um and his familiar familiarity. Wow, I can't speak with the schools um is also going to be beneficial for us moving forward. Um so I would say right now I'm comfortable
moving forward with Mr. Time. Okay, >> that said, I would love for the other two candidates, I don't know what to consider reapplying um for the next round if that's not the direction we vote today. >> Can I ask a followup on that?
>> Yeah, go So, and I defer to you, Mr. Chair. My understanding is we'll be doing an approval vote on that, which means that we can vote for more than one candidate and we tally the votes in that way. >> Well, we were that we No, we we had discussed that as a possibility, but I think we needed to find an opportunity to if that was if people were amendable
to that. And I I think um I I throw it out there as a as an option. But I think um you know, if people want to do that, we certainly can. But I also want to, you know, if people want to make it just a nomination and an appointment, I think we can go that route as well. >> Then I would say I would highly
encourage an approval vote for the for the appearance and also for the transparency. You will probably get exactly the same outcome because you can vote for as many people as you think are qualified for this position, but it also sends a signal >> about the kind of caliber of people. So there are two people for this position,
this particular one, that I would probably approve. I would assume based on the conversations we're having that it's pretty obvious, I think, where your hearts lie. Um, but an approval voting system is incredibly transparent and it essentially says we go for each candidate and everyone just says yay or
nay on each one. Person with the highest tally >> and you can vote multiple times. >> Vote multiple times. Yeah. >> So, I mean I I >> Let me just throw that out there. Are do people want to just make an a nomination for one person or would they be interested in approval? I mean, we're
sort of like we're asking you something on the spot and I put it in, you know, sort of the proposal here and I, you know, we don't have, you know, >> either one is fine. >> I know you propose that, but I do think that that's >> becomes part of >> uh what unfolded before, which is making
assumptions about the process and I do believe that it's all of us need to give input on that. So, I agree. That's why I brought it forward. I wasn't assuming that we would all be agreeable to that. So, I do think we have to talk about that. I I'm willing to do that >> in in this particular I think I think in
light of um of last week's meeting too. I think it's important to be talking about the positive parts and and and I think we we did just do that. I am in favor of of almost like a similar nomination of one of one and moving
forward from there. Um and I do that reflecting on the fact that um I want to make sure that we have a full candidate pool for the next appointment, right? Um and I think so that's that's an important I mean we we still have another member to see
>> and again I come with come at you with the the urgency part of it. We're going to have three brand new members and I'd like to >> be um moving forward getting people trained in June and early July. Yep. So, um, because of that, I I would like to move forward with that that one vote and
and not do it that way. But I want to hear what everyone hears. >> I I agree and I'd love to hear from other people, you know, what what your feeling is here. Um, and and obviously like I would, you know, >> either way is fine. You know, it doesn't really matter, but I just want to hear from that personally.
>> So, considering this is a joint meeting and that there are five of us uh school committee members here, can I put forward a motion to move forward Mr. K as the appointee? Uh you absolutely can we can absolutely put that motion on the floor. I mean >> just to know I will I will probably have to abstain if you do that >> because and because I don't think we are
done discussing this. >> I would just I would like to complete that discussion and you can say we don't want to do that. I want to make that nomination. That's totally fine. But right now I just want to approval voting basically is is we would list each candidate and everybody has the opportunity to say yes or no >> and you can say yes to all three. You
can say yes to one. you can, you know, it doesn't m you can say yes as often as to as many as you would like and the person with the most would be considered the person for the uh appointment. Um and if there's a tie, we would put it between those two. However, you know, I also hear that there could be, you know,
so there's a couple people who would like to do it as a uh just an appointment of a single individual. So, I just wanted to throw it out there that that is an option and I wanted to hear from you what you thought which one you're you'd like to go for. >> I would like to go for the evening. >> Okay. I would be concerned because I
think everyone is so wellqualified that we're going to risk singling one person out by like one vote and I wouldn't want to do that to any of our candidates. I feel like >> so you want to do an just an appointment >> I think. Well, what the alternative
would still just result in one appointment. >> It would still result in one appointment. We would just we would just have a yes or no on all three candidates and either one doesn't it sounds like what you're saying is there's only one one >> I see. So we're going to go around and say yes or no to all three. >> That would be approval voting if we are
in favor of doing that. >> Gotcha. >> Ben, may I make a comment? >> Uh well, number one, I would like the chance to give feedback on the on the interviews. I'm assum uh and then the idea of the pause in my mind when I proposed that earlier was to
deliberate on the idea of approval voting. I understand the direction we're going and I'm not challenging that at all. I would ask that it becomes a part of a conversation for that second appointment for that second seat. That's >> we can have that. We can start additional conversations. >> I I actually do align with you, David,
on that to think differently. However, we didn't have one on the heels of this one. I would be challenged and I know it ends up being the same way, but I I don't feel comfortable saying no to someone and we also are asking them to potentially put their hat in the ring. So, like the appointment process lends
itself to more of a positive intent than us having to say definitively yes or no because I honestly I don't think I'd be no on any candidate. It's just the right person for the right time. Come a month from now they may change and me saying no now I don't feel comfortable with that. Okay.
>> Yeah. I'm seeking the same. I I was concerned that the approval process would discourage um two other very qualified candidates >> and given the other appointment coming so soon afterwards. It it could it certainly could >> uh change the uh the outcomes and the
direction. So I understand that is you know so I would I I certainly am a amendable to a single u a nomination and approval um >> for that. I I feel we >> and I I appreciate everybody just sort of, you know, thinking about it and I certainly understand we can have that a
little further conversation about the second one if that if that's the right route and we can just agree on it and not just go forward with that. >> Yeah, I agree with that, Mr. Chair. I think I just want to make sure that we had a proper time to discuss it. >> Sure. Y >> and you said you wanted to chime in on the candidates or window of comment >> if that's the intent for the full board to communic.
>> Well, I um left with we hadn't heard from you. You everybody you all had said who you Okay, so yes, please. So, I listened to the interviews uh on last Tuesday. I heard both candidates speak, read their read their packets, heard them again tonight. So, thank you for the time. I know this is time intensive
for you all. Um and then also listen to the school committee members comments about what they were prioritizing. Uh, and I I would say that David Kim checks all the boxes that the school committee articulated on June June 2nd as their priorities in terms of budget contract
negotiations, although not with the HFT familiarity with contract negotiations. Um, but I also heard the same from Karen de Monica and from Ali Lima in in different ways. So, a a broader uh not a broader uh diversity of experiences that are very very similar. We have three
very strong candidates here. Uh this is a difficult decision. I'm going to prioritize for me the community relationship building that David Kim through his role as principal uh has spent uh decades now uh honing. I think that where we sit as a board uh our role
is not to understand the complexity of the school committee but it is to be equal partners in this process representing um our executive role as the executive board for the town halls but also the voters and the residents of Holliston and that's everybody. And I think that what we have heard loudly
over the past week is community relationships matter and folks are looking for more of that through the work of the school committee through the work of our board. So for all of that I would put David Kim above recognizing that we have two incredibly strong candidates right behind them.
>> Okay we have any concurren? >> Okay. Um I will take a motion if people want to make pull forward. So just the school committee that's so I make motion that the school committee puts forward the >> Well [laughter] we're we're joint so we all get a vote and then
>> we do reserve the the right to be able to do that to be able to make a school committee recommendation. Um but it's >> you want you want a second vote you want >> I I'm not saying we have to do that here. I'm just saying the fact that we are not doing it here today does not mean that that can't be a pre that we can't move back to that in the future
because that was a point of contention on >> Right. Right. I'm just saying for tonight we're because we're all at the table. we all have a vote that the motion would be for all of us and it's not necessarily just one board that >> we would have to come out of joint meeting for >> well I mean they could they could make a motion on their own to do something like
that but then we would have to have a second motion to to actually make the appointment. So um >> but Tracy which >> do you want to make a motion for the school [laughter] committees to make a recommendation or would you like to make a motion for all of us to uh make an appointment? So, if I'm understanding
correctly, by doing it as a joint does not take away our chance to do that in the future. Sure. You're aware. Okay. >> Right now, this is the joint appointment. So, that's what it is. And that other thing is a separate conversation. >> And I make a motion to appoint David Kim to the one-year um
>> position. I would The only thing I would add to that is I think we have to put it as of July 1st because he's technically an employee of the schools until June 30th. >> Yes. [clears throat] So, I just want to make that >> still add that to the motion. Okay. >> Still second. All right. We'll go around. Tracy, >> yes. >> Frank,
>> yes. >> Hillary, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Jess. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> And I vote yes. And see, so uh congratulations, David. Thank [applause] you. So, that will be as of July 1st. Um >> you would be be in that position.
>> Definitely schedu. [laughter] Yeah, definitely make that happen. >> Okay. Um all right so we got through that we we've done that. So now the the the second part here is is let's discuss the next appointment. Um so um Don has
already notified the select board so that you know we uh you're ready we can put out a press release um basically stating what the other one was. Um we want to figure out like what is the time frame that people want to have um and um what that process could and should look
like. um for everyone involved. Um I'd say let me throw a couple scenarios out um in for for discussion here is certainly we could do something similar in the appointment process that we did tonight which is kind of go through the candidates, talk to each one and then um
you know we can decide now if we want to do approval voting then or not. Um what I would say it the reason I think we wanted to have a second meeting was two reasons. one, we're doing this and we have more business to do as a board. So
there's like so there's a lot more things that are happening and two, there was a lot of candidates and having the opportunity to sort of winnow down the pool appropriately and that the school committee feels is appropriate is um an approach that can be taken. So I guess
what I would throw um forward as as an option, there's two two options is that one we could um propose a meeting for the 15th. I can't remember. I think you said you might be not be available next Monday. >> I'm available next Monday. >> You're available next Monday. So, I'm throwing that out and it can be a different date if people are
comfortable. Obviously, scheduling, we can we can obviously take it offline as well if people want to look at their schedules and things like that. And scheduling is not subject to meeting law. So, we can discuss that um between each other. So, I was going to propose we don't have a a scheduled meeting next
Monday. So, we could do all of it next week. I guess my question has been um we just navigated the process here tonight. Is there something different about it that you feel like we need to discuss on the 15th? I I I know it I I respect that
you have a long meeting, but is there something significantly different about it? Because I would like to I would like to get this next uh uh appointment >> um completed and I' maybe a commitment from the select board and town manager
to even open it up as early as tomorrow. >> Yes, we would. The intention is is to release the press release basically to do the one we did before. >> Okay. >> Change the dates >> which would be tomorrow >> and we would do it tomorrow. Okay. >> If everybody is amendable to that, but we want to agree on >> the timing so that way we can put that
into the press release. >> So then are we thinking if we opened it up tomorrow? Yes. >> Um that we could then um close it within 7 days, 10 days. What What are we thinking? >> Um I think we have to keep it open for seven days >> at a minimum. We have to keep it open
for seven days. Yes. >> Okay. Um and and given the holiday in that week >> Oh, yeah. Um, it might even make sense to leave it open to either the 18th or the 22nd, the following week.
>> Could we get a commitment from the boards to meet together the week of June 22nd? >> How do people feel about that? >> It does leave open for the opportunity to bring in the MASC. If we want to develop a joint statement describing the
process to date and moving forward, it does leave that open. that gives more time. It also leaves uh open the possibility of discussion about approval voting that Damon brought up earlier. I do like the idea of of tagging I'm going to nominate Damon on behalf of the select board, but uh tagging D uh Damon
to work with a member of your committee to just vet the idea of approval voting um and bring that back with a recommendation uh for the second appointment. So I I like the idea of the week of the 22nd. I think that gives enough time to consider both of those
options which we don't have to decide here in the meeting. We can um work through >> Frank to be clear it would be a meeting the week of June 22nd to make the appointment. >> Got it. Right. Jointly. >> So we'll need a meeting in between I feel like to set the ground rules. >> Absolutely. >> I think for the candidates too to be
fair to them like what should they expect this process has not been clean. >> I think it's important to share with them what they should expect as we go through this process. Do you expect it to be different than what we did here tonight? >> No, but more organized. I mean, even tonight, like having them come and
>> Can we agree to run a similar process to what we did here tonight, but reserve the right that if we want a school committee meeting to make a recommendation that we could also have that? >> I just want to make sure we leave it open for approval, voting, consideration, approval. >> Let's you know, but like yeah, we can talk about that separately. Um, but if
you want it, you can. Yeah. I I mean, I'm okay with what you're proposing, which is maybe we we we schedule a meeting the week of the 22nd. You know, let's we obviously like we'll we'll send out something and just say like, you know, >> what do they call the the app that you can pick the days or whatever? >> Candidly.
>> Yeah. I don't know. There's one of those just so that way we can all make sure. And I because I think the the easiest way to do it would be, you know, we all just agree on the day and we we meet that day and that's the whole focus of that day. And if you guys want to meet separately to have a conversation about things separately. >> Are we talking process only or vetting
candidates? >> That would be a vetting candidates meeting the week of the >> be very clear on what the expectation is. Are we allowed to present one candidate or is the >> school committee can present what they want to present. >> Okay. So it could be as few as one
candidate. >> It could be few as few as one candidate. We're setting that if that's what the school committee wants to do. I would ask for more candidates to discuss, but obviously if the school committee wants to do something different, it is within
your right to do so. That but I'm asking I'm asking for more than one. If there are three candidates and you want to propose one, that's fine. But I would ask that we could have an opportunity to speak up to all the candidates. >> Not not to I don't think we would do this, but in the spirit of reserving
rights, we also reserve the right to bring other candidates to a meeting as well. We have that ability. I'm not I'm not saying we should exercise it. >> Yeah. Well, I think we we just want to be care we want to like like I want to be careful we're just not reserving rights and we all have you know at the end of the day it's it's the school
committee's uh seat and we just need to make sure that we're clear and that what they want is that that they can be heard to do that and that that it's understood and we understand what they want to do and want to come forward. >> Um and is that yes
>> amenable? So we can we can schedule it. We'll schedule it that week. We'll we'll close it. Why don't we say we close it on the 22nd at like 4:00? We'll say all applications in by the 22nd at 4:00 and then we'll meet that week. >> Or do you want it earlier than that? >> It's okay. You can say
>> Yeah, I would suggest sticking with the 18th so that we can try and meet on the 22nd. I So there's a lot of like end of school year like I happen to >> Okay. No, I I I hear you. I was talking to her. Yeah, he was talking to me. She's putting her finger in my face and I'm trying to hear I'm trying to hear
the thoughts in my head. That's >> I'm trying to hear you. Um so, uh yeah. You want to do the 18th? >> I do. One other thing I want us to consider looking at how many names we have over there on Zoom and I'm sure they'll all still be with you at 10:00 tonight when you're still here. Um [laughter] but you also have a full
house. And one thing to consider is perhaps having this in the library where we can allow for more seating coming in here today and standing room only in the >> in the hallway. I was thinking this might not it be our best format. We've certainly done that before. We did that 11 years ago. So that please welcome and
maybe we can try and >> if we I I'd say if we're the 22nd is our scheduled meeting because we do the second and the fourth Mondays, right? >> So if we do it on a different day, then yes, we can do that. >> Yes. And we'll look into that and coordinate with them. >> We can look into that and coordinate that. And then um uh Tina, do you have
something to say about that? I one one realization as I'm sitting here is you're you're joining new members joining you. Um I respectfully would ask that you bring him into the conversation. He's not going to be serving until after July 1st. And so effectively he's not going to have the
opportunity to vote. One might argue one way or the other. That's a thing or not a thing. Uh but I think it's worthy of of asking you know before we formalize I so what I would say Ben is a tentative date and then you as a school committee can have conversations with your new
incoming member about how to handle this appointment process. Perhaps there's a strong interest, perhaps there isn't a strong interest, but I think that's a conversation I would ask you to have. uh and then um report back to the select board whether uh you'd like to move forward for a second appointment in June
knowing that it's a five member school committee making that appointment participating in that appointment process and not the six um committee uh six member committee that you are after tonight if that makes sense. So just I'm looking at the July 1st and I'm looking at the July June 22nd dates and I'm thinking well we're missing something
here and it's that overlap defer to you and how you decide to handle it. Yes. And I think probably the way I would I would recommend that we handle that too is after this Thursday, June 11th, we'll reorganize. There'll be a new chair and I think the chair should probably of the school committee should reach out to Mr.
Kim and talk to him about that. Okay. Um and make sure that he is invited to that meeting as well. But again, I I do want to move forward so that we have people uh our three new members are up to speed and >> and ready to go with the the other transitions that are going on. Okay. Um I think there's one additional piece
that I did want to address and I won't take up too much of your time on process but I have a little bit of concerns and I know we talked a little bit about transparency. Um I think it's really important that if the um the cand the new next set of candidates the next
slate of candidates if those names come in on the 18th um and especially in later the fact that we would have a full week too um before hopefully be a meeting on the 25th or even the 26th of June. I think we have to decide collectively here together whether we're
going to publish those names or not publish those names because one of the things that I think went to rye here is um that on June 2nd um we received a letter in support of a candidate which makes sense to me if you've ever applied
for a job you got a a recommendation letter um and certainly you might share that you've applied for something but what struck me as odd is within 35 minutes of of each other we got five letters against a candidate and that struck me as odd because I'm not aware
unless you published it somewhere and you did not. Um it was just the folks sitting here at this table that were aware that there were seven candidates. So that information must have been shared with a small group of people such that there were five letters against a candidate. So, I think one of the the
the uh stressors in this is a common understanding that we're it's either not going to be shared or I would prefer that it be shared, right? And that we put those memes out there and that way um you know that that seems like fair play if members of the community want to
reach out and write uh write us something. And again, it's not this is not another election. We're not looking for um letters from everyone. But it just it did strike me as unfair that if only a small group um would send letters against someone, how did they know that
if it wasn't publicly put out there? So, can we agree that this information is put out to the public? And I think the best way to do it might be a notice from the town manager. >> Yeah. And we can when we do we want to say something along the lines of like when those the notice comes in on the
18th at like on the because the 19th is a holiday, so that Friday. So then like on the 22nd the the we can have the town manager publish the names is that >> we closed it on the 18th at noon similar to what how we approached it this time would give would it give the town manager adequate time that afternoon to
put the notice out and that way you're affording the community that weekend as well. I just this needs to be transparent. >> No and absolutely absolutely and I I guess I would defer to you Frank. Is that a reasonable thing that we can do that? So, we would just publish the names of the people who have applied for the position.
>> You don't want the full the full packets, right? >> Well, we would want the full packets, but when it comes to like a press release, the press release would just say, "Here are the names of the people that are being considered for this position." >> Yeah. I mean, I'm in full agreement with that because the information is a matter of public record. Anyway, if someone
wanted to foyer that, they could get the names of anyone. We might as well be transparent from the get and do the right thing. >> Uh, it does beg the question because I was I was uh similar to you. It was remarkable the letters that were coming in. I saw I saw a number of uh letters of support for a particular candidate
and I thought similarly like how did folks know uh and so it begs the question whether letters of support are considered by the members of of the joint appointment process because if so perhaps the press release saying that we are looking for candidates we encourage
folks if they would so choose to have folks write in letters of support because are they considered or are they not considered uh that's part of the transparent process is whether any one of the members at this table would would read a letter of support and say ah that raises the person in my mind or it doesn't raise a person in my mind. Um
you know so perhaps in the press release again we state if the candidate so chooses they can you know solicit letters of support from folks in the community and send them through you Frank to be disseminated among the two committees. Yeah, I think as elected officials we want to always be open to
communication and part of that is between May 28th and and June 2nd and even today I don't think you know other than your office hour right before this we certainly didn't have coordinated office hours and we always tell people our emails are available online you know shoot an email to us if you want to talk
you can talk um we'll certainly I I I think that in terms of a a a letter uh of recommendation um I'm open to reviewing them and I'm going to give it the weight that it deserves. Do I know them because you're my neighbor and they
you mowed the grass nicely or did I work with you um on another board and I saw the work you did and this is is is what I think of it. Right. I mean I think that we're all professionals here and can weigh those recommendation letters. So I'm open to them and I think it's a way for a resident to communicate with
us. >> I think we I I would say um we would always welcome um any letters of support. You want to put that in? We'll put that in the press release. Great. Okay. I >> think we would always welcome that. >> Another question. Sorry, process related. Um are we
>> and this is maybe more of a school committee question, but if we're going to meet independently to meet with candidates, um are we going to have the chance to interview them? Like what's what's the candidates's expectation? because I think there was a little bit
confusion this last time where at least I thought I was going to be interviewing candidates and that never happened and I think some of the other candidates were also takenback by that. Is that something that's going to be up for discussion and and will candidates have
the opportunity to have a back and forth conversation with the school committee if we're going to be narrowing candidates down? And I guess I would I would also ask for the opinions of all of the members whether you want in addition to letters of um interest and a candidate statement a back and forth at
a school committee meeting in advance of um an interview at a joint meeting. >> Similarly to what just >> my first thought is, you know, I it was a year ago that I got on this board. there was not that opportunity and that was a three-year seat I was running for and I think we're looking at a one-year
appointment and I the transfer of the candidate back and forth is great but I think if we look at the way the election is actually run that opportunity is not really given to any of our candidates going into this um we interview with different you know community groups in town but it's not that back and forth so I don't really know that we need to I
don't know that we need to I would be perfectly okay with just getting letters of recommendation letters of intent um and having that personal statement for the one-year appointment >> a little bit of a difference of opinion trace. Um I think an appointment is different than an election. >> Oh, I agree. >> Not that an election there are processes
with the election that probably could be done better. Um but we left for a different conversation. I think with an appointment because you the community members are not voting for an appointment. It gives us the opportunity to be more transparent, have a the slippery slope is the conversation, right? Like how much do we like tonight
actually happened efficiently, effectively both. it could become something where a candidate is grilled for 20 questions and you don't want to put that undue stress on them for that. The so the trick there is you have a of questions and you ask the same question kind of like what the way I
tried to do it as much as so you asked a question and I made sure that you that question I think if we can do that it's more fair because we don't want to put undo >> that's my suggestion >> well and the questions would just be coming from the school committee members not public >> well I guess >> each of you has a qu like you know >> just us or is it joint
>> well you guys can have your own meeting if you want to joint meeting would be like we'll we're scheduling it sounds like we're penciling it in for the 25th But I'm not sure. That's what we said. >> It's in pencil right now. But um like we did, you know, uh we've had other opportunities I think for like the town
manager. We interview the town manager for the town managers. We each kind of had a question to ask. >> So like that I I would make that suggestion is like each of you has a question to ask and you each ask a candidate the same question. Then you can get kind of so I mean you know you do whatever you want but that's that's how I what I would suggest to sort of
>> happen to work out is it could be a different scenario. So I think outlining that and I agree with you Jess. I think we talked a lot about a good amount about process right now. I got more to talk about, but what again what's the candidates's expectation? Sure. Um I think laying that out and I what I didn't hear was we're going to meet on the week of the 22nd to potentially do
the appointment. Are we meeting ahead of time and talk about how we communicate to the candidates, what you should expect on that date? >> Um well, why don't we do we could do um well, the select court has a meeting on the 22nd. >> So we could do one of two things here.
we could either have like a member of the school committee and the member of the select board kind of talk to each other and sort of put something together that we can that we can agree on um in one of our meetings um and we could do something like that or the other option is is that we could invite you to the table on that the 22nd to talk about it
and say and and set up those parameters. So I I I would defer what people think is I'd say the first one's probably the easiest. >> Yeah. more efficient >> and probably the easiest is just like this is the parameters and then what you do is you do it through probably would do it through the town manager that's how we do things and then the town
manager would disseminate it through a blind copy and then you can say hey can we change this can we do this and then kind of it because you can't use like a Google doc that we can all work on because that's the violation of the new thinking you want something different than what happened here >> different but I I I still don't think it's clear at least
>> he wants to spell it out spell out what we've done tonight so that they could be aware of versus I I again between last week and tonight like I know what we did tonight and I know pieces of last week but it's hard to put it all together laying that out to those candidates. They know what to what's expected of them when they show up. >> Okay.
>> And I did send that email to everybody um that said this is what I'm going to do. And obviously like I can we have to tweak it a little bit because we did change a couple things. >> I think the So we're penciling in for the 25th. Um, we're going to put in the um we're gonna release a have a press
release with that information and um that's going to um be uh have the appointment letters of interest will be solicited um through the 18th. >> Correct. >> At noon. At that time, Frank, all those letters of interest should go to the
town manager. the town manager will collect them and then uh he will send obviously the information that was sent by the candidates to each of the people that are sitting at this table and then um he will uh uh send a press release that will indicate these are the names of the people and that's all that will
be on that press release. So that way that those names will be out there and people will understand who's who's coming and we would certainly invite people to send letters of uh uh expressing support for those candidates. Um and then um we could have I mean
there's so the I think the the we've got a pretty good idea there. Do we want to have like one person who can handle process kind of like if we want to just like one from each committee to sort of take like what we did tonight and sort of if there needs to be tweaking and um are people comfortable with doing that?
>> I'm working from home all next week so I could >> just Damon. >> Well I I I haven't heard from them that just I'm making a proposal. So, I want to hear that. >> You reorg tonight and I think it I I think I hear Damon would be your point person. Would you wait until we reorg on
Thursday and whoever our chair is after Thursday can be >> can reach out to Damon and work through it and work through the through that and then I would all I would ask is that the result of that just be published to everybody here so everybody understands what's also coming and then it could be sent to the in it could be sent to the
people who've receive who've sent letters of interest so they know exactly what to expect. And then the last piece of that too um and then we can move on um from this is that um are people okay with working with approval voting at that time?
>> And if you're not that's fine or if you want more time to think about it. you know, if we have two people, it's different than if there's like if you have 10, you know, you might want to do approval voting because you might want to, >> you know, we certainly understand the point that >> um you don't want to people to feel like they're being excluded or there's
anything, you know, that that isn't that could be considered unfair or anything like that, but also, you know, you could be inviting more uh contemplation about each candidate if you have a large candidate pool. Um, so do we want to wait until the chairs talk or do we are
people interested? I think we need to wait until the chair's talk and >> absolutely >> I I I I actually think >> is there's nothing to prevent us too from convening maybe 30 minutes before we are then going to bring in candidates
to speak and nailing it down then as well which but I like that idea because it would give you the opportunity to make this decision as a board the lead on on June 22nd. It would give us the opportunity if we so choose to meet before the 25th to make this decision as
a board. >> Sure. >> Um and and come together on it and no one is >> and I I I totally respect that as a board. I just would the only thing I'd want to make sure is that like whatever those decisions are that we just clearly articulate that to the people who are presenting themselves as candidates to make sure that they understand what to
expect >> from the proceedings. >> It may only be one to three days in advance, but it will be in advance. >> That's that's fair. >> Okay. >> That's fair. So, sorry. I'm just still unclear. Are we going to be interviewing candidates prior to the joint meeting?
>> Yeah, I heard >> Well, I think >> I heard if we look at the process tonight, it is >> it will be an interview style but not in a true interview, but I think they will do a statement. >> It just is your question. Will there be interviews at the school committee
meeting? Yes. And so I think with that response I think we need to hear from Hillary and this won't take long but I appreciate that's fine. That's fine because it's an agenda on No, I I want to hear. >> So I think I misunderstood your question. I thought like are we individually reaching out to candidates
which I think would be an unfair burden placed on our candidates to have to talk to each of us >> independent individually. Um but I would agree that an opportunity for the school committee to hear from and ask questions that are provided in advance to
candidates um with kind of a fair transparent process would be appropriate and joint. >> And we would just ask for one thing which is that that could be recorded so that we could we could see that so we could have an opportunity to just sort of as we go forward we could be able to
understand what the candidate said too. If we're not invited, I mean, we can, you don't have to invite us, but I'm just saying if we could just have it recorded so we could see it, that would be my request. >> Okay, >> people. Okay, I think we're I think
we're good. I think we have a good good game plan going forward and um I appreciate everybody's patience and at the table and in the public. Um we're we're trying >> and um uh thank you. I really appreciate
everybody. >> Um, we Okay. So, [clears throat] >> so is there a motion to adjourn the joint meeting? >> Well, hold before you do that. [laughter] >> Well, I mean, you can because I mean the school building committee >> conversation is coming up and do you want to leave it open
with that or do you want to maybe you close it and then these two can stay just so we can >> Yes. >> chat with the uh the working group if that if if you're amendable to that. So, you can you can close your meeting if you Is there a motion to adjourn the joint school committee meeting? >> I would like to make a motion to
>> Thanks. >> Second. >> Okay. Jess. >> Uh, yes. Hillary, [laughter] >> yes. >> Frank, >> yes. >> And Tracy, >> yes. >> And Don, yes. >> Okay. So, so the school committee meeting is con concluded. >> Yes.
>> Um, okay. So, um, I would, you know, certainly can stay at the table if you want to. Um, but I'd like to we'd like to just have a little bit of conversation with the working group if you're if you guys are okay with that. I know it's almost nine o'clock, so [laughter] it's only um only two more hours. It's fine. >> Don't worry. The skit portion and the
dance portion is not till a little bit later. >> We didn't agree. That's not on the agenda, Ben. We didn't do that process. >> No, we didn't. >> That's other That's other business. >> Um, okay. So, uh, just a full disclosure here. Uh, we have reorganized the select board as our third item on the agenda. We're going to table that till the end
of our meeting. I'm gonna continue to run the meeting until the end. So Damon gets a reprieve. >> Uh great. According to Norms, because he is up for election this year, he becomes the chair. So we rotate and uh I serve for a year. So and then I get to be
clerk. But you know, that's the fun part reading everything has to [laughter] survive at this. Okay. So let's talk about the school building committee. Um so we want to talk a little bit about the updates and potential change to the charge to the school building committee. So that's the first item on their
agenda. Can somebody like just sort of introduce that like what are we discussing here within one of you and >> so you will recall that back in April we voted on the membership and the charge for the school building committee. Um there was the working group created uh a
draft of both as well as a memorandum of understanding. Uh the memor memorandum of understanding has not been finalized waiting for the school bu building committee to be seated with a quorum of voting members and then bring it forward to them. So that's still a working document. Uh but again back in April uh
plus or minus a few days uh the working group uh worked through each of our respective boards and committees to okay green light draft charge and membership that we then brought back to our respective boards and committees for a vote. uh you voted right to endorse
advance the membership and the charge and then as a as a select board because we formed the charge we had the the authority to vote and put it into motion. So we're here today is what I'm trying to say with an approved and also vetted by the school committee uh
membership list and a uh charge. What is outstanding is the memorandum of understanding which is intentional waiting for that school building committee to be seated with a quorum of voting members uh to finalize uh among the three bodies. So with that said if
you want to present uh what we discussed at our last working group or I'm happy to but um it was a um we brought forward >> um I know we had brought the recommendation so definitely would be happy to do so. So yes, we did vet. Yes, we're still aligned on both the charge
and membership. Um an opportunity was brought to us actually through the recruitment of the um voting members of an area a blind spot I would say that we had um and that's really representation from the teachers. Um we have more
coverage from a central office perspective from the statutory roles um significant number of roles. Um and um Jamie Katone applied as as a town employee um which we are still aligned I believe and you know I speak for everyone that town employees are exempt
from being able to vote um just given their status in the town but we didn't want to lose the opportunity to have a teachers voice and a represent strong representative teachers to be that voice. Um so we did want to bring forth and we will be actually formally voting on Thursday I believe done. Yes. um to
bring forth Jamie as the additional non- voting member to represent the teachers um on the school building committee. >> Okay. >> So, that would that would trigger a change in the charge of membership. So, we'd have to reopen that. Uh as a part of that conversation, we talked about
options. Uh I I couldn't represent my board. And so, through Frank, you've all been updated on the options that we discussed. And the three options that we discussed were number one that upon a recommendation of the school building committee uh they could return to the select board and ask for a change in
membership. Number two that we could open up the membership list at any point uh the three of us without a recommendation from from anyone uh and change the membership to include a non voting union representative for the Hall
and Federation of Teachers. number three that we could uh make sure that the memorandum of understanding includes language that directs the school building committee to consider approaching the select board at any point in the future. So, uh there may be
decisions that come down the road where they might want the membership to look a little different for any number of reasons and so the memorandum of understanding could be the method by which the school building committee membership changes. So three ways by which one direct action by the select board to open up the membership and
change it. Uh two to uh have the school building committee come back with that recommendation. Uh three put it into the memorandum of understanding and just let them consider it. So they could be directed you know you're once you get a quorum you we would like you to consider
this request by the president of the HFT the Hollson Federation of Teachers Union to be a non- voting member of the school building committee. Um so three options and that's what this board was asked to consider. >> Um I have two questions. Um the first is um I guess
uh we have well it's more of a comment I guess the uh MSBA I know has to they approve after they approve the school building committee after it's been seated and the chair is selected. Do I have that correct? >> So and that needs to be by July 30th.
>> Okay. So basically, so um we got to get we got to get them up and running and then they get approved by the uh the MSBA um to to to get that to get that going. And um >> and we actually have a call on Wednesday and uh Frank is going to be on the call
>> to uh school committee. I'll be on that call too. >> And that Frank there'll be two friends. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I have to always have the caveat of which Frank I'm talking to right now. >> [laughter] >> Um and uh my second my second point here is is that what do you three
>> what are you recommending us do? Like what do you what do you think we should >> My recommendation echoes the town manager's recommendation which is to defer this decision on adding a member non- voting member defer this decision until after the school building committee is seated and the
superintendent has their their feet solidly on the ground and is up and running. Um I echo that recommendation. I I place no weight on the request itself, but just in terms of process, uh I believe that we ought to wait. Uh
number one, I think this board should deliberate further. Number two, I think the superintendent should be um seated and actively working in the town and the district. And number three, I would like to have Frank's input shared candidly with the board uh in an additional
meeting. I think tonight has a full agenda and perhaps the conversation is is best postponed for a future meeting. So those are that's sort of the way I'm leaning and I shared that with with both Frank and Hillary that I myself wasn't amendable to us tonight making a vote to change the membership uh and that I
would seek the town manager's recommendation as well in terms of best practice and how other communities do it and and as a town manager he'll outlive all of us in terms of the school building committee. So his opinion you hear that Frank. [laughter] >> Um so I >> I would change the word outlive but I I get what you're saying
>> politically not politically in terms of elected roles. So um that's what I would suggest is that we consider it. I'm I'm much more in line with and I shared this as well with this action this process being driven by the memorandum of understanding. Um I feel like that is a working document that lives and breathes
and allows um allows for um more conversation and deliberation. just that's just my two cents, but >> the school build uh select board has authority over appointing the school building committee, but um and we we align with that. It's more of the school committee wants to send a message that
that we support this um and obviously has no bearing on the the actions taken >> and but but the school committee hasn't taken a vote. >> We haven't taken a vote yet. We will be sorry. We will be taking a vote and sharing that message through the vote. Sorry to this board.
>> Um good clarification. Don't want to create any drama. Um and through that, you know, I I think the message it sends certainly a school building committee will have full authority to bring that recommendation to the select court for the select board to decide the message that we don't I feel personally only
speaking from waiting for that sends a message that they're not at the table at the start. So there sends a message that like we're establishing we're at the point where we can establish that committee now. Um why wait? If we already established that it came to be, obviously follow the process, right? But
we had the opportunity given now, we should consider it now. Um, is my opinion. >> Hillary, what do you think? >> I'm in agreement with Frank and I when we originally kind of began meeting um to talk about what would the membership
look like, looking at what some other districts have had done, looking at recommendations from the MSBA. Some of our conversations were also around um you know this is a building that is going to be representing the types of learning that we want to have and we did
have a discussion about is it important to have somebody who has uh knowledge of the instructional vision of the high school or some of the programs that might need special facilities like special education, arts and music and science. Um so I I think that I really
want to return to this conversation. I think that um we had a candidate who put her name forward um who represents both of those things as well as representing the teachers for the HFT. Um and I I echo that. I would hope that that can start with the full school building
committee. >> Um uh Frank, could I put you on the spot a little bit Well, Tina brought you up here and I just wanted could you >> weigh in a little bit I mean to to what Tina some of the stuff that Tina had had mentioned if you could just give us you
know what you found or like what your two cents are. >> Yeah. So, uh, I know we've said the word process probably 5,000 times tonight, but for the 5,000 and first time, um, my thought still being relatively new to my role, um, was
if I was coming into this role in a few weeks, um, you know, a decision like this, I would have liked the opportunity to, and who knows, we might have, again, to use the same phrase, we could have come to the same conclusion. Uh, but I think I would have appreciated that opportunity. Not to say that Dr. Carter
feels one way or the other. Um but when Tina approached it with me that was sort of my first instinct um again acknowledging that this committee is sort of getting back to full strength as is the um uh administrative staff at central office. Um so that was the the
the feedback that I had when when Tina offered uh excuse me when Tina asked. Um again I don't think it will have it may or may not have any impact on the final decision with that you know the SBC or the select board whoever wants to make um but that was the first thing that
jumped to the top of the mind. >> Well um you could chime in but the only thing now now you're a member of the public as opposed to >> Absolutely. And also, member of school committee, I would just offer that if school committee is going to be voting on Thursday on this, um we could also offer that Dr. Carter will be um coming
to Hollston on Thursday for several hours for the interview of the new assistant superintendent of finance and operations. Okay. And I think it might make sense, Hillary, since you're part of that interview that you can talk to him about this and then you can also he, you know, share some of his thoughts at
our meeting and we'll take our vote. Are people comfortable like if we go with that route is that you you know you talk talk with Dr. Carter and get his his feedback on that just to make sure that he's aware and then we can um take
that up um once we have that uh that feedback is that are people comfort comfortable with that? >> Yes, absolutely. >> Thursday. >> Okay. >> I just ask that it be the three options so that he has consideration of the deliberation to point to date rather. >> Okay. Okay, great. And that that's the
discussion of the change to the charge. That's our updates. Yep. >> Correct. Yes. >> Okay. And then um now we're on to the actual skill building committee recommendations here. So we have a large
group of people here. Um my understanding was is that you three were going to kind of make a recommendation of who >> is this? Well, uh, >> it's only Yeah, we're doing half, I'd say, or portion tonight. Right. >> To be clear, this is now a select board deliberation. >> Mhm.
>> Okay. So, >> I'm asking you, I don't know what what what like what is the like is this this is >> voting on yours? >> Yeah, we got Yeah, that's why separated out just so at the same time like >> Well, I'm also kind of trying to clarify too because as I understood at U3, we're going to be vetting the list to sort of
make a >> recommendation. For sure. But who's at the table right now would be the three members of the select board and town manager and assistant was the was my not to direct me to say that but that was the intention in having this as an agenda item because we would be looking at the appointments that the school that
the select board has the authority to make the school building uh school committee rather has their own authority for two members so we defer to what >> I'm asking is because we have 12 names in our packet and I'm trying to understand >> so the list broke down discussing.
>> So, we were present I presented to you following a conversation with the working group. I presented to you names that were drawn out for uh select board um consideration. So, Frank, they you sent that list. So, um we have Howard Hager and I'm
>> sorry. >> Deb Moore for the 65 and over resident. That was one of our appointments. >> So, we have we were choosing between the two. >> Yep. We have well we have two who indicated that they qualified or were interested in the 65 and older. Uh and
then we had Barbara uh Ryan, Vanessa Connors, uh Gordon Cannon, Dan Morrow, Noah Fitch, David Lcowski, John Nunari, Christy Oper, and Luke Aon or Aonyi can't say that correctly. Uh we had
those indicate that they were interested in the position of engineering architect. So resident with engineering, architecture, construction experience. We did not have any candidates who uh identified themselves as having a legal
background. So those were the three atlarge members 65 and older, construction, architecture, engineering experience and legal um background or experience. Again, the latter not having any candidates who expressed an interest or identifying in those. So that leaves
us with those names I just read for consideration for appointment to the one at large membership position of uh resident with experience in construction architecture um or engineering leaving Maxwell Emory uh Andrew
Hunan Jamie Couton Chinmaya Goani Vanessa Connors and Lynn Ratuchi for the school committee to consider for their two atlarge appointments. So we would not discuss as how I envision this. We would not discuss those five six candidates tonight. >> Yes. >> Does that
>> Did we have line on Maxwell? >> Yes. Well, he was asked to clarify through Frank Javasio. I'm not sure if he did or not, but he did. He's not he's uh not applying for the 65 plus. >> Okay. >> Awesome. >> Okay. So, what you're saying here is is
that you want us to go through each one of these candidates to decide which ones you're going to vote on tonight? They were presented as such. Yes. >> Okay. >> Consideration. >> I guess I didn't I I I was under the impression that um the the working group was going to make a recommendation for
those positions. >> I have a recommendation, but uh I figured our committee, our board would like to go through all members who all candidates. >> I think we had invited them all to make statements if they'd like to. um for
those two seats, the the resident of 65 years of age or older and uh those with a construction engineering background. Um >> Ben, in all fairness to you, you saw that the reorganization of the board was agenda item number three, so you may
[laughter] have lost your throw that first thing. >> I mean, [laughter] that way to be perfectly fair, I don't know if I want to go through 12 candidates right now. I'm just being honest. I I was I did not know that that was what we were going to do. Um >> how about we receive statements of
interest and we reconvene. We're meeting on >> I would I would prefer that. Um that if we could do that and I I'm so sorry to do that and I misunderstood and that's on me and I I guess I was distracted. Um, so, um, I would ask that we that we
have a chance to to really make that into something that's a little bit more robust and, um, we can go through it because I, um, I misunderstood and that's on me and it's my fault and I'm sorry. >> May I suggest that we clear Oh, >> sorry. I know I'm not really at the
table. >> No, it's okay. You're still here. >> Guess this is a good thing. We separate the process. I think we have an agenda still done, at least as of right now. may change like we are still going to vote on a recommendation. That's totally fine because it is separate but >> absolutely >> um one ask I would have just to be fair
to candidates. I know it's two separate Frank I know you've been running the process but we'd also invite them to make a statement that has not been shared yet for the school committee meeting this Thursday. I just don't want to two separate processes but we should keep it similar. I know everything's been flowing through. So if you don't mind reaching out to the parent educator
list to say you're they're welcome to our school committee to make that statement. >> Yeah. So, did people were people told that they >> So, Frank reached out. So, we have representation here in the room. >> Well, then that's not fair to them. I can't I I have to I guess I'll have to take their statements and that's not fair for me to say something. So, I'm
sorry. I I'm sorry. >> Why don't we start by perhaps may I suggest we clear the table of the school committee and [laughter] let them move on in their evening and hit the reset button. >> Yeah. I I think that it would have been uh I'm just going to say this for my own. It would have been nice to I don't a general comment. It would have been nice to understand that as part of the
uh agenda and um I guess partially because I was assuming there was reorganizing too. I probably didn't care. So um >> would you be more comfortable with hearing statements of interest? The opportunity >> why don't we give people give people the chance to make statements of interest? They were invited here and I don't want to deny them [music] the opportunity to
make >> There's no obligation to vote tonight, Ben. As long as everyone understands the process, we can >> Yeah. I I I um I think that's fair. >> It's fine. I think we I you know I'm sorry to [laughter] >> Well, no. Folks are here. We'll hear them out. >> Yeah. If they were invited, I want to give them the chance to make those
statements because that's that's the fair thing to do. And they were invited to come and um let's make that. >> Yep. >> So, >> yeah, if you could No, it's okay. >> I'm just going to go to the school committee one. You have my name on both list, but I'm just going to go to school. >> You're going to take your name off the
>> off of your list. Yes. >> And your name is Vanessa. Thank you, Vanessa. Thank you, Vanessa. from this and go to school committee. >> Vanessa, we will take your name off and you're going to go to the school comm. >> Vanessa, could you put that in writing, please, to Frank? Just say that you'd like to be reconsidered as >> they have me on their list. They just
said so. >> Okay. Just just send that email just to make sure for paper. Yeah. For for for paperwork. >> Thank you. >> Okay. All right. So, let's just go through the list then. Okay. >> Would you like me to run point on this or >> Yes, please. So several folks identified
themselves as both parent and resident with experience and so the work of the working group was to review those candidates with that in mind like they've identified themselves
as both a parent >> okay >> and a resident with uh and in reviewing that we saw some names move okay so uh as example Vanessa Connor's identified is both. So, who we have uh for consideration for we'll start first with
the 65 and older >> um a resident who is is Howard Hager and Deborah Moore. May I suggest that we ask for statements if they would like of those two individuals because we can make that one motion if the board feels ready to do that.
>> Okay. Um I um is Howard >> Frank did notify everybody that they had that opportunity. Howard, Howard Hager, are you on the call? Um, >> he sent me a written statement in the case he was not able to make it. >> Okay. If you want to read that,
>> so this is from Howard Hager. Um, I'm a resident and I've been on a town committee before. I was active in town meetings in the past. I've been here as a resident since the mid 80s coming from Milis and Long Island, New York before that. My background is in technology and some areas of construction. I was involved in the Hollist school several
years back with the school business manager and I brought LED uh LED energy technology and cost savings LED lights to the schools. It started with the high school auditorium. Uh it was lit with ceiling bulbs that looked like they came from my old 55
Chevy. The conversion replaced the bulbs and saved a lot of money. The new lights were much brighter and I had to cut the light controls back to 70%. As it was too bright. It showed me the It showed the flaws in the walls and how bad the carpets were too. After that, plug-and-play LED bulbs were put into
all the schools, saving more costs annually. We also considered other saving technologies and heating and cooling, thinking how a new high school could work with better technology. One thought was using technology that could be plugged into the present high school and switched over to a newly constructed replacement building with making uh
building making heat, cooling, and power. We looked at solar too. It had some problems plus only provided power during daylight so battery banks would be needed. My background includes uh designing and installing several major satellite systems for communications for very large dish antennas. I did the NASA
space shuttle arrays for White Sands New Mex uh White Sands NM to TDRSS and Merit Island stations. At a point later, I purchased from AT&T its Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands operations. I was sole owner driven years.
uh it was the largest telecom uh in the islands. I retired uh for a year and then was involved in green energy and energy technologies. I am retired now so there are no conflicts of interest just a lot of knowledge and technology in the town. My move uh we moved here in early
80s and my children graduated holl Hollist schools. My daughter owns a jewelry store in town and has been working in the town for over a decade. Her daughter went through the Hollison school several years uh and now has been at Keef Tech the last three years. I am familiar with the kids' complaints about
the present school building's problems. I would like to see the new high school be the most comfortable for faculty and students while also save the town money. In case I don't make the meeting, consider this my written statement. I hope I can be on the committee and help the town in its efforts. Howard Hager.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Okay. Um, and I know we have Deb Moore here if you want to come up and uh >> Deb, welcome. >> Thank you for coming in this evening and being patient with me. [laughter]
>> Deb Mo, 183 Mil Street. Um, I'm here to express my interest in serving on the school building committee as a 65 plus community representative. As a longtime resident of this community, which is now 51 years, and a senior citizen, I have had the privilege of watching our town
grow and change through those years. Throughout that time, I have seen firsthand how important strong schools are to the success of our community. Even though I no longer have a child in the school system, my son attended our schools from K through 12, and I
realized that was the launching pad for his success. I was a weekly reading volunteer in the classroom and also served on the middle school parents committee and PTA. During that time, the schools went through new building and renovation projects and I saw firsthand
many of the challenges that were faced. I remain deeply invested in the future of our town and the opportunities available to the next generation. I believe I can be a valuable perspective to the committee. My years of experience in the community have given me an
understanding of both our history and our values in Harleston. I initiated the grassroots movement for the town to purchase the 183 acre Pinerest golf course in 1986 and I've had the privilege to serve as chair of the committee for almost 40 years. We have
undertaken many capital improvements especially the building project of the clubhouse restaurant and maintenance facility and stayed fiscally responsible. This has given me the opportunity working with the committee to take a project from meager beginnings
to the success the town is experiencing today at Pinerest. That experience provided valuable insight into the planning, design, construction, and oversight required to successfully complete a municipal building project.
In doing this, I have worked with many different select boards and finance committees, town departments, and town employees. I understand the importance of collaborative work, respectful listening, and communication. If I serve on this committee, I will recognize the
importance of creating a school facility that meets educational needs while also being mindful of taxpayers and the long-term financial responsibilities of the town. I have developed a deep appreciation for the importance of thoughtful planning
and responsible investment in public facilities. That experience provided firsthand knowledge of the planning, design, construction, and financial oversight involved in a municipal building project and ongoing capital improvements. Along with my community
service over the past 40 years, my professional background has been a peroperative nurse educator and a nurse manager of peroperative services that included operating room, PACU, surgical daycare, and pre-mission testing. My
career as a nurse educator and peroperative manager has required leadership, strategic planning, collaboration, budgeting, problem solving, and attention to detail. skills that are essential when overseeing a complex building project. Throughout my
career, I have worked with diverse groups of professionals to achieve common goals while maintaining a strong focus on quality, safety, and accountability. In addition, I currently serve on the board of directors of the Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra. Through that role, I
have come to appreciate even more deeply the value of arts education and the important role of music, creativity, and the arts play in developing well-rounded students. As we plan for a new school, I believe it is important to create spaces that support not only academic
achievement, but also the arts which enrich students lives and strengthen our community. As a senior citizen, I offer a long-term perspective and a strong commitment to ensuring this project serves both current students and future generations. I bring a broad perspective
and a strong commitment to preserving what makes Harleston special while preparing for the future. I understand that a new school or a renovation project is a significant investment for taxpayers and I believe it is essential to create a facility that is
educationally effective, fiscally responsible and built to serve generations of students. I understand that this project represents one of the most significant investments a community can make and I believe it is essential to balance educational needs with fiscal
responsibility. If appointed, I will approach this role with an open mind, a willingness to listen, and a commitment to working collaboratively with fellow committee members, town officials, school officials, and residents. I would take seriously the responsibility of
helping guide that process. My goal would be to help ensure that we build or renovate a school that is safe, functional, fiscally responsible, and capable of serving students and the community well into the future. Thank you for your consideration. I'd be
honored to serve on the school building committee and help create a learning environment that provides future students with the same strong foundation that helped launch the success of so many others in Hollist and will benefit our town for decades to come. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, D. >> Okay, let's continue to go through the additional applications. I'm just going to go in the list in order the list that you you sent over. >> Okay. Um, so next we have uh Barbara Ryan.
>> Don't worry, we won't make you do the dance routine given your uh [laughter] >> just make sure you pull the microphone over towards you. >> Uh Barbara Ryan, 14 Irving Place. Um good evening, select board chair and members. Um again, our town manager and
assistant town manager, neighbors and friends. Thank you for considering my application for the school building committee. I'm a Holliston parent, an Army veteran, pediatric nurse practitioner, and a retired healthc care executive. I'm interested in serving on this committee because I care deeply about the future of education in Hollist
and frankly our country. And I believe I can contribute meaningful experience to the important the this important project. Throughout my career, I have worked on large complex initiatives that required balancing budgets, timelines, regulations, stakeholder interests, and
community needs. During the base realignment and closure, or Brack process for the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center, uh that included building the Fort Belvore Community Hospital and what is now known as Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. I worked closely with military leaders,
federal officials, employees, and community stakeholders through a project that ultimately exceeded a billion dollars in scope that involved congressional approval and oversight. My role focused heavily on relationship building, problem solving, communications, and always ensuring that the voices of
those affected by this large project were heard and understood. I'm proud that I was part of building these facilities that continue to serve our service members and their families. Also in my army career, while I stationed in South Korea, I led a multi-million dollar renovation and
modernization project for a 32,000 foot medical facility I commanded. The project required us to renovate and bring the building into compliance with US standards for healthcare facilities while working within the constraints of a foreign country, a fixed budget, aging
infrastructure, and complex logistical, administrative, and political requirements. All of this while operating and keeping functional this facility that provided aroundthe-clock healthc care services and that included
an urgent care, primary care, pharmacy, ambulance and our medical support and public health, environmental, optometry and [clears throat] hearing services for the second infantry division which was about 10,000 soldiers. The facility functioned much like a small community
hospital while emergency department uh and emergency department while constructed was underway. There were multiple stakeholders again that involved in uh included senior military leaders on the peninsula, competing priorities, significant coordination and
constraints among stakeholders. Through collaboration, persistence, constant communication, and a focus on solutions, we completed, which was said it would never be done successfully in eight months. These experiences taught
me that successful building projects are not just about bricks and mortar. They are about people. They require transparency, thoughtful planning, respectful dialogue, and a willingness to ask good questions while keeping the long-term view front and center. In both
my military and civilian careers, I've learned that large public projects succeed when people ultimately affected by the decisions have confidence in that process. As a Holliston parent, I bring another important perspective. I've been actively engaged in the PTO, which I was
the executive board lead for two years, the drug and alcohol coalition coalition as a public health communicator and parent, the outdoor learning alliance, where a band of dedicated volunteers have successfully uh revitalized the outdoor spaces uh at each of our schools
that students and teachers use alike. and by attending school committee meetings and providing my concerns about the future of education. I've spoken about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, future workforce needs, and the importance of designing learning environments that prepare students not only for today but
for decades ahead. I believe we should think creatively about how a new high school can serve students while al also functioning as a valuable asset for the community at large. If selected, I will come prepared to listen, to collaborate
as a thought, ask thoughtful questions, and work hard on behalf of the entire community. My goal would be to help ensure Hollist delivers a project that is educationally sound, fiscally responsible, and positioned to serve students and residents for generations to come.
I know how to get things done, but more importantly, I know how to bring people together to get things done. I would be honored to serve Hollist in this capacity. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> So, as we go out through the list,
Vanessa said she's going to talk to the schools. Next, we have uh Jordan Cannon. Jordan, I think I see you on the Zoom. Are you >> prepared to make a statement? >> Hi, Jordan. You want to you want to sort
of introduce yourself and uh give us any uh statement you want to make? Uh uh about the uh school building committee about joining the school building committee. >> Yeah. Jordan Canon 21 Walnut Road. Actually trying to pull up here on my phone my son Frank.
Okay. Um there you go. All right. Um I am submitting this statement to express my interest in and qualifications for serving on the school building committee. First I would like to thank the many volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to our community. I regularly attend committee meetings and
when I am unable to attend, listen to the recordings. I am continually impressed by the level of commitment and hard work that our volunteers contribute to improving our town. My family and I moved to Hollston in May of 23, and we now have three young boys, the oldest of whom will be entering the Hollist public school system next year. The strength of
the school system and the sense of community were major factors in our decision to move here. As both a construction professional and a parent with a vested interest in the future of our schools, I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to this important project. By way of background, I hold a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and a master's in civil
engineering with a concentration in structural engineering. I began my career on the design side of the industry before transitioning into construction management. I spent 5 years in Connecticut with Skansky USA building before moving to the Boston area where I had brief stints at Hanover and Delbrook and the last nine years I have been
working with Walsh Brothers out of Boston and most recently serving as a project executive. My experience spans academic, healthcare, commercial and residential construction. Over the last five to six years, I have primarily focused on academic projects particularly in the higher education
market. This work has included numerous public projects including agencies such as MSBA, DAM, MSEBA and UMA. In my current role, I oversee multiple client campuses and projects in various stages including feasibility studies, pre-construction, and active construction. I'm also heavily involved
in project pursuits, budgeting, scheduling, and RFQ, RFP responses. Every construction project presents unique challenges, but a high school building project is particularly complex. The committee will need to balance current and future educational needs, site constraints, community
input, and the requirements of the MSBA funding process. At the same time, the project must navigate an evolving construction market, including fluctuating material costs and subcontractor availability. Successful project oversight requires the ability to understand and evaluate budgets,
schedules, and technical documentation, as well as effectively communicate complex information to a broad range of stakeholders. For these reasons, it is important that the school building committee consists of individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise. I believe my experience in engineering, construction management, budgeting,
scheduling, and project execution would provide valuable perspective throughout the planning and delivery process. A significant portion of my professional responsibilities involves working with clients, designers, and project teams during the earliest phases of the project to establish scope, budget, and schedule parameters that support
successful outcomes. I believe this experience would allow me to make meaningful contributions to the committee as it guides this project from planning through completion. Thank you for your consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to serve on the school building committee and help ensure the successful delivery of a project that
will benefit Holl students, families, and residents for generations to come. Thank you, >> Jordan. Thank you very much for your statement. I appreciate it. Um, next up we have uh Dan Morrow. Is Dan
here? Dan, if you do hear this and uh you're not on the line, um if you could just, you know, we uh you might have sent some information, but if you have a statement that you want to make and you want to send it to the select board, please do so uh at your convenience uh before our next meeting. I think our expectation is
tonight we would review these, hear from everybody and then we would have a chance to deliberate and think about it. So, uh, apologies Dan if you were on earlier and we missed you. So, we'll move on to the next person and that is Noah Fitch. Is Noah Fitch here?
Doesn't sound like it. All right. Um, and I think the people that are missing, Frank, if we could just kind of like send them a note and say like if they wanted to add anything additional to so they can make a statement kind of the way Howard did and they can send an email and say, "Hey, this is
>> I'd like to here's my statement." And they can send it to us >> um via email and um before our next meeting. >> Um [clears throat] David uh Lascowski, I think I saw you up there. Dave, are you >> Good evening, Dave. >> I'm here. >> Thank you for your patience this
evening. and do you uh would you like to just introduce yourself and uh talk a little bit about your interest in the school building committee please? >> Of course. Um so David Scowski 18 Party Lane. Um yeah saying uh thank you for uh
having me. Um I am a uh a construction executive. Uh I've been in the uh business for over 20 years BS in construction management. Um I have been working for the same company out of Boston uh my entire career. Um and uh my
experience ranges from uh everything from commercial uh to higher education um to to elementary schools. Uh most recently I am um a project executive and director of a regional uh line that
really manages about a billion dollars a year. um locally uh my experience um focuses on uh project pursuits, uh constructibility, contract negotiations, change order negotiations, close out and
client relations. Um I have a a very broad um network in the Massachusetts and greater New England region. on both subcontractors um architect and design firms OPM firms
um and and frankly owners as well. Um I think my experience would would really um bring a a sense of risk manage risk management and um foresight into the risk that comes with taking on a project
of size. Um, you know, uh, my experience says that, uh, projects that aren't properly planned out and thought through, um, bring a very very high level of risk financially to to a town or to an owner, um, if they're if they're not, uh, thinking
through potential misses or or risks throughout the planning process. So, um, that's what my focus would be on in the committee. Um I would leave the uh the thoughts on education to the professionals that work in that that region or that [clears throat] um
profession my my experience is really mainly to um to help mitigate the risk of a project this size for for this town. Um thank you for uh for having me. I'll keep it short and give it back to you. >> Thank you Dave. Appreciate your time this evening and thank you for your
patience. I know it's getting late. >> Yep. >> All right. Uh, moving on to the next person, we have John Nunari. John, welcome. Come on up. [clears throat] >> Say to you, too. Thank you for being
patient this evening. Really appreciate your your time. >> Yes, thank you. [clears throat] >> Good evening. Um, John Nunnry, 11 Fruit Street. Um [clears throat] I don't have a prepared statement necessarily uh but I thought I would talk a little bit
about uh who I am, what my experience is um professionally uh a little bit about MSBA and uh a little bit about the project that you're contemplating or that the town is contemplating. So um I uh moved to
Massachusetts in 1995 uh and uh came here to finish my degree at the Boston Architectural Center. So I am trained as an architect with a degree in architecture. I uh because of the Boston Architectural Center, you have to work and uh study at the same time. So I
started working at HMFH Architects in Cambridge, a firm that specializes in the design and construction of public schools. I was there for 15 years and involved personally in the designer construction of schools in Chelsea, Boston, Brockton, Welssley, Fair Haven,
uh, and uh, where am I forgetting? There's another town that I'm forgetting, but [laughter] there was another town in there somewhere um that I'm forgetting, but I was involved in the design and construction of of quite a few public schools in Massachusetts. Um while I was there I was also heavily
involved in my professional society the American Institute of Architects and uh got involved with the advocacy efforts of architects and through that effort uh ended up becoming the chair of their efforts and eventually uh got to
the point where I am now the executive director of the state organization of the American Institute of Architects where my sole job is advocacy. The only thing I do is legislative and regulatory policy work on behalf of architects. Because of that work in the late 90s, I
was involved with the Senate and involved with the actual creation of MSBA as we know it. So in my early career at HMFH, uh I designed and built buildings under the old MSBA program prior to the 2000s or 2004 when it
reopened. and I was involved with the construction and design of schools after it was opened. Uh I currently serve as AI's representative on their technical advisory committee. I was appointed by Katherryn Craraven, the initial uh ED of the MSBA and was reappointed by Jack
McCarthy and uh Mary Petty. Um MSBA is uh currently uh an interesting program. Um, if you are following at all, you may know that the Senate passed as part of its budget a complete study to really
relook at the program after 25 years. That's something my organization uh very much was a part of asking the legislature to do and we work specifically with uh Senator um not Senator Kennedy but um Senator from
Winchester whose name is escaping me at the moment who did the uh bill. Uh and that could have an effect quite frankly on this project depending on how that study ends up playing itself out and assuming it makes it through the uh Senate NE or the uh budget negotiations.
Um, I did want to talk a little bit about the what you're proposing and what the town is proposing. I was just doing a little bit of back of envelope calculations of what you might be looking at. And I wasn't sure whether you've heard any of these numbers yet or thought about this, but I did want to
provide a little bit of context. So, your current high school or the current high school is at 220,000 square feet. You have 877 students. You're probably aware that through the feasibility study, you'll end up doing uh a enrollment projection. Right now, the
state we're seeing declines, but let's just assume for the moment that you build another 220,000 foot building. Right now, MSBA is projecting high school costs at about $1,000 a square foot. That puts you at about 220 million for your school. Add in your soft costs
about 25 to 30% depending on how you want to work with your OPM and how you want to budget. That puts you at a uh total project of about 275 million to 286 million. I've seen that the town is
expecting a MSBA reimbursement of approximately 50%. I think you know that that is not the number you will actually get. Even if you qualify for 50, your effective rate will be probably closer to 40. So with the numbers that I just offered you, you'd be looking at the
town share of anywhere from 165,000 million to 171 million, just to give you some context. If you really break down the numbers and you look at it, we don't know whether your school is going to be bigger or smaller. But a good rule of thumb to figure is
for about every 10,000 square feet, you're looking at about 7.5 million. So if you're at 220, you want to go up, add 7.5 million for every 10,000 square ft. And you've got a good rule of thumb for uh how you're working. Um last thing
that I really want to touch on was some of my volunteer work, which was prior to moving to Hollist, I lived in Medfield. And while I was in Medfield, I was the chair of the town's permanent building committee. Uh I vice chaired the DPW facility, which was about an $8 million
project. Uh I attended every single construction meeting, uh every design meeting. Uh because I live in town and I work from my home, I was able to attend every mil uh every meeting and we brought that project in on time and on budget. I then chaired the public safety
facility which was a 13 million joint public safety fire police another project we brought in on time budget and on budget. Uh as we were a permanent building committee we worked with the town select board and all the various committees uh to actually put in place a
pecking order in the town so that the town agreed that at that point in time DPW would go first, police fire would go next, schools and then park and wreck. Uh, and that took quite a few meetings with the town to get them to agree with that, to get the selectmen to agree with
it, uh, and to get everyone else to agree. So, I'm quite familiar through 15 years of designing building public schools with the town meeting uh, and school committee meeting process uh, and through my volunteer work and actually building and bringing in projects on time on budget. With that, I know
there's a few more folks you want to talk to. And I do want to put in a personal plug, even if I'm not selected. that I see you have Christine Opera here uh who I think is coming after me and she would also be a wonderful addition to your group. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much, John. Appreciate your time today and your patience.
>> Thank you. >> So Christy Christy Oper, if you'd like to come on up and uh your name precedes you since uh [laughter] you've been pre-introduced. >> No, I was going to say the exact same thing actually. Um so you stole my thunder. Okay. Okay. I don't have a
prepared statement. Um, my name is Christina. My nickname is Christy Oper. Uh, 495 Central Street. Um, I'm a newer resident to Hollist. I've been here for about 5 years. I lived uh just across the border uh in Milford for about eight
years prior. My sister has been a longtime resident here and I have a niece that's going through the school system and unfortunately probably have to live through high school construction. Um but uh my background is that I've been in the um OPM industry
for over 20 years. Uh I worked for Detalus Projects uh which was acquired by CHA and my uh main role there was assistant project manager, project manager, client relations manager. Um, in fact, I uh my team worked with John
in Medfield on three school projects, um, including his very successful um, public safety building. He's excellent. If if you don't select me or anybody else, I I would highly recommend John. Um, uh, my background is from the owner's
perspective. Um, and I wanted to I'm very excited that as many people put in their interest as they did because putting these committees together is very complicated and very difficult. I probably worked on
um more than $700 million worth of school projects through the MSBA process. I also worked with the original SBA prior to the formal M MSBA. Um, this process is a lot cleaner than the original version. Um, they have their
quirks, but I'm really familiar with how to get an OPM on board, how the designer selection panel works, what you should be looking for, um, and how to build the right team. And then my job as an owner's rep was
really, uh, not just helping to lead the owner through the process, but help build consensus. Um, I focused on helping communities communicate with their communities, with their towns people, um, with their
boards, with their committees. Um, because the only way this is going to be successful is if everyone is in agreement. Um, and I want this to be successful for our town. My son is grown and not in school anymore, so I don't
have any skin in the game here. Um, but I I want to see us take advantage of this opportunity. I worked with the town of Tisbury who went through a really difficult process and lost their MSBA funding because their town couldn't
agree on what option. Um, they had an opportunity to build a $30 million high school with $14 million worth of reimbursement. And when they lost that opportunity and came back and did it themselves, it cost them $90 million. Um the most recent high school project
that I worked on was on NSET Regional High School, which is very complicated because it was a regional high school and you had to get consensus from four different communities um on location, size, educational programming, um architectural design,
all of it. Um and we got it and it's going to be completed next year. Um I think consensus is something that's very difficult to get. Um, but if you put the right work into it, you can get it and it's worth it. Um,
every uh I don't know if you guys are familiar with the MSBA, but um they get their money by taking one penny of every dollar of sales tax that's collected across the state. So, all of us as residents, everybody that visits our
state, everybody that buys something here pays for these schools. and we might as well take advantage of that funding and help us get a really great educational program for our kids. Um, again, it's not me. Choose John.
[laughter] >> Thank you very much for your consideration. >> Thank you for your time. Appreciate your patience project. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. We have one more which is uh we have Luke Aon. Luke, are you here?
Doesn't sound like Luke is here. Okay. So, we had Dan, Noah, and Luke that didn't u appear to not be uh here. >> Could we just reach out to them and say, "Hey, could they provide uh statements um and we can do something?"
>> Um my feeling tonight is that we um take a little time to think about it. >> We can do approval voting. I think we should have to do that with this particular case because this is this will be difficult to there's a I mean >> you know what I heard was a lot of uh
highquality uh candidates. So I think uh probably um approval voting might be a good way good approach to this to be able to kind of uh start to narrow things down. So, uh, I really appreciate people's patience and coming here and talking to us, um, giving us your
statements and your understanding. And, um, so what we'll do is we're going to, um, there's a couple people who weren't a weren't able to to be here. Maybe it was too long. I'm not sure. So, they're going to submit statements and then, um, we'll, um, uh, vote and deliberate at
our next meeting, which will be the 22nd. Um, I don't expect that we'd have follow-up questions. Um, but um, but I just really want to say thank you for your patience and really appreciate you coming to to chat with us and um, you you gave us a difficult decision because here there's a lot of really highly
qualified and um um very uh experienced individuals in this process. So I'm I'm grateful that you made the time and decided to raise your hand to to come forward. So thank you for for doing that. Are you guys comfortable? One one question for really the two of you. Uh
the idea of follow-up questions now that the candidates have all been introduced, we've had the opportunity to hear from them. Uh it feels it feels in line with uh a good process to be able to contact them individually. But I won't do that unless because you might have a
follow-up question and um you know, reaching out to one or two candidates or all of them for that matter with a question from a board member feels appropriate given that we've had this initial uh introduction and review. But I'm really want to hear your ideas before I >> I I'm I'm okay with um asking the
questions. Um what I would just ask is that in some way even through the town manager that the answers were shared. >> Um that's that's the only thing I would ask for in that along that line. Is that >> I'm fine with that. Um are you suggesting we reach out individually or should we funnel all questions through
Frank and we could do a single point of contact? I'm good. >> That probably would be the best is maybe to try to do it that way and that could be the easiest way to disseminate information. Frank, I don't want to put extra administrative burden on you to do that, >> but um maybe we do it that way. So, if you have any questions, follow up. We go
through Frank and then Frank, you >> follow up with those and then we have we have a couple weeks, so we have a little bit of time here. >> I may not have any questions, but we've heard a lot and we have >> I got really got to go through and there's some pretty incredible people here that um uh are far smarter than me about things. So, I I want to make sure
that I I >> understand and do some homework here to make sure that I understand Okay. All right. >> What the right thing to do here is >> I will do that then. If I have any questions, I'll run them through Frank to >> and Frank will run it through them and you'll also contact the three candidates that we weren't able to hear from this
evening. Okay. That sounds good. Okay. >> Great. Thank you. >> All right. So, um continuing the public hearing, voting on a parking man. Uh Parkers are still here. We appreciate you both being so
patient. Um so uh we had talked uh several occasions about the uh a possible parking ban um with resident concerns regarding student parking on Mark Tree Road, Robin Hill Road, and Green View Road. And we heard from uh
the police chief who has basically said to us like I think the recommendation is 9 to3 on Monday through Friday. >> Monday through Friday. I was hoping that we could say 9 to3 on school days if that is possible because I think you
know I I think that would probably make the most sense >> because it seems like it's a little bit like I mean you know I 180 days is certainly significant but that's you know there's there's a lot of other days there and I don't want to put if there's any way that we can add a little flexibility to that I would be amenable
to that but I'm interested to hear what you both think. probably you know the folks at [clears throat] the Parkers I would because it is a public hearing I will open it up and I know Lori is here too that if there's other comments from you folks you certainly can make other comments but um uh maybe we'll just do
it that way. I apologize it's afternoon and I'm my brain's a little fried. Um so since this is a public hearing I think the first thing we'll do and if you're both okay with it I'll just open it up to see if uh if there's any other additional comments um beyond what we had talked about previously. What I'm
proposing, um, we haven't discussed it, but what I'm proposing is, um, we would [snorts] put up signs that ban parking from 9 to three on school days on those three roads. That's what I'm proposing. And, you know, that's, you know, I think that
based on the conversations we had um, previously, it seemed like that was kind of the route that people wanted to go. But I am interested to hear if folks I know there might be some on the Zoom if anyone has comments and would like to make comments and come forward for uh public comments on the public hearing
about the uh parking student parking on Markree Road, Robin Hill Road or Green View Road if they could raise their hands on Zoom or did you want to make a any statements or you just wanted to listen into the conversation? >> If you want to come up and you know you're w you're welcome to if you would like to.
Good evening. Hi. Just name and address so we know who you are, but also you know for for >> Jonathan Parker, 290 Mark Tree Road. So, [clears throat] couple of things that have come up in the other meetings. Um there were some neighbors that suggested
a different window that might help might be a good compromise um and serve the purpose which is something like 7 to 11. Um the other thing that came up was Tina mentioned whatever we do we're
considering it to be a pilot >> and um given that then I mean personally I'm okay with the 9 to3 >> but after hearing some of my neighbors talking about it then maybe maybe something like the um you know the 7 7
to 10 or 7 to11 might accomplish what >> well one of the things you had brought up um is somebody had said about the lunchtime and I just kind of wanted like that was something that really stuck in my head and I'm just curious like you know are you >> do you you know what do you think cuz I you you really struck me when you said
hey lunchtime is something we need to think about so maybe we do want to extend it further so I kind of want to jiggle elaborate a little bit >> I I still think that that's a that's a possibility but that just brings me back to the um you know if it's a pilot
>> then maybe if it if it turns out that they're coming in you know, after lunch swarming into the neighborhood. >> So, um I guess I guess I'm still in favor of 9 to3. >> Okay. >> But I I just wanted to bring that up
only because I mean if I guess people if they're still on the line, they can >> Yeah, I think uh I see two I see two hands raised. I think >> I guess the question then would be along the lines of the pilot is Frank if we said >> you know 7 to 11 I mean I would assume
we would buy signs that say 7 to11 on it. >> You put up a temporary parking ban >> or could we we put up temporary and kind of see how it goes. So, I mean, the thing that's a little tricky here, too, is that we could say 7 to 11 and it's, you know, I mean, there's some, it sounds like some activity in the fall, but it's really in the springtime when
things really start to uh heat up a little bit. >> Yeah. There's a there was a um a fairly steady rise in the number of cars through the fall. >> Yeah. >> Nothing in the winter and then in spring it just exploded. >> Okay. Was it problematic in the fall as
well or was it like or was it just like you know like we talk about like 30 to 40 cars in the spring, right? >> But was it like 10 or >> Yeah, it was around that. It was like 5 to 10 in the fall >> disruptive but not not the problem that we're seeing in the spring. >> A call for speculation. So the the 7 to
11 or 7 to 10 proposal. Um >> I was warming up to that too and I'm not sure about it. But I think let me let me give you what I think the logic is and you tell me back if I've got it right. So if you're banning it in the morning pre-launch, that's likely to have the same effect as banning it all day because not all the students would be
able to go home to get their car and come back at lunch. That basically if you're just doing a morning ban that effectively knocks the legs out for the whole day because who's going like what percentage of students are within walking distance to go fetch their car which is probably fairly low and they
probably wouldn't be doing that on their lunch. Is that >> that's the theory. So effectively, yeah, it would it would it would be bad it for the day, >> right? >> When I brought up my concern about that, >> knowing how creative some of these kids can be, >> yeah, >> they might be parking in the morning,
like with their fingers crossed, parking somewhere else where they're taking their chances. Um, and then saying, "Hey, we can come back here after after lunch." Because we do know for a fact that many of them take off at lunch. I
mean, the other thing is too, >> we see them tearing down the road and tearing back again. >> But if they have limited time for lunch and it's going to take them 10 minutes to walk to their car because it's further away that it might uh preclude them from being able to do it in the first place. >> Yeah. That maybe um >> it's a theory, but >> Yeah. Right. But um we don't know where
they're going to again, they're creative, you know, we don't know where they're going. >> We don't know where they're going to go and we we're we might be moving a problem and um that's that's inevitably part of the risk that we we take by doing this, >> right? >> And um >> Okay. >> Yeah. The one thing we can say is that
they do throughout their the the lunch period. I guess it goes over several blocks or or whatever sever you know that they that they are. Part of the part of the problem ironically is that because they don't have very much time
um they're really tearing down the road. You know, even if even if some of them aren't even flying in in the morning, they're definitely flying at lunch. >> Okay. >> So, >> okay. >> All right. So, just a thought, but for the record, I'm still in favor of 9 to three. >> Okay. But we, you know, you're you're
you're open to a 7 to 11 as a possibility. >> Yeah. Just in, you know, in the interest of trying to >> understood. Understood. All sides. >> I'll be interested to sort of see what some of the other people who raise their hands are thinking. >> Right. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Um, Bill Chason, if you could unmute
yourself, just uh name and address and what your comments are about this uh the the discussion about the parking here in the neighborhood. >> Sure. the build chase in 310 M road to say I was one of those 7 to 11 people but now I am full class 7 to three let's
go [laughter] >> okay >> you don't have to talk about it anymore let's do it I I I do fear that you know there may be people parking on the street because they don't want to try to get out of parking lot but I think 7 to three is the way to go uh one other
thing that I would I I we saw I saw the video of the school committee meeting uh that you had given them a heads up about this and yes, >> someone made a comment about uh having the police maybe help with getting out of the parking lot. I think that's really complicated because they can they
can wave people out of the parking lot. We but we've got the sixway stop sign. >> Yeah. >> Up at Holl Street. I mean I that's a problem. But one suggestion that you may want to look at to help and maybe be fair to the kids that are driving to
school that don't have parking spaces, there may be space over I over at the high school. There may be space to add some parking spaces over by the football field close to Hall Street. There's some nice flat grassy area over there that
you may be able to add, I don't know, three or four rows of parking to get dirty cars in. Uh, but that's I don't want to just I don't want to derail anything. We're talking about 7 to three. Let's go. We're all on board. >> And uh, >> thanks for all the work you've been
doing on it. I know it's uh, taking us a while, but >> we have our neighborhood back right now, right? Oh, good. Okay. >> You can ask. >> It's beautiful, right? No one's back on the street since the seniors graduated. So, >> yeah, that's that's good. >> That's it. Thank you. >> They uh, you're welcome. Uh just to uh
qualify there, I know the uh the police chief and his recommendation did indicate uh to the schools that there could be some opportunities, but at the end of the day, we don't have any authority over uh school grounds. >> So, we would have to defer to them. We
could certainly make the recommendation as like other any opportunities to add parking, >> but at the end of the day, they would have to to do so and we would have to go with that recommendation. So, uh but I but I appreciate the >> I like the school day. I like the school days phrasing.
I think that's >> Yeah, I think that's the I mean that's that's my own personal opinion. We haven't debated it, but I was just I wanted to throw it out there just to see if there's ways that we can sort of tackle the problem without dis with minimizing disruption if if at all possible. >> Yeah.
>> Um because I I'll tell you one other thing. >> Sure. >> During the carnival, >> some people people park on the street during the carnival. That's not a problem. Jonathan, I don't think that's a problem for me anyway. Uh, and >> yeah, >> some uh I guess I don't know if they go
during the day, but anyway, uh I like the school days. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thank >> Thank you, Bill. Uh I see uh Adriano, if you could unmute yourself, uh name and address and uh your uh your comments, please. >> Sure. My name is Stalco. I live at 270
Montter Road. Uh I you know, I really appreciate the select board. I don't want to be in any more of these meetings. >> I I got enough on my plate. Yep. >> 10 o'clock at night's too late for everyone. >> I'm all It's 7:11. Not 7-Eleven. No, 7
to 3. Jesus. [laughter] 73. Let's just be done with it. I don't There's no half measures needed here. I will be back here in a year and a half saying these kids still screwed down the road. Someone the high school parking lot for lunch. >> Came by parked in front of my house trapped to the ground going 40 down the
street off front. >> Okay. I will have a conversation again. Uh sorry. Thank you very much for everything you guys did. I really appreciate it. >> No, thank you. Our our intention is to uh make a decision tonight on what to do to go forward. So, uh I appreciate your patience with that. Um are there any
other public comments? Lori, come on up and just give us name and address and your comments, please. >> Lori Maruff, 280 Mark Tree Road. We now have a trifecta. [laughter] Um, three of us in a row. >> Um, >> so I'm just going to ask you to do as
little as you can. Um, and the reason is my husband sees clients in my house >> and his clients park on the street. And um, I don't know what I'm going to do about this. So there's that problem. Mhm. >> Um,
so I I hear the other concerns and um I would I I like the idea of a temporary parking ban that happens during the times that it's most active as opposed to, you know, something that shuts out
all the days. Um, so yeah, I >> and I and I have, you know, I don't want to like make trouble because because, you know, I'd like as little as possible and and I like the idea of a pilot. Um, but yeah, whatever happens is going to
inconvenience me. >> I know. And that's the hard part. But thank you, Larry. Appreciate it. Okay. Any other Oh, sure. Lois, come on up. >> Thank you. And I I know that we've done a lot of these when I know you by name. [laughter]
>> It's a bad sign. Um Lois Parker, 290 Mark Tree Road. Um just want to go on record of saying that I endorse the um 9 to3 or whatever hours we pick while school is in session. Um, while I'm um
sympathetic to Lor's situation, um I don't know where the clients would park now under the current situation because the students are taking up all of the on street parking spaces. Um so, and then you know to Tina's point at the prior
meeting that um it's not really anyone's job to make it easier to provide ways for students to drive to school. I think that's just worth keeping in mind >> because of active transportation, not because students shouldn't be driving to school, but to promote walking and
biking, public transportation. Um, and I know it's a very different situation, but um, just as an interesting point as we wrap up, I mentioned to Frank before the meeting that I spent much of the weekend at my alma m Brooklyn High where
um, if I [clears throat] told you how many years ago it was that the union I was celebrating. Um, anyway, they graduated over 500 students yesterday and they don't have any parking at all. There is literally no parking lot. It's
in the middle of a residential neighborhood and they actually have faculty um permitted parking in the neighborhoods adjacent to the school. And the signage reads um permit parking only from 7 to 10. Um and there's a
whole arrangement between the town and the neighborhoods that faculty can park there. And then um there's an adjacent sign that says towway zone 7 to 11. It seems like somehow it works for them. But obviously, it's a very different
situation from us. But it's just interesting to me that it's a very large student body that just accepts the fact that they can't park at the school and that's the way it is. >> Yeah. >> Lois will get a kick out of this. On Friday, I rode a bike bus with the Pierce Elementary School. We crossed
Route Nine. >> Wow. [laughter] >> All these little ones. Yeah. Well, it works. It works because they've got signals down there. But Brookline, I I hear what you're saying about Brookline High. Thank you for your comments. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Any other comments this evening for the
uh pertaining to the public hearing about uh parking on Mark Tree, Robin Hill Road or Green View Road? You want to other comments? >> Yeah. >> Quick F. >> Yep. Just Yeah. Make sure you're talking to the mic so everybody can hear. >> Yeah. >> Jonathan Parker 290 Markree Road. Just a
quick followup to a couple of the comments that have been made. I think I forgot to mention that I also am in favor if there could be a during school days. Yeah. You know, as you mentioned, that would be Yeah. >> You know, that would be a benefit, a value added to this whole thing.
>> Sure. >> Um, the other thing I just wanted to make my position clear. Yes, I know that this is could be some inconvenient to every person who lives on the street, but to me the safety issue far outweighs >> sure
>> whatever the inconvenience is going to be, which we should be able to figure out and deal with. But when I some after seeing some of the things that I saw where, you know, where a kid almost in a garbage truck almost had a um head-on
collision with each other, you know, the tearing down the street and having to jump out of the way while I'm walking my dog and then on and on, you know, it's just to me there's there's just no comparison. >> Sure. Okay. >> All right. Thank you again. >> Thank you, John.
>> Anyone else before we wrap up? Do you want to close the hearing and then deliberate or deliberate? >> Why don't we deliberate first just to make sure that way we're not trying to reopen if we have to. I'm not not saying we should, but but why don't we we talk about it? So, Tina, what are your
thoughts? Your >> uh I'm reading the chief's recommendations. I'm appreciate him uh sending them along. Uh I'm noticing number two and three, which are he sent three recommendations moving forward. Um, and both of them involve engaging with the Hollison public school uh, Hollison public schools and the school
committee, but I he really focused on the administration policy changes and additional parking spots. So, my suggestion would be that we consider a motion, and I've got it prepared here if we're so inclined, uh, for a temporary parking ban that starts on the first day of school and runs through the fall.
Runs up until the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It allows for a couple different things. Number one, it allows for those conversations with the school committee and the school administration to get underway and maybe we get some traction uh and then we have more choices before we go and implement something permanent. I think that that
honors all sides. Number two, I think it also allows us to understand from the residents perspective if it's making an a significant change for their benefit to address the concerns they have. And number three, uh it is temporary and so I'm going somewhere with this. Oh, it's
the school school day common. So, you don't have to do the school days only because I'm not 100% sure we need chief to confirm whether or not that's enforceable. So, you can put up a sign, but you can't enforce a citation if you don't have appropriate signage. And I'm
not sure naming school days get you there. Maybe it does, but if we were to do a temporary ban on those specific dates through until Thanksgiving break, um we could not we don't have to name initially in a pilot process. We don't have to name school days only. It can be
Monday through Friday starting on August 28th, first day of school going through August 25th. >> November, sorry, November 25th. Thank you. That's my suggestion. Uh because I particularly want to make sure we're engaging with the schools administration
and committee on policy and additional parking spots. I think that um really rounds out our decision-m. >> What do you what are your thoughts about the timing? So the the chief of present at 9 to3. We've heard 7 to3. We've heard 7-Eleven. What are your what do you think about
>> Well, school starts at 8:10, right? It's the bell rings at 8:10. And so I don't see the 7 a.m. as being necessary. Uh I would say 9 to 3 per the chief's recommendation. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> For a temporary. >> You're saying a temporary ban and then
we would basically revisit like mid November. >> Yeah. Right. >> Yeah. So I'll triate this because I think there's three different parts. >> Triate bifurcating. You may have made that up, but I think I tried >> after 10 o'clock. >> I know. God, got to help us. Uh, so I think the first question is temporary
yes or no. I think yes. Give us time to figure out what's going on. So that's question the one. Um, question the two, school days. If enforceable, I like school days because I think it gives some flexibility to families who are celebrating holidays, which tend to be the days where there's not school days. They may have guests over, people
parking outside. It's nice to be able to park. That's it. Uh third part is the temporal nature during the school days. Um there I I actually want to lean in a little bit. I I think whatever the least possible thing is I I have a hard time imagining if there's a ban in the middle
of the day and you can get towed or ticketed that a person who is driving to school would then drive away to avoid it but then return. and that people who haven't parked would walk from the school to their house because that means they're within walking distance anyway to get their car to come back to the
school with it just for the end of the day. So, I think there is like a small pie slice that we could probably carve out. Um, but I will defer to the rest of the board on that. I'm not as close to that issue. It just seems like, you know, it's like saying, "Hey, if there's a parking ban these two hours, like who's going to really go, okay, quick, I
got to run home, grab my car, run back." I just can't imagine it. But I could be wrong. People are creative. I could see my son doing it. [laughter] >> So, uh, are you saying like you you would be in favor of like a 711? >> Uh, I'm saying I'm amendable to a smaller pie slice, but if this is a
temporary >> David, I'm asking you to have an opinion. Like, like I understand amendability, but like I want you to have an opinion. >> Let me put it this way. If we're doing a temporary one, I'm okay with a broader thing. Um, >> but I don't think it's necessary.
I think if we're going to do a pilot, I think we kind of look to try to do try to solve the problem with the least restrictive option. So I would say I would ask for if we can do a pilot for a period of time. We do 7 to 11 on school
days and that way we can see does it work and then if we say it's not working then we expand it because I think if we go too far then we might be you know we might be doing too much and we might be sort of putting ourselves in a position where you know there isn't a lot of flexibility. It works hey it's great but
it's so restrictive that it winds up being it can be disruptive. So I would like to I I think a pilot needs to be the least restrictive possible and but at the same time we'll say you know if we say 7 to 11 on school days and if they're coming back to us and people and
and like you know I mean I know the fall isn't disrupt isn't super disruptive but I think it would be you know we'd be able to say it's still happening then we could they're coming after lunch okay now we need to expand it but if and then we can we can fix it for the spring and then if you could sort of pilot it we can work with the schools see if we can
fix the problem on their And then at the same time, we can also um try to change the behavior and see if we go. That's kind of where I'm leaning towards. >> Enforcability is important, though. >> What's that? I think I think 7 I I think 7 to 11 on school days. That's kind of
what I'm saying. >> There's nobody in that parking lot until 8. >> Well, if you do Well, I mean, we could do what you want to do 9 to 12. I mean, I don't know. >> Sure. That covers lunch. you look at it. I'm not trying to at
this point. [laughter] I'm just 71 like we're now we're introducing a new we're never making a bad decision as a board when we're following the recommendation of our of our department. The chief has made a recommendation chief made a recommendation of 9 to three. And I think if we could say 9 to 12, it would be least it would be less disruptive.
Someone's not likely to put their car at 8:00 knowing that the car is going to be towed at 9. >> Right. >> That's my indicative. But the enforcability on school days I think is >> I think 9 to 12 on school days >> and we try that for we try that as a pilot for the for the fall. Does it fix
the behavior? if it and work with the schools to try to find other means of parking. If it does fix the behavior and they have the means of parking, maybe we keep it or we can see if there's other, you know, or if it's not working, then like in beginning of November, we can
we'd have a good indication that hey, it's still happening. >> Then we expand it >> isolate the very can we make a motion that that uh has the option of Monday through Friday or on school days contingent upon enforcability. When I asked the chief, he said he said
he could do school days. >> Okay. >> I think that the question really becomes signage, I think, is what what kind of signage can we produce that would [clears throat] indicate that because we need to make sure if we're enforcing something, it has to be able to put it in a sign. >> I'm thinking >> if the language is um whatever the hours
are when school is in session. >> Yeah. But the tricky thing is is that when you're just thinking about a sign, how much can you put on a sign, right? >> That's that's really there's the rub. So, um I would say um I would be open to 9 to 12. Um I maybe we say 9 to 12 and
um um on I would suggest on school days or Monday through Friday if that works. And we say we would do it from August 28th day of school through November 25th. >> Does that work? >> And that's the trial balloon.
>> That is the trial balloon. And then in the meantime, we're working with the schools to try to add additional parking. That was one of the suggestions of the chief and other options to do. So, and that might be able to fix. >> Would you like a motion or would you like Sorry, we still hear >> you want one more comment.
>> Yeah. Yeah, please. We We're still open for a public hearing. I mean, at this point, you >> all Jonathan Parker 290 Mark 2. >> Y. So that all sounds good, but I just would like some clarification on the trial balloon part of it. Y
>> because since we already know that the fall, you know, is not that he heavily you used for parking, >> I would just be careful about determining success prematurely and leaving the option open to say, "All
right, so it looks good in the fall, but then it but then if it gets bad in the spring again, can we pick it up?" John, you certainly have my commitment uh in terms of the other recommendations from the Hollist Police Chief, which are policy changes at the school and additional parking at the school. Those,
excuse me, those conversations will develop over the summer and the fall. Uh and so I think we've got three three aspects by which we're addressing this problem. So I would ask I I guess for patience on the process that uh we may find ourselves in a different situation
in November. I hear I hear your point. the fall is not your concern as much as the spring, but I think we we ought to allow the process some time to play out and the other two aspects of this um show themselves hopefully to be very very helpful in the situation, but um I
do hear your point. We I don't think we'll forget about this. >> Okay, >> we're not we're not going to let this we're not going to let this slide foul. >> Okay, good. Yeah. No, I agreed. Um yeah, I just want to make sure that if the spring explosion does happen, >> spring explosion, >> we're not we're not we have pretty much zero tolerance. pick right up where
>> we have zero tolerance for this but basically I mean you know talking to you and seeing hearing that it's happening in the fall I'm sure what's h like you know even on a small scale if it's if we can limit it even you know then and find another solution in the meantime and
because you know paving and creating more road more parking might isn't going to happen overnight so we need to kind of like give a give it a little bit of time and and to push things forward um it would give us the ability to try to find those alternative things, but we have zero tolerance. We're not we're not going to put up with this anymore. So,
that's that's what we're saying here, but we're trying to make sure that we can get to a good solution here um as much as possible. >> Okay. >> And trying to be the least disruptive as well, right? In so doing, >> yeah, my intent would be this is I'm using the wrong terms of like a sunset provision like we would be revisiting it
again at the trial balloon end, not letting it go. >> Yeah. We're not going to let it we're not making [clears throat] any conclusions, >> right? And then >> you might and you might come back to us and say like everything seems great and it seems good. Maybe we we stick with it. Or if we're saying like you know what they're still coming back in the afternoon. That's kind of what we're trying to see if that
>> if that then we'll we'll >> we want to fix it. We do want to fix it. We want to try to be as least disruptive as possible. >> And we'll hopefully only we'll see you if we see you again. It won't be until the middle of March. And um >> yeah. Well, you know, we're going to talk about it in November is basically what we're going to say is then because
then by then we've already talked to the schools and they've already tried to find they're p we're pushing them to do policy changes >> and at this point like we want them to take it up and by banning by by making some kind of an effort we're pushing them to make a change >> and that's part of what this this
exercise is doing. >> And honestly, we'll be giving you updates probably up until >> we want them and we want to keep keep track of >> Yeah. the second it stops working. >> Yeah. We we we will and that's why I don't want to close the public hearing because then we can just reopen it and go.
>> Right. Good. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Yes, we are trying. We are trying. >> Oh, I know. >> Okay. Um, Bill, uh, do you want to make another comment? >> Yeah. Yeah. Just one comment. The the purpose of the I I I'm not clear on what the purpose of the trial balloon is. Is
it to have the school tell or tell the students not to park over here? >> No. So the the purpose of the trial balloon is in effect to see first of all does it can a low a low a non terribly restrictive um initiative can it
actually fix it and at [music] the same time push the schools to make changes. That's basically because the schools at the end of the day the schools need to make we're asking the schools to make some changes in their parking policy or in their parking availability of some kind and this is part of that initiative
to do that. >> Okay. >> Okay. That's that's the effort. >> But but kids will be ticketed if they park. I mean that how this is not going to work, >> right? I mean you're going to put signs up. The police are going to ticket cars.
>> Yep. >> That are going to park here, right? And then at the end of the trial balloon, are we going to be able to say, "Well, it was because it's either ticketed or because the the the principal said don't park on Marree Road." and and and and you know, honestly, like if it just takes the principal saying don't park on
March Road, great. They already tried that. That is >> I know. And I and that's that's kind of there's the rub. So, we want to try to find another alternative to try to we we want to fix the problem and we want to do it in the least restrictive way possible because we understand how disruptive this can be for everybody.
But I I I just don't know how we're going to determine at the end of that trial balloon whether it was the signs or the policy that fixed the problem. And then if you take the signs down and it wasn't the policy, we're going to put the signs back up.
>> Well, basically what what would happen here is if it was if the policy changes are effective, that's it. If but what would happen is is if we took the signs down and then the policy changes were not effective then the ban would become permanent is pro is what I'm hearing
from the board >> and then the signs go back up >> and the signs go back up and then it's not a temporary balloon anymore it's a permanent balloon is that I I think that's that's my feeling about this in in how we structure this >> bill we we've had if I may we've had successful um
uh implementation like this in the past on Front Street down by Blair Square we piloted a one-way. It was a temporary sign that said one way. Uh we gave it 6 months. We heard from residents. We observed the patterns and so on. We then went and made it permanent. So I would
just say that the pilot is to assess what what the final implementation will be as well. So not a knee-jerk reaction, but more of a staged understanding, observing, and then final implementation. So uh I hear your I hear your point, but uh we've had success in
the past with pilot programs. the side the crosswalk in front of the town hall is another example. Um so feel confident that this is the best way to get to a final solution that satisfies all all sides. >> Thanks Bill.
>> Adriano, do you want to make any other followup or are you are you okay? Not >> at all. So I uh I'm just questioning the law ended the parking we had no >> uh I know right now or at least a week ago they were having a sponsor park on road.
>> Yeah. Um, I know that it is in like it's it's incredible how fast they get going on Mark Road. >> A little terrifying result, but I didn't point. Um, but I guess my question is what would stop a student from just leaving the high school at noon to go have lunch and then coming back to park
on Mercury Road to kind of avoid that exit traffic if that's what I would do. like like if that is what is happening then that is a data point that we need to extend the that the trial balloon is it's not f it's not long enough. I I I'm
trying to balancing I'm trying to balance between being the least restrictive possible with also uh hearing what you're saying because if that is what it happens and kids are coming back at 1:00 then then we have to extend the ban and
it has to be we we clearly the uh the policy changes and the length of time is insufficient >> and the education >> and then the education isn't happening. So I basically [laughter] >> fair point. Fair point. >> And they said, "No, no, Mark here." It's
>> Yep. >> Right. >> Yep. And so we're we're we're looking we're we're I hear you. And if that's the data point, then we then then we're talking about a permanent ban and we're talking about lengthening it. >> All right.
>> Thank you. Okay. Um, so are you both comfortable 9 to 12 on school days? >> I'm comfortable with that. >> D, you good with that? >> Yep. >> So, we're going to do we're going to I'd like a motion 9 to 12 on school days on Mark Tree Road, Robin Hill Road, and
Green View Drive and um we will revisit this at the beginning of November, making sure that um so we're going to close the public hearing and um we will revisit and um examine. So motioned >> moved. >> You made the motion. You just got to second it. >> Yeah, you got to second it.
>> Well, we just want to add the contingent upon enforceable language. >> Okay. Yes. So amend amend the motion to include is the is uh on school days uh uh enforceable or is it um uh Monday through Friday? I would prefer on school
days if we can do that. >> Okay. Just to summarize then we'll make it a clean motion. move to uh in institute a temporary parking ban on Mark Tree Road, Robin Hill Road, Green View Road from 9 to 12, August 28th,
start of school through till November 25th, start of Thanksgiving vacation uh Monday through Friday or on school days contingent upon language that's enforcable. >> Okay. >> Seconded. >> All right. All those in favor? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> All right. and we will be revisiting this and we expect you know we will also be working with the schools to find solutions. Moving right along. >> Then may I suggest that we move on to the consent agenda, the board business, uh coming back to public comment. We
have some folks in the room who are here for number uh 6G. >> But um I think we had talked about um that we were going to put that we're going to table that for now. >> That was what I my understanding was and that would be the email that was sent out.
>> Yeah. There was an oversight on my part that we actually did have two applicants and so in those cases as in the past >> we would invite those applicants in for one seat uh so that the board could speak with them and then make its appointment. >> But the thing is is that we would basically because next week we were next meeting we are going to make the
appointments for all um seats for the following year that we would make the appointments of both individuals at that time because we're going to have another open seat. >> Uh yes. So, >> but we told Well, we I I understand that we did tell the person who's sitting in the room that we were going to do that, right?
>> Yes. And so, >> cuz I don't want I I like I would feel terrible if you sat [laughter] here the whole time and you and you did not have that. I >> I thought you were here for public comment. So, that's why >> Oh, may I >> Well, >> well, when we get to public com So,
>> we're going to remove G from >> We're going to All right, hold on. We're move G. >> One minute. >> It's okay. This is Will. Let's get it over with. Come on. >> It's a long It's a long night. >> It's a long night. Let's just get it over. [laughter] >> Otherwise,
>> okay, Barb. Barb, just come on up here. Let's just let's clarify this. I mean, at this point, you know, we're in for a penny for >> So, we're moving on first. >> So, we're going to talk about 6G with Barb. Um, so, uh, so we're like, so I was advised by the
the the town manager that we, you know, you had brought to our attention, uh, correctly that we had two people who applied for the same position and we should be evaluating two people for a position and not giving you simply making you the the >> the uh, giving you the seat. My solution
that I was offering was to say, well, the the reality here is is that um in next week, next next our next meeting, we do our appointments annually. So, for all of our uh for everything um for all so because everything is, you know, you get a one-year appointment, you get a letter that just says, I want to reup my
appointment at the end of the year. So, that way, you know, you have a sort of a way out for these things, especially for things that are appointed by the selector. We have like a hundred people that we we put into these positions on for all these different boards and things like that on an annual basis. Now, we know that the chair of the PAC
is leaving and my understanding is he's leaving at the end of like in the next few weeks. >> Has he resigned officially or? >> No, he is not. And he's actually he's actually the council on aging's appointment. >> Did Okay. Well, we can certainly nominate that other person for that for that position. Now, um has he re-uped
his has he sent in the letter saying he's reuped? Not that. No, he has not. >> Okay. So then as far as I'm concerned, like as of July 1st, he does not because he has not reupted his appointment. So there's two seats that would be available. >> So with two people, my suggestion is two people who are interested, we put them
both on >> the slate. >> The slate and we certainly would put one and then if the council the council agent would make that recommendation and make that particular thing. I thought that was communicated to you going into this. And was that communicated to you?
Bob Fritz's 83 rolling metad. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. [laughter] Yes. >> Yeah. Um it it it was it was not totally clear it that what had been I think >> and and you know to be fair to everybody at the table. I sent the email to Frank
maybe at 4:00 or something [laughter] like that. Like it was very last minute and I tried to email you all. Um, so and then I just sort of understood that you were going to take into consideration and and weren't quite and it wasn't clear to me what had been
decided. So I came because I had also been given the opportunity to make a statement if if it was that we were going to do that. And I was also unsure ba based on you know it was actually me who who gave the application to this
individual because they had um expressed interest in town service and I said well I've applied for this. I think this is also something you could do >> and I understood there to be multiple seats. So I I don't even think that he knew or I knew that we were doing the same seat. Just there's multiple seats
and we didn't know exactly how to distinguish where to send that application. So it's however you all want to proceed. I totally appreciate that that >> happen next week. [laughter] >> So
>> which is unfortunate because I was >> here here. Okay, why don't we do this? Why don't we appoint her to the seat and then the other person we recommend to the council on aging to appoint them to the seat. >> Mhm. >> That works. >> But just to make sure that's a recommendation. >> Yes,
>> they don't have to take it. >> That is true. But at the at the same time at at the same time like to be to be perfectly honest, we have had trouble >> seating this this committee. And the idea that there's people who are interested is wonderful and I'm very
excited that we could be able to fill the seats. So my recommendation if you're amenable if you two are amendable to do that is that we um we we put uh Barb in the in the seat tonight and it would be I guess when would it be
applicable >> because we'd have to do it again anyway. >> We could do it well we could just make it it doesn't really matter. I'm not exactly sure when they're meeting next to be honest. >> Why don't we say as of July as of July 1st and then we just take her off the we just say you're you're on there as of July 1st and then you're on for the full
year and then rather than having a second vote about that. >> I'm going to suggest with all respect to Barb and the time she's put in that we not do that that we wait for a to he was instructed at 620 this evening uh that most likely we wouldn't we were not planning on discussing this tonight. Uh,
so I just think that in terms of process, we spent such a night talking about fair appointment processes that that is actually contrary to what we had, >> you know, expressed earlier that, you know, we're looking for fair, transparent processes. And >> I didn't realize that that was sent out. >> I didn't either. And I and I agree with you.
>> Yeah. No, I I agree. We can we can table it till till next meeting. And Barbara, I'm sorry. >> It's okay. Can I just read my statement? >> I was going to say, please read your statement. [laughter] >> Let's just at least get that. Like we'd love to hear come on Zoom next time. Fair enough. I think that's fair. >> I think that is totally totally okay.
That is totally reasonable. >> You've been so patient. >> My mother-in-law has been on all night long the last meeting for this. [laughter] >> I'm so sorry. >> Um Okay. Uh thank you to the town manager and to the select board for giving me an opportunity to serve in
this role. I have been a part of diverse Hollist since 2018 and I also work in Hollist in private practice uh as a licensed clinical psychologist uh specialing in the LGBTQ plus community and postpartum paranatal mental health comm community
communities. I apply a multicultural framework in my clinical work and have had the privilege of connecting deeply with all kinds of people through my clinical work as well as my work with diverse Hollist. I have had firsthand accounts of individuals who have experienced prejudice in this community.
My training as a psychologist as well as decades of personal self-taught work on systems of power and oppression combined with having worked and lived and been an advocate for DEI and Hollist for 10 years give me a unique lens into the gaps that currently exist in our town's
policies and practices. In terms of representation I bring to this role, I am a member of the LGBTQ plus community and a part of an interfaith unarian universalist and Jewish family with two kids in Hollist public schools age 13 and 10. I'm excited to be a part of this
very important committee and help Hollist practically and operationally realize its ideological goals of creating a safe, supportive, inclusive, welcoming, and equitable town. Thank you. >> Thank you, Barb. Thank you so much for putting your name forward. really appreciate you uh
>> stepping up to uh to participate in >> I'm excited. Thank you. >> We're excited to have you. Thank you. >> Okay. um warrants three May 18th 2026 2,321,76789
May 26 20261 $1,979,786.31 June 1st 2026 $2,592,816. All right. Uh public comments. Does anyone have any public comments on you? Andreas, I'm here. >> You have been enormously patient. I appreciate it. You're all well dressed, too. Better dressed than we are. >> I try.
>> You succeed. >> Andreas Vargas, 12 Kur Street. How's everybody doing tonight? >> We are tired. We've been here for a while. >> Me, too. [laughter] I know. >> Not as long as you guys. >> I know. What can we do for the time? >> Um, well, because I'm here, we might as well talk about now that the town election [clears throat] has passed.
>> Yes. the idea of creating some policies for snow removal in commercial spaces. >> Okay, >> once again, how do commercial landlords and commercial people handle the snow >> throughout the whole town and how we can put some teeth into actually
>> and I'm sorry, I want to open up here because we're spend like two hours talking about towing and >> yeah, >> has the town of Hollison actually ever towed a car? [laughter] >> Has anybody ever seen that happen? >> I'm sure. I'm sure there's >> So, let's go back to the idea of putting some teeth into this. Now, this doesn't
have to happen tonight at all. >> But, um, just wanted to bring it back up to the top of the inbox so that we can start thinking about it. >> Yeah. >> At this time, the only thing I can think of is my pillow. >> But, like I said, since I'm here, I might as well bring it up. >> Okay. >> Now, Ben, you mentioned that the town
has interest in making some policy changes in the snow. >> Yes. anything you might want to comment right now or do >> we had talked about possibly um a couple different things like one thing that could come up was the idea of a bylaw
that says that um private land owners um I I'm probably going to butcher the language here are should be responsible for making sure that their um their roads private roads are plowed for for residents things like that that so that was that was something that we had
talked about potentially doing. Um, and you know, you bringing up something, you know, looking at um, thinking about are there other is there maybe a little bit of a a robust policy about snow plowing and making sure that people are held responsible for plowing roads,
sidewalks, and thinking about, you know, and I know you had brought to brought forward that maybe we're trying to do too much. we we should try to take smaller bites of the apple. But I think we, you know, maybe we we look at sort of we we look at over the next couple of months in the summer when it's nice and hot and no one's thinking about snow, we
can think about snow and see if um what makes the most sense and to try to to solve some problems here. >> I mean, for this to go into effect before this, >> that would be it would be it would be would be October, >> right? I mean, even if it gets approved in the in the October town meeting, I
think it there's other processes that you mentioned. >> Yeah. and the state legislature, etc. that might not even be in place for this winter. >> Correct. >> So, I guess the sooner we hit this, the better, right? >> Yeah. My idea of keeping it in smaller chunks >> Yeah. >> is because
one thing might actually cause a >> leave a bad taste in people's mouth on some things. >> Absolutely. >> And if we bundle it all together into one package, >> we might lose everything. [clears throat] >> We might lose everything. Whereas if we just come to people and say, "Hey, this will only affect commercial landlords and people who have this," they're like,
"Okay, I'll vote for it. >> This will affect people on private roads." Whoa, stop it there and and bring that one down. So, >> bring it into smaller chunks seems like a more reasonable idea. So, >> and we can and we I think um I think you
know um I'm I'm glad you brought this back up and what we can do is let's um endeavor to put this on an agenda soon to start to discuss like a path forward. >> I like it. >> And we can start to talk about like a strategy and it might be like, you know, we we
>> we we do a peace meal, we do a couple, you know, we sort of figure out what the right approach is. Some might be legislative, some might not, but finding out um uh talking about because it's not an agenda item. So, we're just like having a conversation as we >> next just like cuz I'm here. >> Exactly. And so, um let's let's put it
let's put it on an agenda item um in the next couple months. Um so, let's pick the hottest day so we can be ironically talking about snow and that way we can ensure that we um we we have a plan to go forward and we can um you know, we'll we'll let you I'll make sure that when
we do put that on the agenda, probably I would say like maybe early July that we can say, "Hey, let's let's talk. Let's see what your idea I know you sent some ideas um and we can uh review those and see if that's for as a first step to see what we what we what we think about it
and uh how we want to go forward. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> Thank you Andreas. Have a good night. >> Good night. Have a wonderful evening. Go uh go and go go sleeping is good. >> Give your uh your pillow a nice big hug. >> Oh, I [laughter] wish to the dishes.
>> Oh boy. Uh any other public comments tonight? um on the Zoom. Seeing none, we're going to move on to comments from the town manager. >> I will I can give my man I can email this out
if you'd rather just give him the hour. I've got a few things. Um so just >> well, you know, anything you think is uh pressing that you need to make sure like something events coming up. Uh the big thing I'd mention is that uh Habitat for Humanity is pleased to announce that
they are accepting applications for home ownership on a property, a three-bedroom, one-b single family ranch style home located at 550 Conquered Street. Um the long and short of it is I'd encourage everyone to if interested reach out to Family and Youth Services um if you're interested in applying
through the lottery. Let me let me make a um you know this is sort of like a a good uh opportunity for me to just sort of say um that's those are great kinds of things is I think we have uh an opportunity and I think we we should
find ways to make those um more public than just here. Like are there ways to make press releases, you know, Facebook posts, whatever. um and and finding ways to sort of take some of those things that I think are, you know, really meaningful and starting to get a little bit more of a a rhythm of like, hey,
this is, you know, it doesn't have to be, you know, five things a week, but, you know, >> let's let's start to think about ways that we can um improve our communications to the community and sort of like something like that. Um we're limiting our audience and I'd love to get that out there. >> Yeah, absolutely. They they sent us
along a a flyer this afternoon um that we're planning to post to Facebook. Yeah, I already sent it. Chris is going to post it. >> So, it'll be up and running. >> So, things like that. I think we should try to find ways to uh to get those published um and get those out there and we certainly can bring them up in meetings as well. >> Absolutely. >> Anything else that you think is uh >> Nope. We're hiring for a bunch of
positions. So, uh please check out our HR page for that. And then also, if you while you're on the HR page, um I'd encourage you to uh check out the um revamped senior and veteran tax workoff program that we're launching uh July
1st. Okay. Um, again, all that's on the HR page and you can also contact the council on aging as well if you're interested. >> Great. Okay. Uh, board business. We have removed G from board business, but otherwise everything else is there. So, >> and would you like it presented as a
consent agenda? >> Please. >> Okay. I move to approve the consent agenda uh 6A through 6F as presented on the agenda tonight. >> I second that motion. >> All right. Uh, all those in favor?
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right, that passes. Thank you very much. Other business. Anybody have any other business? >> Two things real quick. I did not read this under public comment, and I should have, and we're not quite done yet. We have an update. >> I know we're about to do that. Uh, this is from Stacy Rafy, uh, 20 Arthur
Street, Polist Mash. She asked us to be read into the public record. The class parents of the class of 2026, class of 2027, would like to give a huge shout out to that man in the corner, Chief Cassidy. He consistently volunteers his time to help chaperon our aftergraduation celebrations year after
year. Last night was no exception. We are super grateful that he's willing to stay out with us until 2:00 a.m. [laughter] Thanks, Chief, for always supporting our kids. We're also incredibly grateful for Tim Holmes and his bus drivers, Tanya, Tony, Matt, and Suzanne, who drove both to and from Marorrow the other night only to return
around four hours later and start the bus run for the following day. We shared this with the school department, too. And this was echoed by Melissa Caspern um which is the friends of the Hollison class of 2026. So many thank yous uh to Chief Cassidy and the Holmes crew for
their service to our youth. Uh and then my other public comment is Damon to you as the representative of the select board with the school committee on the joint appointment process. >> Oh, did I accept that? Great. >> Yes, you did. [laughter] You're going to be the chair in about five minutes. I really ask that you uh
work to ensure that all votes are treated as equally through the final appointment process because it's a joint appointment process and I um would love the idea of approval voting for that reason. Um I also think that there's a tremendous value in having the newest
member sit on the next appointment um process, but you will do your work well. I just wanted to share those comments with me and thank you Frank for the weekly update that you've been providing the board. I liked the first draft. I didn't put it in writing, but you did ask for feedback and I just want to say I think it's great and I hope it continues. That's it. Thank you.
>> Great. Do you have any other business? >> Uh, very briefly, just as we are going to be swapping the baton, I actually just want to say thank you, Ben, especially over the last couple of weeks and months when things have been very bumpy. Um, we're kind of set a standard. Um, one that I hadn't fully expected to
see when I first came onto the select board that I think makes you kind of a person to really look up to when it comes to civic engagement. And I mean that genuinely. I know you're not leaving, but the chair position is uh incredibly thankless. I'm not even sure how I'm going to do all the work. Um but
you have incredibly big shoes for me to fill. I'm not even going to try to. So I'll probably just get my own set of shoes. >> Be yourself. >> Yeah, I'll I'll do my best. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not, but that's the only play the only way I can beat. >> The only thing you can do, >> but it's a real thank you. Um you know, the last couple of days of bumps aside,
your character is unimpeachable and it shines through in everything you do. So >> implying my character should be impeachable the last couple of days. Yes. >> Oh, darn. You got it. But [clears throat] >> wow. 10:45 the truth comes out. >> But I'll probably have to lean on both you and Tina quite a bit in the coming
weeks and months. And um I feel very lucky that there are such giants on whose shoulders I can stand. So thank you. >> I move to appoint Damon Denn as chair of the halls and select board. >> I'll second that motion. >> All those in favor? >> Well, actually I get to say that. All
those in favor? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. I move to appoint >> Ben Sparl as clerk of the halls and select board. >> Seconded. >> All right. All those in favor? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Uh I move to appoint Tina Hine as the
vice chair of the select board. >> Seconded. >> All right. All those in favor? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> All right. We have been reorganized. So you get to run the show. >> Great. >> For next time. >> Expect one or two issue agendas and really short meetings. >> No, I'm just kidding. [laughter] >> Whatever works.
>> Will work. We'll see how it goes. >> Close this one. >> Uh, so uh, yeah. >> Uh, I would I actually would like to defer to you to end this one. >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Oh, seconded. Sorry. Seconded. >> All those in favor? >> I >> I.
We are adjourned at 10:47 p.m. Thanks for your patience this evening and I hope you all have a wonderful night. We will see you again on June 22nd. Have a good night. Bye.