over. >> Thanks. >> Hi. Good evening everyone. Uh welcome to tonight's meeting. I call the meeting to order. This meeting of the Hopkins Select Board is being held both in person and remotely using the video conference platform Zoom. Uh currently all members participating in the meeting
are present in the meeting room. Um but some members may join uh remotely as well. Uh the public has the option of attending in person here at town hall or via Zoom using the link post in this meeting's agenda. And this meeting is being recorded. We will start with the pledge of allegiance.
>> I aliance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, >> let me stay over here and
>> you guys can move wherever you want. Oh, there's Matt. >> Okay, I'll stay here then. >> Um, so next we're going to move to public forum. Each person will have up to two minutes to speak at public forum. Please start by stating your name and address. Is there anyone present in the meeting room who would like to speak
public forum? Amy, can you check to see if we have anyone on Zoom? >> Um, there are three people on Zoom, but there are no hands raised. >> Okay, I'll give one last chance for anyone on Zoom that would like to speak.
>> No one. >> No. >> Okay. All right. So, moving on. Uh, the select board will consider the following consent agenda. Uh, marathon fund committee request. The board will consider approving the following Marathon Fund Committee requests. uh $5,537.50
requested by the friends of Hopkin, of which 1,200 to be used for portable restrooms, 78750 to be used for volunteer t-shirts, and three 3350 for inflatables and a magician. All these expenses are to be used towards the
family day to be held on se September 19th, 2026. Uh, another 6,000 requested by the marathon committee to be used for apparel for volunteers, veterans, and attendees for the marathon weekend, including yard dash kids race shirts, hats for honored veterans and volunteers
over the weekend and on Marathon Monday. Um, the board will also consider accepting the resignations of Alex Dani from the Commission on Disability and Laura Calderwood from the Cultural Council. With that, I will open up to the board if there's anything they want to break
out or have any questions or comments. >> Amy, >> no. >> Are we good? All set. >> Someone like to make a motion on that. >> Would make a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Second.
>> Welcome, Shadel. >> All right, we've got a motion and a second on the table. Uh, any final thoughts? >> Thank you. Uh, perfect. All those in favor? I. >> Any opposed?
That is unanimous and carries. Thank you again as as Matt mentioned for any of those donations. So, moving on, the select board will receive an update from the town treasurer and collector CJ
Pette regarding the FY26 quarter 2 deposit and investments. CJ and Kyle are going to join us. Welcome. >> Hello. >> Welcome. >> All right. So, I'm going to give a brief overview as I usually do. I'm not going to go through the whole report. Um, so
this report covers the period of October 1st to December 31st of 25. Um, we earned roughly a million dollars 1.042 in interest this period. Um, interest rates on the money markets declined
slightly. Um, a lot of that is just due to the prime rates that have been decreasing. So, there were two prime rate decreases this quarter, one October 30th and one on December 11th. Um, so we saw um our interest rates decreasing
basically following what the prime is doing. So, on average, like I said, they decrease.3%. So, all in all, we're doing really good considering the prime rates dropped 0.5. We're only dropping.3 on average. Um we do have really good relationships with
our municipal banks. Um so we negotiate where we can um to keep the rates as high as possible. Um it's important to note the decline in overall funds is due to ongoing capital projects of the schools. So Charleswood and Hopkins capital projects have
totaled uh a little over 162 million since the projects have began. um and they still have about 48 million left to spend. So when you look at the numbers from quarter 1 to quarter 2, you'll see um a pretty dramatic decrease
in cash and that's just because of the capital projects. Um we did not open or close any new accounts this quarter. Um we did a lot of that last year uh just kind of stabilizing some of our funds and opening new money market rates. That
also allows us to have some negotiating power um with the banks. You know, hey, this bank's giving us this, so if I'm getting a better rate there, I'm going to move my money. Um it gives me a little bit more power to get the best rate possible. Um investments did well this quarter,
but not as good as quarter 1. Um I'm going to give you a market update, but from what we were seeing, there was a lot of kind of uncertainty with the government shutdowns, um and AI. So AI has been kind of questionable in the markets. So
obviously that affects our bottom line as well. Um however the diversification um on the accounts that are able to go that were able to go prudent um have performed well. Um and that's you know
it allows our investment team to kind of move money where they see fit, you know, so what's performing better, what's not performing as well. Um, and let's move those around to try to get as much of a return as possible. Um, we expect quarter three will be
similar to quarter two for interest on money markets and investments. That's obviously uh an expectation. There's no perfect way to uh kind of forecast that. Uh, but I think the prime rate is pretty
stable for now. There's talk that there may be another 0.25 25 dip at some time in the next quarter, but we're not sure when. Um, so that's that's the update for now. Um, there is a market update from Bartholomew and Company. It was not
on the report because they weren't they didn't get it to me in time. Um, but I wanted to just kind of read it out loud for everybody. So, February 2026 market and economic updates. Uh, the US economy continued to show steady but slower growth in early
2026. Uh fourth quarter GDP came in softer than expected large largely due to the temporary government shutdown, but the overall picture still reflects an economy that is growing. Uh looking ahead, early indicators suggest activity
could pick up in the first quarter of this year, which we're currently in now. Um inflation continues to cool gradually. January's inflation report came in right in line with expectations with overall prices up 2.4% 4% from a
year ago and core inflation at 2.5. Energy prices helped bring the bring down the headline number while some service categories like transportation kept core inflations a bit elevated. Still the broader trend points to
towards easing price pressures as demand slow, wages normalized and housing housing related inflation continues to settle. Um the job market remains solid even as it slowly rebalances.
January employment data shows a stronger than expected gain of 130,000 jobs while the unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.3%. Uh more people are participating in the labor market and importantly this rebalancing is happening through fewer
job openings not through layoffs. That's a sign of continued economic health at the Federal Reserve. Policy me policy makers are taking a patient approach with inflation still above target target. The Fed signal that it wants more convincing evidence before
cutting interest rates further. Markets currently expect two rates cut rate cuts in 2026 with the next major rate uh update coming in the March meeting. So we're, you know, we're expecting that. we just we don't know exactly what
they're going to do. There's a lot of um kind of ongoing issues. So, financial markets were volatile in February. Uh concerns about the outlook for certain technology and software companies, especially in the context of
rapid AI adoption led to some pressure on growth stocks. Value stocks on the other hand outperformed. International stocks have also continued to do well relative to the US. Um in the barn market interest rates moved lower which helped boost returns
for higher quality rate sensitive areas senses US treasuries and agency mortgages. This provided a tailwind for more traditional fixed income portfolio portfolios. So you know as we can tell in the the market update from Bartholome there's
there's good things there's not so good things. Um so we're hoping that they balance each other out. Um, so that's why we're predicting we'll have a very similar quarter three. Um, that's obviously a prediction. So, might not be perfect, but that's what we're hoping
for. >> Perfect. So, thank you. Always a thorough kind of update for us. We always appreciate that. Yeah. >> To the board for comments, questions. Want to start, Amy? >> Um, yeah. I don't really have any questions. It's a really good thorough explanation and it's all written down
here for anyone who would like to see for the public too. When you say quarter 2, you mean so October to December, which is confusing, >> right? So it's quarter two for fiscal year. >> Fiscal year for our fiscal year, but >> Okay. And it all makes sense that we are spending some of our money for the
school projects, but you know, we're still getting interest on the rest. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. I appreciate the update. I I wanted to ask sort of a general question in at a very high level at a very high level. CJ.
>> Yeah. >> How does the town approach diversifying and protecting its investment portfolio in these uncertain times? I've been getting questions about the world at large. The events that's happening don't need to be relitigated here. >> What are we doing to make sure the town
isn't impacted in so far as we can? >> Yep. So, twoth3 of our investment accounts um are still in the state's legal list. Um and that legal list hasn't changed since I believe the late '80s. So like 89 somewhere around there.
Um it's it's common uh you know everyday purchases Coca-Cola, Pepsi, General Electric stocks as such. They they really don't seem to fluctuate much and the state has never uh removed them from the legal list. Like I said that legal list has stayed pretty much the same
since the late 80s. Um so that's twothirds of our investment is in that list. Right? So the one-third of investments which are the trust funds are the ones that are prudent. Um and with prudent trust funds, Bartholome
analyzes stocks of all kinds. Um they do try to stay pretty conservative with what we're investing in um just to keep us safe, right? So they're not investing in AI, for example, right now that there there's not enough backup to kind of
signify what that's going to do. Um but they they basically look at tried and proven stocks um securities uh money markets that those kind of things to invest the trust funds in. Perfect. >> Um and you can see in the deposit
investment report um I questioned it myself like how come one account that has $30,000 made more interest than an account that has $100,000, right? And that's because one of those accounts might be prudent and one of them might be on the legal list. So, while the
legal list is the safer of the options because they've been tried and proven forever, they're not necessarily the biggest bang for your buck, if that makes sense. >> It absolutely does. I I really appreciate that highle explanation. We both did a good job of not getting into details there. What I wanted to get out
in the public space to Amy's point, >> we have people both in the town and working on our behalf who are thinking about these things. In so far as we can be planning and doing our due diligence, we are. I wanted to make sure you got to take credit for that good work. Thank
you. >> Thank you. This is very detailed and thorough. I appreciate u the report on these and uh I have two questions or one just comment. So looking at the um allocation going back to the risk management piece and allocation of our
investments it seems except for trust fund OPE and stabilization has less expo sorry uh stabilization has the least only 10% exposure to the market right so
almost 90% on fixed income which is the right way to do it so the risk is very well managed and minimum uh and trust fund and oped has more exposure. We expect some growth. So I think this looks healthy and good. Of course the
experts are handling it. So I don't have to tell that. >> And part of that comes from Mass General Law. Um which gives us rough guidelines about where we should be or where we should not be investing. Um so Bartholomew follows that for all of their municipal customers. Um, OPED
obviously is invested a little bit more risky because there we're expecting that is a long-term uh investment, right? So, we're not expecting to use that tomorrow. That's something that's going to be there for a very long time. Um,
whereas stabilizations, we try to invest uh more conservative conservatively because you don't know when you're going to need a stabilization where you don't want to plan to use stabilization. You also don't want to not plan to use stabilization and not have that money available.
>> Sure. Yeah. And the last question is can you give a quarter over quarterarter um interest gain from the market that we have experienced? I know last year was really good uh bumper but last two quarters versus this quarter and what is expected next quarter.
>> Yeah. So like I said for quarter 2 it didn't perform quite as well as quarter 1. um which I is mostly because of uh the prime decreases. So money markets have decreased probably one full point since a year ago last you know since
last year. Um so that's a big portion of it. A lot of our interest comes from money markets. Um so it's hard to predict what we're going to see in a year from now. Um but I think things are stabiliz stabilizing. Uh money market
rates aren't 5% anymore, right? We knew that wasn't going to last forever. Um, but I feel pretty confident in that, you know, this 3 to 4% range is going to be the newer the average. >> Makes sense. Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> CJ, you mentioned a million dollars in revenue in the last quarter. Is that or interest in the last quarter. Is that correct? Right. >> Y. >> So, walk me through how that converts into our budgets. Is that become free cash? Does that go just into the accounts where the interest is coming out of for the money like for the school funds? Right. We got a bunch of money
sitting there to pay off for the contractors. Does that money get used just for the school or is that money come back to fund or how's that work? >> So, not all of that 1 million um is specific to a general fund. Some of that is for trust funds. So, that interest is
allocated to those specific trust funds. Um the general fund money, right? So money markets even though we may have a higher balance for borrowing that we did for a school project that ends up back in the general depository or the general fund. Does that show up as free cash
then or? >> No. On the sources and uses um you will see a line item called local receipts and we actually estimated that to go up 40% for FY27. That is due to the interest income that's expected from the
prudent investment in higher rates. >> And have we already accounted for that as we talk about our budget when we get to this here in a few minutes? So that's already quote covering some other stuff, >> right? And so historically that budget has always been exceeded
significantly. So that's why there was an increase for that budget this year. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Good. >> Um so thank you. I I think my only question is kind of a followup. So as when you were going through your market report, um a lot of signs point to it's
still a very high point in the market, right? So you typically don't really change strategy during that. But throughout the course of a year when you work with Bartholomew, is there ever conversations around, you know, anything you could do, we as a town could do different? How often those conversations happen? And >> Right. And so the the conver the biggest
conversation that we've had was obviously getting the prudent um investor legislation adopted at the local level because that gives us slightly more power of what you know where we can be investing. But like I said, that's only for our trust funds,
right? So even if you add up all of the trust funds that are Barcelonium, it's not a significant amount of money. Um so our other investments are still tied to that legal list. So there's not much room we can do with investing there. Um but what I do uh personally with the
money market rates and negotiating with our banks is a very common conversation. They try to lower our rates very regularly. So I check those every month. Um, and if I notice that an interest rate's dropped, you know, I will say, "Okay, well, I'm gonna move my money to
a bank that's giving me a higher rate." Um, >> and you do annual reviews. >> I do do annual and semiannual reviews with Bartholome and I have very regular conversations with our Munville banking team. >> Perfect. Nope. I just wanted to ask the question. >> Yeah, of course.
>> So, um, unless anyone's got anything else, thank you. >> Welcome. >> Love the great work. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> All right. Uh, moving on. The board will consider abating the taxes on a parcel which was acquired by the town in FY225.
The parcel is lot E, Fitch A, parcel ID U2273. The amount of outstanding taxes is $1.73 in FY24 and $213.64 in FY25. Um, Elaine, would you like to introduce us one? just walk us through the process
for these things and how they typically work. >> I'm just wondering if anyone from the assessors is online or >> I don't see John Nice, Tony, Mary Z, or Dave Delto. >> Are we a little early? >> Not really. >> Five minutes early. I don't know.
>> Okay. Well, I can I can address it. Um so, uh what happened was there was a parcel uh at uh a town meeting had a town meeting vote to convey to the town. Uh following up on that, the um the uh owner uh recorded a deed conveying it to
the town and um probably what happened was they didn't check to determine if there were any taxes owed uh at the time. Didn't coordinate with the town and so um there was a lag between when this uh after this was recorded, it became part of uh the town's database
and so uh taxes were assessed after the town owned it. And so the assessors have requested that the um that this board request that they abate those taxes going forward. >> Perfect. Thank you. Um I'll look to the board. Any questions, comments? Brian,
you want to start? >> I have no questions. Thank you. >> Ch. >> Um no questions, but it's great to see we are taking into account all dollars and cents. So, >> as it should be, >> listen, >> every dollar counts. I want to make
sure. So, this is my first time seeing one of these. So, again, we'll do the out loud. This is essentially us choosing to not charge ourselves money that we would pay ourselves. Again, okay. I wanted to just say out loud that we are both the front and the back of this. Thank you. >> Ideally, the person conveying the land
to the town coordinates with the town so that we can do the the statement at the time. >> Of course. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. >> Amy, >> and once we do it tonight, we won't have to do it every year. It'll >> Okay. >> Are you all set? >> All right. Cool. >> I move to request that the board
assessors abate the outstanding real estate taxes on the town owned property at lot E Fitchav Assessor's parcel U22-73- under the provisions of Mass General Law Chapter 59 section 72A. >> Second. >> Okay, we've got a motion and a second.
Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? That is unanimous. >> Good catch. Very good. Uh, moving on. The select board will consider a request
of Pavll Balor, 92 Clinton Street for a street light in the vicinity. The resident states that due to the dense canopy of tall trees along this road, very little ambient light reaches the street, making it extremely dark at night. Visibility is limited, which creates safety concerns for drivers.
This area is known for frequent wildlife activity, including deer and coyotes, which can suddenly cross the road and pose a risk to vehicles in low light conditions. Estimated cost of installation is $1,6689. Um Ela would you like to introduce like you know what the process is for this
typically you know by the time it comes to the board and what information we need. >> So typically uh people may contact us they may contact um engineering. So in this case uh they all get funneled to engineering facilities. So Dave Del Toro, our uh engineering town engineer
facilities manager, um takes these requests, looks at them, and then brings that to the board. So Dave is on Zoom today to discuss this issue. >> And >> Dave, can can you hear us out there? >> Yes, I can hear you.
>> Yep, we can hear you. Good evening. Thanks for joining us. >> Sure. Thank you. Uh yeah. So do you want to just walk us through? So it looks like it came to you first and you know give us your thoughts on what you what you looked into.
>> Yeah. Um I can't recall exactly which department it came through, but it ended up um as they usually do um to me. I kind of coordinate with the homeowner um what their request is. um follow that up
with doing some little research to determine if it it is a town kind of a location in the town right away. I I've received requests in the past where it might be a telephone pole in somebody's driveway that's out of the rightway and it it would become a kind of a private street
light and the resident would take care of that themsel. This is in the rightway. Uh there are other street lights on Clinton Street. Um far and few between. So I usually just
um forward that request to be on a board meeting which we're here and I did reach out to the police department to see if there's any you know what the history of u crashes they respond to on Clinton
Street. Uh, and although wasn't anything specific to this one address, um, over the last five years they had between 10 and 15 accidents on Clinton Street um, Florida up and down the street. So,
let's pro provide as much information from public safety um, as I can to this part of these requests. >> Perfect. Thanks, Dave. Um, and obviously you came forward and, you know, asked for us to be on here, so I don't want to make any assumptions, but what's your
recommendation? >> Um, I I can include the the the cost in my operating budget to install it. Um, if it provides a, you know, an improvement to public safety. I'm always on board for doing that
unless there's um, one one task I left out. Um, when I get these requests, I do reach out and try to find out if it's part of a subdivision or some sort of approved site plan because on some of those there are restrictions, uplighting restrictions in some of the
planning board decisions being on the Clinton Street there. There was none of those for this either. So, I I'd recommend um installing one. >> Perfect. Thank you, Dave. I'll kind of look to the board for thoughts. Matt, you want to thoughts, questions? you
want to start? >> Yeah, thanks. This is my neck of the woods, literally and figuratively. Uh, I concur here with the need and with the ask. So, first, thank you to the resident for taking it upon themselves to go through the process and to escalate this. This is a great example of the sort of change that you can
actually influence with a call or an email. So, please don't be intimidated. Secondly, I really appreciate that we're thinking creatively about this artery in particular. I think Clinton Street as it crosses over into Hollist as kind of that back road. I think it's easy to
miss it. The ash the connector over on Asht Street by Asht Street on the other side of town. I think it's a little bit more obvious that that one is a bigger through line. I promise this does get some pretty significant traffic out my way. It is a windy road. It is indeed a dark road. It is pretty forested. So, I
appreciate the escalation here. I think it's something we need. And I'm talking about it this way because I'm hoping if you're looking around your street and it looks dark, scary, and like there's coyotes and deers ready to leap out that you'll come and talk to us about it. Thank you.
>> Um just quickly again for public safety, I think I'm supportive and it all makes sense. Uh Dave, just quickly in situations like this, do we have any obligation but um also would it be a good idea to notify the aers or ask them
for their opinion? Um I I haven't done that in the past. I um I'm not sure if there's a if there's a house across the street um from this resident. I know there's houses aren't like really close together. I don't
think um out in this area, but that's not something I've um I've done in the past. >> Yeah. I'm just wondering some some residents don't like um you know too much bright light in their area but it is a public safety concern and I fully
appreciate the concern and supportive of it if we may. I mean that would be a good practice probably >> good. >> Yeah, Brian. >> Um this is coming from somebody who was in the lighting business for 30 years before I came into the solar business.
Uh, street lights are some folks pleasure and other folks pain. And um I'm a little nervous about putting up individual lights in spots in town where folks want them based on their preference. Um I think that this should
be a planning board thing, a zoning board thing, a conservation commission thing. I think we need to check this out from a lot of different angles. If we start popping up street lights where everybody complains or has a concern, we're going to look like a Christmas tree. So, uh, we have a lot of streets
in Hopington that do not have any street lights on them. And, uh, I I I'm not I'm not in favor of this. Not for any reason about where anybody lives. Nothing to do with that. Solely because I think it's a precedent that could become difficult
for us to manage going forward. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. A Amy thoughts. >> Yeah, I had um similar thoughts to Shyul that some people really want more light and more well lit streets and it looks like it is needed there, but other people really want to preserve the dark
skies. So, I'm generally okay with it, but I don't want to surprise any of us. So, I don't know if I can't remember the last time we've done one of these. It seems like if there are butters, it would be good to notify them, but as long as they've been notified, I don't have any objections. Um
>> Um You good? Uhuh. Well, the question is could that to them? >> Could we um could we notify about our or >> we could and I'm reminded Dave may remember we had another request on Clinton Street. Um did that >> what happened with that one? >> Yes. The last one was um there's an
autobond Society property. I'm forgetting exactly >> um what street that is off of. >> It's that was uh the last >> It's off Clinton by where it bridges with North Mill. >> Yeah. Um there's a parking area up there
and on a butter up the street had asked if a light could could go there. Um and and it was installed and I've only, you know, 15 years that I've been here there may only be a handful that that we've done. There's also been a handful
of requests um that have been um I don't say rejected, but um town staff hasn't moved forward for one reason or another either. As I said, planning board decisions um requested location, private road. Um the
the this request, you know, the only street lights there on Clinton, I think, are on Front Street and then East Street. Not sure if that's It just seemed like they were kind of far far apart. Um I don't think there's a street light on like the next pole. But
>> Dave, it's a dark stretch from where that four-way intersection is just past Legacy South until you get up to where you are describing up by where the turn is to the laborers up on East Street. That is and it's hilly as well for those
of you who have driven it. Like not only is it dark, narrow, and twisty, you go up over a blind. >> Yeah. It's about halfway between Front Front Street and um East Street is where this location would be.
>> Okay. Um Elaine, what's your thoughts? You know, the thing for me is the discussion around like planning board. They obviously weren't involved in this one. just in general, do you think they should be involved in the process for something like this? >> You know, it doesn't hurt to reach out
and ask for uh comments from concom planning and um to notify your Butters as well >> and to perhaps board members would like to visit the area too, drive through it and see what you think. >> I I think that's fair and reasonable next step. We've got a couple meetings
coming up still the rest of the month, so I think we've got time to reach out and revisit this. We don't want to take long. Um it is a public safety issue. So with that, like I'll look to see if there's a motion. Anyone want to do anything or do we want to hold off and reach out? >> It makes sense to hold off.
>> Hold off. Straw poll. >> I'm comfortable waiting a couple weeks and >> I'm not I I'm challenged on this one. And I can understand the concerns about precedence, but we're hearing Dave voice over how few of these have been done. And there is the active filter that is Dave Del Toro, the individual we expect
to be executing and influencing on our behalf here. I don't like the idea that something can be escalated to this board under the opaces of public safety and for us to send it back on process. I think that sends a confusing and concerning message regardless of whether or not the process concern is valid. And I'm inclined to believe it is. By the
way, I just don't like the look of someone coming to us in day's position and saying there's a public safety issue and us saying we agree, but that's a tough pill. Can't support that one. >> Okay, >> Brian, any thoughts?
>> No, I've shared mine. Thanks. >> So, I I don't really hear enough, you know, votes like move forward with a motion. So I think we'll probably unless someone wants to make a motion and try we'll probably move forward and connect with concom planning board and revisit
this you know in short order. >> So could I make a motion to um continue discussion of this after sending a notice to the planning board concomers >> seconded. There's a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> I'm sorry I missed the motion. It's a
motion to continue the discussion upon like conversation with planning board on comment and a butters I think she said so >> because they may have no comments at all. Um they may all think it's fine. >> Yep. Um all right so we've got a motion and a second. Any further discussion?
>> All those in favor? I >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Nay. >> Okay. All right. We will visit that shortly. Um, next, the select board will review and consider adopting the FY27 comprehensive budget operating capital
and submitting it to the appropriation committee. >> Um, Kyla, would you like to join us for this one? Are you who process-wise? How are we doing this? >> I can just I saw you here. >> I can review the changes since uh you saw the the budget. Um, is here to answer any questions as well.
>> Even better. Okay. >> So, just uh referring to my memo in the packet. Um I'll go through the major changes to the budget that um have been made since it was submitted to you in January. Um and these numbers have been adjusted based on new information received and as discussed in your
meetings with the various departments. Uh first uh free cash has been certified for 16 million uh 178850. Uh the use of free cash for capital and other expenses in the budget has not changed. The governor's budget proposes a reduction in what we had predicted for state aid.
So, this number has been reduced by $147,01. Uh, this number isn't final and we'll continue to monitor this through the legislative budget process. Um, for employee benefits and insurance, uh, we've reduced this by about 151,000, but this is still an estimated expense. Um,
I am nervous about um, our health insurance costs and I do expect that to go up. Uh, but we don't know that number yet. So, we'll keep uh, working on that. Uh the final number for a Keefe regional school represents a small increase of about $2,400 since January and the final
number for Metro West veterans went up about the same and both of the those are due to health insurance costs in those organizations. Uh holiday lights have been funded at $15,000 by reducing the appropriation for the electronic voting system rental to zero. Uh the budget
does include funding to purchase the electronic voting systems in the capital plan. um and the reduction in uh sewer enterprise debt of 652,573 based on new figures from the town of Westboro. Um the budget proposing proposes using
free cash for prior year bills if any are identified uh to fund uh OPED and general stabilization uh for town meeting articles capital projects um onetime expenses uh the HCAM budget uh funding to supplement the PEG access
account and for snow and ice which at this point is probably a little over a million dollars at this point above what we budgeted. So um just in summary recommend that the package be transmitted to the appropriation for appropriation committee for review and consideration and their meetings on the
budget begin next week with various departments. >> Perfect. Thank you Elaine. Um to the board thoughts questions chidle you want to start this one? >> Uh sure just some quick u clarification questions. So to be clear happy to see
that the u holiday lights are back. Uh and also wanted to clarify the voting equipment rental went zero because we are covering it with the capital cost for a permanent solution. So that's not going to hurt anything on the voting system, right?
>> It's a longerterm savings. >> Yeah. No, that's great. Worked out well. Other than that, I think only other question I had was uh the state has reduced to 151. Can you give a quick snapshot? How much is the total from state this year? Was it last year? And
should we expect do we know if we should expect less next year? I'm just trying to understand the trend a little bit. >> Was that for the employee benefits and insurance? >> Uh no, the state >> the state aid. >> The state aid, sorry. >> Yeah, that was reduced. Um but that was the governor's budget. So the
legislature is still going to be um coming up with their budget and working with the governor on a compromise at some point. So we await the outcome of that process. Do we see significant difference this year and expect for next year? I'm just
trying to see if we should be aware and alert with >> if you look at enclosure one schedule, it gives you the difference between FY26 and FY27. So you'll see that it's only a 3% increase from last year. >> Okay. >> Gives an idea. Thank you. I appreciate
it. >> Yep. Brian, >> Elaine or Kyla, can you guys reaffirm what the uh tax impact is? Overall tax impact is net uh new growth, please. >> About 6%. >> 6%. Including new growth.
>> Not including new growth. >> Okay, let me ask it another way. Can you reaffirm or let us know what the tax impact is to the average household uh net of new growth? Um, I don't have it in front of me, but
when I did the calculation for the appropriation report, it's about $700, >> which is just percentage wise. >> Um, >> are we under two and a half >> on the, >> you know what I mean?
>> Yeah. Well, it was that $700 is roughly 6.06%. So, for the average tax bill is roughly four $14,000. Um, and then 6.6% on that. >> Okay. How about the oper Let me I'm
trying to figure out the operating budget impact on the on on the average household and the Prop 2 and a half. Where are we? I know we've got debt exclusion significant debt exclusion beyond that. But in terms of the operating profit, you know what I mean? >> So just for the levy is 2.3%. Is that
what you're looking for? >> That's it. Thank you. Okay. Yeah, that and that makes sense. That's kind of where we were. That's under two and a half. Okay, that's good. Thank you very much, >> Amy. >> Um, yeah, actually I was trying to look up what the tax impact was last year, but it'll be in the appropriations report. Um, so I'm comfortable moving
this forward to appropriations, but since these numbers do change, we could always modify the motions before we get to town meeting if needed, right? If insurance goes up or something. >> Okay, >> good Amy. >> Yep. >> Matt, >> so help me out here then. I'm going to
show my green here and ask some process questions. So, this is us transmitting to appropriations for further refinement and execution. It comes back to us for further endorsement. >> I'm asking >> it does. >> Okay. As it stands now, does the budget
we are reviewing for endorsement include the allocation for the loop road >> from the schools? >> No. >> No. >> So, removed after our discussion from last time. Well, this is for FY27. The
loop road is um another discussion that the schools would have to submit to town meeting based on a capital proposal that was already approved. >> So, I'm inclined to agree with how you're interpreting that, but we had a very lengthy discussion here in which
the school is attempting to reappropriate some of the extra money remaining from Charleswood. I don't want to get my names wrong. >> It's Hopkins. Hopkins to redo Loop Road. We gave >> nothing to do with this budget. >> That's a separate capital request that
was approved in fiscal year of 24. >> So that money has already been approved. >> Yes, that I understand. The allocation of the money is approved. I'm teasing it. And I'm sorry gang. I promise I have a point here. I'm trying to understand if we are tacitly endorsing the
reallocation by transmitting this because we were adamant. And I say we because all of us universally gave some pretty clear feedback about this. So I'm trying really hard to understand if I say yes, this goes to appropriations as Matt's saying wasn't an issue.
>> Gotcha. So what So to put together what you're both saying, it was approved and allocated in FY24. That money was borrowed. As we know with typically with these projects, not all that money is that's borrowed is used on the projects. This is why it was recently brought in
as a change order. And so like typically that money would either come back or like no we would I don't even know. I guess that's the question. What would we do with it? And then does that play into the budget that we're approving to match question? >> So the unspent money should be rescended
via an article in at town meeting. Once it's rescended, it can be reappropriated at town meeting to be used for a different capital project. It has not been submitted to me. So, it's not included in the transmittal to
appropriations. >> Okay, that I think is the rub. I apologize, Kyla. We've been having the out loud conversation about this and I was super mindful of I did not want to be accused of transmitting this and tacitly accepting it. We were aligned as a board. We rarely are. I didn't want to
miss that. >> Nope. It's a good call out, Matt. >> I'm otherwise okay, and I appreciate the diligence. Thank you for all of the hard work and the creative work that went into this. Good. Um, yeah, I only have one other question because again, it's more just so people
listening at at home can understand for the employee benefits and insurance, you know, that's where we're expecting an increase. Um, and we're also working off of estimates. When do we typically get that actual number is that that's late in the second half of the year, calendar year, >> hopefully. We're hoping for something within the next month.
>> Okay. >> Y >> All right. Uh that's all the questions I had. >> Um Mr. Chair, I move to adopt the FY2027 comprehensive budget operating and capital and to submit it to the appropriations committee.
>> Second. >> Okay, we've got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> I >> I. >> Any opposed? That is unanimous. >> Thank you, Kyla. Thank you. Okay.
All right. So, next, the select board will consider reviewing the May 2nd, 2026 annual town meeting draft warrant articles and motions and taking positions on warrant articles. The select board will consider identifying certain article sponsors to attend a future meeting for the discussion.
So, um is there any do we have these ready to pull up on the screen? >> Uh our Zoom host can put it up on the screen. Um the list of articles is um page 32 in the packet. 34, sorry. Um, and while that comes up, and remind me, we talked about this a few meetings
ago, but I think um, our town clerk was drafting a a group of articles to go into like a consent agenda. Right. Do we have do we have that draft? I can't remember. >> We don't have that yet. >> All right. So, just so for everyone looking um
as a group, how do we do we want to go kind of line by line? I think there's some of these typically when we look in like the first section, there's I would call them like recurring articles, right? Um, I don't think, you know, we need a ton of debate on them. Uh, but I
I guess I'll actually step back for one moment. So, Elaine, >> sharing your computer. >> So, so, um, uh, typically we the board gives a recommendation on all articles, right? Or certain ones need it. Um, and again, I'm having trouble get getting
into the packet, so I I need a a little reminder, but we're going to focus on the ones that need the select board recommendation, >> and then we can just go individually on there. And typically, when do we want those recommendations made? But I know it's obviously >> uh we have your next meeting is
sufficient. So, it doesn't have to be this meeting. Um, this meeting um if you need more information on any articles, that's something to point out. We're still gathering some of the the financial information for the motions. So, they may not be all be ready for for your recommendation yet. Um, and we have
a couple of questions about a couple of articles that um, you know, might we might handle differently this year. Um, so we can talk about those as well. >> Do you want to start with those ones and then I'll look for the board for any that >> um, if they are ready we can start discussing. >> Okay. Acceptance of town reports. I
think we could recommend approval on that. >> You can do the town reports. >> Yeah, Mr. Chair, if we could maybe perhaps start. Elaine, how many articles do we have to weigh in on for town meeting? >> I don't know if we've counted them. There's the >> 40 total
>> count. >> Maybe half or so, >> right? Like where this guy's going. >> And for the next meeting, if it's preferable, we can come up with a a motion with a list of all those at the next meeting. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Because especially a lot of the mandatory ones, to your point, Joe, they're they're recurring. Like I'm not
like articles 1 through 12 up there. >> Yep. >> That's town business. >> That was kind of my comment at the beginning. I'm not worried about those ones. I think it's anything that's new. You clear clearly have some thoughts on some recommendations that we might do different. So maybe we can start with those tonight. We're running ahead of schedule, so I think we should use some
time um to go through it. >> Okay. >> Start there. >> Yeah. The first one um is the is article um article five which is the setting the salary of elected officials which is the town clerk. Um an option uh it's nice to
have new town council to point out some new things but we can accommodate this in the budget instead of a separate article. So we could put this as part of the budget motion and include it in the budget or we can leave it as a separate article
>> and that's at the recommendation of our new council >> just as an option of something we could do >> if we wanted to >> through the chair. I'm sorry Ellen you wanted to separate article five into two. Is that right? >> No. No. We could incorporate that into the budget motion. Oh, together.
>> Or we could leave it as a separate article. >> And these are >> the omnibus budget article. Sorry. >> Yeah, >> these already have numbers. So if we moved it with the numbering change or >> Well, we'd have to, you know, modify the the budget motion to include it. And we
don't have the number yet for the salary. >> Oh, right. Okay. >> Does >> I would tend to think we should leave it as a separate article this year, but next year incorporated in it, but all along in the budget process have it in. something to think about for the future that it's not necessary to have a separate article. >> Okay. >> So, through the chair, this is where I
was going to go. Is it necessary to even have it as a unique line? Is it simply possible to have it as part of the town budget and it just doesn't need an article at all. >> So, it may need to modify the motion, I would imagine, potentially to the omnimous budget article than we have set
it historically to accommodate it. But, um, you know, how we want to represent it as a line or anything else. And you know it's basically a salary like we treat other salaries. It's negotiated and you know treated the same way. So the chair because it's an elected >> I think that was you're good. You we'll bounce back.
>> I was just going to ask uh because it's a elected position is there any legal or um statutory requirement for announcing it separately? >> No, I think it's been done separately for transparency. And in the past there were more positions, more elected
positions with salaries and now there's only one. >> Yeah, I kind of like the transparency part but historically we have been but I I don't have any strong position. >> Ryan, thoughts? >> Uh I kind of like leaving it separate
and I think it's sort of the tradition and >> it's the only elected physician that uh gets a salary so it's good to highlight that every now and then. >> You so just bouncing back then. So, I agree, but I'm going to try and take the position you all took earlier. I prefer
where Amy is here, which is I think there is some intelligence to potentially rolling it next year. However, I can get where you all are. I'd like us to at least let's be ears open about this at town meeting and try and get some purposeful feedback. That doesn't mean doing anything different
here, but I would really love to get some feedback on this one because it could be an efficiency. Every article that goes up is a couple minutes. people are gonna have commentary about it, especially because it's a political position or at least it can be perceived that way. So, I just I'm mindful that
yes, I like the transparency. It's always going to be a line item in the budget. Let's get some feedback from the town because we could make this less painful. >> Perfect. >> So, I I I didn't hear anything that said we would change it tonight. So, I know we're moving forward as is. We'll be
open to feedback for next year. Um but I think that kind of answers that one. >> Okay, great. And the second one is that chapter 90. >> Yes. Uh so this as some of you may already know this isn't required uh town meeting vote. It's been kept in there historically as a transparency measure.
However um you know so legal counsel as prior legal council pointed out this is not necessary. Um you know I will say you know even with the effort you know people point this out saying it's transparency but I would maybe argue it a little bit differently here and say that it is in fact misleading in some ways. you know that because one we're
taking a vote on something that has no bearing, right? Because of a no vote, you know, wouldn't actually prevent the town from utilizing the funds. So why take a vote? Additionally, the number we have is not the final number we often see as supplemental funals come in. So we may report a certain number to town
meeting that's inaccurate. So having it in this format, I would say, you know, even though the effort may be positive as we're trying to be transparent, um, you know, this may not be the best way to provide that information. So just a consideration we can keep the chapter 90 how we historically or you
know the board could consider you know maybe we can put it somewhere else annual report or some other place is might be a better place for that information. >> Okay thoughts from the board maybe you want to go first. >> Um I'm in favor of getting having fewer articles to maybe reduce the time in
town meeting. So if it so would it appear in the o overall budget or it just wouldn't need to appear at all? >> Money that comes from the state and it's reported and it's on their website. Um, but it just comes to us whether we accept it or not. >> Okay. But is it accounted for in our big budget? Do we do we have an estimate for
it? >> It goes into the DPW budget. >> Oh, for there I think I would be in favor of not voting it separately as long as it's listed somewhere else. >> Yeah. It's my understanding from conversations with Carrie as well. She knows what number is coming in. She's using it to build and target here. We're
going to see it anyway. I like the idea of less articles. I I like the idea of incorporating it. It's pretty straightforward and passed through. Uh just quick question. Historically, how much the amount has been? >> I think next year we're expecting a little over a million dollars.
>> Yeah. Um next year's anticipated about a million dollars. Historically, it's been about 650,000 for the last, you know, 10 years prior or so, but has been last couple years they've increased it. >> Thank you. >> Thoughts, Brian? >> Less articles on this one is fine with me?
>> Yep. I think we're in agreement then. >> Those were the two that we had thought about. >> Uh so just to be clear, are are we changing that now? >> Right. We can change that one now. >> Perfect. >> And then we will reumber them or their numbers will number.
>> Okay. So these numbers are not final. Okay. >> So do we need a motion to change that now? >> Um yeah, I think that would be a good idea. >> Just just to make sure we're in line. >> Yeah. >> Take a swing. >> All right. So, I'll look for >> I'll take a swing. >> Yep. >> I move to amend the draft warrant articles to remove draft article 9,
chapter 90 highway funds from being a designated article within the warrant. >> Second. >> Okay, we've got a motion and a second. Um, does that does that motion sound in order? >> That's fine. >> So, we've got a motion and a second. Any
further discussion? >> All those in favor? I >> I >> any any opposed? >> That is unanimous. All right. Um so then you know again we're still ahead of time on this one. Do we have going back to
that idea of like recurring ones that the board needs to recommend? Do we have a group of those that we could just go through? Uh there are a couple of articles um you know with the time here that the board may want to consider taking a little bit of time to discuss whether or not they want to keep them or if there's more discussion around them.
you know, two of which being the um the uh you know, the the ebike. If there's any commentary on that, another one being the uh requiring civil printing for common vicular licenses going to fish on 28 29, >> you know, obviously the consent, you know, the other, you know,
recommendations, we can certainly we can formulate a standard motion for that for the next meeting. But some of these other more meaty topics, if you guys want to have a discussion on on that for any other articles there, >> I think we should use the time to do that. Okay. >> Start with ebikes. >> Ebikes.
>> Was that 28? >> 28. >> Can I We usually would that This is one of the general bylaw amendments. We usually have a public hearing on the general bylaw amendments. We've >> not scheduled that. We've scheduled a public hearing for the street acceptance on April 7th, but we can also schedule a
public hearing for the general bylaw amendments as well for the same night. >> I think we should do that. >> I I through the chair, I intended to ask for someone to come and talk to us about this one. So, I've had a lot of background conversations and it still isn't even clear to me from a state law perspective how much authority we even
have to potentially regulate some of this. So, for me, the conversation on 28 tonight was, "Yep, I definitely want the ebikes to be slower. It's definitely dangerous. I I'm not entirely convinced we can based on the understanding and the conversations I've been having. So, fully supportive out loud, but I'm
desperate to have somememes come and talk to us about what the actual P's and Q's are on this." Yeah, I I think that's been the question from the start, right? Everyone had the idea going back I think we talked in the summer originally like, hey, we need to discuss this. We need to figure out if there is something we can do, but
>> finding even finding a subject matter expert for this might be difficult since there's a lack of like state like direction on this. So, have we got any advice from council or you have thoughts? >> Yeah, council has reviewed the bylaw and this the bylaw came about. we gathered
those people together who were interested in participating. So as a group the consensus was um that we wanted to allow um electric bikes and other electric mobility devices on shared use paths where they're not
allowed today. Um but if they're going to be there to impose a speed limit. So, uh, that the bylaw is intended to fill that hole in the law. Um, because we want to have people there's a desire to have people using, um, ebikes and other
mobility devices on shared use paths, which are the wide ones with with good surfaces. Um, and so this bylaw would allow the trails committee after a public hearing to uh, identify those shared use paths and impose the 10 mph speed limit that's proposed. That's
really all that's intended. um by this bylaw and other aspects of it were I think mostly covered by state law at this point and that will also will evolve. Hence the the generic title for this bylaw. It's intended to in the future it will cover more more things
about certain vehicles on trails and so forth. Okay. >> Anything to add to that? >> No, I mean yeah council didn't have anything um you know glaring to say about the proposed bylaw amendment. I don't think there is anything outright um legal or inappropriate though as as
it's presented here. Um it's more about the practicality of you know enforcement and those kinds of issues >> and yeah we've moved away from trying to identify different classes of bike because it's very difficult and that the technology is is evolving. So basically it cames down came down to it's the speed that's the issue and not
necessarily what kind of bike it is. >> Perfect. Through the chair did we clarify what is the enforcement process would be and police um would be prepared? >> Yes. So, um, it would have to be enforced by the police department. Um, it would be difficult to enforce, and I think we all agree it would be difficult
to measure the speed of a bicycle, but perhaps there's technology out there that we can use. >> Yeah, I think from a safety perspective, it's easier to have something in place so that it could be enforced as opposed to like the expectation to go out and
enforce everything. Um, so my my quick questions are we obviously you talked about the trails. So the trails has discussed this. Um, this has been brought up in open space as well. Has this been discussed with them? >> Yep. >> Yep. >> Well, with Ed. Ed was there. >> Yep. And has the police weighed in on
that aspect of, you know, it would be their level to enforce it? >> Yeah, I think they're aware of it and the the need to enforce, but the ability to enforce is is the difficulty. >> Just wanted to make sure that it was discussed. Okay. Uh who else has thoughts, comments? >> How about sidewalks, bike lane? I mean,
is it cover all that those areas of town or? >> Yeah, I mean sidewalks and in the roadway including a bike lane is already covered by state law. Um but our main street um separated bike lane would be one of these shared use paths where they could be allowed >> with a speed limit. >> With a speed limit speed limit,
>> right? Okay. Thank you. So do the chair. See, this is where I get concerned though. Like I Ed is always the bike guy for me and I remember when we put the bike lanes in and he passionately lobbied against them because of the speed and the slope and the the generation and danger they're in. This
is my long-winded way of saying bet I could get up to 10 m hour on my mountain bike going down Main Street. And so I'm a little concerned about the other side of this where we're attempting to police something for the right reasons. And I think you're eventually going to find yourself in a situation where people like me are going by and thumbming our
nose at you and going, "Look how fast I'm going." So, I'm very mindful of us over litigating and over legislating. We're after the right thing for the right reasons. Kids on skateboards and kids in bikes are going to get over 10 miles an hour on Main Street because that's how the road is sloped. It's just
going to happen. >> It's a good point to the chair. I would echo a little bit. I think um you know I'm supportive of having something and that can protect and create sense of public safety and actually uh prevent
some of the you know adverse possibilities but it would probably be because we are the sponsor it would be good to have little bit reflection from the you know draft owners so we can clarify some of these questions. >> Why are we the sponsor?
I'm having a hard time thinking why this wouldn't necessarily be something that was coming out of planning and zoning as we're thinking about the way we utilize the public space in the areas therein. >> Thinking back, I think it was just us that started the discussion in the summer and I felt like at the time it
was an intentionally vague bylaw that we were talking about just so that we could move it forward, have a discussion, figure out what the option was. I'm not saying it was the right thing, just that was my recollection >> and no criticism on my part. You have all appropriately sensitized me to the other parts of the town apparatus that
play a vital role in our process. And so this is me now wondering is this our decision at all? I can see us having a recommendation based on this being an overarching initiative that would directly impact community rules and policing. But I'm starting to feel like well this
is also about how you use space and we are not the board that is supposed to be making final decisions on how space is used in this community. But um did we not vote to submit it to the town meeting? I think we did. Right. >> You did. >> Okay. >> We did. This is me just tossing around now like have we gotten the appropriate
discussion and recommendation. Simply because it's been submitted now doesn't mean we need to make a recommendation, nor does it need to be voted on at the end. >> Not ready to make a recommendation tonight, but I'd like us to have a public hearing um about it. >> Sorry, I missed that last part. Amy, >> sorry. I'm not ready to vote to support it tonight, but I would like to have
that public hearing on the general bylaws so that the public can come and the trails and the police. Y if that's fair. >> Oh yeah. >> And plus I I so to >> no suggestion we shouldn't do that. >> Yeah. So to your point though, so you know I asked about you know trails, open space, police, you know, recommendations
here and involvement. Are there other groups that should be involved? >> Y >> asking that kind of openly. >> Yeah, I suggested planning but >> planning board might as well. >> Okay. And if only to align us for
something like this because you could make an argument that we are almost thinking about imposing a soft like zoning overlay in the area for a very specific type of use. I think we're empowered to do that. None of this feels like it's outside the bounds of our walls. It's more like I would love to
get their feedback on this. To me, we just discovered something interesting which is like this is the first, not the last. We're going to be talking about this a lot where these little micro areas and micro things come up and we want to be doing soft adjustments. Who has the ball and what do we want that to look like?
>> Makes sense. So, um I didn't real hear an idea towards people wanting to like move forward with this tonight. So, we'll probably hold off on a motion unless someone wants to try. >> Yeah, I think we can hold off and gather the feedback. That would make sense. >> I think Amy has the right of it. need to hear from the public on this one.
>> Y >> um All right. So then I think the other one we were going to talk was Vic license process. >> Yep. >> Paul's technically policies, but I just want the board to kind of >> each weigh in where their head's at on that one. And
>> if I may, Joe. >> Yep. >> Um so just to add a little bit to this, uh town council is researching whether uh there are any legal barriers to requiring the CV license uh under this statute. Um, for my research, we would be the only community in Massachusetts to require this as a CV license. I cannot find any other community that
does so. Um, there are other licenses um that are commonly put under the sample fingerprinting in other communities. Those include like hawkers and peddlers, door-to-d dooror salespeople, ice cream trucks, which like we have most commonly. It's just ice cream tubs in communities based on my research. Um but
you know taxi hackne drivers, secondhand dealers, occasionally you will see manager of alcohol beverages, body work practitioners and motor vehicle dealers. Um but there is no I have not found any instances of a common vicular license. >> Okay, that's good to know. I appreciate
you chasing that, Lance. Uh thoughts from the board. Who who wants to start? >> Quick question through the chair. Do we know what would be the turnaround time to uh do the fingerprinting when assuming we go in to implementing it?
>> Well, the police department manages civil fingerprinting process. I'm not sure what the turnaround time is for them. >> Yeah, there would be something I think we may collect some data points. Um, we want to do the right thing but also not create you know huge backlog or
uh lack of efficiency. Another question I had about it is um who would cover the cost? Would the town cover the cost or would the um applicant >> the bylaw does have a fee, a fine in excuse me, a fee in there that is part of the statute? >> Okay. So, the statute would have a
>> gets some and the state gets some. >> Okay. >> And how much is that fee? >> $100. >> I think it's hundred >> $100. >> Yeah. You can verify. >> Yep. chair. I feel like we got here for all of the right reasons, but I feel
like we have gone a few steps too far on this one. I have some pretty significant concerns just from a civil liberties perspective about this. I think we're really starting to tread into what I would assert is uncomfortable territory. And I'm like, you're progressive. Burn it all down. Let's rebuild it from the
ashes guy. I don't know that I want to be communicating to a business that we don't trust you to the point that you are expected to compromise an element of your privacy and personal being in a way that no other aspect of our current
society expects of you. I mean this is a beautiful town. It's a safe town and a safe community. And to echo the gentleman who sit to my left TV left here, we want to be business friendly. This to me feels like an example where we can do our job as enforcement. we can
do our job as the oversight without making it impractical to function in our community. So, I'm a hard no on this one. >> I think it really should be discussed at town meeting. A lot of people have brought up concerns about wanting it to be a stronger process. So, I think if we
discuss it in public at town meeting and it gets voted down, people will feel they had their say or may get voted up like a lot of professions. I work in a school. I have to get fingerprinted. That's um a lot of people have to do that for their positions. So, I'm not sure. I don't know. I think it could go
either way at town meeting on the vote >> to the chair. I agree with Amy. I think when we first discussed this um this is something we wanted to hear from the residents cuz we heard some parts of the residents and this seems to be one of the option to um eliminate some of the
larger concerns. But also the data point is important. are we we want to be business friendly and we want to not create you know inefficiency in our system too much oversight all those things. So in these scenarios, I find it best to hear from, you know, larger uh
group of residents and town meeting is the best place to hear that. >> Brad, >> I may be misremembering, but I thought we talked about this, you know, fingerprinting concept a while back and we backed off of that. We did. >> Um, so I'm a little surprised that, you
know, we're still kicking it around. I I share Mr. Kisner's views on this. I I I'm not in favor of it. I think it is an overreach and I think there are a lot of civil liberties uh civil civil liberties questions in play here or could be in play here. So whether it gets to town
meeting or not, that's fine. I guess you can get it there. But you know, uh I I don't I don't support sending it to town meeting nor would I support it at town meeting. >> Well said. >> We did previously vote to send it correct to town meeting. >> You voted to submit this into the board. >> Okay. And we could we could remove it,
but we did originally vote to submit it. Yeah. Yeah. >> So I mean considering the conversations you know for this because because I certainly agree with you know if we start overstepping
um you know our positions it certainly can have a negative impact on economic development. Um and I'm always trying to be cognizant of that. Uh and so I I I almost wonder if there's kind of a like a middle ground. Does this need to be part of every year? going to be once
every couple of years. Is there a way to find a happy medium here? >> Oh, it doesn't say annually, does it? Um, just is it an annual thing? >> Um, it's unclear, I think, whether it happens once or annually.
>> Okay. I think if we can't even answer the most basic of through the chair, if we can't answer the most basic of questions about how we logistically intend to implement it, I think it tells a good story as to whether or not we should be implementing it. >> And council recommends that we accompany
this with a policy that tell talks about what happens when you discover something through this as well and basically the ins and outs of of this process. >> Now, we're inventing laws. Do we have such a policy for the ice cream truck vendors? >> No. >> But we
>> That's a one time. That's an annual or occasional license. It's not a renewal license. >> Was that recommended policy in the in the packet? >> We've not written yet. >> We don't have a policy at this point. >> No, but council recommended one. Have they drafted one or just recommended a
policy in general? >> They recommend a policy. >> All right. Yeah. I mean, >> more work. Yeah, that that sounds like a I don't know. I don't like the direction that's going. Um I'd probably like to at a minimum since we've got time and we're not like pressed up against it right
now, I'd probably like to see a version of that to just understand what we're discussing. So that would kind of be my thought right now tonight. >> I think that makes sense. We have, you know, some more information to gather, how long it's going to take, how it
impacts, uh the legality. I think uh Brian and Matt brought that up. and then u what policy and what other um framework we need to support this and are we overstepping it. So I think once
we have that information we can revisit this and see. >> Okay. >> To through to the chair, have we heard from chamber on this at all? Because I know we tried to talk about this when it came up the first time and I don't feel like we ended up getting to have a good conversation with them about it. Not a
criticism. Just to me they are an incredibly significant stakeholder and I still don't feel like I have a good sense of where they stand on this. Mr. her and I are essentially generically trying to represent the business concerns that I would want represented by the Chamber of Commerce. That voice matters a ton to me here because if they
come in and they say, "You know what? It is a little ownorous, but that doesn't matter to us because we do business in this town and it's a high standard town and we're a high standard business." Maybe that's what they say. And then, well, Brian and I really have a hard time being a lot more concerned than the Chamber of Commerce might be. I'm not trying to put words in their mouth. Just
they're an important person for me here. >> So, so I I think that's a good next step. That's the benefit of having the public hearing. They could come. >> That's the benefit of us having the public hearing. They could come and the chamber could come. >> Yeah. >> So, this is a a general bylaw change. And if we have a a public hearing at the
next meeting that includes all general bylaws, then this would be one of them. You hear from people. >> We could specifically reach out to them. Yep. >> Stakeholders. >> I think at a minimum we we'll do that. Reach out to them, get get an opinion. They meet pretty regularly. So,
>> yeah. No, I agree. I think public hearing and just to refresh this u we heard in like 10 meetings about concerns on this right that's what kind of led to crafting this and this brainstorm so I
think um and I am the big a big proponent of economic development as you know and have heard but we also want to hear from all parts of residents and public hearing would be a good forum to evaluate that >> through the chair I'll add to add to
that um you know this is not the culmination of that full discussion a common vicular policy is in being drafted and currently reviewed by legal counsel right now so that is encompassing a lot of the discussion that the select board has had previously around this and having a clear policy in
place so that'll be coming to the board board when it's you know after done with legal council's reviews so um this is not sort of you know I just want to represent that the civil fingerprinting is not the only action being taken by the board in that regard. >> Okay. Yeah, I'm certainly not hearing
anything to like continue this conversation tonight. Um, so we'll probably move on. Um, so with that, like Lance Elaine, any other articles you think we should discuss tonight? And I'm opening that up to the board as well if there was any in particular board members would like to discuss tonight.
>> I wanted to understand a little bit about the um article 21, which is let me read that. Oh, >> I have some information on that one. But um but the article we approved for the
MBTA Communities Act did not quite meet state standards. So we have to modify it for it to count. >> Right. That >> planning board recommended this modification. >> Do you have more context on this and help us understand a little bit? Yeah, I think that's as as Amy mentioned um the
uh town's um map uh and parcel map that it adopted wasn't quite compliant with the state's requirements. So um they're um adding additional parcels to it to connect a couple of parcels to create the m the uh required amount of land. >> Yeah, it it pretty much connects like
that downtown area like near CVS to Walcott, right? >> So that's just I forget the term, but it's got to be connected. Um and planning board already made I believe they they all agreed on that. >> They've held their hearing. >> Yep. >> And they submitted to the warrant and
recommended approval, right? >> From what I read online. >> So we can't remove it. It's the article >> yet. But >> yeah. So that's one we're we're really recommending or we're not recommending that one when it comes down to it. >> Oh, >> it's not a zoning. So we don't >> Oh, we don't even need to recommend it.
>> No, it's not a select board recommendation. And Ela to understand in a scenario if this gets rejected does it nullify our previous approval or that month stands right because there's lot of legal implication around this so I want to
make sure we are creating a safe path >> if it doesn't pass we'd have to try again until we get compliant >> through the chair worth noting that this state a has gotten increasingly latigious about this. Y
the last I saw on the planning board it made sense what they were doing I was in I was personally in support but if the board doesn't need to weigh in then I don't know how much we need to discuss it >> is the map on the town website the county board recommended new map >> I have not looked
>> okay that would be good for everyone to be able to see it >> y through the chair we don't have to try and get into it now but I would like to get a little bit more on the P's and Q's of article 38 because it's a citizens petition. I want to understand how that interfaces with this is my theme of the
night planning board. Does does the fact it's been submitted essentially just create like a warp lane where it doesn't necessarily go through the process because something like I'm looking at something like Lynden which is being recommended for acceptance by the Department of Public Works. That
suggests to me that we have a defined process. I'm all about a citizen making a petition. citizens petition is fine obviously but I want to understand what it means in this particular circumstance. >> So uh just like any other street acceptance uh this board has to have a public hearing and that'll be April 7th
and this road will be included oyola drive also there's a proposal to amend the bylaw that will also be part of the the public hearing. So we we'll see the petitioner on April 7th >> but I don't >> it's part of the process for all street acceptances and and bylaws. Does that
also go to planning or is it just us as the executive function? I'm I'm basically trying to figure out who has like the technical theme on the decision. It's clearly us as the executive in terms of accepting the maintenance, the upkeep, the precedence. Feels very clear that's our decision. I'm trying to figure out who is the person who's going to look me in the
face and say that road is fine. >> The planning board and DPW director are also making recommendations to this board. >> Thank you. I'm all set. >> But because the citizens amended it, we can't um we can't remove it. That's >> and I'm not suggesting that we can we should. I truly just wanted to understand because we had another almost
like for-like article and it just suggests divergence. >> One thing we don't know yet are the dollar amounts associated with the article. >> Thank you. >> Did you say which is the other citizens petition? >> Pardon me. >> There's two citizens petitions, right? What's the other one? >> The other one is article number
>> 18. Is it Hawthorne Lane 18? number 18. Then >> that is a $60,000 request. >> So that wouldn't go to our general bylaws public hearing, but it might go to the capital improvements. >> It will um will, I believe, go to
capital improvements. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It's a capital request for a project. >> I'm all set. >> Everyone good? >> Yep. Sounds good. So again, we've got upcoming meetings. We'll dive into some
of these a little bit more. Probably good for tonight. Um so I think that brings us to the town manager report. Uh so this evening um as outlined in uh my memo um seeking authority to sign
anou on behalf of the town and that's for the Massachusetts inter agency mutual aid agreement uh which uh has not been uh signed in since 2013 was the last one. They're in place indefinitely once they're signed until they want to make some changes in the in the agreement. In this case there's some
modernization. So, it updates the prior agreement which was signed in 2013. Um, participation allows the town to send and receive police officers to provide law enforcement assistance, but also establishes a working partnership to address uh public safety concerns and other matters. There's no cost to
participate. Um, and the mutual agree aid agreement would be in effect for an indefinite period of time. >> And the town has adopted this statute in 1977 that allows it to participate in in this agreement. >> Perfect. Thank you. Um, to the board. Any questions, comments here for Elaine?
>> I think the mutual aid program is a great benefit to the town. So, I'd certainly re recommend we continue it. The um our chief of police and you recommend this? >> Yes. Yes. >> And the fire department as well. Fire chief. >> Okay. >> Well, the fire department has a separate mutual aid agreement. This is the one just
>> Oh, this is just for the police. Okay. >> Matt, >> I was just going to make the motion. >> I mean, >> I'm all set. >> People are welcome to make a motion once they have comments. >> Mr. Chair Elaine, does this I'm trying to remember. I was doing that years
back, but does this allow other police organizations to come into the town of Hopington without an invitation and take action or do they have to go through the police to come into town >> that I don't know the answer to? >> I know we can have. So, this allows this
gives us the opportunity to bring them in if we need help. Correct. >> But can they walk in on their own if they decide we need help is my question. I don't know the answer to that question. We could find >> I I think it's usually like a request from the town. Yeah. They go out to their >> Yeah. >> the other departments.
>> I'm good in that regard, but I just wouldn't want to have an open border for >> and I don't think that's what happens, but just technically I want to make sure we're not opening ourselves up for something. Okay. Thank you. >> Does say when exercising the agreement, they should report to the commanding officer as soon as possible. If that helps. Um,
>> didn't we already have something like this? >> We do. Yeah, I I included that in the packet as well. >> So, this is an upgrade on that or >> renewal. >> Renewal of that. >> Okay. Yeah. >> To assume we have a functional process at the moment. It is a fair concern for Brian. >> I'm okay.
>> Yeah. I mean, I don't think at any point the towns, whether it's this one's for the police, but you know, on the same side for the fire department, I don't think at any point our town loses control of the situation. They're they're they should be in control the whole time based off the way these things work. >> That's that's the intent. >> Yep. >> Okay.
I I move to authorize the town manager to sign the Massachusetts inter agency mutual aid agreement on behalf of the town of Hopington. >> Second. >> We've got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor? >> I.
>> Any opposed? That is unanimous. >> And that's all I have. There are no uh town position vacancies to report. >> Perfect. Um moving on. Liaison reports and board invites. Um, who wants to start?
>> I'll start quickly. So, myself, Amy, Shahadul, Elaine, and a few other members of the community got a chance to tour the farmers market on Sunday with the Department of Agriculture as well as Reparosa. We had Susan from Senator Spokus's office. Just really nice. A,
the weather was beautiful, so not a bad place to be. That farmers market has really grown. As somebody who only goes there situationally, I was really impressed by just the quality of vendors, but more than that, just some of the stories that you run into there. I'm I'm running into neurode divergent
children making doses. My wife called them virtuous doses was the good name she came up with for them. I appreciated that. Not only did it feel like I was supporting my story, it felt like I was supporting my community and my soul at the same time. That is exactly what that's supposed to do. It's supposed to
enrich more than just what you get as a purchase. It absolutely felt like it did. So, I apologize for getting on my high horse, but I hope you all come and you check this out. supporting the businesses that come there. That's not Walmart or Target folks. That's the person who lives next to you and makes jewelry on the side. We get those
vendors and those nice things in our community by supporting them. So, that was my note there. >> Good. >> Sure. I agree with Mr. Kizner. Uh it was a wonderful event and it's great to see our um farmers market has really turned
around from where it was um I think 2 3 years ago since the new transformation it's been very successful both outdoors and indoors and very vibrant so excited to see that and the officials who came from DAR uh department of agriculture
and then uh I think mass gardens association um representative uh James Drosa Everyone was very supportive and they're doing tour across the towns and they were very impressed. So loved it and um hope we continue to grow on that
front. Certainly it's healthy food as well as great gathering. Uh the second one I wanted to also bring up was um there was a uh two nice if events. One was at the high school by the high school uh Muslim association students
association. It was uh well participated people from all faiths. It was a great gathering and the school um officials and uh other board members also from different town boards attended. Uh really wonderful event and um some of
those were uh I think very well appreciated by everyone. And then I don't have the list in front of me Amy or maybe Len you can help. There are some events coming up from HCA and few others. We can make those announcements
so everyone's aware. I'm actually going to the HCA one. >> Uh that's it. Okay. >> Um nothing to report. I did mention that the corridor project is restarting this spring again for the final time. Our
actually our kickoff meeting if you will or just to restart the engine is March 24th. Mass DOT, VHB engineers, town engineers department, uh, Amarello Construction, and others will be gathering virtually to set the plan in
motion for the spring work. Thank you. >> Yeah, I I was going to just echo the same. I enjoyed attending the farmers market this weekend and the if at the high school last week was really lovely. Um, and the high school students organized it themselves, so it was really touching to be there. And then we
have coming up the HCA thing March 16th. Satch is having a concert at the HCA on the 28th, quilt show April 10th, and the marathon wreath ceremony. We just got that save the date which was April 16th and in Boston. And that's a really nice event, too. I mean, it's in Boston, but it's
really nice. Um, I feel like Oh, and then the Commission on Disability has had two real successful meetings the last two times, and they they may be ready to soon to bring something back to the select board. We had met with the commission on disability in Framingham and they told us that they get um they
receive all the the if somebody parks in a handicap spot and they get caught and they pay a fine, the commission on disability collects those funds and then they use them for um projects that support people with disabilities, including um funding um police officer shifts to specifically um monitor um
handicapped parking spots in town. So you could hire them to just do a shift with the driver onto all the parking lots and um you know first you start with warnings obviously and then you um you know just get the right now people might not think it's enforced very often not feel like it's important to follow the law even though we all know it's the
law. So anyway that's an idea that they would maybe consider bringing to Hopington if it's possible but there's probably many steps to get that um to get that going. >> Perfect. >> Just real quick through the chair a thank you to the Hopington parent teacher organization. While I did not attend as a select board member, I
promise I attended as a parent of two young children. Hop swap. Hop swap was this past weekend was an absolute success. I think I saw a line of probably 5 to 600 people waiting outside that door at 9:00 a.m. and more than a few wagons of stuff moving. I really appreciate what a nice community event
that that has become. That is on people's calendars. I love it. Thank you for everyone involved. >> I agree. Um so Amy, you touched on the dates for a couple ones coming up. So, we've got Monday is the HCA, the cultural council one. Yep. >> Right. The the quilt show is the April
10th. Y >> just want to make sure we have like coverage for all those. I know I can definitely make the quilt show >> and I'm going on Monday to the HCA thing. >> I'm planning to go to both. Yeah. >> And I always like the Boston one, so I will go to that. Um that's not till April, but >> Okay.
>> All right. So, we we do have some coverage for all of them, it sounds. >> Okay. >> And thanks. One other update is we're having the interview for the school uh um CFO in the coming week. So I'll keep
you posted. >> You're doing that? >> I'm doing that. Yeah, it's going to be all day session. Apparently they got a pretty good number of candidates which is great. >> Is that tomorrow? >> No, it's been moved to next week because um Jeff had something
>> next week all day on Wednesday. If I need any help, I'll holl out. Okay. >> All right. Um, so we kind of started blending that into uh, so we did liazison reports, board invites, >> uh, future board agenda items. I know we
touched on a couple things, but yep. >> Can are we ready to retire anything? Probably not yet. I don't think so. We did a clean up a few weeks ago. Um I think more so than retiring, we
probably need to now that we've kind of wrapped up the budget conversations, we can probably start refocusing on some of these agenda items. >> Yeah. >> And prioritizing those ahead of town meeting. >> It's a good idea. I wanted to add one more
which is u uh Julia Chun with her help and uh chamber of commerce and uh the forgot the full acronym MCP MCP combined we are working on a economic development plan uh for which Julia had
um helped get a grant if you remember so that's a work in progress but we could uh schedule something to get an update from them and uh get an overview. I think it's coming up with a lot of good information that everyone would appreciate. So that would be a good good
item. >> Okay, I like that. Got it. >> Nothing >> that Amy future. >> I don't think anything else >> I I'll indulge briefly here. I guess I have two questions. One, the ke aortionment change. I've actually had
quite a few conversations with Sabine and our committee members. Maybe this is just my not knowing the process. Elaine, do I reach out to John, the superintendent, to come talk about this? Do you reach out? Does Sabine reach out? >> I can reach out.
>> I guess I there's a few things on here that I would perceive as we put an action on that is we would like somebody to come talk to us, but it's not totally clear to me what to do to make that happen. >> Yeah, we typically reach out. So, I've reached out to the SBC, to open space,
to Commission on Disability, and I to John Evans as well. >> I would I would appreciate it because he's offered to come. I just didn't want to. >> Yep. >> Okay. Thank you. I'm all set. >> Good. >> All right. I don't have anything additional to add. Um probably look for a med motion to adjurnn.
>> Move to adjurnn. >> Second. >> Got a motion in a second. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Thank you everyone. Thank you. Good evening. >> Got out of here 6:30. That's great. >> 6:30.
>> 6:30. >> All right. >> That's an old school clock there. >> Yeah. >> I got up the other morning. Almost everything in my life had changed