All right. Good good evening everyone. 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. All members participating in the meeting are present in the meeting room. The public has the option of attending in person
here at town hall or via Zoom using the link posted in this meeting's agenda. 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. Apologies, we were running a few minutes late. We were having some technical difficulties. Um, I wanted to start with just a thank you to everyone for our first Saturday town meeting this weekend.
um you know for all the residents that showed up and then of course everyone in town hall that contributed to putting it together and making it go. Um so we will start with 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 at public forum tonight? Welcome Tonight's common vict policy draft is a meaningful step and we want to recognize that this policy tells you what information
to collect, but unfortunately it does not tell you what to do with that information. There's no enforceable standard, no con consequence for inaction. And what happens after a Corey comes back is left entirely to the moral compass of the people sitting at your
table. We have documented records of what that moral compass has rep has produced in the past. In 2012, the owner of Bill's Pizza, a owner of Bill's Pizza, committed assault
and battery on Amanda Key on the second floor of his restaurant. The HPD never reported to this board. He was he wasn't flagged until 2013 when the business tried to add him to the liquor license. The select board had the Corey. They had
the conviction. They had the town attorneys present. And they had the police report showing that Amanda had to fight to get free. Their response was a 4-day suspension of the restaurants, liquor license, and a
training class. The asalent continued to work there for years. In 2014, that moral compass pointed to four days. Amanda Key died of an overdose in January 2023. She was 33 years old and
left three children behind. She is dead in part because this institution decided that 4 days was enough. How many more young women need to suffer and die before adequate protections are put into place?
You know who was at that 2014 meeting? Mr. Brian Herr. Mr. Herur had the information in 2014 and he determined that four days was enough. Mr. Herur had the information on Sis Manis in 2018 and
took no action. Mr. Herd knew that Sis Manis was under indictment and renewed the license anyway. And just last month, Mr. her called the police on Lynn Key, Amanda's sister, during a select board meeting when Lynn stood up to point out that a room full of survivors and their
supporters were effectively being silenced. How convenient. A policy without teeth is just a promise. And this institution has broken that promise time and time again. Your names are on the records. Your vote is on the record.
And now so is this. Thank you. >> Thank you. Who else would like to speak tonight? >> Sorry, I just got out of the garden. Steve Snow, 78 Pine Island Road. So,
there's a lot of topics going on here. We have a We couldn't deal with a 30-year-old puddle on Hawthorne. I mean, come on. Somebody's got to figure some of this stuff out. A lot of it is stuff that's been held not accountable by the town of
Hawkington. When a builder builds a development, let them finish. We're trying to we're trying to lease a building that the builder in his order of conditions was supposed to take care of and he dumped it on us at the end of the job. Not good. But the main content
I have is in 2022, I had a Martin Luther King holiday weekend, 12°, 30 mph wind out of the northwest. I had a house fire. Everybody responded perfectly. police, fire did a great job. There was no
relief for me when I went to the town. Every board wanted their paycheck. They wanted their permit fee. Mike Shepard and Mr. Cadillac tried to fiddle me through some stuff that I was licensed to accomplish without requiring
me. But our new building inspector made me buy all of the licenses because I had let some of them lapse. I had to bring in people to do some of the work. My thought is what happens when this town has a catastrophic fa problem?
What happens if we have a tornado, we have a hurricane and a hundred houses are wiped out? Are these people all going to have to jump through hoops to the town of Hawkington to rebuild their homes? Now, John Connino, the I believe he's on
the board of appeals. He told me he would like to meet with me and go over trying to streamline trying to get some system to streamline the rebuild when someone has a disaster in their family. Now, this didn't affect anybody else in this town. It affected my mother-in-law
who got out of the house in a pair of flip-flops or underwear and house coat that was on fire and smoking. It's not fun. Everybody in this town has been cordial the whole process. Everybody is good. We don't have a people person
issue. We have a a procedure issue. We need to streamline stuff so that you people as select board aren't sitting here after 100 homes in town get wiped out figuring out how the freak are we going to do this. We need to get some procedure. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Who else would like to speak tonight? Is there anyone on Zoom? >> There are a lot of people on Zoom, but there are no hands raised. >> Okay, we'll give one last chance for those on Zoom. >> Okay. >> All right. Moving on. The select board
will consider the following consent agenda. Uh the select board will consider approving the minutes of the April 7th, 2026 meeting. The board will consider accepting a donation of $25,000 from the friends of Hington Seniors, Inc. to the Hawington Senior Center for programming expenses and a $50 donation
in memory of Arty Pine from Todd and Michelle Langavven and family. The board will consider approving a marathon fund request of $1,400 from the class of 2026 parade committee for a police detail to direct traffic for the June 6 car parade and $1,500 from the Hopington Police
Association for stocking the Hopkins Sportsman's Association pond for the annual fishing derby to be held on May 9th, 2026. Uh, the select board will also consider approving Mass General Law Chapter 138 section 15 S farmers license farmers
market license for Aaron Nap Sellers LLC of Westford Mass to sell wine at the Hopkin Farmers Market on Sundays from June 7th, 2026 to October 11th, 2026. A an MGL chapter 138 section 15F certification has been approved by the Mass Department of Agricultural
Resources. The retail sale and sampling must be completed in accordance with MDAR regulations. Sample size cannot exceed 1 ounce. No more than five samples can be served to a single individual. Samples must be provided in a single-use disposable cups. Vendor must provide suitable trash recepticles to accommodate the sample cups. Vendor
must ID individuals requesting a sample to verify that they are of legal age and bottles opened and used for sampling cannot be sold to the public. All paperwork, including tips, certifications, and insurance have been provided. Um, same license for Spicy Water Distillers LLC of Milbury, Mass to
sell alcohol spirits at the Hopkins Farmers Market on Sunday from June 7th, 2026 to October 11th, 2026. An MGL chapter 138 section 15F certification has been approved by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. The retail sale and sampling must be completed in accordance with MDAR regulations. Sample size cannot exceed 1
ounce. No more than five samples can be served to a single individual. Samples must be provided in a single use disposable cups. Vendor must provide suitable trash receptacles to accommodate the sample cups. Vendor must ID individuals requesting a sample to verify that they are of legal age and bottles opened and used for sampling
cannot be sold to the public. All paperwork including tip, certification, insurance have been provided. >> Did you did you say the um appointments too? I missed that. The new >> uh so we are not we are no longer doing that. >> We're not doing this. Okay. one that
remains Michael Katania as a parttime van driver but >> okay I missed that. So then the select board will also consider confirming the town manager's appointment of Michael Katania as a part-time van driver for the senior center.
>> Thank you Amy. >> So moved to or anyone want to break any second. >> Anyone want to um any further discussion on this? >> Just a quick question. These two um are they new Elaine or for the farmers market or they repeat from last year?
Those are repeat. >> That's right. Thank you. >> So, a question on that as well if I could please. So, I mean, we're doing convict later in this evening, but I mean these folks are serving in town and I don't see about Cory or Sor in here. >> Is that not part of the process?
>> It is part of the process. >> That's not referenced here. >> No, because they have an alcohol license. Does it go through this? >> Well, they are they are cored and sorried. Okay. >> Yes. >> So, they are. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> It's just not written here. >> Got it. Thank you. And uh just a comment, I want to thank
the friends of Hopkin Seniors and also um Mr. and Mrs. uh Lang Bean for their donation. >> Perfect. Uh so we had a motion and a second. Any final thoughts? All those in favor?
>> I. >> Any opposed? That is unanimous. Um, next the board will consider approving short-term and long-term financing to support $117,277,500 approved for capital projects.
Welcome our treasurer. >> Hello. I know I'm everybody's favorite person, right? All the good news. Um, so you guys should be familiar with these by now. We keep them the same format year-over-year so that uh you know it's easyish to understand. Um so
the town is securing $67,667,000 um in short-term borrowing this year. Um those are the bands. Uh we have carefully reviewed the project cash flows to ensure borrowing amounts are appropriately aligned with the expenditures. Um so our goal is to never overborrow
for what we need um or short pay ourselves and then you know kind of have to catch up with that. Um, we are transitioning 49, uh,610,000 in completed projects from the bands to long-term fixed rate financing.
Um, the specific projects are listed in the memo. The refinancing strategy uh, stabilizes the debt schedule with predictable payments and interest um, and enhances long-term budget accuracy. Um, the other thing is, you know, the
market's very unstable right now. Um, so we're seeing rates are really good in some months and then not so good in other months. Um, so I think the, you know, depending on what the bids come back at, um, you know, hopefully we get
good results and and we'll go from there. Um, but the projects that are listed in that memo have been completed or nearing completion um, and are fully spent or will be fully spent very shortly. Um, so it's time to get those into a long-term borrowing.
Um, on April 8th, we conducted the credit review with S&P Global Ratings um to go over our closing disclosure and prior fiscal year performance. The credit rating is expected by this Friday, uh, May 8th. We anticipate
maintaining our SP1 plus um, and AAA long-term. Uh, that's the highest level of creditworthiness. Um we do still want to keep in mind um our debt profile uh is very critical at
this time. So we're obviously adding a lot of debt in these past few years. So S&P is tracking that. They didn't seem to have too much of a concern for us this year, but it's something worth noting. Um so we'll see how that comes back on Friday. Um to ensure the rating
stability, we recommend continuing contributing to reserves, principal paydowns, um outstanding debt, uh funding OPED, uh and uh you know, our capital stabilizations. So the more that we're transferring to OPED
stabilizations, um obviously that is helping us show a reserve. Um and so that's a great thing to to show to S&P. Um, and if we can pay off bonds early, um, you know, that's always a good thing, too. So, we'll see what free cash is next year. Maybe if we
have enough free cash, that's something we could apply it to. Um, we should still, you know, kind of be on the the fiscally responsible side of things and say, okay, we, you know, we've added a lot of debt. Um, so really
look at is this debt that is proposed absolutely necessary? Um, we do have the $12 million enterprise fund that was approved at this town meeting that will be getting borrowed at some point. So, that is on the agenda. That one's a little different because it's an
enterprise fund, but it is still the town's debt. Um, I did want to say there was a typo um in the bond memo. Um, so in the second paragraph, uh, it said 67.67 ban. That should have been 49.61
bond. So, the two paragraphs are the same in the memo. I just forgot to change the number. Um, so like I said, we don't have the exact figures yet. We don't know what the premium's going to come back at. We don't know what the interest rates going to come back at. We're still waiting on
our rating. Um, but these are just uh, you know, this is the starting point. >> Perfect. Thank you, CJ. You're welcome. >> Overview. I'll kind of look for the board for initial questions. What what did you say? They were slightly concerned about the amount of debt total that's coming up.
>> I mean, it's something that we need to keep an eye on. Um, they didn't seem overly concerned about it this year. Um, which is good. Uh, but just judging on the phone call doesn't necessarily mean that that's not in the back of their mind. Um, so it is something we've
discussed with our financial adviserss. Um, and obviously as we're adding that, that would be if they lowered our uh our rating, it would most likely be because of the amount of debt uh that we're issuing. >> Okay. Thank you. I don't think I have
any other questions. >> Thank you. Uh CJ, I love it. I don't know if this is a question for you or Kyla, but so back of the envelope here, it looks about 70% is 50 million here. So, I was trying to figure out what our top level debt target would be. I had it
around 70 to 75. My concern here is that we already know we have another 30 plus coming on the water and that's before anything else. Are we already at a point of reasonable forecast where we're going to exceed our ability to safely borrow? I'm trying to understand if I should
already be at a point of challenging all projects and all capital expenditures or if there's still bandwidth left. Well, I will say the one hard thing with um our financial policy is that it's based on our uh it's based on our budget, right?
And so our budget increases every year. So although it looks tight this year, you know, in the future, um obviously as we're borrowing, we are we have to increase tax rates, we have to increase revenues. So then you're you're you're increasing that rate, right? So the
percentage would also be increased. >> Okay. So, if I'm hearing you correctly, it's a little bit of like a a self-driving cycle where there's only so many ways to put money in. And if we continue to borrow, the way you get more money in is by increasing taxes. >> And our debt limit is at $359 million.
Okay. >> And if you include the 5-year capital plan into our current debt, we would only be about 70% of that debt limit. >> Yep. And that was what the number here suggested to me as well. Okay. So tracking consistently three 30% buffer.
Folks, I hope you're catching how good that is that Kylo was able to just come up here and answer that question off the cuff. I really appreciate that you were forecasting it this way and that you were thinking about how you manage our debt with this agency. We don't trust is very quickly lost in this space and it
is very hard to build back up over time. I really appreciate that you were consistently watching this and trying to keep it sensitized for all of us. Thank you. Sure. Uh, thank you CJ. That was very informative and I appreciate appreciate
the update. Uh, it still looks like good news. Just reaffirming going from short-term to long-term, how much are we saving in service costs? >> There isn't a savings for service for any service costs. Um, it's just that we're not reissuing it year-over-year.
Um, so once it goes to the long-term borrowing, it's done. It's completed. We make our payments. we don't have to worry about going out for bid again. Um, you know, we don't have to worry about making principal payments. Um, so it really helps us budget um because
interest rate changes every year and we're talking about s significant amount of money. So it's really hard to to make a budget the more we have in short-term borrowings. Um, so that it's it's really to clean up the books and and so that we can, you know, take care of the budget
too. >> Thank you. That explains it. But a quick followup. Do you feel this is the right time then um since we're not gaining anything or should we wait and look for a better window? >> I me and the financial adviserss all
agree that this it's the time to to move these projects along. Um so we did a long-term borrowing last year too. Uh there's a few reasons for it. Like I said for uh for budgeting purposes. The market's very unstable right now. We
can't predict what next year is going to look like. Um, I know it's not great right now, but next year could be even worse, right? So, the more we hold on to this debt in a short-term borrowing, the the kind of more risk we're putting oursel in. Um, so if the projects are
completed, it's always best to kind of move them forward to a long-term borrowing. >> Thank you. That makes sense. >> You're welcome. Um my last question for now is with 359 being the ceiling and currently
we are at 117 what is the zone when we should be really worried about our rating? 117 is only for this specific year. We are >> I think it was 154
um in total right now. >> And do you have a sense like at what level we should be worried about our AAA rating? >> I don't think that there's specifically a level or a percentage that they're
looking at. Um, but they do look at, you know, how close you're getting to that limit. Um, so they they won't come out and tell us, hey, you need to stay at under 50% or under 70%. Um, but just as a general idea, when they're seeing the amount of debt that we're issuing right
now, you know, coming up in this kind of short period of time, that does kind of they they raise, you know, an eyebrow to that like that's a lot of debt that you've issued in the last 3 years. What's going on? Do you plan more? Um, so I I think that's ultimately what we need to keep our eye on.
>> But we also spent a significant amount of time preparing them for our future outlook. We shared with them the 5-year capital plan, our budget forecast, so they know what's coming up and what we have projected for the future. So it was a great conversation with them.
>> Oh, great. Yeah. And it's about the stability, right? That it's not volatile and we are not reacting to something. We're going on a plan and it's a long-term plan and we predict how much and when and why we are borrowing. >> So that should help a pace. It would be good to know industry trend and
otherwise so we can I mean we are always trying to push break on the pedal for borrowing but it would be good to know when we actually have to do like hard break no matter what. Well, I guess the hard, you know, the hard stop would be when we hit that debt limit, but that
does not mean that we will have a good bond rating at that point. >> We can't go that high. >> That's not the Yeah, that's not desirable at all, but something to think about. >> Very right. >> You answered my question. Thank you. >> Yep. >> Brian,
>> I think in general, it's the debt service amount that impacts the bond rating more than the debt itself. how much do we have to pay to carry the debt and how much of that is against the operating budget and I think that ratio is what creates some concern on the the
bond rate. Uh but I had three numbers in my head that I just want to kick around. At town meeting on Saturday um and I think we got through that pretty well for a Saturday. On town meeting on Saturday I saw 38 million I thought going up on the screen as part of the appropriations presentation about
the new debt for 27 FY27. Does that make sense? 30 million. >> 30 million. Okay. So, that 30 million is one number in my head and I want to figure out where that fits into here. And then last year, if I remember correctly, our total go, you know, borrow was about 95 or 97 million.
>> 80. It was 81 in short term and like 10 million. So, like 91 million. >> Okay. So, right around 90 million bucks, let's just say for conversation sake. And now we have 117 million this year, >> right? But part of that is from last year. Yeah. So that 90 is in this 117 >> some of it. Yes.
>> Yeah. Yeah. But the 117 is new is the new high water mark >> for Hopington. Is that correct? >> Probably. >> It includes the 30 million if that's your question. >> That's what I was going to get to. Okay. So the 117 includes the 30 million. It's
an addition plus the 90 million or so that we did last year that we're now redoing. Basically >> it would have been the 81 million because the 9 million was borrowed longterm last year. So, we're rolling that $81 million ban. >> So, 80 and 30 is 110. So, there you go. 117 whatever. Yeah, those numbers are close.
>> There's interest, too. So, obviously, we're paying interest on that 81 million. >> Okay. All this says to me, we've got it under control. We're refinancing basically is what we're doing, folks. Refinancing this debt and making sure we're getting the best rates possible. Staying under the debt service numbers
that we don't screw up our bond rate in. But it also says to me your taxes are going to continue to go up because of this borrowing uh in the building of the schools primarily. >> Yeah. And for for anybody who is wondering, there's an easy explanation
on uh the bond anticipation note memo. Um I did highlight in bold what the new borrows were for that. Um, so it has the 30 million uh for Charleswood and then 467,000
for uh it. Um, so we're moving kind of a part of that last year's ban to long-term borrowing because those projects have completed and then we're adding some um to the b to the ban. So, but I know it's confusing like how did we go from 81 last year and now we're
only borrowing 67 in that ban. Where did that number come from? And then what would we anticipate the total number to be for FY28? >> An additional 30 >> 20 >> 20 >> 20 and 28. But we're also expecting the majority of the ban that you see today
going long term, right? >> Which means your principal and interest payments are going to increase even more. So Brian, to your point, it's going to have a direct impact on the tax rate. >> Right. Yeah. We're just I hate to say this, but we're just getting started
with the tax bills that arrive at home paying for the schools really kind of now. I know we went up last year a little bit, but we're just getting started and it's going to take off here for the next few years, >> right? And it's highly variable, too. I mean, we saw some residents who you you
know, their assessments went up a ton, so they had like a 20% increase and then some people didn't really have much of an increase at all. So, you know, there's so much variables to that as well, >> right? >> Okay, I'm good. Thank you. >> Um, I don't have any additional
questions, you know, regard you guys are always very thorough. Do you have any recommendations that you give to the board at this time as we talk to people residents in town? >> Um, like I said, I think we need to keep an eye on things, right? We need to see what the market reacts to to this this
year. I think our S&P rating is going to come back okay this year. We'll know on Friday. So when we come to you next time, we'll have that. Um they won't really give us advice about what we should be doing or what we should not be doing, but we know going forward what
we, you know, expect that would help. Um and so really trying to emphasize putting money into OPED stabilization, um capital stabilization, um and limiting our spending as much as possible just for, you know, a little
bit um would definitely be helpful. All right. Well, thank you both. >> What? >> Oh, yeah. We do have a motion. >> So, I move to approve the short-term bond anticipation note ban of 67,667 thou,500
and the long-term bond of $49,610,000 to support approved capital projects. >> Second. Okay. Got a motion and a second. Any further thoughts? All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed?
>> You go. >> Thank you guys for tonight. >> We'll see you in a few weeks. >> Send us good news on Friday, CJ. >> Yeah, you let us know on Friday. >> Yeah. >> Thanks. >> Uh, next, the board will consider discussing the police chief search
process, including consultant services. Jessica, you want to join us? All right. So to in introduce this and welcome Jessica. Thanks for joining us tonight. Um so over over the last few weeks in the background, Jessica has been putting together I would call it
like an RFI to you know get some information on initial proposals. I'd like you to kind of walk through that process for the board. And you know after that you know I think we've had some conversations you and I and also with Elaine around uh an initial
starting point for a framework for this pro process that I would like to share with the board and then you know we will discuss that together on what's what's the best path forward. Sound good? >> Sure. So, um, we knew we would be, um, doing the police chief search, um,
due to the police chief's retirement. And so, I had written a request for quotes because I wasn't sure based on the previous quotes we've gotten in the past where it would land, whether it'd be under or over 10,000. So we did we
worked through our procurement and grants manager to ensure that we were compliant with uh those regulations and um sent out the request for quote. Um we
received one back. Um others declined to quote. Um, and the the proposal that was provided met all of the requirements we were looking for, fell under the $10,000
um, quote, and lays out uh, the scope of the project um, in a way that would be in line with what we would be looking for for a police chief search. Um, they have done work for us before. They are um the
entity that um did the deputy chief search. Um they did a wonderful job with that. Uh it's public safety uh consultants. Um and they give a lot of leeway in terms of what is the town looking for?
What do we want to see in the next chief? What do we want to see in the process in finding the next police chief? how much involvement do we want with different people? Um, and it's pretty comprehensive from them screening
from them posting and advertising and screening the first um group for who meets the minimum qualifications. Um, giving them an assignment to do to then further screen and then set up
interviews. um and talk to the town about what types of setup do we how do we involve the public, how do we involve key stakeholders and then ultimately end in an assessment center activity which really gets at the
skill set of a police chief. They have a team of retired chiefs who they work with that help to assess the skills and the knowledge based on different activities that they do in an assessment center to really get at that skill set.
Um and then they provide a final kind of assessment as to where they score. >> Perfect. Um so thank you. First, I'll kind of give the board a chance if they have any questions around the process. >> Sure. >> Anyone have questions for Jessica around what she described?
>> Um, sure. I was glad to hear this was a firm we've used before that we because there's only one applicant. Um, and then the assessment center design, they listed a whole bunch of components there. Okay. Are they looking for feedback from us on which of these they should do or they will choose based on
the candidates? I think what they're what they're they're laying out um what they would what they offer as options, but also what they typically do. And so the proposal is kind like they're
expecting that there's more than one proposal and you're looking to see what they have to offer as a consultant. And so it's giving you an opportunity to decide if they're somebody you want to use based on what they have to offer. Once we select them officially, then we
work with them to say this is what we're looking for. They talk to us about what are we looking for in a chief, what are we looking for in a process and they work around that. >> Okay. So, they'll if we select them then they will come back to a future meeting and we can all give our feedback at the
time. >> Okay. >> Yes, you can. >> And it looks like there's opportunity for community feedback and we'll help go over that with them. >> That would be good. Um, I really like the idea of the panel interviews with the select board followed by a community meet and greet of some kind. And then,
um, let's see what was Oh, and I believe on our past searches like this, we've had one select board member on the search team. So, we I do that this time, too. >> Absolutely. >> Okay. I think those are all my questions for now. >> Matt, >> so I'll stay high level on details here.
we only have one applicant and I'm going to trust my HR director when she tells me that the applicant is qualified for the services we sent them out for and it's below the financial target. I'd be remiss if I didn't ask that. So, I'll stick to just generically sort of my initial reactive thoughts. I'll I'll emphasize and echo Amy. I really want to
be thinking about how we get the community involved in this process. Can they be part of early pre-screening? Can they be giving directed feedback? Can they be partnering with town employees? I think the more we can let the community and town staff feel like they
are part of providing that final grouping to us and that the candidates we're choosing from are not handpicked by us but rather they're the ones that the community that the process thought we should be spending more time with. I think that's a big step in terms of how we build that community credibility. So
I'm very please don't hear that as a dictation of how it should go. here. That is me being very focused and very aware that the number one with a bullet thing for me, pun not intended, sorry, is that the chief is qualified. And the second one is that the town feels like it is a person that they had a vested
opportunity to select. Whether we ultimately choose one of the candidates that they ultimately put forward, their preference or not, I want to find myself in a position where I have two or three qualified candidates and the community is across from me and says, "Doesn't matter which one. We all have our
favorites. Some like it hot, some like it cold, some like it just right. All three of them I trust. Whatever process puts us in that position and makes the community feel that way. That's what I want to be a part of. >> Yeah, thank you. I I think this is a
good start. Um just a quick question. How many did we approach and we got back only one? Yeah, the the four the four main consulting groups that do this for police chiefs um are the ones that uh it
was sent out to through the um grants and procurement manager. >> And do we know what was the reason for the other three not being interested? Is it the money? >> They did. uh only one gave a reason um being that they um had too much on their
plate right now to be able to to be able to effectively provide a search. >> Yeah, certainly the one we have we have used them before. So uh and they're very competent and I think this is one of the most critical um job at hand for us as
the town leadership and not only it's a public safety matter but it's about uh having the trust of the community and also building the culture of our town with community police engagement and also the police moral the department's
moral. So a lot of um stakes I think on this uh and we take it very seriously. I I have a couple of follow-up question. One is um in the process how are we planning to engage the stakeholders both from the leadership and from the
community and police department in in this. >> Why don't we come back to that because like I said I want to kind of propose like a framework and we will decide together. So if you want to y Okay. >> Yeah. Thank you.
>> Um, so Jessica, now we're under 10 grand, correct? Yes. I heard. So we don't really need >> uh to do an RFP or an RFQ or what have you because it's under 10 grand, >> right? or yeah it it already went out but now that it came in with the one is under then technically we didn't reach
the threshold to have to initial intent was to uh get three bids basically and cover beyond a $10,000 procurement process right >> correct >> do we have documentation that we did not get respondents from others did you get
phone calls or people send an email or what have we what have we >> um I don't have all document mentation from all of them. But yes, >> we should document somehow some way either from them or internally that we did reach out. We these are the folks what are the entities. >> Sure.
>> This is what we got back. This is what we did not get back. >> I can send document the whole process. >> I can send a followup. >> Um but do we need and so if it's under 10 grand, we don't need three bids. Is that right? Even let's say it was over 10 grand. >> Even if it's
>> would we be required to get three bids even if we ask and we don't get it or we just have to ask? You just have to ask at least >> and that's the law. Is that correct? Okay. Um All right. And how much would this agency be now if we did engage with them? >> How much? What
>> how much is their uh fee going to be? >> It will be $9,995. >> A little close to 10 G's for me. >> Yep. We need to make sure we re truly document that we reached out for others to get quotes because that sounds a little sus
my kids terms. >> Y we uh it it it is in writing. It was done by email through the grants and procurement manager so I can get a copy of those. >> I'm not questioning what you're doing at all. I just want to make sure that we have the documentation absolutely doing here in the decisions we make. I'm good.
Thank you. >> Okay. Um so so again you know we're we're going to decide this process and so I wanted to lay out a framework that you know after talking to Jessica and Elaine um that I think would be touch on a lot of things you know one I think
when we have a consultant like this you know especially that's specialized in this industry um it's great but I I use them as just like another resource or a tool not necessarily like a deciding factor. Um, so I think we can do a combination of things. You know, use,
you know, a consultant like this under the request that you put out, but you know, to Mr. Ker's point before, we can do a lot more than that. And and I'm kind of going back to, you know, to steal from our friends at the school committee, um, a similar process that we did last year for the superintendent
search. And, you know, that started with a screening committee. And so, you know, I think we can leverage a consultant to post the job, collect applications. Um, but the screening committee and, you know, I'm I'm going to try and approximate numbers, but essentially
there was probably a dozen or so people on the committee. Um I think we received 20 applications give or take and it was on the screening committee to kind of narrow those down to it was either 10 or 12 and then inter do you know short
interviews with those 10 or 12 to put forward four finalists for you know to go in front of the school committee. Um I really liked it. I thought it was a very fair process. Um it was thorough. Um, in my mind, I like, again, I threw
out the number of like 12 members of the screening committee. Um, you know, this is where I'll look for the board's feedback in a second, but I I was envisioning something that's like six members that work for the town, like six town employees, and then also just six residents, uh, so that we can open it up
and get like a good mix of input and background to review these things. Um, and then, you know, obviously they go through the interview process. They put forward ideally three or four finalists. Um, and I thought it would be great
before it came to the select board for interviews if we had another set of interviews where we had our town leaders, you know, interview these candidates. And I think specifically the town manager's office. Um, I've spoken with our fire chief, our superintendent who also volunteered to be a part of
this. I see those kind of three department heads being, you know, working with this whoever this person is going to be the most. So, I think it's critical to have their input as a board. Um, and to me, it just it's more data points for us as we come in and
interview people that final night. So, that's what I just wanted to lay out. We'll go through the board. I want to hear feedback, thoughts, if we need to tweak anything. Um, also, of course, if you think there's anything wrong with that type of process or something that we should be thinking about, I'd love that. We were we were talking today um
all of that can work with with this process. Um we were also thinking that we could we've utilized polling polling the public in I know when we did the town manager search we could um use that
platform also to see what the most pressing questions from residents are and may maybe incorporate some of those questions into the interview process. um things like that. >> I think that's a great idea. Um so yeah,
I'll kind of look to the board. >> So you're talking six for the screening committee, the initial committee, we'd have the consulting firm, right? >> I in in the screening committee, I kind of see the consulting firm >> organizing it, >> organizing it, overseeing would follow
or she would follow and then it's there's going to be six and six. Is that what you said? So, six town staff and six res >> residents at general general residence. >> Do the town staff fill out an application to be appointed to the screening committee?
>> I I think I I think we look for input. I I'd obviously love people that would love to raise their hand and sign up for this. Um but if there's alternatives >> Okay. And then for the residents, are we going to have them fill out an application or also just raise their hand and then we'll just >> I I think we need some form of
application process here. So that >> come in. >> I'm laughing at the raised hand in the back. >> Yeah, >> I agree with you, Brian. >> So, uh, six inside or six in town hall or in town government, six residents and
applications of some sort maybe for the residents and, uh, raising your hand for town staff for the original. So then Elaine, the fire chief, and the superintendent, if they're that second round, they wouldn't be on this first round. >> Correct. >> Correct. But Lance could be on the first
round and Jessica could be on the first round. And >> I'm typically on both rounds. >> I'm typically on both rounds. >> Yeah. I think you have to be there right with the consultant. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I'm good. Thanks. >> Yeah. No, I like how uh we are framing
it. I think that makes sense. Um and I like how Mr. went through the details. I think that's important how we select them, how we get the application, how we select and uh be very transparent about it. One thing I would like to add is usually we would also add um
representation from the town leadership select board appropriate uh select board school committee and appropriations usually if I remember I'd like to consult what has been the presidents I know the few that I have been aware like that so that's something I would also
add to it and we can adjust the numbers as it makes sense um so town leadership the residents of course and town administration and administration would include I would uh expect police representation. >> It would depend on who's applying for
the job. >> I see. In that case, may I also suggest I liked it when I did the CFO interview that there were representation actually from the CFO office uh who you know also expressed the uh the about the team
dynamics about the um department moral and culture and things of that sort which I think is an important component at which stage uh we can talk about that it was yeah it was in the screening stage also. So something to
>> Yeah, they um they do interviews. The um consultant group does interviews with um the key stakeholders in town and they with those exact questions. What what
are you looking for based on what is the culture? What is the type of policing that's done? I mean, luckily they do know us a bit already, but um they they want to know what Hopington is all about. I also noticed in this proposal
that they talk about the um team that's going to be be doing like the assessment center that they they quote unquote train them in the Hopkin way so that when they're assessing and when they're
interacting during the assessment center that it's very specific to how Hopkin um does their policing and what what their ethics and morals and and mission and all of that is all about their driving force. >> I appreciate that. I I I think that's
important. But I also think being part of the selection process >> helps with the moral of the employees and departments. So that's something I would propose as well. >> Okay. >> Uh that's all I have for Thank you.
>> Uh so a couple quickies. First, uh I want to just thank you. I think it's a wildly creative approach and I hope the community is hearing that. To me, that is wildly reflective of someone who has sat up here for a year and had it made clear to them that the town expects a bigger voice. That's how I heard it, at least as someone who sits up here as
well. So, thank you for the leadership there, sir. Fully in support of the proposal. I do have a quick question, though. While I like that we have done business with this group in the past, it presents a conflict question for me on two fronts. So, I would expect, knowing nothing I shouldn't know, that our
deputy police chief will likely have interest in being the police chief. We have openly discussed having somebody from senior administration as part of the hiring process. Let's just make sure we're smart about our conflict there and managing how that goes. I don't want any impropriy or appearance thereof on
either side. And then similarly, because we have consulted with this group in the past, they in theory have preconceived notions of us. So while it's good that they understand who Hopkinson is, I would want to understand who we're working with. Were they actually on this committee previously? Were they part of
that selection? They obviously recommended at least in part that Deputy Chief Van Ralton go through and be one of the final candidates. Ultimately, the select board makes a decision. Again, I have zero commentary on that decision. This is purely about appearance of
conflict and propriety to the town. I otherwise think this is a wildly creative process and I'd really like to be involved from a select board leadership perspective. I think I am the one among us right now who has the most distance from this as a town lifeire issue.
Okay. So, I generally like the process that Joe outlined there. Um, before the consultant though posts the job, will they come to us to get our feedback and and how the posting should be worded? Okay. >> And then I like the idea of the screening committee of about a dozen people, six towns and six residents. I
assume one of the residents would be the select board. Is that talking about a select board member? Plus, >> we could do that, too. >> Yeah. I I think like I I was kind of thinking, you know, more I wasn't going as specifically into like what the makeup of the six and six was when I had the idea. >> Okay.
>> When Mr. Manan started talking, um, you know, we could easily expand it to 14. I think there was like the numbers irrelevant just to make sure if we feel like there's people from like whether it's this board or other boards and committees that should be part of this, I don't think the the number of people
should limit that. >> Yeah. So I think it is like Mr. Hurst suggested having um an application process would be good so that we get a wide range of you know people that um don't have kids, people who have kids, people who are new to town, people who have been here a long time just so we get a representative sample. I assume
that's what they did with the superintendent that they got some school parents but some people that were not school parents. Is is that right? It was a variety. >> Yeah, it it was a complete mix. You had people from that was from committees. You had people that was just, hey, I I raised my hand. You know, >> my kids are just going through the school or my kids just finished going
through the school system. It's you got a mixed bag. >> Okay. >> I think we're going to be hurting for volunteers on this one. >> Yep. Um and then my memory was that we did not have police or staff on when we were hiring police um the chief or def deputy chief and that kind of a conflict
that so I wasn't sure we should have a member of the police department on the committee. >> I didn't think about that. I didn't see it as an option either. I felt like, you know, to the point of a conflict. >> Yeah. But let's for example, the fire chief would be a good example and it doesn't work in that department, but would be familiar with the job.
>> Yeah. I I think when we talk about town employees, like you know, you know, we already talked about the town manager's office plus the fire chief and the superintendent for that last interview, but you you go through the departments. You know, we've got a DPW director, right? Plenty of people. >> We've got a deputy chief on the fire
department. You know, we've got multiple lieutenants with years of experience. Um, so I I I think there's plenty of places we can go and and look for like quality and and willing participants. >> Yep. But otherwise, the process sounds good. Screening committee finalists and
then and community feedback. Yeah, >> I love it. >> Okay. >> Hey, Joe, if I could maybe throw one other idea into the mix here. Um, I I think it might make sense that we have our labor council, not necessarily as one of the original screeners or even
the finalist screeners, but our labor council approving each step of this process. Um, I think that um, uh, he in particular, Nick, can help us here a little bit and anticipate anything that might come down the road, you know, a year, two, five years down the road
through a process that we hold now. Um, so I don't think it would slow anything down and he wouldn't have any votes anywhere, but he could say, "Yes, okay, proceed to the next step." Yes, it's all good. Proceed to the next step because we have a multi-step process here. And I think the more we more steps we have, the more opportunity there is for
somebody to question something along the way. And I would just want to make sure our council's good with our process as we go ahead. >> That's an >> just an idea to throw out there, but I think it would help. >> Jessica or Wayne, thoughts on that? I don't see any issue with it. Yeah, I mean we could lay out the
process for him and he could he may even have some recommendations for part before we start the process. >> I like the idea. I think that's an excellent idea. The more we can have um you know process, oversight, due diligence, all these cuz again this is
very important for for the town, for our leadership um through the chair. One other question I had uh is just for this process, how are we going to measure success for our um hired consultants? Cuz I want to make sure we just don't
get a you know pass through streamline of candidates. Do you have any thoughts on that? Well, I to the level that they are reaching out for our
um specifications as to what we're looking for and following those. Um that's where I see them being successful. They're saying what they have to offer, but they're framing it in based on what we want them to do. So if
we are saying these are the things we're expecting of you to be looking for then then I would want to see a measurement of that as we go through. >> We can tell them how we feel about broken windows. >> Yep.
>> Yeah. I think like going back to the superintendent search, the consultant that they use, you know, came in, you know, when the screening committee organized came in, hey, you know, here's two or three dozen questions that are typical in a superintendent search process, right? And the committee used
those it leveraged existing things as opposed to like creating them from scratch on the fly. It's much more um of a quick process when we leverage them in that ways. So I I I think you know we can talk about some of our expectations around things like that. And then I mean
at the end of the day I think part of this process is not relying on the consultants you know for the outcome as much as guaranteeing the process that we've outlined. And I think step by step that that success should be like very visible. You know what I mean? Like if
we find out they go into the screening committee and they don't offer any questions like >> you know what I mean? They're not doing they're not doing their job. >> That makes sense. And and drawing on that, I think for our town manager search, we went both sides. The consultants came up with a set of
questions and areas and then all the screening members contributed with their own questions and domains and then we reconciled also making it you know not like 50 questions. coming all together. Then we agreed kind
of in the beginning or through emails I think in the beginning on zoom call to make sure everyone is covering their pieces of the voice and came up with a consistent set of questions that then >> went through. So yeah I agree that uh as
we evolve in this process um our oversight and our engagement would be important and we can define some of the and measure some of the success along the way. Absolutely. >> Thank you. >> Um if anyone if they don't have any questions, I'd like to go into some of
the details like we talked about number of people on the screening committee like something that we because we're not meeting again for two weeks >> and you know we talked about like um certain leaders in town that we think should be involved. I'd love to get some of those down on paper now so that like
Jessica can work, you know, after this meeting and in between the next one to work with the consultant to kind of say, "Hey, here's here's what we're thinking. We've got some time. Does anyone want to share some thoughts?" >> I think six and six feels like a reasonable number. It's big enough to
ensure a diversity of opinion. It's not so big that I don't think it's going to come to consensus. I like the idea of keeping our senior town leadership that being the chief, Elaine, etc. I would want them more as that second pass vet before any candidates really come to us.
So, I think that makes sense to me there as well. I don't know how you want to handle whether one of us is a resident or not. To me, it's more about just us being involved and making sure the process is meeting our expectation. We're going to get every opportunity to have our say about who comes out of it at the end. So, I'm less concerned about
having a voice up front. Yeah, I I didn't envision a select board member being part of the 12. >> It's why I'm sort of demeiring there as well. Like I'd love to be involved in the process, but I think we should just be sitting in the back going, "Ah, good discussion. They're clearly getting what we wanted out of this." Like that's >> Yeah. And I think that's fair.
>> Yeah. >> So, I'm comfortable largely with what you've outlined. I do fear any larger than that. And it's unlikely that the group will come to consensus or the other direction, the group will start to come to artificial consensus because we'll get some fractioning packs. So sorry we can work with the numbers. I
like the six and six and then three town leadership. Is that how we're constructing? So six residents, six town administration and then but I I don't know I didn't clearly hear you. I I was thinking having select
board uh appropriations and u school committee one representative from each I don't know if we involved anyone else in the past like I remember for town manager that's what we did for CFO kind
of that's what we did um so drawing on those we can finalize some of that >> so you're saying they would be one of the 12 >> you would be one of the 15 adding So, six, >> he wants to add three more in. One of us, one of school, and one of appropriation.
>> But Brand made a good point. I'm open to that. I mean, it can be part of the six and six if it matches the numbers cuz we don't want to go too big. But we're going to have 12 I don't know, 12 fingers. We're going to have 12 people do the preliminary screening, >> right? We agree on that? >> Yep.
>> Then we're going to have three people do the secondary screening. >> Evan, Elaine, Chief, >> and then the finalists are going to come to the board. Yes. >> Well, so so just just to clarify, I envision the screening committee passing along those I said three or four would would be I think a good preference for
us to get to and those three or four would meet with >> like the town manager's office, >> fire chief, >> y superintendent. >> Y >> um but yeah, I just wanted to make sure. >> But so where would a select board member and a school committee member sit in this process individually?
>> I was thinking it could be add-on to that or it could be part of 12. I don't know what does that >> 12 or 12 plus two >> e >> either one. I think what Matt and I were both just talking about a minute ago was um I don't think a select board member needs to be on the screening committee
because we are going to like we're we're dealing with the final outcome here and I think other than just sitting and observing the process and making sure the process is being run I I actually I don't really want the select board member to have a say on that initial screening piece. >> Agree. I'm not sure um why would we
change our process to hire all the other um in this case cuz I remember for town manager we had but fire chief we had for deputy fire chief we had >> we had a screening committee for all of them >> we had screening committee and select
board representation and we can check the records I don't remember the specificity and then for the school CFO we had so if that's been 90% of the trend And why wouldn't we do it this time? >> That's my memory, too, that we were on this one one of us was on this screening
committee. I could be wrong, but >> I mean, again, we're all deciding this together. >> Yeah. So, >> I just want to >> I know where everyone stands. >> Yeah. I think >> Joe, were you on the screening committee for the superintendent or was that for the >> super for the superintendent? The
superintendent. You were okay. >> I mean, there's an argument to be made. I think that we are not involved with the screening committee and let it be a pure process with no quote >> you know local political stuff involved. There's another argument to be made that
we were elected to do this very job >> by the police chief and be part of that process from the start. So I I don't know which is the best way to go. Um >> if I may interject there's a third dimension which is having our views from the get-go in the selection and screening process. We don't want to find
it third round that you know it didn't include some of our >> Yeah, I think we're dealing >> concerns, however you name it. This is not I mean one member out of 12 or 15 would not make the decisive uh cut, right?
>> It it's not it's not even about in my mind it's not about making like a decisive impact. >> It's more about having the voice. Yeah. So I I actually think it's more about giving that voice to someone else because we ultimately have a voice. We're we're dictating the process itself
and we will have a voice. I want to give that voice in that in that early part to someone else in town. >> So let me challenge that. How is it different from superintendent hire, fire chief hire, town manager hire, school CFO hire that we have to opt for a
different criteria this time? I know we are talking that's why I'm also talking. I I just think again we have the we have the ability to dictate the process and we're pulling from different previous experiences and we're pulling things that we like and maybe things that we
don't like. I shared my opinion. we will decide as a board like >> it's it's not it's not that we're stuck to because I do not remember like >> you know for instance >> the the superintendent there was no in between interview with the finalists
right the finalist went to the school committee >> screening committee so like this is already a different process that we're discussing so >> so we parted >> yeah so you liked or did not like being a representative in the superintendent
hiring process. >> I did like it. >> You did like it. I liked it too. I I presented in two. So that's why I say something that we liked and we practice for years. I don't see the need to change it. >> But I wasn't a school committee member in that process.
>> School committ >> I hear what you're saying about our our concepts and our ideas and our wish list being part of the dialogue, you know, from the beginning through the end. But nothing says and we should make sure this is clear in the process. If we get a three finalists that come to us and we
don't like any of them, we start all over. We are not in a rush here. Like we we got to make the right decision. So we could always Okay, we didn't get anything close to what we're looking for. We're got to redo this again. >> Can I make a suggestion? Um, the other thing you can do is you can have
somebody on the board be like the liaison for the process and then they would work like I would keep that person informed with everything that we're doing along the way >> um so that there would be that connection
um that assurance that the the board's um kind of vision of how the direction this was going to take was actually happening. Yeah, I heard this basically is you tell me what all of the requirements and aspirations are here. You you buy all the ingredients for the
meal. I'll tell you what things you should be considering and what I would recommend based on my expertise. You look into you then tell me what you want here. They will come and build the framework. That framework is the architecture with which the committee operates in. Perhaps this is just a reflection of where I am in my career
relative to the two of you being much more senior. I'm so used to being powerless in a situation like this that the system and the structure is important to me. So I hear this as at an executive level tell me what the critical requirements are, what the must meets are, what makes your town
character important and how you want the process to look. I will go chef that up for you, sir. You will eventually get candidates. And to Brian's point, yeah, it is a touch hands-off. It allows the community a bit more ownership, but at the end of the day, Brian, I think you hit the critical point. We own the
decision. If it fails, it's a in part because we allowed it to fail along the way and b I'd rather look the town in the face and say, "Sorry, we didn't get it right. We're going to do it again." than make a compromising decision. We'll get chewed out either way. I'd rather be chewed out for the right reason. So, I'm not afraid there either. So, I think
it's just a degree of comfort with where we are. I'm happy to have one of us involved. I don't necessarily see it as a change, but perhaps that's because I feel like I'm going to have such strong input into the structure. I'm comfortable giving some of it away else-wise. I know I'm giving away control, folks. You heard me say it.
>> Yeah. >> And that's essentially what I was trying to advocate for during one of my many pontifications. >> Yeah. I don't I'll go with that. What are your thoughts? >> Um so I would like like show like one like remember to be on the group of 12 like we our past practice has always
been. Um, so, >> uh, and what about your thoughts on the the different suggestion of a liaison for attending there? >> Well, I would think that person could also be the liaison if that's what we want. Um, yeah. Have we had leison on
before? I trying to remember. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> So, then I would suggest 13. Let's put some skin in the game. the one of us who sits there is your proverbial tiebreaker vote and then we don't take a seat from somebody else. So it can be six and six
and we can make that the leison on we can call it just the select board rep whatever it is but we're purposely tilting it. There's one of us and there's six and six. >> Okay. >> Does that make sense to everybody? >> I'm fine with it. >> Fine with me. So seven and six. >> Yeah. I mean you I was trying so hard
not to say it that way. Brian >> I should say 67. >> 67. Yeah. Um, that's why >> he already got sus of too. He's been great today. >> Give him some credit. >> Um, >> okay. Cool.
>> And then I want to come back to Mr. Manan's other point about school committee and appropriations. I'm a little less concerned on appropriations. Not that I'm not interested in Mr. Flannry's opinion here. It's just there is a set salary. It's going to be union negotiate. like we have a whole there's a process there.
I'm a little less concerned about that, but I do like the idea of school committee having some input here as well. I know Evan's going to be involved. We're going to get the town leadership piece if we want them to collaborate with us when a senior leader on their side comes up. I think your point as well that we probably have to offer the same courtesy.
>> Yeah. And I think that makes sense. >> And again, we don't have to reinvent everything. What is the precedence on this? >> What is the precedence like select board and school? I do remember school committee in every hiring process. >> Don't know that they were involved with the fire search. I don't
>> I feel like it should be dependent upon how they interact with >> No, it should be. We're just looking for president. >> Select board interacts with the superintendent when we do budget. >> Yep. And on this one, I can see school having a I don't want to say more of an opinion, a stronger voice. Like there are school resource officers that like
it's such a more present part of the school. >> They have to work with the Exactly. more often. Yeah. >> Okay. So, it sounds like we're still six and six. We We'd like to see school committee there. We'd like to see select board there. So, sounds like we've talked ourselves to 14. I cut poor Bill Flannry. If you if he feels strongly
about it, I hope he lets us know and I would be happy to put him back. >> May I throw in another wrench? >> No, >> I like the six from residents and I want to keep it solid. So, these two being a leazo, can we just add on six and six plus two? >> Yeah. So, 147.
>> He tossed >> I'm being serious. >> He tossed on school committee. So we got ourselves up to 14. So six residents, six town staff, one us, one school committee. And then historical precedent seems to have been appropriations. And I am trying to kick port Bill Flannry off so he doesn't have to do this. >> I don't think that's
>> to haveations. But if Bill is interested, he should apply. >> Yes, he should. >> You do enough, sir. Thank you. I mean, I'm okay with the school committee member being one of the res residents, too, but I'm also okay with >> my only demural here is I think you all
made a good point about it appearing to insider baseball. If we want to have a school committee member and a select board member on fair, I think you've made a solid point. I don't want to be accused of taking a seat away from the community. >> Right. >> Do we need to make a motion to select
this firm or >> we do? >> Okay. I'm com I'm comfortable based on what we said, but I will ask that you at least not that you at least go back. That sounded terrible. Let me retry that. I hope we can follow up on the conflict of interest items I highlighted. Not that I think that they
won't get managed, but to me that is the only deal breaker we've discussed here tonight. Everything else is us just kind of making the stew. >> So, can I make a motion to um engage the PSC Consultants LLC for our police chief search and assessment?
>> Second. Okay, we got a motion in a second. So, just to be clear, like um can everything that we just discussed with like the screening committee, can you take point on like accepting applications for that? >> Yes. >> For the
>> I can just wanted to make sure. Um All right. So, I think that's that's a start then. Yep. >> So, Jessica will post this screening committee um where both town employees and residents can apply. Um I'm not sure where we'll post that, but we'll make
some type of figure out somewhere to do it right on the town website or make an announcement. >> One other point of clarification. So when you come back with um residence applications, are we going to decide like we do for uh committee appointments? >> I think we should hear. Yeah. I think
it's important enough that this group is the one that should be appointing at least the citizens. I would want to have a conversation with the lane, but I'm going to respect that. anybody any town staff that comes forward is we're going to feel they're qualified. They already work for us. >> Okay. >> Question. We have a motion on the table
about the uh consultant. Correct. >> Yes. >> So, can I ask a question about that? And I'm not judging. I'm just just >> That's why we're here. >> Absolutely. Um, when you got that price of $9,995, was that they responded to the RFP or
the RFQ with that price or did they give you that price after they found out nobody else had responded? >> Oh, they didn't know nobody else had because they they all I mean there was a deadline that they had to pay and they they came in before the deadline. So, they had no idea whether or not we had
other >> Okay, we have a motion and second. We got a motion in a second. I just wanted to make sure any final thoughts. >> Kudos to you. The fact that we just had this discussion and we came to a place of alignment as this board. You must have done some really good work up front. >> Thank you. >> Always come alignment.
>> All right. Got a motion and a second. All those in favor? >> I. Any opposed? >> Got what you need, Jessica, for tonight? >> Thank you. Vote on setting up those numbers of of the groups or No. Well, I think we I that was kind of why I
clarified what we discussed, what we captured. It was the six and six plus two and that's >> and then the consultant and Jessica will kind of organize around that. I got you. >> Are you are you going to decide tonight who of you is going to be the select
board member or will you decide? >> We should do we can do that right now so that person can >> I would very much like to do it. I'm obviously interested in hearing from others, but I have a vested interest here >> and I'm not interested in doing it. I
don't like to do screening committees. >> I think I would support Mr. Kner's candidacy. >> I have no issue with it. >> Boss, >> that's fine. Do we need a motion for that? >> Well, eventually you're going to appoint everybody. >> Okay. Yes. >> Make a motion.
>> We can make this one. >> All right. So then I I would move to select Matt Kizner as liaison to the police chief screening committee. >> Second >> and search. We got a motion and a second. Any final thoughts? >> Look forward to working with you all.
>> All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Cool. Jessica, thank you spending the time tonight. Appreciate it. >> I think the best hiring process I'm going to be part of for a while. That was awesome. >> All right. Um, next the board will consider reviewing and discussing a
draft common VIC license policy. All right. All right. Elaine and Lance, it's been a couple quite a few meetings. I think we kind of shifted gear as we were going after this for a while. I think we discussed the framework um and then we
kind of shifted gears towards budget town meeting the last few months. So, while I try and find the page that it was on, >> uh, 72. >> 72. Thank you, Amy. >> This is the one I read.
>> 72. >> Yeah. >> What page is it on? >> 72 of the agenda packet. Um do one of you want to walk us through like what the updates that we've we've captured in this and then what realistically next steps should be
because I think there's a couple things obviously you know how we kind of put this into place so that's part of the process going forward especially ahead of the fall and the annual license renewals but then there's also the piece which I'm not sure if we can solve it tonight but what do we do with information that comes from these
quaries and these sars um I like that's a critical piece of this you know we've heard from the town on that. Uh so I think we can we could start discussing that tonight. I'm open to feedback, but my guess would be that we need to bring that into another meeting. Just just a guess.
>> Yeah, I like where you are. I think the policy speaks very well, but yeah, the questions about what enforcement looks like. >> Yeah, makes sense. >> Just to clarify, so we're going to discuss tonight but not not vote on it.
Well, I think I in my mind like when I look through the policy updates, um I'm comfortable with the updates to vote on the policy itself. I think what's what's not fully baked out yet is what we do with information that we find through
the quaries, the SARS. I think that's that's more of a you know dynamic situation. And and I think >> I have questions about that tonight. We could we ask questions about that tonight because that's one of my big questions. we can talk about it like anything's on the table for tonight. Um
that to me though is more I feel like we need more than just one night's discussion on it. >> Um and can I suggest on that topic that we get town council to weigh in on that information for us because there's state law specific to what can and cannot be
done y >> that information. So, we should get that understanding from our town council. >> Yep. >> Make that into our decision-m process. >> We don't make it up on the fly. >> Yeah. And I appreciate that cuz I I was racking my brain about like the what about the guy who took a car when he was
18 and like he's not done anything for 30 years and like well of course I want to see him differently, but then you've just proven that you're making a subjective assessment and that's how I think we get into trouble. And I believe the Cory's show um c um felonies for 10 years and a misdemeanor for five years,
right? So I think thing would not show up. Is that correct? Or that's one of my questions. >> I can't believe I didn't know the details. >> That's why we need town counseling. >> Yeah. >> Has town council reviewed this already? >> Yes. >> Yeah. I thought we consulted with the town council the last time, right?
>> Yes. So, um, first I want to thank Lance for all his work on putting this together and reviewing it with department heads and the town departments who review and also reviewing it with town council. So, it's been reviewed by the departments and also by town council. So, what you have before you is is a document that's been
reviewed and okayed with with all of those groups. >> Okay. Elaine, to follow up, did town council address this specific question, Mr. Har? So there is a section on page three um where it talks about criminal history. >> Which section? Sorry.
>> Section three. Uh so it's a section seven page page item four. >> Page three >> on page well page three. >> Number four. Can we >> Oh, right. >> Okay. 74. >> It talks about criminal history and what happens. >> Yeah. But I that's what I'm saying. I want to understand what applicable law
means. >> Right. >> Or some examples. Yeah. We're we're Yeah, we need to understand that. >> Yep. And I think it should be overtly clear to your point, Brian, so it doesn't look like we're picking and choosing, which is what I was trying to get at. Like it it should be obvious what happens and it should be
dispassionate. >> Yeah. I think the process should be more obvious. Yeah. >> Yep. And I don't like taking away our ability to be subjective on the fly, but I feel like this is one where it might be to our benefit or at least as you noted examples
>> and town council may not want to put applicable law the info the laws in his policy, but I would like to understand what they are and discuss them so that we're all on the same page. >> I'll put a point on it for >> I suspect he can't put that in there for various reason
>> because laws change, right? Yeah. It's also hard to anticipate every possible thing that might come up, >> but I think we need to make sure we're clear on that because I >> that's what we've always done. So, it is what it is. >> To Brian's point, I think we would benefit from having that said to us an open meeting as well to make it clear
that we asked. >> Yes. >> So, guidance in this regard. >> So, should we have you asking the questions or have a town council on the call in the next meeting or something? Uh if you'd find it valuable to have town council live to answer your questions. >> I think that would be a good idea.
>> That would be good. So everyone can hear >> because I'm comfortable with the policy as a whole. We're really just talking about enforcement and implementation. I don't have any contextual conversation here. >> I will ask if chamber has commented on this. I think we've been doing a good job about making sure we're looping them
in. I think we've come to a it is heavy in terms of expectation but it feels light touch in terms of reasonable to accommodate which I think is a nice place to be but I wanted to be clear to the businesses in town. I think Mr. Manonymous to her do a good job of reminding us that Hopping benefits from
being a businessfriendly community. Yes, this is something we need to do. No, we're not going to hear it well if they say we shouldn't. But let's make sure they're aligned with us and if there really is something that would make this a little better or more impactful or less painful, I want to hear from them. their opinion matters.
>> It's It's always great um right after town meeting uh when you come back to the board and sit down and start thinking about what we're going to do next. >> Yeah. >> Because you've got town meeting and the general will of the community fresh in your brain. >> Yeah. >> The fingerprint discussion at town meeting was a very healthy discussion,
but the general will of the community spoke. No. >> No. >> Right. So we have we have a that's a data point for how we want to get better with common vict licenses and we're working on that but I think that data point has to stay fresh in our mind. We don't want to go too far here and the
chamber of commerce said no meaning said no. So we've got these data points now that we got to work with as we craft this thing together. >> Okay. So then just from a you know standpoint of like moving this forward,
do we do we want to make a motion on the contents of the policy tonight? >> I know I know we need to discuss some things with council or do we want to hold off? I'm just trying to get a straw poll where the boards >> I had a big list of questions and comments that I'd like to get out tonight even though and I would like
town council to come back um with more information and answer questions directly. >> I want to hear where your head's at before I give my perspective. >> Okay. So um in some places it mentions Corey and sorry but then another place it only says um they'll sign a Corey acknowledgement. Do they not need to sign a a sorry?
>> There isn't a separate form. It's just not okay. Could be Corey/sory form. >> We don't produce the form. The state production is used for the same purpose. >> Okay. And I know the civil printing um single civil fingerprinting got voted down at town meeting and it was pretty cumbersome going to take a lot of hours
to do. I did wonder if would it be possible to do the fingerprinting like they do for school employees through Adenico which is $35 each and I know a lot of other state departments use it to DCF um early childhood and care um a lot of different agencies use that same
service but I don't know if it's not open to towns it's only open to um education type jobs I so I wondered if we could explore that option um and then also someone had brought up at a previous public comment that a national query might be a different option one we do is currently a State police Cory, not
a national. >> It's Massachusetts. >> So if someone had committed a a rape in another state, it would not come up. Is that >> that? I don't know. >> Okay. I guess I'd like to know about that. And then someone brought up at town meeting that it could be a false sense of security that we do all this and everything is safe, but it's only
the managers. So there could be other employees that have a criminal history that work at the restaurant and people wouldn't know that. So I just I'm just bringing that concern up. I don't know that we really want to cory everybody. I know some big businesses do core everybody that they hire, but small businesses probably don't.
>> I don't think we can go there. >> I I know. I'm just I want to get that out there though. Um >> Okay. And then and what exactly does the Corey find? It it would find if someone was charged or convicted. Um but I don't think it and I would like town council to answer. It would show arrests where
no charges were filed or would and I don't think they would show if someone had been accused of something right there and no charges were filed. maybe not arrested but just accused but no charges were filed. Um let's see
and like could police bring to concerns to us if they've heard reports of potential criminal conduct or domestic abuse but no charges have been filed and and even if they did bring those to us could we act upon them or not?
Um, and for the sorries, I think if someone is a level one sex offender, it might not show up on that, but I'm not sure. I'd like to know. Um, you know, and like I think what we're all saying, could we legally deny a common victual's license if someone has something small like a single misdemeanor
um or an accusation without charges? Um, and would there be an appeals process for the applicant if we denied their license or their appeal would be to take us to court? Um, and I guess let's see. Yeah, could we I assume we could be sued for unfairly denying a license. So, we'd have to have
a solid reason for denying. And I would like to know if there are restrictions on where sex offenders can work in Massachusetts. I think they cannot work near schools or daycarees, but I other than that, I don't know that we have too many restrictions. So, I'd like to know and um other states I think have
different rules. I think it varies by state. So, I think that's that's my list of questions. I think all those questions, Amy, uh, with a conversation with town council, you'll get those answered, right? >> Because at the end of the day, we don't make these rules, >> right? >> State of Commonwealth of Massachusetts does.
>> So, back to your straw, Joe, I'm largely in line with the content, but I think there is enough up in the air now in terms of the questions we want to hear back that it makes sense to just do it all live next time. >> Amy, do you mind forwarding that to Elaine and Lance so they can send? >> Sure, I can type it up. Yep.
>> I mean, I typed it very roughly. Okay. All right. And and that feels like something we should get a response on prior to our next meeting, >> I would think. >> Hopefully. It's town meeting season for town council as well. Oh, multiple communities. So,
>> true. >> All right. Well, then let's get the email out quickly. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, I'm I'm kind of here in a collective like let's pause, get some responses,
have council attend live next meeting if possible and continue this conversation. >> I think that makes >> in person or on the phone. >> So, I I would prefer in person, but to to the town meeting season comment,
>> you know, it's it's two weeks away. Um, so let's just all we can do is make the request. >> Okay. But I think, you know, an MTC should be able to have someone respond to this in that time and hopefully participate. >> Generically speaking, back to your straw poll question, Joe, just while we have
outstanding questions, is there any discomfort with language that is in there now that is not something we have discussed as a clarification? We want just thinking about work we can be doing in the interim. >> On that note, I don't have any other standing out. I think we have discussed
it quite a few times and it's um coming out well. I appreciate um Mr. Her's comment. The council's direct kind of clarification on some would be helpful. One other thing I don't remember because we've been doing it for quite a few
sessions since November I believe. Have we got feedback from the relevant parties? the that would be police, fire, health department, and what was the other? So, and chamber of commerce
potentially on the new policy document. Maybe we can just email out and see if anyone has anything to comment on or suggest on. >> Yeah, we don't have comment from the Chamber of Commerce, but I believe we do have comments from everyone else. >> From everyone else. Okay. We've been having conversations since the beginning
with the uh various town departments involved and just getting their feedback throughout the process. I think a lot of the concern is around you know specificity and just having a clear understanding what the expectations are going to be from the select board. So that's part of what this policy tries to do is clarify some of those expectations
>> predictable process. >> Exactly. So >> thank you. And one other through the chair one other um comment I have I'll wait for the full thing to kind of um pen out hopefully in the next session is I mentioned it earlier we then want to
have it a balanced way so it can also be easy and simple uh with the guardrails and the checkpoints that we have where we want to start looking at digitization in the next round um and also u making
sure and it's process after digitization or through that can we put out a SLA commitment of some kind because it should be you know pretty step-by-step process throughout uh all of these unless there is a hiccup in that case it's not an SLA
>> um so the board the uh policy does speak a little bit more to the deadlines and expectations of the you know the lency holders so it's going to it's going to be some more consistency around the you know application deadlines and when we expect things to be turned in I in the renewal process um in involved we are
expecting hopefully to go digital soon uh maybe you know July August time frame we should be hopefully be online so it'll be hopefully in time for the renewal process coming coming up um you know there's always some hiccups as you go transition to those settings so it's
be expected but um yeah should help it'll also give us yeah some data points to consider potentially as we go through that as well just inherently by having a digital process >> and transparency no That's great. I'm happy to hear that. Thank you. >> Any final thoughts, comments?
>> No, I'm fine. I think the timing thing is is a challenge, you know, for different reasons. Last year was because some new code was being enforced. Lots of inspections had to take place and so it wasn't so much on the business owners as it was just on the capacity to get everything done them as well as the town itself. So, we got to be mindful of
that, not penalize others if we've got something or the state says you're going to do something different and we have to enforce it. Totally agree. And I'm thinking SLA more from our side that we are a business friendly. We commit that we will process it. >> You're right.
>> Okay. >> I have one more. Sorry. Yep. You were asking if we had any questions about the policy writing as it is. But um it says for the reviews by the various departments um for the police department it says impacts lure that might might impact the lensure might have on traffic parking noise pedestrian pass patterns
impacts public safety emergency access reports of any incidents or police responses at the premises. So that says to me that if they were if they knew of uh police reports that were not on the premises but with these individuals, they would not be reporting upon that,
right? I guess. And so would they be limited? I' I'd like to know that from the attorney, too. >> Like is if somebody was getting, you know, reports against them all the time but not while they're at work? I don't know if we can have that or not. But >> good question.
>> It's fair. I I don't know where it is in like my employment contract, but I absolutely promised if I was routinely getting like drunk and disorderly, it wouldn't matter how good I was at my job, it would eventually be a problem that I was getting D and Ds. >> Yeah, Amy, can you just add that to your list of questions?
>> Thank you for your diligence here. I mean, these are really good. >> All right, any final thoughts? We'll try and come back to this in two weeks. >> Lane, town manager. >> Okay. All right. So, um, first on the town
manager report, it was just a following up, uh, regarding town meeting and what happens with the process. Um, so the town clerk's office prepares a return of the warrant. Um, which is the official record of the votes taken. That can sometimes take a month or two to get that done. Uh, zoning by general bylaw
amendments are submitted to the Mass Attorney General's office for approval. Um, and town staff works with the town clerk's office on that. Can take several months for approval of bylaws. Uh, but once they're approved, zoning amendments are effective on the date of the vote and general bylaws at the end of the the
approval process. Uh, operating budget and capital projects approved are entered into the town's financial systems. Um, and then FY27 funds become available on July 1st. Um if streets are accepted as public ways, town council drafts an order of
taking for the select board to adopt. So that will be coming to you uh in a couple of months for each street that was accepted. Uh and that gets recorded at the registry of deeds and then there's an order of taking that occurs after that. And there's a butter notification process through that uh process as well. So that goes to the
abutters. Um if uh when unpaid bills are approved, the town pays those right away. So those funds are available right away. Um and then town departments might begin the procurement process for projects or items that were approved uh so that they're ready to go when the
funds are available. We'll be seeing a lot of uh work on RFPs and other things like that coming up. And then any easements that were voted uh they'll be finalized, approved, they'll come to this board and they'll be recorded at the registry of deeds. So those that's what's going to happen you know
logistically and operationally with a lot of the things that are voted at town meeting and eventually what we do is we put together a document on the website that indicica indicates the progress on each of those. So uh it'll maybe take a year or two for everything that was
voted to be to be completed or to to get underway. >> I think those tracker documents are very useful. I appreciate them >> and we try to keep those up to date whenever possible. Any other questions on the process? >> Anyone? >> No, but I do have other thoughts on this
space. >> Sounds good. >> Okay. And then uh regarding town department position. >> So, sorry, Ela. Hold on. So, in the space of town meeting, Joe, I thought you charted a really interesting path in terms of community engagement earlier when we were talking about police chief.
I want to suggest something actually eerily similar in the context of town meeting. I would love to have potentially Connor and our time moderator Zach come back and kind of give us their thoughts and reflections on how things went. But longer term, you and I shared a little bit of private
frustration on Saturday about did we have enough people? Were we going to get quorum? It was dicey there for a minute and we ultimately lost quorum. If Saturday Town Meeting is going to be what people want it to be, meaning child care, events, food, no conflict with
things going on in the community, we're really going to have to plan for it. It's going to take 364 days. We're probably going to need a group that's watching it, and it's probably going to involve an allocation of some funds that comes to us and asks to be allocated. I think the community would be in favor of all that, but it's just not possible or
appropriate for us at this level to be driving that. So, I do want to suggest in the same way you kind of led with the police committee, I want to suggest potentially thinking about a town meeting committee, not to run town meeting, but for the purpose of preparing the community for town meeting
and sort of being our advisory entity to let us know what they needed to set it up for success. >> Yeah, I think it's a great idea. >> So, I'm not this is I'm not usually one who has good ideas. It's more like criticisms and bombs for me. So, I'm not totally sure what the next step would be
here in terms of how we should approach this. >> Yeah. So, I I think I think it really should be, you know, a future board agenda item. Okay. >> Have a have a more detailed discussion. >> Okay. >> Because I think >> it was a future board agenda item all year last year to be honest. But >> I she was saying she thinks it was a
future agenda board item all last year. We have the action to come back and circle up on town meeting. I think we can capably have that. I'll take the action in the background to try and talk to both our town clerk and town moderator to try and distill their thoughts about what I just generically framed to you. And once I feel like I
have something more, maybe I'll come back and we can go from there. But it sounds like there's at least broad alignment from the four of you that it would be a good idea if we asked some people to help make the event successful. That would be good. >> I like the idea. I think >> okay >> I'm definitely going to request from the
town clerk the the voter the the list of voters who participated and compare it with the last few years to see about the demographic split and the numbers and >> I'm super interested and that's why I want a group who's actually going after this. >> Yeah, one is planning and one is I'm thinking Ela we always try to get some
feedback on the latest town meeting. Um if we can have some mechanism when we have it on the agenda that would be a good input. So, I actually talked with both our town clerk and Elaine briefly this afternoon about just that idea. And
I think like to not just have it as an agenda item where you know we discuss it as a board and then you know like people can obviously come up and speak during public forum on something like that. I think we need something that's more interactive. Yeah. Like a public hearing
where we can actually have conversations around it and I think it's in our benefit to do that sooner rather than later. Um I think everyone knows like once school gets out a lot of the town residents are gone for the summer and by the time they come back town meeting
will be you know months ago and you know feel like a year ago for most. So, if we could do something like that prior to the end of school when we still have a lot of residents and town meeting is fresh in their minds. Um I I I think
that's in our best interest. >> Yeah. >> And I think >> we need to do it like now. >> We Yeah. As soon as possible, I think while it's fresh. >> Yeah. So I think that's something that we can >> Can we maybe suggest a public hearing then at our next meeting and then we can
have the broader strategic discussion about ownership and iteration as it comes up? >> Maybe just a Google form survey that people could fill in their thoughts because a lot of people are having conversations online about what they did or didn't like about it. So getting collecting the thoughts without having to make people come to a meeting because
it's hard to get them to come to meetings. >> Oh, for sure. I'm just echoing Joe's sentiment that if and when this comes here, it needs to be interactive so that like they can come up, say something, and we can engage with them a little bit as opposed to the non like come up, do public forum, I'm not supposed to say anything. >> Yeah,
>> we could do both. I mean, we could always put out a survey. >> I think that's >> I think a survey is great, but I I like my my problem with Saturday was the attendance. >> Yep. We voted for this. No. Again, and it's the first time we did it. So, it's not it's not to say like, hey, Saturday
town meeting cannot work. It's just saying like we need feedback right right away to figure out if we're going to stick with down this path. We need to figure out how to make it better and more accessible. And because literally all I care about is higher attendance at town meeting. And I think, you know, doing both the survey gives some people
that won't come in person the opportunity, but I would like to hear from people in person as well. I think it's critical to have a discussion as opposed to just listen, take input and >> yeah, I have the stats from like the last 10 years or so and like this was a very similar turnout to last year which
was evening. So it's not that either both years there were not too many controversial things which I think is could be a bigger factor than the day. >> I don't know like >> listen all I know is I didn't see Mary Ara. >> Well, >> I want to know if she's okay. >> Let's put it on the agenda, put out the
survey and gather all the feedback. I I have heard both but I also heard a lot of constraints especially from young pe people or young residents that um kids and not only kids and babysitting but kids in games and church
>> all those kind of played into it and we have seen certainly that the quorum broke eventually but I've also heard good things that you know it went smooth it went quick and one day we're done half a day but there were lot so many variables it probably needs yep >> some discussion an analysis.
>> One thing I didn't know I was missing is there was no coffee. And for the evening town meeting, I bring my water bottle and I'm good. And I I wanted a coffee refill. >> So, yep. >> That'd be an easy thing to provide. I think >> I forgot to eat breakfast and didn't have coffee and I was feeling it. >> It was food. That's good.
>> That's me uncaffeinated folks. >> Move on. >> All right. So, uh next on uh town report. Um so, the town department position vacancies. So uh at this point there are uh two positions to be posted and one is the program coordinator
summer supervisor in the parks and recreation department and the second is a public safety dispatcher position. um the program coordinator um supervisor at the parks and recck department is one of the three employees that they have year round and so this person is critical to
maintaining the quantity excuse me the continuity and quality of their year-round programming and the uh full-time public dispatcher as you know is very important to the community um they need to field calls 247
>> anyone have questions for Elaine around those two >> just Making sure it dispatches a back fill. >> Yes. >> Okay, I'm all set. >> So, we do need a motion. >> I got him. I move to authorize the posting of the full-time program coordinator summer supervisor position
for the parks and recreation department and for the posting of the full-time public safety dispatcher position for the communications department. >> So, move a second. >> Okay. Got a motion and a second. Any further thoughts? >> All those in favor? I >> I >> I'll abstain.
>> It's four and one abstain. All right. >> Then the final item is the 28 null road land disposition agreement. Um Lance, if you wanted to where we are on that. >> So, as you may recall, we recently signed an amendment to that land dis
disposition agreement. Um we worked with Habitat Humanity when they brought it to record it that there was an issue I guess with the uh the deed reference that was on there which town council has been you know worked to resolve now and then took this opportunity to also just combine the separate amendment and the
original into a single document um and this will be notorized. So it's really just a resolution of that there's no other substantive changes to the document. So unfortunately, you know, this was something that wasn't found earlier, but this was just a minor change more or less from what you've
seen previously. >> And just to remind the public, this is uh so that Habitat for Humanity can construct affordable unit on this lot. >> We were just talking about that. >> I move to sign the updated land disposition agreement for 28 N Road.
>> Second. >> Okay, we've got a motion and a second. Final thoughts? All those in favor? >> I >> I. >> Any opposed? That is unanimous. And that brings us to liaison reports
and board invites. Uh I can go ahead with the corridor if that's okay. Uh it's going to start back up here very soon. The marathon's over. Obviously, Amarella is the general contractor. They're supposed to return within a week or so. So, I'm looking at a calendar right now thinking maybe
it'll be the week of May 11th. They're going to be tearing up the driveway right next to the uh Moffen House uh because that driveway is too steep to come into the street. So, that'll all get redone. Uh there's a lot of other small pieces of the puzzle that they have to do in advance of the paving from
the from basically the fire station to uh Ash Street. Uh that paving is scheduled for the week of July 5th right now. That could change a little bit depending on weather and things along those lines, but they're coming as soon as school closes. They're going to start
raising structures in downtown. You know, the metal things sticking up out of the road and you paint them orange. And we're going to try and get donuts put around the side of those as rubber donuts so that you don't hit the hard structure. You hit the donut and kind of ramp up over it. >> But that's not confirmed >> and that's a thing for various reasons.
It's how they do this work. So, but we're looking at that. >> Um, landscaping is getting reset in some cases where it's needed. I've been kind of pushing hard on that myself. Uh, I do think they've resolved most of it, but I did see one tree walking down to the town hall this evening. It's kind of leaning, but I'd like to get that fixed.
Uh, there are ballards in a black chain going up in front of Main Street Service within the next two weeks. That's where some of the patrons of that business have been driving off the sidewalk and getting stuck and having some problems. So, they're going to be putting that up. They're getting rid of those orange cones that are out there. That's
supposed to happen within the next few months. Um, but really Amarell's coming back. It's going to be a little bit disruptive in downtown. No roads are closed or anything like that as they do this work, but then when they do the paving the week of July 5th as a schedule now there will be road
closures. >> Quick question, sir. The closure would start July 5th, right? We have a parade on July 4th. >> We have a parade on July 4th. The parade on July 4th will have some raised structures that they're going to have to navigate. Yes,
>> that's been discussed and we can't slow down this project and lose Amarillo for another construction season over one parade. So, we have to work, you know, we got to balance it all out here. >> Should be manageable. >> Okay, that it Brian. >> Yeah,
>> I don't have any update. >> Yeah, just uh quickly uh 31st of May is touch a truck. It's happening again. So, thank everybody. Come touch a proverbial or non-proverial truck. Well, it is not my liaison assignment. I will be there in that capacity anyway. The LMPA is
having their annual meeting next Monday at Startline Line. If you want to see what it looks like when your community members get together to organize for impact and change, that's exactly what it looks like. Plus, they're fun with drinks. So, I would say stop by there as well. I have a couple future board agenda item updates, but I'll wait.
>> Amy, >> um, I don't have much. Um, the MAPC annual meeting is June 2nd in the evening. usually in the daytime, but we have a meeting that night. So, I think I won't be able to go. Um, and then I'm working with town staff about um meeting with South Burrow about the um IMA. So,
trying to figure out dates. Do you know if they want to do daytime or they want to do evening at one of their meetings? >> I think we're hoping just to see the availability in ter we're going to throw some dates >> both throw them both day >> blacked board member present there. So, as long >> we saw the emails.
>> Yeah, we should establish recon. I would suggest Amy, we re reestablish connection face to face at one of their meetings is almost like a show of seriousness. >> Going to a Southboro meeting, you're saying? >> Yeah. We've had trouble connecting with them and ultimately whether or not we pay them a gobsmacking amount of money,
they're doing us a favor and we have not approached them that way. So I would suggest it might look good if we came and we sent the selectman and Kyla and made it very clear that we were ready to have a different conversation. Yeah, I did actually go to their meetings when we started this process with the DPW director who went to some of their select board meetings.
>> So just >> if we're ready, I can go this time too. I don't know what night they meet in case the same. >> Let's at least let's at least reach out. Let's see what they want >> through this year. One quick update on May 12th evening. We are uh reviewing and meeting to uh brainstorm on the economic development plan that uh is
being prepared. So more on the plan on the strategy and all those. So looking forward to that discussion and uh can bring the content after the meeting. >> Perfect. And then just really future board agenda items. Matt, I know you said you had some.
>> Yeah. So just quickly, I wanted to follow up on a about the LNG plant. So I had the opportunity to meet with Elaine the fire chief and uh Rep Arena D. Rosa uh last I believe it was last week here. So we followed up around Eversource. So the general feedback is that Eversource
is willing to meet and to talk to us. It's more a question of what can be done. So James is looking at waiverss and trying to better understand essentially who is stopping what work. And we're asking each of the three companies up there. And for folks clarity, there really are three
different companies up there. Even though they all kind of do the same thing, it is three different companies. So we're trying to see is there any maintenance that's common to them that they'd be interested in. So, we're just starting to look for common wins, common opportunity. The one other thing that I really wanted to highlight to the
community because it's come up a few times, the smell in the air. So, when we get the smell in the air, I think we all kind of panic because the smell in the air smells like the additive that goes into gas. So, generally speaking, smell and air smells like gas. Probably a
problem. What I learned in this meeting is that Kinder Morgan, one of the other companies up there, actually does radio boroscoping of their lines. For those of you who aren't in our industry, it's when you take a camera and you shove it down into a pipe and it's actuated and
is able to move over long distances. The entry for that radiocope happens at the top of Hopkinon because it's where all the pipes intersect. And you may ask yourself, why do all the pipes intersect at the top of Hopkinson? because the largest LNG plant in the facility in the
area is at the top of Hopkin. So, there's a lot of factors going on here, only some of which I'm beginning to learn about, but I hope you're hearing the key takeaways as we're having conversations. We are driving to try and partner with the businesses up there to increase the amount of safety work they're able to do and to try to cut
through some of that red tape. Your fire chief is making it abundantly clear how much he has partnered and he is working with them and how engaged he is from a training perspective. And then lastly on that discharge issue, I do want to note that Gary has actually been working with them in terms of filtration time of
discharge as well. So we're working to minimize the impact. So I know it doesn't feel like we often get progress up there. It is a complicated knot which I think many of you are aware of. We continue to have really strong state house rep support from this and we are going to continue to drive until you see some action here. I will be back on this
one. >> Thank you Mr. Ken. I just wanted to add uh I think this is a very important topic. So let's continue the conversation. We had a several meetings set up and the good news is um there's been positive um collaboration and response from all the parties as Mr. Ker
mentioned and from the state level also our state rep and senate president has shown um support and as needed collaboration I think expedited conversation. So good
things more to come of course. >> Thank you sir. you any future agenda future agenda items >> for future I think we added that I was going to add the town meeting related conversation that's >> yep >> I think
right I think we are good >> there I don't have a future one but I just forgot that or our board invites the fire department invited us to a live fire training on June 28th if any of us are available um >> I am negotiating with management to see if I can attend I would really like
I will be there. >> You're going to be there? Yeah. It It sounds very interesting. >> Yeah. I can think of worse ways to spend a summer morning. >> Can I bring my nephew? >> I didn't want to ask. I'm so glad you said that. I'm not going to ask, but I was thinking it. >> Probably. I'm guessing probably not.
>> Just be kids when it comes to fire except you. >> When you grow up around it, you've seen a couple live fire trainings. So, uh, executive session is canled tonight for council not making it. So, I'll look for a motion to adjurnn. I move to adjourn this meeting of the Hopton Select Board.
>> Second >> motion and a second. All those in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? >> Thank you all.