Hi, good evening everyone. Welcome. Happy St. Patty's Day. Um, I call the meeting to order. This meeting of the Hopkins Select Board is being held both in person and remotely using the video conference platform Zoom. Uh, tonight select board member Brian Her will be participating remotely and all other
members of the board are present in for this meeting at town hall room 215 216 in person. At this time, I will ensure that select board member her um, participating remotely can hear and be heard. Brian, can you hear me?
>> I can hear you. And for the record, I am not at a pub. [laughter] >> Very good. >> The uh the public has the option of attending in person here at town hall or via Zoom using the link post in this meeting's agenda. This meeting is being
recorded and all votes will be taken by roll call vote. We will start with pledge of allegiance. [clears throat] I pledge allegiance 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. >> Uh so so we will start this evening 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 that would like to start? >> Welcome. >> I'll talk as fast as I can. Okay. Beth Malloy, 190 Lumber Street. I'm going to guess that you all saw yet another victim of sis manises came forward to Ryan Cath on channel 10's
smalltown secrets. I recognized her name as being a friend of my sons and my daughter-in-laws. speaking with Cath uh Ryan Cath about her assault in 2016 as a female employee at Hillers, how he tried to isolate her by getting her out to the dumpster with
him, suddenly putting his arms around her and attempting to kiss her while stinking of alcohol. She spoke out about the tight relationship between the Hawkington police and how free food went out the back door to officers. Tell me, does that fall under a conflict of interest? Because as an elected
official, it would for me. Um, she turns to the Hopkin police for help and then she is threatened by Sis Manis for reporting it. He told her he knew people. She spoke of him slapping female employees on the butt, offering alcohol to underage employees. Sis Manis asked
the victim, "What would you give me if I gave you $1,000? What would you give me in return?" That brings us back to 2018 executive session where both him offering alcohol and sexual and his sexual deviency towards teens was discussed. I know Brendan Ted Stone knew
and that's why for four years he refused to sign off on the license. I have no doubt he told you why. John Cino was the chair back in 2018. Brian was there. Elaine was there. If only you had done your job back then by taking it seriously. There would have been no more
victims in town. But you didn't. You tabled it and you never brought it up again. Interestingly, John Cino received some thousand donations from 77 West Main Street in his last two failed attempts at getting back on this board. John was seen last summer accompanying
the Susmanis family to the Framingham courthouse. We deserve answers as to why this was dropped. Brian told me his records were destroyed. They were not. No one ever checked. After the assault in 2023 that was all over the news in town, Hillers came back late with their
license. Elaine in the select board allowed his license to be renewed again. So I place the blame on the 2018 select board with the exception of Mr. Tedstone. And I blame all of you who let his license go through in 2024. You knew
his history and you stayed silent. Our police chief needs to shoulder this blame as well. He knew in 1995 what was going on because he told me in a meeting I had with him. This town is 100% responsible for what happened to the teens and the young women at Hillers.
So, you need to own it. >> Thank you. >> Anyone else that would like to speak tonight? >> Welcome. >> John Lascowski, 15 L Drive. Uh, I'm here to respond to the town's response back
on January 20th in 2026 on the documented facts we presented to past public forums. And what's truly disturbing is, you know, this town's continued effort just to twist the truth uh to the victims and community despite being handed your own records of your own failures. And I want to get the
record straight. You stated in on that meeting January 20th that Hillers didn't have an entertainment license after 2019, which is technically true. What you guys conveniently left out is that he's required to have one every single year and that license required a Corey and your town manager's office failed to
run that Corey on their own sex offender year after year. You left that out. Don't take my word for it. Take hers. Miss M Miss the town manager Lazarus quoted in Hopington Independent a Corey for Sus Manis never materialized through this process. End quote. She added the board quote acted in accordance with the
2018 executive session we just heard about. Miss Lars was at that meeting. Mr. her was on that board. The victims in a community deserve a direct answer from both of them. At the next select board meeting, perhaps they can explain why a required quer was never run on a convicted sex offender. Since we're
since we're answering questions and the victims in a community deserve to understand why from 2019 through 2025, six years operated without a required entertainment license, six years of renewals, six years of town inspections, nobody notices, nobody acts. Who made
those decisions? What public safety rationale was justified not running a required Corey on a known sex offenders? The victims in community are owed an answer, not a narrative, an answer. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else like to speak
tonight? >> Welcome. >> Hi, good evening. Marie Lascowski, 15 Luring Drive, Ashland. We have talked at great length about town man the town managers and select boards past failures failures that have
resulted in assaults. It has been 224 days 7 months and one week since we first stood before this board. Not one process has formally been changed. Not one. The victims and community deserve
to know that. At that time, this board has been presented with documents, facts of failures and broken processes that have affected public safety. And the town's official response from council is this.
The town and police acted appropriately. That is Hopington's official position to sexual assault survivors and to this community. Seriously. On January 16th, I came before this board during a routine license transfer.
I did the basic checks on the town's own licensing packages from the data that you had on your agenda. I found glaring errors. I pointed them out publicly and I was bered for questioning the process. The town manager assured everyone that the application was in good shape. The
result, the ABCC rejected the transfer. The application the town submitted was erroneous. 224 days later and it's still happening. Errors brought to the town's attention. Facts are ignored again. Now
the town believes that it can investigate itself. Ask yourself in the history of self-investigation, how often does an institution find itself guilty? How often does a town manager discover herself her own failures? Or how often does a select board uncover its own
negligence? The answer is never. You cannot be the investigator and the investigated at the same time. That is not accountability. The victims in the community deserve an independent investigation. Not because we assume
guilt, but because independence is the only thing that makes finding credible. 224 days. The victims deserve better. The community deserves better. A town that investigates itself and calls it
justice is not seeking the truth, it is managing it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else here for public forum? Amy, can you check for Zoom? >> Uh, there's no hands raised on Zoom. >> Okay,
with that, we will move on. Um, next, the select board will consider the following consent agenda. The board will consider approving the minutes of the February 24th, 2026 meeting. The board will consider accepting a donation of $100 to the ambulance fund from Skip and Karen Irvine and $250 from Middle Sex
Bank in memory of RD Pine to the Hawkington Fire Department. And the select board will consider approving the following special uh temporary alcohol licenses. Um the first of the Hoy Foundation uh approving a special temporary al license for Russ Hoy on behalf of the Hoy Foundation for its
annual Yes, You Can Run/Walk. The event is to be held on Saturday, April 11th, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at EMC Park located at 113 Hayden Row. The alcohol will be served by TIP Certified Servers and will be supplied from Startline Line Brewing Company. In addition, the board
will consider a request for a fee waiver for the license application because they have a nonprofit organization. Um, also the board will consider approving a special temporary alcohol license for Project Just Because for a fundraiser to be held on April 11th, 2026 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the St. John Church.
The alcohol will be served by tip certified servers and donated by Rushford and Suns and Jack's Abby. In addition, the board will consider a request for a fee waiver for the license application because they are a nonprofit organization. Uh the select board will also consider approving the following parade permit applications. Uh, the
board will consider approving a parade permit application from Allison Murphy on behalf of the class of 2026 for the senior car parade to be held on June 6, 2026 at 10 a.m. It will start and end at Hopkin High School. There are no road closures requested. And the board will also consider approving a parade permit
application from Dorothy Fer Farader Wallace on behalf of the marathon committee for 100-yard dash to be held on April 18th, 2026 at 2 p.m. Road closures are requested for Main Street at Ash Street, Main Street at Hayden Row, and Hayden Row at Park Street. The race would be begin at the Marathon
start line and end at the Main Street Hayden Row intersection. So, with that said, is there anything the board would like to break out or discuss from the consent agenda? >> Yes, I'd like to discuss the car parade.
>> Okay. >> I'd like to doesn't have necessarily have to be broken out, but I just want to confirm the permitting team made comments on each of the um temporary licenses and the parade permits. I just want to make sure their recommendations will be followed for the detail officers and um crowd control manager.
>> Yes, they will. In the packet, there's a certificate from the crowd manager who will be present at the event. >> Okay. So, we can discuss both. Uh, so just to clarify, were you breaking out or did you want to discuss your preference? >> I'd actually like to break it up.
>> I just want to add that um I want to thank the ambulance fund and the Middle Sex Bank for their uh contribution to the Artpine Memory Fund. And uh one quick question for Elaine for both the parade
permit applications. Are we separating both or >> I just want to talk about the uh high school car car parade the 100 yard dash. I don't have any comments on >> then we can talk about it. Okay. >> Yeah. So I think we need then a motion to break it out if if we're not just going to talk. So make a motion to
approve the consent agenda items um A B C and D 100 yard dash but not the D bar period. >> Second. Thank you Amy. >> Okay, >> we've got a motion in a second. Um any further discussion? If not, we will go
to roll call. Amy >> Bush. Yes. >> Matt Kisner. Yes. Man, yes. >> Brian. >> Brian. >> Brian her. Yes. >> And Joe Clark. Yes. So, that approves everything with the exception of the car parade. Um, so now you can >> Thank you. Uh, maybe it's the
increasingly long beard, but I'm going to be a little bit of old man on my lawn about this one. I get a lot of comments about this one in public. This is a COVID hangover from my perspective, and I very much understand why we did it when we did it. I thought it was a novel
and creative solution to the absolutely awful impact that those kids had to their social and developmental experience. We are now in the year of our Lord 2026 and there are many people straight across from me. In fact, we are all in the same room, although I'm not so excited to be breathing all of the same air. More about sick people than a
judgment on them. With all that said, I get a lot of comments about how disruptive this is. This is a Saturday at 10:00 a.m. No matter how well we message about this, it ultimately goes through the main artery and the main intersections in town. I absolutely promise you we will have constituents
who forget this is happening and get caught up behind a parade of really excited teenagers. Excited they should be, young they are only once. I just wish there was a way we could do this in which we are not imposing the celebration on the entire community. It is not as painless as we are
articulating it to be. And I say this as someone who, and I'll just own it as the fuddy duddy. A, I just said fuddy duddy. I have been caught in this. It is not fun to be caught behind. And when you have screaming kids in the car, it is not easy to explain why you can't go
straight. So, I just wanted to break this one out. I'm sorry for being old man on my lawn. I appreciate all of you indulging me about it. I just thought it merited a little more discussion. I think enough's enough on this. >> Believe the applicant is here. If we
like >> you can come join us. >> No, that's I'm I'm welcoming you up. You can come join us. >> Yeah, you can come feel free to sit up here. You can have a microphone if you don't mind introducing yourself. >> Yeah, I'm Allison Murphy. Great to see everyone. Thank you for your comments,
Matthew. I'm one of the co-chairs of the car parade for 2026, and I appreciate your comments, but I would say we've probably waited longer in town construction than a car parade. I've been participating in the parade since 2021. Um I have three children, my last
graduating um as a senior this year and it's something that brings pure joy to families who don't have graduation celebrations. It brings joy to people who want to celebrate and honor fellow students, young kids. A like all the
last couple of years they've um they've advertised it with athletic teams. Kids come out in droves. So, I apologize you've been, but I guarantee you've been behind construction a lot longer than you've been behind the car parade. Last year, I ran it from start to finish as a
junior parent and the entire activity other than lining up took 25 minutes. So, and it went at a pace that was very respectful to the organization and I have not heard one complain about it since. So, >> I wouldn't expect you to give in the passion there and so one, we don't
engage in a back and forth. So, thank you for it. My general thought in non- response to you would be then do it at Loop Road if it's that quick and it's that non-disruptive and feel free to drive around and feel free to bring the kids there too. And yes, I probably have waited longer in construction than I
have there. But the difference, we are building something. We are paving a road. I am doing none of those things here. So I can appreciate the aspect of joy. I would appreciate finding a joy that is not so disruptive. I don't expect my perspective to be shared, but I did enjoy the opportunity to use this
position to air it. There are people who feel this way and they're never going to tell you about it because you're going to smile at them and say the children. Let me tell you from this position how wildly difficult it is to sit here and be on the opposite side of anything that involves kids or schools in town.
>> Sure. I appreciate that. >> Uh look for comments from the rest of the board. Chadwell, you want to start? >> Uh sure. I I support this parade. I think it's becoming a nice tradition and the community enjoys it. The kids certainly love it. They look forward to
it. It's something to celebrate and um uh it brings the community together. So I fully support it and I think we should continue the tradition. Can we do the tuning? Of course, every time if we learn something uh all for tuning the route or tuning the you know how it's
handled that always can get better if there is any specific opportunity that we can harvest to get better. But overall I think we are a marathon town. we can endure a parade and we should >> Amy. >> Yeah, I'm just going to add that my son
graduated in 2020 so he was the one that did the first bib parade and it was at that time a much much longer and um parade and a lot more kids participated and it really did block up the roads for more than an hour and they have really taken the police and fire advice to shorten the parade so that's more easy
on the public. So I I support it the way it is now. I I see the police have requested five detail officers and I presume that will be complied with. >> Okay. And I I think it may eventually die out on its own because it takes a volunteer like Mrs. Murphy here to uh to put it together every year and may it
may eventually die out, but I think as long as they're being respectful and it's shorter, I think it's fine. >> Wish casting. Uh >> Brian, thoughts, comments? >> Uh I think it's a great community event and I'm completely in favor of it.
[clears throat] Thank you. Um I I kind of echo what some of my members say. I think it's a [clears throat] great thing for the kids. I want to continue to support it. So with that, I will look for um a motion from the board. >> I move the motion to approve the parade.
Sorry, this has been taken out, right? Give me one. >> I'll I'll read it. So >> I move the motion to approve the Hopkin High School car parade class of 2026. >> Second. >> Second. Okay, we've got a motion in a second. It's got to be roll call. Amy
>> Amy Bush. Matt. >> Matt Kisner. No. Yes. >> Brian. >> Brian. Brian her. Yes. >> Uh Joe Clark. Yes. Alison, thank you for coming tonight sharing. >> I've never been to a board meeting. Do I need to do anything else? >> Nope. That's it. Thank you for joining us. >> Thank you so much. I appreciate it. >> Have a good evening.
>> And thank you for organizing this. Even if I'm not on that side, thank you for what you're doing for the community. >> You're welcome. Thank you. [clears throat] >> All right. Uh moving on. The board will consider approving a parade permit for the 130th Boston Marathon to be held on Monday, April 20th, 2026 with a starting
point at East Main Street adjacent to the Hopington Common and ending point at Route 135 at Hawin National Line. The road closures will be variable starting at 7 a.m. will be determined by the Hington Police Department as the event gets closer. So, as they've started, like to welcome the BAA, um various
members of our public safety team to join us tonight. I think we've got a few marathon committee members as well. Hi, I'm uh thank you for having us. I'm uh Jack Fleming from the Boston Athletic Association. Um we truly look forward to
partnering again with the town of Hopkin, your residents, your businesses, you, your runners, and your volunteers. Um it's again a special year. We had one last year with the 250th anniversary of
Patriots Day. And now this as we help celebrate and kick off uh America 250 and um Massachusetts 250. Um we know that there are many from Hopkin who are every bit as passionate about this event
as we are at the Boston Athletic Association. Um having it be uh a great day for the town and your residents. um beginning with a great plan uh which is developed in coordination
and in cooperation with everyone from Hopkin in particular uh departments and agencies that I'll I'll mention in a second but um it is our responsibility to do this to the uh town's liking and we take that
responsibility very very seriously. Um, I'd like to say thank you to the select board, uh, town management and administration, uh, Hopkinon Police Department, Hopkin Fire Department, uh, Hopkin Department of Public Works,
Hopkin Recreation and Parks Department, Hopkin Public Schools, and of course, the Hopkin Marathon Committee. Thank you, Doie. Whether it be current American record holders such as names you'll hear more
about like Connor Mance or Emily Sison. By the way, she'll be out on the course tomorrow training. Uh wheelchair champions Daniel Romanchuk or Susanna Scarrone. Uh or former champions this year. Uh we're recognizing Jack Folultz
who will be the grand marshal. he won 50 years ago on that hottest day in marathon history, the run for the hoses. Or Bobby Gibb Hopkin knows her well. The uh sculpture will be uh placed and uh
unveiled and celebrated right on the corner on March 27th. I know by the uh 26.2 Foundation will be there. Uh we hope that this year's Boston Marathon will be something for everyone and truly will be a source of of pride and thank
you for co-hosting the start with us. Um Hopkinon, if I could say, is the original. Um there's no other place in sport, there's no other place in marathon
like Hopkin. Uh, Hopkin is like Marathon Greece. Uh, you know, Verzano Narrows Bridge in, uh, New York is not like Hopkin. Uh, the tear garden in Berlin is not like
Hopkinon. Runners wait and dream their entire lives for the opportunity to come to Hopkinon. and uh we look forward to shining a very strong, powerful light on the town and its residents and
everything that you all stand for. Um we hope everybody here will be able to join us on race weekend and on race day. and we humbly and respectfully wish to play host to the 130th Boston Marathon with
you and welcome the world to Hopkinon for America's 250. Um, I'd ask Dan Satchwell, our start operations manager, to go into some level of detail.
>> Thank you. Um, good evening everybody. Uh, my name is Dan Satchel. um operation manager and also a um the start lead for the Boston Marathon. We are honored to come today
here and present the 130th running of the Boston Marathon. The 2026 marathon uh Boston Marathon will be taking place on April 20th uh beginning in Hopkin and finishing in Boston. Hington High School will be once again
uh the host for 30,000 athletes before they make their way to the start line. New for 2026, we uh the BAA has been working together uh closely with um Hopington Public Safety as well as the
Department of Public Work to transition from our traditional four-wave start to a six-wave start. Uh this change will optimize the corral loading to help relieve relieve the congestion in areas that previously
experienced um overcrowding um CVS such as CVS and also the corner of Maine and Grove. To alleviate the congestion, we have added a new route uh to the start um via Maple Street and Church Street.
additional 120 toilets um and a fluid station have been added um to the uh St. John's Church. These updates are designed to improve the participant experience uh in Hopkin and throughout
the course as well as supporting more effective um evacuation plan in the event of an emergency. In previous years, the buildout of the of our professional athlete village um will the sorry the as in previous years
the buildout of our professional athlete village will be um built on Tuesday, April 14th. We are currently um we're working closely with the Hopington Parks Department and also the Hop Hopington Marathon Committee [snorts] to ensure
that the Hopkin weekend celebrations have the space and equipment that they need for their plan activities including kids activities. Uh also food trucks, the tent usage for any rain plans as well as the activities uh that are
better suited for indoor spaces. The start line will be painted on April 15th unless um there are um you know inclement weather. The in terms of communication for the town, the abusers letter will be sent on
April 6 to alert the Hopington residents on of our new format, marathon format and designated areas to cross as well as the road closure plans for the weekend. For those residents that are situated in the newly impacted road closure will uh
they will receive a a letter four weeks prior to the marathon with uh with a specific information outlining their marathon Monday that the marathon Monday will be impacted and how we the BAA will work with them to accommodate um their
their needs. The BAA understands that we are guests in the town of Hogington and we appreciate that. Um, finally, uh, I would like to share that we added, um, about 20 more, uh, nonforprofits, um, to the 2026,
uh, BOS to the 2026 Bank of America Boston Marathon official charity program. So, we have now 196. Last year, the program raised about $50.4 million. So, we are expecting to surpass that number again this year. Thank you.
>> Awesome. Well, first of all, like thank you for the update. We appreciate you guys coming every year [clears throat] and we just appreciate the partnership with the town in general. We know this goes on so much work in the background that all of you do working with the town, working with our committees. Um, and it's it's
really like the biggest day for our small town. So, uh, the partnership means tremendously to all of us. So, I I'll kind of look to the board for initial comments, questions, you know, for the BAA. Amy, you want to start? >> Thank you for all the explanation for the changes. Um I happen to live in that
neighborhood that like on your corner of Maple and Grove and so um I just want to make sure it's going to be well communicated the neighbors who I guess there will be corral now on Maple Street in addition to there have always been on Grove Street. >> No corral. >> So no corral but it will be the the
street will be um barricaded. Um but yeah, there will be an um there will be a section for um the the neighbors to go from east to west. I guess >> they'll be able to cross. >> Correct. They will be there will be also
designated areas and we will in the in the letter we will include maps where they can identify where they are going to be able to cross the the area. Yeah, >> that's great. Yeah, I always go early. >> If they need to leave for work that day, when when will we specifically closing
and reoping roads to vehicular traffic and then if any special accommodations working with HBD and HFW just making sure that as will be for that day. >> Okay. Yeah, we always get the letter saying what time we have to leave the street. But the um the fact that there's
going to be barricades on Maple Street will be new in Church >> Street. Which is why we're looking to send out that communication well in advance to make sure everyone knows on Monday. >> Okay. Be the topic of discussion at book club tomorrow. [gasps] >> All right. Um I think that's it and that
the fire and police um are pleased with the plan. No, no, no comments. >> Good evening. Uh yeah, we've been working with the um BAA for a few months now. Uh we actually like this new idea. It uh decreases the density of the runners, so if something was to happen,
there would be less possible injuries. Plus, we also have two evacuation routes compared to one. So, >> perfect. >> I think that's all I have. [clears throat] >> Matt, >> chief. Hey, chief. Did you have a comment around that? >> Yep. Um can you hear me?
>> Yes, can. All right. Um, I really like the the change in the plan. I spoke with my team and fire and DPW and the logistics of it are all in hand thanks to everybody that does the lion share of the work. But the really key point for
me once I heard it and even backing up to the fact that they came to us at the highest level to see if this was even an option and that's the way this works with the BA. It's a collaboration in its purest form. And the things that that
the chief mentioned are are very true. We we now have an additional evacuation route because people habitually will go out the way they came and we've seen that in the in fires and and other disasters. So very happy with this plan.
Uh the deputy has worked with all of our partners to ensure it's that the same level of safety occurs on those two additional streets as is on uh Grove Street. So uh I fully support this and I'm thankful for the BA and everybody
that's making it happen. >> Perfect. Thank you, Chief Matt. You had some comments? >> Yep. Always. So, my first year enroll, so I'm drinking a little bit from the fire hose and I'm genuinely a little bit just excited to geek out and get involved. With that said, you said
something that actually really resonated very strongly with me. Hopington is a place people dream of coming to their entire lives. I would tell you that's true. Not all of them are runners. In fact, that's how I think about my town. And I don't hear a lot of other people talk about my town that way. So, yes,
we've been partners for a long time and we couldn't be more excited to be partners with you. It means the absolute world to me sitting in this position that that's how you actually feel about my community and that's the way you would want to talk to us. This is already a good cause. It wouldn't matter if you came in and said none of that. It
says an awful lot that that's the way you chose to speak about us. This is a special partnership and we're clearly working with special people. I've been in this job a year and I've never heard my fire chief or my police chief rave about anything. So you're doing something really really right. Thank you very much. Looking forward to working
with you. >> Partnership with >> Can I ask you to come up to a microphone please? >> I I do want to point out our partnership. >> Can you also introduce yourself please? We got to do this for the open record. >> Sorry. So Lauren Proan. I'm the chief of
operations for the Boston Athletic Association. I did want to point out our partnership with DIY and the Hopington Marathon Committee. The programming of the Boston Marathon is just as important as the public safety aspect of it. And who we choose to start the Boston
Marathon is just as important. And that is what that's one of the many things that DIY does. So I did want to highlight the partnership with the Hopington Marathon Committee, which is a it's so important to everything that what we do here in Hopington. And that
relationship is extremely important to us. So I did not want to close out this session without talking about that and what Die and her Upington Marathon Committee truly does. So I don't know, Donnie, if you have anything else you'd like to add in front of this committee. >> Well, I too share a lot of opinions
about this uh Boston Marathon. I moved out to Hopington decades ago mass, but I always grew up watching the Boston Marathon to so personally to to be a part of it, to be a part of the excitement and the thrill
of that start going off and all these dreams being made and you know for runners the volunteers just go crazy too to do anything to accommodate any anything these runners I mean you hear story after story of just what this race
means to so many people on different levels and it's nice that this now this program is going to help with the coordination the athletes getting to the start is, you know, to see the uh public
safety, the DPW, everybody work together um to make it happen, plus the members of the marathon committee. Um you know, they're volunteers. A lot of them are volunteers and but it wouldn't happen without the efforts of the departments, selectmen,
>> everybody just chiming in. And I think um you know it all starts here and we we really love that motto and um the BAA over the years has ingratiated a lot of things. We get to select the four starters for uh three, four, five and
six. Also they ingratiated a program that we uh suggested years ago highlighting and acknowledging our veterans which is a special part of the program. And last year, uh, we had students from Hopkin Schools participate
on Marathon Way holding flags with a patriotic t-shirt, [clears throat] welcoming all the par and pro pro athletes as they uh, you know, entranced out or stepped out and went up marathon way out to the start. And, you know,
it's little things like that. It's the community together and to have uh, you know, the VA uh warmly u take suggestions and you know always be thinking of changes to better this race has been you know what
I I see is really a great thing in this community. >> Thank you Die. Thank you Marathon Committee. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. No, thank you all for your collaboration and wonderful work on this. I mean this is the biggest event of our town and we all look forward to it. So every bit of work, planning,
detailed, thorough work that you put in uh makes it a success and uh we are really proud of that and thanks to DIY for decades of service on on this and making our town a great place uh with all the contributions and other um events that you organized with the
marathon. Um so one quick question I have is what is our expected number of runners for this time and if you can double click and elaborate on what the changes are that you mentioned and how you're preparing for it what's the driver for it.
>> Sure. Uh so the number of athletes will be right around 30,000 but a lot some won't show up right so we will have probably uh under 30,000 on the start lines on that morning. same number.
We're not asking for any additional time and we're not asking for any additional space. The change is we're seeking to make it a better experience for everyone by changing from four waves to six waves
but doing it in the same total window of time. Um so whereas in the past we had four waves was approximately uh 7,500 per wave, now we'll have six waves and those are uh have have different uh
numbers in each of the six waves. So we've um we're using a crowd scientist uh and we've studied the last several Boston Marathons as well as other world marathon majors. Um, and after studying what's going on elsewhere, we're using
that to create efficiencies. It will actually play out more down the road. Of course, it will be seen at the start, but down the road in the other seven cities and towns, they will see a
uh more constant uh flow of athletes as opposed to those pulses that we've seen the last couple of years. Um and the communication with the runners has begun. Um uh it's been wellreceived. You know, they I would say they have a high
level of confidence in what we are, uh sharing. Um they will have a lot of communication going out to the runners so that they will know where to go. Um but essentially it is a bit of uh following the leader. Um and Dan
described the small change in Hopkin which uh uh the chiefs have uh elaborated on. >> Thank you. That sounds very thoughtful and uh well prepared. So >> thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you all again for coming and for what you do.
>> Thank you. >> Brian, any thoughts, comments? >> Yeah. Uh thanks everyone for coming in tonight. Um, having run it a few times, I really like the idea of the six waves. I think that's going to keep the runners
moving uh more steadily at the start through the process to get to the line and then from then forward um throughout the course. I think it's great for the runners. So, I think it's a really good idea. It's a nice tweak and I look forward to seeing that play out on Marathon Monday. I'm all in on the
marathon. I love it. I think you guys do great things not only for our community, our state, our country, but literally for people across the world and congrats on that marathon charity program, too. That's awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir.
>> Awesome. So, I I think you know, again, thank you guys. Thank you for taking the time tonight to join us for a little while. Um, and really, I'll just look for a motion from our board to approve the parade permit. I move to approve the parade permit for the 130th Boston Marathon.
>> Second. >> Okay, we got a motion and a second. >> Uh, it's got to be roll call. Amy >> Amy Rush. Yes. >> Matthew Ker. Yes. >> Yes. >> Brian. >> Brian her. Yes. >> And Joe Clark. Yes. Thank you all. >> Thank you.
>> Forward to seeing you in a couple weeks. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for all that you do. [cough] >> [clears throat] >> So, next the board will receive a legislative update. So, I'm very pleased to welcome Mass Senate President Karen Spila and State Representative James
Arena D. Rosa. Welcome. It's great to see you both again. >> Thank you for inviting us to be back here again. It's great to hear about the marathon. It's really exciting uh for so many reasons. It means spring is really here. Uh it means that so many people
will be descending on Hopkin and all of Metro West which is great. Uh and to showcase all the wonderful things here and they do a great job and it's really uh exciting to hear about the partnership and the collaboration. So thank you for all that you do with it.
Um, I want to thank you all for inviting us. It's great to see see you all. Um, and I appreciate your invitation here. I want to start out by thanking my uh partner at the state house. He's great to work
with, uh, Representative James Arena D. Roza to be able to advocate for and, you know, things for Hopkin and Metro West in the state [snorts] in the state house. It's like double time in being able to get more done for Hopkin. So,
it's great working with him. Um, and I want to thank everybody here today, both the board and everybody [snorts] else that's here and listening because it it's wonderful to to hear people participate um and to have civic engagement. I'll start out by just
talking a little bit about the budget and then try to summarize what what's going on. Um, this is going to be a difficult year with the budget. The state budget, the state revenue is actually coming in a little bit above what was benchmarked.
So, you would think in hearing that that things would be a little bit easier. But uh I do want to say that the Trump administration's cuts to services to grants have had a um a devastating and a
significant impact on the mass Massachusetts revenue outlook. We are nearing $4 billion with a B in cuts uh real financial impacts to Massachusetts in the form of healthc care subsidies,
SNAP program cuts, changes to PEL eligibility and higher education, a lot of K to2 funding, early education and care. Uh and I could go on. every single area unfortunately has been hard hit and
because of this we are being very cautious about uh taxpayer money. It's important even though as I said our revenues to date are doing okay, we have to be mindful because we're not going to get and we can't count on the federal
dollars to our budget and to critical programs that for decades we've gotten funding for. So, uh, I do want to say, um, that just a summary of what's happened with Hopkin. Uh, the current for this current fiscal year, Hopkin's
chapter 70 funding was increased by almost 55% since fiscal year 2020. I think that's a significant amount. We did a major overhaul of the chapter 70 K to2 funding formula and this coming up
is the last year of that formula. I'm hoping that we can take another look at our funding for our K to2 schools because I do hear and I know Hopkin and all of our communities are hurting and and with the funding. So, I'm hoping
that we can uh insert and have another uh commission or taking a look at that formula to help Hopkin out. We have more than tripled Hopkinson's circuit breaker funding for special education in Hopkin since 2020. And
again, that still isn't enough. And I realize that. Um I know how important mental health support is to our community here. And I can tell you that I will continue to prioritize that. That's something that I've really tried
to to improve upon for all of mental health for our kids, for our adults in passing a reform mental health bill. Um, and uh we're I'm happy to say that we have more than doubled Hopkin's Chapter 90 bridge support, road and bridge
support since fiscal year 2020. Um the governor's chapter 90 bill for roads and bridges had a hearing just a couple of weeks ago and we're working with the house to uh delivering a funds for roads and bridges for this community because
we know how important that is too and how much uh our communities rely upon that. I know I'm ve and I'm very aware of the challenges the schools are facing uh relating to all aspects of schools
and following that very closely. So uh it's something that is impacting right now almost every single community in Massachusetts. So, I'm looking forward to continuing to working with you, the town manager, and the school committee
to hear what are some of the specific needs that maybe we can plug in for Hopkin in addition to the general education funding and special education funding as well. Um, we're exploring the policy solutions
as I mentioned. Overall, our approach approach to bud budgeting will be taking place. I uh just to remind folks, the governor does her budget in January, the House April, in May, the Senate will do our budget, and then we try to hash out
the differences in June and get it to the governor uh for her signature for it to be law. Um, as you know, the funding for this fiscal year was somewhat limited. Uh, it was tight. um happy to be able to secure $60,000 for
accessibility improvements to the library [snorts] working with Representative D. Roza 70 I did $700,000 for the school in my district and each school was able to uh get about a h
100,000 for that which has helped uh our me continue to improve the mental health of our children. Clearly there still are the effects of COVID uh and and the impacts are are still there and our children and our schools are the whole
administration teachers are still [snorts] suffering I believe from that. So it's something I'll continue to work on. Also another $400,000 for uh municipal EV charging stations as well uh that that uh each each community
in my district can get a piece of. Um, I applaud the town's leadership in getting a $100,000 from the mental health funds for this community and uh, you know, we'll talk continue to talk about the needs in that way. [snorts] Um,
also proud to help uh, deliver working with representative fair free transit for our regional transit authorities and supporting our transit authority, the Metro Sit Authority. It's been something that that's really been amazing to see
it grow and continue to knit the fabric of our communities together in a way that did not exist before and provide for public transportation that also did not exist prior to 2006. Uh to allow allow people to go to doctor's
appointments, hospitals, uh work, go grocery shopping, visit friends, uh and get off their cars off the road as well. to help our climate. So, it's been a great success and they've added some new roots as well. So, we want to keep that
progress going. Um, I want to mention that the uh my office, one of the big jobs that we do that people aren't aware of, in addition to hopefully passing good policy that will help our residents, we we do constituent services. The representatives does does
that as well. Um, I've had this past year alone over 4,000 constituents contact my office for help from anything to issues with, you know, dealing with their children, their parents, uh, the
need for help with unemployment services or uh, unemployment compensation or I mean anything. People can call us and I have to say before I was a legislator, I never would have thought of calling my legislator for some of these things, but
we can actually sometimes help cut back or cut down or cut out even the red tape and help people get assistance. And if we can't do that, we can at least listen and try to redirect them. It may be a federal issue or or some other issue
that we can redirect them. And with that, I do want to acknowledge I have the head of my district and, uh, district services, Susan Nickel, here, and another district person, uh, Mina Hadre, who's from Hopkin, by the way.
Her family is from Hopkin. Um, so it's great to have all these people on on hand to help. And people should never think twice or worry about calling up for help because that's a large part of what we do. and we're always wi willing
to help. Um, additionally, um, I was proud to support working together with the rep this Rosland CT and getting a grant for over half a million dollars from the Mass Life Sciences Center. [snorts] Hopington has become a real center for life sciences and that's
great to have the biotech growth here and and be a hub here. [snorts] Um, it's going to make a huge difference for growth in the life science sector here. Um, another victory for this community uh is the Mass School Building Authority
approval of a new school that I know all of you uh are worked hard on that. That was a long and great collaborative of a lot of people and I was so proud proud to be able to work with all of you to help make that a reality. Um, I also
want to applaud the teachers and school leaders um for all they do to keep Hopkin at the top ranked schools in in the whole state. That's pretty amazing uh to get that recognition, but it's well welld deserved. Uh the future is
really bright for Hopkin schools, our kids, and [snorts] and what what's uh going on for education in general. So, I'm glad I was able to work with Representative Marina D. Roza. also on uh the home rule to deliver the home
rule petition recently changing the libraries charter um which was signed by the governor and is now law. Finally, uh I want to uh take a moment to say how excited I am about the new Y t taking
place, the team Hoy Y. In addition to all that happens with the marathon, with the Y, the Hopkin facility, the Framingham, this is another addition for the residents that will uh really uh solidify and help uh move the the
foundation for our communities, mental health, physical health. uh they make such a difference. So it's it's been a real community effort as well and I think that's as evidenced by what you heard with the BAA that is a real
strength for Hopkin and Metro the community that works together to help everybody and make make our our lives stronger. Um, last, uh, uh, I'm really proud to mention that I I'm happy to be be able
to get $850,000 for the the new Y to help make it a real reality. I know they still have a ways to go, but it it's getting closer. So, I'm looking forward to the ground breaking this fall. uh legislative. I
just want to say real quickly um we are prioritizing I'll mention two issues and then then one last one. Um first of all we did the largest last session the largest tax cut in over a generation. The legislature passed tax relief for
children and uh families with children and dependent uh health. We did a increase in the senior circuit breaker. So, particularly with tax time coming up, many seniors will be filing taxes. They don't even need to ha to have to
file or have an income. They can file a tax form and get a return. It's from the state funded. It's not a city or town funded municipal. The increase that we did from $1,200 per per senior to 24, I think, makes a
difference. We recently added veterans to that to help give relief. That's real relief. Um we did uh other tax uh cuts. If anybody is interested, contact the offices. We can give you more specifics,
but we're really trying to focus on afford affordability. Um and ensuring that that people can live here reasonably. So housing is another area that we are looking at. We did a five billion dollar I know I'm going through
this quickly but a5 billion dollar bond bill last session. Uh the Senate is looking at what other policy can we do to help build housing units faster and now because building we all know takes time takes years and we know how
difficult it is for people to find reasonable rental uh pl units as well as buy housing if they want. So, um, the last thing, the thing I want to mention is that we're also going to be looking at health care, uh, trying to bring the
costs down there and figure out ways to increase our primary care, uh, situation to make it more affordable and accessible. I know uh, for me too, and I hear from so many people when they call to make an appointment with a primary
care doctor or find a primary care doctor, sometimes it's months before they can can get one. and that's just not acceptable. The other thing I just want to mention with um uh our mental health for our kids, the cell phone passed a bill that I'm really proud of
banning the the Senate passed a bill that ban cell phones in schools from bell to bell from the morning. Yes. Um, my son's a teacher in the New York City school system and they implemented this in September and he said at first the
kids were not in favor, the parents were not in favor, even the administration wasn't sure how it was going to work and that they are unanimous in favor. It has really been a gamecher. He said it has made such a difference with the kids and
their mental health. They are focused now more on each other and on school and interacting instead of looking at their phone or going to the bathroom during the day to to make uh appointments with their friends. It's really made a
difference and the teachers and the parents are on board now too. So I'm hoping that we can uh pass that and get the governor to sign that in time for bless you for this coming September. I think, you know, it's it's our responsibility to help our kids and I
know we're we're all addicted to the cell phones, but I think they need help um with that. So, uh you know, there's there's other things. We're trying to fight back with some of the Trump uh chaos and some of what's happening in
protecting our our residents and defending Massachusetts values. And that has been a really big push for me in the Senate uh for this past year. So I will end there um and turn it over to Representative D. Rosa and uh then open
it up for questions. Thank you. >> Sure. Well, it's great to be with all of you. I really enjoy working with the town of Hington. I know Shahid and Matt, we have a meeting coming up in April and uh Joe and Amy look forward to working with you in the years ahead. Um, Brian,
I I texted Chenade about the success of the winter track teams and didn't realize she was in Australia. So, I hope that has gone well uh along the way. And and happy St. Patrick's Day, everybody. Uh, I I do own shirts that aren't all purple. I have a green one on tonight.
Um but but it's great to be here and we are so blessed to have Karen Spoken not only as our state senator but as running and leading uh the Massachusetts state senate as the president of the Senate especially during these very challenging times. Uh we have a great partnership. I
am so grateful. She has an outstanding team. They are so helpful to me uh as I navigate I'm only in my second term. I've done policy my whole life, but I'm still learning the state house and and it's just such a joy to work with them. And anything that happens in Metro West that I I know people thank me sometimes I'm part of it. It's only because we
also have this great partnership with with the Senate President and all the great work that she does. So I thank you for that. >> It's a teamwork. Definitely. >> It really is. And and you know, she she she does such a great job sort of outlining the big issues. Um I like to use my part to just to give a little color commentary, if you will, on a few
things that have come up. Um especially things that I've gotten a lot of calls about. One of them is I've gotten a lot of calls about the high cost of energy. People I so many people literally sending me their bills and it's a challenge for us at the state house because we have some control but only
only few parts of it. Uh I mean look what's going on now with with gas prices and and Trump's war on Iran. I mean that's not that's not in our control. Um, and so we're always trying to balance and I had a I had an open town uh a town hall forum on energy. A lot of
Hopington people came, had some great participation in and a lot of interest in in making sure we at least stay committed to a long-term transition to clean energy, which I believe that we are, but we have to also sort of face some reality. You know, we've lost billions in subsidies. Um, we're finding
out things are more expensive. I I I I want to hold on to our goals, but be mindful that um we have to sometimes course correct as we think of what we face on a on a on a regular basis. And one of the big issues that came up, we did pass an energy bill. Um [snorts] I I think we ended up in a in a good space.
Everyone wasn't happy, but the big controversy was how much we were going to fund Massave. And I actually like Massave. It's a great program. I've used it. U I actually learned about it from here a long time ago in Hopington. Um but around the state because it's a decentralized program, it does not have
a great reputation all across the state. A lot of you know rebates not being refunded, contractors not showing up. So we ended up in a space where we're still doing significant funding, but we're going to take a pause and look, there's going to be an IG review of the entire program, which I think is not the worst
idea in the world. And still with the funding in place, it's it still puts us higher per capita than California and New York. So we we still giving a substantial amount of funding and the debate will continue in the Senate. They'll look at it and decide what they may may not want to do and then hopefully we'll go to the governor at
some point. U but it's always balancing those things and I'll tell you senior citizens that are on fixed incomes literally sent me their bills. I'm like I can't do this anymore. I I get my own sticker shocked when I open the bill. Part of the problem is um and I I don't want to get into too much detail, but
the GET program, which was to fix gas pipe leaks, which we certainly want to do, was was put out there years and years ago as, "Oh, this will only cost consumers $5 a month." Well, it's 30 to 40% of some people's bills. I pointed that out to some bills that were sent to me. I said, "Do you realize what this
really is?" I've asked for clarity in the bills. I'm a reasonably smart person. I don't understand my bills. Sometimes I try to dissect it. Uh and then also, maybe we need to scale back that program. I certainly want to make sure uh gas leaks are fixed, but you know, if there's a mile of pipe and you've got seven leaks short, do the
whole mile. If if you've got five miles of pipe and three leaks, fix the three leaks. There doesn't seem to be an appropriate amount of oversight of that, and we'll see how that all evolves over time. The other thing I get a lot of calls about um is immigration and what's going on
with this administration's attacks. And we certainly want to have a thoughtful, you know, border process. I mean, I'm I'm that's fine, but people should be treated with dignity and respect. I think there's a lot of discussion at the state house. What can we do to protect people's rights and stop some of the things that are happening with lack of
due process? I mean, just you there's a long list. The challenge for us is a lot of the things that we don't like, you know, masking. I think all law enforcement should not have masks, should be identified, right? And and things like just the going into people's, breaking down doors, all that
stuff. The comeback often is, well, if we put a law in place, it may not be constitutional. The feds have oversight. The feds have authority. It some back and forth. What I say to that is I certainly understand that we need to be strategic in terms of what we pass as
legislation, but there's moral outrage out there and we have an obligation to speak out. And and once in a while, I'll hear I'll hear someone say, "Well, we don't do value statements." And I and my response is the whole revolution was a value statement, right? We're celebrating 250 years and we we and
maybe we have to find a way to do it, but I we have got to speak out on what's happening and going on and and we all will in our own way and hopefully we can find a way to do it um collectively. The other thing u just a reminder, I know there's some large projects in the
pipeline when you get to when the design phase is finished like on the MWA project. I'm sure you do some of this and I know Elaine we're we're talking all the time. Make sure we get some heads up or or where the long-term planning is. One of the things I've learned is that congressional directed
spending it's a it's a long timeline. So for other towns I'm already sitting down with members of Congress and the town or at least helping facilitate a meeting. They're already thinking about 28 2930. So, I would highly recommend that as soon as you're you not not once something sort of in consideration, but
when you're pretty sure about it, anything that I can do to be supportive, I'm sure the senator as well. Um, you know, there's different pots of money and uh we want to be supportive as best we can. I know that water is a really important issue to the town of Hopington. Um, and hopefully we can make
some progress uh in the years ahead on a on a much smaller scale, small air marks. I think this year have some conversations with the green committee with Amy Beck at the uh senior center. We're going to I will I'll put forward uh a project to support uh redoing the
build, refitting the building. It's one of the oldest buildings in town. Uh needs some of the systems upgraded. It'll make it warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, and save some money, be more efficient uh with its energy usage. So, all good things for the town if we can get it through. It is
a tight budget year, but hopefully we'll still be able to do some some small earmarks uh along the way. And as Senator Spiler mentioned, if you ever need assistance, anybody out there that's listening, please call my office, our office. And if you're not sure, and
I always say this, sometimes people aren't sure. Well, gee, I don't know. Is it local? Is it federal? Who? Call us and we'll we'll direct. we'll either help you navigate if it's something at the state like unemployment, but if it's if it if it's local, we'll we'll put people in touch with somebody here in the town of Hopington. If it's federal,
we'll be in touch with Jim McGovern's office. They've got great people there. So, uh I really encourage everybody to anybody who has a question or needs assistance to let us know and we'll do the best we can. Uh but thanks again for the invitation. It's great to be with all of you and I look forward to working with you in the years ahead.
>> Perfect. Again, thank you both. You know, first that was a lot. You covered a lot of things that are top of mind. [laughter] No, don't apologize. It's a lot of things that are top of mind for like our residents here in town. You know, we hear a lot of them often. Um, you know, and frankly, like in our roles, we don't always have the answers
to those things, right? That's, you know, a dynamic situation for a lot of those matters. Um, but, you know, I think, you know, personally, I just want to thank you both because I think over the last year, I've seen you both in town at least two or three times. I I know how busy you both are. So, it means a lot to the residents when you can come
and speak and share this insight uh with everyone. So, I will let the rest of my board members kind of ask questions, comments. Shadel, do you want to start? >> Uh, sure. Yeah. First of all, thank you, Senator Speaker, and thank you, uh, Representative James, uh, Arosa for
coming here tonight and giving us a very thorough and elaborate, uh, update, which we were all looking forward to. And these are all great points. It touches all our lives, all our communities, all the towns. So, u we are lucky to have you both and what you do
is um certainly very impactful for our residents, for our towns and I think you know the craziness that is happening at national level and the chaos that we see uh this is the source of fresh air for us and source of hope. So, thank you for
keeping that up and continuing in a very difficult time. I would say it's also this kind of partnership that does not happen on the federal level which I think gives us hope and and the residents. So thank you for that. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Thank you. I I
just have a general question and I don't mean to make it like a difficult question in a difficult time but that's on everyone's mind which is as you mentioned um there's you know some shortage that we are seeing from the federal funding at various levels and
that's impacting health care that's impacting uh child care and uh education all the very important aspects of what we want to do for our residents and with that we are struggling you're struggling at the state level And it's great that we had some bump on our revenue. But
going forward at least for the next 3 years, what you are thinking or as a leadership from the state as a strategy to manage these at least for next 3 years and then what would you advise for the towns to be you know cognizant of
and um be strategic about? I I'll take that. And and that's really difficult because what's happening on the federal level train changes almost daily. You know, you think you may have a plan to handle some of the cuts and
then the next day it's either reversed or the cut is doubled or there's more. So, and it's hard to keep keep all of that uh and keep uh on track of what we're doing. But um I I think that we
are working closely and again what I what gives me hope is working closely with the house with the governor and her administration uh to plan this. We are working for economic development. You know the one thing I learned when I was chair of
economic development, I do believe the best way to grow our state revenue is to grow our industry, grow our businesses, grow the taxes from our businesses, not our residents. And that's why we did a major tax cut, you know, last session.
But trying to uh build the industries that we are really strong on that life sciences like that is great for Hopkin uh and our health care, our uh economy, our our education, our our financial aspect, the sectors. There are some that
we are really strong on and uh we're working towards building those uh the energy bill and and keeping our climate and green jobs. We have tried to approach that whole industry as not just
for climate and and for our our uh globe but really to create thousands and thousands of jobs. And we have shown the nation that it's possible. And that's why it's especially frustrating to see the Trump administration cut so much of
the offshore wind, the the solar, and all of the climate uh subsidies and and assistance because we can't cover all of it. But but we're trying because I do believe that will help create more jobs.
So that that is one of our approaches as well as looking at how can we make things more affordable for our residents. How can we cut down the costs? We I hear this all the time. It is an expensive state. Uh our energy is
high. We're unfortunately a New England state. You know, particularly this winter has been really hard on residents and uh hard on their pocketbooks. So we're looking we're looking also at at energy and trying as a way to reduce it
trying to reduce and increase the access to health care you know looking at all of the above and what can we do to cut down the costs and I mentioned um with education trying to help our communities with more assistance we provide school
meals where one during COVID the federal government stepped in and paid for the school meals the breakfast and lunch because a lot of kids were not getting it. And we know kids can't learn if their stomachs are empty. When the federal government stopped it, we were
were one of the few states that picked up the cost at several many hundreds of millions of dollars. But that is saving $1,200 per kid per family. So that is also another way to make things more affordable for families that I don't
think people are aware of. So, we're looking at at sort of all of the above. What can we do to assist our residents, cut down costs, and increase our state's revenue uh by growing our businesses? >> Thank you so much. And and very well
said, >> if I just for one second, as a former finance committee me, I mean, I I I know how tight town budgets are, and it is so volatile what's going on now with the federal government and its impact on the state. My recommendation would be a fairly conservative baseline with then
some reach items that if the money comes through you'll be able to do them rather than overcommit to something that then we find out well we've been cut so then we have to cut. It's just it's a it's a really challenging time and I I uh I certainly respect the finan members and all of you and what you'll face u but stay in touch with us also. So yeah,
>> certainly no thank you and I think we'll continue to collaborate and look for your support and um uh very well said. I think economic development is certainly on the top of our list as well. We have formed a board to advise and are working towards a plan thanks to the state for
some grant on that and also to representative Drosa for um some grant on that. But uh all these combined I think you know we'll just have to collaborate and fight together. Thank you again for wonderful service and your dedication. I also want to extend thanks
to Susan and Mina and I know Susan will be missing you but uh thank you for all the service. >> We'll all be missing you. >> Yeah, no kidding. Yeah, >> thank you. >> I'm good. >> So, thank you very much. Always informative to hear. Deeply appreciative
of the service from both of you. We richly benefit from the fact that we are in your district, Senator. I have felt that way as a constituent and I feel doubly so as a member of this board. I think what I want to choose to underscore for the public, first I'll be brief because I promised my kid I'd make bedtime tonight. Second, when they say
that they're actually available, I will tell you both prior to being in this seat, both of these offices have responded to me and since I've gotten into this seat, both of these offices continue to respond to me. I have had the pleasure of multiple meetings with Representative D. Rosa. Ran into him yesterday afternoon. I'll do more of
that later. These are real people and sometimes we watch you on TV and you can cease to feel like you are real people to us. And I don't offer that as a criticism. I think it's just the parasocial nature of our relationship with you. So I want to underscore to the citizens, these actually are real people. These really are our neighbors
and they actually are invested in our community. I've had coffee with some of them. I've walked around farmers markets with some of them. They're good people and they actually care about our town. We're really lucky on this one gang. So if you see them or you see their staff, let them know how much you appreciate them. and they're doing good work for you. Thank you.
>> Thank you so much. Thanks, >> Amy. >> Yeah, thank you so much for coming. We're a little behind on our agenda here, so I'm going to be brief. I really appreciate all the updates you gave and I jotted down my own notes, but I would be remiss if I didn't thank you personally for the on behalf of the um commission on disability in Hopkin.
They've really been wanting those improvements to the library exterior to make it more accessible to people with mobility issues. So, we're really looking forward to get that done that done. And I echo the concern about primary care physicians. I know, you know, my own doctor switched to be just specialist only because she couldn't afford to make it as a primary care
anymore and my adult children can't go to their pediatrician anymore, but they're having trouble finding an adult PCP. So, whatever we can do to incentivize people maybe help them with their education if they agree to be a PCP in Massachusetts would be great. And then and I I was surprised to hear that
about Massave because I but I have also had mixed experiences with them. Sometimes they've come at a great job and I've gotten, you know, insulation promptly and for a good price and then other times they haven't even sent me the report after they come to the house. So, it's kind of hit or miss. So, I agree that I I'm glad that you're going
to take a look at that. And then just to reiterate for Hopkin, the water really is a concern for us with the PAS and also the high levels of manganesees and just the demand on our system because we did build new housing, but now all the houses need water, clean water. So anyway, thank you for all the
information and I took a lot of notes. >> Okay, thanks >> Brian. Well, uh you know, we uh we all govern at our various levels uh in a time where
mistrust rules the day. And uh I've had the pleasure of working with Senator Spila and Rep. Reena D. Rosa now for several years. Uh Senator Spila, Madam President, I'm sorry, uh for decades. >> Karen's okay.
I I I tr I trust these two 1,000% to represent the interests of Hopkin and the people of Hopkin and in Metro West. And uh I think it's important that we try to find some way to trust again in our society. Uh and I think it starts
with these two and I'm really happy to serve with them and appreciate them coming in tonight with all those updates. Uh you guys have been busy and and and that's great. Thank you very much. >> Thanks. Thanks, Brian. >> Yeah, I I think that's a great way to sum it up and wrap up. If you guys have
any closing comments for us, we just thank you guys again for making the time. >> Thank you for having us. Really appreciate it. It's great to see all of you and happy St. Patrick's Day and happy upcoming marathon, you know. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you. Weather be be uh terrific for
running their winds at their backs. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> Thank you all. So, next the board will consider reviewing the May 2nd, 2026 annual town meeting draft warrant articles and motions and taking positions on war
articles. So, I think we've got, you know, we talked about this a little bit. So, let me get back to my notes. >> We have a good chart on page 161 with all the articles that need our >> said 161, right?
161. Yeah. >> 161. >> The the matrix. Matrix. Yes. [clears throat] >> This is nice. >> Yep. So, >> folks, >> can you see this at home? >> Go ahead, Joe. Sorry. >> So, I I think you know what we were trying to do with this and you know,
Elaine and you know, Vasuda and Lance for all the work like putting this together to simplify it. Um, I think as we look through, we talked about a kind of a couple of these, you know, in last week, and I think there's a lot of recurring ones, right? Acceptance of town reports, um, some of the appropriations and transferred, unpaid
bills from previous fiscal years. So, I'd like to look for the board if there's some of those ones that I would call like recurring, you know, for annual town meeting. um if we could you know discuss those in a group if there obviously if there's something someone
wants to call out specifically we can always do that but I look through these first [sighs and gasps] I mean I'm I'm kind of looking through the first at least 11 you know up to potentially 14 until we
we could have some like nuance conversation that was my I would probably go on item article number 14 as the one that be the last one I would include. Uh because we've talked about things like capital improvements, onetime expenses in the individual departments. Um so
again, that was just my opinion. As a board, I want to hear everyone else's input because if we could move towards a group of those like that and kind of get the board's opinions and make a motion, that would be great. And then there's some other ones like some of these ones are new or we're doing things a little bit differently and deserve individual
focus. I would think items one through 11 seemed very routine and I think we could go ahead and make recommendations on those. >> That was how I was looking at it as well. Amy >> and some of the others maybe we'll have questions or wouldn't be ready tonight. >> We can at least kick a third of them
off. >> Okay. I was just wondering I agree that's a good group. I was going to ask Ela um do you have kind of categorical grouping in mind that >> may expedite the process? No, but I'm wondering if you wanted to hold off on the operating budget until
appropriations finishes their their process. That's so that's number >> six. >> All right. So, we'll go um 1 through 11 minus 6 to start. Uh >> and number 11. So, we don't know if there's going to be a transfer to capital stabilization yet.
>> Oh, okay. >> 1 through 10 - 6. Okay. I move the motion to approve 1 through 10 minus 6 uh warrants. >> Second. >> Okay. Um >> recommend approval, I guess, right?
>> Yeah. So, so that's I was just going to say we got a motion and a second so we can talk about a little bit more. Um I know Brian, we kind of skipped over you. We didn't give you a chance. Um for all of these, you know, going through them, I would certainly recommend approval. We can kind of do it as a straw poll if anyone's I'll really look for anyone
that disagrees with approval. >> He's looking at me, Brian. >> I'm looking at kind of every >> I'm good on all the ones we're talking about here. >> I'm good. Yeah. >> All right. >> I will take silence. So then with that, um, we'll just put it to a vote. It'll be roll call. Amy >> Amy Rbush. Yes.
>> Matt. >> Matthew Kisner. Yes. >> Money. Yes. >> Brian. >> Brian her. Yes. >> And Joe Clark. Yes. So that gets us 1 through 10 with the exception of six, the operating budget. All right, hang on.
Okay, so I think we're going to hold off tonight completely then for both 6 and 11 because we don't have any more information. Correct, Elaine? We want to wait for the operating get approved. uh the pilot agreement for Franklin Road Solar.
Um >> I guess we did review that last time. So I don't have a problem with moving forward. >> No, I don't either. >> But it's unusual. We don't do them every year. >> Yeah. So I I I don't remember where our discussions went and how people felt about that. >> Mr. Chair, I recuse myself from this
topic. >> Yep. Thank you, Brian. >> Yeah. I don't remember having that, but I don't have any specific question. I don't remember specifically. >> I think the only question was does it cost the town money and Elaine artfully explain? No. >> No. >> The intention is no.
>> So I would make a motion to recommend that board approve the pilot agreement for Franklin Road Solar Farm. >> Second. >> Okay. We've got a motion in a second. Any additional comments? >> Good. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Matt Kisner. Yes. >> Rivish. Yes.
>> Uh Joe Clark. Yes. >> And then Brian was recused. >> Refused. Uh the Do you want to make a recommendation on number 17, the litigation settlement? >> Is that all set now? No, I don't.
>> Uh so there's a mediation meeting scheduled in April. >> Okay. So not all set. >> We should wait. There's nothing yet on that. >> Okay. >> I think we should wait on the citizens petitions till we hear more about those >> 100%. Um,
CPC, are we ready on that? I mean, they did give us a presentation. >> Has there been any Has there been any change to CPC since we met with them? >> Uh, no. They there's still one uh that's on their list that they have not voted yet. >> Um, >> we should probably wait for them to vote
then, I think. >> Um, okay. Lumber Street Historical Commission. >> That's a complicated one. >> Can describe that a little bit. So, uh, several years ago, uh, town meeting authorized the sale of of this property,
and we've been preparing the RFP, and it's it's ready to go, >> but before we do that, the historical commission would like to look at leasing it as an option. So, that's their request, >> and we haven't had a presentation on that from them recently, right? >> So, I guess I'd rather wait on that. Well, I think Well, the last time the
chair was here, he alluded to it. >> Yeah. No, >> this the one where they came earlier and we had to talk them into doing what they wanted to do, which was desperately to make some money off this property. >> Yeah. Or to have it maintained. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> This is the one with the fancy fireplace. >> Pardon me. >> This is the one with the fancy fireplace. >> Ancient fireplace.
>> Yep. >> Not fancy. >> Important. Um, I don't I'm not ready to vote on number 29, but I want to highlight 29 that we probably need to have a conversation and think about what information we require or adding it as
an actual open meeting topic if you don't want to discuss it here. I'm not even making my position known here. I just I don't think we're 50 on this one. There's a lot of nuance left on this disctopic of civil fingerprinting. It's tied up in some of the Vic updates we're making as well with council. So I I just
want to be purposeful about what does it look like for us to get ready for this. I fully acknowledge we're not ready now. >> There's not a checkbox for us though on this one. Do we >> So it's because we're the sponsor. It's kind of like implied. >> Oh, I see. >> Like our approval is implied. >> That's why that's why I'm asking because I see our name. >> Y because for general bylaws, no
recommendation is needed, but you're the sponsor. So >> it will be asked for Yeah. >> Yeah. So So maybe I I agree with you, Matt. I think we need more information going into the next meeting. We have the public hearing scheduled for April 7th, which is the next meeting. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> Um, >> as Brian once said, they're long packets. Sorry. >> So, I think I I kind of feel the same way with the the electric vehicle. >> Yeah. >> Uh, stuff.
Um, there's a few more uh land like dispositions or acceptance. So what we had zero Woody Island Road, Whisper Way as a public way, um Lynen Street as a public way I felt and then the easement at 64 Grove Street. I feel like we've talked about some of these.
Are we ready to move forward with approval on them? >> There's the street acceptance hearing for the three studio acceptances is also April 7th. So we can hold off on that. You'll be voting at that point. >> Um 67 64 Grove, there's a chance that will come off the warrant. Not sure if
the plan will be ready in time. >> [clears throat] >> Uh Woody Island Road talked about briefly um in the past. It's the small piece of land that's between two homes. They have some yard items on it. Um and uh they'd like to buy that from the town
if if we sell it. So that this would authorize selling it. Of course, then it would there would be an RFP, so they may or may not be the successful bidder, but we would offer it for sale. And we can do so with restrictions of no building or no building within a certain distance from the lake, which is a concern. Okay,
we can hold off on that one. >> Yeah, I don't know that we're getting >> through the chair. Ellen Ela, what's the number 25? Expand use of police revolving fund. >> That's a change in the language of a
revolving fund and it's so it's a it's in the bylaw. So, it's a bylaw change. So, that'll be at the hearing next meeting. Also, >> no material [snorts] impact on how we do. No, it's just the intent of the fund to make it clear to use the cruisers replacement.
>> Thank you. And to the chair, another quick question. >> 39. Uh, is that something from the select board we can do or it has to be town approved? >> There's a special committee for that called the trustees of the trust of the school fund. >> Yeah, it's a something that's been on
the warrant in the past but not recently. And it's the way that um the members of this are appointed. They don't get you don't get appointed by the select board. >> Yeah. It doesn't require our approval. >> No. Yeah. >> Um, >> yay. Massachusetts.
>> Articles uh 35, 36, and 37 are easements related to the Charleswood School. >> Those I think are ready for consideration. >> I'm comfortable supporting those as long as you think they're ready. >> Yes. So, two of them are for one is for utilities for Verizon and the other for
Eversource. Um, these are going in now and we will need it they'll need a permanent easement to get in and maintain them in the future. >> Okay. >> Um, and then the uh driveway at 145 Hayden Row uh will have a a turnaround so that they don't have to back out into
Hayden Row. The uh the driveway is right next to their house and so they'll be getting an easement from the town for a turnaround in their driveway. Okay. >> So I would be comfortable recommending approval of those three. 35 36 37. Second.
>> Is that a motion? >> Yes. [laughter] >> So, we got a motion and a second. Um, if there's any other discussion, uh, Amy >> Amy, yes. >> Mattner, yes. >> Yes. >> Brian. >> I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. I missed that one.
So, we're um there was a motion in a second and we're voting on the easements, the three easements at 147 Hayden Row related to Charles Wood. >> Yeah. No, I'm good on that. Thank you. Yes. Or yes. >> Okay. And Joe Clark. Yes. So, that gives us those three.
>> Okay. And then citizen petition will wait on because we're going to have a hearing. Yes. >> It sounds like after next meeting we're going to be in a much more actionable position >> and then trustes the school fund. That's not our >> article. >> Nice. All right. So, we got a chunk done tonight.
>> Thank you for the suggestion, Mr. Chair. >> All right. So, then I think we are good to move on. Uh, town manager report. >> Elaine. >> Thank you. Um, so first this evening is a um a vacancy at the DPW of the
assistant water and sewer manager position which will become vacant on the 25th. Um, and so requesting um approval to post that position. I have no issues. Anyone want to make the motion for that? >> Just ju just to be clear, this is Jed's backfill because Jed has taken a new
role, >> right? And so someone did backfill it, but they are they are leaving. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I move to authorize the posting of the assistant water and sewer manager position. >> I'll second it. >> Okay. Further discussion momentarily, please.
>> Of course. >> They're already leaving. Is there something we should be concerned about? anything that's board relevant in terms of is this just like the wrong fit that >> I'm concerned given that this is a manager level role in town and this is a relatively new employee.
>> Yeah, I'm not aware of anything specific. >> Okay. I don't know that it needs to be an action here, Elaine, but I would appreciate maybe even if it's just you and I we follow up. I can talk to Carrie as liaison as well, but to me there is a lesson learned here for us. Even if it was just the wrong fit, it was the wrong
fit on two sides. >> Thank you. Okay. Anyone else have comments, questions? >> Okay. So, we've got a motion in a second. We will go to roll call. >> Yes. >> Mattis. Yes. >> Amy >> Amy. Ship stain.
>> Brian. >> Brian. Her. Yes. >> And Joe Clark. Yes. That is four to one. >> Four. Oh, she didn't vote. Chip stain. >> I got you, boss. >> All right. And then just uh highlighting that the town is in a critical drought
status. Uh it's nice that it rained yesterday and hopefully that will help somewhat. Uh but this area of the state is in a critical drought and just reminding [clears throat] people uh to avoid uh non-essential use of water and there is a ban on all outdoor watering for any purpose right
now. So hopefully that will improve uh before summer. Um but it needs to rain. >> Can we through the chair? Can we be explicit about that? There's a ban on all outdoor watering. That includes hand watering. Correct.
>> All outdoor water. >> Watering cans even >> like you fill from >> See, this is why I was asking. This is a very different drought, people. And I want to make sure you're hearing that. This is not Don't turn on your fun underground sprinklers. This is you're not allowed to water your garden.
>> And you can't fill the pool either. >> We have that. >> Oh, we're coming pool hunting. I love that. But actually, in all seriousness, my tongue firmly out of my cheek now, that is a literal and direct way that we could tell if this policy is being violated or do we actually have any
intention of enforcing that? >> Well, someone would have to observe it and you go on to private property to do that, but uh it's possible. >> Okay. I I I'll I'm sorry to belabor the point here. You just made a really compelling, visually obvious argument as to whether or not we are receiving a
significant violation during a critical drought status. I'd like to understand if we actually intend on enforcing fines because I can see the fire chief right there. I'm pretty sure we could all drive around the town and I can see if people are splashing around in a pool. >> Let's to let's also remember that not
everyone is on town water. So there are people who have well water too. So they're not subject to these restrictions. >> Understood. I think my question still remains >> through the chair. This this is a little bit unique drought. Did we have this in the last few years? No,
>> it's not been this serious. >> This is the first time, right? Yeah, that's concerning. I would just request if we can also get our um water advisory board's um feedback on this or any kind of long-term guidance on this in conjunction with DPW, of course.
>> So, I'm sorry. I'm not done nibbling on this bone here. I it I'm very emphatic that in a month's time, people are going to start filling their pools. There is no world in which they're not going to they are not going to consider this part of a water ban. It is going to have a
significant impact. I want to understand what the town's plan is for how they're going to make it clear that's not supposed to happen. And when it does, and it will, I would like to know how we're going to express penalties to ensure it doesn't happen again. >> There are bylaws that allow for that.
>> Hold on one sec. Bri Brian Elaine was going to say something >> saying we do have bylaws that allow for enforcement. >> All right. Yes, Brian. >> Yeah, as a former owner of a home with a pool, uh you don't refill it every year
necessarily. So, uh we should be mindful of those that have water they keep in their pools and those that have water they drain their pools, etc. But, uh I understand what some of the concern is. >> That is some real first world stuff reflecting the problems with people with indoor pools.
>> All right. So I think the message was crystal clear to people on town water. There's no outside use. Correct. >> Like that is the me that is the message. >> I I am a little concerned that it's not crystal clear to everybody. Probably thinking it's um like the previous years that Yeah. But people should be mindful
there's a drought and so everyone's taking the water from the ground and it's coming from somewhere. >> Yeah. They're not going to hear it this way. >> It is a lot more obvious when people are using the ground sprinklers because you can usually see that in the front yard. But the pools you may not know. And then uh finally um one of the items
on the select board's uh future agenda items was the mass 250 celebration. So I've looked at um you know what's happening in the state there's a lot of um events on their website. Uh people uh in various communities when they're having events they're encouraged to post them there so that around the state it's
a coordinated effort to celebrate this country and this state. Um, the public library has been a great resource and has held some events already and are holding more uh coming up, including Songs of the American Revolution on April 12th. People should check the the
library and the historical society for events as we get closer to July 4th, for example. >> Awesome. Thank you. >> Thank you, Elaine. Anyone have questions or comments for Elaine on that last one? >> No. I mean, I think it's great and look
forward to the events. >> Okay, then we will move on to liaison reports and board invites. I know we've had several meetings in a row, so we've been pretty >> on these. So, if anyone's got new ones, >> I do and I will be brief. I had the opportunity to accept the invitation on
our behalf to go to the Hopington Cultural Council's grant award ceremony last night where I was joined by Elaine and Reposa. Just wonderful to see some of the work that's being done to enrich the community across such an interesting spectrum of projects. I have three former Bose engineers talking about how
music originated from Memphis. I have Satch talking about Holy coming up April 11th, by the way, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. I look forward to throwing colors at you and you throwing colors at me and even learning that we have a Hopping Chinese American Association. It was a wonderful
experience to see not just the diversity of our town, but the creative fabric of our town and how we were developing not just the fabric of our community, but the art of our community and to see how richly supported and invested it was. It was an example of some of the better
parts of what I think this town stands for and I really was privileged to represent us there. Thank you for the opportunity. >> Thank you, Matt. Amy, >> um, yeah, we do have a few more events. We have the Bobby Good statue unveiling. We just got that just recently. That's going to be the 27th look like from 11
to 1 downtown. >> The 27th >> um that spring suare it can be March 28th at the HCA. >> We already knew about the quilt and then there ceremony. I think [snorts] there's so many events but
>> I can likely do the statue on the 27th. I get good flexibility on Fridays. Okay, >> perfect. Shut >> um just one I think that I want to notify everyone. I'm meeting with um
Metro West Regional Transit Authority Administrator Jimny to discuss the fixed route redesign. Uh the preliminary design does not reflect much on Hopkin's routes. I'm going to require that and
see how we can be, you know, how we can get some inclusion or what are the bottlenecks because I think that's also part of our economic development um uh efforts having a having more transportation
uh within the town and especially from and back and forth from the train station. So I I'm sure they have their and we discussed this they have their constraints their resource limitations but something I want to focus with discussing more and look for
opportunities in the future. >> That's it. Thanks. >> Very good Brian. >> Nothing new since last week. Thank you. Um the one I wanted to call out was just um Lieutenant John Krauss from the fire department hosted or he's running for
the marathon on behalf of the respit center and they hosted the battle of the badges for the second year in a row on Sunday. Um I think there was probably what 17 departments that attended and competed in it. So it's just a really nice little or morning. Um was some good
competition across the towns that participated. So >> and you can watch on H cam if you missed it. >> It's on H cam if you missed it. Is it even better? >> All right. Um, aside from that, future board agenda items. I feel like we've kind of cleaned this up in the last couple of weeks as
we've been meeting regularly. >> Anyone have any comments or should we >> I just wanted to ask not exactly a future agenda item, but if maybe in the next town manager report, could we find out how much is collected and fines for people who are watering their lawn watering when they're not supposed to or
it would be in the budget? And just through the chair, part of the reason I'm so interested in this, if and when we decide to make a bigger decision about something like MWR, our loss water rate and our unaccounted for discharge is going to be a thing. This is how we start getting better at some of that
stuff. We're trying to be big picture, folks. through the chair. I don't want to overburden, but [laughter] in the near future, we may want to hear from DPW and um the water board combined on the uh drought issue and short-term
long-term plan. >> Yep. I will be there on our mutual behalf next week along with Kyla talking about the changes we are trying to make to our financial policy. I will make that asked directly. If there's nothing else to the chair, I move to convene an executive session
pursuant to Mass General Law C3821A purpose 3 to discuss strategy with respect to litigation class action pertaining to firefighter turnout gear because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating port of the position of the board. Pursuant to MGLC 3821A purpose 6 to consider the purchase exchange lease or
value of real estate land at assessor's map R1620 and 280 Cedar Street is an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the board to approve executive session minutes from 03 March 26 to allow Lazarus Gary Dherty Jack Franks Alan Brooks and Matt Pawa to participate in
executive session and not to convene an open session at the conclusion of executive session. >> Second. >> We've got a motion and a second. Uh, >> yes. >> Mattisner, yes. >> Morning. Yes. >> Brian. >> Brian her. Yes. And Joe Clark. Yes.
Thank you everyone. Thank you.