[Music] All right. Welcome to the August 5th, 2025 select board and wage and personnel board meeting of the Lakeville board of selectmen. Uh, is anyone else besides
Lake Cam recording this meeting? >> My name is Sam Tucker. I'm a reporter with the mask today. >> Welcome. All right. Um, now we're going to call the board to order. >> Plunker here. >> Candido. Carboni here.
>> Hunt here. >> I missed you. >> Miss you. Me too. [Laughter] >> All right. And now uh actually we're going to do the pledge of allegiance. Flag is in the corner of the room.
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. >> Thank you everybody. >> Welcome. Welcome.
All right. Next item on the agenda is the select board announcements. Sorry for the crinkling. The treasurer collector would like to remind residents that their real estate and personal property taxes were due
August 1st. Other current current committee commission vacancies include the zoning board of appeals, the board of registars, the cable TV advisory committee, the conservation commission, the agricultural commission, the energy
advisory committee and uh an atlarge member for the ZBA or the zoning bylaw review advisory committee. Uh all of these details can be found on the town's Facebook page or on the website www. lakevillemma.org
under news. Uh item number three. Yes, ma'am. >> I have a few that >> I if I may >> I would love you to. >> Okay. Um there were a couple of things that have happened um over the last I think since our last meeting. Um we had
our Purple Heart ceremony um which was held on Wednesday, July 30th. Um and member Wanka and member Hunt were both in attendance for that. So very well received. I think it it it's just a a a great designation. I mean it's kind of
bittersweet obviously but um you know to have that designation for the service um that you know our residents have provided. So >> madam one quick note just for the record for the public there are three Purple Heart recipients uh that were late for residents. None
are alive. We're still waiting for that list from the Purple Heart society so we can >> Okay. the uh our veteran VSO Christine Moon is working on getting that list. >> Okay. >> And do we put that list up on the signs as well? Just or just for the art community on the signs. >> Correct.
>> Okay. >> Um the arts council has completed their summer um series and I believe that um again very well received um you beautiful um you know over at the town pavilion just lovely. >> The center stage. >> Oh the center. Yeah.
>> Yep. Um, our library just had its 20th anniversary celebration um, today and I believe Andrew and Chris, you attended today. Um, and two just two more things. Uh, we did a lot of appointments to
boards, committees, and commissions at the last meeting, and it's just a reminder to everybody um, to make sure that you get sworn in um, so that you can be an active um, member of each of those um, commissions. And I would add to that after the swearing in all the
boards, committees and commissions that are appointed should be uh doing a vote for the new chair of the reorg the reorg of the board. That is the time of the year that they get done. So please make sure that is part of your housekeeping.
>> And lastly, um we celebrated um not Tracy Craig McGee. >> Yes. who was our executive um assistant to the select board and the town administrator uh has finished 26 years here at the
town of Lakeville. Um today was her last day. She is officially retired. Um I know that she's worked you know really hard um over the years to support uh the board um you know through the the three members to the five members and um but
today was kind of like a again a bittersweet day um to to see Tracy um you know kind of close out an era and we put a little welcome sign or a congratulations sign out for her too um just so everyone in town knows um cuz
when you think of reaching out to the select court office or the town administrator office. It's been Tracy for a very long time. So, um, congratulations on your retirement and enjoy puttering around in your garden. >> Yeah.
>> Wonderful. And we have a couple of new faces at our table. if you would like to um make mention um we have our new executive assistant to the town administrator and select board
Lee and we have our new um management analyst Emil I did um here. So welcome. Um this is your officially your your first meeting here with the with the board. So very nice to have you here.
>> Yeah, it's very exciting. It's a a turnover for sure, but uh we love to see the new faces and we're excited to see uh all the the new ideas that come in and kind of enhancements on um some of the processes that we've done for a while because it's always good to get
some fresh perspective. So, we're looking forward to seeing what you guys are going to bring to the table. >> Anything else from any of the other members? >> Okay. Little something. a little something.
Um, on the on the 26th of June, I had been invited to the Long Pond Association meeting uh which was held at um the library. The uh they noted that previously uh member Fabian had been the
only select board member to attend any of their meetings. I had a nice discussion there with Senator Mike Rodri who was um there uh being uh recognized for the $60,000 towards
weed cleanup uh that they've had. Uh they did note uh several things that have gone on in the area recently. Uh they are working together with the New Bedford Water Department to try and keep areas where overflow would move clearly
off the pond and uh instead of going across roadways would go under roadways as directed. >> A novel idea. >> Yeah, it's a novel idea that they're they're working on that. Uh they have a young man from the water department that's spearheading a lot of those projects. Uh most notably, uh if you
pass by Cathedral Camp, you'll notice a project there. Uh between the area where they have the um the fair and and the main part of the camp, you'll notice that a lot of the growth has been removed. Uh that's been in part due to
their project. In order to get that moving, they have >> It's been a while since they've done a project. It was like 2019 the last time they did a project. Yeah, it's been a long time since they've done some of that stuff. They hope to do a little bit more >> in the area and they'll keep us apprised of the progress.
>> Good. Access to our ponds and and um safety for flood waters is always paramount for people in Lake. >> Anything else? Anyone else? >> All right, >> take it away, Andrew. >> Thank you. Um so this past week myself,
Nate Darling, and Emily Serret met with MBTA officials regarding the Lakeville um MBTA station. Um basically the update on it is they're going to be putting together a draft request for information which they will get over to us and they're also going to be doing a
community outreach meeting at some point. Um that dates to be determined. Um my sense of it is that they're actually looking at what we kind of mentioned at the last joint meeting was they're looking at other solutions other than housing. >> Yes. Because obviously >> overwhelming
>> we're we're all set. >> Yeah. Um of course there's no guarantee it's their property. They can do what they want, but I got the sense that they were seriously looking at doing what we were kind of looking to do. So >> I think that's great. And I think um I think the members of the town would
probably want to be able to change the zoning to accommodate that as opposed to changing the zoning to accommodate housing, which I don't think anyone would be in favor of at this juncture. >> Right. I agree. Um we had two property
auctions this past Monday. Um received a total of 405,000 between the three properties. Um 200,000 of that is back taxes that we can collect on. I'd probably like to come back to a select board meeting maybe on August 19th to
talk about the excess equity on one of them. Um one of them is we're required to return back, but the other one we're not. I think the probably the best thing to do is to actually return the money to the second person as well. So we can kind of set that as a policy going forward. I uh even though we're not
voting on it, um that is I would never like to have anyone lose any equity that they can recover. Um we're just looking to recover our losses. Um and not a penny more. >> Yep. >> We'd like the money, but not that way. >> Um well, 200,000 is quite a bit of back
taxes. So that's that's good to get that >> it is >> back. >> It is. >> Um as was kind of been mentioned, we're overhauling some of the select board meeting logistics and agenda setting processes. You'll see some of that in the agenda this week. I think by the 19th we'll have a better better
streamlined approach to it all. So there might be some things missing or in different places. Um so we apologize for that. Um and the only other thing is just um continuing to have Route 79 coordination meetings. Um the project's
heating up so it's project to look forward to. But that's all I have. Can you refresh my memory on the green communities projects? >> Yeah, so they're doing heat pumps at the animal shelter and then they're doing weatherization um projects at Lon Pond
Lodge. It's about $100,000 maybe or so in total um value between all the projects. >> Yep. And these are grant funded. Um this is um due to hard work on the teams uh at the Lake Bell Town Hall making sure
we have all our ducks in order for green communities funding year-over-year. Um Andrew, I'd love a total um because I remember years ago it was like 1.3 or 1.6 million um that we've realized through green communities. Now up until
last year or the year before all of that money basically went to the schools. So, it was school projects, school projects, um school projects. Um I would love to not only get a a tally of what we've >> received since the beginning of green communities, but where that money was
spent in order to save not just the town, but the schools uh money to get some really important energy savings projects going. Um, I I think we do a really good job at doing things and we don't do a really good job at talking
about what we've done um and how we're trying to be responsible stewards of the town's money. >> Definitely. It's it's definitely in the millions of uh the infrastructure we've done and then obviously it's probably in the millions for savings. >> Yep. >> Over the life of the project. So, >> I'd love to get a presentation on that.
Um, put that together and just a list of the people that have worked on it. Yep. [Applause] All right, let us go through the select board minutes if we can.
Um, and I have the June 23rd select board minutes in front of me. Um, one call out. Uh, it's spelled candido ca n ditto. It's condito in here. It's
nowhere as bad as when uh the old uh paper used to call me Bandido, but that's okay. Um that was a correction and I didn't see any other corrections. Do any of the other members have any corrections for the June 23rd meetings?
>> I have just one. Um on page three under adjourn, um it's member Carboni um with an I. All right. I'll take a motion. >> I'll make a I'll make a motion to approve the select board meeting minutes
of June 23rd, 2025 with um corrections. >> Seconded. >> Motion a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. >> Hunt. >> I candy. I >> Carboni. I. Now we move to June 24th meeting
minutes. I did have a couple of corrections if I may if you may. On page four, um the first paragraph discussion on performance evaluation process and goals for the TA. Um first sentence um so
after where it says turnover lately and we still and I believe it should be haven't given goals or review to the town administrator. >> It should be haven't >> and then um threequarters of the way down in the same paragraph um where we
referenced the one that Glenn Cannon used. Glenn Cannon is the town administrator in Carver. So if we just would put Carver town administrator, >> correct?
>> Um, >> yeah, it's very specific. >> I'm on page six at the top third sentence. Uh this is the uh the discussion
regarding the Watergate, the Watergate in Lakeville. Um over at the Lebaron, it says Mr. Su forth said it would only be closed in case of an emergency. I don't I think it's the opposite, right?
>> It's the opposite. >> Okay. So, um however, we need to word that. Um so that >> Okay. Are those the only changes? Anyone else? >> So, Madam Chair, that same page, second paragraph
when uh Kevin McM speaking >> uh the fourth row, we are prepared to install the radios to the homes. And I don't know what that is. And I didn't get it. I was going to go back. >> I thought it was connections.
We installed the the the >> the meters. Is it the the the individual meters or reads? >> Well, they have individual meters, but I think he's talking about something modifying the meters. >> It's the thing that reads the meters,
>> right? And it's but it's not a radio, is it? >> That's right. So, it's basically upgrading it so that to have a radio capability. >> Yeah. So, you don't have to go to each one. >> Exactly. They can drive around. Right. >> We >> So, whatever that language is,
I understand what you're saying. >> Yeah, it's good. >> I have questions. >> Let me know. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. >> All right. We have a couple changes on this one. Any further? If not, I will take a motion. I'll make a motion to approve the select board and waging
personnel board meeting minutes of June 24th, 2025. Um, with corrections. >> Second. >> I have a motion to second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Hunt eye. >> Bl carbon eye.
>> July 8th. Um I don't think I circled this. Was this a circle in everyone's? I didn't have a circle. And you have a red circle to boot. Yeah. These were the longest set of minutes
and I didn't even have anything. So >> that's that's impressive. >> It is. That's good. >> Remember Carboni goes through a fine film. >> It's a good copy meeting. >> Yeah, we're on July 8th. Correct.
>> We are on July 8th, 2025. Uh anything for anyone? >> Yes. Um, oh, okay. Um, page three, TA goals.
Oh, let's see. Where is it now? We have Oh, there's a I can't find it in that paragraph. There was a word in there that was a quote I think from Andrew. I don't see anything. I'm not catching anything.
>> Oh, I found it. Okay. Sorry. So, one, two, three, four, five, six sentences. Five sentences from the bottom. Uh oh, I'm sorry. It was Michelle. Uh Michelle K the planning board said they have discussed this but we have meets in
bounds. I don't I don't know what it mean that is that a right word I don't know what that word is that is actually that is >> oh sorry I didn't >> No it's the oldfashioned way that they used to express um the boundaries of people's land.
>> I never knew that I withdraw my correct >> so anytime the um I expect you to be up on your and treats terminology. But the next >> is that like a rod or something like 10 rods and >> um
>> and that then that's it and I will take a >> hold on one more. So page 17. Oh uh yeah. So my comment under the old colony uh building committee uh it said we'll have a final choice for the building. That should be we will have a
final cost okay >> for the new building. I don't want that's I want people to misunderstand that. And one more in page 18 under the Rocky Woods discussion. Okay. The I was I made a reference to
Chief O'Brien and so about halfway through the comments that I was referencing came from Chief O'Brien. The fire chief is not convinced that adequate fire protection can be had unless connected public. I that should be may not be convinced. So I do not
want that's not a definitive statement. That was his may not be adequate. So that's I don't want that I don't want him that statement incorrect statement to be attributed to him. >> Sounds good. >> And
I think that was it. Oh, one more. The sentence before that member plunk said the new Bedford water line free town, but the developer said he's not interested in that due to cost. That was the developer did not say that. That was my interpretation. So the developer is
not interested possibly due to cost. So that was my interpretation of his. Okay, that's it. >> Could you go back and get that wording on there on on the conversation and that part? You want me to go back and listen to it? >> Yeah, just that small part.
>> Yeah, absolutely. >> Cool. >> That's it. >> Thank you. >> That's it. All right. I'll take a motion. Um, I'll make a motion to approve the select board and wage and personnel board meeting minutes of July 8th, 2025 with corrections. >> Second.
>> Motion and a second. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. Roll call. >> I I can't either. >> I carbon I. >> Excellent. Um, and last but not least, the July 14th meeting minutes.
I hear something. Okay. >> All right. I'll take a motion. I'll make a motion to approve the select board w select board and wage and personnel board meeting minutes of July 14th 2025 as presented.
>> Second motion and second. Any further discussion hearing? None. >> Hunt. >> I >> I will abstain and I was not at the meeting. >> Got it. Andy I >> Carboni I. >> All right.
Agenda item number five. We're going to meet with the finance committee to discuss and possibly vote a joint approval for Justin Tonini um to the vacant position of finance committee. Finance committee like to come and fill
in some empty seats. >> Good evening. >> You good evening. >> Um I'll call our meeting to order. Uh, I'll call the Lakeville Finance Committee August 5th, 2025 meeting to order at 6:10.
>> Cost present. >> Right here. Deals here. >> Thank you. >> All right. I'll let you. >> Sure. Um, thank you, Adam. So, we received a letter of interest from Justin Tanini. Um, I forwarded that on to the members. U hopefully you guys
have had a chance to review it. Um, and we're uh I don't have any specific questions to Justin other than other than to meet him. >> Hi, Justin. >> Yeah, we haven't actually met Justin. How are you? >> Thank you for submitting. >> Um, no, we looked at I looked at the letter and the resume and obviously he
has a lot of experience in finance. Uh, I think he'd be I think he'd be a great addition to the team. Um, I'll open it to you guys. Do you have any questions for Justin or? >> Um, I don't think I had any questions for him, though. I think his resume was pretty solid. So >> yeah. >> Yeah. I mean I agree with what both you
guys are saying. It's uh >> I guess my only question would be do you have any questions to us >> and if you do could you please >> Thank you everyone. Justin Tanini of course 38 Main Street. Um so one of my questions would be and of course thank
you for the consideration. Um how long is the appointment for? I know they're normally three years, but I believe speak up a little bit. I believe this um position is normally an elected position. So, I didn't know if it was appointed for the same amount of time or >> I it's a great question. I don't know what the term for this position is. Does
anyone know? >> One year, right? >> Was it one? >> Is it one? >> I believe it's one to fill to fill the vacancy for the year and then if there's an additional time on that term that's left, then it would be an elected for you. >> Okay. Awesome. Thank you. And I suppose
my only other question is um is there an onboarding packet or anything like that that I should be on the lookout for? >> Um you need to be sworn in. You will have to go to um into to swarm square in and they'll give you some materials there. >> Okay. >> But other than that, that's about it.
So, they'll give you a packet um where they let you know uh open meeting law, violation, ethics, um some there was a town packet for each of the people that run and get uh elected or appointed. Um and that goes at the town clerk's
office. >> Gotcha. >> She will be on on the lookout. >> Okay, perfect. >> And I believe um you also have to do the ethics class on the state website. It gives everything. It gives everything >> that's within 30 days of appointment, I believe. >> It keeps everything in the packet. It'll
let you. >> Awesome. >> Great. And actually, I I did lie. One last question. Are the meetings normally on Tuesday? Uh my only scheduling conflict is that I am the assistant town accountant of the town of Marshfield and we have our long days on Monday. So, I'm
there until about 7:00 p.m. Otherwise, I can be on any other date. And I'm sure there are some times where I could use a little personal time to jet out early. Yeah, I would say during budget season it's f you have to be kind of flexible. We meet on I think last year Wednesday, Thursday, and Monday or something like that during budget season. But normally
if we're meeting with the select board, it's a Tuesday like today. >> Perfect. Yeah. >> And we try to consensus build um through all the boards to see who can make it as well because we do know that everyone >> and we need a quorum. So there'll be there'll be five of us. So if you have to miss a meeting, it's not the end of the world. >> Okay. Perfect. >> Fantastic. And one last thing, a town
meeting. Um it's typically on a Monday for the annual. >> Um and then in the fall we have a special town meeting usually. >> I can set aside time for the time that we haven't had one but that's usually on a Monday or possibly Tuesday. >> Monday
>> or is it a Tuesday? >> Monday. >> I think it was a Monday this past year. Yeah. >> That won't be a problem. >> You'll have plenty of months. Uh all right. >> That's all I had. Do you have select port have any question? >> I had a chance to look at your resume. I
like that you have not only uh private but uh public uh sector understanding yeah of finances. Um so this will be a pretty >> light lift as far as learning um to to get on to the beginning. So >> yeah, I mean I'm a lifelong resident so
I'm happy to help serve the community. >> Awesome. Members, any questions or >> No, just appreciate anybody willing to come forward and help serve the town. >> Agreed. >> Very much so. Thank you. >> Awesome. >> Thank you.
>> Um, so I need a motion to accept the appointment >> or to make I need a motion to make the appointment. >> Sorry. What was this? >> Oh, Justin Tunin. I was the last recommendation. I'll make a motion. >> A recommend. Sorry. We make a recommendation to this. >> I'll make a motion. Recommendation of
Justin to the finance committee. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Roll call. >> Cost I. >> Right. I heals I. >> Great. And I'll make a a motion to appoint um Justin Tanini uh to the finance
committee um to finish the you know the term through the next election. >> Seconded. >> Motion is second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. >> I plug I >> carvon I. Welcome aboard. Thank you so
much. >> Welcome. >> Um we have one more item while you're here. Do we want to go to item number eight? >> Yeah, >> sure. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And did you have any items that you needed to
>> No, that was it. Short agenda tonight. All right, we are welcoming welcoming our town accountant. >> Um, so what we'd like to do, um, this is probably going to be a yearly update, but this is also going to be the start of like quarterly updates that we provide to the board as well as the
finance committee. Um, so we're kind of at the point where fiscal year 27 budget is going to start to process is going to start to start. Um, so we thought it'd be a good idea to get kind of a sense of where we are at the moment and where our forecast is
leading us to. Um, so I brought on Mike, the finance director, and Emily, the management analyst, and myself to present basically where we are, any uh relevant details and to get guidance from the board and the finance committee of what if there's any funding
priorities or um just other thoughts that we're hoping to kind of use as um a path forward. Um so without further ado, um I'll kind of get into it. Um obviously we're facing a lot of budget pressures going forward. Um some of
those are collective bargaining. All our groups are up uh June of 2026. We don't quite know what that's going to look like uh costwise yet. Um fixed costs are increasing. Health pension and and general insurance are going up. Um it's
probably not going to be in fiscal 27, but it's going to be right around in 28 is the operating cost of a new fire station. Um, educational costs across the board are rising. Um, not only in our regional district, but also Old Colony, Bristol, and Northfor Aggies.
Um, limited state aid increases. Um, I think the kind of the the pressures from the federal government down to the state is going to find probably some sort of it's going to affect us, I think, next year. Um, and then obviously it's not necessarily tied to our
operating budget, but the old colony regional vote tech vote is coming up on November 18th. Um, that obviously puts a lot of uh strain potentially on residents paying taxes. So, I mean, operating budget doesn't necessarily affect that in the short term, but I
think it kind of it'll it'll kind of they're all kind of tied together um with funding decisions. >> Um, >> it'll be a bigger building. there'll be more to more expenses once that happens and it will have we'll incur more expenses because of it in the future
>> in the long term because there's gonna be more students that go there. Um I think there's going to be about 200 maybe more kids that will go there which we're about 25% of the school. So if you just do the math it's about 15,000 I think per student.
>> Um so it's going to be a lot. It's about 40 students I think. So but they're going to try to phase that in. So next slide. >> Thank you Andrew. Um so current existing conditions um for all intents and purposes the fiscal 25 books are closed.
Um the total operating budget after amendments in the fall town meeting uh brought the operating budget to 37,794,9844 and we are going to turn back our unused funds in the amount of 678,438 which is about 1.8%.
Um, if you take a look at the screen, you'll see over the last four years, we have been in that 1.8 to 2.25% ballpark of turnback. So, we're kind of right where we have been the last three or four years. Um, nothing, you know, no anomalies, nothing too high, too low.
Um, going down the list, uh, free cash. We currently still have 612,382 of unused free cash. It was certified in the amount of 1.4 million. And as you know, we use some for capital, OPED, and um some unpaid invoices, things like
that. Um so that's going to give us a good start to our FY25 certification because it's a cumulative amount. So we'll have that base to build on as we uh move forward into the fall and get certified. Um next on the list is uh capital uh general stabilization, which
has a current balance of 2,47875. Um pretty good year um for general stabilization. we collected about 182,000 in interest and back at the June 2024 town meeting the previous town account and transferred 150,000 into that account. So there's a healthy
balance there right now. >> Um and then the next on the list is the capital stabilization. Um, we used 655,000 prior to my arrival to work out the feasibility studies at the fire station. And then this past town meeting, we used 490,000 for our capital
plan. Um, which brought the balance down to about 2 million 334 give or take with interest. Um, so everything's pretty status quo, uh, pretty healthy, nothing too crazy as we, you know, close fiscal 25 and get ready to be certified uh, with free cash.
And for the next part, I will turn it over to Emily. >> Sure. So, I'm just going to run through um an update on the capital budget. So, in FY26, the total investment in in capital was 1,48,000
and that includes 490,000 from capital stabilization and 558,000 from free cash for FY27. based on the 5-year capital plan. Um there is a project schedule that totals
2,70,000. Um that doesn't necessarily mean that all those projects are going to be undertaken in FY27. Um the review process hasn't started yet. Again, that's just based on the 5-year capital plan um from last year.
The only two projects that are confirmed uh at this point are $50,000 for operating capital and $175,000 for a ladder truck that would be used to purchase. Um so again, this list hasn't
been reviewed yet. That will be part of the capital review process, which uh brings us to the next thing I wanted to talk to you about, which is the uh budget and capital process timeline. So uh in previous years it's my understanding that the capital planning
and budget process occurred concurrently and they started around uh mid December and included uh excuse me concluded in early May. So for this coming year for FY27, capital planning has been scheduled to
take place before the budget process and the goal is to finalize uh for the most part the FY27 capital funding plan by early December. So that would mean kicking off um I believe around uh November or oh actually no I have it
here. So, uh, it would be, um, capital requests would be due by October 31st. There would be reviews throughout November into early December. Hopefully, by the end of that process, there'll be a mostly complete capital plan. Um, moving into uh, November and December.
Um, budget kickoff this year would occur in mid November, which is about a month earlier than last year. Um, and the goal of starting it a little bit earlier is to have a completed budget request by
about early April. So about a month earlier than last year. Um, and as part of that process, uh, we'd like to open lines of communication with the Freetown Lakeville Regional School District and the town of Lakeville to schedule some
joint meetings to discuss the annual assessment. Um, you know, and other budget challenges that might come up throughout the process. Um, and yeah, so the goal here is to kind of just get the process wrapped up a little
more quickly so there's some more time before town meeting to to work at any challenges. >> I think that's going to be a smart strategy. My only call out here is last minute stuff tends to creep in and just being mindful of the fact that over a hard winter things can change
drastically for uh DPW equipment um and needs immediate needs on that. So, but by April, we should be fine and out of it. >> Yeah, our our goal was to get um a good sense of how much free cash we have left remaining. And I mean, we can get a lot
of this stuff approved through capital expenditures committee and then we can always come back and say, "Hey, something came up. >> Let's meet again." >> Yep. Just as long as we keep an eye on changing situations. >> Yeah, exactly. Um Frank's good about communicating, so he'll let me know.
Um the next piece of this is uh um we can kind of get into it with the sources and uses draft, but our economic development is basically non-existent at the moment. Um there's not a whole lot of projects on the horizon. Um and if they are, they're going to they're years away from hitting new growth. So we
really don't have that to fall back on as in years past. Um, one idea we're kind of kicking around and it's going to be a discussion point with the select board in the future is potentially doing a meals tax. I think years ago um it was uh turned down by the town.
>> It was >> um and in that time a lot of towns around us have starting to adopted it. >> I think we're the last one. >> I want to say Rochester and Freetown may not have adopted it, but I can confirm that. The idea is to do a presentation
and kind of see where would what kind of money would bring us. Obviously, that's not a short-term fix. It's more of a long-term um realization that we'd have to find. Um but yeah, we just we're not really there's not a lot of like I guess calvary coming in the way of like saving
um some of the new >> to save ourselves. >> Yeah, exactly. So, some tough there tough decisions will have to be made. Um, obviously I'd like to, like Emily had mentioned, open up the line of communication with the town of Freetown as well as the districts um that we're a
part of. Um, potentially the override might be a thing um that we propose, but we'd obviously like to go over the sources and uses first before we kind of have that more in-depth discussion. >> I agree. Turn over every rock um before
that conversation happens. But um just as everyone probably at this table is aware that um the way the way funding is working um and the retraction of some funding sources and uh just the the very
different economy that we find ourselves in. Um that that will have to be a discussion that we do have in depth. um especially with whatever the school is going to present us for a budget next year um which will potentially be all
very altering for um for what we have in our operating budget. Right now I think this is it 58% of our budget goes to the school. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Back about five years ago it was 55%. So, uh, the school continues to not
just be the biggest part of our budget, but it is growing disproportionately to other parts of our budget. And that means we have had to constrain internal budgets at town hall. Um, you know, pinch every penny tail that screams uh
at town hall uh in order to accommodate these increases at the school. Um, there is no shortage of increases at the school and their contract is coming up again. they only did a one-year contract. So, my concern there is how big does that is that impact because
that's going to be the driving source in all of our conversations, >> right? So, we we took a look at doing um it's almost like a play I call it like a playbook of where we're standing. Mike >> um is more like in tune with this than I am, but um Emily, if you want to go down
to the sources and uses. So this is where we tried to take our best swing at what we're looking at right now. Um and so we took some estimates. I can let Mike kind of go into in depth on each of those. >> Sure. Points. >> So um obviously new growth was estimated
at 225 for 2026. That won't be certified by the state um until the fall. So, um the 2 1/2% gave us about 750,89 um which is the you know two staying inside the levy limit not doing a 2 and
12% override. Um of course that number is subject to change. Um so that gave us about 6 750,000 which was 23,000 over last year's number. We decided to take new growth down from 225 to 150. Um just a conservative measure because we just
don't know where we're going to land. Um and we increased EMS fees by $40,000. So really those are kind of the areas on the revenue side that we felt comfortable moving right now. >> That was just the actual increase in EMS
fees as opposed to an increase in EMS calls. Correct. >> That's correct. Yeah. Cuz we in fiscal 25 we collected about 1,230,000 give or take. So, um, we felt we could go from the 1,135 we used in 26 to 1,175,000.
>> Yeah. So, comfortable number there. >> Um, again, local receipts outside of EMS fees are all level funded. Um, as is the state aid because we don't have final numbers on that. Um, even for 26. Um, and then, um, on the expense side of the
sources and uses, as Andrew mentioned, we're up for bargaining. Um, so I simply took all the salaries um and put a 3% increase on them to kind of get us in the ballpark of where we may stand. Um, you see the increase on there, it's
tough to see, but it's about 190,000. Um, we put 3% on only the free lake assessment and that increased over a half a million dollars alone. um 1% on Old Colony uh increased $27,000
and 10% on Bristol County agricultural um brought us up to about $52,400. So pretty big numbers. Um as you mentioned, Moren with the school. Um and we did a 10% increase on our Plymouth County retirement and 8% on group
insurance and liability insurance. Um and you know, so that went up about 409,000 in those three categories alone. So, um, and then the one, um, you know, unknown with debt service right now is the Ask Swamps at Windows and Doors project. It's still in the audit stage
with MSBA. The project was a little over $4 million. They'll cover about 50 to 51% of the project and we'll be on the hook for the other 2 million or so. >> Um, we're just not going to permanently borrow until we know that exact number because we don't want to be plus minus 100, $200,000. So, we're hoping to know
by the end of August. >> Um, so 300,000 is basically a placeholder. I'll let our financial adviserss tell me if we should borrow 10 years, 15 years, 20 years. So, that number could fluctuate depending on the rate and and the term of the borrowing. Um, >> so with that early early swing, Andrew
mentions, we're fighting from behind at about an $848,000 deficit, you know, on August 5th. So, very early. But um >> and we've seen this coming for the last >> expected >> 3 years you know as the
>> the economy has kind of exploded in in the wrong way. >> Um and uh any of the COVID relief funds had dried up we knew that there was going to be >> a uh a correction a strong market correction. And with that, Madam Chair, we I know
the board has um been advocating for um you know, financial planning or you know, budget forecasting, and I know that's a moving target at any point in time. It's you know, fluid. Uh but this is a really good start. So like, you know, here we are just you know, after
July 1st of our new fiscal year, um already knowing, okay, this is what we're up against right now. you know, it's still, you know, moving, but at least we have an idea of, you know, kind of where where we're vulnerable. >> Yeah, >> I agree. I think it's a great idea by
Andrew to kind of chart it out now >> and as we move forward into the fall to see to see where we land. And I do, you know, hopefully when the dust settles, we start to find free cash and getting everything in the in the tax recap. I'll have a small window before budget season to to work with Andrew on some sort of five-year forecasting. I think that, you
know, October, Novemberish might be a little bit of a window where we can try to put something together. >> So, I would throw to the both of you um that we still don't have a class and compensation study that uh that we really need to wrap our arms around um
before that work happens. Um I want it to be a more accurate reflection of what we think is going to happen based on the class and comp. >> Sure. Um, and to, you know, I' I'd like to and the board can give me a different number, but I think by November, we
should have an internal class in comp. >> That would be >> realistic. >> I think it's realistic. It's not going to be as comprehensive as one done outside, but I think an internal class and comp using the resources of the Southshore managers and the South Coast
managers and the small town managers um that is available to us. Uh we can approximate something and then um not only be able to use that for the study but be able to use it for negotiations once they begin. >> Strong action item.
>> That's an act. That's an action item that I'll be like every time action item action item. >> Yeah. And a couple um >> absolutely >> the the governor's budget is typically is it February March? >> Yeah. I have my time frame
>> because looking at that um I know that you know there were things that had come up that we knew that were shifting like for example our um 40s money right that was a reduction >> this board as long as we're you know in
the know of kind of where the shift is happening up at the state house where we can advocate you know those items that we can strongly advocate on behalf the town of Lakeville. Um, you know, instead of being send our letters, send our >> whatever it is, right? Um, invitations,
you know, visiting the state house, having, you know, sit down meetings, whatever we can do. Yes. To advocate, you know, for the town of Lakeville. >> Agreed. >> For those things that are potentially looking to be reduced >> in the funding.
>> So, >> um, because I'm happy to, you know, >> go up there and she likes to network. She's up there >> and I think I I think I missed it, but Andrew did have me bring uh cherry sheet revenue down to a more realistic number of what we're expecting to collect in 27. So, um that's on there as well. So,
yeah. >> Uh I had one more question um and it's loosely related, but you got you brought it up about the windows at SWAMs. Is there any grants to be had about improvement on buildings that is not
green community? um that it as a is a reimbursement. Is there anything out there for public buildings? >> I don't necessarily think so. I know we're looking at the asawit sidewalks with the ADA grant for next year. >> Yep.
>> Um then we have some smart growth >> money in the bank. >> And I know this is a silly question, but is there any federal funding would be my next question? >> I don't know. It's tough to forecast that. >> Yeah. Yeah. But if you could just take a peek and see if there's anything that we
can do because $2 million is a big nugget. >> Yeah, our big worry I think right now is the operation. >> I mean, we have I think we're going to have a pretty healthy free cash number next year to fund some capital, but the operating cost is what keeps us up at night, >> right? Oh, yeah.
>> So, >> and passing it on to the taxpayers is what keeps me up, too. >> Me, too. >> Right. And just the headwinds themselves are tough. like even if we wanted to do like a a drastic step like an override, there's a lot of stuff going against it. So, >> yes, >> true, true. >> Yeah.
>> Great. Thank you for all the great information and for coming up with a really comprehensive and wellexecuted >> document for us to all know where we look like we're coming in for. Um, and I if I can just if we can, you
know, these were great documents and I know that we kind of jumped up. Um, but we asked the, you know, ping pong to stay if we can make sure that they get copies of this, too. Um, because they're really good at keeping their notebooks and they bring it to all their meetings and so they're right on top. >> Yeah, Andrew did send this to us. So,
thank you. And if Yeah, anything you have in future continues to us. That'd be great. >> Yeah, definitely. >> Very good. >> Okay. Madam request, can you also include or send us a followup because I know we always see this all your all your assumptions like that you put in
>> 3% all the all that you went through if you could please record of those. >> Absolutely. >> All right. Let us let you >> guys have any new business? >> None. >> No. I'll make a motion to close the
finance committee meeting. So move I >> right eye bills I >> thanks guys have a good night. >> All right moving right along. Um >> meet with the agricultural commission.
>> Is it is it just you? It is I >> Crystal was here actually and I think she had to >> she she was um madam chair I'm the chairman of the egg comp under duress. Um
Crystal was able to make the meeting but we did not have a quorum. So as you saw she had a young child in towed. So on she went. Uh Joan Morton called uh just prior to the meeting. She is in the process of putting up and bailing hay
today and is unable to make it. And Cynthia Barber is in Maine with vehicle trouble. So, she was unable to make it. Uh Joan was one of the people that spearheaded uh this initiative. I know that she worked with member Carboni on
this to get the uh right to farm signs put up in the town of Lakeville. That's an item that was on our agenda prior to CO and has finally come to fruition uh many years later. We have picked our
signage and taken a vote on it as an eggcom. Uh it's going to be a very familiar looking sign. It'll look similar to the Rochester signs uh with a tractor on it. I think initially there was discussion that there were going to be 30 some odd locations where signs
could be put up. Uh that list has been shorted greatly uh to the point where I think we're going to piggyback the Purple Heart, >> okay, >> signs and and be on the same post as they are uh in order to save everybody
some money and save everybody some space. >> It also visually focuses people >> visual visually you're going to get a multitude of colors as you come into Lakeville and see what type of things are important to us. Um, I think that actually brings the number
down to 8 to 10 locations. >> Yep. Eight. Okay. So, eight >> eight locations. Uh, so that number is going to change a little bit on the paperwork uh that we've seen. I I
don't know that it was 100% necessary to have us before the board tonight. And I >> it's just about the allocation of the funds >> and and so I think with the select board's vote um if the member that makes
the motion may want to say that it's down to eight signs and related fees. >> So I could say up to but >> no more than >> no more than um a lot less than >> correct. But again we just I really just
wanted to recognize Joan. She's in a pinch right now with with cutting, bailing, and putting up hay. So, the heart of the agricultural world right now. >> I really appreciate that everything that you guys have done. Um, and I know it was no small feat getting the right to
farm going and everything had to stop a little during CO because the state government stopped during CO for a lot of those things. So, I know it's a labor of love for all of you. Um, much appreciated. Um, can I get a motion?
What? Where is this coming out of where the funds? >> It'll probably come out of contract services. Okay. Slot board. >> Can I have you make a motion um acknowledging the fact that it's significantly less in a number not to exceed?
>> Yeah. I'll make a motion um to approve the request from the agricultural commission um with the recommendation on the uh right to farm signs in the quantity of
eight. Um and funding to um through the town administrator come out of uh contracted services and a number not to exceed. >> What would um
2,000? >> Yeah. Not to exceed $2,000. >> Sound good? >> Sounds great. >> All right. Can I get a second? >> I'll second. A motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. Roll call. Vote.
>> Switching paths. Hunt. Ide. >> Caraboni. I >> Yay. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> That's what the sign's going. >> Which one over here? This one. >> F. >> Right over here for everyone. Apologies.
And I'm sure that everybody that has entered the building this evening um knows that they're in a right to farm community. >> They were blessed with the fragrance. Yes, there was >> pleasant fragrance >> of liquid fertilizer.
>> Yes. Good times. Um and then maybe sometime the agricultural commission can come before us again and we can talk about farmers market again. Uh that so that is on the agenda of our next meeting. We are now
that the Purple Heart uh program has taken off. Uh Christine now has the space to work with us. Uh they're talking about a veterans gardening project. >> Oh yes. >> Uh we also had a member of the community
come forward with um looking for a food co-op. Mhm. >> And also the um farmers market. So we're actually trying to tie all three in together supportwise uh so that we could all endeavor in the
same direction. So >> be fantastic for the >> we will be in front of you at some point but the next egg call meeting that's on our agenda. >> I appreciate it. Thank you. Agenda item number seven, meet with the planning board to discuss the ongoing
needs of the planning board. Um, would any members of the planning board care to have a seat? And I know member uh Mckran is on a Zoom meeting. >> Mhm. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> I'm just going to open our meeting. So, good evening. Welcome to the August 5th, 2025 planning board meeting here at the Lakeville Police Station, 323 Bedford Street. Uh it is 6:45.
Um Lake Cam is recording. Is anyone else recording hearing? No. Um we do have a quorum with as you mentioned with myself, John Cabraw, members Dan Wilgga and Jack Clinch present as well as associate member Donna um
>> Donna Gay. Donna Donna Gay and um in remote is chair Michelle McCran. Okay, speak >> you say hi. >> No,
>> no, can't hear you. >> All right. Well, give it a second. I guess >> folks at home, we just have a little technical thing that we're trying to work out. Give it a minute and if it doesn't, we will just continue on.
You guys do have a quorum. >> Check yours, Michelle. >> Try again, Michelle. >> Can you hear me now? >> Yes. >> Fantastic. Yes. >> Yes. >> Great.
>> All right. Who would like to start? >> Do you want to start, Michelle, or do you want me to >> Oh, go for it, John. >> Okay. So I think this is a meeting to talk about what the I believe the letter that we had sent the select board to um
requesting I guess the respective group presents to some of the reasons why we're looking for a full-time planner to come back into the fold uh here in Lakeville. Um couple of the big things were you know the right now is we have a lot going on at the planning board and and things keep rolling in and doesn't
seem to stop. So uh but some of the big things are you know moning the subdivisions um falls to the planning board and not into the zoning enforcement officer. So you know one of the examples is recently is the Bella way. There's a couple items that, you know, it was approved back 5
years ago now and and there's had some ongoing issues with some things that haven't been, I guess, finalized or brought completely and we're getting uh, you know, um, residents look, you know, butters, you know, giving us pretty much weekly
out weekly requests for updates on what's going on with it. you know, it kind of it falls onto us, but you know, this would be something that the town plan can go out and and kind of monitor and see what's going on and and make sure these things again follow through with um some of the items that have been approved and gone through with us. Um,
another one is that, you know, economic development committee seat would could be fall to the planner to kind of alleviate some of uh again some of the members uh the volunteers just to alleviate some time um from them. Um we got the housing trust fund
committee. Um this is be spearheaded by the town planner in le of the local housing authority. Um the shi the sub subsidized housing inventory. You know the plan needs to maintain the units that are expiring. Um the reports tracks the inventory apply for the safe harbor.
Um master plan implementation committee should be the town planner. Another one that I guess you know we're we're filling in the the roles on the planning board. Um, >> I don't know. Michelle, do you want any other items to add on these ones? I
guess you have for some of these items. >> Yeah. Yeah, sure. And just just to kind of um go a little deeper as far as um the housing trust fund committee. So, now that the town has CPA,
um we have a portion that goes towards housing. And um one of the big pieces is that since we don't have a housing authority um the housing trust fund committee which the town already has this committee on our
bylaws but the committee hasn't been formed and it's supposed to be headed by the town planner. So, so that is a big piece that goes along with the fact that um we have subsidized housing inventory
units that are set to expire. There's about a 100 units that'll expire um in in around 10 years or so. And it's a big process to try to um maintain those units rather than see them fall off the inventory. Everyone knows that um when
we reach a 10% SHI units compared to our market rate units that we're able to uh turn away any uh 40B developments that are looking to come into town. So we do want to maintain that safe harbor so we're not overwhelming our schools and
and first responders and all of our resources in town uh with the high density developments that would come along with that. So it is it's essential to m maintain those units and that's actually a number one thing that people want to see their CPA housing fund dollars used for. Uh so that's a big
part that not just it requires um a planner who can work with uh the various other entities that should be involved in that. Um when we when we met with master plan implementation committee the other day, Rita Garbage, she actually
brought up the fact that the reason master plan implementation committee was formed is because the town did not have a planner. And that role really should be filled by a planner, not a committee. So, um, and and and you all know that
you're getting these these new committees going again, um, or or or getting the old committees going again, um, with the Zrack and, um, the economic development committees. And so, really what what you
need is someone in house who's able to be the carry through for all of these committees in order to get anything done. I know um even the last time um I had been at a SLboard meeting um talking
about town minister administrator goals um you know special projects like zoning maps um the uh buildable land area which is another safe harbor. Those are those are projects that are, you know, suited for
a planner to be able to um to get those uh projects going and and not just to do those projects themselves, but to also look for the grant money that's out there because that's another part of, you know, when we had the town planner
this past year, we saw how valuable it was to have a good person in that role who can who who has the contacts, who knows what brands are out there, who knows what what other funding is available um and and any other uh resources that are available to be
utilized in order to get these projects done that we're looking to have done. Um and and it's a big it's a big responsibility and it's a it's definitely something planning board had discussed looking at
different roles and and what we might be able to to work with. Um and we had talked about a coordinator and and and outsourcing and and using um a consultant
um and we're seeing that, you know, we definitely need somebody inhouse to handle these things. Um >> because if we start thinking about part-time, we're just we're just keeping status quo. we're not able to take on
the other parts that need to be um addressed as well in order to make us more proactive instead of this reactiveness that we're constantly, you know, always behind the eightball reacting instead of being proactive with these things.
And I think I think Deian made a good, you know, had a good question at when we brought this up at our last meeting. um you know, when you talk about looking at part-time as opposed to full-time, what are you looking at and and why would you
consider that at this point? >> Right. So, I I you know, just to Oh, by the way, for the record, uh Dan Wilgga um with the planning board, um I've been with the planning board now close to a
year and a half. I've seen this board change um definitely for the better for the town. I've seen a lot of things evolve and I've also seen the town start to grow immensely just in the past few years as being a resident here for 5
years and now being part of the board. It's an understatement by saying that I'm worried by not having a full-time town planner here. Um, I would encourage each and every one of you that are on the board for the select board here to
go down to Cathy's office, take a look at the amount of paperwork, the plans, uh, all of the new incoming developments that are coming in through the town and really start to think about what, you
know, needs to be parsed through in that department for just one person. having a full-time planner. What I did learn um with uh Nancy being here um even though it was a short time was how valuable the
expertise was that she brought to the table as well as a lot of the um insight from other towns and the experience. And what it did do is helped with that clog
that we've had for a very long time in the town, which is getting somebody in there with the knowledge, the expertise, the person that can um >> not only be on these site visits, but also keep on top of a lot of these um
state mandates. I'm telling you, with these ADUs, >> this is just a small fraction. We just went through our first ADU and there these ADUs now that folks know about this that is going to be exponentially
coming through. And I will tell you with the ADUs, they're not going away. The state has pretty much laxed a lot of the laws with uh uh uh building permits and so forth that would be standardized in
some cases. A lot of things are changing and they're changing uh by the month and we get informed luckily by Kathy and other members of you know what the state's plans are and you have to
remember we only meet um twice a month and the volume is increasing and like I said earlier in our conversation things are getting complicated and to say that I'm worried is an understatement because it the
volume is going to increase. Lakeville is expanding as we know and none of this is going to go away. So my my plea to all of you tonight would be to really sit down, think about this full-time
planner is really what we're going for. And I'm, you know, I'm advocating on behalf of this board, on behalf of our um our clerk here because this isn't going away, folks.
>> This is going to continue. And you know, we need that help. So again, I encourage you go down, sit with Kathy, see the plans that are coming into her office, not just on a weekly basis, but
on a daily basis, and really think about what the impacts are because I will tell you, there will be delays. You're going to start aggravating contractors, um, uh, towns people, everything is
going to be delayed. And if anything, we have to think smart. We have to think fiscally smart about this. We have to get a really good person in here that really has again that knowledge, expertise, the certifications, and can really set things forward
because as of right now, we don't have anybody in there. And when I went down there today to sign some paperwork, the workload is continually increasing. So, I want you folks to really think about that tonight um going
forward because I'm advocating for this and yes, it's been posted on our website, this position since March 24th. It's full-time position. I would like to see it stay that way and um I would like us to really collaborate. I'm excited to
be part of this board. I think we all, you know, we have a good synergy with a lot of the other boards and I'd like to see this really come to fruition. >> Madam Chair, can I add some context here? You may. So, this board um has been an advocate for a full-time
planner, right? We we it's been in the budget and so when we didn't have um you know, we had a hole and we're getting into a difficult you know, budget cycle, we held the line because that's we know how important the full-time position is. So looking at um our town administrator
and our HR director and the feedback that we were getting with regards to applicants, the pool is shallow or maybe the qualifications um weren't there that we were expecting. >> It was light. And if you do happen to go
on any of the uh like the u MMA's, you know, site, there's they're always posting for planning positions all over the Commonwealth uh because it's such a an um an expertise, right? we know that the certifications, the training, the um
you know the land use knowledge um and the regulations and the legislation. So, at one of the previous meetings when we were having the discussion about the planner, it had come up about and I believe I brought that up that, you know, have we looked at a part-time
planner that maybe somebody that was retired that only wants to work, you know, so many hours um >> and someone with the experience that you guys were looking for and deserve, right, for the work that's, you know, coming into the office. Um, so it wasn't
to negate anything that um, you know, we had set in motion. It was more of to get somebody in there right away. >> Sure. >> To to support the the needs and, um, you know, the shortage that we have to just piggyback on that,
>> please. >> Trying to weigh a full-time person with less experience versus a part-time person with more experience. >> Yeah. and trying to capture both sides of it to see where we could find the fit. >> Sure. Yeah. And and I I I see that. Uh
definitely. The reason why I'm advocating for full-time is because a part-time position, which which is great. If we can get somebody part-time, that's great. And then consulting wise, you know, fill in the blanks. But that adds up quick consulting fees and so
forth. just coming from an operations background. I've been there before with part-time and they can only work so many hours >> and then everything shuts down for the day, half a day. So, yes, will it help? Yes. But at the same
time, you know, because again, this board has discussed and like Michelle had said, you know, we we're looking at having, you know, maybe somebody come in uh that could uh come in with the consulting background, but you know,
because there are companies out there, but you know, they're based on hours. So, you can go through those hours very, very quickly, very quickly. and this town has to be prepared for overages, which as we all know and what you said,
um, Madame Chair, you know, we're really squeezed right now for funding. >> We are definitely squeezed for funding. So, I appreciate everything that you've brought forward and, um, I don't think we're hearing anything new as a board. We we know, you know, you guys are critical. Your success is critical and
us finding a way, a pathway to success is critical. It's just what what that pathway looks like. It that has been challenging. Um and >> I did have one question on um something just for my own personal edification on
the monitoring of subdivisions. Um isn't that supposed to be um a billable service back to the builders on the monitoring? >> I don't know what the circumstances on that one would be. By the way, I don't know. >> Okay.
>> And So we would build bill uh peer peer review but who who is going to be sitting in the office uh making and and saying okay well they haven't done this now we have to you know send peer review out like it it needs a constant
monitoring which we just don't have and like John had mentioned in the beginning we have a betters for a specific subdivision who have been emailing on a weekly basis asking for updates so then it falls on Kathy and Kathy's doing her you you know, normal day-to-day stuff.
And now she's she's got to be chasing engineers and trying to find status updates from them just in order and then we have to look to town council. Okay. So, if they're not responding now, we have to have town council. >> Okay. Can we can we utilize the funds?
So, it's just it adds to the workload and obviously if we have somebody in that seat monitoring. So we ideally somebody who should have been there from you know day one monitoring and making sure that everything was done and not missed um because unfortunately there
were things that were missed and um the last walk was released. So >> okay >> yeah it it's something that we could have peer review and build them back for peer review but we can't build them back for time office time in town hall you know. >> Yeah.
>> So that's that's I think the difference. No, but that yeah, that you answered my question. Is is this billable through peer review in order for the monitoring to happen? So that that's helpful context because it's not my strong suit. Um other members.
>> Yeah. And one question for the planning board. So you noted that um growth is through the roof, I think is kind of what your words were. clarify that type of growth because our new growth is significantly down from our budget perspective. So are you
talking existing renovations is this can't be new development because we know a new development is significantly down. So, is this workloaded from ex renovations type and stuff or I don't >> we're get we are still getting subdivisions in pretty regularly and now
with this new ADU um now that those come before us we you know we saw our first one it's going and we can kind of already see some of that kind of >> learning as we go >> mor yeah it's morphing into a we we feel that we're going to get a lot more of those now that that
people know you know now that the ADU is out in the state where you know people are going for that more and I think we've already had a couple other applications for a few other other ones. So, we just we know that those will be coming soon as people can't build more. They're they're going to be start building these ADUs on their property. And there's there's kind of a lot of not
gray area, but there's a lot of areas that are kind of still undefined with the state that we can't >> we can't clearly put into a box of saying yes, you can do this or no, you can't do that. So, you know, we've had that on a couple of ones where we've >> had to meet with town council to ask questions about this to because it's
kind of it's all uncharted territory. a little bit theoretical right now because the stuff's just coming in as in in >> buckets because to to member Panka's point, we're we were down 80% two years
ago and we were down another 20% last year on building permits. So, I mean, when when you're coming and saying you've seen growth, that growth is not translating to what
we're seeing, which is a it's a decline in building. We see a lot of things on the horizon, like those big projects that, you know, we're all, you know, quaking a little bit over, but those are a couple years away. Um, you know, it it it's on the horizon. But right now when
we're talking about what's going on in town today, >> we're not seeing the fruits of what's going on. So it's not correlating to the numbers that we're using. >> And that's fine, but you have to >> and Madam Chair, if if I can add just so so you're talking about, you know, for
example, 43 Main Street, we we already they went through site plan review. So those have been heavy lifts for planning board over this past year. So you might not be seeing building permits going up yet because maybe they just have gone through site plan review or maybe they're you know still command and they
haven't gone for permits yet or you you know because the hospitals still haven't been taken down all these other things but um typically we have had planning board in my going on six years now there's been a lull throughout the winters this past winter no lull there
has been no slow time it has been constant and just uh reviewing the uh 2023 versus the 2024 which we um we're just uh putting together the um
>> annual report >> the what >> the annual report. >> Yes. So there's a huge jump. It's huge. Yeah. We went from like two and four to four and nine um you know for the through
planning board. So, um it what what you're what Mr. Planka is saying it's it's definitely not what we're seeing. We're not seeing a decline. We're definitely seeing um no ls >> this this year at all. And um
>> and so like the other planning board members are mentioning the ADU. So when we met with master plan, Joe from Kong mentioned how they've already seen three ADUs. >> So if you know maybe they're going through conservation first and then board of health and coming to plan. So, we've only seen one, but we know that
there's still some more on the horizon. >> So, >> helpful. >> That's definitely another piece. >> Thank you. >> Member Blanka, did you have a followup? >> No, I do not. Thank you. >> Excuse me. Could I just add something to that? Because I think what they're not you're not thinking of also is the
planning department also encompasses the zoning board. The zoning board is responsible for comprehensive permits, which that entails a lot of work. And for instance, like I planned my vacation two days off the week of a meeting so I wouldn't have to be stressed and I came
back to a box of ZBA applications. There were five and the department is time and deadline driven. So even though I would have liked to have left at 9, I mean at 5. Switch that. It had to be nine because I can't say well if I don't
advertise this it doesn't matter because it certainly does. So just something to also keep in mind. And the planning department involves also the zoning board and that can be very intensive sometimes. >> Thank you. >> Member Carboni, did you have anything else? If not, I was going to open it up
to our town administrator. >> Oh, thank you. I was going to say I mean I agree with Dan. It's been posted since March 24th. I don't intend to really get another applicant for this position for full-time. Um the applicants that we have gotten recently, it's been me cold calling people to be honest. Um and the
feedback they >> That's tough. the feedback they get is like just the job doesn't pay anywhere near enough for the stress of a job like Lakeville. >> That's that's >> how dare they. >> That's generally the feedback I get and it's discouraging obviously. Um
>> but yeah and it's it's one of those things we have to get creative in some degree whether it's a different staff member. I'm hearing a lot of like there's need for another staff member. I don't necessarily need it needs to be >> like a cross >> some sort something. Yeah. And I don't know if it's necessarily a full-time
town planner or it's a land coordinator. It's something, >> but what we're doing now is not working. So, okay. >> So, and that's and that's what we uh when we had discussed last time about advertising the part-time, um it was more about what what we can afford and
what we can add into the budget and what we're going to get response on. Um, obviously cold calling people that you know might be unhappy in their current job is a really difficult position, especially, you know, going forward. Um,
but I I don't think we can go any higher on the salary for what what we've got going for us right now or going against us rather. >> That gets into what everyone else is getting paid. It's creates all sorts of inequities.
>> It it does. And um even though I don't personally think a part-time role is the right fit, I would like to see something full-time. I think part-time might be the option that we get stuck with because of lack of qualified
individuals. Um and then pricing. So the planning board, and I would love your thoughts on this, would we like to get a less seasoned individual into the role? um a at full-time um because I know we
did have a couple individuals that had 80% of what we were looking for um and that we you know they would be able to be there but they wouldn't be I don't know um as fully versed in some of the things
that we'd want them to be um or would we want someone that's fully versed and that is there a little bit less time and you what we get might not be what we want or what you guys want, but I just wanted to know just the the flavor of
the board. You know, if if we had to make a decision on which was the priority, is it having someone that has all the availability that we need but not maybe the the most time and
experience in >> or is it having someone that has the time and experience in but could do it on a little bit more limited basis? >> Right. Just a just a quick throw out to the group because we're obviously working a situation March is a very long
time to have a job. >> Yeah. >> Like posted and not have bites and the bites that we've had come in with the exception of very few um have come in through leg work. >> Right. Um just very quickly from a point
of clarification through you madam chair um to uh the town administrator um for the salary in terms of how it's budgeted for fiscal year 20 we're in 26 now right?
Yeah. So is that still as a full-time salary position as the way it's budgeted currently right now? >> Correct. It goes to up to about 89,600 and change. >> Okay. >> Um and that's good until the end of
fiscal year. And then when does that get re-evaluated? >> It will be part of the budget process. So uh >> okay. >> Do a year before? Probably November, December. We're going to start that process. >> All right. Just so we we're so we know as we're going through the process um
you know that we're >> just aware of the timing of budgets and everything. So thank you >> Dan. Thank you Jack >> in L in conjunction with what Dan was talking about in some of the other comments made here are we not
competitive with other towns as far as salary offerings do you know >> so can I >> so what I'm finding in the job market is where job market itself is lacking that middle person so we have very junior
people that aren't quite at the planner level and then we very senior people that are ready to retire out of the field. So that middle piece where they want to take that next step, we're we're not finding it. It's not so much the price. So the price is
when you have these senior people, they don't want to come over because we're lower. And then the junior people aren't quite ready to be at the level that we're we're asking for. So the compromise was it has been out since
March and we're not getting a big applicant pool. So plug the hole with a part-time and at least give the office some kind of support and then re-evaluate. But this at least allows the board to have more options than just
sitting because now it's been four or five months. Um, so it's kind of like a let's look at the now and then see how that works out and maybe do we had spoke about a potential for a planner one too which that part-time would be the
seasoned person and then you might bring in a full-time planner one who's learning under that part-time person. So we are looking at different ways of fixing it >> but in the market itself we're either seeing very senior people or very junior people. there's not that middle one that
would fit into Lakeville the way we wanted to. >> And that holds true for the whole um town um markets for town positions. Um because uh big money lord a bunch of people away and the people that were
here for a while are in high demand now. Um and >> uh we can't put ourselves in an adverse position and but we don't want to continue to have you guys in an adverse position. >> I just don't want to lose that budget line item. Yeah, I agree. >> So, that's that's where I'm at.
>> I would say a lot of comp compreh compar comparable towns to us um are getting creative. Um Rochester has a 24-hour a week person. She's also our interim town planner. >> She's getting paid, I think, like 60, but she's working only 24 hours, so it's a benefit. She does tell her work. Um
Matapora and a Kushnet have a dual. >> How do they get around with the 24 hours? Because the magic number is >> 19 hours before they're considered full-time. >> Well, it's it's not it's full-time, I guess, but it's just not 40 hours. It's 24,
>> but it's not benefited full-time or like >> So, the state of Massachusetts is wonky because when I looked it up, it actually there's no required number of hours to separate full-time from part-time. You could essentially say that anybody working up to 30 hours is part-time.
There's no law that says after 20 hours. It's just the way that pretty much every municipality has adopted it considering that 40 hours is full-time. So half of that 20 hours >> is it in our contracts? Do we have it in our cont? >> So it's in our employee handbook that up
to 19 hours is part-time not benefited and then 20 25 and over is benefited. So we actually have a little bit of a gap. Interesting, right? Uh >> oh.
>> But um >> I mean are there other solutions? Are are there is there a taste to have this part-time role go out um see what we get for bites um because we're obviously not
getting bites on the full-time role. Um, and if that doesn't work to revamp that original role to be a little bit on the lower side as far as qualifications. >> Um, and then be able to keep our person that's 10 hours a week and that person
in order to >> bridge those gaps that you're seeing like is there is there a taste for that? You know, I I would, >> if I may, I'm definitely I'm in favor of the tier one and tier two, you know, I
say leave the town planner as it is and call that two, you know, cuz that's looking for someone with the experience and then look, um, give an option of a full-time tier one, which would be starting off with a little bit low on the lower end
of the salary, um, with less experience, but than maybe having some room in in the budget to still utilize if that person needs some assistance from a consultant because I feel as though as long as they have like some sort of a
base whether it's education or experience of a few you know a couple years as opposed to three to five which is I think what the um job position has right now >> um that so so I'm I'm personally in favor
of the tier one like hearing it. Leave the full planner open. Create a second tier where it's a little less pay, a little less experience, and see if we can get because I think I think one of the individuals that we um interviewed would would have fallen into a category
like that. Um, and potentially if we had had maybe some budget room for her to utilize some additional services, it may have been, you know, >> it may have worked out better.
>> I mean, I'd still like to see it fulltime though, not far. >> Gotcha. I'd like the thoughts of the board. >> Madam Chair, just through you. I mean, my first thought is, you know, I mean, I understand the concept and I think that's great if we had a full-time
person because I always think of, you know, anything that we do when we're we're trying to help build somebody is like we're a teaching hospital, right? >> I would hate to bring in somebody, you know, where we're a teaching hospital, we don't have anybody to teach them. And
you've got some pretty significant items here that require some ability to forward think >> um and know if there's something falling off. And I I I would just be concerned
that this person it would be too easy to call the consultant or call for support. Um I mean you all are elected so you all know how difficult it's been with the learning curve for the time and every
meeting you get a little bit more and a little bit more. Uh but this particular role for a planner like I said you know the certifications the experience the networking um you know staying up on on the rules and the regs it's just it's a
lot. So, I know you need an immediate support. Um, so I, you know, keeping the the planning position open as full-time, you know, are we going to find somebody at that higher level and then revisit
about maybe having an opportunity to bring in that tier tier one down the road for, you know, extra support in the in the office. But I don't want to lose out on having somebody with knowledge in the office to help guide you.
>> Madam Chair, >> I had to look around. >> I'm just curious about recruitment and and the process for recruitment and strategies for recruitment. Um I don't know if we reach out to local colleges with students who may have just graduated that, you know, could be
recommended or might be interested. So what >> but that wouldn't fit the criteria that's in the job description currently. There's a there's a experience criteria that was in the job description that someone just graduating would not >> with a bachelor's degree and
>> how many years did we have five years experience? >> Three to five years experience uh in a bachelor's degree is what we're looking >> so miss it it again it puts it into that lower category somewhere but not into the category that we had when we first posted the full-time role.
>> I can go into like how I recruited people if you want. >> Yeah. I basically pulled up every every town in southeastern Mass. I kind of know basically who works as a town planner in pretty much all of them and I have a pretty a lot of good solid high-end town planner contacts and say
do you know of anyone looking and they say not really and like >> and we advertised on the place that we all go for uh in the MMA uh website which is the >> posted on the planning there's an actual planning um
>> Massachusetts planning one I posted on there Facebook, our web page. Um, it's been it's been blasted around. >> So, what I basically did was cold calling basically assistant town planners because most most towns pay more than 90,000 for a town planner.
>> Um, and I I kind of said, "Do you recommend anyone?" And they, to be honest with you, they kind of said they wouldn't recommend to go to a place like Lakeville. How dare >> cuz it's it's a all the a lot of these projects like Lakewood Country Club or Baron Rocky Woods Hospital they're all high-end controversial projects.
>> Someone just getting into the field. They don't want to step on any landmines to be honest with you. So it really to get someone you need a high-end person to take care of some of these projects and we're never going to find that. >> So >> maybe retire maybe parttime retire but that's like the brutal honesty of
>> that someone doesn't care anymore. They're like landmines bring them bring them on. Yeah. So, >> in conjunction with what you just said, if you've been to the Lakeville Hospital meetings, when Rhino's in there, they bring in their fairly well seasoned
engineers and architects, they'd blow this person right out of the room because this person would be overwhelmed by virtue of the fact that they're so experienced and this person may not be. And on a light note, I have a master's degree. I've been on this board five
years. I'm even not even remotely close qualified to do this job. I wouldn't. >> So, I mean, the education isn't the point. It's the experience is what you need. >> Uh, anyone else care to speak to this
issue. >> Okay. >> No, keep recording. >> Yeah. Well, I um I I don't think I don't think we're going to come away with what you want tonight. Um I I I uh I think we've
tried uh to to have that position. Um and I will obviously take a poll of the board um to see if we want to try it again. But I I'd really like to get something in just like Andrew said. I' I'd really like to get something in for
you guys. And if that means um we get a seasoned person in for >> and and I would love to make sure we're saying the right thing um for up to 24 hours a week um as opposed to like you know 15 or 20 >> you know up to 24 hours. I would push
the 24 hours as opposed to the 15 hours in order to support you guys a little bit more just based on what you are saying today. I would support uh up the part-time role being 15 to 24 hours per week and have it based on need as
opposed to being a solid you just do 15 or you or you do the 24 a need 15 to 24 hours a week and I think that would support what we were talking about having someone that's uh retired because they can only make a certain amount and they can only be there for you know
certain >> amount through the through the year for hours um and be able to go for that. But um based on uh what our TA, what our HR director and and what you guys really need for the role and it's the higher
level thinking, I don't think the lower position is going to get us what we want. I think we might go there anyways after after this if we still struggle. >> But we have that position still out there. I would like to see the part-time position be advertised and put through
and we'd try to get you something as soon as possible. Um, that would be my personal thoughts and I I I mean if the board feels any different. >> Well, I just, you know, you hit on something. We had a situation here in our town where we brought in an interim
town administrator on a part-time basis, the retired person >> and we went, you know, from a three member to a five member. You know, there were a lot of things, you know, we had the ARPA funding and all of that. So, you know, there were a lot and and it was able to because it was a seasoned
professional >> that was able to address, you know, the the the high ticket items and and get us through to where we needed to be. So, you know, you know, maybe it's it's an I mean, I don't I if I'm retired, maybe I
I work another six months to a year, maybe, but I would love to come to Lakeville, but >> Yes. How dare they again? >> Really? uh but you know so I want to say that you know it's it worked for you know the higher level at the town level so >> but I do think we need to give the
flexibility on the hours and increase the hours for the part-time which did we have at 1520 or did we just say part-time >> so um the part-time that I created for you guys to review that up to 19 hours per week >> so if that is in fact true that the 24
hours is is equally under all things and that we and put it in under 24 hours, then I would like to go 15 to 24 hours a week, you know, depending on needs >> um in order to give more coverage
>> um for the planning uh group as it were. Any other comments from the board? I >> I would support that. I think that's a that's >> I think it's a good >> maybe not the the long-term solution. I think this is a solution that we can get to. weather the storm.
>> Yes. But but I do think that um people that are in retired, that's a two, threeyear tops, you know, gig. So, we need to be really thinking about, you know, how we're bringing people along and crossraining people and, you know, some of those other things and trying to
grow people, >> internships. >> Do we still want to do we still want to post both? That's what you're saying. >> Yes. I would say, you know, if we get a qualified candidate for one, I wouldn't I wouldn't want to just say no that we're just going to go for part-time,
but I would obviously defer to the board. This is not the Moren show. >> The the fivemon window of having something posted full-time and it's gone stale. >> Yeah. >> Actually, I mean, you know, I'm semi-retired and I get job postings all the time. I still get phone calls from
people. I have no intention of going back to work full-time for anybody. Um, but that would red flag me all day is that this position is still open. There's something wrong with Lakeville. Um, we don't have the we don't have the
funding as we look longterm at a deficit to bump that up, the 25 to $30,000 that it needs to be bumped up at this time. I advocate for a strong push for somebody on a part-time basis, somebody qualified
on a part-time basis. I mean, if you want to leave if you want to leave a five-month old ad cycling that >> there's no harm in it at this point, >> right? But >> but I think you send mixed messages. If you're advertising in the same place, we
have a full-time position at X number of dollars, which nobody's been interested in for 5 months, or hey, here's this new part-time position. Please come work for us. >> I I agree, but I just don't want to cut off any avenues if something becomes available. But I I don't think it's
going to impact one way or another. >> I get it. >> Yeah, >> I get it. >> Member, >> I don't have anything. >> Okay, member Carbo. >> I mean, I I do hear what um Mr. Hunt is saying. Um because it, >> you know, just from Yeah, just from
experience. Um you know, just seeing it out there, I'm like, "Oh, that's still out there." Or >> um but things happen. People know. Let's just you know, today's a new day. Let's just get it posted and let's um send out the positive ju guu. And
>> those of you that are listening um you know and know somebody that is recently retired um yeah label is really a great place to work. >> Yeah. Put that word out. Put that word out. Do we have the job? What item number is? >> No, we didn't we didn't want to put it on cuz we didn't want to give any sort
of >> Got it. So, um we will have that at the next meeting. Um we'll circulate that for everyone to look at. Um, but we'll make the enhancements to that to include extra hours to alleviate some of your concerns.
>> Yeah, appreciate it. >> Appreciate you all. >> And thank you for all you guys are doing and you know try and poach somebody from another town while you're while you're >> network somebody. Yes. >> All right. Motion to adjurnn.
>> Uh, I make a motion to adjurnn. Motion a second. Second. Roll call. Michelle >> I Cabraw I >> Wilga I >> thank you guys. >> Thank you all. Have a great evening.
>> Thank you. Item number nine is discussion. Did I miss any? No. Item number nine is discussion on town counseling services. >> Five five months ago. >> What? Oh, I'm so sorry. Did you say
something? Did you did you hear since he applied for this position? >> I applied for the town planner position originally on April 14th. >> Okay. >> And I just handed my cover letter and
resume to Chris in human resources. Just wondering what might have happened to that. >> I can't we can't speak to personnel issues in this forum. Um, yeah, we can have uh we can have the HR director talk
to you separately, but we can't Yeah, we can't speak about personnel issues in this. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Yeah, that's fine. Thanks. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Item number nine, discussion on town council services. Um,
member Panka um had a question on our town council service. um and we want to just explore um some options. So, I'm going to let you
>> speak. So, the the request is to research alternative legal counsel for the town. >> Can I ask a clarifying question? Are we research are we going for >> personnel
>> and septic and agreements and contracts or are we just looking for someone specifically for land use? >> No, I would say for all. >> Okay. So, >> it would have to either be multiple people or a company that does all of
them. >> Right. Got it. >> Right. Yes. >> Thank you for the clarification. Uh so so I'm aware of another law firm that has experience and Andrew at town administrator provided that background information this particular law firm
they they they service multiple uh comm municipalities around the state u andrew has also spoken to other communities that have engaged their services. So, I'm I'm just looking for an alternative.
Uh I believe their rates are equivalent to KPUR. >> Okay. Um so, I think Andrew's laid it out in here. Um the proper way for us to do it is to go through a full fault procurement and and go forward on the
services. And I would do an RFQ or an RFI on that. What would >> It' probably be an RFP. >> Really? >> Yeah. M really? >> Yeah. >> Doesn't that lock us into dollar amount? >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. It would.
>> Yeah. I don't think we want to get locked into a dollar amount being the deciding factor. >> That's why >> we we can wait it any way we want. Okay. >> Um we can wait the the price being smaller. >> Okay. >> But >> just as long as we don't make price the the penultimate because I don't want to
be like we got the best bargain, we're good to go, >> right? Yeah. Yeah, we have leeway to set up how we want. Um, I put it in here, but >> uh, legal services is exempt, so we can kind of, it's not necessarily laid out that we have to do it a certain way. So, we could do it the RFQ method. There's different ways of
>> Okay. >> getting to the same spot. >> Okay. Um, I do understand um, the need to even have the conversation. It should happen with all of our stuff. It's just good hygiene to go out and um, have some conversations. Um, also it would be good
hygiene for um us to reach out to other communities that have worked with both um because you know it's a small it's a small world >> um for uh the people that service these type of things and have conversations
about pros and cons um with both. So that would be my on my wish list >> for this. Um, >> how did you, if I can, Madam Chair? How did you come across um this other group? I've never heard of
them and I've been in >> Yeah, this law firm was recommended to me by a close friend who was previously on the Stoen Redevelopment Authority Board and used extensively by the Stoen. >> They're in 19 communities across the state.
>> Yeah, >> they're growing. >> Yeah, they're mostly up in the Boston area. Um, Borne >> Bourne uses them. That's the probably the closest town. >> Yep. >> Got it. I didn't research them too much. I will do that now though um to have
that conversation. Um again, I don't think anyone should just be an automatic. Um and we make we made it out of necessity a lot of times because we couldn't have a person that was full-time that could do all the things that we needed. we and we would end up
supplementing with multiple other lawyers and it ended up costing the world in order to do that. Um there was one thing that I wanted to add to the discussion um about legal services and I think it
fits within says town council services. Um it is longstanding been an issue with the planning board and I should have actually just kept them here for that now that I'm thinking of it. um that they do not have a budget for legal services. I think they should have their
own separate budget for legal services, a baseline budget for legal services. >> Madam Chair, are they a high demand consu whatever the right term is for legal services outside of the select board or the >> So um they shouldn't be but they are.
Um, so it has become practice and I have a cat hair in my eyes, so please forgive me as I try to remove it. Um, it has been practice to have counsel at every meeting since COVID hit. >> That was never the practice before. The
practice used to be council would attend during hearings or during contentious issues of some sort or something that where they needed legal guidance. they weren't attending as a regular, you know, part of their business at $220
per hour every meeting of the ZBA and the planning board. So, um I think that practice would help uh eliminate some of that, but I would say their baseline should be somewhere without them attending every meeting. If attending
every meeting, it's a different number altogether, but their baseline should be around 10,000 per year. for uh for services um in the regular course of doing thing. >> Do we know what the cost was last fiscal year? >> Well, we had uh lawsuits that inflated
that number as well. But Andrew, do do you have a a guesstimate on what it would be for ZBA and planning? >> Just guessing probably closer to 40 to 50 >> because of lawsuits, etc., to and the
constant attendance at other board meetings. >> A budget wouldn't help that, but budget would help them re in their non >> but they would be able to keep track of it. They would know what they're doing and then if they overspent their line, they would come to us. I think it
creates smart fiscal >> uh spending and I think a good number and anyone can tell me I'm way off would be about 10,000 for a legal budget for them to address things in the way that they want to address. >> Um and then anything over that they'll
be talking to us on lawsuits and stuff like that. But anything over that would be a conversation. It would be a conversation with the TA. It would be a conversation with accounting and it would be a conversation with us and that way we create that accountability and
that transparency. Um, but we also give them the power to allocate up to 10,000 for, you know, for them to spend. >> I would support that, but it's too late for the current >> this year. It would be 27. >> It's too late for this. I mean, I guess we could do it at fall town meeting if we wanted to. We would just break it off
our budget. >> Not that our budget is budgeted correctly. We're what? 7 is it 75? And we should really be about 120. >> But if you take out all of these extra meetings, >> I I think that'll significantly cut down
the amount of expenditures in overall, >> right? Yeah. I mean, we just did the analysis on one site plan review and it was 8,000. So, >> as you can imagine, there's a lot of >> contentious cases. So, >> and are we using like peer review
correctly and all of those things as well? >> I don't think we've used peerre to its fullest extent. >> So, I think that is something that we should also address and consider because we can do all the things that we want and write all the rules, but if we're
spending when we could be not spending, then then we're not taking care of our budget the way we need to. and with the every penny counts type of methodology >> that this is going to be like an integral part of what we do. So I I
would I would say we would do something in in kind of three parts here on town council service for uh planning board in specific. We will uh at the next meeting that is available vote to give them
their own $10,000 budget line. But I would also like to have a policy put in place that says how they should be using town council services >> which is in progress. You Yep.
>> We've discussed it. Hasn't been released yet. >> No. >> Yep. So we can have that but them in specific because they have specific needs on the town council services and um and I don't know how the other members feel but they shouldn't be at town council should not be at every
meeting >> if it's not a requirement. >> Yeah. It was never a requirement before and Lorraine you can speak to that if I'm >> Yeah. No, no, it's just that, you know, when there is something that's um like new, you know, something new, a change in like a comprehensive permit, um you
know, getting through that that process, especially with the marijuana um the cannabis companies coming into town. We needed town council for that. But that was years ago. But that's just an example of um you know, kind of a hot topic, you know, situation. But
>> but I think we can claw back $20,000 >> out of that budget by not having just a constant presence there and give them a little bit of autonomy um on, you know, up to a certain threshold on how they're spending it and really be a much cleaner
>> and more transparent uh use of town council services. >> Yeah. And I know that there had been um you know discussion in the you know the past with the planning board um about having you know land use council specifically to support that's outside
of um you know our municipal um you know I don't really know that much about you know what that would look like or anything but you know to have somebody that was just specific land use >> accountable for land use issues.
>> Yes. Yes. Oh, that's why you were asking the question earlier. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Um, so I So where this was just a discussion on this, um, you know, perhaps you we can ask the town administrator to draft a, um, RFQ to see
what that would look like. Um, you know, to get out because I I do know that there are other um, you know, council, you know, out there that, you know, might want to, you know, consider you know, response. >> Yeah. >> Too, but >> we just might not be knowing them. They
might be up and coming in and, you know, some other respects. But, um, I think >> on both of these, we're doing our due diligence to make sure the best services. Um, price notwithstanding obviously for legal counsel, but we
obviously are not looking for anyone $400 an hour either. Um and then we are able to with the other portion be able to have a a decent amount of I don't know uh autonomy and oversight
at the same time. >> So would that do you think we have enough time um to to have that drafted for our next meeting for review and vote >> the RFQ? >> I think we can do it. >> That'd be fantastic. >> A lot of towns I mean they do it yearly.
>> Yeah. Um, I think Marshfield was actually one that just >> There you go. >> Yeah, we're not reinventing the wheel here. I mean, places have done it. >> All right, that'd be great. >> That would be good. >> Yeah, >> any further. >> All right, thank you everyone for entertaining.
>> Thank you. >> And thank you for member Wanka for bringing it forward. >> Um, we do have somebody in the audience. >> Yes, we do. And what number is this? It is
29B. >> Jesus. We're gonna going to go to >> 29B with Mr. Olive Vera like to come up. 29B.
>> All right. This is a continuation of our I'm missing some pages um of our discussion >> on the energy advisory committee and it goes to 32.
So if you'd like just I I know what we're doing here. So can you >> And here is also the new um the revised. >> Thank you. Um so we wanted to uh for the second time revise this charge uh based
on the fact that we uh did not do it correctly last time. Um and uh the first part of this conversation will be a quick vote uh and a discussion if needed on the membership, moving it back to
seven. Um we had had uh a couple um things that we had wrong um on the membership and who was interested in applying. So, we want to bump it right back up to seven. Um, and we would have it the three at large members.
How do we we do that? Yeah. And the three at large members. >> Mhm. >> And the other language uh things we're not repealing because it changed um the language from wait says >> I took out the >> Yeah, it said board of selectmen before
now it says select board. But that was in the last meeting that we changed that. Can I get a motion to change the committee to seven members? >> And that's seven voting members. Correct. >> Seven voting members. >> Okay. So, it is an author. I just want
to >> Yep. Seven voting members. Well, I will make a motion um to uh adopt the amended
energy advisory committee charge to consist of um seven members um to be appointed by the select board. And the members shall include the director of instructional services, inspectional services or his design,
a member of the select board, conservation commission, open space committee, um or their design, and three at large members. Effective immediately. >> I have a motion to second. Any further
discussion? Let's vote this for the second time. Roll call. >> Hunt. I >> l I >> Candida I >> Carboni I. Excellent. Now we can move forward. Uh Mr. Alivera has stepped forward um
and has volunteered to be part of the board. Uh would you like to introduce yourself and talk a little about your interest in serving? >> Thank you. Thank you for having me tonight. considering my request to be on
the board. Um so I am retired up um recently 40 years 41 years in 40 years in Lakeville president and uh I'm passionate about the environment sustainability is a big part of it
energy conservation decarbonization uh greenhouse gas emissions. When I was at the hospital, I ran a facilities group for a number of years. We we worked towards reducing our carbon footprint. Uh this committee around energy advisory fit my passion.
Um in my experience, and I'd like to offer that up to try to help out in the town. I think Lakeville is a great place. We've always tried to protect our community and our natural resources. It's just another extension of that. be interested if you would all be
consider my request. >> Fantastic. Um I I will say I might be biased because I've heard member Carboni speak about you in glowing terms in the past when you worked on the school committee together. So I knew your name before I knew your name and I'm like
wait I know this name. >> I'm yeah getting involved giving back. So >> I appreciate it. >> I started that by being on the school needs study committee. That's how that all happened in the school committee. I think there's an owl in there. >> Did you hear that? >> You call it the owl. He does call it the
owl, but yeah, I felt the same. >> Sorry, Phil. >> Members, do you have any questions or any comments? >> I just think it's very good that he's offering his time and services and expertise and I would certainly welcome
that to the town we both love. >> Yeah. Fantastic. >> Just thank you, Phil, for volunteering. Thank you. and member Carboni. >> I would like make a motion. >> Okay. >> Um that we appoint uh Philip Aloe vera
to the energy advisory committee with a term to expire July 31st, 2026. Can I have a second? Mr. Olivera motion and a second. Any further discussion hearing? None. Roll call. >> Hunt. I
>> blank eye. >> Candida. Carbon I. And welcome aboard. >> Thank you. Um, you will need to be sworn in at the town clerk's office. Um, and who's going to give that paperwork now? >> So, I have paperwork for you to sign at
the end of the meeting and I will make sure I can reach out to you to let you know when the town clerk's office is ready to swear you in. Excellent. >> So, we have a document that needs to get passed over to them. Yeah. >> Excellent. Thank you. You're >> welcome. Fantastic. To >> be out of order. >> Thank you so much. >> Appreciate it.
>> Have a great night. our only audience member. >> Thank you, Madam Chair, for that. >> Yes, absolutely. Um, >> Madam Chair, do you want to kill 29A while we have the paper in here? >> Well, while we got it here. >> Um, let us uh vote to revise the
appointment of Eric Swenson from special police officer to reserve police officer. Do I have a motion? So moved with the term to expire on July 31st, 2026.
>> Seconded. >> Motion in a second. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. Roll call. >> Hunt. I >> I. >> Candid. I. >> Carbon. I. >> Um, there is another item on there. It's 29 C, but it did not make it to the
website, so we are not going to do it tonight. All right, back at good old item number agenda item number 10. All right, Andrew, you've given us some days and times or Tracy had given us
some days and times. Um, is there any other context we need uh in order to set these dates? Usually we wait for um what are we waiting for? The um >> the high school.
>> Yep. The high school to confirm and then if if possible if there was some budget items um we wait for the the tax rate to be set sometimes too. >> Right. >> So yeah, but I think you know for for us it's just a vote to just schedule it.
>> Yep. Um and I believe that there were um some dates I think that you know to coordinate was with the town clerk availability high school availability um and you know council but council will
always have representation there. So >> yep. So the only conflicts are Monday 113 and Monday 11:117. >> Um yeah we actually have a little more. >> So we have a little more. So, I was able to um Lil was not able to the town clerk
was not able to do the third >> the third, but then the high school's not available on the Oh, she's available to do it on the third, but the high school's not >> the high school's not. Yes. And the high school's not available on the 10th either. So, I did have an opportunity to speak with Lil and and um look at her
calendar along with um member Carboni. And >> you just happened to be in the office at the time. >> Yeah. Darn it, Lorraine. I really wanted to look at the calendar with Lil. >> She was flipping through uh Lil's calendar actually. That was it was good. It was good to get it done so I could
get back to the school. So ultimately the school came back with the two dates of December 1st and December 2nd. Nothing else ended up working out between the school and the clerk and everything else. So those are the only two dates I have for you, which is the
Monday or Tuesday in December. >> All right. Does anyone have anything else to add on the very narrow choice that we've been given tonight? >> We tried. >> You don't know what you're going to be doing that day? >> I'll be going to town meeting.
>> You'll be going to town meeting. Okay. >> Scheduled. Yep. >> Well, um I would vote for the first. >> So, the first is the Monday. >> Do we want to have it on a Monday or do we want it on Tuesday? Does it matter to anyone?
I mean, I can't imagine. >> Is there any studies that show that people will show up on a Tuesday more than a Monday? >> I be guessing. >> Yep. >> Is so the week before um is that the week that school is out of session for
>> Thanksgiving? >> Thanksgiving. >> Yes. >> And then Monday would be the first day back. Okay. >> It would allegedly. Yeah. We just need we need 100 people to show up. >> Yes. So I think they will 121 show up.
If I'm wrong, I will owe you all a piece of candy. >> Okay. All right. So I will take a motion. >> Okay. Um, and if anybody calls me the motion queen, um, I will make a motion
to schedule the fall special town meeting for Monday, December 1st, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. There we go. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. Any further
discussion? >> Hearing none. Roll call. >> Hunt. >> I, I, >> Kito, do I. Carbon I >> Monday item number 11 discuss and possible vote to accept the provisions of MGL
chap what is it MGL 110G >> chapter 110g yeah wow okay >> yeah regarding the use of electronic signatures um we had had a discussion on how long
it took us to sign our uh annual uh uh appointments. It's it's devastatingly long. It's hours of signatures. Um and uh member Plonka brought it to my attention like why aren't we doing it electronically and I
had tried to do that in late late 2019 or 2020. It wasn't available. Well, lo and behold, it's available now. So, uh the wording on this to adopt would be
did we this is different than you and I had talked about originally. So, can you explain the wording on here? >> Yeah. So, um just the context is we wanted to do electronic signatures. We only want to do select board at this
time. >> Yep. I didn't want to over complicate it with all the other boards and then just drop it on their lap. Um, so I initially didn't intend to do it for like legal documents. Um, but I think based on the wording of the motion on the uh >> that was my question.
>> Third page of KP law that's what we would go with. >> Okay. Third page. >> Yeah. >> That would be my question. One or two. >> Yes. One. Would you like to make pollution? >> Yes. I'm just reading just to making
sure that I'm clear. Um because >> Okay. because or with you know with wet ink. So I think that that's important. So for me it's either all >> are doing electronic signature
or it's all >> ink. >> I think is that correct? >> Probably the only >> logistics wise. >> Anyone have any objections to doing it digitally? Did you enjoy signing all those appointments? Do you want to continue to do that that way?
There are some more here. It will take a little while to implement. So, no. Does anyone actually have any objections to doing them electronically that they don't? >> So, let me just clarify the we all know how
uh electronic signatures work. Um, the intent is moving forward with some other technology improvements that I'm working on as part of the technology advisory committee and working with Bob McN and and Andrew is that those
documents would be in an online central repository and we would simply open up at whenever out of convenience you open it up, you click it, save the file back. So, it's gonna eliminate printing, >> all of that. >> It's gonna um
>> right >> um and I make it easier. So, how we do that exactly, we've not determined yet. Maybe it's Adobe. There's various ways you can do. >> We'll research that later. There's going to probably a cost associated with it, too. So, at the moment, this just as
long as we >> it then we can flush it. >> Exactly. And then we'll I will work to make it as easy and convenient for us as possible. >> Okay. appreciate. >> No, that's good. So, at least this would get the get it started. >> This is the first. >> So, you have until um June of 2026
>> before we do all of our appointments again. >> Trust me, I had no idea how many >> and your hand started cramping up >> and I allocate enough time. >> Yeah, the goal is we won't be doing that again, but we may have to open up 100 documents, but it's click open it, click, and save. That's how I intend it
to work. >> Yeah. >> Excellent. >> Much appreciated. Uh >> all right, then. I I will pursue. >> And we're just doing it for the select board, correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> First phase. Eventually, we'll roll it out, but first phase is Yes. >> Agreed. >> Okay.
>> So, I'll make a motion um that we the town of Lakeville select board. >> All right. I'm just trying to move. Um, I move that the Town of Lakeville Select
Board hereby recognizes and accepts the provision of Mass General Law chapters 110G regarding electronic signatures and that its members will henceforth execute documents either with electronic signatures or with wet ink signatures
and that both will carry the same legal weight and effect and I want it like I'm trying to say that it's um for the se just the select board >> but you just said it >> we adopting this
>> yes >> but it's only for the select board >> yep and then the second portion >> needs to be read in or >> or is this just a protocol >> I think it's just to adopt the mass general law right >> yes that's it for that Okay.
>> For this first step. >> All right. So, we adopt it. >> All right. >> But I just want to make it >> sounded like a motion. >> Okay. All right. I just wanted to make it because you know, as Andrew indicated that he wants it to start with just a select board. So, if we adopt it, I don't want another board committee and
commission to say that you know. Okay. >> So, that's it. >> That's what my mot. >> Excellent. Do I have a second? >> I'll second that. >> We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Thank you. >> Hearing none. Roll call.
>> I can Oh, darn it. Wonka, go ahead. >> Eye. >> Candido. I >> carbon eyes. All right. Discuss some possible vote to amend all alcohol common victual license for Golf Blues LLC DBA Leberon Hills Country Club
to a 10 a.m. opening for Sundays. This is a popular agenda item. It is >> um request from G Blues. Um I think it's pretty Yep. self-explanatory on uh what
we're looking to do here. Uh any discussion before we vote? There is no cost for a change of hours. >> Yeah. Okay. Well, then I will get this started. I will make a motion to approve the
request um to amend um all alcohol common victula license for Golf Blues LLC DBA Learon Hills Country Club to a 10:00 a.m. opening on Sundays. >> I have a second.
>> Second >> motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. Roll call. >> Hunt I. >> L I. Andido I and Carboni I. >> All right. Item 13
discuss and possible vote to amend general on premise alcohol license for Red-Hand Brewing. Uh attaches a request from Redand Brewing to amend the hours of operation. They were requesting to be open on Mondays and Tuesdays. Private events with opening at 8:00 a.m. and
close time of not filled out. >> Yeah. there. He So, we had left a message with him to get back to us to figure out what he wanted for a closing time. Um, he had not gotten back to us. To my knowledge, there was a lot going on in the office.
>> So, I didn't know if we >> table this then. >> Yeah. I mean, we can do their amendment on the the um their Sunday operating hours. Yes, we can do the Sunday operating hours, but I wasn't really I'm not
really comfortable with the Monday Tuesday because I haven't heard back. >> Yep. All right. So, we're going to skip over the first item and we're going to table that. But the second item, we will amend their Sunday operating hours from
10 uh from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. um and allow Sunday sales to begin at 10 a.m. >> So moved. >> And I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> Seconded. >> Motion and a second. Roll call. >> Punt I.
>> Lug I. >> Candid. I. >> Carvon. I. >> And Colleen, you will bring that back to us once. >> I will bring that back. >> Madam Chia, would it be inappropriate to text him and ask him? >> No. And I if you get an answer, I'll open it back up. Okay.
>> Absolutely. That's a fantastic avenue. >> One one less >> Yeah. One less thing to bring >> the next agenda. >> Yep. Yep. Trust me, we text people all the time here. >> Nate, Nate gets a lot of texts. >> Eventually, I will have all that, too.
So, I'll be right. >> Let us move forward to uh 14. Uh discuss and possible vote to amend all alcohol common victual license for Lakeville Golf Club um to 10:00 a.m.
opening on Sundays. Uh attached as a request from Lakeville Golf Club. I swear they all had like a meeting and they're like, "Hey, >> they must >> I'm going to do this. Do you want to do it, too?" Um, uh, to amend their Sunday operating hours uh, from 11:00 a.m. to 10 a.m.
>> So moved. >> I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> Second. >> Motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. >> Hunt. >> I. I. >> Candid. I. >> Carboni. I. Item 15
is the open space plan. Tracy sent us all the open space plan last week. Um I missed it on the other version where she sent it the other month and she asked for us to weigh in. So apologies for everyone. I missed the action item for
me um to put it on an agenda. Uh is there any questions on the open space plan? uh as the as it's been presented in the document that Tracy shared. All right. If there are no questions, I
will take a motion. >> I will make a motion um that we um draft our support letter for the 2025 open space plan as presented. >> Do I guess >> in favor of adopting?
>> There we go. >> There you go. Yes. Do I have a second? Second. >> A motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. Roll call. >> Hunt. I. >> Plug. I. >> Candido. I. Carboni. I
>> can have a yay. >> Can we have a yay? >> Oh, cuz it's done. >> Yeah. >> This is the longest thing I've ever seen in my life. And uh I want us to start on the seven-year open space plan now because it will be complete by the next time. >> Did the minutes there. I know exactly.
Yeah. Um I'd like to take a vote that it's only it Serpentid will do it next time instead of having it done in house. It would have been done in 9 months like it was done the last time. >> Right. >> That was a very long time. >> Very long. >> Um all right. So we are good. Uh can we
make sure we get the letter in support? Um either you or Emily can draft that. >> Perfect. >> Yep. I'm ready to put it in the document and send it off. So, >> fantastic. Yeah. >> Uh, discuss possible vote to approve
signage requests from the Lakeville Arts Council for the annual arts and music festival. >> 14. >> Oh, did I miss one? >> No, this is 16. >> 16. >> Oh, sorry. They want to put one 3x5 A-frame sign on
the island at the intersection of precinct and Route 79 one week prior to October 4th on Sep September 29th. Um, and then a banner, wired lawn signs around town on private
property only, and a 3x10 banner on the corner diagonally from the historic library library to the to the top of Dick Duran Square facing the street. So, all of the stuff will go up one week before the festival. Um, it didn't say
when it will come down, but they usually do it Monday, October 6th or sooner. Is it there? There it is. Um, they usually do it really quickly. They're they're very conscientious. Um, I will make a motion to approve the request for signage um from the Lakeville Arts
Council for the annual um arts and music festival as presented. >> Second. >> Second. And a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Roll call. >> Hunt. I >> plug eye. >> Can you do it?
>> Carboni. I >> uh discuss and possible vote to reappoint Lillian Drain as National Voter Registration Act Coordinator. Seems like a no-brainer. So moved with a term to expire July 31st, 2026. >> Second.
>> Motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. Roll call. >> Hunt. I >> plug I >> candy do I carbon I congratulations look. >> Agenda item 18 discuss and possible vote to approve Melissa Turkot to the open
space committee. Uh who was the previous member to the open space committee that Melissa is replacing? >> Parks. I believe it was the the one that just didn't run again. >> Okay. >> I forget her name. >> Okay. >> All right. Well, I was going to thank
them. Um but I don't know >> their name. >> Yeah, she's the one that resigned. >> Yes. Oh my god. Um Britney. >> Britney. Britney Lore. >> Okay. All right. Well, thank you very much for your time served, Britney. And now I'll take a motion. I'll make a motion to appoint Melissa Turkot to the
open space committee as the parks commissioner um representative with a term to expire July 31st, 2026. >> Seconded >> motion and a second. Any further discussion hearing? None. Roll call. >> Pont ID.
Carbon I. >> Item 19. discuss a possible vote to reappoint William Oanos to the Conservation Commission. >> How do we miss this? >> Oh, it was missed. It was just missed. >> It was just missed. Okay.
>> You know, you actually bring up a really good point and I'm going to make it for the fourth time because I love I love love love um when we go forward on the appointments next time. Um I would really really appreciate um in the
format to have everything kind of Excel format with the person ex their date to expire the date and how many members are on the committee and then we can know what we're looking at. Um because we
kind of take it it's it feels very I don't know it like it lives in a vacuum a little bit. Um >> it doesn't need to be. It absolutely can be updated. Yeah, I agree. That's helpful information for us too as well as you. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And being able to do like a mail merge and you know and do
something else and send out notices on that. It's it's pretty >> easy peasy when it comes to that >> and you know just the column for the designation because some of them are required like if it's a member at large or if it's a >> Yes. Which yes that that document does
exist and will be I will create it in a format or change it around in a format that's easily readable for you guys. Absolutely. And that would be much appreciated because you know especially um >> you need to see >> we don't know >> what we don't know
>> and you know when you've got 70 100 things coming before you you're not going to notice that you missed William Oanos you know necessarily. >> Right. Right. Right. Right. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Very good. I'll take a motion. >> I'll make a motion to um reappoint William Ofanos to the conservation
commission with the term to expire July 31st, 2028. Second. >> I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none on to I >> do I carbon
>> I and was this the same issue was just missed or did we >> we never officially did it for this one in the next agenda item. >> Okay. >> On a in April. >> All right. Uh, I'll take a motion.
>> I'll make a motion to because I know um they're they're watching um to appoint um Nathan Darling to the zoning bylaw review advisory committee um as listed as the building commissioner with a term
to expire July 31st, 2026. Is he listed as the building commissioner or >> director of inspectional services? My apologies. >> That's good to know. Okay. Yeah. And I have a second. >> Seconded on whatever verbiage we decide.
>> A motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. >> Hunt. I >> plug I >> candid I. Carbon. N uh discuss and possible vote to appoint Donald Foster, Nathan Darling, Andrew
Sukforth, Derek Maxum, Darren Beals to the Town Hall Building Reuse Committee. >> We're full. >> Yep. With the term to expire July 31st, 2026. So moved. >> And I got a second. >> Seconded.
>> I got a motion and a second. Uh, this fills out our full membership. Correct. >> Correct. >> All right. After this vote, um, can we get on a calendar and reach out to everyone and see if we can get a meeting
going as soon as next week? >> Yeah. >> Perfect. Uh, motion and a second. Right. Did I Did I skip it? No. >> Roll call. Hunt. I lo I candy. back on
the eye. Item number 22, discuss a possible vote to reappoint Matthew Pulus as constable. Uh, attached is a request from Matthew Pulkus to be reappointed as constable. Uh his bond is current according to the
town clerk and the police chief reports no issues and requests his appointment for civil process only term to expire June 25th 2026. So moved >> second >> motion and a second. Any further
discussion hearing? None. Roll call. >> I >> I and Carboni I discuss scheduling select board hours on council on aging. So
um we haven't had as many hours. Um I think I missed mine um on the last goround. I think there was one in the summer that I missed. Um and I don't know who was last in. But as a general
rule, we had someone once a month um from the select board to be there on the Fridays during um the the coffee chat in order to just be available for our seniors. Um, I would be happy to take
the first one um on September 12th. >> Was there any >> What is it? >> August 8th. This Friday. >> Yeah, I'll take that. I'll if any Yeah, I'll take that. >> I'll send you an invitation. >> Thank you. And that is my biggest hope
for these type of events. I would like calendar invites for everyone for anything that we have going because that's how I live is by my calendar invites. and when I don't have them, I uh I miss things. So, having calendar invites for anything for select board
members um would be a really helpful way. And if there was any documents, attach those documents to the calendar invite as well. All right. August 8th, we can sign me up for who would like to do September.
>> Madam Chair, how long is this? >> It's an hour. >> It's an hour. Yeah, we do about an hour. Sometimes you stay longer. Sometimes you're eating the donuts and you just, you know, you're into it. >> It's just great. You go and um we did like a grid schedule. Uh so um the
council on aging knows and sometimes they'll, you know, during their um their segment, they'll tell who's coming, you know, select will be there. >> Uh and then you just go in and you just walk around. You just say ahead of people and you let them know who you
are. I'm I'm available for any of the other open hours. >> Take your take your name plate with you because they're going to ask, you know, like a bunch of times and you're just going to say, you know, who you are and have that right there. They tend to zoom right to you once they see it. So,
>> you can put a >> little name tag on. >> All right. So, you're available open. So, let's get who's less available. Movember Carboni. >> November. Planka. What dates?
>> I could take the November. >> Okay. >> I'll take October. >> Carbon. And then we'll add you for September if that is okay. A number hunt. >> Absolutely. >> And then I will go back and round it out
with December. >> It's beautiful that time of year, too. >> Beautiful. Beautiful. So, I'll do you I'll send invites to everybody and then I'll also do up a um spreadsheet for the Council on Aging. So, they know Yard.
>> Very helpful. Um I know we haven't taken the vote, but I I do want us to get back to what we used to do. Um not only does the select board go there, but we used to have the assessors go there once a month. We used to have the treasurer
collector go there once a month for our seniors when we had tax bills due. We would be accessible to them. Um we would set them all up and we haven't done that since >> 2021. Um, I think we should make it as easy as
possible for our seniors to access the people that they do the most, you know, work with and and conversations with. And the the most things that they have is usually around assessors or treasur collector. >> So, I would love to see us revamp that
policy. Um, even if it's not a policy, but even if it's just an informal policy, um, at least four times a year for those for those people to build, you know, reputation with their constituents. >> It's a good idea.
>> Yeah, I think so. >> All right. I don't think this needed a vote. I think we're good. Uh discussion on the status of the newly constructed pavilion. We've had lots of conversation, lots of back and forth on
the pavilion um and what it's called. Um we have some requests here about naming it center stage as opposed to the pavilion. Um
as it has been referred to it in all the literature as center stage. Um, but it is usually our practice to dedicate buildings like this to whomever had um either someone that had served us, you
know, in a capacity that helped facilitate this or someone um that is recently deceased that, you know, to to dedicate to. Um, I would like us to continue that tradition. Um, we have a
lot of people in town that have really dedicated a lot of service and um we have one person I'm thinking of in particular that really um really made this happen and that would be Paul
me. Um, that's just my thought because I I remember this project was the one of the longest projects ever and he just kind of took it over and fixed what was wrong and he was there for every step of the way. If anyone else has some other
people to dedicate it to or any suggestions, this is just me throwing it out just for my personal knowledge of the project. Um I I would like to if even if we don't name it Paul I would like a plaque to memorialize >> right right the work dedicated work
dedicated work and >> that that I can absolutely 100% you know that >> I would like to have everyone's name on it but I would probably put you know Paul me is probably the the driving force on it and then it would be the
center the Lakeville center stage and then the dedicated plaque to the people that worked on it. If I may, I absolutely, you know, because it had been called, you know, I hear that, you know, the Lakeville, you know, town pavilion, you know, where
it's in the pavilion, but um I know that this has come through, um the arts council because they called it center stage, but I think that a lot of the programs that they have, you know, fall under their terminology of center stage.
Um because it's a the town of Lakeville pavilion. We know exactly what it is. Um >> what about the town of Lakeville center stage pavilion? >> Everyone I don't I you know I don't want to just not you know negate this but it
just it it needed to be >> you know something that we could you know bring everybody in. Yeah. >> With the town of Lakeville center stage pavilion. >> That's worked for me. And then we have a little plaque for all the people that worked on it. >> Yep.
>> And made it happen. Does anyone else have any suggestions or >> Come on, chit cchat. >> Sounds good to me. >> Okay. >> Yeah. All right. Um I appreciate um that they brought this to attention that you were calling it something that they're
not calling it. But I think if we incorporate both um the vernacular is going to be the pavilion. um when we're when we're talking about it outside of the confines, but if they want to refer to it as the center stage pavilion, I
think that suits both of um I used to call it the street level uh where you know what people are going to call it versus what they want to formally call it. >> Madam Chair, any discussion on ribbon cutting? Um, anything that anyone wants to do for ribbon climbing would be
great. Like, um, but we do we have event any more events because we just kind of might have missed the boat there for the summer. We should have probably had it in June when they had the first concert. >> We never really had one for the townhouse either. So, it could be a
combined one because the bathroom and the everything really has been completed in the last year. >> Walk and check out the bathroom. I'm excited to see it having been to multiple events there and not had that facility yet. >> I mean, we do have an event, Madam
Chair, coming up for the Arts Council. >> So, that may be the time for a ribbon. >> Is the toilet ribbon cut ready? >> Yeah, it's done this past week. >> Okay. Cuz like I keep going, is the toilet ready? Is the toilet are the bathrooms ready? Yeah. All right. So,
let's let's make that a thing. Yeah, >> sounds good. >> Perfect. Awesome. >> Uh, uh, discussion and vote to wave the permit fees for the new fire station building project. Kind of odd to have to
formalize >> this because we would just be paying ourselves. So, [Music] >> yeah, it's uh >> it's all right. >> Yeah, it's one of those things like you I don't want to unilaterally do it myself. >> Yeah. >> Um
>> um anyone have any questions on this? >> Self-explanatory. >> Yep. Yep. >> All right. I'll take a motion. >> I feel funny because I'm the chair of the committee. So, can somebody else I mean I'm happy to do
>> I'll make a motion to wave the building permit fees for the new fire station building project. >> I will second >> motion and a second. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. Roll call. >> Hunt. I >> do I.
>> Carbon I. and discuss and possible vote on comments for the planning board regarding revised plans for 19 Main Street. So, um I have a couple comments before we even discuss the plans and
themselves. As a non um planning board person, um when the topic comes up to discuss plans, I would probably expect what are we discussing about them? um
what's different from last time uh can you point out you know what's changed those type of things and I would expect the planning board in or to submit that with anything that's come to all of the boards not just this board so if any
changes come there it should come with you know something similar to what we created here with a summary sheet what we're looking at what we should be seeing >> showing detailed maps >> yes Yes. Like this is not this is not my jam at all. >> And and I would honestly like a
representative from the planning board to be on site to give us an explanation on what has changed since the last time. I understand that the notes would be great, but the notes don't honestly mean >> Yep.
>> what they should to some of us. >> Yep. Just anything that could help further the discussion. Um, so we could have the top sheet and then uh schedule some time from it doesn't even have to
be at a meeting just to because it's information. It's not opinion. It can, you know, be a conversation. Um, so board members can get more in-depth cuz I I never feel like I'm fully read in on these type of things um when I get them
with with no comments. >> I can't comment on this. >> Yes. Right. >> Yep. >> Yeah. And I know like we this came in front of us in January, February I believe. So I don't even remember what our comments were at the time because a lot of times we'll just say there's no
comment so there's no action and then there's an email that gets sent to you know planning board that says you know there's no action or no comments from the >> I looked back on the meeting mo note minutes and the conversation was around curb cuts and that's the only thing that
I really found on it that it was about curb cuts which we don't control because it's a state road but the the gist of the the conversation was, you know, what are some concerns? And my concern, and I know member Carboni expressed the
concern, is that if we are going forward with projects and they have multiple openings on that road, it's a very busy road with a high rate of speed and that we're concerned with safety issues and we'd love to see a way that they
address it into a consolidated entrance exit situation if at all possible. But that was the comments because I couldn't remember either. I had to go in the wayback machine there >> because we had, you know, had talked about a while ago the Route 105 task force.
>> Yep. And >> traffic task force I think it was. But >> and I know I I know that came up quite recently. Has that task force met yet or cuz that was Franklin DPW director name.
>> Yeah. Um it would be Emily. Yep. Um and Paul kne is on that as well. >> Paul, that's right. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, um even recommendations from the task force would be fantastic, especially on big projects, you know, small projects, not so much. Something
like this that that's landscape changing, probably a little bit more context. So, um I can't com I can't comment on anything. Um I would say old comments still apply. Yeah. um uh from January, February.
>> Yep. Uh the only things that were changed on this plan were minor storm water and then they added fencing near the rip wrap, but >> Okay. >> very small stuff. >> Okay. >> All right. Uh subcommittee and select
board delegates. Old Colony Regional Voke Technical Building Committee. Member Plunkot. >> Yes, we have not met since the last select board meeting. And our next meeting will be on August 11, next Monday. >> Fire station, fire station building
committee. >> Um, this will be a duel with um Andrew and myself. Uh, bids are got bids have gone out. They've been posted. Um, and I, you know, I forgot what the the end date is, but it's at the end of the month. >> March 27th. >> Okay. So, it's toward the end of the
month. um you know but the it's a comprehensive program that had gone out there to bid. So um there are some things that are still um we're working through right now um outside of that is the water line um to get to the to the
fire station because there's an opportunity I believe um that we can tap into um some funding you know for that. So, we took that outside of the project. Uh, but we're having the engineering um worked on for that, too. And we should that'll be coming. >> What's the price? What's the price
approximate? >> Yeah. Do we got kind of a a ballpark, right? >> Yeah. It depends on how exactly they're going to do it. There's some complications with like the fiber over there. Um, I think initially I heard 30 to 400,000. >> Okay. >> That water line. >> And there's some discussion about, you
know, trying to utilize that same trench for, you know, the fiber. So try to minimize the disruption. >> So do we have any sense? Um I know I'm always looking in the news to see what fire stations are coming in at now for
oidges for different towns. Andrew and I had a conversation the other day about swamps. Was it >> Cohasset? >> Cohasset. Um and they they came back really um significantly over. Um
does the fire station building committee have a contingency plan that they've worked on or have they discussed it? >> No, we have not discussed it. Um other than the discussion was um you know from our OPM and our architect firm that
the other projects that they're familiar with or that they may be working on that the bids have come back um less than you know what they had anticipated. >> Okay. Um, so can we get a new set of drawings for the board to look over and
see because I know there's always little tweaks here and there. I'd love a new set of drawings, but >> uh electronically or on a plot. >> Yep. So, if we can have those sent out. Um, I did want to say that uh we
have the storm is it the storm water through conservation that has been approved. >> Yeah. Um the planning board the hearing has been continued because there was some um you know discussion I'm trying to remember because I had I watched the meeting >> it was on the site plan review ways to
the entrance a light and then uh right >> where the parking is in the front >> right so there was some questions that needed to be um you know answered so that's car that's continued to their next meeting and um that was the only other that they had to go in
>> I don't think either of them were on the last time we had plans or had a presentation. >> I'll make sure if there's anything that you need. Um I know that um with Emily here, I know she'll be, you know, helping to support that. So, you know, getting I'll be working with Emily and
with Andrew u to make sure that she's knows kind of where we are. >> Y >> and then I'll make sure that information gets out. >> Big plans. Big plans that will help. >> Madam Chair, question for Lorraine. Um
the it was brought up at a pre prior meeting the question came out of the IT advisory committee is if you have adequate representation from our from Mr. Bob McN regarding the IT requirements
>> all through the emails and I think Andrew can um attest to this that um that they are reaching out to Bob as needed. Yes. >> Okay. Good. >> Yeah. and DPW as well or >> we have anything that we needed that was
land or or service that yes we have gone through >> okay >> just thinking of like >> oh yeah we're very >> plowing and landscaping >> we're very cognizant of >> okay >> the fact that we don't want to just assume that town services will be
>> taken care of by you know we're just absorbed like it just Yes, thank you for pointing that out. Very important. >> Alrighty. And technology advisory subcommittee. I think we've talked about this a bunch
because of things that have come up. Oh, thank you. That will not go well on the floor. >> Technology >> um meeting scheduled next Tuesday. >> Next Tuesday. and member Carboni, communication and community outreach subcommittee.
I am happy to say um that we uh had talked to Andrew and Emily who will be um you know supporting this. We're meeting on Thursday. Um we I got a calendar invite um for of 11:00 just to
kind of talk about the layout of you know what it is that we're looking to do before we have our full meeting instead of just kind of going in cold. Um we're going to be looking at the current charge um to the committee and see if
there's a a you know just kind of a different way that we can you know present it in more of um achievable chewable bites. >> Yeah. some pretty much that.
>> Uh so I'll have more to I think once we get through with that meeting, we may just have a quick followup just to make sure that we're we're good to go. Um and then we'll we'll drop the agenda and then um we'll notify all the members and we'll have a a meeting. >> Exciting that it's that it's happening.
>> Yeah. Um, next next time we have an agenda, we're going to be adding on one more to the subcommittees and it's going to be the building reuse subcommittee will be part of the committees. Um, and hopefully we'll we will have had our first meeting
by then. Um, I if I can, Madam Chair, um there is another subcommittee that I don't think we ever closed out. That was the town administrative search subcommittee. Yes. um >> because that was on here for the long time and then >> I know we pulled it off but I did mention it to Lacy the other day to get
the meeting minutes together and I did mention it to Andrew to get it. I believe the chair would be Chief Perkins because he was the vice chair so he would have to call it. Um would you remind him kindly and
>> um but yeah, Lacy was getting those meeting minutes typed up. we try to close out our committees. >> So, basically, they'll approve their minutes and then move on to our agenda um to disband.
>> Yep. Close it out. >> Any new business to become before the board? >> Madam Chair, the uh issue of appointing me as a school district teacher. Yes, we do
>> that contract. >> Do we have to do it on a different item? >> Um, >> like a formal vote. Is that what you mean? >> Um, we So, we de delegated Chris at the start of the reorg. He would do that. I
was >> I don't think we put a date a finish date. I think you're still valid. Yeah. I don't think we said >> a date to expire. I just think you went on there. >> Yep. until it's done. >> Good times. >> You're here for three years.
>> Careful what you volunteer for. >> You're here for You're on that for three years. There you go. >> Maybe they'll do a bunch of one-year contracts and then you can do contract a year. >> Yeah. All right. Any new business to come before the board? >> Any old business to come before the
board? Okay. And we have some correspondence. Here it was hiding in here. Um, we have some correspondence um from Expinity um letting us know that effective August
15th uh Warner Brothers Discovery will discontinue its HBO family and thriller Max. Um so this a copy of this is on the agenda at uh lakevillemma.org if you want to read the specifics. Um,
we had a letter of recognition from the Westport Fire Department for our own Lakeville firefighters thanking them um on behalf of the Westport Fire Department and the residents of Westport
as they came to the rescue uh was it two weeks ago? Yeah, about two weeks ago for a massive fire. So much appreciation to our Lakeville uh fire department and firefighters and paramedics um and EMTs
as they always rise to the occasion and uh support our member towns as well. Uh, as member Panka referenced, uh, we got a a notice from the superintendent of schools that they are going to start,
uh, working on the contracts. Um, and member Planka will be representing the select board in those negotiations. Uh, and we had a note from, uh,
including the commission. I missed this. It's on the back. I missed it. So, I'm reading it for the first time. Um, so the historical commission met with um the gentleman trying to do the uh the
statue um that has Gosh, what month was that? That was probably probably June or May. >> Way before then. Yeah. >> Yeah, maybe. Um and they're updating us as the
attendance and the audience. I don't really see anything that went forward though. It's just a just an update on um the outreach that's going on. Uh and then we had a resident concerned um
about a zoning decision. And that concludes all of our various correspondence. Uh we have more correspondence, but it came in after the uh the point that we
had the agenda together. Uh and and is there any other business to come before the board? If not, >> I have just heard from Mr. Donley. >> Yes. >> Lovely. Right on the wire. >> Right. Literally on the wire for agenda
item 13. They are looking for the Mondays and Tuesdays for private events from 12 noon to 10 p.m. >> There we go. Perfect.
>> All right. Motion >> to All right. I'll do it. Um I'll make a motion um to approve the request uh for the alcohol on premise alcohol license for Red Hand
Brewing um DBA Red Hand Brewing um for our to amend their hours of operation um for open on Mondays and Tuesdays for private events with a start time of 12:00 noon to a closing time of 10 p.m. >> Second.
>> Motion and a second. Any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. >> I plug ID. >> Abony I. Yay. >> I guess there >> the number from 8:00 a.m. was the opportunity on other days to open at 8:00 a.m.
>> But I thought they were already open at 8:00 a.m. >> They are >> his license. But that's food. >> That's >> Oh, yeah. That's right. This is just alcohol. >> Yeah, this is alcohol. So, okay. >> He's good for his food. >> Yep. >> All right. >> I hope so, cuz I
>> You went there for Yeah. I sometimes I have early morning meetings there with coffee. >> Yeah, you're uh you're complicit. >> All right. >> Um I did want to mention that um agenda item 30 I don't you know because it's magic number 30 uh our next meeting
>> Oh yeah, >> August 19th. All right. And now we are going to enter into possible executive session pursuant to Mass General Law Chapter 30A section 21A3 to discuss strategy in respect to
litigation. An open meeting may have detrimental effect on litigating position of the body and the chair so declares national opioid litigation and pursuant to MGL chapter 30A section 21 A6 to consider the purchase lease or
value of real estate if the chair declares that an open meeting shall have a detrimental effect on the negotiation negotiating position of the public body and the chair does and not to return into open session. So moved. >> I motion second.
>> Motion is second. Uh can I have a roll call? >> I do. I >> Carboni. I thank you everybody. 8:46 p.m.