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[music] Good evening. I'd like to call the select board and wage and personnel board to order um with a quorum being present on Tuesday, July 7th at 5 p.m. Just running a few minutes after

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5:45 here at the Lakeville Police Station. Lake Cam is recording our meeting. Is there anybody else here recording? Seeing none, if we could all rise for a pledge of allegiance. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

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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. Okay, moving on. Um, so we do have our

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finance committee members here this evening and they will be joining us officially um when they call them meeting to order. >> Great. Thank you. I'd like to call the July 7th Lakeville Finance Committee meeting to order at 5:51 p.m.

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>> Tini here. Right here. Cost here. >> Manovsky present. >> Be's here. >> Okay. We just have a few um items to address and then we'll jump into our our joint venture for the evening. Uh select board announcements. I'll turn this over

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to uh Mr. Planka. >> Thank you. Current committee commission vacancies include the following. Associate member for zoning board of appeals, member for the board of registars, two vacancies and one atlarge member for the cable TV advisory

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committee. one atlarge member on the economic development committee, [snorts] one atlarge member on the technology advisory committee, and one atlarge member for the zoning bylaw review advisory committee. Details on these positions can be found on the town

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website, lakevillemma.org, under boards and committees. Next announcement is from our COA director, Lori Fee, and she is proud to introduce

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the new and improved name and logo for the Council on Aging. It was a landslide vote for the name choice and a close race for the logo due to the closeness of the logo votes. This is an upside, it's not upside down. Good. [laughter] The two top choices were combined. The

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new name Lakeville Center for Active Living or Lakeville Cal C A L reflects who they are and who they strive to be. Whether you visit daily, weekly, or monthly, they are there for you and we are excited that you are choosing to take the that active step to get

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yourself out there. As always, Lori Fatty's door is always open and you are always welcome. New logo. >> It's fascinating. Love it. >> Okay. All right. on to the Lakeville Arts Council. There will be four summer concerts this

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summer sponsored by the Lakeville Arts Council. All concerts will take place between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening at the center stage located on the grassy area between the Lakeville Public Library and Bedford Street.

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The first conf concert concert will be this Thursday rescheduled from tonight due to the weather and that'll be Underground which is a classic rock band delivering songs that you grew up blasting and still turn up Loud. The second concert will be Tuesday, July

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14th. The Paul Nubian Steel celebrating the steel pan's versatility by creating an oasis of musical mood moods through high energy feel-good performances. And we ask that everyone consider attending with tropical attire.

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Uh this is the one concert sponsored jointly by the Lakeville Arts Council and the Lakeville Library. You will hear something special and different. That's Tuesday, July 14th. Third concert is Tuesday, July 21st. Terra Plane Lane

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Band is a rapid rising force with electrifying live shows in fearless reinvention of classic sounds. And the final concert will be Tuesday, July 28th. The Georgia Johnson band is a four different musicians from four

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different backgrounds, funk, punk, musical theater, pop and rock, all coming together to create one sound. For more information, check out the Arts Council website at lakeville artscconsilmma.org/cons and mark your calendar for the 21st

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annual Lakeville Arts and Music Festival. That will be on October 3rd between 10:00 a.m. and 400 p.m. I believe that is all, madam. >> Okay. Any other select board members have anything? Any announcements?

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No. Okay. Thank you, Mr. Blanca. >> All right, Andrew. >> Thank you. Uh, time minister report for tonight. Um, just a few quick ones. Um, we interviewed about five candidates for the planning position. Over the last couple weeks, we chose to uh go forward

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with a candidate um that we're excited about. That person will start July 13th. Um, so there'll be some overlap with the current corp and the office. Um, so I think there'll be a good transition period and the person will be successful

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uh going forward. Um, [clears throat] I met with Apex last week to discuss a possible task order relative to the water appropriation at this recent annual town meeting. Um, they will be assisting with the best way to handle an IMA with Freetown in Bedford. Um, I'll

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have an update shortly about that. Um, and then obviously the town website was upgraded recently and it went live on July 1st. Obviously there's going to be some bugs and information gaps. We're doing our best to do all that. Um, if there's any feedback you want to give

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us. I'm I know there's probably a bunch that people probably have already. I know I have some of my own. Um, but Emily S has been great on the whole project. She pretty much drove the whole thing herself. Um, website's great in my opinion. I think it's it looks better. [clears throat] I think the

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functionality is a little bit better. Um there's a few things we can work on, but she's been I think awesome with the whole thing. So that's all I have for tonight. >> All right. Anybody have anything for Andrew?

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Andrew, uh we have one, two, three sets of minutes um for approval tonight. We have April 21st, we have April 28th, and we have May 5th. So, I'll take a motion um to

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approve the meeting minutes for April 21st, 2026 for the select board and wage and personnel. >> So moved. >> Second. >> I have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll

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>> hunt. I >> plug I carbon. I >> Howard abstain because it wasn't present. >> Okay. I'll entertain a motion to approve the April 28th, 2026 meeting minutes for the select board wage and personnel.

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>> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion and second discussion hearing. None. Roll >> I. >> Plug I. >> Carbon. I. >> Howard I. >> And I'll entertain a motion for the May 5th, 2026 select board and wage and

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personnel meeting minutes. So move >> second discussion hearing none. Roll >> I. >> Carbon I. >> Howard I. >> Okay. [clears throat] All right. Next on the agenda is our

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discuss and possible vote on the acceptance of the special town meeting warrant articles. At this point, I'd like to turn this over to Andrew. Um if you could kind of walk us through. >> Yes. Thank you. Um, so I think everyone knows by now we are um we have to have a

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a special town meeting on July 27th. The reason that is is because regional uh school districts um the way the process works is if an annual town meeting they don't get the budget they desire, they can go back, they can come and ask us for an amount they want, which they they

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stuck with their original assessment amount to us. um it is our job to schedule a special town meeting and then put that number on the warrant. Um so that's why we have four options in the in the um packet that we have to

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entertain. I thought the best option and I can run through them is to do stabilization. That said, I don't recommend doing that option at town meeting. Um obvious we'll we'll go into it what the effects are but um

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essentially we opened the warrant um and then closed it on July 2nd. Uh there were three citizens petitions that was submitted in addition to what the town is presenting. Um so we can go over the options. I think that would probably be best.

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>> Okay. because tonight on this agenda item um it'll be up to the select board to um vote the article for the special town meeting. And because it is a special town meeting with a very focused

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agenda, um there's one article that we are that we're putting on. Um so that's our role this evening for that. Um and then when we get to the next um agenda, we'll vote to advertise the um the warrant um that

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will include the citizens petition. So for this agenda item, we're just looking at um our art the article that we would approve. >> Yep. Um so Mike and I met with town council. Uh they she had recommended there's really only four options. First

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option would be a new override um pay for that difference. We don't think that is the best idea. Um, obviously the override election did not go very well. Um, was pretty heavily defeated. I don't think going back and asking for money will be would be good. We we've kind of

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seen the tea leagues with Old Colony the first and second time. I don't think that's the right the right method at this point. Option two would be to figure out a new budget, which would be essentially open up the town budget again. So essentially exactly how we had

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it at the uh annual town meeting. The reason I don't recommend that is because as Mike can attest, we've pretty much spent a quite a bit of money. If you want to go into that, Mike. >> Yeah. So typically on July 1, it's one of our smallest volumes invoice-wise of

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of warrants, but it is the biggest dollar value because we pay our Plymouth County $2 million retirement assessment right up front for the year. We pay health insurance costs right up front for the year. So the $38 million budget that was voted on June 8th, this $4 million less in appropriations because

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business is being conducted from 71 to 727. So >> and then [clears throat] every week that goes by, payroll costs, expenses, that's going to get whittleled down. >> In order for us to truly put a a town budget document on town meeting floor, it would be very difficult in my opinion

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cuz we'll be basically making updates until July 27th on the floor, you know. Um, and then obviously I think town workers are nervous about what would happen in that scenario. I think it just it's a cloud hanging over us to be honest and I don't think it's the best

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to just keep that out there. Um, option three is to use onetime money. Um, whether it's free cash, stabilization, other sources. Um, I recommend using the full amount come out of stabilization. free cash is almost like a safety net

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for us. If there's any extraordinary things that happen that that's kind of a way we could spend for it um without dipping into stabilization. That said, stabilization uses it really shouldn't be for operating costs and we can get into this as the

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time goes on um if that's what the board wants to do on the town meeting warrant, but the bond rating take is probably going to take a hit. >> Um fiscal 28 is going to look kind of ugly. um fill in the gap with 1.3 million um essentially means you start

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at 1.3 less when you start fiscal 28 um and then the way we have the way at least I forecasted looking at probably a $3.4 $4 million deficit in that case. So, I think that'll make fiscal 28 very very tough. A lot of uh deci tough

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decisions will have to be made and very quickly. Um but I think it's the best option. Now, with that said, article option four is a hybrid approach that would open up the town budget but also open up onetime monies. I didn't think that was a good idea [clears throat]

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because I really don't know how we would make edits to the town budget. Um, and as we've seen throughout the budget processes, a lot of town departments don't have extras. Um, they're not even taking a cold increase this year at this

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point in time. So, to then open it up for them to potentially get hit again, it's just not great. It it will start to affect operations. [snorts] Long story short, all four options I personally don't like, but we have to

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pick one. And I think option three is the best of a bad bunch. >> Madam Chair, question. >> Yes. >> Why do we have to choose any of them? Can't we just go back to the school board and said, "Look, like the money the money is not there." >> So I I think the first annual town

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meeting kind of put that to them and then they chose to then hit us with the same assessment. >> Mhm. So that means we have to put it on a town meeting for action for the full amount >> that they put in. >> What if it's voted down again? Then we have a then we have a joint town meeting. >> It would go back to school committee.

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They can see do we want to do a joint town meeting that there's a lot of I think that puts in a new league of I think that's only been one in 30 plus years. >> Well, that could end up hurting them as well cuz Free Freetown may say, "Okay, well then we'll >> Lakeville's not paying their We're

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not going to pay." So it could backfire. I guess >> it could. It could. That's why it's a calculus that the school district will have to make if they get to that possibility. >> May I ask another question? [clears throat] >> If you know, let's assume that we took

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from our savings account [clears throat] and we were to pay the tuition or, you know, pay the bill for this coming year. We're in the same boat against next year and then we're behind again by the money we don't have on top of the bond reading. So has anyone discussed with anybody why it is that the I mean is

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regional school committee right like what is the thought process here? >> I'm just not madam chair if I may. So I I can only speculate and I can only report what was discussed at the last school committee meeting.

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um their belief is that they're going to do what they can to fully fund and provide the level services budget. Um my opinion, they're not interested in

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the impacts to the community as long as they get the level services budget. And they made it quite clear that they want a joint town meeting. They said that publicly. That's not my opinion. They

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made that quite clear in their last school committee meeting where they voted they had the they had the um they had the option of respecting the voters from this community and they could have voted to reduce the budget to match what

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we had voted on. Um they chose to you know stay with the level services budget. Um it it's and they made it quite clear that they want to see this through to a joint town meeting. Now in my opinion

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there they're I believe that their belief is that because Freetown voted for the level services budget with no debate uh and no discussion that they feel that a joint that they will prevail in a joint town

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meeting that they will be able to get enough votes from Freetown to outvote us. That's that's my opinion and >> but did they make any comment about the following year? >> No, there's been no discussion on subsequent years. >> So all the money that we're spending on

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attorneys and opinions and all of these things is wasted in 12 months. We're going to be exactly we're going to be in a worse spot than we are now. >> Yes. Uh I I it's again it's my opinion that they believe that they will simply

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push for another override next year with the chance that they will be successful um and doing it all over again with an override. >> Wow. >> Which is >> it's a dangerous move in my opinion.

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Yeah. Okay. >> Madam Chair, through you. Um the school's on a 112 budget right now, right? So, they're going off last year's operating budget. They've already um terminated their employees. Like, they've already put pink pig slips out. People are already gone look for jobs. Um I don't know what the end goal is

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here. Like, if the like I don't know what they're trying to accomplish, if they've already made the cuts, like how they're even going to reinstate them or fill those positions if we fully fund at this point. >> Yeah. I'm not certain what the plan is to restore them. Um I think they're probably hoping to probably get this

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resolved by the start of the school year if I had to guess. Um now what does happen now they're in a 112 budget at the moment uh which essentially means they they take fiscal 26 the the prior year and then they actually get um the increased state aid um it still is less

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than it is now I think um but what [clears throat] um will happen eventually if this does not get resolved even with a joint town meeting is that desi ultimately would set the budget potentially on December 1st and I don't I've heard two ration of what they do.

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Um, they can set the budget whatever they want. So maybe they maybe they're banking on that. I don't know. But I'd rather me personally, I'd rather get this resolved prior to that. I don't want to have someone from the state come in and set

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an assessment. So, >> and if that's the case, if um I understand the process, um we would have to schedule a special town meeting to be able to fund the request

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from Desi if all other avenues failed because if they if they state that we have to meet the level service request um then obviously we we would have to

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find the money to to make that happen. And right now, we don't have it in the operational budget. So, we would have to go into our reserves, which would be general stabilization. Um, and that would require a town meeting vote.

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My understanding [clears throat] is Desi does a pretty solid investigation of what the town can afford to pay. I'm not I don't want to scare anyone and say they're they're going to come in and set it way above what we what we're willing to give, but it could be a situation. >> Could be. >> We're short on money. We like you said, we have to do a special town meeting to

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appropriate money to pay it. >> So, just looking at what's in front of us right now. So, we have a warrant article that we have to um present to our residents at town meeting. Um any anybody can get up to speak, you know,

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to the article just as we can at a any other town meeting. Um but we do have to present an article to address the request. So >> can I ask a question? Can I come up and address?

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>> Um yes, I I guess I should have opened this evening. So I will entertain questions regarding the discussion items that we're talking about. So absolutely come on up and and please state your name. Well, I want to make sure that your voice gets picked up on the microphone.

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>> My name is Jeff Buran. I live at 135 Main Street, Lakeville, Mass. Um the situation seems to me that the school is trying sub trying to subvert the appropriating authority in town which is

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the select board finance committee because you are the appropriating authority of taxes not the school. And it troubles me because it's almost us versus them. They try to say that it's all of us, but it

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seems to me like it isn't. It shouldn't be like that. [clears throat] >> Now, why is the school trying to subvert what's legal by law with the selectman for

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appropriating money? >> I just just need to just jump in, Mr. Bernier. Um, town meeting is what appropriates the money for the fiscal year, the upcoming fiscal year. Correct. >> So, we as a select board, finance committee, town administration,

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we present a budget to the town meeting to consider. The school is its own entity because it's a regional school district. So, they have to present their budget as well. And so, right, but the school

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committee proposes a budget. >> The school >> they don't they don't decide on what the amount's going to be. >> The school committee makes a recommendation to town meeting just like we we do. and town [clears throat] meeting made a vote. But because it's a

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regional school district, it takes on a different avenue when you have another community involved who has met the request at their town meeting. So right now the regional school district does

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not have a balanced budget. So this is part of the process. So, we do need to go back to the I understand the frustration and and maybe some of the confusion, but we do have to follow the process and that's why we bring it back to town meeting,

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>> right? And and the override vote failed, right? >> Yes. The over >> So, they should have accepted what that what that entails, >> right? And the other thing is the general laws chapter 71 section 16B basically allows the schools to bankrupt

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the town because the way that's written is is kind of ridiculous. So, we are not the school committee and I would encourage anybody that has any questions about the decision to

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appropriate or not appropriate, make a recommendation for the budget with regards to the school committee would be a question to be directed to the school committee. I don't want to speak on behalf of the school committee. Um, that's not our our role in any way. Um,

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and as far as statements go, I can't yay or nay what you're saying, but any questions that you have, I would encourage you to direct them to the school committee. >> Does the school committee uh did the school committee ever recommend uh a secondary budget besides the one they

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presented? >> The the administration the school administration presented three options to the school committee to consider. >> No, the one they passed by two/3s. Did they ever offer one before the the the uh original >> the school committee?

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>> Yes. >> They had three options that they could vote to present to the town and they voted a level services >> after after yeah after after the so after the override vote

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failed Jeff. So this at at after town meeting where we said no again the school committee the process is they go back um and [clears throat] as madam chair said they were offered three options by the finance director and superintendent level services budget a

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budget that aligns with what we voted on or compromise and they chose the level services budget. >> Right. And the level services budget has no cuts at all. It has no reductions at all. >> That is correct. Right. >> That is correct. Right. Oh. Um, and so as M said, and trust me, I

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understand your frustration, Jeeoff, you know, I've been going to the school committee meetings, you will have so if if the article fails, this article fails or any of the citizens petition article fails at special town meeting, the

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school committee again will have another opportunity to vote like they did two, three weeks ago. >> Yeah. >> Uh, I encourage you to to attend. I will be there. Um I can predict what is going to happen because they pretty much made

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that clear not the last town meeting but at the last school committee but two school committee meetings where they expressed unanimous support for a joint town meeting. So again they will have that opportunity to vote again. My guess is they're going to vote for level services budget because

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they want this to be decided at a joint town meeting unfortunately. So, I encourage you to um I don't know when the next school committee meeting is, but um the process is already in play. So, [clears throat] town meeting is scheduled.

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>> Um I I encourage you to attend town meeting and and speak your your mind >> because that's where the vote will happen. So, >> thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Does the select board have any um

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comments or considerations for the options in the recommendation made by the >> M. So your recommendation is the free cash one. >> No, it is general stabilization. >> Oh, okay. That Yeah, you said you said option three, but article three. You

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you're article one is what you're Okay. >> Yeah, it's article one. >> Okay. Sorry. You said article three before I think. Okay. Okay. Madam >> chair. Yes, we >> we'll let you up on ratings >> cuz we're about to borrow. So, just kind of curious. >> We can't say for certain. Um but [clears throat] in our in our last

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ratings call maybe about a year ago, they harp on stabilization and then what specifically are we using it for? Um so I I got to think if this article would have passed, they would really hone in on that and say why what are you going to what are you using it for? We would

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say operational costs. They would probably give us a scowl and say that's not a good practice. What is your plan to replenish stabilization? As we'll probably get into with with uh the agenda item with uh budget transfers, our free cash is not going to

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be very high probably next year or the year after that. So, we really don't have a plan to replenish um which >> we're back in the same boat, >> which is to say the bond rating could hit take a hit. [clears throat] So, we wouldn't go into that bond rating call on a very strong footing. Um but then

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again, we can't guarantee what they're going to say to us. Um but it won't be good. >> Three men just just for clarity because um some folks have asked me >> a bond rating is it fair to say the analogy is just like your personal

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credit rating. >> So if I have a good credit rating and I go to borrow money, I'll get a favorable percentage rate, >> right? >> So if our bond rating is good, we get a good interest rate. If our bond rating is not good, then we get higher interest

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rate and it ends up costing us more in the long run. Is that fair? >> That's 100% correct. I've actually used that same analogy to satisfy some public records requests. And if you don't mind, I'd add one more thing. So, it's very rare. It's very rare, but it has happened in Massachusetts. There's been

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times where municipalities have had to use onetime revenue sources. Their bond rings dropped. They've gotten no biders on the bond. So yeah, it's it's bad to have the interest rate be high, but we could also have no one no lending institutions

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>> want to take a chance because we're seen as too risky. >> We could be seen as too risky. It's rare. It's sum to none. But um using the the short-term 10 million we borrowed last fall, we got three biders, 4%, 4%, and 3.5. So in that situation, you choose the lowest interest rate. If

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we're high risk and they determine us to be too risky, we could get no biders. It's a possibility. It's a slim chance, but it is a possibility that could happen. It has happened in a municipality in Massachusetts before. >> So, um, yes, it would be bad to see the credit rating the the uh interest rate

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go up, but it would be even worse if we had, uh, >> you know, lenders, >> vendors with $15 million worth of bills and no no way to pay it. So, thank you. >> Yeah. >> And they look at a lot of factors. U, they look at our total reserve [clears throat] position, which is free cash, and then the stabilization accounts that started to dip. There's a

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trend the last three or four years. this this would be a really big dip. So, they'll see that. Um, obviously, they'll see the uses is not wise. They're going to see that we probably can't pay put that money back in through free cash cuz free cash is going to be too low. Um, there's one more thing that I can't

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quite put my Oh, we're a small town. So, um, borrowing 15 million for a small town like us is not it's a bit it's big. It's a big thing. And so, they're going to see us taking on a lot of debt and basically eating away at our reserves. So no risky buy for bitters.

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>> Mhm. [clears throat] >> Okay. Getting back to the recommendation. Um so we have a recommendation from our administration. Um so I is there any further discussion

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on this right now? >> I just have one more. >> Oh please. >> Sorry. So there'll be this is really for the the next part of the discussion. The reason it's 1.353284 that is the difference between what was appropriated at annual town meeting and then the difference to what the assessment is.

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>> Yes, we appropriated 350,000 at town meeting above last year. Y so that was 350,000 um for the schools and this will be the what to the request >> delta. Y that's really just in context of the next part of the discussion.

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>> Okay, perfect. [clears throat] Okay. Um I will entertain a motion. >> Motion to approve option three. >> Okay. So

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>> uh motion to accept the special town meeting warrant article as presented as option three. Right. >> Correct. >> Okay. And for the record we've got that. >> Y. >> Okay. Medicare. What's the optical?

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Oh, >> option. Oh, we're on >> We haven't gotten to this one yet, I don't think. >> So, we're we're still on agenda item number one. Madam chair, may I ask another question?

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Yes. If we were to have another vote, would that affect so if we went to town meeting and then this other agency had to come in and say, you know, whether we had to pay it or not, if that would that second vote, would having that second vote mitigate any of that risk,

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whichever way it goes. Um, it really depends on if this vote would pass the town meeting or not. Um, I think Desi would look at a total picture. They'll probably see if the override failed multiple town meeting votes. I think they would probably see that and say, "Hey, the town's not open

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to doing it." So, I don't think they would probably >> they can't force us. >> No, they can. >> That's what I'm hearing. >> They can force us, but I don't know >> if they I think they would look at a full picture of what our finances are like and they might say, you know what, the town can't can't fork it up. Maybe

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they they go a little bit over. They don't go the full assessment. I really don't know. [clears throat] >> Okay. >> Unless we talk to Jesse directly. >> Thank you. >> Okay. So, we have a motion made by member Howard. Do we have a second? >> I'll second that.

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>> Okay. Is there discussion? Hearing none. I'll entertain the role. >> Hunt. >> I look I >> Carboni. Iard I. Okay. All right. which will bring us into the next um agenda item. It's um agenda item

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number five number two. Uh this is a vote um to advertise and sign the special town meeting warrant. The special town meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 27th at 6:30 p.m. at Aquanoquit Regional High

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School in the auditorium. And in front of us, we have a draft. Um, and I believe the article one that is in this draft is what we just voted. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Andrew, can you take take it away?

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>> Yes. So, the way I uh structured this is that I assumed you guys would use option three. So, that is in this um document. And then we um receive three assistance petitions for financial articles. um in the ways state law works we have to put

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those on strictly how they were presented to us. Um so that is what article 2, three and four are. Um there is some call it peculiar things within each article. Um but they are how

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they were presented to us. We're not allowed to make any changes once they are submitted to us. They've been certified by the town clerk's office as having the sufficient votes from registered voters that signed it. Um I can go into each one if the board would like.

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>> Um I think with regards to that, Andrew, um we will have warrant review where we'll be joined again um with the finance committee on what was the date? >> July 21st. >> The 21st of July. At that point, the

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petitioner um will be in attendance and we'll be able to speak to um each of those warrant articles. Um, so I don't want to get into, you know, discussion about what this means, what's that not without the petitioner being

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here, um, to answer any questions. So, um, that's with, Madam Chair, without without getting into that, they've sent in their article. There's their their warrant. Uh, there's nothing they can change at

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this point. They can't come back and say, "Oh, well, I didn't realize that. We're going to change the word." It's done. Correct. Okay. >> And legal council's looked at these already. >> Yes. >> We can amend on the town floor, right? >> Yeah. You name it. Just talk about right now. That's all. >> But as presented, that's what's in here.

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>> The article one that we just approved is is verbatim in here as well. So, this is where the select board will vote to uh what is it to advertise and sign the special town meeting warrant as

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presented. So, I will entertain that motion. >> Second. >> Motion to second. Is there any discussion? Hearing none. Roll please. >> I carbon I.

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Okay. And this is getting posted. um advertised in the next >> Yep. >> It will be in Thursday's paper. We'll be posting it around to meet the >> requirements. Excellent. Okay. >> And madam chair, the date for the review >> is the 21st.

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>> The 21st >> of July. >> Okay. >> And we'll make sure that we put that out through our communications channel as well and invite residents here for discussion. M >> invite public school committee members.

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>> That is correct. Yes. so that they can be here as well to answer any questions that might arise. >> Mad. >> Yes. >> Bernie, 155 Main Street. How much is this override going to cost?

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>> There's no override, Mr. Bernie. >> How many proposal? How much would that [clears throat] cost? um as presented um in the Warren article that we just approved >> the amount of 1 million

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>> 353 284. So we will have this um signed this evening I believe um and this will get posted so you'll be able to get a copy of it too. It'll be up on the town website so you'll have it. the override

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question. How much would that cost to be in the ballot and have you know the cost? >> Mr. Bernier, we're not at that point. We're not having that discussion at at this evening. We're not even considering putting an override question out to the voters at this time.

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That might be a discussion next year, but at this time we're not putting an override question out to the voters. >> Okay. So, you can't discuss the cost until the vote is passed. And that's how >> we're presenting we're presenting an article on town meeting floor where town meeting will be

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able to discuss and decide um to support the article or not. >> Right. And after that passed then you would know then you would determine how much it would cost would be to have an override ballot vote. >> We're right now there is no override discussion. We're not putting an

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override out there. This is money that would be voted to be taken out of our stabilization which would be our considered our our savings. So there's no override. >> But is that on the is that going to be on the warrant? >> That's on the warrant and we'll make

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sure that we have copies u or it'll be up on the town website where >> people can get copies of that. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Okay. Um [sighs and gasps] we're a little 45 minutes after, but we're we're here to meet with you. We

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have um some budget transfers that would require the vote of the finance committee as well as the select board. I'm going to turn this over to our administration to explain the process and why we were here this evening to

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vote these transfers. >> Thank you, Andrew. Uh so um we're here tonight to ask for a vote of fiscal year end 2026 budget transfers of both the select board and the finance committee. Um just a few points of clarification.

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We are not increasing the budget at all. We're simply just shifting some lines that ended in a surplus to some lines that ended in a deficit. Um this is all um typical housekeeping year-end items uh set forth by Mass General Law chapter 44 section 33B.

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Um, we're allowed to do budget transfers from the last two months of the fiscal year and the first 15 days of the new fiscal year. So, May 1st to July 15th without a town meeting vote, just the votes of the committee and the board. Um, quick timeline on this budget. This

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is the fiscal 2026 budget. Um, Andrew and I started to assemble this budget probably late fall of calendar year 2024. So, this budget is approximately 20 months old. So this is kind of why mass general law DLS and DOR have [clears throat] this uh you know process

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in place because it's hard to foresee what happened in June 30th 2026 when you're building the budget in November of 2024. Um so with that said I will kind of take it from the top of the list and go down and provide some explanations.

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Uh so first one is to increase town administrator salaries by $3,300. And to fund that, we'll use town accountant salaries of $3,300. The deficit came from um an interim town administrator while our current town

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administrator was on leave and my surplus came from a retiree in the accounting department and we backfilled at a lower rate. Um the next one is simply [clears throat] just a switch of salaries and expenditures. Um we started

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the year with a on payroll salaried principal assessor. Um they resigned. So we went back out and we procured the services of a 1099 contractor who is not on payroll. So we're just switching the salary and expense line. Um legal expenses are um a little higher

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this year. We had an overlap. As you know, we procured new uh town council. Um, so we're just kind of catching up on some invoicing um there. And to fund that, we're using treasure collector salaries that uh are vacant from the turnover in that department. We're also

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using that same funding source to increase postage by $5,500. We had, as we [clears throat] just discussed, multiple elections this fiscal year. A lot of mailers went out, so we saw an increase in postage expenses. >> Um, next on the list is kind of one and

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the same. Elections and registration. we had uh two debt exclusions, an override etc. So uh we had some turn back in the human resource expenditure line. So we will offset that deficit there. Um the next one is a is a little tricky. It's a

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little longer explanation. So um we get four school assessments. We get Freelink, we get OC, we get Bristol Aggie, and we get Norfolk Aggie. Within two of those four, the transportation is built into the assessment. on the two agricultural schools. It's the town's responsibility to procure transportation

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services. When we first came in brand new last year, um we underbudgeted the transportation. We I was under the assumption that it was built into the uh assessment. It wasn't. We identified it right away and we worked to try to procure state funding, offset state aid.

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Um we monitored this all fiscal year. It was probably this time last year we noticed it was underfunded. Um and we were unsuccessful. We couldn't get anything. We're still working on it to this day to try to procure stuff for the future, but it's approximately $122,000 to send roughly 25 students to these two

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schools. And it's the town's responsibility to to pay those invoices. Um, as you know, the town planner has been vacant, so we're using that funding source and then our town reserve fund, uh, 50,000 from there. [clears throat] Uh, next on the list is a town planner. Same as the assessing, we're just

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swapping salaries and expenses. We don't have a town planner, we have a contractor in. So, we just need a little money to offset those costs. Uh, next is facilities. Um, so as we all know, Paul does a lot of repair and maintenance on town buildings. Uh, we've

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seen those costs continue to rise. Um, this also fiscal 26 was kind of the tail end of the Plymouth County ARPA projects. Uh, we were able to get about $2.1 million from ARPA. So for some of the unforeseen costs during the construction, old town hall bathrooms,

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the food pantry, um things that weren't in the initial scope from Plymouth County Opera, Paul was able to absorb in his budget. It's 2.1 million versus a few thousand. It's uh it was really still beneficial to the town even though we have to do a a transfer at year end.

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Um next on the list is fire. Uh same thing as before, we're just swapping some surplus salaries for expenditures. There's a repair on a pumper truck that came in just in the last week of the fiscal year. That was unforeseen. And then last but not least is snow and ice. We actually ran a $243,000

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snow and ice deficit. However, we're getting $26 $26,000 from the state in wrap money, which is winter recovery assistance program. So, we really just need to cover that delta, which is $37,000. So, in total, we're asking for a line

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item shift of $360,800. >> Okay. Any questions? >> Yeah, Madam Chair. The reserve fund, it looks like you're transferring $100,000 out of that. What is the balance? Remind me of what the balance is. >> It's $100,000. >> No, but is that what's in the reserve fund now? >> Yes. So, we've had the last two years,

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we've had $100,000 balance. Uh I was only here for the tail end of 25, but we didn't use any money in the reserve fund in 2025, but the last five years prior they used it for for this purpose. Um but this year we had to tap into it. >> But I'm sorry,

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>> fiscal 27 we pushed it up to 150,000. >> So that's what's in now. >> Yeah. >> But we using fiscal 26 as our fund. >> And I will say this is kind of a direct effect of where we stand with the budget, right? We're not leaving it's it's down to bone. So there's nothing left to to move around. Um, as you see,

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we're kind of funding some of these big ticket items with with vacancies and salaries. So, >> and that's kind of why we pushed up the reserve fund for 27 because now we're starting to cut stuff to the bone and even through the bone. >> Yeah. >> We're seeing like just deficiencies and

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>> Mhm. >> how we're funding stuff. So, it's just that's the back stuff we unfortunately have to use. >> Yeah. In a perfect world, we would have a little bit of extra here and there, but we are putting our budget at actuals. So if if we spent $300 last year, we only budgeted $300 this year.

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So if anything happens that's unforeseen, this is the result. So >> okay, select board have any questions? Okay. Um is this a joint vote or is it separate?

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>> So the select board would have to take a vote for the transfers. Finance committee would have to take a vote for the transfers as well as a vote for the reserve fund usage. So two votes for finance, one vote for select board. Select board doesn't vote on reserve fund. That's solely in the finance

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committee's >> review. >> So I will let finance committee um vote there. >> Okay. Does it matter what order we do it? >> Okay. So I'll entertain a motion for the uh finance committee to approve the

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fiscal year 26 budget transfers/reserve fund transfers as presented. So move >> second. >> Any discussion? >> Kenny I. >> Right. I >> Costan I. >> Manovsky. I >> feels I. I also entertain a motion to

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transfer $100,000 out of the reserve fund to the um line items of uh listed on the uh as presented. I'll say as presented. Show >> second. >> Any discussion?

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I >> Right. I >> Costan I >> Manovsky I >> Bez I >> All right I'll entertain a motion from the select board to approve the FY26 budget transfers slash reverse uh reserve fund transfers as presented >> so moved

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>> second discussion roll please >> hunt I >> club I >> carbon I >> okay >> we have one more agenda item if you don't mind [clears throat] >> go right ahead >> okay I'll entertain a motion to ratify

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by the appointment of Michael Wright to the Freetown Lakeville Regional Finance Committee for a one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. >> So move second. Any discussion? >> Tiny I. >> Right. I >> cost I.

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>> Manovski I. >> Bees I. >> Anything else? Any new business? Okay. Need a motion. You >> want to talk about that? >> H >> that's the this was just presented. I ask any questions about that or I'll wait till another time.

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>> No, I don't think that's on the agenda, but >> it's not. >> Yeah, I think >> Okay, I'll make a motion to adjurnn. >> Second. I >> I

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got that. Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. Good evening. >> Two weeks. >> Two weeks. The 21st. >> Enjoy. Good night, Justin. >> Good night. Next item on the agenda, item number um

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agenda item number five number four. We had this on at 6 p.m. >> I don't know. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, >> I had to set it a specific time in case anyone wanted to participate. >> Got you. Okay. Um,

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so this is something that was presented to us from the um, Governor Healey's office. It's an act authorizing municipalities to opt into a temporary pilot to extend the hours of liquor licenses,

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restaurants only, and to allow for public consumption in designated districts for the summer of 2026, which permits the local licensing authority, which is the Select Board here in Lakeville, the option to temporarily

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allow its on premises licenses to sell alcohol alcoholic beverages for an additional hour, excuse [clears throat] me, not to exceed 3:00 a.m. as well as the ability for on premises licenses located within

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public alcohol beverages consumption areas determined by the local licensing authority to sell alcoholic beverages for off- premises consumption. Um, this is for basically the FIFA World Cup

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2026. um which is being co-host co-hosted by um the USA, Canada, Mexico um started on June 11th, 2026 um and is set to end on July 19th, 2026. So this

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temporary order was to be put in place which would expire Friday, July 31st, 2026. It is not required for us um to opt in. We can do nothing

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um in a vote to not adopt. So um >> Madam Chair, do we have to vote or can we just let it >> do we don't have to do anything? Correct. >> Yeah, we I would say we don't have to do anything. It's we're almost uh you know at this point >> and all the interested parties are here,

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>> right? >> Yeah. If we have interested parties. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I think we're good. >> All right. So we >> we have advertised it and there is no interest. >> Is there any comments from the select board? Okay, it

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looks like we have consensus. Um we're just going to turn this over and we're not taking action. >> Guys on the floor. >> Okay. Thank you. Right. Agenda item number five. Number five. Um, this is a possible discussion

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and vote to allow the chair to sign a road opening permit, [clears throat] excuse me, for Eversource for 22 West Vaughn Street. This is a gas service line replacement. Normally, uh, it does not come in front of the select board

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for road opening um, approval, but because this is a utilities, I believe there's a two-part process here. There's a letter in our uh packet agenda for uh that was signed off by our DPW director

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Franklin Mones. Um and so this is the second piece of this puzzle um for the select board u to authorize the chair to sign. So is there any questions about this in

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front of us? Looks like Franklin has commented and and signed off, [clears throat] right? So, >> all right. Well, then I'll entertain a motion to approve and authorize the chair to sign a road opening permit for Eversource for 22 W uh West Van Street

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for gas service line replacement. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Any discussion? [clears throat] Hearing none. Roll >> hunt. I carbon I. >> Howard. Okay, thank you.

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Moving on to item number six. Uh this is a request from the economic development committee to utilize Loon Pond Lodge on September 22nd, 2026. There may be a question as to why this has to come in front of the select

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board. Um but per our contract that we have with the um maintenance or management company um at Lupon Lodge, the town of Lakeville can vote to utilize

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the um the facility for town sponsored events. And um I'm going to Did you want to speak to this? Um yes, >> I'd be happy to. So, one of the um the items that the economic development committee is bringing forward uh forward

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to the town is to have a business social event where we will gather and advertise and and gather um local businesses to come and um talk to some lenders, talk to one another, but basically network among

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themselves to create um a business community, if you will. So, that's the purpose of this event. It's not um it's not open to the public, but it is open to all business owners.

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So, that's the purpose. Uh and it would be from 300 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on September 22nd. Right. And um from what I gathered with the information here that the manager um the management company said that that

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that date and time is is available. So, it just requires a vote of the select board. So, I'll entertain a motion uh to authorize the use of Lon Lodge on September 22nd, 2026 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. for a business social sponsored by

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the economic development committee and to wave the fee for its use. >> So, move second. >> Motion in a second. Discussion hearing. None. Roll. Hunt. I >> plug I >> carbon I >> Howard I

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looking forward to that number seven uh discussion and possible vote to lift the hiring freeze for the positions of assistant treasurer collector and part-time dispatcher and police patrolman. Andrew, could you

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please speak to this? >> Yes. So, we currently have a hiring freeze in place. Um I think it's a good practice to have going forward um just with budget uncertainties going forward to every time a position's vacant to come back and say do we need this position? If so we we approve it and

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then we would eventually post it. Um so we have some vacancies. Um one was unforeseen up until about two weeks two about a month ago now which was the assistant treasure collector. We kind of defunded that halfway. um on the floor

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it changed to now be a full-time position. Um so that would be that one. Uh we've had a few uh resignations uh for part-time dispatchers. Actually there's one resignation and then the other one was they got promoted to a full-time which

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opened up another one. So there's two part-time dispatchers and then we've had a few vacancies with police. um one person um recently resigned. So that's what this position would be that we would put out. Um when we did the budget

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process, we brought back a half of one police officer. That won't be effective until January 1st. So that'll come back later on in the year. Um but this is just for the police, one police officer, two part-time dispatchers, and an assistant treasure collector. Um like I

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said, I think it's critical that we do this for each position. So, we're pretty deliberate with how we're going forward with the town operations. Um, showing that we're we care about the town's taxpayers money. When we post a position, it's diligent um to show that

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we care. So, um yeah. >> Okay. >> Just kind of standard. >> All right. So I will entertain a motion um to approve the lifting of the hiring freeze um as presented for the assistant

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treasurer collector to part-time dispatchers and police patrolman. >> So moved. >> Second >> discussion. >> Thank you Andrew. I think that was a very um thoughtout response.

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>> So okay, roll please. Hunt I >> Carboni I >> Howard I >> All right. Uh number eight discuss a possible vote to authorize the town administrator to sign the three-year FY27

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to FY29 engagement letter with CBIZ CBiz for audit services. So Andrew again would you please speak to this? >> Yep. Um I'll go over a little bit and then I'll turn it over to Mike. Um the reason uh the select board is seeing

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this even though that it is um competitively exempt through procurement state law. The total amount is 100 it's about 154,000 in total which goes above my authority of 50,000. So that's why it's here in front of you. Um the reason

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it's ciz I'll turn it over to Mike. >> Yeah. So quick backstory. So um I started here with the town November 2024. We were using an audit company called Markham and uh the previous town accountant, Mr. Hassid had all requested items to the auditors. I kind of walked in. It was basically in their hands at

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that point. About a month into working here, I got a letter in the mail. Markham had gotten bought out by CBIS. So uh we obviously completed the audit and we were under contract for the fiscal 25 audit as well. Uh 24 took was very lengthy. Um we got all the way to

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September, October. We were trying to do the borrowing and we couldn't get the borrowing done because we didn't have the financial statements. We It was very very late and they had everything very very early. So it kind of put a bad taste in our mouth, but we had fiscal 25 under contract. Fiscal 25 was night and day. They were phenomenal. We had an

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entirely new audit team. Um we are in draft review currently. We're a little behind, but I can't blame SEBS on that. We've had so much turnover in town hall in finance departments that it's it's really on us unfortunately. Um, but we're we're in final [snorts] review. We

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have drafts. We've gotten drafts to the financial adviserss and uh, as I said, we have a whole new team, fresh set of eyes. So, um, I think at this point with everything else going on, it wouldn't be in our best interest to switch audit firms. Um, the institutional knowledge really bodess well sometimes in these

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situations. So, um, with the uncertainty going on and we did kind of get, um, $50,000 is relatively cheap, 55,000 per year. Um, you're seeing towns our size really it's 7075,000. I think because we had used them, we went through the merger, we stayed on. I think they were

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a little generous uh with the billing as well. So, >> okay. And I'm I'm pretty sure we we budget every year roughly this amount for the audit. >> That's correct. It went up approximately 10 to$15,000. Um, but they were at about $40,000

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for for decades. And as we know with inflation, that's not that big of a jump. So, um, it's all virtual now. There's no people in a town hall. Everything's sent electronically. It's pretty seamless as well. So, um, >> all right. And because this is a a three-year contract, um, we're we're

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going to be committing um to this amount, which would be for the next three years. >> That's correct. Um, the one [snorts] thing I will say is that, uh, if there's significant federal money, like in 2018 and 19, we didn't foresee COVID happening and getting all that federal

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money. If there is a ton of federal money that the town receives, we may be required to do what's referred to as a single audit or an A133 audit, which is a strict audit of federal funds, that could create like an additional $3,500 or $5,000, but I can't predict that

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right now. Um, so it could change a little bit if that if that circumstance happens, but >> but what we know now is that cost. So, >> yep. >> Okay. I'll entertain a motion to approve the three-year FY27 to FY29 engagement

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letter with CBIS CBiz for audit services and to authorize the town administrator to execute the agreement. >> So move >> second discussion hearing none. Hunt I

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>> blood eye. >> Carboni. I >> Howard eye. Okay. All right. Next we are um asked to discuss impossible vote to approve and sign the warrant for the 2026 state

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primary to be held on September 1st, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ted Williams Camp Lon Pond Lodge. All righty. Do we? And I think we have to read this into the record. Correct.

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>> Yes. >> Okay. All right. So, I'll entertain a motion to sign the warrant for the 2026 state primary to be held on September 1st, 2026 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ted Williams Camp

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at Lon Lon Lodge. Um, and for the precincts 1, 2, and 3 for Tuesday, the first day of September, 2026. And that's from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for Senator in Congress, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General,

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Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Representative in Congress, Counselor, Senator and General Court, Representative and General Court, District Attorney, Register of Probate, County Commissioners, County Treasurer.

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That's the motion. >> So moved. >> Second. discussion hearing. None roll I >> bloody eye. >> Carbon I Howard I. Okay. All right. Now this is the the creme to

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the creme of our meeting. So annually um we as a select board we are the appointing authority to boards, committees and commissions. And um most of the terms are based on an

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annual appointment and those expire at the end of July starting for August 1st and all of that is here [laughter] and we have quite a few of them. So um I guess we're just going to take these um

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in order. I know that um in speaking with our administration, there were a couple of um individuals that had resigned um and were not interested in pursuing their appointment. So, that will leave some openings that we'll um be reading

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in the future select board announcements. Um, and was there anything else you needed to add regarding the appointments before we start to >> No, other than when we get to page five,

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there's a bunch of duplicates. So, I'll just jump in and say you can skip probably most of them except for like three. Okay. So, that's good. Okay. So, I'm going to run down these.

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Um the first is our Lakeville Police Department appointments. Um move to appoint Matthew Perkins as keeper of lockup municipal hearings officer and emergency planning committee uh with a one-year

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term to expire July 31st, 2027. Do you want me just I'll just read them right down because they're all It looks like they're all the same. Oh, no, they're not. >> No, they're You can if you want to and I'll make it one giant motion. I don't care. Okay. Can I do that?

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>> If everyone's compliant to appoint Steven Lenus as surveyor of wood, bark and lumber, fence viewer, and field drive with one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. Appoint Shawn Roberts as police sergeant

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and constable for one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. to appoint John Hutchinson, Raymond Mleski, Jason Orlando, Zachary Moer as police officer and constable each for a

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one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. Appoint Eric Swenson as reserve police officer and constable for one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. Appoint Paul Hunt, John Vickery, Robert

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Stefanian, Jesse Drain, Elton Ashley as special police officer for one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027 to appoint Kristen Campbell, Robin Bellows, Karen Conway, Conway, Lindseay

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Hopkins, Sarah Maru as matrons for a one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. Appoint Shawn Joyce as police captain and constable for three-year term to

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expire July 31st, 2029. Appoint Steven Lenus as police lieutenant and constable for a three-year term to expire July 31st, 2029. To appoint Ryan Maltes, Robert Schaefer,

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a million I never say that, but I know it's always a million. Emilyanne Melo. Um, I'm sorry, >> you did it right. >> Okay. As police lieutenant and constable each for a three-year term to expire July 31st, 2029.

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>> So move. >> Second. >> Discussion hearing. None. Roll. >> I log carbon. I covered eye. Okay.

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Next, this is the um appointment for the building commissioner commissioner offices. I will follow the same format if the board will allow. >> Okay. U so this is for a one-year appointment um which would expire July

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31st, 2027. Um Kevin Desarus as the assistant board of health agent. Sophia Dosta, assistant board of health agent. Brandon Moroni, assistant building inspector. Robert Willland, Jr., alternate building

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inspector. Edward Cullen, inspector of milk. Todd McNeel, inspector of wires. Millio Gaza, alternate inspector of wires. John Catalano, plumbing and gas inspector. Lori Desmarus, public health nurse. Kevin Duket, sealer of weights

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and measures. James Romano, special agent, health agent. Nathan Darling, special a assistant health agent and Jennifer Pombo, temporary emergency assistant public health nurse. >> So moved.

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>> Second >> discussion. Hearing none. Roll >> I. >> Plug I. >> Carbon. I >> Howard I. Okay. This is for the uh town clerk and board of registar appointments. Uh these this

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ah let me start over. These are each for one-year term which would expire August 15th, 2027. And I believe we do have to read each of their the names here. >> Um so an a motion to reappoint the

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following election officers. Joan Morton, Kristen Maine, Joanne Upam, Francis Kenny, Judy Roberts, Bob Marshall, Mary Sylvia, Maria Martin, Cynthia Souza, Karen Riggus,

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uh Cindy Barber, Richard, Karen Donley, Robin Mark Marquees, uh Elizabeth Nash, Deborah Kenny, Susan Dunn, Dale Horton, Paul McM me. Paul McMegan,

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Janet Blanca, Jesse Barry, Beth Kellanowich, Margaret um and I know this because I did sit with her re ah I can't even see it. Thank you

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>> Martha Menddees Lari Curley Lola Curley Craig Barter Devany Boyen Michelle Darling Melissa I think it's supposed to be Melissa Coach.

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>> Coach Monica Donley and Evune White and it's my motion. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion hearing none. Roll >> hunt. >> Iard. >> Carbon. I

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>> Howard eye. >> Okay. My eyes are going baddy and my voice is starting to get dry. Would somebody Mr. Hunt would you like to take over? uh with the appointment of election workers or are we that's the second page. So then we go to the

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following one uh >> board committee commissions appointments and annual reappointments. I move to reappoint the following 175th anniversary committee members. Joan Morton, Geraldine Taylor, Dia Murphy, Nancy Lefave, Felicia Carter, Robert

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Barrack, Kathleen Barrack, and Susanna Plonca. Each for one-year terms to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint the following agricultural commission me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me members. Joan Morton, Jared Darling, Tracy Treelven,

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Paul Hunt, Henry Van Lehovven, Cindy Barber, Crystal Ing, and Megan Young, each with one-year terms to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint the following cable television committee members, William Hog and Kristen Howard,

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each for one-year terms to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint the following capital expenditures committee members, Vagalia Fabian and Barbara Manovski, each for one-year terms to expire July

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31st, 2027. I move to reappoint the following communication community outreach subcommittee members. Lorraine Carboni, Lisa Johnson. >> Stop there. Noel has resigned. >> Okay. And

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for terms to expire July 31st, 2027, I move to reappoint the following economic development committee members. Lori Driscoll, Kristen Howard, Shannon Kilgore, Larry Costant, Kelly Newman, Brian Solda, and Dan Wilgot. Each for

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one-year term expiring July 31st, 2027. >> Do I hear a second? >> Second. Discussion hearing. None. Roll >> on. >> I >> Carboni. I Howard.

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>> Next I move to reappoint the following emergency planning committee members. Michael O'Brien, Matthew Perkins, Franklin Mones, Christopher Plonker, Greg Goodwin, Andrew Sukforth, Nath Nathan Darling, Lorie Fee, Barbara

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Starky, Jose in Invenio, Thomas Prento, each for one-year terms to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint the following energy advisory members. Lorraine Carboni,

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Joseph Chamberlain, Nathan Darling, Don Foster, and Philip Olivera, each for a one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint the following fire station building committee members. Michael O'Brien, Lorraine Carboni, Peter

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Conroy, Nathan Darling, Larry Costant, Mike McCulla, Kate Shing, Matthew Simon, Andrew Souforth, each for a one-year terms to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint the following master plan implementation committee members.

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Denise Barbudo, Rita Garbett, Rodney Dixon, Donna Gay, Andrew Soupforth, Patrick Marshall, Joseph Chamberlain, each for one-year terms to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint the following open

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space committee members. Lynn Mley, Joan Morton, Melissa Turkot, David Zelonus, Devonyie Boyagen, and Robert Wilson, each for one-year terms to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint the following rent

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control board members. Lorraine Carboni, Leah Fabian, Christopher Quankona, Paul Hunt, and Kristen Howard. Each for one-year terms to expire July 31st, 2027. >> Second discussion hearing. None. Roll. >> Hunt. >> I.

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>> Carboni. I Howard I. >> I move to reappoint the following technology advisory subcommittee members. Kristen Howard, Sher Costant, James Bar, Steven Lenus, Christopher Ploner, and Bob McN each for one-year

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terms to expire July 31, 2027. I move to reappoint the following town hall building reuse committee members. Paul Hunt, Evangelia Fabian, Dileia Murphy, David Mora, Don Foster, Derek Maxum, Andrew Souforth, Darren Beals,

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and Nathan Darling, each for one-year terms to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint the following Veterans Park Committee members. Lorraine Carboni, Chris Plona, Christine Boone, Joan Morton, Sha Pali,

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>> Pillow, >> Pillow, and Wayne Morris, each for one-year terms expiring July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint the following zoning bylaw review advisory committee members Paul Hunt, Jeffrey Youngquist, Nancy

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Yates, Dan Wila, Robert Paluchi, and Nathan Darling each for one-year terms to expire July 31st, 2027. >> Second discussion hearing none. Roll >> on. I >> plug I >> carbon I Howard I

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>> I move to reappoint Andrew Sukforth as ADA coordinator for one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint Jeffrey Youngquist to the zoning board of appeals for a three-year term to expire July 31st, 2029. I move

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to reappoint Anthony Zuko, Andrew Gay as associate members to the zoning board of appeals for a one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint Nancy Yates as the asampset pond complex representative for one-year term to

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expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint Michelle Bousard as a member to the conservation commission for a three-year term to expire July 31st, 2029. I move to reappoint Janice Casey, Carolyn Mullen, and Duela Monty as a

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members of the Council on Aging for three-year terms to expire July 31st, 2029. I move to reappoint Cheryl Champai, Susan Espazito to the Council on Aging for one-year terms to expire

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July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint Michael O'Brien as the emergency response coordinator for a one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint Lori Fehee as the Gatra delegate for a one-year term to

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expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint Michael O'Brien, the hazardous waste coordinator for a one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint Paul Hunt and Franklin Mones to the joint transportation planning group for a

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one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. >> I second discussion hearing none. Roll >> I. >> Carbon I. Howard I. >> I move to reappoint Jacqueline Kennedy as a member to the Lakeville Arts

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Council for a three-year term to expire July 31st, 2029. I move to reappoint Jonathan Watkins. use this one and then yeah >> Jonathan Watkins to the lake cam for one-year term to expire July 31st 2027.

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I move to reappoint Michael O'Brien as the LMA director municipal coordinator right to know NIMS coordinator each for a one-year term to expire July 31st 2027.

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I move to reappoint Lori Fehee as the OCPC area agency on aging advocate for a one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. I move to reappoint Franklin Mones

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as the storm water management coordinator for a one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. And for clarity, OCPC is the Old Colony Planning Council. Second

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>> discussion hearing. None. Roll. >> Hunt. I >> Carboni. I powered eye. >> I move to reappoint me Talererman and Costa as town council for a one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. I move

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to reappoint Nathan Darling to the town forest committee for a three-year term to expire July 31st, 2029. I move to reappoint Franklin Mones as the tree warden for a one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. And I move to

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reappoint Christine Boone as the veterans agent and graves officer for a one-year term to expire July 31st, 2027. >> I second discussion hearing. None. Roll. >> I carbon I.

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>> Excellent job there, Mr. Hunt. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, we have a one day beer and wine license

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uh request from Redand Brewery Brewing uh for an event to be held at the Angres Conway Farm on July 25th from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. And I believe the application is in here. Does our office have everything we need? >> We do.

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>> Okay. Entertain a motion to approve and sign the one-day beer and wine license for Red Hand Brewing for an event to be held at the Angres Conway Farm on July 25th, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion. Hearing none. Roll

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>> Hunt. I >> I Howard I Okay. We have a request uh to use town property from the Lakeville Public Library to use the center stage uh pavilion sound system and the

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surrounding area for Tuesday, July 14th from 12:00 p.m. to 400 p.m. for a mass, how do I say that? Paporia. >> Yeah. >> Performance. >> Yep. >> Okay. Uh the request came in from uh our

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library youth services librarian uh Teresa Teresa Morera um to use the property. So I will It looks like we have a form here. Everything looks good. I guess we Yeah, I'll break it out. Um

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do I hear a motion to approve? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Discussion hearing none. Roll >> on. I >> l I >> I forward I there's also a request um from Teresa Mera from the library uh to

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use the town property on Thursday, July 16th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a bubble dance party. >> You all know you want to go. >> Oh, absolutely. Um do I hear a motion? >> So moved. >> Second move.

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>> Discussion hearing none. Ro I >> plug I >> carbon I >> power I and we also have another request for this is for Wednesday August 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for another bubble dance

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party. >> So I have a second >> motion and a second discussion hearing none. Ro I >> plug I >> Carboni I >> Howard I and one more um August 13th

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which is a Thursday from 400 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the tow jam puppet. Yeah for the tow jam puppet band concert. Do I hear a motion? >> So move >> seconded >> discussion hearing. None roll. >> Hunt I lug

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>> I carbon I. All right, I think that is it for that and we are down to a vote to appoint Ardans, how do I say that?

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>> Ardens Edward. >> Yeah, that's how I would say it. >> Okay. Ardens Edward as the board of health's shared services health specialist for the period of June 1st, 2026 through May 31st, 2027.

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And we have a letter from our um from Fran Lawrence, our clerk in the board of health office um for the appointment and recommended. >> So moved. >> Second >> discussion. Hearing none. Roll >> hunt.

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>> I carbon I >> Howard I. Okay. Um, we have a a request to appoint Lauren Franklin as the warden to the Middleboro Lakeville Herring Fishery Commission for three-year term

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to expire on September 30th, 2029. We have a letter here. Um, supporting the appointment. >> So moved. >> Seconded. >> Discussion hearing. None. Roll. >> I. >> Plug. >> Carbon. I. Howard. I.

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Okay. And we have um a letter of interest uh to appoint uh Brian Enlo Enlloy um to the information technology advisory committee with the term to expire July 31st, 2027.

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And here is um Ryan's resume. And so I I know we had a resignation on there. So, we did have an opening and so

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he rose to the to the occasion. Um, so I guess I'll entertain a motion to appoint Brian. So, moved. >> Seconded. >> Discussion hearing. None. Roll. >> Hunt. I >> plug I >> carbon I. All right. And do we have any old

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business um to discuss this evening? New business. Our next select board meeting will be Tuesday, July 21st

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at 5:45 here at the police station. We have a couple of pieces of correspondence in here. Um, one I'd like to read if I can. Um, this is from a resident commending This is not a Lakeville resident, but a um a member at

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large, Michelle Howerin. Um, commending the Lakeville Fire Department for their assistance. Um, very appreciative. This was um on June 22nd. Um, Kristen, would you like to read the letter out loud for the record? Sure.

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Um, so this was submitted by Michelle Howerin of U Stone. Chief O'Brien, I am sorry I did not get their names, but hopefully you can find these gentlemen and pass along my great appreciation for their assistance and kindness. On

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Saturday, June 20 20th, 2026, I did a triathlon training with a group of people in the Clark Shores area. I am from Stonem, Massachusetts, and have never been to Lakeville or the area in general. On my way home at approximately 10:15 a.m. I was driving my my rear pass

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I was as I was driving my rear passenger back tire suddenly went flat. I luckily was right in the area of your fire station and pulled into the lot. A very nice man who I later learned from hearing the other firefighters talk to

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him as a captain came out. I asked if he could tell me the name of a mechanic I could contact in the area because I had a flat. The first thing out of his mouth was, "If you have a spare, I can help you." He helped me locate the spare tire. It was under the passenger seat.

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And began changing the tire. When one of the lug nuts wouldn't come off, even with him standing on the wrench, he didn't get angry or stopped trying. He went into the fire station and came out with a few other tools and another really nice firefighter. That other firefighter was able to wrestle the lug

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nut off. And soon after the tire was changed. A third firefighter that appeared had just come from a call, stopped by and checked on us to make sure we had the tools we needed. I'm guessing the captain had asked around for tools when he went to the station. Then instead of just sending me on my

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way, the captain noticed my spare tire was low on air. He had me pull up to the fire station bay and took the time to fill my tire. Although I was dressed in crazy workout clothes, was disheveled from my swim, bike, run training, I had no clue what to do. Your captain and

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firefighter treated me with respect and kindness and went above and beyond to help me. God only knows how that day would have turned out. I might be still on the side of the road somewhere waiting for help. Look at the flat tire. Looking at the flat tire, the tread was worn down very oddly. Once back in

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Stonum, the local mechanic was able to determine that the internal tire belt had broken, which had caused the fire to go flat. Please pass along my deepest gratitude to your captain and staff. I am forever grateful and will hold them and your entire department in my

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thoughts and prayers. Stay safe. Michelle Howerin, Stone, Massachusetts. >> Thank you, Michelle, for taking the time um to write the letter and appreciation. Um, and thank you Kristen for reading that. Okay. Uh, we have another piece of

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correspondence. Um, I think this is, uh, particularly important. This is from our Freetown Lakeville Regional School District, um, from the office of superintendent. Um, I'm not going to read this all, but, um, it is on our website. We did put it through our communications channel.

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um the superintendent's office, they're starting um an exciting strategic planning process and they are looking for members at large um to participate. So, please um take the time to um read

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the letter online um on our lakevillem.org >> [snorts] >> um and we'll walk you through the process and hopefully um we'll have a great success and get some stakeholders involved in the process. I think this is

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a fantastic uh long-term um plan to be put together. So, >> kudos to our school district for putting that together. Is >> there I didn't Is there a deadline? I didn't see a deadline on that. Let me see. Oh, I'm sorry. July 17.

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>> Oh, okay. All right. But there is a they can click on the letter online. >> Um that'll take them right to the form, too. So, >> are we going to appoint a select board representative?

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>> Um we'll put it on an agenda for the future. We'll we'll talk to um the superintendent and [clears throat] see what they would be. Yes, I would imagine that um somebody from the select board would like to attend would

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participate as a stakeholder. So, okay. Um with that, >> yes. >> Does everybody want to go home? [laughter] All right. 7:21. I'll entertain a motion to adjourn. So moved. Second.

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>> Roll, please. I >> car I power I would you have a

