Good evening, Littleton. Welcome to the July 27th, 2026 select board meeting. Uh we will begin uh begin this meeting uh in executive session. So we'll look for a motion. I move the select board vote to enter into executive session pursuant to
master general law chapter 3A sections 21A purpose 3 and seven and suffix con suffix construction versus DCAM 449 mass 444
2007 to discuss strategy with council related to agreements by the Littleton Police Association under the collective bargaining agreement as discussion in open session may have a detrimental effect on the town's bargaining position and to enter executive 38 section 2182
to conduct contract negotiations with non-UN personnel specifically the police chief and town administrator >> second >> been moved by Mark seconded by Karen roll call vote Kyle >> Iron >> I Mark I as well and we will uh return
it looks like at 6:30 so we'll see you uh just under an Yeah. >> Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. >> Okay. >> No, I think No, we're okay. Good evening. Um, this evening we're going to um start off our session with a moment
of silence and I'll I'll have uh Mr. Rambacher lead read lead. On behalf of the Littleton Select Board, we pause today to honor the life and legacy of Steve Wood Ziggler, who passed away July 18th, 2026 at the age of 83. Steve
dedicated his life to serving others. His remarkable career began as a volunteer firefighter in Lincoln before serving our nation in the United States Air Force. He then devoted his career to law enforcement, serving with the Lincoln Police Department, the Boston and Maine Railroad Police, and most
notably for our community as a detective with the Littleton Police Department for 14 years. Throughout his careers, Steven earned the respect of his colleagues and the gratitude of the communities he served through his professionalism, integrity, and unwavering commitment to public safety. The town of Littleton is
grateful for Steve Ziegler's years of dedicated service and extends its deepest condolences to his family and friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him. And we'll have a moment of silence. Right. Thank you. All right. This evening, I'm going to go
to the agenda really quickly. We had our executive session and um we we're now going to get into our main session. We have some department board updates and requests. We have some guests here um from surrounding communities um talk a
little about the charter town manager um and things like that. So, and then we're going to talk um we have a introduction to our new school and superintendent who some of us haven't met yet, but we see you back there. Thank you for spending
time with us. Um, couple requests from the veterans agent. We have some updates from the town clerk on some ADA improvements we're going to do at Fay Park. Um, we'll talk a little bit about what our executive session that we had and we'll have our public input of
course and and number updates. We have a few appointments we're going to do this evening as well. And then we'll have our typical select board discussion on um topics across the board, data center discussions and things like that. Um some of our goal recaps and assignments,
a couple votes and we'll get our town administrator updates. We'll have some minutes and then we we'll adjourn. We'll try to catch up, but I doubt we will. >> [laughter] >> Um, all right. Without any further discussion, I would like to introduce or
Jim, I can have you introduce if you'd like since you set this up for us this evening. Uh, with our we have a Bedford town manager. Um, and the town manager of Bill Rick. So, I'd like to welcome them. Um, thank you. >> Yeah, that'd be great. >> Yeah, you guys can try. Can you both fit
in the chair or you guys? [laughter] >> We're friendly. We best friend. Okay. Um so um Bedford town manager Matthew Hansen and retired town manager Bill Rick Robert Mercier. So thank you both
for coming. So >> thank you. Yeah thank you. >> Yes. Yes you have. So uh we appreciate um you spending some time with us. This was as you know uh the town recently went had a charter committee of a few members are in the behind you today. um
the town manager, town administrator process or or how towns which towns use them and why and things like that. Um it's been a debate the whole way and they they went through this uh they broke it down. they have they had recommendations and I think as a board
just to get even more um in tune with some of the um pitfalls or some discussion I you know I you know I wanted to thank Jim for for bringing you in just kind of how your experience I think is important to us on on what what that process looked like since you've
been through it. Um, so, uh, any questions from the board at any time? Just please. >> Quick, quick background will be back. Thank you. >> Yeah. So, you want me to start? Because why? I'm older. You all right? >> You're in the comfy chair. [laughter] >> Yes. You're the comfy chair. >> I'm the comfy chair. Uh, I am retired
out of Bara. Also the Burlington uh town administrator. Bura town manager. Burlington town administrator. Also been an elected board member in Tingsboro uh to the select board. uh been a president of a large regional chamber of commerce. Did some other work in Whan and started
my career [clears throat] a long time ago in Maynard. [laughter] Great. Uh again, Matt Hansen, thank you for having me. Uh happy to be here to discuss this topic. Uh quickly, I spent six years on the select board in Chumsford. So, um both of us have, I think, a good understanding of that side
of the table as well. Uh few years at the chair of the board, u six years on the Northern Middle Sex Council of Governments as well. Um, we both went through charter change in Tingsboro when I was the town administrator there. Um, Bob being a former retired town administrator and select board member,
town manager. He was on the committee when I was serving as the town administrator and we moved to the town manager, former government there as well. Um, through a multi-stage process. that first it was going to be a full charter and then it did end up getting backed off to just the um moving to the
strong town manager form of government specifically for staff which we can chat about a little bit as it relates to your charter committee's recommendations but um we saw a lot of similarities between um the work your charter committee did and of the work that um was done in
Tingsboro. a lot of similar themes, a lot of um things that can be beneficial and then a lot of the things that um you know you need to look out for, you know, um specifically politically because every community is a little different and a lot of these things there's no right or wrong answer. It's what what does the community feel is right for them and the
timing. >> Um and I think I I think your committee did a great job by the way. That's an exhaustive task. Exhaustive. >> Did a solid 18 months. >> Good for them. >> Good for them. Um they they they did their work.
>> Um so really um when you you mentioned you went through the process, was that through a special act? Was it was it >> it wasn't strictly through the charter? You kind of >> it was a special act of the legislature. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Specifically for a town manager.
>> Okay. Yeah. So, basically, we took the town manager section out of the charter, which would have also changed some elected boards to appointed and consolidated the DBW and things like that and essentially decided to do them separately rather than all at once as a charter. And the town manager being the
most, you know, important one for the committee, they did that first as a standalone special act. Then after that, they went back and and created the DPW. So, sort of in peace meal rather than all at once because it was a lot of change at once. Um,
and then actually recently in the town of Bedford where I am currently, um, we just went through our five-year review of our charter and bylaws and some of the same themes got discussed there as far as clarifying appointing authority and things like that. Some of the same things that you're So, I'd be happy to take, you know, just a couple minutes
and give my my overall impressions and feedback if that's what you'd like. I know you have a lot on your agenda tonight and >> very important the same thing, but I can >> just um, >> you're still employed. Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. And you know, going through this very recently, I can tell you some of
the most um I guess impactful things as a sitting um town manager and some of the most impactful things when when this happened in in Tingsboro um that your committee was recommending as well. A lot of it um no surprise comes down to the appointing authority.
Um, and one of the themes that we came up with when we really tried tried to quantify what what we were fixing, because that's what we got asked a lot, like, well, what's, you know, what's broken? If it's not broken, you don't have to fix it. Um, really aligning the um the authority
with the expectations was one of the big issues we had um when we had several staff members um department heads that either reported or arguably reported. there was a lot of ambiguity in the bylaws to elected boards. Um that
created some inconsistencies among town staff about, you know, when people had to report to work, um who they had to report to if they were taking a vacation and just some things like that. Um and at the end of the day, the the town is an organization with staff that all want to be, you know, feel like they're
treated the same and, you know, offered the same opportunities. Um so the town manager act um really just clarified the chain of command first and foremost. The town manager basically appointed all non-school non- library staff. Um because [clears throat] that was a big
change. There was pretty uh standard language for consultation with elected boards. Um we didn't define that. It was kind of chosen to be left purposely vague. One of the big takeaways we found out was that you really can't and this was supported by the attorneys that were helping us. can't oversp specify the
charter. Um, you know, at some point you do have to realize that if um you don't have a town manager who's a team player and is going to accept input from other folks, they're just a town manager that's not going to last every long uh very long. So, um consultation with the boards and specifically for the police
and fire chief um very similar discussion to I think what you're having now about should it remain with the board or should it remain with the town manager. What we came up with, not saying it's right or wrong, what we came up with was the town manager would remain the appointing authority for the police and fire chief. Um, but rather
than just consultation with the select board, it was a vote of approval of the select board. So essentially, the select board did retain veto authority, if you will, over those appointments. So that would sort of force the town manager to at least um have a higher level of consultation, if you will, knowing that
anyone he brings forward is going to have to be approved by the board. Um that was a compromise to get it through um town meeting. The I think the committee the charter committee at the time wanted the town manager to have the authority kind of flat out for all hiring and firing. The select board
wanted to retain a little bit of that authority and me as the TA at the time I was fine with that additional oversight. Um I think that's a little different than what you're recommending here specifically for those two positions. um my you know my personal opinion just based on my experience and speaking to
lots of other town managers in the state and Bob you know may or may not reiterate this as well the the oversight of staffing from a town manager perspective is one of the most you know important and impactful things that your charter can clarify um you know I can
say in all of my um HR related um issues and inexperiences um a significant amount of them did come from situations where there was a break in the authority of the town manager where he was expected to resolve an issue where
he was expected to resolve an issue with an employee where he had maybe a dotted line oversight to but not firing hiring firing authority and for whatever reason that tends in many communities to be a
recurring issue just by the nature of I think human nature the fact that if somebody really isn't your boss us. It's just a different working relationship you you're able to have with that person naturally. >> Um there was a lot of talk in Tingsboro
about changing elected boards to appointed boards. They took the approach of basically the boards that wanted to move, they moved over. Like the cemetery commission was basically one or two members who had been the same members for 30 years and they said, "No one's
ever running against me. I'm perfectly fine if you want to make me appointed. I'm still going to do the job. We weren't looking to get rid of you. Um there were a couple boards um that were not ready for the change, did not want to be appointed, and the basically the select board made the
decision. How much did they want to push back? And that's not really something I can provide um feedback on here. Um the the other biggest um thing that was discussed in in Tingsboro and in any communities going through a charter change is the remaining um
elected staff members. I'm talking about actually paid staff. Most communities are down to one or two, a town clerk and or treasure collector. Um in Tingsboro, the charter committee recommended moving the um a few years prior to our charter committee, I should say, they moved the
treasur collector from elected to appointed. that um that worked out extremely well. Um actually it was three weeks after the new appointed treasure collector started that we found out that under the previous treasure collector, the deputy collector had been stealing
and stole $500,000 over the course of eight or nine years and it was never caught. So that was a really um something that was caught very quickly once we switched that to an elected position. The final one was the town clerk position that went to town meeting once or twice and it was very passionate
feelings on both sides. It was recommended and it failed by several votes at town meeting. Um and um in addition to that there was um the way it was specifically worded in Tingsboro was that the current elected
town clerk was going to become the first appointed town clerk. was written in the charter and that person would remain in their position until they chose to retire or otherwise, you know, left the town and then it would default to the town manager's authority for appointment. So that was sort of a nice way to create a transition without
telling somebody who'd been elected a long time they had to leave. I do think that's um again in my experience um frustration points for disparit treatment between different employees. Um having elected folks with an actual you know paycheck um tends to be a pain
point. Again I I just met your town clerk for the very first time. Know nothing about her. This is not obviously directed [laughter] into the back of your head. >> Obviously not obviously not directed at her in in any way. And I I I think from what I you know read or heard this um
not everyone that's being recommended through your charter committee is necessarily in favor of it and I understand that but I mean my you know you can take this for a grain of salt because I am a town administrator town manager. My you know strong recommendation would be to at least strongly consider that ultimately it's up to town meeting. you know, let town
meeting decide. But, um, just my professional opinion that it's an area that, um, it creates an opportunity. You know, no one knows what happens when this individual leaves. When the next person comes in, who are you going to
get? Um, if that person stops coming to work, you still have to pay them. Um, we viewed that as a large area of risk. Um, just from the town's perspective. Um but ultimately it's what what the town
wants to decide and there was a big battle. I know the last point on that was about you know people being able to choose their elected officials and choose their town clerk and when we had looked I think the person had run unopposed for 20 years. So nobody had actually had a choice since as long as
anyone could remember. So that argument didn't bode particularly well in Kingsboro. Um, and that's probably one that I think at some point they'll bring back in the future, but that was the last piece of the charter that hadn't been implemented yet in Tinks Sparrow, but it's something. >> So, my experience is uh in the main
communities. I've had some some other smaller ones where I I did have an issue related to what Matt's just talking about, and that was a [clears throat] a department head who didn't respond to the town administrator set their own hours
in the town hall. I had that >> and people would call me and say, "I thought the town hall was open like 8 to 4. How come this office is closed on a Wednesday?" I said, "The person doesn't report to me." It it just created some
issues. Both of my major communities, uh, Bill Ricker and Burlington, uh, both had elected town clerks and still do today. Bara, which is a very strong charter, and Matt knows this. We we look at charters all the time, one of the
strongest in the state. They have a town clerk, an elected planning board, elected school committee. That's it. All the other boards and committees are appointed either by the town manager or the select board. And I know that's a discussion that's ongoing, who should
have what authority over who. Uh you do have some statutory boards, which is very important as you well know. Um, and providing, my opinion, providing an appointment process for a lot of those boards is a benefit to the community.
And the reason I say that is you've got a lot of talented people in this town. Every town has a lot of talented people that could provide you with [snorts] their type of expertise. They don't want to run for office. But they may say to you, "Mr. chairman, I'll serve three
years on your board of health because I'm a nurse practitioner and I can provide something, but I'm not running for election anywhere, but I'll give my town back something. So, that's the argument for looking at the talent you already have in town. And we all know
any board that's running, except maybe select board members, uh it's tough to get people to run. I'll bet you have a lot of uncontested elections. So that that's one of the aspects you guys got to think about. Every town makes a different decision. I mentioned
Bara Burlington had elected boards everywhere. They never changed that. We had elected rec commission. We had elected board of health. We had elected planning board. We had elected ZBA. We had all kinds of elected boards. It didn't change. And of course the library
is an independent. You all know this. The library is sort of independent. And uh nobody's trying to change that. It's set up by statute basically their independence. So nobody has a real problem with the library. The issue is not the library trustees but who does
the director report to and you get into some conflicts because as you well know things like the library have very different hours than the town hall has. [laughter] Um and that's generally surprisingly enough I don't know how it works here Jim the town administrator or town
manager negotiates negotiates the collective Betty agreement with the staff. >> So where does that fit with the authority that the director has visa v what's negotiated via the town manager town administrator with the staff. So
that's one of those issues that got a little contradictory. The overriding thing for me and Matt just talked about it is the personnel functions. That to me is the lynch pin of making a strong town manager or a strong charter because you all work for the same for the same
town and particularly today particularly today personnel issues are front and center in a lot of places. And if you've got people who I'm not saying they don't understand you HR, but
HR is changing. Anything having to do with with employees and their rights and it's changing dramatically. You better not do something as a board to an employee that you manage currently. That's against the statutes because you could find yourself in a lot of trouble
and the town gets in trouble under a town manager where the town manager literally manages all of the staff. Um there's much more centric control there [cough] that the town manager and either an HR department or whoever happens to
be helping uh that and access to town council all of that stuff labor council u that's a critical component today town government is very complex today and that human resource management is a major component today and you can't have
people doing things that should not be being done. Fortunately for me and I guess uh Mr. Chairman and for the board members, it's a trust factor. It wasn't a real strong town administrator in Burlington, but the select board and the
boards that were elected gave a lot of authority to me. They said, "You're the expert. You do this stuff. We're here for policy. We're the recreation. We're the recreation commission. I don't want to manage my people. you know how to do that, but we want to set up the fields and blah blah blah and talk to the
sports groups and all that kind of stuff. Similarly, with the board of health, we we've got a lot of strong regulations under the board of health. We we want you to manage the staff. So, they they afforded me that
responsibility and it worked out fine. I would have preferred that those boards some of those boards be appointed because I think we had, as I mentioned earlier, Mr. chairman. We had a lot of talented people in town that wouldn't run. >> Yeah. >> That just wouldn't run. They said, you know, I'm a doctor and I'd like to be on
the board of health for three years, but I ain't running. Um, so that's the dilemma you guys all got. It's not new. Every town goes through this. And as I just gave you an example, I've gone to both extremes. very strong town manager, strong
administrator who was allowed to do his job by all of those folks because they understood they're not experts in a lot of the personnel items that we all deal with every day. The final thing I'll say is a lot of department managers including police and fire uh chiefs for
instance uh normally have a personal employment agreement with the community. Maybe a public works director, maybe a library director, whoever. Um, those better be consistent because there are eyes in the community. They're all watching. How come, Mark,
how come you're getting X number of vacation days and X number of dollars? I got the same role and I'm not getting that. So it creates some of those accountability standards that you you really want in a strong manager managing
your personnel because that you you guys have all heard that could create friction because those contracts are available. Everybody can read them. So that's one of those issues that I felt strongly about. And again, thankfully Bicker wasn't a question. Burlington,
they would ask me, "Could you help negotiate the contract with our new library director because you know the parameters where you can fit this person, blah blah blah." And in Burlington, the town administrator was a personnel manager for all for all the
departments. So if in fact I had a rogue group that said we want to pay our person x number of dollars given the wage and classification schedule, I had the veto power on what they wanted to pay so I can make everybody consistent
in where they're going. Everybody wants to bring somebody in at the highest level. Uh but that creates a problem for the next individual comes in. That one got the highest level. Why can't I come in at the highest level? Well, it's consistency in terms of applying the the rules and regulations of the community
that are very important to whichever role you choose to move forward with. >> It's not an easy decision, but it hits pretty complex. >> So, I I'll ask a couple questions. You said that did the town managers a special act rather than the charter that
was just for expediency or ease of voting or what was the um passage of town meeting. I think there was a feeling that um doing all the changes at once wouldn't pass um as a charter. So really the language didn't
change. was really just pulling that section out just um really just to get it through town meeting, get town meeting comfortable with the idea and to just do one change at a time. >> Okay. And you said like the police and fire chief, they were um basically the
select board had veto powers. >> Correct. >> But for the other like the park and recck director, did you give the park and rec commission veto powers or it was just the select board special? >> Um park parks and any of the other boards, [cough and clears throat] it was consultation. And so the idea was in
practice um and this is the way it was already for the boards that were um the staff that were already under the um I believe the town manager's authority or town administrator's authority. Um at least one member of a committee for example would sit in on the interview um
process. Um typically sometimes if no one wanted to you would um just share the resumes with them, share the advertisement, see if they had any feedback on it, things like that. But what I found is most helpful and the most common practice and I still do that today in my communities is if it's the new town planner maybe invite the chair
of the planning board in on the interview process. So when you go back to the planning board with the candidate you know at least one maybe two people had some involvement in the process. >> Um >> and what about dismissals? >> Um strong recommendation that um dismissals
remain solely with the town manager. Um and I'm not an attorney. Don't pretend to be one. But the feedback that I've received is there's a very um there's two very good reasons for that. One practically um the town manager needs to be able to um dismiss someone in order
for them to like truly be their um essentially truly be their boss. Otherwise, if you get into a situation where you're trying to discipline them at one level of discipline, do you need to go get approval from the board? Um sometimes uh suspension without pay is,
you know, considered that. So, it gets really messy really quickly. Um, but from a practical perspective, boards can't discuss staff members without inviting them in and hosting an executive session unless the employee wants it to be in public session. So,
um, anytime there's a disciplinary issue with a staff where the board retains um, control over the termination, the town manager would essentially have to make a recommendation to a board to terminate the employee. employee would have to come in. Um but more so than
that, there's the whole um nuance in the middle where if you have to do an investigation into employee, sometimes those investigations are confidential, private, the employee may not know. It's a it's a very um just logistically it's a nightmare. And then for like the
agreements with like the police and the fire chief or I guess the library director is actually probably negotiations would be with the trustees but who's doing the negotiations for all the others? Is it the manager or the boards?
>> My my times I did all discussions and negotiations with the contracts because I knew what we had available. A lot of board members don't know what we offer in terms of benefits and those type of things. Uh but we do we're there every day. we deal with it every day. So I would I'd get approval obviously at the
end of the day from the select board for particularly police and fire chiefs, right? Um the issue with the library director because it is an independent. I think we all recognize that they would come to me and ask how should I structure this? I would assign my HR
person go meet with the board and figure out what they want to do within the parameters that we control which is the salary. Tell them upfront here's what you can offer. No more. No, less certainly, but no more than that. Here are the benefits. Don't give them eight weeks of vacation because you're going
to blow up the whole scheme that we have going on here. Um, so anyway, I had that control because I had my person sitting with them. And they trusted us. They trusted us to do the right thing. They they would pick the salary within a range. Um, and I would say, "Yeah, okay,
that's fair because we just hired the town engineer at the same salary. That's good." To your question though, that is another um sort of a little bit of a layer of protection in most towns. You know, Chumser where I live, I and served on the board there, even after in uh Tingsboro as the town manager where I am
in Bedford as the town manager now where the town manager has the appointing authority. When you provide a contract to those staff, um because it's a contract typically requires select board approval. So for the additional benefits and maybe the exact rate of pay, that does still go in front of the board. So
even though the the town manager is the appointing authority, you do have a little bit of a check and balance to make sure the you know it's one more check and balance on the town manager's authority. >> So So the manager negotiates the contract, the select board approves the contract. >> Yes. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> Yeah. Most most Yeah.
>> Mo most most of them I'm familiar with, but uh yeah. >> Okay. How long did it take you to phase in all the approach all the sections of your charter? >> Sure. So >> you mentioned
a couple town meetings you had. So >> uh probably it was probably um yeah a year and a half of the planning. >> Um first town meeting they kind of failed and said it's too much all >> wants to go back. Yeah. >> And I think they came back with the town manager and then next year probably four years. >> Yeah.
>> A good four years. four years from >> when the committee started >> when the committee started to >> when you had the majority >> town manager and most of the other provisions from the charter. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> So did you bring the entire charter to
the first town meeting? >> Yes. >> Okay. And then from there that's when you realized it's not all going to pass and then that's when you brought the town manager model. >> Yes. >> Okay. And and then when that passed, the the department heads that were reporting to boards, did they immediately then
start reporting into the town manager? >> Yes. Um just on that, I did want to mention one more time that in in general, in my experience, the staff um were very uh happy and welcoming of the change. Um one for two reasons. One, because it they knew it created some
parody that people weren't going to be treated differently because they had a board that really liked them and let them go home early or work from home. and this and that, everyone was going to be treated fairly. But um second, they they knew who they were going to report to because as town managers, administrators, we're used to working
with and reporting to an elected five member board. A lot of department heads do not want to have anything to do with that. So, if you're trying to hire a conservation agent or a health director or an assessor and you say like even if
we're doing the interview, but you actually report to this board and they're going to hire you and they're going to do your review immediately. I think you lose half your candidates like right off the bat. That's my non-scientific estimate. Um, more because that's becoming more and more common. More and more folks just
want to report to town manager. They want to have one boss. who want to come to work and know that politics aren't going to potentially get them fired. >> So, after passing town manager, what was the next thing from the charter that you brought to the next town meeting? >> Uh, a consolidated Department of Public Works
>> and um which included, I think, an appointment of the sewer commission, which was it um >> cemetery commission. >> Cemetery Commission >> and oh, not appointment of the sewer commission, excuse me. um bringing the sewer enterprise fund and the sewer department into the department works and
under the town manager. Um it was a big change because we had to negotiate special language. They were very concerned about the sewer enterprise fund and is it going to be under the control of the select board now. So bringing the sewer department officially into the DPW and under the town manager was a big it was a big change for the
town that was used to the sewer commission basically being completely independent. Um >> we have a water district too in Kingsboro >> which is still yeah still in >> still separate. So it's it's it's a mix. Uh towns deal with it all differently.
You've got a lot of questions. Your committee did a great job but that there's no perfect answer. You folks will know what the answer is when you find it. Um you know what I mean? It's just there's no perfect solution to this. Towns are still evolving going through it. When I was in Bara, they had
a 5-year review like Matt does uh of the charter and they reconvene the charter committee and say, "Where can we tweak this, change some things?" You know, and that's ongoing. That's always ongoing. It's government looking at itself, which I always think is a good idea. Uh maybe
five years isn't the right number, but you things change so quickly. You you got to keep up with those changes. >> One follow-up question. Did you uh write that five-year review into your charter? >> Most towns. Yeah, they write it right in there. >> Yep.
>> So, do you think taking it to town meeting and having it failed made the rest of it goes more smoothly the next time around >> or >> Yeah. I mean, >> when we tweaked it. Yeah, we did tweak it. We We heard the message. >> We heard the message. >> Yeah. It was it was very clear from the
camps that there were a lot of pieces that had maybe 50%. But if you took the few people who were against this piece, the few people who were against this piece, and the few people who are against this piece, and made them vote on the whole thing, it was going to kill the whole thing. But a lot of people got up and said, "We'd vote for the town manager if it was just this, but we
don't like >> right >> the board of health going appointed. We like the DPW idea, but we don't like the, you know, the town clerk being appointed." And so that's why we broke it up. See? All right. Well, let's get the things that everyone agrees on. >> This seems like a bear pulling those
little pieces out of the charter one thing at a time. A few here, a few there. It's >> It was I don't necessarily recommend completely peacemealing it. But I do think, you know, I'm sure the the committee themselves had these discussions or recommending to you and you're going to have the discussion though about what can you live with,
right? what's really your recommendation versus you don't want to sink the whole ship over uh >> something that is not going to be as impactful just prioritization. [snorts] >> Um >> yeah, we have a member of the charter committee that had a question.
>> So one of the questions we have now and everything you're saying to me is confirmation of everything we went through. So I appreciate that. Um but one of the questions now is so one approach possibly and I'd be very interested in your think this. So you have the charter again the same issue.
So town manager we need to do that the elected versus appointed is harder to get through. So you separate it but why not just put the whole charter out there but all those elected versus appointed those changes are not in it. It's just today's current state but now you have a whole charter and and then you can just
go in and tweak those other things as we go forward versus doing just the town manager and not doing the other things. >> You you go first. You can absolutely do that is is number one. And and number two is even if you don't change elected to appointed for a lot of the different boards, you can still clarify in the
charter that the staff reporting to those boards are hired and fired through the town manager which achieves 90% of the effect. >> I mean that's the whole point of doing saying you have town managers to fix that basically. >> Yep. >> Right. So I I just I was just curious rather than just taking out let's do do
town manager why not put it whole charter out there so you have the structure because right now I'm sure you were in the same place you know to find out what the law is well there's a bylaw here and there's a town meeting vote here and this and that at least we've got it in one place even if it's just except for the town manager and these reporting relationships the rest of its
current state >> yeah it was really only two or three things that caused us to break it out I would say the the town clerk and the sewer commission >> sort of those two groups had enough concerns collectively that we weren't concerned. We were concerned it might
the whole thing might not pass. But um we did talk about well we could amend that on the floor but decided that would be a little too messy. But I don't think there's anything wrong with your approach in general. >> I agree. [snorts] >> Any other questions?
>> I know we'll have more. We probably should get business cards or something. Oh, another member from Mr. Knock seven >> just quickly and there's four members here from that from that committee one sitting on your board right now but I think the impression that I had as a member was that when it came time for
the charter we made recommendations and an executive summary did a great job about some of the feelings we had about who should be elected who shouldn't be with big question marks on that we [laughter] >> but the thing is >> my impression was it was going to go
from from our committee to to the select board. The select board at that time would make decisions on okay and we think that this board should should stay elected. Maybe that one should be appointed or whatever and then it would go to town meeting. So we thought the
the select board itself would be making some of those changes before it went there that they thought would pass and not just pluck out a certain part of it. And I hope you guys can speak also on the same topic. Yeah. I guess what he's saying is don't
feel free to to tweak our document before you bring it to town meeting. That's a good message from the committee. >> Yep. >> Yeah. I mean, we've we've brought things to town meeting before and you can tell just by the the feel in the room what's going to go down in flames before it even starts. So, >> that's one of the concerns with such a a
document this big. It's there's so much to it. And I think you dealt with that >> in the way that you thought would work. I mean, did anything not work? >> You know, no. One of the one of the things that um our attorney um from from
KP Law at the time mentioned um who did a lot of charter, she said, "I've never worked she'd been there 30 years. Uh I've never worked in a community that's gone to a charter or town manager or switched and elected to appointed that's ever gone back in and even the history of the Commonwealth. I don't think it's
ever happened." And that was one of the most impactful statements in the whole charter process to me about is this change going to be good or is it going to be worth it? And if anyone could prove me wrong if that statement is not true, but I'm not aware of any communities that have gone that we you
usually make more progress towards a um you know the the strong town manager form of government where the boards you know it is a consolidation of of authority in one hand but it really does allow the boards to focus on policym which is what they're really good at the you know and it allows the town manager
to focus on the administrative stuff which is what we we should should be good at. be good at. >> Yeah, [snorts] >> you guys good. >> I'm good. >> All right. >> All right. Appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> We're around. >> We know Jim pretty well. And you have any questions? >> Yeah, we will.
>> We definitely numbers. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. I for coming. >> I hope this goes without saying, but I just want to say I think if if Jim had invited any managers here, they would have given a very similar story. So, I just want to be abundantly clear. He didn't seek out managers who would be supportive of a strong town manager,
former government. I, you know, we all go to MMA conferences. We all speak to our peers. We have a very good sense of what our other managers in the community, the issues they deal with and and how they feel about these issues. So, I don't normally like to speak for other folks, but speaking on behalf of the town management profession, I think my both of our messages is consistent
with what you'd hear from anybody. >> Great. >> Appreciate you saying that. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> President, you want us to stick around? [laughter] Thank you. >> Thank you again. >> Thank you. >> Good stuff.
>> All right. We get Oh, wait. >> Um, I got it. >> Okay. Thanks. that >> uh next up on the agenda, we are uh this is our first introduction at least uh from the select board um of our new
school superintendent, Michael Kyra. So, sir, please come on up if you'd like. I you know, this is a uh I know people have had the opportunity to speak with you or at least see you through the process. Yeah, whatever you like. >> I don't know if I'm going to be as long
as those guys. [laughter] Um, I know we've had a we have a member uh was on the committee, the selection committee for you, but the rest of the board I don't think has formally got to meet you unless you're past. >> I came to the meet and greet last week. >> Thank you for coming.
>> Oh, yeah. Thanks for having it. >> Um, but I thought it was appropriate to have you come and kind of introduce you to the town. This another, you know, more people get to to see you and who you are and some of those >> more riveting television. >> Yeah, much more riveting television. But
um and welcome you to the the community. We you know I think all of us seen your resume and and we did you know get to see some of the the process which you definitely rose to the top and we're excited that you're you took on Littleton. You know we all love the
community obviously. So >> Well, thank you. Yeah. Thank you for the warm welcome and thank you for the opportunity to come here tonight and just say hello to the community and to to meet you all. I I really appreciate that. This morning I I had the privilege of sitting in on a department head meeting uh with with town administrator
Dugen and and you know assistant town administrator Soua. So I got to meet the whole the whole team and that was great to to be able to put some names to faces. Um and it was my pleasure. I did sit next to Diane. So I I so I I got I got
an early [laughter] trouble and I I told her that she needs to save a seat for me because we'll make a good team. But yeah, it's it's it's great to be here. This is such an incredible community. I'm sure that some of you have saw my interview. I started, you know, my my educational career here in
Littleton, uh, beginning as a teacher in 2000 at the Russell Street School. And when the opportunity presented itself to apply to be the next superintendent, I I had to jump on it right away to to return to a community that means so much to me. So, I I'm thrilled to be able to
to be here. Um, I promise you I I will do my best to to to to bring all of our students uh exactly what they need when they need it. Um, I I am a student centered leader. I will forever be that. Uh, I hope I'm never accused of being anything else.
>> And um, I'm excited to to work together with the town administration to to to collaborate and and do what's best for this amazing community. >> Thank you. Really appreciate that. >> Yeah. Anybody have any specific questions? I mean,
>> I've talked to him several times and I'm [laughter] excited that he's on board. So, thank you. >> Yeah, I it's things that maybe we don't know about you all that much that maybe didn't come out in the interview that you want to share the community. >> Uh, well, I just I I don't I think this may have come out in the in the in the
interview, but I am the proud son of a former town manager. Uh, so that's why I had I had to say hello to to Mr. Mercier. I texted you up to the >> I know I I I [laughter] I texted my my dad in the in the audience and I said, "Do you know Bob Mercy?" He said, "I know him well. He's a he's a great
colleague of mine." So, say say hello. So, I I am I come from a family of public servants. Uh and and I I take that very seriously. I think that is a is a point of pride for me. You know, my my mom was a kindergarten par professional. My dad was a town manager.
My grandfather was on the the school committee and the select board in the town of Wilmington for years. Um my brother's a a principal, my sister's a counselor, my other sister's a paraprofessional. We Yeah. So So this is what we do. The Kyra are our lifetime educators. We are family. We are a
family of educators and we are a family that, you know, >> understands the importance of civic engagement and civic involvement and and giving back to a community. Um so and besides that, um I have I have two amazing daughters, uh and and a and a
wife who's also in education. My my wife is tremendous as well. She's the one that keeps the ship afloat. Um, so that Yeah. And there there's nothing too fancy about me besides the fact that I've been on two game shows. So So you know, you can you can Google Family Feud. You can watch the Kyra family on
Family Feud and and a long time ago I I was on Wheel of Fortune, too. So those are your fun facts about me that you wouldn't find on my resume. So So [clears throat] there you go. >> Little known facts. >> Little known facts. >> Good stuff. Okay. >> I I just I've spoken to a number of people from uh from Ashland have some
friends in Ashland, some folks that are in education as well and they uh they spoke very very highly of you >> and um I your reputation from Littleton as well, you know, >> being in Littleton number of years. Um it it was great to see your application
come in and it's great to see you coming home to Littleton. >> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you very much. I I recognize I recognize your name. So [laughter] >> Well, you got the kid in every class. I I I was trying to think back of of which the cost I had. I believe I had I think I had one Sean maybe. I don't know. Was
it Adam or Joe? >> Adam and Joe. Okay. Adam. Yeah. Somebody there was somebody along the way I think came through my class. So >> it's uh it's it's really it's it's an honor to be back here. So >> we're glad to have you back. >> Thank you. >> The coast kids would burn into your memory. I'm sure [laughter]
>> depends on which one. I I I I came and I saw an amazing middle school drama performance uh this summer. Uh actually this I think it was this spring when I when I got hired. I know Adam has a lot to do with that. So you have much to be proud of. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. A lot to be proud of.
>> Proud of Papa. >> So thank you folks. >> Appreciate it. I am I am going to exit stage left. >> I know we kept here longer. I fully apologize. I think it's me. [laughter] I get I get how these things work. >> First test. >> Yeah. Beautiful. Hopefully I passed.
>> Your dad Your dad was late for a number of dinners. [laughter] I'm sure the dinner was often cold for him. We were in bed when he got home. But but uh I will I will look forward to seeing you all again. And I and I please >> don't hesitate. Reach out to me. You
know, my my hope here as I enter is to have as many great conversations with people as possible to learn about the community. So, I invite you to reach out to me and come and sit and chat. I want to hear about your thoughts and how we can work together to make this an even better community. >> Great. Okay,
>> Michael from our email this morning. You know, please you're welcome on Thursday. Bring bring your teen to the employee appreciation um yeah cookout. We we would love to have you. >> Yeah, I've never turned down a free burger, Jim. [laughter] So So you you'll see me and I know I know some toughest
spot. I know some member of the team are also going to be with me as well. So >> carpool tip. [snorts] >> Okay. Good tip. Good tip. I got a pilot. So we'll see how many we can fit in there. There [laughter] you go. All right. >> All right. All right. >> Thanks so much. Thank you for your time. Good luck. >> Was that a is that a Michael? Was that a
sticker on the back of your car from Assumption Softball? >> So no, that sticker is for Ashlin. So So I still have to honor my daughter who's uh >> Okay. >> Varsity varsity softball. give her a quick shout out if I can. She was just
nominated to be the Metro West uh Metro West Daily News fan softball player of the year. So, go on the website and give her a vote. [laughter] >> Give her a vote. She had quite the quite the season and uh we're really proud of her. So, >> congratulations.
>> I went to assumption, but I No. >> Okay. [laughter] Okay. >> Thanks. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> All right. All right. We have a a veteran agent request for the Purple Heart Day uh choose Littleton Common on August 7th,
2026 at 10:00 a.m. We did this last year as a first kickoff event. Um I know Diane, you're a little involved in this as well, but I won't be here. So I >> nor will you. So >> um but this is this is just for a vote
to uh >> Yes, sir. to use the common. That's uh that's it. and and I know that Diane worked really hard um uh for the initial ceremony and uh last year. So, uh >> you know, we want to you know, continue that tradition.
>> Move the select board vote to approve the request of the veterans agent to use Littleton Common on August 7th, 2026 at 10 a.m. for a ceremony to honor Purple Heart veterans. >> Second. >> Moved by Mark, same by Kyle. All those in favor? >> I right. one of the select code
available to >> date >> August 7th Friday. >> Um >> I am out on vacation. >> The proclamation I think we we typically read, right? Yeah. >> I can do it.
>> Awesome. >> Great. Thank you, Kyle. >> Thank you, Kyle. >> Yep. And two away that week, >> August 7th. >> I am until Saturday. >> I can do it Saturday. I If it were Friday. No, >> this is Friday.
>> It is Friday. >> It is Friday. >> I can do it. >> August 7th. >> August. >> Oh, it's good thing somebody's keeping your schedule there. >> Yeah. Thank you. I'm glad I shared my calendar with you. [laughter] >> I can I can do it. I can wing it. I'll do it. >> I'll be here.
>> Stay stay out of the doghouse. Michael will do it. >> Thank you, Mark. >> Thank you, guys. All right. Um, next up, we have another veteran agent request, a request to have flags at half staff on
July 31st from sunrise to sunset in honor of Steven Ziegler, who we just honored um a few minutes ago. This is um something that the select board does have the authority uh to do in town when a member um of the community passes. Um
so this is in front of us today. >> This is to honor a veteran and a police officer. >> Littleton. Yes, sir. >> Yeah. Little >> move the select board vote to approve the request of the veterans agent in honor of the life of Steven Wood Ziggler, Air Force veteran and former
Littleton police officer. The select board orders the flags on all municipal buildings to half staff on July 31st from sunrise to sunset. >> Second. >> Moved by Kyle, second by Mark. All those in favor? >> I. >> Great. Good honor.
Um update from the town clerk about the our ADA self-evaluation and transition plan. And then we're also going to have an update from Diane regarding improvements to Fay Park. >> Okay. Um, so a couple quick things. When
I was here last time, we talked about the, um, SE valuation and you asked regarding, uh, why the, um, elementary school was not in there. So, uh, in talking with Kelsey Edmonds from the Collins group, I kind of had a lapse of
memory as to why we hadn't included that. So, one of the reasons why we didn't have Shakelain, obviously, was because we are tearing down Shelane school. The reason we did not include the um elementary school is because um it's not included in anything that we
do through the town in in the sense that we it's not approved by the state for elections or town meetings. So the high school is and the middle school is and so that's why we included it in the evaluation and the school is actually
responsible for doing any upgrades >> to the other. So that's why >> the other schools are in there. So >> that's why it is there. So, um, if if that was the only thing that we were
looking at to have an approval of the plan, I would like to ask you to approve the plan so I can send it back to Kelsey for approval. >> So, if a resident has an issue um,
regarding any ADA >> at the elementary school, >> they would go to the >> go to the school directly. But because we had the other schools looked at through our plan, >> they would we would be responsible for it because we had it approved through
the state as >> Yep. >> um approval for our elections and town meetings. And so we had to have it looked at because of those reasons. >> Got it. >> You find me through the chair. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Um Diane and I'm sorry uh in
regards to evaluating the school the with the uh the school where town meeting is. Yep. >> Is it just focused on the area that town meeting holds or is the entire building done? >> So they actually went through the the full um
>> so the outside the anywhere that we were going to be in and they looked at um anywhere that the public could go into. They didn't go into the classrooms because um we as a public are not allowed typically in those classrooms um
because it's um you know just not so um anywhere that the public comes in to vote or whether it's town meeting or elections. Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. >> Right. Any questions? Right. We have a
motion. Finally, >> move that the select board adopt the or what do we do for the >> self-evaluation and transition plan? >> We we went to it. What's the verb? >> You're going to accept the self-evaluation. >> We accept move the court accept the
self-evaluation and transition plan from the Americans with Disabilities. >> Second move by Mark, second by Kyle. All those in favor? >> I. >> Thank you. All right. Update on Fate Park. Okay. So, um as far as the FA Park
is concerned, um a couple of uh did you receive a letter yet from Henry? >> No. >> Okay. Uh so I did meet with um one of the members of the parks and recreation commission. I had a conversation with
one of the members of the parks and recreation commission. I met with the fire department, met with the highway department, and then I met with the building commission. Um, in the FA Park um area, there are some trees that do have to come down. Um, so that's going to increase the
price of the um project, but um the parks and recck commission are still looking to see if they could find their plans. Um, and I'm not sure if Saul is still here. S is not. Rob is >> Robert, were you was your group able to
find the plans as yet? So, >> not any other attending here. >> So, uh what they were looking to do was just put a um an area where they could have um a pad and an um a picnic table
that is undercover. Um it's not going to add much of a cost, but it's they just don't know which area they wanted to put that in. Um if we put it in the closer area to the fire department, it will interrupt the flow
of the walkway. If we put it on the opposite side, it wouldn't interrupt anything. So that's that. Um the other issue however is um the gazebo which you will be receiving a letter.
[laughter] >> You will be receiving a letter as will um the um parks and rec recreation commission and the select board. Um it is going to be um shut down. Um it is in >> disrepair
>> disrepair right now. Um it is severely um in need of >> attender loving care. Um and so it it there will be um caution tape put on it so that nobody can use it, keep
everybody away from it until it is um looked at by someone that can fix it. Um I know that it was put up by volunteers long ago, but um that's a whole another ball game. So, so for now, FA Park will
kind of be put on hold until we can get that fixed first. That will be the main um objective to get that fixed and then we can go forward with the ADA component. >> Is this an emergency thing or requesting emergency fund to do this?
>> Well, um because it is on in our in our park where people use it all the time. And I think it's something that we I mean I could look out and see if I somebody can give me um quotes to have it fixed and then
come back to this group and see what you say about getting it fixed right away. But it's a it's a hazard >> and without seeing the report we don't know what the what that hazard is. I mean I don't know. Well, um, so if you
look at it, it's leaning. >> Well, that's a house. >> Yeah, [laughter] >> it's leaning. It's got, um, one of the, um, major, um, major, um, construction, um, poles is bending.
>> Another one of the poles isn't even on the sauna tube. So, >> there you go. Yep. >> Okay. >> But, um, Henry is going to do the letter. Um he went out today with me. [clears throat] So >> did they inspect the electrical while they were there? [laughter]
>> Might add it to the list. And then um this is kind of short on um Jim and I had um been talking about um what we're going to start doing as far
as the grant processes is is concerned and how we're going to um start doing ADA compliance and all of this. And this is just kind of a a quick little note as to what we've put
together so far. Um if you look obviously this was before we kind of um had a had an idea of what was going on over at Bay Park. But I put in for a grant already up up to the common
um and that's already gone into the state. Um, Fay, you'll see that FA Park is on there. Next is our accessible trails. We've got um two trails on there. Long Lake at Colonial Drive, which is the Trone Loop Trail, which is hopefully
we'll be able to make that into a braille trail as well. And then Mill Road at Mil Hill, it's less than a half a mile and some short compliance um we'll be able to do. and then staying on the recreation theme. All of this is um
from our um transition plan and what they came out and and talked to us about. Corporate field is one of the biggest costs. Um so that soccer field is used by all the youth in this town and it's considered three fields, three smaller when they break it down, there's
three fields here. So um we have some issues with our um accessible parking. So that needs to be fixed. Um, we need to redo the spaces that are there. Um, repaint them, redo them. Um, the the route going onto the fields, there is no
existing access. Um, so if you look at the fence, there is an opening there, but it's not handicapped accessible. So, that opening will have to be um removed and fixed so that people that have um accessibility issues will be able to get
onto the field. Um and then um that's that's a pretty low low ball field as far as cost is concerned. Then you go up to a castle in the trees and Aiden's playground. That is the biggest
biggest cost. There's u three or four little things that can be done probably for about 25 to between 25 and $50,000. But the biggest ticket item is the pray playground. It's about $250,000.
Um so that's uh because the surface is totally non-compliant. Um so that's one of those uh ticket items that if the town pays 125,000, we could go to the state for 125,000. So that would be a joint effort between the state and us.
Uh Long Lake Beach, um there's a few small things there. Another um 25 to $50,000 um would fix that. Um and then um uh there's many areas discussed to corre that we need to
correct the um parking spaces throughout the town and signage and um in the parking areas throughout all of our um trails. There's only one uh trail that has actual parking that is hot top and
even that isn't correctly hot top. So, all of our trails are going to need um correct parking. So, those are just some of the things that um we're looking for to correct with our
ADA um grants program going forward. And um just kind of a preliminary idea that were given to you that we will be um starting with and going to um CPC for CPC funding and then trying to use that
joint um going for three three projects um every year with the state and working with CPC. >> I know Chuck has a question. I'm going to ask a quick one. Is this on a priority order? >> Yeah. Uh sort somewhat. Yes. Yep.
Yep. Because the trails are the two top top priorities because those are the ones that everybody's been complaining about is the trails and not accessible. >> I was just like so when I saw a castle on the trees, I know how used that playground is to see that's out of compliance really. >> Yep.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. and the so like corporate field and things like that, they're smaller projects. So you can apply for a couple of things in there by themselves, but the $250,000 project would be something that you
could do by itself. >> So 125 from us, 125 of the state, and that's one project that could get done um but would have to be shovel ready. >> Do you think they would qualify into CPC under open space >> because it's recreation? Yeah.
>> Um, >> yeah. [clears throat] >> Um, so towards the end you talked about the the um trail heads not having appropriate parking not being asphalt parking lots. >> I know that Consom [clears throat] was very deliberate about for instance um
gez I forgot the name of it. Um >> Overdale >> done by um Chris Mill on on >> Cloverdale. >> Clodale. Did you say that a lot? >> Yes. Clodale where they they wanted to have just millings for drainage for um so it wouldn't be um >> well one of the ADAs is that it's not
it's not >> that's not compliant >> compliant. Yeah. >> Okay. >> On the on our list >> like actton arboritum has um compacted >> permeable material. Maybe that's going to be a better option for us because asphalt is like frowned upon
[clears throat] by yeah any kind of water runoff and you get the oils coming out of the asphalt and going into whatever you know >> and well the only other thing is how long is that going to last versus I mean we could do asphalt out towards the front. >> I'm trying to take all into
consideration. So, if we go out towards the street with the asphalt and then >> closer to the trail with the with the >> I just know that that that was very much consideration not to do asphalt, >> but um and maybe it was a a financial
thing. I thought it was more about the um the runoff from asphalt. Um the other question I had, if I can go back to the FA Park covered picnic area, >> what's driving that? Because if you're talking about we could put it near the fire station, it's going to cause problems with the trail.
>> If we put it, I'm guessing beyond the gazebo. >> We have to extend the trail. We have to extend the trail even further, I would imagine, was >> well, so initially we were going to go all the way across anyways. >> Okay. >> Yep. And so if they put it on the other side would be it would be more beneficial to what we want to do if they
had it on the other side. >> Okay. Um and what's what's kind of like driving force for putting in a covered picnic area? >> Parks and wreck. >> Oh, okay. They were looking to do that so that um initially it was because they wanted to do um a rink so they would
have something there so that they could sit under while the kids were ice skating and things. So not just for the summer but for >> two things that's so far away from where the rink >> has always where the skating has always been. It's always closer to the fire department. So park and wreck has always
had um a plan and the capital plan to do something down there to and that's what we're trying to do. >> Yeah. Yeah. Trying to coordinate. >> It is a few years ago that and I you know it was in the pres it was in our budget presentation. So we know there's existing documents cuz you can remember seeing it kind of the plan itself.
>> You ever seen the covered picnic area though? >> No parking plan. I always remember seeing them asking but >> more for parking and that kind of thing though, right? >> Yeah. They were going to do diagonal parking all along the front >> along foster. Yeah. >> Well, in talking to and not to interrupt you, but in talking to them, they wanted
to put parking up above is what taking down some of the trees up above and putting some parking up there >> and taking the taking the thought of parking along the street away. >> Um, but I think that we had I don't know if you're aware we're allowed to discuss
some of the ADA complaints. >> Yep. >> Okay. So driving force behind some of the stuff that Diane's talking about is there's a complaint that needs to be acted on. There's legal requirements that the town has to act on.
>> Um it just coincided with the fact that we knew Park and Wreck had some stuff they wanted to get done. So that there can be a synchronized work. We probably save some money here if we can knock out a contractor comes out and does a few things at once. um >> in collaboration collaboration and it
looks and as long as they're moving forward on some of the ADA issue that we have I think we're >> we're going to be in compliance. So >> just get it right that >> just seems like there's a lot of other things that are more of a priority than doing a covered you know a pad with a covered picnic area. I just think
>> well now we have no gazebo maybe that's you know >> there's your lightning protection >> going into the gazebo >> but >> okay >> so on the topic of FA Park and the gazebo uh recently I was talking with Jim about how can we engage Nishoba
Valley Tech uh with the town to save money and I think it'd it's a cool idea if we could get some students from Littleton to build or help uh repair the gazebo >> yeah such an iconic talk to Jose their group is actually the one that did
my shed um for the school. So um they did a great job on that. So um I could talk to him and see if he can come out and take a look at it and see what his thoughts are. >> Um but yeah, compared to what other people will [clears throat]
>> charge us for the project >> on the Long Lake and the Mil Hill, both of those have fire gates that I think are making it hard to get access to. >> Yeah. What what do you do for those? >> So, um I talked a little bit to Andrew with Andrew about that and he said he
would let me know tomorrow because he was um because I kind of like threw this at him those two um at him and he's like he'll need to check into that. >> And I think Kerfield was addressed several years ago on to make it more ADA
accessible in there. I think they were like allowing the the gate where for the mowing equipment off of the parking lot was supposed to be changed to be more open for accessibility. That might have changed in the recent more recently than
my kids have been playing soccer, but they used to allow like the the 88 parking was way down at the far end and you were coming in down that direction. Is that no longer the case or is that >> Well, when they went out and did the audit, which was just this spring,
obviously the gate must not have been open, but the also the the actual markings are incorrect. >> Yeah, I >> So, um, where they have the markings, there was only two, um, handicap spots and the spots were not laid out
correctly and there's only two of them and one of them actually has to be a van park u van marking and it's not. there's no signage. And so that all needs to be corrected. And if you're going to put um that accessibility all the way down
there and and then you're going to be making them walk further to >> the third field. >> The third field. It's not accessible. >> Well, it's they make them they have three small fields. They go this way. >> I thought they had two that went that
way, but they added a third. I don't remember there ever being a third. >> Stripe for three. No, the younger kids >> in the spring. I think the stripe for three. They were straight three. >> Okay. >> My kids haven't played there in a while. So,
>> okay. Any other questions? >> Thanks. Mr. Sp [clears throat] update from executive session announcement of any actions taken as appropriate. So um and then so G&H together uh the board
has decided to uh um we're we're close um on the contract negotiations with our new chief. Uh the board has allowed me uh as the chair to continue negotiations this week and there'll be other members um participating and
with the with the expected changes that we have we discussed in executive session um and working with attorneys um allowed me to sign sign the contract hopefully um by the end of this week and of course no later than August 3rd
because that's when we um have put out we would like to keep the start. So, so there's there's that. Um, outside of that, we have public input. Bring public. >> As we pan over the crowd, Rob, did you
have anything for the board today, >> please? >> Oh, wherever you'd like. Yeah. >> Rob, will that microphone reach you? >> Yeah, it should. >> Yes, I can get it. >> Thank you. >> Sorry. Yeah, no issue. No issue.
>> Rob rounds 25 tuna per vote. So kudos to uh director Yanley uh use the new transfer station setup. I think it's great. I think it makes the recycling and the whole sequence. So want to encourage anything by way of newsletter or publication with regard to maybe we
should get some more eyes on it with regard to people now seeing how how nicer it is and great that you know new compactors there etc efficiencies etc. So kudos uh kudos to to Chief Landry um holding last Thursday's discussion about
the breakins. I've spoken to a couple people I was away last week couldn't attend. And I know there was concerns with regard to parking and and accessibility and standing room only, but overwhelming is is that I heard specifics pertaining Chief Landry and
how open and appreciative the public is with regard to um what was shared and um some in the parking lot said intends to continue such things. So kudos kudos. Um glad you had the two folks here. Um, I
wanted to hold my comments until public input. Um, I'm for the special act. I do not want a failure at town meeting. I I'm behematly against select board endorsing things, then bring things to
town meeting, and then have them go down in flames. or worse, in my opinion worse, you've got two years running now of putting something on a warrant and then you pull it at the 6:00 meeting before the meeting starts. Private roadway is the most re recent example. I
think that hurts the public trust. I think this transition is going to be all about public trust. I think that the charter committee members of which I am a member of but speaking solely as that member um is that trust issues exist and
charter committee in my opinion heard them loud and clear from numerous groups that were considered to be flipped from elected to appointed or just the town manager model itself. We had very little my opinion um success with regarding the
public involved. I'm very concerned that people will hear little things here and there if you try to bring the whole charter together and try to get it all through and now you've got the experience of them saying it set them back good year and a half. Please don't
let the work of 15 months go for another year and a half before we get some progress. We need per the government structure review, we need to get that town manager model in and stay focused and get what you can get done. If you want to do additional things, um
Salarine was here briefly, throw up as a separate, you know, aspect a bylaw to flip, you know, one from if you're not legally obligated by state statute that you have to go through a charter process to overcome existing statute. But if you've got a bylaw opportunity and then
the other ones that you want to take on, take them on. But do it as a individual thing so that we can get some things approved and don't go down in flames trying to do it all. It's my personal opinion. I know I heard earlier it's opposed. That's my two cents. So
>> member updates. Uh Chuck, we'll start with you. >> Sure. I um just one one update just the Apple man ran last Sunday not not yesterday but Sunday before and um was very well attended and looks like Rotary
brought in um they surpassed last year's fundraising of $40,000. Um I did go down and volunteer and um it was just very well attended and very well organized and I think Kyle was there as well as a volunteer rotary member selectman.
>> Yeah, all the above. But um it was really just it was well attended and hats off to to Rotary for um all their efforts, all the volunteers as well. >> Right, Kyle? >> Sure. Yeah, like Chuck mentioned, I was also at the Apple man. I was there the
day before setting up cones and marking off streets. Uh very well attended. The day of I was uh taking some drone shots for them to use in their in their footage. Uh it was a great event. Uh like like you mentioned, raised a lot of money. Um we had the business spotlight
at Derigible last week. We were all there for that. Um speaking of drones, uh yesterday I was actually on the top of this building with a drone. We're making a new welcome to Littleton video. So I was helping out Mark with some additional shots. So, if
you see me around town uh just sitting down looking at an iPad, I promise you I'm just taking video for the welcome to Littleton video. But those are all of my updates. >> That's awesome. >> Okay, Karen. >> Uh yeah. So, thanks to Derigible um and
um I wanted to thank Dr. Kyra for hosting a um meet and greet for um school parents. It was well attended um as these day afternoon. Um but it it really you know it's really clear um how
engaged he is um with with Littleton and the parents and the students especially. So um that was great. >> Love with energy. You just feel it. >> Yep. Exactly. Um and then I was not at the Apple man but my husband and kids were and they also reported that it was a great success. So
>> awesome. Um I was also at the business spotlight. Thank you to Durible and and the team there. Um, we had an affordable housing trust meeting last week. Uh, we talked about Hebrew Senior Living is looking to
build the um, I think it's 84 deeply 86 deeply affordable senior apartments over at 410. Um, affordable housing trust is un um, actively involved in in in that
process and uh, there will be more to come on that. Uh we're looking at doing once it gets a little further along doing more outreach to uh local residents about what what will be available and in and um there and things
like that. We also discussed um the an RFP for this um developing the Derky property um based on recommendations. um MHP wrote helped write write an RFP for us where we the town would continue
to own the property and lease it after further talking with town council and others. It was recommended we sell the property. So the RFP's being uh revised as we speak, but hopefully it will be going out soon. And the other news I have is a little birdie told me that
it's Gary's birthday on Wednesday. So happy birthday, Gary. >> Oh yeah. Thank you. [laughter] >> 29 again, I hear. Yes, I am not as old as this guy. >> Thank you, Mark. Um, uh, just speaking of the Derky property,
I I did notice DPW obviously did some work there. I mean, obvious >> you can't put a tuxedo on a pig, if you will, but they it it looks a lot better. It's cut down. It doesn't look as dangerous. You you know, they cleaned up a little bit of the area. So, appreciate
that work. And as well, um, as Mr. had mentioned um the new system uh at the dump. I call it the dump still. It's old. Um it works. It works great. It's a it's a weird feeling throwing in glass, plastic, and cans all in one one thing.
It's almost like you're doing something wrong, but it No, and they've they have just the way they've set it up. I think it's makes things flow much more um smoothly. Um I will put the plug in again for the town hall barbecue uh on Thursday. Appreciation barbecue. Thank
you for putting that on. Um I too was at derigible. It's funny how show up to a lot of these some of these ones, Mark. Um I'm doing the BCI uh ribbon cutting on Wednesday. I think Karen and I talked
about that. Um and I'm I'm going to be speaking and I think Representative Arcio is going to be there as well um over on Foster Street at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. So >> 285 Foster. >> 285 Foster. Thank you. Um, and
oh, I just, you know, I have to thank um, Chief soon to be uh, Doug Landry uh, for that for the presentation and his team um, of his detectives and officers. Um, couldn't have expected that turnout.
It was huge. Uh, this completely packed that room. Uh, made me realize we couldn't do a town meeting over there, but it uh, it was standing room only. They did their best to get people in there in chairs. So, but it worked and um what it impressed me to see how he
and his team just worked the crowd. Um and the presentation was fantastic with videos uh put put a lot of the public at ease and um it was his birthday that he was had a birthday dinner to get to that night, but he stayed until every single
person had their question answered. So, kudos to him and his team. >> A big day. Yeah, it was a good day. So, that's all I have there, but um we do have some other stuff on the agenda. We for the member updates, we we
had flock camera and negoter committee stuff here tonight. Um flock camera stuff. I know if you have any information anymore, anything else to add to that right now? No, I think the last time we discussed it, we had talked about um putting
together a public input form and perhaps discussing the differences between CCTV and Flock and having a member member of the maybe LPD come in >> have in collaboration with the chief. Yeah. >> Yeah. I think uh chief did mention it um
in a different way at at the meeting the other night in the public forum on how there some options some discussion about working with a select board to find out if certain technologies could help with these type of crimes and obviously there's there's stuff out there um and
yeah flock potentially could be one of them in that regard but it's more so some other type of surveillance things that we could probably utilize when we talked to CCTV and things like that or other other things that we can have on town property um conservation land and things like
that to to help these type of uh situations uh keep keep our citizens safe. Um so yes, more to come. I think we we'll have to get a little bit more in depth. Obviously getting through the summer here, but we need to start ramping up
the that discussion. Um, and I wanted to first and foremost get a new chief in place, his new team in place. I Oh, I left that out. I will be sitting on the um interview panel tomorrow for dep they're doing one panel for deputy and
lieutenant. Uh, several chiefs in the the region including Michelle obviously with HR and he asked myself to be on the the board as well. So, we will be interviewing tomorrow all the candidates and
hopefully we'll have, you know, um Jeff's replacement starting when he leaves September 1st and and a lieutenant, you know, placing Doug Doug's position and then the sergeants will roll up probably uh September, October and we'll be hiring a few new
officers obviously to fill the void where the sergeants get corn from. So, a lot a lot of change at the police department. I think it's good. this a lot of good energy. Um, so I'm excited about uh the future of that department. Um, >> I'll give a slight update on the
orchard. As was presented at the um at the public forum last week, there were break-ins at the orchard. They've recovered the equipment. >> Um, on that front um, from the orchard itself, we're I don't think we've
received the report from MDAR when they were out. Um, so I will follow up on that. Um and we need to decide um one of our goals was to talking about the orchard house. Um we probably need to decide in the next meeting or two if we
want to um declare it surplus and for the purposes of selling it um at Falltown meeting. Um I talked to Mr. Nordhouse after the last affordable housing trust meeting. he's on board with helping us um host meetings and
publicizing whatever we decide to do, but I believe we have to declare it surplus before we can go through any RFP process. So, we can kind of lay out um and start gathering input from the public on what they would like to see in
the RFP in those meetings. Good. All right. Thank you. All right. We have a couple of appointments I want to get through today. We have um appoint Will Pickard to the agricultural commission. Was he not already on the as he Yeah,
his term just expired. >> So just this is a >> reired. [cough] >> Any discussion? Will >> move the SL board vote to appoint Will Picker to the Agricultural Commission for a term expiring June 30th, 2029. >> Second by Mark, second by Kyle. All those in favor?
>> I I thank you. sworn in again. Um, appoint uh Steven Haden uh to the Clean Lakes Committee as the Lake Madawani alternate. >> He's also currently serving his he's been serving in that decision to
reappoint. It just didn't make the packet the last time. >> Thank you for the select board vote to appoint Steven Haden to the Clean Lakes Committee as the Lake Manowani alternate for a term expiring June 30th, 2029. Second >> with Mark, second by Kyle. All those in
favor? >> I >> I. >> All right. Select board discussions. Uh any discussion more discussion on data data center moratorum update. >> Uh I did have a brief discussion uh with
town council today about you know we had discussed you know can the select board put in a pause or a moratorum. uh and his discretion was no we it has to go through the town meeting to do that because we're amending bylaws.
Also, Governor Healey put there they put out guidance around data centers. Uh I haven't gotten through all the guidance yet as far as what their recommendations are, but those are those are my only updates on that. >> So, no discussion like what New York just did. That was pretty a big deal. No
data centers in New York. So they did put in the the economic development bill phase two whatever is in front um now there was talk about data center um moratoriums and ban but those all those amendments
have been withdrawn >> from the state you're talking the state that's unfortunate because the state could have really solved this problem for us >> there's nothing going forward to my knowledge at the state level at this point right Um
so just real go back you had mentioned >> I should also mention the fact that I am working with members of the planning board as well as a member from uh electric light. >> Yeah. >> Uh uh we're going to get together within the next week uh two weeks maybe to
discuss just come together and talk about >> what are we really trying to prevent here. Are we are we do we really want to make it focused on data centers or do we want to expand it out? Uh for example, one one of the members um they gave an example of what if a large pharmaceutical manufacturing company
wanted to come to town that uses just as much water and just as much electricity, but we didn't spell that out because we were so focused on preventing data centers. So kind of expanding the horizons is what are we what are we actually trying to prevent? >> It's really energy, water, resource
consump consumption. What's that limit, right? >> We have to quantify it. And I guess there's smarter people that can figure out where, you know, include obviously light and water, but what's that what's that limit where they think that a capacity level would be reached? We don't want anything bigger than that. It it's not good for the town. It's not
good for our resources. >> And I think in some of the guidance that the Healey administration put out, they they talk about, you know, these data centers have to self uh self-power. Basically, they have to bring their own power, find a way to to bring in that
power. But more to I haven't again I haven't read through the entire thing yet. >> Okay. Um and you you had mentioned that that we cannot do a pause. I I swore we've done a pause. Not on since I've been on the
Slack, but I I maybe since you were aware some an it we could call it an emergency or a an event where we can't get to town meeting, but the select board can vote to cause a pause on something, a building of something or a
Yeah, I'll have to >> I may not have asked the question the right way. It was a very brief conversation with multiple topics. So it was a fivem minute call to discuss five different topics. So >> I'm talking to cease and desist, but there's nothing to cease or desist. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Proactive cease and desist. >> Yeah. It's just because we can't it's it's so important to the community that you can that the select board can vote to have a pause on something until the legislative body can vote on it. So the way it works with the planning board for the zoning articles is if you have a
public hearing, the date of the public hearing is effectively the free >> we start it. >> So if we have a public hearing on a data center moratorum, we could we could probably the effect of the date of the hearing. >> Yeah. No, I don't think a data data center is moving in in the next, you
know, before we do a town meeting potentially to vote. >> But but if we open a public hearing to say we're going to have a data center moratorium, the date of that hearing becomes the moratorum and then the time meeting can vote to approve. I think we have to some have something proposed though.
>> Yeah. >> And this sounds like it's going to be a little broader than data. Like you said, it makes sense be a little broader than data centers. Why pick on that one? We're [snorts] more concerned about the energy consumption and the resources. >> How did we get the auto dealership moratorum?
>> That's a zoning >> zoning change. >> That happened at town meeting. The first town meeting after >> Yeah. >> Toyota's approval. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Thank you. Um
select board order. Oh, this is the goals recap and assignments. Um, I did we put this who put this one on? Uh, oh, this is where we wanted to assign people to some of our goals this year. That's that's
>> anybody that can bring up the the list of goals. >> I'll put it. >> If we could we could get that in the packet, that'd be helpful, too. >> It's in the electronic um the it's uh from the meeting minutes. Oh, >> it's um of course >> you can pull it up.
>> Yeah, I'll try to pull it up. >> It's on page 30 >> of what? >> On the electronic. >> I'm on the electronic. >> Page 30. >> Yeah, this won't be too hard. A few of them, right?
>> It's in the minutes. And while he's doing that, I like I'll I'll continue on the agenda a little bit. Um, did anybody have an issue with voting to approve the town roads for the uh August 16th, 2026 tour to cure bicycle event for cystic fibrosis? We do
>> I believe every year now. >> Yeah. Move the select for vote to approve the request of the American Disabil Diabetes Association to use Town Roads for tour to cure on Sunday, August 16, 2026. >> Second.
>> By Mark, second by Chuck. All those in favor? >> I um >> do the other one. >> Yeah. Vote to approve use of town roads for October 4th, 2026 bikes in bombs bicycle event. Bikes, not bombs bicycle event. That's a what a faux that was. [laughter]
Move the select board vote to approve the request of bikes not bombs to use town roads for the Century Bike Challenge on Sunday, October 4th, 2026. >> Second move by Mark, second by Kyle. All those in favor? >> All right.
And we have a discuss and authorized the town administrator to submit a request to Governor Healey designating select census tracks as an opportunity zones. Sir, Mr. Chairman, I'm sorry. Let me just get my notes out. Um, opportunity
zone. This is um this is something that has was renamed that was originally by the administration back in the early 90s with empower they were called empowerment zones. And what it really did it it it uh because of the failed
savings or loans at that time uh you there were so many dilapitated buildings uh especially in gateway communities that were um neglected uh you know basically because they were foreclosed on they were upside down the whole nine
yards because of that and that was kind of urban renewal in and given the tools for that. This is kind of the same thing here. uh if you identify some zones that um typ and what the rules say is it has
to be our area mediate income has to be 70% of the AMI. We're at 127%. Uh but this is something that I I would I think we should be proactive on and uh putting the request in. Uh because here
we have we've got 351 cities and towns in this in in in the Commonwealth and twothirds of those communities have uh you know uh uh see uh overrides uh because uh the as we all are very well
aware the expenses are far outpacing the revenues. You have you have 20% we're budgeting again this year 20% increase for health insurance. Uh so this is something that we would like to be we need you know to be continue to be strong with our economic economic
development tool. This identifies uh uh multiple multiple areas. It it identifies uh the Dawnland's Plaza uh the MBTA communities area the point and
um uh also 550 and 410 Great Road. Um and it's federal tax incentives uh um with uh to encourage economic growth. Uh and some of those things that an investor can developer can do is a
deferral of capital gains tax for that for that entity. Set up uh in uh a step up in basis for gains invested in um in the opportunity zones. Uh reducing capital gains for that investor. exclusion of gains from investments held
for at least 10 years allowing potential tax free taxree appreciation. And it's a tremendous tool to have in our in our in our uh in our box in our toolbox. It could be a it could be a you
know a shot in the dark, but I've you know after three decades in this business I've I've seen stranger things. Um I at least no one can blame us for not asking. Okay. >> And I would like to um the opportunity to be able to send the request into uh the governor's office.
>> Okay. >> Questions of Jim. [clears throat] >> Um I I think this is all good. The Don's Plaza. Do we want to call out the Donovan's Plaza or do we want to call the whole village common area there? I
mean you like Northern Bank area and the the yellow building that's not part of Don's Plaza but is also >> I'm I'm just asking if we can expand it. >> No, that No, I think that's a really really good point. I mean, we're calling it the Don's air, you know, plaza
because we know it that way. The census track will identify the actual boundaries >> which covers them >> which covers them. Exactly. So, >> um we can name it anything you want. I have no problem with that. >> I just didn't know what the state was. That's all it is. >> Okay.
>> Okay. >> All right. So, there is a motion on this. >> No. >> No. >> Just that. No. Just a uh >> Yes, Jim. Um authorize you to submit a
request to Governor Healey. >> Thank you. >> If there's no objection, >> not census. Um, >> does Littleton have more than two census tracks? >> May have three. >> Two or three? >> It's like southeast and northwest, right?
>> Which is kind of funny because you look at the maps. >> Yeah. >> Well, it's kind of weird that they're split by like the point is northwest and 550 is southeast, >> right? >> Yeah. >> And MBTA and Donlands are southeast. >> Yeah.
>> And they they change. I'm sorry. They change every 10 years. And sometimes. >> Well, I didn't know if like Yeah, the point area also covers like Doory and >> Yes, it does. >> Yeah, absolutely. I mean, whatever those sent these are just hitting highlights,
but it does not exclude anything else in those in those census tracks. >> Where do we find where the census tracks are? [laughter] >> Um, I I can send the link tomorrow, but it is on census.gov, which isn't fair because there's a ton of information on
there. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. We'll go back to our FY 2020 bills. >> You would direct your attention to large. All right. So, all we're doing here is we're just trying to assign some people.
These don't get lost in the weeds. together couple select board members that can kind of dig into it a little bit and kind of keep it moving forward throughout the year. So the first one is a charter revision. Um this is obviously very significant as mentioned we talked
about. Um, so it's really uh about taking advantage of what was discussed here today and anyone else who wants to bring other people in. Maybe if we need more information. >> Thanks, Mark. >> Oh, thank you. Um, is anyone interested
in this particular championing championing this particular uh goal from the board? >> Sure. >> Did I hear you sat on that board for 18 minutes?
>> Yeah, I was weighing if I want to continue. I mean, to me it seems it's very uh I'm very familiar with it. >> Yeah, >> makes sense. >> I mean, I think that's resource to have you >> deprive you of this goal. >> Nope, I think that makes sense.
[clears throat] >> And we could we can have a primary and an alternate on every one of these if we want. I mean, or two primaries. >> Is it is it our intention to have what is it 16 on here? >> Yeah, there's a >> Okay, >> good bunch on here. >> Yeah, >> I thought we had like five. Yeah. So,
I'd rather I'd rather see them on a spreadsheet than like have it junked out and these are kind of broad swipes. >> You want to put this to our next meeting? I mean, I don't >> or the info is all there. It's just like we got to assign somebody to all 16 is a
lot of it's >> what we came up with. I think the first two are certainly goals. >> Yeah. I mean, the third one, I mean, Kyle's kind of already leading this. >> Is that a goal? Is that a goal for us as a as a board? >> Well, camera, a policy. We obviously
need a policy. It would it would make sense to have one this year. >> Yeah. >> So, I think that's important that that one surveillance of any kind and what what our op options are. I think where I was going with it a little earlier once we get this entire management team in
the the police department having their view and some of his new chief's insights and some of the new technology maybe that's being talked about. Um, and he can be that team can be a little more heavily involved and maybe he'll put the
new lieutenant in charge of spinning up maybe discussions with us or being a point person on public safety in regards to flock and so we can have a better judgment on how we want to weigh the safety versus personal liberties and things like that and get the public
involved. That's kind of >> Yeah. Um, [clears throat] yeah, I'm absolutely willing to help with that. I It's I know it's important to the town and it's not going away. So, >> yeah, >> this is what we have to >> We can tie tune that if you want.
>> Um, this is more an administration thing, isn't it? >> Which one? >> The chargeback policy. >> What are we going to do as a board to >> Did we do data centers yet? >> Yeah, we skipped data centers. um >> they just surveillance. >> So this is just this is about creating a
bylaw. >> Yeah. Get this in front of the top in the front of the community and let them vote. But I think you expanded it a little bit more than data centers now. So makes >> Yeah. It's just something I'm I'm working on already. So Okay. >> I just kind of assumed it was my goal. >> Yeah. Okay. No. Great.
>> I'm sorry. The 55410 one did we pick a champion for that? >> Did you get the >> It was that one. It's number two was >> it's more of a monitoring. This is it's a tough one to put a champion on. We're all we're monitoring this. >> Yeah. >> As um as part of the economic development committee, I'd like
>> I don't even think this is a goal. >> It's this because this is something that's ongoing. It's making sure it's reaching out to them. You know, like I northern bank seem to stall. [cough and clears throat] >> So this is more revitalizing the economic development committee. So that's a check. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Right. Mr. Coast.
Um school chargebacks policy. Where did this one come from originally? That was Jim's idea. >> Jim Jim had brought up. >> Oh, right. Right. >> Just making sure that the right departments are being >> So, is that Jim's goal? >> I think it's more of an administration thing than it is ours. I mean, the pol if we need to set a policy, it's it's
certainly something we got. >> So, that's Jim's goal. >> Yeah, >> I'll work with you, Jim, on that. I know if we need to have meeting with finance like you have already >> um >> Ken, this is this is town meeting and election schedule review. You had talked
about the uh >> Yeah. time of year and and that kind of thing, right? >> Yep. >> Boards and committees. >> Do Oh, could I ask a quick question? Do we want that to include um format? Because that's something else that we've
been discussing. >> What do you mean by format? Well, we've I mean, we've tossed around the idea of, you know, discussion one night, vote another, and >> yeah, I mean, >> splitting it into multiple nights or >> Yeah. It's really doing the research on getting the Tom new town moderator
>> opinion. How much you want to bite off? >> Okay. >> Yeah. I just don't want to like go down a rabbit hole that nobody's interested in pursuing. >> No. I mean, it would be great to have 500 people at our town meetings every time, but I just don't. >> Right. >> Um, boards and committees
This is this was more letting people know like this is how you run a meeting. You need to get minutes. You need to we need to educate people that volunteer so that they know how to run a meeting and and >> what you know what is the open meeting law and you know >> Yeah. I don't know if this can become part of you know
>> orientation >> your programs that you put for I don't think it's on the academy. >> The academy just >> I'll champion it. You >> will. Okay. Okay, thank you. Um, neglected properties bylaw.
>> I'll jump into that. >> Yeah, >> that was Jim, right? >> I'm on one of these. So, does that make it mean I can't be champion? I mean, >> you just can't vote on it. Um, I mean, I I think you're capable of being unbiased. I think you I think you've
offered good perspective from both um angles. But I mean, doesn't have to be you. >> Uh I think it does. I I I the one that mentioned the ballot question because I think getting that type of thing out in front of the broad public and not just
isolating >> people on private roads and and really um we have to have a bigger plan. It can't just be shut the switch off. And that was that was shown, you know, why we pulled the article. Anyway, I think they
have to uh I I I can't believe how many different variations there are of private roads with HOAs, not HOAs, people that just would every neighborhoods where you'd have to have everybody would have to attorney up to create new how they're going to do
business, right? >> Um >> you want to champion that one? >> So, >> I'll work with you. >> Yeah. Well, you would mark it. I >> I'll work with you, but you can be primary >> or you can be the front. >> Okay. Green communities stretch energy code.
>> I'll take that one. >> Employee handbook update. I have no problem working with Jim on this um and Michelle and this is >> Yeah, >> it's a it's a living breathing document that we are going to continuously update anyway, but it is it is important and
trying to pull over some of these. We we've we're seeing this with the lieutenant and the deputy trying to pull some language because where they're no longer having contracts for those positions trying to pull over language that
is going to be in their their side letters I guess you will when it when it comes to Quinn things that you know they typically might not get at least it's written out in the personnel bylaws stuff like that. um LG facility zoning
enforcement >> town town council appine that they that we have jurisdiction if we wanted to do like a cease or something in junction or >> yeah is a real thing though that's actually >> I don't know that it's a >> I thought it worked itself out did it not
>> I don't know >> yeah they weren't going to Kimbell's property and they were looking over at distribution drive correct >> sorry >> weren't they looking at distribution drive >> yeah that was the latest I believe that fell through. >> Did it I know Marin had talked about they were going to kick it down. >> Yeah,
>> we have this great >> but is that a is that a goal for us? >> I don't think so. >> That was an update really. >> Yeah. Amazon delivery vehicle >> again. Don't think it's a goal. I'm happy to jump on it because I've been living this since >> they came to town, but is it a goal?
>> I Is that the name? >> Put my name next to it if you want. >> I am I am tomorrow as a matter of fact because I I went and did a site visit. Yeah. >> Uh tomorrow I am uh have a virtual meeting with a gentleman from Amazon that because I
specifically went uh regarding the Oregon license plates >> and that was part of the special permit >> used to be on New Jersey. >> Oh, was it? >> Yeah. I So just explain to me what is the what's the benefit for Amazon not to use us? I mean it helps us immensely
obviously an excess >> not to pay us excess tax not but are they paying it there? That's the question. Are they just doing it? >> Oregon has no excise tax. >> So, is that why all these places don't have excise that's why they're doing it? >> You know that you know that for sure. >> I'm curious because that's a And is it
truly in a contract that they were with us or was it a letter of agreement? >> No. >> That they were going to have part of the vote >> 100 vehicles or 400? >> No, that that 70% or some percentage of the vehicles had to be registered in Littleton. >> There's a percentage tied to it, >> I believe. So,
>> okay. >> All right. We can pull >> It's in their It's in their special permit. >> Special permit. Yeah. >> And you and me as chair and vice chair can jump into this and we can visit work with Jim. >> Yeah. I'm happy to do that. I mean, I was there when it
>> was. Yeah. >> Um the budget process you >> um I mean town administrator's office owns the process, but I mean I It's not really the foot the finance
policy team. This is more um >> our process how we're related to the process. >> Yeah. I I mean >> I don't think there's any real action for us though. That was more of a discussion. >> He's got a he's he's got a pro. Maybe maybe document your process, Jim, because I mean >> Yes, sir.
>> It's I think it's different than previous years. You're you're already your your wheels are already spinning, which >> Mhm. >> I found out the hard way the other day working contract negotiations. >> Yeah. >> But um the department head attendance at
town meeting >> not a goal. >> Yeah, it's this will be one of those things that I think um if you have an article, you probably should be in attendance. That's a >> Yeah. And then B if
>> I know I know that it's in other communities it's mandatory. All department heads have to be there just in case. You never know that even there's something not on the article. Uh but you know that's uh I clearly I'll
I'll take uh I'll I'll respect the the direction of the select board of >> there is a kind of a goal that we didn't talk about for Jim and that's more along healthcare like we need to get control of the health care costs >> and have a plan. >> We need to get you to the gym.
>> Gym to the gym. All right. I'll go to the gym. >> No just well last year you know how what we're doing. Are we changing plans? How we're changing plans? We need to have >> Yes. >> something in place. It's it's a goal that you're going to have to some
accomplish anyway to balance the budget, but we should >> right >> call it more of a separate goal. And >> uh so uh just as an update with that, we are uh having we are having is it virtual or in person? Do you remember Larry?
>> Don't recall it. >> Okay. Um, if you just, >> you know, I think it's more of how it was presented to us last year that we just didn't want to have that to happen again. It was more of a >> Well, I mean, let's not forget that we had outside influences into us with the
representative was all over the place >> telling us one thing. We went and offered the information. Oh, nope. That was wrong. So, now we had to change it. No, it was meant to be this. So this way the gentleman that closed the loop with us, Larry, um he is going he's our
dedicated person and he was um he has a position of authority there uh uh so it's something that um and we are meeting >> person >> this week >> Wednesday >> we're meeting this week with him uh as a
kickoff meeting and then uh coming in in for a couple weeks few weeks from there we're going to establish we're going to get the PEC back uh and then early on in the process um um and then uh moving
forward uh uh uh we're going to then it's a matter of negotiation how we going to get the best policy to present to the select board >> because there was a timing element too right >> right >> it was >> it was the union needed more time but it
was also something about HSA people had set hadn't set had already decided how much to set aside and it didn't take the new plan into account. >> Correct. >> And so this is >> bringing all the different pieces into one plan. >> Exactly. That's Thank you for that for that reminder. That was uh you know a
big a big uh a big factor into that uh just the optics of that >> and like how much the sorry >> no go ahead. what authority the select board has to mandate or dictate you know changes if it's a compliant plan versus
not. We just need to get on top of this earlier without getting into the details of specific plans which way we're going and start >> okay >> growing that direction >> and and that's the goal with the early meeting with with L. >> Yep. >> Yep. Thank you. I was going to say I
think I mean my notes reflect that healthc care costs, the department head attendance, the budget process, Amazon delivery compliance employee handbook and maybe neglected properties were all goals that we had set for Jim. Yeah. >> Not for us. >> You're right.
>> Am I >> on that note? Did you car [laughter] >> that was my note? >> Someone else. [laughter] >> Fair enough. But um but yeah, so we can if you know when we come to review the minutes that should change should be
taken into account because no doubt about 10 months from now we're going to be going what were they again? >> Fair enough. >> Okay, let's discuss and vote to adopt the Massachusetts commercial property
>> assessed clean energy cpace you call them. >> Yes sir. That's the acronym for it. So this is um as you could see from if you bring up the uh the map please. >> Sure. >> Um so this is uh enables this program as
you can see all the communities that are there and we have two neighboring uh two abuing communities that uh have um have adopted this. It enables eligible commercial, industrial, agricultural, uh, nonprofit, and multif family
properties of five units or more to attain long-term financing from private capital investors. So, this is not any any any town funds or anything. It's comes comes from uh a private investor. Um, we have a limited administrative
role in regards to our to our anything we're doing. And it's you factor that into day-to-day operations. It's it's just admin stuff. Um and let me see. Um but the private lenders provide the capital and the commercial property owners repay the
financing through a property assessment that we do. Um uh this uh so the property assessment payment process as follows. Uh the property owner applies to mass development. uh mass development and department of energy resources uh
approves the project. Mass development sends a draft assessment to the town to be executed. The tax collector and assessor adds the betterment to the property tax bill. um the town collects the payment. Uh and then if and just as a side note, if the
property owner does not pay that uh pay that assessment, uh we just pursue it, continue to pursue it just as uh delinquent taxes uh real estate taxes. And uh once the uh that comes in uh the payment comes in, then the town remits
it funds to mass development. um some of the things that this is really um a tremendous amount of opportunity. It's got high efficiency HVAC equipment. It helps LED lighting, building envelope improvements, solar
systems, batteries, energy storage, water conservation, electrical vehicle charging infrastructure, building automation and energy management systems. This really will allow the town and state to stay on track with clean energy and climate objectives.
Um and uh as you can see it's it's being wellreceived uh throughout. Uh and this kind of this is something that I have to give credit uh to Tony. Tony had utilized this in Everett uh in which he um when we were talking about the
opportunity zones and uh it was it was Tony's uh thought of well we can we can roll this this uh this is also would complement that opportunity zone. So, uh, for his work in in Everett and, uh, and that's where we are. >> Um,
>> I know the memo was quite long, so sorry. >> So, tell me why not to do it. >> I'm not. >> There's not. So, there I mean, what's the negative? Why Why would Why are there Why Why are there a lot of blank communities? >> I don't know. I mean it's you this out
of us just talking regularly every day you know 50 times a day you know this this just evolved out of the opportunity zones and this is where Tony's like well in Everett this is what we did and I'm like oh that >> that makes sense. Yeah, it's just another tool in the economic development
toolkit and you know working with mass development in the past. >> Okay. >> Um so and I and I think because we have the we have so much economic development going in here and so much housing and there's a lot of that's going on here and this will bring private investment
but also with the clean energy stuff and moving forward um keeping us on track because that has been that has been so important with the sustainability committee. >> Okay. And I know that the select board, it's been very important to all of you and it cost us nothing.
>> Yeah. Okay. >> I I just have a I I think this is great. I think MMA did a webinar on this and over sometime over the spring. [laughter] I did not watch it because the way it sounded, it sounded much more like, >> you know, like NSTAR was putting on it
or something. But I think if you go under the MMA um their webinars, they did something um My only question, well, one is how are we going to publicize this? >> Okay. >> Um, so that we need to like figure out
how to put it up there under, you know, the website owned businesses. So, we have this. >> Yep. >> Um, you said that we remit money to mass >> development. >> Mass development. >> Yes, sir. >> Um, based on they're paying it on their property taxes basically. >> Correct.
>> Um, if they're delinquent and they're not paying that, what happens with mass development? Um well at some point mass development will get their money because there's a lean put on the property and so you're going to >> but it's through the lean is through us
or through mass I'm just I don't understand what that process >> we would we would approach it the same way as a delinquent taxpayer. We would put a lean on the property and we would uh we would start that uh process with foreclosing or anything like that just as we would with a delinquent real
estate taxpayer. Okay. Any >> So we just vote to adopt this. >> Yes, sir. >> Move the select for vote to adopt the Massachusetts commercial property assessed clean energy CPACE program. >> Second by Mark, seconded by Kyle. All
those in favor. >> Thank you. >> I'm going to keep checking that that map, Jim. I want to see it green soon. You want >> I want that I want that to be green. So >> yes, sir. >> Let's knock out our town administrator updates.
>> If you just I just got to hold them up. If you just one second, please. Okay. So uh Okay. um quick updates that I have is um as you
uh so uh EHS as as we all know has been doing uh with the with the with the new building has been doing a fantastic job but they are just it's exploded. Their programs have exploded. We've got uh EHS uh for last week held 50 programs uh
logged in over 705 check-ins which is a tremendous amount of of traffic and they do a great job. Um so we've got the uh collaborated the EHS with the highway department to host the veterans breakfast again. Uh there was an
excellent turnout and and and feedback before. Uh the highway department was absolutely fantastic. They did a great job cooking, cleaning, everything. It was it was great. It was excellent. Um and uh uh so we also have uh senior
center solar tax credits. uh uh that the finance director uh informed us that from uh what uh Mark and I'll uh you know kudos uh with Mark with uh really um uh reminding and uh having us pursue
this and we did we got a check in there the other day for $93,633 uh for the for the solar tax credits and this will go uh will be applied to reduce the senior cent's debt payment. That's is just going right in there to
do that. Um, okay. So, let's uh so I want to highlight a few things from uh the um the uh project manager with uh with Nancy. What a great job. She has been a jack of all trades going out uh and
doing a great job with uh with every department across the board. Really bringing her talents all over uh spreading that spreading that wealth. Uh most recently she attended the uh second floor of the land use uh meeting. Uh
they have they meet regularly amongst uh all of them. So they make sure they keep the communication on with different things. Um, but it is also going uh what Nancy is going what Nancy uh is doing is uh from a conversation that Tony and I
had had with her in regards to you know we have to do a better job getting the word out getting the news out stimulate more stuff that's you know for the newsletter or whatever or or um uh electronic on our social media anything like that. So we really need to do a
better to do that. And so that was really put forward uh there because there's a lot of stuff going on with conservation commission. Uh you you know clearly uh we've got uh you know new board of health things. We have uh Kelly that's there that has uh really doing
some uh she's you know got some great ideas and some some great energy. So we want to maintain that and keep that and let let the public know. Uh, do we have over a thousand people that is that what
Nancy said today about a thousand people subscribed to the >> to the newsletter? I mean, I know that that's what I did this morning. I mean, did I get that right? >> Yeah. And that and and clicks off of that, >> right? And that it increases it just by,
you know, the clicks. And she's going to get us that data that I'll share with you. But that has really done a really really good job in growing. Um and um what else do we have
down? Um okay, so we are uh uh so the health uh the health department nurse um uh Susan uh identified to mark off uh a section for the mammogram van in in the park in in the in in the parking lot.
So, we'll be able to have that announcement of when that will be available for for residents. Uh, and uh we're also Nancy is meeting with Mark Corey and and Tony to get footage. Uh, and Kyle Kyle was talking about that just yesterday in regards to the
Littleton video. Um, thank you Kyle. Uh, that is outstanding. Also we have uh um TC Bailey is also from our cemeteries is also a certified as Kyle is to operate a
drone like that which is >> certified. Cool. >> What's that? >> So I'm not certified. >> Oh [laughter] >> hobbyist. >> Oh that's right. I promise I have my FCC license. [laughter] Um, and lastly, uh, one thing that, uh,
in meeting with my doing my regular, uh, standing meetings with, uh, with department heads, uh, uh, I've, uh, I asked, uh, Nancy and Robin to go over and, and really there's some this administrative things, u, financial administrative
things that Robin will will assist and and off as a as a guide with, uh, to the veterans agent. But Nancy, I also wanted Nancy in there of brainstorming and understanding how uh to do the outreach efforts for for veterans and what needs
to be done in that in that venue to get uh uh to get more uh people um interested and understand that what is available whether it be for the veteran or for their spouses. And that's it. Let's say any questions for anybody.
>> You mentioned including veteran stuff in the town newsletter. That should also go in the COA newsletter. Yes. Great. Thank you very much. And I I believe that that is uh um something that uh Liz Liz will be doing. Yes. Thank you.
>> You had Civic Leadership Academy on here. >> Pass it over to my partner. So the program will will relaunch this fall and um in the coming weeks we'll be updating the website where where folks can apply
and game plan similar to um to last spring. Um have a series of sessions um and um be coordinating with various department heads. It was a great um great experience. was our first goaround last spring and we're going to make some
tweaks um and hopefully we'll we'll be we'll be ready and once when I welcome you all to um you know to to join in sit in however um it was um a great learning experience not only for I believe for the participants but also for staff too. That's great.
>> And um and looking forward to doing it again um this fall. And so you'll see more to come. Um and we'll be, you know, I'll work with Nancy and and and continue to do outreach on that. But just wanted to give you a heads up. >> Can you get some testimonials? >> We do.
>> Um I'm going to kind of piggyback on what Kyle said earlier using using um the tech. Tech has a printing uh focus or an area of study and they've done some printing for us in the past where they've given given the select board letterhead. There might be something where we could design some
letterhead for participants in the academy where you know if you go to a hotel to a meeting or something like that they have a little notepad it says Sheridan on it whatever and a pen. It might be worthwhile that you know just to make a little bit more personalized they have some notepads that can be printed at the tech. It's one of their one of their disciplines. Do they do
swag too? Cuz I know you want. [laughter] >> Look at the shirt. >> Do they do business cards? >> I'm I'm It gets me dizzy. >> I like it. >> Yeah. That's all that gets you [laughter] dizzy. >> And we got And we got a a new hire out of out of the uh the charter. >> We did. We did.
>> We did. We got a a great new hire. Y and and uh there was another participant that also through the LCTV workshop signed up for most recent workshops um there. So that was pretty cool to see. Nice. >> And uh and the third member um I know is
also I mean she's she's a an election worker with with Diane um but is also has expressed interest in in the future hopefully in the near future um but to serve on on other boards and so on. So yeah, very very good very good group. >> Select board. I thought it was
[laughter] >> next year. Are you up next year? >> I am. Okay. >> I'll sign a really pushing that this year, [laughter] aren't we? >> Um All right. We have a town meeting survey result. >> Yes. Um so
I really kept this um really short. Um the um the last town meeting survey report is online. I referenced it in the in the control sheet. Yeah. >> Um I will do the same here. Same format. But now we have the beauty of of of looking at two data sets.
>> Um so let me just share real quick. >> Um yeah. So indeed you know that the deck's going to compare resident feedback from the two recent surveys. So from October um special town meeting as you know and um at that time we had 240 respondents
and in this go around we had less um we had 74 um but again it's very interesting though when we compare the two um you'll see what I what I mean in just a second when I click over um so these were the the major highlights and again it's only the slide I have for for tonight more will be in
the report more in the details and the meat of it um but the mail meeting report remains the dominant information source um with 82% in the fall, 83% in the spring. Um that is um the go-to for um for information. Um an earlier weekn night start um so
the example was a 6 p.m. is the top schedule preference in both surveys and um after that um I I just want to curve a little bit here. Um after that was uh maintaining a weekn night uh
meeting at at 7 pm. Um when I look at the um other and you'll see this in the report um there was option to provide other comments thoughts right that would come up and I want to capture this one here because it sticks out. So out of 10 respondents uh 10 respondents provided
an alternate in this goaround and nine of the 10 called out for a virtual option or zoom access or voting over an extended period um of time like some type of ballot voting or so I know it's only 10 or nine out of 10. um the 10th person if you're wondering I prefer
keeping the current format um but um but still um I enjoy this um and and I hope you you'll enjoy when you see the report um that um you know ideas and creativity kind of come in different form and in the open comments um we were able to extract some of those um support for
childcare again remains constant and for shuttle service um that 78.8 8 was from fall. You can see the the rhythm here in the spring 76% and same thing in in the high7s for for shuttle service. Um family obligations, work
conflicts remain the two leading um reasons for missing town meeting um in nearly identical portions and um as I just mentioned um the last piece um meeting length and interest in remote hybrid participation open ending both
surveys. Um here we are and um at next town meeting or tracking the same core questions after each future town meeting would continue to build a consistent trend over time. Um it's obviously not statistically um it's it's giving you a direction or at least given some
directional feedback. Um it's it's another um point of information I guess you could say. And um that's where we are. So, next go round I'll I'll give you the the full story, right? The complete draft. Um and um hopefully we
can put it online and share with everyone else in the community. >> So, if 6 p.m. is what people want, should we consider pursuing that for fall? What or should we at least understand what it would mean? What if it's doable? What it would take
>> to make a 6 p.m. start, you know? Um, >> can we get the gym set up in time? >> Right. >> Yeah, we got to talk to all the players, right? Volunteers. >> So, is it is it worth investigating on your end whether a 6 p.m. start would be feasible >> logistically? Logistically, and then we
can decide or a 6:30 or something, right? We could see what it would be involved and then we can decide whether we want to do it or not. >> Okay. Okay. One consideration would be um the playing fields.
>> That's not an issue in the fall. They're going to be dark. >> They're asked they've asked us to keep um the fields open until shortly before meeting start, which makes total sense. >> Um the conflict is is the issue. But um
>> are they going to lose any time >> if if we do that? And how how disruptive would that be by rolling it back? >> Yeah, alumni. Alumni is the big one, right? >> That's it. Yeah. The only one that would work. >> The only one that would work, but >> it matters a lot to the folks that had
that time scheduled. >> Great. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> All right. We have a minutes approval. Um, thank you for that. That's still good information and let's get some my mind spinning on some things that maybe
we can consider in the future. Um, presentation about Tom being survey results. Thank you. Approve the minutes of July 13th, 2026. Any questions, concerns? A >> lot of information. >> There's a lot.
>> Are those the ones from the retreat? >> No, that's not July. >> No. Okay. >> Two weeks ago. >> Oh, yeah. The select board vote to approve the meeting minutes from the select board meeting on July 13, 2026. >> Second.
>> Um moved by Mark, seconded by Chuck. All those in favor? >> I meet minutes for we have a um >> we a special adjournment uh this evening that we're going to um excuse me >> before the adjournment. >> Uh no, it's actually for the
adjournment. So, we're going to have uh Mark Reed um a uh in memory of uh Jess um chauffeul teacher uh passed away. I let Mark read be. >> It is with great sadness that we
recognize the passing of Jess Schaefil, a longtime teacher at Russell Street Elementary School who passed away earlier this month. For more than two decades, Jess dedicated her life to the students, family, and staff of Littleton Public Schools. She was known for her kindness, compassion, and unwavering
commitment to ed educating and supporting generations of children. On behalf of the SLboard and the town of Littleton, we extend our deepest condolences to justice family, friends, colleagues, students, and the entire Littleton public school community during this incredibly difficult time. I ask
everyone join us in an observing a moment of silence in memory of Jess. >> Right. Thank you, Littleton. And with that, I would look for a motion uh to adjourn this evening. >> Second. >> Mark, right?
>> Move we adjourn in honor of just >> Sorry, I'll second the motion. Moved by and accepted by Chuck. All those in favor. >> Thank you and have a good night.