In five, four, 3, two, one. >> Welcome to the February 2nd, 2026 meeting of the Long Select Board. This is Select Board Vice Chair Veneathy. I'll be uh filling in here at the beginning until our chair, Josh Lavine, is able to join us in person. Uh he's
joining by Zoom right now. Um I will be confirming that all members and persons anticipated on the agenda are present and can hear me. Members, when I call your name, please respond in the affirmative. Shelley Mayor Dewolf >> here. >> Andrew Lamb >> here. Dan Zoro >> here. >> And Josh Lavine,
>> do we have you here? >> Perfect. And uh staff, when I call your name, please respond in the affirmative. Lynn Simmons >> here. >> Mike Barbieri >> here. >> Peggy Sheldon >> here. >> This open meeting of the Long Meadow Select Board is convened in person and via Zoom webinar as posted on the agenda and town's website identifying how the
public may join. There's no chat or Q&A function. All the materials for this meeting are available on the agenda posted on long meadowmma.gov. The public is encouraged to follow along using the posted agenda unless I note otherwise. This meeting will feature resident comment. For residents
attending the meeting in person, please raise your hand when we get to the comment section of the meeting and I will call on you to approach the microphone. For residents participating in the meeting via Zoom webinar format, please use the raise hand icon at the bottom of the screen. The meeting moderator will promote you to panelists, unmute you and give you permission to
speak. If you join the webinar by phone, dial star9 to raise your hand and star six to mute unmute. Residents who wish to speak will identify their names and addresses only. Each individual is afforded three minutes for comments. Please note that this meeting is being recorded and that some attendees are participating by video conference.
Please remember to mute your phone or computer when you're not speaking. If anyone in attendance is recording this meeting, please announce yourself now. Okay, great. And now we will begin with pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it
stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right, we'll begin with select board announcements. The annual town election is set for June 2nd. Nomination papers are now available for residents interested in running for elected
office. Completed nomination papers must be submitted to the town clerk's office no later than Tuesday, April 7th. For additional information, please visit longmeta.gov/elections. Last year, the Community Preservation Committee voted to accept applications twice a year, provided that there were
adequate funds available to consider a second round of applications. With the annual town meeting project cycle completed, the CPC will now be accepting applications to be submitted by April 7th for possible consideration at the 2026 fall special town meeting. The application form and information about
the application process can be found on the community preservation committee page. The town of Long Meadow Municipal offices will be closed on Monday, February 16th in observance of President's Day. The next select board meeting is scheduled for February 23rd. And with that, we are now uh we'll move
into resident comments. Anyone here to make a resident comment? >> All right. Name, address, and three minutes. Let me get my timer. Tom Shay, 81 Green Meadow Drive, starting all of you have a fiduciary
responsibility to the taxpayers for the 30 million of Long Meadow general obligation bonds for the fiber project. I find the fiber spring model superficial. At the last meeting, it sounded like the town's CFO was starting to review the model. There's a lot of work ahead for all of you. Fully vetted
20-year model is needed. Has anyone spoken with Standard Empors? In September 2025, S&P stated the middle school debt will produce debt metrics that will fall below those of comparable rated state peers.
Outsized debt metrics along with limited economic growth could pressure the rating the future and a revised debt policy is needed. 30 million of fiber debt was not mentioned in the S&P analysis was likely not told of it. The 30 million as a standalone basis would
be rated B or double B at best which is speculative. Will Long Meadows debt rating and interest cost be impacted by the fiber debt? Were you surprised that the current proposed debt is 20-year maturities with bullet payments totaling 14 million 20 years from issuance?
Previous financial proposals from Fiber Spring were 30 years fully immortizing was likely discovered but not disclosed to you that technology bonds can only be 20 years per MGL chapter 44 section 8. South Hadley, West Springfield both have
20-year fully amvertising debt for fiber. 20-year. In the last 30 years, every bond issued by Long Meadow has fully amvertised to maturity with no bullet. At your last meeting, a select board member asked a question about the 14 million of bullets and refinancing.
Was told by the town management, "There seems to be an issue in the finance world. This is referred to as a potential fatal flaw. What is the status of the issue? A call to bond council and one to the mass do should have produced
an answer by now. What is it? Other model issues. The fiber spring fee of 30% of revenue >> and that's all. Oh, no. Sorry. Sorry. >> I got two minutes. >> Yeah, I know. I apologize. >> I reclaim my time. >> I apologize. Just >> no problem. So, I got a minute.
Other model issues. The fiber spring fee of 30% of revenues is not detailed in the model but is a deduction to arrive at net revenue. Why was this not disclosed in the model and who negotiated this? The IGA you approved with sheld had a completely blank
exhibit A that was supposed to contain both a scope and cost of services which are essential pieces of a valid contract. Negative cash flow for the first eight years was never previously discussed and is actually nine negative years. The
491,000 owed to the general fund in the first debt borrowing as required by the warrant was not modeled. Estimated construction costs are over the original budget by millions and projected monthly fiber fee is $90 up by 20%. What
happened and are you comfortable with the current assumptions and modeling? Could you kindly stop discussing two and a half million of profits going back to the town a pilot and referencing Whip City paying for new athletic fields? MLT MLP utilities operate and provide the
lowest cost for consumers. >> Whip city is third party revenue >> and I think we've got um Josh has his hand raised. >> I think he's trying to move it as a panelist. >> Okay. Okay. >> Can you hear us Josh?
He's just saying that he's in the attendee, so you can move him in as a panelist. >> Oh, I did. >> He had to rejoin again. So, you have to just redo it again. Yep. Okay, great. Uh, so I don't think anyone else anyone else in person to make a resident comment. Okay, great. Thanks.
All right, we will move into uh kudos and plaudits now. Um, should I go ahead and read this? Um, and I think I can speak on behalf of the rest of the select board. Um, and a lot of folks in town as well in in in terms of this kudos and plaudits. Um, so today we
wanted to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to our DPW employees for their extraordinary efforts during winter storm Fern. DPW staff worked more than 30 consecutive hours through challenging and hazardous conditions to plow roads, operate snowblowers, and shovel critical areas across the community. Their dedication and
endurance made it possible for residents to safely get to work, ensured that trash and recycling services continued without interruption and allowed municipal offices to open on Tuesday. This level of commitment reflects the professionalism, teamwork, and public service ethic that our DPW employees bring to their work every day,
especially when the community needs them most. We are deeply grateful for their hard work, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to keeping our town safe, accessible, and functioning during severe winter weather. Please join us in thanking our DPW team for a job exceptionally well done.
>> And anyone else uh have a kudos applaud it. No. Okay. Oh, yeah. Go ahead, Dan. >> Um Oh. Oh, >> Josh, I guess I can go after >> here. Go ahead. >> All right. Um yeah, I also wanted to I also wanted to thank our our residents,
too. I know just on my street alone uh with all the fire hydrants, I think a lot of people stepped up and not only did they they have a lot of work on their own driveway and sidewalks, but also um shoveling out the fire hydrants.
Um so certainly uh not an easy task. Um but folks went above and beyond and just wanted to thank our our residents um as well as the DPW of course. >> Great. Thank you. And uh sorry Josh, go ahead. Yes, I'm mute. He's muted.
>> Uh yeah, thanks. Um so I'm at the fifth grade uh center school winter concert. So if you hear any violins in the background, that's what that um but I I wanted to just give a a shout out to my friend Chris Morgan who uh was sworn in as a federal magistrate judge last week.
Uh it's a great accomplishment and something really impressive uh that happened that a Long Meadow resident has achieved. Uh, so I just wanted to make that known and uh I hope none of us are in front of him anytime. >> All right, thanks Josh.
>> Just two more. It might switch us up a bit. Congratulations to the Long Meadow Boys track and field. They recently got one Western Mass, I believe, this weekend at the Pioneer Valley event and also to the Long Meadow Wrestling Club uh with many of the wrestlers coming uh placing in the last tournament. So great
job to our our high school teams. Great. >> Thank you. All right. And uh with that, we will move into interview appointments. So, we are going to be voting tonight on the appointment for the future building use task force. And uh just a couple notes
um at the top here. Um I I just want to first of all thank everyone that applied and interviewed for this position. I think on my during my time on the select board, this is probably going to be my most difficult vote in terms of any appointments made. uh this they were just all exceptional candidates and I hope that the folks that you know
unfortunately maybe do not get selected for this will put their names forward for another position in town because we could really use uh you know the that level of intelligence and dedication to the town. So uh thank you and you know hopefully we will see uh the folks that don't get selected uh before us uh
interview for a different position uh soon. Um and then a uh a couple of other things. Um Greg Morrison had interviewed for this position. Um and after our last meeting, the historic commission chair, Tom King, emailed us and let us know
that Greg Morrison would actually be their choice for that historic commission slot. Um the way that we worded it in the call, we said either a historic commission or historic district commission. Uh um there would be one seat for both of those commissions. We have not heard from the historic
district commission yet. Uh but you know in the in the event that we do there are couple couple of different ideas of how we would handle that whether um you know one of them would be given like a non- voting seat or we may expand it but I think that's probably a bridge we can cross when we get there. for right now
at least I am going to vote tonight as if Greg is going to have that historic commission seat and so I will not be voting for him um in you know amongst this [clears throat] slate of candidates because I would want I wouldn't want to take away an opportunity from someone else if he's going to be on uh the committee anyways um so that I thought
was important to note. Um and then also what we are going to do is kind of similarly to our process with school committee planning board some of the other appointments we've had recently where there have been you know a few um multiple candidates and it's been a little bit more complex of the voting system. Everyone um on the select board
has a sheet in front of them with the names of the candidates. Um you we're going to all vote for the top seven and then I will read out everyone's votes and we will uh see who the top seven vote getters are. If there's tiebreers, then we'll go back and and do a revote
for um the the tiebreakers. Um any questions or comments before we vote? No. Okay. All right. So, I'll give everyone a second to vote and then I've got Josh's list here already. I haven't looked at it. Um and then I'll I'll read
them out. Oh, actually maybe. >> So, do I need to I need to say who is voting for? >> That's correct. >> Yeah. Okay. So, if you could write your name on it as well. All right. And do we have someone tallying this or
as I read it out or should I just do it? >> It's up to you. Oh, you know I can tell you. You mean as you read it off? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> One second. Do >> you want one of the sheets, Mike? It might be easier. >> Oh, yeah. That's good. [laughter] >> Sorry. All right.
Okay, so uh Josh Lavine's votes are for Paul Dunkerley, Earl Godfrey, Sarah Greg, Zack Kushner, Ryan McCullum, Leonard Shaker, and Larry
Star. And my votes are for Bernie Cohen, Paul Dunkerley, Earl Godfrey, Sarah Greg, David Lipkkey, Ryan McCullum, and Leonard Shaker.
Right. Andrew Lamb's votes are for Paul Dunkerley, Earl Godfrey, Sarah Greg, Zack Kushner, David Lipkkey, Ryan McCullum, and Larry Star. Shelley Mayor De Wolf's votes are for
Bernie Cohen, Paul Dunkerley, Sarah Greg, Zack Kushner, David Lipkkey, Ry McCullum, and Leonard Shaker. And Dan Zwerko's votes are for Bernie Cohen, Paul Dunkerley, Earl Godfrey,
Sarah Greg, Zack Kushner, Ryan McCullum, and Leonard Shaker. >> Shepherd music anyway. >> Yeah. Can you humune? No pressure. Ben, can we just have those? We'll keep them for the
>> Oh, yeah. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Great. Thank you. All right. So, we've got um three for or actually here, let me just start at the with the most. So, um Paul Dunkerly received five votes, Sarah Greg
received five votes, and Ryan McCullum received five votes. So, those three are on Paul Dunkerly, Sarah Greg, Ryan McCullum. And then we have uh three more that received four votes. We've got Earl Godfrey,
Zack Kushner, and Leonard Shaker. So, then we've got two others that received three votes, uh Bernie Cohen and David Lipkkey. So, we will have to go back and vote between Bernie Cohen
and David Lipkkey for that seventh slot. It's between David and >> Bernie Cohen. >> Bernie Cohen. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. And then if there's a tie, will Josh verbally vote then?
>> Well, probably Josh needs to vote. He can just verbally vote in the chat or he can verbally vote. >> Okay. He's raising his hand, so >> Okay, >> let's take Josh's vote. All right, Josh. Who do you vote for
between Bernie Cohen and David Lipkkey? >> Can you hear me? >> Yes, I can hear you now. >> Okay. Uh, I vote for David. >> Okay. So, one vote for David. Okay. And then Andrew voted for David.
Uh, Shelley voted for David. So, that's that's three. Uh, and then just for the record, uh, I voted for Bernie Cohen and Dan voted for Bernie Cohen. So, all right. Well, congratulations to uh
the folks that um got selected for the uh future building use task force. I think we will have staff reach out soon with more information and um looking forward to working with you all and seeing you know um seeing seeing the work and and collaborating uh moving
forward. This is such an important uh job for the town. So, thank you. >> All right. Um, and then next up is select board comments. Uh, does anyone have a select board comment? >> Um, yeah, I'll just quickly respond to just Mr. Shea's um, resident comment.
Uh, Mr. Sheay's been sending numerous emails to me with a lot of questions about fiber. I've been answering all the questions. After his last email, he said he felt like he was good on the fiber topic for now. uh and then decide to come and and say, you know, speak some more. So, I can um you know, I can go
back and you know, of course, there was a lot going on in those three minutes, but I can go back and listen to it and respond to you again by email and answer all your questions. Um but again, Tom, Tom, this is not a time, it's not a Q&A time or anything like that, right? This is right. This is select board comment.
Um so, yeah. So, happy to happy to respond um as I as I've been doing. Um, and you know, just some of these things like a blank exhibit A. I think it's probably just a mistake on the agenda that to attach the wrong or to just attach the IG without the exhibit A.
There's nothing that was, you know, done intentionally or maliciously or anything like that. Uh, it's pretty straightforward. It's just the same type of bid. It's just an Eversource application fee basically. And it's the same bid that we got from Whip City when we asked them for it. It's just a
standard standard uh you know business and uh and there's really nothing more to it than that. Um and then and then you know some of these things with the changing numbers you know this was and and I've explained this to Mr. Sheay multiple times over email you know this is why the design and engineering is done is
because before design engineering is done you make a best estimate you figure out what you think it's going to be and then you have design and engineering so that you actually know the costs and so that's why some of these numbers changed and that's really all there is to that. Uh, but other specific things, I know
it's kind of like all over the place, but I will go back and listen to it and respond and happy to keep the conversation going. I've responded to every email, answered every question, and we'll continue to do so. Um, anyone else like comments? Okay. Um, next up is
so we have our public hearing beginning at 7:30. So, it's 7:21 right now. So, we will skip over um that and just wait until we get to 7:30 for the public hearing for the liquor license transfer application hearing. Um so, next up is
our application for a one-day liquor license. Um I will entertain a motion on that. >> I make a motion to approve the one-day liquor license for the Long Meadow Adult Center on sorry February 26, 2006.
>> Second. >> 26. >> Second. Any further discussion? >> One second. >> Oh, actually Josh, >> you have to promote him as a panelist again. >> You good? Josh, >> just trying to get promoted. Go ahead.
>> Okay. Y um Okay. So, uh, with no further discussion, we will go to a roll call vote. >> Oh, sorry. Uh, Venice, >> uh, yes. >> Dan, >> yes. >> Shelley, >> yes. >> Andrew, >> yes. >> Josh, >> yes. >> Thank you.
>> Great. All right. Uh, next up is correspondence. >> Sorry, there's one more application for the fifth as well. >> Oh, sorry. Okay. Okay. I will entertain a motion for uh another um Long Meadow Adult Community Center uh one day liquor
license application for You said it was the 12th. >> The 5th. >> Oh, the two dates. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. There's two forms for it. >> Yeah. >> For February 5th. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Great. >> Mr. Mathy.
>> Uh sorry. Any further discussion? >> Okay. Sorry. Go. >> Mr. Mathy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Wo. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dwolf. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lamb. Yes, >> Mr. Leavine. [clears throat] >> You okay here, Josh? >> Yes.
>> Okay, great. And then um correspondence. Any comments on or anything about correspondence? Okay. Uh Lynn, I think we can fit in the town manager report. >> Awesome. I will be quick. [clears throat] Right. Uh an update on the DPW
[clears throat] uh demolition um for the old facility. We received our final mass DP approvals that we've been waiting on. Uh they've have imposed quite a few conditions on the demolition uh including environmental monitoring uh which will add some cost to the overall
project. We're going to work with Tyen Bond uh who's been our consulting engineer on this. They will be performing some soil samples and testing in the next few weeks. We anticipate being able to put this project out to bid, the actual demolition of it out to bid in the next few weeks. And as a
reminder, just to this project's gone on for quite a while. Um when we did get some quotes initially just to see what the market was for taking this building down, uh it actually exceeded what we had available for funding. So, we're really hoping that the market has shifted a bit and we'll get favorable
bids this time. So, I'll report back in the next few weeks once we have an idea on what those bids look like. Uh, over the um January 22nd and 24th, uh, the town staff, some town staff and select board members Hamathi and um, Zwerkco
attended Mass Municipal um, associations connect 351 conference. Uh, this is a statewide gathering of local officials just to talk about everything municipal. uh we get to network with our peers, we learn from each other, we meet with vendors and we
get to hear from state officials as well. We had a really strong showing and it's been some great professional development for um our new team, our newish team. This year we had a cohort from DPW that attended. Um, we all participated in various different
sessions, some on AI and HR, hot topics in municipal government, disaster response, keeping your cool when the public loses theirs, and fiscal outlook with uh division of local services. Um, an update on the stores library
renovation. Uh the as people may know the board of trustees has engaged with uh Johnson Robert Associates architecture firm to uh design a renovation of the library. They are holding an info and input session on
February 5th. So that's Wednesday uh from 2 to 3 or 6 to 7. This is open for all residents or all users of the library to please uh give their feedback on the plans. the architect will present and then they'll uh seek feedback. You
can register to attend at the long meadow library.org website. And uh the town has received a 2026 cyber security awareness program grant. This is being spearheaded by the IT department um in both the town and
school will be taking part. This is a um executive office of technology services and security, office of municipal and social technology cyber security awareness program and it's going to be 12 months of free online cyber security training with participation from all
employees um that will be enrolled in the training program. So we're really happy to be able to offer that. Happy to answer any questions that you might have. >> Great. Any questions, comments? Great. All right. Uh, thank you, Lynn.
Um, and we've still got a few minutes, so we can, uh, move into the January 20, 2026 meeting minutes. I'll entertain a motion to approve the January 20th, 2026 meeting minutes.
>> Make a motion to approve the January 20th, 26 minutes. >> Second. >> Um, any further discussion? All right. Uh, Peggy, Mr. Yes, >> Mrs. Sorco. >> Yes, >> Shelley. Mayor Dwolf. >> Yes, >> Mr. Lamb. >> Yes, >> Mr. Lavine.
>> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Okay. And I think uh we can kind of get set up here now for the public hearing. So, if the folks that are here um to as as the transfer ease uh for the liquor license, if you all can come up and have a seat. It's
>> all right if I move the chair a little. >> Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. Just >> can you move the mics with you too if you don't? >> Oh, okay. Sure. Thank you. Great. Thank you for joining us and I will um entertain a motion to um open a
liquor license transfer application hearing. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Roll call. >> Mr. Mati. >> Yes. >> Mrs. Worco. >> Yes. >> Mayor Dwolf. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lamb. >> Yes. >> Mr. Leavine. >> Yes. >> Okay. Great. Thank you. Thank you so
much for joining us. Uh so we're here tonight to um hear about and to vote on the liquor license transfer application hearing uh from the bottle shop to a new uh buyer. Um so I will uh first start off with just allowing you all to just introduce yourselves uh to the select
board. >> All right. Good evening everyone. Thanks again for your time. I'm Talia Williams from Wallace and I represent the Bottle Shop Wine and Liquor LLC who is the applicant. Um, I'm actually covering from someone else for someone else from my office uh tonight. But I'm Talia.
>> Yeah, I'm Dar Patel. Um, so I'm currently just working at uh Four Seasons Long Meadow under my dad's, but I'm just Yeah, currently there and I'm trying to uh get into the business with
my experience in hand. >> Great. Thank you. Um, so if you [clears throat] could just all maybe start off a little bit about just telling us about the >> proposed business, what the plans are. >> Sure. So, it's my understanding that this was actually an existing location. It was a a business that had been
operated prior. Um, but due to a fire, um, there had to be a rebuild and it was shut down for a while. U, I'm not sure how long that was operated for, but we're seeking the transfer of the license to the new LLC. Um, Dar has been involved in his father's business, which I believe is also in town for quite some
time. He's worked there for quite some time and now he's breaking into the business and will be the uh primary manager of the LLC at the 909 Shaker Road location. Um his intention is to be there for a minimum of 40 hours per week. Um and he has experience and and
he sort of knows how how these things go already from working with his father. Uh I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have specifically. Um, but essentially they're just seeking the transfer so they can open up and and start up. >> Sure.
>> Great. Thank you. Yeah. I mean, I think one of the things in these hearings it's always uh the SUP board's always interested in hearing about and it's good to know is that the uh that the folks taking over have some experience in the business that they're already bringing and kind of not starting from scratch necessarily. Um so that's that's
nice to hear. Um the are there any is there an idea yet of when the business will be actually opening and you know to the public? >> Uh I don't know. I think we're still waiting on some uh transfers of license
here and there but I'm not really sure. Probably by end of summer end of this summer. >> Okay. So about summerish we're thinking. >> So yeah at least we're looking summer end of summerish. Yeah. >> Okay. Great. And um you know some of the kind of standard questions that are
usually asked are about whether you know you all are aware of the TIP certifications that are necessary and the compliance checks that will will happen. >> Yeah, I already took the TIP certificate exam last year. So I'm think I'm valid till three more years uh till 2028.
So yeah, I already have the certified tip certificate. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Um any other questions or comments from the board? I just had one quick question. Will there will there [clears throat] be um you know in the in the in the past there was like a bottle return section. Will
that still be >> Yeah, I think uh we'll still be having the bottle deposit redemption thing open. Anything else? >> Uh Josh, does Josh have anything? Well, beneath, you took a lot of the
words right out of my mouth. [laughter] >> Uh, and I I don't um I I wish you all the best of luck and uh we don't want to see you again for any violations. I don't know if you've uh watched our past hearings when this comes up, but we do
have things in town. The police and the state both come by to make sure that uh everyone's getting their IDs checked. And uh so I urge you to be very vigilant about that. Get a an ID scanner. >> Do your best to make sure that uh the
laws are being followed. >> Okay, >> great. Thank you. Okay. Anything else? Thank you, Josh. >> All right. Um there's nothing else, then I will uh entertain a motion to uh adjourn the liquor license transfer
application hearing. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. Any further discussion? >> Mr. Mathy. >> Uh, yes. >> Mr. Swgo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lamb. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lavine. >> Yes.
>> Okay. All right. Um, so now that we've adjourned the hearing, we can now take a vote to um execute the the transfer application or, you know, entertain any motions. >> I make a motion to execute the the
liquor transfer license. Do I have to motivate? >> Is that good enough? >> Yeah. To execute the transfer application. Yes. And then you just have to um make a motion or you can add it to the motion to do a 16C finding which is that the business has no detrimental
effect to any or detrimental impact to any school, church, synagogue or hospital within 500 ft. >> So I'd like to add to my motion. >> So So amen. [laughter] >> Second. >> Mike. Mike. Is it near Wolf Swamp? I think it was just right outside of the
range. So, just to be just to be safe, it's probably best that you make that as part of the motion. >> Yeah, certainly can't hurt. >> Yep. >> Great. Um, thank you for that. And, uh, any further discussion? >> Okay, Peggy, I note that um, we we have
a this license that's being transferred is up for renewal >> very shortly uh, tonight. And I think that we should uh just make I don't know if we want to make this motion contingent on approval of the transfer.
So it's in effect when uh this application is actually going through. >> Okay. Can we do so amended on that too? >> Yep. >> All right. >> Just can you just clarify what what you want that to say then? that this um that
the transfer application is dependent on the subsequent extension of the liquor license. >> Thank you. >> Sorry guys, the uh the orchestra is currently warming up, so it's very loud.
Um, I I would say approve the transfer application uh subject to approval of the underlying license to be renewed. >> Josh and I are on the same wavelength
tonight. Um, okay, great. Um, so I think with that we're ready for a vote now. Roll call. >> Mr. Mathy. >> Uh, yes. >> Mr. >> Yes. Dope. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lamb. >> Yes. >> Mr. Wine. >> Yes. Okay, great. Thank you. Uh, well, congratulations. You know, we wish you
all the best, all the best. Uh, and you know, of course, uh, you know, you've you've already been working in Long Meadow, so you know how great of a community this is, and I'm sure that the whole community will be rallying around and making sure that you guys are, uh, you know, uh, successful in this. >> Thank you so much. >> Thank you for your time. >> Thank you.
>> All right. So, next up is the uh bottle shop liquor license extension. Um, so kind of Josh kind of tee this one up uh right now. Oh, yeah. Jim, if you want to come on up. So, obviously we've got the transfer here. Uh, the liquor license was
extended to I think it was either today or tomorrow, February 2nd or February 3rd. Um, and when we previously talked about this, we talked about u you know, Mr. Patel mentioned that they were looking at kind of like a summer opening and we talked about having this process after we voted on this to go to the ABCC
and um on the state level that it would take a few months for that to all happen and um and for this business to open in the summer. so that if we had got to this point and the transfer and everything was in place that we were going to possibly extend this liquor
license out until the summer um to just give this all uh time to play out uh without having to come back again and vote on another extension. Um so that's what I recall from our conversation about this. Uh but Jim, I don't know if you have anything you want to add to that. >> I no.
>> Okay. Um and if any anybody on the select board anything to add to that or comments anything? Okay. Um so if that is the case um I
will entertain a motion to extend the bottle shop liquor license to see >> beneath. I think at this point we could extend through the rest of the year as a normal license now that we have an
approval or a transfer in place. >> Okay. So So would the So would that be until November 30th then? >> No, December 31st. >> December 31st. Okay. All right. So I'll entertain a motion to extend the bottle
shop liquor license until December 31st, 2026. >> So moved. Second. >> Okay. Any further discussion? >> Peggy. >> Mr. Mafy. >> Yes. >> Mrs. >> Yes. M. >> Oh, sorry. Ven, I I would like to have a
little bit of further discussion. >> Oh, okay. Yeah. Sorry. Go ahead. >> Um, now Jim, I see you sit in front of us. I I do feel like the select board has been the town has been put in a bit of a bind because of a mistake you made. I understand it was a mistake and I
because of that I I don't want to this is a lot of money to you and I don't want to get in the way of that but I I do feel like I was especially treated unfairly during this process and my name was dragged
through the mud and I I don't think that that was right and I'm not willing I'm not going to harbor a grudge and do anything wrong or try to do any wrong But um I I don't like the way this went about and I I think we're doing you a
favor here and it may go to the state and the state may still say no, you missed the deadline. Um and that's that. But I'm not willing I'm going to look beyond that and try to do the right thing for you. So I'm going to vote yes,
but I don't like the way this this went this went down. >> All right. Thank you, Josh. Um, okay. Now I think we can go for a vote. >> Mr. Mathy, >> yes. >> Mrs. Bco, >> yes. >> Mor, >> yes. >> Mr. Lamb, >> yes.
>> Mr. Lavine, >> yes. >> Okay, great. Thank you. All right. Thank you all. Appreciate it. Um, >> all right. I'm going to I'm going to sign off now and I will uh be in for the meeting after the concert. Thank you. >> Okay. Thanks, Josh. Um, so next up is
the park and wreck seasonal department fees discussion. Um >> uh so these were presented to you at your last meeting and then um now they need a vote. So your rules call for not voting the same night if if we can help
it and we have some time with these. So they're back to you tonight for a vote if you're ready to do that. >> Great. >> Oh yeah. I'll make a motion. I move that we accept the fee structure as written for the parks and wreck.
>> Second. Okay. Any further discussion? All right. All those in favor? All right. Um, great. I It's It's 7:40 and we're bringing Erica on for the quarterly investment report, which I think is the earliest we've ever had her on for this.
>> You okay, Erica? >> Yes. Can you hear me? >> Yes, we can. Um, and I'll turn it over to you, Erica. >> Thank you. I'm here tonight to submit my quarterly report on the status of the town's cash and investments for the period ending December 31st, 2025. As
per the investment policy, the town held no long-term investments that exceeded the 5-year coming in. >> Hang on, Erica. >> Sorry, guys. Can you hear me? I thought I started but I don't think I was actually in.
>> Just we're just moving you into the meeting as a panelist. Give us one second. >> Okay. No problem. >> Good. >> All right. We got you now, Erica. >> Okay. Perfect. Thank you. So, I'm here tonight to submit my quarterly report on the status of the town's cash
investments for the period ending December 31st, 2025. As per the investment policy, the town held no long-term investments that exceeded the 5-year limit. The individual bank balances were under the $20 million balance provision. All banks received
the highest safety rating of green from Barank except for Newberry Port Savings Bank. All accounts were fully insured or secured. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, we have seen some rates decrease with the Fed adjustments. The most noteworthy was Eastern Bank, which
had a reduction in the rate in the investment account from 4.35% to 3.5%. The treasur and assistant treasurer closely monitoring interest rates and moving funds to the appropriate accounts that will optimize investments with the best return. Newberry Port Savings Bank
changed from a green bank greening to a yellow status. Um there's attachment that you can see with two representatives from Newberry Port Savings Bank that I reached out to. one when this first came out and then one recently for a status update. They do seem um pretty optimistic that we're
going to go back to green. I think they're going to get the loan provisions from one of the three institutions or one of the three loans that they're watching. Um the OPAB pension reserves investment fund experienced a gain in quarterly interest. The quarter ended with a net
increase of approximately $22,000 and the December 31st balance is approximately $9.7 million. Also note not noteworthy during the last quarter, the town earned a total of approximately $629,000 in interest. The treasur's
office will continue to seek the best possible interest rates and diversify funds appropriately to maximize investment potential while being in compliance with Massachusett state laws and regulations. We will also closely monitor all accounts to ensure safety and security of all of our investments.
>> Great. Thank you so much, Erica. Um, any questions, comments? >> All right. And we have you out of here at 7:44. >> Wonderful. Thank you guys. Have a wonderful night. >> Thank you. You too. >> Thank you. >> And next up, we have the utility bill
insert requests. Um, Lynn, do you want to speak to these? >> Yes. So um we've been strategizing uh in the office about different ways to reach people and make sure that they're aware of you know important things. Uh and so we have crafted a utility bill insert.
One side would uh notify about the town manager's newsletter and the mobile app with allowing u a QR code for them to directly sign up and then the other side would be announcing um a save the date for the annual town meeting. We are highlighting in here uh some
highinterest articles that we anticipate being on the warrant. Um I would like to discuss this with you tonight because um we haven't set the warrant yet and so I don't know for certain that these will be on there. So we could be more generic
in what we put um or if we feel like we're willing to take a risk and say that these might be there um we could leave it. Uh the mailing is next week so we don't really have a ton of time. Um
so I I really just wanted to have a discussion with you. Um some of this also related to the fiber spring presentation where we were talking to them about how we were going to generate awareness about this and just the project as a whole. And um this insert
goes to every utility bill customer in um in the town. Might I suggest you just say may include >> articles of high interest may include. >> That'll >> Yep. >> That'll basically solve your >> I was going to say the same thing or potential just so people understand it's
still a little fluid. Yeah. >> Yep. >> And I I think to that list we might want to add the center school windows. >> Yep. >> Um because I know that's one that I'm hearing a lot about. >> Um it'll be the roof, not
>> or sorry. Yeah. Sorry. Yes, >> that'll be probably the fall. So, >> yeah. Right. Right. >> It's coming up right after it. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Uh but yeah, I think that's a great idea. Um >> it's it's it's really hard to reach
people and anything that we can do, I think, is is great. >> It's a good idea to utilize this mailing that already has to happen. Just inexpensive way of getting people to getting in front of people. >> I like it. Okay. Um, so the it does
require a vote um of the water sewer commissioners to uh authorize us to insert something into the billing. Uh, was there another one too, Mike? [clears throat] There's >> two sewer in. >> Okay. >> Yeah, it's from the DPW for the sewer insert for wipes down the
>> drains. This has become um an all too frequent problem. Uh, and so they are wanting to put a insert in just to remind people what not to flush because uh it they're prone to backups when you
flush things that are not supposed to be flushed, which is expensive and messy. >> It's all because of those Costco flushable wipes got now. >> Speak for yourself. [laughter] >> I have one question. If we could go back to the other mailer and maybe this is
something we can't do or wouldn't do. Would we would it make sense also to put on save the date for the June 3rd elections just to remind folks >> Sure. >> about that? I don't know if what everyone else feels, but that probably couldn't hurt. >> Yep. Anything else?
Okay. Um so I will entertain a motion to approve the um utility bill and sewer bill inserts as attached to the agenda with the with the talked about changes. >> Second. >> All right.
>> So move. >> Oh jeez. I'm sorry. >> Second. [laughter] >> Okay. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor? >> Roll call. >> Oh Josh is up. >> Okay. here. So, um, great. And then
we've got the select board town manager policy review. >> So, this has, um, been on the goals and we've keep moving it ahead and ahead and ahead because it just falls in priority fairly low compared to some of the other
things we've done. Uh and so in our agenda setting uh last week with Josh, we talked about uh including the table of contents and potentially divvying out amongst um the five select board members and then Mike and I to really each take
a handful and uh revise them, make some suggested edits and bring them back. um trying to tackle it all as an as one document, you know, by one or two people seems to be too much of a task. Um and so that was our that was our latest uh
idea on trying to update these. We can um >> Sounds fine. >> Sounds reasonable. Um, so there are there are a lot of policies and um, I actually think there's probably more
than we need. So if the recommendation ends up coming back saying we don't need this, I think that's okay, too. Don't don't be concerned about that. Um, over time I've looked at these and thought, you know, the website content policy, for example, like that's this is
somewhat of an archaic policy um from when a website was just being launched. So, some of this we might not need. >> Just to add to that, there's a few examples where like for your objects on the tree belt policy, for instance, there's a few examples of where in the
general bylaws there may conflict with something in there. So, it's about also comparing what's in the bylaws to what's in the policy to just make sure that if we're approving something, it's not, you know, going against one or the other. Um, so that's just an an example off the top of my head of something that we
could find in this review. >> So, might I suggest that uh that sounds good and maybe if you and Mike want to just assign it assign things to us afterward, then we can just do that. if anyone has a >> like wants to change they can let you know or something >> from what they've been assigned.
>> That sounds great. Yeah, we could create a document and maybe put some comments in there of stuff we've already looked at or um stuff that we've uh flagged as maybe being in a bylaw as well. >> Yep. And this is the most up-to-date version. So everything that's been approved up until January 1st is in this
with the latest mobile uh food card um policy and so on. >> Great. tactical question as we're reviewing these if like what is the expectation that we review come back with our like what if you have questions how do we have that dialogue if we have
questions along the way like what's the best way to >> yeah if you um I think it depends on the question uh it would probably be Mike or I or the chair or if they're financial ones it would be Ian he has spent a good bit of time looking at the finance ones
>> and I know he was planning to come back to you with those I think they need go to finance committee first. >> Okay. >> Um just >> I just didn't know if we wanted to do that type of stuff before coming back or I >> probably got through. Okay. It might be a little >> So we can just interact with you and Mike. >> Yeah.
>> With kind of like questions and then bring it all together in a pretty good state before we bring it back to a public meeting. >> I think so. If it seems like that's not going to work, we can adjust. >> Okay. >> And like you said before, there may be a few that don't need to be touched at all and there may be a few that don't even need to be amended. They just need to be
completely strucken. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Great. All right. So, we'll look out for homework >> assignments. [laughter] >> Absolutely. >> So, just to clarify for the next meeting, we'll bring back the assignments, maybe.
>> Yeah, that sounds good. >> Um, okay. With that, I will entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> So, moved. >> Second. >> All right. Any further discussion? All those in favor? All right. Thank you everyone and we
will see you next on February 23rd. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. New record.