I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. In accordance with the requirements of
the open meeting law, please be advised that this meeting is being recorded and broadcast live over the Lunberg public access channel on Facebook live on the public access Facebook page and will be uploaded to the Lunberg Access YouTube channel after the meeting. The agenda lists all the topics which may be
discussed at the meeting and are those reasonably anticipated by the chair. Votes may be taken as a result of these discussions. Not all items listed may in fact be discussed and other items not listed may also be brought up for discussion to the extent permitted by the open meeting law. We're going to begin tonight with announcements and I
have two. The first is a reminder that the Citizens Party Caucus will be held on Monday, March 9th at 7 p.m. at the middle high school auditorium. Attending the caucus and getting nominated and voted for at the caucus is one of the easiest ways to get on the ballot. Um
the other way is to gather signatures. So, if you have any interest in serving on one of the elected boards in town, uh then you should attend and run for a position. And if you don't, you should still attend. Uh a list of vacancies are on the town's website and Facebook page as well. And just another reminder as
well that there's a public presentation and Q&A session um that will be held by the fire chief for the four shift proposal for the fire department at the Lunberg Adult Activity Center on Tuesday, February 24th at 5:00 p.m. So if you're interested in learning about
why the department needs a four shift or have questions about it, then attend the event. It will uh be recorded by PAC as well and made available for viewing afterwards. Okay. Public comment. Any public comment from the public this evening? Seeing no one in the room, but a lot of people on Zoom. Is there any
public comment from Zoom? All right. Not seeing any public comment from the public. Any public comment from the board? >> Nope. Nope. >> Okay. So, up first we have a Common Vic license application for Empire Athletics
located at 308 Massachusetts Avenue. And I believe we have Shahed here um who is representing them. Uh so Shahed, I will ask you to uh introduce yourself and just talk a little bit about your business and why you're looking for a Vic license.
>> Sorry, you're muted. We can't hear you. >> Okay, sir. >> All right, we can hear you. >> I apologize. >> Perfect. Uh yes, so my name is Shahid Keshi. I also uh Nick Nicholas Gallagher is on the call as well. Uh he we are both co-owners of Empire Athletics uh which is a fitness facility as well as a
uh smoothie bar and cafe. Uh we have our uh first business in Lemonster and we have just opened our second uh location in Lunberg. Now uh we are both residents of Lunenburgg uh and a part of having the smoothie bar uh has been instructed. We need the common Vic. We have received
all the permits from the board of health and from the town for opening. Uh, so this is just the last item we need in order to proceed forth with the uh the the smoothie bar business aspect. >> Okay. So it's just that smoothie bar that you're looking to get the license for. >> Yes, sir. >> All right. Sounds good to the town
manager and and Melissa. Does everything look good for the application? >> Everything's in order. >> All right. Does anyone from the board have any questions for the applicants? >> Nope. Nope. >> All right. Sounds good. So then I will move to approve the Common Vic license application for Empire Athletics located
at 308 Massachusetts. A >> second. >> Any further discussion? Those in favor say I. >> I. Those opposed? No. The motion passes unanimously. All right. Thanks. Have a good night, guys. >> Good luck. >> Thank you. Appreciate it.
>> Okay. Moving on. Appointments, ratifications, and resignations. So, the first is to acknowledge the retirement of Fire Chief Patrick Sullivan effective November 6, 2026. So, Mr. Chairman, um I am unfortunately sharing with the board tonight um that
Chief Sullivan, after 42 years of service, has decided it is time to retire. Um I will save uh his his notification for a more formal time when he can appear before us. Um, but I'm grateful to the
chief that we have a a long lead time uh to to really strategize around uh his replacement and um plan for the next steps, but um huge huge shoes to fill. >> Yeah, it's going to be sad to see him go and I thank him for over 40 years of
service to the town and I hope he enjoys his retirement. Okay. Up next is ratify the town manager's appointment of Kimberly Govin as payroll and benefits coordinator. >> Yes. So, Mr. Chairman, this has been, as your as the board is aware, a a
difficult time in filling this position, but I'm excited to say that um with your ratification this evening, Kim will be joining us starting tomorrow as our new payroll and benefits coordinator. Um although she does not have munis
experience, she does have public sector experience um having served at a nearby school district in in a similar capacity where she used a Tyler product. So although not Munice, she is familiar with Tyler Technologies. Um she has a
vast uh experience uh in payroll and benefit administration. We are planning at this point to um overlap her and uh Rich Tomchic who's been here from Robert Half um as a contractor for about a period of a month um so that there can
be more than one payroll cycle um that she observes and then um ultimately handles with him observing um but we're really excited uh this is the final piece in getting the uh finance department uh back whole. >> Yeah, I'm glad that she'll be starting
soon. So, uh, any questions for the town manager? >> All right, with that, I move to ratify the town manager's appointment of Kimberly Govin as payroll and benefits coordinator. >> Second. >> Any additional discussion? Those in favor say I. I. Those opposed, no. Motion passes unanimously. Great. Glad
we're finally filling this one, too. >> Yes. >> Okay. Town manager report. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, um, update on the FY27 budget preparation. We are close uh very close for the preliminary FY27 budget um to be pulled together. Um
I want to thank everybody for pitching in these last final days uh to get us over the finish line hopefully and I will plan to present the preliminary budget this Thursday, February 19th to the finance committee. Um to be clear, this will not be a balanced budget and
will be reliant on an override. Um and there are additional factors which will affect the final number of the budget. The board is aware but the town may be not. Um that we are currently negotiating three labor contracts with DPW fire and the clerical union. We are
also negotiating with the PEC for health insurance. Um we have received our health insurance rate increase for FY27 which is 8.85% 85% but whatever we do um with the PEC will have an effect on that
rate um one way or another potentially um and we're also exploring additional items that might affect the budget such as winding down TCP potential changes to the recycling program etc. But we have it I think in a good enough space to be presenting a preliminary budget but to
be clear that budget will not be balanced um and and it's looking right now um over $3 million. uh we'll confirm that with with the school's numbers, but that's kind of a highlight um for what more might be coming on Thursday. Um in
addition to the preliminary budget presentation, uh fire, police, and facilities will be presenting the 19th. Uh next Thursday, the 26th, the school and IT departments will be presenting to finance committees. So for those in the
public um that start paying attention at this time of year, these are the important meetings that if you you have questions about why is there a shortfall, what are different departments planning in their budget, these are the meetings to start turning tuning into.
Turning to the close of FY25, um we do have an extension through the end of this uh month, February, and uh Karen Brochu is making good progress on closing out FY25. The revenue and expenditure budgets are balanced. Um the
cash uh is nearly balanced uh with Mileen, the treasurer collector, and Karen. I think they're chasing down about $200 right now to balance. So, I told them that they could leave it, but accountants need to find every penny. Um, and so I have some preliminary
figures of what free cash might be looking like. Um, it's looking very healthy at over $3 million. We know some of the reasons for that would be uh the large uh turnback from the schools. We have um also investment income uh did
really well again like it did last year. Um, and so we do know some reasons why it's high, but um, until I, as a reminder, I budgeted very conservatively on the capital plan at the $1.8 million in free cash. Obviously, $3 million is substantially different than that, but
until we have our final numbers, I'm not going to revisit that capital plan. Um, we did meet with capital planning last week and I kind of advise them of without knowing that number kind of 1.8 8 was preliminary and we'll see where we go. With such a um high number and
uncertain financial futures, I will be looking to make contributions into the stabilization fund and potentially the health insurance stabilization fund which was uh initially off. Um TCP meetings on the potential windown of the
TCP building. Um, at the last meeting of the board, I updated the board relative to meetings that were held with food pantry and pack. Following that meeting, I got a somewhat panicked call from folks at PAC. Um, I mean, folks at the food pantry that the timeline that I
discussed here wasn't the timeline that they were understanding to be. We were talking fiscal years and they were talking calendar years. So, the ease at which they understandtood the news now makes sense because they thought that it was a different timeline. um they did
express that um moving out of the building or winding down prior to the next heating season will be a substantial challenge for them. So it is a different conversation. Um they were going to regroup. I expect there will be many conversations with the food pantry to follow. Um but to those in the
community that might have some unique ideas um for a for a location, I'm sure the food pantry would love to hear you on what those may be. Um PAC on the other hand is having a little bit more success in relocation um exploring
leasing space. They met um last week uh with Fitchburg Access TV. Um we haven't seen numbers but it is definitely a possibility that we are able to lease um both office and studio space at the if you have not seen it state-of-the-art
facility that is located in Fitchburg. >> Um I do not >> in Fitchburg >> right downtown. Um, it's in an old bank. Um, >> I know where it is. >> Yep. And it is a beautiful studio. So, um, you know, if this works out, it might be a great partnership. Just like
us, Fitchburg, they have a lot more revenues, but their revenues are declining as well for as people cut the cord. Um, so it might be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Um, all of this will take some time to develop. Um, the chairman already announced um the fourth
shift fire presentation next week. Uh lastly, I want to announce that uh regional dispatch held its first ever uh tri board meeting. Um trio board meetings are a thing now um with their administrative board, operations committee, and finance committee. Uh
this was the first time all three groups have come together. Uh and we came together because the district uh generated free cash for the first time in a long time. Uh $433,000 in free cash. and some members of the finance committee had been suggesting
that we return those funds to the uh member groups to reduce the assessments. Um the administrative board felt that that was not what should be done. Uh we we know that our assessments on the outy years are going to increase uh once grants run out related to Hudson and
Sterling who have recently come on. um but also that that this is one-time funds and and we we felt as an administrative board that it would be better um tucked away. So ultimately the free cash is not being returned to the member communities. Um there are some
staying in free cash and some going to the district's stabilization and capital account. Um, current recruitments. I don't have any new recruitments to announce, but the staff librarian for the young adults um department, outreach
coordinator, recreation director, special assistant to the assessors, and dietary aid are all posted. Uh, board's committees uh remain the same except with the new addition of the cable advisory committee. um staff has put
together something to announce that to the community which should be going out later this week. And that concludes my report. >> Great. Thank you very much. Any questions? >> Yeah. >> Do you know how the snow and ice deficits running? Do you have any?
Because I see we're getting more this week, more snow this week, this weekend. >> Give me just a moment. >> Just looking at that free cash. I I feel better about being able to cover that deficit. I had tentatively pegged um if
I recall a half a million dollars um >> okay >> to cover the snow and ice def deficit but let's see so right now um I have to math um >> you don't have to do I mean
>> so it's about it's it's about 300,000 >> bigger than last year >> well it's the deficit's 300,000 right now the the snow and ice deficit's 300,000 I don't recall what our final number was last year. The shortfall I in speaking to um Karen Brochu um she says
that in years past the town typically did not utilize free cash to cover the snow and ice deficit. Um rather they used unexpended funds from within the current operating >> year. It's six of one, half dozen of the other. But but it does so it means
there'll be less free cash >> the following >> in the following year. But >> yeah. Okay. >> It may be a distinction without difference in the long run, but I just thought I'd bring that up here. >> So, um, since you mentioned Karen, uh, you think we'll we won't need another extension?
>> I do not. >> Good. >> That's great news. >> Good. >> Yes. >> Great work team. Mhm. >> And I think I know the answer, but just to confirm for the public, you're not talking about the capital budget at FINCOM on Thursday. >> I am not talking capital. Okay. >> Yeah. I won't bring up capital again
with any level of certainty until we have at least what's been submitted to the state for certification or free cash. >> Expectations for Thursday. >> Correct. Yeah. I'll be talking operating solely. >> All right. Thank you. Moving on to new
business. Up first, we have a vote to declare an electric range stove as surplus property. Um, so this is from the Lunberg Adult Activity Center. It's estimated that it has a value of less than $200. Um, any questions on this?
Okay. So, I move to declare the electric range stro stove from the Lunberg adult activity center as surplus property. >> Second. >> Any additional discussion? Those in favor say I. I. >> I. Those opposed, no. Motion passes
unanimously. Okay. And review FY26 select board and town manager goals and objectives. Um so we're a little over halfway through the year. So it's just an opportunity to go through it. Um especially for the town manager with the evaluation coming up. If we want to remove some things, we can. Um we can do
the same uh for our goals as well. If we uh feel it's necessary, although not as important that we do it for ours. Um so I will just open it up now and we can just read through them. And you do have it printed here for you as well if you want to mark them up. >> Um, thank you. Um, I might actually do
that just in case I want to make notes. Thanks. >> Okay. Does everyone have one? >> All right. >> So, managers, do we have yours with the updates from the comments? Is it in last week's full? It >> was last week. >> Last week's I can move it over. Well, let me >> I can pull it up. I just wanted to look at your notes.
>> Okay. I can give it a second, too, if you want to pull it up. I can't see. >> We can start with the town manager's goals, too, if it makes sense for people. Does anyone have a preference? >> Oh, I guess that's where my brain went. >> Yeah, those are probably more important. >> Okay, I agree. So, we can start with the
town manager's goals. Um, it starts on the second page here. Uh, if anyone's looking at the print out in front of us, and I'll just wait until we all have it open. So, >> and I did drop that, uh, markup in this. >> Okay, thank you. I'm actually going to
pull it up as well. >> Great. All right, everyone ready? >> Mhm. >> Sure. >> Okay. So, the first one, um, goal number one, we're starting with the town manager's goals. Uh, goal number one is budgeting and finance. So, I won't read all the bullet points, but objective
one, develop a FY27 budget and multi-year minimum of three-year financial forecast. Um, so the comment that we have in various stages of progress with some areas complete. Um, and I'll also include you in all of this too. So, you know, feel free to chime in
and take part in this discussion at any point. Um, do you want to modify any of these? Are there any things that you want to like remove on here? Looking through the bullet points, >> I'd say the January date we should probably I guess you've been updating status. >> Sorry, I know you were talking.
>> No, it's okay. It doesn't matter. Anyone can just talk. Yeah, I think that um I think that the only things that might not be as firm as I would like them um are the a really robust three-year forecasts. It's and um
>> that's what stuck out to me too. >> Yeah. And the we've had talks about staffing plans, but a real it says begin to develop five-year staffing plans. um that's being discussed in context of the budgetary process as a whole, but I
would say that a real robust 5-year plan or three-year forecast is not likely to occur. >> Okay. >> But I'm not ask but I'm not asking for any modifications here. I think that
like flagging it and just realizing that that's >> where we're at. >> That's where we're at, I think is I think that it's really personally I would feel comfortable taking those two things out. I think with everything that we've had going on and that you've had under your belt right now that doesn't I was I was worried about this as we set these
>> already that these were really ambitious. >> Um I don't see how you can get a fiveyear staffing plan done >> before the end of the year. I that's just my personal >> some departments might have it but we have some new department heads. >> Yeah. I mean it's going to take time for everyone to settle in and figure out
what um those long-term needs are. Um, so it says begin to develop five-year staffing plan for all town departments. It does say begin, which is good. We could even just change it from five years to a multi-year staffing plan if we want to make it a little more open. >> I'm I'm fine again with the language
staying. That's fine. And I think when you get to objective three, it becomes much more clear what >> Yes. Um, and what about going back to the other part, the multi-year minimum of three-year financial forecast? I I think beyond what we've done as part
of the tri board process in financial forecasting, we're not unfortunately going to be able to move the needle much further than that. I think that's an effort that we were, you know, um, intentional about in development of
budgets that folks getting folks to really try to think beyond this year. Um, and I think you've seen, you know, varying department heads have either more engagement around that versus others. Um, it is somewhat of a
philosophy change. Um, I'm happy that we've gotten as far as we've gotten with the multi-year forecast. I know some folks in the community were really hoping that as part of and I was too frankly that part of this tri board process leading up to a potential
override that we could have a good vision of what it looks like beyond FY27. Um, I think the volatility in the markets alone suggests that that's not maybe we shouldn't be planning for FY30
based on what's happening in FY27 because this feels >> very volatile. >> Yeah. >> Um, going from 20% insurance increases to 8%. I mean, that's on the largest element of your budget that makes it really difficult to have any type of
meaningful forecast. >> And so, you know, I'd be hesitant to put out to the public something that I would put my stamp on at this point saying this is the financial forecast for the town of Lunenburgg for the years 28 and
29. >> Yeah, I agree. I mean, I think it's really challenging and almost impossible to get a solid comprehensive multi-year financial forecast for the entire town budget. Um, but I do think what we've done, especially, you know, um, engaging
with department heads and getting those budgets as early as we have and getting them to start thinking about it is a success in terms of this goal. Um, so that's how I'm looking at it. Um, and I'm I'm not hearing any major opposition here either. So um >> yeah we had a few department most I
would say present through FY29 to the tri board and and most of it was strategic like around staffing and growth and where they saw their departments going what that cost will be is an unknown so you can you can you know this I want to grow the department
I want to add this whatever um but the the cost is is a guess at this point but >> yeah and I mean we effectively got it from all departments right >> there's only a couple that we didn't >> we were okay. >> Yeah. >> I wouldn't call it a three-year comprehensive financial forecast, but it
is a road map that will help determine where we're going. Right. So, >> it's more than we've had in the past, I feel like. >> Oh, for sure. Yeah. So, I mean, >> we change that language or take out minimum of three years or do we think we're okay with what we've done? >> I think it's fine. Honestly, I I consider it a success. I think, you
know, we have a pretty strong idea of where departments want to go in the next few years and the details of it. No, we don't know all the details, but it's kind of impossible to know the financial details right now. And >> and I think I, you know, the public wasn't in necessarily our workshop, and
I don't know if they've have gone back and watched that, but goals are aspirational, right? Like so I am fully comfortable and confident in getting to the end of the year and not having checked off and being reviewed and not having checked off every single one of
these and taking what was a goal this year changing it enhancing it and morphing it into something that's based in this for future years. >> Yeah, I agree with that. Okay. All right. So let's move on to objective two. explored town school operational
and budgetary collaboration and efficiencies including consolidation of departments, joint purchasing, consolidation of vendors. This goal will span multiple fiscal years during the initial year. This goal the town manager will work to determine which areas warrant further study. Perfect. Any discussion on that one? Okay. Objective
three, begin to use the clear gov software for the FY27 operating capital budgeting process. We don't have it anymore. Uh so we can't do that. Uh which honestly I think uh is probably for the best. Um, I I've I think having software like this is really useful, but the amount of work that goes into it on
the front end, maybe, you know, there's a there's a trade-off there, right? And I >> I think that it was working well >> when it was actually while it was being used and that if that hadn't paused, we would be having a different conversation, >> right? I mean, when was the last year
that we actually used it? Several >> It has not been used since Heather left, >> right? And I think it was even longer really than it was used like to it full capacity >> in the last budget. >> Oh, okay. I didn't know that. So, >> so the FY25 budget preparation is the
last time that it's been used and um you know it is it it does help um in delivering the information to the public. That's one of the biggest >> um pluses of this is that all of this stuff that we're now building, you take
the labor out of that, but it's only as good as what the baseline data is that's in it. And without going through and doing all that confirmation, it doesn't make sense for the town of Lunberg right now in this year. I don't want people to
say though if the town of Lunenberg in a future year decides that we either have funding for this or this becomes a priority or we apply for a grant again. Oh, we shouldn't do this, right? Because it's just just because we can't do it now doesn't mean that it shouldn't be
done. >> It's very nice to have, but it's not a must have. And we are not in we can afford must have I mean nice to haves right now. >> Well, we need to get Munis straightened out this year. I mean, who knew that was going to happen? So, we could either get rid of it or modify the language. Any preference?
>> I think I'd remove it because we're not the software is now gone. >> Yeah. Well, I could have said like, you know, we could have added like evaluate the >> Yeah, we're saving how much money by not renewing this about $20,000. >> Yeah. Which, you know, >> 20,000 here and there makes it >> in over a year,
>> right? And and honestly, the savings are offsetting the massive cost increase of Munis. That's >> so Munus um fast forward to maybe a little bit that you'll hear on Thursday. Munis when we made the transition to the
cloud-based was initially heavily subsidi subsidized by ARPA funding. That funding is gone. So we are absorbing a huge increase in the IT budget. Um almost I think almost $50,000 increase.
Total MUNS is $108,000. So, $20,000 may not be a lot, but $20,000 to help offset that increase is huge. >> Mhm. >> Yep. >> Okay. Uh, anyone opposed to just removing this one? All right. So, we're going to remove objective three, first
modification here. Objective four, work the finance committee, select board, staff, and other stakeholders to complete the review of and modify as necessary the draft financial policies. Uh, so we could just get rid of this one, too, right? >> I don't want to. >> Okay. You don't want to. >> I don't want to. I >> don't
>> I don't want to get rid of it. I'd like to keep it on here. I'd like to have these policies adopted. We might have to push the timeline that it won't be done, but I think I'd like to keep it in here so that it if if the board agrees that it's still a priority
to finish this >> by keeping it here, keeps it on as a priority. >> Um we have Karen Barrett here now with us. >> Yeah. um once we are through the meat and potatoes of the budget and maybe we
maybe we're not even picking this up frankly until after May, right after the first week in May. >> And so maybe we don't finish this by June 30, >> but I'd like to pick this up >> and get this one over the finish line.
>> I don't see it happening >> before June 30. Oh, maybe end started >> end of 2026. I mean, it has started, right? There has been >> some start I think with fin right >> and capital. >> Yep. Yep. >> Um maybe to adjust the date by end of
calendar year 2026 cuz I it says annual town meeting now. No way. I don't think FY 26. >> So I would probably update two things here. So it says to complete the re review of. I would change that to begin to begin the review of. Um and then we
could just remove well just say goal, right? goal of adoption. So that's, you know, I'm not concerned too much by that language. Um, so we could replace the 2026 annual town meeting or honestly just get rid of that whole parenthesy there.
You want to just strike it out. >> Well, a smart goal should be time bound. >> Yeah, that's true. >> Well, I can't believe I'm like putting on an HR head. >> I know we use smart, too. We're going through >> Why don't we Why don't we adjust the goal to the special? >> Okay. Yeah, that works. So, special town
meeting. Okay, so we're going to change complete to begin and then annual to special town meeting. All right, great. Goal number two, employee experience. I'm not going to read this first one, but objective one was to start reviewing the SAP um
which we began doing. So, no problems there, right? >> Correct. >> Okay. Objective two, uh this one was tabled. So, we're >> Brne, what was that? >> Sorry, just um sick leave bank committee. Where do we stand on that? >> We need to
funny about that. I actually just talked to Melissa last week and said find the last time that this was discussed because I think that we need to we need to stand up the committee and bring it and then once the committee stood up adopt the policy. >> We paused the adoption of the policy
pending the committee >> cuz we wanted to adopt the policy beginning with FY27. Is that right? No, you had wanted to adopt the policy midfiscal year but then um didn't do it because you wanted the committee in place before
>> we do need the committee in place. Yeah. >> Launching and in collective bargaining agreement um negotiations last week. >> Oh, we need to stand up the sick leave committee came up. So >> um so that is back on that we need to
stand up that committee. >> Mhm. Okay. >> Yeah. bump that up in priorities maybe. >> All right, >> excuse me. >> Objective two, work with staff to identify weaknesses in the town's orientation and onboarding practices. Create and update orientation materials,
package, and process with a target roll of date of March 1st, 2026. Begin to develop an onboarding program for departments that do not have a formalized program. So, I'm assuming that's um not making the priority list right now. >> Well, it's not not happening. So, double
negative there. Um so there is work in uh discrete areas that we are making improvements on as we are encounter encountering them. Um the big holistic approach that I was planning on of tackling onboarding experience not so much. However,
>> when things in onboarding and I'm going to use it as an example. So there were some pretty clear deficiencies in the onboarding process. Um actually I'm just going to say in onboarding Mr. Wallace. um some clear deficiencies in our
practice um related to onboarding certain staff members were realized through that which is resulting in immediate conversations around corrective action and processes and policies and um checklists and stuff
like that. So it's not that it's not working and we're not working on it. We are. It's just not in a as holistic of a comprehensive way as we wanted to. we continued to chip away. >> Um, >> and so there will be things that that we
do that have improved upon the onboarding and orientation process. Um, you not by March 1st certainly. >> Come on. And um and I think that really I this is something that I need the capacity of the assistant town manager
to really be able to assist with and she has been straight out with all of the hiring >> and frankly right and and labor negotiations >> I mean there's still progress there so I I consider this a win in this but if we
delete the second sentence >> I think cap capturing because we you are on boarding a lot of staff >> and capturing those gaps, >> right? Which I think that we're doing all of those. >> Yeah. So, I think to modify the the objective to capture those gaps.
>> Yeah. >> The next step once everything we're not recruiting and on boarding every other day, >> right? Did you is if we removed create an updated orientation materials package and process with a target relevant. If we remove that sentence, you're really already doing the other two parts of it,
>> right? And >> I know we lose the date there. >> I mean, I think No, no, no. That's fine because I think it could be an objective for next year >> to actually write up a formal, >> right? Yeah. >> Okay. So, do we want to get rid of the second sentence and then replace it with something like Renee was saying or do we
just want to strike it out and keep those other two sentences? >> I think what I was saying is captured in the first sentence. work >> work with staff to identify weaknesses in towns orientation and onboarding practices begin to develop an onboarding program for departments that do not have a far program. >> I think that's fine. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. All right. Sounds like we'll do that. So, we're just going to strike out that second sentence right there. >> Okay. Objective three, items to be carried over from the select board FY25 goals. Implement annual climate survey employee recognition program. Um,
>> these things I think are both still going to happen this spring. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> All right. So, we'll leave it. Um, goal number three, municipal property objective one, TC Pacio. I'm not going to read all of this, but what what do you think about this one? >> So, I would say that no changes really
need to happen to this because originally we were talking about this was going to be looking at >> post decommissioning. What are the next steps? And that's >> we're kind of forced to start those discussions now anyway. >> It's being laid out on its own. >> Yeah. So, okay. Objective two, 925
Massav. We're working on that. I don't think we need to change any of this, right? >> Nope. >> Okay. And then objective three, tax title. Do we >> That one I do not think um I do not think that we are going Well, let's see. Hold on. I was going to say I don't think we'll get things through the tax
title process, but I think that there's an opportunity with Mr. Wallace here especially um in the spring months to work with the various boards, committees and commissions who have identified these as so the board recalls there's a list of
properties in various stages of the tax title process most of which we do not own yet. Um and there are different boards, committees and commissions through some process that have expressed an interest in should the town
ultimately take this pro uh property, our board committee or commission would be interested in in having this. >> What that process has been, the type of dialogue, the deliberation around it is unclear. And perhaps it's folks perhaps these got on a list two years ago and
different objectives have changed. So to identify these parcels, is it contiguous to another piece of property? Does it make sense because it's connecting trails or is this just a landlock piece of property that really if we put it up on the auction block, the neighbors
might be interested in adding to theirs and it it makes better getting off back on the tax roles. Those are the conversations I think that need to happen and I think that Mr. Wallace being here can assist in um helping that. So I'd like to give this one a little bit more time and see where we
are in the spring. >> Okay, cool. And I think that's it. Yep, that's it. All right. And then we can pivot back to the select board goals now. So I'm going to go back to the first page here. So goal number
one, FY27 budget. Objective one, collaborate with staff, finance committee, school committee, and other stakeholders to formalize a comprehensive budget plan through regularly scheduled tribings. Um, so we've been doing that. Objective two, evaluate the data and information presented at the tribard meetings in order to develop a select board
recommendation at annual town meeting, um, etc. We've been doing that. Objective three, engage with the public employee committee, PEC and school committee on potential modifications to the PEC agreement. That's ongoing I believe or we haven't begun that. But
>> Mr. Chairman, if I could jump in here. Yeah. Um, so we have been negotiating with the PEC now for several months. Um, we had a meeting actually earlier today and we are very close uh I think to having something for your consideration.
Um, we need to have one more meeting for folks to get some more data next week. Um, and then I believe that at your first meeting in March, we'll likely have an executive session for you to consider what the proposals are
currently. Um, but that the final vote on this um, if there is going to be any plan design changes, any changes needs to happen in the month of March. Uh so your final um meeting that's regularly
scheduled is March 17th. Um so you may be through this goal relatively quickly uh in the month of March, >> right? >> Okay. >> Are is the opt out part of that? >> Yes. >> The opt out uh plan design change. Yep.
>> Okay. >> Okay. Um thank you. Objective four, evaluate the feasibility and cost efficiencies of digitizing annual town meeting. uh or no, excuse me, the annual town report and alternative notifications for the town meeting warrant in advance of the special town meeting and submit warrant article if
appropriate. I mean, I guess we definitely did that. Um and um I >> again >> Yeah. Yeah, we're doing it again. Uh I do have some updates on that. So, I've um a red line that I dropped uh after meeting with Lou Franco. Um so, we'll talk about that uh under old business. Um, going back objective two, do we want
to change the date by March, March or April by basically the >> We can. I, you know, >> I'm not opposed to it. I don't Yeah. >> Well, it's definitely not happening. >> I know. Um, I've said it a couple times,
it's less important that our goals are, you know, clear and objective uh object objectable uh than the town managers. So, but yeah, we can change that to March. Okay. Goal number two, dispos disposition of municipal properties. Um,
so objective one, work collaborative collaboratively with the municipal building design committee to determine how to best address the needs of our municipal buildings post 2025 annual town meeting including potential warrant articles or presentations. Um, so we did have one in um initial meeting with them
um after this and uh they ran with it. They've been doing a lot of work. They may need to come back to us um relatively soon. Um but they are um doing a lot of work. So that's ongoing. I don't think we need to really change anything here. Okay. Objective two, evaluate the charge and composition of
the building design committee. We did that. Goal number three, review select board policies and procedures. So I think this is really the one goal that uh we should evaluate here. So, um, objective one, review and assist in the finalizing of the draft financial policies. That's
fine. Objective two, review and revise a town's special event policy to make planning and holding community events easier. That's in progress. >> Yep. I will have that ready for the first meeting in March for review. If we have time on the agenda for that meeting, I'll get it to you before then. >> Okay, cool. Thanks, Amanda. Objective
three, review and revise the town's appointment policy. All good there. Objective four. Oh, okay. So, create a policy for the select board and town manager goal setting and evaluation process. Um, so this was a carryover
from FY24. Um, my personal opinion is that we don't really need to do this anymore. I think we had reasons for needing it at that time that don't really apply now. Um, so I'm wondering what other members think. Do we still feel like we need a
policy for this? I do. >> Okay, that's >> it's in the contract, right? It's in your contract spelled out. >> The contract's pretty prescriptive about how it goes. >> Yeah, >> this was even more so this was something that I had brought forward. Um, it was about both, but
>> just looking at the goal setting process in general, I mean, even our goals, I came onto the board and was like there was no there's no direction >> and you're basically like have to look at old ones. They're all different. There's no real set timeline. time town time manager goals are a little bit different, >> right?
>> But I still I still would prefer to have something in I don't think it's a >> priority with everything else we have happening right now. >> But I still >> Yeah, I get that. >> I mean I I felt the same way as well. Um and I know we had talked a lot about
like how do we like solicit feedback and you know like how do we you know maybe just make the process better. Um so >> a lot of the from the top down talking to the staff getting more input making it more collaborative kind of a thing. >> Exactly. I just don't know if it's a priority for this year. >> Yeah,
>> I think too where um select so my the evaluation process is quite prescriptive in the contract, but I think select boards in general sometimes can trip themselves up with some state law around the evaluation. Um there was that case
that came out of I don't know it was either it's an S town I want to say it's Sudbury um about exa exactly how the evaluation process must go and now that's embedded in law I think it's helpful for future boards who might not
be familiar with that to have that baked into a policy so that they don't accidentally run a foul of it because it is so um antithetical to what you would think the process should be um >> I just like to have one spot to look instead of hey in the law let's go look
here let's look >> I think that that piece could be helpful just so that folks don't unintentionally run a foul of that process >> yeah just so that we have it documented somewhere that's easily accessible >> um >> I may even have drafted a draft for that
I'll look in my files >> I think you did actually I'm pretty sure I did last >> I think you did yeah okay so we can revisit that I mean I I think you know town town meeting is going to come quick and soon enough we're going to be a new board after the elections. But at the same time, um I think it's manageable for us to get this done if we want to
still do it. Um okay, >> excuse me. It says the tax office is open. >> Sorry to the public. Uh someone just came u into the room. Uh no, so they are not open right now. Um this is Melissa. She's our executive assistant. She'll
help you out. Thanks, Mosa. Okay. Uh, where was I? Objective five, create a policy to establish a timeline for the periodic review of the town's fee schedule. Um, do we still want to do this? Do we think this one's feasible? Um, it might include select board
members maybe taking the lead and doing some research and helping out instead of it being completely staff driven. What do you think? I think that it it's not a big lift >> for I think if you want to just say what are the fees that should be reviewed on
what cadence >> um I think that you're pro there's certain fees that you might want to at least annually be looking at and there's other folks that you other fees that you might want on a different cadence and to come up with some formalized way to look at that I think would be helpful. Let me
give you an example. ambulance rates. >> Um, you know, I think that that's something that you want on a every other year kind of cadence that you're at least looking every other year. >> Air water rates, >> uh, water rates, um, but, uh, building fees, uh, tech
fee, um, you know, I I've asked the building commissioner myself to give me a proposal around tech fees and whether or not that needs to be increased. I think there's certain things that you want to just make sure at least on a definitive schedule how
often those are happening. >> Um, and so even if it's as simple as these fees are reviewed every other year in the months of January and February, >> then just having that list and the cadence down would be helpful. >> Yeah.
>> Could we send out like a quick form for the department heads to fill out? like what fees do you have >> and it would only be the fees that this board's approving. Right. So, right. So, yep. I think that's a great idea. >> Okay. >> That might Carter might have put something together cuz this came up when
when Brian brought the building fees that hadn't been looked at in years >> and we were woefully low. >> Yeah, >> that's when it first came up. So, Carter might have something. >> Would we want to have a comprehensive list even the ones that we don't review?
Would that just so we have the full list of our fees >> and then right I I actually another board had asked uh conservation what's the process for us reviewing our fees >> at least I mean if you're gonna especially if you're going to send something out >> we can we can get a survey out um to
folks to give some feedback um next couple weeks >> all right great and >> sorry I don't mean to be putting more work that's okay >> no it's okay no worries >> speaking out loud >> um okay objective six create a policy regarding the periodic open meeting law and conflict of interest training for
elected appointment members of boards, committees, commissions, and organize a workshop with town council on the same. Um >> I don't know if we're going to be able to get that done this. I still think it's important, but I don't between >> are we if we're talking about
>> before town meeting or by the end of you know by two weeks after that I don't see how we're going to get that done. >> Yeah. I mean, I know we kind of we're going to have to remove one policy from this list. That's probably the one. Um, and a policy for it. >> I still I still feel strongly about this one, too.
>> Uh-huh. >> And having, you know, town council do a workshop, especially if we recorded it. I just don't think it's feasible this year. >> There is a recording. >> There is. Yeah. He's done a couple and I've I've been to one. >> Um, I've attended one that was at the adult activity center two or three years
ago. Um, I think it was 2023. Um, so I don't know if we >> just ask him to do that or if that there's any sort of schedule. I don't think there is. I don't think it's like an annual thing. Um, but we could probably maybe still do that depending
on his availability. The policy, I think, maybe trying to do too much. Um, >> maybe every 3 years or something and then use the recording in between because yeah, the open meeting law doesn't change. And I would say even just making that recording available, right, sort of accomplishes even if he
doesn't come in and do a workshop again, you know, at least sending it out to everyone and say, "Hey, FYI." >> Yeah. Even just checking in with him, hey, are there any major updates that we need to do since the last time you did this recording? >> Right. Exactly. It's a good point. giving folks the opportunity to dialogue
especially around serial communication and what is serial communication >> I think is quite informative to folks because >> it's not what you think it is >> typically >> yeah it's definitely one of the trickiest things with the open meeting law um and you might be doing it without
even realizing it so totally agree >> okay so we can we can um reach out to town council maybe invite him in or at least pose the question if not. Okay. Um and then see if there's anything new u
since we had the last one and then at least make it available to people. >> Yeah. Send it out. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Some sort of a quick, you know, little email to go along with it. I'm sure right >> one of us or someone can do. >> Mhm. And if we don't get to the policy, which I am pretty sure we're not going
to, um I think that would still be considered successfully achieving this one. So, okay. Okay. And I think that's it. That's our last goal. So, we're making very good progress, I think. Um, anything else that anyone wants to talk
about about any of these goals? All right, sounds good. All right, moving on to old business. Discuss warrant articles for 2026 annual town meeting. Um, so this is our opportunity to just start going through the ones that we've received. Um maybe talking more about the ones that we said
we would sponsor. See if there are any additional ones as well. Um so there's a folder here in the drive uh entitled warrant articles that has all of them. And I was thinking we can just go through them in the order that they appear in this folder. Um so the first
is Kids Kingdom. Nothing really to discuss there. Um ju >> just to add that in talking with the superintendent um they officially will be co-sponsoring that article, >> right? Um so exactly. Um, so I I had also talked to the chair of the school committee and that was the intent. Um, I
don't know if they've done it or they're not meeting this week anyway. Um, but at some point they will >> I thought that they did from my conversation with the superintendent. I think that they've taken that vote already. >> I don't watch school committee meetings that frequently. Sometimes I do. Sorry to admit it. um if anyone's watching
that maybe I'm offending but and Brian's not here either so um oh well that will happen if it hasn't happened already. Okay. So, the second one is notice of town meeting. Um, so I did meet with Lou Franco and we reviewed it and got to a
point where uh we both felt like it was pretty good and that we would be able to um bring this back and um change the way that we're doing our notices of town meetings in a way that's still accessible, especially for seniors. Um, and it didn't really take too much to
get to that point. >> Mr. Chair, can we just clarify who Lou is for those that don't might not remember who >> Sure. we all know here. But >> so Lou Franco um is a former member of the select board and he is a current member of the Council on Aging. Um so that's why he care cares so much about
um this article being put forward in a way that's you know not harmful in any way to uh seniors being notified of town meeting. Thank you. Sometimes I assume things maybe I shouldn't assume. Um, okay. So, the red line here, um, that I
added to the drive includes, um, really like two main updates. Um, so the first is that, uh, we added that copies will be made available to members of the public at town hall. Um, and we added in other buildings. Um, so
yeah, we just wanted to, um, specify a couple things. I'm sorry, I'm trying to remember how this meeting went. Um so the one red line here is um two members of the public just to specify that anyone in the public um can go to town hall or another town building. Um the expectation um by this bylaw is that um
there will be copies of the warrant there and that they will be um made available which we discussed too. So that's another red line. So copies will be made available um and that they can get one and leave the building uh with said copy. Um so that was the first
change. And then we added a sentence at the end um pretty much to capture um our intent uh formally in the bylaw um to address the concern of well I get that you guys are saying that you want to like maintain a list of people who want to still receive the booklet mailed to
them um but and he also said you know I I trust this current select board. I know that you guys will make good on um that promise but what happens in the future after an election and there's a new select board and they decide that they don't want to do that anymore. Um, that was the biggest concern. So, we
added this sentence. In addition to this notification, the select board's office shall maintain a list of residents who opt in to receive a physical copy of the warrant and shall mail copies of the warrant to those households at least 14 days prior to such meeting. So, that's the same notice 14 days um that's above.
Um so, I think it, you know, nothing really different here in uh how we intended to do this, but it just captures that um in language in the bylaw. I have no problem with that. >> So, where does it address
just mailing the postcard notification? >> Um, so I think that's this uh bolded sentence before that last addition. The select board shall cause a notification of the date of town meeting and availability of the warrant to be mailed to each dwelling. Um it doesn't
explicitly say that it's a postcard but um that language is is there by um the the notification really. >> Yeah. So it would apply it could be a postcard, it could be a letter. >> Yeah.
>> Postcards um more inexpensive, >> right? And it does leave that flexibility too instead of like you know putting in a bylaw that it has to be a postcard and you know. So, >> now I was thinking more I mean I I use postcard just generically some kind of
mailer that's not a the whole warrant book. >> Mhm. >> Um but I think the intent was that the subject there would be some statement of the articles
would be in that notification. I don't know if we need to put it in the bylaw, but again, thinking about future select boards, >> right? >> I don't This reads like, okay, the the warrants available and uh here's the date of town meeting. >> Mhm.
>> I think the I think we were looking and and like the prop I made had the brief like one line of of what like we're going to have an override, let's say. So there'd be, you know, that would
be an article. >> Yeah. We didn't add same thing, right? There's the same exact thing of the list of people who still want to receive it by mail. Um we didn't include it um in the language of the bylaw, but it was our intent. So if we wanted to add something to that effect of, you know,
each um article, you know, shall be listed um on the notification. And I know Renee that you had mentioned that like moneyed articles like for an override for >> I think the the dollar amount should be there. >> Yeah, you think the dollar amount should be there if we wanted to capture that um
as well. Um I actually intended on adding that um because you had brought it up and I completely forgot. Um so yeah, if we wanted to add something that says that every article is listed on the the notice um we can >> not in its entirety,
>> right? I mean, we we can't add a paragraph, but >> thinking out loud a little bit here, um, do you would the board be inclined to leave the bylaw kind of as drafted and to stand up a supporting policy
>> that is more descriptive? >> Yeah. Then we can have attachments of what it went, >> right? Because the policy though also is malleable, is more malleable, right, than the bylaw. I'm just thinking that perhaps if you put it in the bylaw and
then, >> oh, we don't want to do it this way. We want to do it this other way. Now, you're back at town meeting asking for another town meeting vote as opposed to a policy. If you find that it's not working, you can. >> I think as long as we have the policy drafted and ready to be presented at town meeting, I would that goes hand in
hand with the bylaw. Yeah. And because that that was the intent, right? My and I I said this to members of the Council on Aging, you know, well, like the intent here is for if this passes, we're going to implement a policy to take care of the mailing and the m maintaining of
the list. Um it was it, you know, it was it still had concerns. Um so I think if we implement the policy first and then go to town meeting, um I think we have the runway to do that this time. So >> you could implement a policy that's
subject to the approval at town meeting and that and that would certainly show voters that this policy is already in place ready to stand up as soon as the vote is taken. >> Right. Um so okay I I think that's fine. One of the reasons that this came up out
of the budget task force was not just to save money of the printing of the books and everything, but to buy us more time. >> Mhm. >> If we have to mail the warrant Oh, that's a notification. So, when does
Oh, the book the book is still copies of the warrant. The entire warrant is still 14 days prior. So, that's not buying us any time, right? >> 14 days prior to the meeting. What is it now? >> It's about that, right? >> Yeah.
>> It's the same. It's the same. >> Wait, it's not it's not One of the purposes of bringing this forward was to save money in the printing in the trees and all that, but also to to get us another week, >> right? I mean, >> going to the printer. >> I'm making this up. I could be wrong, but I would have to imagine if we are
sending it to the printer and we're only printing even like let's say 500 copies, the turnaround time is going to be a lot shorter than having to print thousands. >> You saying that so the I don't think we're going to have 500 people on an opt-out list or opt-in list. I think
we're going to have like >> under 20. We could print it realistically under 20. We can print them in house. It doesn't mean that they have to be Prof. And it's the same with like I was thinking as you were talking out loud about that they're available in town buildings. Well, if somebody doesn't have a booklet, they can hit
print and here's your print out. So, >> if we're doing it inhouse, that's if e honestly even if it's under 100, it's not a problem to print those in house and mail them out. I think that that is what changes it's the volume of printing that we have to send out to a third
party >> that >> how many do you think we need at town meeting an annual town meeting because or annual and special because you had >> on a typical on a typical annual town meeting 150. >> Can you do that in house?
Mhm. I I have not had professional books printed in the past for town meeting. >> Right. It's a strange process that we we do. >> My town that I live in has >> same exact We have the books. They're
mailed. We get them in the mail. We bring them to town. >> Is it an actual postcard? >> No, we My town that I live in, we get it's the same as we do here. It's a book. >> Oh, it is. We get the book. >> Oh, I see. Okay. Well, everyone gets it mailed to their house, but still when they came to town meeting, people were picking up. >> But I think if we have the QR codes,
too, and people being able to scan it when they get there, >> we might not see as much of a drastic in the first year, but in subsequent years, if people know they can quick scan it and look at it on their device, I >> Right. >> I think it will continue to go down how many copies we'll need each year. >> Yeah, I agree.
>> Now, will this uh address the concerns that people had with future boards? meaning if you're tying a policy to it, it's still going to be up to future boards. So, it may not address the concern. >> So, the real concern was what about senior citizens at home who still, you
know, don't do the whole QR code thing. Um, don't look at PDFs on, you know, a device. They still want that booklet and they still want that booklet mailed to them. That part is captured in this bylaw. Um, so, sure, we could still implement a policy around that I if we
needed to. Um, but that being in the bylaw means that we have to do that. Um, the only thing that is not in the bylaw right now that could potentially change with a future board if we did it through a policy is what Renee was saying about
including like bullet points of every single article on the notice is limited to just the date of town meeting. >> Um, so the notice >> shall notification technically right at that. So, the select board shall cause a
notification of the date of town meeting. It's the only >> and the availability of the warrant and saying that the warrant's out >> and in how to how to find the warrant. >> I just don't think that captures the, you know, the QR code, the the bullet points. I know you're talking about a a standup policy to go with it, but I'm
not sure that that would address >> the the the concerns as I heard them. >> Yeah. And I I think, you know, going back to Rene's point, you know, maybe it is good to just add the extra sentence here. um that you know a list of the
warrants will be included in it. Um I don't want to get too detailed where it says we have to include a QR code. Um >> that's a policy. >> Yeah. >> I I will say that if you put something in this that says a list of the warrants warrant articles will be included on the
mailer. That is subjective. That is not objective. And you are going to have different people having a different understanding of what a list of the warrant means. >> So we would still need a policy to define that. >> So but that's where you have uh kids kingdom. So let's let's have
kids kingdom as the example. >> Kids kingdom playground article. That could be it. >> Move kids kingdom trans care custody and control of kids kingdom. >> Transfer the care custody and control of kids kingdom from the school committee to the select board. What the list of
that warrant is means very different things to very different people. Bills of a prior fiscal year. Bills of a prior fiscal year totaling $90,000. Bills of a prior fiscal year totaling $544. >> I I it is my opinion that if you say
what is going to be on this mailer in this that >> we we need a policy is what I'm hearing here. >> It makes sense to have both. >> Yeah. I I think we can >> I just think it's limiting saying so you could literally just send out a flyer
that has the date. I mean if if it had access or loca even locations where they could be found you know as listed um on you know on the postcard or whatever is mailed but it just it just seems too simple that just the date.
>> I agree. So let's let's just try this um now. So the select board shall cause a notification of the date of town meeting and availability of the warrant to be mailed to each dwelling in the town in which a registered voter resides at least 14 days prior to such a meeting. So what we can do here so the select
board shall cause a notification of the date of town meeting um >> as well as the locations of availability. availability of the warrant is >> already speaks to that >> could simply say the the warrant is available.
>> So I'm not I'm not trying to add language around that point right now. I'm trying to figure out how we can capture Rene's point. So a list of articles to be considered um or even the articles to be considered and then we implement the policy that really gets
into the nuts and bolts of what that means. But if we have it there, >> I feel like those are two different things versus what Glenn was just talking about. Right. >> It is, but I'm I think he was he was Were you also raising the issue of
Rene's point about the actual articles being included? I mean, ideally, but I do hear the points made by the the the town manager, but I'm mainly just saying that it I just don't think it addresses some of the fundamental concerns of future
boards. Like that that mailer could literally just say the date of town meeting and warrants are available. >> I don't think it could just say warrants are available. It needs to describe the availability of the warrants. I think that that has a I disagree on that. Um,
>> because availability of the warrant, what it means is it's going to the mailer is going to tell you how you get the complete booklet, right? >> Rode, whether it's go to town hall, um, whether it's call this number and we'll mail it to you to get on this list. Um,
so the availability of the warrant, you know, I don't I don't think that's an issue because it's included here, right? There are two things that are going to be required to be on the notice, right? It's the date of town meeting and it's how to actually get the full booklet. Um, I still think we should have the
sentence to capture Rene's point. Um, I think that should be included both in the bylaw and in a policy. Um, so that one, it's there, right? So no one can say on town meeting floor that it's not there. Um, and then in the policy to actually make it robust so that we're
doing it in the best way possible. Um, but Glenn, to your point, like I I think availability of the warrant being on the notice, I think it it takes care of that, right? So, it's not just the date, it's also how to find the complete booklet. >> Well, yeah, it just says availab availability of the warrant to be
mailed. So, it could literally just say that, you know, you could have the warrant mailed to you, but I think to the, you know, a link QR code and >> QR code or similar. >> Yeah. similar like but I don't want to include like a QR code technology changes.
>> So I just want to if I could take a moment and reframe the board of what we're talking about here. We are talking about a bylaw. We're not talking about a policy. I think it's very odd to have language like QR codes in our bylaw
>> access to the I think we need to make sure we're framing our so bylaw charter most prescriptive bylaw fleshes out charter policy fleshes out bylaw and charter. >> Yeah. Details actual implementation that
changes over time. Um, so, >> so, >> well, how what how would you change the language, Glenn? So, how would you change? >> So, again, I just go back to like I'd be concerned that it may not be addressing one of the fundamental issues that they were uh the public was concerned with
how future boards would um manage this and I'm just it seems to defer to future boards. Well, you know, the option to get on the opt-in to receive a physical copy mailed to the house. >> Yeah. I mean, that's certainly
>> that that covers I mean, if if a future board said we're not even going to mail a postcard, I don't know, but they could always stay on the list and get it mailed to the house. That's in the bylaw. >> Mhm. I mean, by this language, there has to be something on there that tells
residents how to access the warrant. So I what's the concern, right? Like it it's got to be there. >> I actually I the way this is written, maybe it's just me, but I could interpret this two ways. And it says
uh notification of the date of town meeting and availability of the warrant to be mailed to each dwelling. >> The >> it kind of reads like is it the warrant that's being mailed to each dwelling or the >> not the notific the notification >> that language I think could be cleared up.
>> Well subject of the sentence is the notification >> to be ma Yeah. I I read it to be mailed is modifying notification. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I don't know that that I could I could see that being
sufficient information to reasonably direct residents to the full text. Are >> you using AI? >> I am. >> Oh god. >> No, she came up with that herself. >> No, I know. >> The select board shall cause notification. >> You could say to be mailed to each, but I do. >> Yeah. >> The notice shall include sufficient
>> being inundated with AI. >> I know. Amanda, go ahead. Say it again. The notice shall include sufficient information to reasonably direct residents to the full text of the warrant. >> You know what? >> We might as well just add the sentence here. Right. So, we have um that first
sentence and then we have the second one which is the um list that we're going to maintain. So, um I'll just add it here. So, the notification shall include
um information >> sufficient >> sufficient information >> to reasonably direct residents to the full text of the warrant. >> Reasonably direct residents
to the full text of the warrant. Okay. Is it normal to say the select board shall cause a notification rather than mail a notification? >> I think it Yeah, that's fine. >> So weird. >> Um, apparently I can't spell sufficient. Sufficient.
Okay, there we go. No, that's still wrong. >> 1 C. >> I thought that's what I tried. I guess not. Okay, there it is. All right, I think that's good. I think that really >> Does that capture what you >> captures it? Glenn, what do you think?
>> Sure. Okay. So, going back to Rene's point, I think I think it would be good to include that, too. Um, you just deleted it, Renee, but that's what I was just talking about. >> You want to put it in there or >> No, I'm going back to the articles. Do
we want to add, comma, >> a list of the articles, comma, and availability of the warrant on here or not? >> I'm just trying to cover all our bases so that we don't get shot down again. I I like the idea of putting it in the policy.
>> Yeah, I like the idea of putting it in both. >> But I see the town manager's point of, you know, how much language are we actually including? Does it does that really save us the time? You know, we can't put them all on a postcard.
>> What if you had 60? >> I mean, that's not unheard of. There's town meeting warrants that have >> lengthy >> Yeah. >> lengthy warrants. I'm trying to think it. >> Either way, we definitely need a policy. That's how we have to handle the actual
implementation of it. Um, >> we can just put a pin in it for now and see at a future meeting if we want to um discuss it further. I But I'm okay um leaving this with how it is for tonight. Um >> that's the intention, right? Like if we can fit it
>> that'd be great. Yeah. >> But I see how that could get confusing. >> And a postcard isn't like like this big. >> Yeah. It's a half a page, right? It it can >> I mean, you could have a full page postcard. Yep. Exactly. And that's sort of where I'm getting at. >> So, >> yeah, it's a lot.
>> All right. >> A lot less paper. >> Well, this was good. So, we can leave this um how it is tonight. >> No. >> Oh, sorry. I thought you were about to say something. >> Okay. So, that's notice of town meeting. And then we have the two 300th anniversary um uh committee articles.
So, the first one is a multi-year allocation of 15,000. Um, also, um, at our next 300th anniversary committee meeting, we're going to discuss whether or not we want to do a presentation, uh, at town meeting. Um, so we might be doing that as well. Um, and potentially coming before us, um, as well.
>> That'd be nice. >> Uh, yes. Um, and then the other one is for the gift account. Um, any questions or discussion on these? I think they're very straightforward. They're both a sentence each. >> I'm assuming that we're funding it with free cash. >> Yeah. Okay. I would imagine. Yeah. Yeah.
So, >> okay. Then we have the PAC articles. Um, we have two articles submitted by PAC. So, the first one is restore the $31,271.94 to the town general fund um if it was
transferred in FY26. These aren't actual article language. >> So, these are um largely housekeeping articles. So PAC um submits um every year uh at least two articles for consideration because they have an
enterprise fund, >> right? >> So it's funding that. Um and then the 31,000 is um basically a swap between the general fund and the enterprise fund. It's for the indirect costs for the staff. Uh we couldn't do that in the fall because their free cash was not
certified. >> It really largely housekeeping. um and our standard articles, >> right? So the 31,000 was the one that we were supposed to do a special temp because it was certified. Yep. >> Um okay. And then the other one a sum of 209,000 from expected income etc.
>> That's their operating budget for the >> So that's straightforward. Um and then the trust fund commission. So we have two from the trust fund commission. Um the first one um I guess I'll summarize.
So, um they wanted to add language in um the bylaws um if there isn't um a quorum of the trust fund commission to uh basically delegate to the select board the authority to disperse funds um in
certain cases. Um so at some point um we did discuss this at the bylaw review committee. Um we didn't want to include it in our packages of bylaws that we're bringing to town meeting because um it's
um kind of a big change and they also thought that the select board if should decide whether or not we want this authority. Um, so this is something that we'll have to um get into detail a little bit more and decide whether or not um we support this and um want this
authority. Um so we can do that at a future meeting. >> Uh Mr. Chairman, we've invited the Trust Fund Commission um and the Open Space Commission, which you're going to talk about uh in a moment, to the next meeting of the select board to present.
>> Mhm. Would this this would be reviewed by town council, I would assume. Would it need to be >> eventually? Yeah. Yeah. If we decided to move forward with this. >> And then the other one um the trust fund commission is looking for an allocation of $14,000 $252.39
um to fund some uh legal research. Um so that's the second article as well to be considered. >> It's a very specific dollar amount. >> It is. Yeah. I I was >> How did they get to that? Yeah, I I guess we'll find out. I'll we'll find out. >> Um >> they're going to present this to us.
>> Yes. >> Okay. Um and then the other one, it's not included here. So, um we did also discuss this at the bylaw review committee and it sounded like we're going to include this as part of the bylaw review committee's package um to town meeting. Um but the chair of the
open space committee would still like to come present and and talk to the select board. Um, basically what they want to do is is change the um um how the open space committee is created. So right now it's an ad hoc committee um that falls
under the planning board and they would like to um establish the open space committee as a standing committee uh by creating a bylaw. Um it doesn't really change too much. Um so the select board would have appointing authority for I believe two um at large uh positions on
the committee. Um but nothing really would change. It would still be advisory to um us uh in some areas as it is now. Um they just want that um that recognition I guess by being um a actual formal uh established bylaw committee.
Um so uh they're going to come in and present as well. And then from my side of things for your first uh meeting in March, you'll have the standard kind of slate of articles. Um in addition to the standard slate of
articles, we have uh placeholders for the three collective bargaining agreements. Uh we have um an article around uh the vacation buy off of folks from the transition from the current system to the acrruel based on the free
cash. I might try to buy all of it um so that we're done with that process. >> Um and then uh the last item board members may recall there's a cleanup around capital that needs to happen. So uh it's basically
the money from the TCP roof repair um needs to be we need to unwind a vote and revote that funding. um into
the the FY26 capital plan. So, little complicated, but basically um there was the primary school uh remediation work that those funds were then used
to fund the TCP roof repair and a town meeting vote. Mhm. >> And that same body of funds were used to vote fund the FY26 capital plan. So, we can't do both. Thankfully, it wasn't spend right, >> which is the great thing here.
>> Um, but we need to unwind one of the votes and revote it so it's proper. And those projects I set aside that amount of it. I set aside projects in this building. So, the windows and the HVAC were um that amount of money. Um, so I
set those aside and we have not undertaken any work on them until town meeting takes this vote. >> Great. >> Yeah. Good. I'm glad that money wasn't spent. Makes this a lot easier to uh correct. >> Correct. >> Okay. Any um other warrant articles we
want to discuss tonight? Okay. Moving on. Discussion and approval of appointment policy. Uh so thank you to Melissa for uh this cleaned version of the policy. Um, anything in here in our review uh that stood out? Anything
that we want to fix at this point? >> No, I think it has everything. >> I think it was there. >> Mhm. >> We discussed and it is easier to read now. Thank you, Melissa. >> Thanks, Melissa. >> There's a few Yep, there are. We have the printed copies, too.
>> All right. So, we're going to leave that writing provide in writing to applicants the reason for interviews when we request. >> Um, let me find it again. So, is it under reappoint? >> The before reappoints. Oh, the second to last. >> The select board shall provide in writing to the applicants the reason
requested. We did. Um, >> we forget. >> Yeah, I don't remember where we la landed last time. I'm fine taking it out. We changed it from one member of the board to a majority um vote. So I think just doing that will make the
reason more explicitly spoken. Uh >> I think we agreed to take that sentence. >> Yeah. Did Okay. So >> you sold us. Yeah. >> Okay. So I'm going to just delete this. >> Spend a lot of time talking about that. But >> we did. All right. It's deleted. It's gone. >> One less thing we have to do. >> Exactly.
>> All right. So I removed it. Uh it's gone. Was there anything else in here that anyone wanted to bring up? Otherwise, I think it's looking pretty good now that we have this clean version here. >> I'm comfortable with it.
>> Yeah, Renee. >> Yeah, I'm good. >> Yep. Glenn. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Do we need Brian or? >> Um, yeah, good question. Um, typically we do like to vote on policies with the full membership of the board. I will say, um, the next meeting I won't be here. If you guys want to approve it
when I'm not here, that is totally fine by me. Um, so if we want to just hold off, that's okay, too. So, all right. >> When is our next meeting? March 3rd. >> March 1st. Tuesday, March. >> I don't think it's the third. >> I thought it was the Oh, it is the third.
>> It is the third. Okay. Oh, never mind. Got that wrong when I was looking at it yesterday. >> I'm flying back on the third. >> Okay. >> I'm not going to bring that policy forward while you're not here, probably. >> Sorry. I'm just thinking out loud as I just said that. If you're not going to be here, I forgot you were going to be gone. The other policy. Yeah.
Special events. >> Um, yeah, good point. Um, >> I'll wait till we have the full board to bring. >> Yeah, that's totally fine. Uh, sorry, I forgot I didn't mention that. Um, okay. Um, yeah, you guys can approve it when I'm not here. Totally fine by me. Um, so, okay, we can do that for the next
meeting. >> Okay. >> Okay. Request for legislative earmarks and FY27 state budget. Um, so one thing I want to note here on the ones that I proposed, um, I know we don't actually have any sort of estimate on the, um, adult activity center ramp. Um, so I do
actually want to get that to see if it's feasible to include. Um, so that may or may not be something that I propose. It depends on how that looks. Um, so just FYI, um, I am probably going to spend some time with the, uh, capital plan.
Um, and not even just this year, but also the future. And I may substitute that at least for the ones that I'm proposing. Um, but I just wanted to, um, share that with folks. Um, but we have until the end of March really to finalize this, so we have a lot of time.
Uh, so I wouldn't feel too concerned about having this solidified for tonight. Um but is there any discussion on this tonight? >> No, we have the quote from the fire chief, right? >> Is school bringing forward? >> I haven't heard anything yet. I haven't
actively solicited anything. >> Yeah, I have um >> I'm happy to talk about some, but I don't know if they decided. >> Right. I did mention to folks, we're talking really informally that I planned on bringing that one capital um project
forward. Um, no one screamed at me and said, "Actually, I think this is really important." Um, so, you know, FYI. Um, if you want them to like formally chip in, that's fine as well. Um, but, you know, I do also want to make sure that what we're bringing forward here is is
very balanced as well. >> So, the playground you that's what you mean the playground design. >> So, but we got time, you know, we have a little over a month. So, um, all right. Any other discussion on that
for tonight? >> Mm-m. >> All right. Moving on. Minutes. I don't think we have any minutes tonight. >> No. >> No warrants. No warrants either. Are there any action items?
Committee reports. >> Uh, you covered open space pretty well. I have library board of trustees on Thursday, MO tomorrow, and the master plan steering committee is still in the final edit phase. That's it.
Uh stormwater task force is meeting this Thursday uh to talk about feedback that was received from the FINCOM and select board presentations and starting to prepare for the public information session for on March 5th. Um,
and as town manager mentioned, um, finance committee is meeting Thursday. So, they're starting their weekly cadence now of budget season. Um, so I encourage the public to, um, check their agendas, and you'll see the various departments will be presenting over the
course of the next several weeks. >> That's it. >> I don't have any. >> Oh, yep. That's right. Not yet. >> I will have some soon. >> Uh-huh. Um, so capital planning met last Wednesday. Um, not too much to report. We sort of discussed the preliminary capital plan, but um, you know, it was
too early for anything. So, we're going to have another meeting scheduled the second week of March. Um, and the bylaw review committee met last Thursday. Um, we went over um, uh, those two proposals that we received. We discussed the
Council on Aging um bylaw which um we've been talking about quite a bit um with the Council on Aging. Um and I think we came up with a pretty good resolution there which I'm going to um share back um with the chair of the Council on Aging and them at some point. Um and
that's pretty much it. Um so we're talking about um some folks that need to come in still um to discuss uh bylaws um at some point. there are department heads that we have to just reach out to. Um we also did sort of discuss fees um
because a lot of them are mentioned in um the bylaws. So we wanted to um just ask out um ask them if they you know thought some dollar amounts that were um listed in bylaws are still good um stuff like that. Um, so we're going to be doing that and then we're scheduling our
next meeting before the closing of the warrant so that we can um submit the package and actually have that. Uh, it'll most likely be a placeholder. U, but I also told them at some point um, we have to do some backwards planning because it's going to have to get reviewed by town council too. Um, so we're trying to um, get it done as soon
as possible. Um, in the meantime, I'm the clerk, so I'm working on the red line um of all of the discussions that we've had um that I'm going to share with them uh for the next meeting. So, that's work that I have uh that I need to get done at some point. Um, all
right. Upcoming meetings. March 3rd, uh, is going to be our next regularly scheduled select board meeting. Public comment. Is there any public comment from the public? Not seeing anyone in person on Zoom. Mr. Bowen, go ahead. Hi everyone. Uh, good evening. Uh, John
Bone. >> Sorry, just to sorry to interrupt, but to the booth, can you just turn the audio up a little bit in the room? >> All right, try again. >> Thank you, John Bowen, 162 Highland Street. Uh, good evening everybody. I just wanted to um I just wanted to
mention uh two years ago I mentioned that we needed to increase instead of doing overrides that we need to we needed to increase the tax bracket and we weren't really going to have a choice
but in lie of increasing the tax bracket that within one year's time of each resident paying approximately $166 per thousand uh as well as businesses and so forth that own property within
the town would place $5 million into the town coffer. Now, that was two years ago. I said that and I listened to Misstown Manager's report today where she said she has $3 million in the general fund uh not less the expenses
obviously uh but that we're going to be needing an additional $3 million more. So, hindsight being 2020, what I had mentioned back 2 years ago to the town that by increasing by a $166 per
thousand of what the town has for tax money based on property revenue, you would have $5 million in your coffer. You would have been able to handle the $700,000 that was given to the school, the million dollars that was handed to the school two years ago, and be able to
deal with this issue if we had done this two years ago. So, I just wanted to just make mention of that that that option's still on the table. That would leave an additional couple of million dollars that could be kept into the general fund, which we're trading at roughly
about I think it's 12. Uh, and I'm anticipating that it'll be 16% uh annually over the next 2 years. Um, they are presently talking the stock market to increase up over 50,000. So the realistic approach here would be to say
can we take more money and get an investment and get more return on that money through that investment by asking for just a number. Give us a dollar. I I averaged it out this year at about a
$186 which is up about 20 cents from two years ago. It's just a just a thought. If you look at the numbers, uh, Miss Town Manager, you'll see I was trying to get recent numbers before I talked to you, um, from the assessor's office, but, uh, the tax office, but I wasn't
able to get them to get a call back to me in time. So, just a recommendation. You're looking at $1.89 per thousand just on property. I know it's a big hit for people for a year, but for a year is going to land us some good investment
money for the next couple of years that'll get us through the next year that may not get us into an override again. As they were talking in the finance committee, it's going to be one override after another after another after another unless we try to utilize the interest revenue that we're able to
take in based on, you know, the money that we have being traded with Bartholomew. Just my suggestion. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Bowen. >> Any other public comment from the public? >> Not seeing any. Any public comment from the town manager?
>> No. >> Any public comment from the board? >> No. >> All right. Is there a motion to adjurnn? >> I'll make a motion to adjourn at Where's Brian? 8:31 p.m. >> Second. >> Um, any further discussion? All those in favor say I. I.
>> Those opposed, no. The motion passes unanimously. It's 8:31 p.m. The select board is adjourned and we will see you all in March. I will not be here, but I will be back on the third week of March. Have a good night, everyone.