and we will go live on channel 8. >> Okay. >> All right. Good evening everyone and welcome to tonight's remote meeting of the Lunberg Select Board. Today is December 12th and it is 7:01 p.m. I'm calling the
Select Board to order. We're going to skip over the pledge of allegiance. Uh, I do not have any announcements prepared. Does anyone else have any announcements that they would like to make tonight? >> Uh, we have the tree lighting Thursday. >> Thursday at 6 p.m. Yes, that's the only
thing. So, come on down to town center and remember to bring your letters for Santa and drop them off in the uh mailbox that's in the upper common. And that's it. Uh, public comment. Any public comments from the board this evening? >> Nope.
Any public comments from the public? >> All right, not seeing any public comments, so we'll move on to our scheduled meetings. And up first, we have a presentation from the Lunberg Education Accelerator Foundation or LEAF on their mission and inaugural
fundraising campaign. So, Cibil, over to you. >> Thank you very much. Um, well, thank you for having me. I'm actually not too sad that we get to join virtually tonight instead of slugging through the snow. Um I'm Sibil Kaufman. I live at 27 Oak A
here in Lunenburgg. I've been a resident for almost four years now. Um and I'm the president of LEAF. Uh we are a citizen-led nonprofit catalyst um that's partnering with the school and uh community to raise funds to provide
directtoteer grants uh for our school district teachers um and ultimately our students. So we noticed a need um we being a a group of um parents and neighbors uh a need to fund raise to help support our schools. Um, everybody
here knows the the reasons why we're in a tough spot financially. Um, primary among which is inflation, health insurance costs, transportation costs, all those all those big dollar amounts that um, our district is on the hook for
and has to pay for. So what we are hoping to do is sort of fill an inspirational gap where we can rally the community in another creative way uh to provide um exciting learning
opportunities for our students that they might not otherwise have. So any kind of grant that we're talking about is something really outside the scope of what our district budget would cover. So we're not going to buy school supplies. We're not going to fund the basics.
We're talking about giving teachers the opportunity to dream big and think of creative things that they would like to use or have in their classroom or show their students um that they can't ask for uh under current budget constraints.
Um education foundations are really common throughout the Commonwealth. Um they're actually very common throughout the country. Uh about a year ago, I presented to the select board and and let everybody know that we were founding LEAF and um working on our paperwork
when I saw Caesar recently at the public forum to discuss education funding with our state representatives. He mentioned, "Didn't we didn't we hear about this a year ago?" Yes. It's taken that long for us to really get all of the essentials
in place. None of us have ever created a nonprofit from the ground up before. Um, this is truly a neighbor helping neighbor um, uh, operation. So, we have a bank account. We have our 501c3 designation that took a while um, with
the federal government. We have nonprofit status through the post office. Um, we've started cultivating donations um, and uh, have the ability to make payments, that sort of thing. So all the paperwork, all the red tape that
goes with building a business, building a nonprofit, we've slobbed through. And we are here on the other side and I'm really happy to present to everyone and say that we are open for business. So we are in the midst of our inaugural fundraising campaign. Uh we sent out a
mailer, an oversized postcard that a lot of you might have received or hopefully received in the mail announcing LEAF. um this isn't necessarily a hard ask for everyone. We're not relying on um citizens, individuals um to fund uh the
pool for these grants. We're really talking about large corporate gifts to start. However, I've been calling this our soft launch. It's really important to us that we do this as a community, that everybody knows who we are and what we're about. And so that's really what this campaign is about is is letting
people know who we are, what we're about, what we're trying to do, and um open the door if anybody's really interested. So hopefully my talking tonight might inspire somebody to get in touch with us. Um we have a direct relationship with the district. As I
mentioned, Dr. Fortuna has been very positive. I think that's one of my favorite um ways to describe her in coming to Lunenburgg. She's really brought a ton of optimism and positivity and um her experience uh in Brooklyn is actually very appropriate because
Brooklyn was the first district in the state of Massachusetts to start a education foundation. Uh so she has a lot of experience with that relationship. Uh and we're looking forward to working with her. We also have a liaison with the school
committee. Um so Laura is our uh school committee liaison and that ensures that there's representation um in decision- making in the nonprofit. So um feedback about how we outreach to the community,
how we um approach the district can and can't do, uh that sort of thing. And that's been really really helpful. Um, and I do want to say real quick that um, that mailer was only possible because of a donation from a local business. So, we're already uh, gaining momentum and
that's really exciting. So, I'm going to try to share my screen here. Um, very similar to the um, postcard that everybody received. I'm working on meeting with individual uh, corporations and businesses uh, both within Lunberg
and in our region. Um this is an example of a leave behind um that we would show to that kind of corporation. Um emphasizing our mission statement. We're a citizen nonprofit uh connecting private sector funds to education
projects in Lunenburgg. Um and I listed some example projects. These are really fun. Um they include laser cutters and these are from we we picked up these examples from other education foundation education foundations in Massachusetts.
Um anything from stereo microscopes to chicken coops are on the table. uh depending on the uh applications that we receive from teachers, we'll review all of those um uh as uh a board and then
get feedback from the superintendent and her office about what is the most viable for the district. So really we're just looking for uh inspiration and um being another positive pillar for the schools.
Um you can see we've got corporate giving levels. So, we're hoping that these corporations and businesses will want to identify with one of these giving levels and we would publish that in an annual report um and make that available in um a public way. And then
let me show you if I can. Thank you Zoom for getting out of the way. Here's our beautiful website leafmat.org. Um, I encourage everybody to take uh just a moment and um explore >> Yeah, >> I don't see the website on my site. I
don't know if others >> Let me try again. >> I was still seeing the flyer. >> Okay, >> it should be on there. Is that leafmma.org? Was that it? >> How's that? >> Um, it's coming. There it is. >> Yep. >> Yep. That's That's good. That's it. Yep. Thanks.
>> Thanks, Renee. Um, so this is really it's it's the basics, but it also very importantly gives folks a way to sign up to stay in touch with us and gives a way to donate. So, um, this was another thing that took an awful lot longer than we could ever
have expected. Um, but we can accept credit card payments via PayPal, Venmo. Um, this online portal for payment is uh a big deal for us. Uh so individuals can uh can donate as well as corporations.
Um so that's us up and running. Uh again, we're we're a scrappy bunch. Uh none of us have ever started a business or a nonprofit before. It's really exciting. It feels really good and so far so good. It's been really positive in terms of feedback. Um so yeah, so
that's where we are. Do any of you have any questions? No, just thank you for the presentation and congratulations on getting this off the ground. I can only imagine how much work it was. >> Yeah, more than I expected. >> I'm sure. [laughter]
>> Yeah, I don't have any. >> Thank you. >> I don't have any questions either, but I am involved in two other nonprofits, so I am familiar with all of the leg work that goes into setting them up. So, kudos for doing this and, you know, it looks really well polished and looking forward to hearing more updates. I hope you'll come give us regular updates. That would be fantastic. Yeah, that'd be
great. I would love to. Uh, and let me actually that reminds me to say we're we're aiming for a grant cycle where we spend this next semester collecting funds and then by the end of the spring we could solicit applications
from teachers across the district, review those applications over the summer and be able to grant awards for the fall. And that way we're we're sort of timing it with uh potential attrition too. Like if anyone wins a grant, we don't want them to get a grant and then leave over the summer or move or do
whatever. So um that timing should work pretty well. All right. Thank you all. I hope you visit our website and please get in touch with me um or reach out to anyone on the school committee or the superintendent for more information.
>> All right. Thank you so much, Cibil. Um, I'm excited to get this going. Um, I did get that mailer that you mentioned, and when I did, uh, my first thought is, well, clearly they are already raising money because I know it costs money to send mailers. So, thank you for your leadership and, uh, for, uh, making all
this happen. I'm sure it's going to be a success and a great resource. So, thank you, Cibil. >> Thanks. Have a great >> You, too. >> Thanks. You, too. >> Thank you. All right, let me just go back to the agenda. And up next, we have a presentation from Mark Capidona. And I
see Joe Capedona here, too. Uh, so I don't know who's actually presenting. I think Mark is on here. I saw him. Yes. Okay. And this is um for the lowincome community solar uh uh proposal here from
um Colonial Power Group. So, I'll pass it over to you guys. So, thank you. Mark Capona, uh, Colonial Power. Um, we have been a partner with Lunenberg. Believe it or not, Lunberg was one of the first, um, aggregations way back when. This aggregation has been
up and running since 2013. It's one of the reasons I wanted to reach out. Um, this is kind of an add-on that I'm I'm going to talk to you tonight about. It doesn't change anything for anyone um, other than lower prices for uh,
customers that Lun that Unatil has. um said are low-income customers. They've already qualified under the distribution company as low income. There's some really good news. This is a rather large project and that what what I want to say there is that normally it's around two
cents. The the low-inccome customer will get an extra 4 cents discount um off whatever the b um the uh >> aggregation. Yeah, the aggregation price rate is. So, I'm making up the number right now, but let's just say we're at
13 cents. I think it's at 129, but at 129, they would be paying every bit of 89. They don't need to do anything. If we decided to move forward, I'm just going to go through what it means. So, we're utilizing smart colonial work with the DOE to create this program. Uh, we
have a predetermination letter. I want you to know nothing that you're doing, you're just allowing the manager to sign, but everything we're doing is going to be verified by the DOER and the DPU. It without their approval, we can't move forward. It's not like we we're out
in some, you know, uh never neverland, we we have, as I mentioned, the predetermination letter. So once it's if you decided to move forward, the we already have an approval, we would the solar developer that is on the other side of this transaction would go to the
DOE. they get approved, I would take that all to the DPU and then that would be approved. And then once the once the um solar array was built, we could start to deliver benefits. I just want you to know at no point would anyone be just switched. We would automatically give
someone, you know, a notification in the mail. We'd mail something to the customers. They didn't want to participate. They would not need to participate. I can't imagine anyone would would would not want that. But I'm saying to you, it's not like they're locked in or anything like that. So, what we're here tonight to say is, hey,
listen, there's a there's a nice little program that we've created that allows low-income customers in Lunberg to get this benefit. There's two hooks, so I just want to make sure we're getting this. We need to sign off on this and because it's a smart program, it's a
20-year um commitment. Let's just say five years from now, for some reason, I don't understand the the next manager or whoever, the next board says that we don't like to give discounts to low-inccome customers. We would move this discount to someone else in unit,
whether it be um Fitchburg or uh Towns End. Ashb is actually doing this in concert. They've already signed off if if Lunberg would like to to move forward with this proposal.
And then all we need is the authority to for the manager to sign off on the so it's anou not even a contract just a memorandum of understanding and then just an ASA that says yes Colon will take care of all the reporting make sure all the customers that should be getting
discounts are getting discounts and the and I hate to to put this in front of you our only concern is so I don't know if you guys are pay attention any solar but right Now, the inflation reduction act is kind of I'm going to say it's under siege and what
the the developer is trying to get sign off as soon as possible so that he can get in and possibly get some extra benefits um for the low-income customers. >> All right. So, first of all, super supportive of municipal aggregation. Um
for folks who don't know, basically it's a program that lets municipalities negotiate as a community instead of as individuals. So we get more lower more competitive rates and I think it's really a great service and truly I appreciate what you guys do for municipalities. Um so the smart program
if I understand this correctly it's a state program which is pretty much an incentive to build soldier solar projects and that there's a lowinccome requirement. Is that is that correct? Am I getting that right >> for us? That's correct. If if you are
able to get um benefits to low-income customers there's a benefit to the solar developer as well. >> Okay. Gotcha. So, this is part of a project that's being proposed to be built. And where exactly is it going to be built? >> Uh, this this project is built in Unatil. I believe it's in Ashb where
it's actually located, >> but it's not not in Lunenburgg, though. >> You know, and it doesn't have to be. This is a financial transaction. It's not a physical, so you don't need to worry about that. >> Okay. Um, and you said that people who qualify will basically get a mailer informing them that they are qualifying.
And then what will they just start to see credits if we get into it? How does it work? >> And the one thing I want to mention is this has no confusion rather than most people won't even know they're participating rather than >> how it works now pretty much. >> Yeah. So rather than it saying 129 on
the bill, it's literally going to say 89 on the bill and they'll just pay or be automatic withdrawal. However that's set up, it will continue to work seamlessly the way it currently works. >> So there's no customer confusion. There's no phone calls or any of that. And here's the good news. Many
low-income customers don't qualify. We require just like we do on Amunia. Everyone has to get the benefit and it has to be equal across the board. So make no mistake, the people that need the help the most are going to get the help from this. Many times the bad credit or or or or some ding in the
past. So from this perspective, we require them to serve all low-income customers. Nobody gets left out. All boats rise. >> Okay. So, it's not being built in Lunberg. I mean, if I'm being honest, it seems kind of too good to be true. What's What's the catch here for Lunberg? >> Well, it's a I don't want to say it's a
catch, but it it's a 20-year commitment. Sure. But again, and you'll see it right in in the documentation. If for some reason down the road you don't, we'll move these benefits to to to customers in Fitchburg or or towns. And Ashb already has um a bite of this this project as well.
>> Okay. Well, I'm fully supportive of it on It kind of seems like a no-brainer to me. Um, but I'll open it up to other board members and see where they're at. They have any other questions for you. >> Yeah. So, I guess I have a couple. Is Is the enrollment automatic? Do you have to
actively opt out? So, if you are designated as low income, you're automatically enrolled. >> So, in as part of the aggregation, you would automatically be enrolled. We'd give you a mailer a month before the program started. If for some reason you did not want to participate in that discount, you simply uh you know you'll
be able to to opt out. Send us back a card, call us, and you can opt out of that that lower rate. >> Okay? So it's a an active opt out as opposed to an active opt enrollment. It's >> an automatic enrollment. Okay. >> And that's a great point. Just like aggregation works exactly the same way.
It's an opt out aggregation. Unless you actively opt out, you're enrolled in the program. >> Okay. And how do the the criteria to be designated as eligible? >> Does that change every year? And who who
sets that? >> So it's going to be the district UN unit. So if you're if you're participating with UNIL and you're getting the discount that UNIL delivers over the total bill, this is just going to be an add-on to that that discount. So the the way it works is Unatil is
giving I think UNIL is at like 38 uh%. So, out of a I'll just make it easy for you and me. There's a $100 bill and and they'll get a 30 $38 discount, right? But this will give them a four, you know, a 4 cent discount off off um the supply first and then they'll get a
discount off their total bill right after that. >> But I'm getting my question is around how you qualify. >> Yeah. So, the the utility qualifies all the customers themselves. the utility and there's a designation called R2. Uh a regular customer is an R1 and you know
if you're a commercial customer you're G1 account. >> Okay. And do those criteria go into that a little bit. Um if you qualify for free lunches in the school system you qualify for the you have to do an application process but it's all income based. So
it's all on their website on UNO. >> Okay. >> Does that change from year to year? I assume then that the income level >> criteria changes >> on the federal poverty level and basically if you if you know if you qualify for certain state benefits you would qualify. It isn't like I said it
is an application process. >> Um but then there are certain things that automatically qualify you for it. But people that are already enrolled would have had to do the application process so they would know they're already enrolled the discount. >> So it's not up to you inel alone.
No, no. If you qualified for say live or free lunch or you know EBT or any of those things, all all you need to do is shoot show Unil that you're you're qualified and they give you the discount. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> Brian or Glenn, any questions? >> How does UNATIL make up the the lost revenue? So in this scenario, it's actually a state program and and UNATIL never makes up or gives any lost revenue. So believe it or not, on our bills, we're paying
for the smart program and you'll see it under your solar. Um there's a line item uh charge for solar and this is where where it's good is you're going to pay for it anyways. You might as well get benefits for low-income customers because everyone pays for it. Only some
people get the benefits. So although everyone will say to you, "Oh, solar, it's cheap. I have it on my roof, you know, blah blah blah." You and I are subsidizing that, even if we don't have solar on our roof. That's why their array costs less. But that's how they do
it. Some people participate and they get the benefits and everyone pays the freight. >> All right, Brian. I guess my only question uh have what other towns have you um talked to and why Lunberg? Is there a specific
advantage uh for Lunberg? >> Yeah. So talked to many of our clients on our website colonial powergroup.com. We have about 106, but I'm just going to run through some of the the you know the big ones first. So like city of Boston signed up for 150 megawatts. Plymouth,
um, Kingston, Ashland, Hollist, uh, Malbro, Haveril's looking at it, LOL, all of these now for you, believe it or not, it's by the utility. So, this is one of those this is a project that's built in in Unatil. That's why I came to
you kind of upfront because it it's a Unatil project. It has to go to a Unatil community and that that's why I'm in front of Lunberg now. A >> and I just want to, Mr. chairman through you. Uh Mark was excellent in making
sure that he he and his team were dogged um [laughter] to make sure that I stayed on this because uh we were uh potentially going to lose this opportunity. So um I appreciate that, Mark. Um but I it is a
if if not Lunenburgg, he's going to you know tomorrow probably call another Unel customer and offer it there. >> Yeah. So this isn't gohead. >> This isn't being given to all of the communities that you work with. It's >> going to us.
>> So yeah. So this project I can only deliver out of the out of the four communities, two of them are mine. Ash, Ashby, and and Lunberg. And and as I mentioned, they Lunberg is my oldest customer. I you were the second aggregation. I I kid you not. City of
Malro, Lunenberg, and Ashlin went next with a town called Lansboro way out out west. So when this opportunity presented itself, of course I I knocked on the door. There's a lot going on in town, and I'm talking about a lot going on in town at the time. So, you know, we've been sitting here quietly, but as we get
closer to the end of the year, it's getting more and more nerve-wracking. And the only reason I say that is at 1231, we start to lose some of those benefits that may be in the IRA, the investment uh reduction act because of the current administration. That's what
the the real push is here. So um at least from my perspective I can't go to um with this project I couldn't go to say lol because this project has to be done within unitil service territory but there are some in national grid there's some in um eversource and I can continue
on if you want more and more nav we have probably 15 or 20 communities right now engaged in these kind of programs >> I was just curious thank you >> no great question. >> All right. So, I'm in full support of
this and I'm I'm appreciative, like I said, of everything that you do, Mark, but also for bringing this to us and really trying to make sure that we get the benefits here of this. Um, so I read through theou I didn't have any concerns to the town manager. Uh, do you think we're ready to if we are the board is
ready to sign? How's it looking from your perspective? >> Yeah, I do not have concerns with the documentation at all. >> Okay. So, to the board, uh, where are we at? Are we are we >> do we need town council to review or has he already? >> He has not. I do not believe we do need
him to, but if the board is inclined, I'm happy to run it by him, >> but I I do not feel it's necessary. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> But I'm ready to move forward. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. If it doesn't really sound like anyone is opposed to it at this
point. So, um yeah, I will take a motion to authorize the town manager to sign um both of the documents. There's the uh memorandum of uh understanding and what's the other one? It is an um
administrative services agreement. >> Second or so moved. >> Second. >> All right. This will be a roll call vote. Mr. Mloud >> I. >> Mr. Leighton >> I. Miss Moore >> I. >> Miss Emmy >> I. >> And I for myself. The motion passes
unanimously. >> All right. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you so much for coming in tonight. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for your time. I appreciate it. I guess no safe travels. Everyone's home. So [laughter] enjoy your evening. >> Thank you, Jen. I'll be in touch tomorrow. >> Okay.
>> Thank you so much. [laughter] >> I know. >> All right. I got to switch tabs again. Let's find the agenda. Okay. So, we're skipping over the executive session to the town manager report. >> Yes. So, the first item on my report, first of all, hello everybody on Zoom. I
hope you all survived the weather well today. Uh, always the decision to close town hall is a difficult one, but I think we went in the right direction today. So, my first item on my report is uh the finance department transition update. The finance department continues
to be in transition. The director position has been posted and there has been some interest expressed starting to be expressed in the position. Um Jackie Tibo, our assistant town accountant, has been training on accounts payable process over the past several weeks and her training is advancing as expected
which is great and she is a wonderful addition to the team. Um the payroll and benefits position however we are we are still having challenges with. So, we are going to do another review of the job descriptions, hours, and classifications for that position as we seek to fill it.
Uh, the town and the school payroll team have begun to work on a plan to modify some of the workflows between the departments. Thank you to Dr. Fortuna and her team for their willingness to collaborate. And I also want to give a special thanks to town meeting voters who recognized and authorized the need for additional funding and support of
the finance department. At this time, um, as previously reported, we have put in external consulting support to help stabilize our core functions. Again, this is an operational challenge and not a financial challenge at this time. Um, however, these transitions uh will take
time to continue to impact operations as we move forward uh tax rate setting process. So, as this board is aware, at a meeting last week, you held a tax classification hearing and voted to keep the single tax rate and not to adopt a residential or small commercial
exemption or an open space discount. Uh, yesterday, the principal assessor submitted the tax rate recap uh report to the Division of Local Services. The state will now review that report uh ask for any clarifications, updates, or corrections. Once finalized, the tax
rate can be set and we can prepare to send out the bills. I have no present concerns at this point with uh timely sending out of the bills. Capital Planning Committee continues to meet and is meeting tomorrow night to hear uh an additional presentation from
the school department. At their last uh meeting, they heard from the facilities department. If anybody is interested in following uh those discussions, FY2027 budget and town meeting calendar. I cannot believe that we just finished a town meeting and here we are talking
about calendars. So, uh Chris Manard, chair of the finance committee and I met last week to go over the calendar leadup to town meeting as it relates to the finance committee. Um I need to also go over uh this calendar with chair of the select board uh superintendent and school committee. But a draft should be
available in the next week or so. I know some folks have been asking for what those dates are. Clerical Union asked me council 93. So I have received a request from the clerical union to begin bargaining and we are looking for an initial meeting in
January. Um just to um state the town is now in active bargaining for with three unions clerical fire and DPW. So that is a lot of bargaining at one time. Health insurance updates. Blue Cross Blue Shield and UMass Memorial Health have
thankfully reached an agreement and UMass will remain in network for our subscribers. This is excellent news for our employees and retirees who use UMass physicians. Um, however, we are expected to see probably the trickle down effect
of those negotiations and the rates. Um, but glad to have you mass still in the network. Uh, the town is, as you know, also engaged with the PEC as we work uh towards negotiations. Uh, we are meeting with them later this week on December
4th. Um and it's likely that after that meeting I'll be able to provide an update to the select board in executive session on where we are with those discussions. Uh there are no project updates this evening. The facilities director has just returned from a well-deserved vacation. Um so I will provide a update
on facilities projects uh next week and current recruitments. So we have um the conservation agent 36 hours per week. Now that town meeting has approved the grading of the position, the position has been posted uh with preference for
applications received by December 12th. We have a staff librarian young adult posted for 30 hours per week. Finance director at 40 hours per week. Payroll and benefits 36 hours per week. Meal site manager 36 hours per week. We did
conclude interviews however for this today. Uh recreation director at 19 hours per week. and dietary aid at 9 hours per week. The land use director position however we have extended an offer which has been accepted and uh
that candidate will appear on a future agenda and will be coming before the select board um on December 16th. uh their name is being held in confidence at this time and there has been an offer accepted uh for the library assistant
position at 19 hours per week um which will also be on a future agenda. uh board and committee vacancies. We have filled the uh elected assessors position as you all know. Uh but we still have planning board, sewer commission and trust fund commission for
elected openings and then agricultural commission, APDC, cultural council, green communities, historical commission, personnel board, pack, ZBA associate, and a representative to the first Middle Sex small town collaborative. And that is the conclusion of my report.
>> Great. really excited to see us onboarding a land use director soon. Any questions from uh select board members? >> Yeah, Jen, um have you been able to get any more time from I know you're trying to get more time from the consultants. Have you been able to get more of their
time? >> So, I was trying to get more time from um Steve Barrett >> specifically and I still only have two days. Those days have been switched though um off of Friday. So it's Monday and Wednesday now. So there is more
facetime um there. >> Okay. >> Any other questions? >> No. >> Thank you very much. And we will move on to current business >> and we're going to skip over quite a bit
of this. Um so [clears throat] first letter to Governor Mora Healey on local aid in the fiscal year 2027 budget. Uh we can review that next week. I'd rather do that in person. Um, so the next two, discussion on special event policy and appointment policy. Um, so reviewing
these policies are a part of our goal. So that's why that's here. Um, so it's kind of just here to get it on everyone's radar. So start reviewing those policies and then we can um have some initial discussions next week on those review select board bylaw for potential
recommendations to the bylaw review committee. So, the bylaw review committee put out an email to all uh boards, committees, and towns that have uh respective bylaws. Um, so just start reviewing it and we can see if we have
any feedback. Um, [clears throat] we may or may not and if we don't, that's okay as well. Um, but review that as well and then we can have a discussion on that next week. And then the next is communications with boards, committees, and commissions. So, this is something uh that Miss Miy requested and I believe
has something drafted. Do you want to review that tonight? >> Um, no. I'd like to just introduce it. I don't um >> Jen, you haven't dropped it in the folder, have you? The draft. Okay. Um, but we can
drop we can drop it in during the meeting, right? Okay. I'm looking to see [laughter] she's this big on my screen. Um I just wanted to introduce this and and explain where it's coming from and and why. Um
so we have heard quite a bit especially recently about communication um among the boards and um more specifically perceived lack or insufficient communication that I think I made a
public comment about this at our meeting. I believe it was the one before special town meeting, you know, about people reading email. I know leading up to special town meeting, there was a lot of information. It was coming at us pretty fast and, you know, up until the
last minute, we had motions being, you know, altered a little bit. So, and and it became apparent that not everyone was reading emails and so they thought they weren't informed. Um, I don't think
that my public comment got heard um or or it was heard and ignored. Um, but the the behavior seems to still I haven't I haven't seen a change in behavior. It seems to still be an issue. Um, so I wanted to know if the other members
would support us issuing, you know, a statement the position of the select. I mean, I'm not saying that we're perfect. I think we all have, you know, I'm in year-end review mode now at work. So, room for improvement. Uh, and I'm f I want to focus on initially I
was thinking, you know, this this really pertains to all boards and committees and commissions. But then I decided let's just focus on the tri board members because I am worried as we start into budget season. If you thought it was crazy leading up to special town meeting,
it's it's going to get a whole lot crazier come budget season. I mean, you just heard about, you know, turnover and the transitions going on in the town town side of the financial uh finance department. Um, so, you know, we definitely have challenges ahead and so
being aligned, keeping being collaborative, open lines of communication, I think is really important. So I was going to focus just on school committee and finance committee. So I drafted a a letter. Um I to be honest I struggled with tone
because written word can be difficult, right? I don't want to come across as the select board is you know fingerpointing or or kind of making demands because we we are part of this as well. So, um if we can discuss it
next week, if you can read the, uh the draft letter, um and we can discuss it. You know, I think edits and comments can be sent before the meeting as long as they're sent just to Jen or just to me and I can compile.
Um but obviously, >> uh we can't send it to all of us because of open meeting law. So, we'll have to discuss it next week >> real quick because I see I see the document that was dropped, but I see an outline with some bullet points. Is >> Yeah, keep going. >> Oh, is there like more pieces? >> So, I can I can speak to the bullet
points now so you guys can see them. So, this is kind of like >> the structure. Oh, where did it go? >> Um Oh, I have to refresh. >> It's in the meeting folder now. Yeah. >> Yeah, I have to refresh. Mine doesn't automatically reload
sometimes. Um so the the topics I tried to hit on were to address the challenges in communication which I already spoke to. Um how do you know information sharing and engagement I also you know I have growing concerns about the role that social media is
starting to play and and how people are using it. Um and and I'm worried about that becoming um too dependent on that and that leading to some misinformation getting out there. Um and then how to improve. I
think we do have some um tools in our toolbox now that we can use that I think we may not be using as effectively as we could be. One is you know the liaison. We have liaison. I'm the leazing liaison to finance committee. Uh Brian's the
liaison to school committee. I honestly don't know finance and school committees who if they have a liaison who it is for the select board but I I think we do all three committees need liaison to each others um and I think we could discuss
how to you know utilize them better and also I think you know we need to people need to commit to being diligent about monitoring town email. Um if you can look at Facebook on your phone you can look at town email on your phone. Um,
and then if you do miss a meeting, we have, you know, the the luxury, I'll say, of having all these meetings recorded and you can go back and watch it and you can watch it at 1.5x speed. Um, so I don't think that's asking too much. Um, and then ending with just
reiterating the select board's commitment to, you know, transparency and collaboration. Um, because again, I am sensitive to having the right tone here. Um, because we need to work together. um over the next 6 months
um it is really going to be critical. Um every year I feel like since I joined the select board, oh it's never been this crazy. Well, every year it just gets crazier. So I don't know what people are talking about. I have not witnessed a not crazy year yet. Um so
anyway, the letter is there. Again, I have at it. I will not be offended by any edits, comments. Um, I want more eyes to see it. But assuming that you guys are on board with this and support this, my my thought was
like I could go to finance committee and read the letter as part of public comment or communication from other boards. Brian, if you could do the same thing at school and then we also send it by email. So, so we hit every mode of communication we possibly can.
>> So, I'm I'm in full support of this. I will say, and I think you touched on this too, the tone of the letter is going to be very critical. Um, so, you know, I'll review it and make sure that, you know, I have some substance to um give back to uh the discussion here next
week. Um, and I think, you know, the the issue you're identifying here, Renee, is definitely something that I believe needs to be addressed. But I do also want to acknowledge at the same time speaking personally at least I think that we are working together and collaborating in a way that we haven't
before. So maybe these are growing pains of that increased collaboration. I don't really know. Um so it's definitely interesting to see that because I I do think that collaboration is there and it is real. Um but I also agree that there are challenges and that and that we
should address [clears throat] them. So thank you for bringing this forward. I just to add one more thing. I think it's also important that the public perception because perception is reality. The the public has a perception that we are in fact collaborating. Um
because I'm starting to you know based on some comments at a town meeting that there the public may not feel like like we are being not collaborative but communicating among the three boards as as efficiently
as we should be. So I think um how the public sees us is also important >> for sure. All right. So other board members, what do you um think about this? >> I would agree with the the sentiment. I think uh I would like to review it and
give feedback. Uh definitely that the tone will be important, but I think it definitely makes sense to to connect to those uh committees, the the finance and the school committee. I think those would be very important as we proceed towards through budget season.
>> Yeah, I agree. I mean, the last tri board meeting was my first one since I was out on that sobatical, but I know I pushed really hard for these three boards to be working together. So, I also will read it and agree about tone. And I think the more communication that we all have, the better the better we
will be. >> Yes, I of course agree with all the the previous statements. anytime we can try to improve upon communication and collaboration is a is a success. So yeah, I'll have to review the letter. >> All right, fantastic. So we will all
review this and we'll pick it back up next week. Thank you, Renee, for drafting this and for bringing >> Okay, switching tabs again. Let me find the agenda. >> Okay, annual license renewals. So we have a few that are uh ready to be voted
on tonight if we would like. Um, but first I want to take the opportunity to see if any uh board members would like to invite any um specific applicants in um for an interview or a discussion about their application. Um, and I think
it would be helpful to the town manager. Can you just give us a quick status update and um a rundown on the Excel spreadsheet? And are there any applicants that you have flagged at this point in the process? Sure,
Mr. Chairman, if we can actually flip this over to Melissa Richard who's with us. >> Sure, that works perfectly as well. [laughter] Hi, Melissa. >> Hi. How is everybody? >> Fantastic. >> Um, so there are a couple of issues. For
the most part, most are being ironed out. Um there is um an issue with a restaurant in town that needs a building inspection, fire inspection, and I believe um needs to be
up to date with sewer bills. Um so if you guys feel inclined, um that restaurant is Extapa, so you may want to invite them to a meeting. Um, other than that,
the Lake View Club um does not have a food service license um with the board of health as of now. Uh, but they are in communications to get that going. Um, and I think there was a couple other
ones. There was one on the rocks had tax payments. He paid online today. And um I believe it was Bedrock Bar and Grill.
Uh they it was news to them that they were behind on real estate taxes because it is their mortgage company that's supposed to be paying that. So they need to communicate with their mortgage company. Melissa, did White Thai update their uh
food service license with the board of health? Do you know >> that one is a difficult situation a little bit? Uh there is a language barrier with them. Uh at first they had sent me a food service um license that expired in
October. Uh so I did ask them about that. Uh they did send me a receipt that they paid for a new inspection in October but was not able to provide the new certificate. Uh so Andrea is going
to check in with Missa Valley tomorrow hopefully. >> So I I think through you Mr. Chairman was the biggest concern for me. Um, but >> but it sounds like there's at least progress being made on on pretty much
all of them, which is which is good. Um, I'm okay giving it another week to see if you can, you know, get that communication going with them. How about other members? Yeah, I would definitely want to wait for people who have, you know,
outstanding tax bills, sewer bills, inspections, board of health, you know, anything. Um, I'd want everything already completed and, you know, up to date and before granting a license. I did, um,
Melissa, maybe this is for you. Are we under are there any of these that have a time urgency? I see the date for the liability insurance, but >> uh as far far as time urgencies, we
needed to get a form back signed in the month of November. And um we did receive those a couple at the uh the last hour, but that was only the only urgency that we had with the liquor licenses. Uh
there are a couple that I received the form but not have received anything else regarding an application. Uh there's a couple for a liquor licenses and there's a few common bits that I haven't been able to get in touch to apply either >> but they all currently have a license a
valid license. >> Yeah, folks are licensed um through the end of the calendar year. >> Okay. And so the most the the most critical part and the most urgent part of licensing is to get that ABCC form signed wet ink in the month of November.
That usually spurs people on to get their applications in. Um I know that we have additional um we have additional um I love Zoom meetings sometimes. You never know what you're going to get. we have additional
applications that have been completed since this agenda has you know even been said some were being completed today. So um typically you know we what I've done in the past is the last meeting in December if folks are close to have a
contingent vote. So you can have the approval especially for New Year's Eve but you can have that contingent approval and then we can just get the licenses out once everything's done. But the ones so it sounds like nobody wants to talk to anybody quite yet in person.
>> Yeah. And we've done contingent votes. I'm comfortable with that too, especially if there's communication, which is the most important part. So I'm, you know, we'll give it another week and and see what communication arises. Um >> the ones that are on our agenda tonight are those are all >> Yep. These are good and ready to be
voted on. >> Okay. So we're just talking about the others. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. >> And um member Mi um did ask earlier today for us to check with the chief of police on any alcohol licenses and their status and he has no concerns uh with
any of them. >> Great. All right. Amanda, Brian, Glenn, are are you good with uh where we landed? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Great. So, we can move on to the ones that are on the agenda tonight.
Uh, and I'm comfortable with approving these. Uh, if it looks good to uh, Jen and Melissa, which it looks like it does. All right. Any anyone disagree with that? Or I'll just go ahead and make the motion. >> The only the only question I have was
the ones that weren't, I guess, renewals, the uh, the the pouring for American Graffiti and Settler's Crossing. Are those brand new licenses for them? >> No, those are renewals. Yeah, these are all renewals.
>> What's the Oh, in the agenda, why? It just doesn't call out annual relicensing. >> Oh, >> the Okay, >> I think that Okay, >> that was just Okay, so it's just All right. I was taking the agenda too literally. >> Well, it says renewals on Okay. I don't know what you're talking about, but
>> I see it before packing store and jukebox. It says annual relicensing. It doesn't say it before. >> Yeah. >> Oh, I see. >> So, I Yeah. So, I wasn't sure if that was something different about that one, but yeah, then I'm good. >> Okay, cool. So, I'll make a motion then
to renew the um pouring uh or actually I'll just do it this way. I'll make a motion to renew all of the applications, license applications as printed on the agenda. >> Second. >> This will be a roll call vote. Mr.
McCloud, >> I. >> Mr. Leonen, >> I. Miss Moore, >> hi. And sorry about my dogs. >> No, it's okay. [laughter] Miss Em, >> hi. >> And an I for myself. The motion passes unanimously. All right, that was it for current business. We don't have any old
business tonight. Public comment. Is there any public comment from the public? Not seeing any. Any public comment from the board? >> No. >> Any public comment from the town manager?
You're muted. >> Thank you, Brian. I do have a public comment tonight. So, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, as we're talking about communications, I do want to enter a brief clarification into the record regarding article 11 of the November 18th special town meeting, which was the
Kids Kingdom warrant article. So, at the special town meeting, the school committee chair commented that the school committee was not consulted on the warrant article. I want to avoid the perception that the town and schools are operating in silos and so I just want to briefly um have the record reflect what
occurred. So it is accurate to state that the school committee was not consulted prior to article 13 being placed on the warrant. However, on October 13th, shortly after the select board voted to place the kids kingdom article on the warrant, I did send a full draft of the article and summary to
both the superintendent and the school committee chair. In that email, I asked whether the school committee want wished to take a position on this article. Uh this was done to give the committee an opportunity to place the matter on an agenda, discuss it, and vote if they choose. In the email, I also relayed
that the special education reserve fund article had been placed on the warrant. The school committee chair did reach out to me on the day of town meeting to inform me that he would be making a the statement that he made on town meeting floor. And I do really appreciate that heads up. Um, however, during the final preparations for town meeting, I did not
have the time or opportunity to do the research into our prior correspondents. As stated during town meeting, this was not an artic this was an article that could wait uh for a future town meeting. So, I I just didn't look into that time. But following the town meeting, I did find that October 13th communication and
reshared it with both the superintendent and the school committee chair. In my conversations with both of them, I have come to understand that the email was simply missed during a very busy time of the year for all. I do not believe that this was deliberate or intentional. Um,
and to be clear, my goal tonight is simply uh for one of transparency so that the public can understand uh that we did attempt to have that communication. This is not criticism. Um, I remain committed to working with the superintendent and her team and the
school committee as we navigate these additional challenges and opportunities and just wanted folks to know that. >> Great. All right. Thank you very much. So, no minutes, no warrants, any action items tonight?
>> I might have a couple. Um, and this is this is for the town manager. I don't will we be in a position to discuss water rates next week >> or will it take another a little bit more time? >> So um as part of the recap that I talked
about was submitted um one of the consultants did uh do the revenue summary for our water rates which is one of the steps that we need to >> to do um before we can move forward. I don't know if we'll be fully ready before the next meeting to have a full
discussion on water rates, but I can certainly we can have an update. >> Okay. But it's it's on your radar for hopefully >> it's on my >> not too far away meeting. >> Yes. I would like to have this done in December. >> Yeah. Okay. Okay. Great. Um and then
you had shared the FY24 audit which I have not read yet. I don't know if anyone has it's on my to-do list. Um I don't know if anyone has read is if there's anything to discuss there >> at an upcoming meeting. In the past we've had the auditors come in and
present to us. >> Oh >> I don't know if that's worth doing. >> We have we can um I haven't read it but I will and then um Jen we can we can discuss if we want to invite them in. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I don't know if it's worth it or not. I haven't read it yet.
There's nothing striking that I've seen in it, but >> but we should read it. >> Okay. >> I think just to piggyback on Renee too, uh just I think a post uh fall town meeting, special town meeting review, I
think I'd like to talk about Kids Kingdom as well, just to see where we want to go with that as well. >> Yes. Okay. Anything else? >> No.
>> All right. Any committee reports tonight? >> Uh, Storm Waters meeting tomorrow. No, Thursday. What's today? Tuesday. We're meeting Thursday. >> I have a few. So, it's been a while, but uh Board of Assessors is meeting tomorrow. I did have an update from
their November 19th meeting. Uh they appointed Brian Marple as the a new member. Uh they had 27 abatements. Um ongoing munis bridging issues for personal personal property and exemptions and the consultant was engaged.
Um they had their classification hearing on November 25th. Um the school committee met on November 19th. Um the town meeting had voted in favor of establishing a special education
recovery fund. They had talked about that. Um they talked about the FY27 budget timeline on the early December. The superintendent's first draft and town update. The annual holiday tree lighting
is Thursday, December 4th at 6 p.m. at the gazebo. uh the FY25 end of the year surplus reported um at $556,13644. Um they were discussing a public messaging and drafting something.
Um they did increase the substitute teacher pay to try to increase uh substitute teachers. Uh the substitute rate is now $112 per day.
the they talked about capital planning committee. Um the primary school feas feasibility study for entry and driveway expansion and the primary school designer services for playground equipment
and they approved the capital plan their capital plan. They talked about the master steering master plan steering committee. Um Kim Duffy was there and they talked about Turkey Hill uh
talking about whether to renovate or rebuild and the superintendent was going to be assisting and giving some information about that to aid in the discussion. Uh talking about MSBA and they talked about transportation, the earmarked funds for the the vans,
the transportation vans. The district's going to produce three budget scenarios. A level service budget, level funded budget, and a prioritize necessary uh increase budget. And they talked about the health insurance estimating it projecting it potentially
20%. Uh they commended the town manager for partnership and fairness in the budget discussions as well. And then the Lunberg Municipal Building Design Committee met Monday. Uh they're going to meet again after the holidays. We did set up a subcommittee, Matthew
Brener, Anthony Scalbrin, and Laura Bazowski to work with the town employees to they figure out space needs and ask them questions to better understand layout. Uh and we're going to continue working with the the Ritter building design, try to get everybody in there.
That's it. >> Great. Mr. Mloud, do you have any? >> Yep. Planning board met on November 24th. They appointed a a Judy Dragalis to the EDC. She's of course a Lunenburgg resident that has owned several local businesses. She's clearly a great
addition to the EDC. Will be a great asset. They did have a public hearing for 30 Summer Street. Uh it's proposed to be a self storage facility. Uh that meeting that public hearing was continued to December 15th meeting. Uh
it's going to be a fourstory self- storage facility 104,700 square ft. Um that's about it for their meeting. The adcom I have nothing to report. The MO uh met on November 19th
um and they were talking about a whole new world of critical rural freight corridors which uh Lunenburgg has from essentially from uh Route 70 or uh Route 2 to the uh Keading property. So that
essentially makes that area eligible for National Highway Freight Networking funding, which would be interesting because of course living on Lun um Reservoir Road, that intersection with limits to Shirley Road is quite treacherous. So it's good to know that
that could be you uh federal funding could in theory be used for that someday. Um not the open space is still um speaking about their desires to become a standing committee. Um and the library
board of trustees. I missed their last meeting because I went to that funding forum in Grten. >> All right. Fantastic. Thank you. Okay. Upcoming meetings. We're meeting next Tuesday, December 9th, and the following Tuesday, December 16th, hopefully in person at town hall, but we will see
what happens. And with that, uh, I will move to enter into executive session and not re-enter open session after exiting executive session pursuant to MGL chapter 30 section 21A3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if an open meeting may have a
detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares. This is for Lunberg Professional Firefighters Local 5369. >> Second. >> This will be a roll call vote. Mr. Mloud >> I. >> Mr. Mr. Leighton >> I
>> Miss Moore >> I >> Miss Emp >> I >> and an I for myself. We are now in executive session. Have a good night everyone. >> Just give it a minute for a second. Um >> Joe, before you log out, can you just
confirm we're not Facebook live anymore? >> Yes. Hold on one second. >> Thanks. Yeah, it does look like we still are. So, just give it a second.