6:30 I saw this meeting of the Manchester by the sea board. >> John is here. >> Um are there any public comments on agenda item? This meeting is being recorded.
Okay. I don't see anything online. I don't see anything here either. >> Um there is no chairman's report today. Next question is are there action items
that we need to update for? >> Okay. Good day. Um, the first item on our agenda is the historic district commission's 50th commemoration. Would you expect to? >> Um well um I think some information you
all but I can talk generally about uh historic district. Uh in 1960 the state passed a law mass general law 4C which enabled communities across the
state to create historic districts. Um we in Manchester uh passed by town meeting um in 1975 uh local uh district which starts around
Ashland continues down Bridge Street and Bennett Street through Central Union up Washington to Summer Street. It's pretty linear uh district. um that created the commission which
oversees the district and the changes that happened from uh that are visible from a public way. So if someone comes in seeking a building permit, the building inspector directs them to the historic district commission to file an application for a certificate of
appropriateness, non-applicability or hardship. Um and then uh we determine whether it's in keeping with the historic character of the community. Uh we have guidelines that we developed the SCG.
>> No, we've they've been changed several times since, but I suspect after they >> so >> I can comment to that, but I will hold my comments. a law um enables commissions to create guidelines so that it's not just sort of
a blanket um whatever we say goes kind of thing. There are some criteria and um the um National Register of Historic Places District, which closely mirrors but is a
little bit larger uh than our local district, was created in 1990. And since then, there hasn't really been any changes to the district or um any attempts to create other districts. So,
uh, obviously the community has many historic resources and many areas you might consider to be a district, uh, based on geography and, um, proximity of housing or buildings. Um,
so two years ago, we started, uh, creating a plan to survey the whole town. Um we got a consultant who created that survey plan uh along the guidelines that um Mass Historic, the
Mass Historical Commission sets out. And then last year we had first the first phase of survey and inventory done with a consultant. uh he went up School Street and some of the streets to the east and that just um was
finished at the end of September and it's on our website so you can check out and see what uh some of the historic properties are around the school for the area and we hope to continue. There's probably three to five more phases to
go. So, we're going to seek some more grant funding possibly from the state, although they get their money from the National Park Service, so it may be difficult to get any more federal funding in the meanwhile. Um, but it was
a $30,000 project, so it's not a lot of money to do um a phase of survey, so we may seek town funds or CPC funds if that's possible. Thank you, John. >> Yeah, I'd like to add to that.
Rosemary's been the uh chair of the of the uh historic commission, historic district commission for a number of years. I probably had the longest tenure at least recently. I think nine or 10 years. I think I finished out somebody's term for a half a year and then was on there for nine years. With regard to the
guidelines, when I came on, that was my first assignment. The guidelines were from 1981 and they were five pages long. So there really wasn't any kind of guidance. And so I recall going through guidelines from I will say 10 different communities all throughout the
Northshore looking for communities that had historic stuff and then stealing paragraphs from from those various guidelines that made made sense. And it probably took it took over a year to do that. And we
wound up with a document that is what maybe 40 pages long or something 40 or 50 pages long. It stands today. Maybe it I think it needs to be updated a little bit now, but a lot of it still applies with regard to what the situation is today. I thought it would be good when I
saw that this was on the agenda. I said, "Okay, so what's the historic district commission done? What makes a difference in the district over the past 10 years or so?" Because I don't have perspective back from that. There are three projects that stand out in my mind. One uh that
we reviewed on several occasions uh was the honor role on the common and the common itself and that was a very major undertaking and that was not without controversy as major projects often are. But I think we'll all agree that the common looks a lot better than it did
say four or five years or so ago. So, uh, that certainly is something that when people drive through town, they see what the common looks like and and certainly the the honor roll is a is a prominent feature of that. There are two buildings I think that stood out in my
mind in review and a lot of the reviews that go on in the in the historic district are things that the average person would not see. We're dealing with windows and uh roofs sometimes, things that fences, things that wouldn't necessarily
be obvious. But on Ashland, there are two Greek revival buildings opposite each other. >> And both of them were in serious disrepair, I six, seven years ago. I know one was done when you were I think on Rosemary, but the other one I think
predated you and it had, you know, metal uh fire escapes on the side hanging off. It was really in tough shape. And our objectives obviously from a street perspective, make the buildings look as
original as as possible. And I think both buildings have been restored. And if you go down Ashland and look at them, they are really um very very nice structures that are reflective of the time when they were built, which was probably the mid mid- 19th century or so. And then the Roarti building
which is across the street here and um that was restored, you know, six or seven years ago. >> Central. >> Yeah. No, >> the uh >> where you live was done. He started like I bought it in 16.
>> Okay. >> So it was done in 18 or something. >> No. Yeah, we started. >> Okay. >> Probably in 17 or 18. Yeah. >> Anyway, that that building as well. But those are the uh structures that stand out in my mind in that at least the recent history and Rosemary said it goes
back a long time back to the 70s. But I think that the town has done done well by the historic district commission and I certainly do look forward to many more years of the committee keeping an eye on how
our downtown evolves from a >> well also the historical commission by design of the legislation and so that kind of es and flows in activity and we've been doing a little work with the
museum to try to engage a little more about um activity like in the cemeteries. Um Jack of the CPC is the focus on restoring the headstones and the fencing around
cemetery and obviously the preservation of the chapel. this project that CPC funded and that historical commission supported. And so I think there's some more opportunities for things outside the district to get some attention and
support um CPC funds or other attention just marketing really. >> I just I think the district commission has done a great job. It's um you know I've only been here since 2013 and I can see the change just within that time
frame. You know the buildings are looking beautifully. Um I think the when I the few meetings that I've attended I hear a nice balance between trying to let the property owners do some modernization you know for um ease of maintenance and stuff
like that yet still keeping with the historic character of the downtown. I think the the commission's done a really nice job with that balance. Thank you. No. Um, I hope that the select board extend their congratulations to this historic district commission for on
their 50th anniversary and for the work that they have done in improving the consistency and beauty of downtown. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> John. Yes. >> Ann says yes. Kathy
>> Brian >> Jeff. >> Yes. >> Thank you very much. >> Great. Thanks for coming by. Yeah. >> Okay. Um the next item is u the uh
FY annual comprehensive financial report award um which came from the government finance officers association and it's the ninth year that that
>> this is the ninth consecutive year that Manchester has received this uh certificate of achievement for excellence in financial reporting. Um so it it really started when Andrea Mainville was uh joined the team here.
Uh but it really is a spread out team effort amongst all department heads and and their supporting staff. So, um, we wanted to add it to the agenda to recognize the good work that, uh, our team has has done to, uh, for almost
10 years in a row now. We'll be applying for our next one. Um, the way that Government Finance Officers association speaks to this award is that it demonstrates a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate
its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The certificate of achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of government governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a
government and its management. So to to Andrea and the team um past and present congratulations and great work. >> Continue to do a great job. Okay. Um the next item is a reserve fund
transfer for the fire from the um finance committee's reserve to uh the fire department for $13,2.39 which is the matching part of a FEMA
grant for fire equipment and so green apparatus finance committee has already approved this there any discussion What's the total cost here? The 13 is >> just really >> couple hundred thousand
260 plus. Yeah. So, it's 24 packs, 20 uh another 24 bottles and two rip packs. So, >> okay. So, we're about 5% of that. >> Yeah. And they were do expire in this coming June where we'd have to replace them all ourselves. So this is an
exceptional timing >> deal. >> Just a quick question. Do we have because we cooperate, you know, regionally with other districts, do we cooperate on purchases? >> Uh so we use the state bid list and the
cooperative purchasing agreement >> like there is like the state negotiates the cost and and we just put place the PO. Exactly. Got it. Okay. Thanks. Uh this is a I'll just you know mention regarding the chief and his effort to get this this is a this is a really big
grant for us you know almost 200 know $80,000 total um for only to have to put $13,000 of our own money into this. This is a this is a big grant and um you know just want to recognize the chief for his efforts. by Ken publicly recognized firefighter Eric
Junka who was also instrumental in helping uh write the grants and come up with different ways of presenting it to get it sold. So >> what's what's the life expectancy of this equipment? >> Um as long as they don't change you're going to be back >> as long uh we should get 15 to 20 years out of
>> Oh okay. All right. >> Nice. Yes. >> You're up. >> Oh, am I up? Geez, you're right. I I I move that the board approve this reserve fund transfer of $13,2.39 to the fire equipment SCBA accounts.
>> Second. >> Further discussion. Jeff, >> yes. >> Brian, >> yes. Correct. Thank you, Kathy. >> Yes. >> Okay.
Thank you. Um the next item is to vote to accept FEMA assistance to the firefighters grant. Um there are
50 pages. >> You got the short version of um requirements that you have to meet. I assume that you are prepared to meet all of them and understand all of them. >> Yes.
>> Good. So I don't have to. >> You want to explain some more of it? >> Sure. Uh so current staffing of the fire department is four group staff with four firefighter an officer and three firefighters. So four bodies. Um and then if one's on vacation, sick, personal day, we we drop down to three.
Um where this grant came into place, this is like hitting the lottery. Um they get thousands and thousands of applicants every year for this. Uh what put us to the top is this makes us meet uh national standards of going to having five people per shift and then dropping to four so we can maintain that
staffing. Um so that and then they take into account um you know we protect just shy of five billion dollars worth of property in town along with the highways, infrastructure and the population. So, they look at all the hazards in town and see if this is worth federal grants. Um, and this year we
were chosen for the grant. Uh, it's a three-year performance period. Uh, years one and two, they pick up 75%. Year three, they pick up 35%. Uh, there's no, uh, requirement past the three-year period. um kind of you know forthcoming
I think I've talked to everybody is my job in the three years during this performance period is to show a financial benefit to the town with the added staff added services etc. So this is a good trial period um for us to be at that number uh and show the resources
and the capabilities that it improves the fire department. We had a lengthy discussion about it at the finance committee meeting as well and they voted uh to support um the select board's acceptance of the grant.
>> And will the select board accept the FEMA assistance to firefighters grant second? >> I just got a question couple of questions. How does this affect overtime and is training involved? So training's training is involved depending on the uh
people that we hire. We've been very good uh we've been able to uh obtain train firefighters and paramedics which I believe that we'll be able to um with onboarding these uh individuals. Uh so the grant does cover training and then when respect to overtime is pretty much
as you've seen our curve now it's kind of come down that we are staffing because we just drop down when somebody's on leave. We don't backfill that person. Um obviously if we have multiple people, you know, unforeseen things that could trigger overtime, but
um as you've seen in the last two or three years since I've been here, you've seen a dramatic decrease in that and that's just because of that increased staffing. So it's it's correlated to staffing, >> right? So I think part of that correlation though is the call firefighting service which you've done
an outstanding job in beefing up. Yeah. >> So again, same comment I had two weeks ago. this is nice to overstaff while we're doing some planned retirements, etc. But the way we were going to keep to the standard, you know, staffing or close to it is through the call service
so that we wouldn't have to pay as many full-time firefighters. That was the whole strategy that um, you know, was originally >> developed because it is a little town. So, um I think you again and you've done a great job with the call firefighting service and then that's proof that that
you know is working to reduce the overtime. >> Other comments you just stole mine, so I'm good. >> I did. >> I was going to ask. >> Okay, that was the plan. >> Ready for the vote?
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Jeff, >> yes. >> Brian, >> yes. Kathy answers yes. >> John, yes. >> Thank you guys very much. >> Thank you very much. >> One of those uh news firefighters who assigned you for
probably a good idea. >> We don't need to go. The next item on the agenda is the um downtown improvement committee draft mission statement. >> I'll introduce the topic. Um yeah, as the liaison to the downtown improvement
projects committee, um we agreed that since um they seem to be involved in different ways uh with the downtown improvement than their original charter. And so we asked the team to go back look at their charter um and and modernize it
a bit. And when we looked at that versus other communities town charters for their downtown committees, we also noticed that the other communities had much simpler brief charters. So rather than just, you know, nitpicking with the
one they had, they did a rewrite to model a more modern version of a downtown improvement uh committee charter. and um you have that before you and I think you know Steve Carheart is here as the chair with Marlene Dolan. So
any feedback you have any changes you would like and Steve I'll turn it over to you. >> Yeah just uh just as background the original downtown improvement project committee was formed about 20 years ago to redo the downtown sidewalks uh uh and
curbing and lighting. Um and that has has had some some financial problems which we are hopeful we solved in the not too different distant future and we've been working with DPW to advance that consistent with the broader
municipal planning. Uh in the meantime since I became chair of the committee uh various chairs of the select board uh have asked us to do other things like uh provide uh feedback on the planning for complete streets uh to participate in
things like the resilience planning the uh MBTA zoning planning. Uh we've undertaken projects on uh on parking on on public restrooms on signage uh either either uh as a group or in collaboration
with other entities such as uh the planning board. Um so what we're doing here uh is we are trying to essentially just bring that bring this all up today and say this is our best understanding of what has been asked of us and what
we're glad to do and extend in the future and it seemed appropriate to put it on on paper so that everybody sees it and uh um and asked for a name change. So we are the downtown improvement committee uh concerned with not just the
infrastructure but also policies and planning and and and amenities. Um as a practical matter um the way that uh with the uh development of the improved governance practice uh policy with uh designation of Kathy as
our designated liaison um the detail implementation of this as we go on and basically been staying in touch with Kathy and uh and if we were going in a direction that uh was for any reason unlikely to be
supported by the select board we do something else And sort of a a simple example of that is uh uh when there was so much concern about the um the downtown commercial district over the summer, uh we endeavored to, you know,
take an initiative in conjunction with the chamber uh to see what we could do to ensure that not only if there were uh let's say zoning that that required or encourage commercial space on the ground floor, that there would in fact be commercial tenants because it really
doesn't work very Well, if the space is mandate, but there's no tenants. And so, of course, discussing that with Kathy, uh, she noted as you may be aware that the there there was going to be a longer term effort uh, on the park planning board to define in broad terms what was
going to what the downtown improvement would be. So what we did is we determined that our scope would be narrowed to uh for the moment at least unless the planning board asked us to help them would be narrowed to finding a way to promote uh commercial space that is currently in Manchester, currently
built and is vacant with realtors and other bodies that are likely to uh to have an interest. So that's an example of how um we are working with the select board through our liaison on a day-to-day basis in in recent uh in
current current time. And obviously we're here to we are advisors, we're volunteers, we're not elected officials, we're not municipal employees, uh but we're here to help. And I like to say we try to be the the grease and the glue
that keeps Main Street and town and and the town hall on the same page as best we can. Um so that's us. We're here to help and we're and we're very very glad that there's so much interest in the future of downtown. uh with all the other significant things that are going
on. Um it is too easy to take uh the success particularly of our merchants in downtown for granted and assume that tax base and the shopping opportunities and the hustle and bustle and interest just is going to be there and it doesn't need
to be affirmatively supported. And uh we see it as our uh corner of the universe to be advocates for. Uh now I I I looked at the copy. I tried to compare it with the previous copy. I think the key words
are an advisory body that helps to make the downtown commercially successful. And commercially successful were words that weren't in there before, I don't think. And so that's, you know, you fill in whatever needs to be done. And you described that rather aptly just a couple of minutes
ago when you said well the planning board is working on this so let's focus on this particular piece for now and that may change as as uh things evolve with regard to the planning board's initiatives but I think it's good and less is more
>> glad you feel that way. >> Yeah. >> Second I move the select board approve the mission statement for the downtown improvement committee. a friendly amendment um and rename it uh to the downtown improvement committee.
>> It's been often referred to by its initials. >> Yeah, I know. We're not going to do that anymore. >> That change we need to do that. We don't do that. Um, so the the motion at the moment is to approve the mission statement and the
change of name. >> Second. >> Jeff. >> Sure. >> Brian. >> Yes. >> Kathy. Yes. Says yes. >> Yes. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you for all your work. We look forward to working with to make a great
downtown. >> Thank you. And to know she worked on that. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. Um the next item on the agenda is the um Virginia municipal agreement for FM6
office. I have a will that refers generally to the Manchester. >> That was my net, too. You stole my net, but it's true.
>> I have a an updated version that changes the the term selectman to select board in all places. So, >> that's that's here with me. Um, >> there's one tricky place where they
refer to the board of boards of selectmen everywhere. Can I where is it? Yeah, it was quite a few places I noticed uh even, you know, not just our town, but >> Yeah. Right. Okay. Thank you. Thank you.
>> So, that that's been fixed. >> Any other comments? >> No. Um I believe this arrangement uh with Rockport, Gloucester, Hamilton, Wenom and and us uh has been
in place for 10 plus years. Uh from everything I've heard so far, everyone's very pleased with the arrangement. Um it does it is going up a little bit in price. Uh the last agreement was for
$15,000 in year um one and then $17,250 in years two and three. This agreement starts with the same $17,250 and then it goes up $500 year two and
then goes up uh to 17750 and then year 31 18250. So still uh not not a large increase and I think it's worth it to continue the arrangement. >> Good deal. >> I move that the board approve the intermunicipal agreement for a district
veterans office service office and authorize the town administrator to execute said agreement. >> Second further discussion. John >> yes says yes. Kathy yes. Brian yes and Jack. >> Yes.
The next item on the Oh, just reverting to that a little bit. I assume that one boards of the chairman of the boards, somebody will be organizing that and letting us know the quarterly meetings
of the >> Yeah. Y for for the for the veteran service. >> Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. Have you guys actually as as a member of the select board actually participated that in the past or did the town administrator do that on your behalf?
>> I told the town well in the time I have been chair I have never been involved. >> Okay. So yeah whatever whichever way you want to do it I can attend or I >> but you you may be my designate. >> Okay. Sounds good.
>> Okay. of the next item is committee of board appointments. Uh and the first person on the list is John Coft. Um
and I think the >> So before we get to the um the appointments, I had um pointed out to Tony on this one in particular. We went back and forth a little bit today. I don't believe this was publicly posted.
It's a pretty important committee. So, I think we had a little bit of a process hiccup >> and um it's a pretty important committee. >> However, after we texted back and forth, I went back and had to refresh my memory. We actually had an opening last
year uh which it was the job of the town moderator to appoint. So first of all my question is we're sure this particular position is to be appointed by the select board. We have confirmed that. >> Yes. >> Y that's good. Second
more than one candidate came forward and expressed interest and I did not have an opportunity to communicate that to you today. That's why I'm a little bit uncomfortable with not that this person is not 100% qualified but the other candidate was very qualified as well. So
I'm just a little bit uncomfortable with not posting it. couple weeks just, you know, give anybody who's served on a board or whatever time to apply and just vote in our next meeting. I just it's an
important committee. So, I'm just I'm a little uncomfortable, especially since somebody else, you know, expressed interest before. >> I wasn't aware that there was someone else uh that >> I didn't remember. I apologize. Yeah. >> So
I can't So then the the next part of the conversation that we had was um you know in a scenario where we have one spot, one seat and multiple candidates. Uh would the board want me to do the interviewing or would you would the board like to do that interviewing? >> Well, I have I have a question first. Is
this a person you're the only person that knows this person was interested? >> No, I believe they had reached out to Ellen Wilson. It was my understanding. I I didn't I was actually going to pick up the phone and call the person today, but I didn't want to do that because if we're not going to publicly post it, I didn't want to stir the pot. But I just
I am like 99.9% sure that person who contacted Allan. >> I think I I think I know who you're speaking of and I know she expressed an interest in the >> position. This is a while ago. >> Yeah. >> Well, when it's worth the finance committee does not meet again until
November 20th. >> Oh, okay. So >> we have another meeting >> November 3rd >> and there I think there's time to post if you start communicating. >> So >> yeah I just I would feel uncomfortable
because I would feel if I was that person and >> somebody else was hopped over I would not be. So >> if that's okay. >> How so how did we end up with it and not the town moderator? What happened there? What changed there? He is >> some of the finance committee positions
are appointed by the moderator and some by the select board. Uh Tom Perkins Perkins uh >> uh is moved out of town so his seat he was appointed by the select board previously. >> Oh okay.
>> And his term ends in June. >> Yeah. >> Uh so the candidate came to us from the chair of the finance committee I believe through that process. And so because it was a select board appointment, >> right? I didn't Yeah, I didn't realize
that. Okay. >> Uh so we can post it and then I guess just let me know if you want me to do the interview if if the other person comes forward formally or if you want to interview. >> I think I thought and I could remember
be remembering this wrong. I thought we did authorize Tony to kind of do interviewing for um advisory committees but not the adjudicatory ones. >> Is a adjudicatory committee. >> So I don't think we specifically talked
about what to do if there were multiple applicants for an opening on an adjudicatory committee. You know, the we the finance committee does advise us, but because they by law, by state law, have specific responsibilities, that makes them different than downtown
improvement and bike and ped. And so they we had classified them a couple years ago as an adjudicatory committee and we treat them a little bit differently, but I don't think we gave Tony guidance on what to do in this situation. >> I I if if I was unclear, uh maybe I
misunderstood. I thought it was uh you know across the board if we had an open seat and we had candidates for them that I would do the initial interview and then make a recommendation. >> My understanding that's what I thought I didn't know. >> I'm sorry. I thought we did a clean up. Yeah.
>> Process efficiency thing. >> Uh but um we can revisit that as well. Um >> no I think that you've already actually you've only interviewed one candidate in this particular case. Might as well interview the second candidate. I'm just also looking at the schedule. There are
two slots that come up in June for 2026. >> Okay. Now, I I assume I assume the other one is probably inapp appointed. I don't think they'd have two. There's probably one of each. So, one is a moderator and I think that's probably the slot that uh it was Mike Pratt and Mike Pratt was replaced by Gar.
>> Yes, correct. >> So, those are the two slots that are one that's open right now. >> But based on our process, not every slot is publicly posted. Someone has to complete I thought it was two terms before we publicly post the opening. So,
I guess Tony, it would be good for you to go review our um it's not a it's a regulation, select board regulation. I forget what we call it. I I tried looking for it and I couldn't find it by doing a search on the website. So, I personally would appreciate a link to
our town policies that aren't bylaws, but I couldn't find it. We actually went through this whole discussion a couple years ago and and spelled out which when we publicly post and don't so because we don't want to kick people out after one term if they've done a good job and we don't want them to have to go through an
arduous process but we specified some things in there and we talked about it for quite a while. Okay. So, but like I said, I tried to put it and I could >> uh so I I'll I'll post we'll post uh that the that there's a vacancy up, you
know, for a term expiring in June. >> And if uh anyone else submits interest, I'll meet with them before our next select board meeting and >> um we'll go from there. Could you
>> I like Kathy I I think this is a particularly >> it's an important >> appointment and and >> do you want to do you want to co-in with because you are the liaison we also talked about that as well you were
liaison could join the interview if if that's okay if you >> absolutely >> okay y just let me know when it is and I will be there >> the the other thing I would offer as a suggestion is, you know, Tom is leaving with specific skills he brought to the committee. Um, I don't feel I know him
well enough to know what that gap is that we're trying to fill. Um, so, you know, might have a conversation about that with Sarah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> All right. So, do you want to skip the finance committee one? Let's >> Yes.
>> Um, and we Um, next uh appointment is Brian Craig um for the u
Manchester housing authority and >> so this was post this has been posted um it's actually a an elected seat so when a vacancy occurs is uh outside of the
election cycle, we have to follow chapter 41 section 11, which uh I double check to make sure wasn't a joint vote between us and the housing authority. This is just a vote of the select board >> to fill the remaining uh term and I it
was posted uh for quite some time. Didn't have a ton of interest. Brian uh submitted his his letter of interest. He currently serves on the planning board. Um he moved to town about four years
ago. Uh he has a uh public affairs background specifically with housing development projects from the private side. Uh he's also a member of bike and ped. um he understands the additional
commitment and is willing to serve and has the ability to you know meet the need of the of the committee. Um so I uh recommend Brian to be appointed to fill the seat. >> Is there any further discussion?
>> He may be on. He is he's on he's on there. Thank you. >> Yes. Hi, Madam Chair and members of the select board. Um, thank you all. Um, I'm passionate about both senior housing and
uh, public housing, affordable housing, and um, I think my background and my commitment to the community through current involvements in the planning board and bike and pedestrian committee would be a huge asset to the um, housing
authority. And um I have met with the chair Elaine and attended um a meeting to uh kind of get the scope and lay of the land of the um the housing authority board and the current situations there.
And I would uh I would serve the board in the community and look forward to um to bettering the community and um public housing. Would it be your intention to run when your term when your appointed term ends?
>> Remind me when this term would end. >> I believe this term >> this until May 19th. Uh >> 26th. I think the way that because of the way this works is that uh the appointment
fills the term until the next election cycle and then the remaining uh years of the term that they're filling is up for election, I think is how it works. >> Brian's got a good question here.
>> Can he hold two elected uh positions? >> Unless I I believe so. I don't think as a select board member you can do that but I I don't know if there's an issue with the planning board >> because I went through this when I was on the ZVA >> uh I couldn't be appointed now because
I'm I'm an appointing guard but like you you still held on to your agency because you had it before you got on. No, I'm just concerned. Uh maybe that's uh >> I think as long as it's not a paid position, isn't that >> Well, I think I think what Brian is getting at is he would not be able to be
appointed to the ZBA because the appointing authority is the select, but you wouldn't be able to appoint him. I just want to make sure that >> he was grandfathered in. >> One individual can hold two elected positions in this town, >> right? And I think that's my only
concern. I think Brian >> very qualified and I'd love to have him on. I just don't want to do something that's going to uh >> put the position and we'll be talking about this in two months when >> right >> the state gets a hold of us >> or but who's going to tell the state
>> how somebody will >> I'm just quickly looking at to see if it says anything in our general bylaws about the planning. So, so what if we could take a vote and just make it conditioned
on your >> um that's permitted? Yeah. >> Yeah. Is per your your confirmation that it is allowed by law. >> Yeah. >> Can we do that? >> The committee needs to help. Yeah.
>> Very difficult for us to Yeah. to get um a quorum. So, >> right. >> Okay. Since this at the moment is an appointed office, right? >> Um I think >> okay that's a slightly complicated
motion. Um >> uh it's my motion to >> um go to chap 22. >> So just add to the end of it administrator confirming that >> this is this is a legal a legal appointment. >> Yeah.
>> All right. I make that motion. >> I move that the board appoint Brian Freddy to the Manchester Housing Authority for a term until the next annual town election on May 19th, 2026 subject to the town administrator confirming that this is a legal appointment.
>> Second. >> Um Jeff, >> yes. >> Brian, >> yes. >> Kathy, >> yes. Yes. >> John, yes. >> And Tony Quinn to chat GPT. It's okay. Thank you for stepping up, Ryan. Thank you. >> Thank you all.
>> Welcome aboard. >> Yeah. >> Chuck's going to talk now about tragedy. >> Great. >> Next is um we have >> the cultural council.
>> A cultural council. We seem to have four. >> Yes. >> Excellent. >> How many open? There's four open. >> So, I actually did the research. It's nine positions are allowed on this council. >> Six to 15 according to the bylaw. Uh,
and three openings have been advertised uh on our website. So, I imagine I imagine there's probably has been nine in the past. >> We did the inventory a couple years ago. I looked it up. said there were nine, but there were like five openings. I
mean, it's been a very difficult council bill. So, this is terrific. >> Yeah. >> Uh, so I met with um >> so Miranda Gardet was really the uh the name
>> the initial uh person approached uh from members of the existing cultural council and Miranda spoke with Kate Reid and Martha Chapman and Debbie Pine. about the cultural council and all four come with really great background and they
are very uh passionate and eager to get involved. Uh Miranda has been a lifelong resident. Uh she worked for Manchester Museum, has an art background. Uh her mother actually started the recycling program here in town. Debbie's a
long-term resident since 1972. She was previously a science teacher in Melrose. has grant writing experience. Currently is a reading specialist at the Memorial Elementary. Um Martha Chapman
has been a resident since 1970. She previously was an art teacher at Ayers Elementary in Beverly. Previously worked at the Manchester Museum, currently uh helps teach in uh park and wreck programs geared towards youth and adults. And Kate Reed grew up in
Marblehead. Uh, but she has 22 years of experience as a teacher. She's a library assistant at Memorial Elementary School currently. Um, and like I said, all four of them uh are really excited about joining joining the council and bringing their new a new
perspective, >> which is good. >> Hi guys, we're all really excited. Um, you know, I think >> I think for us I think um you know, we saw the success of the uh last summer
the rotunda project that we put on and um just how it really galvanized the community and seeing all the different interpretations of our, you know, famous rotunda. I even go into my daughter's elementary school and all the students projects are still hanging up on the
wall of all their different different um black and white drawings. And you know, I think this is a chance for the cultural council to not only teach people about our history um of the town and the surrounding area through art and science, but also to really kind of um
get the younger community involved in in more fun activities, too. So it doesn't all we can have all of the you know um all of the art exhibits and all the speakers but we can also do things that are are fun um that really will bring in the community together and and I'll say
I think I think our first order of business is you know in in speaking with the state um we haven't done I think to your point earlier about how it's been a tough council to fill um all of us are really eager to get community in input um and that is actually part of our
state guidelines They asked us when we had last done community input and it has been some time. Um so I think you know our first order of business is to work on getting together a survey or something that we can share um either you know in coordination with you all um
and sort of get out to the community about how we could be helpful and what types of programs they would like to see. you know, um, our grant cycle just closed on the 16th, so we have until January to review our grants. Uh, we
have about $5,700 from the state. Um, and so far we have about eight submissions. Um, some repeat people obviously from First Parish Church, PTO, things like that. So, it will be really exciting. But I think our first order of business will be to to do that. Well,
our first order of business is participating in the uh wobbling goblin walk with some candy to say hello, but um uh then it will be to try and get a survey to talk to the community and get our name out there. >> Great. Um anyone else?
Martha, >> I'm here. >> Yeah. You have anything to add, Martha? Debbie Kate. >> Okay, go. >> We're all just really excited to
add to what's already great about Manchester and to invite more people to get to know who's in town and just bring some more experiences in. And I think we're excited to get going.
Um, yep. >> I move the board appointment Miranda Garday to the cultural council return to expire on June 20th, 2027. >> Second.
>> Friendly amendment June 30th, 2027. >> What did I say? >> Is it 20th? getting board. I can't read. >> It's written. >> 30th. You're on a school committee. >> Second. >> Second.
>> I'll second. Jeff. >> Yes. >> Brian. >> Yes. >> Gabby. >> Yes. Answers. Yes. >> And John. Yes. >> Okay. Um >> and then and then >> and then Brian. >> I'm gonna see if I can do this right. Let me show you how it's done. I move that the board appoint Kate Reed,
Martha Chapman, and Debbie Pine to the Cultural Council for terms to expire on June 30th, 2028. >> Second, please. >> John, >> yes. >> And says yes. Kathy, >> yes. >> Brian, yes. >> And Jack,
>> I'm going to sublet my motions to you from now on. Thank you all for kind and and your enthusiasm for improving the awareness of culture, the culture of Manchester and improving it. Thank you.
>> Yeah. >> Thank you all. >> Bye. >> Bye. >> Bye. >> Bye. >> Bye. You. >> Okay. Um Okay. >> Um
the consent agenda >> the meeting >> consists of the minutes >> video tonight. >> Just curious. We just touched on the highlights. I move the select board approve the consent agenda.
>> Second. >> Get deep into the weeds of those notes. >> Okay. Jeff, >> yes. >> Ryan, >> yes. >> Kathy, says yes. >> John, yes. >> Very good. >> Um, I skipped over
>> That's why I skipped over a lot of things actually. Administrator goals. So, I sent uh the draft version of goals and objectives for July 25 to June 26 uh
over to you last week and tried to uh bring some some of the things that we talked about during our retreat. Um some of the key projects and some of the uh priorities that we all discussed and
identified. Um and wondering if you have any feedback on that or um comments or if or if you want to vote to approve
to approve this. >> Yes. >> Um yeah, I went through all this actually the first twothirds is a physician description rather than goals. I pulled out all the goals. They were really in the last uh >> yes >> three or four where there were specific I assumed that for all of them and for
goals you really need kind of timelines or something. This is 27 >> no 25 to June 26. So really the goal is by June 26. Yeah. This is where I want to be. >> So but in the future you don't have to put all this together. Yeah. >> Really you just need the last I put
arrows in front of I don't know one two three four five six six goals. >> Okay. >> That were down at the end. It was under budget. It was number four. >> That's a fair >> and five. >> Five. >> Okay. >> Well, I guess a little I I I agree with the concept. I'm not sure I agree on the
individual >> we can discuss philosophy here. >> Infrastructure. I had one, three, and five. Sure. Sure. S surely were there. I thought there ought to be a little more focus on PAS because I think that's going to kind of rise to the top a little bit here.
>> I think we have an update on that, don't we? >> Uh that's coming. Yeah. And I'm I'm doing that in a vacuum. So I don't know what the story is quite with that, but um so I I mean I don't know that I necessarily want to get into the weeds on all of this, but um
>> I I agree with John. Um the way first of all very comprehensive. I didn't catch anything that was missing. It was more less is more, right? So, um, in the past, the way I I've been taught to think about these is, you know, there's there's your day job, right? And all
that stuff is in your contract. We expect you to do a good job at certain things. Those types of what I call motherhood and apple pie activities. You don't need to put them in your goals. And the goals are things that you're, like John said, a project or >> some type of other change that you're
looking to drive. So, um you know, um I would think of it in those terms because then you can probably cut half of them um out. So, for example, um um on the on the government
administration piece, you know, anytime you see the support items like support the housing initiatives, housing is important, but what is Tony going to do as a town administrator for that? you know, is there something in particular you need to drive? If not, then it's
part of your day job, you know. So, I just would think of it that way. Um, on the on the communication side, you know, I think there are some things there that we um we do need to improve. We always need to improve. Uh, like number one, I
I would keep that in there. We always need to improve, you know, access to information. I think that's good. But the other two that are there, it's like that's your day job. you know, you do a good job at that. Um, under the budget and finance, I thought, you know, number
two is good and five and six. Um, the others seem to be, you know, again, part of your day job. You keep them or not, it's up to you. Um, when we get down into the infrastructure, I agree with John. This is where the meat
of uh, a lot of projects are. Um, but number four, you know, that's kind of your day job to work with generally. Anytime you see yourself using the word generally or kind of continuing, that's might be a little bit of a flag that oh, that's part of my day job. Do I need to include it or not? So, I would just look
at it that way, but I thought they were very comprehensive and and thank you for doing that all together. >> And with regard to Kathy's comments, the only thing that I would add that she did not mention is number four under budget. >> Yeah, >> that's a very important thing. I mean, that's to devel, you know, develop a balanced
budget that addresses the I don't know cost pressures etc. >> But that certainly is in this fiscal year. Well, >> but Kathy says it's all there. >> Yeah, he basically filled up a blue book
in college. >> Well, I'll shrink it down throwing up a against the wall stick. some more uh like PAS I'll add to that. >> Yeah, I think that's catch I didn't catch that >> specific specific
>> Yeah. Yeah. specific uh you know projects or objectives >> happy to >> happy to come in you know with too much and be told shrink it down then come in with less. >> I just want to amend that. Did you even
have blue books when you were in school? I it goes back I don't even think I had maybe middle school. >> Remember the >> big you threw enough against the hopefully >> um just just another thought the um so
one reason for slimming down the goals is for focus, right? So we know what we're going to focus on because the next step is usually priorities, right? Um, so if there there may be some they're all not necessarily created equal. Some might be a high priority. Others may be
more of a stretch goal that you know if we don't get it done by the end of the year, you know, we're not going to fall apart. So think of it in those terms. That's one of the reasons for slowing it down. >> Yeah. I would like to see a priorities list. >> Yeah. >> You can even just be a high medium, you
know, >> stretchable. Yeah. whatever, however you want to phrase it, >> because everyone has their priorities and you have to just figure out, >> yeah, >> what's the best interest of the town as far as their priorities go? >> And that's a good way for us to know
what's on your mind and for us to talk about it because if you say it's not a high priority and we're like about that, then we know we're not on the same page. >> Yeah. Well, likewise, I like to know I like to know what your priorities are, too. Uh so that >> I'm staying on you know the staying on
track with those and we're all aware of that. Obviously things come up and um there's not enough time in the day to get every every single thing done but um understanding what your priorities are what I believe you know our priorities should be coming to an agreement on that
helps guide the rest of the year. So, I don't know. Okay. They would we want Tony to come back and give us a one pager with about six bullets, seven. >> Well, I I think he should go through he has a good list. I don't I necessarily feel the need to change his list other
than eliminate some things. >> Yeah. >> And and maybe just come back with which ones he thinks he can annotate a list which ones he thinks are the highest priority and we can have a good >> I think that's all we need. >> That's all we need. Yeah. >> Because I don't want to just edit it down. spend a lot of time on this. >> Y
>> we all know >> you serve in the best interest of the community. >> So that's not that's not been questioned at all. >> Just want to see where on a list of what's happening and what's >> they want to know. I put arrows in front of them. >> Yeah.
>> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. So, um I don't think we need to move on anything um except we'll put this on the activities. >> Oh, yeah. the action list as shown
right rather than looking at the motions I will go back to the actual agenda and the next thing is the updates >> um how advisory met and the uh they had a conversation with the town accountant
over the enterprise fund um it looks like we'll probably have a recommendation to us to move that forward coming some point in the near future. Uh planning board continues to work on
um downtown zoning and right now they're working on plans for public outreach over that. and I spent several nights at Essex Tech over the last couple of weeks um going
over the lottery situation >> and what the board voted the plan the board voted on for us. I'll just go over Manchester's end of it because I could spend three nights here doing this. So, basically what's going to happen is we're going to have a five
person minimum. No, there's no maximums in any of these plans. So, it'll be a five person minimum per year. So, in four years time, that could put us at 20. >> In other words, five five new kids each
year. >> Five new kids in every class. Right. >> How many we got there now? >> With I think I was talking to uh Marie the other night. I think we're going to be right around 10 11 >> across all four classes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. We had
>> we won't really know for a couple more >> weeks, but >> there was a good group that graduated. >> Yeah, there was a bunch that graduated over the last couple years and then we had a couple years that were low and now it's starting to go the other way again. So, it's it's growing anyway, but
>> um so the lottery is going to be three rounds. So, what's going to happen is we're going to have our five and every kid that applies in this town will be in for that. So it'll be a lottery within your own town's
aortionment which will be the five. >> But if you already have five kids there everybody's >> this will be for the freshman class. So every year this is going to happen. >> Oh five years five for the freshman class, >> right? >> Oh that's >> and then so the first round will be
within your town. >> Then round two is 10 days later after school starts. So you have kids that don't show up, drop out, you know, whatever. This happens across the board
for the first about a month or so. So in the first 10 days, you those seats will be filled by anybody else in your town that didn't get in on that lottery. Well, there'll be another lottery and it'll get filled by your town. Then
round three will be anyone after that that 10 days who's weight listed. Any town that doesn't use their aortionment that's all going to go into a pool and then >> increases your
>> everybody's going to go into a pool and then they're just going to it's going to get picked for that. >> But that doesn't so say it drops to we only have 3-1 freshman year. The next year we still we open up with five again, >> right? Yeah. Every year you start with five, but you
could you could fill your five >> and then have, you know, let's say two kids weight listed. Then they could go back into the >> 10 days later pool or they could go back into the the all over pool and get
picked again. like a really fair >> fair, but it's it's it's going to be a lot better for us initially at being a small town. Right. >> Right. >> But overall, people think it's going to
hurt technical education and I do kind of agree with them because you're not picking kids on any sort of measurement. So you're not seeing this kid could really use this, this kid's in a situation where it's going to benefit
them. Like all that's out the window and you're just randomly >> geography, right? So applications are out the window from the the top. The school doesn't get to choose their applicants. >> Well, you basically there's a computer picking them. That's basically
an interview, >> right? Yeah. You'd have an interview and all that. So, it's going to be a work in progress. This is the first year and basically what I was told is nothing set in stone
and we can modify this if we need to. Like one of my things was, you know, right now we don't need those numbers necessarily, but if we had a big MBTA housing project go up, you know, like a small town like us, our numbers, our
need could double overnight based, you know, within a short amount of time. >> So yeah, how often? >> So we can, right? So we're not, it's not set in stone. That's our number. That's our number for now and then they can adjust based on our need down the road. >> How big is the freshman class?
538 kids. >> Oh. >> And how many people have in the past year or two have competed for those slots >> coming from all? >> No. >> Oh, >> for the whole >> about approximately 15 to,600.
>> All right. So, they're only taking one and three, one and four. One and three. Okay. But at that point, they were looking at an applicant's qualifications or record. And I'm not sure what the quiet period are. And now it's just
>> a lot of it's their need, >> you know. Can will it benefit them, you know? So, yeah, that's out the window. >> Are they likely to continue in a trade in high school? >> All right. Well, >> it's an experiment. So, that's that's
where we're at. >> Thank you. That's pox and red. uh they'll have a meeting next uh week and Wednesday, but we currently have the uh uh shout house tux point uh application
process and about 20 people in 15 that selected the dates on some went really well. We'll get the numbers from them later, but so far I think this summer went well. Now we're currently getting ready for
W and Bob on Saturday bring your kids uh or not. Uh the uh after school program is running. is, you know, Heather spending a lot of time back there, keeping things afloat and
her first love, I think that she's ready to move on from that. And then, uh, getting ready for basketball in the winter season. So, >> who is the program is or you are? >> Uh, well, I I was on the court a couple of weeks ago and I need to get ready
better than I am. >> It was a time I could beat a fourth grader down the court. Uh I don't really know where high school well high school hit band's going through person so it's going to be much be easier. >> Uh but no they uh they'll be posting I
think uh and taking applications uh the end of this week the person next week uh the draft and then season starts the first of December and then we'll see how I am the second week of December. The high school season starts
the second week as far as just summer. Yeah, that's all I have for uh Fox and Rex. I don't have anything else because they're not meeting again until next week this week. >> Um let's see. Well, we already talked
about downtown improvement. The only other thing I'll mention there is they um the Mark Resnick came into the meeting, gave them a nice uh overview of the proposed downtown zoning districts that are being worked by the planning board. Um he received a lot of feedback
from that committee. So I'm sure um you know that will be uh you know they'll be very engaged when the public you know conversations start to happen. Um I missed the bike and Ted meeting. It was an in-person meeting last week. Um, so I'll I don't know what happened there,
but uh they did reach out to me because I had asked them to um consider giving us some advice. They're an advisory committee on the the snow plowing. We're scheduled on our action list to to talk about expectations around the plowing of
the sidewalks. Um and they're our pedestrian voice. So, they reached out to me today and they're um I think they're going to discuss that at their next meeting to give us some, you know, the good, bad, and you know, suggestions as as they see fit. Um, and I think that
is it. DPW, it's all about asphalt. Mill Street to the bridge. Forest Street the end of it. Forest Lane to the first house. Beach Street. I think we've already touched on that. I think we did. We
didn't. Okay. Beach the beach uh Beach Street uh sidewalk. Old Essex Road. the first part where they dug everything up for water and Pine Street from the uh 128 interchange all the way past the transfer station to
the water treatment plants >> really. >> So that's an extra 50 yards 50 I would say that's probably half of the dirt >> they were they're planning to go to uh the water treatment plant. So, and
Cobburn Road to Dexter Pond. >> I don't know if that next part is officially happening yet or not. I think that's our our desire is to go that far. >> Uh we may need to >> talk to some people >> talk Yeah, we may need to I don't know
if if we need to go to the conservation commission or anything like that yet. Certainly for the part that's already pavement replacing that's not an issue that any new we might need to. That's an extra 50 yards and it would be good. >> But it would be really helpful uh for
our access in and out of the water treatment >> plant. I don't like to go there because I feel like tires. >> Yeah. >> Um historic district commission did not have a meeting uh this month. I assume you might comment on seniors. you're
probably more up on some of the issues than I am there with regard to the agreement etc. Um but there was a uh shared I guess that was last week with regard to the senior uh the uh plot plan and the building and there were probably
I don't know 25 people there or something like that. It's good. And then the library had it the trustees had their meeting this past Friday. I think I mentioned they've got to do an ADA bathroom and there was some discussion about what kind of a changing table you need. I think they are planning to have
a kind of an adult or larger child changing table that is more like a platform that electrically goes up and down, but it will only take the good news is it's only going to take probably eight or 10 more square feet. So, it's not a significant change in the requirements of the space. I think their
initial reaction was God, we're going to have to double the size of the bathroom, but that's not the case. So, I guess the bathroom might be instead of 80 square feet, it will be 90 square feet or something like that. has to know to turn a wheelchair on. >> Yeah. Well, that it it was normally, but if you put this changing table in there,
which cannot, you know, the regular ones for for infants fold up against the wall. No, there's like a dental chair. It's just sitting there. It it may be attached to the wall, but it's down flat and it stays that way. So, that takes extra space. There's
>> plenty of tables in the library. put our newspaper >> the last time you >> just when you walk in the library to the left there's a big table. >> So anyway, that was uh we saw I saw a couple of plans that they've got draft plans that Olsson Lewis put together and
it looks like it's feasible without going crazy. the cost would go up a little bit, but it really is just largely due to the table itself, which is, I don't know, $10,000 or something.
Relative to the whole project is not a tremendous amount of money. >> I remember the days changing my kid on the bathroom floor and uh trying to jade. >> Okay. >> Long time ago. >> That was before these be this these these these rings. She didn't do it in
the bar. He didn't say he didn't though, did he? >> That's true. I didn't think about it. >> Okay. um school committee. Um as you may have heard, the school committee, the school
department, um had its hand slapped for excessive use of or use of school um revenue toward a ballot issue. Um that seemed odd because they had much higher
standards than than we had. But someone asked there was a complaint and the result is really good. Um they said you shouldn't have done that and there is no penalty and the next time there is an
election where the school budget or anything else involved in the school come and tell us what you're going to do and we'll tell you ahead of time whether it works or not. So they have made a contact that will give that will give
them information um um that there's an awful lot of other things that are that are going on. Um uh but uh essentially the only thing I
would be of interest to us is they do a an annually survey anonymously of um dangerous behaviors in kids >> and over the past three or four years, kids are reporting fewer dangerous
behaviors than they than they did in the past. And whether that's um there was no conclusion as to exactly why, but um that seemed like goodness. The Essex Elementary Building Program, they're currently scheduled for a vote
in November 2026 to go ahead with the project. Um they are looking currently still looking to decide uh where to put the school and how many grades to put in the school if any.
>> Um >> but they they decided against a renovation though, right? They're going to do >> not they have not decided against a renovation yet, but um a renovation obviously would be in the current location.
>> Right. Right. Um the only alternative site is Apple Street which would require the uh town to pay for bringing water, sewer and and improving the roads >> and there's no reimbursement from the state for that.
>> It's a tough road. >> Yeah, it's a tough road. Um and uh that essentially they're they are they are considering K through five in probably preK through
five in Essex, preK through three in Essex. Then to see what would be required to move the whole elementary school. The latter two would require a change to the municipal agreement which require town two town code.
>> That's good. They're looking at options. >> Yes. >> 3K to 5 is what exists right now. But you got the other two >> scenario. It's only K through five. Excuse me. 3K goes goes all goes to Nashville. >> Oh, I think so. um the board of health um that improve.
Slow also talked about the situation at at two Desmond which is the gates and um eventually um the gates lawyer suggested that the
standard of um the sanitary code that they were applying um was appropriate for buildings that were being lived in and directed at landlords rather than people themselves. and their lawyer. The
um board of health con eventually concurred that they need to make the um area safe um for people who are working in the building, meaning they have to have carbon monoxide. They have to get rid of
the um clutter and they have to repair the wall on the by the sidewalk. the rest of the uh sanitary code can wait until they apply for um documents permit. >> That's good news. Yeah,
>> that is they that is there is still if they they need to have fixed the required things um by um um in the next
year month um or else they will resume with the the court proceedings. the the attention of the expectations that they will manage to get the glut and the the smoken fire detectors and the wall fixed
>> which I think is good. Um and uh the finance committee met for the first time. They they were looking at um
year-end report um they trying to figure out why parks and w revenue was down and um what the state of the launch revenue is. Um but mostly
um they were bringing everybody up to speed on what the finance committee does. there is at least one member. Um u the question was uh raised is how do we have to have a
lot of money left over the year for sidewalks but they will figure that out and I think that's it administrator. >> Okay. Um,
couple quick things before those that are listed on the agenda. Um, the COA director position, we uh we've had 12 candidates apply and we're moving into interview process over the next uh this
week and next week. Um I believe the special act for town administrator requires a department head position to be uh confirmed by the select board. But is the COA the COA
director um position one that >> thought you restructured so that there's someone above that person now or does this person report to you? >> Still report direct line to me dotted line to the uh to the health and human services team.
>> I think that's how it's going to be. If it's direct line to you then I do think we need to confirm the appointment. >> I mean if that's if that's what the bylaw says. Thank >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, pretty sure that's what it says. So, that that we may be doing that at the next meeting or the
second meeting in November. >> Um, still working on scheduling a meeting with the Masons for condo docks and the two attorneys, ours and theirs, uh, to make progress on that. Um, as far as budget prep or town
meeting prep uh goes, we've uh received requests from department heads for capital and we're reviewing those now. Uh we'll be asking department heads to provide their operational requests over the coming weeks and hopefully we
have an update to provide to the finance committee mid November. Uh I met with uh Mike Chapman and got an update on got the update for Winther Field. This was another element of uh efficiency that we talked about.
>> Uh so I will forward uh to the select board the update that they provided uh that he provided to me, but they are in good shape. >> Um and I have a a breakdown of their budget and what their top issues are I can send over to you. Uh, we also met
with um Chuck and I um and Sue and Nate. We met with um our Northeast regional director for MVP. The town is required to apply for MVP 2.0 this year. Um >> I'm sorry, what's >> municipal vulnerability preparedness?
>> The town did a lot of work to become designated as a MVP community in the past. Um the state has now changed the program to 2.0. uh and if we want to maintain our status, we have to apply for 2.0 this
year. Uh so we're working to understand benefit of maintaining the status uh and what the process is to go through that. It's a two-year process uh three phases. Phase one and two are in year one, phase
three and year two. Uh it does seem like there's more benefit for us as a community to apply for 2.0 uh regionally with Rockport and Gloucester uh and potentially Essex.
They're due to apply as well. Um and then by applying applying for 2.0, we have the ability to apply for an action grant under MVP in the upcoming cycle. uh a
uh a single town application has a max of $3 million for for that action grant. Regional is $5 million and we're looking at it as a potential backup uh funding source for Central Street Culver in case
things don't work out with the brick extension. >> So that's 5 million over all the towns though, right? >> Nope. it would be for the project itself. It doesn't have any negative impact. >> But if you're if you're
>> So you're going regionally, but is that's 5 million over that whole region, right? >> No. >> No, it would be for that specific project. Our our angle is that the regional benefit >> and the key there for us is the electrical conduit that goes through this
>> through the system. >> Okay. >> Project would occur in Manchester, but if it's not done, >> Yeah. then they got >> summer community down the line. >> It doesn't negatively impact their ability to apply for action grants on their own. Uh they don't have to put any
funding in as a match uh to join us as the re as a regional application. We would have to do public outreach um communication education about the grant and the importance of it in all the towns. Uh but the grant can actually
fund the cost of that and we could use the Noah grant that we have as our match portion uh to that to the MVP grant. So it could be a good opportunity, a good backup opportunity for us. Um and I've already spoken with
>> Gloucester, Rockport, and Essex about it, and they all seem to be on board so far. So good. >> Would they be would which towns would suffer? Definitely Gloucester, Rockport. >> Definitely those. Uh I think we could I think it'd be a good idea to bring Essex
in because of the school system. >> Oh, right. >> Yep. That's smart. Yeah. >> Not necessarily uh a huge like mover of the needle as far as how competitive we would be as a region. >> Um
>> but they might be willing to help. >> Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Awesome. Great. >> Um, >> I also spoke with those three communities as well. We have a about our Comcast contract that which is up and we have to go through a renegotiation
process. Um there's really nothing for us to do at the moment but started to chat about what that process looks like and as it moves forward we will make sure that I mean really Comcast is required to do all the public advertising of any type of meetings or
um contract negotiation pieces. Um, and then I forwarded you today, uh, we got the second response from the attorney general on the, uh, ADU bylaws
that were voted on at town meeting. Um, haven't had a chance. It's it's >> long. Um >> but the summary of it really is that uh article article 9 um was accepted in
full. Article 8 is accepted partially. There were some some issues with article 8 um that had to deal with the language related to a permanent foundation and mobile home prohibition.
You might recall that was a floor amendment that came up during the discussion. So that wasn't really something that had been part of like the planning board's review process previously to that. >> Uh there's a an issue with the minimum
of a six-month lease period on an ADU and then dimensional requirements imposing the same setback requirements on ADU as those imposed on the primary building. So this they explain in this uh at length what the issues are. I have
not I have not fully reviewed it yet, but we did get our we got communication from >> attorney general today on that. >> I assume that's been forwarded to the planning board. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> And so they're looking for a response.
>> No. when the when the attorney general makes a decision essentially they just say this cannot be included in your newly published zoning bylaw. So we so Christine will work with find out clearly from the attorney general what
the new bylaw that she publishes is allowed to say, right? Eliminating the part of these parts that are issues for some of these that the reason they uh deleted them from our the reason the
attorney general deleted them is because they were unclear as to what the town meant or what our the town's intent was. I've read that a little bit in there. So, I think it's possible that if we wanted to revisit those issues, we could. Um,
>> so it's not required though that we revisit them at a town meeting. >> Correct. >> The town clerk can just publish them with the edits from >> the attorney general. >> Correct. >> Okay. Correct. >> And then we could come back, >> right? >> And here's a clarification and town
meeting. That would go down. While we're on the subject to town meeting, um, is it possible, you guys did a great job of that timeline when we were thinking about a fall town meeting. Can we get one for the annual >> Absolutely. >> meeting.
>> I saw your email on that and I >> I had shared I shared that >> special town meeting version with the finance committee. Uh we met with them too and talked about how we were going to update that for >> well some of the stuff may come from them but some of the stuff we put on the
warrant may have nothing to do with finance. So yeah okay awesome. >> All right so then uh >> Chuck is here as well um on the meeting uh to participate in our discussion
about Ocean Street and PAS. Um, as far as Ocean Street goes, uh, we've received a proposal. We're working on putting together the, uh, purchase order so we can move forward with Fuss and O'Neal, um, for, uh, a vulnerability assessment
and conceptual planning services for Ocean Street. Um the vulnerability assessment is to evaluate current and future coastal flood risk, plan and facilitate a proactive community planning workshop
and design cheret and deliver conceptual planning alternatives. The project is a critical step in identifying feasible adaptation strategies for the future of potion street that have support from the community and position the town to pursue additional funds to implement
long-term risk reduction solutions. So, this has been an item on our action list for quite some time. Um, there's a number of, you know, public engagement elements to this. I I don't know if I actually forwarded this proposal over to you or not. No, but
more importantly, have you forwarded to the community that's been asking for action on it? >> No, I haven't. I mean I I but I I believe it captures what their >> right what you read off sounds good but
I think the primary feedback I consistently get from that community is >> they wanted they were happy to get the $100,000 approved at town meeting for for coming up with options but they wanted to have input before that money
was spent because they feel they got burned. The last time we went in for a grant, it was like a couple years ago and the grant proposal didn't it wasn't what they thought it was going to be. >> So, so I just um I I think in this
particular sensitive situation, overcommunicating is better than assuming people are on the same page. So, I would encourage you to even not just send it to us, but Chuck probably has an email list of folks. Hey, here's how we're thinking of moving forward.
you know, maybe even schedule a meeting with them or at least give them an opportunity to provide feedback. Um, I don't know. >> I mean, generally speaking, I'd prefer not to have residents, you know, making edits to a scope and proposal. Yeah.
>> But I but I feel like I've gotten a good idea of what their concerns are and I believe that this proposal captures that. I'd be happy to >> double check and communicate with those residents. That's all I'm suggesting. I >> You might not send them the
>> You don't have to send them the whole proposal, but even what you just read, I mean, I think more communication is better. >> Yeah. >> Just It's been going on for years. So, eight years and nine years. >> Was it just more they didn't like what they heard results? >> I don't I don't Well, the study was
canceled. The grant was we backed away from the grant. I think the gr the title of the grant included >> abandoned determined solution. was not coming up with options. So, it really just set the whole conversation on a
negative tone. And we're trying to recover. >> Tony trying to recover. He's doing a good job. So, it just >> we we task number three, which is >> the one of the larger phases of this uh scope. uh we put a lot of emphasis on
what we heard and right it includes a multi-day planning workshop and design cheret uh co-create alternative design concepts um >> I don't have my glasses on I see it's like a three-day workshop
is there going to be a hard look into what is permittable >> yes >> because you can dream up whatever you want but if you can't do it it's useless >> yes >> uh what's permittable. So, what's feasible, what's permittable, what's
grantable, >> right? >> Um what's acceptable by the town and the and the neighbors. Um there's also we've also asked them to do some additional research maybe at the state level to see
if uh there's any pre-existing permitting or licenses from what was you know there there's old seaw walls down there that may have been gone through a
chapter 91 license or Army Corps design process 40 years ago. go that we don't aren't aware of and that could change what is permittable today if it's pre-existing. So, we've asked them to do that research for us as well.
>> That's that's all awesome. I I like I said, it sounds good to me. >> I would just still suggest you guys meet with the residents um because I that that's a long-term how to fix it long term, which we absolutely need to do.
there may be some short-term concerns or whatever. It would be good to hear them out. That's just >> my two cents. And I I I'm sorry I don't have my glasses on. I see a hand up there and I don't know who's Chuck. >> Oh, it is. >> Go ahead. >> Listening.
>> Yeah. So, I guess I just wanted to chime in a little bit here having a little bit of history, but we did uh you know, a lot of this scope that Tony just went over was from the grants that we were pursuing in the last 12 months, not the one from four or five years ago. I think
it was actually more than that now. But um so like that has been a scope that we have pushed back and forth with the uh residents and abutters and you know other interested parties uh in town. And so I just want to say like that we we didn't really stray too far from that.
It's just we've got we're at the point now where we were not successful in getting a couple different grants that we were hoping to get. And so we basically had to pair down those scopes to match our available budget which is the 100,000 that you referenced. And so
like this is not a surprise or something new that you know those folks wouldn't have seen before. And actually we did solicit several letters of support on that scope. So it's it's more of that. It's not something new or off-the-wall. So there there is a little bit of history and back and forth that's
already happened. >> I agree. I'm just suggesting when you have a sensitive situation with with residents, a little overcommunication can be better than because it's probably been months. I mean, >> it's, you know, it wasn't yesterday,
right? So, if people forget, >> doesn't hurt. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, I'll I'll push it push something out to the, you know, folks that I have been keeping in touch with and let them know that it's coming back. >> Thank you. uh and then we'll keep everyone in
involved as uh you know of course their first kind of task in front of them is to do some data research get some go out there and actually do some engineering and understand like what what is possible is kind of so that our first
public meeting is productive. Uh so >> so we have a sense as to how long that might take before in addition to the communication you're going to do in the near term is um when might we expect them to complete enough work so we can
have a true wide openen public meeting. Um, I'm just reading through the scope real quick to see if it talks to that. We propose completing the task list agreement within an estimated period of
nine months. So, um, the total is nine months, but I would Chuck, did you get any sort of breakdown of that nine months or do you >> could you could ask them what they think
each phase? >> Yeah, I'll have to check back with them. I mean, it really comes down to how quickly we can execute the contract and get them doing the data collection that you mentioned and the modeling. I mean that that is a significant task that is going to take you know I don't think we're going to be back in a month to you
know discuss the findings of the modeling it's going to be a few months >> it sets expectations if you know it sounds like there's a lot in there in that proposal but if there are different phases and we can set some expectations this phase this first phase is going to take x amount of time and we can come
back to you and share what we know >> I think that goes a long way towards >> helping people feel right >> yeah agreed Yep. >> Okay. And then Chuck, I will pass it to you for um an update on where we are
with everything related to PAS. Um I know for Kathy, you've you've received um through the facility planning committee meeting an update on >> where Lincoln Street Well project is.
But um we don't have to go in that in depth here I think tonight. But Chuck, if you could give us a brief overview. >> Right. So, uh I think folks should know that we've done a lot of uh you know testing and uh you know conceptual designs at both of our facilities. Uh
and then there's been you know a lot of regulatory uncertainty on you know the numbers and you know the how we've gone about this over the last few years. Uh right now where we are in the process is we have a uh MCL uh from EPA that is
currently you know we need to be in compliance with that uh maximum contaminant limit by 2029. Uh we have heard through the you know different EPA and whatnot with the Trump administration now instead of Biden that um you know they are looking to add a
couple years to be in compliance but they're not looking to uh you know take back any of those requirements for the MCL itself. So for instance if they do uh and they haven't done this yet they've just talked about it you know they might say instead of being compliance in 2029 you you can have
until 2031 something along those lines. Uh we have you know Lincoln Street for us is ahead on design and development uh one because we got a EPA grant last year to cover the design. So that you know that was one element of it but it also
has a higher uh PAS concentration in the water at the well than what we see up at the treatment plant. Um so um we are proceeding with that design. Um you know we we did pilot and bench scale tests uh
the different medias and different techniques for removing the PAS. Uh you know the kind of the most economical and kind of most tried and true is the gak the granular activated carbon filters. Um to make the gak effective we will need to add uh green sand as well to
remove the iron and maganesees upstream of the PAS removal that takes place in the gak. So that's to say we will need a a new building at the Lincoln Street site and we've you know looked at kind of making sure it you know fits within that neighborhood and whatnot but you
know it will be a change. Uh and then um you know when we when we are finished with that job we'll have uh water that is uh you know PASF free and we'll have certain intervals where we have to you know dispose of the media and change out the media and sort of these sort of things. But that's you know that's what
we're working on. Um, you know, we're we will have a 60% design by the end of the month. We will be um hearing back. We did submit a PEF application, a project evaluation form to the state revolving fund to um, you know, help fund the
construction of that job. So, we will hear back on that in January typically is when the IUP comes out, the intended use plan. uh when we I actually went to a meeting last week to just see kind of what the status of the state's SRF funding is, you know, with the
government shutdown and the you know, as we saw with the brick program, how the, you know, the money is there until it's not there type stuff. Uh but it does seem that a lot of the money that is scheduled or was scheduled for the 2026 time frame, which is our time frame for construction, will still be available.
That was part of a different, you know, legislation under the Biden administration. So that's to say, you know, the the suspected terms of a uh SRF project when we for PAS at the Lincoln Street site will be um you know,
a 0% loan for 30 years and there will likely be a element of debt forgiveness. So that's all that's all very good for us. Um and then you know we we will also be looking to um you know go to the full design for what the improvements will be
needed at Gralley Pond um at that facility. Um we did get some good news in the piloting and uh bench scale testing we did on the media there. We won't we won't need a new building like we will at the well at Graly Pond. we will be able to uh you know basically
retrofit the existing filters and media uh to hopefully or to to be in compliance with the new MCL and to remove PAS from the water. Uh but the the full design is is not kind of vetted out like we like we are you the stage we're at with Lincoln Street. Um so
those are I think the high points. Uh we will be you know this time next year we will be under construction. And I anticipate that at this year's town meeting, we will need an authorization for um bonding uh and you know the SRF language
uh at town meeting. Um unfortunately though the way things are with tariffs and uh just the market the bidding market in general and to you know do the SRF is kind of a different standard of um construction methodology in terms of like there's requirements from the
federal uh and the state on you know minority business requirements and disadvantaged business requirements as well as by American requirements. So, these types of things will kind of add costs, but it's still going to be a net positive for the town um in terms of
debt forgiveness and uh loan terms. So, excuse me. Uh so, anyway, that's uh that's where we're at. It's it's probably going to be a 12 to$15 million project at Lincoln Street and then, you know, it could be another five to 10
million at Gravalley Pond when we're done. Um but um you know we will have PAS free water which will leave us in compliance um with the with the regulations. So just on that, the um the feedback
from a couple of members of the facilities planning committee um including myself, just a couple of us, we we did give the um consultant some feedback around focus on cleaning the water. Um out of all the facilities we
need to build, this one doesn't need to look like it fits on Central Street and be beautiful. Okay. They had these nice designs with windows and and it's like nobody's going to be in there, you know, working in the
building. It's some place where people pop in for a couple hours or whatever, do their testing, and they leave. So, you know, natural light is good. Have the windows up, but don't it doesn't have to be real pretty. It has to Let's Let's save our dollars by cleaning the water. and and some of the other
buildings. This is this is a particular building where we can sacrifice a little bit of beauty to Yeah. >> Yeah. Exactly. Doesn't it's hidden in the woods. I mean, it's you know, it's not >> the front isn't, but you know. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> So, I think we took those comments and I
think you know that's that's not a high bar to hit is uh you know making an ugly building. I've been on many projects where we've been accused of putting on ugly buildings and I don't even think we need to go so far as to call it ugly. Did I lose you? >> No,
thinking just thinking five minutes listen to >> Yeah. So, so, so you're looking for uh big money this coming April, >> correct? >> I assume this is being done in chunks. you're going after Lincoln Street first
and then because that's the one with the higher higher numbers anyway and then uh and then after that maybe a year later then you start on Graly Pond or something like that. >> So, >> right. So, you know, the discussions I've had with Tony and you know the and
Andrea to kind of game plan it over the next you know several years is to you know I think we need to obviously get Lincoln Street done. Um but um you know I if we're asking for a big chunk of money this year for construction at Lincoln Street you know we should also
keep in mind that we you know have a another design effort that's going to be need to be undertaken. So we need to make sure that the funds are available there you know whether they be town funds or you know going for other grants or other uh monies that may be available for PAS remediation you know there's
lawsuit money and stuff like that. So, um, so anyway, we're just making sure that we have in mind that the big chunk of money will predominantly go this year for construction, but we also need to, you know, have the design in the pipeline so that when we're done with construction on Lincoln Street, we can
move right into construction on Grley Pond. >> So, so you really want to raise all the money in one shot because to try and sell it twice >> is a lot of effort and >> that's not what I heard. I mean, I think
we'll have a construction plus design, >> right? Just >> the following sometime later, we will have another construction, >> right? But are you going to go for all the money now and then you'll just draw it down when you need it a few years out or are you going to go in two different
initiatives? >> I I think it'll probably have to be two different initiatives because we will need the authorization for construction of Lincoln Street to, you know, to to meet the SRF, you know, requirements. And so therefore, I mean, I guess it's not unheard of that we would, you know,
ask for the whole thing at once. It's just that that would that's as yet undefined. I would say to to for me to give you like a great number on that. I think uh you know, we have a very good number on the construction cost for Lincoln Street. I can I can get, you
know, in the next few months, we can develop a scope for design at Gral Pond, but to to try and plan the construction, you know, and hit that number for Gral Pond a couple years out right now is almost a fool's errand with the, you know, just the way things are fluctuating in the market conditions
right now. So, even if I had a number, I'd have to be extremely conservative and that's not, you know, also that's double-edged sword, I guess. >> Okay. Well, communications plan is going to be important for that initiative
starting the first of next year or so, >> right? >> Prior to the prior to the annual meeting, I guess that's the most money other than for schools. That's the most money this town will have to raise. And this is a story that a lot of people everybody knows what the story is of the school, but
>> this is uh a little more abstract. Any other Iur certain with Chuck that it's hard to estimate the construction cost if you haven't done the design yet. >> I think that was Chuck. Thank you for
being here tonight. I think that was a really good update. you you hit on a lot of the different elements of it's not an it's not an easy pro uh >> topic. There's a lot a lot to it >> and uh Chuck and Nate and their team have done a lot of work on this and um I
thought that was a pretty good pretty good update there. >> Yeah, it's good to know where we're where we're headed. So, >> there are lots of people who are interested and saying >> hello >> what's happening. Yeah. >> Well, they're definitely going to hear about it uh in the coming months as we
start to gear up for town meeting. >> Yep. >> Thank you, Chuck. Thank you, sir. >> Yeah. All right. Have a good night, everybody. >> You, too. >> Okay. Have I forgotten anything? Is there a motion? >> There is a motion.
Is there a second? >> Second. >> That was the motion. That's the motion. That's what I said. All in >> favor. I >> Okay. The change from the