has of C has been turned to open the session. Um and the first issue um first item on our agenda is public comments on nonendees.
something. >> What? >> You had problems last week. >> Yeah, there's something here to load, I think. life update. Every time you do an update, things get worse. >> My phone is finally got to the point where I'm looking for a new phone
because screw me up so many times. >> I just had a new battery put in place. >> But it just keeps on doing that death spiral all the time. >> Death spirit check. three basketball checks, all $50 included
deposit all three but the last one that that's part of but I didn't know which check I didn't deposit. >> Okay, good. Um yeah, is there are there any public comments on nonaggenda items?
people in the room are there any public com if you have a public comment and you are online please raise your hand there being none um there is a u there is no chair and chairman's
report are there any issues that we want to talk about on the uh activities Actually, if anything comes up later, we can we can we can add it to the action items. of the first item on the agenda is a
national grid hearing. And is anyone prepared to open the evidentiary portion of the national committee hearing? >> I'll make a motion to open the uh public
hearing. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Um, is there anyone here to speak for >> He's online. Okay.
>> Yes. >> Yeah. Hi. Good. Good evening everyone. My name is Michael Kazadi and I'm representing National Grid at 44 River Street in Beverly. So for our first petition, we are um so
National Grid is petitioning to install approximately 25 ft of 2 3inch conduit from the existing manhole on Union Street to a um a proposed handhole on the sidewalk. This work is being done for um the new service going in at one
school street. >> Any questions? Well, just because it's right in smack in the middle of downtown, I'm just curious what the the length of time is going to take and what how much disruption is there going to be and what
day. Chuck weighed in on that and um said that if we'd like we can uh require that it be night work um or he can limit uh the daytime work from say 9 to 3
depending on how we want to pursue that. >> So it's up to Chuck to decide that >> it would be part of their uh road opening permit. >> Yeah. And what month is this supposed to happen and when?
>> So right now Oh, sorry. >> Go ahead. >> Yeah. So, right now it's it just went through the design phase. So, um it's going to go from design it's going to go to scheduling which takes maybe two, three, four weeks. I don't have an exact date, but it's depending on the
availability we have with our underground guys and our civil group. I I I'd prefer that it be at night. Although night in Manchester doesn't have to be that late triple. >> You could start at 6 probably and that's
fine. But that this is the most important corner in town and it's it's bus. It doesn't make any difference what time of day. >> Yeah. >> And as we get closer to the warmer season >> Yeah. >> then it becomes a little more >> pressurey. Do you have any control over
what time of the year this is going to be? I think in past discussions, you really haven't been able to talk too much to that. >> Yes. So, I I don't really handle too much of the scheduling side. That that would have to be our the job owner. So, I it it to me it really depends on just
the availability we have with our guys, you know, like if you know, if it gets on schedule, it can get pushed back due to a storm. So, I can't give an exact date, but >> could approve the petition and Chuck can handle those.
>> I think just my concern is that night would be more preferable because we come into the summer months, we don't want it done and then depending on potential work at the culvert, >> you know, uh uh come fall, we don't want anything disrupting any other part of the street. So,
>> so the sooner the better. >> Sooner the better and probably at night. better end of time. >> Yeah. >> But like but I'm not going to take uh any bolts out of Chuck's uh Chuck ultimate decision. >> Right.
>> And is there any other evidentiary? They're moved to close the evidentiary portion of the hearing. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Is the board ready to vote? >> Do we vote on closing the >> hearing? Sure.
You also have another petition. Would you do the bold the same evidentary hearing? >> That's right. Yeah, we have a second. >> Let's continue to the second one. >> Yeah. Um yeah. So for the second petition, we are national greatest
petition to install um conduits from an from an existing T- box which we're planning on upgrading to a heavy duty handhole. So, we're going to run conduits from that handhold to the cousin's property at two Pilaski Drive
for sorry for a service upgrade. >> Is are the Chuck just had a couple questions if you don't mind. Um, is the work limited to Pilaski Drive or will it extend
uh to >> Pleasant Street? >> It's it's strictly only on Pilaski Drive. So, the the lines on the manhole 17-1 is existing conduit. >> We're not touching that part. Yeah. >> Okay. All right.
any concerns about Basky Drive. >> In my case, I move that we exit the evidentiary portion of this hearing. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Jeff, >> yes. >> Ryan, >> yes. >> Kathy, yes. Han says yes.
>> John, yes. >> Okay. Um, are we ready to vote? >> Yes. on both items. Okay, John. >> Yes, >> says yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes.
>> Thank you very much. That ends. >> Thank you. >> We will now exit club. >> Yep. >> Is there a second to exiting the building? All in favor? I
next item on the agenda is um Captain Dusty's ice cream and the contract for the canteen at city beach. We updated the contract uh to show that
it's a one-year >> for the year 2020. It'll go from the date of execution, but essentially for the summer of 2026, >> right? My only comment is on the top of
the second page. The last word and care expected or accept um accepted. >> Take your moment. >> Oh, kind of makes sense. >> Yeah, >> that is that is exactly what was said in
the last contract. So, there's no change there. Okay. >> Any questions? Yes. >> Will authorize the town administrator enter into a one-year contract with Captain Dusty's Ice Cream to operate the canteen at Singing Beach for the 2026
season. >> Second. >> John, >> yes. >> Yes. Kathy, >> yes. >> Brian, yes. And Jeff, >> yes. The next item on the agenda um is to authorize the town administrator to sign the powerhouse
lane regulatory agreement and declaration of restricted buds. Any questions? Um not so much on the agreement itself, but um I'd like to understand from Tony what's kind of the concept of operations
here. This is um you know the paperwork associated with this is a compliance exercise. It's a little more than you know administrative work. So um I think it's important to have a concept of operations, clear roles and responsibilities, who's supposed to do
what when um because there and understand the ramifications if we get it wrong. I'm not sure if all that's been thought through yet. Um, so for the more typical process that
we're involved in, which is when uh the owner uh has to give the town notice of its rents and things of that nature, it's we don't really have much uh involvement there. Um the part where I
haven't uh fully thought out the operations of is um under section 16 default um it says that the owner and the municipality each covenant and agree to give EOHLC written notice of any default
violation or breach of the obligations of the owner or the municipality uh within 7 days of first discovering such default violation or breach. So if
if we discover a violation of the owner, we're required to notify EOHLC within 7 days. Um I'm not sure how I I haven't really fully understood how
we would become aware of a breach um and what would go into go into us notifying EOHLC. Do we have anything on the registry now? >> Yes. >> Right. We do. >> If not, there's
different categories. >> And you have the Manchester Housing Authority, which is under different rules. You also have properties from Windover, from building Wyman Circle and from um building um Elm Street, Smill
Circle because those were subject to tax credits or whatever. They're a whole different process. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first project we've had that's required a regulatory agreement.
But I yeah don't know what I don't know what happened when Nick Cherryas bought out the three units on Central. >> So, you know, I I have no objection to the agreement itself, but I I do think we're kind of swimming in new waters
here and we should understand our obligations. Compliance is something that can get you into trouble if you don't pay attention to it. So, we should get a clear conops and roles and responsibilities. So I imagine a complaint from a resident is what would trigger what would trigger this most likely
>> and and given the housing environment that could come real fast. Someone thought that there was supposed to be a lottery and there wasn't or you know so we we just need to dot our eyes and cross our tees here. >> Yeah, I agree. >> Yeah. >> I mean I think the good news is we have
no obligations under the marketing plan. I'm sorry. What? We have no obligations under the marketing plan of holding a lottery selecting right >> selecting the tenants. Our obligation is
they're required to give us a report once a year. >> Right. So, >> so a default would be if we don't receive the report. >> Exactly. So, that's a very good example. So, who in town hall is going to be responsible for making sure we receive that report? Right. Do you have
compliance teams that work for you? You know, I'm sure you can figure out them what's the best way to make sure this happens. >> Do you work in conjunction with the MHA? >> What? >> They wouldn't want to take on that responsibility.
>> We wouldn't want them to. >> Sarah, would you happen to know of any other towns that have this type of regulatory agreement in place? >> No. I mean, the recommendation I made was that I felt that the town administrator's assistant
could when they received the report put it on the agenda for the select board to approve the rents and if it's not received could follow up. >> Yeah, I I think this is a little more >> it's not it's this is not rocket
science. It's not rocket science, but it requires operational due diligence in a way. It's compliance. It's not administrative. And I would I would you have a couple of compliance, you know, teams that work for you. I would get their counsel, you know, how do they manage, you know, those due dates that
they have in the in the finance area especially, they have a process and they make sure that there's backup and, you know, it's compliance is a little different. So, I just would get some good advice from the team members and and their accountability >> but we initiate nothing under this
process. >> No, I know but but we I think since it's new for us we should understand what could happen if we don't get that annual report and you know are we in any way liable for anything. So, I just think it's it's good operational practice, you
know, just >> yeah, our admin has a lot of things that have to happen annually that she keeps track of somehow. All of these licenses and everything else seems to me that slips right into the same >> depends on the timing and >> Yeah. Yeah. But, you know, different things happen at different times.
>> They can increase the rents. >> Yeah. once a year and that's based on HUD releasing the updates to the area medium income which occurs on April 1st. So
>> not part of our fiscal cycle per se, right? >> No. So it's it's a specified time of year. Currently, PYD properties is managing this process and they're a large entity.
>> Um, you know, that I think it's just a matter of getting things on a calendar and and I can work with Debbie to to make sure that she has the proper contacts because they're also responsibility. They're also responsible for contacting EOHLC, not just the town.
>> Yeah. Right. Both both groups have to have that >> and we don't have a responsibility. >> Okay. >> To Yeah. Again, >> we need to be set up. I think I think part of her responsibility is to follow up with a lot of things on an annual basis. And
>> I I think it's Tony's responsibility. It's his team. He can >> he can make a good decision. And >> so I can keep at that. >> I can come up with that. and and uh if you're if >> if a decision for example if a decision
has to come before the select board you know that should we have a mechanism for that that's our action item right right but other than that it's your team how you manage it is your business >> right >> um if you're comfortable because I know
this is one of the last or >> the last >> the last uh step to uh for powderhouse you start the process of getting those units turned over and counted towards the SHA you're comfortable with moving forward and then
I will I'll come up with what those roles and responsibilities and process are going to be. >> Yeah, I think that's perfect. And just just add that to our action item tracker so we don't forget to talk about it. >> Okay. >> Awesome. Great. >> I move that the board authorized to sign
a powder house lane regulatory agreement for declaration of restrictive covenants. So I can >> John. >> Yes. >> Yes. Kathy. >> Yes. >> Brian >> and Jeff. >> Yes. >> And thank you Sarah for pushing that
through. Hang in there a little longer. Be careful walking home. was fun way that was >> and getting weekly followups from the state for it because we
had Bruce and Ferrant's office neatly of the OLC who's now gone. >> Okay. >> Okay. The next action item is a request from Northville to raise the transgender
flag. I'm sorry. >> Uh uh commendation of International Day of Trans Visibility for March 28th to April.
>> Good evening everyone. Thanks for having me on the agenda. My name is Dr. Hope Labuchi. My pronouns are she and her and I reside at two court here in Manchester on my childhood home. Um, I'm here today uh to ask uh on this agenda item uh to
raise the transgender flag uh here um the full flag uh a regular size flag on our uh town flag poll for the dates that are indicated there um on your agenda. Um, for those who don't
know, there's over a thousand uh in 2025 over a thousand anti-trans legislative items um before the uh the legislature. Um we know that uh in 2025 there were 23
u vicious uh attacks ended fatal attacks against the trans community. Uh since 2013 there's been over close to 400 attacks on the trans community. So, both as a resident myself um who identifies as a lesbian, I'm the founder and
president of Northshore Pride and uh you're celebrating 15 years uh this year. So, we ask that uh you know the town of Manchester give visibility and support to our trans community by raising that flag during uh the week of
uh trans day visibility. Um, I have a Py here need to speak at all, but that's my request. >> I got you. >> Just um, procedurally, >> yes. >> Um, before we agree to raise a flag,
there's usually a proclamation. >> Yes. >> That we would I didn't see one in the package. Did I miss it? >> That has not been produced yet. >> Usually it comes every year at the flag raiser. I know. So, we have one for the prime uh progress flag. We have that in our packet. I don't see one for this flag.
>> No, this is a new request. So, we didn't have we reused the one from last year. Um but we didn't have one for this request. >> Okay. >> So, that would that would have to be drafted. >> Okay. So, I think we you know I personally don't have any concern um
with uh a proclamation. Um I'm very comfortable with that. I do think since we added a second flagpole, we really again haven't talked about the conops around the flag pole. And what I'm
uncomfortable with is, you know, how many flag raisings are there going to be, you know, looking for Tony to help us with that type of logistics discussion. I support the trans community. I'm happy to support a proclamation.
I this is the second time we've had a request for like a one-day event and stretch it into a week. We had a request last June for the special Manchester flag, you know, around the 4th of July. So, what are we going to do with the second flag poll? We we put one up, but
we never really talked about some of the conups. So, I would like to have that discussion, but I I can support a proclamation. >> And again, it would be the trans uh I'm sorry to interrupt. It would be the trans flag is opposed to right now you have two of the United States flags.
>> The trans flag on our commemorative flag pole. >> Yes. >> Is that what we're calling? >> Okay. >> That's what it was called when it was um established. So >> couple of questions. What's this flag look like? >> So that's it. The other one. This is the
June flag. This is the >> Michael. Okay. Uh second question. So it is international day of trans visibility. You're asking for several days here >> um rather than put it up on day one and
take it down on day two. >> Yeah. >> Um any particular reason? >> Sure. For the reasons that I quoted violence is at an all-time high. I think it's important, you know, to put it up once you limit your exposure to our
community in terms of, you know, people seeing it and and what that flag means. And um I think it's very important. >> Okay. >> Our our trans violence is growing exponentially each and every year. Uh third question is there some sort are
you having some sort of a ceremony like you do for the pride flag and shows or is it largely just we'll do a short ceremony just like we do. >> Has anyone else applied for that time period for the flag? Okay.
Anybody else? >> No. >> Oh, sorry. >> No. Uh, I want to applaud your efforts. Okay. However, uh, I'm not inclined to cherrypick subsets of the same we do the, uh, with the pride flag in June,
which includes the transgender community, right? And I actually wrote this down so I wouldn't fumble over things here. Uh, I think the municipal flag display should remain focused and limited in scope. I don't I do not support the flying of the transgender
flag on municipal property. Government spaces should strive to represent broadly shared civic principles rather than an expanding array of civic identity based symbols. By supporting gay pride month while uh declining to flag identity flag reflects a desire to
balance inclusion with consistency and municipal policy. We can uphold equal protection and civil rights for all members of our community without requiring government endorsement of every district distinct symbol. I just I think that there's a lot of letters for the LGBTQ uh community and I'm concerned
that next year you're going to come back with another uh day and another flag and I think that we the uh the inclusiveness of the uh pride month should take care of all of that and that's just my feelings. No, I appreciate that, but basing it on a supposition that I'm
going to come back next year. >> I think the supposition that you weren't going to come back last year with the yellow flag. So, it's uh >> also you should know that the majority of the towns and cities on the Northshore raise the trans flag and majority of people I've spoken to are opposed to it. So,
>> how many people in >> a couple of Well, he brought it up, >> but it goes through the sheriff. >> Absolutely. So again, I'm not going to change my position on this regardless of the conversation. Okay? I support what you're doing, but I don't think that uh
that we need to fly in a flag. I think the uh the uh pride flag in the month of June should encompass all the uh the uh groups that you represent. That's my statement. Uh, no. I see this. You want five days?
What? Tuesday. One. Yeah. >> Yes. Hamilton 514 Forest Street. So, uh, I lost our transgender daughter last year. And, uh, you know, way back when she
when she recognized herself as a trans individual, uh, I was a parent, I had no idea what that phrase even meant or even used. So, what what do you do if you're a parent and you're worried about your child? You you start to do your research. Wife was a doctor. she did her
research, you know, looked at talked to psychologists. I was an educator. I did my research um a decade ago. Uh and when our daughter who had had many issues over the years and went through the Manchester school department,
uh once she recognized herself in her true identity, which is a recognized by the psychological association of this country, the doctors of this country, once she realized that and was able to live in her authentic self for life change, she was married. She had an
incredible career. But unfortunately, as was mentioned, when she was living in Colorado, she was attacked and abused. And as a result of that, and as a result of the weekly, almost daily threats against her life, uh she developed PTSD
and we lost her over a year ago uh because she couldn't get the help that she needed in terms of dealing with the emotional trauma that she was experienced. I also I I wish I knew more about PTSD. Um but I do know a little bit because I
have a son, my oldest son, who's done three tours of duty and now is about to go over yet again. And when he came from from Afghanistan the first time, he had PTSD and for a long time we were worried about losing him. Fortunately, he was
able to overcome that. So when you think about um when you think about whether we should fly a flag or this is the same flag, no, the transgender flag is very different. It's dealing with a a subset of of individuals, a minority in this
country who are being abused constantly. I mentioned about the education. Sorry, I'm taking longer. When I educated myself, it was my daughter had hope because um she had hope because there were laws being passed in this country
to protect the rights of transgender individuals. And I actually wrote and worked in my job was a educational consultant and I actually worked and wrote for the New Hampshire uh for the New York Department of Education um and and learned about kind of the
initiatives and the supports that were going on for transgender individuals. And as a part of that, I also looked across the whole country. I mean, a little aside is that Native Americans have a name for transgender uh individuals, which is true spirit or
other spirit. So, this is something that's been recognized in our country in different ways, many years. The long and short I'm going to just say is that since the time that I wrote the paper for the New York Department of Education and citing the various laws and and
policies that were being passed that was uh over a decade ago the now the laws in this country have multiplied tenfold or hundfold anti-trans. So my daughter was one of those individuals who threat felt threatened day in and
day out not only because of of the comments and attacks from people in individuals but also because um she she she you know she was in her 30s and she she understood what was happening in this country. Matter of fact we we lost
her the day after the election. Um and I think she just finally lost all hope. So, why is it important to have it up for five days? Well, thank goodness that there are people that have that flag up in front of their house 365 days a year
because for that population and that minority, that gives them hope. that gives them hope that someone in their neighborhood and it's sorry I'm sorry to hear that you have people who are opposed to it because the bottom line is it's just a flag to it's just a piece of
cloth um to some people but to other people it's a sign of hope and it's a sign of support and we lost our daughter but um I'm wearing this because I I volunteer now and support and I know I was I know there's many other children
in this community who are trans individ individuals and they're and they're afraid and they're not getting the sport. It would be nice to know be nice to have a flag somewhere in this on town hall six 365 days a year but at least five days a year on the TR would be an
awful nice sign from this uh community that we support diversity and we support >> uh as a parent I feel for you. Okay. I've got uh a son who struggles in drug rehab, alcohol, so I know what it is to
struggle. Okay. Uh but that doesn't I'm I'm still conflicted by the uh the process. Okay. We have the trans Okay. We have the uh the pro the progress black now. I apologize. And my
understanding is that encompasses all the uh the the sets. And I think that that's that should be >> that that's to me is is should take care of that. And that I can again that's my
opinion my feelings I you know my sister has been with the same woman for 40 years. Okay. It's it's not a uh a statement on lifestyle. which is a belief on the municipal uh municipality
and what the uh the flag pole and what the town stands for and a broader range of things. >> I appreciate that. I was on school committee for six years. >> So my point is don't this is not a personal attack on
>> I don't I I believe I totally accept and appreciate that. I want to point out to you though that um I when I sat in your situation somewhere around the school fort I had that I had that same feeling. I remember the there
was actually a desire to have a gay uh display in the in the school. So I sat in a very similar seat and I didn't want to go I knew there were many different feelings. But what I will tell you is that it isn't the same. the the flags
are not the same, especially for transgender individuals. And and the only way I learned that the only way I learned that was because I had a trans daughter. And the only people who understand what it's like to have a trans individual or member of the family
are the people who've taken the time, whether they wanted to or were forced to to learn. And so when my wife and I first experienced this, and it was tough, we didn't know that was trans. We had no idea what it was. So, as I said,
we learned. But we also went to a a group called Peple, which was parents and friends of of uh of, you know, it was the whole LGBT community and originally, but what we experienced after two years of support, which was
wonderful from from individuals who had trans children 10 years before young and had had to learn. What we learned was that this was just a part of some individuals who they are and who they are being. And we also learned and we
ended up facilitating for the next decade the same group that helped us. And all I can say is um the only people who understand what it is to be trans are the people who either live it or the parents who have had to live it with
their children. That was the community. And the only way probably you can understand the depths of importance of flying a flag for five days is if you experience the personal thing. And the only thing I can say is I'd be happy to sit and talk with anyone for an hour, 10
hours and talk to you about the experiences. But >> I I've I've met a hundred families since that time over here and have seen what it's meant and the struggle their children go through and when they actually identify themselves, how all of
a sudden it it it changes their lives >> and and one of these days we'll sit down and chat. Okay. Doesn't change but it doesn't change how I feel about the uh these virus. Okay. Yeah, we're done. I think we are done. Yeah. Okay.
Yes. Um let me just check and make sure that there is no further comment from this. >> Okay. Um please somebody online to just >> Okay. Please identify your and your uh
Elena Jacobs one street. Uh my concern here is that the statement that keeps being brought up like this is not the policy of our town or this is not how our town feels or we're not all.
This is a flag. It's just a flag. And in a time in our country where there's so much hate and so much war and so much pain, if this is going to make one person in our town happy, why not put it up there? I don't
get it. It doesn't make any sense to me at all. It's just about showing love and support. No matter if there's three people, one people, 10 people, it doesn't matter. It's a flag. We have two polls. And when you say that the transgender flag is part of the pride
flag, that just shows ignorance because it's just like saying people who are transgender should just be underneath the flag of the United States because we are all Americans. What's the difference? We have now two flag poles
on the Hawthorn Hotel. They change their flags every single day representing different towns, different cultures, different cities, different, you know, countries. Let's >> I'm just trying to make a point that we
have two flag poles and why does it matter if we change it 15 times a year or five times a year? I I just I just think that right now we're losing focus of like this town is a small town and I think that we should be known as being encompassed to love everyone and
accepting everyone and if this like I said if it's going to make just a handful of people better and happier in our town we should be okay with that. That's just how I feel about that >> that we do face a slight
issue um which is that the uh this particular black pole is specifically government speech. It that we we this is not public speech.
That's an important distinction because if we were just handling public speech um we would be required by um a recent decision of the Supreme Court in Massachusetts
um to raise any flag that comes by uh regardless of what we think of it. So, I just wanted to address the question, why don't we fly some flag every day? And I don't think we've got the capacity to
have a specific a reason why the government supports something every single day. >> We're not asking for every >> No, I don't no. But my my earlier point was just that, you know,
lots of folks wanted a second flag pole. Okay. But you have to put some conops around that again. You know, how many times a year are we willing to change it? Are we going to pay people overtime if the flag has to be changed on a weekend? There are logistics around
having the extra capacity. We doubled our capacity for commemorative flags where we put that poll up. Okay. And we never talked about how we were going to manage it. Do we allow if you if you are It doesn't sound like you're correct, Brian, about the overlap in in purpose
of the two flags that are in front of us today, but let's say you were correct about that. There's nothing in our policy that says we can't have overlap. So, I'm just saying we put up a flag pole and didn't think about how we would actually actually use it other than the government speech part. You know, we
very careful about and the proclamation >> and the proclamation and the flag is maintained by is raised and lowered by the fire department. >> Okay. So, >> yeah, the fire department deals with when it needs to be a half staff, they
come and they put in a half. So, this is that. >> Yeah. But still, what's our what's our capacity for changing the flag? Do we want to be like that hotel that the So I don't think we want that, but I don't know what we do want because we never talked about it. That's that's my point.
>> It's not public speech. I'm not worried about raising it. We've got now three different flags a year. No. You go down to the city of Austin and they line up because every day there's somebody else. But that's >> that's because they were declared public speaker, >> right? And there were some >> government speaking.
>> Yes. But now that they've changed, they still have many, many more than we do. talked about. >> Okay, I'm fine with it. >> Can I just ask a question? I just >> What is the difference between What is government speech?
>> Government speech is >> Does it just mean you have to decide on it? >> We decide on it and we produce a proclamation explaining our reason for supporting this particular cause. So, it's within your purview as a
government, as our local town government to do this or do it. >> Yes. >> And I will add that most cities and towns on the Northshore do a >> Yeah. It it has to go with the flag, >> right? >> If it's going to apply there, the Hawthorne Hotel, of course, that's
private property. They can >> put up a flag every 10 minutes. >> Yes, please. I what's your name? And >> Mike 12 North Street. Uh I agree with most everything Brian said. You were right on with all that. I don't believe
we should be putting flags up that represent such a small group. 1% of the population is trans. 9% is LGBTQ. 40% of the LGBTQ
community is Christian. Yet they want to put up a trans flag on the holiest week of the year for Christians. >> Miss Bucky over here keeps talking about trans, you know, um
violence against trans. If you look at all the records of all the mass shootings that have been done lately, 90% of them are trans against Christians and and you know, people like us. It's
we got to start it somewhere. We can't keep putting up a flag for one specific group. Where's the handicap flag? Where's the Christian flag? Where's this flag? It's got to stop. We should have an American flag. We all live in America. We shouldn't be just pigeon holeing people and shoving their stuff
down our throats. And that's what it is. They're shoving it down. They're shoving it down our throats. We shouldn't have to. I don't mind. You want to do the You want to do the pride month? Does any of you know that Pride month used to be family month? That got taken away.
>> Used U used to be used to be family month. 1985 it was family month. 1999 they changed it to Pride month. So, where's family? Where'd family go? Family's gone. And now they want to now they want to take the holiest week of the year for Christians and put up a transgender flag. This isn't a hate
thing. This isn't anything. I'm just tired of this stuff being shoved down my throat. >> Thank you. >> Yes, please. We We have way over the time, but please be brief. >> Okay. I just uh Patty Gillis, Patty
Tusac Gillis on eight night circle. I'm also on the board of Northshore Pride and I'm the proud mother of a transgender child and if she didn't transition to who she is today, she wouldn't be here with us
anymore. So, it's the hope that that flag brings us that those beautiful colors, the blue, pink, and white um that the hope that um brings to us as a family. We are a family. We're a very
supportive family. And my daughter is the most amazing woman you've ever met in your life. When five years ago, she couldn't get off out of the bed. She's living a beautiful life. She's helping people. She works in the mental health
field, the a community of people and it's just five days and it brings hope to all of us that in the midst of all of the hate that is out there for my daughter
and how in so many different states in mass in this country, they're taking away transgender people's rights every minute of every today that that's all we're asking for. We're asking to just show a little support and say we're
here for you. We see you. We believe in you. Keep doing what you're doing. And that's and she we've never heard a reply. All she wants to do is be herself and to love. So, thank you for hearing it.
>> Yes. >> Hi, my name's Kim 12 North Street. Good evening. I'm speaking against the pride flag on Transgender Day of Visibility, March 31st, as it falls during Holy Week,
leading to Easter on April 5th. This display feels divisive and insensitive to our Christian families and community observances. While I respect inclusion efforts, one individual's push for LGBTQ plus rights
doesn't align with our town's family values. With our strong churches and godly people who prioritize faith and family, promoting transgender ideology to children is inappropriate and harmful. We must stop this to protect
our kids from confusion and irreversible decisions. Tragically, several mass killings by trans transgender identifying individuals highlight potential mental illness risk tied to gender confusion.
Audrey Hail, transman, 23, killed six. Alec McKenna, trans boy, 2019, killed one, injured eight. Robin Westman, trans woman, 2025,
killed two. Jesse Van Grosser, transwoman, killed eight, including five students. Robert Durigorn, Rhode Island, known as Robera, killed three family members.
Consider these real stories of minors who transitioned and later dransitioned with lifelong regrets. Khloe Cole starting at age 12. She dansitioned at 16. Prica Mosley she started at 17 now
she's suing for complications. Luca Hine surgery at 16 dransitioned at 20. Fox Barian surgery at 16, dransition by 22, won $2 million lawsuit. Helina
Perser transitioned in teens. She dransitioned by 24. Charlie Evans, he started at 16 >> and at 26 he dransitioned. >> Is this pertinent to the black discussion? >> I don't believe it is.
>> No, it is. Well, she was giving her um facts. I thought I was going to give some >> actual stats. >> Actual. These are actual facts. These cases underscore the risk. Let's prioritize caution and support and close
and honor our town values, fate, and family and community. We honor veterans, but don't need to promote gender confusion. I'm here to fight this until the day I die because our children deserve protection.
you. Thank you. >> I think we have one more comment. >> That's true. >> Well, there was somebody online. >> There was somebody online. I'm sorry. We should Yes. Um, please identify yourself. >> Is can you hear me? >> Yes.
>> Yes. Hi. Um, Tom Lang. Um, I lived in Manchester for 21 years. 18 Eastern A here now in Essex and I am monitoring this uh Zoom meeting and and and thank you for
uh you know opening this up to Zoom to actually be able to hear and see what you're saying. And I I came here and I'm going to be very honest because I thought that hope was overreaching regarding the trans flag. Um, Hope is
wanting to put the trans flag here in Manchester um for transgender visibility day. But the trans community um has uh another day that they hold
very dear and that's the transgender day of remembrance which is even more important than the transgender visibility day. And uh if you've ever gone to any of the ceremonies of transgender day of remembrance, it's the
day where you go to a church. I remember going to the North Church in Boston where they just read the names of the trans people that were murdered, abused, or killed themselves.
So, I think now that I'm I'm seeing what Hope's doing, and I came here because I I didn't like the fact that there was this, you know, the flag was going to hang here in Manchester, and I thought,
wow, no. Um, it's really an important thing because all hope and the trans community is asking for is a day of visibility, not a day of remembrance, not a day of
death, murder, and suicide. And I don't think that's a lot to ask of a town. We're talking about a flag. And we're talking about people in our community. I don't care if it's one person in your
town. And I wish Essex would do something like this, but we don't have leadership like Hope and we don't have the deaths and the trauma and the and that everything is going on in Manchester and around
Capean. So that's why I came here. And I'm going to tell you again and I'm going to emphasize this that I came here because I didn't agree with hope at first and I thought about it and I think you should all think about it. It's not a
big ask. And you know if we can't do for the most vulnerable in our community, then what are we? Especially now what's going on. There are states that are taking rights away from people. There's a government
that's taking rights away from people. It's not a big ask of our little communities. And again, I'm here in Essex. We share a school system. And I thought and I respect that you allow me to speak tonight. And that's all I
needed to say. And and thank you for and and and you know, and thank you for listening. Um, there's one more hand up in the audience and my vision isn't good enough to find it
to read. So, if there if the person the other person with a hand up would like to >> I think that was him. >> Oh, okay. >> Okay. Mr. Could you lower your hand just so I don't get confused again?
>> So, where are we? So, there we go. Hold on. Did that do it? >> Nope. >> It's lower lower end there. Good. >> Say it quickly. >> Very quick. Um Christine Matron Barav
and I also have a trans child and my question is what is the issue? Why is it such a big ask? just to mirror Tom Lang to ask for five days instead of one. I'm just curious as far as what the problem is. It's not five days versus one, it's
five days versus none. And under what we've been asked any madam chair, can I make a suggestion? >> Yes. >> Um, I think there's two different asks here tonight. One is for the training visibility flag and the other is for the
progress flag. Um I would like that we we don't have a proclamation in front of us to >> state what it is we're supposed to be supporting. I would like to see that. I think it's important that people see that so they can vote yay or nay based on the proclamation. So I personally I
think there needs to be a proclamation and we should vote on that at our next meeting. for tonight. I progress flag. We've been doing it for years. They say we vote on that. Say yay. And that that would just be my suggestion because I know we're running out of time.
>> Yeah, I think that's a good >> probably is. >> We don't have a proclamation in front of us to approve. So, according to our policy, we need that. Let's see what it says. >> And I I'm I'm no poet, so I don't know who needs to draft that whether >> I think I drafted the first one. So,
>> okay. But let's understand what we are supporting as government speech and then we take a vote next meeting. >> Any does anyone object to and putting this items for next week? >> Madam chairperson, can I just ask? So
the language would be basically the same just changing from LGBTQ to transgender. I've read the proclamation. You've given it to me and changing it to transgender day of visibility.
>> I think there's a strong feeling on the board that we need to delay this decision until our next meeting. >> And when is your next meeting? >> In two weeks. >> In two weeks. >> Is it possible to get a reading of how the board will vote? So we don't
>> I'd rather not do a straw, but no. >> Okay. So um for the progress flag, I can propose a motion >> which is for the month of June. I move that the select board proclaim the month
of June as LGBTQ month in the town of Manchester by the Sea and sign a proclamation to presented to be presented on May 31st. >> Second. >> Ready for a vote. Jeff? >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Kathy, yes. Says yes. >> John says yes. >> Okay. Thank you all very much. Um the next item on the agenda is the expression committee who are sure to rest chapel
for Sunday mornings from June to there was an explanation in our packet. I think there was going to be some additional I thought there was supposed to be some additional information >> because something was redacted >> would be
this is not >> right now essence is just to use it for the months of the summer months >> the summer months yeah I mean >> as opposed to going to the uh the sun >> so my my only and I express this to Tony, but my only
uh concern is the parking >> because Rosedale gets inundated with the school parking. It's real. It's an ongoing problem. >> Um I don't know what kind of plan there
would be. I would just like to maybe have the police keep an eye on the situation. >> This is on a Sunday. I understand. But what happens is is that these people get and I understand it's during the summer, but my
understanding is this if this summer thing works out, it might get extended. >> Well, then we'll reiterate. >> I thought for this period though, wasn't there something in the documentation that said they had negotiated with the school to use their parking lot? Did I read that? Okay. >> But that doesn't necessarily mean people
are going to use that lot. I mean, we already have that problem. Okay. But we can certainly ask that. >> I mean, I would think if I was a member of that church, I'd want to be on my best behavior and make sure, you know, the congregants use the parking that's
been identified for them because if they don't, they might not get permission to use the >> Well, the problem we have now is that kids are supposed to park at Brook Street or Coachfield, field, whatever you want to call it. And they don't. They park up in these neighborhoods. >> Yeah. Kids are >> for school. Well, that's a different
issue, though. >> Well, the issue is is that it's compounding on these neighborhoods, this parking situation. >> Well, it's different days. I mean, they're not competing for the same spots. It's just >> true. But if you live there and you were
putting up with this all school year, one more day on top, you know, said every Sunday you've got this. >> I'm not I'm not against this happening. I'm just asking
that we keep an eye on this parking situation. That's all I'm asking. >> Yeah, I spoke I spoke to the chief police. Um we will keep an eye on it. Uh we I added, you know, you could consider as part of your motion, you know,
pending approval of a an approved parking plan. They do it does seem like they have the agreement to park in the school lot. Um so we can hold them you know hold them to that. There is some
past exception made for special events at the chapel where we allow uh visitors of that event to park on the uh where currently no parking is allowed.
Um so we could consider something like that or you know the a number of different options. Obviously, that would probably cause more issues if we did something like that. We can work closely with the uh the applicant and
create a parking plan that we think will least impact the neighborhood and the police department will keep an eye on it. >> Yeah. As long as we're keeping an eye on the situation, I'm okay with it.
as long as they're cognizant of the uh ramifications if they don't. >> And we'll have our parking enforcement personnel on staff at that time as well. So, we can include that as part of their route. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. What What's the signage up there
say right now? I don't think you can park during the school year on Rosedale. >> Yeah. >> What do they What do they do for weddings? >> On one side. >> On one side. opposite of the Yeah. >> What do they do when they have events there? I mean, it's it's an event venue.
So, what what is the typical practice for parking there? >> Grab a >> It's basically just jam in the street full of cows and you can't even you couldn't you couldn't get a fire truck or an ambulance down there if you wanted to. That's what I can tell you. That's what it looks like. >> I park in that street for those events.
>> I I have parked um probably once every two months. Seniors have an event and I I will go there. Um, and there have been cars on both sides, but it's not jammed per se. But in other words, is there a no parking on the left on the on the cemetery side? >> Correct.
>> I don't know. >> Yeah, there is no >> because I parked there. >> That's right. Usually park left >> and then it's actually resident, >> but I went with the first guy. >> I think we've typically allowed >> I think so during >> events >> events in the chapel, >> right?
>> Yeah. But that has less of a um consistent um >> it's not like every Sunday >> every Sunday. I mean the events I go yeah maybe it's once a month or right >> it's it's a one-off sort of thing.
>> So maybe we don't want to include that as an option for this >> and um request. >> I think we need to we need to adjust it as necessary. I mean, I'm not saying no. You know, >> we have the option. >> If it works, it works, but if it
doesn't, we need to adjust it >> or just limit the parking to the school and that's it. >> And they can also park on on uh >> Pleasant Street, Pleasant Extension there in front of the in front of the cemetery.
>> Yeah. Because I mean there congregation is there a lot of not just from all man. They're ball around. >> Yes, they are. >> So, there's not the resident packing is still going to be in place, I would >> Well, it's not.
>> Yeah, it's too far away. >> Recommend that um Miss Dixon uh instruct your congregation that they should park in the school parking lot. >> Absolutely. >> Yeah. I mean, they only said they
negotiated it. So, I think that's >> and I wouldn't have any problem >> ticket if they don't. I mean, >> and I don't have any problem with Pleasant in front of the cemetery that's not in front of any houses or anything. >> Let's just make it really simple. >> Yeah. The congregation must pack in Pak.
>> Yes. >> So, >> I like to walk the snow. Um, I move that the board approve Trinity Northshore requesting the Subural Chapel every Sunday morning from 900 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. during the months of June, July,
and August of 2026 with the condition that the congregants park in the school parking. >> Second. >> Jeff, >> yes. >> Brian, >> yes. >> Yes. Says yes. >> John, yes.
>> Okay. The next item um on action items is a request from Jim Starky for the creation of the judging committee task force. Mr. start. Do you have you could
>> identify yourself and >> and before you do that probably I should um >> the chair will transfer the gavl to the vice chair at least for this issue because she thinks there might be a possible conflict of interest. I'll accept that.
>> My griev >> okay. So uh yes and the topic is I guess the possibility of a dredging committee. U and Mr. Starky, you have an opinion on that. >> Okay. Thank you. Um >> identify even though
>> Yes, that's correct. >> Identify yourself, please. >> My name is Jim Starky, 13 Tux Point Road. >> Okay. and I'm here with my many hats as the founding
chairman of the judging advisory committee which is set up by the board of select men about 2015. Um let me start with with two spoilers.
The first is this is not about laying out area five. This is about area four. The second is that this is also about a possibly unnecessary 1.5 million
dollar dredging project. So let me go back to the beginning. Um when I first made the proposal to the board of selectmen in 2015 for a duding committee, the harbor advisory committee had decided had no interest in involving
in dredging. it just he would not take it up and it was very clear to me that this was a very important thing that the town had to address in the long run. So I put together a proposal and the first which became the charter of the committee. The first thing is working
with the harbor master to develop a master plan for harbor maintenance. So before I made this proposal, I had put together a harbor hydraological model based on historical surveys from from
the harbor, which is very interesting because we could first see where the harbor filled in at exactly with the rate that we would fill in. And had a slider, we can go forward. We could project this forward and see where the harbor.
And this is you know having proposed this to the select board u based on the need for a a master plan for um hybrid committee. So what we did is we started with with the hydraological
model and then put in a financial model for individual projects for dredging parts of the harbor and it was tied into the hydraological model. So we compute how much fill there was there and estimate the the cost of that particular dredging and it was tied to a year. So
we developed a project for each of the areas for the harbor and then we took it one step further and we developed a mechanism for we could define a plan. We expect to find a bunch of them for a plan. But a plan was a, you know, for each of these projects, what year it
would be done. And when we were doing that, we were looking at, you know, for each of the areas at which point the model looked like it was going to be a serious problem for boats in the harbor. And while we were doing that,
while we're figuring out what is what is the master plan, um we had the idea that by moving deep draft boats out of area four, which is over by the rotunda, into
area five, that area five having deep boats would have to be dredged about every 20 years. And when it got down to from 8 feet for its dredging down to about six feet that with the deep draft boats out of area four that it could be dredged much less frequently in the best
case and in half the frequency of the uh the deeper areas and this would have a huge effect on the long-term cost of of managing the harbor. So the when we produced the final report for the long-term plan, the master plan for
dredging, it included um moving sailboats out of area 4 into area five. Now we're coming up on a dredging and it's completely unclear to me whether it's this year or next year. I don't have any idea. Um
the go back and say that the the master plan was signed off unanimously by the judge and advisory committee u which included Carl Don was representative from the
harbor committee. He was vice chair and bion. We were working very closely with bion at this point and he attended every one of our meetings. He bought into it. uh we presented it to the board of selectman uh that's what it was called back then and it was accepted by the
board of selectman so it became you know the policy so now let's skip forward you know 10 years or so um coming up on a on a major dredging and all the homework that we
had thought that should be done does not seem to be underway Okay. Um, so I met with the Harvard advisory committee a year ago in January and you know showed them you know the software that I had and you know the modeling I could do and
you know they're very enthusiastic a bunch of questions and then they voted to accept this as for going forward and we just had we agreed that we needed to have a bunch of meetings we'd have a public meeting um for people in Harvard so they could kind of understand why people would be moving from area to area
which is not going to be very popular but it's important um as well as other things I mean working out the mechanisms for swapping morings around and we agreed we and then we needed to go over exactly what the moring spacing requirements were so everybody agreement
we needed to meet with the uh moring service providers and then nothing happened nothing happened you know it's been 14 months I've been through all of their minutes the word dredging has come up once and it had to do with a reference
to a bond issue for not. So the judging committee, the harbor advisory committee is just not doing this. And so we're exactly where we were, you know, 10 11 years ago. Um,
so I would like to see that the the direction committee be reconstituted because and the the the last three of the duties and responsibilities u of the uh dredging and advisory committee is working with the harbor
advisory committee to establish moring policies consistent with the master plan. That's not happening. That's just not happening. The the moorings the sailboats in areas four are completely contrary. It's just
just not happening. And second, engaging the harbor community during development and implementation of the master plan. That's just not going on. There's no information about the dredging or the policies that's available in any place. It's neither on neither on the harbor
masters page nor on the Harvard adisement committee. And and finally, and this is critically important, periodic review on ongoing dredging projects, plans, and permits so people know what's going on. And right now,
we've got a total vacuum in terms of of data. So, what I'm asking you is to reconstitute this committee so we can take on, you know, the issues that are coming on. Now, there there are two
cases here. I don't know what the layout plan is um for for area five and because nobody's talking. If there is a plan, we don't know what it is. But there really are two cases.
One is that it's going along as with the master plan in which case we need to do the the public uh the public face and have meetings and get consensus on these uh address bunch of secondary and tertiary
issues like warning swaps or in fact that's not going to happen in which case the master plan is dead and we have to do a new one because it's all based on that. All right. I think I think we've got a handle on what the what the issue is here with regard to the dredging.
>> Is there someone present from the Harvard Advisory Committee here or >> online that can address that or maybe maybe you Tony or or Andy? I can
>> I um I spoke with uh with our harbor master and our deputy um had some email exchange with uh the chairman of the harbor advisory committee um largely in response to the comments that Mr.
Stark's made here tonight and the documentation that was submitted earlier uh in the in the week. um respectfully uh I don't and they don't feel that the
comments are accurate as far as the activity that is or is not going on with the Harbor Advisory Committee or how it's being um discussed in open session. Um most you know like any capital project
uh no matter the department that that we're working under here it's the harbor department uh but if this was a DBW project um the department head working closely with an engineering firm was is
where that process would start. Uh if there was a desire to change the mooring locations in these areas post dredge uh that would become or likely would be would include the harbor advisory committee and a and
there and therefore a public process. I don't think that we're well along in that process at this point. Um and Andy if you could speak a little bit about you know maybe some of the things that have gone on or um sure or where
the harbor advisory committee is. >> Andrew Vanos deputy hotmaster. Uh first off I want to applaud you Jim because we came up with you know we appreciate you trying to help out. I think it's great. Um where we're at
right now is we're working with the engineering company. You got to get the dredging done. And it's basically what we try to do now is try to move moorings so that not move moorings but move uh deep water boats
into area 5 when when stuff is given up. So if someone gets a new, you know, uh moing gets given up, we'll try to get a shallow draft boat in there. That's what B's been doing for years. Um, so I get
what you're trying to say, but trying to tell people that they have to give up their morning that they had for 30 years just is not going to work. It's not going to be a popular >> process. Ask a question. Excuse me. When you're done, I'd like to
ask a question. >> Yeah. >> Uh, keep going, Andy. >> There's a Harbor Advisory Committee. Um, so we we give our reports to the Hob advisory committee, you know, uh, each
session. Where we're at right now is we're still waiting on permits. We're always held up by the permitting process. So until we until that permit comes through, we can't give you any more details where we're at. >> This is that permits for dredging.
>> Yes. >> Okay. So that that is in progress but it's not necessarily in any of the minutes associated with the harbor harbor advisory committee at this point. >> No, just because we have not had a update. >> Okay. >> So I mean it's we're we're always
waiting unfortunately on state. >> Well I know certainly that project is the subject of a capital item. >> Yep. >> It's uh for consideration this year. Uh yes. So my question is, if I
understood Mr. Stark's point, there is an opportunity to save $1.5 million if we were to not wait for turnover, but manage the moorings and move
the the larger sailboats into this other area >> so that we could I'm I'm asking the question. So to dredge on a different schedule which might save us money. >> That is that is certainly a possibility.
U but just generally speaking you know moving deep water vessels into the deep water areas would accomplish that would accomplish that feat. Right. So the it's less you need to dredge for shallow
boats. So, um, but that would cause a lot of issues in the harbor, moving a lot of the deeper, you know, deep water boats into the deeper water area where you wouldn't have to dredge as much if that was the goal, uh, that we were
trying to pursue, >> right? So, you would move all your sailboats to area 7 and move all your power boats in area five if you that was really your goal to do this. That's what you would do. >> Which which would >> which would turn into a disaster,
>> right? >> I think I >> And you're not >> Can I just say something? You're not you're not necessarily saving money by putting off dredging. You're you're pushing it down the road and that area is going to silt in more. It's going to
cost you more the next time and the dredging gets more expensive every time. So, it's like when we talk about the time to build is now because now is the cheapest, right? If you remove that material today,
it's going to cost you less than it is tomorrow. There's going to be more material there to remove down the road. So, are you saving money? I think I think you're you're you're pushing that cost down the road to
possibly be more than it is now. What how many you know whenever we talk about capacity and asset management you have to talk numbers. How many boats are we talking about? >> What percentage of the large um boats
are in the right area whatever that is and what percentage of the boats are not. So, so right now if you're talking about area four, there's only two deep draft vessels left and we're working to try to get them out there as
we speak. There's only two in there. >> Okay. >> 27 the list. >> I'm sorry. 27 large vessels in the correct area or 27 need to be moved to
accomplish what you're suggesting. >> I'm not clear on what the number >> Well, it's it's I don't know what your definition is of a deep draft vessel. Is that like >> are 23 deep water vessels in the proper place or 23 deep water vessels would have to
move to accomplish your suggestion? Yeah, >> there' be 23 deep drop sailboats in Eric that are currently in area four that would need to be moved to area five. >> Okay. >> What are you considering deep draft? >> Yeah, it's my I don't know what deep draft is.
>> Um let me explain. Um mixing sailboats and power boats is a very bad idea. And the reason for that is that sailboats have kees and they align with the current and power boats don't and they line with the wind. And when the wind
and the current aren't aligning, they bump into each other. So, you know, the the draft in the harbor database is not at all reliable. So, I can't really go on that. So, I'm just, you know, we're talking about sailboats that do have all
sailboats. Um, could I ask a couple questions or I three one question two questions in one. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um, with regard to pushing the
moring down off, you're absolutely correct that that that dredging has to happen sooner or later. The difference is however once you have done that um where area five will need to be stretched every 20 years to maintain
acceptable uh depth if you have just power boats it only needs to be done every 35 or 40 years so you you're putting it off for the very first time but after that there's a long-term sity and that's significant
now Mr. I have two questions for you. Um, you said that you had talked to somebody from the Harbor Advisory Committee and you just who decided that what I was going to say was inaccurate.
I am just curious on how you knew what I was going to say and determined it was inaccurate before I said it. The second is, could you tell me exactly what I said that was inaccurate? >> Yeah, I'm not gonna
uh take that question um or in other words bait. I'm not going to enter into that type of debate with you. Uh I feel strongly that we have a harbor department. We have professionals
uh here in town. We also hire professionals, professional engineers to advise us on how we should conduct the moing placement if we if we so desire to change that. And I think that that
should be where this conversation should start. And if there is a public process where you would like to provide your feedback on that, it should be done with the Harbor Advisory Committee. And I advisory committee is not
discussing dredging. They're not even meeting this home. >> Second, if you are going to accuse me of >> I I I don't want to get into arguments here. I know that you have a lot of information and all of us here have read it.
>> I found it I found it interesting and these are considerations. However, as uh as as Tony has indicated, we've got a professional engineering group that's going to be assisting. I don't know where they stand with the whole process, but will be helping us with the dredging
activity and I would think that the harbor advisory committee would certainly share that information with was it both? I don't I'm not sure. >> Both. >> Okay. Both. And to the extent that there's something there that makes sense and some of a lot of what you said I
thought was interesting uh stuff and maybe it does from an engineering perspective. Certainly from a social political perspective moving people around that's hard, >> right? But uh they can take that under advisement and it would seem to me that that there would be a public hearing at
one point or another with regard to what's going to happen with the dredging down the road. >> I would like to make a suggestion. >> Yes. >> So if I could make a suggestion, um I think there's two separate issues here a little bit. Um sounds like there's some engineering going on, some planning
going on and and we need to understand what that's going to entail. Um, if as part of that effort there's a recommendation that we move people, we should move people because I got to tell
you, I know it's hard, but when you sign up for, you know, put your boat in a private marina like I have mine, it's part of my contract. I I don't like it when they ask me to move my boat, but it's part of the contract. It's part of the deal. So, we should not
hesitate to do what's in the best interest of the harbor because we're afraid of getting flak from some friends. Okay, that's kind of where I draw the line. I I don't know if Mr. Stark's suggestions are the right ones. I agree with Tony. We have professionals
looking into this. I look forward to learning about what they have to say, but let's not get into, oh, that's my mooring for 30 years. Sorry. We have to do what's in the best interest of the harbor. And if it's difficult, then
that's all of our jobs to help make Andy and Bion's life a little easier. >> And and from speaking with the harvester, uh he's on board with that. And I believe the harbor advisory committee which has
been stated is has no interest in taking this up is in fact open to that and in and has displayed that by trying to move boats efficiently as moorings become available. Now typic the last time I think we dredged what was
done was the existing moorings were pulled out and put back in the same exact spot. I I I believe um now that might have been for I'm not sure what the reasoning was behind that. So right now we have engineering on you know
being conducted on the dredging that's going to happen and help us with the permitting process. If there's a desire to explore changing how the moorings are laid out or where boats go, we would ask them to give us
some advice as to what could we do with the current project and then how could that benefit the town and then we would evaluate that, understand what the process that would be to take that on pro likely include public process through the
harbor advisory committee and discuss that openly. and then make a decision that's best for the town. So the, you know, the comments that were made to me, not comments of my own, >> y >> are that there is desire, there has been
proven desire um and interest into having that conversation if it if it turns out to make sense. >> And I understand this stuff is hard. I used to support factories and whenever we got a new product in and had to redesign the entire factory, it was a pain. But sometimes you got to do hard stuff.
So I just want to make sure that whatever decisions we make on anything, we're doing what's in the best interest, the safety of the harbor. And if we get to save a little money, too, great. But safety's got to come first. Our harbor is getting congested. We spend enough time talking about that. And and you know, kind of ownership on a mooring.
It's not at the top of my care. >> Well, I will just one quick quick warning about that. I mean, >> obviously it it's always changing out there, right? is people get new different boats. They want to go from a pow boat to a sailboat or a sailboat to a pow is
what's happening today. Um so when someone gets a moing, you know, they may have a 26 foot grading white. >> Uh they want to get a 22 foot day. >> It completely changes everything. So we have to logistically look at it every single morning.
>> I get it. >> And so >> I get it. I just changed my sleep because I got a different book. I totally get it. and the marina had the right to tell me where to put my new boat. And I just want to make sure you guys >> a little bit different. It's a little different because
>> the the 10A permit is different from >> okay >> a slip place. So it's it's a little different. >> If you get like if you get uh if you got a 30 foot pile, you got 30 foot sailboat. I can't go. Hey Kathy, I'm sorry, but you're gonna have to go to the area. you'll probably come down to
my office and strangle me won't. But I mean, so that's the stuff we got to kind of look at. We can't and can't do >> as long as we are following the law and not letting personal preference dictate what we do. That is my that is my message. We do what's in the best
interest of the harbor and hopefully save a little money. >> Yes. >> But personal >> that's what's happening now. That's what's happening. I got so I've been to the Harvard advisory committees and I this is what's going on. The Harvard advisory committee is has talked about
this. The the harbor master and the deputy hire master have both talked about this. But I think that right now where we're waiting for per we're stalled on permits. We're not at a point to be making these decisions yet. And
that's why this has stalled. It's not that the Harvard Advisory Committee does not want to take this on. I don't I do not personally believe that to be true and I don't believe that any of our har people working for our Harvard don't want to take this on. I think it's
premature at this juncture to be to make a plan when we don't know what this is going to look like. >> Okay. Well, >> and that's I believe where we're at. Jeff, and I know that you interfaced with the Harbor Advisory Committee, so you know more than anyone else here on
this on in in our group as to what's going on there and the issues that Mr. Starky has brought up. These are all issues that are getting pushed around on the table right now. >> I think a lot of them are >> all right. He's the committee has the note that he wrote
>> and so they know what the story is. With regard to a separate dredging committee, I think dredging is a purview of the harbor advisory committee. >> I would agree. >> And to the extent that you've got to have some people that really kind of ride her and need to know if a subset of
the harbor advisory committee is going to be dredge specialists, fine. I think we leave it to them to decide what the story is. All committees have people that work on spec specific projects, but I I don't think it makes sense to set up a whole separate
uh committee. I think there are folks on the harbor advisory committee that are quite informed and capable of serving that role. >> I'm not I'm not against public input. I think there's a real place for it. I think we have a lot of smart people in this town, including Mr. Starky, that have a lot of knowledge on this, but
there's a time and a place for it >> and that's what we need to keep it to, I So I agree with what exactly what you said and and you Jeff um John when you said we I believe we don't need a separate committee for this which I think is the action in front of the board tonight. However that is why I
asked for the charter of the harbor advisory committee. >> Having a gosh darn difficult time locating that little sucker. So I would really like um us to understand what the charter is and have it published on the website so it's clear what they are and
what they are not responsible for. to that point you know uh I think my feelings on multiple layers of uh bureaucracy have been articulated many times and it doesn't change on this one either and I think that if we would have set up this committee it's you know I
have utmost respect for the HAC and the harbor master and deputy hover master and to set up a another committee is almost a a de facto no bulk conference no you know so and I'm not prepared to do that Um, so I think remain status quo
until there's more information to share. >> Yeah, when there's more information to share, we'll start to put together a plan. We will give, you know, first off the harbor advisory committee our plan and then it'll go. >> But I would like the Harbor Advisory Committee to take the action to review
what they think is their charter. And I believe the select board has to approve charters. We we just redid the one for the downtown improvement. I think Bike and Ped may be working on some stuff. Sounds like that one hasn't been look looked at in a while or it's been lost. I would like that charter to come before
us. We talk enough about the harbor and the season starting again. So, let's all get on the same page. >> Especially because the reality is the harbor is going to be our economic engine. >> Yeah, we need to understand what we what we as a select board are asking that team to do >> and do we still agree with it or do we
want to change it? We haven't looked at it. >> Yeah, I think that's something to ask them to look at. >> All right. following the the trail of record, it sound it seemed like there was a draft of an updated charter that was discussed of with the Harbor Advisory Committee in the last couple
years or so. Um, but it never I don't know if it was ever voted on or or brought to the select board to be voted on. So, we'll start there and um get something before them and before the select board. >> Please add that to our action item
tracker. because it's getting kind of thinned. Okay. Although I don't know was uh until May >> there might be something in the harbor management plan which is been in the works for a while. I'm not sure when
that's showing up, but um might be something >> anecdotal report. >> Mhm. >> That the um
the group that was hired from >> UMass Boston, I think it was. >> Yeah. um knows a lot about a lot of things but the place is >> well I think I think Mr. Starky and
certainly the engineering group that we're working with have opinions and information about that. Jim, you may have a closing comment. One minute. >> Yes. >> We're talking about planning here.
Planning is not contingent on getting the permits. Planning should be done before the permits. Know what the policy is and what we're going to do. So we know what to do with the permits. we don't say, "Wow, now we don't have enough time to deal with it because it's
got to go." So that's what the dredging advisory committee is about planning. The second, and this is a point of of personal privilege. Mr. Barleta has accused me of saying something that is inaccurate. I want him
to tell me either what it is or give me a public apology right now. >> Sounds foolish. >> Yeah. I mean, I'm not I'm not you you Mr. Starky, respectfully,
you're not going to pressure me the way that you just did. As I mentioned, I spoke with others who saw the document you submitted to the to the select board for the which is in the
backup packet. They reviewed it. For example, you stated that the Harbor Advisory Committee is not interested in looking at dredging. They stated that may have been the case of the Harbor Advisory Committee in the past, but it's not the case of the Harbor Advisory
Committee today. So, that is one way. They also noted things that you put in that document that aligns with their efforts. Uh so there isn't um they're not completely against
everything you put in that document. Uh they don't agree with everything that's in that document, but there is a committee and a department that this discussion should be had with and that that's how I feel about it. >> Okay. Thank you. content.
>> It always boils down to communication and who learned what from where and sometimes information is incomplete or you get it from different sources. But thank you. All right. So, uh we will wait for further information coming from the Harbor Advisory Committee with
regard to this project and um we'll probably be revisiting it. I'm sure. Okay. Um I return madam chair. >> Okay. So next item on our agenda is
lazone reports. >> Um yeah I just have a comment I guess with regard to uh the DPW. We all know that there was a water main break. They were very responsive to all of that and uh I I guess it got
straightened out just in a few hours and then when when was that? That was yesterday. >> That was yesterday. >> That was pretty fast. Good. >> Uh and the PAS project which of course is a big capital item that is being considered over the next few weeks that's going out to bid this week. They will have numbers back before
uh >> two weeks. >> I guess in about two weeks certainly before >> before town meeting >> before town meeting. So, in fact, we know exactly how much money is involved. And so, the timing on that will be uh will be pretty good. And that's it. Just
the usual stuff from the seniors, what's going on with the senior center, etc. I'll leave that to you. Maybe that's it. >> Um yeah. >> Um not too much. planning board. Uh they
met, but due to the weather and power outages in town and whatnot, they were going to have a public hearing on uh 22 Union Street, the Chicago building, but uh they ended up uh rescheduling that for May 9th and
our advisory >> May 9th. >> What is it? >> Say May 9th. >> Oh, March 9th. >> Oh, March 9th. It's one of those M months, right? >> Yeah. >> That would be March, right? >> Let's try March. April. Yeah. Um and
that's pretty much all I have for you. >> They're having that on March 9th. That's a week from today. Okay. >> That's also when they have their public hearing with regard to their um you know their very their various zoning,
>> right? They they are going to cover zoning then too. all in one shot. So that's I think that's the plan right now. >> Chicago should be relatively simple. >> Okay. Yeah. All right. >> ZBA did all they do.
I don't think it's going to be I think it's more procedural than anything else. Uh you done? >> I was done when I got here. >> Uh ZBA uh they met last week. They were just it was uh the hearing an appeal of
an administrative decision up in Tuplo Lane which had been ongoing and I was suspected it's still going uh there's some deep pockets on both sides. I got a feeling that's going to keep on going. >> I know which property. >> Okay. I mean I was on the ZBA back then
when it uh when we first heard that. Uh Ox and Wreck just finished up their basketball season finally yesterday. On a personal note, I just finished my 21st year doing their uh championship basketball games. Huh.
Yeah. Yeah. I'm I used to be able to beat fourth graders on the court. Uh and the concom uh that was uh quite the uh it was there was just u a hearing but of some concern. And I'm going to bring this up again. I'd like to uh re
renew my call for policy on eliminating the uh virtual meeting and going to hybrid. Uh the chair this uh at this meeting showed up with a animated fox emoji,
okay, on the uh as his as because it was all virtual. And I got to tell you, it wasn't a good look for the town. All right. If you're looking for professionals, I have a I'm staring at the chairs of Fox emoji. So, I would
really like to just revisit this policy, make it consistent for all the judicatory boards. And uh so I don't know what the next step is to do that, but I would that was that was the last draw right there, right? It was making
it was they were laughing. I mean, I I we all like to enjoy ourselves, but that wasn't a good look. Uh so that's the uh that's my my liaison reports. >> Um I would missed the last bike and ped meeting. Uh facilities planning committee where we I'm sure we'll
discuss the Lincoln Street. Well, is uh that committee is meeting this week. um downtown improvement. They started taking their marketing package that they put together to local realtors. So, they went to one already and they were planning others. I couldn't stay for the
whole meeting, but it sound like sounded like that marketing package to encourage small businesses to come to Manchester was very well received by the realtors. >> Can you see a copy there? Um I can get it. Yeah, sure. Absolutely. Yep. And um I think that's it.
committee meets tomorrow, I think. Um they did um they they did finalize their budget. Um they they have some hope that their uh insurance costs
will come down slightly and that they'll be able to then they will have some space in their budget. And the question is whether all that space should go back to the towns or whether they should put in their ODP account um or whether they
should use less of their reserves to balance the budget. And I assume that they'll talk about that tonight tomorrow night. Um the finance committee I think we're all kind of following that closely. They the
most recent meeting was a general discussion of the capital items. They've approved almost all of the operating budgets. Um and this this meeting was just to understand the
extent of the capital uh projects which is which is substantial and the effect that it'll have on Uh the board of health um had a meeting this third last
Thursday u when they discussed how they are dealing with the new um alliance loer and grants that come with it. um grants are specifically encouraged they encourage them to use it to to
digitalize um these materials old and new and um lost is going all in on it. They are making sure that they don't get themselves in a situation where they use a grant start something and then the grant goes away and they can't leave.
Um that's where I've been. Okay. Um the next is the consent agendas. >> I move the SL board approve the consent agend. >> No discussion. Yes. >> Answers. Yes. Kathy. >> Yes. And Brian.
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Excellent. >> The town administrator's report. >> Okay. Uh as you mentioned, Madam Chair, the uh finance committee continues to make progress um meeting every Thursday
night. Last week met with the school and talked about funding sources for for major capital items. Um our our one of our larger outstanding uh I guess variables to the operating
budget is our waste hauling our future waste hauling costs. Uh Chuck is on the phone consistently putting pressure on Republic uh to provide us updated numbers. He's also reaching out to other
vendors um and looking at, you know, potentially going up to bid if we don't receive uh proposals in a timely fashion. Um we've also uh been
kind of aligned with uh the preparation for town meeting uh where we're working we have contract negotiations occurring. So, uh, we're doing financial analysis, uh, fiscal forecasting, uh, for our
operating budget and what we have, um, you know, what what the outlook looks like over the next few years, which in a way, uh, helps us plan for the upcoming fiscal year and and think about some of
our larger financial priorities. Um, I have a draft warrant here that I sent uh to to you before the meeting. Um, there's a right now we are right now we're at about 29 articles.
Uh, we received three citizens petitions at the end of last week. Uh we have as you mentioned you know a number of capital items uh that require individual votes and we have um
four zoning articles and couple general bylaw articles as well. Uh so we're working on uh finalizing the warrant making updates as new information comes to light and then along with all that is
public communication uh which we've done three critic uh cricket articles related to the town meeting process and specific items like the zoning articles and uh we'll be
putting out a PAS article relates to giving an update to the Lincoln Street Well project. We're we're trying to continue that and provide kind of a series of um weekly articles to help prepare the
public for what's on the warrant at town meeting. Um, we're also exploring uh video Manchester minute type social media posts, having stuff on the website and then when we get into we get further
along in the process and all of our numbers become finalized. We'll do that. I will be hostingformational sessions uh that'll be available hybrid where we'll walk through a lot of the articles and help prepare people in the
uh weeks leading up to town meeting. Um, additional items on my uh priority items on my lists. Uh, getting the job posting out for the uh police uh police chief position hopefully by the end of this
week. Uh, our MVP action grant uh is due at the end of the month. We've already submitted a expression of interest. We've gotten a lot of good feedback. We're putting the final touches on what that application's going to look like and that's for the culvert project. That's the backup money for
>> uh the culvert if brick doesn't get extended. Uh we also have um a uh one-stop grant opportunity. Uh we're looking at that for the senior
community center. Uh so maybe the way that the onetop grant program works now is it's it's all AI based and you actually submit you know information about the project and then it kind of filters you to the correct grant
program. >> So it's new Sue did a uh webinar the other day to understand how it works. We're meeting tomorrow to uh use use our you know test drive it with um hopefully uh we find a grant that could be
suitable for the uh senior community center. Uh we're also evaluating an invitation from our federal delegation to apply for community project funding. Uh that is due at the end of this week.
Um, that's up to a million dollars. Mostly it's for uh shovel ready projects. Uh, I I'm going to have a call with them Wednesday to see uh get get a little bit more information to see if
it's something that we could apply apply for there. Unfortunately, I don't think facilities is far enough along the senior center community center could be could be an option even though it's not shovel ready today. they likely, you know, could be uh by the time they
debate uh that legislation. And then, as I mentioned, we're um continuing to evaluate union contract uh proposals and um health insurance is our
goal was really to be further along in that process by now. Unfortunately, health insurance is really the holdup. Uh we have Maya uh through Blue Cross Blue Shield through Maya and in in our
contracts with the union. It benchmarks our plan to GIC. GIC was uh evaluating alternative structures uh plan structures. They were supposed to vote on it on the 12th. It got postponed to the 26th. They
voted on the 26th. So, um, hopefully we get numbers this week and what I'm hope what I not only numbers for our existing plan, but hopefully some numbers for potential alternative plans that we could explore and bring to the table
through uh contract negotiations and senior center. Um, I got I I did have a few conversations with uh the Masons last week. Um, sounds very promising. Sounds like they've gotten through the bulk of the uh contracts. They're supposed to be
sending me um the, you know, the latest version of those uh documents and what outstanding issues. It doesn't sound like there's a ton. Um, so it sounds very promising and sounds like we hopefully are going to be prepared to
close this month. Um, however, keep in mind they are going through a dregistration process with the registry of deeds. So, um, my hope is that we can get all the documents squared away and have both parties in favor of the
documents and have it essentially closed just short of being able to process with the registry of deeds. >> I think that would put up a a good uh visual for the to see is that we've done everything we can do at this point. I like that.
>> Yeah. Yeah. And we've we've been providing updates to either the friends >> or um the uh council on aging board or you know if we've been providing updates to the finance committee you know
>> uh almost weekly or week unfortunately >> it's weekly. >> Unfortunately things don't move that fast. So those updates are can be >> photocopy it pass it out again. >> So that's uh that's everything I have.
>> So just a quick question on the budget. When do we get to see the impact of the operating budget on the tax bills? Uh so we >> I had to drop that down uh because our
big task last week was to provide the finance committee the impact of all the capital items. They were talking about funding sources and what that tax bill impact was. So we were working a lot on
that debt service side of it. So, um, we'll pick it back up this week on the operating side. >> Need to see that. >> Yeah. >> So, the idea is I mean, we have all the all the numbers are there. It's just, you know, taking a look at how does it
you want to see >> just like you did for capital for each capital item, you were able to see for, you know, a million- dollar house, this is what it's going to add to your bill. >> We need to first of all tally all of that stuff up. Okay, the capital stuff. And for the operational budget, what is
our proposed operational budget going to do to the tax bill of a $1 million homeowner and a $2 million just so people can really see what they're voting on. >> Oh, yeah. We have been working on that, right? >> Yes. And and that we essentially have. Yeah.
>> I would think you haven't. I haven't seen the operational side. I've only seen the capital side. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I I I thought you were looking for a little bit more in depth of like within that tote two and a half and uh >> it's never really two and a half which
is why I want the >> I'm just plus growth. Uh what you I thought you wanted to see kind of how that the operational budget broke out within there. But I can give you the $1 million >> expect to see the breakout. But I think
you know I'm look ultimately I'm looking for a one pager. Okay, here was my bill last year, right? For a million-doll home, a $2 million home, whatever. Here are the puts and takes. Here's what we're going to add from an operational standpoint. Here's what we're going to add for capital. You know, bottom line,
you're going to add $200 to your tax bill, $2,000 to your tax bill. Makes a difference in how people vote. We should make it that clear. >> Yeah, we'll pick back up on that this week. >> Okay. >> Well, we closed the whole gap, correct? >> Yeah. Actually, the operational budget
right now I think has an additional unappropriated amount of 20 something thousand. >> Okay. So, we're >> we just spent it just now, didn't we? >> The there also we late last week we got the updated Essex Tech appro uh
assessment number which I think is less than what we had in there. So it'll actually be a little bit more >> students. >> One less >> one. It's not because not because the tuition went down. >> Well, it's one. Yeah, it's one less. So
>> one less student. >> Yeah. >> For this slash. >> Yeah. Don't look back. Um >> don't worry. We're going to spend it next year. and there's a lot of >> uh so while there is some additional un
appropriated recommendation right now we like I said we still don't have that a huge variable is that waste hauling contract number uh we also kind of put a pin in some of the other items that had been proposed
um that we may revisit if there is additional funds available Um so we're we're close. >> Um going different direction on your communication plan. Um
having a talk at the Manchester Club has been very effective. >> I'm scheduled to do that uh I think in April right before town meeting >> which is good. That that's good because
everything will be closed and finalized at that point. >> I think the uh the man club is great that you've uh bounced things off people and uh out there things off a bit.
>> I was going to say that is a very narrow part of the >> trick is the trick is getting through it all uh efficiently. you know, without them falling asleep. >> You got 10 minutes. >> You got 10 minutes to go through 29 articles.
>> We should be reaching out to a diversity of organizations, which >> we're talking about that. >> Well, there is the women's club, but they only meet twice a year. That's kind of tough. >> Yeah, we're trying to see what's >> there's the population. Yeah, it's
very effective to take advantage of um those opportunities that already exist rather than >> you know creating them. It's hard to get people to come just to listen to >> I agree with my >> go to the organizational the
organization is important business. >> Make a motion to adjourn. >> Second. All in favor?