can hear us. Sarah's nodding her head. Yes. >> Yes. >> Madam verbal. Yes. Okay. All right. All right. Thank you.
>> All right. Chairman's report and action and task items. Um we just really have three announcements with regard to forums that we want to make sure people are aware of. Seems that June is forum month. At least it is in Manchester. We've had two or three
already. Uh I know earlier this month. And coming up tomorrow is a forum with regard to the senior community center uh at 5:30. Um in fact at the Mason's building. Uh on Wednesday, June 17th is
a is a meeting uh with the planning board in a housing production plan forum. And on June 25th, there is I think the third singing bath singing beach uh bath house forum. that's being held the 25th at 6 PM here at the town
hall. So, everyone who's in attendance, please make note of those and please attend them if you can. Um, let's see, next on the list, an Ocean Street Recap. And do we have somebody from P and
O'Neal on line? >> Yes, we do. We have Alex and Ariel. Uh I asked Fus and O'Neal to join us tonight to provide a brief recap of the public process that occurred uh in the last
last week or the week before. Um for those uh on the board or those paying attention to our meeting tonight that maybe weren't able to participate uh to provide them a little bit of a recap of the process that we went through. uh they're scheduled to complete their
report in July and at that time we'll have a more in-depth review of their findings. Alex, >> great. Thanks, Tony. And could I kindly uh just request uh sharing ability just
sent a note through because we have a just a few slides that I think will help recap what we were up to a couple weeks ago. Yeah. >> Try try now. >> Great. Yep, that seems to be working. Thanks, Tony. Appreciate that. And actually, to kick things off, I will uh
well, I'll I'll briefly introduce myself and then kick it over to my colleague, Ariel. Uh my name is Alex Maxwell. I'm a principal planner with Fusten O'Neal. And I'm joined today by my colleague Ariel, who I'll have introduced herself and kick things off.
>> Hi everyone, Ariel Sasser. I am project manager on the Ocean Street project and we're glad to be invited tonight to provide a recap of the community visioning workshop that took place June 1st and 2nd.
And tonight we have a few things to cover. We'll talk about the project a little bit, provide some background information. We'll provide a recap of the workshop in designer and talk through some next steps.
So, the town of Manchester by the Sea is undertaking a coastal vulnerability assessment planning effort on Ocean Street that as many folks in the room and in town know that has experienced repeated flooding, storm damage, dune
erosion, and roadway impacts. Um, Busman O'Neal and our partners at Woods Hole Group have conducted technical analysis and a localized vulnerability assessment. And through this proactive community planning
process that took place two weeks ago, we have a few goals. Identify practical and permittable solutions for improving long-term resilience of the road. Protecting coastal resources. exploring
opportunities for long-term access. I'll just share the top right photo is a project of the is a image of the project site. So with that I will hand it back to Alex. >> Thanks Ariel. So good evening everyone.
I'm just going to mention sort of the full remit of our phase one work on this project. Uh and it's important to mention at the outset that really um our our our um scope of work with this project is is really intended to develop
some preliminary or what we might call conceptual design ideas for the future of Ocean Street. Um so this is very much uh laying of the foundation very early days in the overall uh project pipeline
or project development pipeline. Um, our full scope of work in this phase one scope uh covered as as Ariel mentioned uh vulnerability assessment which was conducted over uh the winter into the early part uh of spring and then this community planning uh and design
workshop which included this this walk and talk which is shown here on the slide and then uh the development of alternative design concepts which I'll I'll mention uh in a little bit more detail here in a minute and then ultimately as as Tony mentioned uh a final a final report out later on this summer. Uh but it's important to mention
that this sort of phase one scope really feeds into what will need to happen uh following uh this phase one work uh which comes in the form of you know additional field investigations and survey additional permitting work and ultimately schematic design and design
development um as well as the acquis uh acquisition of of funding and and soliciting of funding and grants. uh probably several more town meetings and then the development of construction drawings and then the implementation of a project. So that's all to say we're very early on uh
in the project development. Um but the idea behind uh starting the project this way was to really solicit uh community feedback from the outset and really have uh the community feedback and input drive uh drive the process forward. Uh so I'll just briefly mention a few of
those items that were shown in that flow path diagram. So early on in the project uh starting in the the the winter period here we conducted a vulnerability assessment. Uh so some folks may have seen uh our partners at Woods Hole Group uh walking the site uh conducting a a um
center roadway centerline uh survey as well as a coastal resource delineation survey and then ultimately the development of uh future projected uh coastal flood maps that were localized to the area uh with the deployment of tide gauges both on the marsh side and
on the ocean side. So we could really get a sense for uh not only what flooding may look like under uh near-term conditions, but then projecting out into the future, you know, what is the probability of different flood events that may be impacting uh the area, especially especially the road uh and adjacent
coastal resources. Uh so that that work really helped kind of lay the foundation for the scientific underpinnings behind the project. Um but very quickly we wanted to get into uh feeding this this information back out to the community and then ultimately hearing from
community members as to um you know how how Ocean Street has historically been used and the adjacent beaches. Uh and then you know what are sort of the visions for the future of Ocean Street recognizing that it that it is vulnerable to uh not only existing flooding but uh certainly future
projected flood conditions as well. Um so we uh a couple of weeks ago hosted two and a half days worth of workshop activities uh which are really intended to explore the different ways in which uh community members might think about adapting
uh the use of of Ocean Street and then White and Black Beach over time. Uh as part of the process, we we looked to really co-create a range of different potential adaptation alternatives that were grounded in that early scientific uh work that we did out in the field and
then through uh through some of the flood modeling uh and really with the with the aim of developing a real shared vision uh shared vision rather for Ocean Street's future. Uh so these are just some images from uh the Monday workshop
that we held on June 1st. Uh we got really lucky with the weather. Uh but what you're seeing here is a really great turnout from from the community. We had a really nice cross-section of folks uh turning out. Uh we used this as an opportunity to show some of that information on uh flood conditions and
some of the coastal resource uh delineation information and then walk the site and listen to folks uh listen for how you know how Ocean Street has historically been used by folks as well as White and Black Beach. um you know, hopes that folks have for the future of
uh of this area and being able to use it uh whether in terms of access uh to the beaches or shoring up of some of the areas where they've already seen impacts from flooding. Um this was a good good opportunity to really download uh with the community and and hear about
potential uh potential ways in which Ocean Street may be adapted in the future. Uh and then in um in concert with our our landscape architecture and and engineering uh team members, uh the second day at the end of the day, we
held a pinup of a variety of different uh adaptation alternatives uh to really feed back in a very visual way some of what we were hearing as part of the workshop. So on June 2nd at town hall, we pinned up a bunch of uh different
adaptation alternatives showing different parking configurations, you know, ways in which uh the beach could be configured and nourished over time. Uh different ways the roadway could be configured. Uh just to get some reactions from folks. Um it's a little
different to walk the site uh and talk about these ideas for you know the way in which uh Ocean Street may be adapted over time. It's another thing to see different configurations and uh sketches of these these different types of alternatives. Um so that's what we we
did on day two. And all of this is feeding into uh the next phase of our work, which is to really take all of that that feedback together, take all the reactions that we got to the different adaptation alternatives that were shown uh via the sketch uh models there and drawings and
develop a preliminary concept that that aims to really reflect back out what we heard. uh in terms of uh community feedback on um on the roadway itself on the you know what needs to happen with the marsh, what needs to happen with the
seaw wall uh the covert parking the beaches uh try and make that uh into a visual representation of of the way in which uh Ocean Street could look in the future and sort of the phasing of different activities uh that would need to happen uh along with regulatory
considerations and potential funding pathways that could fund elements of of a long-term project. Um so as as Tony mentioned at the outset, u we're due to report out on this uh later this summer. Um and we will include mention of um the
report out date and where folks can tune in for that uh as part of the project website. And Ariel, I'll kick it back over to you to just kind of cover the other ways u which folks can say um apprised of what's going on with the project as a whole.
Um, thanks, Alex. So, if you want to find out about the public meeting, scan the QR code. Um, we have a project website. The town also has a Ocean Street project website
or feel free to email any of us, myself, Alex, um, Nate Chuck at provided these emails here. So feel free to reach out and thanks again for having
us present on Ocean Street. >> Thanks Ariel. And uh we can kick it back uh to the folks in the room there. Tony, uh if there are any any uh question folks have and just this quick update report, we're happy to to field a couple
questions if you have them. I think it was really well attended both the sitewalk and the pinup uh meeting that we held. Um, I like the way that Bustin O'Neal orchestrated the public process to really kind of walk the
public through um an initial understanding of the research and uh site analysis that they had done prior to those meetings to then actually physically walking the site and
getting some real time uh understanding of some of the issues that are dealt with down there. Kathy, I think uh you made a good point to me about just how many cars, you know, drove by while we were walking the street and how that pedestrian vehicular interaction
um can sometimes be challenging down there. >> Actually, I was thinking of the opposite. It was um I was shocked at how frequent it was like I think it was 50 or 60 degree. It wasn't like a really warm day, but it was nice and sunny and there were a lot of cars that just drove
through and I was shocked. I like I never felt unsafe because people were driving slowly because they wanted to enjoy the view, you know, that's why they were there. So, I was shocked at the volume of the cars and the fact that I I I didn't really feel unsafe at all
because everybody wanted to be there for the same reason, to just kind of enjoy the view. Mhm. And um and then the next day uh Fuss O'Neal came back and worked here in the town hall all day to take a lot of the feedback that they heard at the site visit and start to put pen to
paper. um which I think helped take the commentary that we heard the day before with that same group and maybe some new people who came to the second meeting and really expand on that with um some of the visuals that they put together um and keep the momentum
moving in that direction. There's still a lot of work to be done. Uh we got some some good feedback on some of those visualizations whether it be uh we absolutely you know don't like that approach or this seems like it could be
a good idea uh to we really want to prioritize you know this aspect um and Fuss O'Neal has uh their work cut out for them over the next month or so to evaluate that stuff. Is this presentation going to be on our website
so that people can see where things are at this point? And in particular, the uh contact information if people want to provide >> Yeah. another piece of input. >> Yeah. The op like the options that they showed us that were on the wall. Are they on the website right now?
>> I don't think so. Do you Alex, do you know are they on your website? >> Yeah, Ariel, I think we have the scans. Uh, we got the scans digitized for the actual sketches, but we can um we can put those on the website along with the
the deck here as well, just in the engagement section of of our website. And then we can provide um static copies as well, Tony, to you to include in the town's website. >> Great. >> Tony, I I have the scans too on the share drive DPW. So, I know I I sent
them to Tiffany. I just that was I think Friday even. So, I don't know if she's actually got them on the town website yet, but we're we're getting there. Okay. All right. That's great. So, there'll be access for all of this information >> momentarily.
>> Okay. And we'll revisit this uh was it about two months? >> One month >> in July. July. >> Yeah. I think maybe might be >> mid mid to late July. Depends on when they put their final report together,
but July is the goal. So in this final report, we'll know what's per or have a good idea what's permittable at that point versus what the plans are. >> Alex, can you answer that? >> Yeah, it's a good qu. I think I heard
the question. It was just a question about, you know, in the the final report out documentation, um, will will we know what's permittable and what's what's not, if I heard that correctly. Yeah, that's that's part of what will work into that preliminary concept is just an
articulation of the regulatory considerations that would need to be made with uh with the variety of actions uh that may be included in the concept. So, you know, if it relates to, you know, seaw wall repairs or a covert replacement or um you know, some of
those uh design alternatives included uh beach nourishment concepts or sacrificial dunes. there are uh very unique regulatory uh considerations that need to be made around you know considering the implementation of any one of those actions and so we'll have notes notes on that um as part of that
that finalized concept and documentation there >> okay >> so I have two questions um so during I can't remember if it was during the walkound or during the meeting in the conference room uh there were residents who brought up to Fussen O'Neal that
there had been a a resident funded due diligence effort from Weston and I think it's Weston and Samson. >> Weston and Samson. Yeah. >> Do you have that? I know at the time you said you didn't have that data. Do you have it now? >> Uh we do. I think Chuck Chuck has
provided us uh with a copy of that that um that uh analysis that was done uh and funded by by the uh private property owner. So when you in your final report, I think it's
>> necessary for us to address that. Okay. Um there may be some things that are not relevant in the report. There may be some things that are relevant, but I think it's very important to address that whatever was in that report. I haven't seen it and I
would probably wouldn't know what to make of it if I did. So please address that in in the report. Um the other um thing I just wanted to mention is the the two options that we saw they were obviously very different because you
wanted to get the reactions right one had the road you know cut in half and the other didn't I think you got a sense as to the vast majority I won't say 90% but I think you got a a sense that people would like to try and keep the
road open if possible and that I heard that from a number of people who don't live in the neighborhood. It's it's the people who just like to drive through, you know, >> right? >> So, um >> it got me thinking about um you know, the types of options or I'm wondering
what types of options you're going to share with us. Um I'm hoping it's not too heavy on the road closure aspect and a little bit heavier on the road open aspect. And specifically when we I keep going back to how we did the rotunda,
you know, that that conversation we had. We one of the options we had was keep it the way it is, just fix what's wrong, right? And lo and behold, that's what the town chose. We we looked at three different options. Move it here, move it there. They just wanted it the way it
was and raise it up to fix the problem. I'm hoping and I know other folks I think are hoping that one of the options you might share with us is something like that. You know, we like it the way it is, but it it's not working for us right now from a maintenance standpoint.
So, can you help us, you know, aside from the grand vision, what we might want to do someday, can you help us with how can we keep it as close to what we have? That that's my those are my two asks. even. >> Yeah, that's a good uh we we heard very
similar feedback on that that evening as far as the reactions to the two kind of polar polar ends if you will of what you know what you could actually do with with the roadway. We heard a lot of folks uh kind of speaking in favor of the the oneway and and what we'll plan
to do just just to kind of cover it quickly as it relates to the potential bifurcation of the road is just make a note at which point you would even really want to potentially consider that as any any alternative in the future. And that really revolves around what
you're doing with the covert um and replacing the covert. Um, but as part of that preliminary concept, it's our intention to to advance forward the the one-way um the one-way portion of of what was shown on on the um the SketchUps that evening.
>> Can you also make sure to include keeping it if you were to keep it two-way direction >> like it is now is I think what Kath asking is make sure we evaluate if we were to keep it two-way. you know what
what would it take to make that possible? What what are you sacrificing as to the other items that we might have heard through the process? >> Yeah, because like you know I'm someone who grew up on I'll be honest with you. I grew up on a one-way street. Okay. So I know what it's like little bit of an
inconvenience but I lived in a city and I could just go around the block. Okay. Ocean Street is really long, so it's um you you'd have to think carefully and it is something you might want to try temporarily. But again, one of the options I think we'd like to see is how
can we keep it the way it is because everybody loves it and and that includes keeping it two-way if if possible. >> We could keep we could make it one way after Victoria Lane, you know what I mean? So those people could get out and then I mean the rest
of it there's nobody until the very end. Anyway, >> I did hear that was a is that an experiment that that that won't be done prior to your report I assume because to set up something like that takes a little effort. >> Yeah, we're not going to do it now. >> So the whether that makes sense or not, you're not going to be able to judge on
that per se on the report. I think part of the issue was the way the one way was presented um I think presented a problem. The direction that was advocated or suggested presented a problem because of the way the sharks
mouth the state events spill out onto Ocean Street. That's their exit and and the recommended oneway was opposite of what would be needed. So it so there are some specifics and I know they got some specific feedback from the residents to help with um with that stuff.
>> Uh just off the top of your head, do you have any idea what what it cost for the band-aid approach we've been using the past years continually repair and replace? Well, so there there were several years
there where we were doing, you know, 10 to $20,000 worth of repairs, you know, in maintenance every year. Um, I think, you know, what a lot of people want is, you know, something much more substantial than that. So, I think that's, you know, something to keep in mind, you know, as we as we look ahead.
So, yeah, I think that's that's part of it. And there there was some suggestions during the um you know during the sharet that where we could you know get a scope from Fuss O'Neal or you know their their subs and start looking more at the uh
you know I would call it more than a band-aid approach but at least we would be able to um you know put a put a much finer point and scope on the repairs that are necessary to you know do what I think Kathy and Tony are talking about which is bring it up to a you know more
existing condition but more appropriate uh level of um you know repair. >> I get that point. I'm just curious is what was spending >> that much. >> No, but that to your point we should
outline what have we been spending every year. I mean I wouldn't expect Fuss and O'Neal to provide that but when we share the the um options with the residents here's what we've been spending every year. You know what does that look like? and then here are the options and you
know take a look at it. >> If I if I could inter if I could interrupt my my hand is raised and I I don't think anybody's monitoring the zoom. Um I'll describe myself as the other Chuck
>> Chuck Furlong from Ocean Street. Um Alex, this question is directed at you. Um, you said you were going to address what's permittable. To the best of my knowledge, no data has
been gathered about the condition of the roadway, arguably from Crow Island uh to the other end of of Ocean Street up by Black Black Beach, including the
culvert. We don't even know how undermined that is. So, how could you comment upon peritability? I'm just curious without the data, how would you go about that? >> Yeah, it's a good a good question. Um so
as part of the preliminary concept that we want to show um you know we we heard loud and clear that folks would really like to get a structural assessment done uh of the of the seaw wall and the the section of road that you just mentioned along with the culvert. Um but you know
what we typically do at the at the very you know conceptual design stage is is highlight the regulatory considerations that would need to be made around the potential improvement of a seaw wall or replacement of a covert. Um it's not as
simple as just kind of replacement kind. And so we look to mention as part of the uh the preliminary concept is just you know what you would have to consider in terms of uh impacts to to adjacent coastal resources which we did do the um
coastal resource delineation and that has impacts on you know what you can do um in terms of uh permits that may be required from uh D uh or other other regulatory agencies um as well if anything has to go through and receive
state funds um or require a state permit that would trip something like MEPA or the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act. Um that would uh likely trip a whole host of additional information that would be needed by uh agencies like the Office of Coastal Zone Management.
Um, and so while you're right, Chuck, to point out, you know, you would you would, you know, need more information to say exactly what would need to be done to improve um the structural integrity of of the existing seaw wall or uh potentially replace and and upsize
a covert. Um there are, you know, really we want to kind of present this uh concept plan as uh something that that just gives you a a kind of road map of things to consider should you advance one of the actions included um in in the
overall concept. Um and as part of you know our job we want to also highlight you know the potential phasing you know so someone was mentioning earlier about you know make sure make sure there's mention of you know the that the two-way two-way is still an option and and that's true you know nothing would
necessarily uh preclude you from from keeping you know the two-way but as a very near-term step you know one of the most actionable things you can do is get that structural assessment done um and of both the seaw wall uh and the culbert replacement
Uh and then that may enable you to think through you know exactly what you want to do with additional roadway improvements whether that's uh keeping the road uh two ways or one way. Um so as part of the as part of the plan you know we'll also highlight um you know
some recommended phasing uh of of different actions uh in addition to the the regulatory considerations that need to be made around that. Um but there's a lot that there's a lot that you're sort of limited to um just by nature of the context there and and what we already know about the mapped coastal resources.
Um so as part of the walk and talk, you know, some folks were mentioning, you know, things like uh road raisings and we were able to talk through, you know, how how you actually get roadway elevation uh by having to go, you know, go out and and where you're limited and encroaching into some of those coastal
resources. Um, so those are things that that can be spoken to even even at the at the conceptual uh phase. Uh, but you're right, you know, as as far as any any filing. Um, you need to kind of have construction level documents before uh you make a permitting filing. And and we're we're a ways off from that, but we
can kind of paint that picture of, hey, these these are things that you're you're likely to need to consider if you're going to, you know, replace and up upsize that cover or uh repair repair the seaw wall. Um, so that's what we're looking to highlight. So obviously the report will contain a
number of acknowledgements about things that you don't know but might need to know any of these plants. Any other questions from board here? Okay, great. Uh I think we're set
with this. Did you have a >> I do I have a question regarding this? I'm not sure if I'm it's appropriate for me to ask. >> Depends. Go ahead. You are name and address. >> No, the question is what project >> identify name name and address.
>> My name is Martha Farmer. I live at 12 bridge street. >> Uh we the the question is uh the rate of sea level rise that uh that is being used for the predictions of what needs
to be done for you know help advance it. And the the uh Tony and I were speaking about this the other day. The uh the rate of sea level rise that we are seeing along the whole East Coast corridor is uh is not what was at one
time predicted. It looks like it's going a little more slowly. And I just wondered what rate of sea level rise is being used in the planning for this project. >> I don't know. I guess Alex would have to address that. Um
>> yeah, is it was it Martha that asked the question? >> Martha, thanks for that question. So, we um that the short answer is it it varies. Um and you're right to point out that uh the projections have changed as far as the the sea level rise uh rates.
as you move further and further away in time, uh the models for what's what's happening with things like ice sheet melt um become uh less less predictable and there's there's more uncertainty in them. Um, ultimately what was used to
inform the the future projected coastal flood models was the the Massachusetts Coast uh flood risk model or the MCFRM um which looks at a number of different probabilistic um not only sea level rise uh scenarios but also coastal storm surge as well. Um
and included in the vulnerability assessment portion of the project where we have a technical memo on that. Um we actually looked at what are the future predicted um sea uh sea um elevations
for the 2030 2050 and 2070 uh planning horizons. We didn't go any further beyond that because um it well one it's it's a little difficult to uh I think get many folks to think you know that far out and think about actions that um
you know are you know 50 50 plus years down the line um that may need to be taken. But it is a useful benchmark um to look at you know at what point might you have nuisance flooding from uh just daily uh daily high tide flooding. Um,
and there aren't many portions of the road uh that actually are projected to have uh nuisance flooding um until you reach really that 2070 planning horizon. And and to your point, um those models that are used, the they're known as the
RCP uh 8.5 models. They're more conservative uh climate projectioned models. They have more uncertainty as you move further out. Um so it's useful to look at through a planning context. That's what the state uses to actually look at um flood uh coastal flood
projections. Um but you know it's always worth taking it with with a grain of salt like any any of the models. Um and at the conceptual stage just really understand you know are you likely to have an issue or not when it comes to sea level rise and if so and if so where
um and that's what some of that vulnerability assessment uh worked on uh trying to understand. >> Okay. Thank you. I I suspect that any plan probably is subject to what the D decides is appropriate for a road at
that location and it's not that you can necessarily pick a number. It's what uh whatever they're they're looking at. So, any other questions? >> Good. I think we're set. We're looking
forward to well, six weeks, two months. >> That sounds great. Yeah, we're looking we're looking forward to uh to reporting back out and um yeah, hopefully reflecting back on to folks what uh what we heard over the course of the couple days there. >> Alex, Ariel, thank you very much for
your comments on that. Oh, and >> no, I not on this topic. If we're done with this topic, we're done. >> Often at the beginning, we ask if there are any changes to the action items. >> That's what I have in my hand here. Yes, I skipped that. So, we're going to go back. I forgot to uh action or task
items that that sheet. Is there anything to uh add or uh modify there being none? I guess >> I'll change the target date on >> that's where that's where we're at >> on Ocean Street options. >> Uh
>> I'll change the target target date to reflect uh once we have a date from >> Alex So, >> okay. Want to put in a presumptive date at this point or >> or TBD? >> Yeah, you put in a presumptive date at the end
of August at the latest and see where we're at. >> And Tony, maybe an end of week uh or well hopefully in the next couple days just getting the the content up there on the the project website. I think that would be a good action item to reflect.
>> Thank you. Good. All right. Um, next on the agenda is the bond anticipation notes. Jennifer.
>> All right. Catch pens. >> How many things I have to sign? >> You have to sign a lot. >> Practice. >> You're gonna have a lot of practice. We just did this like a year ago. We'll be back. >> We'll be rolling. Rolling. Rolling plenty. All right.
Yes. >> Yes. >> Should we discuss and vote before we sign? >> Yes. >> Any questions? Good point. >> Roll in of the same ban from last year. >> So, it's a bond anticipation note. We're not ready to issue the general obligation bond. We want to wait until
we get a lot of these authorizations. I would I would like to have actually had a vote before we signed something say that we took it unanimous voted for it unanimously. So if I may the motion there's a summary motion somebody's read
>> I move that the select board votes prepared by Trout and Pepper Locked LLP bond council to the town and relating to the issuance of the town's 3,829,000 general obligation bond anticipation notes dated June 26
2026 which are being issued to pay the costs of water system improvements authorized under General Law, Chapter 44, Section 8, and votes of the town passed on April 24th, 2024, article 8, and May 21st,
2024, question one, and excluded from the limitations of Proposition 2 and a half, so-called by a vote of the town passed on May 21st, 2024. Question two, each in the form presented to this meeting are hereby approved.
All right. Any any further discussion? Everybody's read all of this stuff. >> Oh, yeah. I was all over. >> So, this is related. Is this So, which project is this related to? Is this the >> last year? Well, the same time I was here and you signed a bond anticipation
note for 4.1 million. It's the um water I don't know. >> Is that the water? This No, this is too much. Yeah, it must be because we're using some of the capital um some of the money we're collecting from the water to lose. That's why this one isn't as large. It's the same borrowing. We're
just pushing it down the road and now we're borrowing less because we threw money from the um what are you calling that the meter? >> Yeah. >> Replacement. Met collection. >> So, as that revenue is coming in, as you all know, you're paying quarterly $25
roughly. Then that's chipping away at how much we actually need to still borrow. >> So this is all part 7.5 million 4.1 from last year. We're rolling it forward, but we don't need as much. >> So this next time you roll it forward, it'll probably be a little less.
>> This is reducing the town's indebtedness. >> Yeah. >> Um >> it's the same B. It's the same. >> Yeah. No, if you will. It's the sameation. It's just we're not going to need as much now. So we're not going to end up borrowing. >> All right. And then you will you will issue a permanent bond.
>> Yeah. >> When? Like at the end of the year? >> We're hoping like calendar yearly. I could be back within six months. >> And Fidelity is the one that gave us the best deal here. >> This one. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah.
>> Just so everybody knows, this is the the meter project. So that both buying and installing the meters. Plus, it was our PAS match for the design contract that we had the uh EPA grant for as well as part portions of the Pleasant Street
work. >> Thank you, Ch. >> Thank you, Ch. >> Okay, >> so it's a >> little bit of everything. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> We have not voted. >> We have not voted yet. Are there any more >> questions? I'll second. >> Jeff second. >> Oh, Jeff.
>> Ready to vote? Jeff? >> Yes. >> Brian? >> Yes. and >> yes, >> yes. >> And John is yes. >> Okay. >> All right. Another one is two copies of that. >> You're you're waiting for Maybe we'll
move you guys up. >> Yes. >> You're waiting for the agenda. Well, actually the appointments, right? something. Oh, that's one. Yeah. Thank you.
>> Thank you for the explanation and thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Clarification. >> Let's do it again sometime. >> Yeah, we will. >> All right. Why don't we uh move ahead on the action items uh to E fiscal year 27 appointments because we have a couple of
guests here who are been very patient with regard to that. And uh Tony, let me see. We've got a list of folks. >> Yes, we have a number of um reappoints to make over the this
meeting and the next couple meetings. Uh it's the end of the calendar year so we have term lengths that are expiring. We have existing existing open seats. Uh we have um
different categories of appointments whether it be a simple reappoint uh from an incumbent who seeks to be appointed again and there be no other interest in the in the seat. uh to uh having you
know more applicants for a particular board that than seats are available. So we're trying to break it up into uh separate categories. So tonight what we're doing is um appointments who the
terms are ending June 30th, 2026 and the uh incumbent is interested in serving again and we haven't received any additional interest. Uh we also have uh two residents here who are interested in
joining um the conservation commission for which we have uh two open seats. Um, we moved the conservation commission appointments up to tonight because we have received the uh,
NOI application from SLV for the school street development >> which requires us to hear that within 21 days which puts that meeting on June 30th and because of the Mullins rule any members participating in that process
and ultimately voting on that process have to participate in each meeting. Uh so we're moving conservation up into this category to accomplish those tonight. You have the list in front of you uh for the appointments. Um I'm
speaking to the two residents that are here tonight. Uh we have uh Martha Farmer uh who is we met on June 2nd. Um she started in biotech and uh started a biotech and
clean techch incubator in 2010 uh at the Cummings Center. Um she has uh actually has had interaction with the conservation commission in her personal life when uh rebuilding the marsh behind her home. Has an understanding of the
wetlands protection uh state law. Um has volunteered uh for the town in the past as an election worker. has no no issue with the demand of the committee, no issue uh as far as um meeting in person
and also uh serves on the Democratic town committee as well. And as she mentioned, we did talk about the ICPA 5 scenario and how uh sea level rise is being predicted. And then also uh Arnold
Iola who's here tonight as well. Um I met with him today. He uh doesn't have any previous municipal experience. Uh however, he um has uh work he works locally in the coming
center as well. Uh moved into Manchester from North uh earlier this year. Um works for a medical device company. Uh as a former scoutmaster uh for 15 years. uh has a a sincere appreciation for
environmental protection and conservation awareness. Um is familiar with vernal pools and uh wildlife protection. Has an engineering background which uh we spoke a little bit about how that could help with the review of um applications and
environmental impacts. um is is also understanding of the demand of the committee of the committee uh willing to make that commitment and as he as I said lives and works uh lives here works near uh near here and is
available to meet. Um we also talked a lot both uh really with all members um that any potential applicants that I met with and especially uh most recently with Arnold and Martha. We talked about um the open meeting law and the training
that they would that they will receive uh should they be appointed. Um conflict of interest law that they'll be uh that training that they'll receive should they be appointed. Um and we talked, you know, generally about um you know, the
demand and the importance of being available on these committees and uh you know, restoring um or or continuing um the faith in the process of local government and really, you know, bringing a professional, sound,
efficient, equitable approach to uh the reviews and the application process that they would uh be involved in. as members of the commission. >> Great. Well, thank you, Minister. Go. Go ahead. >> I have a meta question. In the past,
when we've been appointing new people to commissions, we have seen an application from them in our packet. Is there a reason why we're stopping doing that? >> Um, no. I I we did fill out applications. We can make sure we get a copy of those to you.
>> It'd be nice to have it before we vote. >> Yeah. It's pro probably because we had so many at one time because we're at the end of a calendar year versus just taking one at a time. >> I don't I don't >> Yeah, >> the the question is not the reappoints,
but new people appointed um >> yeah, we had a we we had a a pretty pretty decent size. >> That would be nice to able to leave. If we have a bond though with the Mona
where you put that together, we won't meet again until after. >> No, I'm not I'm not >> I'm not saying that we won't >> we can make sure that >> I this is a change and >> I'd rather that we stick stuck with the old
>> um Right. So, but I think we asked you to do the interviewing, it didn't negate the need for us to see the qualifications um as outlined in the application form. Yeah, I probably an oversight that it didn't that they didn't get included in the packet.
>> And so, um, the additional people and there are other there are other slots that need to be filled and these may be new people. >> I think these are all reappoint I remember. >> That's correct. >> Muffin hasn't been on the select board for at least four years. >> She's the select board representative to
the affordable housing trust. >> Yes. She's our we we we she's our representative to the trust. >> We we appointed her to sit on the trust for us. Yes. >> She has gone for a while.
>> Yes. >> So going forward new folks you will have the information in our packets. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. I move that the select board appoint the various individuals listed in the May list that the people I I understand that Tony's done all that
interviewing, but they're here and I'd like to hear in their own words. >> Let me just move the motion first and then we can discuss. I move that the select board appointed the various individuals listed on the appointment list of the respective boards and committees for the terms indicated therein. >> Second.
>> Okay. Please, Mrs. Bmer, Miss Barber, please. Should I see him? >> No, just just um Well, I uh I actually volunteered for this position
to fill the gap left by my good friend Jeff >> and uh kind of in honor of him. Uh so it's it's a uh not your average reason for doing it,
but I've been interested in this space for a long time. I have a pitch I my undergraduate degree is in zoolology minor in botany and I did a PhD in physiology and pharmarmacology and I thought I was going to be doing marine biology and got sucked to biotech but
I've been really interested in the area I've been following the uh the the ICP 8.5 changes I've listened carefully to the environmental arguments uh for the last 25 years lived here for 30 now and
uh we restored salt marsh behind our house which was a non-trivial undertaking. Uh and so I I feel like I've participated in an important conservation elite for
the town. Uh, and um I one of the things that amazes me when I drive through this this part of the world is how much of the area has been
retained as natural and uh it's not that that's not the job of the conservation commission. The conservation commission needs mostly to protect wetlands. But what has been conserved in this area given how long it has been settled is
astounding and it's wonderful. We took a walk through Steve Gang took us up to the SLD >> planned site today. So it so I at least had some idea of what it looked like on the moon on a topographical map. And uh
it's it's just it's the uh the diversity is really impressive and uh and it's it's a thing of beauty and so being able to support the work and
protection. Um I I you know I would be filling out two more years of the term. I'm willing to make that commitment. Um, I recognize it's right now it's going to be a big commitment. This is not your occasional meeting.
>> I understand that. I recognize that I'm jumping in with both feet into a big situation. >> So, you uh in many ways there's a lot of overlap on the passion and the uh connection to
nature and the value that it offers. For me personally, uh I've been in the industry, private industry for medical devices. And uh one of the things that I've learned to do in my role in engineering, I play a role in systems engineering. Uh where we often focus on
how to design the product, how to tie it all together, but also how to manage the risks. And when we're doing risk, we are representing the necessities of patients, which sometimes might be anesthesized. We're not they're not present. So there's a lot of decisions that are being made daily uh as we
design our products and have features that are there uh to ensure that the patient or the operators are not damaged. Patients are voiceless. We have to represent them. So there's a strong in my heart there's a strong analogy to nature and speaking up or trying to
represent. Now we have a mandate. It is it is uh very specifically defined. It's very quantifiable. Uh but there's also a lot of interpretation. So in medical devices you also get used to trying to work within regulation working with regulatory entities the interests of uh
companies that are really trying to move forward the uh the industry or their own financial game but they're trying to move forward and do something exciting but also representing the patients and these processes this regulatory process processes tend to work uh and uh and
I've learned a lot and I appreciate those two processes of looking at regulation. So medical device to me is somewhat analogous that you're trying to represent uh someone or people that don't have voices in how you make your decisions. The other part is on the scouting uh which three years where uh
scout mastery other years before amounting to about 14 15 years was assistant scout master and working is playing that role and the commitment uh where they say oh it's an hour a week. No it's not going to be an hour a week. It goes beyond that. And so it to me
it's uh a way of getting involved with the community and doing doing my part as well. So I understand there's a commitment and this as serious matters that need to be considered and there's a balance that needs to be struck uh between the needs of the environment, the community, the applicants, etc. And
we need people who are willing to look at the data and make fair uh recommendations uh based on that. So that's also something that I've experienced for many years. Uh I guess I would be shifting from dealing with the the toughest order is scout parents. >> Yeah, I was going to say scout master
might have been a more typical but uh but other than that I mean in this case it's understanding that there's a lot I need to learn on the procedural process and the space but I think there's a lot of analogies that I my commitment has been there. I left the troop in north better than I found it. I
also had huge support and that would be my intention here to just provide that commitment as well. Other questions from the panelists? >> Just a comment. Thank you both for donating your time to the town. Appreciate it.
>> Yes, >> Jeffy >> saying it is going to be a time commitment. So, thank you for stepping in. >> I know both of you folks pretty well. Thank you. And you're going to be hitting the ground running pretty fast, more than usual, which is louder than
kind of got compressed here. Thank you for bearing with us. So, We have a motion. We have a second. Ready to vote. >> Jeff, >> yes. >> Brian, >> yes. >> And >> yes. >> Sandy, >> yes. >> And John says yes. >> Good.
>> And I say one more time, thank you very much. Um, anticipating good work from both of you. >> Yes. We both signed on for indentured servitude. >> Description. >> Thank you. It's
it is a labor of love for the town. Um and um and I've never I've never lived any place before for more than seven years. So been here for 30. So it's >> so it's time something something's working.
>> Thank you. Thank you very much. >> You can go. Let's fine. We have we have about 25 additional vacant spots. >> Is that what the total is that are left or Yeah, >> it it varies. Some some committees, you
know, have a defined number of spots. Some say up to a certain number. So, um but it's about 25 openings, I would say. Um >> and that probably bridges there. Some of those openings are currently occupied by
two-term people that we don't know what's going to happen yet. >> And the rest were well, they were open going into this and they're still open. And so between the two of those 25 that's a lot. Okay. >> Um only a couple of the committees do we
have a scenario where we have more applicants than openings. Um I will still interview all the applicants for these new applicants. Um but for those scenarios, we had spoke about
maybe a more formal process here with the board. So you could hear from you know all the applicants and make a decision yourself. >> Um so if that's how you'd like to proceed, we can do that and that might >> decided the opposite. I'm sorry you lost me. What's happened? because I thought we decided for the especially for the
non-adjudicatory um boards that you would do the interviewing and and just come to us with a recommendation but >> I'm happy >> that's what I thought we did with the non-in >> but I think to Ann's point we would still like to see the actual application
of who it is you're recommending >> are we running into any problems with having a minimum amount amount of people >> like some of these board >> of health is a problem. >> Board of health >> board of health is a is an issue. Um, we
had one applicant who was excellent, newly moved to town, is a nurse in in Beverly, but unfortunately the schedule of their meetings, uh, she works station >> um, and we haven't had any others. Uh,
ZBA, uh, they don't have any associate members. >> Um, so it's troubling when they don't have enough people to attend the meeting. They can't fill it in with >> So, can I ask did the board of health consider changing their meeting time? >> Um,
I don't know. I can double check with that. >> I mean >> I mean their meetings are what, like 9:00 Thursday morning. >> If you have a day job, that's tough. So, you're >> drawing from a limited number of people. >> Yeah. Especially if we're having a hard
time filling the role. So I I would ask that we go to the chair of that board and say, "Hey, can we be like the other boards and meet in the evening?" So someone who has a day job could >> Yeah. >> could uh attend. >> Yeah, I think that's a good idea. >> And then we have we have a number of
spots that we haven't received applications for. Uh we have been aggressively advertising the open spots um in late March and early April. We've updated online form. We've put it in the tide, put it in the newsletter. Uh we
also had a sign board at at the annual at the municipal elections, too. >> Um so we'll continue to push uh notice out there that we're looking for, >> but it'd be nice to push harder >> for the specific adjudicator. Yes.
>> Yes. >> They need to be se what I've seen advertised is, hey, join a committee without the specifics or just a whole list of all of the committees. >> Yeah. To your point, the adjudicatory ones are really important. Hey, we need representation on the board of health. So, be specific, not just a link to the
whole list. It's it's when someone sees, hey, bike and pit or, you know, downtown improvement needs a member. That's what gets people to apply, not just, hey, do you have extra time? >> Yeah, it's usually >> uh like throughout the year, it's
usually more targeted. We're just kind of in this end of year cycle right now where we have so many. So we'll we'll be a little bit more targeted especially for those for those two >> be very targeted for >> I think Wendy has
>> Wendy. Oh with regard to probably Wendy. Yes please. >> Hi. Um I just wanted to answer the question about um meeting timing. They actually did. The issue is is we have an existing member who is not able to meet
at a later time and the chair had said we could gain one to lose another that's already sitting. So that was that was a discussion or a thought process when Peter um brought it up.
>> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> All right. I think that the ad I saw in the paper, it did list the positions at one point in time. I saw the positions listed. It just said we need didn't just say we need volunteers to fill.
>> We have to actively recruit for those. >> But the judiciator ones need Yeah, they still probably need there needs to be a short list of just those as well. >> We also talked a little bit about having a table at Festival by the Sea. Absolutely. >> That maybe different committees can sign
up for an hour, >> members of different committees can maybe sign up for an hour and work the table and use that as an opportunity to tell people about >> Yeah. Do we know who what town residents are do are medical doctors? Can we find
that out? >> I'm sure we have I'm sure we have a way. Um because we're losing the medical doctor on that board. >> And losing medical office, too. So, we got >> Yeah. >> Okay. Or, you know, a nurse practitioner, you know, some
>> there there's a there's a nurse Well, a former >> Well, I think uh I think Don is still a practicing nurse practitioner. >> Yeah, she I'm sure she's a nurse practitioner. I'm not sure whether she's working, but >> are there are there are there
requirements that there be clinicians or >> No, there's no requirement, but it's would be >> desirable. >> Well, I know that board deals with a rather diverse set of responsibilities, but the clinical is a big part of it.
>> Okay. Um All right. So, let's see. Where are we dear? >> We skipped around >> 5. We're at 5B, the flag policy. Okay. So, we have in our folders a
revised policy that we all got that I think reflected the comments from our meeting last uh two weeks or so ago. And then I think Kathy provided some comment. No, it um so one of our residents had
sent in some comments and I had questioned whether some of the um suggestions were actually illegal. So I asked Tony to run it by >> um our town council. I did not offer any specific myself to I
just asked if the suggestions that came to us with >> Okay. Okay. All right. That's that's fine. Tony, did you have thoughts? I I did reach out to legal. Um the response um that we received
uh is that the first sentence in the suggested language uh seemed to be okay which I believe that was it is understood by all applicants before the select board will flying of
commemorative and historical flags that the select board reserves the right to make a determination on what is customary and reasonable with regard to the duration to fly approved commemorative and historical flags as government speech. uh they did not feel it was the next
sentence they didn't feel was appropriate however uh as to >> you can't appeal it >> all applicants right >> you give up your right to the first amendment >> right >> right >> want to double check on that
>> okay so the first part read it again >> it wasn't clear to me where the suggestion was that we insert it into the Okay. So the this probably after in the red paragraph under commemorative flags for a reasonable or customary
purpose then the next the first sentence of the proposed will go after that. We get >> the words reasonable or customary are in the red paragraph under commemorative flags
and I think the sentence that was proposed should go immediately after >> right after that but before the flag of the United States shall always be displayed. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Um before the following are not allowed. So this area right here, John and is
suggesting after this red area. So it's actually on uh under the commemorative flag >> on the commemorative flag section. >> Yes. So after that they're suggesting insert the first sentence of Lraine's suggestion. >> Okay.
So, can you read it like all together like it's gonna >> I don't have it in front of me. >> So, and and it's just uh let's see. Is it just the first sentence? >> Yeah. So, if we the what's in red I'll try I'll give it a shot. Okay.
Commemorative flags shall be displayed for a period of time that is reasonable or customary for the subject that is to be commemorated. Which determination shall be made by the select board? It is understood by all applicants before the
select board for the for flying of commemorative and historical flags that the select board reserves the right to make a determination on what is customary and reasonable with regard to the duration to fly approved commemorative and historical flags as
government speech. >> Okay. So I see that copy. The only question I have is that that copy refers to both commemorative and historical flags inserting it in this spot that's just under commemorative, >> right? >> And there is a section that is historical that comes after that. >> Yeah.
>> So maybe it should go at the end of both of those. >> Either you put that in twice or you put it at the end as a separate. >> Wait a minute. So this this actually this language now that you say that though it may be duplicative. So if >> it really is >> it is duplicative. You go further down underneath where it says the select board authorizes the display of
commemorative flags and historical commemorative flags as an expression of the town's official government speech through the approval of a proclamation. Don't we have it covered with >> Yes, that covers that covers that because the the proclamation is actually
>> public speak noticed that. >> I think that suggestions that first sentence was put in there to kind of lead into the second >> Yeah. comment which legal has said is probably not a good idea which means >> yeah so leave it as we have it
>> yes we have >> that will make it easier to vote on because voting on something that I don't have >> now we can see it because we've we've seen shortages all right >> okay >> so you have the red line documents >> um
any questions or comments on and Jeff. >> I think it's pretty as good as it's going to get. >> Okay, it's your motion. I move the select board adopt the amended flag policy as written.
>> Second. >> Okay. Any further discussion? Okay. All in favor? Jeff? >> Yes. >> Brian? >> Yes. >> H >> yes. >> John says yes. Kathy >> yes. >> Good. Until some other strange situation
comes up and we take a look at it again. as well. >> So, um to that end, uh Tony, this is now passed. And so, starting tomorrow, that American flag should probably go up on the pole
>> above the pride flag. >> Mhm. >> With the balance of this month and it will go to half mass on Wednesday for Jeff, >> both of them. Okay. >> Yeah. I spoke with uh the fire chief after our last meeting and yes
>> he said no problem we'll work on getting >> you know attachments >> okay he's been working on that but okay so as soon as he can kick that in >> we're we're good with that
>> good >> thank you >> thank you thank you >> uh next one is the forester flag. >> Do we have a proclamation? >> Yes, we do. >> Who's in the caption? >> Uh, after the fact,
>> but Oh, do we have a proclamation? Physical pro. >> I didn't see it in the packet. >> It was It was signed. It was sent separately. >> It was separately. You >> like to look at it before we vote?
>> We have to read it, right? Okay, >> let me let me read it. >> You may. >> Proclamation. Whereas the Forester flag is the oldest known American flag to have been used in the Revolutionary War
80 and stands as a proud symbol of patriotism, defiance, and the spirit of independence. And whereas the flag traces back to Samuel Forester, Manchester merchant and minute man. And whereas on April 19th, 1775, Forester and other men from Manchester marched
toward Lexington carrying this flag to engage the British, making it one of the first flags raised in opposition to British rule. Whereas the flag's distinctive design, originally a British red enson with the Union Jack removed
and 13 white stripes sewn in its place, reflects the transition from colonial allegiance to revolutionary purposes. And whereas the town of Manchester by the sea is proud to preserve and honor this remarkable piece of our heritage.
Now therefore, the select board officially proclaims the forester flag to be flown on the town flag pole in Manchester by the Sea, Massachusetts on July 1st, 2026 from July 1st, 2026 to July rather than
on July >> on July. >> Let's see. It can be flown on that language is okay. >> From July 1st to July 5th. Yeah, from works better. from is a little more accurate. Be flown.
Well, the flown on those on that time period. >> I'm okay with it. >> I'm splitting hairs. >> Yes. Okay. >> Um because it doesn't if it's flown on that date, then you should say on it should say on July 1st, July 2nd, July
3rd. >> I'm I'm okay. Ch. You got the proclamation there. Is that correct? >> Who gave it to Ian? >> Oh, gave it to him. You want to just uh write it in? >> Just just change it. >> That's okay. >> Handwritten is how they used to do it back in 1776.
>> The only way that >> I think it's okay. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, let's see. >> Do we have >> uh we got to make the motion, please? >> I'm willing with select board approve the request from the man by the sea museum to fly. We haven't a pro we haven't voted on the proclamation which
we should do first that it's both included here >> just in the case proclamation got effect. >> Yeah. At the end >> it says vote. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I could stop. I lost my place. >> Yeah. The movie the select board approved the request for the Manchester by the Sea
Museum to fly the Forester flag com uh in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of America of American independence on the town flag pole from July 1st to July 5th and to sign a proclamation to that effect. >> Second. >> Okay. >> Okay.
>> Any further discussion on that? Okay. Jeff, >> yes. >> Brian, >> yes. >> Han, >> yes. >> Kathy, >> yes. >> John, yes. >> Great. So, we'll circulate that around for signatures. So, what's going to happen is the pride flag comes down
on July 1st and this goes up. They'll just take one down and put the next one up >> on July 1st. Busy months. >> I noticed that they
Lexington didn't quite make it. >> Yes. talking the road to hell. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Um, next item is the Manchester Housing
Authority vacancy and appointment of Garm. the uh this is to fill the resignation of um boy. Uh when
during the municipal elections uh there were two writen candidates um that was Christine Delissio and Garland Morse. uh Christine Delissio had more votes uh was elected to that seat and then
this resignation came in. So Gar is uh willing to serve uh in that seat. >> Great. Um >> yeah, any go. >> I move that the board appoint Garland Morris Jr. to the Manchester Housing
Authority for a term until the next annual town election on May 18th, 2027 due to our resignation. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? >> Kathy, >> yes. >> And >> yes. >> Brian,
>> yes. >> Jeff, >> yes. >> And I say yes. Uh I know that the Manchester Housing Authority meets on Wednesday. Uh can you get I don't know if Gar knows that. >> Okay. But they can contact him and make
make sure we contact Elaine who knows it's Wednesday afternoon. So that gives them a they've got a they've got a full board now. >> So they're good. >> I think it should be should be in good shape.
>> Okay. Uh next is the discussion items items the draft key schedule which is very long. >> Yes. So just wanted to give you a preview. Um Debbie Debbie worked on
putting this together. As I mentioned at our last select board meeting, uh we didn't have one master fee schedule. Um, a lot of the fees were housed within each department in their own documents. Um, and we felt it was more appropriate
to have one master fee schedule so that when we go through this process in the future, uh, it's easier to kind of >> manage, you know, any any potential changes that we might want to make. >> Uh, so I thank Debbie for putting all of this
together. Um, as you can see, there's quite a few. >> So, I had a question. It just said um like on the very first page of the fee schedule, actually the second page, it says last updated 10 years ago. Am I
reading that correctly? >> So since what I'm confused about is if this is the first time there have been there's been a consolidation, are we saying that it's just the ones on that page that have not been updated in 10 years? >> Yes.
>> Okay. So, are those being looked at or did were they looked at and everybody thinks they're okay? >> No, that they're they're being looked at. Uh Debbie's actually pulled a number of communities, similar communities to see
what their uh rates are to check the market on those and we'll come to come forward with a proposal if we we think there's anything to consider. >> Right. So, the question All right. So when Kathy made that that question in
her comment, are these all of the fees for each department or these these are just the fees that have not changed in like 10 years? >> The collective list is all but by section but it goes by department. So >> this first one that's last updated
October of 2016 is >> just a select board. >> Yeah, except that I don't see the select board listed or any other department listed twice. one for the fees that have been updated and one for the fees that have not been updated. In other words, there's only one listing
for any given department. So, I got to believe these are all the fees for the department. >> Yeah, but some of them have been changed or proposed to be changed now. >> We we know we had a discussion I guess what last week was it for some of them and so we know that
>> I don't I can't tell I can't remember. I think >> uh that date is reflective of the last change for anything on that list. Maybe not all of them got updated on that date. Maybe just one of them. >> I'm okay with that. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. And the others may have been looked at. We said, "Okay, we're okay with this. We'll leave it where it is." >> But I think what's unclear is so it's nice to have the consolidated list. So then what is the next step? Are we Because I know we talked about some updates before. or I see some notes on
some of them. Um, so I'm trying to understand. Um, are you looking for us to change anything tonight or just to show the progress to date? >> Just to show you the progress to date. This is what the future fee schedule uh
could look like. >> Um, but we're going to go we're going through a process of evaluating fees. >> I I I did have a question. I assume that fees there are fees and there are permits and licenses. And I looked at
the revenue and fees are $170,000 a year. Permits and licenses are $536,000 a year. This is a lot of money. I'm assuming that the definitions in here are fairly accurate. So if we if it says permits and licenses, that's the
category it's in. So I'm interested in knowing what the top 10 revenue producers are over the last five years. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Building permits. >> Yeah. >> Well, we know >> it may be permits and then everything else below, but well below, but certainly would be interested in knowing
what the top 10 are for revenue and the top 10 are for frequency in particular. If there's something that's generating like a thousand bucks, but every single one is it takes some I don't know 15 minutes to put this together. There's some things you may look at and say, "Is this sucking up a lot of time?"
>> Right? I mean, the purpose of excuse me, looking at the fees >> is to make sure that they're at least covering the cost of delivering the service, >> right? Not to jack up the price because we can. It's >> only the top 10 in terms of frequency
and in terms of revenue. See see what the story is in last five years. >> Are we still not charging for notary? Correct. >> I thought we were going to take and I hope that's why we're going to take a look at it. I >> thought we were changing that.
>> It was discussed here >> and I think it was discussed during the finance committee budget meeting too. >> Um >> because it was raised as a driving factor for the increase in headcount FTE hours.
So that's why I still have a B in my bonnet that we're not charging for it because we actually that was one of the reasons given for adding hours because there were constant interruptions. >> Do do you know what other towns are doing that?
>> I don't uh but that would be part of our process of evaluating these fees. I mean I think this is something that we talked a lot about in the hot too. Um, there are some that some feelings of,
you know, it's it's part of it's it's a it's an action that we do on behalf of the residents. It doesn't take a ton of time on an individual basis. >> Um, and for what you would charge, it might be, you know, five bucks a notary or
something >> small. It's probably not going to be a huge revenue driver. Um, so it's really more of a policy decision as to whether we want to be charging for that or the service for free. >> It was a previous clerk that was here
discussed that and she said it depends if you've got documents. Some people come in with long documents. something took it was a big time factor before >> but she she would the way the because I've used the service the way they've set it up is they have a specific list
of things they will notoriize and if it's not on the list like you know legal certain legal documents they won't do it the prior town clerk said it's not going to add a lot of extra time when we got a new town clerk all of a sudden I keep getting interrupted and I need you know
an assistant to work more hours because I keep getting interrupted different stories from different clerks. So, the reason I still think we should take a look at it is because like I said, it was on it was on the recording of the FinCom meeting. Okay. I'm interrupted and an an interruption
interrupts efficiency. >> Yeah. I mean, it's costing money one way or >> it's not just costing money, but if someone has to pay for something, they will think about whether or not they want to use that service. And so maybe it reduces the number of notaries, you know,
>> go to the bank next door. I mean, >> for free. Good for good for them. And then our people will not get interrupted as often. >> So you set fees to cover costs or you set fees to drive behavior. That's, you know, typically what >> I mean, I guess we just need to look at
>> think what we just set certain times when not available. >> That way there's >> no kidding. But I mean, there's different ways to look at services, right? And so I I agree with you. >> I think that we're being pennywise and pound foolish here. >> But it's to your point when you evaluate
how you do a service, pricing should be taken into account and it wasn't for that. So >> and I've heard from several people about the c the increase in the cost of trash bags. >> I think this is in that area
>> and and what's one of the one of the perks of living? >> You want to get something for your tax dollar. Right. Right. No. And I just like I said, there's only you should have a reason before you institute a fee. You should have a reason. Talk to uh cover the cost of the service or
drive behavior. >> All right. Well, that will Debbie talk with Christine and just see what's going on there. I I don't know that we've spoken with Christine about this. briefly in a previous meeting but not with a you know full analysis of what other
communities do or you know provided you some detailed information about how much time it takes up. >> Um >> yeah it's I I do think at the end of the day it's it's you know it's not really going to be a a big revenue generating
fee. Um, >> I think it's gonna hurt more than just in the >> but but I'd like Christine to weigh in. >> I would I would like to know what is the majority of the documents that she's looking at. Are they
>> are they one time like you know I come in and whatever or is it people that own businesses that are constantly using this? >> That's exactly right. So, I mean, if it's if it is like Joe Resident just coming in for one thing here, one thing there, and that's free, I'm fine with
that. But if it's constantly certain people coming in and using it all the time, then that's a different story. >> That probably because the average person does not have to notoriize very many things. >> Again, if your business has an awful lot
of need for a notary, they probably have a notary. >> Yeah. So, I mean, your your observation is correct. I mean I don't think if that happens once a year >> the point we don't know so we should look at the data and we should look at the have the service provider you know look at the data what does the data tell us
>> I'm going to venture guess that every real estate office has a notary in it >> and every >> multiple notaries >> so I live >> so just something for as you guys are looking at the fees not to change it now um or have a discussion about it now but
um the way we do the parking stickers and allowing all residents to use the beach. We're if one of these 40Bs comes to fruition, we're going to have to take a look at that. >> Um how we do resident parking stickers
and um whether or not we change the model for having them be allowed in the parking lot for the beach for no >> I think that to that point I agree that we go back to the old way. All right. because then families aren't going to be
putting, you know, right now six cars in the one family getting six stickers, right? >> Let's limit that. Yeah. >> You know, one of the concerns I've heard about is all these The other thing I've heard too is that, and I don't know if this is true, voters are now starting to use
>> uh the singing beach parking lot because uh the time limits at Masco. Mhm. >> So, they're going to park the car at the beach and then league walk back down the hill to get their boat. And so, I mean,
we are my point is we have limited uh >> it's town parking, so they can use it. They can do what they want. Okay. But I would I would certainly advocate going really think >> take a look at it. >> We should take a look at it. And if if one of these complexes come to comes to
fruition, the other thing we would want to take a look at is just how we do resident um parking >> because when you um you know, one of those proposed buildings was adding hundreds of residents, you know, and so when you do that, you might at some
point need to go to a neighborhood structure. So, for example, the people who are on the other side of the highway, um, do we want them parking on School Street or or, you know, central to >> I'd like to have them be able to go to the
>> Okay. Well, I I don't want >> So, anyway, I'm just saying >> go into a park, >> plan ahead and put it on the list of things to think. >> All right. So, uh, you'll come back in a couple of weeks or >> I I have a couple of >> um on the police department fees.
Um, it's just a typo, but I think we don't need resident Allen permits. >> Allen permits. Oh, and >> yeah, >> I would also like to know why a firearms
identification card is $25 for under 18 and $100 for an adult. >> Because under 18 is an FID. It's not a LTC. >> It's not a license to carry, >> right? >> Some of these some some of these fees
are >> dictated by state law. It does state law. Could we at some point distinguish so that it >> the next >> understandable to those of us who may not have >> All right. So if the legal authority is a statute here that means it's probably
dictated >> maybe I'd have to pull up the statute and see if it gives you like an up to amount. >> Oh okay. >> Yeah. The my next question is there's a
standard format for everything and then you get to the Department of Public Works and it's different. >> Um there's a legal authority that has columns are all different. It'd be nice to have one >> that template. >> Um and just out of curiosity,
um a single grave is $600. Four single graves is $2,400. A four grave lot is $3,500. Seems a little hot. >> I don't think we have too many for
graves left, do we? >> Yeah. So, what's what's driving that that math? Yeah. What's driving that math? >> And and this is on the side
>> opening and closing infant graves. I think the town can pick that up under those circumstances. And then the conservation commission again is in a the planning board is different, conservation commission is different.
The only thing about opening and closing graves is that if it's on >> outside of normal DPW hours, you're paying someone >> over time. >> Yeah. But for an infant. >> For what? >> An infant. >> For an infant. Yeah. I thought you meant
the whole as you >> No, just >> just the >> There's something so awful about burying infants that >> even >> Yeah. No, I I >> Good point.
>> Fair enough. >> I I hope that's one of those line items. There's nothing there. >> Right. Right. Exactly. >> Yeah, we will. Yeah, we'll work on getting these more consistent. As I said, uh the inconsistency across the
board in each of these departments was >> Yeah. And and it may need to go into landscape. >> Yeah. >> Y because eventually we're going to want to be able to say here's the existing fee and here's the proposed fee.
>> Yep. Yep. >> Okay. So, uh this is this will be developed. There'll be more questions next week when we see what you come back with or whenever you do come back with it. >> It's a good first draft though getting everything. >> It's the first pass and the next one then we'll be narrowing down the
question. >> Okay. So, uh what's the timeline for this Tony? Can that be done in by Well, I think the next meeting is three weeks or should we just >> It'll be it'll be available when it's available. Um
let's let's next week at our retreat, you know, talk about this along with some of the other owners that we have for the upcoming months and try to figure out what what the best approach is as far as timeline goes.
>> Okay. All right. Good. Um, that's the fee schedule liaison updates. Chip off.
>> Uh, a lot, but um, you already said the planning board's going to have their, uh, housing development forum this Wednesday, 6:30. Um, Essex Tech, I'm working on my yearly
superintendent evaluation. um will be due in next week. Uh however advisory, they just had a short meeting going over how projects and basically we're waiting on
permitting. So there's not a whole lot going on there. Uh one thing I did want to talk about, I've had a lot of people contact me and I've seen a lot of complaints online about the sewer treatment plant smell.
is can we look into that or see what it seems to be getting to be on a regular basis and it's uh we we're we are looking at that. Um a lot of the complaints as of recent
um remember about a month ago we had unfortunately a scheduled cleaning service on the first hot really really hot day. >> Yeah. But this is beyond that. I mean, even last Saturday in the afternoon, it was terrible. >> What was that? Recently, like three days
ago. >> Yeah. >> But I I know that DPW has things in the upcoming schedule related to gasket change outs and the um wood chip
bin in the back. Um, so I know it's on their radar and I can have them give you an update as to what >> you can just get an update of what I mean. We need to look into this somehow. So >> my understanding is it's it's kind of
typical uh this time of year for these complaints to come in. Uh, one, more people are have their windows open, they're outside. too, the wind direction changes, so it tends to come off the
ocean into uh the downtown area. Uh but there's annual maintenance and items that we need to uh take on at the facility um that are I don't know if they're scheduled per se yet, but they're there
months. >> Yeah. Most of these events are most of these activities where or happenings where the odor is there. Is that event driven or is it just weather? Because it's that a lot of the times you really can't smell anything or very little.
>> Yeah. But sometimes it's like less. Absolutely. >> Well, maybe maybe that was eventually they were changing media or something that uh >> it just seems like it's over the last three months. It seems like it's been a lot more than >> I know there was one. I mean, I know you always get a day here or there or
whatever, but this seems like it's >> When I talked to Nate about it a little bit, uh the that bin in the back with the wood chips that is supposed to help with odor, um you know, it has a twoyear
or threeyear cycle of uh replacing the material in that. Uh but he he admitted that you know really the be you you experience a really significant benefit in that first like six months to a year
of replacing that material and it quickly deteriorates and as you get closer to where we are now due for that routine recycling it's at its worst. >> What's the cost of replacing the uh
>> the chips? >> I don't know. I mean it's something we could look at on an annual basis considering the location of the uh shipping plant. >> Okay. The wind direction that's I mean some inland towns and I mean because it's something I think that if it's
doable and it's uh and if it's not too costly is something that we might want to uh look into. >> Definitely. Definitely. I mean obviously we want to try to limit the odor coming from that facility as much as we can
just evaluate the options and see >> especially when in you know a couple years we have a bunch of seniors sitting every day. >> Well that's a lot of the comments have been around that though that >> you know we're building this year and it's >> I think we want to build into the budget
and look into >> the general annual maintenance thing. I bet people can't smell anything. You can't smell >> Well, we faced that apparently. >> Uh, we did miss we missed one thing on
the fees. If you want to jump back after the >> jump on updates, >> jump back now. >> Was that your last thing, Jeff? >> That was my last complaint. So, >> cut you off. cut you off on that. Uh we
had last at the last select board meeting there were board of health proposed fee amendments. So the board of health rep uh presents their proposed changes to the select board. Select board gives the okay for them to have a public hearing. They then evaluate
comments um vote, you know, in favor or against whatever proposes they have and then it comes back to us for ratification. Um, I didn't have a lot of the answers that you were looking for at the last meeting. Wendy is here. Uh, and there was some additional background
provided in your packet. So, we had the the action item here is to give the board of health um the okay to schedule a public hearing on these proposed fee changes. And if you have any questions,
why he's here to answer them. >> Okay. See, I know I saw them someplace. Page 69. No help. Here we go. From Ellen Lin. >> Mhm.
>> It's all septic related. Okay. Yeah, I remember. Oh, >> food license. Yeah. So, there's two options for permitting under septic system. Um, currently there's a full system permit for $460.
Then separate inspections are completed. >> Um, and a final inspection >> um or adding a minor. Is that what they're proposing? >> No, they're proposing a whole new base
structure where there are three levels. >> Well, that's what I'm >> right now. It's either the 460, right? >> Or a minor permit for $60. >> They're proposing adding the 230 if I'm reading this correctly. >> Correct. >> So,
okay. So, what is a minor system permit like >> Wendy? Can you explain a proposal? >> Sure. So currently we have the full system which is everything from you know the foundation building sewer out to the
leech fields and everything in between. So tanks, distribution boxes, pump chambers sometimes or you can do that small minor permit which is usually like the cover of a distribution box or maybe
it's a length of pipe that needs to be replaced. There really isn't an in between. If somebody needed to replace um one or both of their septic tanks, maybe a pump chamber or some piece of it,
>> one of the tanks like might be an example if they had to replace a tank, but everything else was fine. >> Yes. So, we just wanted to allow people to have sort of that in between piece because it's been all or little instead of a medium.
Thank you. >> Okay. I see. All right. They are outlined in the grids, you know, it's it's an email and then it's also in the grids here in terms of what what you're suggesting. >> So, is this is this something that needs
to be adopted now or is this just in the collection of everything? >> We just didn't talk about it. >> Uh this was this was one of the proposed changes last week and you had some questions. So, okay. All you're doing today is >> um and there's another one here for food
temporary food >> license 25 to 50. >> And all you're doing today is really >> okay >> giving it the blessing for a public hearing and the board of health conduct that process. >> Any questions, comments on that?
>> Okay. >> Good. >> You're good. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Yep. >> Okay. So, where were we? >> Nothing. >> Yeah. Nothing. >> Um >> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Um the school committee uh really focused on graduation. um and the things that are really of interest to us I think um
are that uh there transportation is out for bid there's strong interest in electric buses electric buses are phenomenally expensive compared to diesel buses >> um >> they're current do they have any grants for that
>> they're looking for grants yes >> tech got some big grants for those but >> um yeah I'm I'm they are they are aware that there's a strong interest in having electric buses and that the only way to get them is through grants. >> Yeah. >> And usually there's grants for the
charging stations, too. >> Yeah. Um their audit is late and they're not happy with their auditing firm. They will have a new one for next year. Um, and
Pam Borden is currently working on a year-to-year schedule. She has accepted another year. >> This is uh year uh what dates? >> Um, this like is this like academic year? >> Academic year 2728.
>> Okay. So, she's good through 2728. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. They're two years from now. >> Uh yeah. >> Yeah. >> History major. >> Um it's hiring a super hiring a superintendent is is a big deal and they
need to have lots of advanced notice if if it's not going to happen. um >> the uh board of health um they're working with Gloucester on a
program in the first year which is ending July 1st was intended to make uh the boards more efficient and um decided that the thing that they would do is to um digitize their inventory of of
permits. Um they're still trying to figure out how to get that to work through um um got it right here. Um SharePoint and Open Gov. And this is at least the
second, if not the third meeting that I've that they've said, "Oh, well, we're going to the IT department to find out how that can work." And they haven't got there yet. >> Next year, the grant is for social services.
And as it turns out, to no one's surprise, Gloucester's need for social services is quite different from Manchester's need for social services. and they're trying to figure out what social services the board of health commission will be providing in Manchester um
some one piece of information I was not aware of is that um Manchester has a significant number of people who pay 50% of their income on housing and that's way above of what is
considered reasonable. Um, so they may try and find a way getting the board of health involved with that. >> That must be a statewide issue though. It it is a statewide but it's it's one of the areas where Manchester is
unusually high given the overall demographics of the town >> aging population but also skyrocketing rents and >> yeah sky skyrocketing rents and fixed people on fixed incomes.
Um they're watching the situation just discuss involving wolf trap brook. Um wolf trap brook leads into the marsh
with a lock with a culvert that and >> black beach is tested weekly and comes up clean. Um, so if the board of health doesn't necessarily see it as an the possibility that that
that wool trap work is polluted is a major crisis. They are getting bids for testing the water at various spots. that came up during our uh >> yes it came up during the open talk and and there are people who are convinced
that that that area is a running sewer >> and there isn't I haven't seen the evidence that they present the board of health has evidence that um the other people don't trust in fact neither group trusts yet
>> uh President O'Neal just mentioned that through their uh site analysis they identified that the invert of the culver is limiting the ability for the marsh to properly flush in and out in that they said it's
possible that another another or the source of some of those >> um results of ecoli could be just natural you know >> wildlife y >> um that isn't properly flushing in and
out because of the culvert >> so it could be a number of things Mhm. Mhm. It would be a good idea. It would be interesting to find some way to get the two groups together to actually talk about what they're measuring and >> something productive
>> because having having I assume it's the stream team and the board of health having a fight is >> not going to help. Truth >> is um this time the finance committee actually didn't meet. It wasn't that I
just forgot to look at my notes. That's it for me. >> Great. Thanks, Ian. Kathy, what's up? >> Um, not much, but I'm just trying to keep monitoring what's going on with Bike and Ped. They're kind of monitoring the potential changes in state law
regarding ebikes and mobility um micromobility devices or whatever they're calling them. So, um they're trying to communicate more around safety um through the schools, the newsletters going through the schools and stuff like that, but that It feels like something's going to break there from at a state
level. So, they're keeping their eye on that and I know they're working closely with the police department. Um, I have nothing else from bike and pet or downtown >> and a couple of things. Uh, Council on Aging today, the um Cape Community
Foundation was here and um uh awarded a check to the Friends of the Council on Aging for $1,500. It was a grant which the Council on Aging applied for. There were like 30some applicants and they were one of seven that was awarded money. So there
was a photo op with a big check that several folks um had in front of them and uh the money was is earmarked for coffee but they felt that was a meritorious a meritorious objective because it does
facilitate uh sociability and people getting out etc. >> They want to take care of the tea drinkers too. I >> well yes as a matter of fact tea I know is is on the agenda as well. So, uh, kudos to them for their application, uh, working out. Um, the historic district
commission met on Thursday. They're still pushing around this demo delay, uh, program that they may or may not pursue. It depends upon what they learn. They did know that over the past 30 years, there have been 240 demo
demolition permits that have been issued. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean anything because it depends what they knock down. and they have to research that. That's takes a little bit of work. I mean, you know what's there now, but you don't know what was there. >> And it may be that there will be very
few um very few structures that would be worth pursuing, but they they're starting to look at these uh 240 or 50 uh demolition permits and see what's behind that. And they'll know more perhaps uh perhaps next month or so. Um,
in surrounding towns, the number of demo delays that have been pursued are pretty small, like one or two a year tops, and maybe a maybe a quarter of them are successful or something, but in reading down maybe I don't know a dozen
communities, there weren't more than two or three that actually uh where the demo delay did something. So, um, DPW, I'm chatting with them. They're still kind of on top of things. They're just pushing along things with regard to all
of these capital projects. The Culver, the Rotunda, Pifas, uh Chuck has speculative starting dates. I'm not going to deal with any of them because they're all speculative. So, I'm not saying anything. >> All right. That reminds me that the facilities planning committee has now changed to meet on Wednesday evenings at
7:00. So, we're going to be doing every other so bi-weekly meetings and the first one is this Wednesday night. >> Okay. Well, all those projects are moving along appropriately. Um, so I'm not sure exactly when anything will start. It's kind of still a little speculative at this point. And
the library, um, they met this past week, but it, uh, there's nothing to report. It was pretty much standard standard stuff on their return. And that's it for me. Um, Tony. Oh, we got the consent agenda. Just the
minutes, >> right? Is there any discussion? >> I move that the board approve the consent agenda. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? Jeff? >> Yes. >> Ryan? >> Yes. >> Dan?
>> Yes. >> Kathy? >> Yes. >> John? Yes. >> Great. And Tony, >> uh, just some important dates. Uh, June 22nd, we had our retreat at the Chatter House. Um July 9th, we'll be doing a
joint meeting with the finance committee uh for our year-end transfers. July 20th, our uh second meeting in July, we will that'll also include the public hearing uh for the water sewer rates.
Um you mentioned a lot of the public meetings at the beginning of tonight's meeting. Uh we are still in um the process of union contract uh employee contract negotiations.
Um we mentioned earlier about the SLV application to the conservation committee. So, we had a call uh with legal counsel and uh the chair of the conservation commission just to ensure that we have all of our process items
covered. Um on Friday, committee appointments um it's the end uh committee appointment interviews have taken up a decent amount of time. Um it's the end of the fiscal year, so our uh
finance department and each individual department uh is working on wrapping up their budgets. Um this as we me I the brick grant I don't know if we if
that had uh come up at our last meeting. I'm losing track of time, but we got notified um through uh MIMA that FEMA had approved our request for an extension until August 1st of 2028.
We're now awaiting uh the contract language so we can officially sign that and it become official. Um, our next steps there are really to push the permitting at the state level and if if all goes well, hopefully we can procure
that project uh later this summer for this winter construction. If that doesn't work out, we have the following winter season. Um, see a lot of Fourth of July preparation.
Uh Cheryl and uh public safety are doing a really good job of staying coordinated and working on all of the preparation for the parade and the fireworks. Um advocating uh out there for fundraising as well. Um change of the season. So
beach staff are coming on board and um oh we're open on weekends and now accepting credit cards at the beach. That is new uh this year. Um and summer programs are starting up as
well. Um parking enforcement is in full swing. Um let's see. Uh land use uh the concom specifically as well as the SLV application have um
four other filings this this past month. So their work is starting to pick up significantly. Uh the planning board's public forum on the housing production plan is this week. Um and they're working on potential zoning articles for
the fall town meeting as well. Um see >> their hand raised. Uh Sarah, she she had missed she Sarah missed the uh >> non-aggenda item opening. >> Okay. >> Comment. So I told her you would call on
her at the end. >> Okay. >> Um the DLS study uh for the um uh financial management review. Uh we just got an email today um that they need to postpone the schedule on that.
So, I'll reach out to uh Ann and John on those on this new on the new schedule. Uh at department of meeting, Sue gave us an update on 13 different grants, you know, whether it be ones that we've uh
are in the process of closing or waiting to hear from. Um, but we did announce that we received a shared streets grant for $684,000 uh for uh school street and connection
to or toward that water a um we had a call with uh Senator Marky's office today to get an update on the senior center uh funding requests and happy to uh say that we advanced to the
appropriations committee. So, there was a lot of applications that didn't kind of meet the criteria and we did. um they hope to give us formal um notice of that this week and then
uh over the coming weeks by end of July uh we should hear if the appropriations committee has any questions related to the project that we applied for and the meeting the criteria but it's a good first step and uh they also mentioned
that they received a lot of support letters from our I municipality. I'm very appreciative of the uh folks staying involved on that. Um then as you mentioned some of the DPW
uh we met we're talking about um as we as we are somewhat approaching the final phase of water meter installations and uh really pushing out notice to folks that haven't had their meters changed out yet. making sure that we get that done and put some pressure on the
remaining amount of residents that need those meters. Uh once that meter project is completed, it's an opportunity for us to look at some of the procedures and policies that we have in place related to water and sewer um meters and
billing. Um so that's that's coming up as well. Do we know how many um or what percentage of folks have not um engaged to um get their meters swapped out? >> Chuck said there's about 700 meters to
go. Okay. >> We have about a hundred on the schedule for this month. >> Um so >> is he looking at a tried andrue technique for that? >> Charge them more to be on the old meter? >> Yes. Uh well certainly we we have to
have some justification for the fee. If you don't >> we want to get everybody switched over. If you don't then we could charge you know something some sort of administrative element of having to actually go out and read the leader. >> That's exactly my point. It always costs
more to keep two systems up and running. >> So the way to nudge people off is sometimes >> the other thing cost of the service. We have we have a contract right now for the in installation of the new meters. And so for those who come later, we
could be charged more, right, >> to bring that contractor in. >> Exactly. >> Uh so we're trying to progressively uh add pressure to get all meters installed. >> So that's what they're what like 3,000
meters, 2,800 I think something. I'm just looking 700. We're 80% of the way. >> Yeah. Yeah. We got a lot done. A lot of it done. And the uh >> it's always the last few though that >> uh point of diminishing returns here in the last Yeah. >> The last 10 I
>> and sometimes it's very expensive to keep that that service up and running. >> Those on the new system um our DBW has been able to stop uh significant leaks that have been notified through the system. So, and I really I would like to
get some information. How many people have they had to have they contacted because of the system? >> Yeah, >> I would like to know that. >> Yep. It's a success story. Uh Chuck has plenty of examples there. >> Okay. >> Um we also talked about trash. Uh we we
finally got a contract from Republic that we're reviewing. Uh there's some elements there that we're going back uh to them um to see if we can get some adjustments there. Uh we have some other contractors that have reached out very
late but interested all of a sudden. >> I was going to say are we bidding this? I mean >> uh we're not bidding it. We don't we're not required to bid it. Um >> but we've had some neighboring towns that have bidded out and new companies kind of entering the region. Yeah.
>> Um, now they're interested in maybe adding us to their schedule. So, >> trying to figure out, you know, um, what our options are as far as are we signing a five-year contract right now
with Republic? Are we signing a shorter term? We feel good about the upcoming year contract and our budget. It's the outy years that are concerning because it includes a 5% increase per year. >> Um, which is significant in the further
out years. >> Did Did you find out about their sympathy strike clause? >> I did. Uh, we finally got a copy of that language from their agreement that they signed with their labor union and it does not include a sympathy clause for
uh union strikes >> elsewhere. >> Elsewhere. >> Okay. Um and then as you as you mentioned we we we could be looking at procurement process for tapen
um at water a and central street colored over the over the coming months here. So >> um there you go. >> Thank you. A lot of construction going on there. >> Planning planning for it anyway. So
Sarah has been very patient. >> Thank thank you. Um I just I don't think your um audio and meeting for uh the remote people started until you till after the um public comment. Um I was on
at about 6:25 and uh didn't so just so but anyway I've learned a lot tonight so I'm I'm glad to had and I was at another meeting so it gave me a time to get home. Um, I just wanted to make a comment about the brick sidewalk in front of Copper Shed that was installed
by, I believe, a representative, the owner on Thursday and Friday. Um, my comments tonight are not a comment one way or another about bricks as sidewalk material, but instead um my concern is
about process and in particular that the fact that the um that that happened in the way that I think it did, I've talked to a couple people undermines um a number of boards in town and um efforts in town. And the first is the planning
board as you know has a grant to look at street scapes. We've said in numerous public meetings that we're going to ask input on the various street material sidewalk material. Um I know some people are in favor of bricks. Some people are in favor of other materials. The point
being we've said we're going to ask for public input. The second thing is that the downtown improvement committee has met for more than I think 20 years and has a sidewalk standard and we've promised them that we're going to look in public and think through all of the
pros and cons of various sidewalk materials. And thirdly, the garden space that is there was planted actually when Linda Crosby owned the building at the request of the town with town money and
was planted by Teresa Ramirez alone as a representative of the Manchester Garden Club with a whole host of perennials and native plants. and it has now been taken out and I drove by but I did not get out of my car but it certainly has been
replanted with a single species that appears to be an invasive plant called English ivy. Um so um the concern I have is for precedent and for process and for really discouraging um a whole bunch of
volunteers who have um who are working on these issues in public and um that a that a property owner or actually can do something in front of their own property or any of us could just go down and dig up a sidewalk and put in whatever we
want. um I think is uh um not something that we should encourage. So um thanks from listening tonight and I hope you'll um think a little bit about that. And I know Tony has and I talked to John and it's it's it's a complicated set of
relationships but um really think carefully about how it the way it proceeded how it undermines volunteers. Thank you very much for taking my time, taking my comments tonight. >> Thank you, Sarah.
Thanks. >> Questions, comments? >> A motion. >> Motion to return. >> Dr. Motion, >> I guess. >> Second. >> Okay. >> We can't we can't deliberate on that,
>> right? >> I don't know what the story is there. Okay. Some some things. All right. Motion to adjurnn and second. All in favor?