Are there public comments on non-aggenda items online? >> I don't see anybody >> want to open up the meeting. >> Close the vote. Say hi. >> Okay. Okay. Yes.
Call this meeting of Manchester by the Sea Select Board to order. Kathy >> here. Jeff here. Brian >> here. And Yes, I was I was channeling my inner captain. >> Thank you. Glad to have somebody who's paying
attention. >> That's the extent of my uh that's the extent. >> Okay. The first item on our the next item is a chairman's report which there is none. And are there any questions on
the action item? Any action items that we should take up? >> Nothing for today. >> Okay. Um in that case the next item is a national grid um
hearing. Mr. Solacey, do you have something? >> How many do I have? >> Oh, >> okay. Uh, I move the select board open the public hearing uh for on national petition petition number WR 31289848
to install underground PVC conduit on Highland Avenue. >> Second stop these things. >> Is there someone from Nash? Thank you. >> Hello. >> Nasha is good place to stand or >> whatever. >> Wherever. Uh, I'm John Jenkins. I'm a
designer out of Beverly and I'm representing National Grid for the installation of approximately 200 ft of four 4in PVC conduit from manhole 173 to manhole 174 on Highland
F. you I assume you've talked with Chuck Dam about the state of this road and >> uh I haven't personally. I think the designer who worked on it, Mike >> Mhm. >> uh spoke to them. Um I know that this
one's connected to a customer job. There was one that was petitioned for maybe at the end of the summer or >> early fall for Highland AV. They had an upgrade and in order to complete their
job, we need to >> have some system improvements on Highland F. >> Uh, just a question. You got to dig up the road to do this to put this down. How long does this take? >> Um, I'm not entirely sure. I haven't
spoken with the contractors personally. I >> mean, it's not a busy road, but >> it's not a big road either. >> It's not a big road either. That's true. How much does in your experience what is something I mean 200 pizza weighs
just like uh one or two days or just like a week and a half? >> I don't I think it's just one or two days. >> Okay. >> What's up? >> I move I move the select board close the evidentary portion of the hearing.
>> Second. >> Yes. Brian, >> yes. >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> And says yes. >> Kathy says yes, too. >> Thank you, Kathy. >> Is there another motion? >> Uh, yes, there is. I move the select
board approve the national grid petition 31248 to install underground PVC conduit on. Second. >> Yes. >> Ann says yes. Brian. >> Yes. >> And Jeff? >> Yes. >> Okay.
>> And Kathy says yes. >> Yeah. Out of whatever. >> Could we ask a question? >> Bernie Pine. >> Uh this is Bernie Pine from Seven Highland Avenue. So
it it runs pretty much the length of my property in the middle of the street. And I I didn't know if you were going to snake it through from one manhole to the next or whether you were going to have
to dig up 200 f feet of uh hot top to lay this. >> Uh the distance between the two manholes is 200 feet. So they will be digging that whole digging the whole street up to that well that hole. >> Okay. the the people at the top of the
hill um you know if it comes pretty close to down the middle of the street may have a little bit of a difficulty to uh you know get by the excavation down to the down to the main street at the bottom of the hill.
>> Um I mean I'm sure that's something that the contractors will be able to address when they set up to do the digging. You think there'll be a police policeman on duty? >> Yeah, they they almost always have Well, they actually always have a policeman.
>> We we will require it for this job because of the width of the road. >> Okay. And do you do you have a date as to when it's going to uh start? >> Uh it depended on the petition being passed before we can go to scheduling.
>> Okay. Uh, >> I guess that's pretty much the only question that I had. >> Thank you. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you earlier. >> Um, maybe if there's I'm not entirely sure. I don't know if the contractors have to
if they're blocking off the road. >> Well, I'm sure we'll we'll be notified a few days before to set up the details. They'll have to get a per road opening permit from us anyway. So, um, we can put something out on social media when
when this when the job is scheduled to start and that there'll be a >> a detail officer there or a detour or some >> there's no detail. >> There's no detour, but >> you might have to wait to have stuff move and get by. But >> yeah. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. So you can't say I mean along those lines is this uh you know excavation such that people who are living along it won't be able to get out of their driveways when it is open front of their
you know their homes. You don't know that? Probably not. >> No, I don't. >> I I I've got to believe they will take all of this into account. Yeah, >> that has happened before and you know residents have said you know for tonight
can't put your car in your driveway it's not going to be able to >> Yeah because they won't have access to whatever. >> Okay. >> So park down below >> we can require them to plate the ship that's multiple days. So there may
be some interruption between certain hours, but >> Mhm. >> people we'll make sure that people have access to their in and out of their house. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
Okay. Next item is to >> get in closer here. Oh, >> I'm sorry. Uh, I move that the board close the public hearings. >> All in favor? >> The next item on the agenda
is a public tree hearing. >> I move the select board open the public tree hearing. >> Second. >> Jeff. >> Yes. >> Brian. >> Yes. >> Ann says yes. John. Yes. >> Um, >> yes,
>> Kathy. Yes. Sorry. >> Um, is does Chuck want to speak to this or >> Yeah, he should be on the call. >> Yep, I'm here. I can speak to the Can you hear me? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> How you doing? Uh, Chuck Damtpw.
Uh so I I put together a little bit of a memo, but just to kind of bring everybody up to speed, we have uh technically two trees that we're looking to remove on the Lincoln Street Well project uh in support of that project where we're going to have a new building as well as, you know, new piping and uh
updates to existing piping even. So, you know, there's a lot going on on kind of a very small site. Uh we have one tree at the front of the um property near Lincoln Street. It's actually it looks like two because it's a you know a double trunk. Uh but it I guess technically it's one tree. And then
there's one further into the site uh where we're going to have some piping going in and out of the new building uh that also uh will necessitate a tree coming down. Um I I forget the exact number, but I put in my memo. We have five replacement pin oaks and something
like 27 I believe white cedars for replacement trees. Um so you know that will help with the screening and also you know to make up for the loss of the two trees. Um what else to say? Um you know we did look at other alternatives but you know as everybody knows it's it's a very
tight site already. We have existing buildings existing you know well infrastructure that we have to work around but there's also Sawmill Brook uh as well as you know the buffer zones that are associated with the brook. Uh and then there's also the you know FEMA flood planes that we have to stay out
of. So, uh, again, a lot going on for kind of a small site and there's really, you know, not a lot of opportunity to, you know, do do a whole bunch more. So, we thought these two trees, uh, we do have, uh, requirements in the in the contract documents for protecting other trees on the site that are close, uh, to
being needed removal, but, we thought it better to try and preserve those trees. And, you know, we're not looking to remove those. and uh you know, we'll we'll have people on site to make sure the contractor doesn't uh you know, damage those trees while they're while they're being um you know, while they're
doing the rest of their work. Uh one other thing that that I'll mention just because I didn't put it didn't think to put it in my memo, but um these are these are gravity pipes, so there's not really an opportunity to uh directional drill or make them go deeper. like they
have to be at a constant grade to make uh you know to make the you know all the math work on the hydraulics for the for the different piping and the different uh requirements for those pipes. They're also one of them is an 8 inch ductal iron pipe which isn't really a something
that you directional drill. Uh and the other pipe is a smaller 4in HDB pipe. Uh that one uh is a sanitary sewer line. We're required by code to have a bathroom uh in the new building. Uh so we need to make sure that we um again
meet those requirements as well as uh separation requirements for the pipes in the yard. So that's why the footprint it had to expand a little bit to the property line. Um so other than that, you know, I think we've we've done everything we can to mitigate the the issues, but you know, these two trees uh
need to come down to facilitate the rest of the work for the project from the board. Um >> yeah, >> what is the what is what is the schedule for um installing these pipes?
>> Uh so right now we are out to bid to get general contract uh pricing and subcontractor pricing. Uh we want to get that ahead of town meeting so that we have a you know accurate number to provide at town meeting. So you know that process will take place over the
next month. uh it'll we still have uh funding requirements you know coming out of town meeting so we need to uh have those approvals as well as um you know issuing bonds or you know going through the SRF program for for bonds loans in that direction. Uh so that will take a
couple months and then you know our intent is to have the contractor on site in the fall uh to do the work. Uh however these trees in particular you know if they're approved for takedowns I'll probably handle that separate of the general contract. Um, so that it's
basically done ahead of time. Uh, but the pipes themselves won't be installed until sometime in the fall or later. >> Kathy, did I miss anything from you? >> Just a question. We received a late memo um from the Friends of Trees and I just want to make sure we address the
question that was that was asked in the memo. um if the DPW looked specifically at alternate methods of um you know boring for the two pipes that are needed, >> right? So So I think I I did get a
chance to see that memo uh before uh the call. So that's why I said the the equalization tank that's in there um you know that that has to go where where it's going. So I think that was acknowledged that that one has to come down. Uh that's the one closer to the roadway. the the second tree that is requested to come down is you know
further into the site and there's the two sites. We didn't look d you know like we said we didn't look specifically at directional drill. Uh these are gravity pipes so we can't we can't directional drill at grade and directional drill is really not an option for an 8 inch ductal lineer pipe. Um so you know I think she was looking
for four to five feet of clearance below grade. Uh that's just not going to be feasible uh with the with the work that we're proposing. Um, you know, I I think we could yeah, there's just there's just really no way around around that
problem. Um, and you know, the I I would quibble with some of the numbers that were presented in that uh note, but you know, it's it's just not feasible for the construction constructability. >> Is there anyone here who would like to speak? >> Yes. I'm Jody Morris. I live in 11
Jersey Lane and I am the president of Spences and uh I first of all I want to thank Chuck because I thought his materials which unfortunately I didn't see until this afternoon so took me and that and so I apologize for getting my memo out so late but it it was very helpful to
see the plans to see exactly where these pipes were, where the trees were. I'd looked at some of them on online earlier a couple weeks ago but um I think Chuck did a great job explaining what the issues are. Um, I'm sorry to hear that the gravity feed is going to uh cause us
not to be able to do horizontal directional drilling, but since I have the floor here, I just want to spend about two minutes to tell people why these heritage trees are so important. I'm worried about two of them, Chuck, not just one in the back. If you if you dig a regular trench right past that
second tree, I think you're going to end up killing it in a couple of years. Um, as far as replacement trees, a tree that is that is a as big as these trees are almost 40inch diameter, it would take 230
trees to replace that tree. And even then, it would take between 50 and 80 years for them to have the benefits of the e ecological benefits of a tree that size. They're called heritage trees for a reason. We try to save them. There's directional drilling. There's uh you
know you can blow all the dirt away from the roots and try to I'm not suggesting this would be in this case we would do that. There are so many things that people do today to try to save those trees. So that's why I wanted to put this out here. There may be other solutions. It doesn't sound like there is in this case and I hope the town and
and Chuck I I know you do this every time we build something. If we have trees like that on the property we should do everything we can to save them. They are literally irreplaceable and financially and ecologically. So, I just wanted to make sure everybody knew that and I thank you for considering my
suggestion. >> Thanks, Jody. I I just say I don't think technically these are heritage trees because that that would definitely would be a different conversation in my mind, but I I take the point. Um yeah, I'll leave it at that.
>> Chuck, could you explain um our tree policy says that any tree over 32 inches in diameter is a heritage tree. Um, why do you say these are not heritage trees? >> Uh, I'd have I'd have to look back at
the notes, but I I thought they were below whatever the requirement is. So, if it was 32, I thought it was larger than 32 to be honest with you. But >> um when I when we were discussing it with the engineer, they said they were not herit they specifically said they were not heritage. So, I took them at their word. I didn't go back and look at
the policy. I'm sorry. Um, but it doesn't change my point. Uh, you know, we really can't do it. But I I thought they weren't. >> Mr. Mors, >> I'm Gar. I live at 11 Jersey Lane. Um,
and I just have a quick question. Is there a driveway that drives into this site? And did we consider putting these pipes in the driveway? >> Yeah. So, there there is a driveway. This is, you know, we're talking about the link tree well in between the two
schools. So, you know, it's right there for everyone to see. Um there there's actually a ton of existing piping within the driveway and actually uh going towards the towards the brook a little bit. So like this this kind of corridor that we're these two pipes are going in are really the only buildable spot on
the lot. Um so yeah. >> So there is a drive. >> Yes. >> Would that not be susceptible to digging up and putting a pipe in? Like I said, there there's several existing pipes
within the driveway already. So that was that was what they thought, you know, 50 years ago when they built the original well was this driveway is a great spot for pipe. They did not envision PAS requirements, you know, 50 years later that would require a whole new building and new piping associated with it.
>> So there so many pipes in there you just couldn't put another couple of pipes in, >> right? >> Okay. We can the the plans are on the website if anybody wants to take a look. I put the link in my memo, but yeah, there's
there's quite a bit going on. You'd be surprised. >> Just one other very short comment. Sorry. Treat the protection during construction. I know that's in specs. Um just let's make sure that the trees that are
remaining are going to be okay. Yeah, 100%. >> Uh I just have a question, Chuck. Well, I can see that the tree closest to the uh closest to the street certainly is in part right directly where you want to put the tank. Um the tree that's further
set back, I guess the pipe goes fairly close to that tree in the root system. Um, is that still a problem or given your gravity feed? Yeah, it's still a problem or can that be looked at more closely? >> Right. So, the this this the second tree
that we're asking to take down further back is kind of directly in the line of the two pipes. So, there's there's no real uh way to to save that one in in those terms. We just don't have enough room to move it move it in out of the root system. So, I I take that, you know, I agree that it's not going to
happen. the this there's a second tree back there that's actually in the picture but not marked for removal that's just a few more feet back and so you know our our approach here is you know on on the plan we show two very straight lines going directly you know uh into the site and you know taking 90
degree angles in reality when we go to build that um you know we will try and skirt the root system to the extent practicable and possible and we will uh you know do the alternative methods I think you know there's obviously air spading and you You can you can dig a couple holes and you can, you know, push
a pipe through, but that's that's a lot different than directional drilling, you know, 100 feet into a site with no no access pits. Like, we we really need to show it as as trenching. So, so I I take everybody's point, but we will do everything we need to do to make sure
that second tree uh isn't, you know, coming down or dying in a couple years. And, you know, I think that's that's where we're trying our best and hardest to make that happen. the the other tree that we're requesting to come down just that's just not going to be possible. So, you know, I could I could tell you we're gonna try to do all those things
for that tree, but I I would agree with Jody that it's likely coming down in a year or two. Um, you know, because we couldn't really move it. >> Well, I agree from the picture, you really can't tell if that second tree is sitting. >> Yeah. On the on the plan, it shows it a
little bit more offset and, you know, in the picture, it's just, you know, kind of the perspective of the picture. >> Yes. Yeah. Okay. There any further? Are we ready for >> a motion? >> Mhm. >> I move the select board remove the two
red oak trees at 40 Lincoln Street. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> Kathy, >> yes. >> Jeff, >> yes. >> Brian, >> yes. >> And yes. >> And John, yes. >> Okay. Thank you very much for the work
you've done both you the friends of trees and Chuck to try and minimize the the damage that has to be done in order to meet BAS requirements. >> Yep. Thank you all. We'll be in touch.
>> Uh we need to close the meeting. >> Yes. Okay. >> I move that the board close public hearing. Second. >> John. >> Yes. >> Kathy. >> Yes. >> And yes. Brian. >> Yes.
>> And >> yes. >> The next on the agenda um are action items. And um the action item is the request from
Northshore Pride to raise the transgender flag on the town flag pole in combination of International Day of Transis. And we have already heard a lot from many of the people who are here. Um and
I would like to keep the discussion of this well focused. Um my preference is that we raise the flag on the day of transgender visibility and not for um several days before and
several days after. Um, and I there is um a an alternate petition uh in our packets that makes it clear that this is a um piece of government speech reflecting the opinion of the town of
Manchester as represented by the select board um and not just a response to a request from an individual or a group. That is important because of if we do not if we allow
flags to be raised on that poll that do not reflect the government speech then we have to allow everything on it and that I think would be a reason to take the poll. >> I agree. >> Anyone on the board?
>> Love this long statement but >> yeah. >> Well and it speaks to government speech. >> All right. and that uh that I think we have we have a procedural problem here. >> Okay. That uh as it relates to the legal question of government speech uh in the
case is the government expressing its own message or is it allowing private groups to express theirs? Uh by shifting the discussion to include the more than 10,000 anti-gender uh anti-transgender measures before legislative bodies, you have changed the focus on the request from social to political. When a
municipality chooses to raise a flag associated with a specific contemporary policy debates, particularly one connected to ongoing legislation, public policy disputes and uh competing viewpoints. It signals government's endorsement of one side of the debate.
Government buildings and flag poles represent the authority and and neutrality of the state and the flags flown there is traditionally symbolized the nation state or broadly shared civic values. Issues surrounding gender identity, transgender rights, health care policy, school policy, and athletic
participation are currently the subject of active legislative and legal disputes across the United States. In that context, displaying the transgender flag on an official government property moves beyond general social recognition and enters the realm of political expression. While individuals and
private organizations are free to express support or opposition to such causes, government institutions are generally expected to maintain viewpoint neutral uh neutrality in matters where citizens hold widely different views. For that reason, the decision to fly the transend flag on municipal flag pole can
reasonably be understood not simply as social acknowledgement of a group but as a political statement by the government itself and on the issue that remains actively contested in public policy and law. We must stay stay clear of such ambiguity. Um, basically flying the flag can be
construed as the town's tacid endorsement for or against any particular legislation or cause. >> John, >> yeah, I'd like to uh make a comment or two. Uh, research this a little bit. I think there's a good deal of information
about the pride flag out there in terms of communities that fly it. There are numerous communities that do. Some have codified that in their various uh regulations. Uh with regard to the trans flag, there is not so much uh communities are pushing that around
right now. My impression is is that any community that has dealt with this has largely been large. So even though that there are small groups that might have an interest because they're large communities, there are quite a few people that uh uh can voice their opinion. I think that the communities
that have flown the trans flag and there have been several Boston Salem among them that we know here and there are a few I think out in western uh western Mass uh largely that's been because there's been a strong advocate for discussing that issue and making some
decisions along those lines. I know that here with uh pride of Northshore Hope is a very strong advocate for that and I think that she's the type of person that wherever she goes she will advocate for that. But there are 351 communities here and she can't be at all 351.
But she happens to live here and so we have to we are taking this up because there's a strong advocacy for that >> with regard to towns or communities making deci, you know, deciding what to do. All of these issues we have to we
have to decide what we're going to do. You know, there's a group that thinks this way and there's a group that thinks that way. And this is not something that you can kind of sit in the middle on. Lots of issues you have to uh decide what's what's going to happen. Um, I
tend to agree with uh the chair in that this is a day of recognition and so that's what it should be and I know that there there is thinking that there's some going to be some sort of a small celebration for putting up the flag and I would advocate for that and take it
down the following day. >> Kathy, >> yes. So, um, as you know, my position is the same as it was two weeks ago. I support, you know, the proclamation that we now have in our packet. Um, to me,
it's just, um, stating that we support transgender individuals and they should feel safe within the town of Manchester. Um, regarding the argument about government speech, um, I I think it was pointed out at our
last meeting that the federal government has been very um, pronounced in its roll back of rights for transgender persons. And so I do think it's appropriate at the local level for us to take a vote and
um say we either agree or don't agree with that. Whether or not we support or don't support um the transgender community, I don't see anything wrong with that falling into the category of government speech. Um my concern is
always still operationally. I think we do have um a looseness to our flag policy that you know do we want to be raising a different flag every day and I you know
I I don't think we have tackled that question yet and I do think we should u but for this particular item in front of us tonight I support the proclamation and I support raising the flag. I would like to I believe that
Manchester's personnel policy specifically includes not by name trends but um gender, sex, identity um that these are protected um
>> characteristics and and not town does not discriminate those um Yes, >> thank you. Hopei court. Um, thank you so much for your time. I appreciate your thoughtfulness in terms of your
>> um research on this topic. Um, through you madam chairperson, I would like to ask uh Brian what to your point Brian u what is the differentiation between the progress flag uh through you madam chairman you refer to it as a pride flag. >> Sorry
>> the progress flag. That's okay. Uh the progress flag, what's the differentiation between raising the progress flag and raising the trans flag in terms of government speech? We've through through this commit, this board, excuse me, through this board, you've already approved that now on our sixth
year of raising the progress flag. So that's my question number one. Um question number two, I would like uh for someone in the board to please read that proclamation so that we know what what it is the board has already decided on.
Um, number three, I would ask uh as has been referenced in last or two weeks ago, I apologize. two weeks ago the select board's meeting uh you mentioned and clarified I think through uh select board member Kathy but um only one other
flag has ever been flown on this I'm going to use quotes commemorative flag pole which the my understanding and correct me if I'm wrong was uh paid for by the taxpayers of Manchester by the sea um so if one only one other flag
since the last two years in which uh the board the select for decided to then uh pose the the town's people with paying for that commemorative flag pole. What then there is the issue with uh flying
it for five days as was my application given uh the severe and if for those of you who aren't familiar with the trans communities the severe persecution prosecution of this uh community this transgender community.
>> Thank you. Those are my three points and uh if I could through you um madam chairperson uh also offer other comments if needed. Thank you. Okay. The to take it from the middle um the proclamation is whereas the town of
Manchester by the sea is committed to pro promoting a more equitable community where all people are valued, respected and able to live openly and authentically. Whereas Transgender Day of Visibility, observed annually on March 31st, is an opportunity to honor
and uplift transgender and non-binary individuals and to recognize their dignity, humanity, and fundamental rights while also acknowledging the discrimination, barriers, and inequities they continue to face. And whereas fostering dignity, respect, and
understanding strengthens our town and affirms our shared commitment to inclusion, safety, and belonging for all residents. And whereas recognizing transgender day of visibility, the town of Manchester, Tennessee affirms that diversity
enriches our community and that every person deserves to be seen, supported, and valued. Now therefore, the select board of the town of Manchester by the Sea does hereby proclaim March 31st as transgender day of visibility in the town of Manchester by the Sea and
encourages all residents to join in recognizing this day by fostering dignity, respect, and inclusion for transgender and non-binary people and all the people of our community. And >> um
>> to to answer your question, >> yes, thank you. >> The difference is we moved it into uh political forum. Now, >> how did we do? >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> You asked me a question. Let me answer, please. >> Thank you. >> Okay. by
citing over a thousand uh what you call anti-trans uh uh legislative of which I think less than two dozen have ever been passed. Okay. Uh if you move it to a political
discussion, you call it anti-trans. Other people might call it pro uh pro woman for sports. Okay. There's two different there's there's two sides of this particular coin. Okay, you can look you can give me the look. But the reality here is that there are a lot of
people, okay, that don't agree that it's anti-trans, okay, that they're thinking about its family values, okay? It's women's rights, all right? Uh so as a result, it's political and that means it's becomes
government speech. I have uh we have voted for the uh pride flag because it's we're celebrating we're helping you celebrate pride month but once we move this into a political forum as opposed to a social forum then we have other issues and that's my stance
>> and my the final your final point about why it's shouldn't be a week since we don't use the flag pole much. Um, there were other issues that caused us to put up a separate flag pole having to do with
the local use of the um um the member of the flag on in the uh Legion and um >> the honor roll and you since it is a day and by the
progress month is a flag up for progress month. I think progress day is is the appropriate input of time and I will hear from other people before you respond. >> I I agree with you Ann and I want to thank you for putting all this together.
The only thing I'm going to say is that I have a trans nephew. I've watched him go through this struggle. Um I have my own opinions of the trans situation, but I'm going to leave that aside. Uh, the way I look at this is supporting a
minority group. And if if we can, you know, I get Brian's point and I appreciate your point. Um, but I'm looking at it from a point where if we can support a minority group and make
them feel part of the community and fly a piece of cloth for the day, then then I'm fine with that. Yes, please. >> Yeah. Um, and thanks. I don't feel like I'm here. I believe I'm going to speak about the flag or the flag pole.
>> Um, >> um, >> can you identify yourself and >> Yeah, I'm sorry. Steve Hamilton, 51 Forest Street. Um, and first I just I want to thank Hope because she brought this to our attention as a community and I think that's a good thing. So, thanks for making that request and for
considering and you all for considering raising the flag on the transgender flag day. March 31st. Um, after having the opportunity to talk with some of you, Brian, thank you for that time and others who I know I see in this room, um, I've had a chance to reflect on that
issue of raising flags on the town flag pole. I I do know one concern that I heard was, "What about the next request and then the next request?" And while I know these requests can be viewed as a challenge, I also believe they can be looked at as positives that actually come from the decision to have town the
town flag pole that we spent money on and using it to support various requests that might be received. First, I think rather than creating a challenge, it's nice that our town took the time and made this space to make a town flag pole that helps us recognize the wonderful people and families that exist in our
town from Manchester by the sea. I see these flags as a way to celebrate, honor, and recognize the many positive things that are important to our town and its very residents. How nice to have a place to recognize town history um or celebrate town accomplishments. I can
imagine using it for school program successes, fundraising efforts, and other groups or individuals that are making up our town. You know, maybe United Way flag at some point in time. I also know that seeing a flag that one might not be familiar with provides an
opportunity to learn, ask questions, and have discussions that can shed light on our town's history, successes, interests, and neighbors. As long as there's a the flag is positive, and perhaps that's a policy, but as long as it's positive positive, and I will say
this trans flag was never meant to be political. It was always simply meant to say, here's a group of people and let's celebrate them. you know, they're a minority just as we have flags for other things. And so, why not say yes? Um, I personally appreciate the educational
and community value that's grown along with these practices. As a result of this recent and past request, I've had the chance to meet and talk with some individuals uh who I might differ from in opinions, but um in opinion, but when it I actually took time to talk with
them, we could find more that we had more in common that what seemed to keep us at a distance. And as some of you shared, talking in is positive and both in neighborly ways. It's that's a good thing. It's a really good thing if we talk to each other and
we don't just protest each other. So if that's what it if this brings us together through conversation, that's a good thing and that's what helps us grow as a town in positive ways where we can all contribute and we all are welcome. So rather than saying no to this request or others and the families, individuals
it represents. And it sounds like you're being supportive, which I really do appreciate. I hope that this is one of many flags, many flags. use that flag pole, celebrate and acknowledge all that we have in this town. I think that would be a wonderful thing. And I'll just say one last thing about flags that I
thought, you know, our American flag is just a wonderful example of a flag that for us is positive and represents the ideals of a democracy and those who have fought and uh to create and defend those ideals. That's what that flag out there represents. We fly it all the time. I
have a son who's about to be dep deployed for the fourth time over into the Middle East. Okay. That flag means a great deal to him and and to our family. As does this transgender flag. It represents a different part of our family and to raise it on one day to
show support for that part of our family would be a wonderful thing and appreciate your time and to wave all of this. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yes. >> Hi. >> Good evening. My name is Kimberly. Forgive me. I'm so very nervous talking
in public, but this is very worth fighting. Um, members of the town council and fellow residents of Manchester by the Sea. My name is Kimberly Kahan. I live at 12 North Street in Manchester. As a mother of five, a grandmother of six, I have skin
in the game when it comes to protecting children. I'm here to strongly oppose Hope Buckingham's request to hang the trans flag on our commemorative poll during the trans week of visibility
on March 31st to April 5th, which which overlaps with Easter week, the holiest time for many. This poll was built only after we fought against the veterans poll for the LGBTQ
flag. Now she's speaking seeking special privileges bypassing the required advanced application and town meeting proposition. That's unfair. More critically, gender confusion is
harming children. US childhood suicide under 18 in the 1980s was about a thousand. Skip to 2020. We are well over 2,000. We are more than doubled. Trans and
gender confusion youth face suicide attempt rates up to 26% as big share of these tragedies. Nothing else has changed except pushing that kids might be in the wrong body
as a town by pushing pushing this ideology could be sued. Picture a confused 12year-old whose parents agree to puberty blockers driving through town to see the trans flag and think my town
supports me. So they start the drugs, but at 16 they realize they want to be a boy, yet their penis stopped growing the day they began those poisonous drugs, leaving it the size of a little boy. Or
imagine a child who feels compelled to cut off their breast only to regret it at 18 and blame the town flag for pushing them. They might Oh my god, I'm so sorry.
Thank you. >> As a town by pushing this ideology picture. Okay. Um they might seek retribution for what we impose. We're seeing spooled nationwide su for promoting transgender policies.
Towns could be next. Schools pushed this down our kids' throat. Now our towns are pushing it down our throat. When will this insanity stop? No to the flag. No to special privileges. No to
hope Bucky. No to harming our kids. She should bring local voices, not outsiders. Thank you. Let's protect our town and children. >> Thank you. I I think you probably didn't know that we were planning to reduce it
from >> a day hear you, but I need my voice to be heard just >> I I'm still against the one day. Did you hear what I said? Again, there are so many SS schools being sued and a child
driving through this town on that one day could be a cut off of breast that that little girl's going to want when she's 18. This is insanity and everyone knows it. I am begging you to to do the right thing. This is unfair. She didn't
go through the proper channels. >> Thank you very much. She did go through her name. Beautiful. I know. and not for >> well I don't know her name but I am telling you she did not she was supposed to we were at the last meeting two weeks ago she this is a special privilege
we're having this this is >> if we didn't show up probably would have gone through last week >> no there was no problem >> you didn't even let anyone pick the month of June you the last meeting you just said yep you get June and I'm like wait a minute I was going to apply I I
thought no one even put deadlines for this thing this is very unfair. >> Thank you very much. Is there anyone else who would like to speak who hasn't spoken first? >> Okay. Um through you madam chairman hopei
platinum court um to Bri just to clarify through you to Brian um it's not a political uh if I can make that correct >> because the progress flag that you approved you know that is an anti-LGBTQ
that's the reason why we raise it the same reason why I'm requesting that we raise the trans flag. Um, the other point of clarification I would like to make is will the United States flag be removed since we already have it on the town flag pole and will the trans flag be the only flag that flies on the commemorative pole?
>> Yeah, that's what happens. >> That's what happens. >> Okay. So, it'll just be the transgender flag of the >> correct. >> Okay. Thank you for your consideration. >> Um, I think you and Brian have an irreconcilable difference and I don't want to spend any
>> No, no, no. There's the I would have more than happy as Steve knows to sit down and talk to anyone. Okay, have a coffee. I'll have this conversation with anyone. This is not the forum for this conversation. >> I'm just saying you through the through the chairperson that um they're they're
the same reason why we fly the progress flag as we fly the trans. >> Thank you very much. >> Same reason. >> Okay, >> Madam Chair. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I'm sorry. I just uh have a suggestion. I think um
I I would recommend that we have two votes tonight. One is for the proclamation. Um and then uh the other one is for flying the flag. I'm not sure if there would be any differences in the voting, but um I would like to at least give
select board members that opportunity. >> Is there any other public comment? I don't see any hands but okay. Um does anyone on the What is your
>> No, I'm I'm I'm set. You want >> Yes. >> two two two motions to >> I'll read the that's on my agenda here. >> Okay. >> Okay. I move the select board proclaim March 31st as transgender day of visibility and sign a proclamation to be
presented on March 31st. >> Second. >> Are we splitting this in two? Yes. >> Yeah. There's no much no flag here. >> Okay. Fine. All right. >> Okay. I'm ready for a vote. Kathy, >> yes.
>> Jeff, >> yes. >> Brian, >> yes. >> Ann says yes. >> Sean, yes. >> Okay. And I will make I will move that on transgender day, March 31st, we fly the transgender flag on the
commemorative flag pole. When should we come back on furry day next year? >> Um, Kathy, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Jeff, >> Brian, >> yes. >> Ann says yes. >> John says yes. >> Okay. Thank you all very much for your
concern. Thank you for being here. Thank you for speaking. Oh, I think one one day. >> Our children should be first. Not people. Not people with no children. Do you understand? She has no children. I have no children either.
>> Well, then you should not be pushing this on children either. That's the story. People with no children are pushing it. We're done. We've already voted. It's done. Thank you. The next is the CDC. Oh, sorry. Just
>> the annual town meeting uh review of the schedule special meeting to close sign the warrant. >> Okay. Um >> yes, walk us through this part of the meeting. Um
so likely we will be we'll we'll need a special uh meeting to vote in a a close the warrant and sign it. Um, we could it'll be a quick one that we can get scheduled, but it'll be over the the next week, you know, pro. So, the
warrant has to be posted on April 6, which which is our next regular scheduled meeting. So, we have to do it before that. >> Um, we also are are considering um doing one warrant that combines both uh the
town meeting warrant and the uh town election warrant allin one. uh that that helps the clerk's office as far as setting one uh deadline for registration to vote. >> Uh so so I'm working on what's what I sent out to you doesn't have that second
part on there. So we have traditionally had them separate because it wasn't clear that there would wouldn't be changes from the town meeting. So that we approve the warrant um in advance of the town meeting. It might include
questions that are moot. >> Well, we have we have to the the warrant for the election has to be done 35 days before the election.
Um I don't think we have 35 days between >> the meeting. That's been a problem every year. >> Yeah. So you have to assume certain things going to happen. >> Yeah. >> Um so we could start with looking at the warrant if you want if you want to do
that. Uh so that's >> the packet I handed out and I am emailed. >> So so the warrant as it sits right now we have a total of 28 articles.
Um, all of your standard articles are in here for that you see on an annual basis. Um, we have quite a few uh debt exclusion capital items
>> uh that I'll walk through quickly. And then we we have uh five articles that came from the planning board. Four of them are zoning and we have three citizen petitions. Uh, one of which is zoning as well.
>> Excuse me, Tony. >> Yes. >> Um, which of the many emails in my inbox would the warrant be? >> I think you sent it. >> Yeah, I think this is a handout. I didn't see that. >> I sent it right here. >> I sent it last week.
>> Thanks, Brian. Not real helpful to me. >> One second. No one's ever accused me of being >> is that from >> sent on the on the 9th. >> The one from the 9th. Okay. >> Yes. >> Excuse me.
>> All right. Continue. I'll find it. >> Uh this was the email where I I talked about uh the decision not to include the short-term rental uh issue as an article after speaking with legal. Uh >> Thank you. I'll I'll find it. Thank you.
Uh, all right. So, one one large item for us to talk about tonight that I do need some direction from the select board uh on is article five. So, that's your capital >> your capital article. Um, one thing that
we don't have included on here yet is an additional $350,000 from recreation revolving. So, it wouldn't change the balance of the budget uh for the senior community
center design. We have uh conceptual design completed. Um, we had a very productive meeting uh with the Masons on the closing of the property uh on Friday.
We're extremely close and I and I would suspect and hope that when we have our special meeting to vote on the warrant that we're hopefully, you know, having an executive session to vote on the closing of the documents. Um, and as far
as fundraising has gone, I know that there's been a a a soft roll out on the fundraising and there's been some commitments. Um, I don't know how much how much fundraising has been committed to yet, but it is it has started. Um,
those are two important things to note and I think that are important for the finance committee to know. uh what if we are if we're able to use the recrevolving account to to do the schematic design, it'll speed up the
process by which we would have full-on fundraising and then potentially, you know, bringing this capital item to town meeting either in the fall or the spring of next year uh for construction.
So, so we do have to decide whether we want to include this. My recommendation is that we do >> um for those people who may not the parks and recre um revolving fund currently
has more money in it than is required to run each run the programs each year. It's it's a very successful program. It's that profitable. Um, and it has about $350,000
that is I is it just sitting there? Um, and this is a a an acceptable reason to use it because um the senior what has been the senior center up until quite recently is
now going to be a senior and community center um and will be used by parks and w That's mostly for the two people who haven't been following this as as quote me as all of the rest of us.
>> Tony, I'm not sure I understand the question. Are you saying in order to use the parks and wreck money, we must include it in this warrant? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> That's a reallocation, right?
>> It's an appropriation. It's an appropriation. >> So I would I would include it in article five with the other capital. So would the funding source column the far column on the right would say recreation revolving account
is the 350 is the fund never goes below a level of which money it needs. This 350 is beyond that for any given month. >> Correct. >> In other words, it goes up and down. I know depending upon the program. >> Correct. Yeah. But the 350 is in excess of that. It's always I don't know what
the minimum amount it needs but >> correct. Yes. >> Okay. >> My understanding is uh >> that the recre revolving account has always generated more funds uh than it needs to operate and it's
been used in the past for items like this >> and there's enough of a safety net there. >> Yes. >> Yes. That's the exits and 350. >> Is that going to be all that is needed for design or is that just a running
start or what's the story? I don't know how much design cost >> I I I believe the design the design could be between 325 and 350. >> So it is a convenient fit here. Is this what you're telling me? It's a very >> there's more. I mean we don't I wouldn't
feel comfortable taking more out of the recording account. Um, we could and probably still have a have a little bit of a cushion there, but I don't think it's necessary. >> Okay.
And this is required a for design and b to accelerate or let's just say keep on a schedule that is the fastest schedule toward. >> Yeah. This will this will allow us to get hard numbers. >> Right now we're speculating as to >> Yeah. from contractors.
>> Right. So these are are we looking for schematic or we going out for construction documents at this point? >> This will include construction documents. >> So question how can we go out for any documents or hire any contractors if we don't own the condominium yet?
>> Oh that's >> well yeah we I just heard you say that >> I can't I can't I wouldn't this would be for town meeting anyways. I suspect we'll own the the building prior you know by the end of the month. So this ised on the warrant for the April town
meeting to be spent July 1st and on. >> All right. So let me let me put it this way. I I could support adding it to this list if we own the building by we own the condominium by town meeting. If we do not own the condominium by town
meeting, that in my estimation would be an inappropriate >> item to add to our our list. Um we our moderator is here and can perhaps explain how we cut something properly easily cut. So if you arrive at town
meeting and and the deal fell completely apart when or for whatever reason you didn't have the um the purchase and sale in then you could make a motion to amend article five to pull out the 350,000 and
that would not be any problem whatsoever. Mhm. >> for you. Any other? >> I'm good. >> I'm good. >> Okay. I don't think >> you include it then. >> Okay. Um
so article 8 starts our large capital items and in the path there's another we'll go through another document that kind of speaks through >> what am I >> uh I just know I' got no
>> it's under that packet oh it's it's in the stack there you go >> sorry >> uh this handout that I provided. Um, we'll go through that next, but this really kind of talks about all these capital items
and what their cost impacts are um, and all the financial analysis that we've gone through. But article eight is our uh, Lincoln Street Well and PAS improvements at 16.5 million. Article 9 is 4.1 million for Tapen Street full
construction. That's water, sewer, um, storm drain, underground electrical, pavement, sidewalk, and possibly gas work uh by National Grid as well. That
doesn't the 4.1 doesn't include the cost of gas work, but that may happen at the same time. Uh, article 10 is $5 million for the Central Street Culver. As a reminder, this article is a backup to potentially
a backup plan. We have brick money that expires in April. Uh there is effort at the federal level to try to get extensions on that grant money. We're also at the end of this week applying
for an MVP grant for $5 million from the state. We won't know probably until July if we get that grant or not. Um so we're hopefully we don't even need to if this gets approved hopefully we don't have to
utilize it. The reason we're trying to get the approval for this is based on the construction schedule of the culvert, you really need your permits and funding in hand by April in order to meet your September of the same year
uh window. Uh so if we likely we're not going to be doing this job this coming September. Um, but hopefully we can have it all ready to go next September. That's why
we didn't want to wait until next year's town meeting to ask. >> So Tony, are we working the federal angle through Congressman Molton's office? Because he just published some infographic within the past couple of weeks about weeks about all the towns in
in the district that got money and we weren't listed. So, I'm curious what kind of advocacy we're pursuing. >> That was that was community project funding. Uh we did apply for uh I don't I'm not sure what was applied for in the
past, but we just applied for community project funding through Congressman Molton. And we will be applying through um Senator Warren and Marky's office as well. But we're pursuing an extension request repeatedly through uh MIMA and
FEMA uh to go through the standard process of requesting an extension and we haven't gotten a response on the multiple requests that we've made. Um, and then there's a nationwide there's a few different attorney generals from a
couple of different states that have actually filed litigation to provide this extension uh to municipalities that got that were in the brick program. >> I have no idea what the schedule of that
looks like. Uh so yes, we're we're we're pursuing every avenue that we can honestly. Um 1.9 uh article 11 is $1.9 million for
dredging in the harbor. Uh article 12 is $2 million for the ratunda at Tux Point. um >> is uh go back to 11. 1.9 that's matching
>> 1.8 >> somebody's matching somebody. >> It's 50/50. Yep. >> So this is a 3.8 project. >> Mhm. >> Okay. And when this goes out to bid, in other words, whatever the number comes out to, that's what the match is. If
it's 1.75, then the match is 1.75 or whatever. Right? I don't know. Right. Okay. All right. Uh we're hopeful that between the ratunda,
between dredging, the reed park float expansion and Morse pier that we can put all those projects out together under one bid. They all have their own permitting and they're at different phases of their permitting
process. Uh they have different funding sources. Uh but we were hoping that once all those four individual funding and permitting comes together that we can put it out to bid all as one project. Um and that would save potentially save the
town a lot of time and money. >> Do these projects all have to be done on or about the same time? It's not none of these will be done until 2027. They're they're mostly fall winter >> of 2027 >> possibly uh possibly 26.
>> I think what you'll find is that when you uh combine instead of have four different projects with four different sets of general conditions, okay, and overhead item by combining as one job phased. That's what I think we're looking at. It will be the same product
phased over time, but the general conditions uh uh might come down considerably in that respect. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Once you bring all your equipment in, >> well, see, that's why I wondered if you bring it in, but it's phased, but it's phased such as the >> Yeah, they might they might hit you with
mobilizations, but the things here, they've already got, you know, as far as the overhead is concerned, all buried on one, you know, one big project as opposed to four different jobs, four different overheads, four different So it works. It it makes perfect sense.
>> Um and then we have we we'll also have uh article uh 15 is a capital exclusion. So that's one one year um for the ADA compliant bathroom at the library.
Uh then we have our CPC articles. Um we can come back to that because I think uh Jack was looking for a vote of support on those. Then we have our zoning articles
uh 17 through 20. That's uh downtown zoning. if it is uh senior housing ins and then an ADU uh adjustment.
And then we have article 21 is the general bylaw that the planning board submitted to us regarding driveway entrances. Uh article 22 is our other postemployment benefits. This is probably one of the uh I guess gold star
uh comments that we can make about this year's town meeting is that we we are going to be a year ahead of our schedule and pay off OPED in this current fiscal year versus next um you go through
round like to hear that now. >> Go ahead. Yeah. Yeah. Um looking at the timing, guessing at the time both went through the various different
financial articles. Um getting through the financial articles alone to take a look at all the capital and all the regulated financial articles. um going to be about $3.
Um that takes us to 9:30. We have um child support parks and wreck be there till 9. >> So we're going to have a certain number of people turn into pumpkin around 9.
Um, my thinking was to have all the financial articles as early as possible to maximize the possibility that those folks who probably have their the strongest interest in those will have the ability to hang with us to
commission. So, I was thinking maybe article 22 should ahead of its own. >> Sounds good. I think we can do that unless there's any
>> Okay. >> Unless we put the school budgets to the last item. >> Um and then we have uh article uh 23 is your standard wreck revolving. 24 is the uh town parcel um surplusing
that was requested to us. uh for Mr. Gloveski and then we have the three uh citizen petitions. Is there going to be a map of that when we get to town meeting so people can see what it is?
>> Yeah, we got one when when when the request was made to us, it was submitted to us. So, we'll include that as an appendix in the finance committee book. >> Okay. I just want the screen too. Uh can take care of that on the screen. >> Yeah, sure. Sure.
>> Should we move article 23 also article 23 >> revolving? >> Yes. >> Yeah, we can do that >> certainly. Um, so do you want to uh do you want to go
through the capital uh handout next? Uh so what we tried to do with this is um basically look at what the tax bill impact is
um in the upcoming fiscal year with all these additional decisions that our residents will be making. So, we looked at our uh operating budget and then what we're asking above and
beyond our standard Prop 2 and a half uh tax increase. If you look at uh the I guess it's page page three, it's the gray table and it
has fiscal year 27 out to fiscal year 23. These are the different uh capital items, what their cost are, the bond, the um term length of the bonds
and what the tax rate impact of them are uh individually and then in total. If you look at um the some some when you're when you're talking about tax
uh tax bill impact um you can look at tax rate you can look at tax bill you can look at it in terms of percentages you can look at it in terms of dollars. So if you go to the the next page we start to look at it in
terms of dollars. So again, for the for PAS, we have we're all this tax bill impact is based on a $16.5 million cost, but the project is out to bid and we'll know what the true cost of it is a couple weeks before town
meeting. So if that cost change changes, we will make that adjustment on the floor at town meeting and we'll have an explanation of what we can have an explanation of what that impact is as well. Uh so for 16.5 million uh if you look at
B look at fiscal year 29 because that's when you start to see or actually fiscal year 2030 that's when you start to see the full cost impact. Uh that's on a $1 million household. It's a $315
a year impact. Uh the next project is the Rotunda at 2 million. You know, same household, $1 million value. It's a $42 impact. Central Street Culver, hopefully we don't even have to use it. Uh but if we
did, it's a 94 $94.50 impact. Dredging. Again, the cost of these, you know, dredging and retunda may change when we go out to bid with all four harbor projects and get a and hopefully
get a better price. But if it stays at 1.9, uh the tax bill impact is $3150 and Tapen Street is $84 again for a million-doll household. And then we have Essex Elementary in there. Essex Elementary School is not on this year's
town meeting, but it is something that we're keeping an eye on as we look at what the tax bill impact is because we know it's coming. >> Uh so we have some of the debt uh debt there as well. >> So Tony, what about the operational
budget? Did I read the other charts correctly that it's a 2% increase this year or did I read that wrong? Uh yeah, that is because the um
I wonder is if Andrea is on, but I believe the answer to that is because of the capital exclusion being reduced compared to last year. >> Last year I think we went out for 600 something,000 and this year it's only$ 250.
>> Yeah. Uh, so it's a it's a it when you compare it to last year, it's a 2% increase. Um, and if you look at the next slide, Kathy, this is where your tax rate and
tax bill by fiscal year is expressed at the top. And then this coming fiscal year, it breaks down your tax bill impact by government function. So when I when looking at these numbers, I think it's important to reflect on the
on the previous years uh as far as the tax rate goes. in FY20 was $11.70 and it went down to $10.99 in FY21, $1060
in FY22, $1043 in FY23 and you still you see this decrease that continues in 24, 25, 26 up 27. >> That's >> I think the rate is the rate is just a
way to distribute cost. So I just I think it's important that we um are clear on the taxable uh you know the budget um that you're proposing via taxation
you know whatever the number is 40 million whatever it is um a rate is just dependent on the you know assessed values and it's it's a cost liquidation you know technique that's all um so I think think it's important to stay
true to the budget and make sure we're, you know, especially if it's a good news story and you're flat, that's great. If it's a slight increase, you know, you you got to say that. >> Yeah. >> Well, I just I think that found I think it's I think I agree with you. You know,
the tax rate is not the only way to explain the story, but I do think it's it's impressive how the town has tried to in a way balance out the rise in value
by being uh conservative in the spending from year to year. And >> I think that's an important I think that's an important uh point to make when you're going to town meeting
asking for almost $30 million in additional revenue from your tax base. I think that's important to say is we've we've tried really hard to keep keep your tax bill from rising, >> right? But I think the way you do that is by being clear on what your budget
is. You're you're because again anyone's tax bill can fluctuate greatly dependent on their assessment etc. So the rate is again it's just a distribution of of cost. >> So um you got to focus on the budget and it you know if the budget the taxable
budget here is going up by 2%. You know things are very expensive right now. I I think that's a good news story. Um, but I just wanted to make sure I was reading the charts correctly. >> Do you have a chart that would have this but with the borrowing?
>> Because that's a I mean that's a real cost to tax >> and that that's the question. In other other words, I mean I looked I think costs went up uh 4% last year, but I know a lot of that was well half of that was borrowing.
>> Oh wait, we didn't borrow anything. I borrowed 7 million bucks or something, didn't we? But that hasn't hit yet. >> Mainly insurance last year. >> Yeah, it's mainly insurance, I guess. But >> well, if he's confusing with his
personal >> What I can do, I guess, is if you take >> Well, it's it's it's also Yeah. Whatever your assessment went out. >> You're just confusing with your personal loan you just took out. >> I could I could go out another column here. Yeah, that would add in the tax
bill impact from the page before. >> Okay. >> Right. >> Yep. >> When do we retire the debt from the high school? >> Few years. >> 32, I think. >> 32. >> It significantly decreases.
I have my chart here. So chart this is chart 10 in the back of the book. Um so it's I think it's here it reads FY30 37 but it significantly decreases
um starting each year FY27 and onward. So that >> just in time for a new building. >> Yeah. Just in time to spend time for the >> 37. So that's
>> Yeah. So those are 30-year bonds because that school was 2007. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. So I mean it it's >> Yeah. I think they went I think that was bonded. >> It was bonded >> immediately. >> Oh, was it? >> It was bonded when >> because the cost of money was
>> because the cost of >> pretty good. I I agree that after fiscal year 33 it's a nonissue. We and we spoke with uh we spoke with the with Essex and the school about the
borrowing approach for Essex Elementary. And there's consensus that you would start with short-term bands, which is a a lesser cost impact to your tax base and and then transition into long-term borrowing.
And hopefully that will happen as your high school debt is reducing significantly. >> So I I realize you this number you have for Essex Elementary is just a placeholder, but u that's not figuring in any help from the
state. That's a straight up cost. What is that? >> That's the that number is not enough. That's based on the conversation um that we had the other day. Uh but that's not that the approach here was
not including state assistance. What we're looking at the conversation we had the other day with Essex was based on what is Manchester's true cost. What is Essex true cost? >> This is like twothirds. This is a $60 million building about
>> Yeah. It's not a $60 million building. >> And the number's going up. >> Uh but they haven't they still have a process to go through. Yeah. you know, they're still going through a public process to make some decisions on, you know, which property they're going to use. >> Decide at all. So, figuring out what it's going to cost,
>> right? >> But the MSBA, they're working with them. So, they must have some kind of idea. >> At the moment, MSBA is requiring them to follow three different paths all on the current site of the Essex Elementary
School. One is a build repair it to code. One is to renovate and expand and one is new building. And the cost of those >> right fluctuates a little. >> Yeah. It's it's a what? It's a huge range.
>> So when does that when do they narrow that down to one? >> October. No, they never went down to one. Oh god. Like early late spring, early summer. Their hope is that we are having
a special town meeting in November to vote on >> the final number >> on the final number. So I would imagine this summer they're going to >> they're planning on spending the number doing the actual design. So they're kind
of working backward. >> Yes. I think that you should be prepared to discuss the kind of scope of those numbers in the end town meeting because people are going will be aware this is coming
>> and they will be evaluating those numbers in the context of that. >> So somebody will know discuss invest somehow in your comments discussing.
>> Okay, >> we should have more information in another month. >> To that point, what are the handouts that are supporting all of this financial stuff? It's like one of these or two of these grids going to be in there. >> They'll all be in the back of the
financial >> Okay, fine. All right. So people can put in for >> and we're we're going to clean this up. It's going to be put online as well. So we'll have >> all this backup information and all our public communication is going to be on our website as well.
>> Yeah. >> The quick question Tony just to make sure I understand the the chart that says tax rate and tax bill by fiscal year, tax bill but impact by government function. Mhm. >> Um the bottom piece there that
uh where it says tax bill impact by government function is that all inclusive that capital exclusion piece is the the piece that will hit everyone's tax bill in FY2027 because of
past voting decisions. No, that that capital exclusion goes Yeah. So for FY2 that's a oneyear >> one-year tax bill impact. So that FY26 was 660,000, >> right?
>> And then it goes down to 250 if passed at town meeting uh and passed at the ballot. It goes down to 250. What's not added in here is all those other debt exclusion questions PAS calls
>> right so so previously so I'm trying to understand what's in that capital line and what's in the capital exclusion line >> uh in the capital line is article five >> so that is
road resurfacing drainage sidewalk improvements and all of that what we just added And then unless unless there's anything you know in the if you look at the far right column of article five
>> uh if that funding source is not taxation then it's been removed from this analysis of the tax bill impact by government function under capital. So my ex my suggestion is to have some type of
description column which describes what you just verbally communicated. This capital item includes article whatever capital exclusion means this. People need to
understand if the impact to their tax bill is because of things they're voting on at this town meeting versus prior votes they took that are now coming home to roost.
Are there are there I thought we had did did we had a 600,000 um capital exclusion 660 last year that went on this year's tax bill. >> Right. >> And it's done. >> And it's done. >> Right.
>> So next year we're putting the 250 for the library >> as a capital exclusion. So that will be paid. >> Right. >> Right. I'm just I'm just suggesting a column that says that 250 is article blah blah blah for the library. You
know, something that's people's >> make it easy for people to understand what they're um you know, >> doing to themselves, right? >> Yeah, exactly. This is really hard stuff and we're asking people to absorb a lot of information in a short period of
time. So, the more that we can help them understand um I think the better off. Yeah, I I appreciate that comment and and if you have any other thoughts, let me know. Like I said, this is, you know, we put this together.
It's not this is not nearly uh ready for public consumption yet, but you can see the direction we're heading in. So, I >> Yeah, I think it's great. I think it's very helpful. Um I think the other areas are clear the function because th those
descriptions align what's in article was it four or whatever the the budget but the capital and capital exclusion lines are a little bit nebulous. It's not as clear which articles they refer to. So I just that would that would just be my
suggestion. There >> was a point earlier made if that grid has Essex Elementary as a line item here. Yeah. people are gonna ask >> it. It's it's when you're >> when you're trying to explain what is this project how's this project
going to affect my bill >> there's quite a different there's so many different variables involved in that. So, for instance, when I'm showing what's the uh tax bill impact on a $1 million household,
that seems easy, but your $1 million household is no long, you know, is now growing in value each year, too. >> I think people understand that they use million as just the baseline and then, >> right? So that but that tax bill impact isn't
>> well I I just look at Essex Elementary and when that hits that doubles the impact of all of the other items >> almost. >> Yeah. >> And so I I I see questions come saying you know my increase is I $800 say all
right soon as that school hits it just went up to 16 15 or 16. >> It's a lot. >> It's a lot. So we we may need to that's why this this chart is so good and important because we may want to make decisions differently in coming years and and cut back in some areas or level
fund some areas to make room for some of the capital investments we need to make. Um, so having a chart like this helps us have the right conversations with with the citizens >> certainly and and to that point we're
looking at, you know, we're also trying to estimate what our revenues are going to look like in the coming years as well. And you know that that side of the >> CST >> CST obviously has a is a variable there that makes a lot of changes.
>> We have you know one potentially two large developments that you know, who knows if or when those come online >> and and we're we're doing away with our, you know, our oped liability. So that changes our
>> doing away with the liability. We're able to use the money >> trust >> from the trust to pay what we're currently paying out of operating. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So we're def we're we have to tell the story but we are looking at you know we're not just
looking five years back we're looking 5 10 15 plus years forward >> um unfortunately uh you know PAS is really driven by um the standards put out by the federal
government in their time frame. >> Yeah. Uh the culvert is really uh you know based on the fact we're trying to avoid some other major issue of that being you know shut down to traffic or
god forbid compromised. Um the the ratunda um same thing you know it's it's one of those items that how many more winters will it survive? But when you look at when you look at the Harvard projects, if you read the
article that we did in the Cricut um and you look at this tax bill impact, you know, the ratunda um and the ratunda and >> dredging and >> uh and dredging
um have a tax bill impact uh you know in addition to the two and a half, but Morse and Reed do not. So for the for a $1 million house, $42 on
retunda and $31 on dredging, you know, for 70 $73 you're getting four products. >> So there's some it's buy one get one free. >> There's a lot of good work on the grant side there that's coming out.
>> Is there any chance of grants for the for the PAS? more more likely that is they it comes in the financial assistance comes in the form of long-term lowinterest loans with possible debt forgiveness. Uh but
uh going through the SRF program can also add cost because sometimes it requires Americanmade products >> uh which adds to the total cost of the project. So the way that the pro PAS has been put out to bid is your base bid is
non SRF funding >> and the alternate one is if you did have to go through SRF, what would the cost of the project be? So we can make that decision about what makes more sense whether we borrow on our on our own really good um
>> bond rating. Yeah. Credit score. >> Yeah. um or whether we go through SRF, but they don't they do not commit to debt forgiveness on the front end. >> Yes.
>> Um so, uh article 22 the 420,000 am this is going to be to that view that this article will be on here. >> Correct. >> Okay. So ordinarily people use this article back
because wrapping up somebody should probably speak. >> Okay. >> There was a there on the um on the revolving accounts as well. I wanted to >> use that method.
the past few few years we haven't really had just explain it past the proform thing because we accepted it and adopted the message we have to reestablish each year discuss so uh under the meeting
modernization act uh we can vote on that a certain way this year that we wouldn't have to vote on it every single year unless we were changing the spending cap. So if the spending cap stays the same, you know, we could vote on it this
year to have, you know, that could be one less thing that we have to vote on in the future unless we're changing that cap. Something to chat with you about later. If you want to make a particular motion that will put that into effect, that's
up to court to decide. >> I think we've got enough confusion with where we already are. >> Oh yeah, that's a good point. >> And and this just looks like the way it's been every year. And just >> we could take care of
>> we'll take care of it next year again. next year when there won't be any controversies. >> Okay. >> Uh we um and then if if you want uh to just two other kind of quick things I
wanted to do was go through the CPC list. Uh CBC was looking for the select word to do vote on uh support. >> Jack, are you on the call? >> I am here. Uh Jack, so this is page four, your
warrant at the top. >> Jack, do you want to just run through the >> Sure. Sure. Uh good evening everybody. Um this year we had a budget of um available of $612,921.
Um we have spent most of it as you'll see um for um open space and recreation we've um approved 49,100 for community housing 100,000 historic
preservation $420,100 of which $350,000 is for the return of restoration and $25,000 of uh administration funds which we never spend in a year. Every year we spend
about six or seven and return the rest every year. I'll entertain any questions if anybody has any. >> You see that ratunda is one of those. >> Yes. >> So that 350 will be combined with the
debt exclusion. So with we have 1.3 million already. Some of that is from CPC. Some is that some of that's from town appropriation in the past. >> Uh so this 350 would add to that 1.3 and
then the 2 million would give us enough >> we we pay upfront what we've got and then borrow to the >> Yep. >> Okay. promotion. Yeah, I don't know if anyone has questions.
>> Kathy, do you have anything? >> Thank you. >> No. >> I move the board support the community preservation committee's projects for 2027. >> Second. >> Kathy, >> yes. >> Jeff, >> yes.
>> Brian, >> yes. >> Says yes. >> John, yes. Thank you everybody. >> Great rush through it and did not. >> Okay. >> Um uh just the retunda restoration it lands in a couple of different articles
across the >> I am going to certainly find a few spot to say that to try to drag all the discussion about the rotunda into one articles. >> We'll try that.
Okay. So you want >> litigating it. >> You want obviously you you need to do that in article 16 to see if you could which is the first place it comes up. >> No uh to come up in the financial stuff. >> Right. So article 12.
>> Okay. Right. >> You could move that. um when when we discuss article 12 and we talk about the two million also raised point that there's an additional 330,000 from the CPC funding so if
anybody has any comments they want to make about it or discussion about it the discussion about that item out of the CPC the impact the financial impact committee might have should be incorporated into
political social perspective >> so that when we get to the article we're not going to have the conversation over again >> I hope you have a >> g Um
and then we I provided an updated uh packet of the operating budget and the changes. Um if you go to page 57, this is the sanitation is probably the biggest
um cost impact that we that we're facing this year and we will continue to face in the coming years. Of course, you know, health insurance is on that list as well. Um, we're looking on health
insurance, we're looking at like a 15% increase compared to the 20, you know, that we were originally thinking. Um, and the when the last time we looked at this, the school budget number um hadn't come down yet. That that has come down
significantly to fit within our balanced budget. Um but as you can see uh our our services our contract services has gone up about $280,000
and we are being uh essentially pushed to automated collection. All haulers are trying to go that way. So there's one person on the truck versus two. Uh so right now we bring in about $300,000
in revenue uh through the sale of bags with uniform barrels that is going to be reduced significantly >> because they're not going to check to see if there's a bag inside that >> right I don't care. >> Uh so you know this we're not going to
go to uniform barrels starting July 1. Um, but we're going to have to by next year. Uh, so we're going to have >> So, Tony, is that just for is that just for trash or does that include recycling?
>> Uh, recycling. Recycling will be in a in a bin as well, but you don't you don't put put it in a bag, just right into the bin. No, I'm I'm asking if the um because some towns which do the standardized
um trash bins for trash also have standardized bins for recycling. And so I'm asking if that's the path we're on. >> Yeah, we're on the path of doing both. >> So the barrels are both kind of identical. They're coming around twice. Once to pick up the trash and another
one to pick up the recycling, which is what they do now. Mhm. >> But the barrels, they're using the same kinds of trucks, so I assume the barrels are identical. >> Well, no, they they'll actually they'll actually invest in a in a different truck that has a uh >> Oh, okay.
>> like a robotic arm that picks it up and dumps it back. >> So, both the recycling run and the trash will have >> truck with an arm that picks it up and dumps it. >> That's what Yeah, that's >> But they're different barrels. I'm just wondering what consumers dealing with
you. All right. >> Well, yeah, probably different colors. >> Yeah, they're usually different colors. >> Even different sizes. >> Well, it's all bridged across appropriate time. Is this 280? Does that That's not a net number. That's just what the cost is for the
contract. The orange bags are on top of that, which is a further negative. >> No, we actually we we make um >> I know that for 280 this is this is for the budget here. And the orange bags show up on the revenue side. That's not here,
>> right? >> So, and that's what 300 and something. >> 300 something. >> So, this is a swing of $500,000. >> Not this year, but >> Well, yeah, I understand. >> Yeah. So, there's there's costsaving. >> Well, we could do things
to charge. There's no reason that we have to go to trash is free, >> right? >> We change. >> No. Right. >> Right. other towns that I'm aware of, they charge they send people a bill, I don't know if it's once a quarter or or twice a year or something for the
privilege of having their trash picked up. >> Yeah, we can add we could add a fee to our utility bill. >> That's something that the select board and the finance committee can discuss at length after the town meeting. >> Yes,
>> yes, certainly. Um, but I just want you to be aware this is a, you know, this is in some ways this cost increase is a rightsizing of our contract that my understanding is >> pre-reppublic it was JRM. Uh, they held
on to that contract and they didn't increase the rates on an annual basis. We've had a very good deal. Um, and then >> and now we've got Republic. >> Uh, and now our contract and you know, Yep. >> I'm sure there's also an impact to these
numbers from the union negotiation that they did at the beginning of this at the in July >> to September. >> Um, >> did we get reimbursed for the time that we spent picking up our own trash?
>> Uh, we I'll I'll I'll have to get back to you on that. I know. Uh we sent them they sent us a bill >> for the cost of services that they did provide. We paid a bill. We made a payment that
was less than that and factored in >> our costs and I believe they accepted our payment. >> Okay. So, I I think the answer is yes, but I don't think it was ever uh >> Yeah, it was kind of >> it was kind of one of those if you cash the check, you can't come back to me
again. Yeah. >> Um so, yeah, we have a big a big thing to look at in the upcoming year, you know, as you look at the at the impacts next year. So that's it. That's uh
>> so what we have decided is to move all the money articles up ahead of all of the zoning articles. >> Mhm. >> Um and some discussion about what things we
need to speak to and when we'll speak to them. I think otherwise tomorrow looks >> pretty much fine. >> Yeah. >> What's the overunder on getting through this in one night? >> Yeah, that's what So, one other quick logistics thing. At
some point, you guys should be giving me your movers and seconders on the motions. >> Yep. >> Automate that process over under doing it in one night. So,
um, it it does depend on the zoning and the citizen petition articles. We kind of I have to ask families to get a sense of how long it's going to take to go through, but with five zoning articles.
Um, we're figuring an hour to get through those. Um, and then there are the citizens petition articles. um one of which at least is likely to take some time. Um optimistically 20 minutes and get through all of the sitting position
articles. Um so an hour, hour and a half if we if we're lucky to get through the stuff after the finance stuff. Uh the finance stuff um would take us if the estimates of three hours are kind of
accurate out to 9:30 and then the rest would take us out to around 11:00. In past years, um Allan has said that if he feels confident that we can finish up at around 10, he'll glad to to do that. was
going to go past 10 would be inclined he would be inclined to um uh adjourn the meeting to the next evening because four and a half yeah three and a half four hours of meeting
time people start to get through trying to address complicated issues after that it's challenging so it's 5050 whether or not we get through this and Um, we should given that it's it's there's a
lot of capital that's going to be discussed. >> This these discussions could go long. It could go really relatively short, but I've never seen this much capital on a warrant neither. >> So, um, it would be wise for us to make
sure that we have the ability to get people to a second night. I'll try hard to avoid it. Um but that capital is a lot. >> Is the school aware that we may need >> this? Is the school aware?
>> We may need their gymnasium for another day. >> I did not want to pull the trigger on that unilaterally without first talking to you folks about that because I got different feedback about I was really thinking this this morning going back
and forth on it. Different people have different opinions about whether or not we need a second night. Um uh so before I I said, "Hey, the sky is falling and told the school uh we need the gymnasium for second night."
>> You don't have to tell them that we need it. You need to tell them or someone needs to tell them that we may need it. >> Yes. >> So that they don't plan something important there. >> Yes. Kids bring the lunches. >> The kids bring the lunches.
>> Few folks agree with this assessment of the situation. Then tomorrow we'll go ahead talk. They're aware that this could happen. >> I already talked to Bob Moffett and he's going to present two proposals. One for
one night for two nights. >> Was he the one who didn't bill us? >> What's that? >> Okay. Mory's nodding. Um, we had uh an over a significantly overdue bill for the um audiovisisual in the in the gymnasium.
Um >> Oh, well, he seemed perfectly >> Oh, he didn't he didn't submit a bill to us for two years. >> Oh, that's on him. >> Yes, we we have a couple prior year bills.
Yeah, the that's uh How big are those, by the way? >> I didn't How much do Do you remember what Andrea said Thursday night? >> I thought they're under $2,000. >> Yeah, they usually are. >> Pretty small. >> The mechanics. >> So, this annual town meeting, so that'll
be like a fork that's >> Yeah. Uh so um uh do you agree with the kind of risk assessment that we float a few days on this? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> They have and not use it then all of a
sudden >> and if you're certain that's 50/50 that's good enough to tell them potential exists. I don't want to be there for two days. >> No 10. >> But I don't want to be there till 11:30
or 12. No. So what that's why in part I wanted the funding articles to be up front because what would happen if we do feel like we're going to go that way when we hit the end of the funding >> that'll pretty much guarantee a qu for the next
provide a nice separation between mindset of dollars set of zoning. I like it. I'm hearing a lot of so I I think you've got our consensus. >> Have a bunch of other little logistics questions, but they're not really for
you guys. Um, >> yep, I think I'm good. >> Thank you. Oh. Um, yeah. Let me know to what degree any of you are going to want to speak on citizen petitioner.
Oh, and everybody's getting so open. >> Well, we're we're trying we're trying to get as much information out there as possible. All these capital articles. uh viaformational sessions, articles, websites,
social media posts, and >> hopefully um hopefully that helps, you know, with the discussion. >> I think it probably will. I think that you're still going to see some um shock when the board arrives and people realize as they see the individual ones like,
"Oh yeah, we got to do the rotunda. Oh yeah, we got to do some tough." Yeah, >> I think we've done a good job telling them $100 million will last. >> On the one hand, they'll know what's going on. On the other hand, they'll
know what's going on. >> Yeah. Had that exact same sort of conversation. startup company introduced some technology that we wound up with somebody said, "Well, the good news is he knows what we're doing and the bad news is he
knows what we're doing." Yep. Is it could be paper? of okay I think we've handled the all three parts of the
um and reading and then we're going into the boring part where we talk about our liaison and um consent agenda and you are welcome to stay >> I'm going to go make a martini wise decision thank you all yep
Oh, >> someone's going to come back for that. >> I hope not. >> Okay, moving on. Uh, Leah's on a bit. Yeah. >> Uh, planning board had their public hearing of the 22 union, the cargo
building for permitting conditions and special permit. That was all approved. So, that's on to I guess the historic commission for final. >> Well, there's a report on that. >> Okay. Well, we'll let you handle that.
Um and then they went through all their zoning articles which I won't go over because we just went through all that. Uh h advisory um had uh some discussion about early discussion about dredging
and u oh area 7 mooring expansion >> discussion on that. Looks like maybe 30 more out there possibly. Um I don't think that's a definite number,
but it, you know, kind of growing. What else? We got uh Essex Tech. We had our budget uh hearing last week and our budget pass. So the number you see is the number you're going to get. Um, and I spent a
couple of nights up there last week uh with the policy subcommittee doing the handbooks and uh student employee the student handbook and the employee handbook for next year. So, that's all set and that's about it.
>> Uh, not really much of anything. Pox and Recre had their fundraiser on Saturday. Saturday night, right? Saturday. >> Saturday night. >> Either or be square. >> Yep. John was >> there.
>> Tearing up the floor. >> Uh that it was successful, too. I think that with all the sponsorships, uh Cheryl was quite happy with the amount of money they brought in. Uh beyond that, I've got nothing. Their meeting is Wednesday night, so that's
all I've got on that. Uh nothing's changed on the the other boards. I haven't. >> Yeah. >> So, I'm done. >> Kathy, >> um, Bike and Pad and Downtown Improvement are meeting later this week, so I don't have anything on them. Uh, we
did have a meeting with the little tree policy, uh, group, Ruth Fitzgerald, um, Jody Morris, and myself, and we have come up with some, um, changes to the tree policy that we'll be ready to bring forth to the select board right after,
um, the town meeting. Uh, one of the items we'll be recommending is that we temporarily at least remove the concept of a heritage tree from the policy because we have no current way of
enforcing um you know the tree policy when the trees are on private property. So um we you know we it was actually a recommendation I believe from uh friends
of trees that we remove that concept and then engage the public in a conversation on what to do with important trees that are on private property. Uh you know whether we need a bylaw etc. So we'll like I said we'll be ready to talk more
about this after town meeting and that's it. John. >> Uh yeah, just uh really the historic district commission as Jeff had mentioned it ruled through the planning board and the historic district commission met on
Thursday and also voted yes. I think that's the last commission they have to be in front of and they are set to go and their next step I think is um uh they have to knock the building down by June 19th because once you get into the summer they're not able to they they won't be
allowed to do that. They'll have no flexibility. They could if they're not going to do anything until the fall sometime but they have a I think a deadline of June 19th to uh do the demolition. >> So that's tickets for that. >> That's where they're at. That'll be closures dealing with that. I
don't know how long it'll take. So, >> seven days is what I was told. >> Okay. Yeah. But the design, the uh historic district commission is good with the the Empire design and the way it looks with three uh with three town houses that are there. So, uh that's
set. Um no comments from uh the seniors unless Tonyy's going to make something. Um, and the DPW. No, everything's going along okay. Those guys couldn't come up with anything that sounded interesting.
The library is quiet right now. No pun intended. Um, finance committee has been busy. Uh, but you've seen everything they've done. Um, the schools have their final budget. So
um um the meetings are now about um educational philosophy and and things that are important but um not don't affect the town directly. Um and the board of health
um I have a personal concern that they are not taking best advantage of a grant that we got as a result of joining um with the loster and and I don't know what to do. They're they're
being very cautious and paying people to show them how they will be able to continue whatever they do after the grant is ended. And I worry that they'll spend more of the grant figuring out what to do when it goes than they do will they are doing some major
digitalization of old writers. There's a there is a consulting company that's that's doing that and that will be a very good thing. So that's it. So, consent agenda. Uh,
>> can we pull B out of the consent agenda? >> Um, reason being is I'm on a board that has a sign at the Little League field. So, I'm going to recuse myself there. >> Okay. >> Anything else? as you
>> this is a so pulling out which one this is uh B yeah okay >> you don't like middle eagers >> no but >> okay yeah >> I think I feel I have a conflict there so I want to just
>> Mr. Ralph, you have a >> I can I can make a motion to move select board approve the consent agenda A, C, D, and E. >> Second. >> Kathy, >> yes. >> Jeff, >> yes.
>> Brian, >> yes. >> Answers, yes. >> Sean, yes. >> Um, I move that we approve item B, the request replacement of Banners and Sweeney Park. Second, >> Kathy.
>> Yes, >> Jeff. >> Oh, Brian. >> Yes. >> Says yes. >> John, yes. >> Okay. minutes report. >> Um, I'll keep it quick because we kind of talked a lot about what's been on my
plate for the last two weeks. The um the police chief position is posted. Um that we we had, believe it or not, uh we're we've already started July for 3rd and fourth prep and had a meeting with
um all the important folks to talk about some of the logistics there. Uh like I said, I had a really good discussion with the Masons regarding the uh condo docks. Uh we've had a good discussion with um Nester Essex Regional
School District about Essex Elementary Finance and our big to-do out of that is out of it to decide whether we're going to be whether we want to do a November uh town meeting on that question. Essex
by bylaw has their special town meeting on November 16th >> and then the the ballot vote would probably be the second week in December. So, we have to decide. We got to let them know in the next two weeks whether
we whether we want uh whether we're going to follow that same schedule, >> whether we want to have it a day after or a day before >> or the same day >> or the same day in the school people >> have to bounce back and forth.
>> Yes, >> we don't have to decide that. Well, guess we do have to decide that today. Uh we I mean it'd be I guess if there's any comments from the board, it'd be good to to hear while we're here. I guess if you have any thoughts on a
November special town meeting, >> we are we going to have enough stuff to throw in there to make them? >> Do you mean if if we're going to have other stuff to add to it? >> Yeah. I mean, can we really make them best use some stuff, right?
>> Well, we have the short-term rental thing that we might have ready by then and things have a tendency to show up. >> Uh Kathy, any thoughts? >> I mean, it depends on what we need to accomplish. If we need to accomplish
something, we should have a meeting. If it's something that can wait, we shouldn't. So, I guess I'm not sure what would be on the agenda. >> Just at least the school and and I don't see how we can avoid having a meeting
>> for the school. >> No, I'm just thinking of other things we can >> Yes. Well, but then we may have um you know, one thing we haven't talked about yet is we we may have a short-term rental >> bylaw that we need to put forward to the
to the voters. >> And the other thing is uh we just don't know where the senior center is, >> right? So, you know, so so >> let's pick it. >> We'll know by that. Mhm. >> So, >> so the 16th is when?
>> Today is the 16th. >> It's going to be a lovely day in November. >> Uh, it looks like it is a Monday night. >> Okay. >> It's the third Monday in November. >> So, it's on our meeting night.
>> Yeah. Two words, one stone. Yeah, we could go with that. >> I I my feeling is it'd be better to have it simultaneous with Essex
and we can find out in the morning. >> The folks from the school had no issue with that. They said, "We'll just we'll split up. We'll bring a couple people to ASEX and a couple people to Manchester's town meetings and we'll be able to speak >> on them. So, >> it's good. Then we're done.
>> It's better than >> you know what it's it is, you know, if one town goes uh first and isn't successful, >> second town is going >> nowhere.
>> Going nowhere. So, why not just do it the same way? Well, we we kind of know where they're going. They're going to send the A team over here. >> We're carrying the brunt of this thing. >> We are. Yeah. >> It's interesting though is that if we this I was thinking about this. If we
decide if they're going to decide to go to option three and build on site, >> where are they going to put the kids during construction? >> They bring they have one possible one design that puts the school adjacent.
Okay. >> Just like just like our high school arranging. >> No, I'm just thinking all of a sense. Well, if we can put the kids over in Manchester while they're building it, why don't we just leave them there all the time? >> I think they were taking down one wing or something. That was a discussion meeting six months ago.
>> No, it worked. It worked high school. Worked well for the high school. So, I see it it >> since they don't have even the scope of the design to just Yeah. >> Spitballing there. Yep. >> I mean, do we think this is really going
to be ready to go by November? >> The I mean, the school and Essex, I would say, are very eager to make sure that it's ready for November.
>> And Andy Oldman at the finance committee, he's on the essay school building committee. Oh, he said he thought they could do it. >> That's why so they MSBA sticks to very
strict schedule as you know. That's why they want our answer as to whether we're okay with a November special town meeting in the next two weeks because then they're going to that's going to initiate a schedule that puts them ready for a November special town
meeting. uh they're they're they technically, you know, they have until their spring annual town meeting to take the vote based on the MSBA schedule, but they want an an additional bite at the apple, so to speak.
>> They'd like to get it done soon so that little bit of the problem. >> They can take it we can take it up again in the spring. >> Yep. >> I I mean, I'm not saying it can't happen. I'm just I'm concerned because to not have a design at this point is
seems pretty far behind >> that meaning they obviously have a design they will have numbers not a bid >> will they have they won't have bids necessarily they'll just have estimates based upon the design >> okay
>> and they will have a campaign to people know why this is an excellent idea and it should be supported. >> It's a lot of stuff. >> Y um changing the subject slightly. Um we need to have a meeting between now and the 1st of April. Um the 5th Monday in
March is the 30th. >> This room is available. So maybe we do our special meeting for the for the warrant on the 30th. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Happy. >> Were you planning to be in Aruba?
>> No. >> No. I'll be here. >> Uh you would want uh 6:30. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I can probably remember it next time. Yeah, that's right. >> Okay.
>> Do I have a motion? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Yes, you do. >> All in favor? I I >> I shut her down. Thank you. Yep. Good night. proclamation.
>> Yes. Yes.