Dave frogson. >> Somebody else. Yes, sir. >> The cold day that we spent today, those of us that brave the weather, could you describe the conditions in which these >> Well, it was absolutely necessary.
People say that it was harder to do in winter. Henry's, my opinion, sorry, my opinion, I'm going to switch now. My opinion is that Henry was the only one who figured out that the winter
actually made it possible because there were no paved roads, there were no corrugated roads, and when you've got um 6,000 lbs on a sled,
if the ground is not frozen, you're simply going to sink. And in fact, the major holdups in the in the the exercise was when it got warmer and it got muddy.
It got particularly muddy between uh Westfield and Springfield, but the frozen water barriers and the frozen roads and preferably just the right amount of snow. We did lose um several
days at Fort George because I finally got snow I'd been praying for and then I got too much. And obviously a sled of that size and stuff, you don't want 3 ft of snow. Welcome to my members uh previous chair
council Naven Council Lucette. We're the three members on the personnel board. Welcome to both Raymond uh who's here for a reappoint and again I was telling McGee and I was telling Raymond that we may change some of the policies coming
this is a second chance because of the snow to be here and J will be appointed after our tour. So, I'd like to open up to the committee members who would like to ask questions first. And this is for me appointed to the
want to get the name right. The um Council on Aging, sometimes they say elderly services, Council on Aging. So, members. >> Yeah. >> Go ahead. Council Det. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Um, so
for both of you, uh, why did you decide to join the Council of Aging? Or, uh, for Raymond, considering you were the appointment, I'll let you go first so you can listen in. >> Well, I had when I retired, um, my wife and I had been working at the uh, as
volunteers at the food pantry. Mhm. >> And uh whenever I completely retired, I went in to see Kathy Murphy and said, "Do you need any help doing stuff around the place here?" And she said, "Why don't you go over and talk to uh Gretle at the food pantry?" And I went over and
said, "Do you need any help?" She said, "Yeah, take your coat off. There's a truck coming in about 5 minutes. You can unload it." So I I was uh hooked from then on. Um but then there was an opening at the uh as the council on aging and I thought well maybe I can be a little bit more
help um as a as a member of the council rather than just working at the food pantry. So as I I'm getting old maybe I understand some of the issues for older people that other people don't understand and uh maybe I can uh be of
assistance there. So, it's been a so far it's been a useful four years for me and I hopefully hope for the uh the center. >> Good. Good. And what about you, Judy? >> I guess I've been a volunteer pretty
much my whole life, one thing or another. And and being retired, as Ry said, it's a good opportunity to work with those of us who are getting older and might be more familiar with some of the issues. and one of the couple of the
people on the present board invited me to apply when an opening arised. So, here I am. >> Good. Good. Thank you. Where did you uh volunteer before? >> Um well, I once upon a time sought
taught Sunday school. That was way back. Um I was I did some um work with a a young man who had physical abilities and we did patterning things with him during the day
>> long time ago. Also >> um I was a an assistant brownie teacher troop leader. I was um >> else did I volunteer for? >> I was a room mother in four of my daughter's classes. Mhm.
>> Um, and now I am a volunteer at the Daybreak program at the senior center. >> Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you both for volunteering. Appreciate it. >> Councelor Naven. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, and I'll just
echo councelor Ducet's thanks um for volunteering. You know, these um you know, these committee meetings are often proforma, you know, because we want to just have people in here and and you know, get to know them a little bit. Um, I think it's incredibly important for people to see the value in volunteering
and I want to thank you both for stepping up to volunteer. It's, you know, there there are a lot of different positions and we try to highlight that here. Um, that there are a lot of positions that people can get involved in and they're incredibly valuable and the work is really important. Um, you know, I would argue that almost at no
place, you know, more than the senior center and the council on aging, the programming and all of the different things that we are able to offer, um, it's it's super important. So, um, I just want to say thank you. I also want to say it's rare that when people are um put down for these positions that we
kind of get calls in advance um but I have heard from um several people um in uh endorsing both your candidacies. So I I think that's great. I think it speaks both to the value of the Council on Aging um and to your character and you know the need to have you guys on board.
So um if there's no further comments, I will make a motion to approve both appointments. We'll take that motion and I'll second it as the chair if I can. Uh just in case there's further any questions from the other councilors that are here. I see council vital council
fello. Uh do either one of you would like to ask any questions? Okay. >> Members who wish to volunteer on the commission for the elderly and again I'm goofing that up. It's not that. It's the council on aging. Councelor Fello any
question? You're all set too. And I would just I when I walked in Raymond was here and I told him I wanted to thank him. He's a reappoint. So he's coming in as again doing it another term. So thank you so much. And Judy and I I guess we go back to church and I
I've forgotten some of my church years, but that was a few years ago. Again, thank you for all you do both of you all you do for the for the community. Not just the Council on Aging, but the community. And a little side note, I've been I've been I've been more involved with the community with the senior
center because my wife's down there on some exercise programs. So, keep those programs going and you'll make me happy. But I was looking over your minutes on December 16th and I was talking to Raymond about this. It's so nice that the sand for seniors and I said, "What's
that mean?" And then what the DPW does and the seniors get advanced sand and there's I think 58 seniors on this program. So especially this winter I've had to go down to DPW a couple
times to get sand. My I couldn't get up my driveway. So I think that's a great program and I see you got a new chef. That's always a good thing too. So keep up the good work. On that note, there was a motion and second to approve both positions. All in favor?
All opposed? No one's opposed. They're all set. And thank you again for what you do for our community, not just with the senior center and council on aging, but everything you do for the community. And to that motion's been made to adjurnn. And you want to second it?
Seconded. All in favor? We are adjourned at I gota get the time here. 7:07 7 minute meeting at number Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey.
Heat. Heat. Doo. No. No. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Don't be Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hello. Oh. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. I'm glorying. Hey,
hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Don't tell me you Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.
Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Good evening everyone. Call the city council to order at 8:00 on Monday
evening, February 9th, 2026. This meeting is being recorded. Please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. >> There are 32 items on this evening's agenda and I will ask the city clerk to please read agenda item number one, >> minutes of the city council meeting,
January 12th, 2026. >> Council vital. >> Mr. President, I'd like to um make a motion to accept and f place on file. >> Motion's made in second to accept and place on file the minutes. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, are those in favor? Opposed. The minutes
are filed. The vote is 110. Agenda item number two, communication from the mayor regarding grant acceptance in the amount of $15,000 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council awarded to the Morrow Downtown Village Association to support the annual food truck and artisan festival. >> Councelor Iris. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Motion to
approve the grant, please. Motion's made and seconded to approve the grant. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed. The grant is approved and the vote is 110. Agenda item number three, communication from the mayor regarding grant acceptances in the amount of $2,100 from the
Massachusetts Cultural Council and $7,000 from the Friends of the Mal Public Library awarded to the Malra Public Library to be used to fund a mural for the children's room and to fund winter and spring library programs. >> Councelor Irish. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh motion to approve both grants, please. >> Motion's made and seconded to approve
both grants. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, are those in favor? Opposed? Both grants are approved and the vote is 110. Agenda item number four, >> communication from the mayor regarding gift acceptance the amount of $2,500 from various donors awarded to the police department to be used to
establish a drone unit. >> Counselor Irish. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Motion to approve the the GR the gift, please. Gifts. Gifts, please. Motion made and seconded to approve the gift. Any discussion on the motion? Councelor Presiato. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um,
definitely uneasy news for me. Um, having a drone and surveilling our our community. Um, just wanted to make that note. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Presiato. Any other discussion on the motion? All those in favor of the approval of gift opposed. The gift is approved and the vote is
11:0. Agenda item number five, >> communication from the mayor regarding notification of temporary appointment pursuant to Mass General law, chapter 41, section 61A of Brian Dahaney as interim city collector effective January 23rd, 2026 for a 60-day term to expire
March 24th, 2026. >> Councelor Orum. >> Motion to approve just accept and place on files out. >> Okay. Accept and place on file. Thank Motion's made in second to accept and place on file a temporary appointment. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing
none, all those in favor? Oppose. The temporary appointment is filed and the vote is 11:0. Agenda item number six, communication from the mayor regarding notification of temporary appointment pursuant to mass general law chapter 41 section 61A of Jeffrey Goen as interim fire chief effect of January 29th, 2026
for a 60-day term to expire March 30th, 2026. >> Council Orum. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I've spoken to our chief and suggest just uh so the counselors can get to know him and ask questions to refer this to the person. >> Well, hang on. You're you went ahead.
This is a temporary appointment. This one's just >> Oh, this is the temporary I'm sorry. >> That's okay. >> Accept and place on file. >> Motion's made in second to accept and place on file the temporary appointment. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed. Temporary appointment is filed and the vote is 11:0.
Agenda item number seven, >> communication from the mayor regarding the appointment of Jeffrey Goen as fire chief for a 5-year term effective from the date of city council confirmation. >> Councelor, this time I'll get it right. I'm going to recommend that this be placed on the personnel committee for review and allow the counselors to get
to know and meet and greet and we'll do this expedentially so that we can get him approved. Thank you, Mr. >> Motion made second. Refer the item to the personnel committee. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor opposed. The abs go into personnel and the vote is 110. Agenda item number
eight. >> Communication from the mayor regarding the appointment of Pamela McNair to the commission on disabilities for a three-year term effective from the date of city council confirmation. Council >> Orm. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Recommend it go to personnel committee for review. >> Motion's made in second. Refer to the personnel committee. Any discussion on
the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. It's going to personnel committee and the vote is 11:0. Agenda item number nine, >> communication from the mayor regarding the appointment of Karen Thompson to the commission on disabilities for a three-year term effective from the date of city council confirmation. Council >> Orum.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. Recommended go to personnel committee for review. >> Motion made second. Refer to the personnel committee. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, are those in favor? Opposed? This item's going to personnel and the vote is 110. Agenda item number 10, communication from the
mayor regarding the appointment of Karen Pati Patty to the board of health for a three-year term to expire on February 5th, 2029. >> Councelor Arm. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Recommend this go to personnel committee for review. >> Motion's made and seconded to refer to the personnel committee. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in
favor? Opposed? The items go to personnel and the vote is 110. Agenda item number 11, >> communication from the mayor regarding the reappoints of Deborah McManus and Lindseay Jar to the Commission on Disabilities for three-year terms respectively to expire in the following dates. Deborah McManus on October 20th,
2028 and Lindseay Jar on July 21st, 2028. >> Council Arm. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I know one of the members is here present. Uh, and these are reappoints. So, I'm going to recommend approval of these reappointments and thank them for their service. Thank you, Mr. President.
>> Motion's made and seconded to approve both reappoints. Any discussion on the motion? Oh, Councelor Ducet. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. Um, I've been a member of the disabilities commission since I've been on the council about 10 years now. Um, during
that time, um, Deborah McManis has been president all that time. She's been president or she's been active in that for a very long time. And I don't think there would be there wouldn't be a dis commission of disabilities if it wasn't for her. So that congratulations for her
getting reappointed. Uh Lindsay is out back here. So thank you for showing up as well and being a strong part of the group. So I think it's a great asset for both of them in the committee. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Ducet. Any other discussion on the motion? On the motion
to approve both reappoints. All those in favor? Opposed? Motion carries. They're both reappointed and the vote is 110. Congratulations, Les Lindsay. Um, number 12, >> communication from the mayor guarding the reappoints of Stephanie Faria,
Adrien Gilbert, and Kathleen Newton to the historical commission for three-year terms, all to expire on February 5th, 2029. >> Councilor, as noted previously, these are reappointments, and I would recommend approving these reappoints and thank the members that are on the committee uh
historic commission for their service. Thank you, Mr. President. Motion made and seconded to approve the reappointment of the three members to the historical commission. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed? All three are reappointed and the vote is 110.
Agenda item number 13. >> Communication from the mayor regarding the reappointment of Paul Gould to the Fort Meadow Commission for a three-year term effective from the date of city council confirmation. >> Councelor arm. Boy, I'm getting my exercise today. That's okay. I need it. But anyways,
same as noted before, this is a reappoint. We I want to thank Paul Gould for his service on the Fort Meadow Commission. I live near there, so I appreciate their work and recommend that this be approved tonight. Motion remain second to approve the reappoint to the Fort Meadow Commission. Any discussion
on the motion? >> Mr. President, >> Councelor Fill. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, really quickly just wanted to share Paul. I've known Paul for very long time now living on the lake and, uh, his selfless service to our community. Um, you know, has just touched, you know, my family
and a lot of people who have called the lake home for many years. I know he's worked to maintain Collins Beach his entire life. Um, I see Mr. Sharon's here as well. He's worked to maintain Sharon Beach. Um, and just very grateful for their service to our community. So happy to uh, see that Paul is willing to stick with us and keep serving on the
commission. Thank you. >> Thank you, Councelor Fill. on the motion to approve the reappointment to the Fort Meadow Commission. All those in favor opposed. Motion carries. The vote is 11:0 Paul to the Fort Meadow Commission. Agenda item 14, communication from the
mayor regarding midyear transfer requests totaling 917,528 from various departments for fiscal year 25, which moves funds from and to accounts as outlined in the transfer sheets. >> Councelor Iris. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh motion to refer to the finance committee, please.
Motion's made in second. Refer this item to the finance committee. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed? The items go to finance and the vote is 11:0. Agenda item number 15. Communication for the mayor regarding the transfer request in the amount of $15,94 from collective salary
line to fund the city solicitors salary amendment. >> Councelor Irish. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Motion to refer to the finance committee, please. >> Motion's made and second to refer this item to the finance committee. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed. The items go into finance and
the vote is 110. Agenda item number 16. >> Communication from the mayor regarding the final open space and recreation plan for 2026 to 2036 for acceptance. And just to note, the open space and recreation plan is available for viewing in the city clerk's office. It is also
available on the conservation commission website uh on the city's website. >> Councelor Roby. >> Thank you, Mr. President. As noted in the mayor's letter, this final open space and recreation plan for 2026 2036
has been a long awaited document created with valuable input from the open space committee appointed by Mayor Vigilant with the help of former DPW Commissioner John Galone and Donna Scalcion who provided editing and formatting
assistance. The draft plan was submitted to the council and referred to the open space committee back in March of 2025. Councilors offered feedback including three places of focus to be added to map 10. Since then, all of the input from
the various stakeholders was analyzed and edits were made from the draft to the final document before us. According to Miss Ryder, these include developing a dark sky ordinance to reduce light pollution and improve habitat for many
species. Adding a new additional par a few additional parcels is high priority. capturing a few missed parcels on the map. The public participation process we used and what new information we received were incorporated into the
plan, including items such as scenic roads to the maps and a list in the document. Adding additional trails to the map that were missed. Updating lists for items that were completed while the plan was being written and a few new items that had been missed. updating
section 9 with the new items that were included and updating the plan, which is now a 10-year plan rather than the seven-year plan, based on changes to the OSRP requirements by the state. These changes are all along the same
vein as the overall plan and made the plan much more robust and complete. Once accepted, this plan will ensure this is a vision for recreation, conservation, natural resources, and enhancing community character and allows the city
to apply for state and federal grants. This almost 200page plan with 14 maps will also serve as an important guide to the city council, the planning board, and conservation commission as each body reviews proposals for new development
within the city to see if they are compatible with the goals of the plan and protective of sensitive areas. I do not see any compelling reason to refer this to committee again. So unless someone objects, I move to accept this
final open space and recreation plan 2026 2036 and thank the committee members for their time in its creation. >> Motion's made and seconded to accept the open space plan. Any discussion on the motion? Councelor Ducet.
>> Thank you very much, Mr. President. Um this was uh a lot of work spanning a very large amount of time and I really need to thank everyone that was involved in this. Uh I was involved in a lot of this as well just reviewing the material
but most of everyone else did all the heavy lifting. Um I hope everyone has a chance to review this material and look through it for future planning. So thank you. >> Thank you councelor Ducet. Councelor Vital. >> Thank you Mr. President. I want to thank the the entire committee for putting
this wonderful document together. But I want to give special recognition to Priscilla Ryder and the Chuck Dibo. Uh they really have taken the leadership and and guiding this document to its uh to its finished where we're going to vote on it in a matter of seconds. So thank you Mr. President. >> Thank you Councel Vital. Any other
counselors on the motion to approve the open space plan? All those in favor opposed. The open space plan is approved. Priscilla take a bow. Well done. On behalf of the council, Priscilla, we appreciate the effort and time. I mean,
I I know I pestered you quite frequently on this, but your committee has done an outstanding job, and I hope we can use this to map our path going forward with developments in the city. So, thank you, Priscilla. Agenda item 17, >> communication from city solicitor Jason
Gfield regarding a request for executive session regarding the Royal 401 Elm LLC versus the city of Malbor. >> Councelor Roby. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Move to re move to move this to take up after item
number 32 on the agenda. >> Motion's made in the second to move this item to the end of our agenda. All those Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor opposed. This item will go to the end of our agenda. The vote is 110. Agenda item 18. >> Communication from city solicitor Jason
Gfield regarding proposed home rule petition relative to amending section 59A of the charter filling vacancies in the office of mayor and council specifically for the procedure to fill vacancy and ward council position in proper legal form order number 2526-100 9415B.
>> Council Naven. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. A motion to accept and place on file the communication and to move this item to number 32 on the agenda. >> Motion's made in second to accept and place on file the communication and move this item down to agenda item number 32. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing
none of those in favor? Opposed? This item is filed and moving down to agenda item number 32 and the vote is 11:0. Agenda item 19. Communication from city solicitor Jason Gfield regarding proposed order of acceptance of Jewel Road as a public way along with
associated easements order number 25-1009620. >> Councelor Fillo. >> Thank you Mr. President. Move to refer to the public services committee. >> Motion's made and second to refer to the public services committee. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed? The items
going to public service and the vote is 110. Agenda item number 20. Communication from city solicitor Jason Grfield regarding proposed order of acceptance of open space parcel with within the Boschin estates open space development special permit in proper legal form order number 25-100 9620
councelor fill. >> Thank you Mr. President. Move to refer to the public services committee. >> Motion made second refer to the public services committee. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Oppose. This item is going to public service and the vote is 110.
Agenda item number 21, >> communication from city engineer Thomas Persio regarding acceptance of Jewel Road as a public way with associated easements and open space parcel. Order number 25-100 9620. >> Councelor Fill. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Move to accept and file. >> Motion made and second to accept and
place on file a communication. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed? The communication is going to be filed and the vote is 11:0. Agenda item number 22, >> communication from the planning board regarding favorable recommendation on the acceptance of Jewel Road as a public
way. Order number 25-100 9620. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Move to accept and place on file the communication. Motion's made and second to accept and place on file the communication. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, are those in favor? Opposed. The communication is filed and the vote is
11:0. Agenda item number 23. Communication from city clerk Steven Carrian regarding a request for a vote to resend the junk dealer secondhand dealer license issued to EcoATM at 240 East Main Street, Market 32, order number 25-100 9577A. >> Councelor Fillo.
>> Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you, Mr. Clerk. As councilors will know, we were waiting for um Corey form to come back. Still haven't received that. So move to rescend the junk dealer secondhand dealer license. Motion's made and seconded to approve the recision of the junk dealers's license for the Echo
ATM at 240 East Main Street. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, are those in favor? Opposed. The junk dealer license is rescended and the vote is 110. Agenda item 24. >> Communication from viewpoint sign and awning regarding a request for modification of a master sign plan for
910 Boston Post Road or number 25-100 9579A. >> Councelor Roby. >> Thank you, Mr. President. So, as noted in the letter from viewpoint sign, the applicant seeking an increase in the height from 18 feet to 22 feet, which
they say is due to trucks heights blocking a partial view of the sign. It is still well below the 30 foot limit. Can't read my typing. They're asking also asking for a change in the double pole sign to a single pole
sign, but the building commissioner said that that can be allowed through a minor change and we don't need to actually vote on that. Uh the height increase needs a vote of the city council. Everyone has the document. So unless anyone has an
objection, I move to amend the master sign plan for 910 Boston Post Road East approved November 17th, 2025 to change number one from 18 ft in height to 22 in height as depicted in
the viewpoint sign and awning photos with a final date of 1225. Motion made in seconded to approve the amending of the sign special permit the master sign plan at 910 Boston Post Road which basically increases the height of
the sign. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed? The amended master sign plan is approved and the vote is 11:09 92. It's approved. 92. Agenda item number 25.
>> Petition of Mass Electric and Verizon to relocate one joint own pole on Jefferson Street beginning at a point approximately 420 ft northwest of the center line of the intersection of Highland Street and continuing approximately 10 ft in a northwest direction. National Grid is proposing to relocate pole 410 ft from its current
location on Jefferson Street. >> Councelor Fill. Thank you, Mr. President. Move to set a date for a public hearing and refer to the city engineer. >> Motion is made and seconded to set a date for a public hearing which will be February 23rd and referred to the city
engineer for his comments. That motion's been made and seconded. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed. This item is going to have a public hearing on February 23rd and go to engineering and the vote is 11:0.
Agenda item number 26, >> application for a special permit from attorney Brian Faulk on behalf of Malboro Northro Land Trust to build and operate two multif family dwellings with a total of 90 residential units, accessory parking, resident amenities, landscaped areas, and open space areas to be located at the corner of Ames and
Forest Streets. Councelor Roby. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Move to refer this to urban affairs. Set a public hearing for March 9th and advertised. >> Motion's made and seconded to refer to urban affairs. will set up public hearing for March 9th and to advertise.
Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed? This item is going to urban affairs with a public hearing on March 9th and will advertise and the vote is 11:0. Agenda item 27. Application for renewal of a taxi delivery license for
Katonora Tanaka DBA Global Limousine and Tour Services 17 Eager Court. >> Council Fillo. >> Thank you, Mr. President. will be busy in public services. Please refer to the public services committee. >> Motion made second. Refer to the public services committee. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in
favor? Opposed? This item is going to public service and the vote is 110. Agenda item number 28. >> Communication from Central Mass Project regarding proposed budget notification for fiscal year 27 and compliance certification policy. >> Council Orum. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh this
communications about FY27's budget for central mass mosquito control program. It is going up 2% for all the communities they represent. If you look at the back pages, you'll see that we're very similar to several communities including Wista, Westford, Sturbridge,
and others. Even though they might be smaller than Maru, they have wetlands and the need for more mosquito control. That's why you'll look through the budgets, but they're all 2%. Thank you, Mr. President. So I'm going to motion to accept and place on file.
>> Motion's made and second to accept and place on file the communication. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed? Communication is filed and the vote is 110. Agenda item number 29. >> Minutes of boards, commissions, and
committees. Mr. President, >> councelor Ducat. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. Motion to accept and place on file the minutes of the boards, commission, and committees. Motion's made and second to accept and place on file all the minutes. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor?
Opposed? All the minutes of will be filed and the vote is 110. Agenda item number 30 claims. >> Who wants to take claims? I forgot to talk to President Council Ducet. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. Motion to send the claims to the legal
department. >> Motion's made in second to send the claims to the legal department. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed? Claims are going to legal and the vote is 11:0. >> Thank you very much, Mr. President. I ask for a suspension of the rules to
accept a letter from uh letter to the council from President O and myself providing an update from the municipal aggregation committee. >> Been a motion made in second for a suspension of the rules. All those in favor of the suspension opposed. Suspension carries. 110 Council Naven.
>> Thank you very much, Mr. President. I know this was submitted late this evening, but I would urge everyone to take a good read um at the letters on their desk as soon as they have the opportunity for the benefit of the council and those who may be watching at home. I want to take a couple of minutes to address the highlights. As many of you know, the Municipal Aggregation
Committee was created to help save residents money on portions of their electric bills. We do so by monitoring the market and securing contracts that are advantageous to residents by offering lower prices than national grids. basic service rate. We've been successful in this effort and to date to to date participants in the program have
saved more than $37 million. Occasionally, there are external forces that impact the entire electricity market and require that we make adjust adjustments to the program. And unfortunately, this is one of those times. ISO New England, which is the independent nonprofit organization
responsible for managing the electric power system and wholesale electricity market in New England, has been working to ensure sufficient energy supply in our region. As the grid continues to transition to greener power generation, some of the older coal and oil generators have come offline. This is
good news for the environment, but it's created some issues with the reliability of backup power and additional supply. These reliability issues are exacerbated by extreme swings in weather like we've seen over the past several weeks. To address these concerns, ISO New England created a new program called the Day
Ahead Ancillary Services Initiative or Daisy, which uses financial incentives to keep generators online. Those costs are then passed on to all the electricity suppliers and ultimately each rateayer. When this program began in March 2025, ISO New England estimated that the annual cost for the first year
of this program would be approximately $120 million. The actual cost just 10 months in is over a billion dollars. To say that they missed the target is an understatement. So, how does this impact participants in Malber's aggregation program? First of all, Malber rateayers,
like everyone else, are responsible for their portion of these costs. Not just in the aggregation program, everybody who pays an electric bill. Working with Colonial Power, we anticipated an increase in supply costs and included a charge in the new contract that was signed with First Point Power. This
charge was based on a conservative interpretation of ISO New England's original cost projections. So, the bad news, as I mentioned, ISO dramatically underestimated the cost of this program. In order to account for the cost of the first 10 months of the program and anticipated future costs,
the monthly rate on the supply side of your bill and by your bill I mean those who are participating in the aggregation program will be increasing with the March meter reads which you will then see on your April bill. That new rate is.149 cents per kilowatt hour. Is there any
good news? Yes. The new rate is still lower than National Grid's basic service rate of.153 cents per kilowatt hour. Residents participating in the program will still save money, albeit a much smaller amount. Also, ISO New England has acknowledged the challenges with
this program and we anticipate the changes will be forthcoming. Hopefully, this will lead to a program that can offer reliability with predictable and sustainable costs. As always, the municipal aggregation committee will monitor the situation and continue to work with Colonial Power and the mayor's office to keep the council and residents
up to date on changes. With that, I move to accept and place on file. Motion remains seconded to accept and place on file the communication. Any discussion on the motion? Seeing none, all are those in favor? Oppose. The communication is filed and the vote is 11:0. Any other reports of
committees? Hearing none. Agenda item number 31. Resolution. Be it be it here with resolve that whereas the city council recognizes the importance of maintaining essential municipal services while also ensuring that increases in residential property taxes remain reasonable and
predictable for homeowners and whereas the rising costs of municipal operations require careful fiscal planning to balance service delivery with taxpayer affordability. And whereas prior municipal budgets have resulted in increased financial pressure on residential taxpayers and the city
council seeks to establish clearer limits and greater predictability in the in future budget proposals. Be it resolved that the mayor is hereby requested to submit a proposed municipal operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year that limits the impact on residential property taxes to no more
than an average increase of $250 per residential property. Submitted by councelor Idol. >> Council of Idol. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I'd like to refer to finance. >> Motion's made in second to refer this item to the finance committee. Any discussion on the motion? Councelor Roby.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. Well, I appreciate the sentiments of the councelor and I certainly agree that we have had rising costs in municipal operations, which is why I voted no on recent salary increases that will impact
the upcoming budget, and that residents have had increases in their taxes. that is unprecedented. If the council wanted to send the mayor a request to give us a level funded or a specific reduction, I would consider
approving that. However, asking the mayor to present a budget that increases resident residential taxes to no more than $250 on average is not something I can support. When the mayor presents a
budget to the council in the early springs, it's after discussion with department heads with possibly a request to level fund or even reduce their budget by a percentage. Estimated receipts are usually projected
conservatively, but it isn't until we set the tax rate in December that anyone can know the actual impact on a taxpayer. because it isn't until then that we know the growth of the city, the assessed values of properties, and our
real receipts, which all make up the amount that we have to raise in taxes. Let me review some past budgets. In fiscal year 23 budget presented by the mayor, he presented it with a 4.18%
increase from prior year. The council reduced that budget by $86,000 for an increase of 3.72 for a budget of $180,454 I'm sorry $180 million
454,99. When we set the tax rate in December, it was estimated the average taxpayer would see an estimated tax increase of $199. The FY24 budget presented by the mayor was a 4.57%
increase. The council reduced that budget by 940,000, but also asked for additional funds for a new budget that was 4.04% increase. When we set the tax rate in December, it was estimated the taxpayers
would see a reduction of $189 due to increases in value and a lower tax rate. The FY25 budget presented by the mayor was 4.68% increase with cuts by the council of a
little over 700,000 for a 4.3% increase. When the tax rate was set, the average house increased by $183, even with a lower tax rate from the year before.
The FY26 budget was an increase from fiscal year 25 of 9.9% with cuts of 1.4 million by the council bringing it to 9.15%. This increase was unprecedented due to a
4.67 million increase in insurance, 7.2 million for the public schools, 1.03 million for Asabet, and a little over a million for salary adjustments. When the tax rate was set, it increased and
property values had also increased with the average household seeing an increase of 99 or not $591 about 10%. And we all heard from taxpayers when they got those tax bills.
We know there will be salary increases and probably insurance increases for the FY27 budget, but that 213,821,841 budget is our starting point versus the fiscal year 23 budget of $180 plus
million. It's going to take tough choices to prevent another 10% increase. If the mayor doesn't do it, then as counselors, our job is to look at that budget
and then decide what cuts we feel are necessary. I say let the mayor do his job of creating a budget and then we can do our job to review that budget and make those necessary reductions. It
won't be easy, but I won't support this and hope others will join me to let the mayor do his job and then us to do our job. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council Roby. Any other comments? >> Council Vital. >> Thank you, Mr. President. The purpose of
this resolution was because I heard many of my constituents telling me that they couldn't afford to pay their increase in property taxes. I've only been through two budget uh cycles, if you will, and I find it quite difficult to to be trying to respond to
a budget that's been presented to us and us having a limited amount of opportunity to to give feedback into it. The mayor has done it all and we have to kind of like take it or leave it with and this party has not done
at least in the eyes of my constituents a good enough job of reducing that budget in order for them to have a limited tax increase. The reason why I did this now is that I wanted a clearcut message to the mayor to do his job but not to do the job at the end but to do
the job from the start. And that's why I refer to finance committee because we can have some active discussions about what's the best way to do that. Thank you, Mr. President. >> Thank you, Council Vital. Any other comments on the motion to refer to finance? All those in favor? One, two,
three, four, five, six, seven, eight. All those opposed? One, two. How come that doesn't come to 11? >> Nine to nine. >> Okay. Nine to two. On the motion refer to finance. The vote is 9 to2 going to
finance. Agenda item number 32 or >> order number 2526-100 95 9415B proposed change to city charter relative to section 59A for filling vacancies in the office of mayor and city council. And in city council recommendation of the legislative and legal affairs committee was to approve
at the January 12th, 2026 city council meeting. This item was postponed to this meeting to the January 26th 2026 city council meeting. Council Naven. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Move the recommendation of committee. >> Move the recommendation of the committee, which is to approve the home rule petition. Any discussion on the
motion? Seeing none, all those in favor? Opposed? The home rule petition is approved. So, Jason company have some work to do. And the vote is 110. Now go the letter back to the executive
session portion of the program. Yes. Y this >> Y >> move that the Marvel City Council meet in executive session under purpose three of the open meeting law master general law chapter 30 section A 30A section 21A3 to discuss strategy with respect to
litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body regarding the pending matter Royal 401 Elm Street LLC versus the city of Malro land court number 25 miscellaneous 000631 as the chair hereby declares that discussion in an open session. It may
have a detrimental effect on the city city and the city council's litigating position. The city council will not reconvene in open session after the executive session. Council Ro, you want to make a motion? >> Uh move to approve the order as read by the city clerk. >> Motion's made and seconded to approve
the order as read by the city clerk and we will not be reconvening. So that is a roll call vote. So I'll ask the clerk to please call the role. >> Councelor Gold, >> say yes. Yes. >> Council Roby. >> Yes.
>> Council Sergeant. >> Yes. >> Council Fuchillo. >> Yes. >> Council Orum. >> Yes. Council Vital. >> Yes. >> Council Ducat. >> Yes. >> Council Naven. >> Yes. >> Councelor Oing. >> Yes. >> Councelor Irish. >> Yes. >> Council Presiato. >> Yes. >> Leer. The motion to go into executive
session is approved by a vote of 11 to zero. And we will not be going uh we will not be reconvening uh when we complete. So with that I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Yes.
>> Motion to adjurnn. All those in favor opposed. We are adjourned the meeting at 8:37. We'll now go into executive session.