All right. Um, we're going to call the meeting to order at 6:30 on Tuesday, the 3rd. We're going to move to enter into executive session. um consider the purchase exchange
um lease or value of real property if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on negotiating position on the public body and specifically this particular discussion involve lease at 131 Parker Street. Uh so in order to the motion
will also uh indicate that we will um return to public session after the conclusion of the technical session. So um somebody wants to make the motion. You are move to enter executive session to consume a purchase exchange lease for
value of real property if the chair declares an open detrimental effect on negotiating the position of the public body. >> Second. >> Okay. Because we are
voting on executive session. >> Yes. Mike. >> Yes. >> I am a yes. Well, and we will return to some public session. >> The first item on our agenda this evening is the pledge of allegiance. So, I would ask all of you rise and join us
in the pledge. I aliance to the flag of the United States of America to the republic for its nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Thank you all for joining us this evening. Um, unfortunately our uh our colleague Lind Lindsay Mcconaki is out. She is unable to make it this evening. Uh, I she did send her comments relative to the first item that will appear the first major item that will appear on our
agenda. Just so we'll make sure that her uh comments are known. Um, so we the first item that we have is public comments and I would ask if anybody in the room has any public comment that they would make that they feel free to stand up and uh give their address and
make their public comments. I don't see anybody standing. I'll go to the online audience. Anybody online that has any public comments, feel free to speak. Raise your hand uh through the system there.
And I don't see anybody moving to do so. So we will move on. The first item on our agenda is a proclamation to rename our town of Maynard for Super Bowl Sunday uh fe this
upcoming Sunday, February 8th, 2026. Uh just a little background on how this came to be. Um there was some discussion over time As the Patriots season became more and more remarkable, uh, and we saw
the, uh, MVP season of Great May, comments were made that, uh, we ought to think about changing our name to Mayor. Tongue and cheek. Um, you know, but people are like, you've got to do this. This is amazing. So, I started to tell
people, I'll think about it if they make the Super Bowl. And quite frankly, although I'm a big Patriots fan, I did not expect that we would see ourselves here on the Tuesday before Super Bowl Sunday with the Patriots in the Super Bowl. So, very proud of them and I think
the entire region is amazed by what's been happening with our New England Patriots. So, we're proud of them, too. Um, so anyway, that's how it came to be. And then uh last Wednesday when Greg and I were talking about making our agenda,
I said, "Hey, Greg, there's one thing I'd like to slip in at the very end of the agenda." And I told him what it was. And he says, "That sounds like a fun idea." He asked me if he wanted to notify our press team. And I said, "Sure." Literally within 15 to 20
minutes, I was on the telephone with somebody from one of our local media outlets asking me about the idea. And from there it has skyrocketed and exploded as I'm sure you have seen not only locally but somewhat nationally as well. The town has responded remarkably
well. Uh people are happy and pleased and in this world that we live in that sometimes leads us to misery and argument. This is something that has united us more than I think I have seen in my 30 years in this community and I'm very proud of our community for it. Um,
so I think um I will leave it. That's the explanation for how we got here. Um, I would like to make a motion to uh symbolically rename the town to Mayor
for Sunday, February 8th, 2026 in recognition of the New England Patriots accomplishments this season and the team's MVP quarterback Drake May. The motion would authorize the use of digital signatures if approved. I open
the conversation to members of the board for any comments. >> Second. Got a second on the motion. >> Second on the motion. Any comments from members of the board? >> Um yeah, I I have a handful of comments. Um so first of all, now that we have the attention of a lot of people, um I would
first want to remind residents that the town faces uh many important challenges. uh not least uh funding for long needed structural improvements to our water treatment and supply systems and many others. So even if a joint budget review
uh this coming Saturday with the school committee, finance committee, and select board lacks the Super Bowl level excitement, uh the implications for the quality and cost of living are significant and deserve careful attention. So I would hope that residents listening would would would
hear that. Uh renaming the town for a day in honor of Drake May uh may seem like a harmless fun. However, any use of the town's name uh as a public statement does warrant scrutiny much as our flag raising policy does uh which came into
effect a couple of years ago I think. Um so t name changes are rare in Massachusetts indeed even across the country. For the record uh I just want to make sure has Mr. may being consulted. Are there any rights or
branding considerations uh legal issues that we need to consider? I just don't know the answer to that question. I think it's important uh that it does get asked. Um we should also ask whether a homophonic uh coincidence alone merits this
recognition. Uh if we're going to put together some sort of a a policy on on how to do renaming of the town. um how it compares for example to honoring individuals or groups with longstanding contributions to Maine. Uh were Mr. May
a Maynard resident then obviously the case would be stronger as it stands. Does he represent the the values that the community broadly wishes to elevate beyond his capability as a quarterback? So, with the Super Bowl just 5 days
away, no established policy uh on our town name changes and media reports suggesting that the uh the decision has already been made. Clearly, rejecting this proposal now risks appearing unnecessarily downbeat. Um, I can
support a temporary name change, but only if we're sure about the legal ramifications and also if our board commits to developing a clear policy to guide any future requests uh that we may face because we're setting a precedent and I think it's important that we address
that. Have a bit of fun with this situation uh and then just be sure that we address the the ramifications of in the future. Thank you. That's my comment. >> Thank you. Do you have any comments? Um, yes, I I I agree with Mike. We're about to sit here for several hours to discuss
some serious issues. Uh, and we'll be here uh or at the library on Saturday, but I think it's important because of all the serious things going on that we also get to have some fun. So, I'm I'm fully in support uh of the motion. Uh, and I think with the winter weather out here and I'm I'm feeling a lot of the
vibes I felt back a full generation ago during the original Snow Bowl, which launched Dynasty. So, I'm hoping what we're feeling right now can be the start of yet another generation of Patriots success. Go Pat. >> Thank you, Chris. Any comments?
>> Yeah. Um, Mike, we didn't um have a request. This was a suggestion by the board by the the, you know, chairman of our board. I think it's a great suggestion. I I agree with both you and Jeff that there are a lot of other things in town that um merit a
lot of thought and consideration, but this is just meant to be a fun one day thing. There'll be no business transacted under the new name, temporary name, and all those other things. So, those things have kind of been, you know, hashed out a little bit. It's just a fun way to bring some excitement to
town, some support for the town, some support for the football team that the town, you know, chooses to um support and I just don't see any negatives at all and to try and put some negatives on that I just think is wrong. It's a it's a great way for the town to get
together. We haven't seen this many people in this room in the 18 years that I haven't seen the 15 years I've been here and Dave has a few more years in it than me and this room really gets this full. And um you know we see it in the businesses in town. We see it in the schools in town. Everybody in town has
MA and ARD somewhere on the on the wall. So I think it's a great idea. I think it's time to uh have a little fun in the town of Main. Take a little time away from those things that we have to really consider deeply and seriously that you mentioned and let's just enjoy the um
next few days and watch the football game Sunday night and see how it goes. >> Thank Chris. Um, one comment I would like to make, um, is that when I spoke with Greg about this, and he'll attest to this as well, I made it clear this is not going to cost the town a dime. We're
not going to spend any budgetary money. We're not going to put any type of uh of staff other than answering a telephone call from the press. Beyond that, and he would be doing that type of thing every day anyway. Um, so beyond that, there is
absolutely no cost to the town and there is no reason in my mind to believe that this will cause any problems um going forward. I certainly am open to Mike's suggestion that we consider a policy going forward, but I think at this time
with um the imminency of the Super Bowl and the fact that we have a quarterback named Drake May and our town is named Maynard, I think it only makes uh sense to vote in a positive manner. So everybody, by the way, I did get an
email. Um Lindsay Mcconi is not able to be here. She did send an email to me saying that she did support this motion uh relative to the name of the town. U so having said that we will put this to a vote before you vote correctly.
>> Yeah. Now, one thing before David votes is that we have a local person in town who was one of the uh top um top earners for um Walk for Life Relay and she has um created a series of t-shirts and
sweatshirts and hoodies and all those type of things um with this name change on it for the day and she's um sold out twice and all the money that she gets from um the sale the merchandise is going to go to a community for life. So,
it's also having that type of benefit in the community as well. So, it's is another positive to consider when you're going to vote. >> Exactly. There's also there's a number of other initiatives in the community as well that people are doing to raise funds. There's a scholarship fund that's
being funded through uh t-shirts being sold as a result of this as well. Um, and by the way, when we after we vote, there's a follow-up motion and then I also have some comments for uh people in the audience before everybody scrambles
to the door. Um, so anyway, we are now going to vote. It's uh we don't need a roll call. It can be a uh just a regular hand raised. So, all those in favor motion passes unanimous. Um there is a follow-up motion, but
before we get to that, just um once we have the follow-up motion, it's going to be a quick de uh explanation of a of a really wonderful thing. But beyond that, um we're going to take a 10-minute recess so that the press has an opportunity to speak to members of the
board if they wish, can speak to members of the public if they wish, and then but it's going to be 10 minutes and it's going to be, you know, we have to get onto our busy schedule here this evening. Um, so the followup motion is
going to be to um provide some direction and any limitations to Greg and the um and the staff relative to uh any costs associated with this and the motion will be that there will be no costs associated with this and anything that
is requires costs will be rejected by the town administrator. Um, so is there a second for that motion? >> Second. >> All those in favor or unless there's any other discussion. Uh, one last thing and this is an exciting thing. We have a um, whatever
the easel up here. Um, one of our local businesses, KBC Builders, we're actually joined tonight. He doesn't want to have any recognition, so I'm not going to point him out. Brian Bona is one of the business owners over there. They contacted me over the weekend when they
heard about the viral nature of this and they said we want to put up welcome to Maynard Science uh where you where we enter into the community and I explained there's no budget and I got push back. You don't need a budget. We're going to
take care of it. I said well that's not my specialty. And I turned it over to the DPW director and the DPW director here in the community has worked with Mr. Devona and his his staff and they have created a remarkable gift for our community. Not only are there going to
be signs and we will exhibit one that hasn't been finished. Rest assured it's going to look just like what we normally would see, but one will be going to Mr. May Drake May. That is one will be going to the uh the town staff and there will be others that will be spread throughout
for the goodness of uh of this whole idea. So, I want to thank KBC Builders. I want to thank all the community members who have been participating with this and the excitement that it's generated. So, can we open the door? Greg, do you want to be the the honor of
bringing out That's awesome. >> Those will be displayed throughout our community on Super Bowl Sunday. So, as people come in for Super Bowl parties, leave to go to the store and come back in a Maynard or whatever they happen to do, they will be reminded that not only
is it Maynard that they're entering, but it's Super Bowl Sunday Maynard, spelled M A N A R D. That's awesome. >> So, thank you all very much. We will take a 10 minute recap. back. Sorry for that disruption. Um, we did do a little bit of business, but
nothing of uh well, everything's important, but nothing was major significance for this evening. So, we do now have a u a uh public hearing scheduled for 7:15. I apologize
to the uh the person who is going to be here. This is for 193 Main Street, Brussels convenience store. That's changing ownership. Um, so I'm going to read the public hearing notice into the record as required. Notice hereby given
in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 138, as amended that a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 at 7:15 p.m. at Town Hall room 2011 195 Main Street, Maynard, Mass 01754
to consider the application for a transfer of a section 15 package store off premises wine and malt beverages license for Russell Setore, Inc. DPA Russell's convenience manager Sanjay Kaduri at 193 Main Street Maynard Mass
hybrid options attendance via Zoom using the access instructions that were posted on the agenda could be found at the town's website and a copy of the application is on file in the office of the selector.
So, um, now like do do we take a motion to move into public hearing or no? >> No. >> All right. So, we're we're in a public hearing and is are the applicants here for this event?
>> I see. Yes. >> Is that I see Alex Bush has his hand raised. >> Good evening. Yes, I represent the applicant. >> Okay. Thank you. You you are the attorney on hand for the applicant. >> I am. Yes.
>> And then who is the gentleman that's with you? >> Uh with me is Sanjay Chowy. He's the president, treasurer, secretary, director, and 100% shareholder of the applicant corporation. >> Welcome Sandre. Welcome to Maynard. >> Thank you. Thank you sir. Tell us a
little bit about you're taking over the ownership apparently of Russell's convenience store and what brought you to Maynard. What's going on and uh tell us a little bit about yourself. >> Hi sir, my name is Sanjay Chadri. I live in like a mentor right now. My house is
like a three forest park. Um I work like a liquor store almost like a last 10 years. So most of I know like how to take care of the customers, how is the like everything going on so far?
>> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Do you have any and if council if council wants to answer on your behalf that's fine too. Do you have any u plans to change the makeup of the store or is it just going to be a pure transfer over basically the same operation?
>> Yeah. Go ahead. So the operation of the store is essentially going to remain the same. Um the name, location, products, the store concept will be staying the same. The only change we're requesting is a change in the hours of operation on Sundays.
Um, currently the the hours allowed for alcohol sales on Sundays are 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. We're looking to extend that to the extent allowed by the state, uh, which would be 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Um, so Monday through Saturday,
we're all set with the hours. We're just looking for um a 2hour change on Sundays. >> Thank you, councel. It's my recollection, Greg, that did we at some point in the past approved that change? >> We do. So, you have rules and regulations that may that may be
stricter, but I don't can I ask attorney board, did you check the the town's the the local licensing authority, which is like board, did you check our rules and regs for alcohol beverages and see if it aligns with the state's um hourly limits? >> I have not I have not looked at the
municipal hours. I I can take a look. I just I always when I see on an application that you know if there's a difference in the hours I always apply for a change. >> No, I I can appreciate that. I just don't know the hours. >> Could Greg Wilson shed some light on that for us? >> Greg, off the top of your head, do you
know the hours in Mayard? >> I believe that um our hours do align um with the state. I'm just triple checking uh right at right at the moment. My recollection is that the hours
changed at the state level and we move we moved to >> yeah right >> felt consistent at the state that's my recollection >> um >> so you can continue and I bet >> so we can continue um there do you have anything else to add uh about the
operation itself either uh the applicant or council >> yes so we so we are applying today for um we're hoping that you will approve today the license transfer. We're hoping
you'll approve Sanjay as the manager of record um and also the um change of hours. We are also looking to get approval on um the pledge of the license and the inventory to the seller of the
store who's Jolomony Enterprises Inc. um because part of the purchase price is being um financed um by the seller. Um so and and just you know a little more information on Sanjay, he does he does have years of experience, you know,
since 2017. He's never had a violation. Um he's familiar with ID laws and scanners. Um he has his beverage alcohol training certificate um and has just been running stores smoothly for a long time. So, um, I think this will be a
very smooth transition with the new owners. >> I'm sure it will be. The the only issue I guess would be to get clarification. Greg Greg Wilson is trying to Greg, go ahead. >> Yes. Um, so our regulations actually say unless otherwise set forth on the
license, hours of operation shall be as follows. And it does say for off premises on the week on Sundays it's noon to 9:00 p.m. But it does say unless otherwise set forth on the license. So I think there's some wiggle room up to the board.
>> Yeah. >> So the license currently says 9 I'm sorry noon to 9. >> Uh yeah with the old license. >> Do we have anyone in town that's selling um 10 at 10 now outside of restaurants?
Uh, I'd have to double check all the licenses. Um, I don't believe so, but I I can definitely triple check >> that. So, I don't I don't see that in the motion. So, that would be a separate motion at a separate time perhaps. >> I think that's why
>> Well, so you that's true, but you are applying you are approving. You know, presumably you're applying for the change of the license and the application does point out the three things the attorney pointed out. Change of transfer, the pledge of inventory and and which is the collateral stock and
the change in time and the time does say on the application um 12 p.m. >> Right. So is >> I could just add one thing. I'm looking at um online it says that Spirits Liquor Store in Mayard is allowed to open at 10
on Sundays. I don't know if the internet is up tod date. Um, but what I can see, uh, Spirits Liquor Store and Main Street Liquor is both open at 10 on Sundays. >> And I do have a recollection we approved
that, but I could be wrong. No, it that's that's that's fine. I'm okay with that. If it comes back that that's inaccurate in some way, we can always change it. But I'm okay not holding this up. >> Yeah. Would we would we be able to
approve it with the current hours and then once we get clarification formally with and I don't know if we would need to have a public hearing on it. We probably would >> because you're changing the license. So on the license it says to when they're when they're opening. So if you're you would you'd be amending the license. So
we'd have to have public hearing >> probably which we would probably have to have anyway because if it wasn't part of this hearing this was just the transfer of the license not a change of license. So to keep it all um straight and air we would probably want to have the hearing regardless change of hours. >> Well we on transfer applications with
the ABCC they do include change of hours. So, it's pretty much a one-stop shop for um as far as the ABCC goes with alteration of premises, change of hours. Um, typically it's all done in one hearing. That's why we combine because
otherwise we would have to start from scratch and start over. So, that's why it's on this application because they do include a place um for the change of hours on there. Thank you for the clarification. It's probably easier to accept it and
then change it later if it's if if that's wrong. That's probably true. Can you attorney, can you tell me one more time with the hours that you're you're looking to do? 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. >> Yes. So current so currently on Sundays um the store uh starts selling alcohol
at 12:00 p.m. and and closes at 900 p.m. >> And I'm looking to um open at 10:00 a.m. and close at uh open at 10 a.m. and close at 11:00 p.m. So adding two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening.
>> Well, Mr. Chair, so I agree with Chris's suggestion. you you could approve it as is and then um and then you could amend it later. I mean, but I I don't I'd have to check if there's any issues with that unless the board has any issues. I mean, the I'm looking at the feedback that
Greg collected from the various departments, police department have any issues. >> They didn't have any issues, >> but not necessarily because they were, you know, like looking at this changes. >> Yeah. >> Unless about the opening hours and the closing hours. >> Same thing. I'm more concerned about
open till 11 than I am starting at 10. That's what I was implying as well. Like that's what the police would probably be more sensitive to. >> Um comments from >> Yeah. Go ahead. >> What What hours are on the
transfer request right now that I'm looking at? It's a 116 page document. >> Stage one of the application. >> Yeah, I think it's at the top. and and she's right. So, at the top it does say you just check the boxes what
you want to do. Uh I tend to agree with Chris to be uh we approved, but it's a public hearing. So, I want to open it up for any comments or concerns that members of the public
might have here here in the room. Any questions or comments about what we've been discussing? Any questions for people online relative to um this topic on the uh the liquor
license? Any issues pertaining to it? Liquor license transfer. All right. So there's no public comments. Uh so it really is now to us to how we wish to proceed. >> Yep. So right Mr. Sure. You have some
options. You can deny it. You can continue the public hearing. You can approve it as you know as presented. >> Thoughts from the board? >> Oh, Greg, can you sorry, Mr. Chair, you allow Greg? >> Oh, Greg, go ahead.
>> Um, there's also um the option to approve with uh any comments or conditions as well, which we can note on the licensing authority certification form just as another option. if you so choose. >> What would those conditions be?
>> Uh just regarding, you know, if you had any concerns about the hours, you can stipulate uh on uh in those notes if it's going to be different from the application itself. >> Appreciate it. I don't want to get fancy. I think if if we approve it and
then we need to resend the errors, we can do that at a later time. If there's a good >> looks to me, >> but thank you, Greg. I appreciate that. >> All right. So, um I'm open for a motion
to approve the section 15 on premises and malt beverage transfer for Russell's C4 Inc. Doing business at Russell's convenience at 193 Main Street and authorizing the use of digital signatures if approved.
>> Second. >> All right. Roll call votes is going to be necessary. Any further discussion on it? Roll call vote. Chris, >> yes. >> Jeff, >> yes. >> Mike, >> yes. I'm yes as well. Next motion is one of the >> I will go ahead >> move to authorize the town
administrator's office to distribute the section 15 off premises wine and malt beverages licensed for Russell's sea store inc DBA Russell's convenience store at 193 Main Street upon approval from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission ABCC authorizing the use of
digital signatures if approved. >> Second. >> All right. Motion's made and seconded. Any comments or questions? Hearing none, we'll call Chris. >> Yes. Jack, >> yes. >> Mike, >> yes. >> Yes. >> How would you move to close public hearing?
>> We'll move to close the public hearing at 7:48 p.m. Second comments. Press. >> Yes. For a vote for comments. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> And I have a yes. while the public hearing is closed. >> Greg Greg Wilson, can you um can you verify what the um other closing hours in town are one and then if it's different, we'll have a separate conversation with um Chitriani about his
thoughts of of you know somebody staying open till 11:00 on Sunday night. >> Sure. Absolutely. >> From the police department perspective, >> I took the exact same notes, Chris. So, >> thank you. >> That's scary. >> They've been doing this a lot. It's better to leave.
>> Thank you very much. >> Welcome to Mayor. >> Thank you. >> Good luck. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Jamie. >> Jamie, good luck to you. Hope to see you around. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate it. >> All right.
Okay. Now, we have a couple contracts I think that we have to discuss. The first one is uh another house doctor contract. Is this a new one, Greg, or RI? >> Um, new. So, uh, but you might recognize
the name, MBG Architects. And we're joined tonight by Crystal Blanc. Um, and uh, made famous by bringing you halfway built the new Green Middle Elementary School. So, um, uh, not that's not a dig that we're on we're on time and on.
>> Started as a dig. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No. Uh, so I'm I'm glad to see Chris. >> That's true. >> Good job. So, um, oh, and I see, uh, Frank Tedesco. Sorry. Sorry. >> It's very small screens while we're looking. So, um, these two gentlemen,
um, we've been working with for years now and, um, uh, building the school. So, anyways, um, we have a couple of our, um, house contracts. um uh you you know in the next item on the board's agenda, you'll hear some of the progress we've made in some other firms and so
it's always good to have architectural and design firms on call. So that's what the House Doctor procurement allows you to do. I don't have any Yeah, I can't think of any um projects right now that I might use MVG for, but what we do is we sort of when a project inevitably
comes up, we look at the house contracts we have on hand. We fit um we we try to see who's the best fit. And so now I know Chris and Frank and so uh if and when a project comes up I'll know what they can provide to the table and in comparison and I also look at all the other house doctor contracts we have and
then timing some some of the house doctors are just not able to because of just >> notice next >> yeah I don't know is always next to your name on the
medals meetings too Yes. >> Never noticed it. >> Never noticed it, but Okay. >> So, this is at no cost to the town right now. We uh we won't pay MB for this contract until the time that we have a
scope of working. This is just the house call. >> All right. Any questions from the board? >> No. >> Uh is there a motion? Move to approve the contract with MVG Architects to serve as a health doctor for on call design services authorizing the use of
digital signatures if approved. >> Second. >> All right. Motion's made in second. All in favor? >> Go. >> Thank you. >> Thanks for your patience. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thanks very much. Really appreciate it. >> And I'm looking forward to mayor day
Sunday. >> Go away. with a win. Um, next item is a contract with BGVW, Inc. for the public library stairwell. >> That's right, Mr. Chair. So, um, we've
been talking about the stairwell for years. >> Um, so there was a leak, which ended up being much more than a small leak in the north stairwell of the library. We are joined this evening by library director Gina Clark. Um and so over a couple of town meetings we've been appropriating
funds to the design and then to the um construction. So we went out to bid. We were partnered with Lero Hill who is one of the other house contracts we have. Um Lero has been with us for a while and helping us through this process. I don't know if we're joined by anyone Lero tonight. I'm sorry. I don't recognize
anybody. So, um any so we went out to bid um had a couple bites uh but GVW um came in as the uh responsive and reputable um party. So, um are we joined any this evening by anyone? Looks like
looks like we may be >> um so the the the contract is not to exceed $195,000. the TA town had appropriated 190 grand um to this and then previously had had
appropriated $50,000 free cash. So um but all in all um it looks like we're going to be short due to our contract with Lero and then to this $19,000. However, the town and I looked at the books and we feel we feel confident that we can come to the $20,000 because where
we are in fiscal year up to date. So I'm confident to recommend that the board approve this contract. Again, it is not to exceed um $195,000 to this contractor. Um and uh but that does cover what we need as far as the the primary bidding. There were some ad
alternates that we added just to kind of get a taste of what because the library needs a lot of love. Um and those were astronomically higher costs if we wanted to do more work to the roof, etc., which the board will have to we'll talk about another time. Um but for this evening,
it's just the stairwell at $195,000. I don't know, Jean, if you want to add anything, you don't ask. >> No, now we're we've been happy with the process. Lero has has done a good job and so far we like what we've seen in GBW.
>> Yeah, they've already come back. So, they're excited, too. >> Having heard that any questions? Is there a motion? >> Yeah. move to approve the contract with GVW, Inc. for the main public library stairwell project in the amount of
$195,000 and authorizing the use of digital signatures if >> any further comments. All in favor >> thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Good. Nice. The next contract we have is
a long time coming >> and we are very happy to on our agenda this evening. I I want to um before we get into the discussion, I just want to thank and congratulate Greg
for all of his hard work in getting this to the finish. I want to thank Lisa me and her team uh with our firm defense firm um for all their work. I want to thank Le Lexac's group for their efforts
and making sure you know everybody wants to protect their interests. We want to protect ours, they want to protect theirs. Everybody worked very hard to get this done and it's evident by the time and you know really it's each each every sentence was worked through and
we're happy that we reached a agreement. It will be published on the website for everybody to see. We're not going to get into the nitty-gritty because heard way too much of it but Greg give us the highlight. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. So um yes it was um
a long patient some terrible work between myself, town council, and we might be joined this evening by representatives of the Lexfest group who owns 141 Parker Street of which won the RFP um and procurement process. Um and uh and so we all work collaboratively as
long as well as their council. So, uh it is a commercial lease. Um it is for 15 years. Town meeting had authorized a 20year um you know time span um up at the discretion of the select board. So this is within that. Um Tommy had also
approved an override for the operation operational funds for this fiscal year. I have recommended that the board earmark the equivalent amount of funds for FY27. Um and if that goes to town meeting then then we'll be and we'll be good to go.
Um the the costs of the proposed lease does fall within the projected costs that we've known for many many months. Um and I appreciate the public's patience. This does take a long time, but is I think it'll be well worth it. I mean, this is a 15-year lease, so um a
number of months extra I think was was worth that due diligence and that careful consideration of all the terms and I and um it's the property I think the seniors are looking for. So, it'll be it'll be good. So, I highly recommend the board um approve this contract.
>> Thank you, Greg. Any comments from the board, thoughts? I'm just reiterating thanks to all the people who work with us and I know it's a huge amount of work something that's going to be hugely valuable to the town. Just appreciation for that.
Yeah. There's a lot of people even before this I think you acknowledge all the people on the east but well before then there was a long period of advocacy by multiple people some are sitting right here I think Armen I see um Jack the key other members of the senior
center uh focus group the council on aging the friend of mayor seniors um and so a long time for advocacy um when we decided to go for the override and if you remember we started that process the summer before we knew we had override coming for the schools at the
same time. Like we know that we weren't waiting for another year that we were going to go forward and push that there. Uh and so to have that conversation I think and fact that we passed both of those overrides by around 70% I think shows the the great work that a lot of people did going up until that moment in
that vote both on the schools and the seniors and intersecting with solid waste and a lot of other issues that this town is dealing with from the same side. So, I'm very proud to work with all of you and I'm very excited to vote on this tonight. >> Yeah, just echo those thoughts. Um, the
three groups that the council on aging, the friends of Wayne seniors and the senior center focus group. Um, you know, kudos to everybody involved in those three groups for putting aside what were some uh differences at the beginning and everybody working together along with Amy Loveless. I see Jack McKeen and
several others, so many other people. But, you know, the way everybody just put aside their differences, got in the same room and and worked this out. And there's been people that left the committees and came on to the committees. But for everybody that um you know, took part, it was it was great to be a part of the committee still
exists, so we're not done yet. >> But, you know, in particular, um Devon, Peg, and Jack were, you know, driving forces behind it and Amy as well. And um it's it's gonna be nice to see you guys in the place that you guys deserve as seniors and the rest of the scenes. I
mean I can go too. So David too by the way. >> I'm not walking that far. But anyway, it's a great thing for the town. It's it's it's to to Jeff's point. It's been a very long time coming and um you know we had a lot of arguments about the
space you're in and what you want to call it, what we have called it in the past, but hey that's you know it's it's an emotional issue. It has been an emotional issue for a lot of people and I just look forward to the day that we can walk into that room, cut a ribbon and Amy and and Pat and the council on
people and everybody else is getting that that space and enjoy it like it's supposed to be enjoyed. So congratulations to you guys for pushing through and I can't wait to vote yes and uh get this going. >> All right. Is there a motion?
I will move to approve the lease agreement with the Lexvest Group for the use of 141 Parker Street as the Maynard Senior Center as presented and authorized use of digital signatures if approved. >> Second motion's been made and seconded. Is
there any further comment questions? Hearing none. All in favor? Is there somebody from pass on? >> I don't know. Let's see. >> Matt's here. >> Matt tried to get away with this. >> Matt here from Lex.
>> Matt, thank you so much for your hard work and cooperation in working with the town. We look forward to, you know, 15 years at least of um of collaboration and working with you and uh thank you so much for stepping up and h making this a
reality for the seniors of man. >> Thank you. We're very excited about the project. It's been a pleasure working with the town and many of many of the members of the committees. Um look forward to working with everybody. >> Thank you so much.
>> All right. The next topic on our agenda is the uh opioid abatement funds presentation from the office of indust. >> Um hi. I don't know how you want to
proceed. This is Anaisa. >> Analisa. Let's wait to hear from Steve first. >> Okay. Sure. Take it away. >> Good evening. Steve Silverstein, executive director of municipal services. I am here with clinician Emily Black who works with Mayor Police
Department. Uh we are here to discuss the use of the opioid abatement funds. And uh just let me say also that as a transplant from New York, I've never rooted for the Patriots, but I will get be blamed for that.
Uh so opioid abatement funds um we are here to request your basically giving us approval for discretionary use of these funds. If you'll recall that back in May, uh, I had come before this board to discuss the fact that, well, for one,
the town will be receiving between now and 2038 383 around about $1,000 from the opioid settlement funds, which was uh uh an agreement between the attorney general and the manufacturers of opioids and distributors of opioids to kind of write
the wrongs of the, you know, opioid epidemic. So mayor's cut is $383,000. Uh we are currently at about $125 $130,000 that we have right now. And in that presentation in May, I had proposed
uh that we set aside threequarters of that fund for exclusive use by town hall entities. Uh and that's specifically Maynard Police, Maynard Fire, and uh the division of public health which is down in MS. and that the remaining 25% be
open up through an application process to the wider public at large for uh any projects that they have that they want to pitch that are in line with the uh criteria of the opioid settlement funds. So with that said, I just want to give
you a little bit of context about how the town hall in terms of the 75% that we would ask for you to approve go, you know, be dedicated to town entities, uh what we've been doing so far. So we have uh monthly meetings uh at usually at the
fire the fire station uh that are interdep departmental is an inter departmental collaboration to address uh pro um at risk people or residents or populations that may be uh at risk. Um, one of the parts, one of the uh
underlying reasons for this interdep departmental interdep departmental collaboration is to discuss how best to leverage the opioid funds uh to help prevent use of opioids and other substances in the wider community um because it is a sizable amount and uh
the need is out there. So on a monthly basis uh police department, fire department, division of public health, uh other members of MS meet and we discuss what best to do. So I'm not going to take any credit for
these very good ideas. They have primarily come from police and fire and the town's clinician, Emily Black. I'll let her go into uh some of how we intend to use these funds um in the future. Welcome.
>> Thank you. Thank you all again. Um, so as Steve said, I I run the atrisisk group. I do it in I work with Carlile and Conquer too and I run them in the other communities that I work with. Um, my position here in Mayard is unique
because we don't have as many like town, you know, there's no town social worker or or office like that. So our meetings are a lot of how to use what we do have to support the atrisisk populations. Um, and something that
or we've come across a few ideas that we've had to spend some of this money, but the big theme that we've noticed here in Maynard, um, is that the use for these funds to be available quite quickly
um, and not more uh, smaller amounts of money available quite quickly rather than these large projects that we can, you know, spend a long time planning and we'll take more money um would be more impactful to our residents um and that's
where we're seeing the needs. So, some examples for that are transportation um through all of our needs and and assessments through the larger community like the towns that are served under Emerson and the court down to what we
see here just at Maynard. Um transportation is a huge barrier for lots of folks. um we see that for people going to court, for people trying to get to treatment, for people trying to get to job interviews, um things like that.
So transportation is a is a large need and that's an example of a time when we would need, you know, money to be accessible quickly. Um other times are um I named it sort of like a recovery bridge. Um, and these are times where
financial assistance would be helpful to individuals in our community where um they have immediate costs that they um need assistance with. Um because finances are a barrier to access
treatment um harm reduction services. Um, so this can look like insurance gaps. Um, or moving costs for sober housing, um, costs for
example, if the court um, mandates a substance use bell, a lot of times those are out of pocket and they're quite costly. So again, um I don't want to say nominal because they are very expensive for an individual, but in the grand scheme of things of the money that we're getting, smaller amounts of money that
would be helpful for us to get um immediately to help individuals who are having these barriers. Um >> Chief Lawless actually highlighted earlier uh the temporary pet care services. Yeah, that's >> because one of the big obstacles of getting people to treatment is if they
have a cat or a dog, they're worried about what do I do with this pet for, you know, the the time period that I'll be away from home. And what has happened a lot of the times that the fire department or the police department has had to go in and actually exit, which is
not the proper use of resources, although I mean it's a good thing that they're doing obviously. So we want to kind of relieve that burden by hiring out services and the the use of this with the use of these funds. >> Um other things are uh supplementing
a role like mine or similar roles to help with some of the um coordination of substance use services and um pre preventative measures. So all of these things obviously would be aligned with
the um strategies that have to be followed. I don't know if you guys are familiar with those, but um basically um any any project that um the strategies are op anything that helps
with opioid use disorder treatment, supporting people in treatment or recovery, any connections to care, harm reduction, um addressing needs of any criminal justice involved persons, supporting pregnant or parenting women and their families, including babies
with neonatal accident syndrome and the pre to prevent misuse of opioids and implement prevention education. So all of these things would be um there would be lots of strategies that would be
being hit by using these programs. Um, I think that their the school system is also looking to do some educational pieces, but I think right now we're trying um to think of the be the way that it would help residents individually
quickest and most the most impactful way and that would be to kind of have these these programs set up to be able to access funds quite quickly um or again to relieve some barriers for for uh accessing treatment. and then connecting
to treatment and things like that. >> Yeah, having police and fire having it at the ready is obviously would be the best because as Emily was reminding me recently, she's like, "Haven't we gotten the money yet?" Because we could have used it a week ago for you know specific uh in specific case and so the need is
is there and it's immediate. uh with the schools. We've also begun uh the public health division has begun working with the schools to try to elaborate programming that uses these funds to discourage kids from opioid or substance uh substance abuse. And uh we're really
working on strengthening the relationships with the entire uh public school system which has been really wonderful so far and has a lot of great ideas uh in terms of not just giving educational uh seminars directly to the students but also working with parents making the parents aware or even in
certain cases making the students aware of things that may be occurring in their home with their parents. So that is uh those are basically the four big buckets that we're looking to dedicate resources towards. Has there been any recent decline in opioid abuse or has it
remained steady? There was a period of time probably within the last 10 years where it just seemed to explode and it was really bad where we we were hearing about overdoses and critical issues virtually every week uh including in the
town of M. uh doesn't seem to be as as loud, but that does not mean that it's not out there and it does not mean it's not critical because any one individual who gets affected by opioid abuse is >> bad enough. What can you talk about a little bit about
>> the current status? >> So, Jen, taking a step back, about a third of our calls to emergency services are related to mental health. So, if we think about that, um, last year, I'm still finishing my data,
but just in Maynard, I think I had about 600 contacts just in the town of Maynard for mental health >> for mental health. >> Yes. Um, and both include everything. Um, we our overdose numbers have not
changed drastically one way or the other since I started here, which this is my fifth year. It's hard to measure. Um the way that that that data is tracked across the the the state is is kind of
weird because um if someone dies at the hospital, let's say that's a conquered overdose and it takes a long time for the data to to study out >> like what we had with CO. >> Yeah. Um it's also gets um just just
like the nitty-gritty. It gets kind of weird because some overdoses are um means of self harm and so those might be I don't want to say categorized but documented
or recorded differently than other other overdoses. >> And so not that one is different than the other but but the overdoses generally have not changed one way or the other. I will say there is each year there's always an increase in mental
health calls. Um and each year there's always a significant amount of mental health calls that include the misuse of prescription or over-the-counter medication for self harm. So um very
very very acute cases too. So um that's sort of where we see like a really large intersection of of substance use and mental health. um like we've you know responded to calls where due to timing and the care that the
person got we've saved you know a lot of people's lives because they've used it again as a as a means of self harm. So that's a um and to answer your question, the numbers haven't really increased or decreased, but I I think as a town um
using our resources for like that intersection of mental health and substance use and um for example, you know, we have a lot of people that can't get connected to psych providers. So they might um misuse um prescription meds that they can find
or overthe-counter meds or self-medicate. So we can connect more people to site providers to help them manage their symptoms of their mental health um better or more effectively then they might be less likely to misuse other medications. So you can kind of
see how it all intertwined. Um but but I I don't think the number of overdoses has really the the difference >> has reduced >> no or significantly. >> Um if you have more feel free but there
are any questions from the board. >> So I see Steve's um narrative about the application and the you know in the body of the um agenda. What is the um the form aside? What is what is the process if someone was to seek help, seek
assistance? What what what what's the process look like? If I was to come in town hall and say, "Yeah, I need to I have this problem referred to Emily. I come in contact with Emily or somebody else in that in that town government." What's the process
from there to to get somebody to help other than the the application? I see. But like what what goes on behind the scenes to determine, you know, does that person have a legitimate problem? Are they you know, are they a resident of what how does that how does that work?
>> You you mean so the application I think if I'm just to clarify is for and maybe you're saying this too is for the use of the other 25% of the money from town. Okay. So I know for example there was a
project where somebody was hoping to use some of the money to put AED through town, right? Because we need we know that CPR needs to be done to use NAR. So I think we envision the money um to be requested by groups of people or
projects to to that also address these strategies. >> Okay. So it's not not to interrupt you but so am I understanding that it's not an individual thing like an individual person wouldn't come to you guys and
seek this funding it would go through a a group or some other means that that's correct >> so the no >> so the 75% for first for the town um agencies board of health fire
police we're asking that that money where you're like, "Okay, we know that you'll use the I mean, we've like consulted with lawyer. We know how we should be using them." We're basically asking for your blessing to be like, "Okay, we know what you're going to be spending them on." And then let's say, because this happens a lot, um
somebody's like, "I really need, you know, is using um and they they are open to going to treatment, but there's a really long wait list for an intake and their insurance doesn't cover and they don't have money." And so then we can say, "Okay, this is a perfect time to
you bill, send an invoice, and we'll pay for it with these funds." >> Okay? >> So if somebody needs help, I think we can we have to track the money and how we're spending it because we have to report it to the state. So it would be overseen by these these agencies, but if
somebody needs help with the cost, there's no reason why they can't come and ask us, but we can go through to make sure that it's an appropriate use of the fund. >> That's not necessarily an application. That's because you've been made aware of. >> It's usually through first response, through police or fire or referrals from
Emerson or whoever to us and we're made aware of that. That's how you know. >> Well, that that's great. That's exactly what I was, >> you know, let's say someone goes to treatment for 60 days, which is not uncommon, and they come home and they left their home a mess and it's not it's not they they weren't able at the time
to keep their home in a safe place and mortal health is involved and we don't want them to return home to that environment. you know, maybe we can use the money to help them clean it up and put some help in the homes or when they come home, things like that. >> Thank you very much. >> Question for is there any correlation between
uh opioid users and the likelihood that they carry insurance? >> Do you know that? >> I don't I just have a suspicion they might be the user. Maybe there's all kinds of issues which would prevent you from having insurance. thing with insurance. settings you know
we have to we carry it through generally where we work or through Mass Health or programs through the state the bar the barrier becomes it it can get monotonous but basically depending on the insurance um for
example I'm I'm an independently licensed clinician and so a lot of insuranceances would reimburse me for my time but at different rates right so a lot of clinicians that have different licenses can't take certain insuranceances. So some insuranceances
that aren't as widely accepted are very hard to find people help. Um and so that becomes the barrier, right? Or um it's not necessarily if they have insurance or not. It tends to be if there's enough
clinicians that can take the insurance that this person has based on like reimbursement rates and and things like it. Does that make sense? within the time sensitive my experience in education uh dealing with um children with with serious mental
health care issues is that you know they might be identified as yes we can get you something but then they got to wait three months. >> We have kids in our school system waiting 11 months right now. >> Yeah. So I just recommend >> if we can supplement the cost like I
think that that would you know especially for for initial costs or intakes or assessments those things that are one time that get the ball rolling I think would be really helpful. So that was 1 A. 1B is uh the second part of the
motion which is review of the application from Boys and Girls Club uh of Asimevent Valley uh for requesting some of that 25% of the money set aside for the public for an initiative that will take place at the Boys and Girls
Club. And we have via Zoom the executive director of Boys and Girls Club, Analisa Campil. And I'll let her take it away to explain her her. >> Please. Analisa, welcome. >> Thank you. Nice. Thank you for inviting me. Um, well, as Steve said, uh, I'm I
submitted an application, uh, requesting $15,900 in the O, uh, opioid abatement funds to support a prevention focused program that we expect will reach about 50
Maynard children in the year. It's a proposal on prevention, um, education, specifically helping kids build the skills they need to reduce the risk of, uh, substance abuse later.
As many of you may know, the children at the club skew young. So it's we're talking at about you know uh
excuse me implementing different age appropriate programs. The first one we're talking about is if we get funding to uh implement a program for grades for children grades five fifth through 8th
grade and it's a uh BGCA program uh national program called smart moves which is an acronym uh for skills mastery and resilience training and we were thinking of doing the first one
it's 11 weeks about an hour and a half a week between April and June to cover the sort of middle school uh segment population and then have one in the summer where we have um our teens. We we
typically you know we skew young as I say and we lose the teens but they come back in the summer and work as part of our workforce development program where they're counselors and trainings. Last year we had I think 28 um CITs. So those
are high school kids. So there's another curriculum for you know grades nine and up. Um and then we were proposing to do another one in the fall for the middle school kids again. Um and in addition,
you know, um we have an a I know we me I heard someone mentioning an AED. We had an AED in our we only had one in our facility. We actually installed one in the gym because we rent our space to several um athletic groups, high school
kids and adult groups in the evenings. And we also part of this funding we'd like to include a Narcam uh box um in the gym as well. We recognize our members are unlikely to experience an overdose given their ages,
but the same can't be said about their caregivers who pick them up and drop them off and then the people who enter our building who rent our space. So, um, this funding would be for training, the
implementation of these programs, and then NARCAM training, safety protocols, and installing Narcam in the gym for our renters. >> Thank you very much. I have a question. Um, and I recognize that the um, Boys
and Girls Club uh, there are children from uh, other communities beyond Maynard that that attend the Boys and Girls Club of Aspen Valley. I'm wondering if those if the other communities that have children participating are in any way
contributing towards a fund similar to this out of their opioid award. And if not, why? And if so, uh, expand on your program and not put the burden stripping on Maynard's portion.
>> Right. Well, first of all, in our afterchool program, it's attended 98% by Maynard students. So, it's really focused for our community in the summer. Then we have we bring other children in or we'll see more children coming in
from Actton and Stowe and Sudbury and Conquered but still the overwhelming majority of kids attending the Boys and Girls Club um are from Maynard. >> That's good clarification. Thank you. >> You're welcome.
>> Any comments or questions? >> Yeah, Anna Lisa um first of all, thank you for everything um the Boys and Girls Club does. Um, I have a question. My generation came about, we had the DARE program, uh, and in retrospectives today
look back at that DARE program and determined that it did not meet all the expected outcomes in terms of reducing drug usage. >> Um, here we are a generation later, uh, a different conversation, different drugs are the ones that we're looking at and are worried about or talking about.
But how does this program, which certainly has echoes, but I can see in in your description different, how has this evolved in terms of its thinking and its approach relative to the DARE programs of a generation ago? >> Well, I it's a new program, like I said,
that National has developed and it's specific toward, you know, focus specifically focused on opioid and drug use. Now, I I can't say how it's changed from DARE really. Um Chris um I mean
Jeff but um it seems I don't know I mean I can't answer that I don't know what the differences between this curriculum and and the DARE curriculum >> certainly the the social media uh and self-awareness portions of it are not part of the DARE curriculum social media
existing so I can see a few things in there but >> important to to make sure we understand what conversations learn what the current retrospective look back is from programs like those and how they can be used to to help
>> even better education in the future going forward. >> Right. Well, you you you hit on something I should have mentioned the media the social media aspect that has been, you know, has had a great impact on our children um their mental health,
their well-being, their their, you know, self-image and health. So that's one aspect and that's certainly included in this curriculum and it's also access there there is a part of this curriculum that talks about how to process information online and how to verify how
to know if it's accurate. Um so I think and also the mental health which it's it's not that it's a new phenomenon but I think it's so much more now and I think it's because of phones and technology and all those other things. It has such a great emphasis on that.
>> Those are all very logical iterations over over the previous program. Thank you. >> You're right. >> My understanding with a little bit of reading was that the the DA program was more focused pretty simplistically on a just say no approach and identifying,
you know, labels and being able to identify different types of of of drugs, whatever it might be. Whereas the smart moods is is much more about preventative therapeutic approaches. Is that right? >> That's right. And it's a lot of how do
skills to how to say no and you know how to make decisions and resilience. So, it's not just saying no, it's talking about um um the recognition of
social media, the recognition of of uh there's a whole segment on trusting adults, like you know, who you can turn to, mentoring, things like that, just like what the Boys and Girls Club does
for these, you know, for our children. Thank you. >> All right. Have you uh said everything that was planned to say? >> Great. >> Oh, one last thing. Sure. For all the
the mental health and uh I don't know how to put it. I don't really have a way with words, but there's a dam between, you know, the the everything going on, you know, in behind closed doors and the mental health needs of community that
are, you know, are not really fully appreciated by the public. And the the dam is in the form of Emily Black who covers the entirety of the town, but who we have to split with whose services we split with conquered and Carlile. So I
mean Emily who often works with Allison McCann officer McCann >> basically she is the mental health counselor for this town just because that's you know the current configuration of use of resources. So, I mean, kudos to her for
>> and I can echo that um we often hear um Emily's name raised by and chief uh when he's in here talking about you know mental health aspects and the u the critical needs that we have in town. He has mentioned even either the current
chief or the previous chief have mentioned um your involvement in in the importance of your role with our community. So, thank you. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> All right. Um there are a couple motions. Move to approve the process for
administering opioid settlement funds in accordance with settlement guidelines as presented in the memorandum from Steven Silverstein to the town administrator dated January 29th 2022 including the allocation of 75% of
received settlement funds to be used at the discretion by the main police department may fire department and mainet board of health and the remaining 25% to be available for community use at the Approval by the select group. Second.
>> Motion's made and seconded. All in favor. Excellent. There is a second motion. moved to approve the use of $15,900 of opioid settlement funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Aspen Valley, BGCAB,
to fund programming that prevents misuse of opioids and implements prevention education as described in the application dated October 21st, 2025. Second, >> any questions or comments? All in favor?
Okay, thank you. Thank you both for your presentation. Steve, thanks for bringing it forward. >> Thank you so much. >> Good night. Thank you. I appreciate >> Byebye. >> All right. Next topic is the FY27
budget that has been finalized. Has been has been prepped. >> Sure. >> Ready to go. >> Sure. be will be presented officially I guess on Saturday.
>> Yeah. Yeah. But I appreciate Mr. Chair. Um speaking of Saturday, um I I just didn't know if there was any other direction. Board gave me a lot of uh good feedback and direction when it came to drafting the agenda for you, Mr. Chair, and for Chill Pendergrass and finance committee. So I just want to
know if there's anything else. So right now we have kind of the same schedule we usually do. Um, I give some my remarks. School superintendent gives the remarks. Oh, and then in the mix there's like uh state delegates, they can speak. Um, and then the board was interested in talking
about capital planning, which is actually very similar to what we've done in the past. So, you can see I've included in board docs a draft presentation from the capital planning committee just to speak to those major points. Um, and yeah, I think the idea is to provoke and to have some discussion amongst the stakeholders. Uh
if nothing else, I'm I'm interested in making sure everyone at least is on the same information page whether or not we're on the same consensus. Um and um and so there you have it. So I don't know this is I just want to >> cap Capcom for lack of a better >> Yeah.
>> will be making presentation. Well, they they can um they provided a PowerPoint, but they they expected it just they can it's I think it's cool slides, but yeah, it's meant to just sort of like be a speaking points rather than like them >> sorry Ben.
>> Oh, Ben. >> Ben. Uh >> sorry, Ben, I called you up. >> No worries. Everyone, >> I'm Jeff. Um, what do you have a plan on behalf of your committee or somebody on behalf of your committee to make any
type of presentation on Saturday? >> So, as Greg mentioned, um, there's two different documents that are there on the board docs. The yearly project recommendations document is really a summary of the presentation we gave to Greg for the um, free cash allocation
which was included in his town administrator report. I think that you all reviewed at the last meeting. Uh in addition, Greg and I spoke and what I did was I I refurbished the presentation that we provided at Capcom to you all or excuse me, Quadboard to you all uh back
in November. Uh updated the facts and figures for anything that had updated and included the slides associated with water to create basically like a one-stop shop of large capital expenses that are coming down the pike in the next call it 10 years, anything over 500k. Um, from a presentation
standpoint, we're happy to um, have someone review that and just kind of very quickly brief through that con presentation. The first one, as I mentioned, the free cash allocation. We we really think that's more of like a take-home. If anyone wants to read it, they have questions, they can, but we don't want to waste any of your time because you all know it and Greg has
done a great job summarizing that. Um, but the second one is really level setting the table and saying this is what we know about roofs, this is what we know about buildings, this is what we know about water, this is what we know about everything. Go. So happy to provide that. Uh David, happy to not provide that and just have those slides
up there. It's really we were trying to make it so that you all could run the show and we were not taking over the show if that makes sense. >> Not a show, but >> of course you know what I mean. >> Um
okay. Well, it's there if we need it. It's a it's a topic of discussion should it come up and you will be in attendance to uh help lead the way should that need to come up on the screen and be discussed. >> Exactly. That's that was our plan of attack and we'll be there you know so some of us will be there as well. So if
there's any comments or questions about it but again it's really open for which direction you all as the board want to take it. >> You do have a spot on the agenda if it's if it's deemed uh something that's necessary. >> Sure. And especially I think we can even take it as the idea of like we'll put it
up there in case anyone has questions and we'll just stand up there for a second and if they do and there's nope and then we move on and or you know if that's where we want to take the bulk of the time that we're happy with that. >> Yeah. >> And a lot of this we covered at the last um quadboard meeting. Correct. There's not substantial amount of new
information here. Finalization of the precache allocation and a few things you mentioned. Correct. Uh and it's and it does have the two screenshots from the water master plan um that include the the water projects as well for the uh that you all have seen uh the phased plan as well as the estimated cost plan
as well. But no, there is really no uh no groundbreaking thing in here that's different. >> Yeah. And thank you Ben. And to me this is a continuation of that discussion with this group as as part of the broader context. We discuss >> that here in the committee as well.
So, Greg, do you have any comments to make about any uh changes that have occurred since our last meeting that you think are important for us to be aware of? >> Wait for as far as the PowerPoint presentation. >> No, as far as the >> Oh, then yes. >> Before we go to that, where is the
meeting? Are we doing >> what time? >> 9 a.m. 9 a.m. Just one minor editorial point, Ben. Um on the document about the the capital planning large capital expenditures on your second slide you identify a junior
high school. Uh I'm sorry the educator in me point out that it's a middle school. There is technically a difference but just a minor point but uh anyway you're in trouble there. >> It might be too late to put that edit
all the way through but uh I I I fully hear you Mike. I will I will tighten up those uh the verbiage in the future. >> I think that was on there. >> Yeah, I think so. Uh Mr. Chair, I also want to note that um the board had had asked um if uh the town minister's
office down and town clerk's office had could come up with like a hypothetical timeline for a spring uh special town meeting because that's something I I had asked the board to consider and so we did that. So we it's uploaded um again it's for the board's sort of um thought process. if you wanted to entertain a
special town meeting and I maybe it was Lindsay Maki specifically and asked like what would that look like timewise? So, um Greg Wilson did a great job working with the town clerk's office to put that in there. So, it's in there. Um but Mr. Chair, the uh uh the real news of the
day, something that weighs on my mind constantly is the budget. And um I don't have good news unfortunately. So, yes, you're you're right, Mr. Chair. I I provided a balance budget January 21st. Um, but as I say, the the budget constantly changes. So, here's here's
some more updates. One, um, I had the town accounts office look over my numbers, and I had I had miscalculated our local aid um, projections. So, I had I had used the incorrect numbers from FY26 going into FY27 for local aid.
That's from the state budget. And so, that was going to be set back. Although I'm optimistic that that would probably be um answerable, that would probably be balanced against um what I suspect is going to be lower health insurance liability insurance premiums. So that
$75,000 due to my miscalculation, I was I wasn't too worried about. However, um with the release of what's called House Two, that's the governor's state budget proposal to the legislature, um we're good. I mean like overall the the
governor um had presented um I think 4.4% I think was the headline for local aid and that's great. I appreciate the governor's um support. Um and again keep in mind like that's only her proposal then it goes to the to the different houses and eventually back to her desk
in the summertime. But um it also meant Aset saw so our you know our school system partners with the Aset Vocational School District and they saw a decrease in their projected um uh state revenue
by $250,000. That's a big hit. Um a4 million and then combination with that with that $75,000 from my miscalculation that's 325 grand to find. So >> tot
whether that was because of enrollment or just changing uh the amount of allocated >> you know what I don't want to misspeak so I I I uploaded um the superintendent from Aset's email so I'm going to represent >> sorry it's okay go ahead so he says and
this is Ernie who superintendent of Aset I want to inform you that the chapter 7 funding aid for ASP came in lower than expected approximately $570,000 and minimum local contributions requirements for our sending communities came in higher than we anticipated. So,
it's a little bit it's like hit on both ends. So, with that being said, as Maynard's assessment for FY27 is 256 $250,000 higher than the preliminary budget we shared with you, the new the total FY27 assessment is 1.348. Um, and
that includes um their capital cost, which is long-term debt. So um yeah so that that's that's a hit. So what that means is um as have expected a certain amount of of local aid and then not have to have this this sort of like
outgoing students as well but um through a combination of those even though we do have I think uh I can't remember the number was seven to eight less pupils from Maynard going to going to um aset and that's what originally superintendent had said okay so your
assessment is going to be lower because of the less pupils going to aset that's not the case now based on based on the the governor's budget and I and maybe this will change. I don't know. Um, of course, I would recommend that the board
take my recommendations once I worked it out about how to buy that 200 or $325,000. I think as my notes in board doc say I try to be patient. So, in the next couple of weeks, I'll get my health insurance liability insurance numbers and then I'll know what the actual gap
is. And then I go through all the numbers. I go through all the revenues from local receipts to new growth, look at all our my my expenses. I try to come up with balance budget by May, April
when we when we does ASP get this is going to sound uh not the way I want it to come out but does ASP get a better deal in that if their budget is cut they just call upon the communities
that are members of ASP to fill it whereas if Maynard has a reduced number our education budget. We can't just we don't we don't have a guaranteed budget. In other words, they seem to have a guaranteed budget where they say, "Hey,
they didn't reach our request, so therefore we need more money from you." In Mayard, if Maynard's uh education, you know, the superintendent says, "We need $10. We can only give them seven." They have to deal with seven. >> I understand your question. So the
second paragraph of superintendent's whole message is that he says in closing we are at the minimum threshold of 100% net school spending and have no ability to reduce the assessment. So in my reading of that that means the answer is
no or answer yes to your question. >> They're not going to accept. >> So so correct like that that the the bud the bill is the bill and so >> are they cutting their budget at all as a result of the reduction from the government?
>> I'm reading as correct correct. >> Yeah. >> The I think the larger political general that net school spending formula is set by the legislature in favor of charter schools. And that's that's not Ernie Gul's fault, although it might be him and his colleagues very good advocacy.
Um, and that it doesn't hit the same impact in terms of living under the prop two and a half conditions that that we need to not only sustain for our own services and school, but also for those asset increases which is dictated by a state formula.
>> So, Mr. Chair, not great news. Um, I wish I did have some. Also I want to point out um something I presented and it is related. I was I mentioned the health insurance. So um we had an insurance advisory committee meeting the other day which is which is the union representations meeting with myself and
our health insurance advisory and uh we presented to them what I heard um at uh the Massachusetts Association's annual conference the other day which is um so the town employees are provided Maya treats and which is actually blue cross
blue but Maya Ford voted to not include clude coverage for GLP1 drug use for weight loss. And I'm trying to be very careful with my words because it it's it's sensitive and complicated in that
GLP1 for other treatments may still be covered but not specifically for weight loss. Now we we suspected meaning um through the advice of our consultants that something like this was possible because the GL GIC which is like the
states health insurance provider they had also moved in a similar direction and so we expected Maya to do something but anyway so that that's that's what happened. So what that meant is because they're not going to be covering that, you know, the the cost of that drug or like the use of that drug for that for
that particular um diagnosis weight loss, then everyone's premiums is reduced. I don't know what Maya's uh I don't know what Maynard's premium is going to be for FY27 yet. I hope to know in the next couple of weeks. Uh but it
should be less than what I budgeted, which is 15%. So it's less than that. that helps close that $325,000 gap. I just don't know what that number is yet. Um, and I'll I'll keep you informed, but I will I can summarize this because I
tried to sort of like make sure everyone has the same information. So, I guess I will I will likely summarize this again on Saturday just so everyone kind of knows where we're at. Um, so that's how it is. I wish I had better news. >> All right.
>> Okay. We I think I speak on behalf of all of us. We appreciate the hard work you put into >> where we're at. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Moving numbers and balancing and doing the juggling act. So, thank you. >> I was so confident going into this year, my eighth eighth year.
>> Any any who, so that's all I have for you, Mr. Chair. Um um I look forward to Saturday's conversation. It's always always good. All right. Uh, we spoke on the the uh senior sign.
>> Um, what's what is the next step for us at this point? >> I need to make sure you have clean versions to sign of the lease. Um I'll get the signatures from they're not I was pointing to the screen but um from bloodest and then they and then that
sets I forget that they have the terminology but that sets the clock so to speak for them to meet their end of the deal which is to build seniors. So I can't remember if it's 210 days or some somewhere there that they have to do what they say they're going to do which is
have it ready for us >> and they will work with a director to >> that's correct. So they although we've already been in discussions since the day they started inquiring about it since like the day the RFP was was announced as to what it might look like
and then we've really finalized the plans. Additionally, they had to have they didn't have to, but they had final plans going into meeting with the planning board to get their special approved. So, we we we generally know the layout, but just as you've seen with any build out, I suspect there might be
modifications along the way just as you build. Um, but for the most part, we we know what it's going to look like. It just takes time. Um, and in the winter time, I can't say what their construction schedule will be, but I would say maybe five, six months should be getting in there.
>> It's a lot of work. >> I can imagine. >> They're going to close. I don't know what they're going to do, but they're going to close the drive, you know, there's going to be no more drive. >> Build back up. >> It's a lot of work.
>> Correct. It's probably more work than one might assume because there's a building there, but it's not it's not really built up. >> They got it's almost like they put in the foundation and everything. >> Yeah. Essentially, that's that was the interesting part of the walkthrough
piece was the heights of those curbs and everything. It's a lot there's a lot going on. >> Yeah. No, they didn't seem >> Yeah. >> concerned by it. That's that's what they do. So, >> it's exciting. Um, it'll be it'll be not
a new building, but a new space. So, anyways, Mr. Chair, if you're right that that I I'll keep the board informed if there's anything else, but I think we'll just be put signage. >> All right. Thank uh we did correspondence, right?
We were doing the uh we did >> we did the acceptance of the minutes >> and I have nothing to um I have nothing really to report with the Green Middle School building project. that that continues. >> And now we move on to the TA report. >> Very good, Mr. Chair. So,
um I feel like I've been around town recently, so I went to uh the winter fest this weekend. It was a good turnout. I did attend the Connect 351 for the MMA along with some members of the board. I appreciate your participation in that. It's always great to get um get together and get the same information. And then I also attended a
legislative breakfast at the Actton Library the other day. It was good to hear from our state delegates and and sort of rub elbows with some of the fine work and the the fine staff at the libraries. And then um a couple of uh dates as reminders. Town offices will be
closed on Monday, February 16th in observation of President's Day. I will be taking off that week. Um so I'll be out the 17th through the 20th for the rest of the week. Um you do have a board meeting on the 17th. Um and Stephanie
Dugen is expected to be there in my in my place. And then town reports, um time keeps on flying by. So town reports are due to Greg um Greg Wilson February 6th. That's Friday. >> Mine's coming, Greg. It's got to do the
finally final analysis being done. >> Okay, good. Um okay. Then uh articles for town meeting. We like to get sort of like a placeholder just like a title alone by February 13th to Greg Wilson and then we want the full articles by the 27th of February. That gives us
enough time to look at it council review and finance committee and then um we talked about this I think the last select board meeting the performance recognition program. Um, I've already provided some ideas to the chairs of what I could be some good nominations, but if anyone has any ideas what they
could be, if you have any send >> Yeah. Did everybody get a copy of those? Uh, >> no. >> Just me. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I mean, I saw that I saw the email, but I didn't get >> Yeah, >> I was trying to have some I just had some ideas.
>> Did you come up with your ideas? here. >> Uh yeah, but we I happen to be sitting next to these guys uh when I had some of those ideas for the name and they they thought they were good. >> Yeah. >> So, I'll remind you who it was later. Okay. So, um and then lastly, Mr. Chair, um
great town administration report. I really do appreciate it. Lots of great pictures and that's what I always I give the department has a hard time because I I love getting good pictures and we got them. So, um fantastic work by the fire department, public works, and library. I'm always really impressed. They're very busy. Um, they're not just like me
doing spreadsheets and emails. So, uh, so that's it. Thank you for your time unless there's questions. >> Thank you. Any questions? >> No, let me uh one comment on your report just to relay um to the DPW guys during
the absolute rigid days. I think we were well below zero. >> Yeah. And they had, if I remember, two water man breaks. >> Oh, yeah. >> Um, but they're out there in the freezing cold and everybody else is suddenly in front of the fire. Um,
they should be, you know, just from my from me and I'm sure on behalf of the entire board, thank you. >> Yeah, we'll do. >> Absolutely. >> It was uh I was sorry to hear that me. The fire department was out at a structure fire. Thankfully, nobody was
home. uh right down the street from me. Um >> that was a busy day. >> Little funny story. I was coming home. I heard sirens when I was leaving. I saw the sirens come by and I was out and I was coming home. The street was shut
down at Old M Road and the police car was directly across Park Street. >> Yeah. >> And I had to go home, you know. So the only way to get home would be to go around police car that was sitting. So I begin to go up onto the sidewalk and the
cop officer pulls forward >> and I'm going like this. He gets out with his hat on. He's all upset. Well, I shouldn't say that. He wasn't upset. He go I roll down my window. I go I live up there. He goes, "Oh." He said, "I'm
sorry. I didn't realize it was you." And I said, "Well, that's not that's not the issue. I wanted to go home." And he said, "Okay." But it was it was bad. Shut down the road. >> Yeah. Cordon off the area. Yeah. >> I couldn't get home. >> I mean, that's a busy street. >> Yeah.
>> Amazingly busy. Um, that was an interesting day that morning. But any >> But I understand why they shut it down when they did because they wanted to take root traffic at Old Marrow to send it down, right? my neighborhood and the one that Melissa lives in down a little
bit further. The only two that we really couldn't get into. >> Right. Right. >> Thank you for saying that. I will relay that to uh public works. >> Please do. I really appreciate the fact they and what it's like five guys that are out there. >> Yeah. There's not many.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. Um chair, uh I mentioned it earlier. I would like to draft a letter to send to trade bank. >> Okay. >> Um I mean if you want me I can draft it
up. It'll just take a couple of days. Um and actually extend an invitation for him to come to mayor and should we hear back that would be another discussion relative to how that work would work because something we would have to
coordinate police more so with what we would do. But um I have a vision but it's just that a vision. >> I'm fine with that if you want to write okay with that. >> Yeah.
>> Might be a bit busy this week. >> What's that? >> Might be a bit busy this week. >> Yeah. You won't be looking at us now. Uh downtown ice event that Greg mentioned. I assume it's still there. I haven't driven by. >> It's freezing cold. So I'm sure it's
still there. The last thing um Chris just reminded me of it. He was talking about the work that's going to have to be done on 141 Parker. We had the guys in out two weeks or was it a month ago when they came in and said they were
going to be working on the building down at the pizza place >> those guys? >> Uh huh >> the store guys >> I stopped in u was a week ago. And I I bet
>> there's been no work >> I know >> on that door. >> It was two meetings ago. It was not the last meeting. >> So they're running out of time. >> I know. >> I I appreciate you your awareness of
that. I'm I'm treating them like adults and they can either do what they said they were going to do or not do what they said they gonna do. >> I I took a picture. I was like I thought I went to see where how much progress. >> Yeah. >> And there was >> I know >> nothing
you were you here at the meeting when we talked about that one. >> Yeah. Two games. >> Until the time passes. >> Yeah. So anyway, just something for us all to be aware of. I I hate being kind of the
mean guys, but um >> we were pretty clear. >> It's crazy. >> A long time fighting with those folks. >> Yeah. >> So that is it. Uh, one thing that comes to mind, I know
some of us were the MMA conference the other week and I'm afraid I have just forgotten the details of what it was that was it you and Greg Wilson that were recognized for was it the town website? >> No, the town website.
>> Well, the town it's sitting in my office. >> Okay. >> Do we Yeah, go ahead. >> So, anyway, just just wanted to highlight >> on the entire meeting. I probably should have put the one of the awards for the best municipal website with the award. Thank you very much. I'd like to thank
the >> I did not go on stage. It was very highlight. >> Is that the town report? >> The vote website. So, you're right. There are two there are two awards. One's for report, one's for website. And I I actually submit it every year
because I really love our Well, I love the amount of work that we put into it. And so, we got records. Yeah, >> congratulations Greg Wilson. >> Thank you. >> And I know that uh you know public communication is one of our main goals for the year. So it fits in. So
congratulations. >> Thanks. >> Tell me a little bit about if I may. Mike and Jeff, you guys attended Chris. Did you attend that MMA? Tell us tell me a little bit about the meeting, how you thought it went, what >> uh I thought it was good. Um I think for me one of the most valuable um
components of it is being able to just have informal chats with people from different towns. I met a lady from NAT you know people from towns out west people from local and and just getting a more substantive feel for the types of problems that that they have. Many of
which of course are the same that we have rising costs and declining revenues. Um so so that was that was hugely valuable and um opportunities for us to to chat sort of more informally in a bit more depth.
>> A lot of candy in a bag to when you're walking around. >> Uh I've learned how to turn those down gets home and bills are covered and then gets thrown away. Yeah. But uh yes there there's a lot there. So yeah, just uh you know, because I'm still relatively
new at the municipal game, it's it's informative for me to um sort of fill in some of the gaps is my understanding and then of course getting um opportunities to see some of our senior leaders in the
state talking and oh yeah, it was it was a good good you have anything to add to put you on the spot. >> Oh, please. um that came to ground >> never >> uh I think the they they were
highlighting two of the big reports about navigating the fiscal storm storm was navigating it >> really I think they did a good job of of summarizing into a single graph what the major problem was and it showed that chapter 7 defunding who municipalities
across the state uh took a a very large hit um during the the financial crisis and the great recession session back uh uh 15 or so years ago now and then just never recovered, never came back from that. And so a lot of the advocacy was built on that return of of getting those
chapter 70. And so communities have had to have debates about, you know, cutting education funding or supplementing with property taxes. neither of which is good in an era of of conversations on on um affordability driven by uh a lack of
housing for a state that has a lot of jobs and is attracting a lot of people. So I thought that particular data point on chapter 70 funding and the broader conversation about the pistol storm um as as they called it in the report was was good. it was a sign that the MMA was
starting to advocate more on getting higher chapter 70 funding. Admittedly, a very difficult year for the state budget to do so. So, I thought that was kind of the standout theme of that conference relative to other times I attended to it. Um, and then it's as as Mike said,
it's always good to connect with the municipalities. Everybody is having a lot of same conversations on rising health care costs, on overrides on education funding, on affordability, on housing stock, just like we are. Um, we
might default a bit more into water and sewer infrastructure beyond that. Other communities may have their own issues, but uh I would say there's more commonality than differences on ongoing conversations when uh and it's good to be reminded that we're not alone as as we face these struggles. All
right, Mike. Anything else on your >> No. Okay. >> Um, beyond the MMA conference, we had a budget subcommittee meeting last week. Uh, everybody was quite happy with the budget as it stood at that point and they they certainly didn't get the update. Greg got us, so we will go there. what I thought um it reflects
upon that and some of the conversations with the group that is is um asking good questions and getting along and and we'll hopefully that'll set us up to we need to have more challenging conversations the one we had now depending on how the numbers come in as Greg said in the next couple of weeks. So
>> uh and then I did have an opportunity to stop by Winterfest as well as I've been I was talking with the it's the wininturiest winter fest that we've had in three years running. So good to see everybody. Uh thanks to the town and the police for everything on their end and for the cultural district for holding on
a great event. When I had gotten down there, the movie had just let out and so there was a pretty big burst of energy right there. It was great to see a lot of people enjoying the day, especially given how cold it was. So my thanks to all the organ that press.
>> Yeah. No. Um, I have the I had the u pleasure or opportunity to drive myself from the bottom of the country on the east coast back up to here and uh the remnants of what was left of the snow, I can tell you that um
the highways were the same everywhere, but getting off the highway and traveling normal roads and side roads, maintenance roads were so much better than not just the roads around us. But you know, Connecticut, New York, all all
the places where we travel through on our way home, the streets in Maine were much clearer than most of those places. Our, you know, um, both hills and patty lanes and Maple Streets and the the smaller roads and better than most of
the the cities and towns major roads. I mean, Washington DC, I I spent the night there. This is four days after the snow fell and it was impassible. like you know you if you didn't have allhe or fourwheel drive you were not getting
point A to point B in the nation's it was it was wild but anyway main as always they did a great job so kudos to Justin I give him a hard time all the time but the snow gets moved out of main right away so that's pretty good and the
other thing Greg uh can we get an update from um Steve at some point what's going on with the house that God was going to buy and the house that was >> cross me if you were home. >> I think that Let me check. >> I don't know. I don't know what's wrong with the last two times I've driven by
there >> and one was a little while ago, there's been police in front of house, >> right? There's been police, you know, there's been a cruiser out there before. >> You know, someone from the police department has been there doing something or other. So, I'm just trying to >> see if we have any update or work going
on to place once he put, you know, >> maybe put those back in the water. My moon took them out of something. Yeah, I thought we were okay. >> I don't know. I It still doesn't look great. Now it's covered in snow, which makes it actually look better because
>> you don't see all the junk. All you see is snow. But it's just if you can, you know, give us a heads up on that. >> Yeah. >> And it's nice to see the fire station getting redone. The old fire station doing a lot of work. >> See that coming along? >> Yeah. Good. Good.
>> All right. >> Good. Thank you. I'll make a motion to adjurnn. Second all favors. >> Thank you. Have a great night. You guys want to