All right, we're recording. Um so um so one possibility is doing one more meeting before May 30th. Um I yes May 30th the deadline and then obviously
setting up a schedule for evaluating and interviewing eligibility candidate application applicants. Um, so we usually have do that in two or depending on how many applicants obviously in two
or three meetings. Um, >> so weird. I don't know what's going on. >> Okay. Um, so what's um any thoughts or comments from the committee members on on the need? So, so that would be a
total of say four meetings between now and the um you know the end of um June say we'd like to evaluate. Yeah. Can I can I can I ask um do you unless other members
disagree, you know, I think we if we have this meeting tonight, I don't see another reason to meet before the applications come in. And I would think I know it's a it's like a minor lift. Maybe we only need to do two meetings,
Tom, to do the eligibility applications um when they come in. So, you know, my suggestion would be, can we meet in June twice to go over the eligibility applications and then can you remind the committee when the next one is due?
>> September 28th 20 I mean, sorry, September 26th. >> Okay. >> Um >> I I I just don't want to um >> Yeah, I don't want to set I so I I think that's a very reasonable proposal. uh
Rob um um you know and we can always try to squeeze in an extra meeting if if we can't do it in two but um so it's also May is a busy month with um town meeting um and I expect town meeting will go
multiple nights and we also have for town meeting members we also have a special town meeting in June um and >> true do we do we know what those dates are >> we do so Yeah. June June. Um the June
meeting is June 16th unless I'm Is that correct, Cheryl? >> Yeah, June 16th. >> Is that um do we think that that that's only for the MBTA vote? So, do we think that would only be one night? >> It's also um
>> it's a Monday, huh? It's East Milton Square overlay zoning and >> I think the um a flood zone zoning. I don't know if they have other things. So, >> do they have another is there another
date set for if there's a second night or anything or do you think they'll cover it in one? >> I think it could I think it's I think it's the same it's it's designed to the for the same sequence of Monday Tuesday. Okay. >> I I'm tentatively holding Tuesday.
>> Okay. >> And I think the unknown about the June 16th is whether or not you know like if anything gets sent back in the May town meeting does it does you know is it ready to come back to the June meeting like all that stuff. So >> So then can we just review the May date?
So it's the fifth and the is it the fifth and the sixth? fifth, sixth, and um eth >> the next next week. It's the eighth actually. Wow. >> I I think it's the fifth, sixth. Um no, it's the fifth.
>> That's the fifth, sixth, and then I think it goes to the next week. I >> fifth, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th, and 14th are the six days that have been set aside. >> Okay. Well, let's let's hope it let's hope it doesn't go that long.
>> I have the warrant here. They're doing Wednesday this this year for some reason. >> Yeah, they did that last year too, Julia. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So for all I mean for all that reason I mean that's you know I'm sure many of us are town meeting members. So you know
I'm just trying to be cognizant of people's time. >> Yeah. >> Um and I yeah I wouldn't doubt if it goes you know few nights. So why don't we um look at the week of May 19th and the May 26th for our two meetings. Um
that gives us time to read the applica, you know, the eligibility applications and come together and also gives us time to invite the um applicants uh and and arrange.
>> Do you do you mean June or May? Because May 30th is the end of the eligibility. >> I mean, I'm sorry. >> June. >> Yes, of course. >> So, so, so June. So, June. So, so do we typically meet on Mondays now? >> No.
>> No. >> This is an unusual um >> Okay. So, what what is our date usually that we meet? >> It varies. >> It has varied. >> We've done a lot of Wednesdays, I think. Um we've done some Thursdays, we've done
Tuesdays. So it really has varied. So June um I will just say for my personal schedule I cannot do I'm on I'm out of the country until June 8th. So that first week in June I could not do. So um
but starting June 9th I'm back. Um so we could do something June 11th, June 18th, you know, somewhere in that range. Um, >> does everyone I mean could it work that week the 9th through the 13th? Could we
do one that week and then do one the 23rd through the 27th? I'm going to be gone uh the week of uh well starting uh June 6th and back
uh tentively back on the uh 22nd or 23rd. >> So I have two weeks out of the middle of June that I won't be available.
>> Okay. So, let's try to I I think you're gonna probably >> we're gonna have to >> probably miss miss one of them, Lily. So, let's let's >> um What about the 11th and 25th >> just to pick two dates? >> I like
>> one's my birthday, but that's fine. >> Oh, [laughter] >> 25th. >> Um >> I'm I'm I'm going to be 39 that day. No, I'm kidding. My mother my mother who lived to 99
never passed 39. [laughter] >> I have found 42 to be a good age and I'm sticking with it. And the only complication is my daughter says, "Mom, the math is no longer making sense. I don't listen to her anymore. She didn't
listen to me after about 21." So, I think it's fair. I >> I'll take I'll take 42. 42. >> Good age. Perfect. Perfect. If it works, you stick with it. >> That works for me. Yep. >> Okay. I have a bit of surgery on the
25th. I am told I'll be good on the 26th. So, if you want to do the 26th, I can do that, but not the 25th. >> Okay. Um, so the >> 26th just um >> board meeting.
>> Yeah. >> What about the 24th, Linda, and the group? Um, >> yes, the 24th. I think the 24th will be fine. >> Okay. >> Why don't we do the >> 11th and the 24th then? >> Yeah.
>> Two different days. We get a Wednesday and a Tuesday. I think that's that's that's okay if that's okay with folks. >> And then and that basically means we would schedule the eligibility people for those two dates. Don't you think we could knock those out? like we we I mean
depending on what we get obviously but then but then that would be nice because then July and August obviously is always tough for people's vacations and everything. >> Yeah. It just would you know I mean I think we can definitely do in two. It just might mean slightly longer meetings. That's all.
>> Yeah. Than than if three but it's only two nights instead of three nights. So there's there's a upside to doing it over two. >> Okay. So we skip so we skip May >> and then the 11th and the 24th.
The only is that we might go ahead. >> Well, it's just we might want to um and we had some discussion about this last time was we didn't assume [clears throat] that everybody needed to be seen and so there was some discussion about for instance the affordable housing. Do we need you know do we
necessarily need a presentation again? So for the repeat ones um unless it's a different project altogether I would suggest that we it's not necessary to invite them back. Could we um I'm wondering if
we could have you know t like the chair and the vice chair Jenny you know you guys look at the applications and if you think they've already come before us once then like you guys could just say hey you know you this is deemed eligible
you don't need to come before the board right and then I think if you could weed out everyone else that's like new or whatever then you would schedule the two I I think that would be, you know, that makes a lot of sense. >> Yeah, that makes sense to me. >> Yeah. My only I I think that could make
sense. Although my only concern about open meeting law, I don't know if us making that decision is consistent with open meeting law. Um but I'm not an expert on that. So Kathleen or somebody might have to advise us on that. But um
but we could always I mean I think one way to do that Rob would be for us to come to the first meeting the June 11th meeting with a recommendation and if the committee said no no no we do want to see a group that you're recommending that we're not recommending to see.
>> That makes sense. Yeah. >> Then we invite them then we invite them the second. So it's not a binding thing we're we're deciding. It's just a recommendation. Yeah. Okay. So, so maybe that so maybe that makes sense like the three of you you I mean to be honest the whole committee could look at it right
like all of them and then you guys will like you know kind of kind of filter them out we could we come the 11th and maybe you address that first >> we could ask people to send a comment to Julia you know and just say I want to see this group or I don't you know
whatever and just yeah we could take that under consideration >> makes sense >> okay all right so June 11th and June 25th um are in the books. Um did I have did I >> You got that one wrong. 24th >> June 24th.
>> Yeah, thank you. Sorry. Sorry, Linda. Um so June 11th and June 24th. Um Julia, that's okay with you as well. >> Oops. >> Julia has left the building. >> Oh no, sorry. Did you ask me? Yeah.
Yeah, that's fine. >> Yeah. Okay. Okay. Good. All right. So, um and approval of minutes, we um the minutes of the March 19th uh 202 meeting uh have been were distributed. Any comments? Any um motion to approve?
>> Uh motion to approve. >> Second. >> Second. Um any comments? All in favor? I guess I have to do a roll call. Um uh yeah, sorry, Jenny. >> Yep. Linda, >> yes. >> Pete, >> yes. >> Cheryl,
>> yes. >> Uh, Wendy, >> yes. >> Rob, >> yes. >> Kathleen, >> I am here back. We're done. We gave the permit. >> Perfect. Perfect. U, we're just a voting on the May 19th minutes,
>> which I'm not sure I was there for that. >> Okay, we can check that. Julia, I don't know if you have them in front of you. was Kathleen. >> So, >> was Kathleen in the last meeting? Yeah, she was.
>> Okay. You're voting in the affirmative. >> Yes. >> Okay. Great. All right. Was any were any of us not there? [laughter] >> The only person missing was um Joe Duffy. >> Okay. Okay. Perfect. So, we No abstensions were needed. Good. Perfect.
All right. Um discussion of next item is discussion of payment of invoices. Um I think this is Pete. >> Um that appears pretty much to be the same as the item seven. So I don't know if we take them together or whatever.
>> Um >> yes. Um >> well let's we can have one discussion. >> Yes. Both those items. >> Number number seven and number three are the same. >> Number three are pretty much the same. Um my concern is we've gotten a lot of
feedback from um people applying for payment that it's taken an extraordinarily amount of time and having to go back and forth and and things like that. Um the way the accounting looks at it is the invoice
has to be paid by the applicant before they will reimburse. The problem is a lot of these small groups or you know whatever they are, they have a hard time coming up with a paid invoice, coming up with the money
to pay it. The other one that we had a lot of trouble with was the observatory because the state had to pay the bills and to get the state to pay the bill and get a, you know, an acknowledgement that they're paid and then submit it was an
extraordinarily long time. I was hoping that maybe we could discuss with accounting and maybe with the town administrator there because he's been very helpful and supportive of us. you know, the notion of they submit an
invoice um and you know, acknowledge or certify that the work has been done, you know, per per what they're submitting for an invoice and try to get it paid ahead of having to submit a um a proof
of payment. Yeah, I mean that I I think I'd be interested to know it's it feels to me that um I I wonder what other CPCs in other towns do. Um because um
it this feels like, you know, we're not the only ones funding, you know, organizations with tight budget funds and, you know, without the capacity to pay the invoice in advance. Um so it
would seem like this is a policy that could use some revision. Um but so so Pete >> I'd be happy to look in >> we haven't had a um we haven't had a
discussion with the town accountant specifically on this or or we have no we have >> and Kathleen >> um some of the times well I've been really late on the grant agreements but most of the time we give the money to the organization and then they just and
they use it to pay the invoices and then then just send us back the evidence is that that they've spent the money in the right place. >> The only thing that we've done that with is with the affordable housing trust. Everything else has been a reimbursement.
>> Yeah. Well, I mean, as as I said, we that's kind of a change. If we wanted to do it, we've sort of changing the the grant agreements, you know, that we had as a draft. Um, you know, I mean, obviously, you know, want to make sure that people are spending the money in
the right place, but um, >> right, >> it sense to frontload it. >> Well, this is not really front loading. It it I mean, it's not my definition of front loading if they're showing us an invoice, right? They're >> Oh, yeah. If we have to show that we
they show us the invoice, I think that's fine as opposed to paid it. They can't pay it until they have the money from us. So, >> yes. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah, I think we're saying the same. So, >> should you and I try to meet with the town accountant and talk talk this
through? Um would that be your recommendation or or maybe >> I would be happy to do that. I'm wondering if you know some outreach to Stuart maybe. >> Yeah. Yeah. I was going to say >> on how other communities do it. I was going to say in advance of that meeting
um yeah uh some some um some research I think would be >> and I'd be happy to talk to him about that and just see how other communities do it. >> It's just it's an undue burden I think on people to you know pay >> agree agree. All right. So that's that's I don't think we need a vote on that. I
think uh if if everybody's okay with that I think um we'll uh Pete and I will do some research. one of us will talk to Stuart and >> and we'll set up a meeting with >> a meeting with Amy. [clears throat] >> Okay. All right. Great. Two items, three
and seven off the >> Easy peasy, >> man. That's great. That's great. All right. I don't know if this Yeah, >> I'm looking at um at uh Pete's your spreadsheet that you did um which is helpful in terms of that shows the
balance of uh I'm not sure if this is the appropriate time to bring this up, but >> there are quite a few organizations who basically have not spent uh or been reimbursed or whatever and they are in the process um the funding that was granted to them and I'm wondering what
we should do about that whether it's um there should be um some oversight or some you know is there reasons why they haven't been paid um and whether there should be some follow-up and maybe this is a different agenda item alto together but
>> [clears throat] >> um it seemed like it was related to payment >> did they I'm just curious Jenny did those projects happen and then they weren't reimbursed or are they just projects that are just waiting in the wings >> well I don't know I mean Pete, you might
know. I'm just looking at [clears throat] for >> Yes. >> Um >> I think they're projects that haven't gone far enough yet, right? >> But I think the bridge the bridge project >> the bridge project, the um the town basketball court I know is one that
Right. And um >> you know some of those those that were awarded last year, you know, they just got the money and they're starting to spend it. the first year ones, um the bridge project and and the um town
lockup, you know, those really just haven't got >> So, uh so I'm curious if and maybe Kathleen might know this is if we have a project maybe after one year and it hasn't been funded. That's kind of easy
to understand. But some of these that are like for instance the bridge to me I'm like why is this taking so long? Could we reach out to those folks and say hey can you come back to the committee and give us an update right to understand where you are. I think that
may be valuable like especially after like a two-year period or something. >> Yeah. I mean the bridge project is actually a specific one I that I reached out to John Kieran recently on and did give an update on that. So, so it's it's still it's still moving forward. It's
just much slower um than I think they they would have liked, but it's largely on the northeastern side. You know, the working, you know, there's a lot of >> sort of proono labor involved in that. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's it's sort of a moving you know several moving pieces to
that that that um so we do have an in you know a response but I think generally that's a good idea Rob to to >> um some of these folks some of these applicants will be coming before us with new applications and using that opportunity to
>> um >> the Kelly field dugouts was another one um so Rob us of that >> well it's it's going to happen in August so the the biggest problem with that one was is that it had to go out to public bid, Jenny. So, um, it's now gone out to
public bid. The park commissioners now have approved that contract. Pete Pete actually helped with the RFP on that. Um, and so we've awarded the bid. The park commissioners awarded the bid, but it's waiting because of course we have spring sports. We didn't want to do the
construction to delay the spring sports. So, it's going to happen in like the first week in August somewhere around there. So that that's the update on that. >> So Cheryl and um Wendy have their hands up. I I'm a little reluctant to get too deep in this because this is not on the agenda. Um so um
>> so Tom, I just want to ask if Kathleen in the meeting. >> Kathleen's bumped out and is not being let back in. That's all I >> can't I can't let anybody in because I can't see them. But Julia Julia, can you let Kathleen in?
>> She got thrown out. Um >> well she kind of riff raff so you know she should have been >> rift the riff raft you know keep the >> right misbehaving. >> Um so Wendy go ahead.
>> Yeah. Um, well, big picture, I'm I'm wondering if um if it would make sense for us to add as a requirement to our applicants um that that they report to us on a regular basis. I think
that that's pretty much standard protocol for a lot of grants um that that um especially for ongoing projects that they expect to have uh a written report just an update like
every six months or 12 months whatever we decide would make sense. But I think as far as just documentation and transparency, it's um it's a relative relatively easy ask, but it's just really important to keep everybody in
the loop. >> Yeah, I I agree with you, Wendy. I think what I'm what I'm going to suggest we do since this is not on the agenda um is that we I I think this is a good um acti good activity for or a good agenda item
for us to grapple with over the summer in between the two funding rounds. Right. So we once we do the the June meetings to dis dispense with our advice and whatever recommendations to that we have to the eligibility applicants uh
and before we get immersed in the actual uh final applications at the September 26 deadline. we have a window there and I think this is a really we've been talking about this a couple this come up a couple times obviously and I think now
that we're in year four um it's so relevant um because we have m multiple projects it's hard you know it's without a formal structure like Wendy's suggesting it's hard to keep track of them all I think a number of us have
certain details in our heads about certain projects but that's no way to to to to um to really you know uh formalize this. So um so um so I >> so so maybe so it'll be July or August.
>> Yeah, basically let's do a summer let's do a summer meeting and have have this as um um at least one of the agenda items that we spend some time with setting up that system. >> Makes sense. >> Or form formalizing that system. >> Yep.
>> Does that make sense? Yeah. >> So, all right. I just don't want to violate open meaning law here and and go too far down that path. So, >> all right. Um debrief um from bonding discussion at
last meeting. So, we had a great conversation, I thought, with with um Stuart. Um great attendance by the town um the relevant town staff, town administrator, town accountant, um town treasurer. Um I walked away for one just
just um feeling um encouraged that it's less intimidating um than I might have imagined going into it. So, um, but I want to just open the floor to see what people's reactions were.
Randy, is your hand still up from the previous? >> No, I just forgot to lower it. >> There we go. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, I agree with Tom. It was a very good and thorough discussion and I think it did a lot of good for us and for, you know, the town financial
officials. Um, I know we're going to get at least two or three proposals this year that are going to ask for bonding. So, that will be a huge >> decision for us is whether we want to start bonding these projects. And um, so
I don't know at what point we as a committee are going to discuss whether we're want to consider bonding or if we're going to wait till proposals come in or whatever. Can I ask um >> I think we have to wait for proposals, but but but I think I I agree with Pete.
I I know of at least one. I I think you know obviously the the town war the Wararf Warf Park project I think is going to be one of them. I don't know the others necessarily. >> Fire station, >> fire station potentially. Yep. Yep. Um Right. Right.
>> And possibly Pepperly Park. >> Right. Okay. All right. Um, so I think it was well timed in in that sense that we now at least have had that meeting. Town staff I think is briefed. Um, but I think we're going to have to deal with
it as it comes and and and make that evaluation. Cheryl and then Jenny. >> I um I agree it was a really informative and helpful meeting. I think um in terms of a policy position, I maybe we consider uh
what percentage of our average um grant making can go towards bonding because that was one of the significant things that I I think I took away from that was that going to come out of our future um ability to make grants. So, I wouldn't
want to see a large chunk of it of our available funding tied up for years and years on end. I'd like to make sure that there's enough funding available for, you know, projects each year. So, I I I'd like to kind of understand maybe what others have done who've used the
bonding like did they set a percentage of their total? Um, so that's those are my thoughts right now. >> Yeah, that's a I'm writing that down. Um, Cheryl, just another question for Stuart. um as Pete and I go back to him on on some of these other issues, but I
think that's a good if we could get um I know they they have I mean they have a number of how many towns have bonded historically and it'd be interesting to see what the range of percentages and terms of the revenue stream that that that towns do. I I I I guess I would
guess there's a fair it's a fair range, but you know, maybe there's some um averages or medians that we could take a look at. Um >> just to follow up on that, Tom, if if we once we do get some applications, if we if we calculate we're able to calculate
if we accepted those, you know, what would that do to next year or the following year, etc. and so that we can have a conversation about that in terms of policy with the actual examples in in hand. >> One of the things I'm also writing down is Stuart I I believe promised to send
that spreadsheet that was an interactive spreadsheet to Joanna and Amy. Um I don't know if they've received that. I don't believe I've seen a copy of that. So, um, so, um, I will I I don't know. Anyways, I
can check with with town staff if they have it, but um, we should have we should have that in our possession, too, because that, you know, as Stuart described that, that was kind of a plugandplay type um, spreadsheet. All right. U, Jenny, and then Rob,
>> actually, that was my point was that we hadn't received that yet, and that was um, I think Joanna had agreed to do it and follow up on it. So that's a [clears throat] a product that's due to us um to take a look at it because that's sort of our base. That's our starting
point of understanding what the potential is. You okay, Tom? >> I'm um have just a lingering cos sorry about that. Um, so yes. Um, all right. I'll follow up with Joanna to see if
she's seen it and andor Steuart if >> right >> hasn't been delivered to us >> and then I think um well yeah this is sort of the horse before the cart or I'm not sure the carts before the horse or something in terms of sort of the policies that we want to put in place
before we see actual applicants or whether the applicants actually drive the policies that we might think about adopting Um, >> good question. >> I don't have an answer to that, but it's just um it's just out there. If we
expect three, then obviously I'm not sure we can do three or you know, we could do three, but at a minimal basis. So, it's like, >> right. Plus, we have to see the spreadsheet, too. We have to run run the numbers, too. >> We're starting with Yeah.
>> Yeah. Yeah. All right. Rob and Kathleen. >> Yeah. So, I I guess um I'd just be curious of the details. Like I I think it's it's positive when you have a few that want to bond because you also you
also want to make sure that you have a few projects so that it's a large enough number that you can bond over so many years because we would I I don't think it's a good idea to bond for a project like justly park, right? So, I think I mean I think we're as we get into the
complication and the details, we're just going to want to see the math, Tom. And like to Cheryl's point is like how much of a percentage a year is that taken out? And then I I do think as a board we've been very fair over the years and I would like to see us continue that to
like you know let's just say if we you know bond for a parks project but then we have a historic project you know I think the remaining pie or whatever still is would be nice to split that and we would hate it would it would it wouldn't be a good thing for us if we
said like half of our budget every year would be to bonding. So I don't know Tom what the what the um like what other towns have done where they've given so much of their percentage up but I think it would be helpful to understand how other towns deal with it and then I I
know I've spoken to a few of you in the past though as well is if there is some of these projects like for instance the fire like if there's a big number of a bonding project is it potentially where you could raise the CPC for a number of for a potential number of years and then
and then bring it back. Um, you know, I I'm just, you know, I think the options there at some point, but >> just just to be clear, I mean, that is that is um theoretically conceivable, but it does require a vote of the voters
at the time on both ends of that transaction, right? They the voters would have to vote to raise it and then to lower it. Um, so >> so you would need a vote. So you couldn't I'm just curious. So you couldn't have a vote that says we're
going to raise the CPC double for five years. You would have to double it and then vote again. >> Yes. >> Correct. >> So it's so you couldn't actually make that promise to voters um because it would be dependent on a future vote to
to lawyers. >> That that that's kind of unfortunate though, you know, but >> yeah, it is what it is. >> That's that's that's the way that's the way it's structured. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Understood. >> Kathleen, [clears throat] >> mute. You're on mute.
Um, how many people, while Kathleen's getting off mute, how many people think Kathleen dresses up more for her um zoning zoning commission [laughter] than our our meetings? I mean, I'm not >> Are you taking a poll, Tom, or >> I'm not I'm not complaining. I'm not
>> There There she goes. >> I was dressed like this all day. [laughter] >> Perfect. Perfect. you you I deserve whatever I get back from you. >> Well, I'm working today. Yes. Um and uh so there is on the database ship in the back background.
>> Um like a huge ship in the background. >> There's a huge what ship? >> Wendy has one. >> A ship. >> Wendy has one. >> Kathleen always has like some kind of huge ship. >> Oh, that's a picture from something. This is the trash in my office,
which is a a picture of my dad with all the astronauts. That's a good one. But yeah, and a lot of trash. >> Anyway, um could I just say that there is a website um on page on the website at the CPC that lists all the bonded projects and in my experience, the
expensive ones are usually like redoing an entire field. Those are expensive. and town um halls are very popular for um CPC projects. >> Yeah. >> Um so um >> did you know and those were on you know
two two to five million bucks um and so there's even like like small towns like Drake um has done bonding for a couple of projects. They don't their their CPC money has got to be smaller than ours. Um I would suspect and um and and as I
said, you know, so there you can have them for a million, you can have them for smaller. Um there's some that are like only $75,000, which seems sort of funny to bond for that, but if you're a small enough town, you're going to have to bond for everything. >> Yes. >> I mean, that was the surprising thing about Stuart's report, I thought.
>> Yeah. I mean, there's some towns you, you know, they don't have any money, so there anything they're going to do for more than $35,000 has got to be bonded. So, that's to something to keep in consideration when you're thinking it. And I just don't know that a policy is
particularly good. I think you have to wait to see what you get. Um, you know, um, the fire station is probably after Peverly and after Wararf Park because that would be the Athetherton and they have to build the one in East Milton
first and that doesn't have any CPA money. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. Nor is it eligible for CPA money. >> Right. >> Right. Right. Um, nor is the restoration of the existing fire station, which
would be a silly idea. Um uh so um so I think we can't really say that we have a policy until we know what the ask is. >> Yeah, I agree. >> Yeah, >> but there's a pretty extensive list on the website of, you know, projects that have have been bonded.
>> Yeah, I was I was impressed that over half of the CPA communities have bonded. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> I mean, Rally's got to have a lot less money than we do. when they did the Girl Scout camp and a couple of open space purchases with CP with bonding. So, it
seems to be something that, you know, lots of people have to do. >> All right. Um, so I think we there's a couple homework things getting the bonding spreadsheet um getting uh a range of percentages uh in terms of the
revenue stream that goes towards paying off the bonds. Um, so I will endeavor to get both of those from Stuart andor Chase uh at the coalition and um and uh and check with Joanna to see maybe indeed she's in possession of that
spreadsheet, but uh if not uh uh remind um the coalition that they they owe us that deliverable. So all right um moving on. Um final approval of a report to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
Not sure what this is, but um but it's on their agenda. So, >> isn't that our annual report that we have to do every year? >> The CP3. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Pete, do you have an up Pete? You're on mute, I believe. Yep.
>> Pete, you're on. >> He's He's talking, but he's on mute. >> Um I've updated that every year that we've needed to and we will do again probably in September. Um there are a total of three reports that have to be
filed with the department of revenue. The town does two of them um because they're strictly financial and then the one which updates the status of uh projects I you know I've been doing >> and it'll be due in September. So I'll do it.
>> Okay. Okay. So this is premature in terms of >> Yeah. I don't know what how it got on the agenda but that's >> okay. And Julia, is there am I missing anything? Is there something that you wanted to bring to our attention on the on the agenda? >> It was muted.
>> Yep. Sorry. >> Um uh what exactly are you asking? Uh >> so on agenda item five, the final approval of the report to the Department of Revenue, Pete was saying he usually does that in September. Um, is there anything that you're aware
of that we're we should be we should be aware of as a committee? >> Um, not to my knowledge. I would I put it on the agenda according to what your your desires were. So, >> okay. None of us are quite sure why it's
on the agenda. So, that that's that's the reason for the confusion, I guess. So, okay. All right. So, we'll just keep, you know, uh, we'll check back in in September. U Pete with and thank you for staying on top of this. Um final approval of warrant articles. The
warrants out so I don't know. Um I think I know this meeting was rescheduled. U maybe at that time we needed to approve the warrant articles but I'm not sure. Do we need a formal vote to approve the warrant articles? I'm not I mean they're
already the warrants printed. I'm I'm holding in my hand. >> What do we do if we don't like them? [laughter] We have we have a unanimous recommendation unanimous vote on both articles from the um warrant committee.
Um [clears throat] and um uh Jenny and I had um a very pleasant two hours in front of the warrant committee and uh I think it was two hours, right Jenny? Um they asked lots of great questions. It was a really good exchange I thought.
Um, so, >> um, >> you were going to do a report to town meeting, right? >> Like you did last time. >> I I developed a I developed a a a PowerPoint u that was initially it's evolved a little bit, you know,
from Rob's first year town meeting PowerPoint. Um, and then, you know, I I adapted it last year. I've adapted it further this year. Um, I've used it now twice or we've used it twice. once at the warrant committee and then Pete and
Jenny and I all appeared before the select board um the week after we the warrant committee meeting and uh because the select board had some um um some concerns or questions about our funding.
Um so so that essentially is going to be the same PowerPoint that I would plan to use on at at town meeting on on um uh next week.
Um so Rob and Pete. So Rob first. >> Yeah. So I guess my only um you know as you said you you present it to the warrant, you present it to the select board, they had numbers of questions. So, um, it will it only be you, you're
going to do the presentation, Tom, to the town town meeting. So, then if town meeting members, if you go under the same scrutiny, right, and town meeting members come to you, um, you know, my my my um I just hope that, you know, we're
not under fire. I mean, luck like luckily every year, um, you know, it's it everything usually passes by a voter or or whatnot, but you know, I think you're, you know, you'll have to be prepared as we keep going on to like defend the process and and and and
everything. Um, and so I I mean, I guess at that point, you know, just be ready because town town meeting might be coming to you with questions to of the same kind of thing. And I would imagine that you you know as the as the chair you'll you'll be there to defend the
projects and the process and and such as well. >> Before I call on Pete I just to fill in everybody and just because I'm not I'm not sure you you watched with the your viewing pleasure. It wasn't the highest rated show on our our appearances before
the warrant committee the select board but um there was like I said in the warrant committee it was a overall it was a very good I thought back and forth and discussion. Um there were one of the common themes in both the warrant committee and select board. It
wasn't coming from every every individual on those boards of course but um one of the common themes was um uh concern about our support or lack of support perceived lack of support for
Pevely Park project. Um so we um there was some feed feedback we got both from Warren committee members and select board members that why are we um not fully funding Beverly Park? Um why are
we making them privately fund raise? Um we kind of our our our attitude about this or our not attitude but our response to this was to really hit hit them with facts. Um, Park is the third highest funding of any single project
we've ever funded. Um, it has $365,000 in awards from CPC if if this year's award is approved. Um, that's that's the third highest for any individual project. The other theme um and not to rehash everything, but the other theme
was we're funding too many studies and plans. Um, and that was that was kind of a theme. So, >> so like but to Tom Tom on that on that point I I >> let me just let me just finish Rob. Um we hit them with facts on that too. 9.6%
of our funding overall has been for studies and plans and uh we could break that out further because studies and plans are different. Um several of those probably most notably has turned into a project. Um and and many you know
there's other examples of of the plans that have turned into projects. So so that was um um you know that that was kind of some of the push back and I'll let Pete and and Jenny add to that. But um so Pete first and then uh and then
Rob or Jenny depending on who wants to talk. Yep. Pete. Um well my I raised my hand uh Tom to ask you to brief people on what the major issues were and I think you've done that you know quite
well. I would say that uh Tom was well prepared to address their questions and come back with facts and why we've done what we've done and emphasize particularly with the Beverly Park how,
you know, we've funded them three years in a row. um they felt it was um unfair to expect them to do as much private fundraising as they've been um saddled with. Um but they've you know
barely really started their private fundraising. So we'll see what happens there. One thing of concern to me is I mentioned how the town through its capital uh projects had funded so much
for the uh playground planners and have done that before and they seem to be saying that now with the CPC you know the capital project shouldn't do that and that gets to be into the issue of are we um are we supplementing
town funds or are we supplanting and they seem to really say that they weren't going to be coming up with capital money for these projects that can be funded by CPC. So, it's kind of supplanting, you know, what the town typically did
before. I don't know how we deal with that. Um, but I think I think we did a good job um particularly Tom in easing getting through these questions and easing them and things like that. For some reason, both committees seem to
have come loaded for bear, and I don't really know why. >> Yeah, I will I will say I mean, I think that's definitely true of the select board. Um the the warrant committee, while we had some tough questioning, you know, when Jenny and I left the
room, they they voted unanimously to support our our recommendations. So, I thought that was really and and if you read the write up in the warrant, you know, the recommendation, it reads very positively. Um, so I think
I'm not disagreeing with what Peach just said, but I I I thought we um hopefully, you know, tried to um directly answer some of those questions, Jenny, and then Rob, then Cheryl, and then Kathleen. >> Yeah, ditto. I mean, Tom did a great job
for sure. And I I think you are definitely well prepared for whatever is coming at you. Um there's no question about it. The only other um theme that I would bring up is the um why haven't I known more about this before
sort of [clears throat] question and sort of um I wouldn't say feigning ignorance, but bringing up the fact that the CPC doesn't um isn't out there enough for everybody to know about it all the time. So I actually thought that the level of questions was a great sign
of interest and involvement. Like they were like, "Oh, you guys are making decision about money, so we want to know more about it. We want to know about more about that process." >> Which I thought was a great sign in terms of engagement and um wanting to be aware of it. But the point of like uh
maybe the website could use a little bit of up um grading and a little bit more sort of public recognition of what the CPC does and the process was all well taken and um I I appreciated those questions for sure. >> One of the Warren committee members just
to that point just I think this is a great idea putting the applicant the applications make on the website you know making them public truly public the the actual applications. So, so I I like that full transparency. So, so,
>> uh, Rob, >> yeah. So, I I guess I just have a couple of points and and you guys know this as an architect and a planner, I I will go into planning for projects than just spending money on just projects just
because. And so, to Tom's point, we have I we've got many examples. So, Pely Park's one of them. we only spent 30 or you know $40,000 on a plan and then it's become a project, right? And so that's one example of like a a good outcome for
a project that we planned for and then we then funded it and and it's a big it's a big it's a big number there. Warf Park's another one >> Art Center Milton Art Center too, >> right? So, so there's all these examples that Tom can go back and say, "Listen, I
and you know, I'm sure plenty of other people on this phone call is the same way. Wouldn't you rather spend a little bit of time planning? We only have so much finite items of like whether it's architecture or land that I want to make sure and that we plan for these things correctly with a little bit of money so
that then they set up for better investments over the future and we're not just haphazardly planning." So, I'll say that's one thing. The other thing that um Jenny mentioned was communication. So um and I think what this committee does that does really well is that we have put in all these
all this place um we have the eligibility application. We have all we have all these things. So for me what's hard is to hear back the feedback from like the warrant committee and the select board to say why aren't we just funding these projects and to and and
that's what's really hard. What are we going to do? come back to to people is says, "Hey, we we're not going to fund you anymore. We're going to fund these other people." So, for me, it's also just letting them know that there is this big process in place and maybe we do need better communication. Maybe at
some point our chair needs to go to the the select board or whatever and and and we kind of fill them in. Um, but I think, you know, I I will just say, you know, kudos to this committee because I think we have a great process in place and and the fact that we go through this
and I think we're very fair with applications and everything that we go through. So, to stick to that and stick to our guns, I think it, you know, it's it's a good thing to get back and get the information. So, I appreciate your advocacy. Tom, >> you're on mute.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Um I agree with Rob, of course. I I think I've advocated for doing the planning work at the warf pretty strongly. Um because the budgets are only going to be as good as the planning work that you do in advance.
And it it doesn't make sense at all to to grant funding for a project that hasn't identified what the real costs are going to be. That it's just not the way things are done in the in the design world. So, parks and uh and buildings, that's the that's the norm. Uh you
wouldn't give a contractor a blank check just to go do the renovation project. Um the other thing that um I guess, you know, I'm not sure how you came to go to the select board, but you know, >> I was invited. We were invited.
>> And it's just one of those things like this committee has a role. And you know, it's I have found frankly with other committees that I serve on as a planning board representative that there are times when the work of those committees are called into question by those who may not agree with some of the
decisions. But, you know, I I appreciate that you uh from what it sounds like that you had to do some defending of the committee. I mean, the committee has a charge and it's, you know, and if someone doesn't like the decisions of the committee, well, that's okay. But
you know there's a procedure and process in place and uh people I think have generally have been pretty respectful of the work of committees and their recommendations respecting the time of each of the people who serve. And so I guess I'm I'm
curious what the background is and and maybe this isn't you know uh whether that's something that that in advance of that meeting you were given. I know Tommy you said you were invited but the select board doesn't actually have a role in this right an official role >> and so I kind of feel like it's an
overstep or in some ways maybe not an overstep but like a mis it needs to be clear to the public what the the role of the committee is what the process is you know so like and even the warrant committee and then the town meeting there's there's layers of review but are
we going to now have another layer of review I guess so I I this. >> Yeah. No, it's a good it's a good point, Cheryl. And and >> the way that requests uh the town administrator reached out to me and
said, "Chair Wells uh was uh would like me to as chair to come before the select board to um explain some of the decisions we or recommendations we're making. It was in the context I guess
of, you know, it was around the time that they were deciding on their recommendations. Um, I don't know if the select board actually has voted. Uh, I assume they have by now on on their recommendations. Um, I'm not aware what they might have voted um on our on
articles 34 and 35, but um um I appreciate some of the kind things people have said uh in the last few uh speakers. I I do want to say Jenny and Pete uh Pete wasn't there not there at the Warren Committee but he was there at the select board meeting and Jenny was
there at both and um yes I did a fair amount of the talking but um but I thought we worked well together as a team and uh and um it was also good to have a couple other folks uh representing this committee and and
having them hear from all three of us a pretty a very united front. Um, so, >> so one other thing just if I may, um, I'm concerned about the the idea that these funds would be used to supplant, uh, town, uh, support for other capital
improvements. Um, I think one of the exciting things about the things that have been funded are the grassroots efforts and uh I would hate to see those uh go by the wayside as a way to fill budget gaps that
>> one of should have been paid for out of operating budgets or capital budgets. >> I'm sorry, Cheryl, I cut you. >> Oh, it's okay. Um, one of the things we did, one of the other statistics, uh, we were cranking a lot of numbers leading into these meetings. And one of the other statistics we did is, um, what
percentage of our monies, recommend recommended money, you know, funds have been gone to what I termed as town departments or commissions and what percent are citizen-led initiatives. And
it's 6040. Basically it was 6139 with it with the balance the the the majority going to town departments but almost a full 40% it was 39% exactly I think um um going to
>> but but is that also because some things Tom come from citizens but then town departments kind of lead that effort so it's not exactly clear-cut >> yeah I tried to say who was the initiator of it right even though if it might have gone through a town department if if you know if it was
coming from um you know um you know so yeah you could probably you could probably you know uh some people you guys might take a look at my splitting of that um but but I I agree with you Cheryl I was trying to make the point
that um that is you know this is a grassroots law right this is this is a bubble up from the bottom you know type law voters vote for and they can vote it out. Um, and if we don't um kind of are not listening to our residents um you
know that that I think is um that is shortsighted on the part of this committee and I think we have been. So anyways, Kathleen and then we try to move on here. >> Call the CPC on the carpet.
>> Um you know that happens a lot um in other towns. in other so yeah don't I mean it's not surprising [laughter] and um and and I I also like Cheryl's point about the fact that you know we'd like to support efforts that come from
the citizens rather than you know paying bills that the town would otherwise you know have to pay themselves and I think that's just something we have to kind of pay attention to as the requests come in for this for the next year um because you know we shouldn't be treated as sort
of like a you know a town's the town's slush fund. Um, you know, it's just not that's not as as you said, Tom, it's not really the point of the exercise. And I think a lot of it is trying to remember, you know, like it we shouldn't be supplanting the normal kind of
maintenance that whatever that the town is supposed to be doing itself. Um, but I also go to Rob's point about the fact that, you know, studies then lead to to something because I've been sitting in on the conservation commission's um efforts with the neosit and that that's
going to be, you know, that gets off the ground. That's going to be amazing. And that >> uh Oh, we lost her. >> Froze River. >> The Panza River. She's frozen in the river.
Uh oh. >> All right. Well, if she comes back, we can let her finish her sentence. [laughter] >> She's really excited about the Nepanza River. >> I'm um I'm going to endeavor to try to find out if the select board has voted a
recommendation. I I >> I'm sure they have, I would guess, but my guess would be they have, right? >> Yeah. So, we can I can I can try. >> Do Do they take a vote, Tom? Did they take a vote that night, Tom, or No, >> they didn't. They didn't that night? No. >> Okay. But the warrant but just to recap,
the warrant committee unanimously voted in favor of these and then the select board also takes a vote or do they usually stay stay out of that fray? >> Um >> I wonder what they've done in the past because
>> Yeah, I don't really recall in the past. I guess we could look at >> So So maybe they haven't even voted. >> I don't know. It's a good thing to look. It's good. Good thing to see. >> I'll I'll try to look back and also just try to find out.
>> Um Yeah. >> I I'm curious too though, Tom. Let's just say um let's say no hypothetically if another board comes up and says we think we we should put four you know
let's fund Beverly Park for instance they couldn't necessarily do that right they can't they can't or a town meeting member even couldn't come up and say hey we want to get rid of this we we want to get rid of your recommendation and we want to fund this they couldn't
necessarily do that right they can't they can't they can't make a substitution, right? >> No, it's yes or no vote. >> It's a yes or no and that's it. They can't make they can't make substitutions either. So, >> no, it's our recommendation to town meeting that goes to the vote.
>> So, no, a town meeting you can't it would have to go back. We'd have to withdraw the article and go back to a meeting of the committee. >> And so, basically, they couldn't they basically just have to sync the whole article, right? everything that we would recommend and then it would have to come
back. >> So that comes to my point about why do we have these other levels of approvals? If we're supposed to make the recommendation to town meeting ourselves, why does warrant committee and select board also have to make their recommendation? It just seems like
>> Well, but by tradition, our warrant committee makes a recommendation on every article. Right. >> By tradition, >> right? Right. That does a I I should know this >> which is silly and which is a silly tradition because they shouldn't be doing that on planning board articles.
They shouldn't be doing it on zoning articles. >> I I concur. I concur. >> Everybody's got an attitude. >> But is it I I'm embarrassed I don't know this as a town meeting member, but does the select board issue a recommendation
on every article? >> It depends on the select board composition and chair, Tom, in my experience. >> Okay. Okay. Gotcha. Okay. So, it's possible. I'll go back to the tapes in the last couple
years and watch watch this article and see if the moderator asked for the select board's opinion. Um, >> we're the ones who I mean, according to the statute, we recommend it to the legislative body. I don't see where it says it has to get approved by the
select board. I mean they have the ultimate thing because the select board is in control of the warrant >> right >> itself >> right >> but there isn't any statutory requirement for the select >> right >> or the warrant committee right we lost
her again >> yeah all right let's let's do a little homework on this to see um see what they've done in the last couple years just So as part of our preparation for this year, you know, as a number of people have pointed out, it has passed
with, I think last year, one dissenting vote, the year before, two dissenting votes or something like that. It's it's been, you know, >> very minimal. >> This year's recommendation is very consistent with our approach in the first two years. Yeah. So I I can't
imagine town meeting um um doing anything different than other than approving this. But you know, but we'll be we'll be prepared and we'll make a presentation and and go through go through um um you know, you know, one of
the things last year was somewhat >> can I can I make can I make one recommendation? And I'm just wondering because it seems like some some confusion, Tom, over over like the select board or the warrant committee, at least from what we've heard. Could we
take like a a minute or something to explain the process again to town meeting just to say listen we've done the same process every year where we have these eligibility period we have a
funding period and then we make a decision on all these applications in the end of December. So, I I think that may be helpful to just like reiterate. >> There's a slide in there, I think. If not, I can insert one about our process in our timeline. And I think that's a
good suggestion. Um, I don't want to get too defensive about >> Yeah. Yeah. Not not too, but just to like like inform people like, hey, we do have this process and we do it, you know, just so people aren't like, hey, they're just kind of >> going willy-nilly about it.
>> All right, Jenny. Um well just whether I mean despite whether the requests are warranted or not from these various committees, it's not a bad idea to show up, >> right? >> Because it gets the word out and it shows who we are and that we're happy
and excited about the what we've got before us. And I would say that we should respond to any and every um committee that wants to hear about what we do because it's just good PR. >> Yeah. So I guess the question becomes if they committee says we don't like your
allocations and we think you should put more to parks and less to housing or whatever it is then what do we do with that? It's one thing if it'sformational but when they're actually taking a vote on whether they support what we're doing and there's no statutory basis for it. I
guess it's the point is just to be clear it if if it'sformational we'll take it under advisement right but if if it they don't have a a >> it shouldn't have a superseding authority over our recommendations >> on those boards is is my point
>> yeah I think it would be clear about it >> yeah I think that's right but my sense is they just got interested and informed and it's like well how do you do this it's like I want to know more and it's like what you're allocating how much to open. >> But but I think I I think you know the
the committee over the last three years or four years what I will say is it's been a very fair committee where we've tried to do the third a third a third right and as much as we can um and I
think that's easily defendable Jenny you know like this was the statue of the law for the CPC and to say that we as a board take that same you care in that that we go for the third, the third and third because that's kind of the
mission. Um, you know, that that's only my own personal thoughts, but I I I think, you know, um it's easily defendable, you know, to say, hey, we're we're very equal across the board. >> It's all defendable. >> Yeah. >> Anyway, carry on. Carry on, Tom.
>> No, [laughter] I I Yeah, I I think it was um Jenny just hit on something, too. I think we we went in with a very positive attitude and um tried to overwhelm our questioners with positivity um
because we feel really excited and I know I you know just talking to each of you individually and you know we feel excited every year about the projects we're able to fund and uh and the feedback I personally have gotten from other town meeting members.
you know, it's it's definitely a good news thing in Milton. Um, and um, we just like to spread the good news more. So, um, to Jenny's point, but so I think Cheryl's, you know, point is a good cautionary point, but I I I would just
say, Cheryl, let's, um, they haven't gone there yet, and so let's not kill them for, you know, there was a sports radio talk show host who used to say, let's not criticize the team for something they haven't done yet. Um, so, um, so let's, um, you know,
let's keep a, you know, keep an eye on all of that. But, um, but, um, I think I think we'll be in in good shape. Um, uh, the one thing I was going to say is, uh, last year, the first year was an obvious thing, right? Rob asked for it to be out of the
consent agenda because we wanted to educate people. We continued that tradition last year. arguable, right? Second year, maybe we didn't have to do it. You know, we pulled it out of the consent agenda. Um my before all of this happened, my
feeling was we should also pull it out of the consent agenda and and potentially every year going forward. >> Every year we should >> because it is a good news story. It's a positive thing >> and it's also a to Jenny's point a really excellent and un unparalleled
opportunity to promote um the CPA generally and and get people thinking about other applications. Um but is that the consensus of this group that we should pull it out of the consent agenda again? >> Absolutely. >> I I absolutely agree. >> I mean I think it gives us a great
opportunity. >> Yeah. Right. >> Okay. That's I just wanted to make sure I was on the same page. I thought >> and and I think and I think town meeting members appreciate that report, right? They're like, "Hey, what are we doing?" >> At 11 o'clock at night, though.
>> No, I mean that's true. Um Yeah, you're right. But >> but that we have no control over that. We have no control. [laughter] >> All right. Okay. Sounds good. Um let's just continue on. And I the hour is creeping along. So I I I um so
discussion of temporary and permanent signage on funded projects. Um I know we have wanted to talk about this. Um it feels to well I'll open it up to see what people have to say about this. It
feels to me a subcommittee um maybe is the best place to deal with this. This gets fairly detailed on a project bypro basis. So, um, let me open the floor for some initial discussion at least. Rob. >> Yeah, I I I absolutely think we should
start thinking about a permanent signage of especially like large funded projects. I think we want a permanent plaque or something. Um, but I do agree with you, Tom. I think it should be a subcommittee that maybe it's two or three members on this committee that
looks at it. I know we had the signs and whatever that we put in this, but I just don't think it's good enough now that we we should look at more permanent funded things. Um, but I I think we should make a subcommittee. That is my, you know, suggestion. >> Jenny,
>> I recommend Rob to be head of that subcommittee. [laughter] >> Sounds like an excellent suggestion. >> Yes. All in favor >> you by acclamation. So you need a couple me you need a member or two, Rob,
though. >> Yeah. Um >> any any other volunteers? >> Oh, come on. >> No one. Oh, there we go. There's Kathleen and Pete. >> Kathleen and Pete. Okay. All right. That's good. So Rob, Kathleen, and Pete
are the um are the uh temporary and permanent signage subcommittee. >> And just as a um I suppose in principle, I would suggest that um no project
doesn't deserve a sign. [laughter] Or let me flip that around. Every project deserves a sign. >> That's Yeah. Yeah. whether it's I think the question is is whether it's permanent or temporary and you can always start with temporary and then make it into a
permanent one depending upon the size of the project or size of the grant that kind of thing. The challenge here is going to be, you know, every lots of different >> lots of different types of projects or whatever. So, I think it's going to be trying to figure out like parameters or
guidelines so it has a similar look, but the question is is like there's many different projects, right? I I could imagine the Forbes house for for one, right, is something that like once it finally goes, like we'll want to plaque and and so we're going to have to also
figure out different projects to do it. You know, one for instance I would love to see is the guy the the the the Guof field LED lighting that should be there like on a stone or something, you know, because that was a huge amount of money that we put towards that. And how many
people in the community know that? But if they come there and see it, it's it would be a good thing. So, um, you know, we'll have a more discussion and and kind of meet meet and figure out what we would have to do, but there will be a probably a number of different guidelines that we'll have to do because
of the different projects. >> So, can you um Rob and your committee come up with a recommendation for the uh summer meeting? >> Yeah. So, the next one >> Yeah. Like a >> that would be right. Yeah. So I'm putting I'm developing an agenda for
that summer meeting the reports from previous you know discussion about reports from previously funded projects you know and setting up a system for that as we talked about communications I put um sort of you know websites that
type of stuff um I think would be a good >> why why don't we put it on for the June June >> signage >> why don't we do the June 24th meeting to like put it on as agenda item and then maybe we can meet between the time to figure out get some parameters on. >> Well, not the June 24th, man. I think
what Jenny was talking about is the the unscripted the yet unscripted, although it's starting to get scripted um summer meeting. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. After after those >> after we get through the eligibility applications, I think more time on that. Okay.
>> Just FYI, um I did uh Julian back me up on this, but we do have signs. There already are some signs left over from the last printing as I recall. Is that right? >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, we still have those signs that I made three years ago or whatever that we we still put up. Yeah. >> Okay.
>> Some of them left. Yeah. >> Okay. Yeah. I mean, to be honest, we should still continue to do that. If there's if there's projects in construction or motion, I think we should absolutely continue to put them up, the temporary signs. But I I I'm more concerned about the permanent signs
cuz I think, you know, the the more permanent, you know, plaques and such that we can put in is would be good. I just don't know, you know, we'll have to figure out how much the these things cost and and whatever else. I can't imagine it's a huge fund, but it's a
it's it's going to cost something. >> So, um All right. So I um number nine is um so thank you Kathleen and Pete and Rob for stepping forward on that. Um
number nine is the discussion of CPC website page improvements and social media strategy. Let's do a similar thing here in terms of I wouldn't recommend a subcommittee that for this, but I'd like to open it up just to see if there's specific um Julia's made a couple um um
you know updates um over the last since the last meeting u based on things that were identified and you know updating the the timeline and a couple small language changes there. Um I'm experimenting. We do have
a very informal um because no one told me I couldn't do this, but at on Instagram at Milton_CCPA um we have an Instagram page. Um and we've we've put uh projects up. Um I'm
still kind of amazed that this is how the town operates, but um [laughter] um but no one has, you know, told me I can't do that. And um I don't think there anyways um so right now we have a Milton_CPA
that is the that u I set up um and then I've used some of the some of the uh slides in the presentation before the warrant committee. I' I've reposted those. Um but there's a lot more we could do obviously with pictures of
projects and all all that type of stuff. Wait till Elon Musk hears about you, [laughter] >> right? Shut that down. So, um so I would like to put this under the communications um agenda item for
that July or August meeting. Um um and have a a more wholesome discussion of that. Um, and maybe by then we can also get some feedback from um, um, I think I asked Julia this and there is isn't really anybody, but there's no
one on town staff that has social media under their purview. Is that correct, Julia? >> Um, yeah. There's there's a town website. Um, and I'm happy to go take pictures of
what's been done for the um, CBC um, projects and then post them to the town website. That's what you you're looking for, >> right? But it's it's very decentralized. I guess it's up to up to every committee
or board on its own to to do that, right? There's no there's no central communications staffing. >> No, not really. No. >> Yeah. Yeah. Rob, >> um I I I'm just thinking here out loud
is like could we do potentially like a video or something that says, you know, what's happened with CPC funds over the last four years and go visit in town any projects that have been successful in the last four years that I think could
be um influential where like we could put post that out, Tom, to your Instagram, whatever, and just you know and I don't know we would have to we would have to think about you know we would have to go through all these projects that have gone out we we funded
them and they've been successful so I think just making a list and I think it's really important also just to make sure that it is across all the three categories too right and I think winter valley is one that I can think of um you
know um you know what's the the historic uh preservation projects that we've done in town Um, has there been any any that we've actually completed to date? I know there's was the town lock >> forb >> the Forb's house and the fence the fence
up at the observatory. >> Okay. So So yeah, like maybe it's the the fence at the observatory and then there's been a number of parks parks um projects that we've completed. >> Cemetery. >> Oh, the gardens. You're right. Yeah, that's true. I mean, you know, but how
many people actually That's the thing, right? as like how many people actually even know about where that garden is. Um, and I think that helps. Maybe someone if you put that out in the video and we said, "Hey, go out there and see look for it." Then maybe it would also
give them um some publicity to to say, "Hey, you know, this is a garden that's people could go visit." So, um, you know, I think we could do it and it would be helpful and continue to help the CPC as as we continue to fund projects.
Danny, >> I think a video is a great idea, Rob. Um, but I think it's also part of a larger picture um that needs to be thought about in terms of the communication writ large of the CPC within the town. And I I would re
recommend that um we take some administrative funds and hire a consultant basically um to help us think about it and to set up some guidelines and to help us do it. >> Now I don't know what's the process of doing that. I have no idea within this
town body how that works. But, you know, I would recommend allocating whatever, I don't know, 10 grand or something that, you know, sort of over the next year to think about >> like a social media group or whatever that says, hey, >> what what social media campaign could we
do? And then put an RFP out or something and then say, "Hey, what do we need to do >> to like advertise this?" I think it's a good idea. >> Photographers on hand and all kind of stuff. So, to keep it sort of rolling. >> Yeah. I I mean I like that idea. I don't know what others think, but I I you
know, hiring people is a good way to get it, you know, to that it's done and it doesn't go on ours and get it forward. >> Yep. My only Well, let me call on Wendy and then we can come back to Wendy. >> Thanks, Tom. Um so um Georgia Lee who
was the applicant from the Milton Garden Club about the um about the garden that we funded. She actually did quite a lot of social media outreach um about the progress of the project and um beautiful
pictures and um nice writeups that she did on the various different media outlets. um we could maybe use that like as a template. Um and frankly I I feel like we should also ask that of specifically
ask that of of our applicants. Um, you know, if they're if they're not able to to manage the technical aspects of of the social media accounts, then at the least they could do is provide us with
the write up of what what they would like to see posted and the photographs. Um, certainly a way to to save some money and make sure that it gets done. Um, but but you know, I I think uh it might be worth digging back
through um um some of the the Milton um media postings and seeing what Georgia did. She did a really nice job, I have to say. And I believe that was something that we specifically asked of her >> um to do because we were concerned about
about the visibility of of the guardian project, right? >> Was that most um I think that's right, Wendy. Was that mostly on Facebook or on like the Milton Garden Club's Facebook page or do you know where that was posted? Because I >> She did it both as Milton Garden Club um
Facebook page and website >> um as well as a newsletter, but more importantly she did it also for um the townwide media things um you know >> like everything everything Milton and
Milton neighbors and stuff. >> Yes. >> Okay. Cool. Cool. That it would be good to maybe re research some of the archival stuff and and take a look at that because that um we had no way to amplify that in the past. So um right
>> and in terms of our own channels, but yeah, but that's a that's a really good point. >> I'll dig it up and and uh send you guys the link. One one question I have, Tom, is like at least for people that could do this. There's a local company, Jack
Rabbit. I don't know if anyone of you guys know, they they do my my business's website. They are a Milton business, and that this is exactly what they do. They do social media websites, all that stuff. Um, and so they might be an outfit that they look for. But I don't
know. So the question is is like do you put this out to an if the if the committee wants to do something like this, do they go out and look for like an RFP and put it out to to people or is that something that we could just do the research on to figure out if we want
someone to help us with social media and and advertisements and whatnot? >> Subcommittee. I think if it's under a certain dollar amount, it's we can do it without an RFP. But go ahead. Who was somebody was just talking?
>> Uh, it's me, Julia. I'm happy to go take pictures of what's been done and post them to social media. Um, and um, you know, put the sign out there and, uh, you know, show
whoever wants to see it what what we've been doing. Great. >> Wendy. >> Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to keep my hand up, but >> but I'm just thinking I mean, Julia, your your time is it's so valuable.
Would Wouldn't it be easier and faster for us just to send an email out to to um to our applicants and ask them to to send you a picture? I'm sure they all have them at their disposal. >> They don't, though. it that that's been
the frustrating part of this is that I've been constantly trying to get feedback on the status of certain projects and nothing has come of it. >> So, um if if if I can just go take a
picture of whatever has been accomplished and then post it to social media, I think that would be um a good way to go forward with this. >> Wow. Wendy, you're being optimistic that >> Wendy, you're being optimistic that
people are going to send in pictures. >> Honestly, I just I cannot imagine somebody receiving grant money, not responding to a request from a grant administrator like that. It It just blows my mind as as I'm sitting here like, you know, writing writing my own
report for a grant for for for work. Like, what? Why don't people do this? I'm just curious like Pete you might have a better handle on it is like with our administrative funds that we set aside every year with 5% there's no way
we we use that 5% right we only use like a a minute amount of it >> yeah about 50% last year >> okay so I I don't know my own feeling because I have my own business is we often look at these things and say hire somebody right we're like listen hire
somebody and get it and run it off because you know, it's going to be done and I think you could probably do it for a decent amount. It wouldn't cost like a tremendous amount, but then they're a hired gun that like I think a video because like you know doing a video
that's more professionally shot and and doing some of the branding. I personally think that that's a that's a a good way to go about it, but you know, I'm I'm curious what others think. >> [laughter] >> Yeah, I I think um I mean I my I like
the hired gun approach too. My concern about it is how much we can get for what we're willing to spend which is probably not a high dollar figure. You know, if you know a $10,000 contract, I don't know what that buys you in the
communication space. Uh for in, you know, just to make up a number. Um and and what I'm concerned about a little bit is they come in and make these recommendations that we can't maintain um with volunteer labor necessarily. Um
so it it it it's a it's a investment in more spending. >> Yeah. >> Now maybe we want to do that. Um I'm not I'm not actually prejudging this. I think I think it it it might be a worthwhile investment certainly and goes
to the previous conversations we've had about communications, letting people know around town, letting people feel proud of what we're able to fund here. Um, but it I mean maybe we we bring a Jack Rabbit in for an exploratory
conversation uh initially to say this is our challenge. um this the you know we get we get zero help from professionals on the um um on the town side um and um you know communications professionals um
obviously we get a lot of help from Julia but you know but just we you know it's amazing to me that we have a you know what whatever our budget is and we have no one dedicated to town communications basically. Um it's just
it's that's that's just astounding. >> Yeah. >> Well well the one plus to that is right is like a jack rabbit I think inviting them in if we wanted to do that is like they also are a hometown like the guy who owns it lives in Milton. So he also has an invest you know he has an
interest because this is in Milton. So I don't know. >> Yep. All right. Um Wendy has her hand up and Pete has Wendy. Sorry, I I didn't mean to. >> Oh, okay. So, Pete,
>> um, well, two things. [clears throat] The idea of having somebody like Jack Rabbit come in and just talk to us a little bit about, you know, communications recommendation for somebody like us is a good one. The other thing is Tom, you could set up another subcommittee to talk about
communication strategies and the things that we might want to in preparation for getting together with like a jack rabbit or something. I think we can for under $10,000 we can just go hire somebody. >> We don't have to put out an RFP or something like that. I agree. I don't
know if that's going to be sufficient. But, um, you know, I I think if a couple members wanted to get together and kind of come up with some ideas about communication strategies that we might consider, >> I think that'd be a good good way to go. Per
>> personally, I don't think 10,000, you know, I think that's a good amount of money. unreasonable too where like you know I I I would hate to see it be more than that but it's worth at least making an introduction or whatever and asking them and maybe you scale it back say you know this is what we would want. I I'm
just thinking personally like a video could go a long way if you put it up on social media or whatever right and it was professional then I think that could hit a lot of eyes um you know >> yeah video is where it's at right now in social media and um I I agree with you
Rob. think I think that could be a really um powerful tool for us to continue to promote it. Um so um Rob, can you make an introduction for me with the Jack Rabbit? >> Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, I know I know
the owner and everyone. Yeah. Yeah, sure. No problem. Cheryl, >> I just wanted to um mention that one of the committees and I'm trying to remember if it was the climate action planning committee or the local historic district study committee, but on the town website they had a link to a
separate website where they had um they could control like what it looks like, what it feels like kind of content better. >> And I'm wondering if we want to think about that and that's something we could speak to Jack Rabbit about. I I think that's an excellent idea.
>> It It's hard, right, though, because like we want it to be when you go to the town of Milton, you have a website there, but then what you're suggesting, Cheryl, is like you have another website outside of it, right? >> Well, you would have a link on the town website that would take you to that one
>> because the town specificate, >> right? >> Right. But you would still have certain website. >> Sorry, Tom. >> No, that's all right. We keep talking. you would still have certain basic things on the town website. Matter of fact, a lot of the legally obligated
things, but but maybe for the beauty um you click off the town website for the video for the >> you know the pictures Julia is talking about and all all that type of stuff that that really tells the story in a little more um accessible way.
>> So all all things we can consider. I just know that what's going to come with an outside website and all that is a bigger cost, right? I I know because we're gonna go through this right now with my own business and we're looking out and it's guys, we're talking about $100,000 or something to go out to do
their own, you know, to redo websites and whatnot. So, um, just something to consider. But I could see doing video or like social media. I think that would be more reasonable. >> Yep. All right. So I Rob's gonna send me
introduction. Yeah, Linda, I'll get you in a second. Uh I was gonna ask if anybody would like to um come with me to have a just a informal meeting initially with the with the Jack Rabbit people. Um okay, Jenny, thank you. Um and um we can
we can just have an initial conversation or a cup of coffee and just explore things and then come back to this group with >> You guys know where they are, right? They're literally right in East Milton there. Yeah. Yep. Okay. >> So, Linda, >> I guess the concern that comes up is
that then uh we have to take into consideration the idea that it needs to be maintained, that this is not just a oneshot deal, but that we will need to >> keep something in our budget to maintain this in the future as well.
>> No, I think we have to be cognizant of that. That's a very good point. >> Yeah. Especially if it's a website or something, then you've got like maintenance. So we got to be careful about that. But >> Yep. >> Yep. >> All right. Good. Um All right. I think we have a good plan in there. Um
communication with select board for length of time of terms for CPC members. So I asked to put this on the agenda. Um so um we were all appointed last year under false pretenses.
>> Um we are in violation. uh the the appointments we received from the select board were in violation of our bylaws and uh the bylaw that set up the Milton CPC.
Um we are supposed to have staggered terms so that no more than a third of this committee could turn over in any given year. Right now all of our terms are ending in June June of 2025. that is not appropriate uh or or consistent with
with our bylaws or good practice. Um uh not not to mention good practice. Um so I don't think the select board did that nefariously. I think they they were unaware of that. Um but we need to
communicate um that to the select board. Obviously, tomorrow is the election, so we should wait till there's a new select board uh seated, but that we won't have to wait too long on that. Um um and then
I guess I would propose just a simple letter that I could draft to go to the select board informing of this, informing them of this, informing them of this. And um and um I'm not sure how
we get back on the track, but but I guess I guess we have a third of us appointed for one year, a third of us appointed for two years, and a third of us appointed for three years um going forward. So, can you can you just I I'm
I'm curious because we have three town representative. Is it three or two? Three town representatives and then six boards that are representative, >> right? >> So, I I guess what I'm curious about cuz um you know, I just got back on the
committee again, right? And I don't know how long that term is, but you know, we we the the parks board voted. And I would imagine other boards are going to have to vote for their members as well, Tom, as we go through. And does that
happen yearly or does it happen I I like I'm curious what happens that way? And then I'm also curious because the town um the select board appoints the other three and those those were different terms, I thought. So I I guess I just don't know.
>> It might be it might be just the three citizen members as we call them. Um it's it those have to be staggered terms but but but somehow >> the even the yeah you know the planning board the affordable housing trust the
you know the parks and wreck you know I think technically they had terms too. they have, you know, um, >> yeah, I think there were three-year initial terms, but now we're in our fourth year, so that's the other big thing. >> But isn't the affordable housing trust
isn't a statutory member of the CPC? >> It is actually. >> It is actually, I think, amend. >> No, no, not the state statute, Kevin. When Milton When Milton passed the bylaw, >> the affordable housing trust got added
in as a >> sixth guaranteed seed or >> Yeah, because I knew we weren't in the state. >> Correct. So So it says three years, Tom. So we're in our fourth year. So did they when they redid everyone's last year, was that another three-year term? >> No, they they did everybody for a
one-year term. >> Okay. >> The select board did. So, and and that's so I I might need some legal help on this, Kathleen. >> Let me take a look >> to help draft a letter select board, but I think I think um with everybody's permission, I would like to just
communicate that to the select board going forward so that >> in July or whenever they're making the new appointments, we we kind of get off on the right start here. >> We we also have one vacancy, right? Because Joe Duffy will be moved off. So,
we're going to have one vacancy >> housing authority will have to name a replacement, right? >> But then does every board I guess there's six of them. Do they vote every year to put another representative on or or whatever? You you're agree you're saying not to do that because that's
that's bad for the board. Like that's not great for the board. You need some continuous people. >> We should get into a habit that everybody's got a three-year term, you know, like >> Yeah, I agree. Yeah. Yeah. So, so um but we're going to have to move to that by
having some one-year terms, some two-year terms, and some three-year terms initially. So, >> Tom, you'll have to think about that, too, because planning board's three-year term, which would mean that the member would have to join the first year and stick stay on that each year.
>> Well, the planning board votes every year for the uh committee appointments. >> Yeah. Yeah. So, um, yeah, the Affordable Housing Trust, I think, just voted once to appoint me, and I don't think has,
um, I don't know. I I can't remember. Actually, I shouldn't say that. But, um, anyways, we need to >> what would why didn't Shouldn't we also take stock in where we all are at on our terms or whatever? >> Well, everybody's Everybody Everybody has one year and that's it.
>> Everybody's up in a couple months. >> Yeah, that's not great. just because that's the way the select board did it last time. So, I'm just saying we should correct that error. Um, I'll work with if with if with with Kathleen if she's willing to and and try to draft something to get ready for Yeah.
Blackboard um and and communicate that. >> Uh Pete, um since the people that are rep the six people who are representing boards and it's up to the board, I don't think they have to get terms. They just the board, you know, appoints
who they want to and whether they do it, you know, appoint Rob and he's on it until they tell him they don't want them to do it anymore or every year they've got a vote. I don't know. It seems to be >> we just have to look and see that would be right if it was the statute Phil, but
I don't know what I have we have in our bylaw whether that makes it any different. >> So I have to I have to read that. >> Yeah, we should. seem to me that the three that are appointed by the select board, maybe those are staggered terms or something. >> I know when we started my term was
different than everybody else's for some reason, >> right? Well, you had you had two years and then the other two had >> we started out with staggered terms the first year when I was chair. >> That's right. >> We did. Y >> and that's where that's where it makes sense because if you're a citizen, you
can just it's nice because you may not be elected on, you know, you it may not change over. I think that might be something that we should consider. And I think that last year I my term carried over and Julia you could check
that because you've got everybody's terms figured out somewhere. So I thought mine was on a different schedule than everybody else but maybe Julia can look into that. >> Who's who's the other citizen? >> Maybe >> Oh, it's Kathleen. Kathleen, right? Yeah.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. The zoning board of appeals doesn't have a have a member. >> I'm kidding. Thank God. >> Why? [laughter] Well, you don't care. >> Do whatever you want. Fine.
>> And I guess concerning the um the citizen representatives, it's not clear how we are elected or rotate either despite the terms. It's like at some point those should be open positions, right?
>> Yeah. Well, well, >> and they were I applied for this, >> right? Has there been bit? I'm just curious. >> You applied to who? >> I applied to the select board, >> right? >> As a volunteer. >> The bylaws do set that out. The select
board gets to appoint the citizens representatives, the three citizens representatives. So, uh, but they should just not appoint all three every year. >> I get that. >> I get that. at at this time I think Tom it would be good to do one you know one
every year right to do a one year two-year three-year term so that yes >> it's staggered over those three that makes sense >> yeah so right >> Jenny gets a one-year term Pete gets a two-year term gets three or vice versa yeah >> whatever we do >> other way around [laughter]
>> yeah but does the select board then I mean do they have an open recruitment process for those for the three slots I mean that process isn't clear. >> Well, that's >> Well, they it's the same as it is for all the all the boards and commissions in the town. >> They should they should, but I don't
think we can dictate to that to them. Um that that, you know, I mean, we >> it was one of the questions from the Warren Committee. It's like how do you guys, you know, how do we ensure representation diversity >> diversity of representation on the committee? So, the select board or the
select board's office has um a form, an online form that people can fill out and they can um express which border committee they'd be interested in joining and then uh one opening uh occurs, they can let they let the chair
of the committee know that there's these folks. The chair would then when the chair knows there's an opening, chair can go to the select board's office and say, "Do you have anybody who's already expressed interest in this committee?" Is the way it's been done in the past.
>> So, what's Rich Ber doing on this list? >> So, even this is old, right? Because you have Teddy Carol, Rich Beer. Yeah. >> This is not an accurate list. >> This is old. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> It's a year. Yeah. December 23. >> Yeah. Right. Right.
Okay, I'll take a look at the bylaw. >> Okay, thank you, Kathleen. Um, all right, let's um the last uh No, let's see a couple things. Uh, review of the bylaws actually. Uh, Jenny um I think asked to
put this on. I don't know. Obviously, one of the reasons for this was this art this item we just discussed uh the review of the bylaws, but I think it triggered Jenny, if I remember our discussion, um maybe we should just review the
bylaws in general to see if there's anything else that's um not being um followed um the way the bylaws set it out. But um but Jenny, I don't want to speak for you, but was that your your thought? I can't remember what I think
it was relative to the terms. I think I'm sure it was, but that was what triggered it, but I didn't know. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, I think that was it. >> Or full. Okay. All right. That's that's what I thought. >> Um and then, um CPA plan updates. Um so,
circulated Julia circulated uh the updated CPA plan. We finally made some progress. Rob I wanted to thank because he he downloaded a whole bunch of um both photos and um uh tables and charts
that were in the original plan so that we could put up you know obviously we're using >> them updated >> we're using reusing some of them but not some of them need to be updated. So, so, um, I've gotten, um, some really good
edits, uh, from from Jenny and from I think Pete. >> Pete. >> Yeah, I think Pete did, >> too. Pete and Jenny. >> Um, and historically Wendy and Linda have looked at it. Um, so I think at this point most people have looked at it. Um, Cheryl and Rob, if you have any
and Kathleen, if you have any final edits, um, I think we're ready to put it together. Can you can you send like do we definitely have you made the draft with these updates in from >> so I was waiting for No, I was waiting
for tonight or in the aftermath of tonight. Um so I did not put Pete >> because I I need to ask Eileen to do this. My wife Eileen. >> Yeah. Right. Right. Right. >> Speaking of proono contributions >> because it's in in design. >> It's in design. It's in in design.
>> That's how I did it. a graphic design software is a graphic designer fortunately. So, she's been helping me make these edits. So, I didn't want to ask her to make some edits that then again we'd have to go. So, I want to just bring all the edits to her and make them all at one
time. Um, so we've made some progress. I I I think Pete and Jenny's suggestions were great. Um and um so I'm just this >> last call last call for you know like if you don't have me further edits any
further edits by the end of the week we're gonna we're going to put this to bed basically. >> Well could could we I I guess what I'm asking Tom is could you can you ask Eileen to put in Pete's and Jenny's recommendations and then send it back
out to us to review it one last time and then we put it to bed by our next meeting. Yeah, we I absolutely that was my plan to do that, but I'm this is just a call for people that might feel like they haven't had one last crack at it to to to give me any final edits that we
could include in that final draft. >> Hey Tom, um Wendy has her hand up. >> Yes, I'm aware. >> I just wanted to let let you know I I had also sent you um edits to the open space section. Those are those are
already in there. Those are already in there. >> Um from from March 17th. >> From March 17th. >> Yeah, that's when I sent them to you. >> He included them. >> I'm 100% They're They're in there. Yeah.
>> Okay. I Okay, [clears throat] thank you. I just want to make sure that you had received them. >> Yes. Oh, I received them and I appreciated them and they're in the in the um in the draft that is currently exists. >> Great. Thank you.
>> So, >> Tom, in the is that the one in the folder that has the title 2025.04.15TC CPA plan? There's another one 2025 CPA plan_TC. Um, I don't have it in front of me, but
those sound There's two of them. >> There's two two files. I if I I just I guess if Sorry, I haven't had a chance to look at it, but I will try to look at it, but I'm just to save myself time. Is one of those more current than the other? That's my question.
>> It's a good question. Um, I don't know if Julia, you have it in front of you. Um, >> it looks like there were two from April 15th that were uploaded. H. Is there a difference between the two, Julia, that you know of?
>> Um, I think they were they they were I'm trying to remember. I I think that they were the same. I'll have to go back and and check on them, but if they were the same, if they were dated the same
um at the same time, then they were um the same. >> Yeah, they should have been the same. Um so, it's under CPA plan, right? >> Yeah. CPA plan. >> I don't know what that little blue icon
thing means for the first one. the blue tick marks. >> I don't see the blue tick marks, but >> Oh, I think that's for new. >> Yeah, it is. >> Oh,
so maybe that's the newest. >> Just trying to quickly look at them to see I can didn't know any difference. Um, I think those are [clears throat] I'll have to take a, you know, another
look at it one day, but I I think that's the same document. But um yeah, I don't I mean I'll I'll I'll send an email around after I I review it, but I'm pretty
there were there wasn't an update within the same day. So So I I think for some reason they got um named twice, but um but I I'll take a I'll I'll take a closer look at that and communicate that back to the committee.
Excuse me, >> Tom. And in and um terms of the audience for this um that was one thing I was sort of trying to figure out as I was reading through it. I was okay, who's likely to read this. [laughter] >> I think I think um I've been impressed
that over the last three years applicants read it. >> Many applicants have referred to the plan in their applications. Um, and just in informal conversation, people have told me they've read it, you
know. So, I think that's the primary audience is the applicants. Um there's potentially other audiences obviously too, but but I think um it's hopeful hopefully
helpful for for the applicants. But [clears throat] so um so what's a reasonable um this is a busy time of year. I know we have an election tomorrow and we have um lots of stuff going on with MBTA
communities and whatever, but so I don't want to be unreasonable about this, but I also this has obviously been hanging out there um for a long time and I want to I want to bring it to uh successful conclusion and have an approved plan at our next meeting. Um so
>> you you're only missing sort of anything the final sign off from me and one other person. So I think everybody else has already looked good. >> Yeah. >> Cheryl, Kathleen, and Rob are the three I haven't. And it's fine, you know, >> and I started to look. I mean, I didn't
have anything major, so you know. Okay. Yeah, >> it's perfect, Tom. >> It's perfect. That's what I want to hear, Rob. That's exactly what I um um this will be the bane of my >> I mean, I was okay. I was okay with it. I didn't really have any major things.
>> Okay. Um, >> well, I could take a last look and say, "Oh, yeah. Okay, fine." >> So, if people could take a last look by this week, basically by the end of the week, and then we'll do we'll do some of the final edits next week and um and it'll be ready for official vote at our
first meeting of the year or first not meeting of the year. >> June June June >> of the first meeting of the June. So >> I looked at the bylaws and um the committees appoint their own people for three years and so the select board only
has to deal with the three of us who are don't have titles. >> Okay. >> It's got to be it's got to be hard though, right? Like so the the question is if the committees do the three-year appointments,
you know, there there could be some members that leave, you know. >> Well, that happened to me. I I was because I was on the planning board and then you get reelected. So So the committee appoints the next person. >> Right. Right. Right. Yeah. It's on them. It's on them.
>> Yeah. >> On that. >> So they can fill the vac they can fill the vacancy. >> They fill the vacancy. >> Right. So you could get So that makes sense though. You get three years and then if that person leaves then the the committee comes up. It they don't have to do it every year. >> No. >> Yeah. So that makes sense.
>> Yeah. So the only thing we have to address is the the three of us who are citizens members who needed to have been appointed for staggered terms. >> I guess so the letter is pretty pretty simple to the select board. It's like appoint one of them for one year, one of
them for two years. Well, no. The way it goes is that three members are appointed. Two members to be appointed for initial term of one year and thereafter for a term of three years and one member to be appointed for initial term of two years and therefore after a
term of three which makes no sense. I don't know who drafted this but there [laughter] you go. >> That makes no that makes no sense. So you get so I get appointed for a year and for initial term of a year and then >> but that was the wasn't that the
original appointment Kathleen? >> Who knows? It says the initial term of one year and then thereafter for a term of three years. So they should have said like the first year of the CPA I would have been appointed for a year and then reappoint
then get another three years. >> Right. That's not what it says. >> Oh yeah. Yeah. We just need we just need better language, right? >> Well, that's a change in the bylaw, which means an act of town meeting. >> Town meeting. >> Oh, really?
>> Yeah. We're not gonna we're not going to do that. >> It's not it's not going to happen in time, >> right? [laughter] So, um but if they appoint all of you for three more years, we don't have we have no staggering.
Well, as I said, they said two of us for a year and then thereafter they get three and then and one member is for two years and thereafter for three. So only one two people it's two and one >> and we're doing a little bit of staggering.
>> But but to be honest, couldn't we add to the We know there's going to be a June town meeting. Isn't there proper time to put it there? No. >> No, we don't want to touch it. >> Yeah, >> we don't want to touch it. >> Okay, don't touch it. I think we just ask them to stay with because there
there's nine people. So even though the citizen people are on the same term, everybody else can shift, you know, as per their >> So it's you. It's you, me, and Jenny, right? You, me, and Jenny. >> We still should be staggered. I think the three of us should be staggered, too.
>> I I agree. Should be >> I'm staggered all the time. But yeah, [laughter] >> I'm staggered at the end of these meetings. All right, it's 9:04. We're all staggered right now. [laughter] >> I'm a Fairfield University grad, so I'm
a stag by nature. >> Oh my goodness. [laughter] >> I move we adjourn. >> Wait, wait. Before we do, I want to know about Wendy's cat. [laughter] >> Offline. >> This cat has been all over you. I
>> I know. He's >> What's What's the cat's name? His His name is Tuna. >> Tuna. That's a great name. >> Yeah. [laughter] Yeah. And >> we've been entertained all meeting long, by the way. >> Oh my [laughter] god. I'm so glad that
you have because annoying, but I mean, he's he's 14 years old. He's kind of a smelly little old man, so I just kind of let him have his way. But he's very sweet. >> Nice. >> Glad he could join us. Glad he could join us. >> We have a motion on the floor.
>> Second. We [laughter] have a second. Um, so I'm gonna go around the table. Wendy, motion to adjourn. >> Yes, please. Thank you. >> Okay, Jenny. >> Yes. And Tuna, too. >> Yes. Bye, Tuna. Good night, Tuna. >> Kathleen.
>> Kathleen. >> Yes. >> Pete, >> yes. >> Cheryl, >> yes. >> Linda, >> yes. And everybody look up Schrodener cat. >> [laughter] >> for next time. >> All right. >> Bye everybody.
>> See everybody in June. >> Good luck tomorrow everybody. >> Take care. [music]