Good afternoon and welcome to the North County Commissioners meeting of Thursday, May 21st, 2026 at 1 p.m. Um, we're going to start reading the executive order on remote participation. On March 28, 2025, Governor Healey signed into the law House Bill 62, an
act relative to extending certain CO 19 measures adopted during the state of emergency, which includes a 2-year extension of the option for public bodies to hold remote meetings by suspending certain provisions of the open meeting law, master law chapter 38, sections 18 through 25. That action was
effective immediately extending the current option for remote meetings through June 30th, 2027. Votes may be taken on any of the items listed here during the agenda. uh call to order. So we'll start with the roll call. Um actually u pledge of allegiance. Yes. >> Oh yeah. Do pledge first.
>> Yeah. Do the pledge first. Richard, you want to lead us in the pledge? >> Sure. >> I alian to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. You're welcome.
>> Okay. Roll call. Richard Stady. >> I am present. Sir >> Peter Collins. I am present. We have a a quorum present of the county commissioner board. Uh Joseph Sheay, our chairman, is out of the office on county business today. Uh item three, executive session. We have no executive session
today. Item four, minutes. Um Richard, I'm going to pass it over to you. >> Yep. I move approval of the open session of May 13 as presented. >> I'll second that motion. All in favor say I. >> I oppose. Unanimous. And then uh then we have another one of that.
>> Yeah, Mr. Chairman, I'll move approval of the executive session I presented for May 13th with the stipulation not to be released until such time to class. >> I'll second that motion. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Oppose unanimous. Okay. Next item
five, appointments, electric vehicle charging station presentation 1 p.m. John. >> Thank you, Commissioner Collins. Good afternoon, Commissioners. Uh, commissioners, you may recall about a year ago, we um were engaged by a firm that assisted in uh submitting electric
vehicle charging station applications to the state department of environmental protection. They had a grant program which uh provided um funding to install these um uh charging stations and I think if you recall the plan was to put them in um each of the uh county
properties. Um the plan went forward uh to the state and after several months um the state uh turned the program back. Um they wanted some modifications. Um we effectively abandoned that vendor in that process. We have now been approached by a new vendor um Mr. Matt
Tuttleman. Uh he has engaged us this afternoon. He wishes to come before you talk a little bit about um his firm's u plan and how it can benefit the county's interest in this type of thing. as you so uh decided about a year ago. So I would like to introduce to you Mr. Matt
Tuttleman who I know is uh with us virtually um and through you Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. >> Hi Matt, welcome aboard. >> Thank you very much gentlemen. Thank you for your time uh and the ability to speak before you. I will say you know this is interesting with the formality
of the of meetings like this virtually and it was nice to see you guys uh with the pledge of allegiance. there are still uh the things that make us uh remember where we are. So uh thank you for your service to our community at large. >> Okay. Well, [clears throat] you have
John, Paul, George, and Ringo behind you. So we we like that too. >> Yeah. Well, yeah, me and my buddies. So uh little nonsequator. So, uh, back in early 2020, right at the onset of the pandemic, I had the great misfortune of
blowing out my Achilles tendon and, uh, had to spend six weeks with absolutely no weight. I was flat on my my butt. Um, my wife picked these up. This is a set of Legos, uh, that LEGO makes with literally like each one of those is
about 3,800 little mosaic dots. each kit could make any one of the four and then if you buy four you can get the whole white album going. So, um that's those are that's about 13,000 little
circular Legos uh into an amazing mosaic wall piece and it's a great conversation starter. >> There you go. Wow. >> That's awesome. >> Wow. >> Yeah. So, I highly recommend I highly recommend not blowing out your Achilles. Uh otherwise, you know, you too can be a
Lego maniac. >> Um >> keep that in mind. That's good to know. That's great to know. >> It was a good it was a good filler of time. You can imagine how how unbelievably humbling uh not being able to put any weight on on, you know, not
being able to walk for six weeks while the surgery, you know, repaired itself or healed before therapy. So, but needless to say, um thank you very much again, uh John. I I think that you you spoke accurately, but there was a little bit of a tweak that I'd just like to
maybe uh adjust in the conversation. So, the the opportunity that was presented to uh to the county was uh through a company known as EVSSE Solutions. Um and and they presented
um I think it was like six or eight sites throughout the county. I have a list of them uh although it's in a long format proposal uh to provide level two infrastructure uh level two charging through the county throughout the county
at no cost to the county. Uh and that's that's still that company's intent. What did what John said was that the there were applications that were si sub submitted to the uh mass evip
program which was being administered by uh the the Massachusetts DP and that during that process there was some changes
uh with how the EVIP team was administering the dispersement of those funds. And so in the summer of 2025, um the utilities filed with the
Department of Public Utilities the MTM, the midterm modification, which moved funds uh around so that it actually allowed for structural changes in how they were implemented. And the
result was that in early 2026, the revised EV programs were released. One major change was that the regulators removed the requirement that all projects had to be funded first by mass
DP using EVIP. This was a huge relief uh to the agency uh and working with the utilities is much more streamlined by the their teams which are more experienced in program implementation
and management. And so now EVIP handles smaller projects that applicants may not be eligible for located in certain utility service to ter territories like the municipal service territories Brockton municipal light Norwood etc. So
um the effects of of this are still being felt. Um and and basically uh you know what we have been able to do or what EVSE Solutions has been able to do is resubmit
the documents that you've already agreed to or or on behalf of customers that have already agreed to back to the utilities. And so other communities like the town of Southbridge, the town of Claremont, the city of Quincy have all
basically said, "Yes, we we still wish to continue with the strategy which was originally signed on for um and you know, we're we're we're frustrated just as anyone is with the fact that the D
and Mass EVIP was unable to get through the administrative process in a timely and accurate manner. But we're but EVSSE solutions is resubmitting applications for the signed agreements now back to
the utility. And really what we're just looking for is an acknowledgment from the county that you wish to proceed under the same zerocost initiative that you originally signed up for uh a year
and a half ago. So let me pause there. Okay. Um well um that wasn't what I I thought it was going to be. So it's it's hopeful that you explained it in the way that you did. >> That's all I'm here for. I'm just the messenger. >> The commissioners would have to talk
about it once again. And one of my concerns, if this makes any sense, is that um the electric uh charging industry and electric cars and all that that that industry is advancing all the time. Mhm.
>> And so um at the very beginning we were interested in the fast chargers and then suddenly they weren't available. They all used up >> and we had to go for the second best version of the fast chargers. >> But now that it's been all this time
since uh I think I'd want to know what you can offer us what what you can offer us in terms of this the charging stations. And um our chairman isn't here today so he's going to definitely want to weigh in on this. >> Sure. So let me let me address those questions. Those are really very
straightforward and easily addressed, right? So the the the market when you talk about these electric >> sorry keep >> okay sorry when we discuss these electric vehicles right there are three
levels of charging which you know just so that you all are on the same page with the basics right when you buy one of these electric cars or lease one of these cars typically the they're going to give you a portable charging device
which any homeowner can use by plugging it into a standard 110vt outlet in their garage and and it slowly charges the car very slowly about 1% or about 3 miles uh per hour. Um but a lot of people who
have short commutes that works for them. more people that have longer commutes. And most communities which are looking to um provide an amenity so that when people come to the town and they're
strolling uh for around for lunch or they're going to the courthouse for multiple hours on end, they those individuals would use level two charging. And that and that's typically going to be a 40 or a 50 amp load. And
that's going to provide, you know, approximately 7 to 10% of that battery or about, I don't know, maybe 15 miles of of of electricity range per hour. These are really the the types of
chargers which are highly desirable for people that have to use municipal infrastructure and they're going to be using it for a couple of hours, one, two, three hours at a clip because of how they're using the the system, the
infrastructure of the of the state. Then you've got the fast chargers, right? And the the fast chargers are uh these high voltage equipment. the the level one and level two use typical alternating current. These level 3es use direct
current. And because of that, they're very expensive infrastructure. that was uh that that those subsidies for those level 3es were really being designed and implemented for locations along major
access points for people that were going to be you know on and off the highways uh and using it for longer duration. So it is unfortunate that those larger funds did expire, but the the reality is
the level two charging is what we need as society at large to have it for the convenience of using the infrastructure. Now, what has changed uh really since
the conversation was started uh with Norfol County was that the um the systems that were uh proposed were um a dualport
80 amp, so 40 80 amps per pole and each pole has two plugs, right? And so if one car was plugged in, that single vehicle could receive the full 80 amps. And when
two vehicles are plugged in, they would share those 80 amps or about 40 amps a piece. The technology hasn't changed all that much, but what is now available is a dual port
like uh 100 amp. So 50 amps a plug, but the cost is still the same because of advances in the technology and um you know the the the the scaling of the technology creating more volume and
volume creates uh lower pricing. So what we would propose is assuming that you guys have the discussion assu assuming the the uh the individual who is not present today uh would be present at the next conversation and we could have the
and we could be back to answer any and all those questions again. What we would like to propose in advance of that conversation is a refresh of the proposals that had already been signed off on. So each of the sites with the
new refreshed hardware and the confirmed zerocost initiatives and then you all could review that, determine if that's still in line with what your original uh goals were as far as deploying this
technology throughout your community at no outofpocket cost to your community. And then if you wish to move forward then you know signing those proposals the same way you signed the first ones and then we would start to resubmit
those applications uh to the utility on your behalf. >> Richard, you're good. >> Yeah. So lame, you're basically working either with or for our our vendor or the person that was with us before
>> to facilitate this. I'm a I'm an affiliate of that organization, sir. >> Okay. >> Okay. Uh I'm my own personal opinion is I've been pushing for this since last year. I'm a big proponent of going green. It sounds like still this is our
best option and we want to get this done. But in deference, our chair is not here. We need to have a discussion when he's back. >> So probably we'd ask you to come back and be available for any questions he may have. Like I know the goal is to have a faster uh unit, but that's out
there and it's going to be out there for a 95 495 the highways >> to get something in place in our courts at [clears throat] our golf course at our school. I think would be a big step forward. So I I would endorse it. And you're saying basically you'd say we'd
be resubmitting you'd you'd shepherd it through the stages of what has to be done. Sounds like >> Yeah. Unfortunately, unfortunately the bureaucracy at DP uh was just that it got it got me mired
down in bureaucracy. Um hope I mean not that the utilities are any less bureaucratic but uh but they they are in the business of of selling electricity and so uh you know they want to see this as well. So um I I I'm glad that you
feel that it's still something that is important to the county. Um what I would be more than happy to do in as as I had mentioned just a moment ago is in advance of the next meeting with the chair is I will refresh the proposals so
that we can see the uh the update right which would include a little bit faster technology. That's good. Not as fast as the the DC fast charging uh the 50 amp versus the 40 amp. Um and then um you
know we'll present that in the next goround and assuming that everything is copacetic and you guys approve it then we'll continue to champion it on your behalf. >> Okay. If I could Mr. Chairman or acting chairman whatever the proper title is uh
two >> I think temporary >> it's a temporary two followup questions then Matt. So number one uh when uh Mr. Ari and his company came before us which I think was almost a year ago I think if I remember >> right >> uh we asked him at the time what do you
anticipate the time frame in terms of when we might see this to fruition I'm probably maybe out of order but I'll throw it at you again to think about or have it ready for next week. What would be >> No, it's not out of order at all. So >> what would be Okay, go ahead. We've been
told by the utilities that upon resubmission the utility turnaround time is currently 6 to 8 weeks from completed project approval. Now that let me just highlight that part of the statement
completed project approval. Right? So the there may still be a few weeks in advance of that with the collecting of paperwork, filling out the proper applications and getting approval. But
once approved, then it's 6 to 8 weeks for them to fund the project. So you know there is a backlog um you know because of you know just the sheer number of applications that have been submitted. But, you know, we we're
confident that we if we get your authorization to resubmit on your behalf, we we would try to prioritize that with the utility and have have a response back to you by the end of the summer for sure. >> That'd be great. Okay, second one. Thank you for that. Thank you.
>> So, maybe by the fall, early fall, we might see something happen. So second question, have you yourself uh had any success already working on behalf of other communities or towns or or communities?
>> Yeah, we have. So, as I mentioned earlier, Town of Southbridge, Town of Claremont, and City of Quincy have all not only signed back on, but have been approved by the utilities, and we are in
the process of of actually deploying and installing in those three communities. >> Okay, great. All right, I'm set. Thank you. >> I'm all set. Thank you. >> I'm all set. The only question I had and um Matt answered it is uh I believe the commissioners should receive a written
proposal and it sounds like Matt's preparing to do that. >> Yeah. >> Yep. We'll absolutely do that. >> Get that to us and we'll hopefully be able to act on it next week. Hopefully, Matt, >> thank you. >> So, do you guys meet you guys meet weekly? Is that the case? >> Okay. >> So, we have one week off in the summer,
but we'll be meeting again next week. >> Okay. So, this same 100 p.m. time slot next Thursday. >> Yeah. No, no, no, no. We meet on Wednesday. What happened? We had to switch it this week. But normally our meeting day is Wednesday 1:00. >> Okay. So we will be prepared for that
cadence. Um I will work to get you the updated proposals in advance of that meeting so that you can review the documents uh you know at at during the meeting >> before you go because Memorial Day weekend. Does he have to get something
to us sooner or are we okay? >> Yeah. Typically, we will post Friday um for Wednesday's meeting because of the holidays. So, um and frankly, the agenda is set by the chair. So, we'll have to talk to him about whether or not it fits with what's scheduled for next week or maybe the week after. >> The next week or two,
>> we don't want to get the certain legal procedure we have to follow. So, get it in the better. That's all. >> Okay. So, it sounds like what what um is it John that just spoke? Um yes. What what John said was if we can submit to
you by end of by by Friday then you have the ability to potentially present it for next week's agenda and because if we don't then we'll follow up the subsequent week. >> There you go. >> Uh that's one that's one avenue. Uh the
chair also sets the agenda and if you get us the material by Friday he may say based on what is lining up for next Wednesday we got a full agenda. Let's put them off to the following week. >> Okay, I get it. >> It's the chair's discretion on what goes on the agenda. So, we'll talk with him after we get your proposal.
>> That sounds wonderful. Well, guys, thank you. Thank you so much for your time today and have a wonderful long Memorial Day weekend and uh we'll hope to get you something straight away. Okay, >> sounds good. >> Take care, man. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much. Have a nice day.
>> Take care. Okay, that was um item five. Do we have any other appointments, Joe? >> No, sir. >> Okay. Item six is public comment serving week. Um we ask the public if they wish to make a comment with regard to uh county business and we reach out and no
one is present. Did uh do you receive any correspondence from anyone that wanted to reach out? >> We are not. >> Okay. And is there anyone uh using uh our chairman's language? Uh anyone in Zoomland that wants to speak out today?
Okay. Moving on. Uh item seven, old business status update regarding IBM upgrade tech fund usage. >> Mr. Chairman, good afternoon. Um the commissioners may recall that uh approximately two weeks ago during the
budget uh supplemental discussion, the chief information officer informed the commissioners that the county was facing uh the need for funding an upgrade uh to the IBM server that provides um the registry with um Brown Techch um uh
support which is the major system at the registry. The total cost of that particular upgrade was uh over $200,000. The commission elected to have the chairman send the register a letter asking the register to consider funding that uh particular item through the
so-called technology fund which is controlled by the register of deeds. Um the letter asked for response from the register on his interest in doing that by May 8th. Um as we said here today we've not heard from the register so I want to report back to the commissioners. We have a null answer at
this point and I wanted to check with you to find out how would you like to proceed. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> I'll defer to you. >> Uh well, I think it's important that
um the IBM system be upgraded. I think everyone everyone acknowledges that and the tech fund is usually used for this. In fact, it was used for this in the past, I believe. um perhaps a letter to the state directly from the county commissioner asking for
usage of the tech fund for this or at least informing them that that we haven't received a response from our register with regard to the tech fund. I mean the state has a stake in this. Much of the money generated from the registry of deeds goes to the state. So it's not just no folk county. It's not just the
individual departments of the Northol County and not just the citizens of Northol County. The state has a significant um stake in this matter. The money that's generated there comes um go the money that's generated at the registry,
much of it goes to the state. Most of it does. So if the register um won't respond then I think it's prevails upon us to reach out to the state and ask for the money for the tech phone.
>> Your thoughts Richie? >> Procedurally [clears throat] would they be obligated to respond to is this a a fund Secretary of State gives to the registry not the commissioners? So they wouldn't really have legal grounds for getting funds.
>> We can ask This this is new ground. >> Yeah. >> So, but but the state should know that their revenue source is presently in jeopardy. >> They should know this and they should know that there are that that the state
tech fund has assets set aside to fix this particular issue. I thought I'm not trying to be argumentative. I thought when uh Red Shore Donnell and his uh assistant we were had a discussion and he basically said them that fund already
been used for other purposes in terms of things they needed for their equipment or hardware or software and updates. I thought they had said they had already used the money or used the fund. >> They use some of the money. Well, you know what? So what happens is the registry requests money >> right
>> for for specific purposes right >> from the fund and they they made a request for some other items but it's not that they don't have a cap >> right >> they don't have a cap on the money that they asked for >> okay >> so the fact that they asked for some other um items that needed to be done are fine
>> well I don't I'm not sure if we got a hard no uh I'm not sure I want to do it right now but it wasn't a hard no suggestion might be just a suggestion is we write directly to the uh secretary of state. >> Yes. >> And copy the register on it
>> and uh or maybe write to the register or or Donald and copy secretary of state on it. Let them know that we're seeking the funds and see if he would be willing again to uh access the funds and uh if he doesn't then we have to go to Secretary of State directly I guess and
plead that case. I guess that make sense. No, maybe. Um, >> well, why don't we do this? >> I mean, I I kind of I'm kind of >> nervous legally about going to Secretary of State first without giving the register one last chance. >> All right. So, this is what we'll do.
The chair is in hopefully next week. We'll give it one week. Um, why don't you resend the letter to the register and explain that we want a decision on this by next week or else we might have to go to the Secretary of State directly. Um and and we would prefer to
work with the register, but if the reg register doesn't respond, then we'll have to take action to protect uh the integrity of the um of the computer work that's taking place over there. >> So to be clear, you the first letter came from the chairman through you your voice, >> right?
>> Um you would prefer a follow-up letter to the register um making >> clear we have not heard from him. We we wish to hear from him before and if we take if you decide to take the necessary steps of contacting the secretary of state's office. >> Yeah. >> Um would that would that letter invite
the register to discuss this or do you want to maintain a written dialogue on the topic? >> I mean clearly this is an open meeting. You've posted for this item. We presume the register knew what was on the agenda. if you want to be a little bit more forthcoming, we can invite him in to have a conversation about it before
and if a letter goes to uh the state. >> The register is always welcome. >> Right. Yeah. [clears throat] >> Um so perhaps the next letter should make that more clear. >> Yeah. Sure. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So um I'll talk to the chair about sending a follow-up letter and invite him for a follow-up meeting next week and at a minimum uh at the opportunity
to hear from the collective voice about next steps with the state if he does decides not to appear. >> That'd be great. [clears throat] Okay. Okay. Uh, moving on to item eight. Um, personal matters for consideration. [clears throat] Where is he? What do we have? Uh,
Wallace Recreational Facility. Uh, Mr. Temporary chair. I'll move the forward. All right. >> Temporary active. >> Temporary acting. I move not to rehire of Edward Bourney McDivet as seasonal golf associate stated effective date 52126. So moved.
>> Uh, second. All in favor say I. I. I. >> I. I also move two appointments both notice of contingent employment for Matthew Kissiel and Karen Wilson as seasonal golf associates both at the same rate stated both effective date 5.226 226. So moved.
>> Second. All in favor say I. I. I. Unanimous. >> All right. You now go to the North County Agricultural High School. I move approve of four. Notice the contingent appointment for Max Edmund as student labor. The rate stated effective date 52526. So move.
>> Second. All in favor say I. I. >> I. Unanimous. I move the following approval of resignations for Christine Vleco, Lauren Dorso, uh James Orley, Allison Palmer, and
Emily Pon. Uh no, I'll break that down. Let's do Christine Valo, Lauren Derso, and James Ody as substitute instructors, and they're all resigning. And the effective date for all of them is 51126. So move. >> Second. All in favor say I. I I
>> the last two uh commissioner is no resignation move approval for Allison Palmer and Emily [clears throat] Peron as student labor is effective date 51 11:26 so move >> second all in favor say I please >> perfect okay on item nine payroll and
expense warrants for approval >> I will move the following for the warrant list at 520 >> in one second here we go I move approval for 26-46 payroll of the county the sum $147,169.70. So move
>> second. All those in favor say I. I. >> Second move approval of the expense of the county of 050326 the sum 121,9339 sold. >> Second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Oppose unanimous. >> Third [clears throat] I move approval of
26-11A expense of school. The sum 157,1386. So moved >> second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Posting. >> And the last one approval of 5-1926 on DOI Walsh recreational facility sales
tax the sum of $2925.36. So moved. >> Second. All in favor say I. I. >> That completes the warrant list. >> Terrific. Okay. Next item 10. Renewal of intermunicipal agreement with the town of Nem for weights and measures inspectional services. John.
>> Thank you. Good afternoon, commissioners. Um, before you is a renewal agreement for the town of Nem associated with the uh seal of weights and measures program. Mr. Buckley, who could not be with us today, um conveyed a memo to uh to me and you
that basically saying it is now, believe it or not, the third year coming up on the establishment of this program and we're beginning now to uh reup um the uni municipality agreements that each community have needs first. So the one before you simply uh extends it um for
several more years. The the fees associated with the program remain the same. So we are in um a period of time now where I think it's quite clear the program's quite successful. It continues to grow and the town of Nem agrees with the services. Obviously uh town manager
Katie King has endorsed this and has pulled for you today for your approval um as a renewal agreement with others to follow. >> Do you want to make a motion? >> Yes, they will. It's a three-year period, correct? >> Yes. >> Yep. And the payment and so on. So, I would move approval of the renewal of
the intergovernmental unit agreement uh for services of the certified sealer of weights and measures between the county of Northalk and the town of Needm. Uh I would make an approval effective on this date and for the rate stated within the agreement and for a period of time of 3
years commencing July 1, 2026 and terminating June 30, 2029. So moved. Perfect. >> Second. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Unanimous. Terrific. Okay. Item 11, report from the procurement department for bid openings and contract awards. Do you have anything today? >> No, sir.
>> All right. Item 12, report of the county director, John. >> Uh, just a couple of items, commissioners. Understanding last night was the trustees meeting. I know you have a graduation coming up um soon with school. That's great. >> Um, I want to let the commissioners know we are very active right now in interviews. We are interviewing for
electrician, plumber, and deputy uh facility director. So, um we've made pretty good progress. Um I believe we've reached out and have um extended offers for an electrician. Plumber is close. Uh we'll see how that works out. And we have just begun yesterday the interviews
for deputy facility director. I expect that go those interviews to go into next week. And we're not sure yet if a second round is needed. We'll we'll figure that out after we see the candidates after the first round. That's a management position, has a lot more depth to the description. We want to make sure that
the candidates understand what they're getting into and we understand the candidate skills to get there. So, we're making good progress. Um, and I just want to let the commissioners know at the end of the day, our goal is to fill these positions as quickly as possible. Um, but we're beholden to a labor market and we're we're doing our best to get
them the best candidates before us. Um, other than that, I just want to alert the commissioners that Monday is a holiday. So, we will be posting for your uh meeting next week on Friday. Um and uh that is all I have right now. Thank you. >> Great. Okay. Uh item 13, emergency items
and topics that the chair did not reasonably anticipate would be discussed. Uh anything from you, Richard? >> I just uh I think it's appropriate all of us uh want to pay tribute to the fallen and for the people, the men and women who serve us uh in many ways in
different capacities, both the living and those who deceased. We want to recognize their efforts and all the hard work they do. And we always memorial weekend is especially a time to remember those who serve in the military, but uh you know our first responders and others
as well who do an awful lot of good things for us on a daily basis without a lot of recognition. So we want to make sure to them today. >> That was well said. Thank you. That was great. Um okay. Anything else? >> No. Uh I will move that we adjourn at
137. >> Okay. Second. All in favor say I. I. >> I oppose unanimous. Thank you everyone. We'll be back next Wednesday. Have a good one here.