Good evening everyone. Welcome to tonight's select board meeting. Uh Thursday, February 12th. Uh with us we have Kevin O'Neal, Bob Kimell, Roger Mosan, myself, and uh I'd like to take the opportunity to welcome our new IT
director. I mean, uh yeah, it is that what it is. Formal name. IT director. Bassam. Please say your last name. >> Awad. >> Aad. Okay. So, with that, uh I'd like to start it with the pledge of allegiance. Peter, if you could start us off, please.
>> I aliance 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. >> Okay, thank you everyone. Start off with appointments,
resignations, and retirements. First one is Kimarina resignation from park and wreck committee. Uh, pretty straightforward. Mr. Town Manager. >> Uh yes, Mr. Chair. We received a notice from uh Miss Arena that she uh
unfortunately due to work life balance is unable to serve. We'd like to extend our ex our sincere appreciation for her uh faithful efforts on this committee. >> Okay. Thank you, sir. Uh and thank you to Kim Marina for the
time she did spend. Uh so that leaves a vacancy if anybody is interested. Uh, please reach out to park and recck director. Uh, next we have Timothy Griffin, appointment to the cultural council. Mr. Town Manager,
um, we've received a a request uh for Mr. Tim Griffin to join the cultural council. With the blessing of the chair of the coun cultural council, we'd like to put this forward to the select board for for consideration to appoint Mr. Griffin.
>> Okay. Thank you. Are we uh we voting on that? >> Yes. >> Yeah. Formal vote. Okay, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes. >> I just uh I just want to make sure that there's there won't be any conflicts being on the cultural council as well as the planning board.
>> Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> An elected official can serve on multiple bodies and be appointed to multiple bodies. They can't serve in two elected position at the same time. So it's perview perfectly within his purview. I think I'm perfect in a perfect example of that and I serve on I
think five town committees. So I think u obviously he's more than qualified to do the job and I think we should uh allow him the opportunity to do so. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes sir. >> I make a motion that we appoint Timothy Griffin to the cultural council.
>> Second motion and a second. All in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Thank you Tim. And next we have an appointment of Kathleen Eno to the board of registars. Mr. Town Manager. >> Uh thank you Mr. Chair. Uh Kathleen Eno
has been uh recommended by the Democratic uh committee. Um as you know the board of registars has to be equally divided two Republicans and two Democrats. So this would fill the the one of the Democrat seats.
Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> I'll make a motion to appoint Kathleen Eno to the board of registars. Second, >> beginning April 1st, 2026. Okay. Motion and a second. All in favor? I >> I >> Okay, Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> We're under a mo uh
appointments. We have a couple we have to follow up on. Ni Morrison and Manny Silver are trying to get on the historic district commission. Perhaps at the next meeting we can talk about that. Um maybe make the appointments. I think through
the transition it kind of fell through. So we have to get this back on board and try to get this thing done. Well maybe at the next meeting we can do that. >> Uh sure we can look into that. We're just looking for the um the person that put their names forward and we couldn't
find where that came from. Um, so but if that's the the will of the select board, we can for sure put that on next meeting. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> Mrs. Dwey, will you make sure that we get something so we can we need something in writing from the historic
district recommending these two individuals to be appointed to the I know we've never done it before, but we're looking for a letter just to acknowledge that you guys would consider would like us to consider that appointment. Okay. >> I mean, I'm
>> I'm fine with a verbal if the board is >> There was just a little transition. Maybe something got lost in translation and the uh turnover in personnel. Right. Exactly. >> So, if the board's okay with that, we're okay with that.
>> I don't have any problem with it. Mrs. Dulie, if you would like to come and ask us uh for the appointment to consider the appointment of the individuals. >> We have >> as long as it's not against their will. >> Against their will.
>> Um Peg Douly, historic district commission. Those letters were submitted by them in a very timely manner for one of the select board meetings and then it was supposed to be put off two weeks later and that didn't happen either. So, as you can see here, it is February and
we would like them to be appointed. >> Okay. I just for the record, I I this is news to me. I I never saw these. I I didn't know anything about these. So, >> I don't know where it went. I apologize for that, but let's do the housekeeping now and take care of it.
>> Could we just like spell their names so we know how to appoint them? >> Peg Douly. Oh, uh, Nia. N A L I A. Yes. Morrison. >> I S O N. >> Correct. >> Okay. >> And Manny. M A N Y. Silva. And Melia
again is unusual. It's N E A L I A. >> Okay. >> And silver is S I L V. >> Correct. >> Got it. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Thank you. We've considered them on the board anyway. >> Okay. >> Thank you very much. >> Goodbye.
>> M. Is is uh is Nelia the architect that lives out of town for DBVW or is that a different candidate or >> um >> what's her her name? >> If you're making reference to the website, the website's incorrect. Peter Paravalis, he has been our architect
preservationist and he has come off the board as of this past summer. >> And Neilia is in fact a um preservationist architect. >> Okay. What's the firm, by the way, that did this building as well as the senior center? >> That's right. That's that's correct. That's who I'm thinking of.
>> And it's because the town or the firm had such a positive relationship with the firm that she felt that she'd be more than happy to do this pro bono, of course. And Manny is in construction, so that's very valuable. And he's very, very historically oriented.
>> And I believe maybe we need to do some research. the the architect if they don't live in town and they're um serving um as a professional architect in that role, which it sounds like Neilia is, I
believe they have to be referred to by the state architecture board. And I that may be something we need to research because I did a little research because I saw her name a few meetings back and I looked into it. the AA architecture,
AAC, whatever, Massachusetts, they have to refer that person to your >> I I do. >> I do remember having a discussion about this a while back. And if if the person's firm, you know, currently is working on this building, the project's
not closed out, we we would want to make sure there's not an active conflict of interest. Oh, >> of course. Yeah. I'm thinking long term, and I believe in general. Do you know anything about this, Christie? >> Um, no, but what you're saying makes sense to me. >> Okay. >> With that being said, Mr. Town Manager,
should we just double check on that before we do the actual uh appointment? >> Does it make sense? >> Be done. >> What What was the board? >> Oh, it's um AIC of Massachusetts, I believe, is a whatever the professional
architectural board is for the state of Massachusetts. I think they have to just acknowledge and write a quick uh letter of recommendation, I guess, maybe so they keep track of their members and what they're doing. Um, and make sure that they're registered and qualified if they're going to represent, you know,
the uh commission in that role or >> it has nothing to do with the fact that obviously the company was well certified to take care of these two buildings. >> No, it doesn't have anything to do >> individual is what you're concerned about. >> I I just I'm sorry. Is what >> you're concerned about her individual?
No, no. I'm just making sure we follow the requirements by the state. >> My office can look into that. And >> I don't even know her at all personally. And she didn't do any work for the for these two buildings. >> No, it was elsewhere in the firm. >> Okay. >> We can look into that.
>> Mr. Chairman, I think we should wait on that appointment. But Manny Silva does live in town. He lives on on Mansfield A. Uh he does attend the meetings. He has been attending the meetings, but I've been to a couple of them. So, I'd highly recommend that we at least appoint Manny to the uh historic
district commission. >> Second that. >> Yeah. Is that a motion? >> So, that's a motion and a second. All in favor? >> I I >> So, the other person will just make sure that there's no conflict.
>> Yes. I I would caution the board just it wasn't on the agenda. Um, so I'm not sure if it was if it's appropriate to vote on it, but um, we can make sure we get the the appropriate
name on next time if it is. We'll make sure we're following the rules. >> Yeah. And any other documentation that's required. Her name came across in our packet uh, a few months back. That's why I did the research on it because I was curious cuz she didn't live in town. I knew that she was an architect. So, I
can try to find um the research I did, Mark, and send it off to you so you can see what I saw. >> And if you're concerned about Manny Silver, we can hold off until the next meeting and make that appointment if you want to. >> Either that or I recommend if we can make sure that there was a topics not
reasonably anticipated within 48 hours. >> It'd be valid under that. >> Let's go with that if we if you know, >> sure, >> if we can. And then uh the other party, >> let's confirm that there's no conflict of interest or appearance of conflict of
interest. Uh and I think this it's it's the a I know the one he's talking about. A >> I don't know the acronym. >> A AIC. Yeah. Okay. So, let's do that and we'll have that as a agenda item under appointments uh next um next meeting as
long as there's no conflict. >> Okay. Well, that was easy. What's next? Uh, minutes. Any questions, comments, concerns on the minutes? Mr. >> Chairman, I make a motion we appoint the minutes of January 21st, 2026 as
written. >> Second. >> Motion in a second. All in favor? >> I I that uh licenses and permits. Wheaten College 1day special alcohol license for February 13th, 2026.
26 East Main Street. Mr. Town Manager. >> Um, so this is a a one-day special permit. I understand this has been approved by all the departments. It's for February 13th. Um, correct me if I'm wrong.
>> That is correct. It is tomorrow. >> So, this event is is tomorrow contingent on the board's approval. >> Okay. This is the Rodman um event. Is that correct? >> This is the Wheaten College. >> No, it's the one before. It's only two
page. >> Oh, it's this one. Okay. So, I guess uh not under any pressure or duress. Um Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> I make a motion that we approve the Wheaten College 1D special alcohol
license for February 13, 2026 at 26 East Maine. >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All in favor? I >> I we need a roll call, >> Mr. Roll call. It is a like a license. Yes. Uh >> Mr. O'Neal. >> Yes. >> Mr. Kimble. >> Yes.
>> Mr. Maran. >> Yes. >> And I am a yes as well. >> Okay. Next one is the That's what it is. The 2026 Rodman Ride for Kids Special Event Parade Permit. Uh this is this is the one that's they
do every year. Correct, Mr. Tom? >> Correct, Mr. Chair. any material changes or is it the exact same thing that they've been doing for years? >> As I understand, it's exactly the same and they're only on a small portion of the town. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. This is something that they've
done every year and they're on uh the only road that disrupted that they're on is on Bay Road and it's from East into Taton line, >> right? >> Yep. Okay. Questions, comments, motion, Mr. Chair. Yes, sir.
>> I make a motion that we approve the 2026 Roden Rodman ride for kids special event permit. >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All in favor? >> I. >> Mr. Chair, um sir, if if we could ask the town manager just to notify the um
DPW, he's our EC Justin, just to make sure we don't do any pothole repair work that day or the day prior. >> Okay. >> Based on any bicyclist, >> it's on a Saturday. So, okay.
Thank you. On to new business. Our nation's 250th anniversary. We have a um a flyer here from uh the VFW. >> I think that's in their announcements. Is it the next one?
>> Yeah, Mr. Chairman. >> Okay. >> I I asked this be put on there and then I we received a flyer from the VFW. The historical society was talking recently about how the town should be doing something for the 250th anniversary which is usually would be July July 4th.
Um it appears that the uh BFW is going to do something on Memorial Day. So this may be enough to uh might be sufficient enough that we don't have to do anything else in addition to this. Although we could do other things I suppose if we
wanted to. The um like one example the historical society thought maybe we could do a picnic behind the schoolhouse say on one of these events. Uh I'm not sure Memorial Day will be the right day to do that but um so the the agenda item
on the new business was I asked to be put that had to be put on. In the meantime, we received a flyer from the VFW telling us the new United States 250th anniversary kicking off a year of celebration, a Memorial Day kicking off the 250th anniversary of the
United States. They're asking you to be a part of the Norton community parade. They are seeking participants from community groups, local businesses, high school bands, pipe bands, civic groups, anyone who wants to celebrate America. Uh if you're interested, you can to
participate or if you need more information, you can contact the VFW uh Gary Cameron. The phone number is 508-265442. And it says to join us uh as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and march into America's future together.
>> Okay. Thank you, sir. >> You're in the parade, right? >> Everyone is absolutely invited. >> Oh, yeah. Of course, Peter. Absolutely. Open invitation to all of them. Uh so perfect. I think that's great. I think that um
I think that will be a um probably much bigger than it normally is. Let's hope. >> We hope. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh next we have approval of the water utility easement for 260 South Washington Street. Uh Mr. Town Manager.
>> Uh thank you. So, this is um I can let the DPW director speak to it um if if the board's interested. It's essentially a lot where we have had a a water pipe in the lot with an unrecorded easement
for a number of years and the owner to my understanding is offering to grant us an easement for the pipe that's already been there for decades for a dollar. >> So, a quick question to Dev. Is this a stub onto the property that they tied
into in using now? Yeah, please. Justin. >> Um, good evening. U, it's not a stub. It's a water mane that runs through the property. Um, we looked at different different remedies for the situation and and the cheapest, easiest, most efficient way for everyone involved is
to uh have them um support the water man on the property. uh record an easement legally with the town and uh move on from there. So that's what we're asking for. >> Which property is it? >> It's 260 Washington Street.
>> But is it the extended stay? Is it >> I think it's >> on that side. >> It's an empty lot. I thought what >> it is. >> And they just received a permit. They're filing for a permit to build. >> So they just clear it's the lot that they just cleared. Correct. >> Commercial property.
>> Correct. and it's not in their footprint of whatever they're going to be constructing. And >> they made it we we found it easy early on or they found it early on and uh they're structuring the building away from the uh water me. >> Did they find it the hard way or the easy way? >> No, they it was recorded just no
easement. >> Yeah. Okay. So, this is just formal housekeeping, >> correct? Okay. >> With that being said, >> so we would ask for the board to vote to authorize the town manager to accept the easement. Okay. So moved. Second.
>> All in favor? I I >> There we go. Done. Perfect. Thank you, Justin. >> We're going to stand here. >> Okay. I see why. If you can provide that snow and ice update, sir. >> Yes. So, uh to date, obviously, we've had one, two, three, four,
nine, uh include 10, including last night or Monday night's uh uh plowable snow events this season. Um to date we've uh expended $178,33 uh not counting this last storm that we we fought with salt. Um obviously that's
over the anticipated budget that was set of $60,000 I believe. So >> $80,000. Thank you. Um so we just wanted to to give you the cost estimates and and and let you know where we stand at this point of the season.
>> Terrific. Thank you, Justin. Thank you. >> It's making up for years. Are you doing anything to make sure that we don't get any more snow? >> Yeah. Yeah, I know. I brought some with me as I came into town cuz I know uh I've been here five weeks and we've had
four storms. So, uh hopefully we'll shut that down for the rest of the season. >> Feel free to take some home with you. >> Yeah, let's hope so. It's making up for all the recent years that we didn't get really anything. All right. Thank you, sir. So next up we have the tell me again
article acceptance of chapter 59 uh section 5 chapter 22G abatement for veterans with trusts. So this is the first town meeting article. Later in the warrant we will ask the select board to formally close
the warrant for the annual town meeting. And um it might be wise to do that first if the board is inclined to vote this one to the town meeting and we can start uh filling out the scorecard. So I apologize we received that a little late
but I forwarded that to the board today. So you should have a copy of the the scorecard and then as those items are individually addressed by select board and finance committee we'll put them on the town meeting warrant and this is one of those items. So, however the board
desires to to to deal with this, we have the assessor here that's ready to speak to it. I I I think it's wise to close the warrant and then vote this to town meeting. I mean, you could vote it to town meeting if you're inclined and close the warrant later. I think it's semantics. So, whatever the pleasure of the board
is or did I confuse you enough? >> I think we should close it first, >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. I mean it's up to the watch to whether or not the article is is put on the warrant you know I mean that's the first part of it and then as you said and any discussion can be had later on
but this board should take a position as to whether or not it should be an article and then later on we get more information and more you know back back uh information that kind of stuff then we can deal with it then we can either approve it or not all they're asking us
to do is create this article at this point and I'd recommend We just advise the town manager that um the adequate should be accepted and put on the warrant and that's basically it. >> Okay. Duly noted. We'll do that. >> And and the board has heard this before.
This is this particular one is just to not discriminate against veterans with trusts. >> I think we did this back in August or something. >> We did. >> Yeah. >> I mean it's I believe it's the intention of the board to Yeah. Um >> I I would make a motion, Mr. Chairman, to accept the article. Um they be put on
the warrant for the acceptance of chapter 59 section 5 uh CL22G which is an abatement for veterans and trust. >> Second >> motion and a second. All in favor? >> I >> I >> Okay, >> Mr. Chair. >> So there we go.
>> Yeah. >> Um so that our assessor doesn't need to wait around. I wouldn't um um be opposed to voting uh to recommend this article as well at this point for the that's going to be part of our
uh list of town meeting articles uh four or five items down on the agenda. >> So said that >> so clarify that. So, I would like to entertain um a motion to recommend um this article for
the town meeting uh under our scorecard later on in the agenda just so the session doesn't have to wait around for that point. >> What's So, Mark, what are you what are your thoughts? We're doing I mean, my thoughts are I I thought we just did
that. Um >> that's that's what I thought. What? What am I missing? >> Maybe Bob can speak to this. I think Bob's intent was to put it on the town meeting and then then we needed to vote whether or not we recommend it. >> So, I believe there's a placeholder for
it already. Correct. We have a line item for it on that scorecard. >> Yes, sir. >> So, we didn't need to formally do anything yet. >> Well, we can we can agree or not agree to allow it to be on there. So, we're all we're doing is through my motion is just to agree to let the article go on
there and we'll have further discussion at a later date. >> And what my motion is is to actually recommend the article now that it's on the town meeting warrant. >> So, let me say this, Denise. Do you have anything to add to it? I mean, you've
explained it. We've digested it. >> Yeah, it's pretty simple. Um, >> nothing's changed. >> Nothing's changed. one or two people that would be that we know about that. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Sorry. Um so yeah, we we've already you
guys have already explained it to you and we only have maybe one or two people that might be eligible at this point. So um that is really it's pretty simple. >> Yeah. >> So >> okay. So nothing's changed. >> Nothing's changed. >> Um >> Nope.
>> So the only question I have uh Mr. town manager is uh does it matter if we do this before or after we close the warrant? >> No, I don't believe so. As long as we do it the same day,
>> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> I recommend that uh I make a motion that we recommend article 19 for the town meeting warrant. Article 9 B 19 being this chapter 59. >> Mhm. >> Okay, >> I'll second that.
>> Okay, motion and a second. Uh, all in favor? >> I I >> Beautiful. >> Okay, great. Thank you. >> Good night. >> Thank you. >> Okay, good. >> Uh, next up is a town meeting article
uh, repeal a village center core VCC zoning overlay. Cynthia. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. That that um sense has been amended semantically to amendment or repeal of village center
core. And that's another article that's uh put forward to be part of the town meeting u warrant. Okay. So, would anyone like to speak to it in the audience?
Eric, come on down. might have to. >> Hello. Only second time I've done this up here. Uh Eric Norris, 27 West Hodger Street. Full transparency on the planning board. Uh uh happily the the clerk right now, but I'm speaking on my
own behalf. Um my my concern with repealing village core the right now is that looking ahead a little bit just removing it means we also remove fiscal
um opportunities that can come for that area. in my mind that area can be a a for for lack of a better term a fiscal firewall against you know changes outside that area. So my my concern is
if we remove that we we we lose some fiscal opportunities and that would also lead us eventually down the road where we become more and more dependent on the state itself because the less the less money over time the less money we can
get in especially with like inflation and you know all the changes that that's coming from the state that if we remove this uh these opportunities from the town um that will will just in inevitably lose enough money that we'll
lose enough population that we'll lose that that parts of the town will degrade enough from the loss of the town money that we will just become more and more dependent on state to just keep a functioning town. >> Yes, sir. >> So, I'm the one who brought this uh
article forth and I I wasn't really planning on talking about it tonight. I was thinking about we could just get it on the warrant a future discussion. I have to respectfully disagree what you just said though because really has nothing to do with what the state's going to give us in future financing.
What it has to do was the ability to build a structure on a piece of land. And I'll give you a perfect example. People are talking right now about number 10 West Main Street >> between the historical society and the and the church.
>> That building originally started off as a four-story building, 28 condos. um on an half acre of land. >> That density issue was a main concern to myself and and many other people in town at this point because now we're starting
to see the fruits of this bylaw that we passed in the middle of a pandemic in the middle of a ball field in October of 2020, October 17th of 2020 with 149 people. We decided to change the whole format of the center of town by by
accepting the VCC. Under these guidelines, you can build seven units of housing on 10,000 square ft. Now, my vision of the center of town is not the same as maybe others. I don't have any objection to I do have some
objection to the state shoving the MBTA down our throat. And that overlay is basically the same as this. It's very close. If you start looking at some of it, you'll find that there's there's a lot of lot of facets of it that are exactly the same. If people are
interested in having um fourstory structures built within a half mile of town common, that that's what this is for, this new zone, which by the way, most of it is village commercial already. And then we adopted the VCC on top of that. So, if we're going to do
that, people have to understand that the first four first fourstory building you're going to see is the one down on um at Honeydew Donut, you're going to see one on Butch Rich's old property, they're going to be four-story structures. Um and in fact under this
VCC even though the historic district commission might have objections to it um technically developer can come in and buy all of Wheaten's College land around the town common and put up four story structures on very very minimal pieces
of land. So I just want to have more conversation about this and that's why I asked to be put on there. But I think as we get more and more into it, we're going to find out some of the ramifications of what we did in that October 2020 meeting. And I just
so people understand it because I'm hearing it already. I'm hearing about traffic in the center of town and the and you know what's going to what's going to happen when we start putting up some of these buildings. Um I'm on the traffic safety committee. We're working
at realigning that center as best we can. Uh but if you can start putting up in the case of number 10 west, it's been reduced through the efforts of the historic district commission. It was dropped two levels. It's down to down to
two stories. Still 14 condos. Still 14 condos going in there. 12 or 14. I don't remember which. Um originally it was 28. Yeah. Four stories high. And the only reason that wasn't built that way was because the town manager approached the historic society and said the developer
wants to buy a piece of your land was houses. And we said why? And they explained it to us and we said no we're not going to sell that land. That land was transferred by town meeting in 1971 to the trustees of the historical society.
We're not interested in selling. By doing that he had to drop that one floor but he didn't have sufficient parking. So he dropped it down to three stories through the efforts of the the historic district commission. We got it down to two. Having said that though, going beyond
that, you're talking about Honeydew Donuts. It's not in the historic district. And under the VCC, they are perfectly allowed, legally allowed to do what they want to do there. The same applies to uh Butch Rich's half of But Rich's old property where his garage used to be. Same thing's going to happen
there. I'm hearing rumors of others now looking at that CCBC VCC to see if maybe they can take advantage of this. The density issue and the amount of housing we're talking about in the center of town will have a detrimental impact on
the center of town in the future. There's no doubt about it. I didn't move to Norton to live in a city. I moved to Norton to live in a town. And with this present zoning, I feel that we have to have more conversation about it. maybe some modifications. I don't know. Maybe
that's what has to happen. >> But we can't allow it to stay stand the way it is. And I do have a meeting uh set up town manager set a meeting with the planner and the chair on Tuesday to talk more about it. Um I think we can come up with some compromises on this. >> Sure.
>> But I think people have to understand when they start questioning why why are we allowing a full story to go where you do don is because the people have a right to do that. We've allowed that zoning to happen. So that's what this is all about and we can have more
conversation. We may aren't even moving at town meeting on a town meeting warrant, but I believe it should be put in there for conversation and talk more about this openly so people understand what us and I was one of the 149 that stood up in that field that day. What we
did that day that have will have a total total impact on the center of our town and that's the only reason I asked it to be put on there. I got up and stood in opposition to it and was told by another member of the uh field team that day
that well we can't put things off because of the pandemic. Well, now we're seeing the fruits of that. Now we're seeing what's going to happen and we have to address it because this zone just so people understand it goes down to the reservoir. It goes all the way beyond uh Frame Street. It goes beyond
Barrel Street and it goes beyond the highway department here on East Main. It's a one half mile radius and all of that radius now we can build fullstory structures on it and where we have surge is going to happen. There's no question
in my mind it's going to happen. So I really want to have more conversation. I really don't want to talk about it tonight as much as I don't I don't want I said more than I wanted to say but I think we we have to at least get the opportunity to put the article on there talk about it and whether or not it
passes or not that's entirely up to the people of town but at least in this case we might have two 300 people that are making that decision and the reason why I so surprised because in June 27th we had our first town meeting we had 110 people show up in the middle of the
pandemic in a ball field and then in October 17th we had 149 show up in a ball field. And I couldn't figure out why we had so many more until I realized that on that same warrant we adopted the marijuana overlay districts. That's why
the people came out that day or we would probably would have had less. So I think it's important that we we talk about this openly so when people are questioning what's going on in town, we have we have some answers. And I totally respect the fact that the planner in his
efforts to do this and I was working with him back in 18 when we first started the project for the VCC. Um he thought this was the best scenario for the town. I understand the storefronts on on sidewalks. I get that. I
understand the businesses being forward with the parking in the back. That creates the village concept. I get that. But I don't know that the town of Norton is ready for that. and I just like to have more conversation about it. >> Now, I definitely agree with more
conversations. Honestly, I feel like for my short term, I've been doing these things. I feel like the boards in general should be less siloed and talk to each other more often, especially in the public. That's a my personal opinion. And again, I know I'm on the board on the planning board, but this is this is, you know, my personal opinion
on these things. I have two two disagreements with you. One, um the overlay is not MBTA. Uh because exactly why what we we're I totally agree with you on is having that conversation. We can do that. MBTA we have a lot less we
can do with it. Just it's a state mandate. We got it passed. Happy with what we're able to do with it and try to protect Norton as much as possible at the same time. Um but the the overlay I would rather have the conversation than
already have it up for repeal. I think that's I'd rather have the conversation first. and and come with if not and obviously this would not happen right now in the in the next town meeting but in the fall town meeting have a have a plan to get
the a replacement or an updated version that fits you know the vision of everyone because obviously yes right now in theory we to your point that building that we're looking at on the planning board could have a warehouse on the bottom there's no restrictions
much rather to have the conversation about talking what do we actually want to look like then remove it completely. So that's that's kind of where I'm standing with right now. I do believe that that is an important area to have. Like I said, I know we don't want, you know, four fourstory buildings and
whatnot, but we should allow something in there. And fortunately, in the planning board, you know, we have they have the ability to have the conversations with the develop uh the yeah, the developers as they come in, but I think completely removing it is for right now would be a mistake.
>> I I respect your position. I really do. Um, my concern is if we wait until October, if I'm a land owner on West Main Street, >> Mhm. >> before Freeman Street and I have a half acre parcel of land there, which is what
what number 10 is. It's just like 23,000 24,000 square ft. Um, I'm going to look at this real fast and say, "Whoops, wait a minute. I want to build a fourstory structure." And they're going to start pulling permits. And as you know, once they pull a permit, it's grandfathered.
There's nothing even if we change, even if we revoke it, they're still allowed to do that by right. And and they should be able to do that. I get that. Uh but I don't think we should wait until October. I think we should do it now. And my main concern is protecting the
center. And if we can come up with some kind of conversation between the select board, then it's going to go to the planning board. We're going to have the finance committee involved in it. We're going to have all these different committees and boards talking about this for the next few months. If we can come
up with a realistic approach to this where it makes sense to all of us where we can protect some of our property, then I think that's the way to do it. But we have to start somewhere and I think having this on the warrant is the first step and then after that we'll see where it goes. No, that's fair. Like I
said, I think that's the only point we disagree on is when to pull that trigger. But again, I just want to bring like I guess I I also just like I said, I I just I look at the ramifications of not doing that for six months and that can delay things and you know, make people not want to come to Norton
anymore. >> So, you know, it's it's like which way do you want to risk? So, >> yeah. Eric, hold on one second. Shane, >> sorry. I just want to say there's someone has a hand up. >> Oh, sorry. Where >> on Zoom? >> In Zoom.
>> Oh, on on there. Yes, >> I can. >> Just let you know. I'm sorry. >> Thank you, Shane. >> I don't um >> so it's at the chair's discretion as if somebody was here. Um
>> so this this item uh was not up for discussion. It was just for presentation out of respect for Mr. Norris being on the planning board and speaking on behalf, you know, for the planning board directly to questions from the board. Um
that's why um you know I I I wanted you to speak towards it. >> I appreciate that. But again I I I'm doing that from a personal perspective but that was incorrect. That's y my fault. >> No sure. And you know I think in the spirit of it the uh why why it brought forth is I know you guys have but we've
been barged with people up in arms with their hair on fire about the projects being uh presented or potentially being presented to you. And uh with this form of government, there's no fast way to do anything. >> Oh, I know. I know.
>> You know, time is I I mean the phrase time is of the essence couldn't be more applicable with this form of municipal government, unfortunately. So, um you know, with that being said, that's what I think, you know, to Mr. Kimble's point, the the um you know, the speed to
get it to a point where all right, wait a minute, we got to hit the pause button. Uh but I do believe there's going to be a constructive meeting next week. Uh and the terminology for this article, potential article to be presented on the placeholder would uh we
it was amended to uh reflect or modification as opposed to outright repeal. So that will give the opportunity for possible you know some some sort of modifications that might be everyone might be amendable to at that point uh and then subsequently put forth
to the to the voters at town meeting. Uh so you know with that I'm going to you know um you know let's move forward with this uh to uh the motion to uh approve the meeting article uh to put
forth. So, um, >> chairman, I make a motion we put forth the meet the meeting article of repeal of village court senate core MCC zoning overlay. >> Do you want that to be uh repeal or
repeal or adjust >> or amend it? Appeal or amend it. >> And that's fine, too. That's fine. >> Second that. >> Okay. >> Discussion, please. Um, so what we're doing here, Eric, is we're just voting to put it on the town meeting warrant.
We're not voting to recommend it yet. So, to Alex's point, we'll have a lot of meetings and then we'll make that decision later. >> Sounds good. >> Um, and Alec, can you share the the meeting that you're referring to for next week? Is that with the planning board or >> No, it's with me. I I I have a meeting
set up with the town planner, uh, Alan Boy, the chair of the planning board, town manager, myself, just to come have a conversation about this. That's what that meeting is about. And then after that, we'll come back and we'll decide, you know, where we go from there. But I want to remind everyone that even though
this article is going to be on the warrant, it may get to the finance committee and they'll and the planning board and they'll say no, we're not going to support this >> or us >> and then it may be us. We may not support it and then it could be the U finance committee. So it could go to
town meeting and nobody's going to support it anyway. >> But but we have to have this conversation. >> Okay. Understood. >> Okay. Thank you very much, Eric. >> Thank you. Okay, we have a standing motion with a second. Correct.
>> Yep. >> Okay. All in favor? I >> I Okay, >> thank you. >> Four to zero. >> Yep. >> What number is that? >> Okay. Next, we have
uh with Oh, uh here we go. Approval. approval of April 11th, 2026 ballot question language, Proposition 2 and a half dead exclusion for the Norton Middle School roof. And this is again just a um uh a a
motion uh to be considered by the board to put this to the uh ballot question. So that's it, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir.
I am going to make a motion to uh place on the ballot at the 11th uh of April 11th, 2026 annual town election the following question. Authorizing the town of Norton to exempt from proision provisions of Proposition 2 and a half
the amounts required to pay the debt service on bonds issued in order to replace the roof at Norton Middle School, 215 West Main Street, Norton, Massachusetts. to read. Shall the town of Norton be allowed to exempt
from the provisions of Proposition 2 and a half, so-called the amounts required to pay for the bonds issued in order to replace the roof at the Norton Middle School, 215 West Main Street, Norton, Massachusetts, including all costs and
related there too. That's be a yes or no question. >> On the ballot, yes or no question? >> Yes. Yeah. Okay. Second >> motion and a second. Any discussion? Any questions? >> Just one more thing. This has to go to town meeting first.
>> No, it's going to go to ballot first. Then it'll have to go to town meeting in May. So, this is a first step, a two-step process. >> Yep. Right. >> Yep. >> Okay. Do do we need to have an amount um on the the ballot article, a dollar amount, not to exceed?
>> Not yet. >> Not yet. >> Uh no. not on the ballot question. That's actually not allowed, but that this has been verified by Department of Revenue and our attorney in the schools of >> Okay.
>> And and some may question it's only because of the timing that we and I've explained this project's timeline at our last meeting. We talked about it as well um as a member of the building committee that we're doing this in the April
election cuz it's right around the corner and then the May town meeting cuz it's a month and a half later or a month later. Some may question why don't you go to town meeting first and have an open discussion and a debate and then go to the ballot question later. Um some would argue that's a better
approach which I'm not I'm not disagreeing with that but I think we're taking this approach just because of the timing. We would like to have it decided one way or another at the May town meeting. And since we have the April election coming right up, that's why we're doing this first. Um so,
>> and if it doesn't pass the election, it'll be a moot point at the town meeting anyway, >> right? >> Yep. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh we have a motion and a second. All in favor? I >> and by the way, um I believe the
superintendent will probably be having someformational sessions around this project for the general public to learn and they can go and listen and ask questions and all that. Yeah, please. Thank you. Okay with you. >> Oh, yeah. I was going to ask her if she did have anything that that she wanted
to add. >> Thank you all. Jennifer O'Neal, superintendent Northern Public Schools. Um, thank you to the select board for approving this very first step um in their process to replace the Norton middle school roof. Um, I have been working with um, focus on Norton and
then also Norton media to do a few um, different versions of presentations for the wider community and then I'll also be um, presenting to um the school committee again more than happy to present to this board or other boards as well. But thank you very much. >> Thank you J.
>> Mr. Chairman. Yes sir. Jennif J Jennif I could ask you my question. >> Y >> and I think it's important people people understand that this project was well on its way about a year ago. >> Yes. >> And then we found out whoops we didn't bring in the permanent building committee.
>> Correct. >> For their recommendations. So when people ask why why such a hurry, it's not a hurry. This has been we've been talking about this for quite a while. The problem is that we we're going to get the last we knew we were going to get roughly 55% reimbursement and we're
hoping that they're going to continue to allow us to do that and as long as the faster we do this process the more possibility is where we may get that. So I think that's the other facet of why we have to keep moving with it. So, as at this time, um, and they will have an
official vote at the Massachusetts School Building Authority at the end of this month on February 28th, um, we are eligible for 55.63% reimbursement on this project. Um, if it doesn't happen, if it does not pass
whether at the ballot or at town meeting, we are will no longer be eligible for the MSBA program and we would need to go back and reapply to see if they would potentially take a chance on us again. So, it's a really important project. Um, as you said, Mr. Kimell,
this is not something new that we just started talking about. The roof itself has been leaking since 1998. And so therefore, um it is well past time for us to have a really important conversation as a community about um repairing the roof. It will be a full
replacement. Um and also at the same time um at the request of the permanent building committee, there are options in here for um making sure the rest of the building envelope is is secure. So, for example, replacement of some windows in the rotunda that had been leaking for
over 20 years. Um, some repointing of brick as well um that is currently leaking and a few other windows that are causing us some water issues. And additionally, because of the timeline on this, we are really not looking at a replacement until the
summer of 2027. Uh, so that the cost on the project actually does take into consideration inflation. Um because we are we'll be at least another year out. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Jen. >> Thank you.
>> All right. One more. Next one. We have item G. Uh options and next steps for 237 Mansfield A Norton Reservoir Access. Mr. Town Manager. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um please bear with me. This is a little bit of a heavy
um detailed legal analysis with this one. So 237 Mansfield A is a property the town owns. There's a a structure, a house, uh and there's access to the reservoir.
And essentially there has been some interest in what are our options with this property. Can we sell it? Should we keep it? Should we bifurcate it? and I performed a an amount of due diligence and have options for the board's
consideration. There's no with that said, there's no specific action, no urgency, per se. Um, there was a tenant in the house that moved out the last day of December and we have since winterized the the house. So, there's no one living
in the house. I'm informed the house is not in very good condition. So eventually we we can't just have a house there. We'll have to either board it up or make a decision. Um but that doesn't need to happen tonight. Essentially
uh this land is under something called article 97. Uh so it's land that's restricted to to park or conservation use. And there's an agreement in your packet, a contract
with a state agency that because they invested money in building the boat ramp, then we are obligated to provide public access to the lake at this point unless we amend the
agreement. So, a few options here. Option one, do nothing. Uh, self-explanatory. Option two, limited modification. whether we want to to reach out to the state and get permission to
uh knock down the structure, develop the land and keep the boat ramp access. Uh option three, whether we want to try to amend the agreement, keep the boat ramp access, maybe sell off the the
other acreage. I mean, it's a valuable lot property on a hightraveled street. um just roughly worth potentially half a million dollars. Uh option four, transfer it to Commonwealth
and wash our hands of it. Option five, full disposition redevelopment. We would need to dissolve the agreement, repay what they spent to pave the boat ramp. I understand that'd be low six figures and they would
it would require legislative approval to take that property out of article 97. Uh so that would require a town meeting vote a vote of the state legislature. Uh so that would take time a year or two.
So if the board is would like to take some action, I would suggest to authorize my office to uh have have legal counsel um you know thoroughly brief the the the cost and
risk. I mean I did the best I could and you know look into this further if it's worth the resources if the board wants to pursue any of these options. >> Mr. chairman. So, we uh obviously need
some time to digest a lot of this. >> Um, Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> Just just a brief history, though. We bought this piece of land back in the early 2020 because we were trying to figure out a way to take the pressure off the Norton
Grove area for especially Juniper, Juniper Street, trying to get pressure off it. So, the town bought this with the intent to create a boat ramp. Then we found out we ran into all other kinds of problems along the way. So I'm glad to see it's finally there. And I think
we need to look at all these different options to find out which is best for us. If we could make some money in the process, that would be great, but we don't want to jeopardize the boat ramp either. I think that's an important uh new addition to that that resz down there and it allows some pressure to be
taken off to some of the side streets in the reservoir area off Reservoir Street. So, I think the whole process is something we really need to take a hard look at, but I would look forward to hearing any other suggestions that might be made for that property. >> Okay,
>> Mr. Chair, so before this meeting tonight, I actually >> took a drive over there and got on my out of my truck and walked down to the water. And I'm glad I did that because the last time I was over there, it was overgrown. They didn't have the parking in the back. Um the state uh you know
through the uh department department of fishing game has done a really nice job with signage. Um they cleared the area down at the bottom near the water so that there's a lot more parking spots. You don't have to walk as far with your canoe to get down to the waterfront. And um and now in the winter you don't have
all the foliage so you can see right out there. I was pleasantly um surprised at um of that property and how what a gem it is and the accessibility and you know it's valuable for us to have it in the town um e whether it's through you know
uh park and wreck or through um whatever organization can use it um boy scouts or you know general public for rental um options for example. My question is, so I already know what I recommend. I'll throw it out there for
the group because I've given this a lot of thought. I read through all of this earlier today. I like option two and I given the condition of the house and that nobody is uh renting it right now and I did see the condition of the house and it is in poor condition. I looked in the windows,
walked around the perimeter. Um, aside from the house, it's a beautiful uh uh lot and with the access, I would recommend option two and just remove and demo the structure. Just level it. Perhaps utilize the foundation
for, you know, some kind of an outdoor structure, um, open air structure, a perglar or pavilion or something of that sort. How we fund that in the future, I don't I I don't know. But I think with that out that house there, we don't have
the liability and we can utilize the uh property much much better. I guess my question with option two is one of the cons is it requires the uh DFG um approval department of fishing game.
And um my question is do they care about the the building itself? Do they even care about the house? like why would they why would they need to get approval if we just wanted to demo the house? >> Um so apparently the whole law is technically under restriction according
to the contract. So I don't think they would per se have an issue with this as long as we don't obstruct the agreed to access to the water. Okay. So let's assume for for now the sake of argument that that con is not a con any longer.
Um, I think that's the the low risk and the most benefit to the town uh option myself personally. So, thank you. Okay. Thank you, Kevin. Okay. We obviously can talk more about
that. I'mma I'mma subdivide it and sell it and get the 500 grand out of it myself. You know, preserve the back because we have to, you know, the under the article 97. But nothing worthwhile is easy or quick. So doing the the legal
work takes a little bit of time. But you know, with a financial hardship explanation to the state, which is not going to be a hard cell cuz every community is in a financial hardship, pleading to the state uh for the release in that article 97 for that uh subdivided parcel will be a no-brainer.
I mean, just a just a quick hunch, but Mr. >> Chairman, >> um, and then get the get the 500 grand out of it and let someone sell it and let someone develop it. >> Less legal fees, though, of course. >> Mr. Chairman, it >> Yeah, I would I would agree. And I I think just keep in mind though, we have
a new village. Uh, we don't village, we have a new MBTA all the way over there. The um, so the size of the buildings can be uh can be rather rather high if they if they're given the opportunity. But I agree with you. I think it would be nice if we could sell it off as long as it's
compliant with zoning bylaws so no one has a problem in the future as long as we keep the rightway there. But I want to also re uh recommend and and that we have to we have to keep the boat ramp and the land to the right of it is also tender conservation restrictions. It's
about 30 plus acres in there. And we looked at putting the boat ramp in that area and they thought it could be done in the future if we dredge a little bit of it. Yeah. >> And so back in 16 and 17 when we were talking about this with the fishing game, it was something that we're trying
to pull put together. So it would be very important to keep that right away as wide as we can with a hope that in the future we might be able to devel develop more of that property down there for for the boats. >> Mr. Chair.
>> Yes, sir. So, I've been trying to uh look into selling this piece of land for the last two years and seeing what we could do and how we could work with the fishing game to get that done. So, um I'd be leaning towards that if we could somehow subdivide it, sell off the piece
of property that we could sell off and keep the access to the reservoir would be great. So, my two cents. >> Okay. Thank you. And by the way, it looks bigger than it is because it goes into the trees, the tree line. Also, if you're standing on the front of it to
the left, it doesn't if you're just looking at the open space, >> Alberto's Yeah, it's actually more space than it looks like in there. Yeah. >> So, hopefully there will be enough there to subdivide it. >> Okay. So, next up, thank you everyone. So,
next up is the uh close of war for May 18th, 2026 annual town meeting. Mr. the town man. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh I've submitted in you can find in your packets a list of 27 proposed uh warrant articles and
under the charter that the select board needs to formally close the warrant as the deadline for submissions passed on February 10th. And then the select board um would later, you know, individually vote these to the the town meeting
warrant as we traditionally have done and individually vote them on. >> Here. >> Yes, sir. >> I make a motion that we close the warrant for the May 18th, 2026 annual town meeting. >> Second. >> Motion and a second. All in favor? >> I I
>> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> Um Mr. What's the uh the uh special time meeting warrant? That's still that's still open, right? >> So, we looked into this and
there's no reason to have a special town meeting. Um other than it has been always done this way in the past. Um, so unless an article, you know, comes in late and there's an urgency to include it, um, we're just planning on having a regular
town meeting. Okay. Thank you, SH. Uh, next up, the town meeting article, acceptance of MGL138, section 12D, conversion of wine/malt liquor licenses to all alcoholic
beverages licenses. >> Mr. Manager, >> thank you. So this is an article. This is number 22 and this has recently come up as there's
an application by uh was it Bog Iron >> Bog Iron Brewery. Uh do you want to >> um they have a pending application to convert their license but we would have to adopt the law first. So I guess in the efforts of letting that existing
business convert their license, it would have to go on the next town meeting. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> I believe their license though is different than normal um wine and malt. I believe it's under a farmer's restriction. Something we need
to look into. I have no objection to them doing it. If there's some way we can make that happen, that's fine. I think we adopted the u we allowed them to uh to do their their thing over there in on West Main. I think it's a different type of license. So, we want
to make sure we're talking about the right kind. But I think overall, so Mr. uh Mr. Gold, this is telling us now that if I have a wine and malt, I can now sell I can convert that to all alcohol. We have no cap on that anymore.
>> Is that what >> That's true. It wouldn't count against the existing cap. That's pretty pretty good. Yeah, they they in the past has been tough to do stuff like that. So, >> it's a way to be business friendly. >> Yeah, I agree, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir.
>> I make a motion that we recommend article 22 on town meeting one. >> Second. >> Motion a second. All in favor? >> I >> I >> Okay. 26. So, in in in the meantime, would uh
would you be able to update the board next meeting about what their actual license is and if this is uh you know, actually what they're trying to do? You know, if if it's >> I'll look into that. Absolutely. >> That'd be great. Something tells me I this I thought was presented to us.
>> We um >> my memory isn't as young as it used to be, but I thought I remember seeing this not that long ago. >> It was, but the board didn't take any action. I did read the minutes. Yeah, it was discussed, but no. Yeah, we didn't have any applications. >> No applications. >> This is before Bir,
>> right? >> Okay. All right. Thank you very much. And town manager report. >> Uh, thank you, sir. I would like to welcome again um our IT
director, Basama Wad, and our assistant town manager, Shannon McMahon, who started uh both on February 2nd. Uh we're extremely pleased with their efforts so far. We're under investigation. Uh maybe that's not the right word. Uh comprehensive review. How
about that? >> From an attorney, no less. We're under uh reviewing all of the IT uh infrastructure in place and determining what we actually have, what we're paying for, and what we should be
paying for and how to best provide services at the lowest cost to employees and residents. Um we're focused on stabilization of all departments and professionalization uh efficiencies and we're moving
forward. Um I have appointed Michael Barrows as highway equipment operator. Mr. Barrows has a experience in other um similar situations with
heavy equipment and we're very lucky to to be able to to have him on board. Um there's continued coordination. uh opportunities for efficiencies are being explored particularly at the senior and community center where we're
building on successes um helping seniors integrating coordination with veterans and we'll be able to take care of uh seniors, provide them a better experience when they go to the center and potentially expand the center, the
senior and community center for community um groups to use the facility. on the evenings. So hopefully we can u button that up in the next uh short term and favorably report back on that.
Uh department of public works, we formally have a department of public works which is a long time coming and it's already producing measurable results. Um now we can have stronger capital planning uh more close
coordination with engineering with with water sewer highway cemeteries. Um I couldn't be more more happy he's hitting the ground running. Uh budget and financial planning. Uh we're actively underway coordinating with all the town
departments. Uh holding numerous meetings. There's cost drivers and uh the goal is to present a disciplined sustainable budget that maintains core services while avoiding structural
imbalances. Uh the plan is at the next uh board meeting to present a an a budget outlook and to report to the finance committee and the school committee and the select board on our
cost drivers, fiscal constraints, our clear framework. And then going into March where we'll continue to have formal meetings with the finance committee uh regularly report to the select board every uh few weeks and which will culminate in a formal final
presentation in early April and approval at this May town meeting. Uh so that's the timeline overall and right now they're moving targets as state aid is currently moving through the house.
um essentially it's it's flat um unfortunately. Um so we're there are definitely constraints and we're trying to live within our means and and do the best we can. Um
I can report that on the next item uh Mass.land land. We are very hopeful. We have a meeting with Mass Dot tomorrow where we're hopefully finalizing an RFP to put the last remaining industrial zone
land in Norton out to bid, which will be great for economic development, new growth uh in the town. Uh so I'm very hopeful, cautiously optimistic. This has been a long time coming. Hopefully we can get over the finish line very soon. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir.
>> Mr. Um, Mark, would you make sure that the one thing we didn't talk about last time we talked with the DOT? Let's make sure we have a clear easement to that 9 10 acres we own in the back as part of the agreement. I know they they wanted an easement to to the fish and game land
in the back, but we need to make sure we have a clear defined easement to our land also in the back because that's the only way we >> correct because we do own a parcel right next to the parcel they're talking about. We're landlocked, so we need to have a way to get into that also.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. We will for sure look look into that. Um, so we'd like to thank Representative Howitt and our legislative delegation for helping us work through these issues with Massd. Um, happy to report that there's an
owner of the 47 Elm Street property and the 3.5 million grant that was originally earmarked for sewer on Elm Street is nearing approval hopefully in the next few weeks or month for water on
Elm Street, which we need to replace that water line anyway. Um, so that'll be great if we can use that state money for that rather than Norton rateayer money. Uh there's also other grants that water and sewer are actively pursuing.
Thank you. Subject to your questions. >> Any questions for >> Yeah, that was great. Thank you, uh, Miss Town Manager. Good information. Um, health insurance percent increase. Did you get that nailed down a couple weeks back? all over the place depending on the town and >> unfortunately
>> program you belong to >> 12% which is uh a big hit considering that's a if I remember correctly it's a $8 million line in our budget so 12% of 8 million is >> a million bucks >> more than we can afford >> I mean it's better than the statewide
average which is 14% um but right now it's a 12% placeholder in our budget preparations >> thank you and I know when we were at at the um MMI or the >> MMA >> MMA. Thank you. Um
annual uh conference. Um I they they had announced they had the the uh house one uh governor's budget posted and I shared it with you when we were there together and we're as you mentioned the state aid is flat um over last year right now as it stands. So,
um I this is great news as far as 47 Elm Street. So, we have a new owner and can you I don't know if we can talk about this in open session, but has it already transferred and are they adopting any of the past um real estate taxes or going
forward are they responsible for the current valuation? There's a recorded deed and we're in discussions very preliminarily about how to best put that land to good use, which
includes uh to my best of my knowledge, it's about $350,000 in unpaid taxes. There's there's actually a an item a placeholder on the the Springtown meeting that would allow us to
negotiate that as part of a you know favorable development to the town if we can work some sort of option where it's something that the town can agree would be a a good
development. Then we would be able to wave a portion of those. That's a placeholder under number Uh number 20, uh abatement for continued environmental cleanup. The owner is actively pursuing a EPA grant. I
understand half the parcel was already cleaned up and half the parcel still needs to be cleaned up, which is substantial cost, but EPA is definitely interested. Um so hopefully we can clean up the environmental mess there.
Yeah, this is really significant news. Uh, great news. And is the new owner's intent to develop it as um industrial commercial because I know that that that develop that development maybe that's an indication we we should stop talking
about this, but the I know the grant is contingent upon economic development on that property, right? So, does it sound like we're heading in that direction? It it it does and and hopefully the grant can can go through in the next month. Um and
then I mean we're already starting designing and construction. So if if the grant doesn't go through, we're going to do it anyway. Um it was authorized the town meeting. It needs to be done. >> Um but >> great news, >> Mr. Chairman. Mr. >> Chairman. >> Yes, sir. I believe uh that economic
development could be again under the VCC regulations where the first floor could be utilized for commercial purposes and then above it can be come can be the living quarters. So that is in the VCC that in within that circle. So that's a
possibility of something she might be able to do also. But it's uh we spent a half million dollars at town to clean up the other half. And >> weren't you speaking against the VCC earlier? >> I'm just I'm just throwing it out there
because even the village commercial allows the same process. Although I don't believe that's VC. I don't think that's village commercial down there. The other thing is the um we have to make sure that
we're well we're going to have a lot to say about what's going to happen. We spent half a million dollars to fix clean up part of it. If they owe $350,000, I'm going to suggest that's going to be a lot less than what we would have to pay to take down the other half, too. So, if we can work with the developer
and and give them some slack in order to take down the rest of that building so we don't have to pay for it, I think that's well within the level of discussion we should have with these people. Um, but whatever she does down there, it's going to be housing of so of
some sort. There's no no question. And I don't think that there going to be any um possibilities of a I don't see the neighborhood accepting a u some kind of a manufacturing facility in their neighborhood. I don't I don't see that happening. So I think it's going to be
probably uh some sort of housing which is what they were proposing before. But it's going to be uh definitely an opportunity for us to clean that mess up finally and get it done. And we need to work with that developer to make that happen any way we can.
Excellent points and we'll work with the the the record owner to accomplish those. >> We've been uh Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. We've been trying for years to do something with that and it's always been well, we don't have a developer. We don't have anybody that owns the property. Nobody owns the property. And
now that we have somebody who's actually taken charge of the property, I think that's a unbelievably positive step. >> And Mr. here just to add on to that the when I mentioned economic development mixed use right commercial residential
very similar to what was originally planned um and as you know town manager the everyone in town will be willing to work with this new owner on on their development plans us I'm sure as a
select the planning for the finance committee so um it's great is Mr. Chairman, the other three and a half acres, uh, Mr. Gold, the three and a half acres across the street, um, that's a contaminated site
and we want to make sure that as long as we're all alive, we never accept that. We never take that as a tax foreclosure property. We don't want anything to do with that. that was cleaned up supposedly by D and EPA, but that's a three or four acre parcel
that's going to sit there and they're not going to buy it. 47 Elm isn't going to buy it for sure and we don't want to be responsible for it either in the future. >> Under understood and she specifically took, you know, title to 47 Elm and not the parcel next to it for those reasons.
So we will keep that on the radar for sure to to not ex blindly accept that risk. >> Right. >> Okay. Uh thank you Mr. Town Manager. Uh warrants. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes sir.
>> I make a motion that we approve invoice warrant number AP26-30 dated January 22nd, 2026. >> Second. All in favor? I, >> Mr. Chairman, I make a motion we approve payroll warrant PR26-15 for the week
ending January 17th, 2026. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I, Mr. >> Chairman, I make a motion we approve invoice warrant AP26-31 dated January 29th, 2026. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I.
>> Mr. Chairman, I make a motion we approve payroll warrant P26-16 for the week ending January 31st, 2026. Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> Mr. Chairman, I make a motion we approve invoice warrant AP26-33
dated February 5th, 2026. >> Second. All in favor? >> I >> I >> Okay. Select board report and mail. Mr. >> Chairman. >> Yes. >> I have two two uh letters here. I
believe one's on the agenda. It's uh dated January 20th. Mr. Border selectman, town manager. Uh, gentlemen, I'm going to do the best I can. I can I think I can read this. The town working to secure a grocery store. Question number one.
Is the town working to make Lake Wakana a place for families to enjoy like we did in the 40s, 50s, and even 60s? Number three, Route 140 Mansfield A only has sidewalks to Reservoir Street.
Um, can't read that word. In front of the >> senior center, >> new senior center with the 100 unit ADTS and the proposed housing MBTA housing sidewalks should be required the full
length of Mansfield A. Do you agree? Will Smith Street, East Freeman Street, even town ever get Town Sorus? and thanking us for their replies. So, >> Mr. Chair,
>> yes, sir. >> I would uh just like to thank Mr. Kulage for his letter. Um most of the uh things like this that we have come into us um aren't signed with nobody's name on them. So, I appreciate him taking the
time to put his name on it and um we can look into these things surely. Okay. Thank you, sir. Any other questions or comments for um the gentleman that that sent this
this in? Uh some of the stuff like a a grocery store. I think that's been a topic for a while now, but uh I don't think the demographics support it personally from a retail standpoint. uh with the other options surrounding
town and you know Lake Winter Cunn you know when I was growing up you Saturdays and Sundays it was it was packed there they had the motorbo races and and everything every Saturday and Sunday cars up and down the street uh I think the weeds issue
>> took over that and that uh quelled that situation if I'm not mistaken. Uh, >> so Lake Winn kind of could be utilized like it was in the 40s, '50s, and even 60s today because we did do the chemical treatment of of the the water
>> and the there is a ramp or or so-called beach on Bay Road which is about the size of my front steps. Yeah. >> But it's it is a beach and people are allowed to go there and swim if they like. >> It's a public beach >> public water body. As far as the other side of the res, there's really not a
lot of places out there to go, but it is it is available again for swimming if people want to do it. >> Yeah, the uh sidewalks there is a section that I think that he that he notes that section that goes from the senior sent the connects to the
res uh >> Freeman Street >> Freeman Street, but uh there are no others. Uh that's something to be noted. >> Mr. Chairman, I I think that as developers come into town and want to build these major, you know, projects
on Mansfield have say the MBTA even the overlay area, you know, this should be part of the criteria. We have to remind everyone though that Mansfield have is a state highway and the town doesn't really have as much control as we'd like to have on what goes on on that that that highway. But, you know, the
planning board could work with the DOT and as part of a condition of any new development in that area, continue to push for more sidewalks in the future. I couldn't agree more. I know there's a legality of how um you know to ask for
help with it. Uh and that's something that KP I'm sure if not Mr. Town Manager would know exactly how to do. Uh you know, there could be expectations. >> Mhm. Um, and I couldn't agree more. It's very common place in a lot of
communities. Um, and the town sewers, same thing. The sewer expansion. That's a >> Yeah, there's a lot of those streets that uh that need it and uh hopefully over time that will come to fruition.
>> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> I'll just weigh in on some of these as well. You you mo me mentioned number one is the town working to secure a grocery store. It's really market driven based on demand and supply in the area. We have very little impact on that. The
economic development commission um may be able to weigh in more on what type of businesses they're trying or encouraged to move into Norton. I'm sure that property it's been vacant for a while since the um the Indian uh grocery store moved out >> in 2023. >> Thank you, Pete. So it it it's the
economic development commission may have a better response, but all of this is market driven, right? Uh supply and demand, and we have there are supermarkets all around Norton. Um unfortunately or fortunately, depending how you look at it. Um is the town working to make Lakewana the place for
families to enjoy? That really was what drove my comments around 257 man that we spoke about earlier. um with at least uh you know boat access um non-motorized boats and
maybe a place near the water to enjoy um 140 Mansfield A only when we were working on the community center senior center project. Uh the Mass uh Department of Transportation required us to put sidewalks right out in front uh because their thought was as you noted
as a state road, but they felt um since we had a project, you know, town sponsored project that we can at least put sidewalks there and maybe over time they'll be extended as other projects come up and down the you know >> um Mansfield have. And then Smith
Street. Um, that's intriguing because we have sewer, right? Uh, gravity fed sewer up and down uh 140 and >> we have it to the trailer park behind the old Volksw about it. >> It makes complete sense because Smith Street is right in the middle of the
water bodies. You would think for >> would have to come from the north. You know, it goes Yeah. from Reservoir Street lift station. It goes south on 140, >> but it could go down Smith and back on the Mansfield A and back toward the
>> I should say there's a lift station over there near the and and it pumps it does pump north to the lift station at Resort in Mansville. Yeah. >> I don't remember if our master plan addressed this or not. I know people had the opportunity to put dots where they
felt we should have sewer expansion and other aspects around town as far as our master plan and but that Smith Street is right there in the middle of you know on both sides of uh when it comes on both sides of it. You would think for environmental reasons it would make sense to put sewer in there to get all of those
>> I'm sorry >> the res I'm sorry. Um yeah. Okay. So yeah, so my my comment about 257 mi was about the res. Now I want to but yeah, thanks um for this person. This these are good questions
because they can you know start conversations that we may not otherwise uh think of. Right, >> Mr. Chairman? >> Yes, sir. >> And just in addition, I want to give a shout out to Paul DJeppy, the town planner. He has been working on trying to find something. I'll give him credit
for that. And him and I have had a number of conversations about some of the big chains that in the area that are not in surrounding areas. Stop and Shop companies like that. They're not going to come into Norton if they already have a plant, retail plant next door. They're
not going to do that. It would be a company that we don't have in the area that would have to come in and and and build in Norton. So, but Paul I know has been uh we've been sending out letters and talking to people and really we're not getting any interest and until we
have a big enough piece of land where maybe someone could come and build their own plant um I don't know that that's going to happen and like everyone else says is we've we're surrounded by by grocery stores unfortunately. >> Yeah. I mean that and the median income
the demographics just don't support it. It it is what it is. They should be sub subdividing that that section. >> I mean, whatever they >> But we still collect real estate taxes on that. >> Yeah, they're still paying them. Y, >> you know,
>> but uh >> All right. Well, thank you, sir, for sending in that. >> He has one more letter >> information. We have another letter. Okay, >> I have one more. >> Yep. >> So, this is from FJ Barrows, uh, private citizen, 370 Pratt Street, Mansfield, Massachusetts. The subject is call
action on the Gatra blue bus, blue apple bus from the Mansfield MBTA station to Logan airport express bus service and I believe we've all had some conversation about this in the past. Uh dear select board members, town administrators,
state representative, I'm writing in my capacity as a concerned citizen, local business owner, recently retired state representative for the first Bristol district. I respectfully request you publicly support the continuation of the daily app blue apple bus service between
Mansfield and Logan airport as well and to ensure reimbursement for the 2025 expenses. I also ask that you address the serious administrative failures of the gatra administrator that now threatens the success this successful program. Since launching in 2023, the
Blue Apple bus service has transported more than 72,000 passengers with ridership increasing 33% year after year year-over-year. As of May 25th, 2025, Blue Apple operates at the same daily frequency as Massports, Danvers, Logan
Express. The multi-reional service delivers clear economic, social and transportation benefits and has broad support for the governor, lieutenant governor, state legislative delegation, master, the federal transit administration, federal highway administration and
numerous municipalities. Blue Bus Blue Apple is a model private private public private partnership leveraging photo federal funding in private investment to provide sustainable public transportation
without impacting the state budget. Despite its success, the service has been jeopardized by the refusal of the Gatra administrator to timely request eligible federal congestion mitigation and air quality funding from Mass D.
Although CMAQ, which is the congest congestion, migration and air quality funding was eventually requested and programmed for 2025. Blue Apple bus company has not been reimbursed for any portion of the 2025
calendar year despite submitting all required documents and invoices. From 2024 through the end of March 2025, the GATR administrator repeatedly failed to request the third year of CMAQ funding. During that period, three
letters from the state legislative delegation and digital correspondents from town manager and select board me leadership in Mansfield, Foxboro, Norton, Reom, and Berkeley explicitly directed her to do do so. Only after
substained pressure did she finally submit the request in late March or early April 2025. Mass DOT promptly repromptly reprogrammed the funds with full support of Governor Haley and Lieutenant
Governor Driscoll. Gatri has since completed this audit and closed this book from for the January to June 2025 period. However, the failure to reimburse Blue Apple for services already provided is both unjustifiable and correctable under general accepted
accounting principles. Moreover, Gatro lacked a designed safety plan until January 2026, which independently uh prevented the agency from drawing down federal funds in 2025. These administrative failures should not
be used as justification to deny deny reimbursement. The outstanding expenses from January to December 2025 are fully covered and programmed under CMAQ federal funds and do not require GATRA or state funds. Gatra must honor
the reimbursement obligation. Most troubling, the Gatra administrator misrepresented the facts to the member of the state legislative delegation falsely claiming the CMAQ funding has been requested and denied. On February 28, 2025, when asked by state
representative Chason to provide documentation for that request, she admitted that no request had ever been made. The conduct reflects unprofessional behavior, insubordination, and serious breach of public trust. I'm asking you to number one, publicly support the continuation
of the daily blue of Apple bus service. And number two, contact Mayor Taton Mayor Shauna Okonnell, chair of the Gatra Advisory Board. Phone number 5088211000. Email mayor to taton-mash.gov
gov or contact your municipality's GATRA representative to express concern regarding the GATRA administrator's action and demand immediate reimbursement for the Blue Apple bus company versus 2025 services and feel free to call contact me with any
questions or if you'd like to do some documentation. I appreciate your attention this matter and look forward to your response and that's from FJ Barrels >> Mr. Chair. Yes, sir. So, this Blue Apple bus that goes from Mansfield train
station to the uh airport um is uh one of the benefits that we should be taking advantage of as a town. Um and when they say that uh the
MBT overlay and we are in a what do they call it? A neighboring community. We barely have a shuttle that runs to Mansfield train station. So, but we have as a board sent a letter to
the Gatra head and received no reply. So I believe that the next step is that uh we should as a board or as a town do what we can by sending letters to I think they want us to send them to the
uh mayor of Taton now. Um, so if we could somehow get that up on the website, the address that uh they would like us to send the letters to so that we can try to get this rectified because this service is going to go
away. Um, and I have used this service myself several times and it it's a godsend. So you're not trying to fight traffic going into Logan Airport. So, um, I would like us to do that if we could and, uh, to
encourage anybody in the community who's used this or thought of using it to make a phone call, write an email, write a letter to the, uh, mayor of Taton to try to put some pressure on the uh, Gatra head to request these funds. Thank
you. >> Thank you, sir. I do I can speak to the uh, viability of the service itself. The other option besides walking, driving, biking is the uh passport service provided at the Brainree um shuttle bus,
I guess, at the old uh drive-in theater. And that can be a nightmare to get to uh and then wait for the bus up there. So, uh this one for our community, um you know, being right there is is a huge benefit. I know I haven't used it myself personally, but I know tons of people
that have and they it's it's uh spoken uh spoken of very highly. So, >> and I and I've dropped friends off to use it myself and they speak, you know, very highly of how fast it is, how easy it is. They drop you off, they bring you back. You know, it
in this era of MBTA overlays and developing a property and trying to create a more uh viable transportation program for for us all to use, it just continues to amaze me that when you look at the state a grant, the money's coming
for the MBTA this coming year, we're barely getting another 300 bucks out of them, if that, over last year, and yet we get no services whatsoever. We pay for it. The town has to pay for their MBTA service. We're getting assessed for it and we're getting nothing. So, the
bus program is just a small portion of it, but I think it's very important that we continue to have this service available. I know if I have to go out of Boston again, I will definitely go through the blue bus. I'll use that myself because it's just so much easier and the cost doesn't cost much. It's
it's very cheap to to go back and forth. It's short money and you know if if you don't uh you know utilize a car service um you know this is the next next best option because parking up up at the
airport um is just outrageous to park anywhere near the airport that's convenient. It's it's crazy to to leave your car. So, uh, this is a very economical, convenient, the most convenient solution that we have, uh,
for our community. >> Mr. Chairman, if our in-house attorneys can write something up, that would be greatly appreciated. Um, and I would highly recommend that when the letter sent be sent certified mail or some other factor so we know we're getting
they're getting the mail because I've been doing some uh conversation having conversation with Department of Transportation and I've been sending them information. I'm getting nothing back. So from now on in the future I will make sure I send registered letters instead. But I think it would be a nice
way to make sure that we know that somebody got it if nothing else. Thank you. >> So, Mr. Chair, uh do you happen to know who the Norton um advisory board member is and designate for the town of Norton
>> for >> for the for Gatra, I'm sorry. Gatra Advisory Board. You should know. >> Not sure. >> It's you. >> Oh, it's it is congratulations. >> I'm looking at their website right now. You get your name is >> I don't know. Your name is listed under both.
>> You weren't you weren't there that week? >> I missed that meeting. So the mayor is the chair obviously is um as the letter states the uh mayor of Taton. That's why he's asking the letter to go to her not to the city of Taton but to the mayor who happens to be the chair of the
advisory board. And then vice chair is the uh mayor of Adboro uh D Simone Done. >> Thank you. And then the clerk is um Mark Germaine of Middleboro. And then every community has their own designate member and designate. And your name is listed under both Alec. Not really got any
correspondence on that. Who? >> Did you make sure make make sure Mr. Rich is a certified order also? >> So it should come from you with your name on it, I guess, is my point. So when we send a letter off to to the chair, she'll recognize your name being a member. >> Well, your draft has I'll sign it.
>> Our uh our in-house attorneys are looking into the matter as we speak. And um and at the request of u board member Marcen um I did call them about a week ago. They returned my call um with
nothing concrete and no solution. So I was very disappointed in Gatra's initial response >> and no reason why they haven't just requested the money. The money is sitting there. All they have to do is request it to get the money and give it to them.
We will follow up in writing. >> Thank you. >> Uh what next? >> Get this. >> That's it. No executive session. So >> I could >> Mr. Chair. Uh what's our next meeting?
>> Do you want to ask? >> We have not set a date yet. >> Maybe three or four. Up to you. We have is the 26th, Mr. Town Manager. Is that >> available? Is that um 26? I mean, we
have every Thursday as a placeholder. It's up to the the board when they'd like to meet. We would like to get a date solidified approximately 4 weeks from now to have a poll hearing so we can give notice to Verizon and the abutters. >> Okay.
So why don't we set the 26th and the 12th? So those are concrete. >> That works for us. >> Does that work for everybody? >> Perfect. Yes. Thank you. >> You know, Denise isn't here, but
we'll set them and >> make her work. >> Make it work. Yeah. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> So Christie, if you could put that out to everybody, that'd be that'd be great. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you. Okay, >> Mr. Chair, before we um uh conclude here, I just wanted to mention that and
really this is because of the time and effort Bob himself and Mark put into the MMA um in uh town uh employee annual conference um connect 351 is what it's called now. So I went for a half a day,
went to a couple of sessions mainly around um well from the division of local services a lot of the the financing and the data and that kind of thing. Uh two good good uh presentations but I know Bob spent the whole weekend there and Mark was there, Shannon was there, Christy was there as well and I
know she did a lot of research through all the vendors and the tables and everything collecting information and then Jennifer from the payroll department. So we had a good representation from the town of Norton. So I it's great to for the town to to to know that not only the the staff but the
you know members of the select board are taking the initiative to uh improve our skills and knowledge and uh contacts as well. Um so I don't know if Bob wants to add on to it but I know Bob spent a lot of time much more than me probably
others. So >> that was interesting. I mean, I haven't been to it obviously in six years, but it was uh it's a great opportunity to talk to some of the state departments also. A lot of government agencies are there and you can have a conversation with them and and talk about certain things. But I did bring back some
information. I have to sort it out and get it to um department heads in in town hall so that they can uh if Chrissy didn't grab it, then I I may have grabbed something different. Some of the programs I thought were pretty interesting, so I will make sure that others get it. and uh if they're
interested, they can they can pursue it. One thing that did come up uh Mr. Town Manager is the equipment needed to um emergency situations with Nacham and
uh AEDs. Is that what they call? AEDs and all that kind of stuff. I know we have some of that here in the building in most of our buildings now, but how many of us volunteers really know how to use it? And I'm wondering if at some point we could get maybe the fire
department or someone to come in and maybe give us all an opportunity to understand how that stuff works just in case something does happen because I was with a friend of mine today who about a year ago was on a basketball court at the age of 77 and just went for went for
a shot and went down and never got up and he was dead on arrival and they came and they gave him the they got to dig out they summoned the seat PR and someone did the AED machine on him and saved his life. So, I think it's important that I know how to do I know
how to resuscitate. I know how to do that. But if we needed to if I needed to use the AED, I have no idea how that thing works. And I just think it'd be worth our while to educate as many people in this in these buildings as we can when maybe the professionals aren't around to help us as much in the future.
>> Chair of the fire department. Be happy to >> Yeah. >> to do that. I think they do it at the schools >> if I'm not mistaken. >> They've come down to the BFW and to put it on. They put them they run free classes up in the fire department as well. >> Yeah. Yep.
>> Yes. The I I recently did speak with the superintendent and the schools do know how to operate them. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> Okay. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> Make a motion to adjurnn. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> Thank you, everyone. If I go down, no
put it