Thursday, September 11th, 6:02 p.m. Uh we have Kevin, Denise, Bob, Roger, and myself. And I' I'd like to welcome our new town manager, Mr. Mark Gold. And if Peter, you could start us
off with the pledge of allegiance, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Okay. So, I'd like to first start off with um quick moment of silence followed up by a video uh to commemorate and honor uh September 11th and all those that were
lost. Um let's do a moment of silence, please. Mr. T manager. [Music] [Music] Okay, we've got to change we've got to change the sound output
to the speakers. [Music] Okay. see it's on mute. Oh, thank you. Thank you for your patience. Our IT director is out today. >> Well, you could
just He's going to get it. [Music] >> There's a massive gaping hole. >> All hope is lost.
Gone away. It's >> just unbelievable to look at. But I know [Music] I'm not going by the light
she stands. There she waits. [Music] faithful friend. [Music] Shimmering stars
westward wind show the way car me to the place she stands. Just when you think it might be over,
>> there was another one. [Music] >> Another plane just flew into the second tower. >> This is ridiculous. >> Please stop jumping. There
she stands. There she flies. Clear blue sky [Music] burns us with red. >> Another explosion that have t has taken
place at the Pentagon. to white by the brave in this dream. She stands when evil. >> United 93 Cleveland. Do you still hear the center?
>> When all your homes come crashing down. United at 93. Do you still hear Cleveland? >> Then she stands. We've seen a flying sword. We've seen her stand the test of time. [Music]
And through it all the foes have fallen. There she stands. >> I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. >> And the people who knock these buildings down
>> will hear all of us soon. And through the fight, she stands.
[Music] In New York City, the most protected living thing in the city is a a tree.
It's a tree that was uh thrown in the dump pile after the buildings came down. And in the spring of 2002, uh, the tree began to sprout. It was the only thing that was living that was taken from that place that come back.
And so, it's a protected thing and it's a living prayer uh for renewal even as the terrible things that have happened in our country, particularly on 911. We need reminders of living hope. And God gives us those today in the spirit
of peace. We ask God to be with us to be with the families of those who are mourning the loss of loved ones for those who witnessed the event and who are part of it who are living with trauma. And we listen to the words that come to us from the book of
Ecclesiastes. There is an appointed time for everything and the time for every affair under the heavens. A time to be born and a time to die. A
time to heal and a time to kill. A time to plant and a time to uproot the plant. A time to tear down, a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh. A
time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones. A time to gather them together. A time to embrace and a time to be found from embraces. A time to love and a time to hate. A
time of war and a time of peace. What advantage has the worker from his terror? I have considered the task which God has appointed for men to be busied about. He has put the timeless in their hearts
without men's ever discovering from beginning to end the work that God has done. Amen. [Music] [Applause] [Music]
[Applause] [Music] Thank you. [Music] Thank you everyone. So to continue on that uh in light of
other recent events that have transpired, I have another statement uh to make. My Norton fellow community members, the recent rec recent senseless national murders have left us left us questioning and grieving. But I assure
you that Norton's strength in unity will prevail. These horrific acts will not fracture Norton's spirit. Instead, they fuel our resolve to stand together in defiance of violence, embracing hope and
compassion as our guide. I urge every one of you to reject fear and division. Let's unite in support of one another, honoring the lost by building a stronger, kinder community. Norton's heart is unbreakable, and together we
will rise above these and all tragedies, proving that love in solidarity triumph over hate. Stay strong, stay united, and may God bless us all. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you. All right. In light of all that, we have appointments, resignations, and retirements. First appointment is of Michael McHugh as a full-time civil
service police officer. Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. Notice appointment of full-time civil service police officer. I hereby notify the SWAT board in accordance with the provisions of article 4 section 2B of the Norton charter acting in my capacity as appointing authority have appointed the
following individual as a full-time civil service police officer Michael McHugh said appointment was made on September 8th 2025 in accordance with the provisions of the Norton SH will be effective September 23rd 2025 unless the vote select board votes to accept or
reject the appointment prior to that date. However, I specifically request the board's acceptance of this appointment with an effective date of October 26th, 2025. >> Thank you, Chief. Uh, good evening. Uh, these two appointments tonight before
you are not new positions. They backfilled two retirements that we've recently had. Um, and this will give us a full complement of a police department at a level services status right now. Uh, Mr. Mchugh is currently he's a Massachusetts
native and he's currently a Enfield, Connecticut police officer. Uh moving back here to Massachusetts. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts. Um there was an extensive process that we we went through including two oral board interviews, uh
background check, psychological testing, um a physical agility test, and he has a waiver from the Massachusetts Police Training Committee so that he can start uh the FTO program on October 26.
Perfect. Any questions? >> Yep. I hereby notify the select board that in accordance with provisions of article 4 section 2B of the Norton charter acting in my capacity is appointing authority I have appointed the following individual as a full-time Norton police officer Nicholas Perez
said appointment was made in September 8th 2025 in accordance with the provision provisions of the Norton charter and will be effective September 23rd 2025 unless the select board votes to accept or reject the appointment prior to that date. However, I
specifically request the board's acceptance of this appointment with an effective date of December 1st, 2025. >> Again, Mr. Ferez was uh these two were the unanimous uh top choices for this position. Um Mr. Ferez is a graduate of
UMass Amherst where he went to the Eisenberg School and studied finance. He wants to uh some people think he's a little crazy for getting into the police role, but he wants a little more excitement and uh and to give back to the community. He's a Mansfield High School graduate. Uh his brother's
actually a Mansfield police officer and he too has passed the oral board uh background check, physical psychological testing. And uh I know there was a question earlier about why December 1st and that is the next available police academy that I'll go through.
>> Okay. Thank you, Chief. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. I make a motion that we accept Michael McHugh as a full-time civil service police officer effective October 26th, 2025. >> Through your chair, I had a question. Sorry. >> Uh chief, just a quick quick question.
What's the difference between um a Norton police officer and a civil service police officer? >> So, they're both civil service police officers. The only difference is Mr. McHugh is going to start right away on the road uh because he has an academy waiver. Uh Mr. Perez has to go through the academy and he's actually a student
officer during that time. So, it's just uh it's really there's really no difference. When he graduates from the academy, you'll be a full-time civil service nor police officer. >> Great. Thanks for clarifying. >> Okay. Motion in a second. Any other questions? No. All in favor?
>> I welcome Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. I make a motion that we appoint uh Nicholas Ferris as a full-time Norton police officer effective December 1st, 2025. >> Second.
>> Any questions? >> No. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> I. >> Thank you, gentlemen. >> Congratulations. >> You sure you passed that uh psychological survey, right? >> I don't know. Going from finance to this. I don't know.
>> Congratulations. But good luck. >> Congratulations. >> Congratulations. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Welcome. >> Good luck. >> Thank you. Welcome. >> Your call. >> Don't need to You want to do a picture with them, Chief? >> Does the board want to do a picture?
>> Sure. >> Sure. >> We don't have enough to take. So, let's do it. Come on. You make me look tall. Get up here. Hold >> on, Peter. Don't hang with me next to these guys. >> Yes.
>> Okay, good. There. >> Thanks, Jim. >> Thanks, Peter. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. All right. [Music]
Next, we have appointment of Michelle Sparks to the recreation committee. Come on down. You want to start it off, Melissa? Maybe break the ice. >> Sorry. Sorry about that one. Uh, we had another um resident reach out to us who
wanted to join the park and recck committee. We still have after Michelle joins um we'll have one more position open as a permanent, but Michelle is fantastic. She's done things all over town um different boards, different groups. So happy to have her. very happy
to have her and it only took about two weeks. Um, >> no, >> no, >> no. >> Okay, go ahead. >> No. So, um, as Denise knows, I have been extremely involved at Norton High School. Um, my son having just graduated
in the spring. And when I was at the high school, I ran parent board, I ran cross country, I ran winter track, I ran spring track. On top of that, as Roger knows, I've been very involved with Boy Scouts. Um, so last year, maybe it was
about two years ago, um, my son Ben did his Eagle Scout project at the Everett Leonard. He's responsible for building the Gaga ball pit. And during that whole process, when we were meeting with Melissa, she's like, you know, I have an opening on Park and Wreck. were like,
"Hey, yeah, maybe when things calm down a little bit, seeing as I'm doing everything up at the high school for for those kids." So, um, yeah, all that time is gone now. So, now I have the time to help out the
parks and wreck department. And it's something I've enjoyed. I've always helped helped them out in the past. So, you've done a very good job of building it up. Thank you. >> So, I'd like to help continue with that. Wonderful. Miss, >> did you tell her about the vacuum in the
pool in the summer and shovel in the parking lot in the winter? >> So, I have a son who doesn't have a job right now. So, um we can do some community service and help out with that. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. Um, I am aware of um all of the work outside of the schools uh with
the uh Boy Scouts that uh Michelle has uh been involved in and uh I would highly recommend that we appoint her to the recreation commission. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Having been on boards with both of you ladies, it's a great team. I I'm excited to see what you guys going to
bring to Norton. >> How about we put that in the motion, Mr. Chair? >> Yes, sir. I make a motion that we appoint Michelle Sparks to the Recreation Commission. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I welcome. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. [Laughter] >> Right to work. Right to work. >> All right. Next up, we have an appointment of Owen Price to the Open Space Committee. Good evening everyone. John Thomas,
conservation director and I'd like to I guess invite Owen here tonight uh to potentially be one of our honorary members for the open space committee. So Owen, do you want to tell the board a little bit about yourself? >> Uh yeah, so my name's Owen Price. Um I grew up next door in Mansfield. Um
coming to Norton Reservoir for a while and just Norton public spaces for a while. Um, and recently I moved here last year. Um, and I've just been interested I guess in uh the open spaces, the public spaces that Norton has to offer, increasing recreation opportunities. Um, working on
like land management. Um, and I sat out on a meeting with these guys um, week or two ago and I was interested in what the committee did. Um, so yeah, I'd love to join and help um, just I guess be an advisory committee to the conservation commission.
>> Okay. Thank you, Owen. Any questions for Owen from the board? >> Nope. >> No, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> I make a motion that we appoint Owen Price to the Open Space Committee. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> Welcome. >> Thanks, Owen.
>> Thank you for volunteering your time. All right. Next, we have appointment of Courtney Miller to the Conservation Commission. >> Up again, John. Hello. Hi, John. >> Welcome. >> What are you out recruiting? >> Uh, well, yeah, kind of a little bit.
Um, just so everyone is aware, Courtney has actually attended two of our meetings so far, and she has stuck with it. She hasn't bailed on us. So, I would recommend that, you know, the Conservation Commission deals with a lot of environmental permitting, a lot of open space management. So, and she seems
very interested. So, I'd like her to actually speak a little bit on why she wants to be a member. >> Oh, not to put you on the spot or anything. >> Put me on the spot. I did not expect this today, but um my name is Courtney Miller. I'm actually new to the city of Norton. Um I moved here from Quinsey
recently. Um but my granddad was uh in public service for forever um when I was a kid. And so this is kind of my way of getting involved and and giving back to my new community. >> Perfect. >> Any other questions from the board? I
just want to point out in Courtney's letter how she identified as a new resident um that while she's deeply committed to preserving and enhancing the natural resources that make our community unique, a lot of people don't think about that. You know, our our uh
large uh body of water um as well as our recreational trails and preserved land and that kind of thing. And it's kind of nice to see from somebody who's new to town that would recognize that. you know, both the two of you will make great contributions uh to John and his
committees. Thank you for your volunteering, both of you. >> Yeah, Mr. Chair. >> Mr. Chair, >> um I'd just like to say that um a seat on the conservation commission is a very important role in our town. Um there are
um many aspects of the job that are outside of what you might be normally used to. Um but it's um it's vital that we have that board and it's a an active board and that we have a full board so that uh
people can come and either um apply for what they're trying to get done in their area or to make sure that what's being done in areas is done appropriately. So I appreciate you uh wanting to be involved and thank you for
wanting to spend your time doing that, Mr. Chair. Yes, sir. >> I make a motion that we appoint Courtney Miller to the Conservation Commission. Second. >> All in favor? >> I I >> Thank you, Courtney. >> Thank you.
>> No turning back, Courtney. >> All right. And one more. Appointment of Ellen Johnson Catalone as a permanent member of the Council on Aging. Is she here? Mr. >> Chairman, we have a letter from U. Ellen >> Uncle Bob's got something
>> stating the letter is to express her an interest in serving as a permanent member of the council on aging. As a lifelong lifetime longtime resident of Norton, I have a deep appreciation for the vital role the COA serves for our community. Supporting the well-being and independence of older
residents is essential. I'm an active member of our senior center and seeing see on a daily basis the importance of the center and the programming. I believe my experience and positive perspective will be a contribution to the COA. >> Mr. Chair.
>> Yes, sir. Um, Mr. Gould, have you heard any uh anything about this appointment or any reason that we shouldn't appoint her? >> I know no reason not to appoint her. So, I would urge the board to go ahead if
you're so inclined. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. I make a motion that we appoint Ellen Johnston Cataloney to the Council on Aging. >> As a permanent member. >> As a permanent member.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> Thank you, Ellen. Wherever you are. >> Perfect. Yep. Thank you. >> All right. Minutes, licenses, and permits. Don't have any
announcements. Mr. Clerk. Okay, I have a few. The park and wreck. Um, there is a AE AE and CPR training course to be held on Thursday the 16th of October. Uh, be
certified in AED and CPR in just one day. Learn life-saving skills from an expert that's put on by the American Heart Association design course and will cover AED usage, choking, and CPS skills. It'll be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
at the Norton Nelson Senior and Community Center, 120 Mansfield A in Norton, Massachusetts. >> Okay, thank you. >> We have the 32nd Oh, you thought you were done, huh? We have the 32nd Shotley
Halloween parade. Rain or shine starts at 12:00 noon on October 26th. Um it'll start at the edible line and proceed down 123 to Power Street which is North Middle School. Uh everyone is warned that they should expect ways and
detours on that day. Northern Park and Recreation Halloween costume exchange. This is how it works. should drop off your gently used kids Halloween costume in the bin in the front lobby here at the town hall from September 2nd through October 3rd.
Please put costume in a bag with the accessories that go with it. No dance costumes, please. Then on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 7th and 8th, come to town hall from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. to see if your child can find a new Halloween costume. Cost is nothing. You don't need
to bring a costume to take a costume. This is totally free event and anyone can participate. You do do not don't need to be from Norton to drop off or pick up your new costume. The hours at 72 East Main Street will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8:30 to 4:30,
Thursday 8:30 to 7:30, and Friday 8:30 to 12:30. And the hours for selecting your new costume will be at the town hall from 6:00 to 8 on Tuesday, October 7th and 8th. free new to you night. Tuesday, October 7th and Wednesday, October 8th from 6:00
to 8:00 p.m. Okay, I already said that one. I got the CPR. And we have the over 25 pickup league, Tuesday, September 9th from November 4th to new time in place 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the JC JC Home School at 315 West
Main Street. Registration fees are $75 for Norton residents and $85 for non Norton residents. >> Mr. Kimmel, did you mention that? That's women's basketball. >> That is women's basketball. Thank you. >> Very good. Thank you. >> I didn't read the small print, which is
very big. And I think that's all we have. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Mr. Clerk. So, we're going to move on to new business. We have Mr. Perno here uh for
zero west Main Street. Who in the audience is here for anything else? What are you What are you here for, sir? >> Okay, we'll go through Mr. Perno and then we'll bump that up so you're not waiting through the rest of the other stuff. >> I don't want [Laughter]
>> you're hired. I was going to say, >> would you like to volunteer for the board? >> Psychological test. >> We'll bump it any We'll bump it up anyway. That way you have the option. Um, okay. So, let's move on to new business. Review, discuss in our vote on
license agreement between the town of Norton and Northtown Properties LLC regarding 0 West Main Street, assessor's map parcel 22-85 and 77 West Main Street Assessor's Map Parcel 22-176. Mr. uh, maybe not yet. Um, do you want
to speak to this, Mr. Gold? License agreement. >> Sure. I'll give a a brief introduction if if that's okay. Um, this is a a straightforward matter. Um, this has been reviewed. Uh, we own adjacent property to a potential development, and it's it's a straightforward matter.
Essentially, we're sharing a driveway in the middle to allow the property to be put to constructive use. to if we don't do this, the property can't be uh appropriately used. It makes a lot of sense. The plans are already um
almost complete and this is the only thing I'm aware of that's holding it up. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> Um didn't we vote at town meeting to uh grant an easement for this parcel?
>> We did. And uh as explained to me, this is part of the housekeeping of it, this agreement. Uh incidental too, some way, shape, or form. I don't know the exact legal, but this this gives him the ability to move right away on it. >> Um Mr. Chair.
>> Yes, sir. >> Um Mr. Gould, has uh this has been looked over by uh council and that's where this is coming from, I'm assuming. >> Uh that's right. We have uh KB law has
looked at this and approved the license agreement. Um so it would be good for 50 years. If we want something to be longer than that, we would have to either uh renew it or grant a permanent easement. And this is at the recommendation of KP
law. So the all the eyes are dotted, tees are crossed. >> This was this was drafted by KP Law. >> Yeah. >> Correct. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. The um it's not the first time
we've used this property for egress into the property into the uh what I would call the old rich rich property. I think a lot of us remember the hot dog stand for many years was there being utilized. That parking lot that egress into the Fernandes Park in the rear uh was was
the only way to get in and out of uh out of that park. So, um, having one curb cut, I think, will have less of an impact in that school district, making it a lot easier for people to get in and out and not having to worry about one, two, or three more ways into onto Route
123. So, I think this is a a win-win for the developer and also for the town. Thank you, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. Um, I'd like to make a motion that we go uh grant a license agreement between the town of Norton and Northtown Properties
LLC for 77 West Main Street. >> Second, >> Mr. Chair, just for discussion. Um, will this will be a shared access so that the town will be able to access our property in the back? >> Yes. >> Okay. Exactly right. >> Yep. Shared and he can't put anything
permanent on it. Can't modify it. Can't change it. Can't do anything. Gotcha. >> And he's required to maintain >> maintain it. >> So, >> very good. Thank you. >> The property in the back needs to m be maintained as a municipal park according to this. Is that correct? Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Yeah. It's only that if you see the map
in the there's a it's a it's a shoe box size piece of property. Yep. >> And like Mr. Kimble made mention to there's an existing curb cut there on the state road and um there's no sense in changing that.
So motion and a second, right? >> Mhm. >> All in favor? >> I >> I unanimous. Perfect. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Mr. Bernard. >> You want to speak to it? Sure.
>> Welcome. >> Nice to be here. >> Um, thank you everybody for um working through this. Um, so back to I think it was Bob um Roger's question about the uh the town meeting that the eent was
approved. Um my attorneys don't feel 100% comfortable with just having a license agreement. So the idea would be we want to still pursue a permanent easement on that property. The understanding is there's some article 97 issue and I'm just learning about all
this uh involved whereas if you change the use of that what it's originally designed for that access if you change the use of that then you have to go through all these hoops and everything to get up there to say it's if it's okay or not. Um I don't see how we're really
changing the use from public use. Um I I know that one of the um the board members on the concom has got really has gotten hung up on this article 97 which I guess is out of the purview of the concom anyways because this is parks and wreck and selectman driven decision
should be made by that by those by those groups. Um but just having the use of it even if it's a 50-year um license agreement is still revokable by the town if for some reason they wanted to revoke it. Um,
so my goal really is to pursue getting a permanent easement on the property. I don't know what that's going to be involved. It's it's really just it's really something that I think has been a learning process all along for for everybody involved because I thought all we had to do was to get the town meeting approved and then we could just get the
easement done, but it didn't turn out that way. So, I just want to, you know, I appreciate everything you guys are doing. Um, but I do want to still pursue after the fact um this this easement situation having a permanent easement because, you know, we could do this whole project and all of a sudden we
don't have access to it. You know, something could happen that the board decides to revoke that license and, you know, then we're in a little bit of a little bit. I don't know why that would happen, but I just want to make sure that we cover that going down the line. We don't have any title issues with the property or anything like that. So, but
thank you all very much. I appreciate you all doing what you're doing here. Can I ask a question, Mr. Chair? >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> Mr. >> Anybody have any questions? >> I have a question. Um, more a point of matter. I I believe you're going to do some improvements on the on
the pavement going into your property, right? I mean, our property. >> Yes. >> And to make improvements on it. >> Um, I would encourage you to work with or check with various uh town uh committees and find out if you're going
to do the work to make the improvements. If you can do it in a way that would allow the street to be accepted that we could create a street into the Fernandes Park um would be a dead end street obviously. >> Okay, that's interesting. >> But it's just something to throw out I'm
throwing out there but before you put the money into making the improvement on the pavement. >> Okay. check with the department heads and see if there's a way to uh for the town to accept that as a public way and that might that may take care of some of the uh some of the issues you might run
into. Just a suggestion. I don't even know if it's it's possible or not, but I think it's well worth looking into. >> Should be called rich way. I I thought Perno weighs something. >> Oh, no. >> Fernandes
Fernandes. Yeah, >> I I did speak with John. Well, actually, John's um brought up some good ideas about at the end end of that easement area is to continue it, maybe put some gravel in there so people could actually park in there ultimately to walk around up in I don't know how much walkable
area there is up in there, but um it's pretty wet back there. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Mr. Chairman, we do have we do have a plan on file. It was done back in um right after we adopted the property. We took the property uh the recreation commission actually went through the
process of developing a plan for that property and it's on paper somewhere and if a boy scout comes along, >> John's got it. >> I think it's mostly bridges that have to be built. >> It's mostly walkways and bridges. I believe they were going to try to put an ice skating rink out there, but I don't know where that went. What most people
don't realize, you can actually walk out to the res reservoir in the back >> on the west side of the reservoir of west side of Mansfield A and you can actually go out there and walk around come back, but there is a plan somewhere that was approved and uh this may be the
first step in making that happen. Thank you. >> Well, thank you all very much. And I would like to say um I mean the town's been great to work with and John and Paul have been unbelievable help to us. So, I just want to let that be known that those they're they're great guys to work with. Stay right there. >> That's what we like to hear.
>> Yeah. >> Oh, awesome. Thank you all very much. >> I'm sure your permit's not signed yet. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you. >> What's so we we're going to we're going to bump the
>> is it review discussion and vote policies on the town building use tunnel >> senior community center. Okay. I think there's been a modification. >> I think I think so. I think there's still more work to be done. Uh but I am
going to hand that over to the people that are in uh designated representatives for that. >> So, Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> Um just uh speaking to that, um I haven't had a uh uh much time to speak with Kevin. Kevin and I were uh Mr. I'm
sorry, Mr. O'Neal and I were uh going to uh take on that task to come up with that policy. And I would like to um move this to our next meeting. And in the meantime, uh Mr. O'Neal, maybe you and I can get together with Mr. Gould and we can uh hammer out this policy so it
makes sense to everybody and we can present it to the board. >> Yeah, it sounds good. Mr. Marsand, and in in the interim, I just wanted to compliment um the draft that was uh created uh today. I don't know if Jen did that or with council, but um it's well done. >> It is well done. Yeah.
>> At our last at our last meeting, I had um also complimented you. Then I had reached out to the school department to get a copy of their uh use of facilities agreement and I mentioned to the board that yours is better written than theirs, which I think is almost 20 years
old. So, nice job, Jen. I would like to invite, you know, if you can come up and, you know, state your name and address >> if you want to speak to the issue. >> Concerns. Yeah. >> That way, you know, when they when they talk about it, they can have your
concerns in mind. >> Hey, Lisa, see you again. Good to see you. >> Uh, hi there. So, my name is Drew. Um, I'm new to town of Norton. I've only been here for a year by way of Los Angeles, so I'm learning the small town life. It's pretty cool. Uh I live over
at the Winnant Shores um up on Pine and uh learning my streets plane pine and plane. It's about a 30 condo unit. Um and we have an association that I'm on the board of trustees over there. I was voted in April. Uh it's been a pleasure working for the community and making it
a better place. But we need a place to host our meetings. There's about 30 of us who come 20 sometimes 20 around there. But uh we need a place to host the meetings and we found a perfect place in the winter meeting room. It was a perfect coincidence considering we're Winna Shores. That's a Winna meeting
room. Uh the only thing is that a lot of us are working. We're all pretty busy during the day. So we all meet every third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. 6 6:30 around there sometimes. So it's after hours. The town hall closes at 4:30. So we've haven't been able to
access it and have our meetings. So we really wanted to come back cuz we love this place. It's actually pretty amazing for the community. >> Where do you meet now? Uh currently we're meeting now at the Trinity Church uh up the street. It's a little it doesn't have the the technology and it
doesn't have the space to host all of us. So uh this has everything we need. So that's why we really want to keep it. >> Yeah. >> Well, Drew, thank you very much. >> Thank you much for hearing me out. I really appreciate it. >> Through your chair. >> Yep. >> I'm I guess I'm just a little confused.
This is the same policy we had last meeting. I guess what is what is it that you guys are discussing? I'm a little confused about what's the hold up. >> Well, I just want to uh I haven't had a chance to talk it over with the uh new town manager since he's been in office
and make sure that he's comfortable with the the policy as it is. >> Okay. I mean, is that is that the point of the discussion tonight? No, >> we can discuss it if you'd like, but uh I thought that uh Mr. O'Neal and I were going to uh come up with the policy to
uh present to the board and this is not the policy that I have come up with or I don't know if uh I think this is a policy that uh was presented to us. So um >> okay I thought this was one you guys had agreed on. >> What's that? >> I assume this was one that you guys
agreed on since it was in our packet last meeting as well. >> We have not we have not been able to meet yet. So, um I'm I'd like to that's why I'd like to meet sometime between now and our next meeting with the uh with Mr. Gould so that we can uh go over this and just make sure that everything's uh
good with as far as he sees it as well because I'm not sure that he has spent a lot of time looking at it either. >> Okay, >> Mr. Chair. Yes, sir. Um so yeah Raj and I spoke kind of um
concepts and philosophies if you would and uh we haven't taken any any thoughts uh to paper. Um but I know that we we held off on this because Mr. Ghoul we were waiting for him to be in his seat as the new town
manager given that he's the one who's going to have to execute and implement this policy uh day to day night to night. So, we want to make sure that he had uh a lot of input uh into it. So, if he if if he's not will if he's not
able to share his thoughts tonight, then maybe we can delay for that reason as well to hear Mr. Ghoul's direct thoughts on the policy that was uh drafted. Uh, so far I actually like the policy to be honest with you and I got some my own personal
philosophical um opinions about this building and how why it was developed and why the the conference rooms were created the way they are. We have we have 30 boards and committees in town and we have um uh 20 uh individual departments. And my thought is while we
let the town manager do his thing and uh collaboration was a big part of the interview uh discussion on trying to collaborate with different department heads and hold meetings both in the day and at night with the boards and committees that I I feel a little uncomfortable allocating the rooms right
now until we kind of get a better feel for the use of this facility when it comes to meetings and not only you know boards and committees um volunteer uh meetings but also So during the day the staff as well um we all know that different times of the year have a much
different demand on the the rooms. I'm thinking the fincom in the spring you know from January through May they meet two nights a week often and I just don't want any develop a policy that's going to create conflicts that's going to inhibit our ability to um to run the
town both with the employees and with our boards and committees. I know that the community center, the senior center, um they closed at 3:30, 4:30. Actually, we read in the announcements today use from 6:00 to 8 to do the um CPR
training. So, you know, that's an option. I I regularly schedule meetings, I think, is going to be a challenge because they're going to have to get bumped in one way or another as our needs take priority over any uh outside group.
But we probably have more we want to talk about as a board. And uh my wife was was the treasurer of our condo board when we first moved to town. And I was talking to her about this and we'd have 20 people show up in somebody's finished basement. >> Yeah.
>> And they we used to do it, you know, in the development itself. And >> good to good for you to have that many people and to need the the technology. So understand your need. I just want to make sure we don't, you know, prohibit our ability to manage
the town by allocating conference space uh when we don't quite know what our needs are going forward under the new town manager >> through you chair. >> Yes. >> Understanding that we're going to have a full discussion of on this in a future meeting. I just want to um state that my
general opinion is we were clear to the community when we asked for debt exclusions that we were going to have space for the community to use. Um and that's what we used repeatedly over and over again at every single meeting. We talked about the community
having access to use these spaces and how wonderful it would be for them. It would be a shame to now say, "Thanks for your tax dollars, but you can't use the space." So, I want to take that in consideration when we have that discussion in a couple weeks, but I feel very strongly that we should be leaving
this open to the community. We are intelligent, professional adults. I'm sure we can figure out a way to schedule and have caveats around getting bumped for priorities and that kind of stuff, but I want to be clear that we made a promise to the community when we asked them to open their wallets
that we would open up these spaces community to use. >> Mr. Chairman, >> yes. >> Yeah, I would agree with Denise that that's exactly what these buildings were designed for. The only thing reading to them real fast, the only one area I'd like you to take a look at you two guys
look at is how we're going to hand out the way to get into these buildings. >> You know, how how we're going to take care of is it going to be a pod? Is there going to be a key? I mean, we got to come up with a plan where if someone's going to use the building and they have to get access to it, they can find a way in, know how to lock it up
when they go out and then either return whatever it is that they were given or or set up a program just as part of this that makes it easy for everybody when they sign up, they fill out the application, they're given the access to the building somehow. Um, would be my
recommendation. I >> I agree. Not unspontable issues, but I agree. we'll figure out solutions, right? >> That's that's one of the uh things that um I'd really like to hammer out and have a solution to that we can present to the board as opposed to uh
going and making a policy now without having those details worked out. >> And that's one of the things that I'd like to talk with Mr. O'Neal and Mr. Goldwit about. >> Yeah. Just so I'm clear, if if we had if we have been if we had been in this
building two or three years and we were having this discussion, we'd have a little bit of history and knowledge about the demands and usage of the two or three conference rooms. I don't I was on the building committee as well and um I I don't remember promoting this building, but I remember promoting the
community and uh senior center for uh public use. That's why I feel that's there's nothing going on there at night in the community senior center, right? that there are no meetings >> because they can't be >> because they can't be >> is not allowing it. >> Well, I I'm as far as public meetings
I'm referring to like boards and committees, they're all held here now. Thankfully, we don't have to hold any meetings at the um Norton cable access or the library or any other place. So, they're all held here, which is which is good. A lot of benefits to that. Uh we don't want any of our groups to have to
look elsewhere. But the community and senior center is available from 4:30 every on every night. And um and and I think that that's probably there's a one in our policy. I think there are two rooms that are being considered for um
uh public access. One is an actual meeting room like a training room. The other one is the main uh rich uh you know whatever you want to call it, the large room right in the middle. So we know there will be no conflicts at the community and senior center at night. We
don't know that yet here until we go through a couple cycles of our you know spring uh budget process and but I mean that I could be swayed either way. These are great assets. I think in
the very first time we spoke about this topic two or three months ago I said um that these are public buildings that public is paying for and we should open them up to the public. I if you go back to the record I made that comment. I'm just thinking further through. I don't
want any um implications or unintended consequences to occur that would cause the water and sewer commission who wants to move their meetings from you know off of uh you know where it's held on the other side of town in the middle of the dark. Maybe they want to hold their
meetings here now, right? I want to make sure there's no conflict that we create in the future. >> So, >> Mr. Chairman, can I speak to that? Is that okay? Sure. Um, so something that something that I'm fully aware of is that there's only four groups that are
using these rooms right now. It's Winnate Shores. Um, the football team, I believe, another um youth wreck group, >> baseball, >> he knows. So, there's only four of us and we're all spread apart through the weeks only once a week each of us. So, even our
schedules don't run into each other that they smash. And the beauty of that is um we respect the town hall that we know that if any meetings come that you that take precedence over it, we get shifted over. Um it's happened so far. So if there's any worry about scheduling, there's none of that just yet. Uh
Winnores has booked it up for um until December of every Wednesday and there is no u blockage uh coming in our way in terms of scheduling and if anything did then we are okay to move it for you guys' use. >> Thank you Joel. Thank you. So something
I probably should have mentioned at the beginning is Mark. Out of respect for Mark, I think that was the impetus behind it. I think everybody's right. Everybody wants the community to use the buildings. That's it. It it that's a non-negotiable. Of course, everybody has
right to use the public buildings. I think it's more out of a courtesy to our new town manager. He just jumped into this >> Yeah. >> last week. And now it's he's going to be the one, you know, doing the enforcement, staffing the buildings on
those off times. I think I I I think that was more the impetus. >> I wanted to make sure that Mark understood the background, too, that when we asked for a debt exclusion, we told the the public that this was going to be accessible to the community groups to be able to use. So, I want to make sure that he had that understanding and
background as well. >> Yeah. Yeah. I think I think everybody's clear on everybody has a right to use the properties. There is a big enforcement thing and some communications that need to be had with
over on Mansfield A as well as um you know the people for access here as well. And that just hasn't that the time hasn't been afforded to be able to be for that to be done yet. Um being Mark just just got in here and >> Yep, that's fine. he's got a pile this
high and he's he's going to be the one enforcing it. So, um I think that was the motivation behind making sure that it's done correctly with his >> uh direct guidance.
>> I agree. And maybe we make one policy now and in a year we we modify it, you know. >> Yeah. Yeah, we should. >> Yeah, >> Mr. chairman and and when these two gentlemen are working on it, I would recommend also that there be some kind of a clause in there that
it doesn't give everyone the right to use the buildings. If there's an issue where damage is done or there's a reason why that organization shouldn't be using our buildings, we should have a way out of that, too. >> Yeah. >> So that we're not allowing someone who
did something wrong come back again again and do it wrong again. So, I think as part of this agreement, we have to give the manager, town manager Mark, the opportunity to say, "You violated this part of the policy, this part of the policy. You're no longer allowed to use our
>> other than elected appointed boards. You're not allowed to use our facilities. >> It's got to be done right." >> Okay. Yeah. No, I understand. That's It's lost. >> Yeah. >> You're using it today? >> Uh, no. Uh, over there? No. No. No. We We got stopped from using it. It's been
We've been out a month now. a month from the room. Yeah, we'd like to get back, but we're patient. >> Are there any other Mark? Are there any other groups that are using this building or any groups that are using this building that you know of? Like you you mentioned the
football and baseball that you know of? I know they t they were here and I don't think they are now, right? >> Not that I'm aware of. I've been here one week and I >> Yeah. And I've been here actually probably average till 8 or 9 PM and I
haven't seen any groups here. >> And and I I will say that when I reached out to the school department that their policy reads that if there is any additional cost associated with a group like a very large group or if they have food brought in or if there's cleanup work then there is a fee to pay the
custodian. Um, however, if they just simply have a board meeting like what your what your board does and they just set up their table and they put everything back and they leave, there should not be a fee through any of the schools through the school department's use of facilities. So I think some
groups might think they're charged and maybe >> they're not following the policy locally but um according to the policy and according to the business manager unless they are disrupt the normal flow for the custodian they should not be charged.
>> Well the school has the luxury they have the after hours um you know gym already in there. Yes. >> If they had to if it was a Saturday or a Sunday there wasn't a janitor then people would have to pay the >> That's correct. So, >> it is it is what it is. But there's there's
>> there's some things that you guys need to go over with Mark. >> Sounds good. >> Okay. So, Drew, >> thank you. >> There you go. There's the explanation. >> I appreciate it. Thank you guys for the time. >> You're working on it. >> Yeah. I appreciate it. >> Okay. >> Coming in. >> Mr. Chair, >> don't tell me you're leaving.
>> You can't leave now. You said you like >> Oh, here we go. Now we got >> Yeah, Drew. >> Take care. Yep. Thank you, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> Um, Mr. Gould, if you could uh maybe uh try to uh carve out a spot in your
schedule that uh Mr. O'Neal and I could come in and meet with you about that. That would be great. >> Sure, we'll make it happen. Um, how's >> you? I'm sure you have nothing >> for mornings, afternoons. >> I could reach out to you after. >> Yeah. So, let's in the spirit of jumping
around and we'll save the best for last. Let's do the uh Mr. Mr. Gould, would you be able to still under old business review discussing a vote regarding Mass General law chapter 138 section 12D? >> Uh, sure. So this is the
license conversion uh law as as you in your packets you have the ABCC advisory as well as the KP law advisory and we've we've talked about this before. This would require town meeting approval. It's a new provision
that allows local licensing authorities to approve the conversion of an on premises wine and malt beverage license to a license to sell all alcoholic beverages. The select boards the approval granting authority for these
types of licenses. So while it's a town meeting decision to accept the law, it remains a select board decision whether to do it at all. Um, so the the select board certainly has the ability to weigh
in on it. And as to a specific question that was raised as to the number of licenses, uh, we did a little bit of research. There are currently two um, wine and malt beverage licenses, there can be as many as five affected.
So that's the number of licenses we would be affecting. Um, that that's it in a nutshell. It's at your discretion if you >> So Mark, you're saying we have two now
and uh of the of the five, there are two taken and we still have three vacant. So there's no demand for this. M >> so I mean just because you can doesn't mean we have to. >> There's three open there's three open
licenses and to my knowledge we have no applicants for those three licenses. >> Um Mr. Chair. >> Yes sir. >> Uh Mr. Gold have the the two that have the licenses have they requested to have them uh converted? not not to me and I'm
not aware of >> um not at this time but I know that when bogeies was applying they're one of them um they were interested in things such as like white claws to be able to serve. So that might be something that does come down the road because they'll want to be able to serve those if they do
this and it's accepted they can convert. >> Okay. >> I do remember that. That's the golf. I do remember that conversation. >> Yeah. Um Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> I guess um while I appreciate the uh the state
giving us the ability, I don't think that we have a need to do it right now. >> I tend to concur. I think we can this is state law. We can if we ever get up against a demand issue, we can always adopt it then.
>> Sounds like it. We're not asking the board to take any action on this item at this time. >> Okay. >> I don't >> make sense. >> Anybody have any thoughts? >> I suggest we hold off until there's a
need to uh even bring it up. I don't I'm not sure how uh converting a uh beer and wine license to an all alcohol license would >> No demand. >> Nobody's asking for it. Yeah, I'm fine with adopting it, but I'm fine with
waiting. Not not an emergency. >> I Mr. Chair. >> Yep. >> I recommend that we hold off on uh taking any action on it. >> Okay. We don't have we don't have to vote at all. So, >> Mr. Chair, >> yes, sir. >> Any future licenses this board gives out
uh needs to we need to put a restriction on the time the establishment has a right to get established, get open. I think it's something we haven't been doing. And I think for anything in the future, I'm looking at two on here in
particular that I know on the list of uh established businesses that I do not believe are even open. So I think we need to make sure in the future we we set a deadline. You have 90 days to open. I mean obviously if there's a
problem they can come back explain to us what the problem is. But when you give it open ended kind of a thing. Fortunately, we have no one looking for them right now, but there would be licenses tied up that >> maybe we could give some give to somebody else. >> I agree. >> You're talking about licenses that are open that they haven't actually established.
>> Gotcha. >> Yeah, >> I I agree, Mr. Kimmel. Good point. >> Um, Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir. Uh perhaps we could uh invite um the the folks who um haven't uh acted
on their licenses yet to come before the board and uh maybe we could ask them what the holdup is or if there's if they need some help or what the issue is. >> We could absolutely ask for an update. I guess maybe we could ask maybe not call them in but see what they give for an
update. >> Could they provide us an update on the status? >> Yes. of outstanding ones that >> premises >> are issued but they are not open >> that fall into that category. >> Thank you. That'd be great.
>> Okay. Any other discussion pertaining to that agenda item? >> I'm sorry. What? >> Any other discussion for that item? >> No. >> Okay. Next. Review discuss and a vote host community municipal equity policy.
Mr. town manager. >> So again, in the packet, we have two KP law advisories on this. Essentially, what this is is the state law regarding cannabis that says all host communities must adopt a host community equity
policy. Failure to adopt the equity policy may result in the town not being able to collect the cannabis tax revenue. And by implementing a policy, we would be eligible for an additional 10% of
revenue from these businesses. >> Right. >> Up to up to 10%. >> Exactly. Right. >> And so it's so it's a win-win. It's it's something we have to do and it makes financial sense to do. Uh you have two policies before you this evening. One is
the model CCC, Cannabis Control Commission policy. The other is a policy that was written by our attorney that is uh much more robust, much more detailed. Uh the model CCC policy is
what I understand most communities are adopting and uh that's frankly the one I would recommend. It's very vanilla. Nothing. it it satisfies our obligation and
entitles us to the funds that we're due. So, it's it's completely up to the board. Um, but I I would suggest to adopt the CCC policy. It offers predictability, fairness to all applicants, particularly those from equity backgrounds.
>> Okay. >> I'm sorry, Mark. Can you I just repeat that. I thought you liked the one that was presented by KP Law or is it the CCC one? >> Uh, honestly, both of them are acceptable. I prefer the the CCC one a little bit. >> Okay.
>> Because the other one is it's a little >> maybe even too ownorous and >> prescriptive >> and it gives us too many requirements. So, we'll be >> making chest checklists, making forms, and spending time doing these things when there's plenty of other things to
spend time on. and and if we have a policy, that's what's required by the state. So, I wouldn't overly complicate it. That said, it's completely up to the board. >> Yeah, we can always adjust it later on, too. Right. Yeah. >> Sure. >> Yeah. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir.
>> I make a motion that we accept the uh CCC host community municipality municipal equity policy. >> Second. >> Further discussion? All in favor? I >> I >> I
>> unanimous Jen. >> Okay, >> thank you all. Review andor next up and we'll go right in line. Review and discuss, excuse me. Review, discuss and or vote select board remote participation
policy. Mr. Town Manager, >> if I may, thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, so I passed out a a handout that updates this policy and I I would suggest uh adopting this. Of course, the board's
free to adopt the policy. This is your policy. U this updated version stresses that our preference is for in-person meetings. We want an option for people to come in person for every meeting.
It also balances maximum participation. So we're following the state laws and we're allowing people to come here for all the meetings. Not only the select board but all boards and committees. So
if a meeting is being held, there will be an in-person option. And I understand that is the board's desire. And it also provides the opportunity for people to participate remotely like they're doing tonight. This is the best of both worlds. People can come here, they can
stay in their living room, and we're allowing all the people from Norton to come and participate in the way that's most convenient for them. So, I I would suggest the board um approve the amended policy. It mirrors
the state's guidelines, provides clarity, and allows the most access possible. >> Thanks, Mark. I appreciate these uh red lines. Look good. Okay, >> Mr. Chair, >> any discussion? Oh, sorry. Go ahead, Jeff. >> I was going to make a motion that we
adopt the uh >> remote participation policy as uh updated. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I unanimous Jen. Thank you, Mr. Town Manager.
Okay. Review, discuss, and or vote policy for posting of flag signs or banners on the town common located within the town. historic district. Mr. Town Manager, you're up again. >> Thank you. A lot of policies tonight. >> This policy um
>> yeah, >> also was written by KP Law. Essentially, what it does is this protects Norton from a free-for-all where any group could demand space for whatever controversial speech they may have. The
policy that KP laws written protects our ability, gives the select board full discretion to to fly, say, the the pride pride flag, the Gadston flag, or whatever symbol the board decides decides um speaks for the government's
the town's official position. So it protects the historic character of the common and it's a legally sound framework drafted by town council aligns with best practices provides consistency and fairness and predictable rules that
promote unity and stability in our community. Um so I would suggest um the board approve it as our attorney drafted it >> through your chair. >> Yes. I think my mic is broken.
Um, but this just addresses the town common. Is it not intended to be all town properties? I'm just turning to the policy now. I believe it says policy for posting of flags, signs, or banners on the town common. That's the heading of it.
>> Yeah. I mean it's in the language is clearly just about the common but I guess >> do we not need one for the rest of the properties? At one point we were looking at one for all town properties I thought. >> No school has their own >> right. School and library are separate.
>> Okay. >> But I that sounds like a good idea. We can look into that. >> Yeah. It would just be this campus would be the only other. >> It would just be this campus here that would be the only other piece. >> Yeah.
>> Well, Tom property if you start thinking about what we >> cemeteries. >> Yeah. We've got a lot of property around town. >> Um >> community building. Yeah, that's true. >> I mean, if not thinking about all the town owned property around scattered around,
>> it might be a good idea to have a policy on all of that. >> The corner. So I suggest we adopt this street and then we build on this for the property all the town properties. >> Go ahead and make that suggestion. See if it you know >> Mr. Chair
>> discussion. Yes sir. >> Um I make a motion that we uh adopt the uh policy as written for flag signs and banners on the town common um with uh possibility of extending it in the
future to uh all town properties. Mr. Chair, we may want different language um for the other policies. So maybe instead of amending this, maybe just create a separate policy for other town policies. >> Since this is right,
>> right, this is just for the town common. >> I'd like to withdraw my motion and make a new motion. I make a motion that we adopt this uh policy for uh posting of flag signs and banners on the town common. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I
>> abstensions. No, >> I'm going to abstain just cuz I don't know how I feel. >> Okay. One abstension. Um Jen. >> Okay. Thank you all. >> And maybe we could, Mr. Chair, maybe we could uh look into uh coming up with a
policy for uh all town properties so that we're covered for the whole town. >> We can we can the language may be different like Mr. O'Neal mentioned >> then it would be outside of the historic district commission. >> Well, the cemeteries like Mark said,
cemeteries are under cemetery commute cemetery, school and library. >> Yeah. >> Fire houses >> or or maybe our Yeah, maybe not. Well, we could ask >> look into the legal >> Yeah.
>> authority that we have. >> Okay. Okay. Perfect. The last agenda item. Jump back up to new business. Fall annual town meeting list of warrant articles. Should I go into old business subsequent meetings?
>> Yeah, that's probably more appropriate. >> So, fall annual town meeting list of warrant articles. You going to go do a quick rundown with any updates to this list, Mr. Town Manager? >> Sure.
So, this is a long list and a lot of these are placeholders. I'm currently getting with all the departments. I've only been here a week, but I um have been getting updates. We had our first department head meeting last Thursday. It was successful and I'm
collaborating with them as to putting forward their reasonable requests here. So unpaid bills, I I understand those would be um not a significant amount. Whatever
was not able to be paid, you know, whatever bills we didn't receive by June 30th or weren't able to be paid by July 15th, probably under $10,000. Don't hold me to that. But >> Mr. Chair.
>> Yes, sir. I make a motion that we recommend article one for the town meeting board. >> Mr. Chairman, of order. Are we required to to vote on these tonight or is this just our first look at it or are you looking for direction?
>> I know we have a FinCom meeting coming up and I understand >> question FINCOM has a meeting Monday, but they're not it's not on their agenda to talk substantively. It's more of an intro and an overall finance meeting and then the following Monday we would talk about the specific. >> The reason I'm bringing it up is there
may be some of these articles that we may or you may decide not to not to leave on the list. And I don't want to start voting on things and then realize you may take a look at it and say, "Well, no, I don't I don't think that's
appropriate. That should be on this this warrant." So, I would ask the board to just get a brief overview of what your what your what the um articles are because we may hear something and have questions. We may have a conversation with you about and ask about
>> I think >> before we before we we move forward >> and Mr. Chair, I I agree with Mr. Kimble and that's one of our core responsibilities is to prepare for the town meeting with the articles and the agenda and um and even the language like
even if some of these if they're not removed we might have a question about the language or the intent or the we can't vote on something if we don't know the dollar amounts either right for many of these. So >> so I think with all that being said I think we're in agreement of that I think
uh Mark if we can get Mr. town manager, I'm sorry. If we can get um if as much if not all back up before our next scheduled meeting so we can address them at our next >> Yeah. And Mr. Chairman, I don't object to him going down the list right now and just giving us a brief overview of what
>> Yeah. >> all about. >> There you go. You're up again. >> Thought I had to get out of jail free card. >> You didn't get off. Nice try. >> Uh so just a brief overview on these. I won't hit all the points. There's
there's a lot of them. And uh >> uh bylaw amendment. So this would be for the salary plan. There are a few non-union employees uh such as the DPW director, HR director, um assistant to
the town manager, um whose salary isn't. There was recently a comp and class study compensation and classification and the request here is to align the schedules with what makes sense for the
personnel. >> Um those are your recommendations. Correct. >> This was I inherited this chart. >> Um so I I haven't dug into this one >> okay >> thoroughly yet >> but I intend to in the next week or two.
I just a little >> I don't know what what's changed. >> Well, there have been changes. I believe that the under the new personnel bylaws that the job descriptions of some individuals in the town hall has changed and along with that change comes additional responsibilities which may
trigger additional compensation. So I think we need to make sure we understand what this bylaw is all about. >> Okay. I will report back on that. >> So So Mr. Chair, we have two meetings right between now and the town meeting.
We we let's say what's today? There's the the >> 11th. So we get the 25th. >> Peter, what's two Thursdays from the 25th? October what? >> October 9th. >> Then we Oh, okay. So we >> Yeah, it is time. >> So we got we got two full and that's a
full week and a half ahead of the town meeting. So I I don't know. I I don't I know that town manager probably he doesn't have much to speak about these uh since he adopted this list and he has he's only been on the job you know 180
hour a week. Um >> we're testing them Kevin. >> I know we're testing them. If we want to give him feedback that's one thing but I we shouldn't put him on the spot. Let him absorb this. >> Um Mr. Chair. >> Yes sir. >> Um Mr. Ghoul, are there any items on here that you have specific issues with that
you are you have concerns about that you're looking for uh some feedback from us? >> Oh, that's a that's a good question. I it might benefit me just to to look down the list briefly and just maybe
uh operating budget amendments. There's just a few um money that wasn't allocated in the spring. We're asking for it to be allocated now. That makes sense. Um there's uh capital improvement funding. I
suppose the the school roof is going to be a topic of discussion and finance committee for sure. I'm not sure if the board wants to weigh in on that at this time. It's >> I think should have a roof. >> It's got a good price tag, but it's a
lot. MSBA reimburseed to 55% reimbursement for a $9.9 million >> up to >> up up to right. So when we put it out to bid it could come in less. Um there's PAS treatment I need to get
with the water uh supervisor there uh to to see that that could be another big dollar amount and I would like to explore uh potential you know alternatives ways to reduce that price that uh construction of Elm Street um
that's an open issue at this point um that was it transferred from the sewer. There's a grant from the state that was a $3.5 million grant for sewer. And the thought now is to transfer that to make
it a $3.5 million grant for water >> with a zero contribution from from the town. >> Um, so >> no betterments. >> No betterments is my understanding. >> Oh, Paul's here. >> And Paul, >> you want to talk to it? Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. >> You have the floor. I'm sorry. Feel free to correct me, Paul, or or jump in here. >> You don't have to. >> No, no correction. I'm Paul D. Jeppi, the town planner. So, it would be so the
originally the $3.5 million grant was for was for both uh sewer extension and water upgrades. Um, but as Mr. Gold mentioned we were looking at the possibility of just applying that 3.5
million for the water project alone and there were initial cost estimates provided by the engineer that estimated the cost at just about three and a half million. >> There you go. >> Does that include the military? Do you know?
>> It does not. It uh uh No, I don't I let me confirm that. I'm I'm not sure if it does. >> Okay. Okay. >> But to also answer your question, there wouldn't be any betterments associated with that. >> That was the main >> that's just replacing the water man down the road. >> Yes.
>> Is the is Paul is is the water man in that much of disrepair or is it undersized? >> So I can't answer that question specifically, but I've been in touch with the water superintendent who said it needs replacing. It's either we do it
now or we'll be doing it in a few years. So, if we have the money from the Mass Works grant, better to use somebody else's money than our own, but it will need upgrading, but that's coming from the water superintendent. >> Okay, Mr. Chairman. >> Thank you, Paul. >> Yes, sir. >> And obviously, we, you know, we we're
kind of led down the road that we'd lose the $3.5 million if we didn't do this the surge. And I applaud you or whoever is involved in trying to get that money converted over to the water side of it because no matter where we can replace water lines in town, if we can do it for
basically next to nothing, it's going to improve the quality of our water. We've got some very, very old pipes in the ground that need to be replaced. And as far as betterments go, everybody already has water, so there's no betterment charge for it. It's just reconnecting to
a a new pipe and abandoning the old pipe. So, it's just uh I'm glad to hear that someone took the initiative to make try to get that $3.5 million back and thank you for that. >> Thank you, Paul. >> Uh thank you. So, so of course if if
that grant can come through, that would be great. Uh the there's a placeholder for disposition of town property. I'm actually not familiar with that one. Um oh, that's why the assessor wants to meet with me.
uh building project uh the roof repair, we touched on that. Uh Gazsby postemployment benefits. So that's we we created a post-employment benefit.
Uh so oh so this is the OPED contribution I believe. So I I plan to come on a related point uh come to the board and discuss free cash uh at the next select board meeting if if that's okay. >> Sure.
>> Yeah. Yep. Be great. >> Please. >> We can talk about the plan and get feedback, decide together what what the best way forward is. >> Uh there's general law 595 C and a half.
>> We know what that is. Would be dead to death. Okay. the the real estate doubling and uh lowering the senior's age from the next one's from 70 to 65. Um W pat
Mr. chair, if I may. Um, so, um, Mark, in the town meeting, um, any subject matter experts from any of the departments, for example, in this case, the town treasurer, you may want to ask them to attend the Tommy in case there are any technical
questions for the public that need to be answered. I don't know if that's been a past practice. I know Paul always attends if there's a planning item, um, you know, article on the agenda. They should all be there. >> But other departments like the assessor's office, I'm not quite sure if >> she normally attends meetings and in
this case for this article, she should be she does. Okay. Thank you. >> And and I believe that's in the charter that all town officials should be available to answer resident questions at the meeting. >> Perfect. She probably never had to speak in the meetings. I want to not until now. >> Great. >> Thank you. Yeah.
>> And then the WPAT administrative cost, that's that's a housekeeping where uh there's $500,000 from the state and we just need town meeting just needs to approve that to fund the assistance three hours per week regular paycheck
out of the state grant. Um so that's very straightforward. >> Um the next one is the zoning bylaw update. So, I'm um in getting updated by the the planner and getting up to speed on
what exactly uh that that is and need to come back with more information on that. Can I ask Paul a question? Paul, what what's changed since the
spring? >> Since the spring, um largely uh small aspects like the use table, things like that. I I wouldn't say anything significant, just some further touchups
to it. Okay. Thank you. um compensated absences fund. We established this fund about a year ago. It has approximately um $920,000. I believe this is when there's buyouts.
Um an employee retires and then they get their acred time off per their collective bargaining agreement and that comes out of this account. Um, so I believe the accountant's preference is to keep the account around a million dollars. That
way when it's depleted, it's filled at the same time. Uh, which makes sense because rather than trying to cover this in regular operating budgets, it's kind of hard. Um, OPED, that contribution I believe is
will be recommended at 140,000. Our policy has been to go up $5,000 each year and last year I believe was 135,000. And so our overall plan with OPED which OPED is very important to me and to credit credit rating agencies
the plan now is to fulfill our pension obligation and then when that's topped off to transfer that to OPED. So, however aggressively we can attack attack OPED in the meanwhile because that's a fixed obligation for the
employees that are working here now, um, credit agencies will look favorably with whatever we can do on that front. Stabilization, I believe I'll I'll come back with the free cash recommendation. I
probably around half a million dollars. Um but we can discuss more when we uh discuss free cash. Um the next is a placeholder. Actually I was informed today that one is being recommended to
be withdrawn. Um a local option for wine and malt uh that we just discussed that. So that's >> I've taken that up. You can remove that. Yep. >> Uh those are the high points. um take any questions to the best of my
knowledge. Uh I think I I missed skipped over actually uh Barrow's Court which we are diligently looking into. I'm performing performing a site visit tomorrow with the highway supervisor and with uh conservation and we're going to
get a solid game plan and recommendation for the board and town meeting. as you're well aware of the the problems there. I think we need to nip those in the bud and do what we need to do for the you know appropriately and we'll come back with the recommendation soon
as possible hopefully for your next meeting. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Um so Mr. Chair regarding the Barrows court you know in your investigation maybe look into any changes with butters that has occurred over the past 5 years or so that may have increased a water
table. I'm not quite sure. I don't have any answers, but it's kind of odd that um we're having major problems now that we didn't have 10 years ago. >> Yeah, I had asked because I know that um I don't know if it's downstream or upstream, but I know Taton had gotten rid of a dam somewhere and I don't know
if that had any impact on it. I think at the time when I asked that >> it's downstream. >> It's downstream. >> Yeah, Taton's downstream. >> Yeah, >> that flows south. So it'd be rent planeville north side of borrow. Uh >> I know the state has been the state has
been like kind of getting rid of some of the older dams and stuff. I don't know if there's something upstream that was similarly done. >> John it absolutely great question. John um has spoken to that before and everything is no one's touched. I was going to say I was going to say I don't I didn't think that he thought anything
was contributing to that from >> he looked into it whether he was told accurate information or not. It's two different things. >> Yeah. >> Nobody wants that liability on them. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir. >> I was under the understanding that we were having an outside engineering firm
coming in to take a look at that to find out that it was trying to determine where the source was coming from. Um don't know if we've heard anything back yet. as far as what's going on there. But um >> I wasn't aware of that. That's
>> I was >> sounds like something I should be aware of. >> I would say well maybe maybe they didn't do it. I I was under the impression that someone there was they were going to hire a firm to >> just to try to figure out the mitigation of the water where the water is coming from. >> Well, I I'm not an engineer. So I will
tell you based on what I see tomorrow, I will confer with engineers. I I have about 15 civil engineer >> good resources in my contact list >> and I don't know people people don't want to hear this but I've said it a
number of times the only major construction in that area over the years is the new field of dreams that we have behind the schools and if in fact that did happen then perhaps
whoever engineered that should be brought back into the uh discussion also. >> Definitely strongly take that into consideration. >> Chair, as far as the town meeting uh warrant, um
now might be a good opportunity for the new town manager and the board to maybe have board in particular, I should say, to have more input into the order of the articles in the uh town meeting. Total control. >> What? What were you going to say, Bob? >> You this this the board has total control of this warrant.
>> Yeah. And I don't think we I don't think we haven't exercised it. >> Exercised it. >> That's a good point, Kevin. >> Yeah. >> Cuz some items we may want to move around logically or like we like we did tonight, Mr. Chair, to get um the use of facilities moved up on the agenda. We may want to strategically make sure the
agendas are set uh properly with common items grouped together. Of course, >> yeah, >> you know, finance items, zoning items, but >> it makes a lot of sense. Yeah. >> Yeah, it does. It makes a lot of sense. >> And you can remove items also.
>> Okay. Any other discussion on town meeting articles, >> Mr. Chairman? >> Yes, sir. I just want to remind everyone that the fall annual town meeting will be scheduled for Monday, October 20th, 2025 at 7 p.m. at the Norton uh house
high school. While we're on the subject, >> thank you, sir. Town manager report. >> Uh yes, thank you. I included a report. Um you should have had it on your desks. U so I just want to give a quick thank you to everyone that who's been so
welcoming. um the select board, the staff, the department heads. There was a warm welcome last week. Thank you to everyone who came. It's truly an honor to be here. Um every day I'm here, I grow fonder in my admiration for the people and for the town. Um I think Mr.
Kimell mentioned my next point, so I'll skip the the town meeting announcement. Um, I I wanted to give a recognition to the police and fire department who responded on September 9th when a young child fell out of their window and
immediately took this child to um the Mansfield airport and did an exemplary professional job in a difficult situation. We have the best professionals here. And a reminder to everyone to check your screens
uh for sure. Moving on, uh, DPW infrastructure, uh, paving its paving season, the highway department's milling and paving, uh, including North Washington, Cobb Street, David Street, Scott Drive, and Common Cemetery.
Um, additionally, we've recently installed two veterans parking spots in the parking lot. So, thank you to Veterans Services and Highway Department to do that. It's a small but meaningful way to honor our veterans. We're proud to recognize our veterans, grateful for their service.
Uh, and lastly, just I'll note that there are many programs going on at the senior center. I visited the senior center. It's a wonderful place. So, I encourage everyone to take advantage of that. Uh, that's all subject to your questions, Mr. Chair.
>> Okay. Thank you, sir. Anybody have questions for Mr. Gold? >> No. Great job. Thank you. >> No. Okay. No select boards report in mail. Uh warrants are already approved. >> Mr. Chairman. >> Yes, sir.
>> I do believe we are supposed to uh all of us approve the warrants even though we've designated the chair to sign the warrant. I do believe that we're we are required to to vote on each warrant individually as a board because as I
mentioned before uh we are even though the chair is signing off we are all responsible for what's inside those warrants in the long run. So I would recommend that we we take a vote on each one and u
that'll unless um Mr. Gold, if you can check with council on it. And if I'm wrong, then we don't have to do it. But I would highly recommend that we look into it. But I do believe we have to >> unless Mr. Gold knows might know.
>> I understand the the accountant, the town manager, and the select board needs to sign off. There is a provision that allows the select board to appoint a member to sign off, which we've done. >> Believe that's been done. So, I believe the only requirement is for the member
that was appointed to sign off. >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> that makes him responsible. That's great. >> Okay. I'm the lucky one. >> It's all Alex's fault. >> Okay. Yep. >> So, uh warrants are already approved. Next meeting's agenda is September 25th.
Uh no exact. So, um >> make a motion to adjourn. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> Congratulations on your first meeting, Mark. Thank you everybody. Mark, >> thanks Mark. First meeting pleasure.