Okay, now we're recording. Okay, good. Well, >> you can stop it. >> Uh, we're getting ready here. >> Thank you. >> So, let's get off. All right, she's Don't ask me for stretch. Hands distance.
We have seven people here. So, we have a quorum. We'll wait a few more minutes. Right now, only Mary Mary's online. She's a guest. I don't see anybody else trying to get into the meeting yet.
Eric Eric Stock just sign. >> Okay. Okay. Good. I'm going to admit Eric. Okay. Wait another couple of minutes to everybody
calling you online to get online if you can hear us. Okay, good. I'm gonna move the microphone to more of the center of the room. Hey, I fold enter the waiting room like it walked in my Douglas.
>> I think it's usually comes in my iPhone. that you hear on something. What I love about see anybody else is in the waiting room. And Bob, I just want to make sure that's you. >> Yep, there he is.
>> Oh, hey, that is Bob. See, right. So, um extra paper on. I have extra paper taking one of I meant the Jedi son. >> Uh,
we can share down here. Thanks. >> Okay. If there's anybody in the waiting room, I think we can hear. We're going to have to get started. And we'll start off by reviewing the ag by introductions I guess. Uh we have in
we have here we have lens. Lenny's here. Bob's remote. Bob Douglas. John Gore is here. Katherine's here. Art's here. Holler is here. I'm here. Tom is here. Eric is remote. And Walter is here.
So we have a quorum. Uh so we can officially open the meeting. and Marian's guest. >> Marian Davis is a guest and she's >> All right. Uh so now we're going to review the agenda. Uh
>> open the meeting up. Uh have this section for public comment. Uh we're going to review the minutes from our last meeting which was May 16th. Um, want to make sure we're recording. I don't think we're recording.
Okay. Um, uh, review the minutes for May 16th. Uh, we're going to talk about select board u vote to terminate and we're going to reconstitute it with a, uh, with membership changes. Uh we'll give an update on the dam activities an
update on uh the GCA uh work on the lake yol watershed engineering study and then any items we didn't reasonably anticipate prior to the meeting. Um any questions on the agenda?
Okay. Uh let's see. Uh so let's have a section for public comment. Is there any public comments? And I don't think so. All right. If it's okay with everybody, we'll move on to approve them to review and approve the minutes from our last meeting. I think
was May 18th, not May 16th. I said any comments or corrections that anybody saw? Move to approve. >> Second. >> To approve the minutes. So caffeine motion
and Walter second. Uh I'll vote Lyn. >> I was embarrassed. >> Okay. So I guess that's considered abstain. All right. Wow. That was It is gone.
>> Yeah, I'll vote I >> Okay. Uh, >> John, >> yes. >> Catherine, >> yes. >> Park, >> abstain. Howard, >> yes. >> Park is yes. >> Yes.
>> Terry is in absence. Uh, and Eric, >> yes. and Walt. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, are approved. Okay. Next item on the agenda after last
select board meeting um failing proposed to terminate the committee uh and reconstitute terminate this committee uh and reconstitute with a change in your membership. Uh and that that change included
uh see um we still have the same board members like the select board, planning board, conservation commission uh rep uh and and board of health reps. Um three seats there are it's the damke
keeper fire the fire chief or EMP director um uh and one engineer one resident technical expert which is which is uh Walter uh those would be moved to non- voting positions for some reason uh and then uh uh and
then the remainder of the committee we would have four seats in which we'd have three residents or property owners from the watershed not necessarily Lac members, it could be pretty much anybody in the in the wershed and one atlarge community
member. Um, since that and and these the select board voted to approve that. Um, since that meeting I think I think that done that the vote was done in violation of both meeting laws because it wasn't even
on the agenda. The agenda item was to add Mary to the meeting to the committee >> and not to terminate the committee, but that's neither here nor there. U because I'm not really sure how we're go from here. Uh I know if the select board
is wants to have a meeting with the with the lwak on a joint meeting on uh on the 7th of this month or June 7th July July 7th >> July 7th excuse me um uh and to hear our
opinions on things. It's also going to be open to the public. So I imagine there something from the Lake Viola uh water district or Lake Viola committee uh or association would have some comments. U any comments from the ruling
we hear from Eric >> before we sure um I uh let's where to start on that one. Um, I think the general idea and we've sort
of had this similar discussions in this committee setting is like the the LWAC is is a is an ad hoc committee. Whatever the hell that means. I don't even know what it means. But I think it does mean that we're not sort of an official committee. And that that seems like a
crazy idea to the select board. I think it's fair to say that that the um the notion is we should we should try to correct the who's in the on this committee and how it's done and what its charge is and it
should be more of an official committee if you will um to answer some of Mark's questions um or points about like why the ex the the exofficial people were simply because they're they're violations of open meeting law and um
not open law, but uh conflict of interest like and I'm not I'm not saying this is happening obviously, but let's just say to have um the fire chief, excuse my voice is blowing here, my
voice here, but um to have the fire chief um who's a paid position be on this committee and allowed to vote on his act basically on his actions. you have a situation where he has a
conflict of interest and that's that's just a legal in whatever it is it's a legal thing and that's the same so really true of anybody I'm not sure it would be true of the select board or not I wondering I was wondering about that we'd have to ask Donna but it might be because we get paid something you know
minimal but we certainly do get paid as does as the Danke keeper and and um emergency management director and so forth um so I think the idea is really to sort of straighten it out. So, not so that it reduces the power of this committee, but actually sort of
formalizes it and makes it set up so that it's it's an official thing that's not really violating um conflict of interest laws and all that kind of thing. I don't know if that's that's all clear or not or you want ask me
questions might be the way to do this. I'm not sure. Eric, has anybody asked Donna about this conflict of interest thing? Because it seems a little sketchy to me, frankly. >> I believe, and I'm not sure, Donna's
been on vacation, so I'm not sure. I think Haley has talked her about it in the past. Um, I'm not 100% sure, but certainly would she'd be consulted. There's no question about that. It's just one of these things where pay
paid people paid employees can't, you know, what's how how should I say it? I mean, they they can't be on a committee that basically in charge of those employees. That that's a I understand that I understand the principle of it anyway. I
understand it. Um but she certainly would have to be run by Donna for sure. Um if it hasn't been already. It was it was well before you were on the on the select board, I think, that
we um the reason we have the EMD and the and the damkeeper is that we merged the the um dam management committee and Elwack, >> mainly because we were all the same
people. And um and so we kept the votes that those members had on their independent committee. It seems wrong >> to take them away. >> I I mean I can see where you're coming
from by saying it's but this this board doesn't tell the emergency management director what to do. >> It's advisory. It's just an advisory committee where there's >> advise the select board and then they make the decisions. It doesn't seem like
there's really a possibility for conflict of interest. >> It's a it's a it's a it's a a legal point there we absolutely have to ask Don about for sure. Um, I think yeah, I don't I don't really know the I'm not a lawyer. Um, and so I
don't really know the answer to exactly. I think the idea would be to set up something that guaranteed we weren't in any way violating any kind of rules like that. And maybe this is the way to do that. I don't know with we should get
their opinion for sure. the the the chart of conflict of interests uh questionable to me. I know down in Ammeris town officials sit as voting members on all kinds of committees and uh so
I don't know I mean I certainly wouldn't want to proceed on the assumption that that's correct interpretation without getting >> no I agree >> a legal opinion but um more pressing is is the select board going to address the
OML violation or because the the vote was invited violation of open meeting law. >> Well, um I'm not sure about that either of those things. I mean, I'm not the chair of the committee. I I just do
whatever that is what is decided. So, I I assume if that's something people want us to talk about, we'll we'll look at it. I I think I think we did to be honest between me, you, me, and the wall. I think what the what the uh what the SL we did the I that was it's
just kind of a sloppy situation that that happened even at all. I think I'm not sure it was an an open feeding law violation, but it wasn't um it just were a conversation. It it sort it sort of kind of morphed from the discussion about whether or not we should have 12
members of the committee or 11 or that's it's just it it it grew out of that discussion and um it should have it should have stopped and we should have had a separate I would agree with you there. We should have had a separate um vote on it. We did we did it the way we
did it which >> I would say that if you guys vote it votes invalid and you guys can either decide to walk it back or the secretary of state can get involved and force you to walk it back. But given that it
shouldn't have been on the agenda, it should have been in the packet and it wasn't the easiest way to proceed is just for you guys to revoke the vote. >> Right. I would agree. I'm I'm not I I wouldn't disagree um with that notion and and that's fine.
I mean, we could vote we could put on the as well as Mark said, it's on the July 7th agenda. So, it's it's on that agenda in a good way that it like is a way that we could all talk about it um legally and everything. >> There's there's the legal point here,
but there's also a kind of point of etiquette for a better word. It's a real failure of collegiality for the select board to make major decisions about a committee without consulting that committee in any way in advance. That's
just wrong. It's it's disrespectful to the town employees or the town volunteers that make this town work to a large extent. I think I think we have the right to feel offended and angry about this vote.
>> Okay. I I I'll accept that. That's I think you're right. I mean, if if it was if if if I personally had to do it a different way, I would do it a different way. And I'm all for revoking it or call any of those
any of those things you want to do to um Yeah, I I I agree with you. So, how do we proceed from here? When we had last our last meeting, we had a vote that this committee uh was like nine to
one abstension. Tom stayed um to keep the committee as it is that function as it is with five members from the association. U there is nothing that says that the association members can't be on the committee. I um but when uh
and I confirmed that with Haley uh there's no uh she said it would be a conflict of interest if more than two two members were directors of the association and we don't more than two members. We only have one member. Sorry. So that's certainly not a conflict of
interest. >> I'm not sure what to do here. I think we should wait until the July 7th meeting just table then then discuss it with the whole with everybody who's present. >> I think that's a good idea. I
>> think so too. >> Um do we have to vote on that? >> I don't think so. >> We're not taking any action. >> No. Do do we want to present a sense of the committee at
this meeting or do we just want to speak as individuals? >> Uh at this July 7th meeting? >> July 7th. >> Yeah. I think we were I think a little bit of both. I can certainly speak for the committee when you know some of the history that we gone through in the past
uh six seven months. We've had these discussions meeting after meeting. Uh we've tried a few uh changes and couldn't couldn't re compromise. We basically decided to leave it like it is. Um and and Mark, could you or somebody that's been on the committee a
long time pulled together a history of the committee and sort of you and how it came into being, what it's done. >> Yeah, I can I can certainly do that. the things we've accomplished as a committee. We've been a very
been a very productive committee over the years. We've we've been good the members of this of this group have been good stewards of the lake uh and maintaining equal access to everybody. think whether if it's protecting the dam or checking the the bow ramp with the
water testing. Um you can put together a few list of a few of things we've accomplished. Uh well, let me just say that the newbie on the committee, one of the newbies. Um, I
have a concern about uh removing some of the expertise at a time when that expertise is really going to be needed. If we're going to rebuild a dam, if we're going to repair the boat ramp, uh, we're facing climate change stuff. We
really need expert voices in the room up, too, just so you know. >> So, not a good time to be replacing the experts. fully agree very
>> yeah I think also to the point at the meeting um and for the committee when when they were voting in the discussion to eliminate the committee they basically eliminated everybody on this committee without any thought to who
should be car carried over or what the expertise for the people here were. So I think um I think that addresses the same point, you know. Um but that's basically it.
>> According to Haley, the there is a an application that we'll have to fill out. We we could still be on the committee. We have to we have to reapply to be on the committee. and uh and uh I'm not sure what's in that application that I don't
know who who makes the call of um of who's on the committee and who's not on the committee. >> That would be the select board. >> Yeah, select board does that. >> Okay. It's just it's just to make it like any other committee in town where if you
want to be on the well well some are elected I should not like any other committee but if you want to be on the conservation commission you have to go through the process of getting appointed to it. >> Well everybody I don't object to the process. I object to that they're
changing the committee and basically saying none of us cross over on the committee. We all have to go back and apply. That that's my not that people shouldn't have to apply, but it just seems strange that you've been a member. A lot of these people have been
members for years and years and years and there's no consideration given as to whether or not that would be considered in the application or or anything for that matter. >> Yeah, I I can I can testify for one vote of the unsavel. It would make a
difference a lot of difference. I have no interest in personal interest in changing this committee at all. Um terms of its membership. That's you know what you know that's what I would say. >> And in the past each member has to be
appointed by the select board every year anyways has been. >> That's right. >> Not like we've been making up our own >> right who >> we want on here. It had to go through the select. >> It's always gone the select board has always made the decisions who's on this committee. >> Right. >> Right. And and as far as the the
town boards and committees who are represented, those those are chosen by their committee. They're voted by their committee and there's they're only putting forward one candidate to the to the select board. So it's kind of >> it's the idea of actually having to
apply for that when you've been voted it seems superfluous and insulting. completely agree. I'm kind of insulted by the fact that they are removing um the requirements to be a
lakew association member, someone who's who really done a good job of protecting that lake for 30 years and uh just think it's just >> wasn't even included. >> Yeah. Yeah. See, it's that's wrong. That wasn't included.
Okay, any other comments? Okay, hopefully we'll all see you on the 7th. Um, uh, next item on the agenda is an update on dam activities. Um, our damn full within three inches.
>> Okay. So, as of this morning, if it keeps up, it's only about a half inch a day. by Friday. That's Friday we should be >> well actually it'll be over probably
about Wednesday because one end of the spillway is lower than the other and it is going under the spillway right now. Uh that's the only activity I know of. I I sent sent a note to GZA last week and
they historically have given me kind of an update of what they've been doing on but they have not responded to uh I think we're kind of uh you know out of the picture now to be honest with you. Well, when it gets to within or an inch or two of the well, an inch or so of the
spillway, they want to be contacted. And well, I contact Nate every Friday anyhow. But he wanted to know when it gets to the spillway and they'll come back and check it. They did send somebody by in the middle of the week. I
didn't see her, but uh she would just kind of did a quick check for him and uh everything was fine at that time. >> Are we all set with the uh staff gauge? >> No. >> Yeah, I still have to put it in. I
haven't gotten to that. I got I got it mounted on the backer board and yeah, I'll put it in. >> If you need help, let me know. Uh maybe else welcome here.
Okay. Uh the LA next item uh big time here is update on the Lakewell wershed engineering study. I know there's a meeting a Zoom meeting on uh June 25th 7. I can set and as soon as I get the
the link I'll send it out to everybody. Um and so if you want to attend, listen to what where they are with their study. >> Tom, is there any other act activity >> um >> of the Lake Oil Watershed study? >> Um I'm not part of that group anymore
because the old task force, you know, was sunseted. >> Okay. >> And I think you might be referring to on June 25th at 7 PM is the first meeting of the new storm water group. you guys. >> And they are the one that's this that's
this study. This is the GZA H&H study from the old stormwater task force. >> Okay. >> Um but so I'm imagining that's part and parcel with the storm water management implementation committee meeting on June
25th. >> Actually, I'm going to look at the agenda right now, but uh yeah, report from GCA. So, it's already on the town calendar as a as a storm water management meeting. >> Okay. >> That's what I know. >> They're going to cover the It's my
understanding from Jane that they're going to review their findings so far to date. >> I wasn't even sure how active they had been yet or it was rescheduling still. So, that's great. >> Um, that's all the agenda items I have. Is
there anything else that I uh that that we should talk about that we haven't brought up? >> Okay, I guess we have >> I guess we have a motion to uh motion to close the meeting. >> Second. >> Uh so I guess I can make
>> I I'll make the motion the chair's not supposed to. I'll make the motion to adjourn the meeting. >> And last second. >> Right. So, we'll have a vote here. Close. Uh L. >> Uh yes.
>> On the plot. Get back close to the main. Uh John, >> yes. >> Uh Katherine, >> yes. >> Yes. >> Howard? >> Yes. Mark, yes. Tom, >> yes. >> Terry is absent.
Uh, Eric, >> yes. >> And Walter, >> as well could be my last official vote. Yes. >> Yes, I guess. >> Mine also. >> Okay. >> Bob, get it. Yes. Okay.
Thank you, Bob. Also, we guys, we can end the meeting in record time. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thanks everybody. Y been short, but I could figure out how
to do a meeting here where the battery recycling barrels