Thank you. >> Anyway, >> tomorrow turn. feel about starting our meeting. >> Well, that's a good idea. >> All right. So, um
why don't we um call ourselves to order at 5 uh 04 or whatever time the clock says. And um first agenda item is to review the agenda. We have our public comment first followed by approving
minutes for July 21st and July 29th. Um vote to restore public access to Lake Lyova Dam. Um a joint meeting with the planning board for appointments with Coral Lander and Gene Jenin as associate members to the planning board.
Um discuss plans for setting a date for the Lake Whale Advisory Committee. Uh second charge ch charge. Second discussion uh discussion about the formation of a town common beautifification committee. Um
discussion about tying bond EAS 6 months proposal amendment. Discuss and vote on your end budget transfers line to lines and the town administrator report. Was there anything else that popped up in the last 24 hours? Haley,
>> no. Okay. Um, was that uh order okay with with both of you? Okay, >> sure. >> All right. Um, why don't we open it up for raised uh for the public comment? And if you're online or in the room, please use the raised hand feature.
If anyone has public comment, raise your hand. Don, you're muted. And can you hear me now? >> I can. >> Hi. Uh, I'm John Kinder to Farah Road. I'm also How's assistant as the
assistant damkeeper. Um, in 2023, um, I was part of the Lake Wyola dam study safety committee. And at that time, we were charged by the select board to study the safety features of the dam and public access to the dam.
One of your select board members was on that committee. And uh our charge was to come back to the select board with recommendations and uh we looked at over as far as the activities there and decided that we couldn't in all good conscience come back and recommend that
it was a safe place for public access and for recreation. So this board brought it before the town to try to pass a bylaw and that got voted down at a town meeting. And uh there was a pretty large contingent of people who really uh thought that there
should be public access there. They saw value in it. Many of them were my friends and I can understand why they felt that way. But at any rate, you should take that into account here and I'm sure you will when you take your vote. But there's a couple points that I want to make here before you do vote.
And one has to do with the access to the dam. Uh the Zavarooas are the neighbors there and it's private property and uh they've been pretty uh accommodating to us especially through the repair that you just had done and uh they also are
pretty adamant that they do not like people and don't want people traversing other private property in order to get access to the dam. There is some access on shoot property. It's a narrow path on a hillside and you should be aware of
that. It is kind of rather steep. you can get out there, but it is something that you should be aware of and uh I hope that it will be addressed. Uh I want to mention and talk about the activities that are allowed out there. Like any activities on lake, there's fishing and there's boating and there's
swimming. Fishing is not really too much of a problem. H how we mostly and sometimes me, we have to pick up after the fishermen. That's not not a big it's not problematic really. But as far as swimming goes, I have some questions. Is it allowed anywhere on the dam? If we're
open access to the dam for swimming, does that mean at any portion of the dam you can go swimming? Can you be over in front of the spillway when the there's storming going on and it's rushing there? Are you allowed to play on the spillway? Can you use flotation devices out in
front of the dam to swim? The state's pretty adamant they wouldn't allow that because they don't know if you can really swim or not. So, is that allowed to be go out there? As far as boats, kayaks, and other flotation devices, are you allowed to portage a kayak and then dock it there and and then go into the
into the lake from there? Can you get in a kayak from somewhere else on the lake and come across the lake and dock it there and then go swimming? These are regulations to consider. And so the bigger question to me is if
there are regulations, who is going to monitor this? who's going to address this sort of thing and these sort of activities right now it's mostly Howie and to me and me and it's judgment calls what should happen there and what what shouldn't go
on there what activity should should take place and I'm not really sure that anything as concrete has been discussed and put down on paper as to what it means to open access back up to the dam if it's just going to be business as
usual I think that we're missing a lot of points here that should be discussed mostly with Howie and my concern is that they're not going to be and um I really think they should and I guess that's about all I had to say about it.
>> Thank you, Jeff. Thank you. Um was there any other um >> Yes, Melissa. I didn't realize that you could talk now. I thought it was when the item came up that we were going to talk about. >> It It generally is. It generally is when you're when you would >> just Oh, okay. We'll call on you. You
can add more to it um when we get to that point. >> Sorry, Hie. >> Um All right. Was there any other public comments? >> Okay. All right. So, moving on to approving minutes from July 21st to
29th. Do I hear a motion? >> I believe they're okay. Frank. >> Yeah, I can make I make a motion. Move both both uh some minutes.
>> The only thing about the the 21st is um there was an attachment there. >> Wait, you're a second. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Second. >> Um there was an attachment from uh Amanda Alice, but it never said just it's just an attachment. Doesn't have her name on it
or anything. So, I'm just thinking we should change that. >> Oh, yeah. We should put um >> just so it identifies. >> Yeah, it was sent what it's what it was sent um that was the 21st. You said >> I believe or the 21st.
>> What if we just added something in the public comment section that says please see attach because it does reference what she's talking about. >> Yes. >> In the minutes. >> Please see attach. As long as the attachment has >> Yeah. As long as the attach Yeah. As long as the attachment sort of part of the minutes. That's I guess >> what I'm trying to get at either anyway.
That's That's fine. >> Okay. Um was there anything on the 29th? Cuz the motion was anything on the 29th that jumped out it anyone was muted. Um >> I did not. Okay. And all those in favor
of approving minutes >> all I may be. >> Great. Okay. And now that we're talking about the possible vote to restore public access to Lake Wyola dam. So we
had removed public access um or because of the situation with repairs and um those things I had asked to have it delayed because I couldn't remember if we had voted to close it permanently and
not and we had not. town meeting had said that, you know, they didn't want to, as John reminded us, um that they didn't want to close access to the dam. Um so now that the emergency is over, we're
at the point of voting on it again um to to possibly reopen uh dam access. Haley, um was there any parameters related to the repairs we had to think about? >> No, the prepare the repairs were successful. Um,
you know, I don't for for whatever it's worth, I don't think that our engineers or off the officials at the office of dam safety would necessarily think that it's it's the best idea to have public access to a dam quite like that. There there are not some safety
features that would make it better um if that was the option that the town is going to go in. So, for whatever that's worth, I think that's something to consider. I feel a little conflicted. I was on the same committee that John was and I I I was one of the people who voted against
I think we should have denied access to the dam for various all the reasons he mentioned but um but it clearly didn't pass the town meeting. So I mean it's sort of funny for us just as a group of three to sit down and say oh well no actually
town meeting is invalid. We're going to just close it. Um that doesn't seem right to me. Um, so I'm a little I guess I'm like what what am I saying? >> It's one of those situations where I ask
many people throughout our interviews we do when give me an example when you have voted against something that you personally believe is different. >> Right. >> Yeah. Right. >> Right. Um and I think that we're we're kind of all you know all there. Did you
>> Yeah. Well, prior to this closure back when it was open, what was the track record? Was were there some safety issues? Were there were there issues? >> Um >> what was the level? >> I mean Hie and John would know better because they're right down there. But um
it came up at many times at emergency management meetings. Um >> it did come up. >> Rocks get thrown from one side into the water. Um people picnic out there. Kids run around on the dam. There is no guardrail or anything. their signs. The
the like the John highlighted the um homeowner that lives right there has private property does not want people passing all their property. Makes sense. >> Um they've been very nice with letting um Howie, you know, be able to have access. But >> but you know um
it is a bit of a danger. Quite a bit of a danger >> as John >> and you know people swim from there. I don't know if they dock kayaks or not. I'm not familiar with that but But um >> can I put anything? >> Yeah. Yeah, go ahead. >> Well,
starting from from Locks Pond to the dam, uh the town does not have any property that's people can actually walk on. It's it's a sidehill. It starts out at an angle probably like that and it gets to
an angle like that. When you get over towards the dam, there's maybe 10 ft of flat land. When you get on the dam, there's rocks and boulders on the front side of the dam all the way along, which is for protection of the dam itself. On
the back side, down at the bottom, there are rocks and boulders, and the same thing is for protection because the dam is made now for overflow. They're not there for anything else other than overflow. when the water goes
down and it doesn't wash out underneath the bottom of the dam. Um, for swimming, I I just don't understand why anybody wants to go there for swimming. You can go to the state beach. It's free. It has been and probably
always will be. They may have to pay for parking. They don't right now. They don't have the town. The state doesn't have a system for the type of parking that they're doing there. Um people, you know, John's about boats and
stuff. There should be no boat launching or uh you know, launching or docking any type of water threat on that dam. I run them all off if they're there. They just don't allow it at all if you want. And
as for signs, people have been down there fishing now and they had to walk by five signs telling them they can't even be there. So signs are not not the answer for this. And on the backside where the
rocks are below the dam, there's a sign that says falling area. You can't put a fence up there because the dam is for overflowing. And if you put a fence, then ain't debris that's going to be coming. If it's falling over the top, there's debris that's going to be coming
will get caught on the fence. They have a fence that that lets go. Somebody could be who's going to say that it's always going to work. And somebody leaning on that fence and down over the edge or sitting on the
thing. That's my problem. Fishermen, they've been pretty good. Uh, one problem I have with them, they love to fish in front of the gate shack. You can't fish in front of the gate shack. That's where I'm drawing water. When the line comes in, it gets caught
in the trash rack. If the line never breaks at the hook, it always breaks back and halfway up or at the pole. Then the line goes back and forth across the trash rack. Now we got a problem where it's catching everything again. I did
put a float line out around it. I went down there, John went down there one day and there was a guy fishing in there or swimming, I'm sorry, swimming in that area. He thought that's where he's supposed to be. Well, that's the worst place you can get >> because the suction, if I got the gate
open and you get caught in that suction, I can't get down there and unlock that and close that gate before you drown. this uh I don't people got to be educated but
the educated ones don't go there because there >> right >> and um the other thing is if anybody anyway officials ever want to see what goes on at the dam I would have appreciate it if you'd contact me and
come down and take a look at it because a lot of times everybody's talking about something they don't even know what it looks like let alone how it works and you can't make a decision on something if you don't know how it operates.
last year. I'm not I mean I have an opinion about what you guys should do but in terms of the quantity I mean what strikes me is there are like two factories that are worthwhile I mean we're beginning of August so extensively
we got four or five weeks of pe season which is problematic not to say that this not an issue other times um and then there's fall time needed and so clearly you know I just think back to the library but we've had setting time meeting not votes about issues. And so
it seems like one way to think about it is bring something to town that you guys feel comfortable formulating and have town meeting vote on it in September, October when it is. And then really the issue is what do you do for the next set of in the summer, you know, and you can
either say close it or not close it, but knowing that it's not an urgent decision because you're meeting up to town meeting. So it might be an easier way than saying, "Oh, time meeting said this." Therefore, we're sort of trapped. Yeah. So,
um under um I have to say about anything in agreement. Um I'm in complete agreement with John. Um, and I what what I was thinking as Leighton was speaking is that maybe a
presentation um with visuals could be put together because I agree with Howie that people who don't see what's going on, they were making they made a vote on something that I don't think they probably completely understand. And I I also feel
like Walter should be brought on because I know he's very concerned about that trash caring people driving if they fall. these I mean I just think it's and the fact that there's no public access except for you know I think visuals and
what how he's describing is the way you got the artist it's not it's not sure it's not a good idea >> what do we as a community what are we missing as a community if uh haven't posted
>> uh good question. Uh, Chief, >> hey, I uh thanks. I I wasn't intending to comment, but since it's now identified as a potential hazard,
um, has town council chimed in on liability? >> Yeah, many times. Um, many times. Um, which is where all of our signs have come from. Emergency management. uh
team. Um she identifies it she identifies it as a liability, but also there's there's reasons that we haven't been able to close it completely. And she was the one that decided or suggested actually she didn't decide we did that um to bring us to bring it to
town meeting and she spoke against uh leaving it open at town meeting. Um so so yeah, she's it's a risk. What are we missing as a town? If we um keep it closed, no
access, what's a town missing? >> That's a good fishing spot. Um >> uh is that >> a very large lawsuit if someone gets hurt >> if we don't keep it closed? Right. So, >> no, I'm just I'm just trying to understand you know what this both
people supported keep it open being open and what what do they feel they're missing if it's not open? Well, I think people people just I mean I I'm just speaking from what I remember from the town meeting, but people want to be able to go there, you know, they just like to be able hang out in the dam with their
buddies and, you know, have a beer or whatever it is and have a little picnic on supper and go swimming and whatever. >> We've had, >> but that's there's other places to do that, right? Yeah, >> there are. Yeah. >> State Park open.
But I have had it was went down there one day and this is a few years ago now, but there was a they had like one of these tent covers up with the you know all their food and tables and everything else and gez, you know,
that's not the place for that. >> And I hate seeing kids running across the damn because those even those big stones, >> they're not all nice and even. you get a float and unfortunately there where would you where the falling hazard is
and I'm surprised that somebody has it or that I maybe I don't know if somebody did I don't know >> yeah right >> thanks u and uh I think I'm remembering from the last time there might have been a lack of
something that could be improved upon now in communication with the town about it. Um, even tonight, I didn't hear the word risk at first until recently. And I know that a lot of intelligent good people can be appealed to by thinking
out at the risks are very um clearly specifically. I think appealing to people as well, signage about alternatives, where those alternatives bother, and it could be signage at that place saying, "If you're here to fish,
this is where you go to fish. If you're here to swim, if you're here to do a kayak, you have a kayak. I'll show you how to speak the beach. But there actually for a person who's not familiar with the town, there's not a lot of um words aren't a lot of words out there to
tell them where they can go and what they can do. And it could be a capitalization opportunity for the town as well, depending on how we direct them to what we to do and where. Um, and I feel as though just more appeal to the
general public and the town's people recognizing what their concerns are and then putting those on signs and recognizing that. And there was some concern in the last group that it was the types of people that
were there. Um, and I think that should also be addressed. Um there's a very different demographic of the people who use the state beach and the spillover of those state beach users who had Obama dam um from the
odysseies and demographic for example and talking about race among other things uh to be clear. So, uh, I think a lot of robust appealing communication to people's intelligence and desire to
maximize opportunities for recreation around here will benefit the town, them will not put us at risk of liability um, and will mitigate their risk of accidents. >> Just one more thing I wanted to add. I
think and each other may even know of think it's fishing think it's fishing because I see people fishing there. They fish there and they fish over by um by shore drive from the cul which are both
that's another bad spot because they're stranded within a really big area. So I think that and these are folks that don't have a boat to fish on. So, they're trying to fish in shore and so where can you fish on shore?
>> And and I guess the other question I don't have because I don't know anything really about fishing. Would more fish come to the dam because they get forced there because of the water. I don't know. Is there good fishing in the dam? Because fishing seems to be the thing. I think that's what
>> that's the big attraction. >> Yeah, I think it's fishing. >> They're fishing when they're there. It's usually all the So, can I speak? I haven't I forgot I can't figure out how to raise my hand. >> Oh, sure, Mary. So, >> thanks. So, I also was on the many of
the committees that looked at the dam um as well as the conservation committee at the time when they looked at it. Um, there really is no safe way to get to the dam except crossing a neighbor's property, which at the time people thought was a big concern for the town
to say it was okay for people to walk across a neighbor's property to access it. But I think the bigger point that that many people looked at is there are still many repairs needed for the dam that the structure of this kind of dam
was not meant to take the kinds of activities that people are doing on top of the dam and many of the engineers we talked to felt that that was also a good part of the cause with the deterioration of the dam. Um so there was a huge
safety issue. I was also at the town meeting where people made the vote. Um, and I think it was a close vote, but I think, you know, there there was no convincing the people that voted that they wanted it open. They wanted to access it despite safety issues or any
of the other issues. And I think um the big concern here too is the safety issues. Um cuz the the things that we witness and the things that we had out there um people dragging grills out there, young children running up and
down the dam that might fall in. Um all of those safety issues I think is what convinced most of the people that made the recommendation not to do it. Um, you know, and the safety issues for for all the committees I was on out more than
outweighed, you know, should we allow people to be out there on a DM that wasn't designed to take that kind of activity on it? Thanks. I'm sorry. Thank you. >> Oh, no need to apologize. Um, I have a
question for for Howie and John. How many people with it closed have been out there? Have there still been people out there doing >> Well, >> I find that they've been out there. Not always are they there when I get there. I've
fishing. In fact, on last weekend, I think was a a woman and her two kids went out there fishing. I don't think she understood what the signs. I don't think she spoke. because sound when I was talking to sound like broken
I don't think she realized what she had done because right away she came back off and left but some of the things that have happened in the past when you're talking about the boulders uh when they're swimming on the swimmer down the lakeside they pick up a boulder and see
how far out they could walk but they don't bring the boulder back and then the other thing they do is they pick up a boulder to the backside where the pipe comes out of the dam and try to bounce it off the off the pipe. And then
we Walter and I cleaned that area out. Walter again recently in the last couple of years and there's boulders back in there again as people dropping them over the edge. But uh actually we never had a real
problem until we fixed the dam and concrete at the top. Before it was all grass and dirt stuff like that and the only people would come down would be fishing. Nobody came down and swim from there. It just
the other deal. Now we do have that problem. >> Okay. Um >> couple of hands. >> Oh, I see Jennifer and John. Jennifer, >> let me get my Okay. Hi there, everybody. So, um I'm just gonna weigh in on on the
water side. So, does this I mean, maybe everyone's had this idea already. People like to fish there because the water's really deep and that's a good place for a certain species to hang out in the deep water. If if there was a line that went out
further out from the dam, a float line that had some buoys that said no admittance or, you know, no swimming, no fishing, you know, something that wasn't a sign on land, but something that was a a buoy like they have no swim buoys or no wake buoys that and and the float
line came out further from the dam than the float line that's that's marking it now. It might have an impact on the fishing part. Anyway, uh I don't know whether that's been discussed or not. And uh now this is I'm saying this a
little tongue and cheek, but the comment about the concrete on the top is is a good is a good comment. It makes it a lot easier to walk out there. When I lived in New York City, if they didn't want pigeons landing places, they put
spiky things on. And uh the same thing is true, you know, in near the seashore. If they don't want it, there you go. >> Yeah. If they don't want, they put spiky things on there and they can't land. So, you know, I'm saying that a little bit
as a joke. But hey, you know, it might actually work. >> Okay, that's all. Thank you. But but the the buoy line on the water that swings further out could be a good deterrent for fishing and for swimming, especially if there was a buoy that said no fishing here. Okay, that's enough.
>> Can I answer that? >> Yeah, this line >> float line. I have a problem right now with the flow line the way it is with the fisherman. They fish too close to it and they get caught in it. And until we put these heavy anchors on the end of
the line, they used to grab a line and pull it in and pull the whole flow line in with it. If you go out further, I'm going to really have a problem because then it's all the fishermen are going to get caught out in that area. Gotcha. >> John,
>> I just wanted to respond to what you had asked about whether there's been ongoing visiting down there. >> That was close. Yeah. >> Um I wanted to tell you one which Howie and I found kind of amusing when I had to go over and talk to two people that were down there fishing. And this is
when the the lake was still drawn down somewhat and he and he was standing right on the new trash rack and fishing and fishing out over there. And I went over and I said uh to him,"I guess you didn't see any of the five signs that
you had to go by in order to get out here." And his response to me was, "Well, none of them say no fishing." >> And so I was kind like, you know, all right. So I'm not going to go get into the Well, you're not supposed to be out here. Well, we've been fishing here for
years. And well, have a nice day. Um, I do want to mention that just yesterday I saw a police officer down there uh having to have a conversation with somebody who was uh fishing down there and I don't know what the conver how the conversation went but he was talking to
him for quite a while. I happened to be swimming. He was talking to him for quite a while and then eventually the officer left and eventually the fisherman left too. So u signs have limited uh >> effectiveness. Yeah, >> I was gonna suggest put one up that
says, "Please don't bother the snakes." >> And then maybe that would keep it >> um um question signs. Um
any of the signs say either authorized personnel only or enter at your own risk. than the one that you put up. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> So maybe maybe we get a paint. I think
maybe we look at paper sign colorful color sign on there subject to another dollar or citation and you're not going to get everybody
every single time but you go down you see somebody they're there don't necessarily have to confront them because that's a liability for yourself all the go down and issued a citation.
That was smart pretty fast. One fish is at the end, you get a $300 citation. >> So, >> you've got John with the stand up and then I think Go ahead, John. >> I'm sorry. I'm not an attorney, but I don't think that you can claim that you
were liable or not liable. You are liable. Um, every year, well, every two years when we get our report from the dam inspection committee, they make note of the fact that the town is liable for anything that happens there. And it actually says right in there, including
death, and that is included in the inspection report that comes from the inspectors every two every two years. So all these discussions you have about signs and about putting up floats and such is reminiscent of the committee
that Eric and I were on and all the discussions that we had. But we had to go back to the select board and make a recommendation of whether that was a safe place for the town to recreate and our recommendation was not. And so it was put up before the town to pass a
bylaw. The vote was lost by three votes. And I'm just wondering if that is the only way that such restriction can take place. Does a select board have to bring anything before the town when it's actually a public safety issue? >> That's it's a good question.
>> Well, we are part of our job, a main part of our job is risk management. Um and you know so we have that as something that we can and that's partly why we closed initially during the emergency was because um it was unsafe.
It was un it was less safe than it was prior which was still dangerous right so um >> well there's going to be more work to I think right have more work to happen again >> I can um speak to that a little bit so I think undeniably it's a safety risk for
for various reasons that I won't repeat um you know as your risk manager I would underscore what legal opinion was and say that it's it's not a safe access point but what I could offer as like a a glimmer of hope is that we have put in
for grant funds. Um because if you think way back to when we first were doing their emergency repairs, there was always going to be the secondary requirement that we do a a more in-depth evaluation of the dam and how it's structured for the long term. And now that we've completed that initial
emergency phase, we are we've put in a grant application to help us with some design specs for the future. And one of the things we could talk to our engineers about is you know what do you know I don't know what what do you think you know is there a way to make it safe for the public or how could
we structure it maybe differently um so perhaps in the future there might be something but I think in the here and now with the resources that you have my professional advice to you would be to just keep it closed. Um, thank you. I appreciate being a
listening this two. You know, one's closing always makes sense. But I think, you know, John had mentioned I mean people don't pay attention to science. So even if you vote to keep it closed and you bring it to town meeting for long, this is the practical part of someone goes on
there even if you officially close it and they vote probably still liable. Yeah. So there's some like what do you practically keep people from going on? >> Yeah. >> And that >> which has been which has been an ongoing well even that's why I asked the question how many people are out there
with it says personnel only government you know. >> Yeah. >> Um and that that's ignored as well. >> Well I think that's something we may want to maybe that's something we could put on the emergency management agenda for this coming Monday. just talk about,
you know, is there an enforcement plan or some kind of metric that we could apply? Um, >> yeah, I think I think I would >> I would heir on the I think as Haley suggesting sort of heir on the side of like it's a cautionary thing if people
could get hurt. That's been my vote all along this whole thing. Um, and with the town liability and so forth. I mean, one one sort of way one I I look at is like one way to do it is the way we do it where we we vote and
then there's a vote in the fall in the rather than >> town meeting. >> Um, >> one thing is that we if we we could vote it against it and then if they if people really wanted it to happen, >> they could put something on the agenda in the town meeting. Um, in other words,
do it the other way around. Do it backwards. We we do what we want to do as >> we close it and then if people want open they can citizen >> they've got to overrule it at the town meeting somehow if if that's possible >> it could be I mean I think at that point
we'd also want to consult our attorney you know cuz yeah I mean if we remove the word dam and put it with something else you know can people vote to create a circumstance that's going to be inherently unsafe and pose a liability to the town you know I think if that if
it went your way I would just also want to touch base with Donna and just see has she seen that kind of circumstance before in a town? >> No, it's a good question. Um, >> that's a good question >> because ultimately reliable,
you know, it's not, you know, it's not the end of >> I think I think even, you know, we are reliable. I think if um I see your hand, hang on one second, Nathan. Um, it's it's that double-edged sword, right? like you know it is a great resource and it would be nice to enjoy.
However, it was a very big danger up to and including death, right? Um Nathan, >> I was just going to ask a couple quick questions. Uh if you take no action that the area remains closed because you closed it already.
>> Yes. And the uh the thing be that came before town meeting prior uh to this that addressed the question of the dam. That was a proposal for a general bylaw. >> I don't know that was before my time.
>> What? >> The sweatboard put it on there. Um >> it was >> Yeah, I think it was general. Yeah, >> but I can on that question just to confirm. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Well, I was just gonna say if that was
the case, you know, it's uh it might not be, you know, I don't know if you need a bylaw to leave it closed and you might just be able to take no action and mitigate the risk and then if you need to do anything further, you can do, you know, whatever you need to do.
>> But that's good point. >> Yeah, we could take no action and it's closed. We already voted to close it. So >> yeah, but the reason it's closed is because the work that was going on and that work is done. >> All right. >> Emergency work is done.
>> So isn't there now a we need to to to move forward and not let things sit? >> Yeah. What would the like to do? Would you like to to um Well, we could vote to
keep it closed knowing there's more dam repairs coming also because of the dangerous situation it creates the next few weeks as people come and find Lake. Um, we could do no action and it stays
closed. And I think if we're headed to a town meeting, special town meeting, we could put it on that. >> I guess I I'd move that we keep it closed. Uh, >> that's that's I think John and Howie are
the ones that know this the best. They know the risks. They know what what's at stake there. And I think that's important input. I I think one of the problems was for the last time we brought before
people don't even know didn't even it just came up quick and nobody knew anything about it. They just went and voted how they felt that day and not knowing what they were even voting for. That may have been why it was so >> I think you educate the public a little
bit and then asking the folk maybe it'll be a little different. >> So then maybe that's our plan that we keep it closed and then in the special town meeting we consider doing the same thing maybe educating a little bit
better with with pictures and drawings that show the danger. >> Sure. Yeah, we could have we could have that's not a bad idea at all. >> We didn't have that the first time. >> No. Right. Right. >> We all know it in our heads because we've looked at it a number of times.
You haven't beat us off. So, yes, Michael, >> I volunteer a to do a little pitch on the Friday. >> I can do that. >> I reserve the right to not do it this Friday, though. I want to think about how I want to do it. Okay. >> All right. Before town meeting, you got it.
>> Leslie has her hand up and then we'll vote if we need to. Go ahead. That's a good point. >> Can't hear her. >> I'm sorry. Is there enough time to fully educate before the special town meeting or should it wait for the next town
meeting? Are there more repair? When are more repairs expected to be done anyway? >> So we the repairs won't be for some time. We have to do an engineering analysis on the dam and then that would guide whatever repairs. I mean personally I think special town meeting
by bylaw would be some Saturday in October. I think two about two months is a good enough time because you also don't want to like wait too long while you're educating someone on any specific topic, you know, um like if I were a cognitive behavioralist, I would tell you like you want to condense things and
have it be, you know, over the course of several weeks, but not really much longer because then people will either disengage with the topic or they'll >> pivot. Can we get can we get the engineers to do anything to think about this have that in their role? Um, I mean, I could
certainly ask them if they could even just write something informal about the their guidance. I could >> Yeah. What would they suggest that we do? I mean, they might have opinions. >> Yeah. I could reach out to, you know, Maya and and our town council and just get some different opinions. Those those
three entities might carry the most weight, I think, in and for people. So, >> some pictures of what's going on down there like >> Yeah, pictures are great. Yeah. speak better than words. >> All right. So, with that, um, Eric made
a motion to keep the dam closed. Would you second that? Okay. Um, all those in favor? >> Starter I >> make peace and eye. Um, thank you everybody for those comments.
That was helpful. Appreciate it. Um, okay. So moving on to our next item um is the joint meeting with the planning board for plans to lounge and agend.
>> All right, it's uh a little bit later than we posted, but it's uh 5:46. I'll call the Shootsbury Planning Board to order. I'll note that uh you know present we have I see Michael de Kier, Steven Brassler, Tom Seaffort and online I see Ashley Pyraftoft,
Keith Hasty and myself Nathan Murphy. I don't think Jeff Weston is present. Is that true? >> Correct. >> Okay. Um so then I'll note that the meeting is recorded and uh then I will just uh being a joint session I'll ask
uh Melissa to assume uh you know chair uh uh to chair the uh joint session and uh go ahead and move forward with the topic. >> Thanks. So um for those who aren't aware when we appoint u members to planning board it's a joint venture between
planning board and select board and they bring appointments to us um and I believe Carl and Dean had both um attended a meeting and talked with the committee and got their vote of
confidence to join um join us associate members and associate members is a position and please correct me if I'm wrong cuz I don't remember how all of these work with associate members, but if there was any member that needs to recuse themsself from the planning board, one of the members, one of the
associate members step up and take care of that topic. Is that correct? >> That if a board member can fulfill responsibilities, they're just missing. >> Okay. Perfect. All right. Um,
>> did you want to speak to that, Nathan, before that? Well, yeah. Yeah, we uh yeah, there's a provision in the zoning bylaw that allows for associate members. It's um I think the legislature made a
session law for for us on it. And it's uh yeah, anytime uh due to absence, recusal, or inability to act, um the chair can designate one of the associate members to act as a full voting member. Um and then yes we have both the
candidates at the last planning board meeting we had a discussion with them and the board voted uh unanimously to recommend uh we come to the select board on on both candidates and uh so yeah you know if you have if you want to um you
know ask any questions or ask them to uh I can I I'll do a brief introduction um >> we we separately we got uh two candidates um Carl uh Lander uh approached me at uh town meeting said he
was interested and then uh we kind of I think he followed up with me and then he also saw a notice we sent out. So he kind he just sent in a letter of interest based on that. And then I think Dean uh Gendren had uh u had had conversations with Michael about town
service and uh Michael's suggestion was directed towards the planning board and um so you know he submitted a letter of interest as well and they both uh made it to our last meeting. we were able to, you know, have the conversation and, uh,
they they kind of come from, I think, different backgrounds, but, uh, both, uh, I think offer a good, um, complement to the existing, uh, array of
members we have. >> That's a little bit of a sparse introduction. I apologize, but if uh, if you want to, you know, >> we can ask, we can ask that, too. Um, so do Miss Lightboard have questions? I have just a couple. >> Oh, you go.
>> Um, Dean and Carlson, whoever wants to answer first. Um, what unique um, quality do you have that might fulfill the planning board one or two or your interest in it? Um
I guess I just go off my my experience and background. So most of my background is space and construction associated landscape construction went to a science. So if I probably my new
fit me guess would be super construction um understanding construction and what goes into a projects um specifically with construction I
started out landscape construction and then into gas stations I gas station for eight years building gas stations. So um it's kind of my uh
so that would be what I would say would be my uniqueness. >> So my academic background is in science and policy writing. Uh and my career trajectory has been in policy writing.
wrangling college students through those policies. So I guess uh my perspective on running a small city like a college or a university is around identifying what the common good is.
Making sure that uh towns persons have access to their rights to which they're entitled and helping to provide to folks who are interested in projects where um the impacts of those projects may not be
fully appreciated by them. And to offer some insight on individualistic versus collectivistic approaches to building the town. And then um my second question, I alluded to it a little earlier, is can
you give an example where um you had to make a decision that went against what you personally believe for the better of a larger good? >> Have you had to do that? And do you have an example of how you might have
example is currently about property manager for senior housing position? um one of the stages of our responsibilities is fair and um
following guidelines, regulations and rules. So don't have really have room for your personal needs or opinions. Um one of the one of the processes that we have is called reasonable accommodation
resident west change policy or physical structure of their apartment um paper process thing and can't give a specific example but there have been times where I'm like super they need to
have that that's not my place not my place to say that not my place to be that type decision based on my feelings or thoughts. So um if all process process plays out
and that's quality of life better by then. So um that would be the best. I think for me this happens um more than occasionally and it returns to the idea
of uh the interest of the individual as compared to contrast is the interest of the collectivity. Um, one of the examples that comes to mind from uh the last couple of years is the idea that college students who are still um
forming their prefrontal cortex and making good decisions uh some of the time um have access on on my campus to all of the 35 residence halls that we have all of the time. And um many institutions make a different decision
where a student is assigned to one hall, the one they live in, and then they would uh call their friend and say, "Hey, I'm at the front door. Come on in." Uh there are a lot of good reasons to do that. And so that were the the decision line alone would make that decision, but we have not made that
decision. And so uh left with that um my opportunity in the prepared war is to focus on education and to um assist um those pros adolescence to think about the consequences of their decisions or
failure to make decisions and the consequences that those decisions had not on just individuals but again on the whole campus community. So, I think um I think it's it's not it's easy for me to make decisions for the collective that
differ than my own personal beliefs, but I think I've come to understand that uh public service is about the community, not about the individual. >> Um hey, did you guys have any questions for them? Go ahead.
>> Yeah, go ahead. Um, so you've been in a meeting planning more meeting >> met all these the rest of that group still are still running still. >> Last chance for my all you've all been all voted.
are unanimous. >> Yeah. >> And you're right. You're getting the background. So, and so yeah, >> I'm good to go. Yeah. >> So, do you like your motion? >> Make a motion that we I move that we Yeah. We appoint um
Jean and um Carl. Dean, I'm sorry. Dean, not Jean. I was going to say Jean. Yeah, Dean. Dean and Carl to the uh associate members of the planning board. All those in favor >> start >> hi
>> breastler. >> Hi >> I >> I vote I as well. >> Thank you. That's it. >> Awesome. Thank you for volunteering. >> All right. >> Very much appreciated. >> You're welcome. >> Yes. Welcome. Um,
>> congratulations. >> Yes. >> Um, congratulations to you for two associate members. Do you want to close your meeting or to um >> Yeah. But before I do, I would just like to uh suggest to our new associate
members to reach out to the town clerk. We have a new town clerk and uh get yourself sworn in just as soon as you can. We got a meeting Monday, >> right? >> And uh with that, I'll I'll uh see if I can get a a motion to adjurnn.
>> So moved. >> Seconded. >> Okay. Move. Moved and seconded by Dickier and Breler. Uh any discussion? No. All right. I'll call I'll call the role. Um uh Brusseller. >> Hi. >> A day.
>> Hi. >> Sea. >> Hi. >> Hasty. >> I Praft >> I >> And I'm the uh planning board is now adjourned. Thanks to the select board and uh >> thank you
>> and to our new members. Uh very good to see you here tonight and uh good night to everyone. >> Good night. Thank you all. feel free to stay or if you'd like to you can um so our next agenda item is um to
discuss plans for a date for the lake advisory committee charge second discussion um and I think I think I mentioned this to Haley I can't remember may seem a one item agenda because um there there is a
lot of engagement on that topic That's just my suggestion. Pick the date and you know something. >> Yeah. >> But um >> Yeah. >> So when would we like to do that?
>> Uh I'm going to be away for a couple of weeks here, but I I can I can go. >> Well, we can zoom you in. >> I know. That's what I'm going to say as well. Like I know that. >> Get away. >> Can't get away. >> Well, your next regular meeting is on the 18th.
>> Okay. And we know what we have so far on the 18th for our meeting in Too soon. >> Too early. >> Well, I just go from when when will you be back, Eric? >> I'll be back the 20th. So, I We did it
the 25th. I'm here. do. Okay. How are you on the 25th, Jim? >> Yep. Should be good. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> All right. So, why don't we plan on that then? Um 5 5:30 6:30
whatever. >> Yeah. >> Do we want to stick with our usual time of five? >> 5:30. >> Five's fine with me. If it's early, it's Jim and I are retired and can hear. >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Well, it's Tuesday. I'm at work at home. So >> Oh, there you go. Um since there is an exception interest I don't know if we can consider that on um uh we could do we'll do 5:30. >> Yeah that's fine that's fine.
>> Yeah. Yeah, we >> could see Mark on there maybe notify interested parties association. >> We'll definitely put it out. Um we can get we can get that scheduled really
quickly since it's a a one agenda item. >> Yeah. No. >> Um so we can actually have that posted by tomorrow. Okay. >> Um get that on the radar and that can go on the Friday and that can go on the Friday >> 25th 5:30.
Okay, that works. >> Raised his hand. >> Uh, Mark, >> Mark here is that I think that's a great idea and good timing. Uh, but is there any chance that we can get the presentation that's on the website uh
corrected uh and reviewed, you know, publicly reviewed so it's more accurate? Um what do you mean? >> Well, there's a lot of inaccuracies in there, a lot of uh you know, for example, uh it says that the association
selects chooses members for the uh the uh the committee and they really don't. It's uh >> but Mark, that that is reflective of the 1991 charge. I pulled that information directly from a town record. >> Okay. >> If you want you can you can email me offline if you'd like.
>> Oh, sure. I'll be glad to do that. Yeah. Uh does that mean anything will change or is it a way or or is up for discussion? >> Um I I would defer to you guys. I mean I the information that I pulled from that was from available town records like the
I I wish I had a copy and I I don't but in the 1991 charge it does say explicitly three to five members pulled directly from the LWA roster. So that language is correct. I don't it might be different in practice. Um but that that is what I found when I was doing the
research for the presentation. So um >> so I I think if if that was um >> the practice is that the PE that members are proposed to the select board and the select board chooses the membership like every other committee.
But that original document though um states that and the practice may have changed from when it was initially >> well I think the practice is different than what the the charge had said. >> At least my intention with that presentation is to talk about what what policy aspects need to change
>> and so for that part it is gerine to the discussion. I mean, you know, obviously practice well it came up the other day what what we have written down. It may not necessarily always be what happens, but you have to start with what's written down.
Um, and Mary has her hand up. >> Uh, Mary David, I saw your hand. >> Mary, I thank Sorry. >> Oh, you're okay. Okay. Um I think um we can't well because it was a public
meeting also that it was presented in we can't it becomes a public record so we can't change it. >> That's awesome. >> Right. So um >> it it'll have to stand as long as it has the date on it in which it was presented and then if we do a new one.
>> Yeah. I can always amend >> because has it own >> but record. >> Yeah. So we have to leave it um for that purpose. Mark. >> Okay. >> Because it was presented in an open
meeting and public meeting. >> Okay, that's fine. >> Yeah. Yeah. Good question. Um All right. >> 8:25 >> 825 5:30. and part of Friday Friday Friday
>> I'll put it on the calendar. >> Um the next is the discussion proposal for the formation of a town committee or town common beautifification committee. >> Can you share Brandon please? >> Just give me one second.
>> You said that you want the presentation. Yes, please. >> Up there. >> Upstairs. >> Wizard of Oz. >> Um, so I wanted to put an idea. Can you see it? >> Yes. Do you want to full screen it
though? Thank you. So, every day I pull out of town hall and I look at the common and I think it's really nice, but I think there could be something more there. And if you go to the next slide, um, so currently we have our veterans
memorial and we also advertise events on the common. Uh but outside of that, the space is pretty underutilized. You know, it's it's like a blank canvas um in a lot of ways. And I think that that to me is the perfect opportunity to try to
make something that's a little bit more highly visible, a little bit more engaging for the public. So if you go to the next slide, um so a space for everyone, a third place. So third places are it's not home, it's not work, it's that place in between. You know, maybe it's your
favorite restaurant, maybe it's a park. That's obviously not our town common, someone else's. Um, but it's just a location where you can gather and the town common makes perfect sense because you've got got town hall, you've got the post office. Eventually something will be done with the MN spear. And so how do
we maintain our real character because we don't want to lose that, but how do we maybe just modernize it and freshen things up? So next slide. Um you have to keep in mind when you're ever you're working on the town uh common that uh no net loss compliance.
So making sure that whatever structural footprints we have are offset by improved natural resources and historical alignment. So there's mass general law that pertains to common um town common space. And so any plan that we do have needs to adhere to that. Next
slide. And so, but within that regulatory framework, there's a focus on passive recreation and that tends to be a little less, you know, um, less barriers to entry as opposed to like erecting a
structure on the town common, right? So, that would focus on natural, scenic, open conditions. So, things like native plantings, things like benches, accessible paths because anything we do needs to be ADA compliant. Um, so next
slide. Um, and obviously we want to make sure that we start honoring our veterans and we want to make sure that that's still a focal point and a really sacred space for that. Um, next slide. And so for me when I was thinking about
it, what made me really excited were things like pollinator gardens, um reflective benches, ADA walkplaces, um you know, things like chess boards that are ADA compliant, so someone could have a game of chess with
a friend on the common. Uh next slide. And so I did use some graphic design to do a very crude mockup of what things could look like. Not to say that that is what things will look like. Um but technology is great for that. So we
could in theory with this committee make some plans for the near future and we could also make a ghost footprint, right? So if eventually we did want to pursue something like maybe a band stand on the common so you could have concerts you could build that into the design
while um you know while just focusing on those passive those passive um features. So you know pollinator gardens a lot of those dragonfly habitats um don't look at the spelling because when you use the computer like that it's all it's all wonky. But next slide the
next slide has some more computerenerated mockups too. So, you know, if you wanted to just do a stone path with some gardens or a stone path or you know, so there's some different ways that we can be creative um and what we're doing.
Those are some ideas. Next slide. And whatever the process is, whatever the end result would be would be community-led, right? So, we could um do some interactive mapping. We could ask people to identify what features they really like in town commons. We could do
focus groups and surveys. Um, and we would obviously want to target, you know, different populations in town, you know, particularly seniors and parents with children and veterans and um, and doing community listening sessions so we can gather all that input. And then next slide.
Um, and hopefully a zero budget. So, so as we all know, it's a tough budget year. Every year is a tough budget year. we can leverage our community preservation act funding to do any and all upgrades to the town common. So the goal would be to design a plan that can
be entirely funded by that grant. Next slide. And so for me the road mapap would kind of look like we have the summer to do some initial planning and getting the committee together and then in the fall you know public workshops um making
visits to other town comments to see what people like working on the uh CPA application into in the fall I mean in the winter. I think they're due at the end of December. And then in May of next year, we would have an annual town meeting presentation and a vote for the
funds. And then I think that's it. I think that's the whole thing. Oh. Um, so just we're having this meeting tonight. And then we would be wanting to reach out to different committees. You know, conservation and historical come to mind first, but there may be others. Um and
then just helping with those visual concepts to kind of articulate what do people want potentially in the design and then um the working group doing the work and then I think that might be it. >> Yeah. Questions. >> Go back to that. >> Which one?
>> Back to that last one. >> Okay. Back one. It's always harder to go back than it is to move forward. >> Yeah. just to make sure understand your >> process. >> Yep. So if the So I have a proposal
which Brennan can also screen share in a second and then so my goal would be if we can come to an agreement tonight that a you think it's a good idea and something worth pursuing um that we could get the committee draft approved and then start posting for that on the town website. And so this would be a
very true ado committee. it would dissolve after annual town meeting because its work would be concluded hopefully with a favorable vote. Um but basically the committee plan it just reinforces that we're looking at passive we're not necessarily looking at
building structures we're just looking at passive ways to enhance the town common. Um it outlines that the community-led design. So having making sure that we have those listening sessions and a survey and meeting with stakeholder groups. Um
I have on here um you know it talks a little bit about a master plan right so we can create not only for now but try to think ahead for the future um and doing some site comparisons of comparable town uh town commons uh
making sure that it's funded with 0% impact to the operating budget. uh making sure that we adhere to Mass General law and if you scroll down to membership. So really I think you know a five member committee with myself as exeicio
you know be I think the most efficient way to tackle it and we would want you know anyone to apply but if someone has like a background in landscape design or gardening or preservation or organizing like those would be especially valuable traits. Um, and then there's the timeline and deliverables, right? So,
we're doing the initial phase, then the fall planning all to the leadup of the application and then town meeting. And that was my that's my proposal. I'll take questions.
>> Um, yeah, Michael. >> Oh, I love it. I just I mean I think mostly for Eric if you remember way back when you did like select board had like little something rather >> but the select board >> low hanging fruit >> low hanging fruit
>> there's two benches that the library sort of acquired gave them to the library and took them but the site board purchased that with the idea of putting on the common because when we were discussing it in whenever that was eight years ago
There's literally no place to sit on the car to sit on the grass. And so the idea was >> we wanted to create a place where people could gather because it's like common so minimally you need to have a place to gather. >> Um so I think you know select board not polished and robust
talking about but I think the seated was there. I really support it because there's no, you know, we have very little places to gather now. We have the library, but um to do it outside and I think to do it in this kind of way and the fact we have two benches to store it is not
just long enough >> um once the working group get sorted out. But we currently I still believe are working Wi-Fi at the library and it might on one hand you want to have people like hang out in nature and not be connected. True. on the other hand people
>> that you can build anything >> but the other thing is you could create a graphical place where people on the outside do whatever so it's worth thinking about that I massively supported I think and the wolves on board supported it
>> lessly and and with all apologies I'm asking one and now I hear that there's an individual but is there a committee that has asked for this And where I am coming from is historic and old. And I
hear I respect your wanting to freshen things up. But one is there was always a a professional photographer who came annually on his way to a photography conference at New Mass. And he always stopped here and he
always took pictures of our common. He said, "This is the only place in New England that I know of where you still have the old in the church and the guideboard and those sort of things that you can take a nice picture of." So
that's just one person and one experience. But I also would like you to consider that things like celebrate shoots very you it would need to be
celebrate needs a wide open space. >> I'm sorry. >> Are we still doing >> not at the moment but there may be other times. This is our wide open space. I I really appreciate pictures and pictures always make things look nicer than they
actually are. >> And there was back in the 50s our common was just a mess. And there was a community group that worked hard together to cultivate it, bring in soil, make it green and make it nice. So that that needs to be considered. There's a
tree right now that needs to come down over there. there's not a bit of green on it and the ash tree is not it's green around the edges and not in the center. Those kinds of things are important to be done and those will cost money to to
care take care of them. But I don't know maybe a pollinator back garden on the one of the sides or in the back in the church where yes it could be quiet and I agree with you that a bench over there by the sphere building where there might
still be Wi-Fi is I think she had a sandbox or something there. I mean it was just I think for parents case to hang out too >> but only as an individual I would say only as an individual and that's all I'm
speaking about is to caution you to consider the visual I walk out of the town hall every night I think this is the most beautiful place in the world uh and it's not many places in our town that is wide open like that. So, uh, I
like your ideas. I This the town common historically does extend all the way back behind town hall, too. And maybe that would be a nicer place for community gathering. You would have Wi-Fi. You've got picnic tables there already. Um, and we
>> Well, we can't on everything because it is the leech field. >> Yeah. But we can there's parking around town hall. Um, and I just wanted you to consider that. I'm not sure who desired this. I I know it wasn't me and
I was surprised in Friday Park to see uh that something new happening and I the first to admit that I'm old folk but I just I just hate to see our historic
landscape just >> disappear into sidewalks that look pretty in the pictures but may not going to maintain it and keep it looking as lovely as the It just um
so I'm sorry to be what I >> know. I do want to add something to Leslie's comment because I was thinking about that and the pictures don't show it. I know that they were just mockups. Is that the the war memorial and a lot of money went into that. So keeping kind
of that in the guidepost. >> Yes. And just saying now that they're not because there this is seems like I uh >> just said the Iran and Afghanistan there's nobody we didn't have anybody in those conflicts. >> I don't know that they've reached out
yet to everybody that Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. There's some some things going on behind the scenes. >> Um so >> and just I mean I think I always respect your opinion because you got broad
perspective. So I my sense is, you know, it could be on the common, it could be behind town hall. What what excites me is the idea of creating a gathering place because there's so few places to gather. And so if we can pull it off somewhere else behind town hall where people feel like, oh, this is an attractive place that I know about where
I can hang out, you know, whether with kids or friends or whatever. Like I think that to me that was sort of the initial motivation like we don't have places to go. and and and I respect the fact that there are benches in the sandbox area at the sphere and I see
people recycling there all the time still. So, uh either area it's just the historic very center. I just feel this and I'm the only one who feels that way but I just feel it's so beautiful right
then. Well, I know at one point there was talk about like building a little pavilion kind of thing where it's for outdoor music, outdoor music, >> a gazebo, >> right? >> Has been over the years and >> but that was that was the talk was
behind town hall. I'm just going to be saying that I'm not sure you could do a little bit of both. But I guess I'm getting at >> right depending on if you >> and I'm not obviously I'm not on the committee that's we haven't yet but uh um
>> yeah there's been a couple people that have people over the years that I've been on Slipboard who said something about something in the back where music could be played and people could gather and a garden too would be a great place to add you know to that um
>> community gardens and I know presentation doesn't include the community gardeners. I thought that there first they were going to be here and then they were going to be at the library and maybe it's just manpower or interest. That's not >> I think it's manpower water power like
if it's here and it's way down. >> Well, water's a good thing to think of the town. There's there's a wild area at least. Yes. Anyway. Yes. Uh Tom, >> yes. Um sorry, I have a question part you spoke
lastly about u is there an inventory of spaces that would be available to the roles and in town? Um because I also and I don't know right into think of it this kind of fire station
>> that variation I heard and I experience a little sometimes >> but I didn't know if there might even be more because I thought of behind the town hall you're speaking I just learned tonight but that's technically for town so I'm glad I heard that. Um,
and I wondered are there others? I'm not thinking of attaching school to a cemetery for someone or something or is there any handy list of that? But that aside, because that can be answered. Um, I'm noticing that there seem to be
perhaps two starting points and I'd like maybe you guys to think about clarif or suggesting, you know, clarifying what is the starting point? What is the goal? Is it a community space? Is it a placebo? Is it the hippo ball court? Is it a friend and or is the starting point?
What can we do about the story common? What can we do about the space town at all? and starting with the space and then like customizing it as opposed to well what is it that we actually want to have in the end wherever it might be and then decide like here at least for so it
seems as though we're mixing the two a little bit um like modernizing and freshening the common or creating a space in the common >> that um just for the public to do a certain thing even if it's just community um and is that necessarily a
space for that whatever goal we come up with and um maybe not start with or think about not starting with you know what do we do about this person or this >> okay so I hope I make that very
>> so as you were saying that Tom what what struck me is in the title do it town beautifification planning committee >> oh interesting yeah strike word common take the common off of it because it could be
It could be behind town hall. It could be behind the fire station. It could be somewhere else to start, right? I would probably want to leave that in only because a big component of it is the the CPA application, but I can answer a
couple of those questions. So, it wasn't like anyone reached out to me to do it. It was just an idea that I thought why not get community input. So, I think that's the big thing like the the intention of the project isn't to have one particular person say even if they're on the working committee, this
is what we should do. It's to hear from the community, you know, what are the things we want? Do we want pickle ball? You know, do we want um just a place to hang out and read? And so, the process would guide that. And so the initial starting point would be if we go back to like those those passive features. So
like something like pollinator plants um it would start there but making sure that when the committee drafts a plan it includes the ability to account for future growth right so not trying to redesign things in such a way that it
would preclude us from future activities. So a part of that could be making sure that there's adequate space on the common to make sure that there are public events like the town birthday party or like celebrate shoots and maybe in that case it's just some sporadic plantings
or >> you know because one of the things that I kept thinking about and I I know the historic value but I thought about wouldn't it be such a great thing when the kids do their preschool field trip if you walk to the common and there's a little dragonfly habitat and it tells
you about how dragonflies guys eat mosquitoes and mosquitoes aren't great because they carry diseases that can hurt people. Um, obviously that's very simplified, but like wouldn't it be really good to have some more interactive elements in that way? Um, but how do we do that while still
maintaining a royal character, our memorial, our guideboard, and our historical value? And I think that how we do that, I can't say, but I think it'll come become apparent to us through the communitydriven process. And I would
certainly want to make sure as the exhibition that we're that we're doing a or at least attempting to do that robustly. Are we making sure that we've done surveys? Are we making sure that we went to the library and did a listening session? And then maybe we have one virtually and then, you know, did we
reach out to the historical commission to get their input? Did we reach out to the conservation commission? you know, all those things. Um, because that'll tell you ultimately if everybody says, "Well, we like it just the way it is." Well, then maybe there is no case to make a grant application at all. But we
don't know that unless we ask the question. >> And and and also like you said, Mike, knowing the back is part of the common was something I never thought they were such divided spots, >> which is which is actually really helpful, I think. >> Which is helpful because if if if
because you could have both. could have maintaining and then you could have um beautifification or or those other elements which is is nice less see yes I I would say that I'm just one person
>> I would say that very practical and that should be worked out is that the trees the tree that's >> should come down and the ash tree could be should be considered But the children when they come to town
hall are much safer out back. They that's where they see the fire truck and there's plenty of room. There was plans originally for gardens out back >> and the the uh that is I guess
can't repeat myself enough. That's the only really open space >> and it's we've seen many rails out there. Doesn't have to have benches um to have a rally
and there's plenty of space that's quieter than right on main road for having these kind of community children events that's safer to the speed boats and that'll slow down the traffic. I
almost got hit turning into the Thompson. >> It's a serious problem since GPS and they >> and we are monitoring that with the accidents and it's not just dump trucks.
It's small town too. >> Go ahead. >> The way it is done. Um, but would it be therefore if it were kept the count beautifification committee that it would include this? >> That's technically the common.
>> Yeah. So this whole space people think about that, >> you know, and they could all town and this might satisfy. >> Yeah. Yeah. Speaking of all of town
common there >> yes also the town common goes absolutely to the well stock a fence it goes absolutely to the almost the porch of the brown house behind the church
>> because I'm a private property owner got permission to put gardens in behind the church probably to protect the house that she owns pretty certain There was no permission to put plantings all along the stock a fence. So in many
ways your work is done for you >> and I just had to bring that up. >> Yeah. But generally um the area behind the church which I know isn't what you have in mind is a nice quiet space and probably could benefit from if you want
to answer something and uh reclaiming it that this is part of our denomin that's not a bad idea. >> Yeah. Yeah. The church is only on the footprint. They have a foot and a half or a foot beyond their walls. Not even
that much. I mean that's very little. So that is all town common that >> all around the church >> they only get they only get I think about the stone width they have some stone >> it's very tight >> lot of potential
>> um did we want to vote on this tonight or do we want to think about it longer >> so what would what would the vote be to establish it >> establish yeah >> and I would just amend it to it as in
the language That includes the land behind town hall >> town common meeting. Yeah. Like said these things expand. >> Yeah. I mean I have no I think we should look into it. I I I think I think we could conceivably do something to that
that part of town. It is not much. I mean you could have a couple benches and all that and still be an open space basically and but it would still look a lot better than it does now. So I mean so I'm just saying again I'm not on the committee but >> yeah I think we have a couple
>> I feel like we >> I think we have a couple potential members right >> uh okay >> that's what I'd say >> okay um Jim did you have did you did someone want to make a motion
>> I make a motion that we support going forward with with this proposal to together a committee second >> with the with the uh with the um expanded caveto of the expanded you know definition of non common means this this
area um >> okay um all those in favor >> well deny start line >> thanks for bringing us bringing this forward >> I will say we may want to save an open space for attent that was really handy during
>> co meetings. >> It was And where did we park the cars on the town going? >> Yeah. Right. >> Our open space. >> Pretty big hoop. I'm not sure who leaves it now. >> Just a couple of the the well we make sure we
>> do a lot of the gardening. >> Yes. Yes. Yeah. >> We'll have to look at like >> a group though. >> Yeah. Yeah. They have barrels in it. >> Pretty active. They're pretty active. They do some pretty cool stuff. >> Oh, they're gardening. Yeah. We have some master gardeners in town. And
really, you know, that's some nice work. I think I think they're going to be involved with the library, aren't they? Some some of the work done at the library. >> They Yeah, they plan some roies for addiction. >> All right. >> I'm glad you brought that up because I
do agree with you that they are very generous, hardworking people. >> Uh they planted all the plants out of this building. Some of the bushes are lean against the building. Uh I don't know if that's
about whether or not plants should be going into the building. >> Well, it sounds like one of the new planning board members. >> I was just going to say her Carl Carl. Then I'm what I'm trying to get at is
there are issues that come up and should be addressed because I don't want these good plants to get so close to this building trees being cared for. Yeah, the trees are
fall under their tree warden, which is good because we can take them down. >> There is a um outside agency gave us maybe three ones that got planted in time. It's getting bigger now. It's going to
be a problem someday. I don't know about that. But just remember when they become Yes. >> Sometimes in our lifetime >> doesn't always work for me. >> Sometimes in our lifetimes. Thank you,
Leslie. >> You're lost. I've lost my agenda. >> Hang on. >> I have moved my Oh, there it is. I moved my agenda. All right. Um, discussion of the Tyin Bond P six month proposal on this.
>> Yes. A total 180. Um, so so we had originally received a proposal from Tyen Bond for a three-year extension. We've about reached the life of our contract with them, our first contract with them. Um and that's the the language of the
contract is such that uh the costs were no more thanund $104,000 a year for the next three years. So I had said back to tying bond well that's really too high and at that point we need to look at procuring these services so we make sure that we're getting the
most competitive deal for our tax money. However, in the interim between the procurement process and signing that next contract, we still need to do testing and monitoring. Um, and so that's what is before you tonight. So,
we we discussed this at last night's finance committee meeting um and looked at the proposal. So, this current proposal will say um that the scope of work for the next six months up until the end of December is for cost not to
exceed $62,700. Um I have uh one of the questions that came up at the FinCon meeting last night was if it's for half a year, why is it not half of the original proposal? And that was a very good question. So, I've sent that on to Tai Bond, but I don't
have an answer yet. Um the fincom had also asked for um >> well that the the original one was a year ago, right? So >> well their proposal for the next three years had been like over just over $100,000. So why were we not seeing
about half of that bill for 6 months? Um and the finome was also interested to try to get a like a per co per test cost um which isn't clearly articulated in here. What is articulated in here talks about uh monitoring of the double end
poet systems which I believe there are 14 houses and then another 20 or so that are on single filter poet systems um and it covers you know if if the test pings positive for PAS they they initiate a
500 mile radius and then they do subsequent testing >> 500 foot radius >> yeah sorry my bad changes things quite a bit. Um, so the the finance committee we do have about
$92,000 in a PAS account. So that would cover this cost, but what is not necessarily included in this proposal, which is really important, is that um it doesn't cover the laboratory analytical service. So we we not only do we pay Thai bond, but we
also pay pay laboratories for the testing. And what's also not included in this proposal is that the town would be responsible for if a resident needs bottled water, we would coordinate and pay for that. We would pay for the public notification letters and the
delivery um installing new poet systems and annual mass D fees will be build directly to the town. So there are some those were already built to the town directly, right? Or were they? >> Some of them in the bottled water we
were taken care of. >> Some of them were >> Yeah, Brennan jump in. >> Um, no. So, yeah. So, we did receive an email back from Matthew Wagner um that kind of talks about some some of the cost. So, I don't I don't know if that's
something you want to kind of explore >> um real quickly. >> Yeah, just really scanning and not really digesting what I'm reading. Um the per test cost is about $500 which includes coordination with the various
owners and the lab, the data evaluation, travel and mileage. Um and there's some contingency built into that cost. The amendment includes some out of scope costs for services that have already been performed this fiscal year. So
that's why it's not exactly half. So that that does make sense and I'll give you a different update at a later date, but I think that that essentially answers those two questions. Thank you. Because I hadn't seen that yet. Um so the real question is we we certainly can
cover this cost and you know, but what we have to pay attention to is what do we do um from January until June of this fiscal year and then beyond? Because if we only have $92,000 in that account and
this is, you know, not to exceed, so we know it's not going to go over that amount, 62,700, plus we pay for the the lab analysis. That doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room. And um you know I know there was some hesitation last night about you know
having to go before town meeting and present you know an additional cost to taxpayers but that is certainly something that we we should be looking at as a potential alternative um and how we address this um because it's it's certainly not a cost factor that's going
away for the town and could only might only grow. >> It could only Yeah. And >> is it still growing? Do we know that? I mean, is it >> um I think it's >> that 500 mile thing. >> Brennon, you you Brennan looks at the the analysis report more closely than I
do. I don't think there's significant difference, though. >> Um no, I I wouldn't say there's any significant differences. Um, we're still seeing a lot of, you know, a good mixture of non-detects and then
detections, but they're below the 20 parts per trillion that, you know, um, require um, installations of those poet systems. Um, I think the only increase in testing
we had this year was due to um the problem over at the school with the the oil and them having to do testing um to the abuters. >> Yes. Um it it is very possible that you know
over time it will migrate um through the ground and reach new new residences but on my end um I haven't seen a big increase in testing. Has there any been new any
not related to the school any new um installations? >> I think with >> um >> we didn't install with the school, right? We just did the testing. >> Yeah, that was Yeah, it just in that that 500 foot radius.
um you know the radius around the lever road and and has there been any new >> I can't recall any I know that we've gotten a few non-detects that I do recall um from the latest batch but I think the next round of testing isn't
until September or thereabouts. So we'll have a more accurate picture next month. We were hoping to have a special town meeting in October based on bylaw. Um, you know, and I I think one thing
certainly we could consider with the special town meeting is I don't I don't necessarily know that it has to be an extravagant amount that we need to request additional, but there there needs to be something in that account because 92,000 is not going to carry us through the end of the fiscal year. I
mean, I think that much is clear. Um, but we have an opportunity to have some results by September to know if we need to put it on in October. >> Um, no, not necessarily. So, what this is, this only covers us through December
and it wouldn't cover us through additional testing cycles through the rest of this fiscal year. And we, right, so we would know we were going over. So, we could put it on a special town meeting and determine that we want to add 50,000 to or whatever the amount is.
I'm just pulling that from my head. >> Um, and um, and importantly too, like the the reason that we got only a six-month contract is so that we have the opportunity to go through the procurement process. You know, there there's no crystal ball in this situation, but we could reasonably
expect to get some competitive bids for this service and then maybe that would come in less than what Tai and Bond had initially quoted us. Um, you know, this just buys us that time to get something really comprehensive together and put it out. Yeah, that's And how did Ty and Bon get
in there to begin with? Did they Did we >> We initiated them right from the start, right? >> I think so. That's what the emails seem to demonstrate. >> Yeah, we I they had the I believe at the time because this has been going on for several years now. At the time, they had the most experience with PAS,
>> right? >> Um because they had been working on it with several towns already. So that was partly I think why we engaged them initially because they had the experience we needed. Yes, Brennan. >> I just wanted to say um
instead of September, I'd probably expect it to be more October, November as that's how the previous cycle went. Um >> thank you. >> So it does typically span over two to three months because they can only do so
many tests per per day. No, that makes sense. >> Okay, >> that makes sense. >> Um, so so yeah, I think I think we the reason that's why we engaged and so many towns have because they have that experience. >> Um, more have gained experience since
because it's a very wide >> No, I don't think there's a town it hasn't touched in Massachusetts in some way. >> Yeah, I think >> only if they haven't looked, I think. >> Yeah. Right. >> Right. or had a fire department or you know training or a fire house fire um before
>> or an airport or any anything that has brought these to our groundwater. So um and we are obligated so like even even without signing this right now like we do still have to do testing and monitoring. Um, so one thing I one thing
I would I think would be a good idea is maybe like a you if the Fincom came to a select board meeting or some of the reps from the FingCom came just to talk about it if you know if we did have to strategize for a special town meeting. >> Um, you know, we just want to be prepared.
Um, >> so we basically have this 92,000 now and if we sign this contract at the related labs that's gone, right? >> Possible. I mean it it says not to exceed but that you know I don't know >> right
>> what that ultimately will look like >> and how long how long period will that get us >> through December >> through December >> you know is this something that's pretty much even throughout the course of a year this type of testing and work or is it more >> is it possible a lot of it could be in
the first half or the last half of this year? No, it is it's it's pretty >> so whatever costs we incur over the these six months, we're likely to see the similar cost >> for the next six months. If that's my question, it's pretty low.
>> Yeah. The only big huge uptick and big inflush was when it was first found and you were doing that first, you know, 500 ft from every time it tested and that's where the huge expense came in. And then and then now you're kind of like Brian
said, it hasn't changed so dramatically. So, you know, you're it's at least consistent. >> But I'm saying over the course of I'm saying over the course of 12 months that the cost is going to be roughly the same each of those 12 months. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I mean, if we if we base it off of their initial one-year projection, then we'd
be looking at costs not to exceed I think it was 104,000. So 92 isn't that far off of that figure. Um, which is why I'm not sure that, you know, the special town meeting amount would necessarily be large, but it's just that like it's just
hard, it's really hard to predict and it'll go >> more houses be identified too, right? >> Yeah, >> it is possible. It could move. I see you, Frank. Um, and so unknown. It's kind of like the dam.
It's unknown. >> Yeah, right. >> You know, it's groundwater. Maybe the drought has helped us keep it stable. >> But at this point in time, how when when we pay the the money for a year, are we
able to generate that money or how do we have to we I know we're borrowing some at one point, right? >> We have some PAS loans out now. Um I have to look into that a little bit more to give you that specifically.
because it sounds like we're basically talking about have I 150 to $180,000 a year expenses, right? And I >> Yeah, I would say that's a probably a failure. And the the other complicating factor is that there's no grants
available for people with wells, which is the issue that we ran into. >> Yeah. >> Previously, >> which is another reason you call your senators. >> So grants are state support. Billy is more >> for people who have water systems. Yeah.
They have public >> they can treat a large number of it by using the industrial size filters that individual >> boxes. Yeah. Yeah. >> Which sounds in long run it's it's it's more expensive initially but in the long
run it's cheaper you know. >> Yeah. >> Um Frank I did see your hand. I I just want to mention that we're going to have to go to town meeting for monies no matter what because we don't have enough to go do the fiscal to do the end of the
fiscal year between January and June, >> right? >> That's correct. Yeah. >> Yeah, that's that's a given. So, how we fluff it up is you you'll have to look at that. So, anyway, thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Frank. >> And what's you say this doesn't include testing. any any sense of what that
additional >> um testing >> we can run that figure. It should be pretty easy to do. We can ask scale to just pull the the laboratory testing >> because we're looking at really 60 whatever 67 plus the testing
>> do you have a Brennan do you have a copy of the pace a recent pace invoice should I do on my phone send >> try to find one real quick >> um I just found one from what is the
date Here it's from earlier in um July. This particular one was 300 bucks. So they're fairly small increments. It's just that we get a lot because it's per household. >> Is that for one household? 300 for one. >> Yeah, it was a Yeah, it was a location at one household.
>> So 300 for one household. And >> And we have 70 households on the whole. Is that right? Um we have 21 homes that are monitored semianually but do not yet have PAS
detection or a poet is there any >> and that amount can defer per property depending on if they have a >> if they have a dual poet system they have to test both the systems so it it's more than
300 it can be up to I think it's like 500 Yeah, there's a lot of variables of this. Oh, this is the part I was looking for. Yeah, 14 two vessel poets and then
samples at about 30 households with single vessel. And then obviously that could change based on if the groundwater moves in some way. So yeah, that seems I thought we have more than that. So that's good to report. That's good if if there's a good side of this.
>> Yeah. No, there that that is a silver lining. >> Yeah. Right. So, um, do I hear a motion to sign the six-month contract with Bond knowing that we'll be not that this
is part of the motion, but knowing that we'll be going to a meeting asking for more? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> Walton. Right. Start. >> Make peace in the world. >> I said when we first started out to
follow, believe me, this is like this thing's going to be with us freaking this is going to cost us millions of dollars by the time it's done. >> Yes. >> Time. >> I'll grab that later. >> Okay.
>> Uh and then All right. So then uh next topic is uh to vote on Muran's bucket line transfer. So these were all approved at yesterday's fing pal meeting. I did um go ahead and add two additional ones
which the fing already knew were going to happen. How much are the last two? There's a couple longevity bonuses that we had missed and Gail recommended that they come out of the town clerk salary. Um, so there's going to be a couple salary lines that you that are were
under spent. One of which was the town. Just barely intuitive why. Um, you know, the police chief contract was lower than um than we had initially budgeted for and um because we had one of our highway department workers out for an extended
period of time last summer. there was um a fair amount of money left over in highway wages which we used to pad um the expenses that you see on the left side. Um so you know additional hours for the admin assistant the the part about my
salary a copy of my contract wasn't given to the the fincom so they didn't know about the some language changes um we underbudgeted so the fincom had asked two questions uh one was why the independent audit was so high and the
other was why the sanitary and rubbish lines were high and so in the case of the audit that's because we didn't budget enough Um it ended up being a little over $20,000 to have the audit done. Um which we have to do every two
years. Um every two um legal expenses, those were just higher than anticipated. There were some legal issues that we had to get um through council and part of that was through the um personnel handbook revision that we did. Um electricity
that is related to the solar panels at the library. It's lag between when the library went live and when the SOHA panel kicked in. >> So that's what that's about. Um >> no, that was when they opened
>> after after. >> Yep. Um we went a little bit over for our internet expenses, IT support. We um we needed some significant IT help. There's also some website upgrades that we've been needing to make in order to be ADA compliant, which will be a new
state and state and federal um regulation that we'll need to comply with. Um there was additional call responses for the firefighters and additional trainings outside of what we had initially projected. Um there was some small accounting error with Dave's
salary when it was before annual town meeting. Um so that's why you see that $200 charge. Um, I'm going to hold off on snow and ice, but in terms of the rubbish and sanitary landfill, those additional costs are related to increased fuel costs.
So, because of all the Yep. because of that and because of the difficulty with getting oil, um, that's why we saw those two increases on those lines. Um, veterans benefits, I believe we have someone new qualify. Um, and then again, you'll see the other ones are longevity
and and some Medicare funds. And then in terms of snow and ice, well, we had a really difficult winter. Um, and so that that accounts for the bulk of what was o what we were over um it's close to oh, it is over $100,000
um over for snow and ice. And a lot of that a was the manpower hours, but b increased costs of salt and that really hurt us um throughout the year. though. >> Yeah, snow and ice. Oh, if you we could
figure out >> how to budget that better, but I don't you can't you can't you can't really you never know what it's >> right. Yeah. Predicting the weather. Yeah, >> you can take the last five years or the highest years and average them together,
right? But >> but then mother nature is going to say, "Oh, you planned that much. I'm going to give you something different." You know? No. which is which is not well it's good at least in the sense that that is the only line that we can legally carry the deficit. So yeah um and there there are
some additional funds becoming available from the state. We talked about that last night at finomecom too. Um and there's there's a separate pot of money that's going to be application based. So we'll definitely submit an application for that >> or snow or ice or >> Yeah. Um, so yeah, so there there's some
it doesn't it doesn't mean that we can't take action now, but hopefully we could, you know, reimburse ourselves, >> right? >> But there's help out there. >> That's good. >> All right. So I think we vote on these mainly as a group.
So, do I hear a motion to approve the proposed budget transfers for fiscal year 2026 moving to 2027? >> Yes. Now we're in that second. Yes, we hear proposal.
Second. >> Um, all those in favor? >> Walton. I >> stucker. I >> make peace. O'Neal I. Do you want me to sign one of them? >> Yes. or all of us get some. >> The only thing that's a little scary to me about this as much as anything is like so much of it's coming from the
fact that we didn't have a town clerk that's paying the bills there. A little scary to me to like that the budgets going down the road here like next year. They're going to be it's going to be a little tough to come up this kind of money every year.
>> Yes. Um I think if you like I said if you if you took out the snow and ice it was about 40,000. So that I don't that to me isn't >> Yeah. >> Yeah. In the grand scheme of things, particularly with the increased fuel cost because that also represented like
$8,000 of charges. Um but I do think >> certainly one pattern that I've noticed is that we we have very thin margins in our budget. Yeah. >> So when we have any situation that requires a contingency, it's really difficult to find those funds. Um but I
um the fin is working. They're doing long range planning tools and trying to get a better handle on the the capital plan and how we incorporate that into the budget. So, I think we're making some good progress on that. Um, and then I I talked to Jim a little earlier and
maybe one thing we want to do at the start of the fiscal year and Frank, you can get a heads up on this is maybe we want to do like a joint meeting with the select board and the the two main financial entities just to kind of say let's look at that long range tool. Well, last year we met a couple of times
together which we had we hadn't met in the past. So that we kind of you know started that but early in the year. >> Yeah. This is really to try to drive getting this fiveyear plan we all get on the same page so we're going to work on
whether it's the capital whether it's finance side. It's uh >> the budget for the next five years. What our budgets look like the next five years? was our cash reserves look like the next five years. It's broader, >> right? Rather than the little pictures
of year and year, the little slices >> and uh I think the finance committee already has the tools like >> like Haley said to uh start working this process. >> We can help them by whatever we send down their way.
>> Yeah. I always think nobody really likes a lot of meetings, but if you're all in the same room, then you only have to say it one time hopefully. >> Well, it's good to see each other, too. >> Yes. Work with each other. We worked with each other separately through you. Yes. You know, so it's nice to see each other and be in the same room and work
all together for a few moments here and there. >> Right. >> You do a great job at that, too, Hannah. >> All right. Um, town administrator report. Okay. So, a couple updates. Um,
first one is on the Bright Arrow emergency communication platform. So, we are our account is set up. I need to do a little um tinkering with it, but then I then I'll hand it off to our emergency management team. Um, but essentially
there we have already um a public link that people can use to sign up. So, we'll do like a flyer for that and um and hopefully get that live next week and so we can start people enrolling and start doing a big push to have people enroll in that new program.
>> Just better if I >> Oh, so um the emergency communication too much. So we used to use code red and so basically like let's say there was a power outage and you could send a notification and it would go to your your phone or you know call you auto yeah
>> call um but they had a data breach >> and we lost a lot of user information um >> and so we wanted to pivot to a different company and we chose Bright Arrow. It's actually the same platform that the elementary school uses so there there's
some consistency there. Um, but it's really nice. You know, it's it's, you know, you you would write in your message, hey, Sand Hill Road's closed. You can fire it off as a text. You can you can record it yourself. You can have a computerenerated voice make the phone
call for you. But it's just a way to let residents know like in an emergency, you know, this is what's going on. um something that's independent from our town announce email platform through Mailchimp um which isn't really designed um to be used for that kind of thing
because you want to have someone's cell phone number um or their their house phone number. >> So that um we're going to plan to go live next week and I'll have a little bit more probably the flyer definitely the flyer done by Monday for emergency management. Um
that cool >> I wanted to highlight that we got the $25,000 grant towards the cost of a new grader which is excellent. >> 25 >> 250 sorry it's late digits today. >> I am
>> having numbers people talking about numbers. It's official. >> Yes, we got it. >> We It's not going to cover the full cost of the greater, but it gets us very, very nearly close. And I think Dave was looking at um chapter 90 funds to make up the difference.
>> Awesome. >> And so what we're just waiting for right now is the contract paperwork to come through from the state once we get that signed. Um and that'll be great. And you know, one of one of the big issues with the roads is that as much as we might want to work on them and grade them if
the machine is in the shop, and I haven't talked to Dave yet, but I think we should have a retirement party for our old grader, which celebrated its 41st birthday this year. So, we >> Where's uh where's what's going to happen to that one? >> I'm not sure. I mean, part of me feels
like talking about like history, I should keep it. It's like this >> a display. we can figure out or maybe you know you know there's also practically you could just keep it and you know maybe in a pinch if it was ever needed >> have something separate >> be part of the garden >> it could be
>> it could be one of the things around highway highway department >> oh yeah >> y so that's great um also on the meeting on the 10th we I have the results from
the emergency planning survey. We got 149 people to complete the survey. So, I'm really happy with that sample size and I'll have a little presentation about the and some recommendations for what we can do for the future. Um, I'll make a plug that we have a vacancy on
the personnel board and if anyone's interested in serving on the personnel board, they should contact the town moderator. Um, we have two grant applications out that we're waiting to hear back on. One is a technical assistance grant that Michael Dira helped write and then the
other is the design grant for the Lake Wyola um dam redesign. So hopefully we'll hear from those soon. Those would be really significant for the town to have um have that funding for those projects. And then the last thing I wanted to talk about is um I got an
email from the Furcohog about uh Good Neighbor Day. So, Good Neighbor Day is sponsored by the Mass Coalition for um the community to build community and end loneliness. And basically, if you have an event during the the last weekend in
September, so the 25th through the 29th, you get some free publicity through the Furcohog if you want to be part of that effort. And so I've already reached out to some of our department heads because I think we should do Good Neighbor Day, celebrate Shootsberry Day, and that
would hopefully be set for September 26th, which is the Saturday um of that weekend. And so more details to come once we make those plans. Um, but I did want to flag that date as um as a potential fun celebratory event um that
we could have on the common and that would be really great for the committee to look at the event while it's on the common and think oh gee you know what do we want to make sure that we do >> some things here >> yeah how I mean finagle so resurrecting the celebrate cheese right we haven't
had since >> before co yes but we have a lot to celebrate and we should so people should stay tuned for that. >> And the slickboard usually sets up a tin for that. >> Get your get your queen's, you know, wave hand on >> the husband is like a string sort of
thing. >> Fun. I like that, too. >> Friendly competition between the fire chief and the police chief. >> Excellent. Yes, we can have a lot of fun with that. So, so that's all my that's my reporting. Police chief is Devon back. She completed
>> Oh, yeah. He's back. Um, oh, and I guess the last thing is so there are there's some printouts for you on some Logitech um microphone hubs and pods um to enhance our audio capabilities in
this room. And court, this is courtesy of our sound technician who gave us these great recommendations. >> Wow. And these work um these work with everything we have here.
>> They're all compatible. >> Um and so we can have it be so that someone in the audience can can speak. >> Well, the idea is to take this table and turn it around like so it's running that way and then have this this thing this microphone is for this table, but this
put another one for another table or the other end of this table. You'll notice today like a bunch of people in the audience say, "Hey, can you speak up?" often, you know, they never, you know, they can't hear people. >> Yeah. You could do it down the table or you could do it if I'm going that way or >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> I mean, ideally, we could get two tables. Just one just this size. Just made this longer. Made a T or something. I >> Oh, a T's great because you have one on the wing. >> Yeah, whatever. >> Yeah, we'll work with it. We got this far. >> But I think Yeah, I think getting these
two piece I think getting these two piece equipment is a great idea. >> I do not disagree. Yeah. I mean, no. >> And this is this will address the issue that some people had about the the hybrid meetings. >> I think it will. I mean, I think it'll help. I don't know whether solve the
problem. But that's >> when I was sitting here when I first sat down, it didn't seem loud because I just walked in. >> Right. >> Then as I was sitting here and I was trying to hear, I was like, "Oh, the air conditioner's on." >> Yeah. >> That off. I'm like, "Huh?" And I was trying to think.
>> Yeah. That's the big guy. And then the other one. So, uh, Frank updated us. Um, there'll be a way to switch off. So, when you're if you're having a meeting, you'll be able to switch over there. Something say >> it'll be Yeah, switches. There'll be a
switch rather than going and doing that. The >> Yeah, I see what I did. >> So, thank you, Frank, for making that all easier for us. And, um, >> which will be helpful. >> Yeah. Yeah, definitely. >> And then the microphones won't have that white noise in the background. >> Right. Right. Um,
>> I think the problem is just like that microphone is doing all the work to pick up whoever's in those chairs there sitting. It just it's not enough microphones. >> That's all simple enough. And it's for 300 bucks. But try it. It works. >> Why not?
>> It's not going to make it worse. >> Cool. >> The amount of improvement we'll see, but it's not going to make it worse. So we we can just do this without >> Yeah, we >> we have a we have a money we have money for this, right? >> We still have money in the um town hall renovation basement renovation account. So Yep. So we can pay for it out of
there and Yeah. and still have leftover. >> There you go. >> Perfect. >> Yes. >> Awesome. I think that's it. >> That's it. >> Good. All right. So do I hear a motion to adjurnn?
>> So moved. Second. >> All those in favor? >> All I do or I. >> Thank you. >> All right. >> See you. >> All right. I >> always wonder if someone besides