Good evening. My name is Laura Shiffren and I will call the meeting to order of the select board on Wednesday, February 25th, 2026 at 5:33 p.m. Roll call.
>> Veronica present >> and Laura Shiffren present. Join me in the pledge of allegiance, please. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I would like to thank all of our veterans, of whom we saw one today at the Boston Cane uh dedication.
And also to all of our current military serving here and abroad, all of our emergency response teams here in town and um all of our staff as well as our elected and appointed officials in town and their
families for making our community a better place to live. Um we are the meeting is being recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Is anyone else recording? >> Yep. Thank you, Cindy.
Um, I do not have any additions or deletions to the agenda. And 1.5, the minutes are being moved to March 3rd. And we will go on to
um this says 6:00. Okay, we won't do that. Um 3.1. Uh is there a motion for 3.1? >> I Valer Gooditch move to appoint Jason
Dicki Jacob Dicki as fleet mechanic to the highway department with effective start date of March 2nd, 2026. >> Is there a second? >> Veronica second. >> Okay. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. Well, I'll just say that
this is a candidate we've been working with for a little while for highway. Um, hope it all works out. It's u a good candidate to be the fleet mechanic for that department. It's been um long sought after and the highway superintendent is very thankful for the support. So, just want to make sure
that's said and I think it's a good growth opportunity for our department there to uh have an in-house mechanic. So, it's an important trade. Thanks Karen for the information on that. Um
and then of course that's all subject to his vetting. >> Okay. Um let's see. >> I think Veron got seconded. So it's all I had for you. Sorry I had interrupted. >> Okay. Okay. That was our discussion.
Roll call vote please. >> Very good. Lora and I and welcome to Jacob. Hopefully everything goes well. Um 5.1 under old business is to discuss the
meeting set up for for tonight which was cancelled or I should say postponed >> to March 19th at 700 p.m. >> at the high school. >> Correct. That is a Thursday.
>> Yeah. And what I'll do in advance, I know um you know, I'll get motions drafted and approved by town council. Um I'll also chat with the moderator before that meeting sort of I call it like a run of the show. I think I might maybe theater folks know that, but sort of how
it's going to go that night. So I make sure I'm prepared for for you guys and to also make sure we you know who's responsible for what motion and how it goes. um to sort of collaborate together. Um Mr. Moderator John Barrett was looking forward to that chat, but obviously we got postponed because of
the weather. Um but we'll you know re reignite that discussion probably a week or so before um March 19th. So >> Okay. >> Um just to give you some you background in terms of what I'll be doing for preparation. >> All right. So just um since we have
basically the 3rd, the 10th and the 17th which we plan to meet on all three of those nights just forformational purposes at this point. >> Um we can certainly do that either the 10th or the 17th maybe.
>> Yeah, 17th probably if we need to. Yeah, if we need to be proactive, we can do the 10th >> and then if we have anything we want to clean up between the 10th and the 17th, we can. But Um, we should be in good shape. So, >> our part is just deciding who these emotions from the select board. So,
pretty easy for us. >> Yeah. Doesn't all volunteer at once. >> Speaking of volunteers, >> go. >> Um, well, a couple of things I guess. Um, well, first, do you have any updates for us?
>> I don't. Nothing that has changed since yesterday. So, >> okay. And I don't have anything under my leasison reports. Does anybody else have anything that's come up? >> Or we guess we could say formerly happy birthday and the passing of the Boston cane in town, which is really cool. I
did some research on it this afternoon. Yeah. >> Um >> for those that are listening at home, the Boston Kane in Townsen is given to the oldest resident um which is Mr. Louis Lewis Dri >> um of Townsen. Um he has some family that um you lives in town as well and
his daughter works in our building which is fantastic and they had a nice little lunchon for him today at the Council on Aging. Um and I'll post a picture uh to that effect later on on Facebook to sort of say you thank you to Mr. Driel and happy birthday. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, it was cool. And he's a veteran so
he served in both the US Army and US Navy which is >> remarkable. You got to be really proud and in awe of folks like that. The other interesting to thing too that I found out from Jack that I didn't know down in the town clerk's office was that it's
initiated by the town clerk >> and the records that they have. So when they come upon uh Oh, I guess when one passes the previous >> Mhm. >> cane recipient passes, they then look
for the next oldest >> um person and then they notify the person and >> the council and all of that. the website though it hasn't been updated in a few years you can go and see all the towns in Massachusetts and sometimes they have
pictures of who might who the individual might be and then sort of the history behind it might have you know a little story of you know the Mian family from Connecticut you know I'm using myself as an example or you know the Tully family you know what they meant to the area and things like that so it's pretty cool
>> the more you know >> so we'll have we'll have that and also that website if people want to check it out page >> I'll probably put the picture up and then link it together and you'll see our select board and Mr. Dubriel together and I'll put the link to the Boston game page underneath it. So, >> okay, awesome. Thank you for doing that.
It's one of the niceries that we had to do. Um, >> and the lunch was good. I heard, too. It looked pretty yummy, but I ran out to get my peanut butter and jelly. So, >> okay. Um, oh, and I probably should say that I guess they have um they sponsor a
lunch every Wednesday. >> Monday through Thursday they have lunch >> Monday through Thursday. >> Yes. >> Oh, and so for $5 or whatever, you can go and have lunch there. >> Yeah. >> Do you have to sign up for that ahead of time? >> Yes. >> Okay. Well, that's good to put out there
>> to our constituents. And do we have do we have somebody coming on for Oh, we probably do for for the 6:00. >> Mr. Brennan, I think is for the common victualers. Okay. Um 18. Okay.
>> I saw he clicked on, but maybe when he's ready, we'll be ready, too. So, >> so um because it's time specific, do I have to hold to that where where it's not a public hearing? >> It's not a public hearing. I think you can move it along if he's ready. Um he
might be listening to us if he wants to. Yeah, there he is. >> Yeah. Yeah, she is listening. How's it going? >> Good. >> Good. Um we can actually take you earlier on our agenda because it it is not a public hearing. So
um I will entertain a motion for 2.1. >> Yeah. >> And then we can discuss after. >> I'm just going to read this all the way through at once. Um Ian Gurich moved to approve the common fiddler license application submitted by Starbucks Corporation DBA Starbucks coffee for the
premises located at 18 Main Street Towns and subject to the following conditions. That the applicant shall obtain all required approvals, permits and certificates from the building department, including but not limited to any necessary occupancy permits in confirmation of compliance with
applicable building codes. Number two, that the applicant shall obtain approval from the board of health and associated boards of health, including successful completion of all required health inspections and issuance of any required food services permits. Number three,
that the applicant shall obtain approval from the fire department, including successful completion of all required fire safety inspections in compliant with compliance with all applicable fire codes. Number four, that the lency shall not be issued, nor shall the premises be
operate under said license until written confirmation of compliance and approval has been received from the building department, board of health and fire department. Number five, that the applicant check in with the police department, town clerk, and treasur collector for any outstanding or necessary paperwork need completion
before opening. This approval is expressly contingent upon satisfaction of the above conditions in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. >> Is there a second? Veronica second. >> Okay. Any discussion?
>> Um I guess the question is the license then won't be provided until all of these conditions are met. >> Right. >> Okay. >> Did you have all of those? What? >> Um Yep. I jotted them down as they were
being said. Um, and they were all in my my site. Um, we are wrapping some of those up now. Others have been completed. Um, we're hoping to open um first week in April. We'll probably have
those items completed earlier than um we are opening a new store in Clinton. So, we're actually opening this one shortly thereafter. So, that's why we're holding until first week in April. Um, we're working on our business certificate and u we've already filed our food license
with the health department. So, um, I think we're in good shape. >> How How are you doing for, um, hiring? I saw your sign out there. >> Yeah. I mean, I'm I'm not personally involved in that, but uh I know I've
heard that it's sometimes it's um a struggle in some of the more remote areas to uh find employees, but um I think that will be just fine. >> Okay. Well, um this is on view uh video
which will be on YouTube and also we have others recording here this evening. So we'll certainly let them know that Starbucks is hiring >> and hopefully that may help. >> Okay, any further discussion from me? Hearing none, roll call vote.
Veronica I >> and Laura Frenai and congratulations. Uh >> there's a hand up from real deal. >> Uh Cindy, did you have something on the subject? >> Yes, I'd like to know um if they're going to have a ribbon cutting. I'd really like to attend that and I'm sure
our select board would love to do that as well. So, I'm wondering when you do finally open, will you announce a grand opening with the full ceremonial ribbon cutting? >> Um, I can see what if if that's something that we're planning to do. Usually, we'll open on a Friday. um and
try to do it as a soft opening. But I can um I can certainly circle back with the town manager and let them know maybe work something out for a a ribbon cutting. >> I like coffee, so that lines up with me
perfectly. >> Okay. All right. Does that answer your question, Cindy? >> Yes, it did. Thank you. I wanted to make sure that I get to be one of the first people to get a cup of coffee down there. >> Okay. I know you've been promoting it. >> I certainly have.
>> Yes. Yes, she has. Okay. Um, >> we voted. We voted. >> Yeah, you voted. Yeah. >> Okay. So, we voted and we're done and thank you for attending this evening. >> Thank you very much. >> Have a good night. >> Thank you, sir.
Okay. So, we are basically under announcements. Um, sign here. So, this is Okay. I think you're going to get this done cuz you
and the treasurer have to sign that. And 6.3. >> So, we're just going to go through some of the announcements in terms of the upcoming election for some dates and seats open. Um, I think I'll do the
seats first and then the timeline. Okay. >> Does that work for you everybody? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So um these is these are offices to be on the ballot for the 427206 election. So that is the end of April, the annual election. The Amanda Dwight Entertainment
Committee has one seat for three years. Board of assessors has one seat for three years. Board of Health has one seat for three years. Board of Water Commissioners, one seat for three years and one seat for two years. Cemetery and Parks Commission, one seat for three
years. Library Board of Trustees, two seats for three years. North Middle Sex Regional School District Committee at large, three seats for three years. Oh, >> that Wow. Is that at large? I might ask
for clarification because I know one of the members is Townsend, but I'm going to take this. Okay. Um, planning board, one seat for 5 years, one seat for four years, and one seat for one year. Recreation Commission, two seats for three years. One seat for two years.
Select board, one seat for three years. Town clerk, one seat for three years. Towns and housing authority, one seat for three years. One seat for two years. Trust on commission, one seat for three years. One seat for two years. Trustees of soldier memorial, one seat for three
years veteran and one seat for three years non veteran. And then the ballot questions thus far on the ballot for the 427206 election. Question one, shall the town of Townsen in accordance with the town of Towns and charter section 32 select board subsection A composition in
terms of office change the composition of the select board from three to five members provided that such five member board would have three overlapping terms so arranged that as nearly as equal number of members as possible so expire each year. So that's thus far for the
valid questions. And now I'll just give you all some dates. One second. Sorry, switching screens. I got which one were you thinking of right there? >> Oh, okay. I have two different versions of that.
wanted to start with um they can take it out now but the ending date is >> to for take out of the papers. >> So um in terms of dates that uh nomination papers are open um the last day to
obtain a blank nomination paper for the annual town election is next Friday March 6th at 12 p.m. So it's the last day to actually walk in and get a nomination paper. The last day and hour to file nomination papers with the board of registars is Monday, March 9th at 5:00 PM. So that's when all your
signatures have to be due. Um, and then the other one is the other ones are kind of like you can withdraw your paper by March 25th. Um, April 17th at 5:00 p.m. is the last day in our to register for vote to vote
in person for annual town election. Um, April 17th is the last day an hour to apply for a ballot by mail for the annual town election. Encourage anybody who's going to be out of town to do that. Um, April 21st is the last day to submit pre-election campaign finance
reports for annual town election for uh, January to April 11th. Um, Friday, April 24th is the last day to vote in absentee and um, Friday, April 24th is the last day to vote for annual town meeting. And
then the election is April 27th, >> 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. >> So, you guys still all have a week, your nomination, >> your papers, >> more the lots of space for a lot of positions, >> all the people. >> So, can I ask a question?
>> Sure. Uh when does the ballot have to be um printed? Is there a date? >> Well, so it's one minute. That might be the other page that I had open here because there is a question on the special town meeting that would generate
>> a question on that. >> Um I can get that from the town clerk. I I know there's it's usually related to printing. >> Yeah. >> So I can >> So the date of printing is what we need. >> The last date >> or submission before printing
>> has to be after the 25th. Wednesday the 25th. Last day an hour to object to or withdraw a nomination. >> So it's probably around there. >> So we're good. >> Okay. 25th of March. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Um also we still have some vacancies on the
unelected positions and that is um agricultural commission vacancy. Um is committee >> should be full.
>> Three is full. Okay. that did not updated. Um, water board of water commissioners has a vacancy. Capital planning is full, right? Well, the water commissioners don't they have to >> at this point that's for the election
probably, >> right? So, it would only be if nobody runs. >> That would be the point, >> right? >> Okay. Um, and then Commission on Disability still has a vacancy.
>> It does. I think it has a prerequisite that it's someone that >> with disability >> may have a pre-existing condition. Yeah. >> Um, well, there is one appointed that >> does meet that >> does meet that and it's a veteran. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. Um >> um there may be another one though too. There may be two positions like that. Cindy, can you answer that? >> Yeah. Um the majority of the the commission must
be disabled people. The majority it's at a minimum you can have everybody. Um we have we have a family member of a disabled person >> and we have a couple of and three we have three people who are disabled
>> and one who is a family member right now. So we can accept one more person and I I mean preference to disabled people but it it's not necessarily required. We have a requirement for um
one seat has to be for a town official. Say somebody who's appointed on on some other board or commission or an employee. But we meet that already because um two of us have been appointed to the agricultural commission. So we have met
that criteria of having an icon official already. So, um, it probably ought to be a disabled person, but yeah, it it should be a disabled person if you're going to appoint another one. And I think we're going to talk since we are just about full on the original five
postings, we might be asking to increase the the board because we we can have between five and 13 members. So, and we posted it just for the five to start with because I thought it was going to take longer. But if we can continue to appoint people all the way up to 13 if
we're capable of doing that. So we might change that want to change that posting. But we're probably going to have our first meeting next week. So I'll get I'll certainly get back to you on how that turns out. >> Okay. That Cindy, do you just know if the if the um
if it was an employee, do they have to be a resident of the town? >> No. >> Okay. Because Yeah. that >> there are some appointments that they don't have to live in town. >> Yep.
>> Thank you, Cindy. Um, conservation commission I know has a vacancy. Energy committee has vacancy. Housing authority has a vacancy and there's another housing authority vacancy that is for
the state rep. It's either there's a state rep vacant and there's also a person who would live in affordable housing that could have a seat on the housing authority. Uh town properties has a vacancy
and I guess west towns room is coming off. There is no west towns in room committee anymore but zoning does have three vacancies. one for a full number to 2030, one for a full number to 2028,
and also um an associate member vacancy. So, there's plenty positions for everyone to volunteer. Um, also under announcements, I would
like to say that we are all going apparently to um the CPA Community Preservation Committee training March 2nd at 5:00 p.m. and we we have them posted. So, >> I have a meeting, but
>> Okay. But we're posted just in case. And that's either virtual or here in the chambers >> at 5:00 p.m. >> Hope you all enjoy it. I' I've seen and done that before. I can go, but n >> I've done the community preservation commission training. >> You're good. Oh, you you certainly don't
have to because we know you have other things to do. So, you don't have to do that twice. >> Okay. So, we are actually um meeting only for that purpose on March 2nd. Our next meeting
uh is March 3rd with a time to be determined at this point because we haven't looked at a draft yet, but we'll be working on that in the next 24 hours. Right. Okay. Anybody else have anything to come
before this? Let's go to the 6.5. Is there a motion? I make a motion to review and sign payables payable awards out of session. >> Second. Any discussion? Hearing none roll call vote I
>> and Lisha for and with that I'll take a motion to adjurnn. >> So moved at 558 by Gich. >> Thank you. Veronica second. >> Okay. Roll call vote. >> Veronica. I
>> Val Gich I and Lauren I. Thank you all very much.