Good evening everyone. My name is Laura Shiff and I will call the meeting to order of the planning of excuse me of this life board meeting of July Tuesday July 151 21.
So this is so this is the agenda the agenda. Thanks. Please present. Veronica soon. Would you all join me in the pledge of allegiance?
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'd like to thank all of our military
for past and those currently serving our country here and abroad. All of our first responders and also all of our volunteers elected and um appointed. We appreciate all of your
efforts. This meeting is being recorded and will be uploaded to the YouTube um channel. And I also want to mention their families. I did need to mention their families because they need their support as well.
Again, this meeting is being recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Is anyone else recording the meeting? Cindy, are you recording? We're not hearing anything. Okay. I do not have any additional
meeting and 1.5 review approve meeting minutes for April 29th, 2025. Is there a motion? I'll take a motion to approve the meeting minutes from 429 2025.
Can I second? I did have an opportunity to give um some changes to Sabrina and they are on minutes. Yum. [Music] Spoke to Veronica. She's not aware of
the meeting. So he's not inapprop. So she is on her way. I don't know how that was in communicated with her. So I apologize for that. I I thought
Okay. Go on with the um Yeah. Yeah. We can get some of this done. This next meeting is at 5:30. Okay. Did you mention to her that we have a
public hearing and not a public hearing but the joint meeting with water and u yeah she'll be here for sure. I told her that you guys are just making all these. Okay. She'll be there momentarily.
Okay. So 3.1. Is there a motion? Um I move that review point. Patricia, sorry for all the names. I'm the butcher. And with that, we reappoint Patricia Gio to the conservation commission effective 7015
until 6:30 2028. Second. Any discussion? None. Roll call. I guess um 3.2. I move that we reappoint James Duan to the conservation commission effective
701 2025 until 6:30 2028. Second discussion. Yes. I move that we reappoint Rachel King to the meeting hall gallery committee effective 701 2025 until 6:30 2026.
Second. Any discussion? and roll. Yes. Yes. 3.5.4. [Music] Um I move that we appoint Cheryl Aldrich to the meeting hall gallery committee effective 7:15 2025 until 6:30 2028.
Second any discussion hearing none. Roll call. Yes. 3.5. Is there a motion? I move that we appoint sorry Diane Lackenberg to the meeting
hall gallery committee effective 7:15 2025 until 6:30 2027 second any discussion roll call yes motion yes 3.6 Six. I move that we appoint Gerlyn
Bazikus to the zoning board of appeals as full member effective 7:15 until 6:30 2030. Is that I was going to ask if that was five years is that they are buried appointments on that.
I just scattered years. I didn't know any five years. Yeah, I think that's probably you want to table that until Yeah. Yes. [Music]
There's something on there. Yeah. Yeah. 3.7. Um I move that we appoint Pamela Finger Fingert House sorry to the cultural council effective 7:15 2025 until 6:30 2020
second discussion that's scattered yes I move that we appoint Joanne Brocka to the cultural council of aging effective 7:13 2025 until 6:30 2028.
Second. Is there discussion? Anyone call? Yes. I move that we appoint Carol Sweener to the council on aging effective 701 2025 until 6:30 2028. Second discussion
none. Yes. the next this um one thing all these council of agings are the same date so those don't those aren't scattered I don't know we should check that I thought they had scattered views
I don't the trust is the only thing well the first one is cultural so it's not yeah there's three meetings. So they have according to the town clerk's website they have eight members and three of them were expiring this year.
Yeah, they all have the same so they get three years again. Okay, that makes sense. Yeah. So that was Do you want to restate that one? Yep. I move that we appoint Trisha Baker to the council on aging effective 7125
until 6:30 try. Second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. Yes. Yes. 111. I move that we reappoint Kevin Smith to the town properties committee at the as the conservation commission
representative effective 701 2025 until 6:30 2026. Second. Any further discussion? All in favor? Yes. Yes.
312. I move that we appoint Michael Newman to the recreation department as summer wreck counselor for summer recreation 2025 with effective start date 721 2025. Second. Any discussion? Jess
3.13. I move that we appoint Sam Mundle as a recycling center to the recycling center as an attendant to effective start date 719 2025. Second.
Is there any discussion on that one? Is that all set? Um there's there was um some questions regarding um finding place to do the uh the
Yeah, the medical that's always part of the employ. [Music] Any further discussion? Hearing none call. Yes. Laura shining. Yes.
314. I move that we appoint election workers effective 8:15 2025 until 8:14 2026 as follows. Wordens Sharon Lassie Bennetty Menny and Gerlyn Bazikas. Deputy Gordens Jessica
Pili Lisa Siaka and Kathy Spafford. clerks, Donna Pinkerton, Christine, Emanuel Hayes, Terry Zwicker, ballot box clerks, Sandra Stevens, Brian
Kby, Peter Ruxton, Kim Haymon, and you know, inspector. Sorry, there's a whole sentence. Inspectors Claire Kyobi, Donna Miller, Terry Zwicker, Sandra Starret,
Lyn Leblanc, Deborah Stole, Lisa Siaka and Horsesman, Elaine Martin, Lindseay Moran, Margaret Mola, Carolyn Sweener, Leslie Rafala, Patricia Dong, Alexis Terry, Mary Jane Churchville,
Joanne Howard, Darlene Pit, Counters, Brian Pinoli Ham Ar Don Hayes sorry Don Hayes Carol Hosus David Chanel Michael Foster Rebecca
Stridge second any discussion so on on all of these is this what they generally have for the year all the positions is that
by our charter or is that just something the state mandates or tells you how many to have. Well, I don't know if there's a mandate of how many we need to have, but these are sort of the election. Yeah, exactly.
Yes. 215. Um, I move that we appoint James Duoan to the Agricultural Commission effective 7:15 2025 until 6:30 2028. [Music] Okay.
[Music] Any discussion? There's a number of people that have multiple committees and that's great. We thank you very much. Uh 316. I move that we reappoint Kathleen Thompson to the energy committee
effective 70125 until 6:30 2027. motion. There is a motion. Is there a second? Second. Any discussion? Roll call. Yes. We're in 3:16.
Veronica Veronica. Yes. Okay. 3.17 move that we reappoint Bob Montgomery to the energy committee effective 701 2025 until 6:30 2028. Is there a second? Second. Any
discussion? Hearing none. Roll call. for motion 318 move that we appoint Carol Hosus to the town properties committee as a planning
board representative effective 7:15 2025 until 6:30 2026 second discussion thank those who are committing I sorry. So we went through all
[Music] that actually was the one we had a question on because of the term is that we thought it looked really long but but let me just Yeah. The only one we didn't do is 36. Yeah. So, all right.
So, um I'm looking at the zoning board of appeals composition. Um Robert Dola, he has he has a term that ends in 2029. And Darlene ended in 2025. That should be in the charter. Is it in
the charter? Here's the charter. I was trying to find it. Um but that would make sense though if everyone has a different expiring year. If Roberts is 2029 and Jaren was he got he must have gotten five year
his case appointed I think the end page is 20287 so I think 2030 actually does make sense given okay seem to get so that's how they're lining them up since you have that up could you look at
the um historic district commission I want to see if Jer 's only too. She is. Oh, she is. And when is her terma? 26. I have a concern. Um because often times what I've seen are things that are
denied at the historic district commission. Yeah. Are go to the CBA. Yeah. She's going to have to recuse herself. they they have something that's going before ZBA and because she's on historic
and and I see that we have an appointment also for her for the board of water commissioners I have a concern that's all um I think that yeah there's people that serve on many boards but I
I have a concern with that matchup because you could recuse yourself from either way and it could be that okay I'll recuse myself from the historic district commission, but then at the CBA, yeah, I I think there's a conflict. Um, that's all, you know,
and I I serve with her around in the store. I do appreciate everything that people are are doing, but there's one thing to to um be on multiple boards that are appointed versus elected. Well, this is an appointed board.
Um, this is an appointed board. Historic District Commission is all the others. Yeah, they all are appointed. Even Even his I thought historic district commission was um voted. I thought it was No,
it's not. No, historic commission is appointed by the select board. They're vol through volunteer forms. They supposed to make recommendations. We have three vac we have two vacancies,
three applications and they're they want an interview. Okay. All right. I'm looking at elective offices. Yeah. The trustees middle sex and Okay. All right. Well, still I I just
have I think there's a conflict between those two boards or or could be Yeah. um that people are looking for relief. And so if you go before one board and you're denied and then you go looking for relief and you're sitting in front of someone, even if they recuse
themselves who is on the board that denied you, um I just think it's bad. I don't think it's fair. The chair doesn't limit the number of committees. I don't believe so.
No, you can be on two elected. you can have several elected positions. So, um anyway, I did for many years, but um I don't recall I've never served on Zoom, so to hear the appeals, you know,
kind of thing. So, I never ran across that. But it it's just that in my time as a select board member prior, a lot of the things that went to CBA were denials by historic district. Oh. um one of them being the grooming
thing in West Towns and there were others. There were several and so they went to the CBA where there they were either approved or not. I would not as a resident want to be denied by one board and then go to the board that provides
relief and see the same person sitting there. So that I see that conflict. Yeah. Without appointment. That's the only one that I would question. That's all. You okay?
Oh, yeah. Okay. That's different. That's totally different. I do. Thank you for pointing that out. I It It has nothing to do with the applicant. We're passing on if Well, do we have to vote?
[Music] 3.6. I move that we appoint Jayen Bazikas to the zoning board of appeals as a full member effective 7:15 2025 until 6:30 2030. Second. Okay. We did have some discussion. We did
just now versus we did actually make the motion before but didn't act on it. Okay. Um because we saw the dates. Yeah. other dates, but now that we're redising or bringing it up again, um I think that
that's just my opinion on that one. um the rest of them I going through this the rest of them I was okay so um we've had discussion any more discussion I will take a vote then those in favor
roll call right no got So, um that was 3.6. We've gone through um all the rest of four of all the threes. We have done all the threes now.
Okay. All right. And you approve the done? Yeah, they that I had not a single suggestion on the minutes. Oh, you must have gotten them after I made mine. Oh, they're they're on here. Oh, are they? Okay. Well, I had not a single suggestion.
Thank you. You did approve them then. Good. Thank you. Sorry I'm late. I missed the five o'clock completely. All my calendars said six, but I seem to remember driving over here that we talked about this in a meeting. I was I was I didn't change my calendar.
Did we forget to mention it to you? No. No. I think we talked about it in a meeting and then wided it out and I didn't change it after that meeting. So anyway, I'm glad I called you. Yes, I'm glad you did. About four minutes.
What under number four do you want to take up? Um we could go over the encroachment on squam equipment 4.3 if you want. Um if that's okay. You good with two minutes? Yeah, I don't think it'll take long.
Okay, go ahead. I I did have an exchange with Nelson today and regarding this. Yeah. Um so there's a there's a picture. This is something that's come up as we're working on the CR for the TAS of Fields and all. And so we're looking at
the picture and we are looking at the So there's a um Could we I think I put it in there. Hopefully it's there. Um it's the PDF. It's a PDF. Yeah. Um, let me join
under um 43. It looks like there are two um out buildings outside of the um property boundaries and um it it looks like it's someone that moved there in 2021. It's possible
that they were existing when they moved there. I didn't look back to see, but um But uh I did talk to Adam about it because this is something that we discussed if we're putting a CR on and
um I can talk more during the reports at the end. But CR is conservation restriction. A conservation restriction. Yes. Thank you. Um so you can see the two buildings right outside. 11350 is the town
property. 113519 is where the two buildings are outside of the property line. And even though there can be play in the property lines, that's a pretty big play. And I think it's on the town property. And this is pretty common for open space
developments, you find encroachment a lot because people don't really know where the town owned property or whoever owns it. So the buildings are theirs on their property but no the buildings are on the town
property that white building but they belong to the other property. They belong to the address for 113519. [Music] It's um it's been there. I didn't look I didn't go back and do the whole
historical thing. I could but I haven't. Okay. 21 was when they purchased it looks like from the assessor's maps. Okay. And this is the Mr. Mapper. And we've been looking at a lot of maps and it's there for a pretty long time. Um and so
it was probably there. It's probably existing um when they purchased, but I don't know that anybody ever looks to see if you're you're a roller if it backs up to open space. Do you go and look and see what's in the woods back there? In this case, it's a sand pit,
but still, you know, um it's pretty open. You would see it visual. From a financing point of view, the the issue comes up quite a bit that a shed's on their property below on the other property. This is the order. Well, maybe it was a refinance, but the
date is 2021 on the record. And sometimes when you do a refinance, the date switches from a prior date to a newer date. That's true as well. So, I didn't look at that. I just looked at here we go and I talked to Adam about it and
process for process. But typically when this has happened in the past and it's the owner that has to do it and in you know has to do a notice of trespass and you know they time to remedy. If not,
then it's a trespass order and if it isn't remedied, then it's a suit file suit. Um, so in any event, um, it needs to be addressed and typically it's the land use coordinator who does that addressing.
Is this we're hoping to put in conservation, pardon me? We want in conservation, correct? We want a conservation restriction. So conservation has been working on the other property. conservation doesn't own that property, this property. Yeah.
Although I think with Dudley Meadows, we gave them permission to go forward. Um that's so that seemed to be going well. Just the oneonone talking con.
So yeah, in any event, that's that's the typical process. And usually it's the land use department that handles these things, which would be great. to the conservation agent depending I actually spoke to him earlier and
yeah it would be something and he's versed in it now so might be the way to go we might want to talk about extra hours because this is not conservationowned property you
know where where Kobe would handle it if it was town of towns and conservation commission this is flat out Town of Townsend. Well, the deadly man is technically not. It's It's technically Town of Townsend. Yeah. And I know the intention is to
Yes. to transformation. Yeah. But um this one's a little different. So any deal. And that's um Okay. So um we'll come back to it. I'm sure there's going to be a little bit of story at
some point. Well, I would like I think that the committee would like the town to um do something about it. I there's time and that we don't have a signed CR yet, but by the time we do, we would want that um addressed. So then do we
want ask conservation to um I can see uh probably to start the process maybe notifying the property I don't know. Yeah it could take some time.
Yeah. So again, it's better to start early and just I can try to get a history of it too because if what plans were mandated in 1980, so I'll go back to that and if it's still all the same,
this this is more recent than 1980 as far as the development goes. Okay, that's what I'm saying. It's got to be somewhere. Okay. All right. So, do we need to conservation act as our agent? Um, I I would like to I think we should
have a vote for that. If you want to wait and do a little more research, I'm okay with that, too. Because it isn't like this is tomorrow that this is going to happen. Um, we're still working with um a CRA.
[Music] Yeah. Thank you. Just get it to me. Okay. Um, we are now at 5:34 and has Todd joined us
on there. Yes. Todd on there? Yep, he's on here. I am here. Okay. Do you want to call your your
us joint meeting to order? We're at 5:34. Uh 5:34. I'd like to call the towns and border water commissioners portion of the joint meeting to order. Roll call
vote. Todd Lansson. I So lonely. and you have no idea. So, um, Laura Shiffren, I would like to call the select board meeting or joint meeting with the water commissioners at
5:35 p.m. Our joint meeting roll call. Veronica present present present. Okay, Todd, how you doing? Hanging in there. Okay. Well, hopefully
um our next volunteer will be helping you out. Is there a motion? I move that we appoint Jaylen Bazikas to the water commissioners as a full member effective 7:15 2025 until annual 10
election 427 2026. Second. Okay. Any discussion? Not on this end. Okay. Any discussion? No. Hearing none. Roll call. Uh, Veronica Kell. Yes. Jessron. Yes. Todd, how do
you vote? Yes. You have to do it. Roll call. Sorry. Ah, Towns and Border Water Commission. Roll call vote. Todd Milansen, chairman. I Okay.
Um, very good. We are unanimous. All right. So, I would like to um close our joint meeting with the water commissioners at 5:36 p.m. Thank you very much for your time. Uh
Todd Meansen closing the water commissioners portion of the uh joint board meeting uh as of 5:36 p.m. as well. You guys have a great night. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Todd. and I to closing the
meeting. I have closed the joint meeting with the water commissioners. And we have a new member and now they can meet. Thank you, Jerry. Excellent. Yes. What would you like to do next?
42. Yeah. Clark sent it to the finance committee first which approve of the most recent meeting is now up to the select board to review.
So this is what cent which seems a little silly to me but okay. Well, we had a three cent 5 cent last meeting. I would really like to know if there's like a minimum requirement for the
state. I was wondering the same thing. It seems a little silly. It costs more money to do it between piece of paper. Yeah, I'm going to talk to the uh CBZ on account to see if it's that stringent or
truly is anything over budget needs to be uh you know either made zero or if there's a threshold correct you know if it's below a dollar $10 or yeah no big deal
I will ask that question thank you in the last uh since you've been here if you've had these kinds of transfer. [Music] What's your pleasure?
I will make a motion that we transfer 8 cents from transfer 8 cents to parking clerk Heather Stipen from T clerk professional services street
list and I will second that. Any discussion hearing? None. Roll call. Veronica Iron 8. [Music] That's 4.4. you have time for a reading
if you want to do um first reading 4.5 or relations policy. Was there any edits? I thought it was just Oh, I don't see they're not done yet. They're not done. Um the edits, but this is the first
reading. So, change. Yes. And what I'm looking at doesn't have it on and doesn't have the change. Uh let's move this then. Yeah, we'll move to the next meeting.
[Music] I thought we Is it just a change for Slack? [Music] Yeah, because we said we like the policy. We didn't change anything in the policy but the headings. Correct.
Select board and and the new headings and then the new policy number and the board select would be select board and then the signatures would change. So once you have those basically housekeeping
changes for 4.5 No, we did media policy last month. We looked at Did we look at our contract? We um are are you talking about um assigning someone as a um a representative for the select board?
Um why don't we try to get feedback from this meeting? Yeah, let's get feedback and we'll move it to the next meeting. Okay. So 4.5 next meeting and we are to give our feedback to Sabrina in between. Okay. Hopefully within the next week. Okay.
Are are there did did you look for policies um with the MMA or anybody like that or No, I got I reached out. I got suicide. Yeah. and put whatever you have for us
to review in the in the packet. I think so. I did um so this is the media relations the PR stuff. Yes, this is PR. Yeah, I did reach out to um someone at John Gilfor.
Um I did get a um preliminary quote. It seemed rather high and they didn't really have um sort of on call type arrangements. It was more like, oh, you sign up for a year or you sign up for a monthly fee with a
one-year commitment. So, it didn't seem like that was something we were really necessarily looking for. So, I was looking for a retainer. Yeah. So, so I pushed back and they're going to review of their management to see if there's a more of a on call type
of arrangement that they can provide to us. And is this the same uh company that deals with the police? Correct. And can we piggy back somehow on that contract? I mentioned that, but there there didn't
seem to be um it was they didn't uh allude to the fact that but their proposal somehow There was another service that they provided that piqu my interest which is
website. Oh, so I management website management. So I actually had a meeting with them virtually Friday. Okay. with their um that part of the company that deals with
the digital aspect of things. Um so I want to hear what they're capable of and more importantly what the cost is. Would would you like one of us to be with you on that call like Val or Veronica? Um it's a very introductory meeting. So,
um why don't I um So, what MMA said was a pointer to a website. Okay. Too bad. And the two firms that are that could be
recommended for something like that. And then um MMA just kind of said they don't have they're doing webinars and things like that. Okay. Okay. Have a a list of Okay. All right.
Back to what you said. I would just like to hear what Nelson finds. Yep. Yeah. Once I have a meeting, I'll I'll report back to the select board um what they're capable of doing and what they're proposing. So we should put both
the policy and um working with the public relations firm as an agenda. Okay. And it could be website management as well into the whole thing. Okay.
Thank you. So many papers. Yes, it's 5:45. [Music] This uh floor and I would like to call the joint meeting with the board of
health to order at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Roll call. Veronica Keel present present Christian. Uh I'm waiting for my board members to I
don't have a quorum at this time. Um I know that Todd is on his way here and and um and Paul as well. So I don't have a quorum as of yet. Okay. Um well, do you mind if I try to get
something else done? Yes, I don't mind. So So should we suspend or suspend? Meeting until until my until your group gets here. Yes. Yeah. Thank you, Christian. Do we have to formally suspend or
and then and then re I make a motion to suspend the joint meeting. Second. Second. Okay. All those in favor? I All right. Thank you all very much. Um, how about the animals in public meetings
47? Is that ready for reading? I think that's it. Oh, the red line's back. on on this on this policy. Okay. [Music]
47. Okay. So, should we discuss the red lines? Is that the plan here? So, I mean, if we all agree, I could also read it with the red line changes for our first reading.
I'm good with that. I'm good with that. This is maybe not. I think they're still They might be still waiting for Paul. Oh, okay. Well, Paul's on Oh, he is. Okay. Oh, then you do have a
form. Okay. So, all right. Let's go. Let's unsuspend our meeting. I'll take a motion. I make a motion to resume the direct meeting of the board of health. Second.
Second. All right. All in favor? I I uh it's 5:49 p.m. Joint meeting board health with the select board. Um roll call. Dr. Christian Ramen speaking present. Antonio look president finally
the Paul disappear Paul Serene I'm still here oh gohead thank you uh so regarding the board of health um
right now since the last meeting we don't have any current updates regarding um the three-year extension of the trash contract. Shaw is still reviewing that. Um so um that
the two-month extension. The threeear the new threeyear. He's reviewing that. Yes. Not the three-year extension. No, the three-month the the two-month extension. He's still reviewing the two-month extension. No, no, no. He's reviewing the the three
the the the new the three-year extens the three the new contract. The new contract. The new contract. Yes. No. No. No, for the extension um we we don't have the minimum how the document that the prevailing wage prevailing wage.
Um the situation is that um if the select board doesn't approve the contract the my concern is that um if something if anything happens like any injury or something um the town will be responsible at some
point is my understanding. Um what I'm recommending the select board is that since that's the only document that we are wait that we are in need um to have the extension to be approved per pending the what is the name of the docu
the prevailing wage um so you guys can probably make a motion to uh uh approve it you know sign session you know um uh pending receipt of the prevailing wage schedule
from the state which I think you guys are all aware the that that portion of the state is really um behind schedule towards the end of June they switched over to a new computer system probably the worst time to do it because
everyone in the state is probably looking for new wages that are effective July 1. So, so folks like me that never got it. So, I ended up putting two additional requests into their system. That kind of I think overwhelmed and
exacerbated things as well. So, I did finally get a hold of someone. They sent me a voicemail. I missed the phone call. And they say uh they are aware of the issue. They're working on it, but they also um advise us to refrain from
bringing in more requests because that's going to bog down their time catch up. So, this was middle of last week. I'm hoping in the next day or two they finally caught up and will send us the prevailing wage uh schedule that we've
requested three times now since late June. So that really is the only thing holding up the two-month extension with Shaws. So So this went through legal center. Last time it hadn't been through No, it went through legal. It went through legal and waiting for
and and they're waiting for for that document. That's why the board of health is is encouraging the select board to sign it per pending the um the document that that is needed by minimum wage. Yes. But everything else is is resolved
like the $195,000 bond. No, that's the new contract. That's not what we're signing. We're That's not what we're voting on. We're voting only on the two-month extension, which is Well, except for the
This is Sam Vasqua's email. Yeah. um that says the form should also incor incorporate the current prevailing wage seat sheet as exhibit two which is what we are missing. So so it looks like what's here is the
um the recommended two-month extension form from town council. Correct. And then they said to attach as exhibit one the extension terms. That's Shaw's price proposal which is what this is. And then
The exhibit two is the prevailing wage. By law, any exercise of an option to renew or extend the contract term requires a new prevailing wage sheet if the existing one does not cover the extension period, which is does not. The
only one on file is from June of 24 and would not cover the two-month extension. Um, so I I am good with having it signed once the prevailing wage sheet is attached.
I'm okay with But this was effective already July 1st. That is correct. Um, Sabrina has a question. Yes. Welcome to Shaw. Yeah, Shaw has to agree to it and
signed. Then it goes to town council and then it gets signed by all of us. Looks like what's attached here is already signed. I don't know. I don't know. Anyway, but not by town council or SH.
So, you want me to make a motion to You need a motion. The two month extension. I'll make a motion to um sign the two extend two month extension with GW SHA from July
1st to August 31st pending addition of attachment of the pre after signed by town council there's Shaw out of session to be signed out of session and Shaw but signed
after by GW Shaw and town council to be signed out of session I will second that. Okay. Any further discussion? You understand? Um before we do roll call vote, further discussion. I want to talk about the
purple bags. Can I do that in this joint meeting after what's specific with the purple bags when I finish the motion? Yeah. finish the motion and then let you ask the question. Okay. Veronica Kell I I
I'm reading a lot on Facebook about how it's the selectman's fault that we have purple bags. Can you talk about that? Well, I don't I'm curious. I don't I don't have control on what's on what is shared in Facebook. I mean um this is
something that the public has voiced but I mean this is not something related to the board of health from my understanding. I mean um it's I don't I sometimes I follow up on Facebook sometimes I don't but I mean I don't
have what do you mean what are they saying about the select board about the purple bags? I can read directly. Um that there is a grant. Let me get the pictures up here. Um so someone had asked if the purple bags
were being phased out. The three-year implementation plan is on the website and phasing out the bags is absolutely part of the plan. However, due to the grant and how the select board handled things, we are stuck until we meet those
conditions first. Um, uh, others, um, I don't trust or believe anything our select border town administrators say, but trash was purposely removed from um,
the town. That was because the override in April failed. Trash was absolutely in the select board budget. Yeah. But the override failed. So the tax base cannot pay for it. We understand that, right?
But it failed again because we left trash in for the 625. The 625 over failed and that is why we have trash in the tax base. Mhm. Um however, it's in the inter enterprise
fund and that 125 is outside of the tax um base. So we understand that. Correct. So it was not because the select board removed it for some nefarious purpose. It was because the town said they would not pay
for it within the tax rate. Is that correct? So again I don't have control on what the people are commenting on whether who is attributing responsibilities and here the board what is doing is that since
for the reasons that you're exposing that the trash was left out on the tax levy. The board of health then came in and implemented the the um the enterprise account so that that need of
the trash w would would be taken care of without hurting um the tax. So we are in charge of the tax base. Board of health is in charge of the enterprise fund which is outside of the
tax base. I don't think people understand that. And I think there's a lot of misinformation putting it being put out on Facebook making it look as if we were doing something nefarious, which in fact
I don't think you I don't think it was you. I think it was the previous Well, it isn't even that at this point. Okay. So, originally there was the grant that came for the three-year and I I'm not an an expert on this or what
happened, but the grant there was grant money available through the state if you went into the pay as you throw program. Okay, so that's what happened then and just how it got there, I have no idea. But now you have an enterprise fund and what I heard coming from all the
explanations of the enterprise fund was the purple bags were not going away. So going to be part of how you were going to run the trash. So on the three-year on the three-year pro on the three-year projection that we did and when we had the joint meeting at
the public hearing with the joint meeting with FIMCOM on the last phase um it was voted that probably the bags will will be phased out but again that is per depending on our analysis on on what we
get. who should decide, right? The board of health, not the select board. Trash is entirely outside of the select board and therefore the tax base at this point. Is that correct?
So right now again the board of health have assumed the responsibility of of of having the having the trash to be uninterrupted because it was not part of uh of the tax levy and that's where
we came in in order to save the program and to not interrupt the services. That's correct. It was not part of the tax levy for FY26 because the $625,000
override failed. It was in that override. Had that override passed, we wouldn't even be having this discussion right now. So, um, I just want to make that clear.
So, that is clear. Correct. Well, it's out of our hands. It's out of our hands. Now, yes, you're absolutely right. 100%. Thank you. We We know that. I I think there's a lot being said online to make it look as if the select
board has done something out there. Um that and um and I my fear is that it will affect the way people vote for the override that we absolutely need. So um
and trash is not part of it. That's separate. Anything else? So, regarding the other contract with way zero, um right now it's there's been a back and forth with legal from our
side and legal from um weight zero too because um from what I read and this is the letter I can understand if and if Carla can um if Carla can um jump in um regarding that there's a specific
language that our town council is asking for way zero to to be added on our on the language in order to move forward with the contract. So right now we are kind of like stuck between um our two
legal councils with um town council on one side and way zero on the other side. So that's something that we don't have any updates. Carla can you share with us? Would you just clarify who way zero is? So,
so Way Zero is the program that we contract for the for the fabrication of the purple bags. Thank you. Can you hear me? Yes. Oh, thank you. Um, so thank you for having us. We we don't have the contract
in front of us. There is wording about the state contract and way zero and the lawyers are debating it. I'd be happy to forward you the draft tomorrow morning if you'd like to see
the draft of the way zero, but it's not it's not final now. There is a redline version that has gone to way zero from our town council and they should be responding. They were on vacation for two weeks which really the way zero
legal team so we really had to wait and they didn't get back into the office until sep um July 7th. So our first email was actually today from them. Okay. All right. So way zero is the purple bag. The grant is the grant from
the state the 62 or 64k that we signed in December, right? That is um a a grant if you use the purple bags for two years. Last year was the first year. this
coming year is the next the second year of that grant and all of those grant funds are transferred to the enterprise account. So the select board hasn't kept any of that money even though there were tax funds involved for FY25 and the
first year of that grant was for FY25. I just want to make that clear that the entire 62k is going into the inter enterprise fund to support trash pickup in town. Thank you.
I think maybe a clarification too is just why we have to sign these contracts even though it's an enterprise fund because I think that was the question that I got. If it's an enterprise fund, the select board still has to sign the contracts as the executive. That is
because all all contracts for the town. We are the chief executive offic. So even though it is controlled and run by the board of health, we still have to sign. But however, there is on the bylaws that state specifically that when it is
contracts of over $5,000, it needs both board signature, the select board and the board of health. So I just want to start by that for the public, too. Still under your control. We just have to sign the contract financially as executive
and and because of that because we have fiscal responsibility that's why I was looking for the out clause in the trash contract there meetings it is there so I think
it's a 14day in case there aren't enough funds in the enterprise fund to cover trash pickup And I I at least would think that when people are signing up for the sticker, they should understand what they're
signing up for. So just a clarification because um our board member Mr. Arsenal had shared um as an idea that if by a projection of six months if the program doesn't work
then we would end up returning the monies. Correct. Is is that possible? Is that a thing? So according to some search that Carla did about um the enterprise account since it the nature of the enterprise account
that any um any negatives if we can put it this way will be rolled out for the next fis for the ne for the next year and again since we are still assessing and evaluating what is coming in and so
forth we just that is that is And as you know, that's how the enterprise is created because we just can't like at the middle just say it doesn't work and we we we we return the people's money. We have to that that
deficit will have to roll over on the next year. Correct, Carla? Yes, that is correct. And if that's the case, how is that deficit going to be paid when everybody finds out that they're going to pay 125, which is actually because the contract goes up a
h 100,000 for the next year, they're not only going to be paying 125, they're going to be paying an extra 100 on top of that. So 225 plus an additional amount for the deficit. And I'm saying this because we don't have money in the
tax levy to cover the deficits in that account. So I think that you guys really need to talk about that because my vote would be to to cancel it out at that point. Sure, you can run a deficit, but is it realistic?
Um I think you have to think about that. And I think if people find out in May that we don't have enough to pay Shaw the next year because unlike there are people that seem to think oh you know if we had gotten all that money we'd have over a million in a year. Doesn't work
like that because that money gets paid out as you're going along. Didn't work that way for the 25 years of trash in town. That money came in and that money went out. it wasn't sitting in an account earning interest and it won't be doing that this time either because the
monies are coming in and the monies are going out and and because of that um it's very possible depending on a lot of dependings how many people sign up how much the um tipping is cost there
are a lot of moving pieces meaning we don't know what X is and we can't define it ahead ahead of time. We can only make projections and some projections are such that we run out of money. So are people do
people understand that should when April comes if there is not enough money to pay for May and June that they will need to find a different way or you guys are going to need to be asking for more money at that point to cover it for the
rest of the time. I think you need to think about I'm not looking for answers. I I am very positive and Carla can attest can attest that we've been having long and long lines of people coming to the board of health and at least less than two people are saying that they
don't want to be part of the program. But everybody that Carla has been in contact with that has been coming to to subscribe to the program. everybody is happy with what we're proposing and I am very confident that we will be able to
to get this running. So I I think it can start out okay, but I think you can also I'm positive on it. I think it's good. I don't think it's a bad thing. Um, but I want to be
realistic about it because if it if the projections are such and you can make your, you know, your givens and do some work on that and and say, "Okay, we know we're going to need this and we're going
to have to have this amount of money at this point." Um, and and the whatifs. I think that's what we're gonna focus not only on on your your calculation. We're also going to focus on the what if this does not and we're going to get to it before it gets too late.
And and I think people need to be aware of everybody's coming in signing up. That's cool. That's great. Do we have a count? Do we know how many have signed up so far? She does. Yes. And what is that number? Carla's I don't remember off the top of my head today. Well, there's Carla. Paula, did you want
to say something? Yes, I have several comments. I'm confused over Veronica's comment that it's 125 this year and then it's going to be another 100 the following year. I I I don't understand where where that that
came out, but it is our goal to have because the municipal dumpsters all throughout town will not be counted as trash for the residents as well as recycling for the people who have gone private but still put their recycling
out at the curb because the current contract allows that. that the tonnage and the recycling tonnage and the trash tonnage will be diminished incredibly in order for us to make this program affordable. As Christian said, we don't
have a crystal ball. We h are creating a database that has very detailed information and I am personally meeting with each person to give them the stickers so I can assure them that all their questions are answered. And I know
it's difficult for the people to come into the office, but it's imperative that they feel comfortable and confident in this program. And every person who has come in has signed up except for one person who had 16 people in our family. And I advised her that it was not
cost-effective for her. So it's it's overwhelmingly we we have approximately 400 people that have signed up. We um not everyone who has signed up has paid. Some people sign up and then they say, "I'll pay when I get the sticker." And
that's fine. We're logging in. We're also asking them where is the sticker being placed. So on the day of the week, Tuesday through Friday, I will be able to hand a holler the list of everyone who has signed up and where their stickers are because some people are not
placing it on their trash or recycling receptacle. They're putting it on their mailbox. And what we want to make sure is that the trash is not interrupted Labor Day weekend when it could possibly be very hot. We want the transition to be smooth. Another reason why there's a
twomonth extension which the town has also the board of health has absorbed the municipal dumpsters for the two months. So, I appreciate what you're doing, but the board of health is also working as a whole to create this
program that's affordable and accessible to the community. And the uh we're opening up the office on Saturdays from 10:00 to 12:00 to make sure that people who cannot get there 9 to5 I am available. And it's just been a very
positive response. Monday I had over 107 phone calls. I am averaging about 75 a day right now and it is a constant run. There is a line but people are okay. They just have
questions and that's why I feel that it's very important this first year that I can be there to explain any questions and make them feel safe and comfortable. Thank you. Thank you. Any other questions?
We certainly want it to succeed. We supported it. So, I already paid for my sticker. We We just have to protect the town if in fact it doesn't because we do not have money in general government to
cover the trash. I don't think any of our questions should be taken as against the program. It's not. It's just fiscal responsibility. And I think I speak with uh on behalf of my board members, but I think that we understand the board of health understands the responsibility of
the select board on this matter. But um but but also keep joining team efforts because I mean look at the numbers that Kyler had mentioned on the people and and and the
money's coming in too. So I mean it's just we don't I mean the bo the board of health doesn't have any issues with the select board whatsoever but um what the board of health wants is that we select
b we board of health and select team select uh select board work as a team together because I mean it's our town and and we are not we don't feel we're not in this is not a war zone and and
and and we don't have any animosity but um it's at some point it has been tough for the border health because we at least I can say that we we felt that at some point we were not um we we didn't have we we didn't receive that
encouragement from from the select at some point because of the questions but I understand and we understand the responsibility that the select board has with the town and at and we we we want and we know that this is going to work
and if it's it's not going to work as um Mr. Arsenal said we are going to address it with sufficient time and we will come to this table and talk about it with you people. Well, we're going to think positively
that you are going to work and and you end up having an overage of money in theory. In theory, I mean, yes, this should take off and it should do what they expect. Okay. In theory. Yes. In theory, of course, it should. But, you know, things do happen and
and we support that. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. So, don't fail. We'll try. Okay. Thank you very much for having the joint meeting with us. We appreciate you guys. Can I get a motion to adjourn tonight's meeting? I will make a motion to
adjourn. Uh, who second it? Paul, do you want to second? Yeah, he second that. Okay. All in favor say I. I. Roll call. Roll call. Dr. Christian Roman. You'll have to unmute Paul,
please. Do I have to? No, Paul does. Paul does. Oh, I'm sorry. It's to roll call votes to adjourn. I don't know why he's getting trouble. Okay. Uh, roll call to adjour tonight's
meeting. Okay. Can we take that? Yes, we can take it. Call us. Here you go. I just got it to work. Okay. Okay. State your name and your name. Charles Pauline
and I second that to adjourn. Okay. And all in favor say by your name I second. Okay. Dr. Christian speaking chairman
and we adjour tonight's meeting at 6:20 p.m. Thank you. Thank you. It was a roll call. Paul did state I'll take a motion to adjourn the SL at 6
second discussion hearing none call calendar thank you have a good night trading spaces we're a little late board. That's right. We We do not have a forum.
So, we're here information we don't have a I don't believe we do. Okay. So, can we just then we just don't vote but we can get the information. We do and we have Joe from MRPC here who
has a presentation prepared to give. So, we don't have to call the joint meeting. We don't forum. So, um, all right. Uh, Andrew, do you want to, uh, introduce who's going to be speaking to us? Sure. So, Andrew Shepard, chair of the planning board. Thank you guys for
having us. Appreciate it. Push court, planning board. And tonight we have on the screen, uh, Joseph Bole, who is with MRPC. He's been working with us, it feels like forever, Joe. Um, but I believe at least like the past year. and he has a presentation
planned tonight to discuss the progress we've made on the MBTA Communities Act and what we prepared thus far. Okay. Good evening everybody. Uh good evening select board members. It's uh nice to be meeting you and good evening to the
planning board. It's nice to see you all again. Um as uh the chair described, I've been working with the planning board for the past uh it's about year and a half actually. I went back through the documents and I first met with you in the fall of 23, if you can believe it.
Um, so I uh I I don't actually have a uh visual presentation. I'm uh here to provide a narrative for where we've been going, describe provide a description of the bylaw. um you have uh you've had the documents to go over and uh I wanted to
make myself available just to um answer any questions uh about uh the process, the district, the bylaw and how we got there. So, uh, to begin with, after the, uh, Commonwealth passed the housing bond bill, which included the MBTA
Communities Act in 2022, MRPC worked with, uh, communities uh, to develop um, a compliance plan, a plan for how they were going to uh, bring their zoning into compliance with the new law. Um the new law, the MVTA communities act
requires communities to adopt a multif family zoning district in which multif family zoning is allowed by right uh at a density of uh 15 units per acre and the size of that district for a
community uh like Townsend which is a called an abuing an adjacent small town uh because you but Fitsburg which has a uh a commuter rail station in it. Uh is your uh so towns in towns positioned are
required to have a district which is large enough to fit 5% of the town's total housing units uh in in the district at the density of 15 units per acre. For Townsend that came
out to I believe it's 137 units and We worked uh and uh Towns and came and so Towns and working with the MRPC before I came on developed a compliance plan to uh choose
a district and develop a uh develop a bylaw um present it to the community and have it passed a town meeting. Now initially if I can get this up and then share the town has been considering throughout
this process three locations. You can see on this map uh you can see this is route 13 here and the three locations were district one which is uh in mostly inside your outlying
commercial district down by the town line. Uh this is old city road here. District 2 was further down Old City Road and District 3 is uh much further up Route 13 uh in uh about halfway to
the center of town. Uh after some back and forth uh the the uh district 2 was eliminated pretty quickly. Um, it was considered to have a too much neighborhood impact and b to only be
accessible off of winding narrow old city road. Um, that was uh the the board decided that uh that one could be pretty easily eliminated. So then um the board considered both of the both of these districts um went back and forth between
them but ultimately came to the decision that district 1 would be the preferred location. Um it would have less uh less neighborhood impact. Um it was uh not as in intimately with existing um single
family neighborhoods. Um and it could and it was decided that this could work during this same process. Uh during the same time we were also working to develop the bylaw which you've had um made available to you. Um it's pretty
standard for what for what communities are doing allowing density and whatnot allowing multif family densities. But there is one um innovative choice that the uh community that the planning board um decided to pursue which was to not
only allow um multif family housing at a density of 15 units up to 15 units an acre by right but to also allow a what we were calling a second ramp for developers. uh they are allowed to build the multif family if they want. But this
bylaw also makes single family homes and two family homes on 6,000 square foot lots uh by legal uh by right under the zoning just like the multif family. Uh the goal there was a to provide uh to to
get more of a mix in the residential uh um development that is produced. Not to have it be exclusively one thing, one campus of the same multif family housing, but uh provide an option uh so there could be a mix of singles, twos,
small multi and large and multi. Uh this was in particular something that the board was interested in when they were looking at the district 3 site um further north on Fitsburg Road because it had very difficult topography.
And the idea there was to allow uh to to to allow the developed to fit in housing as they could. Can I ask a question? Certainly. Yes. I am here for that time. When you're talking about that second ramp, the zoning you're referring to is
only within the um district that we're discussing for MBTA communities. Yes. Yes, ma'am. Yes. Okay. Correct. It doesn't have a direct, right? Only that district. Thank you. I want to interject really quickly. Uh it's actually 178 units.
178. I apologize. I'm doing more than one town at a time. Uh yes, but yours is 178. Uh the um one more thing, Joe, he can elaborate on it a little bit more, but I know there were other locations as well that were
considered I think in early very early on and not all of those came to us as a much larger number of sites that were considered. Yes, those which uh this that was before I came on, but I understand those were very quickly eliminated. And these three
that I'm that the districts 1, 2, and three that I shared before were what was left after all of those others were eliminated. So, um because this district is drawn is in your in a commercial this is an
overlay district. Okay. Uh an overlay district. Uh um uh briefly the underlying zoning still applies. developers are allowed to uh uh property owners and developers are allowed uh to
have all of the rights they have under their underlying zoning uh the underlying uh outlying commercial district zoning if they wanted to build commercial. But this also uh but the overlay uh zoning gives them additional rights to uh build multif family and as
well as single and small lot single and two family uh zoning as well. So they get to choose if they want to go in one direction or another. Now in drawing this district, Joe, can we reiterate that it is an excuse?
So if they wanted to build a mixeduse building with some commercial as well as residential, it could be done. Yes, it could be done drawing on they'd be drawing on both. uh the commercial element would be allowed by the outline commercial district zoning and the
residential element would be allowed by the uh multif family overlay. Yeah. And yeah, so the the and we are down to the piece that's on the Lunberg line. I'm sorry I can't hear you very well.
A little louder. Down to the piece that's on the Lunberg line. Uh it is almost to the Lunberg line. There's a narrow strip, but it is uh almost on the townline. Um because it's
zoned outline commercial, we wanted to protect the commercial um development potential of this. We didn't want your commercial land to be all taken up with residential. So the shape of the zone
uh which I can bring bring up if you like uh is in the back the front almost all of the frontage along Fitsburg Road uh is uh outside of
the overlay district so that it is still just the outlying commercial district and then it's the area behind it is will be the overlay district uh as you can see on the map that's include that was included in your
packet. Uh with one extension going out to the road. Um the goal there was to make sure that the residential uh uh residential project that was built there had both a front door directly from the main road on Route 13 and wasn't
dependent entirely on Old City Road to be uh uh for all of its access for all of the units. Um, so that's where that pork chop lot pork chop shape comes from. It's uh an attempt to ma to maintain the maximum commercial
development potential on this lot on the most desirable commercial land up front while allowing the residential development behind it. Can you tell me how many how many total acres this is?
Uh, yes. Just one moment. I can pull up the I'm not seeing it in here, but it may be. Yes, it's not on that. But let me share this with you. And in producing these MBTA communities
bylaws and districts, the state uh analyzes them using what's called the compliance model. It's basically a fancy um Excel spreadsheet in which they have a certain amount of uh uh equations already drawn in so that they can anal
and it uses GIS data um to uh look at the shapes and come up with a model of how many units are uh can realistically be produced in the district. So let me share that with you as useful information there on the summary page.
Um, so the total district acreage is just a little bit over 12. Okay. And the uh and it models out to just over your required number to 183
units. Okay. while I'm sh So al other information um on here is you see it works out to the 15 units per acre um on your on your 12 units
your minimum capacity is 178 and this models out to 183. So that's the size of the district. Um you have you have the shape of the district uh um um in the in the documents we shared
and the other reasoning behind this uh parcel is because town water will be eventually going down there and town water is required. [Music] So, um this district and bylaw
were then were submitted to um for pre- adoption review to the MBTA communities office at the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. That's the new name of DHCD. and uh um for
their review and I expect we will be getting a response to them within a week. Um however we had previously when the when the planning board was looking at uh the
district 3 up further on route 13 had um uh submitted uh pre-approval application and but then ended up withdrawing it uh and in the meantime I have and however it had been there long
enough that I had been in that we'd been in communication with um the uh MBTA office and they were able to give us their feedback and uh they liked the bylaw. Um they uh there were there were only only uh uh there was only minimal
feedback um which is largely because I'd been in communication with them throughout the process and uh asking about uh different proposals and ideas uh about what went in. So, uh, I feel conf So, we resubmitted with the
new district. There were only minimal changes made to the bylaw, um, since they had last had a crack at it and and those changes that were requested, I was able to communicate with them via email uh, to get their sense. So, I'm feeling
confident that they are going to like this bylaw and going to like this district. I have a quick question. Are other towns also doing that ramp to single within or is that uh Westminster is?
Um other towns in your position? Uh let's see. Ashham was considering it if they were going to go with a uh with a a district like this, an outlying undeveloped piece of land, but they chose instead to go
with a district that's actually in their little downtown. And so that didn't that that reasoning didn't really apply. But um yeah, Westminster intends to do it. And what's more, I have gotten the um the thumbs up
from from from DHCD. They think that this is very they they think that Townsend is uh being very they're very pleased with you. They're pleased with this town. They think that there's creative solutions. you're working, you've been working in good faith to create a good district that meets that
meets the requirements and uh you know and they like what they've been hearing. Where we go from here? I'm sorry if there are any more questions about the um uh I can take those about the bylaw or district and if not I can start talk uh where the
process goes from here. Okay. So, like I said, we are waiting to hear back from them just to make sure that what we've got is go everything we've got is going to be acceptable. Doesn't need any last minute changes. Um when that come when there uh when that
comes back and depending on what changes there are uh I I get those done. Those then go to the plan go the planning board would then vote to submit that to you to the uh the select board.
And it then becomes your process for putting a zoning amendment and a zoning map amendment onto your uh onto your town meeting. Uh that's coming up this onto your fall town meeting. Um that
process typically involves you sending it back to the planning board for a public hearing. They then hold their hearing and go back to you for a recommendation. Um there there is a time requirement for that. Now you're
required to be in compliance to have passed at town meeting this bylaw by December. Uh and dis based on discussions with the um the uh planning board. Um yes. When you say December, do you mean
December 1st or December 30th? December 31st. So we have yes we have till the end of the year. January 1st is your due date. Um they had wanted to schedule a fall town meeting early enough that if anything
goes wrong it could be brought back up before the end of the year and that schedule brought them to September. And so they're looking for a public hearing uh from the uh planning board
um at least 30 at least 30 days before that before the the September um uh town meeting date in order to uh meet the uh the zoning requirements for advertising and public hearings uh for zoning
amendments. Can I ask there's a set of dates a timeline in the materials. Um, so June 18th, you made that deadline, correct? Um,
September 18th, 2025. Uh, that's when they'll have it back to you for review. Well, that's they in their in their they give themselves 90 days from when we submit it. Uh they they have to come back with a response
within 90 days. That's their requirement. Not a 30-day review period. Okay. Right. They've been working faster than that though. They understand that time is tight and that uh communities have these deadlines and they and and they told they they've been saying to
communities and saying to me, "Let us know what your time constraints are and we will do our best to get back to um to get back to communities." Um that was uh Townsen's was submitted one week after
um Ashurnhams. I just got a response back about Ashham that they're finishing up their review and they want to have one final talk. So, I feel like you're about one week behind them and would and I expect to
hear back from uh the office about towns in probably next week. Could you go over these dates and tell us whether they're realistic or not and what they stand for? Uh let me pull that up and I will just one moment
and and what we as the select board should be looking for to approve and to make sure we have a fully seated joint meeting with you guys. So I'm just confused because these dates I mean it looks like yesterday it should have gone
to legal review July 14th 2025. I'm confused. So just go over these dates. Uh sure. Just let me open those dates. I'm sorry. It's taking a minute taking me a moment to get here. Do you want to chime in on that? Um,
sure. Yeah, because I'm actually Yeah, I'm the one who actually put those dates on there. Um, and I don't have it in front of me, but um, I put the date that the pre-approval application was submitted by Andrew and
Mr. oil and that was June 18th. Um, I put a 30-day review like the ultimate day if they were to wait 30 days that would have been into September before we got a response. But as Mr. Bole said, we don't expect that
to be the case. It should be coming along within the next week. But I put that in front of you as a worst case scenario. Um the other date was um Nelson and I received um an email from town council with an offer from um the
attorney general to take a look at uh a legal review of the bylaw noting that they had you know they noted that we were working towards compliance and that we were still not there. Um and so that went in yesterday I think it was. Um, I
sent it to Margaret Hurley uh at the attorney general's office. Um, Margaret did respond and said she would, you know, give us some feedback as soon as possible. So, I don't know what that means, but uh, at least we know it's in
in her um in her good hands. Um beside that um you know looking at a late September special town meeting um would give the planning board plenty of time uh to hold a public hearing. It doesn't have to be 30 days before that town
meeting. It's that statutoily it has you know it should be maybe two weeks is fine. It doesn't it could be the night before but it it's not recommended. So, you know, if you could set the meeting date sometime late September, uh the
planning board could hold a public hearing a couple weeks before and that's it. Yes, these yes, these the these uh deadlines are realistic. We we we um fully expect to be able to
meet all of them because uh the MBTA community's office has been uh responding so quickly to these reviews. Um the uh the legal review from from the town council would be a nice uh thing to
have. um it would always be helpful but um if it is not time uh timely and forthcoming it's not strictly necessary the review from uh the MBTA community's office is really the one that uh
compliance depends on um and they're unlike and I feel like the attorney general's office is really going to follow their lead on these I realize that we're that being a town towns will be submitting it
to both DA uh EOHLC and uh the attorney general for review. But it's clear, it's become clear as I've been working on these that it's really EOHLC that's taking the lead on on review of the bylaws on enforcement. It's really the attorney
general that's taking the lead. Hopefully, we won't get into any sort of enforce enforcement discussion because we won't need to. For people listening, can you just tell them what EOCC is? Yes. It's what used to be the Department of Housing and Community Development,
DHCD, is now the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. Thank you. Any other questions? Um, so once this comes back, how will the planning board be getting this out
to the community for review? I guess I mean that seems to be the infinite problem for any board or committee. Sure. And it seems to unfortunately really come to fruition at town meeting when people first be a public hearing.
So we will have a public hearing. Um we will try to share it digitally uh for those that have those resources and connections. Um we can put out flyers. Um maybe put out info at the senior center and the library. We can do that. We can get the most traffic spots.
Yeah. Um public forum eventually. We did look at um we we were talking about I'm not sure uh if we've settled on anything, but doing a public forum uh having anformational session on it
like in August if everything's back ready. Late August maybe. I don't know. Yeah. So, I mean, we're open to doing, you know, just getting as much information out there to be accessible for folks. So, originally, uh, when I first heard
about this, some dates were floated for the special town, uh, meeting. Um, originally it was actually around September 15, 16, and 17. Looks like I think it's been suggested that we push it out clear. I haven't I
didn't suggest those dates because I don't know about them for town council or the town moderator. Um I don't think we we necessarily need to decide on a date at the moment for I don't think so, but I think it's good to have a target. here.
And it looks like we're looking at two special town meetings because we're going to need one to do this and then we're going to need one to set the tax date to um certified protection and well I guess we don't need a meeting for that but there may be other things
that we need a meeting for. Well, I think there was something about one is it it would be good to have certified free cashache for um clear gov software to get that
free cash isn't certified until November, December. December. So, it's usually early December. It needs to be certified before Yeah, it is too late. So we would have but we would have a seven month in case there would be issues here to get it to
pass another. So I think September 23rd the 30th I would I like the 30. So I think we should shoot for that and hope that everything comes back from the
state and time. Um I will need to talk to town council and town moderator to see if they are available because when I spoke to those those dates before as well suggested it's not a big deal but I just want to make sure that they
would I think especially educating people that the single family part of it so they understand that dates before just based on board very contentious but certainly looking
at other ones that have been built for the public. We're looking for more variety. So it's possible that the 25th or the 30th time the select board meeting
uh I think the Tuesday the 20 the 23rd or the 30th of September on Tuesday we moved our September meeting to the 24th for some reason yeah we couldn't do the 23rd
when we were doing select board case a few weeks ago. Um, so we I think the 30th is open. 30th. We have a select board meeting that day. We have one that day, too. Yeah, we at least it's on my calendar. I
don't have time on it. So, we're good there. But I have the we put the 24th and we put the 30th. Do you have that, too, Val? I didn't have the 30th, but I had the 2nd and the 24th.
So, uh, do you think that, um, Beth, do you think that we're good with the 30th? Will that fit the time frame? Yes. Be perfect. Yeah. And then you can do public hearing two weeks before. We can join that too.
Yep. Also check on the high school and see if the high school is available. Oh, okay. Only because it's nicer there. Okay. I can check on that. So, the select board, you guys next meet
on July 30. So, conceivably at that point, we could um set all the timelines, you know, when you open the warrant, when it's closed, when the when for the 30th, when the actual meeting is. So, you can
probably set all that if everything goes well. at your next meeting. Okay. All right. Did you get that? I have a motion here. So, it's a suggested motion for the
select board. Um, as a more symbolic, I believe, than anything. Um, what's the motion? We can do it as long as we don't have to have you. Yeah. Because you're not open. Yeah.
Yeah. [Music] Do you want to show Is there a motion? Um, I make a motion to support the planning process for compliance chapter 4A
section 3A zoning law MBT community act. move that the town select board formally acknowledge and endorse endorses the planning board's diligent efforts and progress to date in achieving compliance with MGL chapter 4A section 3A zoning law commonly referred to as the MBTA
communities act. Furthermore, this board expresses its support for the next steps including placing the zoning the proposed zoning amendments on the warrant for the special town meeting scheduled for September 30th, 2025 for approval by the voters. The final deadline for the town's compliance is
December 31st, 2025. So second, um I would second with one thing. I would say tenatively scheduled for September 30th so that Nelson has time to check and make sure everybody's available
and and I will second that. Second Any further discussion? Hearing none very much. Good night. Good night. Good night. I don't know if my microphone's on.
Oh, it was on for a minute. Sorry. So now we're at 653. So can I just indicate one more thing? There's an important sheet here about at risk grant funding if we are not in compliance. Yes, that is true that everybody should
on the planning board thing. Well, no, just for Oh, yes. This should be a that should be on the website actually. Yeah, it should be because that's been the case ever since we started, right?
Um I just want to bring up um the the schedule for the rest of the night. We do have two executive sessions. The first one is starting in six minutes and we still have um um agenda items on the
the open portion of tonight's meeting. So, I think what we'll probably have to do is um go into executive session, finish both of them, adjourn that, and then come back into open session to finish things
up. Sorry. Um so, TCAM, at 7 o'clock, we are going to suspend the open meeting. We're going to go into executive session um finish uh executive sessions and then
we'll come back into the uh open meeting. Um it's probably going to take at least an hour for both sessions. So um I think you have to be on standby
uh for a little bit until we're ready. So should we go okay with TCAM? And since we're going into what seems to be a long meeting, is it okay if we all
just take a quick stop? Make the motion to go into executive. Which first do make the motion to go to executive at this point or take a break and then [Music]
Okay, we're um going into this meeting at approximately 7 6:56 p.m. for the executive session pursuant to open meeting law chapter 3A section 21A
1 to discuss the reputation character fiscal conditional mental health rather than professional competence of an individual or to discuss the discipline or dismissal of or complaints or charges brought against a public officer,
employee, staff member or individual. Um at the same time and 6.2 to executive session pursuant to open meeting law chapter 30 section 21 A3 to discuss strategy with respect to
the collective bargaining of an open meeting if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and to and the chair so declares clerical union supervisors union highway
water police union fire Um, sorry. Are you guys in um executive session now? Do I need to like leave or something or We're just going into and calling it. You'll be So, so Tom, what Yeah, we are going to
be going into executive session in a few minutes. So, what we are going to do is we're going to leave this meeting. Um you're just going to pause the recording and then um maybe in about an hour or so we'll come back into the the the open
meeting um for the select board. He has to exit the whole thing, not just pause the recording. Okay. Yeah. So you just need to um What's that? We have to vote. No, I understand that.
I'm just I'm explaining to to how they're supposed to do it. So no, there is there is but has nothing to do with TCA. So So uh Tom, do you understand uh how the sequence of events is going?
So, am I pausing or am I just leaving the whole meeting and have to bring it back up or something? Um, can we pause and we just are out of it here? Let me see. I Yeah, I you you can pause
recording on your end, right? Yes. Yeah. So, just hit pause and then once we're ready, we'll uh we'll come and get you or we'll signal you somehow. Everybody has to exit the meeting though or everybody who's
not just pausing the recording. No, we have a separate Zoom link for the executive session. So, sure. No, no, no. We we are definitely leaving the executive. if you want to go to un.
Um, so Tom, you uh you're just going to be pausing the meeting on your end. So, let's uh So, we are now at 7:00. Do I have a vote to go into the executive session as read?
I la. Thank you, Tom. Good evening everyone. Thank you for still hanging in there. We have resumed our select board meeting at 9:24 p.m. on July 15th, 2025. We are
under four meeting business 4.1 discuss override tier 4. Just a reminder that our override ballot is July 29th. Yeah. Um and the override just to reiterate what we voted on at the annual
town meeting is for 258,827 and that is general government 27,619 public safety 138,44 highway and streets 63,395 human services 13,886
6 culture and recreation 15,523 as was voted on at the special town meeting. And um if that override does not pass, we will begin negotiations on salary, wage, and benefit reductions
with the unions. We discuss that we're moving forward from board to the next meeting and media relations policy also meeting that too right
yes meeting um 46 collaborative I just you'll have a draft letter that I just did should be 4.6 six
maybe. I know it's in here. I've seen it. So, I can read through it. Any thoughts, questions? I can read it out loud. I think you should read it out loud. Read it out loud.
I have wanted to try to get with the other select board members. Yeah. And I hope this is the first step. Yeah. So, um, this is to the PEL select board and to the Ashby select board. Dear
fellow North Sex School select board members, we hope this finds you well and that you're enjoying the summer. The purpose of this letter is to extend an open invitation intended to initiate discussions between our boards in the upcoming years about the potential for collaborative efforts within our region.
As a group of towns bound by geography and regional school district, it may be possible for us to provide opportunities for efficiency and cost savings that benefit our municipal employees, community, and residents. The potential for partnerships across our towns could allow for things such as
shared resources and expertise, improved service quality, collective problem solving, and innovative solutions to current fiscal strains, regional and economic development. As we exit FY25 and enter planning and goal setting for FY27, we welcome all discussions about
the potential benefits of collective efforts across departments as existing municipal partners in education. There may be other areas that can benefit from that same cooperation. Thank you for your time and consideration and support.
The only thing that I would um I mean do we need to ask for a response? uh what's what's the next step for those select boards? That's the only thing that I think I'd like to have an inerson meeting with them.
They were open, you know, could we, you know, suggest meeting sometime in se late August or something like that? Mid August. um mid August whenever
second week in September or something like that, you know, put a time in there for them getting back to us or otherwise it might just get lost. Yeah. But I think it's good to hear from you and I think we should um send it and
sign. We would love to hear from you with potential meeting dates in late August or or you know sometime in mid August to midepptember or something like that. Yeah. Um, and once I finish this, I'll just leave it. Does everybody want to sign it or stamp?
Uh, yes. Stamp or sign. Either way is fine. Stamp or sign. So, do we need a motion to send the letter with Go ahead. Um, I'd like to make a motion to send a letter to the Pepper and Ashby select boards regarding um joint efforts for
collaboration um to be signed out of session. I would second that. Okay. Thank you very much. Roll call. [Music] Thank you.
No, I think they were going to take care of that. Oh, the animals. Um, it has the red correction. You were going to read it and the corrections. Yep. I have a clean copy, so it's not as
distracting. Would that help? I'll take that. You know, [Music] it would be bad, I guess. Yeah, that's the correct thing. Would you like me to make a first reading of
the animals and public policy? And can I ask a question? Is this an update then? Um, this is updated. So under this would be policy 07209.
It replaces policy 07209. So this would be policy whatever the number 20 25 replace the first reading Right. Yeah. And it's the first reading.
So, um it'll be read at the next reading again. And the dates of course on the bottom will be changed. Number 0625. So basically it just added that
authorized police dogs. So do you want to read it because it changes words too? Yeah. Okay. Um so this is select word policy 6 2025 animals in public buildings. purpose. The town of Townsen is
responsible for assuring the health and safety of all employees and members of the public who either work in or visit our municipal buildings. Animals may pose a threat or may cause allergic reactions. Some individuals may also be distracted by the presence of animals,
particularly dogs. Policy. The town of Townsland does not permit employees or visitors to bring animals into municipal buildings other than service animals as defined herein or authorized police dogs, canines in service with the towns and police department.
An employee or visitor who requires help of the service animal as defined by federal regulation in 28 CFR 36.104 104. Quote, "Any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for
the benefit of an individual with a disability," unquote, will be permitted to bring a service animal into municipal building, provided that the animals presence does not create a danger to others and does not impose an undue hardship upon the town's employees for
operations. Therapy or comfort animals are not considered service animals and are likewise prohibited unless they are brought into a town building with express authorization by the select board or its design as a part of a town
sponsored program. Sounds good to me. Yeah. Motion for the second reading on July 30th, 2025. Second. Any more discussion?
Roll call. Thank you 4.8. That's the sign. Yes. Do you want to take that? Um, yeah. This is the uh deed for the um
the parcels that were transferred in the May 2022 town meeting from the um town of towns into the affordable housing trust. And so the certificate of vote is here so that you can see what was in the town
meeting. That's a certified um certificate of vote and the deed is a quick claim deed which is for the parcels that were transferred via the vote and all we need to do is sign on the
back. So we need a motion to accept um to sign the deed and we can do that out of session if you want. And it needs to be notorized. So, yeah. And then we also
need um the certificate of vote. So, um so the motion would be to move that the select would convey as authorized by article 22 of the towns and special town meeting the following properties shown on the sisters map as
to the towns and affordable trust. All is described in pursuant to set article 22. Um, I hereby move that this board convey as authorized by article 22 of the towns and special town meeting of May 3rd,
2022, the following properties shown on the assessor's maps as follow as parcel 34740, parcel 3480, parcel 10520, parcel 1070,
parcel 255, one parcel 28570 to the towns and affordable housing trust all as described in pursuant to said article 22 second
discussion hearing none call Veronica I motion and that was to sign out of session this has to do with um
Yeah. So, we'll have to come in and get this to him. Yeah. Would you discuss approved contracts? So, uh, Vadar is the accounting software that we use here in town to do all our
accounting. Um, it is a new three-year contract with them. So, it's something that's paid out of the treasur's office. this uh software. I'm just looking for
you to give me a list. Did you get authorization to sign? But um has this been seen by council? It has not. So motion
how how does the treasure like the software and is this the first contract with the software? Yeah. Is this new one? This is what we use for everything pretty much for
um down in the treasurer and accounting office. This is how all the monies get tracked, everything. Yep. uh the budget um all the various uh
cabinet budgets all the special yeah you're usually either a betar system there's another system that gets used there's two systems typically used in the state is the big one is the other one so
you're either a betar shop or a mun And we are a vadar sh. Is there a motion? I'll make a motion to um allow the town administrator to sign the betar contract pending um
town council review out of session. I will second that. Any further discussion? Roll call. I try. Okay. Hope you can discuss potential hiring.
Um, do you want me to start? I just think it would be wise given the fiscal situation that we just pause on hiring until we know the result of the
um of the uh 29th vote. That's all. And so I would pause until our meeting on the 30th. I think that any positions that are vacant, we just hold up on. Um, is there a motion?
Um, I would make a motion to enact a temporary hiring freeze until the results of the ride are certified. I will second that. Okay. So that's our discussion that after the override
vote we will meet and our options right and we are meeting on the 30th. So just so everybody knows we're going to address it right away. Uh roll call to um
freeze any hiring until after the vote for a good 411 uh special town election warrant. So uh the the warrant for this needs to be
reviewed by town council. you guys need to sign it and then it gets posted at various locations by um the police department. Um currently the
um warrant language is with town council for their review. So, I think you guys should make a motion to um sign the warrant out of session pending town council.
Yeah. Because when does it have to be posted? Uh no later than the 22nd, one week before the election. And more likely than not, it'll be posted later this week. So, we have to sign.
Okay, we'll discuss. Um motion I make a motion to accept the sorry sign to sign the warrant for the special town election pending town council approval out of session.
I will second that. Okay. And if anybody needs to, they will let Sabrina know to use their stamp. So call Veronica Kell I 412 status update on grants.
Uh could we possibly move this to another meeting to discuss? Okay. Yeah. Okay. Can we do that on the I mean 30th? I do want to know, but this is the last
I don't think everything's here. I think the Oh, yeah, it is. It's just teeny teeny. Okay. July 30th. Okay. So, that's going on July 30th. Discuss.
Did you discuss a former assistant town accountant's request to wave professional development expenses? So, um the the former assistant time contract had language in it that
uh if we paid for professional development expenses and that individual left within two years of us paying for those expenses. Um they will have to uh the town could recoup those expenses.
Um, those expenses total $1,800 at the moment and they are requesting that the select. Yes. Yes, it was. So, I think I think the options are you
can wave all of it. some of it or none of it. It is up to the select board to make that decision. But yes, according to the signed contract, um you know, the town
could recoup those expenses. Yeah. Didn't they also give money that wasn't in the contract, but was just like a handshake between Eric and Oh, it wasn't a handshake. No, it was it was in writing. It was in writing. Yeah. Yeah.
Yeah. That that was there. But are we motioning or discussing or what are we doing? Your pleasure. Discuss with motion. And maybe I should let everybody else
talk because I was on the board when this contract was signed. I mean, I don't know. I don't have a lot of history on this. Um, I from what I understand, this person
was starting to take over more duties from the accountant. So, and I don't know if they were being compensated for those increased responsibilities or not. That was the um that was the agreement
between why Eric gave the increase. So she the assistant town accountant went from like I don't know step two to step 12 or do you know the exact um on the scale in in that one year. So
the contract was written. I need to go to the contract which I believe is up now. Oh, I have it in my I have it in my bag. The contract was um written such that we didn't have an accountant and we were
having difficulty hiring one. It was an 11step job. Um and yes and so we um uh the assistant town accountant was working for the highway department and subbing in to this office in Sabrina's
job for a period of time because we needed the help when we couldn't hire an accountant. And around the same time that Melissa was hired we were also posted for an accountant and we interviewed and we tried twice to hire. we had an interim accountant in place.
Um, and so the interim accountant was had been there like a year and said, "Yeah, I'm out." And so we hired um Markham, who wasn't Markham at the time, or maybe was. Anyway, we hired the people. We
hired them and they were in place during the time that we were trying to hire. And finally, we decided that we would grow our own accountant. And so, um, the wording for professional development, you can see it here at the
bottom, number nine. And, um, and it and so we paid for the training that without that training, the assistant town accountant could not have gone to another municipality.
So the sorry it says all tuition and travel expenses will be reimbursed should the assistant town accountant leave employment with the town less than two years after attending courses for which
the town reimburse tuition and travel expenses. The town will recoup the cost of this reimbursement from the assistant town accountant's final paycheck and or unused vacation time. So in other words, we were paying for training for the
position, but we wanted the accountant to stay. The um so the response of the employee was um they made a difficult decision to resign due to the denial of additional
compensation despite taking on substantial additional responsibilities including acting as accountant. So last year in June the addendum was this. So it was moved from step two to step
whatever 13. So that increase was made and did it actually go into fruition? Absolutely. It's why we had to do the municipal transfer of like8 to $10,000
for the accountants assistant accountant salary like last meeting or so we made so that so all last year the contract is written such that the salary increases
in subsequent years. So it was placement on the compensation and classification plan at grade F step two. In the following years it would be receive an annual group performance evaluation one step and then any cost of living
adjustment and we did not change this. So for fiscal year 26 it would have been the same increase that everybody else got in the budget. the um assistant town
accountant requested another $10,000 or so, which would have put that position outside of the wage and wage matrix and the contract was for a step up. And
given the financial s uh in other words we expected after 3 years that it would be a personal services contract similar to what other department heads have. So that's the deal and was that that
10,000 justified in responsibilities increased responsibilities. You you mean what was was proposed and then was well it was it was talked about I believe it was
never memorialized in writing anywhere which I think is where the the issue came into play um maybe it was talked about maybe promised but unless it's actually in writing and signing by everybody
doesn't really matter. Um I do think uh the assistant talent accountant took on more and more responsibilities from the town accountants you know plate. So I I do think in a lot of ways
that increase would have been justified and had a lot of merit to it. But given the financial situation we're in, I think it will be it's tough that we're potentially talking about reductions to wages and salaries and
here we will be giving individual $10,000 increase. Um the optics of that are not very great and we're asking everybody in person services to take a pay cut or we potentially will be. Do you think that
would have resulted in a lower contract with CBiz or um Yeah. Yes. The CBiz contract went down 5,000. Well, we weren't even going to go
with CBiz if the assistant had stayed on. So, that would have been by that contract not being uh it would have only been 5,000. Yeah.
Yeah, but again the financial situation. So there a motion. Um, [Music] make a motion to wave special service development expenses for the former
system. Second discussion. [Music] No, but I feel like abstaining from this one just because I wasn't involved in the discussions around the salary
last for the exact session. Oh, that see I feel like I don't have that information so I don't feel comfortable. discussion. back up the discussion. I may we can
issue so much whether or not the money for the increase was approved as it is a question about whether or not the contract versus the training that was provided which as I understand it is phenomenal.
I think something I I would suggest maybe for halfway. It's not a huge amount. And although I do agree with her, she couldn't have taken that expertise somewhere else
without that training. And so and technically she does owe the town. However, we probably did get $900 worth out of that training. I I would recommend
[Music] I don't know. A contract is a contract. I I could not uh if it was the deal. It was the deal. And I I would agree
that if at the end of this coming fiscal year or even midway through I I would be I would have been happy to re-evaluate come October after we knew what our financial situation was, but we didn't. But the
the deal's done and um and the contract, what does a contract mean if it's not there? I mean I I know I I can talk about you know um high-tech you get a
sign on bonus and you have to stay two years and I know for a fact that if you don't stay those two years you have to pay back the money from the sign on bonus and I see this it's a contract. It's um and it's nice to be nice. I can
appreciate what you're saying and this isn't a a personal thing. It's uh it it was the deal you know we were growing our own accountant and we paid to grow our own accountant but we don't get the benefit of that
right and there was no guarant in our last meeting about that's what we were counting on but instead we're going to use the accounting firm and we're going to end up paying off the same amount of money.
Yeah, we are for the for the two. Um, so in any event, that's just how I feel. Um, I just I Why are we signing any contracts if we aren't going to stick by them is what I
feel. Um, and and it's a small amount of money. That is true. It's not a it's not 20,000. Trust me, sign on bonuses are way bigger than myths that you have to repay. Um, but uh,
I'm sorry, I'm not ask. So, the motion was for the full amount. Would you consider taking up a motion for half the amount? I just remember the executive meeting
and we don't have minutes for that. Oh, well um a contract is a contract and I So we're not taking
unless there's a motion. There is no motion. [Music] That's it. [Music] Have you if the board pleases take 416?
You want to come to the closer? I have it down. I actually may I go ahead and speak I actually would like to and I don't know if this requires any formality or not but I would like to redact the
probationary employee element from the request so that the select board can concentrate on allowing authorization for the town administrator to terminate seasonal employees when required. Uh it
is a low risk um to the town liability wise and um the operational benefit to the rec department um is substantial because by the time if um if it were to be changed and a
termination was required, it would require notification. require a hearing. By the time we're done with all those things, summer rep program is over. Um they're at will employees. Um
unemployment is not usually an issue because they're typically students and so they go to school full time the off season. um that's not a guarantee because this is the state of Massachusetts, but
um they typically wouldn't qualify for that. It's just very low risk and operationally would benefit the rec department. Um so I'd like to concentrate just on the seasonal employee element of the request. Cemetery and parks also have
seasonal. Doesn't the water department have seasonal? They have interns. Yes. But Cemeterian Park does have seasonal um and does this apply to interns in the water department? I mean
I go ahead you guys can talk. No, you can go ahead. Um, we can't just make this about the No, we can't. They can't be students, right?
All right. My thoughts are all hiring and firing needs to go through the select board. I don't know what happened with the town clerk, but hey, you know, that's the way it goes. Um, we have a a town administrator, not a town manager.
a town manager would probably have that um ability anyway, but our charter is hiring and firing us through the SL board. Um the way this is written, it
assumes that HR exists, which it does at this point, but what if it doesn't? Um and yeah, you could re review it. Um, I guess if the thought is that people don't aren't able to get a work permit
or able to get their uh testing done, the required physical testing that's needed prior, then we should be starting a lot earlier as opposed to um, you know, that if they don't have it by the start date, they shouldn't be put in
place. Isn't that already a policy? I would have thought so. Oh, it is. It is, but so they have to go back and get uh the school's signature. Sometimes in the summer it's a little bit difficult. So summer wreck may have
started and we're waiting for So they're on boarded but we're waiting for a permit. I mean they've already gotten an offer letter. They've been appointed by the board, you know, so technically they're hired but then we they don't get their permit back in time.
I thought they were hired pending completion of those things. So, like I know when I was in the trustees library, there's times where we had to wait for someone to start while those pieces of paperwork
being completed. Mhm. And then so is this an exception if it's a seasonal and in partic and you don't have it when the program starts uh
you shouldn't be on boarded is what it comes down to in my mind. So, but if by the time it gets to that point like let's say for this I'm sorry I didn't mean to cut you off but so like this year and and all years prior the select board appoints these individuals
to the role before all of that which I've always thought was backwards but I think the board but that's another discussion but the board appoints those individuals before they meet those contingencies. We
we used to make it um we used to when we hired now we just a point and we don't say contingent on blah blah blah blah blah with a start date of blah blah blah. We don't say that anymore. That changed around the time that Eric came
in. We used to do our appointments differently. You can see it in the agendas. Um, we've changed that because the thought was, well, they're going to do that anyway and they'll start when that date is. Maybe we need to go back to
that for seasonal employees. So, but I just want to clarify, can can an employee start without those things being completed? They are not supposed to start without those things being completed. However,
the assistant town clerk has started prior to those contingencies being met, but that is an anomaly. So, the wreck people generally don't start before those conditions are met. I haven't heard of anybody being able to
start before those conditions were met. So, I don't know why there's an exception. Um, and I would like to know why there's an exception. Right. Well, that's another conversation. But the but that is not how it is supposed to.
But so then related to this, it's the timing that we're worried about with seasonal employees of not being able to terminate them prior to meeting with the select board and all that stuff.
Well, that's a big element of it. It's also fairly low risk. I I don't know if there's anything in between perhaps authorizing the TA to do that and having an entire hearing. Maybe maybe the TA has a conversation with one
of the board members who can I I don't know if there's a middle ground there. Um they're not sorry. No, do they have to have a whole theory? They do because the reason why I
consulted legal on this the reason why is because the board appoints them which I would also like to discuss at some other point. So tonight for for instance so tonight we did appoint a person to the recreation department as
a summer reference for summer recreation 2025 effective start date 72125. I have not gotten any paperwork on that individual. That person has not been onboarded. I have not met that person.
And that person starts in six days. Yeah. So, how did what did we get from this person? So, if I were select board member, I would not want to appoint anyone until they made those contingencies, but I don't know how other counts do it. But
I guess so based on our charter, we have to appoint all new employees, correct? Not originally. There was a list of certain roles certain like building commissioner like there was a specific list of roles that the board would have
to appoint and then at some point along the line I don't know when uh a vote was hand to appoint all employees including seasonal temporary specified as long as I have been my last round of selection we hired
everybody. So it was made a while ago that you look at the charter or I don't know which one I remember something on the charter that you as Cali said it was literally a list of positions that the select board would
appoint. Now I don't know if that means if you're not on that list the select board doesn't need to be the appointing authority. That I don't know what that means. Um, [Music] she said that because
the board appointed the seasonal employee that if there were a problem and you needed to terminate the seasonal employee, we would have to give notice, we would have to have a hearing and all of that stuff. So we have to wait till the next meeting you know and
then after the notice and then we would have to make that determination and you know it's the program's only so long. Is the person still working? Well I'm not here by particular person. Oh,
but if that scenario were to come up, it would pose a problem in particular if there was an issue where there was an emergency situation. There's there's not there isn't even a cause that the TA can
can terminate for gross misconduct and everything has to wait. So if there were a situation issue in that case. What? It didn't sound like an issue with the charter if that's the case. Yeah, but I think I saw somewhere on one
of the minutes somewhere a vote for the board to appoint all employees, but it might have just been referencing to like the annual vote that you do to reappoint like the officers and whatnot. So, I
don't know if that's or if it was actually a vote to going forward appoint all employees, but the charter does not state that. That's not why we're here. I mean, because I said they've already been appointed. So, the question is whether or not if we have a delicate
situation that requires immediate action that cannot be had unless the authorization is given to the TA. What can we do in that case? So
is there is there a middle ground between the hearing and and allowing the authorization? It can be temporary too. They said they said that they would advise the select board to authorize the
town administrator to terminate seasonal and probationary employees. But the probationary employees, it's not as much of a concern because it's not I mean typically they're long-term employees. Yeah. So
I don't believe by hearing that's what should be changed. Terminating without a hearing and probationary
or probationary. Yeah, I would not for probationary. No, I think Cali wanted to take that away. We're not discussing probationary. I mean, I'd just rather concentrate, you know, your consideration on the
seasoning because that's more important to me. But if you want to consider both, that's fine, too. I just don't want the whole thing to be thrown out because they're combined in one request. Right. And I just want to say for the record, um, I did not ask for this. It
was a situation that HR and town council uh, came up with a solution, you know, to potential problem. So, you know, I didn't ask for this. I don't really even want it but but given
well certainly whatever would go on would go on with whoever the chair is. I think a select board it wouldn't just be done in a vacuum that would have to be specified. Um, sure. I mean,
just I think we should put that in writing because we don't specify it has to be Yeah, that's fine too. That's fine too. And that changes from time to time. So, I'm not looking to make unilateral
decisions, you know. Did you find anything in the charter about it? Okay. So at least somebody knows it's with concurrence from a department head and you know chair of the select. Well to Veronica's point I mean you have
HR now but maybe not always. So I mean this can be a temporary thing or trial or what have you also here it is and you can or you can redact it appointment under select board powers and duties.
What section is it? Um it's in the charter section 32D town employees except as otherwise provided in this charter. The select board shall appoint town employees um multiple member boards accept as
otherwise here and after provided the select board shall appoint members of multiple member bodies. other appointments the select board shallpoint the members of other multiple member bodies blah blah blah but anyway it's the first one except as otherwise
provided the select board shallpoint town employees it doesn't matter whether they're seasonal probationary interns whatever it's the yeah well probationary would be any employee their first I mean
all town employees if you're paid by the town you got appointed by the in the charter Um so I guess the question does it make sense for that for seasonal employees in the future is that change you want me um
I wouldn't change the appointment so then but if we appoint them then who terminates uh that would be the SL board as well and then for process you probably have to look at the personnel policies and procedures
I think that's why council suggested that you provide had the authorization to the TA to terminate because you appointed them. It wouldn't be that you like you would still appoint them going forward. Yeah. But if there was an issue,
I'm not willing to change that. There's an issue going. I think we have to have it addressed and I don't disagree with that. The question is how to address it. it's a seasonal employee. So I guess the
question though is what about if it was the same issue with a non-seasonal employ like then there's a cross but an emergency situation right yeah I know it's that's not what this question is but I actually think
it's related right say there's an emergency situation with a full-time employee that's been there for 10 years isn't it kind of the same so then I would say it is but I'm picking my battles today it change. We're not going to win that one.
Emergency um emergency situation with um consultation with the board of the chairman. I would say whether or something like that would be okay. Safety consideration or gross misconduct.
And gross misconduct is very specified by the law. It's not like we get to decide what is gross, you know, because they yelled across the room. That's not gross misconduct. it's, you know, it's theft and so forth that that by law is immediate termination unless you work
and so then it's not related to Sabrina has something to change. No, we just kind of got off on that topic, but maybe it's a change of policy
and the policies and procedures, personnel policies and procedures. You don't have to change the charter. We're not changing appointments. So, we wouldn't have to change the Okay. I didn't search for termination.
What was the section for appointments? It's for three 32 um and I think it's D appointment authority. something. So, we're saying that we Okay, I'm I'm going to make this a
little bit easier. Thank you. I trying not to um trying to maintain privacy and confidentiality, but I'm going to now I want to resend my other request
because that's still out there to consider. But um I would like to make a new request now to give the TA authorization to terminate a seasonal employee for the next five days over the next five days. Not to
terminate, you know, keep terminating but for five days from now between now and five days to have that authorization. And I will say that it is in regard to a particular circumstance that is a emergency
situation that we need to respond to and cannot wait to another board meeting. It it they deserve to everybody here deserves an answer and um I'd like to hear a motion to have that
done. I would make a motion to allow the town administrator to um terminate seasonal employees due to safety considerations or gross misconduct for the next
seems really if it's legal I will second it. It's legal. It's all vetted code. So any further discussion please
Veronica stay. Thanks. Thank you. 414 [Music] to approve purchase of six dump truck with plow and sand. I mean, I'm looking at resignation
termination. I'm sorry. I'm back on the other thing. Seasonal employees. Each seasonal worker shall be considered as terminated from his or her seasonal employment as noted by the department supervisor on the change in state form filed with the town treasurer at their
initial appointment. No idea what that means because they're seasonal. They don't they just swap about our noted by the department supervisor on the state
on this change in state form that doesn't quite explain who no this is in the personnel policies and procedures 17 resations and terms is over so the state has changed maybe
so they stated When the person is appointed anyway. Okay, done. Let's move on. Thank you. Uh so the uh sixheel dump truck um we're
going to be purchasing it through a um a particular cooperative contract so we don't have to go out to bid for it. Most vehicles are are done through either a state contract
or some sort of cooperative bid. Um we have a quote and uh we think If we have them start fabricating, we should take deliver sometime in October,
just in time for the winter season. This is budget. Uh, this was a Yeah, a time. No, just making sure. Yep. Yeah. Capital and No, this is not this should be borrowing. It's borrow
with the first payment coming out of state. Correct. And we actually came in a little bit under budget as well. So, uh, you would just, uh, authorize me to be the signator for the, uh, report
that's been provided to us. Um, I make a motion to allow the town administrator to act as a signator on the, uh, purchase of the six wheel dump trucking. Second. Any further discussion? Um, is Melissa aware?
Yep. of the borrowing and and she'll pull the funds for to help with I don't know how it works. Nope, she is aware of it and she's working behind the scenes to make that happen. Perfect. Any other discussion?
No. Hearing none I [Music] chapter 90. Okay. So this is Shirley Road, South Street and Warren Road from South Street to Turner Road. Looks good to me. A motion.
Um I make a motion to um approve the department's chapter 9 giving request um to use a portion of chapter 90 funds to the amount of $531,86411 as specified. So, we need to sign these.
Yeah. Did you you guys second? Did you actually I seconded? We didn't. Did we vote? [Music] Veronica Cal.
Then I second this. Second. Yeah. Okay. All right. All right. Do you want another roll call? No, I think we did.
Okay. Those [Music] will get paid um sometime this summer into the fall. Two updates. Um the kids country
playground, the structure that is being uh replaced has the old structure has already been taken down by the highway and cemetery and parks department. Um the ground has been leveled out and
we're actually hoping to be a soft opening of the playground since um there's no longer construction going on. uh there's no um debris as well. So I think we can for
the next few weeks uh give that park back to the resident to make do so until the new structure is being installed in mid August. Okay. Um so uh highway parks and cemeteries
are super getting that structured now. So, uh, kudos to them for all the hard work that they put in to get that done so quickly. Um, the sideway the sidewalk project
right there on 119 um, South Street has been completed. Uh, they were doing some um, sort of punch list items. There was an issue that kind of propped up this week, but the contractor was very responsive.
Came out early today after only being given notice yesterday afternoon. Um, came out and fixed the issue. So, very responsive. I'm really happy to see how that project came out. Took us a few tries to
Can I ask about that? Sure. At the whites, are they doing the rapidly uh flashing beacons for the traffic lights on the four corners there. I think that needs still needs to be probably reprogram. There are there
current lights there. There's a traffic light. Yeah, street. I think uh it needs to be reprogrammed by I haven't either. I not the not the traffic lights, the sidewalk lights to cross the street there.
Oh, I don't think so. They didn't put them there. I haven't seen that at all. Since they finished the work, the the sidewalk, they did the sidewalk down and across. And I thought that at all
for I'm asking this because I wrote the grant for the mass trails. That was the original 130,000 or whatever we got for it. And there was to be a rapidly RFB fe or whatever it is going across there
across the one thing. And then it became more expensive because I thought we had to put crosswalks in handicapped accessible for all four corners there. I don't recall that being the scope for this project. I
it could have changed because they aren't there. Yeah. Yeah. I can look into it, but it's very possible. It's very possible given the budget that that was cut out of it. So, there are are there walk lights
going across so people can cross the street as pedestrians? There is a Is there I I can't definitively give you an answer. Okay. I'm just curious. Yeah. Even though I drive by it every
single day, I I'll need to look into that cuz when I went down there, I thought, "This does not look the way it was supposed to." Old one there. Yeah. But there were supposed to be new ones installed and that's why it
became so expensive. I'll look into it, but I'm almost certain that new lights being installed because not part of the scope of current project. I don't think the budget will cross that. Okay.
Um so, um the last thing I wanted to give a quick update on is we finished the interviews for the web master position. Um, so I
think I just need to talk to the uh Lori to figure out who we plan to appoint to that position. So I think at the next select board meeting, there'll probably be an agenda item to appoint someone to that position
depending on how what our recommendation will be. Okay. hiring. Oh, that's right. Um, so well, next one's not till the 30th,
so we'll know by then. But it's But but but the interviews have been completed. So, uh, well, I hear it's okay to hire, so doesn't matter. Select. Go ahead.
Not this week. I I think we took care of my two things during the regular meeting and then it's going to report on board and they were there too. Perfect. Other than that, we are still looking for
volunteers and there are plenty positions Um, and then you have an announcement to make. Yeah, I have an announcement from the TEO about a summer celebration and fundraiser in the town common. The date
is Saturday, August 23rd um 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the town common. The TO invites the entire community to a vibrant family-friendly celebrator celebration fundraiser on Saturday, August 23rd, 2025 when the
historic town common town event will feature something including cornhole tournament, farm stands, made of Massachusetts marketplace, kids games and activities, food trucks, live music, um gifts, baskets, raffles, bake sale,
and a beer and wine garden from 5 to 8:30 And I'm doing this announcement on the website. I believe [Music] I don't know.
So, do we need an alcohol? Yeah, I was going to say, is there a license for tonight? That's not [Music] a request that come in, but there's um additional paperwork and documentation that's needed.
Okay. meeting is Tuesday, July 30th at 6 p.m. action is on July 29th day. Okay. 5.5
[Music] payable bills payables out of session. Is there a motion? I move that we sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Second discussion hearing. None. Roll call.
Brian. I motion I. And if there's no other business, I believe I'll entertain a motion at 10:34 p.m. I'll make a motion that we at 10:33 p.m.
Second is better than the clock. It's 34 now. Roll call, please. Veronica I worship and I thank you very much Tom. Thank you.