Good evening everyone. Uh my name is Laura Shiffren and I will call the meeting of the select board to order on March 24th at 6:00 p.m. [clears throat] Roll call. Veronica present present and
Laura Shiffren present. Would you join me in the pledge of allegiance please? [clears throat] I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all. I would like to thank all of our veterans as well as all of our militaries serving here and abroad, all of our uh emergency respond public safety
people, all of our staff and our elected and appointed officials. Without you, we wouldn't be able to get anything done. The meeting is being recorded and will be uploaded to YouTube. Is any recording? >> Yes, indeed.
>> Thank you. Uh four, review the minutes. Is there a motion? >> I value it. Move to approve the meeting minutes of February 2nd, 2026 and the joint meeting. Oh, sorry, March 2nd, 2026 and the joint meeting of March
17th, 2026. >> Is there a second? Um Veronica second, but I have a question about the 3G 2026 minutes. Yeah, that was a joint with the CTA. >> Should that be indicated
in the heading? I I didn't put that in, but I read this and thought, what meeting are we talking about? >> The CPA >> and >> probably just add it right now. >> Yes. [clears throat] >> The joint uh and then
>> capital planning and uh income, right? >> Yes. Was it capital planning? >> Yes, it was. >> Yeah, because it was a CPA kickoff. >> Oh, no. CPA. Yeah, >> it's CPA. >> Sorry, >> that was the second. >> It's CPA. >> That was March 2nd was CPA, but the 17th
was joint with >> No, that one is fine. But this one is not secret community preservation committ. >> Okay. Is that okay? >> Yes, that would be fine. Thank you for
>> Oh, no problem. >> Okay. Got it. [laughter] >> Okay. Any further discussion? [clears throat] >> Hearing none. Roll call vote. Veronica Kella Valicha >> and Laura Sha under new business appoint
Noah Medarios. Is there a motion? >> I Val Gooditch move to appoint Noah Madurius as summer intern to the water department. Sorry, Madarios as summer intern to water department with effective start date June 1st 2026 contingent upon completion of all necessary onboarding and approval by the
finance committee. >> Second. Uh Veronica Cal second, but I have a question. Is it June 1st? I thought it was after school was out. So, in other words, I don't have any problem with it, but I don't know that June 1st. It's the first day of school
summer break, so I haven't seen the motions, but that motion >> The motion is for June 1st, but I thought, what's on the paperwork? >> I saw the paperwork. >> Yeah, the paperwork is June 1st also. >> June 1st. >> Maybe it gives >> I thought I saw it.
>> It may also be weekend work, too. Who knows? You know, I don't know what they're >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Just thought I'd [clears throat] bring it up. Okay. I was good with it. Anything else? We'll call vote on Veronica. I
>> thought I could get a try. >> Laura I 5.2 reappoint Anna Bowen Lucas Kazangian. >> I'll let you finish. Is there a motion? >> I Valerie Gooditch move to reappoint Anna Bowen. Lucas Kazangian Connor
Tacini as summer entrance to the water department with effective start date June 1st 2026 continued upon completion of all necessary onboarding and approval by the finance committee. >> Is there a second? >> Uh Veronica Kel second.
>> This is just a general thing. Um what is the policy for disclosures of family members? This is just in general, not necessarily for these um um making sure that u if there are appointments of
family members that um people are um not uh reporting to their family member. This is just in general for all these summer appointments and uh interimm
appointments. Uh how does that work? I think they should check with human resources. >> Yes, I think that's an excellent idea. >> I think it's also on the That's what I will >> Is there a policy? [clears throat] >> I think it's also on the ownership of the individual in charge to disclose.
Yeah, I think but it's on the person in charge. It's the their ownership to disclose the ethics. You don't have anything to do with >> or department head to ask, you know, if I had a kiddo and they were repping soccer for the town. As a department head, you would say, "My child's refing
soccer. What should I do, TA Garnier?" And I would say, "You should file an ethics disclosure." >> Right? >> Because there are ethics guidelines for these. And I presume HR is going to say that as well. >> Okay. So [clears throat] hopefully someone says that to people. That's all.
>> Okay. It's ready to vote. >> Yep. >> Okay. We'll call vote. Veronica can tell I la 5.3 Karen. >> Um so 5.3 I know we are thinking about
having a special town meeting within the annual town meeting. Um I know that's been somewhat of a tradition and that would be to carry forward the four articles that we didn't get to do when we lost quorum a couple nights ago. Um, so that would be something we would want
to open the special town meeting warrant for 55 um, within the annual town meeting. [clears throat] And for me, it would be really just bringing forward those other warrant articles that we weren't able to vote on. >> And can we make a motion right now to open the special town meeting and close
it uh, right after we put those four articles in? >> We could. Yeah. >> All right. So I >> nobody nobody else has a place card or anything for the special. >> Not at this time to my knowledge. We
have placeholders for our regular annual town meeting. Um but I don't have any others going off the top of my head. >> We have all the necessary ones for our capital and moving money around if like the um sale of properties funds. We we have placeholders for all that. >> Yes. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. >> Which we'll get a report on later. But um >> as long as those are in there, I'm fine with it. [clears throat] >> So um the moving around being the TCAM
money that gets done the annual >> placeholder on the annual time >> on the annual doesn't need the special. >> Um [clears throat] is it all four? I thought it wasn't going to be all four. >> I didn't think it was either. I in fact I thought it was going to be none of
them. they were gonna, but we never got to take no action on them. So, they're just sort of outstanding and because we lost quorum, >> they're just sort of floating in the Bermuda Triangle. >> So, we should [clears throat] it would be a really quick special town meeting where it be like we're going to take no
action on 7 8 9 7 8 9 and then 10 and 11 are just those um technical code corrections >> that the town clerk had observed and wanted us to correct. >> So, those we should do. It it would it shouldn't take >> if we're doing take no action on those
three, why don't we just do the two that are the e-code. >> We have to put them out. >> Yeah, but we didn't take [clears throat] no action. >> We never Yeah, we never voted. >> Never voted that. >> So, they just again they're just floating on. >> All right. So, um I move that we open a
special town meeting warrant for inside um the annual town meeting >> um for placement of the five articles that we just um addressed last uh special town special town meeting last week
>> March 19th and and uh close the warrant. [clears throat] >> Correct. Yep. SE articles 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 that were not opined on or visited. [clears throat] >> Okay.
Is there a second? >> Okay. Any further discussion? >> No. >> Hearing none, we'll call vote. When are we going to close it? It's closed. Open. Okay. 5.4. four.
>> Oh, okay. >> Oh, yeah. I read through this one. [laughter] >> Yours. >> Gosh. >> I have no comment. >> Oh, are you talking about the Mason Regional Planning Board? Okay. So, here's the map of where those trucks are going to be coming through towns and for
the next five years. >> 10 years. Not five. 10. And it involves the um the intersection right here at 13 and 119. I went through the whole thing last night. >> So did I. um and um is not particularly
>> so [clears throat] and it's at 7:00 p.m. tomorrow the comments and I just want to make sure that they stay on the main roads and don't cut off and cut down um Wallace Hill to 119 because that will cause a huge problem at the high school
>> because some of these are going towards pepper on 113 and it's way quicker right about where that dot is to cut down to the high school. Um, and that is a problem in my book, >> especially the weight of the trucks when
there are so many of them going through >> because 13 and 119 are state. Um, >> and if it's town roads, it's way different. >> Yeah, because if they we're looking at road damage. >> Yeah. All of 13 isn't state. Some of
>> Well, yeah, but I mean 119, you know, if [clears throat] they take left on 119, that's better than Wallace. um that they will either go straight at 119 or they would turn left or right. >> Um but what I don't want them doing is cutting through.
So the hearing is tomorrow night at 7. Um >> I would encourage folks to go. >> Um >> I have TA screening. >> I have a thing already which I was going to come to but I'm not. You can just email me a public comment if you like. >> I will I will email you a public comment and I'm going to go to this.
>> Okay. >> Because I have a concern about about >> I share your concerns and you're happy to speak on behalf of spec. >> Yes, I have the same concern. >> Do you have official? So if you can go to the meeting, you can also um email
Sabrina and I so that we can submit the comments back to the Mason Planning Board. So you can go both. You could also have comments as a select board in here. >> There likely is >> um you could likely fill out that form and then you could also go to the meeting. You could sort of go twofold if you wanted to.
>> Veronica, do you want a motion to act on our to speak for us? >> Um I Valerie Gooditch would make a motion for Veronica Kell to attend the Mason Planning Board meeting um regarding um impact for is it gravel?
>> Yeah. 1524 Brookline Road LLC proposing an eight-phase excavation site um with like likely passage through you know arteries of towns and and hight traffic spots. >> Y um to speak on behalf of
>> second I'll be happy to go to the hearing tomorrow night. Um that the other question is what about the hours of operation >> at 7 am to 5:00 pm Monday through
Saturday with they say except up to 12 Sundays. [clears throat] You know there are what 52 Sundays in the year >> they're going to try. >> So that's [clears throat] a third of the Sundays. Um not a third I said that wrong. A fifth.
>> Yeah. Um I and that is I mean that's a problem too. >> It's a lot of triacs. >> I I am good with Monday through Friday, but I'm not good with Saturday and Sunday. >> Yeah. >> So I was going to add that to my comments.
>> That's okay. >> You'll you'll want to fight hard for that. Having had this happen in my own little town where >> Pepp went through something like this too recently. >> We ended up saying Pepp can't use our roads. for this was to put the green line
fill basically on the airport parcel in town >> and it gets really dicey. >> I think they could go a little finger. >> Did they say no? Can we say no, you can't use our roads? >> We said no. I mean, >> we said find another alternative and
they said we'll go up uh 495 up 119 into pepper that way and then the project ended ended up being too long of a route and I think it fell it fell asleep. So, >> okay. So, I'm going to add then is there another alternative? They could go down 31. They could go the other way
>> and go >> the other way is to 101. Yeah. >> Um when they could do 101. Um [clears throat] just >> yeah important to note that this is considered a freight corridor here. >> So I don't know if that works against us in this scenario. >> Just
>> I have no idea. >> Neither do I. But >> No, but you can make [clears throat] our concerns known. >> Yeah. >> What happens if they damage the roads? >> It's just considered wear and tear. You'd have to have >> That's you'd have to have wear and tear. >> You'd have to have hard evidence of it.
Okay. >> It's not normal wear and tear to have that many trucks go at the same time for that long every single day for how many months? >> Oh, for 10 years. 10 years. >> 10 years. >> No, [laughter] >> that's not normal. >> An average >> I I agree with you, but
>> and will range anywhere from 0 to 50 out trips per day with an average of 20 out trips per day. Yeah. >> Um, it's a lot. And what does that do to the climate? >> Our earth friends would not be happy.
[laughter] >> Um, >> just checking. >> And anyway, >> so the map. >> Okay. >> The map is good. You can send me the map just so I can put it on my Facebook site. Maybe I can do that late tonight to say if you're interested in attending
this hearing. >> Yeah, very good. This could be a good one for >> if you're North End Road or anywhere up there because I'm over on that section of town. You probably are going to be able to hear it, too. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah, for sure. And it's going to be the
brakes. Well, not just the gravel grinding, the whole They're making gravel. >> The whole thing. >> Yeah. >> Well, in any of them, residents might want to come. >> Yeah. I would say this would be a good thing to put onto old business for next meeting or a meeting after once um
>> you've had a chance to collect thoughts from that meeting tomorrow night. >> Okay. So, I will send the map to you. >> That would be great. And >> do you want my comments before or after um I go tomorrow? Do you want them tonight as well?
>> No. So, I just want to put the if I can I'll do it while we're sitting here. Um later on, I'll post it on Facebook and say, "Okay, >> here's the, you know, here's the map and here's why you should go. Here's the link to why you should attend this, you know, as discussed on 324." and then
hopefully people click it and like it and go to the link and see why it's important. So, >> okay, that's a good idea. >> Yeah, [clears throat] something other than the usual news I post. So, nice >> to take a vote though. [clears throat] [laughter]
>> Are we any more discussion? [laughter] Hearing none. Roll call vote. >> Veronica and Laura and I thank you Veronica for doing that. Yeah, fight the good fight. >> Yeah, [laughter] >> I believe this is what you mean. One
second. I just got locked on my computer for some [clears throat] reason. >> Select board online comment request due 325 2026 original impact legal notice. I think that's the one that we have to fill out.
Yeah, that's not in the SharePoint, but >> it's not. >> I didn't think so. >> 5.5. >> I thought I saw the form, but there was stuff. It might have been an attachment. There was um there was some folders I got into and
nothing was there. So, I don't know. [clears throat] >> Okay. I know it's online. I looked at the stuff online. So, I know it's in in MasonH. So, okay, >> this is not yet. So, we'll figure that out. We'll
>> We're good. 5.5. >> 5.5. Okay. So, I um met with our venture consultant TA. I brought a whole bunch of town administrative job descriptions from our comparable towns, job vacancy postings,
um just [clears throat] to get feedback on, you know, you're a TA looking through job descriptions, what are you looking for, what are you not looking for? Um, and I didn't change a bunch of stuff in the job description. I just made it a little more efficient, like
nipped and tucked some of the like repetitive grammar in a couple places. Can I say something about >> All right. So, job descriptions, uh, when we did the call-ins report, all of those we made standard and and all of
that language that you're nipping and talking came from the callin center. So I didn't I didn't change any of the categories like I didn't change the outline structure of it. Like it still has the skills. It was just more like there was like so in this was three paragraphs in the beginning and often it
was like the same thing repeated. Yes. >> On three different lines. So I was like gosh it's I don't want to start off someone by like I'm reading the same thing three times through. It's kind of a little offputting. So, but if I mean I'll go back to it and I so I didn't and
it was just little like making an efficient like putting two points together in a sentence. I'm happy. >> Okay. I guess my I understand but I guess my comment on this my concern is that what I see happening is we're
moving away from that and that's okay if we're going to be updating all the job descriptions to follow the same similar language. We've [clears throat] already gotten away from the um we had a uh wage
matrix that because of everything that happened last year, I don't even know what what um out the door. >> Yeah. What shape it's in. And as things get so we had everything cohesive and it moved along and it applied to everybody.
Now we've got this one and that one and this one and that one. And I don't even we could talk about this when we talk about other things, but uh I I have a concern about things um becoming
non-standard across positions, things like that. >> So um this was changed a couple times since the cause. >> Oh yeah, it has been because we've had several TAs since the call. So this isn't what like the the version I had was a PDF >> number five for me.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. So the version I had was a PDF that had more stuff written on it >> from other people that was then incorporated. >> Yeah. >> The last time around. So that's why I wanted to >> I I don't I don't that's just the point
I want to make. things are becoming non-standard and then it becomes difficult, more difficult to when you have one person that's on this and one person on and my job description says
this and my job description says that and you have to sign off on them with the unions and blah blah blah. And I just I'm just making people aware. >> The one thing I did >> I think it's a problem.
>> The thing that I wanted to keep was that you know here if you can scroll down a little bit. >> So just basically like all I pretty much did was instead of a sentence that said the TA will be responsible for these financial I just said financial management.
>> And then I kept this pretty much exactly the same. Um, again, if there was like two points that said the same thing, I might have brought them, but still the same number. The only thing I added in here was I added in um
a little point C there 3C um pursue grant donation alternative funding sources divided board in the relations to goals because we're getting rid of the grant position pretty much and that's going to be responsibility.
It was already in there. I just it the grants. It was it already says taxes, fees, and grants, but that pursue grant donation and alternative funding sources. Um, was common in a bunch of TA job descriptions. What do people think about that?
>> I think that in Townson the TA has enough to do without also doing that. That's what I think. >> Um, other than that, it's [laughter] fine. Okay. But so are the are each is each department going to be responsible
for obtaining their own grants? >> That becomes a [clears throat] >> so so >> I can answer that question. >> I think you should. So I think that you know you have some departments um and because I have our police chief in the
room where he he knows a lane that he can apply for specific grants that are truly like whether it be radios you know bulletproof vests >> you know it's really specific channels to benefit his department their department and they're going to know
much better than any TA unless the TA was a police chief or a fire chief for how to apply for those grants and when they come up and There's even a world that they may have some of the admin support to actually get some of that done. To Veronica's point, a TA overseeing, you know, sort of the the
functions of this building. You know, they could work with a conservation agent or, you know, the treasurer to say, "Hey, this is a good grant for us to apply for. Let's work together." And then the TA signs off on it to apply for it. And then if you're awarded the grant, they hand it back to the
treasurer to say you're responsible for the reporting, the activation, and then the close out of this grant. So I think there's a little bit of collaboration that can occur. >> So if you go back up to that just a little bit so I can see it. So maybe a more more appropriate sentence would be
um help to coordinate. Do you understand what I'm trying to go for? or oversee. >> So I would get rid of the first sentence. I would just say pursue grants, donations, and alternative funding sources and share the progress with the select board on relations to
goals as well as their long-term impacts on sustainability. >> Working with internal departments to decide the best paths forward for grant obtainment. >> Can you type that in because that sounded perfect. I guess it's okay. [laughter] >> All right. Just shoot off the cuff
sometimes. I I agree with I get the I can agree to that >> because like I don't think a TA like I I'm only going to like I'll share with you if I miss on a couple but like you don't need to know the dayto-day that I applied for an AFP for you guys. You
know it just doesn't help your decision making as the executive officers of the town. >> No. Um, and sometimes there's grants that you just take a shot on and you win and you're like, "This is a great story to tell, but it's a thousand dollars, >> you know, >> and it was actually >> it may not move."
>> And I don't want it [clears throat] to be the TA's job to say, "Oh, here's a a grant that the senior center should apply for or here here's a grant that land you should apply for." I >> But if they can help to coordinate that, then the department has stepping up.
>> Yeah. Um, I mean the TA might >> find something, you know, but in in general it goes back to the department heads who have to be looking out for it. The the MVP grants, the you know, whatever they are all in one place
grants, all of that stuff. >> Yeah. >> The the department heads need to be >> and some of them are do like you police, fire, I know library does. Yeah. >> So all those groups. >> Yeah. So, I'll update that wording a little bit. Um, and then D. Um, I don't
know why this wasn't in there. This was about long run planning. Prepare and present a long-range panel outlook during the presentation of the annual town budget. >> Well, the annual town budget's not the time to be the presentation of the annual budget is not the time to be
presenting projections. It the annual town budgets the upcoming fiscal year. So this could be you know long range financial outlook during um this would be the fall meeting that we do >> isn't that >> it's two different things really
>> it is but usually it's part of the packet that we give at town meeting it used to be >> a long time ago there hasn't since I became a selectman >> it's [clears throat] been missing >> it's been missing >> so what I'm saying was that >> the select >> how do we get
>> it it was it got dropped somehow So I would say it's you'd have a D and then what's after D? E F ABCD F. So you'd have D would be prepare and present the annual town budget. >> And then >> prepare is that a long range financial outlook, >> right? Then and it's not even an
outlook. It should be projections for the for the future years ahead. Something to that effect. So it's at least a three-year projection. >> Yeah. >> Because any less any more than that's irrelevant, but any less than that isn't helpful. >> Yeah. And [clears throat] I just went to DS train and they have like tools for five year projections that are free. Got
them all today. So, but [clears throat] so that so I'll add so separate the thing about all those free tools is if you're the driver of great but someone has to go and get them and drive it and do the work. Mhm.
>> Um that is the the problem with the quote. So this was I'll you I'll update it in my little excellent comment in the end. So so [clears throat] um I think like this is all already baked
into there. So then okay personal management I need your guys feedback on this too. >> If I can say on four >> like I love bullets, but as someone who looks at job applications and is it
going your interimm, it's too many bullets. Like it should be established an administrator program of expenditure control, serve as chief procurement officer under Massachusetts General 30B. >> That's it. >> Um, but here's here's the thing. The
select board determines who the chief procurement officer is. And it isn't always the TA. Typically it is, >> but it's assigned by the select board. Should that be um in the description
that way? Because that then sets an exp expectation that you are named as the chief procurement officer. Um and we we could have >> could be a treasure collector. It could right if there were ever a financial
team as such it it could make sense that that person be so I I would I I don't >> this was in the this was that was I did I did remove there was section section number A there was an entire paragraph
on how the TA is to like basically review every single package that comes into the every department and I was like wow that's it was a whole thing that I know wasn't being done >> I um say something more on the capability
to serve as a procurement or to know procurement law under >> um something like that. And really again back to your department head like your department heads should be the first line of negotiation
you know for purchasing contracts like I mean >> I'll use highway like they can they can discuss the merits of what the salt cost might be better than the TA >> that's why I just said provide leadership and guidance because before it was literally you guys can look at the past one it was like you're in
charge of purchasing everything and I was like oh that's not how it actually goes. >> Yeah. So, I think that was more along the lines of if a future select was like, "Hey, we need to go through and all of our
supplies be coordinated or anything." >> Um, >> personnel management. Um, [clears throat] most of this was already in there. Um,
five and six were really common in other job descriptions in comp towns and I don't know if it's something we need to put in there or not based on the current budget outlook. >> I would leave that in there.
>> I thought we probably needed >> um because it has that delegating. You're allowed to delegate. I may >> delegation of things isn't important. I tried to >> as long as that's in there. I >> think that in there a little bit more. >> Um it was one of those I wanted to
>> and that might be an overarching theme of delegate with board approval when called upon or when necessary. Something to that effect might be like just sort of a broad stroke that's important. >> Um
I I would change number two. This is the performance reviews to say provide for regular performance reviews and appraisals for town employees. >> Um because I don't see the TA I see the TA writing department heads
>> but not for and for writing reviews. >> Yeah. >> But where does it say delegation? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um I I I would just say provide for however, you know, just provide for regular performance.
>> Um C was pretty much exactly what was in there previously. Want to keep going a little more? [cough] >> Can you we go down to the collective bargaining?
>> Oh, sorry. Tell me [clears throat] what you're talking about in the A. >> It might have been what was already in there before. I think it was work with town boards and departments to prepare a coordinated strategy for an integrated approach to collective gardening. That would be working with the chief.
>> Right. >> Right. >> And and select board. >> Um this was in there. >> Yeah. And also, so I will say this just because I did it today. Um, so a lot of towns in their fall financial forecast,
they bring in union rep to hear that forecasting for what it's going to be like for the next five years. >> Yeah. >> And so that kind of helps to coordinate everybody and put them on the same page >> for all unions >> to kind of know [clears throat] where
the town's coming from. I I would I would change that to say prepare a coordinated strategy for an integrated approach to collective bargaining um including town boards and departments where appropriate or
something like that. >> Yeah. or working with town boards and departments as necessary or as needed or something like that. >> Uh I got that. So then the um qualification skills, all that fun
stuff. I did try and keep the categories the same as the other jobs in town. A lot of people kind of combine the knowledge building skills, but I know that's how we do it. Um, one thing I did flip around based on every other comparable
was um, bachelor's degree and a master's preferred. It was the other way around, but every other one I found, every job description, all our comparable towns, it was flipped, bachelor's, machines preferred. So, I just flipped those two. And that kind of syncs up with our
charter. >> Yeah. >> In that order. Um, the rest, like I said, I kind of just I didn't change any of the meanings. Just got rid of repeating sentences. >> Back it up to let me just see.
>> Um, okay. The last sentence there, Massachusetts certified public purchasing official designation. I um that kind of ties in with the one that I was talking about before,
>> but uh I would want it current because that was interpreted as [clears throat] >> Yeah, I just had it once and I've let it last. Um >> so uh um [clears throat] >> or ability so it should be ability to
>> Massachusett. [clears throat] I think a lot of them say current MC PPO or ability to obtain within one year. That's what a lot of >> that that's what I would use. Um because if if you let it lapse, you have to take the whole series of courses
and the exam again. >> You can't just renew it. >> Yeah. So most of them did say I remember exactly actually I put MCPPO current MCPO designation or ability to obtain the pneumonia. >> Yes.
Um then I think in the only one that I really changed in knowledgeability and skill is ability. [clears throat] Um particularly it was really really wordy and I just
wanted to put that last sentence in there. their ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks delegating authority efficiently to value control administration and account programs because it's a very similar sentence in a lot of things and just that whole part of being able to delegate and prioritize
>> because I think that >> that's kind of gotten lost a little bit >> and some of the candidates we've had. So, and that was and the skills I also just I made it a little more succinct than
is it the rest of it is kind of the template that was used previously. Oh, one last thing here. Sorry. Additional town charter requirements. There was another sentence that said um shall not have served an elected position in town.
Capital T means towns and government at least 12 months before. And then it had an additional sentence that said will not serve on any board or public position. And I that was not in our charter. It just said no towns in positions. And I mean if we hired a town administrator who was from, you know,
Chelmsford and they were on their playground committee, I would be fine with that. I don't think we should prevent them from serving on any other board in a different town, but that's just my it was it was in the last one. It was because that is what's
in the charter, but then there was an additional sentence in the previous description. >> Um they mean in town. >> Yeah. And that's what's in our charter exactly like that. Townsend.
>> It's capital T, which means Townsend. That's one of those ones in the charter that you should call out because it is a little ambiguous as someone who is both an elected person in their town and also serving as your interim town administrator. >> You know, your town council's opinion
was it's it is Townsen. >> Yes. >> But it's >> because I got on either side of that. I got agitated on that before we appointed [clears throat] the intram and he said because it's capital T >> it means but I would still put town of towns in government for at least 12
months then it's clear >> okay >> I can do that it's the condition >> you may also maybe I missed this so as someone who is your intern but also a licensed Massachusetts and New Hampshire realtor you'd want to call out that
someone's allowed to have with board approval a secondary source of income or you know be a teacher, be a soccer coach, be a realtor, whatever it might be because depending on how the applicants shake out, you'd want to have that either called out >> or that person you can't do can't do
both. >> Some towns say say you can't >> and they they pay as such so that they can relieve that other need for income. >> But you you do want to specify that within >> I should ask Jane if that's a contracted job description thing though.
Yeah, >> some places have it in their job descriptions. Um, but a good question for town council labor side. So, >> so if that's in the contract for like is the TA on the municipal employee list >> special
>> special municipal employee? >> It is not. >> Yeah. >> But I think it's been handled in contracts generally in the town. >> Yeah. >> Um, okay. It's non union. >> So [clears throat] then um do you want
to bring up the vacancy posting? >> I found a [clears throat] few grammatical errors fix here, but um it's pretty straightforward. Nice little blurb about how awesome we are. [clears throat] [laughter] The other TAs I talked to said short and
sweet on this one. It was a good page and a half last time and I was like, >> "Yeah, >> insert link to the job description. If someone doesn't read it, well, they should have read it." So, I'll just once we upload the new job description website, I can put that in there. The
recommended of qualifications I took right from the job description, >> that PTO thing. >> Yeah, I'll I'll fix the PTO thingy. >> Thanks. Um is is that the
the 140 to 180? So that is for the total package. >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Um and then when I I just want it clear that that's inclusive of >> the benefits.
>> Yeah. >> Um >> let me see. I think most Yeah, I'll take a look at that. No, the the if you're thinking of benefits as healthcare, >> you don't want to >> that's separate. >> But if you're thinking of things like
auto allowances and all that is inclusive within that 140 >> that's salary and >> what do you call those? >> Incidentals. >> And incidentals. Yeah. >> Let me see what uh let me see which one let me see what the other ones
[clears throat] say about that. Yeah, because that has we don't have it budgeted for beyond salary. >> Mhm. >> And so if if in fact there's some other thing that they want like an auto allowance which is a pretty standard one
or training or a particular >> Yeah. >> you know >> community relationship Yeah. community relationship building things like that. >> Yeah. Yeah, [clears throat] >> that has to be >> within that salary range.
>> Understand that. >> Let me just I might be able to sneak some wording from Jane on just a couple things like that. >> Do you anywhere in there put the hours of the you know the expense or is that all in >> that? Almost no one declares the hours
on this job anymore. >> Full time. >> I mean it's up there full-time. It's kind of >> um >> I mean it's a techition hours per week >> 30 [laughter] to >> 30 to 40 >> but yeah >> 40 to 80
>> I know. So, I mean, I probably would take out the 30 to be honest with you and just put [laughter] >> So, I would take out the hours per week. >> Yeah. >> It's a salary position with a job description and >> well, it's also like in some cases a
>> someone's gonna hold it against us later. >> They may not they may they may quite literally clock hit 39.59 minutes and be like >> out of there. Yeah. So, yeah. Okay. Um, oh, last thing on this little bit. I'm
sorry. Going back and forth, back and forth. Um, I could take these on behalf of the screening committee or we can have Sabrina take them. It's up to you guys. >> I don't want to >> What's the question? >> Do you want me to take these on behalf
of the screening committee or Sabrina? >> Sabrina. >> Okay, that's fine. And are people okay with the [clears throat] last line there? Position term open until fil submissions reviewed as received. We could do everything is going to review in a month or we can
just start there and change it if we need to. >> I think [clears throat] I think start there and see how it goes. Uh when you say three references, are you looking for names and contact information or are you looking for
letters or both? Could be either of the above, however they interpret it. >> Okay. >> The one catch there is like a person may have to ask their current employer
>> and that jeopardizes their employment status especially in budget season within other municipal governments. Yeah. >> So, I wouldn't be surprised that someone like I would put it on my own cover letter like I'll give you the references once you invite me in for an interview. >> Yeah, it's fine.
>> Just because I don't want to risk risk aversion. >> I'm speaking for myself, not speaking [clears throat] to me. I think any of us would take that as >> Yeah. >> into consideration. It's just this is the guidance to be honest with you. I'm more interested in some of the instructions and say it to me one PDF instead of five documents. That
[laughter] too that was a fun that's like you know multiple documents across things. >> Yeah. So um >> what about the town employment application? >> So you expecting that to be filled out? >> I would I would expect it to be filled
out at some point in time. It has to be >> right. >> We didn't have it in the last one. It could be a request once you get to that. Moving on to the select board. Please fill out the >> All right. >> If that's okay because it's like just
the one page of play application. >> Yeah. And this is, you know, you do want to >> I don't want to I'm encouraging people to apply. >> Yeah. So, I would probably put a link here then to the human resource page. Yeah. >> That has other links to benefit packages
and like Blue Cross Blue Shield, the retirement who we're a part of. Um, also the catch is that, you know, you're going to take a drug test, there's a physical things that like nowadays are making people pause for what it's worth.
>> Yep. >> Just to throw that out there. >> Okay, good. >> Thank you. >> So, um, and I know there's going to be a Cy check. I need I need I probably need some motions on this so we can get the [clears throat] job description changed. So you're saying remain open until
filled. So this is not seeking after like a month if you don't get anything. You're not going to go to FINCOM and say I need $20,000 for or $10,000 for MRI to do a search for us. >> You're sort of closing that. >> I would come back to the select board, >> okay,
>> at that point in time and say we need help. >> Okay. >> And we need to at that point I think you're almost kind of starting from scratch in some ways if you're going to hire somebody. So I look at this as step one based on this
board's guidance and then come back for step two if necessary. >> I think it's a good start. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, um, uh, >> Veronica, I make a motion to, um, accept
the job description and, um, the, uh, >> job vacancy. >> Job vacancy, is that what you want to call that? The, um, >> job vacancy posting. job vacancy posting [clears throat] um with the discussed um
>> changes >> uh and for it to be posted within the next two weeks >> soon as possible. >> I'll work with >> I'll work with Sabrina once I get it changed.
>> Yeah. Okay. >> As soon as possible >> and get submitted to town clerk APC posting. >> Yes. Right. >> Okay. go through the official processes. [laughter] >> So, does that mean it's posted internally first? >> Yeah. >> You'll also need to get fin approval for
this. >> Why of the posting? >> Because >> it's a vacancy. >> It's a vacancy. You have a hiring freeze. >> Yeah. But they they're in on it from the beginning. >> I Ian that because we don't have a vacancy,
>> you're in the position. Um, so >> to a contract, >> I'm just saying like we've we've had every single like even grant funded positions get approval from FINCOM to go up. >> You can do it.
>> I would just just It's just having to be a part of the puzzle. >> Okay. When are they meeting again? >> I think next Tuesday. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> So, I'll have it all ready to go >> Tuesday night. [laughter] >> Yeah. Yeah. I think that's I believe that's when they're meeting again just
cuz I think that would just be a good >> Yeah. >> Then I'm going to modify to have it reviewed by FinCom and [clears throat] posted within two weeks of today. >> Okay. Because it's to the town's benefit that we do
this as soon as possible. >> I agree. >> Yep. >> It is. >> I can't I can't see why they would have an objection, especially >> they've known at every meeting. >> Yeah. Well, I think it's Yeah, I think it's just making because we, you know, we've >> we've asked for recommendations and in
every other position. >> Yeah, it's just sort of a good uh see, you know, cover our bases type of situation. So, [clears throat] >> all right. So, >> so sorry I took a while on that. I think that was probably the most important. >> We need a new motion. Uh, Veronica Cal, I move that we um post
the [clears throat] job description and uh job vacancy posting as edited um after review by the finance committee by um Wednesday the 25th and have it posted
by No, no, not Wednesday. April 1st. No, the 31st. When are they meeting? >> When are they meeting? >> I think it's next Tuesday, >> the 30th. >> The 31st. >> Uh, reviewed by April 1st by the FINCOM and posted by Friday the 3.
>> Okay. Seconded. >> Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll call vote. >> Veronica Cal I worship. Thank you to the committee and to good job.
>> 5.6 motion. >> Um I value Gooditch. Um move to approve the renewal of 2026 MJS Metals junk dealer license MJS Metals through May
1st, 2027. >> And it's a yearly. Is there a second? >> Second. Any discussion? Hearing none. Roll call vote. >> Veronica Ke 5.7. Veronica. >> Um, so this is affordable housing. I
didn't know if we were going to do this as a >> I wanted a report. Um but um [clears throat] the report is um we are updating our um the RFP for the property on Hannes Road
is going to be posted as >> by end of the week >> by the end of the week. >> Y we did learn last night that there is town water that goes as far as Trophy app. So that property could in fact tap into town water if they so chose. They
would have to whoever the >> person who winds up >> um buding and winning the bid would have to investigate that. So um so there's that. >> Uh so that's going up. Um forestry not
until next year. Um uh we don't expect that it will be happen until the next fiscal year >> if we were late on the schedule um with the harvesting group um and they're it sounds like they'll be visiting with us
in probably early fall to set the date and they'll notify butterers and once we get into the cold season and the migratory birds have shifted off they'll go in and do the selective cutting for those parcels. uh South Bay Road [clears throat] is priority habitat and so it can there are dates
>> during which it can only be um performed. So we expect that will be next year. Um we've updated for FY27 to have South Row Road and um the larger HS road parcel forest cut. We did find out
that um because the town water goes to Trophy, there's the possibility that we could get town water up on that big parcel for Wallace Hill. >> So, it's we wanted to do a smaller project first. So, we're we voted to
stay with that Blood Road. uh for the small prop property on Hannes Road RFP for sale. Um Dudley Road, that's such an awkward piece of property. So that's just sitting there uh pushed off and it
has a lot of constraints, environmental constraints. It's really um interesting. uh Blood Road, the two Blood Road uh bus down properties. Um RFP for development. We are
um going to wait um to see what the RFP does. Hopefully [clears throat] by the time of our next meeting, which is April 30th. >> Yeah. hopefully have some indicators. >> Um, and then we'll know whether we have funds and can go out to get the full
nine yards as far as support goes to get eventually an RFP out. Um, according to Mass Housing, the best time for an RFP for the type of development we want to do is August, September time frame. Um,
and so we would like to might make that window, but that could be pushing it for this year. I don't know. Um the wetlands delineation that was done out there was done two years ago in May. Um a wetlands delineation is good
for three years. So if we don't get an RFP out and get things rolling, an a wetland delineation will have to be done again >> to update. It's really an update, not a fool. But yeah, in any event, okay,
>> so uh the other thing is um and this isn't really a trust issue, but it's a town issue. At workwood acres, the HUD loan is um paid off [clears throat] in 2029, which means that that property uh
is no longer required to be affordable. And it really depends on what happens there whether or not we still have affordable units at at [clears throat] Acres. So, um it was a HUD loan
>> and and that HUD loan is paid off in 2029. Other Massachusetts um developments in the same situation have gone market rate. And so if in fact
that's going to happen, it would happen in 2029. And it's really the housing authority that is in charge of looking at that, >> right? >> And um and then that's not the housing trust. And so it's up to the housing authority
to um do something with that even to I mean as a housing trust I really or we the whole trust we really don't have any standing to call them and say so what are you doing with this >> you know um it's not our place it's really the housing authorities's place
to do that >> so the loan the HUD loan is paid off in 29 time is in charge of that building. >> That is correct. >> Will that continue?
>> I don't know what the um what the agreement is with ARAP. >> I don't know. I wasn't on the housing authority. You however were. >> Um [clears throat] and I don't know how that was >> building. It's MCO, right? >> Is it MCO? Who? [clears throat] It's not
Townson doesn't own the building, right? >> No, we did not. >> Yeah. So, it's really between ARAP, HUD, and whoever owns the building, which I think is MCO Properties, right? >> I believe that's which is the state. >> No, MCO is a private affordable housing group.
>> So, it's I I just think someone should be advocating for keeping that affordable. And sometimes there has to be um some work done to keep it that way. It really depends. Well, we had no
the housing authority was having an issue with our pet. This goes back >> Kathy was still here so maybe 10 years >> probably. Yeah. >> And Kathy and I were both on the board. So, wasn't
>> Kathy Ar. Yeah. and along with um [clears throat] Bill from the telephone company, the veteran,
his name is Escaping Me. He was on it and uh Greg Galloto was on it. We were all on the board and so we did the meetings. After a few meetings with our cap, we
saw that they were thinking we were just a rubber stamp. When we had questions, when we would get complaints from residents and we had nowhere to turn, we went to HUD, we went to directly and got just
ignored. Residents got ignored. After that meeting where we brought up all this stuff, they never held another meeting again. They never held another meeting again where we had to be there once or twice a year. You know, we would go, but there was an annual [clears throat] where
stuff had to be done and we were no longer needed there to take do the votes. So, we got nowhere. I'm not sure. I mean, we have all we have there are the 50 units counting towards our affordable
uh percentage that the town needs. >> SH. Yeah. Okay. So that and Towns and Woods was 36. So that's got a longer ways to go. But >> Towns and Wood is Woods is under a different um finance. Different
management, different financing. >> No, same management as our C >> but different different financing. So Okay. The different rules there. >> Things changed. >> Won that. Yeah, >> that was the last HUD
>> 203 or whatever that was available. It was our third try. Took us seven years before that was built, [clears throat] but it was the last chance to get that funding. We got that funding, but I I seriously don't know what it means.
Well, all I know is I keep seeing things that say it goes out of afford it that it goes out of it has the ability to no longer be affordable as of 2029. And what happens isn't really our call, but
typically the town works with HUD and with ARAP and with MCO to to do something to make sure that it remains as affordable units. Um, so do they own the land too?
>> I believe so. >> It's it's really actually their call what they do. It is. It's not. >> I I never knew that to be a party that the town could talk to. >> So, I email with them because they'll be like, "Oh, we're we're increasing the
rent." And they wanted to do that last year. And I I think I brought it to your attention. I brought to Nelson's attention like, "What do I do here?" And I think we said, "Please don't raise the rent because utility costs are going up." They ended up doing it anyways because they get to set the rent based on their
>> That was MCO. >> MCO. Yeah. because they get to set it based on the state guidelines. Yeah. >> That they get within the car >> cap. Yeah. >> So, but there is a person we can reach out to there. To what purpose? I
>> the purpose I think is to say, "Hey, we'd really like this to remain affordable, >> but they're going to ask for something." >> They probably are. >> I guarantee it. >> Well, we still own land, >> but we don't own >> the 11 acres of >> We still own land.
>> The 11 acres. that surrounds it. It's like a U >> around that. And um and there's on the one side there's huge conra constraints. There is town water. That's the positive. >> Yeah. >> But on the left side there are still
constraints. So even to get a driveway in to build on that little bitty bit in back is >> um challenging. >> Yeah. >> So we tried for that's where we tried for veterans housing. Yes, we worked on that for a long time.
>> Yeah. And and there was a possibility there when that [clears throat] got shut down in town meeting if I remember right. >> Yes, I did. >> Um and so, uh I just wanted to put that out there about Atwood Acres. Somebody should be paying attention to that. >> So,
>> okay. >> Um so, that's that. Um we will have opening we're going to post uh [laughter] for we have one opening for a trustee and we will need a different um select board rep after April 27th
assigned. It has to be a select board member who's a trustee. [clears throat] So keep that in mind. And all resignations and appointments need to be filed at the registry of deeds. And >> yeah because it's a trust. Yeah. because
of the trust. >> It's a recorded um and we typically do that once a year. Adam does that for us. >> Yeah. >> Uh oh, the law is in my car for the um easement. It's ready to roll. >> Okay. >> Of the water easement on Blood Road. So,
I will um Everybody [clears throat] was too fast yesterday. [laughter] It was 5:30 after all. But anyway, when I realized that, so I do have it in the car and I'll get it to you to be given to Adam so that that can get um put on
the registry. But I would I would do it at the same time that we do the um changes to the board. So, >> okay, [clears throat] >> that's it. I don't think there's anything else any questions.
>> All right. Um 5.8 properties committee report. Karen, can you screen share that? >> I can. Let's see here. >> I saw that lovely. I saw that lovely little list. >> Yeah.
>> Which one would you like to start? >> We're going to use two motions. Why don't we do the conservation one? >> Well, do we can whatever. >> Here is the conservation one. >> Okay. So, um,
I'd like a motion for the transfer of these three properties to the conservation commission. Now, um, it was recommended by conservation on June 6 on
June 25th, 2025. However, properties did not meet until well, two or three within this last month anyway. So, we actually didn't even know about this at our first meeting or this would have been done
before. So, um >> it was confirmed with Colby that uh >> I remember when that was discussed. >> Do we have a date for when Town Properties um agreed to this? Is it last week?
because I do this per the recommendation of the town properties committee >> um >> on and the date >> Oh, it was um well, we met the 9th and the the 9th was our last meeting and we we
approved those minutes and that's when that was done. >> Okay. So, it's 392026. Um >> we can verify that with um Sabrina in the minutes or Jod. I move that the select board ex
accept the recommendation of the town property committees on March 9th, 2026 to transfer the following properties to consom as voted at their June 25th meeting. Um Elm Street 17105
off West Worester Road 17660 and Riverbank Terrace 18270 second. >> Okay. And just for further discussion, I'll have uh Jody clarify the date on the motion by the committee. Okay.
>> Pen review the date. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh, roll call vote. >> Veronica and Laura and I. Okay. Now the next one. >> Okay. I have >> Go ahead. So I have something to say
about these. >> Okay. So this list that was done, we reviewed each one looking at the map and um, basically we approved these to go forward with a couple of questions.
Those questions were answered yesterday. um by Vicki and it was moved that all of these be put up for auction. Okay. So I see wetlands and wetlands fall there. Um I I know at the auction
last year we were told that all of those properties by town properties we were told that all of them were unbuildable and that was not the case. And these went for really, really low prices, like
8K, 2K, 1K. And now houses are going on them. The one over by the police station, the one at the corner of Highlands and Adams. And I I can probably
>> Oh, yeah. Um Yeah. Uh, and if these are buildable lots, I want the auction price to start at a at a um >> reasonably >> reasonably buildable. [clears throat]
>> I was going to say 75. I started with 100 in my head at home, but then I thought, oh, but we're selling the one on Hannes for 100, so maybe 75. I think 50 is low, but um I was at that auction and I didn't think these were buildable.
And then I started getting the calls saying um hey, how is it that the house is going on out there? Um because I thought that these could not be built on. >> I I didn't think that the one on the
corner of Dudley Road and 13 was not buildable. >> Okay. Adam's Road eventually went for 75K. >> Correct. >> Um I thought the one at Dudley was not. Um let me see. Uh
>> that's sandy soil with town water. Why would that be unbuildable? >> Because and it's wet right there. There's a a stream that goes right through. You wouldn't think that that would be buildable. And in fact, it is. I thought it would be used for access to back
land, but not the case. Um, let me see. >> Um, >> so essentially you're just asking for >> for any highest and best. >> Yeah, we want highest and best and for any that could be buildable. So
>> to be priced accordingly to be priced >> with a review by the building commissioner basically, >> right? So I would like these reviewed by the building commissioner before the auction. I would like to know which ones
could wind up with a a building permit and I would like a minimum amount for them. Uh in other words, I would want them to start at 75. >> [laughter]
>> I might be talked into 50, but um in any event, that's what I think because if I I think if we're selling buildable lots, we should sell them for buildable lot price. >> The first thing that has to be I I think that that's a really good idea to have
the building inspector u give his opinion on all of these. Um, and then the next step is for the auction house to make sure that their titles are clear, otherwise they won't take them and put them up, which we've had a
couple of situations like that. And [clears throat] then Okay, go ahead. I'm looking at the one with DCR. Uh, has anybody contacted DCR to say see if they are interested in purchasing that?
That's 9 acres and it abuts the DCR property. Um, I would call DCR and you know I don't know when they do their land things. >> I think that was a landlock one. >> It is landlocked.
Um, so >> I want to say that was mentioned. >> Has anybody >> contacting the about the butter? I want to say it was mentioned. And I can't remember the the um answer, but we can find out.
>> Yeah. >> The whole point on all of these is to get highest and best. I promise you. >> Really? Um the next to ambulance parking, do we want to get rid of that one.15
acres? Is that something that could be useful for the town? Um, I don't I didn't go to the meeting and I haven't watched any of the town properties meeting. So, I'm just wondering what the conversations are.
>> Well, I mean, >> it's being used for parking by others, [clears throat] >> not by the fire station. Does the fire station want it? Do the does the fire department want it? >> We didn't ask them, but we certainly
could. >> I think it would be a good idea to ask them. >> I mean, you could put up signage there. You know, there's ways to prevent that. Start ticketing the car [laughter] that's parking there. >> Maybe that's our off street parking.
>> Just have a conversation with them. >> Well, I was I was going to say because where is it in relation? It's more of an offline like >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean I I [clears throat] would I think there needs to be more work done on this I guess is the bottom line on this list in my opinion. That's
what I think. >> Go to Bob Garside and then you can ask the chief if he has any interest in the parking lot. >> Get back for the whole parking lot. We were just looking to get money
>> for the town. >> Not a bad thing. >> And get it off our list. >> Um lines 22 and 23 I'm good with. Um >> so >> all of them are really throwing it up in the air and see what sticks.
>> Um the the one on the Warren Road 11.94 that one uh I you could build a house on that on the existing footprints. of the house that's there. Um, this is the one that we had talked about in my last
round of select board cutting off the back. >> Um, fishing game was interested in buying it and then we had set 5,000 aside in the budget >> to do any um survey work and offer it to um >> fishing game.
>> Uh, we were going to offer the back land to fishing game. That's what the survey was. But they didn't want it >> get things. Yeah, they did actually. Um, >> so what happened? >> What happened is I got off the board. Nobody acted on this and we were going to offer the front part to Habitat for
Humanity uh as a as a project for the town for affordable housing. That was what we thought. But if we're going up for auction, given that you could build a bungalow on the existing footprint, it
is a buildable lot and it's 11.94 acres. >> I would not want that sold. Yeah, there's a lot of work that has to be done out there, but that work can be done >> and I would not want it sold for $2,000. >> Um, is what I'm saying. I would want it
to start a whole lot higher than even the 75K that we've been discussing. So, >> we'll we'll see what um Garside says because that property it would cost a lot to just get it all cleaned up. So, you
have to add that to the cost of the land. >> Yeah, you do. But still, >> okay. >> I I mean, you could put a whole developer development. I don't know if there's water there though. >> So there's water. >> No, there's no water there. It would
have to be a well subject, >> but you could uh you could do a little there. You took a road in and I've seen a whole lot. [laughter] >> Do you want a motion to approve these except for
>> um with the further in investigation as um stated knowing that we're looking for the highest and best >> I want to report back. I'm not just gonna say, "Hey, we want you can do this afternoon, but I want to report back."
>> And I would like that in our April >> [clears throat] >> um what is it 7th meeting? >> Yeah. >> Report back on this that that's me. >> Um and then you >> facilitate that please. >> Sorry. >> Um
okay. So, the the other two items that we address, just giving you information, is um the West Towns and Reading Room, which we can't put on the list. Um there is something about the title and there's
something about the use and so that is being investigated by him. >> There's an email into Adam right now checking on the deeds, right? If there's a reverter clause or not and if there is no deed, what do we do? Uh, I guess, okay, I guess the one on
this list that I could vote for is the Heart Library. >> Um, without further investigation. >> Yeah, >> I mean, that's going to cost money to dump it out, too. >> Yeah, I I have a mask. The facilities uh manager said I need to go in there with
a mask, so that's I'm already sick, so I might as well go in there tomorrow and find out more. So, >> let's do the whole all of it [clears throat] at the same time. >> What do I got to lose? [laughter] Okay, let's do all of them at the same time because they'll all be going on the annual town meeting. So, when we vote on
April 7th, hopefully we have all the information to answer your questions and it can go on the warrant. Okay. >> Okay. Or at the very least, we can put if there aren't enough if there isn't enough information, you'll have some make a smaller list
>> and you know and put that forward. >> Okay. We'll see what happens on the seventh. Um, okay. So on So that's the reading room um that we discussed. Also, there's a
property that's the old dump on Turnpike Road and it was mentioned, but we found out differently that um there was a dump in Dunstable and Tink Pearl that ended up with solar on it. So we talked about
that and it turns out that that is not owned by the town in Dunstable. So but that but they did use it for that. So um Vickiy's going to look into that a little bit more about what we can do with that. >> Okay. So I was on the committee that
wrote the solar bylaw many many years ago. Kathy Arua was still with us. Um, and there wasn't the correct the poles needed to change. Unatil would not be able to support solar on that property.
>> I remember that when we were with the library, we went to there and we said, "Could you do it over there?" And they had to upgrade >> and and so I don't know the status of that at this point, >> but it probably was before that huge ice storm where they redid everything. Maybe [clears throat] >> uh No, it wasn't. No, it was after that
it was um >> in the 2015 2016 2017 time frame >> that that was the case. Um and I think it was the first round of select board
same thing. So if they did it because quite frankly we don't lose electricity what like we used to in this town. So something has been happening um with UNATIL um something good. [laughter] So but I don't know if they're able to
support it out there or not. >> Okay. Well, it's still on the list. So that's 10 years later. So let's see if anything else maybe something is there that we can do. Okay. >> So anyway, so to be continued to the uh
move to April 7th meeting on 5.8 eight 5.9. >> Um I have no updates or reports for you guys at this time. Um other than we had a special town meeting that went I think
decently on 319 and um thank you for those that attended. [clears throat] Okay. >> Sorry. >> Um, we don't have any formal announcements. I will just mention about the positions
available. >> I may say we keep it moving because we have >> I know >> four high time executive session things, >> right? >> Just to throw this in perspective for timing. [laughter] So, Um, I wasn't going to have a long list. I just want to say we still have
volunteer positions available as well as >> check with the town clerk. >> Some vacant selected positions. >> Um, 5.11. >> Um, I move that I move to sign payable and bills payable warrants out of
session. Second. >> Okay. No discussion. Roll call vote count. I shift and I 6.1 we discuss the annual meetings >> you will have these on 47
>> 47 move to 47 >> yes ma'am >> 6.2 two. Uh, is that also moved to 47? >> Those are done. They've been reviewed by Adam. I will put them on the screen for you to look at. They've been handed to the town clerk.
>> It's just like a wording or two updated. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Actually, I did not see feedback. I think it was just to basically match up with the charter language for the first one. >> So, uh I can read them aloud. Shall the
for ballot question one. Shall the town of town shall the town of towns in accordance with the town of towns in charter section 3-2 select board subsection a composition in term office ratify passage of article 7 on the May 6 2025 annual town meeting warrant thus
changing the composition of the select board from three to five members provided that such five member board will have a three-year overlapping terms so a range that as nearly as an equal number of members as possible shall expire each year. Question two, um,
shall the town of Townsen be allowed to assess an additional $197,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes for the purpose of funding wage and benefit obligations under the police department collective bargaining agreement for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027.
>> Okay. Okay. Do you need a motion to send it down to town? >> We did last to the edits. Yep. So, >> very good. Yeah. >> Uh 6.3 fiscal year budget update 27 budget update.
>> So I can share with you in a really uh succinct form if you want to see the budget that still is reliant on free cash to the sugarin of our policies. Um or or I can do this in a much more detailed version
>> on 47. But you know um >> what's the bottom line? Bottom line is if you use I'll show you >> see the recap. >> Yeah, I'll share this with you because I it's like it's like a carrot. [clears throat] [laughter] Oops. >> Raise your hand. >> Raise my own hand.
Um so recap, you know, numbers for the operating have, you know, come up a little bit because I missed the $10,000 in the landfill money. I put back some funds in the communication chunk um to support some of the different um obligations there. Um, you still have
your peg access over here. That's going to actually drop down to 152ish. That's about what they got from Comcast this past year. That'll balance out down below. Snow and ice is static at about 315. Hopefully, it'll be just a smidge under.
Um, so those we've seen for a while. You know, important to note that capital stabilization will pay off the last payment of the cap loader, which is $31,100, which will leave you with about $14,000ish dollars left in capital stabilization.
Just important to be mindful of that for future causes. Um, in terms of, you know, revenue, you know, ambulance receipts, PEG access will balance out. Um, [clears throat] I am using $140,000 in free cash to balance your budget.
currently snow and ice at 3:15. I'm still playing around with some reductions here for scenario one. Um, you know, [clears throat] I am still accounting for the 197 for the police and then the SRO. Um, important to note now with the police article 4 passing at
special town meeting that those um officers within the collective ping group are looking at a 4% wage increase in the event that the override does not pass for fiscal year 27. Um, so I will build that out in the next week or so. I've begun doing that based on the buckets we identified at special town
meeting. So basically adding 4% to those. Um, so currently you end up, you know, we're plus about almost, you know, $11,000. Um, so maybe this, you know, decreases the reduction
over here. you know, if you say you do want the web master, you do want to keep land use coordinator, you know, trust housing expenses, you know, things of that nature. I did move away these other reductions. I see your hand up, but I will come to it in just a moment.
>> Um, important to note that with free cash, we did spend 4750 at special town meeting. Um, that was it for free cash. Um the other articles uh legal counsel was not covered. Elections was not
covered either. Clear gov was not covered. Um and that should be 140 but >> okay. So um that should increase it. But what I think is I know that the 50,000
didn't pass at town meeting. However, what what I heard said >> was that we need to put it in the budget and whether it was put in a stabilization or not, those funds are needed >> um >> for council
>> for for labor council because we have all the work being done. [clears throat] >> Same thing for elections >> um some degree. So, I think both of those things need to be the elections. We're going to we just did the special
town meeting to consider that question even though our town clerk said it was passing over it. >> I think I think and I've talked to Harrison about that. He might still do it because the wording is so different than what's needed. We might have to pass it over. >> I I think that we should incorporate it into the budget. Both of those things.
>> And I think Harrison and Kieran and I were supposed to connect on that afterwards and it probably got lost in my mind. on it now because this is a a thing for the board of select not a single person >> um in my opinion. >> Oh yeah. >> So just to get his feedback to bring to
you guys say that I think that we need to put it both of those the election and the um and the amount for council in the budget because the good news on that is those are for one-time expenditures.
[clears throat] Yes. which is why you use free cash. But they will come out for next year because the following year [clears throat] we should not have >> we won't have all that um >> lobbying whatever you want to call it
today negotiations [laughter] and we'll have less less >> um and that and we will have less elections. >> So why not put it in the budget and use free cash for it? I ended up increasing
the town council number to 975. >> That's good. >> But I could keep going. Like we were at 825 last year. So if you add 50k to it, you're at one >> 130 >> 132. >> Um so that means that's going to come out of free cash. So really free cash we're going to take.
>> We're already Yeah. >> So you'd be essentially using it's like you had two shots at it. So you had special town meeting. However, it's not a stabilization fund anymore. Now it's just any money that's unspent there, cross our fingers that we get lucky, goes back to free cash next year.
>> Exactly. And doesn't have to be budgeted for FY28, right? And and same for the elections. >> Yeah. >> And so in a way, it's it's a good use of free cash. >> Oh, we got you on the [laughter] record.
>> And if we're using free cash in the budget anyway, well then let's use free cash in the budget. >> Yeah. You know, it doesn't help us. it's needed. >> Yeah. It doesn't help us with our policy and it still doesn't >> means I think the town, >> you know, your town administrators
really need to focus on projections and a and a product like a clear gov or whatever it is to really figure out like how do you make this work in fiscal year 28 and 29. But you know, we do know we have those union negotiations coming up and they are timeconuming. I mean it's
an eight hour day for labor council to sit here. It's >> and it's [clears throat] not cheap. >> And it's not cheap. And anyway, so that's just what I [laughter] have to say. I mean, if we're using free cash anyway, well, >> open the door. >> It's the we we're throwing out the
>> Yeah. >> And so why not just go for it? You know, if we if we can't >> follow the rule of law, then [clears throat] >> let's do it, >> okay? >> Because it make it it's needed. Where
does that come from? do we not negotiate with our labor council and and you know and we have a fidcom who says why aren't we using you know we should be doing them >> um and so it's needed
>> yeah I will I will input those into the different buckets and uh also input them into the free cash line and you know I still think the reductions aren't a bad you know these aren't they're not FTEES they're just sort nipping and tucking
here and there. Um, you know, I do think >> I agree in >> Yeah. So, >> did you What's the TA app at? What What's the TA salary? >> 180. >> Okay, good. That's good. >> Yeah.
>> Um, yeah, I had no problem taking those things out. >> Okay. I mean, you accounted for them in the >> in the recap, so you might as well just put it in the budget and pull it out of the recap. >> Yeah. >> Make it real. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. I can just do that here. And then this will go up because the the obligation will go up here. >> So, I figure that's probably going to go up about 100K. What's ballpark is 70 maybe 50 plus 35 85.
Yeah, I'll play around with it and get you so you're balanced. So, and then happy to, you know, share this with folks and catch up with Fincom at their next meeting to share it with them as well. >> Okay. >> And we take it from there. So, >> Okay. So, you're going to meet with them next week.
>> Yeah. I'm going to try to get in front of them and I did create a list serve for them so that I can email them information. Okay. >> One of the members said, you know, our chair is a busy man. So I said, "All right, you know, if I send information to him, I don't want him to have to be solely responsible for forwarding it." So I know I have all their emails and I
can just send everything to them. Um, so they get it all at the same time. And you know, one person's available, one's not. It's not like someone's being, >> you know, sort of slow walked by. >> Can you share that just so I can send them the TA? >> I'm going to be the one who will send them information. Yeah. >> Okay. The TA request probably shouldn't
come. Should that come from the select board? >> I can just ask on that. Okay. Yeah, I would keep it a really narrow purpose because I I said this to them already like this is not for open. >> No, no, no. This was just I just wanted to put the TA job on the agenda for them
to review. >> Okay. >> The listing the posting >> when you send it to the list, it's blind copy, right? >> It is. But that doesn't mean that folks don't just take their phone and say reply back to just one person and then it opens a can of worms. >> Yep.
>> Risk reduction. [laughter] Um, so that was your uh budget update. >> Okay, awesome. [clears throat] Seven. Our next meetings are April 7th and April 21st with times to be determined.
And next we are going to four executive sessions and we will be adjourning from the executive sessions. I Laura Shiffron move to enter into and adjourn from executive session pursuant
to open meeting law chapter 30 section 21 A2 to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-UN personnel or contract negotiations with non-UN personnel. Police Chief 8.1
Executive session pursuant to Open Meeting Law Chapter 3A section 21A2 to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-UN personnel or contract negotiations with
non-UN personnel non-UN personnel. 8.2 two, executive session pursuant to open meeting law, chapter 30, section 2183 to discuss strategy with per with respect to collective
bargaining. If an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public body and the chair so declares Athne local 93 clerical union supervisors union highway
water union I lao declare 8.3 executive session pursuant to open meeting law chapter 30A section 21 A3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining saying if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the
bargaining position of the public body and this the chair so declares police union I lower Shiffrren so declare I have a second seconded >> do you need to add in and we will be adjourning >> I did that was in the beginning of the motion >> it was okay
>> okay um any further discussion >> hearing none roll call >> uh so you have 8.1 8.2 2 8.3. We have an 8.4. >> I thought you read. >> She read them. >> Okay. I'm just looking at the motions.
You only have three motions there. >> Oh, did you not read it? >> I did police union. >> I heard you chief non >> I did the non-un police chief. >> I thought you >> I did the non-union personnel
something. This You know what? There isn't a number in front. It should have been >> There isn't a number in one of them. >> Yeah. >> So for those listening at home, it was >> It was 8.1 8.2 8.3 and 8.4. >> Correct. Yeah. The number of convention
is 8.1 is for police chief. 8.2 is for non-union personnel. 8.3 is for ask me local 93 clerical union supervisors union highway water union. 8.4 is for the police union. our motions that we were uh transcribing just had a typo in
them. So >> Miss Shiffrin read them correctly, but we just had our number sequence was a bit off for those listening. So, >> okay, with that clarification, roll call vote. Thank you all very much. at 7:35 and we are adjourned.