Good afternoon. I'd like to call the meeting of the select board on May 5th, 2026 at 5:00 pm to order. Roll call. >> Laura Shiffren here. I'm Sarah Logan here >> and Valerie Gooditch here. And I'd ask Vice Chair Shiff, lead us in the pledge.
>> [cough] [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. >> [clears throat] >> If I may, I'd like to thank all of our
veterans and those that are serving now here and abroad, as well as all of our first responders and all of our staff and elected and appointed officials as well as their families for the contributions they make
to our town. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, I'd like to announce that this meeting is being recorded and will be uploaded to YouTube. And um is there anyone else recording? [clears throat] Don't hear anybody. Thank you very much. Um so tonight we have a pretty quick
agenda. Um just some minutes, some appointments, a little bit of budget stuff, and then the police chief is going to come in maybe to to discuss this contract. Um if it is okay with the board, I'd like to move his item up if he shows up. Is that all right?
>> Yes. Okay. Awesome. And um the only announcement I have this time and if people want to bring fun announcements for this section, I welcome you to do so. Um is that the Friends of Library having their annual plant sale on Saturday. So if you have perennials you want to divide and donate or you need
some, I highly recommend you go over there. There's usually a ton of stuff and I'm going to be sad that I'm not going to be here. So that is Saturday and information on the library web page. So um number four, meeting minutes. Um I
Sarah Logan move to approve the meeting minutes of 42126 as presented. >> Laura Shiffren second. >> Any discussion? >> No. Roll call. >> Laura Shiffron I. >> Sarah Logan I. >> Sally G.
And um five appointments and resignations 5.1. Um, I, Sarah Logan, move to appoint Donna Howard as transportation coordinator of the senior center with effective start date of May 19th, 2026
contingent upon successful completion of all employment requirements. >> Laura Ship and second [clears throat] discussion no roll call. >> Sarah Logan, yes. Laura Shippen, yes.
>> Value address 5.2. I Sarah Logan move to appoint Jane O'Hara as Democratic Party seat holder on the board of registars effective April 1st 2026 for a term to expire March 31st 2029
>> second Laura Shiffren any discussion no roll call >> Laura Shiffron I >> Sarah Logan I >> Valerie Goodri I um 5.3 um I Sarah Logan move to appoint Natalie call as a full member of the zoning
board of appeals effective May 5th, 2026 for a term to expire June 30th, 2030. [clears throat] Laura Shiffren second. Any discussion? >> I do not. >> Sounds good. >> Roll call. [clears throat]
>> Laura Shiffren, yes. Sarah Logan, yes. >> Good. Yes. 5.4. >> I, Sarah Logan, move to appoint Abigail Farley as a full member of the zoning board of appeals effective May 5th, 2026 for a term to expire June 30th, 2028.
>> Second, Laura Shiffren, any discussion? I did watch the interviews and I was impressed with the excitement of a young person coming on board and um
sharing perspective on hoping to help the town and learn more. >> Nice. >> Great. Okay. >> Roll call. Sarah Leven, Laura,
Jess, and thank you to everybody for their service to attend to these positions. Um, volunteer response forms. Um, Sarah, these are in the folder usually. Okay. >> The way it usually works is that the board, what the person is volunteering for, will show up pretty much,
>> okay? >> And decide if they're going to appoint them, and then they come back to us for an appointment after. [clears throat] >> So, it's kind of like a two-step process. They're in there so you can look at them, take a peek so we can keep track of them. >> Okay. >> In the future. Any comments? [clears throat] >> Does that make sense? >> Yes.
>> And Sabrina keeps track of like when they're appointed and when they're when the volunteer response runs come in. So >> where are they in? >> They will be they'll be in that agenda item folder every time. >> Okay. >> And if there's any that you want to call any, right? >> No, but that's where they will
be [laughter] for the future and it's not necessarily else. It's just for our review. >> Gotcha. >> So you don't It's not necessarily something we do about at that time, but just so we all know when we get to a meeting that they're in there. >> Okay. Um reports 61 town measure.
>> I have no reports because tonight is a town meeting. >> Exactly. Exactly. That and 6.2 leaison. Anything. I'm on file. [clears throat and laughter] >> I I've had a few meetings this week, but I think they're all um [clears throat] at this point I would just say they're
all recorded and we'll hear more tonight from the department. >> Yeah. And I don't have any right now. Actually um I will update school which will feed into a different item. So the school committee did meet last week and they um
voted on a slightly revised budget which changed the town assessment. So, as we approved a town administrator to do to roll that into the [clears throat] budget, it was done. So, we'll talk about that. Okay. That line item and as
requested, I see Chief Sartell is here. So, if there is no disagreement, I would like to move to 8.1. Okay. I Sarah Logan move to approve the three-year employment contract for the police chief.
>> Laura Shep second. the discussion up there. [laughter] >> I think we already discussed that's how we got >> Right. Right. Right. It's been a lot of discussion. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, I know it's been a little bit of process to get here, as it often is,
but I think I hope I speak for the board that we appreciate your continued service to town and um you know, how well this contract process went and um looking forward to working with you for another 3 years. >> All right. I appreciate that. You're
very welcome and I too am very appreciative of the professionalism um that went into negotiating the contract. Those things can be um difficult at times and it's easy to take personally at at certain points and that type of thing and I understand the challenges facing the town on an economic front. So I do appreciate the sign of support. If
it works for you, I'll take them sign them out of I don't know if you sign in session or sign out session and I'll just >> Yeah, we were going to sign in front of them. Right. >> Oh, perfect. And I'll just take them back when uh when it's ready for uh for Karen. Appreciate it. >> Perfect. >> You can do that one.
[snorts] >> [laughter] >> It's like buying a house. You should always check every page. >> Initial every page. >> That's what I do. >> I'm with you. >> The little stickies. >> Yeah. >> 30-year mortgage always feels kind of daunting. Like 30 years, huh?
>> I saved a pen from my first mortgage that we really keep it in my office at home. >> I like to hear that. I really [laughter] do. >> This is our first house. >> We're copies for you. >> Thank you very much. >> We will scan a copy of this and it will go online. So, just for your own knowledge, but that your other contracts
up there as well. So, [clears throat] >> roger that. All right. Thank you very much. >> Thank you so much, Chief, for coming in. [clears throat] >> You're up for town meeting. >> I am. I am ready. [laughter] >> I'll see you folks over there. >> Excellent. All right. This is mine, right? Thank you, sir. >> On there, I believe it is.
>> Yep. Excellent. Cool. Thank you guys. See you later. >> Thank you. Thank you for coming. All righty. Back we go to um 7.1 review discuss annual and special town meeting setup and motions. >> So there was a motion sort of assignment
sheet. I can bring that up on the screen if you wish if they allow me to share. Let's see. Um but we don't have to if you guys already reviewed it. >> I know time is of a relative. We have I mean we can take a quick second to look through it if you
want. >> Is it on here? >> It is. I just put it in. >> Was this mine or yours? >> That's yours. >> Okay. Thank you. >> It's basically all the >> Okay, let me grab it. >> Who's assigned to what? Under >> seven. Grab
>> motion's assigned to print [clears throat] and I'm actually excited about article three. >> Yeah. What is want to see what happens? [laughter] Pay >> attention. >> What's what's this trust fund for? Can you remind me?
>> It is to operate the gravestones in the West Towns and District. >> Thank you. >> And to be responsible for the like >> upkeep and maintenance of that space. >> Um so DPD, this is the downside. The tracking changes. You can't turn them off when
they're online, when they're not sent as a PDF. So, give me one second here. >> Sorry, that's why I saved as PDF and I forgot. See, I think Sarah, we're going to let you kick off special. [laughter] >> Oh, great.
>> It's okay. I'll get I'll get the time minister back next year. Who's over 30? [clears throat] Uh so on the screen of course it's nice and small to give us even more challenges but um here are your motions. >> That's the warrant.
>> Yeah that's not what I had pulled up. >> Good one second should update. It's looking at something else. Oh, [clears throat] there you go. Okay. So, yeah, I just kind of started and went in order and it kind of worked out that I think um
>> Okay. So, you want me to do >> Yeah, Lori, I'll print this out. We'll print this out so you don't have to write it on there. After that, it's already on the printer. >> It's already on the printer. So, >> um I think the beginning ones are pretty straightforward. One, two, three
appointments. Um, >> we just need volunteers for the trust fund to hopefully stand up. >> And if nobody stands up. >> Okay, >> Mr. Moderator, we have no volunteers. >> Okay, great. >> So then Lori, you have community
[clears throat] preservation. I know you've been paying a lot of attention to that, so I thought that was appropriate. >> It just kind of worked out in the order. >> Excited. [laughter] Um then we go to police for detail revolving funds >> for CPA. There's some questions in regards to the amounts. >> Yeah.
>> So you may find that the members stand up to share their own amounts that they have from the CPA >> folks. So just as an FYI, >> I've been called. >> Okay. So you're in the >> If what I said was if you're going to amend
the motion, have it in writing and then clear it with you and town council. town council. Yeah. >> Before it goes. [clears throat] >> Y. >> Okay. >> Perfect. I thought I thought you should do that one. >> Um then we go to like police detail um revolving fund spending limits. So the
moderator might request you to read from the warrant there with the >> if you look at the warrant for those revolving funds. >> Okay. Where's that one? >> So you'll have when you when you come in, you can pick up the warrant. Okay. >> I'll help you out. >> Thank you. >> No problem. I I missed like the first year I was
like that. Um I assume it's long. [clears throat] >> No, it's just is it short? >> 15 items. Okay. And just the amounts. Um Lori, you got elected officials. I've got the operating budget. One thing with the exact motion wording
for that. Um then we go back to Sarah for PAS. Lori for Water Enterprise, which works because Lori is the on there, right? Okay, we [laughter] >> did that. >> Go ahead. >> No, I was just wondering Dave is here.
Were you gonna recognize him? The guy in the water department. >> Is there >> um in terms of >> I just saw him here and was there any question on anybody have any questions on the water enterprise budget article?
>> I don't. It's the language that I received from the water department. So, >> okay. So, if you're curious about about it, there's a lot of lawsuit money coming in. There's going to be millions more. >> But every time it comes in, it has to be
frozen in place until it's appropriate at time meeting. >> Okay? >> And that's what that's all about. So, every town meeting there'll probably be funds being transferred over >> otherwise [clears throat] it can't be used. >> Yeah. Perfect.
>> Okay. So, I'm doing water. >> Yeah. And it I'm sure someone will ask you to explain that. So [laughter] department heads know their department's best better than us. So >> right, >> I welcome you to explain whatever that would be great. >> Um, so anything you need us to do for
that other than just read the motion or >> No. >> Okay. It's a I I wrote a little explanation for for people why it has to go because part of the um lawsuit is that it only be spent for POS.
>> Yeah. >> Or POS remediation. [clears throat] It can't be used for anything else. So, but then then there's an explanation where it's going now. uh can be put in for new means to bring water manes to sections of town that
that could have peas. So, but it can't be used for other can't be used for payroll. It can't be used for a lot of other things. >> Perfect. >> And paying down the debt is one.
>> Awesome. So, you'll have all that information for >> Yeah, it's it's actually Yeah. So I cancel all of it. >> Thanks Dave. Appreciate it. Um so article 10. Yep. Lory's got that
article 11 solid waste. Pretty straightforward. >> Yeah. First year for the enterprise fund for them. So yeah, >> good to see it's kicking off. So >> y um and then Sarah Arc 12 also has a little table. >> Okay. >> That you'll see on the warrant. >> Okay. >> I'll just point it out to you on the
when you pick up the warrant when you walk in. Um, necess Lori. Then I got PG access. And then after that, yep. Hostings. Sarah. Lory's got West Towns
and Reading Room. I've got the multiple town owned properties. There's a table for that, too. And then, um, after that, I think we get into citizens petition. So, that's on them. >> Yeah. I do have to read an explanation of this of the planning board remarks.
Um, you know, in summary, there was a take no action um vote from them, but I'll read that um when this comes up with those different award articles and try to encompass all three because it's sort of a broad stroke from the planning board. Um, but I'll share that.
>> Very good. Perfect. Yeah. So, I think that's it on that. Any questions on how the annual meeting is going to go down? Comments? >> Hope there's lots of participation. Nice 80° night. See who comes out.
>> Yep. Okay. Unless there is no other. >> And these are your slides. >> Mhm. >> Says no comments in 7.1. I'll go to 7.2. Do you discuss the FY27 budget? I know that Kier and give little update there. >> Yeah. So school um
last Thursday, I guess Wednesday, Thursday changed their assessment is a decrease for us. So it's 109 109,900. Um so just a smidge under $110,000. Um because we had done a lot of our
allocations already and we had received pincom you know support of that recommended budget. Um, you know, my gut check with a few other TAs was put that into a select board salary reserve contracts bucket with the intention that
we we have now four pending union negotiations to go and work with those folks to see if that's something we can resolve. Um, you do have to account for it in your budget or you'll basically lose it. Um, and your tax rate would change. So, you
do have to account for it within the numbers. Um, [clears throat] you know, I'm deeply appreciative of the schools really sharpening their pencils and sort of coming to, you know, realize or, you know, balancing their books in a way that, um, relieved some pressure on
the town. Um, you know, the town municipal staff, I think, first and foremost, because I think the alternatives there is a pretty slim pickings for wages and growth for the town. Um, so that you'll see will actually increase the select board TA
total budget more. It actually adds two or three% to it. So now you're about 13.49% growth from one year over the other. Um, and this empowers the select board to work with different union groups um on contracts and
see if there's any way to reshape percentage growth. Is it is it a cola? Is it a step? however it might be. Um, that would be my recommendation at least for how to use those funds. Any unused funds after this allocation return their free cash. So,
>> so we did kind of give Kieran permission our last meeting to put that decrease school assessment into budget, but um I'd like to take a motion to move that decrease in school assessment to um line 22, which is board of salary reserve contract. Um the new number for FY27
would be 109900. >> Laura Shiffren second. >> So move. >> Oh, you'd like to Did you say entertain a motion? >> I asked entertain. [laughter] >> Okay. Laura Shiffren so moves. >> And Sarah can second. >> Second. >> For those wondering where it is on the
budget line to Val's point is line 22 POS salary reserve. Um I checked with town council as well so they even go farther to be about how we can use it. He goes that you can spread across other budget segments. Um [clears throat] so that's why it's very useful um
specifically for salary reserve type of um concepts. >> Doesn't mean we have to use all of it though, right? >> It does not. >> Okay. >> And that um does not change the bottom line at all. >> No. >> Just reflects that changing school assessment. >> Any other discussion on that one?
Just for those doing math at home before you vote, your number is still 28,644,820. >> So exact amount is exactly the same. >> And we appreciate everybody's work on that for sure. Roll call.
Yes. Sarah Logan. Yes. >> Any other questions on this? Good. [clears throat] Um 7.3 town administrator screen update. Um, we have hopefully a couple interviews in the next week or two and then we'll update
you once we get past that. >> Sounds good. >> Any questions? >> It's going. Do you have an update on the number that you got? I >> think it is 15 applicants to not remember. Quality not quantity is the
>> correct. [laughter] So hopefully you have at least two if not three. we will let you know soon enough. [laughter] >> So that and I do thank the police chief library director because it's they put in a lot of extra effort on top of their fulltime
>> jobs in town to really support and their guidance has been really nice because they are very long-standing employees with you know and they have a lot of tenure they've been through six days or so each so [clears throat] lots of good thoughts um okay new business 8.1 or I
did 8.2 Two. I Sarah Logan move to review and sign payroll and bills payable warrants out of session. Laura second. Any questions? Discussion. Roll call. >> Sarah.
Yes. Um nine next meeting. So we have a executive session meeting on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. Um and then Kieran 5:12. Is that still? >> Yeah, that's a goal. It's TBD based on a couple different moving parts at this
time. Um, but I should know within the next day or so. Um, and I'll let you guys know so we can be scheduled from there. >> Yeah. [clears throat] >> Um, I would suspect 5:00 p.m. would be the right starting point for that. >> Right. So, we'll 512 is TDV and then 519
will be our regularly scheduled meeting. 5:00 p.m. or >> what day is that? >> 19. >> No. >> Yeah, we talked about that last regular schedule. >> I'm checking when my dunstable time meeting is >> next Monday. >> Is it? [laughter]
>> I just drove through there. That's the only reason I know. >> You sure it's not the election? The elections are usually Yeah. Okay. You saw it. >> I'm pretty sure. Yeah. >> If we if there's a big issue, we'll come back because we'll be together on the right. >> Yeah. So okay I think then um I should
move to adjourn the meeting at 5:26 second roll call yes such yes and we'll see everybody at town