I'm going to call the meeting to order. Will you join me in the pledge of allegiance? I aliance 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. Good evening and welcome to the Monday, July 7, 2025 meeting of the Westport Select Board under Mass General Law Chapter 30A section 20F. This meeting is being recorded. Um I just have a couple comments. The um we the agenda had
posted for an executive session tonight, but we are not going to have that session. It's being postponed to another night. So there will not be an executive session at the end of the meeting. Um our next meeting is two weeks from today. Um so that would be July 21 at
this time. Um we just want to have a couple of things we want to announce. So um at la at our last meeting when we accepted the resignation of um Gary Trip we act we said he res he we we said he resigned. He in fact retired. So Gary
Trip retired as the assistant hire master. He did not resign. He's he did his time and he's ready to just pack it in. Um we want to send a special thank you to some of our town departments. for the um storm damage
coverage, particularly the highway department, the police and fire department for um handling the storm and all the down trees um that happened at the time. And then all the people that it took to make the Fourth of July parade come off. That was such an amazing event every year. I wanted to
thank the Fourth of July parade committee, the highway department, police, fire, cemetery department. There were so many people that made that possible. And just thanks to everyone. and it was perfect weather for the perfect day. So, thank you so much.
And then um we do have uh we want to acknowledge the passing of Paul Vent of Westport. He passed away on June 27. Um he uh let's see, he had a master's degree in public administration for UI U from Urri. He
was a pioneer in economic development in New Bedford Fall River in Boston. He was a champion for people's rights and right to work for over 20 years. He was a vice chancellor of economic development at UMass Dartmouth and was integral in bringing offshore wind to the south coast. In fact, he claimed that he
coined the term south coast. Um, and he was he's a public servant for many decades. So, Craig, I understand that you knew him. I worked with Paul for about 43 years and um he was he was the pioneer in offshore wind um actually
before some of the folks that um were uh claiming credit for it. I mean uh I think that he had a very good team at UMass um Dartmouth uh that worked on economic development. We were a beneficiary of that. Uh but more importantly, he was a longtime resident
of Westport uh from a from a prominent uh big family in the area and um I found him to be a role model and an inspiration and he'll be sorely missed. Thank you. So our sympathies to the Vigant uh family.
Any other announcements? Um so the first item we have on our agenda is a public hearing. We have an application request for private shellfish aquaculture license of um Andre Jessum of 33 Fallon Drive for the
1acre site known as West Branch number five and Rachel Jum. Sorry if I just butchered your name. Um 33 Fallon Drive for the 1acre site as West Branch 3. So Jim um you guys you can come forward. So Jim, you were
explaining to me these are uh so we have two we have two related hearings on here. This one is for new licenses or being newly transferred to the Jess zones, right? Yes, these are um two licenses that are being transferred. We did go through the waiting list. There was nobody on the waiting list
that was interested. Um so that allows them to have more than one site per household. So these were the only ones that were interested and um we did send it to the shellfish committee and to the director of marine services. We have not
heard back anything negative at this point. You guys have anything negative? No. Okay. I have nothing negative to say about Okay. And all the paperwork is in order. All the paperwork is in order. Okay. Um is that about explain it? Do
you want to talk about what you want to do out there? Um basically we're going to continue uh Christ 33 Fallon Drive. Uh my son Andre. Uh the new applications are my wife Rachel can't be here. She's actually traveling. Uh so while I'm up here right now, I think mine's getting renewed uh
right after this, I would believe. But honestly, we're just going to continue what we've been doing. Uh my father and I uh started it a while ago and then then I actually had another friend come in with me um to keep going. My father's passed which my wife uh was trying to take over. My friend had to move out of
the town and stuff which is obviously uh a no no for the aquaculture. Andre's been doing it with me for a while now. Nicholas back there. He also has been coming out this summer and working with me on the farm. Um so really we're just going to keep continuing what we're doing. Uh quite honestly, all three
sites are pretty u uh u important uh to my business. If I lose one of them, I'd probably lose the whole business quite honestly. Um I it's a lot of work, a lot of time, a lot of money that goes into these things. I think a lot of people kind of see the shellfish out there and and believe we're we're we're
millionaires the minute we roll in with a bunch of shellfish, but uh that's not exactly how it happens. So, we plan on continuing what we're doing out there and keeping it a family familyun business. All right, great. Anybody from the board have anything? This is a public hearing. Are there any
comments from the public? We have a sea of blue t-shirts. I'm assuming they're all in favor. So, what's the pleasure of the board? Motion to approval. Second. So, we have a motion to approve and a second. Is there any discussion? All in favor? I
I That's unanimous with one absent. Congratulations. Thank you very much. Good luck. Thank you. And then we switch families. The second one here is the license renewal request of a private shellfish aquaculture license of Kristen Fenelly of 117 Cross
Road for the 25 acre site known as Gooseberry Site 2. Kerianne Fenoly 117 Crossroad for the 25 acre site known as Gooseberry site 1. Christopher Just one Kirby Road for the 3acre site known as West Branch 4. So the difference here is
that these three you currently have these parcel or I guess are they parcels? You currently have these um these sites and you're just continuing them, right? And is all the paperwork in order? Everything's in order. Okay. These are just renewals. Okay. Anything you want to Motion to approve?
Second. Unless you want to talk. Sorry. Do you want to say anything? Is there This is a public hearing. Is there any discussion? We don't have like Okay. All in favor? I I That's uh you four in favor with one absence. Congratulations. Good work.
Thank you. Everybody go down there. Eat the oysters. Thank you everyone. Thank you. We're just going to give a moment for people to leave. Um, the next item we have is a request
uh for license and permit. We have a request from the Holy Ghost Club at 171 Sodom Road for 1-day liquor licenses for 179 Sodom Road. We are Saturday, July 12 from 4 to 8 for an annual feast. Sunday, July 13, 11 to 4 for an annual feast.
Saturday, July 19, 5 to 10 for a retirement party. Sunday, July 26 from 2 to 8 for a fundraiser. And these are pretty they're standard requests, right? And all the paperwork is in order. All the paperwork's in order. We have favorable please report.
Motion to approve. Second. Is there any discussion? All in favor? I. I. That's um unanimous one absence. Um, at Craig's request, we're going to lump together um, three A, B, C, and D.
Um, so we're just going to, these are, um, appointments to different, um, committees. So, I'm just going to read the names and what they're going to be appointed for. If you would vote no or want more discussion, we'll just put a hold on it. Got it. So, we have a request from Steve to be reo to be
appointed to the economic development task force. A request from Don Davidson to be appointed as fence viewer. A request from Terry Bernard to be reappointed to the affordable housing trust. A request from Mid City Steel to appoint the following public weighers.
Abe Melendez, Tara Wood, Mark Sullivan, Sean Koreah, Noah DeForge, Jeremy Gothier, Maggie Dagar Dagar, and Joseph Sinero. Motion to approve appointments. Second. Is there any discussion?
All in favor? I I. That's four in favor, one absence. We have um a request to appoint a select board member to the infrastructure oversight committee and the economic development task force. So my understanding, Paula, these are u
current they were previously held by Manny Sors, right? Right. Yes, we were holding them till the next meeting. Okay. So, these were previously um held by Manny Sors, but we have an opportunity to if somebody else would like to be on there or we could appoint Manny. Does anybody else want to be on
one of these committees? I voice my um request or support to be on both of those, but again, I'm not in the business of taking someone's seat if they're not here. I move Jake McGwigan for um the select
board member for the infrastructure oversight committee and economic development task force. Second. Is there any discussion? All in favor? I I and thus four in favor and one absence. We have a request from Bill Chase um the
director of marine services to appoint Rick Smith, deputy director of marine services. Welcome, Bill. you've been busy. You've only been employed with us for five days. Well, it started way before that as you
well know. Um so anyway, um I interviewed um three candidates for the deputy director of marine services. Um all three individuals were very qualified. It could have been any one of them quite honestly.
The reason uh I chose Rick for your approval, of course, is that uh I just think a partnership between a retired merchant marine captain and a retired chief of police makes a great combination for the harbor masters
department. I think we bring a world of experience and wisdom u as a team. And I've known Rick for north of three years now. Um, I consider him a close personal friend, confidant,
and a guy that I can work with. And so I ask for your approval uh of Rick for the uh deputy director of marine services. All right. Thank you. So moved. Craig Duter. Second. Is there any discussion?
Rick, you want to say anything? Of course you don't have to. I mean, well, first of all, thank you for uh allowing me, you know, to be here tonight, and I want to thank Captain Chase for his uh trust in me. Um, as you said, we've known each other for three
years, and we've worked extensively on the river. Um, and the, you know, aquaculture side, the the shell fishing side, and now we're on both sides, I guess, from this position on. No. Um I think what you'll see is what
was evident uh over the past weekend over the Fourth of July weekend that we're going to be omniresent. We're going to be working in a partnership. We've already developed incredible partnerships with Chief Dun in the police department, Chief Baldon and the fire department, the lifeguard Cadre down at the state beaches. Uh we've been
in communications with the Coast Guard. Um and talking about training going forward, what we want to do. I know this is going to sound kind of hokey, but we're really practicing what what's commonly known as a community policing model, which is a partnership, and it's
it's the three E. It's it's engagement, it's education, and finally, if we have to, it's enforcement. And I think we found that that was very successful over the Fourth of July holiday. So, I'm honored to be here. I I can guarantee you that um you'll get more than a day's
work out of me every day, and I think Captain Chase knows that. Um, so it's going to be a lot of fun. It's a lot of work and it's a lot of responsibility, but I'm I'm up for it and I want to thank you for this opportunity. Great. Anybody? Madam Chair, as a neighbor, Mr. Smith, I
can tell you he gets up earlier than anybody else on Westport Point every day. For that reason alone, he he voted in. We want him out there, huh? All right, so we already had a motion, right? Um, so all in favor? I I That's four in favor and one absent.
And then Bill, you want to um appoint Morgan Reese's as an assistant harbor master. Yes. So, Madam Morgan. Thanks. So, Morgan was one of the three that I interviewed for that position. Uh, as I
said, he's just as qualified and would have been a very good fit as well. Uh he's currently the harbor master over on the vineyard, a position that he intends to uh keep at least for the short term. Uh but when we have talent like this, we
like to kind of round him up if we can. And he said that he would be willing to join us as an assistant harbor master on an as needed basis. Obviously, he's still got his responsibilities on the vineyard. Um but again, when we see uh talent like this, we like to grab it.
So I humbly ask you to approve Morgan as an assistant harbormaster shellfish warden. I I move uh appointment of Morgan rightus as the um assistant harbor master shellfish warden. Second. I just want to say I'm really excited
that you are joining the group. So um Morgan was one of the finalists that we interviewed when we chose Bill. It was a really hard decision um for those of us who interviewed you both because you both brought so much um complimentary um things to the table. So, I'm really glad
that you're Thank you. that you're getting involved here in Westport and um that you're willing to to take this on. I think it's going to be a good addition to our team. Um is there any other discussion? All in favor? I I that's four in favor and one absent.
Bill, while you're here, is there anything you wanted to bring up? How did the Fourth of July weekend go? It went uh well, better than expected, I have to say. I was kind of going into it with a level of uh trepidation, I guess, is the word. Kind of expecting the
worst, hoping for the best. Uh but I think looking back on it now, and we're all going to debrief at some point during this week, uh the cooperation with WPD was was pretty awesome. It was it was almost seamless. I have to say
they they joined us on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 8 which we figured were the busy times. Uh so we had one of our harbor masters on the boat with one of the uh police detail and they were
basically there. They wore their bright yellow I guess it is their detail shirts and uh they were visibly present. Uh but it was more of a kind of a community outreach um uh educational thing, you know, and and
you know, just making sure everyone's got life jackets on, no bow riders, that kind of thing. I just wanted them to show the badge, and that's really what they did. And uh they were a great bunch of guys, too. I I haven't known these men personally yet, but where I
apparently were going to. Um and the comments from uh Chief Dunn were very positive as well. Uh so you know I I just think we were a presence over the weekend. Uh maybe a large presence because we had three boats out at one
point. We covered the area from the head all the way to the nubble and outside as well. Um there are some issues up above Hicks Bridge with jet skiers and uh kayakers and that interaction which is never a good thing. So, we were kind of
we wanted to show the show the flag up there as well. Um down below in the east branch around Ship Rock, uh it's starting to become another version of Boat Beach where, you know, it's kind of sanded in there. So,
at low tide, it's a great place to eat your boat and go kind of hang out. So, you've got boats rafted up and if you had kids there, um, unfortunately, it's not or it wasn't a no wake zone and we had to do something about that. So, we
put a no wake buoy in there. Uh, I did run that by the uh harbor advisory committee. They said they said, you know, if you think it's a public safety issue, then by all means. So, the buoy lasted about 48 hours and it got cut off and we had to go retrieve it yesterday. So, we're going to have to put another
one back. Uh, one of the questions I have for the Harbor Advisory Committee, which will be on the 15th, is and maybe to you folks as well, when I see something like that, do I need to come to you and say, "Hey, I think there should be a no-way buoy
here," or do I just have the discretion to say, "This is a public safety issue, and I'm just going to put one." I need some guidance on that. I think I don't know. I mean my my inclination would be to take care of safety first
and then check right but I don't know who you I don't know do we have protocol for that like yeah so so the last no zone buoy that was put up came before the select board it was a public hearing that was up north of Hicks bridge that came before us last year didn't see any formal process but that's
the process that's been used in the past so harbor advisory committee first and then the select board but I mean the time involved to get that done um may put those people at risk. I mean, I hate
to see safety sacrificed on the altar of bureaucracy if if you will. Oh, well, I mean, what like what I just said is I probably would put the safety first and then go tell everybody and then you might have to remove it, right? Um but I think you'd have to use some
amount of judgment. I think um you guys you guys have some pretty good judgment on the water. I think the select board typically would go with your judgment. I know that the jet skis on the river is is somewhat controversial. Um but uh yeah, I think safety first and then
follow up. Okay. So, let me let me press you on that. Uh Madam Chair, if uh if I decided to put three no buoys by Shiprock to make a zone, if you will, would anyone object to that? So, I don't vote. I don't have a I don't
have an opinion here. I my my my my I I I I I stick with the safety first. My recommendation would be to act and immediately go through initially the town administrator so we have the heads up and put it on our agenda.
Um probably co-terminist with the hawker advisory committee. Yeah. Act where you think needs to be done and then tell people and Okay. Well, I' I've heard this phrase, it's easier to beg for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission. Something I'm not suggesting that's where we go.
We don't want you to go rogue on us. No, I'm not going rogue on you. Not at all. I would never. And by the way, I need to comment on the the shirts a little bit. When you pair up with the Westport Police Department, polyester. Yeah.
And the West Paul Fire Department, you better look the part. I think it's great. You It's much more official looking. I mean, I think you look great. Well, I mean, that that's the whole point of it. I mean, if you're in some kind of a position of authority, and ours is on the lower end
of the scale, if you will. Um, you don't want to show up looking like a slob. I think they're great, right? You need to look the part. So, we spend a few bucks on shirts and badges and embroidery and all that kind of stuff. So, right. Any you guys have anything for Bill? Sure. Uh, Bill, I received a few calls
from people complimentary of your efforts over the weekend. So, uh, really appreciate your work and your outreach that you've done on that. I just have and I'll continue to hammer the the and I know you have plans. I know Rick has plans on the state boat ramp and enforcement down there. Um, that was the
one I would say issue this weekend as a managing a business. I can guarantee you the m half of the cars that were in there probably were not patrons of that boat ramp. So, uh, they were ended up on and it's more of a safety issue, not
necessarily for the town cuz we don't have liability, but for the state, uh, because they are going to the end of Bridge Road and they're in unguarded water and a lot of these people don't have the knowledge of wherewithal to handle the ocean. So, uh, I know you have plans on that, but I just I just
want to point that out that I know that's it's a difficult thing to enforce on that boat ramp, but it it it is probably going to be a problem eventually. When I was a lifeguard at 16, there was an individual that died right off the beach because of not understanding where they were going into. So, that's the only thing I
pointed out, but again, I've heard nothing but compliments over what you guys did over the weekend uh on the river. So, thank you. That validation is uh very helpful. It was uh yeah, it was a lot of planning going into this weekend. I had I knew it was going to be an enormous job. Um but we weren't just getting
ready for the fourth. we were getting ourselves placed. How do I describe this? We were getting our infrastructure in place, I guess, in addition to all that. So, there was a lot to it. Uh, but Jake makes a good point. Uh, the ramp needs a lot of
attention. Uh, and, you know, to that point as well, $5, I mean, $5 to use one of the nicest boat ramps in southern New England. I mean, come on. Hey, a cup of coffee at Dunkin Donuts is going to cost you three bucks, you know. And I
was down at Sandwich. I took my wife down to have dinner down at I guess it's Fisherman's View. Have you ever seen the sandwich harbor master's office? I would call it palatial. Um, and they've got a staff of 33 in the
summer and it will cost you $25 to park your trailer there for four hours and we're charging five bucks for the whole day. I mean, we we've got to address that. Well, that's not us, right? I agree with you on that issue because the parking tickets are $25. So, if
you're an out ofstate plate going to Horseseneck Beach, they charge you 40. Mhm. There's an arbitrage opportunity there if you illegally park. Let's just put it that way. All right. Well, we appreciate the work you're doing. Thank you very much for coming in. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Good luck.
Good luck, gentlemen. So, under action items, uh, 4A, we have a request from Robert R. Haw for the town to wave its right of first refusal under chapter 61A for property located at 234 Old Harbor Road. Um, assessor's
map 86, lot 21. So, just like briefly to tell you what's going on here. When properties are under um 61A, so it's a special tax um status. Um when they um are transferred to someone else, we have
the right to purchase the property at market value be as the first buyer. Um so, we have the right of first refusal. Sometimes we turn over our right to first refusal to the land conservation trust or another or um charitable organization. Um but um that's what this
is. So the the person is selling their property and they want to know if we want to buy it for $1 million$15,000. Um so we did run this by the various committees, right? Um, so we we checked to make sure the um the the board of
assessors, the planning board, the conservation commission, and then we checked that affordable housing gets it way in too. Right. Anyway, we sent it through the departments um to see if anybody else wanted it and nobody else did. So, what's your recommendation, Jim? So,
we recommend releasing u the puzzle from the chapter 61A so it can be sold. So, we want to wave our right of first refusal and release 61A. Anybody have any questions about that or comments? My only comment is um as a a member of
conservation as well, I am pretty much adamantly opposed to the 61A and the the release of it. um you know they're getting basically a tax benefit over the life of the the land and essentially only have to pay back a four or five year uh window which then becomes
basically the developer doing that. So um I consistently and will consistently continue to vote against releasing of the 61A. I think it's a basically a farce to um you know defraud the town out of tax revenue. I mean that's just my opinion. Uh especially now when it's
going to be sold for 1.5 million 1.2 2 million, whatever that number is, and get developed. So, uh, with very little revenue coming back to the town. So, I've done that on conservation. I'll continue to do that here. So, that's my opinion. All right. Thank you, Madam Chair.
I'd like to ask the town administrator, is this land involved with the water issues and is there a well on that property? Do you know? Not that I'm aware of. I don't believe so. Yeah, it could be, but I don't not that I'm aware of. uh the planning board would have looked
at that if if it was required and if it was necessary and I I don't know if they did but uh I would that wouldn't necessarily cause me to vote against it. I'm just wondering if that has value to the town as part of a water supply source which has been a problem over
there in that area for a long time and we've spent money on that. I guess it was ARPA money to have a study done and I just thought I'd ask that question because I don't know I don't think these people are interested in that. This is further north. It's definitely Okay. Yeah.
All right. And this is just to wave our option or the town's option for first right of refusal. So if we didn't wave that, they'd have 120 days or we'd have 120 days to come up with an agreement to purchase the property or to pass our rights on to a nonprofit where they
could purchase it. So if it's not resolved in 120 days, it would be released at that time without this. So this is expedited. It would be released 120 days or we can wave it and then they can move on quicker.
I think that they don't automatically get 61A again though, right? I think that it becomes now a taxable piece of property. You get the money then. You get the money then. All right. So what's the pleasure of the board? I move this item, Madam Chair.
I will second that. Is there any discussion? All in favor? I I opposed. Opposed. I So we have three in three in favor, one opposed, and one absence. We have a request from the Vincent Realy Trust for the town's uh to wave its
right of first refusal under chapter 61A for property located at 958 Sodom Road, Assessor's Map 77, lot 2. This is basically the same thing. They're um selling the property and are offering uh it's under purchase and sale for $3
million and um they have offered um or we have the right to to take that. So the note here you have that conservation would like to save the parcel. So conservation is saying please save the parcel but it
would require that we have $3 million to purchase the the parcel and I don't think we do. So, um, is that the gist of it? That's that's the gist of it. Yes. Okay. So, um, what's the pleasure of the board on this one?
Madam Chair, just to clarify. Mhm. Who is conservation? Is the conservation committee? Conservation Commission. So, it came before conservation commission. This this property had been for sale for a while. Um, there's beliefs that it's still probably going
to be very difficult to develop. There's going to be a lot of leg work to do on this piece of property, but um you know, we continue to see Sodom Road with all the 61A releases and and you know, many residents in town will come and say they don't like what Sodom Road has become
and um I think there was just concern on this large parcel um what it could turn into um towards the end of Sodom Road. So, the conservation commission did vote um obviously against releasing the 61A, which is just obviously a recommendation
to the select board. Well, Madam Chair, we have a practical problem here that to exercise our right, it's going to come with a lot of money that we don't have, nor do we have any plan to use the property. And we have the land conservation trust, which under their wing, they've got we got a lot of
land that's set aside. Now, some some could argue that maybe it's more than enough, but uh I don't think the town has any interest in keeping this and certainly don't have any interest in paying all that money for it if we needed to. Speaking as chair of the affordable
housing trust, that's above our pay grade. We do have some money set aside for these types of situations, but this this is not one of them. Yeah, I think that in the land conservation trust, they do a fabulous job of it. They've been trying to get like clusters of properties like abuing properties in
certain areas. So you get kind of bigger nature preserve areas. I think I did speak to the agent today. He said that they did look at this the land conservation trust as well as Buzz Bay coalition and I don't know if it was the value of the property or what, but they weren't interested at this time. Okay. All right. So what's the pleasure
of the board? Madam Chair, I would move this request. Second. Is there any further discussion? All in favor? I I oppose. I uh so we have three in favor, one opposed, and one added.
We have a request from Rachel Berkeley, trustee of the Milford Farm Trust, to relocate the existing dwelling at 667 Horseseneck Road in accordance with the agricultural preservation restriction. So, I know I needed you to explain this to me, Jim. So, can you explain this? So, there's an agricultural restriction
on the property, um, which only allows them to do certain kinds of development within a certain area of land. Um there's an existing house on the property that you can see here that they would like to uh tear down, remove and
build another house um in front of it uh probably about I don't know 100 ft 50 ft away from the existing house and they need town of Westport holds part of the restriction as as well as the state as
well as MDA. So, we need to approve the um the change to the plan that was originally approved. So, just so this right here, this right here is the existing house. Yeah. Okay. The existing house and the pool is just to the south and they're going to tear
that down and build a new house just to the right of it. All right. And then what's I I think I'm still a little confused on our role here, right? So, we're not um planning or zoning, but this is because there's an agricultural restriction and they're making a change on the property. Right. So, the select board as a
representative of the town has to approve that change. Ju Sea, just a question on that. It it's usually the restriction says you can only have one dwelling. Is that basically what the situation is? So, they would have to remove that dwelling and then put up another one to Yes. And this one had some other
restrictions too that you can only expand like 20 ft beyond the existing structure and stuff. So they are changing making some other changes. Are there square footage um minimums or maximums like like a situation with conservation you can you know if you take down a certain percentage you can
build back you know that square footage on that lot. Is there any restriction because um if we go back in the PowerPoint just by one I just want everyone to see that's a house right there that's going to get taken down.
Wow. Yes it is. Just everyone that's watching, just look at that. That's that's what they're going to take down. Agricultural restriction. Um so here so here in the in the um I guess
this is the the purchase and sale or the deed the so there is um this they h in the contract it says that the dwelling shall not extend more than 20 ft beyond the existing foundation. So that's why they need the waiver is um yeah and they're actually building in
the cleared area. They're not going any closer to the river. They're going further away from the river. Um in between the existing house and the barn is all lawn area. So they're not expanding their I guess the their footprint as far as what's been developed already. Anybody from the board before I did you
you were standing there. Did you change your mind? It's it's not historic. It's not historic. Okay. Um, so what if we were to not approve this, what would happen? It's a good question. I don't know.
I don't know if there's any type of an appeal towards it. Um, I'm assuming there isn't because they've agreed to this already. You know, we're looking at probably a 20page agreement. I don't know all the details of the agreement. Yeah.
Sure. Who's who's the agreement between? So the agreement is between the town and the um MDAR in the I'm sorry in between the owners MDAR and town as a secondary we we hold like a secondary restriction on the property.
So this is almost essentially when conservation votes against a 61A it doesn't really have any binding. Would it this may have a binding we the select board votes against it. I'm not sure what their recourse is if any. Okay.
I'm sure we would find out. And and that property was was that recently sold? I know that was on the market for a while. Sold around 2018, 19 somewhere in that time. Okay. So, I know I asked that question. I don't personally have a problem with it. It's they're they're moving the house a
little further back. They're not taking anything out. They're going to looks like they're clearing that back up. So, it'll be there won't be two buildings there. So, I don't actually have any problem with it. What's the pleasure of the board?
Madam Chair, as you have spoken on this and you're not opposed, nor am I. So, I would therefore uh make a motion to approve this. I'll second that. So, we have a motion and a second to um grant the request to relocate the
existing dwelling um on the APR. Is there any further discussion? Chair. Yep. I'm I'm pretty strong when it comes to p private property rights. So, I will hold my nose and vote for this. I find it a little bit uh ridiculous that we're
knocking down that building to put another one up. But uh as a supporter of prior property rights, I will support it, but reluctantly. That doesn't say knocking it down. It says relocating. There's a difference. Yeah, but if you look at the footprint,
the footprint is not the same at all. Sorry. The footprint is not the same. The the foundational footprint, the building itself isn't knocked down. It's just moved. No. Yeah. I think it's going to be knocked down. I think it's going to be knocked down because Well, that's not relocate. That's not what the thing says.
That's not it. It says relocate. So, where's There's no one here for that, is there? Um, let me chair. Uh, a recommendation that I may have is maybe if we do a little bit more
analysis on to what binding from the town standpoint, whether we deny that or move forward with that. And then also, you would imagine that a project this large, you'd probably have an advocate for the property owner that would be able to explain it. I don't, you know, I think we're kind of in the dark here
with this. So maybe if it's possible, could you continue that? And I know there's a motion on the floor, but if it could be continued to I withdraw my second. I'll make a motion to table. I withdraw the the original motion. Madam chair, I I will say their application says we
propose relocating the existing dwelling on the property to a more stable site away from the steep area. The new location closer to the existing farm wall will strengthen the building's connection to its architectural heritage. But the building footprint in the existing house
is not the same. So maybe we I think we want we'd like some more information I think is what we would like because I don't Okay, I don't see that in here. So all right. So we have a motion to to table this one. Um all in favor I
I So that's um four in favor and one absent for just tableling it taking action. Um then we have two related ones. Um these are the uh acceptance the order of taking associated with um a public way.
So we have a request to approve the order of taking to complete the acceptance of granite post road as a public way. We have another one for um the order of taking for Maya at way as a public way. So these roads when they get approved as public roads they go through multiple f multiple steps including
approval of town meeting. Um, so now this is the order. Is this the last step? The order. This is the last step. Yes. So then they become town roads after they'll become they'll be recorded. I think they have to be recorded within 30 days and they'll become town roads. Okay. And the paperwork's all in order.
Yes. Are you recommending approval? Recommend approval. Okay. I move that. Second. Sorry. Is there any discussion? Are we are we moving both of them or just one at a time? We need might as well move both of them. All right. So, we're moving both of
those. You already approved a town meeting. Yeah. Did you have something to Oh, I was going to ask, are we doing both or one? Yeah, we're doing both. All right. Um, all in favor? I That's four in favor and one absent. We have a request from Beverly Bish, um,
the senior services director to post the communications and community relations coordinator position. Jim, you want to tell us about this? Yeah, this was before the board at the last meeting or the meeting before when they created the position. Um she has funding in her local account but mostly
this is going to be funded by grants. Um I'd recommend approval. I will move that. Second. Was there any discussion? Madam chair as the layers on to the council on aging. I'm familiar with this and I think it should be should it was motioned and it should be passed.
All right. Thank you. All in favor? I I uh it's four in favor and one absent. Um we have a request to approve the employment agreement for Beverly Bish the senior services. um director. So this is just um most of our employ contract employees are set on a regular
yearly schedule with raises in in line with their departments. Right. This would be a two-year agreement with the standard 3% increase. Recommend approval. Thank you, Madam Chair. Question for Jim. Uh but I two-year
agreement, but she does not intend to work the whole two years, I'm told. I don't know if that's official, but it was mentioned that a council on agency meetings. She has and then when I discussed the agreement with her, she requested the two years. Um she did indicate that she may not finish out the two years, but um
she still left it open. Oh, there you might answer. Were you in the hallway listening? Oh, so no, I wasn't. But should I? So, we're we're on your item, Beverly. Um for Well, we approved your posting for your position.
Okay. Um, and so now we're talking about the employment agreement. And so Dick had asked the question, um, it's a two-year agreement that's before us, but he's think that there's a suggestion you might not serve two years. So that was the question. You need go to
the mic talk or this one. I put August 31st of 2026 because at the end of the fiscal year, I need a couple of months just to follow up with everything, making sure that I close it out. Oh, so that's not two years then? Mhm. No, it's not two years. It's a year and
a couple of months. Okay. And my thought also was if you hire somebody, there should be some overlap so we can do some training and that would be a good time to do some training. Um we have grant money that could pay for that person instead of me
and then once she starts she could take over on that salary. All right. So I I did just look at it again. It does say ending August 31st, 2026 is what's what's in the contract. Any discussion? I read that wrong. Huh?
I read that wrong. So, yes, madam ch that was my understanding from my meetings at the council on aging. So, it that works now with that clarification. Right. You want to move up? I will move that second. We have any further discussion?
All in favor? I I uh four in favor and one absent. Congratulations, Bev. Uh, we have a request from Dana Stewart. We have two requests from Dana Stewart. Dana, you can come to a mic or not. Up to you. We have a request from Dana Stewart to hang
the banner promoting the summer concert series. Yes, we have a banner that we hung last year that I'd like to hang again if possible over Main Road to advertise our summer concert series. And when does the summer concert start? Um, this Thursday.
a day or two. If it doesn't get up this week, that's okay. We'll take next week. Our concerts, we have eight dates um that go through every Thursday through the rest of June into August. Um if there is rain, such as this week, looks like a lot of rain. Um we are going to try and
reschedule with the band that's rained out to an early September date. So, it might go that way if there's bad weather. All right. So, we have a lot of banner requests. You have to coordinate through Paula. That's her favorite thing about her job. At least you don't have to put them up.
They can't go up to the seat. Okay. But after. Okay. Thank you. Um was the pleasure of the board on that one. Motion to approve. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. I. That's four in favor and one absent.
And then we have a request um to use funds in the donation account for scholarships for low-income families. Do you want to tell us about that? Yes. So, it happens just about every summer where I get one or two requests usually from families who may be low-income, single moms, or families in
need um who ask about if we offer scholarships for their children, so they might attend one of our camps or maybe regular weekly programs. Um we don't have really anything official in place and I knew we had a donation gifts
account that has grown a little bit over the last few years. um to my understanding we have $1,250 in there. Um it's kind of just sitting there and I thought, well, this is a perfect way to spend those funds. So, I've been doing some research with how other recreation departments and towns handle
scholarships. Um and I created a sample um um scholarship form that can be adjustable if needed. Um I made copies for you all if you would like to see it. Um, but the gist is anyone who we could
advertise it on our website that we offer this for families in need, but that they would have to fill out the appropriate application and basically, you know, prove their income level and that they are in in need. Um, and then it's up to the discretion of the recreation department um and how many
fun how much funds we have um to then allocate those funds toward the cost of their program they want to sign their child up for. Um, so it's basically helping to offset the costs or give them a discount of sorts. Um, I spoke with Nicole. She said that would be possible
to do. Um, but that we would want approval of the select board if we move forward with doing this to have it be official. And, um, just to clarify, so the recreation department, we have our general account fund, we have our revolving recreation fund. This is
separate. It's a recreation gifts donation fund where various people over the years, I've been here over six years now, have said, "Oh, I want to donate $100 to the rec department." I'm not going to say no. So, it goes into this account. Um, so that's my ask. And then
here I have, let's see, one, three. Okay, here are is a sample form. On the back it describes, and I can change it to the front. I just wanted you to see like it's a one-page form. Um, and on the back it shows the assistance guidelines.
So, basically fee assistance is typically awarded for a maximum of 50% of a program, not exceeding $100 per program. Um, a typical camp half-day camp cost is like 150. A full day camp cost is 300. So, it gives you an idea um
there. And this also can be adjusted if needed. like if we only get one request all summer and we have the funds. Um but um there's also some other guidelines you see there on that second page. I referenced Southboro Recreation, North
Recreation, Lexington Recreation. I can keep researching, but before I do so, I wanted to and again the form's adjustable if needed. I wanted to just see if this is possible. Jim, do you have any comments about that? No, I'd recommend approval. want to take a look at the form just make sure the
information we're requesting is okay to request. But other than that, I think it's a good idea. My only my only question I I think it's great and this would these scholarships we would be offering would just be for use within the Westport recreation correct programs you have.
Yes. And we would not be issuing them a check. It would be um talking to Nicole in accounting about um giving them a discounted rate and transferring say $100 to the revolving account to help cover that cost. And obviously Westport residents, it's
confirmed that they'll you check their address and all that. Well, Westport residents um obviously can apply to all our programs, but so can non-residents. Oh, it can be. Uh-huh. Um so um non-residents typically have maybe a little slighter $5 higher
fee. Um but um you know we can work that wording into the application too if needed. Yeah, that that was my only thought is you'd obviously want preference to Westport residents. We can put that in the form. Okay. Yes. Especially if people are given to the Westport recreation, they expect it to I
would imagine to go to Westport. I would actually go a little bit further and say it was restricted to Westport. Sure. And and that's something you know like I said I've only had one maybe two requests this summer. So, um, you know, we can always revisit if I'm getting a
flooded with requests, but, um, I just thought again this would be a good use of donated funds to help families out. Were the requests you received this year from Westport residents or out of town? I would have to investigate that further, too. It was just an email. Okay. So, you're recommending approval.
I recommend approval. Okay. All right. So, you heard the adjustments that we want to make. What's the pleasure of the board? Madam Chair, I recommend approval with those adjustments that we just articulated. Second that.
Is there any further discussion? All in favor? I. I. So that's four in favor and one absent. So you have the summer concert starting on Thursday. You have all kinds of summer programming going on. Anything else you want to highlight? Um everything is going well so far. Um lots of families signing up. Uh just as
a reminder, we offer programs for adults, too. Um we have art programs. We have adult pickup basketball program on Friday nights. So, um you know, if anyone's new to town or just haven't checked out our website, yes, ple yet, please feel free to do so. So, thank
you. Thank you. Okay. Uh so, we have a request from Chris Gonzal to approve the mass the final mass DOT reimbursement for the 2024 paving improvement projects. Jim, yes. So, this is for the year 2024 when
they did the paving. They do hold a retainage back and uh there's a warranty period. That warranty period has expired. So are they releasing the remaining money and then we'll send this up to the state for reimbursement. So I'd recommend approval.
All right. Thank you. Motion to approve. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. I. That's uh four in favor and uh one absent. We have a request for Betty Slade. You're on the agenda now. Request
from Betty Sllay Community Preservation Committee to approve and sign the following grant agreements. Westport Youth Athletic Association, $150,000. Howland Hall Restoration and Rehabilitation Project, $298,000.
Westport Graange, number 181, $8,225. Westport Affordable Housing Trust, $300,000. Jim, you want to tell us about that? I would defer to Betty on this, but this is the uh funding that CPC grants on a yearly basis through town meeting
approval and these agreements just mean and again I will defer to Betty to explain the actual So these were already approved at town meeting. This is the formal projects were previously approved. This is the agreement between the recipient and the town.
Um yes, at town meeting we announce when we uh through the handout that these projects need to have grant agreements with the town. Um it's it's a common thing. Um we haven't been doing any kind
ofus with the the town projects, but we're going to start doing that in the future, too, because it it works more easily that way. So these are basically templates that we've been using for years. Uh the um kind of um project that
has to have the grant agreement is one that is privately a nonprofit run by a nonprofit even if it's town property. So with the WIAA it's town property but they are the leasing organization and
the state says that they uh they are um considered as private private nonprofits. Okay. So this is just the final step in getting the money. This is the final step before they can well it's the fi well they have to almost
nothing's ever final. They have to you know come in with their bids and all that but this is this thing that we need to do. Okay. Is there any any discussion? Any questions? Motion to approve. Second. Um any discussion? All in favor?
I I that's four in favor and one lots to be signed. Thank you. Thanks, buddy. Um L request to post the assistant to the town administrator human resource position. So, um I talked to Jim about
this a little bit. Um but he said that Jake and Craig, you guys were working on this. Did one of you want to take us or we want to have Jim start? No. Um, we had some obviously productive calls. It was Jim, um, uh, Craig, myself, Cindy Brown, I think was
and and Paul as well. Um, just discussing obviously, you know, my major concern with the whole thing is getting two new people into town. So, um, but I think we made some nice changes to the kind of the requirements, put them more preferred. We discussed the salary
ranges um and you know I think I think it's probably in a good position where this can get posted. I think we want to get this position filled sooner rather than later. Um this is going to be we made the decision I think amongst our group that it would be assistant to the
town administrator which would take on a little bit more of an HR role um in that uh capacity as well. So, uh, you know, as opposed to looking at doing an assistant town administrator or anything along those lines. So, I Craig, I don't
know if there's anything else you want to kind of fill in on that, but I think we had a good discussion getting to that point. Yeah, I think it went pretty well. I mean, um, we know that we budgeted so that there's no surprise here. We budgeted more money for the positions in terms of both
positions of of I think in the marketplace is going to be maybe upgrading the position for the town administrator and for the assistance of the town administrator. It it's it's it's a very different position and it's going to require a different kind of
background. So the the combination of both we put there our approved budget at the town meeting included allowances for changes in compensation and we did that knowing that full well that was going to
be uh the outcome potential outcome but likely outcome. So, when I was reviewing the job description earlier today, I noticed it says board assment all over it. And so, select board. So, you just need to change that. And I just noticed um on
the um part where you have your your um your contact information, Jim, it says insert email. So, make sure you insert the email in there. All right. Um so, and then what do what
what does the motion need from us? So to put to approval to post a position and refer the job description to the personnel board for review and approval and then the only the other thing would be the salary range we had discussed and I didn't write it down. I think I think it was a little bit
higher. I think we had a tighter range. I think it was 75 to 85 was the range um that we discussed. It was kind of a tighter but yeah. Okay. So it was okay 75 to 85. So we have a motion. Um motion to approve u posting of the
assistant to the town administrator. Second. All right. Is there any further discussion? All in favor? I. That's four in favor and one absent. Um we have a request to approve the yearendin transfer for veteran services. I laughed when it said $2 million. It's
200 $2,23248 um from veteran services to personnel services. So this is a um a transfer from the um the expense to the personnel right at the same time. Yep. It's been approved by finance committee
and department head as well. Motion to approve. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I I that's um four in favor and one absent. We have a request to award the fiscal 2026 motor fuels bid to Nunan
Brothers Petroleum 41 West Street West Bridgewater, Mass. Jim. Yeah, we had two uh two bids that came in. One from Dennis K. Burick and one from Nunan Brothers. Those are the two that seem to come in every year. They're very close. I think the difference uh
about $500 difference between the two bids. Um Denise Buchad is recommending that we award the contract to uh Nunan Brothers Petroleum. This is for the um regular gas unled and diesel gas for the highway department and the fire
department for throughout the year. Hope they factored in their mileage from West Bridgewater. Is there any any discussion or questions? I have a motion. Motion to approve. Second.
Um, all in favor? I I That's four in favor and uh one absent. We have a request to approve the lease agreement with Patricia Souza, who is the present tenant for the Town Farm North apartment for $10,20 per year,
$835 per month. Um Jim, do you want to explain this? Miss Suz has been the longtime tenant of the Town Farm. I don't know how many years, but as long as I think I've been around here. um she was the only bidder on the project. I'd recommend approval. I would only suggest that the board uh
approve it subject to inspection. Uh we haven't been in the property in a long time and just want to make sure everything is up to code and everything up to up to speed. The board of health has scheduled an inspection I think for the 16th. We move approval of the um lease u
subject to inspection. Second. Is there any discussion? All in favor? I I uh four in favor and one absent. We have a request to approve the lease agreement with Jennifer Belheimer doing business as Codam Nursery School for the
Town Hall annex basement for $6,360 per year or $530 per month. Jim, you want to tell us about that? Again, this is a lease that goes out every couple of years. Cutting Monk School has been she's in this building for a number of years. I don't know how many, but a long I don't know. My children went there. Um
the the actually owner has changed. Well, the Cuddy Monk has been the owner, but the actual I guess the principle of Cuddy Monk has changed over the years and we have a new one, Jennifer. I'm going to follow up this name, Belumer. Um will be a new owner this year. Um as
part of the Cuddy Monk school, uh they were the only bidder. Uh this does get inspected on a yearly basis, so we're all set there. I would recommend approval. Motion to approve. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I
I That's four in favor and one absence. We have a request to approve the Community Paradigm Associates LLC town administrator search proposal for 16,000. So, um Craig and Jake, I think you guys were working on this too. Is that right or not? So, this
we had discussions. No, go ahead. Okay. Yeah. So, this went out for proposals. We sent it out to I think four or five different search committees that do this type of work. uh community paradigm. I did the search at the last time, so they had most of the information about the town of Westport.
Uh they were the um only ones that submitted a proposal. They submitted it for $16,000. Uh there may be some slight negotiation that could be done with them. Um because they do have some of the preliminary background work done. Um usually they go in and they interview
department heads and stakeholders within the community. Um they may not have to do that if if the board so desires. Um I would recommend um approval of community paradigm and we can either go for the existing amount or
we could try to um reduce the scope a little bit. It would only be roughly $1,000 I think max but so my thought is go ahead. No. So, my thought is um that I think we should go ahead and um approve it, but
um to if if Jake and Craig are willing or we can have somebody different um I I think we should assign a select board member to kind of be overseeing um what's going on and kind of work closely with the and I I don't care who it is, but I think we should just keep keep
doing that. I I think I agree with Sean because my one concern with, you know, hiring a a firm to do the the hiring is do they really understand Westport, what we're looking for or what that person is. I almost I jokingly compare this
like this is NFL coaches, right? The guy goes one and 15 and then all of a sudden he's got a job next year somewhere else. you know, I don't want to. So, I would I would hope that there's have an open process as opposed to um them already kind of having someone, you know,
earmarked to come into Westport as opposed to having a fully fair and open process. That's and again, I still stress the concern that we have two two positions and, you know, it could be a possibility where you have two brand new people that know nothing about Westport or how it operates coming in. Um, so
that's my only concern. So, I would be happy to volunteer or or be a part of that or or if Craig wants to do it as well just to I have I have no problem with you taking the lead on the negotiation with Paradigm Associates. Okay. Um Okay. Did you have Yeah. Uh well, because they're well
known and the last time um I was sort of like playing that role and I got to know Bernie. It's Bernie Lynch, right? Yes. Yeah. They have a history and you can see in the package they've they've worked everywhere in Massachusetts and they know everybody. Um the only
question I would have is we have a fairly tight time frame here. I know their process is rigorous but I would hope it could be moved along quickly. It should not be a problem for them because they they know us really. Um so I would
just urge uh that you gentlemen or who'sever doing this is to keep on it. Um, they're not slow. It's just that normally their search time could take four or five months and we'd probably like it a little bit quicker this time.
And do we did we make a decision internally as to what that salary range would be? I know we've we were talking on that call what fair haven was offering or various others recently um you know without that real number. So, so what I would suggest is that um maybe
we set up a meeting with uh Bernie Lynch from community paradigm with yourself virtual meeting and then they he's offered to come either virtually prefer virtually at the next select board's meeting to update the board and kind of recommend what he's seen um in comparable communities as far as what salaries are going for.
Um he would explain the search process. He would explain you know what obstacles there may be to Westport or other communities. I mean he's pretty thorough. He's done this I don't want to say hundreds of times but he's done this numerous of times throughout the state. So my only question is if we look at the next select board meeting we're at the
what was it the 20 20 21st um you know and we have them come in virtually and have a discussion and then we get that job posted maybe in August. I mean you you're retiring September one correct? I don't October 20. Oh is it? Oh wait is it October 20?
October 20 in the timeline. Okay. Well, look, that's his timeline. His timeline. He's not agreeing to that. You're gonna you're gonna you're gonna help them bring in that October 20 end date. Um, so that's what their plan says.
Okay. My plan retirement is the end of September. Um, doesn't mean I couldn't stay on longer if if we Okay, we can discuss that. Okay. That that's my concern is that the transition if we're already in Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I'm not not looking to to jump
ship yet. I think there's a lot that needs to be done. So, okay, we'll make sure that we get through it. So, um does one of you want to since Jake has never hired a town administrator and both of you have, do one of you want to work with Jake or Well, I think Dick says he was on
Yeah, you and Okay. Yeah. So, so the next meeting if they do come, we would also put on the agenda to approve the contract with them so that we could start right away if it's okay. If it's not, then we'll move in a different direction. Um, so you don't think we you don't
think we need to approve the contract today? You could if we want to negotiate down then? Um, so we could we could authorize Jake and Dick to negotiate the contract with them not to exceed $16,000. All right, that's great. So move. Well done.
Second. You want me at the negotiating table? All right. Remember that we do need a town administrator. You don't want to get hung up in negotiations. All right. Any further discussion on that? All in favor? I. I. So that's four in favor and one
absence. We have a request from the cemetery department to use perpetual care funds to purchase a new truck not to exceed uh $50,000. Uh Jim, you want to explain this? Yes. So this went to capital improvement planning committee this past fall. And
and to be honest with you, I just didn't know the extent of the condition of the truck. Um I went by the cemetery last week and they're actually jump starting it most times when they have to start it. The two front tire ties were balled to the point where I said you got to get tires whether we replace the truck or not. Um they had it the alternative I
think went this week. U the bed is rusted out. Um it it it needs to be replaced as soon as we can replace it. I don't know how. So it's not a safe vehicle to operate. I think we have some liability issues there. But um so explain the use of the perpetual fund because normally we go through the capital approval process.
You have to go to town meeting. So we don't have to do that in this case. So ideally it'd be good to go through the capital improvement process um for the annual town meeting, but this is perpetual care funds. The select board has the sole authority to authorize expenditure of those funds. All right, Dick, did you guys look at this?
Yeah. Uh, I have a different comment, but I have the sheet that Jim prepared after we did our CIPC process and the truck is clearly uh recommended here $50,000
and but what uh the gentleman who I guess the one who let's see well I don't who this came from but I thought it was a sec the foreman this is hi Paul he's mentioning that the request was denied,
but it was not. It was approved by the CICP and I I couldn't find my um warrant article, but I thought we had approved at a town meeting. I don't believe so, but I will double check if it was approved then. Well, this is this is it here. This is
this is your I can check. If we didn't have it on the town meeting uh articles, it would probably just have been an oversight. This was not controversial. This was We hadn't actually seen the truck. We saw pictures. It looked pretty bad. You know what I think happened is it
doesn't have to go on town meeting. So, it wasn't included in the warrant article. Doesn't need town meeting approval. Okay. It's already been approved by CIPC. The select board authorizes expenditure would go forward. Okay. That's okay. Guess I should know that, right?
All right. Anyway, so so the CIPC recommended that care is an appropriate use of funds. They have and they have plenty of money to cover it. Yes. Okay. We I move that we appropriate not amount not to exceed $50,000 from the perpetual
care funds for the cemeteries department new truck. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I I um that's four in favor and one absent. We have a request from the Westport River Wershed Alliance for two
Town Beach parking passes to be used for their summer programs. So, we've been granting these for a while. Um, it's uh two um parking permits for their um educators or their staff in their department. Motion to approve.
Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I. I. That's four in favor and one absent. We don't have any discussion tonight. We don't have a town administrator report tonight. Um, we have the minutes of June 16.
Uh, I review the minutes and uh motion to approve. Second. Any discussion? All in favor? I I That's um four in favor and one absent. Um the bill warrant. Everything was in order. I think that was included in the package.
Uh $2.2 million which is about the uh the normal amount that we get. I just for a little flavor here, I added a few items. Nothing really huge. Um, but I just put that in for general information. So, it's all everything was in order and that was done last week.
Thank you. Um, so we have liazison committee reports or suggestions for future agenda items. Um, Craig, anything for you? Um, just the affordable housing trust. We we have nothing new to report since I reported two weeks ago, but we are um
the secretary of housing from the Commonwealth is going to be at uh Greenwood Terrace uh tomorrow. Um we will with the affordable housing trust which is looking for ways that we can work cooperatively with the housing authority on some of the housing
programs some of the land opportunities which I think I reviewed last week last time but uh he's coming down and um I am out of town and I'm in Boston working but um Pat Long uh Patrick Long is going to be representing
the affordable housing trust and uh state representative will will be representing himself at that meeting. All right. Thank you. Um Dick, anything from you? Uh since the last meeting, no no meetings and stuff coming up. Two tomorrow actually one on Wednesday.
Tomorrow council on aging where I serve as the select board layers on and also the landing commission. We will meet on Wednesday and I'm the layers on there as well. So um but there have been no other meetings. So that's my report. All right. Thank you. So, we had a
meeting of the school building committee has not finished yet. Um, we're we're so much closer. We're getting closer. So, we um the really big um conversation is about um the roof and the rain runoff um from the from the roof. They did make
some changes to the gutters sizes or the down spouts or something. Um, but it looks like there's some more repair that's needed um to get the water to leave the roof in a nice way. There's what is the word that they the the thing
that Bob the um was a cricket. Cricket. The cricket. I learned what a cricket was. I didn't remember it was called a cricket, but there's like to divert the water, but it it's diverting the water incorrectly. Um, so there's that's probably the bigger expense. Um, but I think mostly what we're trying to
do is just gather up all the remaining um like punch list items or open items. Um, use the contractor contingency to pay for it and then close out the project. So, we're getting closer. Um, they're also doing some repairs to the auditorium sound system, which I think everybody who's been in that
auditorium needs to do. So, they're um putting some um to muffle the sound. I forgot what they're called, but they're they're putting insulating some insulation around and then they're upgrading the the sound system itself. So, hopefully that'll be better for
acoustics in there. And then there's some other main stuff, but I think we're closing in on closing out. It's important that we close that out because um we have not received our final reimbursement from Mass Building um authority. So, um, we're paying the
interest on that bond for that money and they reimburse us. We pay off that part of the bond. So, um, and there's offshore wind meeting this week, but I'll let you talk about that, J. Okay. Go ahead. There's an offshore meeting this week,
uh, Thursday at 5:30. Um, we have a presenter. What we're trying to do with a committee is to um have individuals that will provide us kind of their scientific background, their expertise, professional expertise. Uh the individual that's going to be coming is Robert Rand. He's more of an acoustics
um uh professional. I you're going to see some very interesting stuff. I think that he presents from the standpoint of the acoustics that impact our shoreline. not just the animals, not just the uh marine life, but really humans uh on the
coast and along uh Westport as well. So, uh it'll be interesting to see. And that's uh Thursday in this room, select boardroom at 5:30. That committee has been has some really interesting scientists come. I I've been really appreciating the scientific presentations there.
All right. Anything else from board? Do we have any comments or statements from the public? I just have a question. We supposed we were supposed to have an executive session and I didn't know that it wasn't on. So
I didn't know that until about 5:30 at 5:30. So the um is there a reason why it was postponed? Yeah, I can talk to you about it after. Okay. Tonight. Yeah. Okay. It was postponed at the request of the person, right? Yes. Yeah. Okay.
Okay. But are we going to are we going to keep doing this? Uh uh because I know we were supposed to do it a couple weeks ago and then she said this was the first one that was scheduled. Okay. No, I know this was the first one scheduled, but we had talked about coming in earlier. That's all. So, okay.
Um sorry, did you have something? Yeah, I have a question as well. Three months ago, I sent an email to the town asking about some
additional parking signs for Westport Point, which is just a mess right now. I have yet to receive a response. In the 1 of May, I sent a letter requesting certain additions to my
properties, my business property. A month later, 30 days later, on a Friday night at 3:30, I got an email. The person who sent the email wasn't even in his office.
This is a contin I had I had one other letter. Oh, board of health. The day after we had the meeting here, I called the border. I emailed the board of health so there'd be a record. I said, could you please explain to me what what the problem is? I have yet to
hear from them. What's going on here? What is going on? Do you guys only talk to each other and not to the citizens of the town? Do I not re um should I not expect the courtesy of a response to an email?
And what's going on? This is continuous. This is continuous. This isn't just the last three months. I've been asking for signage for three years. For the um signs for the parking, can we refer that? Is that a highway or police or like who would advise us on the signs
for down there? Depends on the type of signs um like street or the street layout. It would be the police. If it's um in parking and the landing, it might be the landing commission and the highway department would make up the signs and install them. So, can you have the appropriate authority just look and see if they
recommend any signage down there? Yeah. Do if you could let me know what signage you're looking for, what was if that was in the original email. If you just resend it to me, I'll make sure we get a response. You can um copy me if you want. And then um so the the other question
the board of health I don't you'd have to take the board of but still I'm I'm not seeking to discuss the board of health or the town administrator or even the board of selectmen. This is an ongoing problem. Nobody responds to the only
person I ever get any response from and always get a response from is this lady here. I don't know what you'd do without her. She's amazing. We like we love having Paula. So, but I think this is an embarrassment to you guys. I think we should be responding
promptly, but I want to say every single department we have, every single one is short staffed. Everybody. And so I think that what you're experiencing might be just indicative of staffing issues, but you're right. You should you should get prompt attention. I would like to think that that it's as
simple as that. But this has been going on for much longer than this year. This has been going on forever. So, thank you for your feedback. Anything else? All right. So, we do not have any
unanticipated um items and like we said at the beginning, we're deferring the executive session. So, we won't be having that. So, I think we are done. Motion to adjurnn. Second. All in favor? I. I. That's four in favor and one S.
praise.