going to call the meeting to order. Will you join me in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge 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. Good evening and welcome to the Monday, January 5, 2026 meeting of the Westport Select Board. Under Mass General Law, Chapter 38, section 20F, this meeting is being recorded. I just want to start by
welcoming our new town administrator, Chris Vitali, is here today. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Thank you. >> Been there a week, >> one week. >> One week. >> We're glad to have you. We I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot from you from the meeting, but welcome. Um, I do want to
just say that the next meeting that we have is in three weeks instead of two weeks because there's uh two weeks from today is a holiday. So, the next meeting is going to be in 3 weeks on January 26. Um, also we are going to go into an executive session tonight to um release
some um executive session minutes, but we're not going to we're we're only going to come back to adjourn. There won't be any business conducted after the um executive session. Um, I just want to thank the highway department for the work they're doing with the the icy roads. Um, things are looking good as well as the public
safety. Um, is there anything else before we get going that we need to announce? >> Okay. I understand there's a meeting of the long-term building committee on January 22nd. So, that's going to be before our next meeting here, but that'll be posted online. Um,
>> okay. >> This is mostly for Jake. So, the first item we have is a petition from uh Verizon New England, Inc. and NStar Electric Company doing business as Eversource Energy to install nine jointly owned midspan poles on the west
side of Horsene Neck Road. >> Good evening. >> Good evening. Introduce yourselves. >> Jessica Elder representing Eversource. Thank you for having me this evening. >> Good evening. It's Kate Rugman. last name r u g m anan and I am a consultant
for Verizon. I don't know if you need an address or anything for the record. Okay. >> I'm sure Carla knows who you are. Um so you want to tell us what you're asking for here? >> Sure. Verizon is before you uh for an installation of proposal for nine jointly owned polls. Again, we have
Eversource representative as well that can um you know speak to them even more uh in depth, but it's for nine um jointly owned midspan poles basically on the west side of uh Horseneck Road. We submitted uh a petition as well as an
order in addition to a site sketch that illuminates um the nine poles and sort of orients them and and gives the numbers as well as um you know adjacent uh properties, that kind of thing, so
that it's oriented. Um, it looks like they're going to start at Pole 45, uh, closest to West Look Lane and run down, uh, Horsene Neck Road, um, passing through number 441,
uh, and continuing on, um, [snorts] through number 533, um, back down toward Petty Lane, um, and then ending close to, I think, number 620. Um and again it's for um
in addition it's it's basically because there's they're trying to upgrade the service but as well as um sort of help with the uh spacing of the polls. That's is my understanding um that Eversource requested through Verizon. Um and again these are jointly owned. So that's why
we're here as a joint petition. >> Okay. know if you have any questions specifically or >> No, I just want to So Chris, I didn't have a chance to talk to you about this before, but we try to put um we try to put the like visual pictures up next. So maybe >> we'll make sure that's up for the next time.
>> So these are just along wars neck road. They're in between currents that are already there. Correct. And um I mean it looks pretty straightforward to me. Does anybody on the board have any questions or comments? So >> this is a public hearing. Do we have anything from the public regarding
these? Oh, okay. Um, do we have uh what's the pleasure of the board? >> Madam Chair, I would make a motion to approve the petition for these uh installations of nine poles. >> Second.
>> Approve. >> Is there any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I I um that's four in favor and one absent. >> There you go. >> Thank you so much. Have a good evening. >> See you again. It's nice to meet you as well. We'll be back. [laughter] >> Thank you.
>> Sure you will. >> Um, under appointments and >> res appointments and resignations, we have a request from Matt Arando, the health director to accept the retirement of John Schwarz effective January 1, 2026 and to post the position of health agent
internally and externally simultaneously. So, we just want to uh recognize John Schwarz. He's been an employee for a number of years. So, um, we're not happy to accept his retirement, but we're excited to see him the next chapter of his life. Um, Chris,
do you have any recommendations on this? >> Um, so my only recommendation on this would be, uh, this is the health agent is a union position. So, um, we will reach out to the union just confirming that they are [snorts] comfortable with it being posted simultaneously. Um, even if we do post it simultaneously, we will
honor the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. >> Good. Um, yes. I'd like to say something about John. I mean, he's been a colleague of mine for like 40 years. He's um he's going to be greatly missed. It's going to be big shoes to fill.
It's going to be sad to see him go. >> Okay. Do What's the pleasure of the board? >> Move approval. Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I I That's four in favor and one absent. We have a request from Gail Rogers, [clears throat] the bike and walking
path chair to appoint Michelle Cart to the bike and walking path committee. I'm a member of that committee and we um Michelle's already started attending the meeting. So I will move approval of that. >> Second. >> Is there any discussion? >> Can I correct my name? >> Oh, sorry.
>> It's okay. It's Michelle with two L's and Cardi. C A R T Y. >> C R T Y. Sorry about that. >> But thank you. [laughter] >> Okay. All in favor? >> I I that's four in favor and one absent.
>> Welcome. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um we have a request from Roger Manard, zoning board of appeals chair to appoint Kevin McGoff to the zoning board as an alternate position with pleasure of the board. >> Well, Madam Chair, um I believe this is
to take we had a promotion here from Mr. George Stelis. talked about him recently. So, I think this and he was an alternate, so I think this is to take his place. Um, and I would support this and I would make the motion to approve Mr. McGoff to the zoning board as an
alternate to that board. >> I'll second that. >> Is there any discussion? >> All in favor? >> I >> I that's on four in favor and one absent. And now we have a long list of committees which I'll read in a second. Um, that these are position they're not
all com committees. Some of them are just positions that the town needs to have. So these this list is really replacing um positions [clears throat] that were held by Jim Hartnet um with Chris Vitali. Um so we have a request to appoint um Chris Vitality to the
following committees. Affirmative Action Officer, Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator, Capital Improvement Planning Committee, Chief Procurement Officer, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Officer, Joint Transportation Planning Group, Municipal Leaison to State Ethics Commission,
National Organization on Disability Representative, Public Safety Staffing Committee, Secondary Rec Access Officer, and Southeastern Mass Health Group representative. I I my thinking is I think we should make those appointments tonight but have
them subject to and evaluated by Chris over time as to whether that's the most effective use of his time. >> Okay. >> And whether there may be other ways that we could fill those jobs or um it it it is in intrinsically part of the town administrator's function as we've out
outlined it. >> Does that make sense to you, Chris? >> Yes, happy to do so. >> Okay. >> Do we have a second? Second. >> Is there any further discussion? All in favor? >> I. >> I. That's four in favor and one absent.
>> Think Chris was talking earlier um about looking at kind of all of our committees really to see if some of them just need to be sunset or repurposed or something. So >> look forward to that. >> So the next two are closely related items. Um, we have a request to approve
the mediation agreement with the city of Fall River for the water enterprise fund and a request to approve the intermunicipal water agreement with the city of Fall River. So, these are the docu the the documentation or the settlements that we've been talking about for a very long time. Um, so the
moment last we met um we sent them to council for review. So, we've received um input back and it seems all is in order on that part. So, does anybody have any questions or comments about either one of those? >> Any discussion? >> I'm going to abstain from that.
>> Okay. All right. So, um, [snorts] what's the pleasure board? >> You want to approve these? >> Madam Chair, I would recommend approval of the mediation agreement with the city of Fall River
and for the water enterprise front. I'll second that. Um, is there any discussion, >> Madam Chair? Just uh I think this is it's old news to us. We've gone over this again and again, including at the recent meeting. So, this is the last
step. So, I don't think there's anything more to discuss really. We should get this over and done with. >> Yeah, we beat this one to death [laughter] >> or years. All right. Um, so Manny is going to abstain. So, um, all in favor? I So that's three in favor and one abstension
and one absence. >> So how um how are we going to pay that bill? >> Um so I know that Jim did have a uh plan uh to set aside funds for the payment of that bill. I'll look at that document and I'll follow up.
>> I mean is it going to be paid immediately? I mean it's been a long time. >> Yeah, >> I think I think there's money in this year's budget for it. >> Okay, perfect. >> That some of it was come from the water enterprise and I forget where the rest of it was. Yeah, >> they wait a long time. >> There might be some ARPA money here too. >> Yeah, I think it was it might have been
ARPA money and then the water enterprise. [clears throat] >> Um D, we have the 2026 annual town meeting zoning amendments and scenic roads bylaw proposal. So this is um the first step. Maybe not the first step,
but this is the first step of getting this on the warrant um where the planning board sends us um the zoning or the zone. Yeah, the planning board sends us the zone potential zoning amendments and we just refer it back to them um for them to hold a public hearing. Chris, do
we know when the or Carla, do we know um when they're going to have their hearing? >> I'm sorry, who? the planning board on the scenic the scenic by roads bylaw >> that I do not have information on. >> I believe it's their first meeting in February. >> So in February there's going to be a
meeting where um there'll be detail review and and get input and that kind of thing on the scenic roads bylaw amendments or the scenic roads bylaw proposal and the zoning amendments. So I think our action is just to refer back to the planning board here.
>> Does anybody have any comments or anything? So yeah, we're just and then they're going to send that back to us and we're going to >> I think what happens and you're I mean you're on the planning board so you might be more familiar. So they've they told us they want to put it on the warrant. We refer it back to them. They have the hearings and that kind of
thing. Come up with a final proposal and then we warrant. Yeah. >> Then we make a recommend that was in talking about it. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> All right. So um I I'll entertain a motion to refer the amendments and the scenic roads bylaw back to the planning board. So moved.
>> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I So that's four in favor and one absent. >> Uh okay. So then we have discussion on the FY 2027 budget. So Chris in his one week here, [laughter] >> Madam Chair.
>> Point of order. >> Do we skip a couple of things or is that by design? >> No, >> I may have an old We didn't do the capital improvement planning committee. >> Oh, I'm sorry. We did. We we skipped it. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. You want to go this into >> the intermunicipal water agreement I thought was part of the of the city of
Fall River one. Do we did we not was that not together? >> Uh so it would be two separate votes. >> All right. Sorry. >> Yeah. And I intended >> Thank you, Dick. I'm sorry. >> The first one to be >> All right. Let's go back. Sorry. Thank you for catching that. So we have the request to approve the intermunicable water agreement with the city of Fall
River. >> Well, Madam Chair, again, uh this goes with the other one as you pointed out. It's just separately voted and we know about this. We've been talking about it and I would make the motion to approve it. >> That being the intermunicipal water agreement with the city of Fall River.
>> I haven't I haven't reviewed it so I'm going to abstain. >> Okay. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I >> I So it's three in favor, one obstain, and one absent. Sorry. Now the capital improvement planning committee. I don't know how I could have skipped over that one.
>> Well, it's only $1.9 million. So [laughter] Okay. Well, the uh in the in the package uh there is a several pages of information regarding the recommendation of the capital improvement planning
committee as respects the fiscal year 27. Can't believe it's 27, but um recommendations for capital spending. Uh it's pretty much self-explanatory. I'm sure you've all looked at it. Uh just
for a little context, last year at this time we were looking at an amount of about a million7 for capital expenditures. Uh this year using the same comparison because there's some other things in here too, uh the amount is $1.9 million.
Uh it's 1.9 in change from free cash, 100,000 from the marine services enterprise fund for one project that they're doing, 40,000 from the beach enterprise fund for a truck, and 200,000 from the cemetery
perpetual care account for the expansion of the cemetery. So the total is actually more than $1.9 million. uh in that uh [clears throat] excuse me recap there there's a number of
recommendations that are listed here. I I won't go through them but I'll be glad to entertain questions and that's you can see on this page two of that that's where you get the million9 and then the 100,000 and the 40 and the 200 that I alluded to. Um and we make that
recommendation. Uh we feel that because we have more free cash this year than we did last year, this is prudent and these things are clearly needed. The process of the CIPC is one where we go through listen to the recommendations of the managers as to why they need these
various items, whatever they may be, whether they be HVAC for the Westport Elementary School or for police cruisers or whatever. uh and it's sort of uh the triage process where we're constantly trying to do the most with a limited
amount of money. The total number of requests was uh or the the amount that they represented was almost $5 million this year, which is pretty much part for the course. So anyway, we feel good that we have enough free cash to make an impact here with these 17 or 18 items.
Uh there is one mentioned under conditional recommendation. Uh that was one that we had a great deal of sympath sympathy for. That was a highway department dump truck with a plow. Uh and that would cost $157,000.
Uh we felt that we didn't have enough money right now to think about that. But we wanted to go on record that this is an important thing. It's been postponed a number of times. Uh and this is in lie of a larger truck. This truck was selected as the truck of choice because
you do not need a CDL, a commercial driver license for that. So all the repres all the members of the highway department could use that truck in in a snowstorm. So we put that in more as a placeholder saying that if there's a additional funding, but I don't know
where that would come from necessarily unless we felt that as we went through the capital or as go through the cash uh a free cash uh discussion and say how much for this, how much for that if there's addition if there's extra money um I doubt there would be but if there
happens to be then we might consider this or we might look for another source of funding. So without that that that would not be a a viable recommendation. And item three in in that uh second page we're talking just a reminder here was
that uh the 5-year capital improvement plan uh has had established or I think it would actually been established before then a capital stabilization account and we want to dedicate 5% is the target of free cash annually to this
fund. So that's separate from the capital improvement items than before us. But as this is clearly funding for the future in terms of future items and our estimation is this would be a contribution of $182,000.
So these are the recommendations. They have been forwarded to the finance committee. These are recommendations. That's all we do. We don't actually write the checks and spend the money, but we recommend and then it goes through the process of the select board reviewing it. finance committee ultimately it's approved or not approved
by at town meeting. So that's my report, Madam Chair. There also the minutes that are attached with their essentially what's in the letter and I will entertain any questions that the committee has or anybody else. I'm chair have a question. >> Yeah. >> Um I I think the the truck I believe
well Chris is here do all our all our employees have CDLs right now in the >> So I think the truck is going to help us hire somebody else if we don't pay enough money. >> And we had that discussion. >> Okay. I wasn't present so I'm sorry. >> Okay. So, um we don't have a we don't
have a list in front of everybody, but um but it's kind of a long list and it's kind of distributed between um things for the town side of the budget area and then um the school um particularly the biggest item on here is the um
elementary school HVAC upgrade um for 500,000. The rest of a lot of vehicles. Um is there any questions or comments about that? the elementary school, the upgrade. Did they entertain any grants for that like
we did for here? >> They did get an earmark for that as well. >> So, they've been getting they've been looking at other sources of funding and I know they've received at least one. And now, how about this the the the town
hall? Is that all set now? We're 100% on the new heating system here. So, we're on punch list right now. Um, you know, that's something that we'll be following up on. We just got that punch list last week. >> Yeah. >> I'd mentioned something to Jimmy before he left on the infrastructure outside.
>> Mhm. >> So, they got ballards on the outside. >> Yep. >> I mean, I'm sure that was designed. They missed it in design, but there's no curb or anything with the parking lot coming this way. Kind of a little bit worried about cars coming and taking that right out. >> I'll take a look at that and see if there's a note on the punch list about that. >> Thank you.
>> You're welcome. So, um, Dick, are you looking for any action on this? Do we want to vote to present this to the F? >> Yeah, I think that's the the procedure here. Again, we're we're voting to recommend. >> Okay. >> And we don't have the final say on this. What's, as you know, as we all know,
what's presented at town meeting is the finance committee budget, which this would be on there. Um, so we're recommending it and to have the vote of the selectman who would uh ratify that recommendation would be worthwhile. >> Okay. So that you want to make that
informable motion? >> Yeah, I'd make a motion that the select board uh approve these uh recommendations uh totaling the amounts that I had stated in in terms of capital improvements. >> I think I would substitute instead of approve but support.
>> Support that's probably more accurate. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Are you seconding? >> Second. >> I am in the motion to include the word support. >> Okay. Is there any discussion? Right. All in favor? >> I >> I That's four in favor and one absent.
>> Um I don't know those of you who walked in, we we voted already to refer the scenic roads bylaw proposal to the back to the planning board, but if that's what you're here to talk about, I'm going to give you the opportunity to talk about it if you want to. >> So, we referred it back to the planning
board. They're the ones that are going to have the hearings on the zoning amendments and the scenic roads by law. >> What's the topic? >> I'm sorry. >> What's the topic you just mentioned? the um for D4D, the um zoning amendments and the scenic roads bylaw proposal. >> Thank you,
>> Madam Chair. And and Chris, you weren't here, but I think what they said was it's going to go back to the planning board. We're going to have these meetings on it, and then they're going to refer it back to us. >> So, I guess keep your eyes open for the meeting. Chris, when was that first meeting? >> Uh it should be, I believe, believe February 9th is when they have their
hearing. I'll send you an email just confirming. >> Yeah, no problem. >> I can still say, right? >> Oh, yeah. You can say. I mean, this is a public meeting. I just want to make sure that we covered whatever. I don't want you like waiting for something. How about was there anything particular you wanted to talk about? >> Yes.
>> She brought in some flyers. >> I just want to know what the topic is. >> It's about the power poles. I'm sorry. I was >> Oh, so we've already voted to approve those. >> Okay. Well, one of them is on my property in my hedge, and I'm just asking them not to rip down my wall or my hedge.
>> Okay. So, Carla, can you pass that on to them when you're um when you're talking to them? So, we voted to approve it, but they're generally pretty receptive to um input. >> This is a photograph. Yes. In packet. >> Yeah.
>> And then the next page shows the pole coming straight out of my ledge. And I don't think it's my fault that the pole is on my property instead of on the town's property or whatever, but there's there is coming out of my house. >> Okay. Um, so
please don't let them rip my stone wall on my head down. >> So we'll we'll refer we'll refer that back to >> I was just wondering because I didn't look at the plan. Does it show the plan? Do you have is there an easement on your property for that pole? >> There is not. >> And it's on your property. Sure.
>> It is absolutely on my property. >> So then they they can't put it back there. >> The stone uh wall shown here is the property line and that's remained before. So that that's Eversource and Verizon. They they they got to look into their easement and make sure that that pulls in their easement.
>> But there is an engagement on my property. >> Okay. So then [music] they need to be notified that Yeah. I think >> Yeah. If you want to share share your information, you know, Carla can reach out to the representative and we can put you in touch. Yeah. >> My information is on the letter but
>> Chris is right there. >> Oh. and uh the uh property of 523, 519, 0, 441, and 443 Horseack Road. >> All right. Thank you. >> And um
this pole has been the property for a long time since the trips, I guess. I don't know. Actually, >> the other pole on your property too. >> This is >> Yeah, but I'm like looking at this line. There's one on the other side of the wall further down. That's on your
property, too. >> It's next to my stone wall. >> It's on the inside of Stonewall on the outside of Stonewall. >> Outside. >> Okay. So, >> that's where this one will probably have to >> this this the next one. >> Yeah. I just can't see what the >> is outside, >> right?
>> So, the so far as I know, they're adding poles. They're not subtracting any poles in this. >> I My understanding was if they were putting poles between two poles. Yeah. >> In which case, this wire crosses my stone wall. But I'm hoping they're not going to put the hole in the stone wall.
>> Well, the thing is if the if the if they don't have an easement, it's on your property, they have to install on the they have to install that pole on the tongue property. >> Yeah. I don't want to upset anybody. >> No, I >> But I really don't want them to like down my wall in my head. >> No, we'll we'll absolutely I I'm sure
that they can accommodate. >> This photograph is in color. It may be easier to see if you want it. >> Yeah. No, we can. >> Oh, I know. I'm going take I'll take a ride by there and take a look at it. >> Thank you. Um there's most of these nine poles are probably on the part of the
road that my property runs along and it's clearly marked. The southernmost piece of property is I43 and the northern one is 441 and 443. >> Okay. >> All right. So, Miss Meer, we'll we'll um
pass that on to them. They're usually pretty good about it. I don't I don't think there's anything you need to worry about it, but we'll just make sure that they understand your concerns. anybody if they or anyone else has any questions by email my cell phone number on this letter. >> Yep. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thank you so much for allowing me to say
this. >> Great. >> All right. Thank you. >> Okay. Um budget. >> Yes. Um, so as you know at the last board meeting, December 15th, Jim put together a preliminary budget based off
the information that we received from our staff as well as uh, you know, first round of revenue estimates. You know, we unfortunately uh are going to be waiting a few more weeks before we get uh, additional information from the state on the cherry sheet. Um, so from a revenue
standpoint, we're more or less at a standstill, you know. However, um there was discussion items that Jim had brought up at the prior meeting and more or less um while I don't have any dollar updates today, I want to just provide the opportunity for the board um to
discuss some of those items that Jim had pointed out such as um the engineer position and whether or not um the board had any interest in reallocating that. Um, you know, I know there was discussion with the board on, uh, you
know, a role for media and communications, um, and taking that on if there was any additional select board priorities that weren't captured within the budget that we want to account for going into FY27. Um, you know, and my plan would be going
into the next few weeks to, uh, take another pass of the budget once we get some updated revenue estimates and try to accommodate those requests. So, um, nothing, you know, additional per se, but just want to keep the conversation
going. No problem, Elizabeth. >> [clears throat] >> Um I I think I was one of the ones [cough] that beat the engineering discussion to bit to to uh into the ground the last time it came up. And um and since a lot of that
uh money can is can be passed through in terms of people paying for engineering on their projects. I tend to now prior would prioritize personally the the public relations community
communications. Um if if there was money to be uh that we could take advantage of in the budget under our current limitations and when you know what the cherry sheet is coming or at least not the cherry sheet but what the governor's
initial budget to the legislature is. I think that uh the area of communications came up came up in our town administrator search as as an issue and a priority and it's come up in other ways as well.
So if there was neither or prioritizing one over the other because I think you know town engineer we we could we we lacked consensus as a board uh the last time.
I'm not even sure how it was um would eventually resolve itself because we were stalemated on that one. >> Yeah, I think we are. So, I think so my recommendation here would be to give Chris another couple weeks to kind of look at how we might incorporate that
position or that that function anyway, right? Um so I I I know he had some ideas, some preliminary ideas. I was talking to him right before this meeting. So, I don't know if I don't know if you really want to talk about it yet or if you want to talk about it maybe at our next meeting.
>> Yeah, I mean I'll just give a very high level. Um, and it's something that we've talked about with this board is the board uh is aware we have new staff within our office, new responsibilities. Um, there was a restructuring that was recently done and one of the things that I was charged with was to look at our
office and see how we can uh be our best and be efficient and serve residents. you know, I think um you know, if we're discussing communications uh as more or less an additional function and capturing some of the responsibilities
uh that I think we're trying to be incorporated into the town engineer position. I would like to look at the office comprehensively. you know, I know that there are still some job functions that are up in the air just, you know, because they were never assigned from um
you know, the prior secretary um you know, at the time of her departure, you know, but I think what I'd like to do is maybe have a couple different ideas to come back to the board with and say, you know, are these options uh of interest to the board?
>> Okay, appreciate that. >> And you you said I was trying to find it. I'm in here trying to find out. You said there's a Facebook page. >> Ah, yes. >> You have a Facebook page now. >> Yeah. So, that'll be in the town mystery update. However, I'll I'll give it away early. Uh, so I did start us a town of
Westport Facebook, Twitter or X, and a LinkedIn account. So, if you find it, it's under town of Westport-m. Uh, right now, you'll notice it is a little sparse on content because we're just getting started. Um, you know, our
departments do know it's there now. So my hope is over time that u you know we gradually build up what we're posting there and get people accustomed to going there for information knowing that they can get um good reliable content. But
not the one. I still can't find it. But not the one that says we the people. The one that says we the people. >> Official town one. >> It's a Yes. official town one. Has the town seal. Uh so it mirrors the town website. And uh you know like I said our hope is that over time you know any
information the board example wants to share out we can do so through that platform. Any information from our departments I know there's a few departments have their own pages but we can just amplify their message. Nice. >> Yeah, I I believe that social media
sites >> I'll send I'll send links after too for the >> social media sites are a lot more nimble and able to maintain than web pages. >> Yeah. >> And you if and you can keep the content fresher on on a social media site as compared to a website.
>> Yeah. And you know, I think on that note, you know, the social media site isn't to replace, it's only to enhance or provide a different format for the message. So, quick updates, things that people are going to want to know that are timely messages. Um, and if they're
looking for more information, you know, we want to send them to the website. We invested a lot in the town website, so we want to make sure it's up to date, but you know, just another way to get our word out there. >> Thank you. All right. Anything else on the budget? >> Well, I was going to ask a question
about what >> Go ahead. >> Facebook page is who would be maintaining that, Chris? >> So, for now, it's going to be my office. um you know whether it's myself or one of our staff members just you know if there's something that we receive you know we're going to get it uploaded
there you know obviously you know if we're talking about a communications function in the future >> I would want a little more proactive you know in terms of getting out there you know with messaging with branding with um you know different task about how we
can um you know be better communicators to our residents but for now and based off the capacity of the office. I think just starting with what do we have, you know, what do we need to get out there, I think is a good start. >> Okay, good.
>> Right. Anything else on the budget? >> So, we do have to finalize the budget um by February 10th. So, we have the meeting um on January 26 and then we'll have a meeting on February 9. Um, so we'll need to
finalize our budget recommendations and just come by that February 9th meeting. >> Okay. So, I guess we're on the town administrator report. >> Town ministry update. All right. Let me just take out my notes here. I put them separate just cuz I uh didn't
necessarily know how this uh shared screen was going to work out. Um, so from my office, I finished up my first week here. Uh I had a lot of residents and uh committee members come in to introduce themselves. So it was
definitely a warm welcome. It was very appreciated. Um I I'll say that there are still a few onboarding kinks and hiccups that we're trying to work out. Um but all in good time. So things are moving along very nicely. Um as part of
my first week here, um held a first department head meeting of the calendar year and of my administration. Uh that was earlier today. Uh so for the department heads that I had not had the opportunity to meet, I got to meet them
uh and look forward to uh the work ahead with them. So just so the board knows, I plan on having those meetings monthly. Um so those will be regularly scheduled meetings in the calendar. In addition to that, I'm also in the process of um
scheduling one-on- ones with department heads. So again, that'll be uh separate from the department meetings where I can dive in a little bit deeper as to any issues that are going on. But um I felt that those were pretty positive developments. Um
so in addition to that, just um wanted to highlight some good news from one of our departments, Chief Baldwin. He informed me they finalized the paperwork for their earmark grant, $130,000 through Senator Michael Rodriguez. and this is to uh put towards purchasing
three new cardiac monitors for the ambulances. So uh he had said that the board was aware of this but he was pleased to share that the paperwork on that had been finalized. Um lastly on Thursday January 29th I am going to be
blocking off uh the morning 9 to 12 for office hours for residents. So, um, more or less dedicated time I want to put to the side so that if residents come in, no appointment needed. Um, you know, they can sit and meet with me if they
have any questions or concerns or just want to share how we can do better at servicing them. So, those are my updates. >> What's the date? What's the time on that? >> That is January 29th, a Thursday, 9 to 12. >> Okay.
You hit the ground running. It sounds like >> tried. Nice to have you on board. >> Thanks, Randy. >> Um, all right. So, uh, the next item we have is approve the minutes of December 15. >> The clerk isn't here.
>> Um, we did receive correspondence, uh, from Jake earlier today. He did review minutes and he is satisfied with them. >> I move approval. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? I I that's four in favor and one absent. Uh report
on the bill warrant. >> Madam chair, the bill warrant is in the package here. It was right before Christmas uh totaling $3.2 million more or less. Everything was in order and uh we got that done in time and I appreciate the
efforts on the part of numerous staff departments to make that happen because it was a short day. If you remember it was Wednesday before Christmas. So, we had to move on this and it actually we got it done on we got it done on Tuesday. So, kudos, shout out to a lot of people. We're all set on that one.
That does not need approval. Just this is for the reporting and recognition in the minutes. Thank you. >> Right. Thank you. Uh so, we have leazison committee reports and suggestions for future agenda items. Craig, >> nothing horribly new to report. I mean,
we we've we're still um looking for um real estate for the affordable housing trust. Um we've I think we're going to be um we've had a good meeting with the um members of the planning board, um the
chair and one of the members of the planning board a couple of weeks ago. And um we're we're plugging along and we'll probably have another round of uh of um RFPs for individual um home improvement
projects to preserve affordability of the housing. So, >> but we always sort of seem to end up um at the end of the cycle because our next meeting is coming up in two weeks. >> Well, I
thank you Dick. anything? >> Uh, very little because of the holidays, but we've got a lot of stuff going on. I will be attending the landing committee meeting tomorrow as layers on from the select board. That's one of my two layers on roles. The other one is the council on aging. Uh, they have a
meeting next week and uh then things will be more exciting my next report perhaps. That's it. >> And I we I haven't had any meetings lately. It was last, it was a weird couple weeks, but um there is a before our next meeting there going to be a meeting of the school building
committee. Um I forget what day it is, but it's before our next meeting. Um the climate resilience committee is working on finalizing a report um out to the town. So that's making some progress. That's really all I had. Manny, anything?
>> Um I'm not any committees. >> Um do we have any comments or statements from the public? Okay, I just want to remind people who may be interested in helping out the town. We have a number of boards and committees um that have vacancies.
There's um some listed at the back of our agenda. Um but uh let us know if you want to be able to serve and we'll try to find a spot. So, I'm not aware of any topics um anticipated within the 48 hour rules. Do you know? Uh no, but just one other
general update from me. Um later this month before the next meeting is the annual MMA conference. Um so if any of you uh are interested in attending, it's the 22nd to the 24th. Uh they usually put on some pretty good workshops. Um
up in Boston. >> All right. Thank you. >> All right. So like I said before, we're going to go into executive session. We're only going to come out of executive session to adjourn. and there won't be any business conducting. Um, so I will entertain a motion pursuant to
the provisions of Mass General Law Chapter 38 section 21A where the chair declares an open meeting will have a detrimental effect to review the following executive session minutes from 2024 and 2025 to determine if the minutes can be released. January 8,
2024. January 22nd 24 February 12 24 February 26 24 March 11 24 March 25th 24 April 22nd 24 May 6 24 May 20 24 June 3
24 June 17 24 July 8 24 July 22 24 August 12 24 August 26 24 September 94 September 23 24 December nomber 2, 2024.
December 16, 2024. I just want to pause. There's some more coming, but I just want to pause. We typically in the early January um release executive session minutes um for the prior year. So, we usually wait a year. Um so, typically we
would not be in January looking at the 2025 executive session minutes, but we have had a FOYA request um that requested these. So we wanted to go ahead and release them so that they could be u part of that request. So we also have January 6, 2025, February 10,
2025, February 2425, April 1425, April 2825, July 2125, August 1825, and December 15, 2025. Do we have a motion? I Craig Ducha move we go into an
executive session for the aforementioned uh per reasons. Second say your name. >> What's that? >> You have to say your name. >> Man. >> Um so we'll roll call vote. >> Junior. >> We'll roll call vote. >> Manos Junior. I >> Shauna Tease. I wish >> Brewer I I Craig Dra.
>> All right. So we are in executive session. Thank you everyone.