meeting to order. Will you join me in the pledge of >> allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. >> Good evening. Welcome to the Monday, March 23rd, 2026 meeting of the Westport Select Board. Under Mass General Law Chapter 38 section 20F, this meeting is being recorded. I want to start with um
kind of sad news. We want to acknowledge the passing of Russell Hart. Russell passed away at the age of 97 years old on March 19. Um he was born in Fall River, but he spent he was a lifelong resident of Westport and a graduate of Westport High
School. He's a veteran of the United States Air Force where he served his country during the Korean War. He had many rules. He was an insurance agent for a number of years. He owned and operated RT Hart Lobster Company along with many commercial lobster boats
from 1955 to 2000. Many will remember his service to Westport as he held many roles. He was on the board of assessors from 1958 to 71, the board of selectman from 68 to 71. He was a highway surveyor from 71 to
90. He's a fish commissioner from 1990 to 2000 and he was on the board of selectmen again from 2001 to 2004. Until his passing, he was also a member of the American Legion, the Nokachoke Masonic Lodge, the Lions Club, and the
Westport Historical Society. I'm reading from his obituary. It said he was known as a town trivia buff. He was a champion of all things Westport with a particular place in his heart for Westport Point. The family enjoys the fact that he was a town politician and never lost an
election. [laughter] So, uh, we just want to celebrate the the the very rich and full life of Russell Hart and send condolences and sympathy to his family. Anybody want to say I didn't know Russ. >> I've met him at uh veterans events and
uh he was he's all what you [laughter] said. Great guy. Just a great guy. See, seems like we're losing more and more of the old Westport. Um, >> so on to other news. Um, we want to have a couple of announcements. Um, we have a
uh household hazardous waste day um is coming up this week actually on March 28th um from 9 to 12 at the old high school. You do have to register in advance. Um so please check go to the Westport uh the town website. you can go
um there's a link there for registration for the household hazardous waste. I myself having traveled all the way to Sutton to dispose of a bunch of waste. Um I just want to just encourage people to take advantage of that because it doesn't come down [clears throat] here very often. So that's March 28 um check out the town website to register in
advance. Um also wanted to mention there is a can ask the candidates event happening um on Saturday March 28 from 12 to 2. That's an open um event to meet all the candidates and ask questions. Um so it's at the at the the new high
school. So the um ask the candidates event Saturday, March 28, 12 to 2 at the new high school. And just a reminder that the town election for which these candidates are running the town election is on Tuesday, April 14. Um so there's a number of contested race. We sometimes
don't have very many contested races, but we have a number of contested races this time. So check out the town website, check out the candidate event. I know the community television will be putting out um uh videos of all the candidates so that you can get to know who they are. That was all I had in the
way of announcements. Have I missed anything that I should cover? Our next meeting is in two weeks on April >> six. >> Oh, >> is it April 6? >> You're right. April 6. [laughter] Our next meeting is a regularly
scheduled meeting on Monday, April 6th. All right. So, the first on our agenda, we have um several public hearings. The first one we have is a request from NStar Electric Company doing business as Eversource Energy to install eight new
manholes 6x10 by 8, one new manholes 13 by3 by 8, and approximately 4,810 ft of conduit in the right of way of Hicksbridge Road. Welcome. Can you introduce yourself? >> I sure can. Good evening, members of the
board. Jessica Elder, uh, representing Effort Source. Thank you for having me this evening. >> So, can you tell us what you got going on? >> Absolutely. Let's see. So, uh, this petition is a request for uh, eight. It's a
continuation from uh, a previous um, [clears throat] a previous >> I think we get this is a storm cancellation. >> Yes. So, we we we actually were supposed to have this with the hearing prior to, but it never got submitted. Um, and then
we had it scheduled for the um the date of the storm and it got cancelled. So, we we're continuing now. Um, so it's 4,800 ft of conduit and eight manholes. It's going all along Hicksbridge Road.
Um and uh let's see the it it's going down by Drift Road as well. So we're extending all along Hicksbridge Road down the Drift Road. So we're going to cover several areas um all in the rightway. Um let's see. The uh the purpose of the
project is, you know, continuing improving system reliability to provide additional capacity, support um long-term infrastructure needs in the area. Um all work is proposed within the public rightway has been designed to follow the existing roadway layout. So we're not going to go outside a little
the roadway layout as close closely as possible minimizing impact to any abuing properties and any existing utilities. Um the work as far as time I'm not really sure. I mean it's a it's a lot of work going along the way. uh there
shouldn't be any disruption and if so uh if there's any disruption to uh any of the areas they will let the any of the buddies or any of the businesses know um but and then they'll be restored appropriately. Um I do want to note that
this installation is you know for general electric system infrastructure is not specific to any particular um distributed energy services. But while the system is designed for everyone um you know including residential, commercial, municipal facil facilities
such as police and fire um any future interconnections would be reviewed separately in you know throughout Eversource's standards procedures. >> Right. Thank you. >> Is there anyone from the board have any questions or comments?
>> I was just wondering the length of the uh duration of the project. Uh they didn't it I I'd imagine it's going to take quite some time. 4,800 uh 4,800 feet of conduit in and 8 man holes will will take I would say it will take
some time. Um maybe what I can do is find out more a more specific time than kind of putting it out there and saying a couple of weeks. I I think it's going to take some time. Yeah. um you know, you got traffic concerns and things like that to um that
you got to be worried about and weather permitting that will possibly stop. You know, we're out of the winter so much right now hopefully, but you just never know. You just never know. >> Okay. >> But we will we're looking to start as soon as possible. >> Yeah. >> Thank you,
>> Madam Chair. Just a couple quick questions. Jessica, thanks for coming back. I'm >> not going to hammer you like I have in the past on this, but um >> I think to to Dick's point, the major concern from Westport is that thoroughare Hicks bridge >> has two large economic drivers on it and
if we get into the summertime where people can't get to the winery or at Buzz's Bay brewery, that's going to be a problem. So, I just stress that and I know we did some work to try to get the process moving even sooner because you guys are already down there. Right. Uh so again, I I just continue to stress that we don't want to continue to hear
if we're in June, May time frame where we're not, you know, where we're blocking off Hicks bridge and access to those businesses. Um the other thing I think is for Chris because I've heard some things like notification to residents about kind of the traffic patterns. Yep. >> Uh maybe we can post that or at least put that out there so they're well
aware. I think we have, but I think maybe directing people to where to find that. >> Yeah. So, I think as a a condition of approval, just that um you know, Ever Service and Verizon works in coordination with our public safety department on traffic uh control and traffic planning. We'll definitely get outreach out there
>> and that would probably be good to put on our new Facebook page anyway, the town Facebook for for project like that. Um again, I will be voting against it because I understand in my opinion, I think this is going to be used for other projects that I may not be fully supportive of. Um but obviously, you'll
be fine here. You know where I stand on that, Jessica. So, I do. I'm not gonna not gonna hit you on that again tonight. I do, J. >> Thank [laughter] you. >> This is a public hearing. Um, is there anyone from the public that has comment on this one? You can just come up to the mic right here and state your name.
>> Good evening, Sue Burns, uh, 395 Hicksbridge. Uh, as far as how long it's going to take, uh, the butter's got a letter saying April 2026 to April 2027 in the letter. >> Okay. >> Wait a second. That's like a year, right?
>> Okay. Just just throwing that out there. Um if the residents got a letter with traffic patterns, I did not receive one on Hicks Bridge because one of my questions why coming here tonight is to ensure that the road would be opened at all times that we would not take a 13-mi
detour down by the beach. Is that going to be assured? I'm sure that they're going to have detail out there to to uh direct the traffic and not uh any, you know, they're probably doing sections at a time, >> right? But to her point, there's not a good um it's a pretty long stretch if
you're going to have to detour around, right? >> So, we want to make sure that we're keeping at least at least one lane. >> Oh, yeah. They're not going to close. >> Well, I mean, I know they they did that in the harbor, right, when they put telephone poles there. A friend of mine had to add 10 15 minutes to every trip out of the house cuz she was detourred. So that's why I just want to make sure
you've got assurances here that that's not going to happen and we have a recourse if it does. >> Yeah, I think it's important to keep the roadway open. >> Um, additional point, the existing manhole covers from Route 88 to Drift Road, I'm not sure who's responsible for them, but they're always a mess. They're
constantly patched. You you hit them, it's jarring. If you go around them, you're over the yellow line. um every time there's any kind of road race. We have multiple bike and foot road races that go in that prop down that road. So when this is going on, they can't be
leaving structures up on the weekends. When you approve those races, you might want to make sure I know they're approved every year that the road is fully open for it. But I know especially with the bike races um they put a lot of caution around the existing manholes because of the danger if a very um
expensive very thin very lightweight uh bike hits that. So um I just don't feel confident and about manholes and even a pothole. We all those houses on Hicks bridge are pretty close not all but very most are very close to the road. If a truck or even a big car hits a pothole I
hear it. Um, I have a door in my Hundo house that opens every time a truck goes by and hits a pothole. So, quaint, cute, but you know, I just want assurances that the road will be put back. Is if is it is the road on any plan to be resurfaced in the next few years? Is
anyone can anyone address that? >> Do you have any information? >> So, I don't have information on the time frame. However, I know that as part of a condition of the improve uh the condition of approval if the board went that direction, um all work would be
subject to the highway department's standards. Um so if there was a moratorum or if there were road conditions that um you we want to make sure it's done in line with >> no because there was some road cut that was done on Pine Hill recently going
across the road that's a speed table now. you know, it's it's a real severe clunk punk to go over. So, I don't know what our recourse is when patching like that is terrible. So, I just just want to put it out there. I I'm not against the project. I'm just want it done right. So, as far as us knowing about if
the road stays open, about any detours, um about road races and and marathon half marathon goes by on that 13 mile loop. Um and then how it looks afterwards um would be important for us. Thank you. >> Right. Thank you. >> Is there other comment?
Hi, Philip Macka, 458 Hicksbridge. Uh, first question is, um, these underground lines, what are they carrying? >> Jessica, can you answer that? >> It's electric cabling. >> It's Yeah, electric conduit cable. Yeah, conduit cable. >> Yeah. But is it high tension wires? uh
high voltage uh >> that I can find out that I'm not >> um cuz I have a little little bit of an issue um where 20 years ago the town had redone the catch basin by Pineh Hill
Convenience and uh flooding on the north side of the road got considerably worse after that. So I get concerned that more digging um is going to disrupt that more.
And also if that is high tension wires um is that going to be another reason we can never get this um this problem solved? >> That I couldn't answer. Um, I can I can have someone else uh I can pass that
information on to ours. >> Yeah, cuz low voltage wires is a whole different story than those 40,000 volt, >> right, [snorts] >> things, >> right? Um, yeah, I'd have to get back to my engineering crew to to get that. >> All the all the plans and everything that we have are talking about the
manholes themselves and then the conduit. So, it talks about how big the conduit is, but not so much in it. They don't usually give me that information. >> I don't usually get the the wires and
>> Yeah, I said my my concern is going to have something. It might affect the pipes that we have and then our flooding will get even worse. >> Um, so we can I can take your contact information and we can connect with you after this meeting, get you an answer to that question. >> Okay. Appreciate that.
>> Yeah. Thank you. Anything else? >> One more for me. So, it's [clears throat] a little disconcerting that we're now talking about a one-year time frame with respect to this project, April 26 to 27. Uh, so Chris, I can we
and I Jessica, I know you don't have that information. So, can we reach out to the project manager on this and figure out what their scenario and time frame is for construction during the summer months, specifically from basically a Memorial Day to a Labor Day
when our basically traffic in town increases by 5 to 10,000 residents. Um, again, that's that's what I've harped on all along. And I just again giving the blanket approval for this, we lose a little bit
of control because they're a larger utility company >> that has a engineering firm and they're going to go about the project. My I'm very concerned about that and we've already heard from a couple residents this evening and I'm guessing it will get a heck of a lot worse if we have
these problems with increased traffic in the summer. So um you know for the board's consideration as part of this approval we also can set some additional conditions on that um you know as an example notification to the highway department. I know we talked about um
maintaining access for vehicles, you know, for residents, emergency vehicles, businesses. Um you know, we can ask that they provide us a project time frame as well as traffic control plans. Um you know, which I expect our police department would need anyways if they're
offering assistance there. Um, you know, the other thing just with regards to roadway conditions, you know, during the project and when it's done, um, you know, we can ask, um, you know, that they be responsible for settling and
repairs after a set amount of time. So, you know, if we get through, you know, at a period of time and we see some settlement or the roadways aren't what they need to be, um, we can make that a condition of approval here this evening. >> Okay. And madam chair, sorry. Uh there
are some races that are held during the summertime, fundraisers for Buzzers Bay Coalition and other organizations. So >> if that road is torn up or we have, you know, like the uh woman stated with respect to the manhole covers or even just, you know, slices into that
roadway, that's going to cause problems for more than I think it's probably two, three or four uh different races or fundraisers or half marathons at various that go on during that time frame. and that use that exact path from Drift Road, Horsene Neck, uh Hicksbridge to
Horsene Neck. So, um again, I'd rather address it now and and have a plan in place than get to the middle of the summer and everyone's scrambling to do something. So, >> Chris, were you writing down? Can you just summarize the conditions that you were suggesting? >> Uh, of course. Um so, first one is that
the road work and restoration uh be done in line with the highway department standards. um that settling repairs um that they would be responsible for a period of two years after the road work has been completed. Um notifying the highway department before starting any work at
least 48 hours in advance. Um conditional approval that any work um allows um access to be maintained for emergency vehicles, residents, and businesses in that area. um and that they provide a project
overall project time frame and uh traffic control information so that we can share that out. >> Great. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Anything anything else? >> M >> Yeah, you can go to them.
>> My neighbor reminded me some very large farm equipment goes down that road and needs more than one lanes width. So, they need to keep that in mind. There's a lot of tractors and stuff that have to go over the yellow line just to get by sometimes. >> Thank you.
Maintain access to the for that would be maintaining access for the businesses I think and residents. >> Yes. And I would say just um you know as those details get finalized you know I would work with our police department obviously in terms of you know what type of access would need you know they would
need for that to adequately and safely pass that area. So go ahead. So, it's the pleasure of the board. >> Madam Chair, I'd recommend that we do not take action on this tonight. We get that information that's being outlined here and have a different presentation or an additional presentation
particularly in specific to those all of those questions and that would be uh then I would be prepared to vote on it. >> So, are you moving to um to continue the public hearing? >> Yes. >> To the next meeting. >> The next meeting. >> I second that. >> All right. So your the motion is to
continue the public hear. So not make a decision tonight, continue the public hearing. Can we do it in the next meeting or does that have to be the meeting after that? >> Um I believe we should be able to do it on the six >> because we have the posting requirements, right? >> One more question. Is this an extension
because they're already doing work in that Hicksbridge roadway. Is this contingent upon that? Is this a further extension of that or because they're currently there right now, I believe. Um >> correct. So that's not going to slow down any progress of what they're currently doing with this, right?
>> I don't believe so, but I will confirm. So if you want to tenatively set that to the April 6, um again, worst case, if you know, if you want to say or the 27th, you know, we'll make sure that we have our ducks in a row for this next hearing, this next meeting date. >> Okay. All right. So, we have a motion in
a second to continue the public hearing, ask the applicant to come back with that information. Um and then we'll post for the sixth. All right. Any other discussion? >> One more discussion point. And no offense, Jessica, but would there be a project? Could we maybe get a project
manager and someone from the engineering firm that could lay out the specifics? And again, no offense to you. I know you're send as a mercenary here. [laughter] >> I totally understand. I mean, many times I said it >> and we know timelines can flex, right? Because it's a weather thing. But you
should have we would like some idea of how long it's going to take. So if that if that's possible, Chris, if we can reach out to Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> So probably Anthony would probably come with me. >> All right. So we're going to vote on that. All in favor? >> I
>> I That's um four in favor, one absent. >> Hey, thank you. I guess you're coming back. >> Thank you so much. See you soon. [laughter] Um, the next item we have is a request to approve the layout of Stacy Lane as shown in the definitive subdivision plan entitled Stacy Lane off Fisher Road
prepared for Ronald Olivera dated November 23rd, 2020 recorded in the Bristol County Registry of Deeds, book 183, page 47. Welcome. Can you introduce yourself? >> Yes. Good evening, members of the Westport Select Board, residents at home watching, and residents here before me.
My name is Nicholas Gomes. I'm an attorney with an address of 13 Central Center Street, New Bedford. I represent the owner, Mr. Ronald Olivera, who uh put the Stacy Lane subdivision in. Uh if it's okay, I can go forward with a brief presentation. >> Yeah, please do.
>> So, Stacy Lane is about a,000 ft roadway. It is located on Fiser off of Fiser Road. Uh it's about a mile and a half south of the old county road. Um there [clears throat] are six houses in this subdivision.
We are simply seeking to have this roadway put before town meeting vote to be formally accepted as a public road. Uh we believe that this is a uh appropriate move going forward uh to bring consistency to the town to allow
these uh six inhabitants who are proud Westport residents the opportunity to have their roadway accepted. U it's got this little curve to it and a simple um culde-sac at the end here. This was built to the specifications and went through the proper permitting to allow
it to be built. It's fully built out, fully paved. Um and it has all of the the looks of any other type of public roadway here in town. Uh we would be requesting that it be done to provide consistency to allow the town to manage
emergency access at all times and it would have the uh secondary effect of continuing to continue a strong uh value of households in your town. And I think that some people sometimes I've noticed
are hesitant and might say this is uh increased maintenance for DPW. this is increased costs over time. Uh but I say that though that is a short-sighted way of looking at it. Uh because the opportunity presented is going to build
that consistency and what's good for one resident in the town of Westport should be good for all residents here in the town. And that's why I'm before you asking that uh you consider supporting this project. And I would intend on if it it so moves forward to go forward and
speak to the residents and make myself available to answer questions. I'm easily found on the internet on Nicholas Gomes uh newbra attorney.com if you wanted to ask me any questions if you're in the audience and aren't here. Thank you very much.
>> Hey, thank you. So, in the um in our packets that we got information on, we have input from the town planner um who has said that SW Cole signed off on the construction and doesn't have any concerns. The highway surveyor um didn't
have any concerns about the quality of the road, but obviously is concerned about the number of miles that are getting added to the town. Um, but the Westport Conservation Agent um has sent a note saying that now this is February 3rd, so there I don't know if there's been resolved since then, but the the
letter we have from the conservation agent is that there's an outstanding order of conditions that has not been closed out for the construction. Um, it says the portion of the work was within the commission's jurisdiction and requires signoff from the conservation agent. Um, they need to request a
certificate of compliance be issued. And so he's recommending that we don't um sign off until the certificate of compliance. So have you has that been issued? >> Uh so there were two issues that were raised um in the last four months, that
being one of them. Uh the second item that was raised is one of the houses that were on Fischer Road was using Stacy Lane as an access point to their backyard. I reached out to that homeowner. I sent them a letter. The reason for that access was they were building that house. They've since um
said they would respect my no trespass order uh that they weren't going to use that anymore. And then regarding the conservation, we're in the process of that. The last item to check the box is to get grass seed in the area which is the um the first few hundred feet and
that is uh being addressed and uh we expect grass is going to grow as soon as the weather opens up which I am optimistic is happening now after this little cold uh spell that we're having tonight. And I expect that is going to be resolved. I will work on getting that
um condition accepted. And if you are um not inclined to vote in favor of it, I would ask for a short period of time uh to allow me to get that done. >> We could approve a subject to conservation commission clearance. >> We could. Is is this is this on the
warrant on the town meeting warrant? >> It is. >> It is. All right. So, can you just explain a little bit about the um so the town meeting has to approve it? >> That is correct. Um but do we have to approve it before the town meeting or like how is that? >> So this evening um you know if the
board's in a position to make a vote it would be to approve the layout. So um this would be you know the definitive plan that's presented here this evening that would go to town to formally accept it um you know as a public way. Now um you know to the comments that have been
made here this evening uh we can approve the layout subject to the issuance of a certificate of compliance from conservation commission and what I would say to that is um you know we are planning to uh approve and post the warrant at the next meeting. So you know
I would say um you know if it we did do a contingent approval um you know have that issuance prior to town meeting. >> Prior to town meeting but maybe not to our next meeting. Yeah. because if they're going to plant grass. >> Yeah. No, but prior to town meeting, we'd want to make sure that this um
certificate of compliance was in hand. >> All right. And I just want to address the the highway surveyor is always he's right to bring up the fact that this is more work for his department, but also I got involved in town government from the beginning because I wanted my roadway accepted [laughter]
and because you know, you paying taxes on your roads, you deserve to be able to have Yeah, that's I want my taxes to pay for the road that goes in front of my house. So, um, Craig, Craig, were you? >> I was just going to move, um, approval subject to, um, conservation commission
clearance. >> Second, Madam Chair. >> Do we have any other discussion here? >> I have a comment. >> Okay, go ahead. >> Thank you, madam. Um, just to your argument of the point that it obviously may increase the value of those homes. when the developer came in and came before it to put those houses in, the
people that bought those houses at that given time expect it to be a private roadway in a private way. Never, you know, you're going down the line in the future to address it and, you know, have the town accepted as a public roadway. And I continue to stress the resources that Westport has constrained. We're
over 163 miles with seven full-time highway department employees. It becomes more and more difficult. So, I understand you're representing your client uh and the developer, but when it was brought forth, it was a private road. Um, and if we continue to go down, no pun intended, this road with respect
to every single development that comes in, I I just don't see it being as sustainable. So, I I understand. And then for the conservation, uh, I know that's not in the 331 meeting. Obviously, we meet every two weeks and so that would probably be late April. So, I just don't know timing wise
whether the grass will be there and whether you'll get the uh order conditions and satisfied from conservation before that. So, that's just where I'm at with that. Thank you. >> Through the chair, if I may. Um, thank you very much for your comment, Select McGuin. Um, I would agree with you that
these homeowners knew they were purchasing a private lot. Uh my comment regarding the uh the house valuation was more so that uh increased taxes to the town because the house values are high. Uh you can rest assured in a positive
vote in favor of this project today because your uh fellow um zoning planning board reviewed the plan and approved it. Uh notably they did not approve it with any restriction of not turning it. But I can say that uh on other projects that I've done in town,
they have um made a decision on some of them where they definitely don't want to come become before you as a public road and they put those covenants and restrictions on record and that one just isn't here, which is why I'm asking for the vote. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> So, this is a public hearing. Is there anyone has comment? >> All right. So, we have a motion and a second to approve the layout sub of Stacy Lane subject to um the certificate of compliance from conservation. All in favor? I
>> I opposed. >> Opposed. >> So, we have three in favor, one opposed, and one absent. That passes. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. I will work on making sure the sun shines in the [laughter] great night. >> Thank you. Um, the next item we have is an application request for the transfer
of a class 2 motor vehicle license from iCars, Inc. to Speedy Auto Loft located at 983 State Road. The vehicle limit of 43, manager Fi Hanine. Sorry if I got that wrong. >> Good evening. >> Hello. Can you
>> Hi. Um, my name is Fed Han, 185 Highrest Road for River, Mass. >> Requesting a license transfer. I bought Iicas on 983 State Road
and I would love to get your uh Okay, on that please. >> Are there any changes to the um number of vehicles or the use or the layout of the lot? >> Everything is still the same. Uh we uh I requested to add uh uh
13 extra cars because I requested a new uh site plan, a new parking plan which I submitted to the U building department and I approved it. >> Okay. All right. And I do want to me just
mention we have a favorable police report on record. It looks like everything else has been done. Any questions from the board? No. >> No. >> Anything from the public? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor?
>> I >> I four in favor, one absent. Thank you. Good luck. >> Thank you. >> Now, the moment you are all waiting for. [laughter] >> Request. Maybe not all of you. Um a we have a request for the trench excavation permit from the Westport Harbor Water
Association WHWA uh regarding the River Road Water main project. >> Welcome gentlemen. >> Hello. >> Good evening madam chair and board members. >> You can you can sit. >> Quick question. Will you be able to flip through every sheet? It's a nine sheet set.
>> Unfortunately this is a presentation so I don't I can certainly pull it up if you give me a minute but this is just a PowerPoint. So >> Okay. Um, >> we do have in our packet. We all have it. You, the rest of the public won't be able to see it. >> Oh, yeah. So, I can work on that if you guys
>> I have a set of legs with a whole set of plans. If I could set it up and point it out, >> okay, >> and walk you through it. >> Okay. >> Give me one minute and I can get that set up for you. >> Okay. >> Perfect. >> Hi, Attorney Chris Connley for the [clears throat] um Harbor Association, Westport Harbor Water Association.
>> Good evening. Walter Herman, professional engineer Hermano, consultant engineers. >> You guys are welcome to sit. >> Thank you for hearing us tonight before you representing uh the design of a water line and we're looking for a
trench application permit for Westport Harbor Water Association. That's my client. There are several representatives from the association behind me. We also have a design team and I have several of those members with me as well. Uh Westport Harbor Water Association is
a public water supply and they have a community membership of about 50 people, 50 dwellings that is uh they are in need of desperate need of a good water supply. They currently draw from three wells out of a pump house
right next to 52 Perch Rock Road. uh the water is taken in um brackish water from the caucus pond and it's not producing it doesn't have the capacity that they need. So they have been working diligently for a few years now
and they have a well field pro uh that's been approved by the D and that's up on the north end of the project because the whole project is close to 3500 linear feet thereabouts and that wellfield is
on 755 River Road once again approved by DP and uh you See on this sheet right here, existing conditions. We have three sheets for existing conditions given the length of the project. And we're here before you for
2550 ft of River Road, which is the public way. And that is the section of the project that we're asking for the permit to install the water line to open the public way. Now
this sheet right here refers to the river road on the lower portion and also the private way which is uh make coma and perch rock road and tonight I'll discuss everything along river road
pertinent to our application. Uh if we could go down a few sheets please. Of course, >> we will get to what I call the beginning of the project. You keep going. Keep going. You have it right there. Thank you.
Okay. Uh we have located every foot along this way by survey. We've also studied it by ground penetrating radar. And I've also walked it with members of another association because there's
another water line that's in the road. The applicant, Westport Harbor Water Association, would like to install a 4-in water man that takes the raw water from this well field. Let's see if this will work.
It won't show up on the screen. Uh we have the wellfield where the water starts. It comes out of that location. We would like to draw it through a 4-in PVC pipe called Blue Brute. And that conveys the water all the way down River Road and all the way to the pump house
over 5,000 uh 3,500 ft away. Coming back after it receives treatment at the pump house, we have a 2-in water distribution line that's coming back down the same trench. and that's to serve two properties uh on River Road
that will be members of this association. Most of the layout for this project um I have tried to keep it off the paved width. Uh there are exceptions where I have no choice. I have to be under the
pavement. Uh we have extensive bedrock, shallow, incompetent as town residents may be aware uh especially in this area. We have numerous outcrops. If you could advance it one sheet to
number six, I believe >> the other way. Back it up one way. >> One more. All right. Um to the right of your screen, we have 755 River Road. You see a huge outcrop section right there that's sitting right in the edge of the road.
in approximately that area. Uh we intend to stay on the opposite side of the road, then cross the road and then come back down uh heading towards the herring run. We have been before conservation because of the wetlands that are associated off the road and also
including the herring run. Uh we've received a letter from the division of fisheries indicating when we can and cannot work over Culver Road. I'm sorry, over the herring run because the culvert transfers the water from Cockis Pond to
the harbor and vice versa. It's also migratory for uh the ale wife and other species. So they have told us March 15th to the end of June, we're not to work over that culvert. Uh I asked conservation how close could we get?
They said within 200 feet coming from either approach. And other measures that conservation asked for was that we extend the siltation control uh sorry erosion control onto both sides of the road which I have added to our plan and then
we received our order of conditions from conservation commission. So that brings me up to speed where we are now before you hoping to gain approval for this project to open the public way in order to construct this water line and the distribution line in River Road.
I should add also that we did meet with the highway surveyor and the highway surveyor's peer review consultant. They had some questions regarding the uh um pavement repair [cough] and the over the trenches and so forth and they held firm
and insisted that we have 4 in of asphalt instead of three which was fine. We changed that. uh they made it very clear, you know, any damaged asphalt would be replaced uh accordingly per their specifications and we know we have some areas in the
roadway so we are going to repair that uh fully. Um they have a 60 to 75 day period where they would like us to let it settle out. We're going to ensure that it's compacted properly even with density testing just to prove that. But that waiting period, we have no no
objection to that before we would finalize and put a final um layer or two of hot mix asphalt over the roadway to restore it. Um the culvet crossing we're proposing to go over the existing culvet
pipe with the 4 inch line and the 2-in for turn. We have insulation above and below for so above for anywhere throughout the project where we can't achieve a depth of 4 and 1/2 ft. But over the culver
since we don't have 4 and 1/2 ft of cover uh we have more along the lines of 3 feet. We're going to propose insulation both below and above. It's a 2-in board that uh stays in the environment under the existing asphalt.
You'll see a new subbase put above that. Then that entire full width over the culver will be repaired with new asphalt. We're also putting on this water line, we're putting a tracer wire along its entire length. All right. That way we
can locate this water line later on in the future. We're also going to have it documented and as built we're going to have it all by GPS coordinates so it can be reproduced in the field if necessary. That is the 4 inch line and the 2-in line. the existing and other water mane
by Pawn Meadow. There was no asbuilt for that, but I was able to walk that line with representatives of their association. They're totally separate and not affiliated with Pawn uh with Westwood Harour, but they identified where the line was approximately. They were very helpful. was put in in 1985
and we have a design plan. So that gave us some guidance as to where it was and then we verified it by GPR that went up the entire length of River Road for our project. So we're confident we know exactly where their water line is. We're going to stay a sufficient distance from
their water line where we have to be next to it and that water line that they have in the ground. We're not to disturb that. We're not going to touch that. In case something happened, if a piece was broken, if it wasn't
uh located properly or say a rock disturbed it, it will be repaired. You know, it's not going to be left um and disrepair. It will be taken care of during the construction process. Um what else can I explain at this point? We have tracer wire for our water lines.
We also have blowoffs for our water system. Uh we have at our pump house we have discharge lines that are going out to the back. We have a dry well that will receive treatment water. Uh because the
water has to be treated as a dry well it's going to be receive an approval from the D. It's called underground injection control. We have to submit to them that dry well and therefore they'll approve that. Um any other stretches along the road,
anticipated time frame to get this project done? I can't see it taking more than two months. We've talked to some excavators. They feel they could actually be in and out of River Road in a week or two. You know, that would be weather permitting in good conditions, but I wouldn't expect it to take any
more than two months. Again, we can't work over the culvert until the end of June. and the applicants sincerely wish we could get approval to get this water line installed because they do need a
new source of water. >> I know they've been working on it for a long time. I just want to um I I just have a couple comments. So, in our packet we um so I think you are also one of the hearings that got postponed because of the storm. So, some of this is kind of old. Um so uh the one um are
you receive the police department recommendations was basically um make sure you have proper traffic control and proper notification of the people in the area that are going to be impacted. So we talked about the scheduling, make sure that the neighbors are aware of what's going on and um that you're working with appropriate details from
the police department. There was you kind of start you addressed this pretty much but um there's a detailed memo in here from the highway surveyor with a number of points. Um I think most of them you covered but but is this letter the letter that we have is nine points
is stated February 3rd. Um he talked about the um the trench details is not conforming to standards and requirements. He's he needs a bigger cut back. I think he wanted more super pave service. Have you addressed all these items with the highway surveyor?
>> Yes we have. Uh they they wanted 1.75 inches of super pave surface course. They wanted 2.2 25 super pave intermediate course and that's for areas over the trench and we've increased that because adding those up that's four inches where I only had three to begin
with so we've changed that to four I have that in every detail I just made these changes this week uh this past weekend so you won't see it on your screen I apologize you'll get a complete copy of that though and these
trench details are important we incorporated that into to it. Uh we also have a twoft cutback as they requested. Originally we had a 6-in cutback, but we'll do a 2 in uh twoft cut back. Um
they have in their comments they explain that they understand a lot of the project is proposed off the pave width. Okay, off the paved roadway with uh the roads about 20 ft wide and we have a 40ft layout. Some areas we have 10 or 12
feet to the pavement. If no pavement is destroyed, it does not have to be replaced. Doesn't have to be repaired. That's what the uh the town's consultant explained to us. However, if we are to destroy any pavement with the equipment or during a trench of a big boulder
comes out, you know, we lose the side of the roadway, okay, those those areas would have to receive a half paved width of asphalt in order to make the repair proper according to the highway supervisor uh highway surveys
requirements. Areas within the roadway, it's going to be an automatic halfpave width to the crown. And if we happen to damage anything beyond the crown heading to the other half of the roadway, then it becomes a full paved width. Um, just
last week we had one of our personnel go down the roadway. They did a few test test spots with half inch drill and they found that the existing roadway has 4 in of asphalt. All right, which four inches of asphalt means we can mill cold plane
mill 2 in in order to make a repair and replace that with two inches of asphalt and then you still have your 4 in of asphalt that's required by the highway department. So to answer your question, I hope I've been complete. We do have all the
necessary changes made to the plan that should satisfy the highways department. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Anything Gentlemen, >> a couple of questions. I was just maybe this is Mr. Vodali. Was the planning board involved in this at all.
>> They I didn't see anything in the our package. >> Uh no, they were not involved. >> So, I know the planning board is interested in the water situation in the entire area and I think we had a study done by a hydraologist not too long ago.
>> Um and you have 25 members. Is there an intent here to expand the membership of the organization as part of this project or is this simply to replace what you have now which is insufficient and
continue to service these 25 homes? >> They actually have 50 homes and their intent is to bring uh I'd have to ask the applicants just to be certain. I believe there's two new homes that are going to come on this system and be part
of the association. Um that's 755 River Road and also I want to say it's 801 801 River Road. It's is nearest near the uh the Herring Run. But that's the 2-in distribution line that you see that's coming back
from the pump house. That'll serve those two individuals. >> Mhm. >> Because I don't believe they're currently on that system, but we would have a total of 50 dwellings uh that are members of this association. Do you have additional applicants for uh water?
>> Uh if I could defer to the water treatment operators andor the applicant to answer that question, that would be best. >> Unfortunately, you need to go to a microphone though. >> Sorry, >> that one's beyond me. I don't know. >> I'm Michael Cronin. I'm
taking responsibility for operations of the water system. Uh to answer that question, we're very restricted obviously right now with our, you know, the two wells that we do use for the 50 homes. We're actually adding the two people up the street because they're giving us easements. So, um um but
however, um we're a community. We have an open mind if if we the well if the wells kind of play out and we have we have capacity. We were told we have to wait probably a year or two of usage to find out what water is really going to come out of the new wells and we'll have
to shut off our existing well, one of the one is impaired by the cockis pond. But I guess we have an open mind but we have really no plans. But right now we can't do it because of the restrictions we're under. But uh down the road, no pun intended, if the water, you know,
quality there are some homes that we could hook up. However, u we're limited by our distribution system. So, if a new house wants to be on it, uh, you know, they would have to personally pay for the [clears throat] for access to the distribution system, which would be
around 25 to $50,000 per home. [clears throat] >> Okay. I'm just curious about that. I I don't think it directly relates to the approval of this or not, but I was just curious >> as um learning more about how the water is there. And we've had other people
come before us and including the group that I talked about with the the hydrarology uh survey that was done using uh federal funds. So I know it's an ongoing issue and I know the planning board has expressed interest in where what do we do long term here, but that's
for another day. >> Thank you. >> Anything else from the board? >> Um just a quick comment. um the Westport Harbor Association. You guys have been looking for this water for decades as as both Shaun and Dick had pointed out and appreciate obviously you guys as a group
of residents, you know, moving forward and getting this stuff done. I do want to point out uh with respect to when we have a large public utility come in and say they're going to lay 4,800 ft of conduit and it's going to take them a year and you guys are about doing half the length and can do it in two months.
So again, I'm big proponent of private businesses uh as opposed to some of this public uh uh nature of of this. So you guys have been professional all along the line. We appreciate it especially with respect uh with conservation and both working with conservation the highway department. So I appreciate all
the work you've done and again this is a strictly private entity doing the work. I don't want to just disparage my colleague here, but the the permit for this is a 12 month duration estimated, right? So, the permit is 12 months, although they're convinced it'll happen
quicker. >> I will take the I'll take the >> previous applicant as well. >> I'll take the race with these guys. [laughter] uh if I may. Yeah, >> it's good that it's 12 months because even though there's a 60 to 75 day uh waiting period for settlement of any
trench work in the roadway, the the contractor informed me, one contractor we spoke with, he says ideally he'd like to see it go a full season >> with we could have mother nature, we could have car tires gently compacting that just to really make it compact
before you get your final treatment of hot mix asphalt to seal the road. I just one more comment on that and I know you have a restriction on timing as to when you can actually do the work. Um again I will point out similar to the other one there's obviously a large number of
residents that come into that area come summertime. So just keep be cognizant of that with Elephant Rock and all the beach clubs that are down there that could be impacted. That's it. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> So this is a public hearing. Do we have comments from the public? I just want to encourage you to if if you're all on the
same side of the issue, maybe we don't need to hear from everybody, but [laughter] go ahead. >> Well, I was, >> you know, you have to go to a microphone. >> I will >> just so the people on the video can hear it. >> Oh, okay. >> We got a huge viewership. >> We do.
>> Actually, our notetaker is taking notes from the video today. And so, >> where's the camera? >> Um, I'm reading a statement from our board. If I may please. Um, my name is Barbara Whisbach. I'm at 27
Prospect Avenue in Westport. Our two existing wells are bedrock wells constructed in the late 1800s and are well past their projected lifespan. Should one fail, state rags prohibit their replacement on site due to
inadequate space. replacement well cannot be within 250 ft of these current wells. Both wells are vulnerable to high levels of sodium significantly aggravated by drought and
summer demand. Appliances rust out three every 3 to 5 years. Water is undrinkable by mid late summer. And we provide high sodium warnings for all of our members. We have strict water conservation
measures in place that will continue with the new water supply. No pools, no inground irrigation, handheld watering only, and rapid response. Like I'm losing my voice. [laughter] >> You're doing fine.
>> Thank you. In 2004, Mass D categorized one of the wells as groundwater under the influence of surface water and required us to find a new water source. So far, for the past
22 years, we have tried to find a new well site. Given the size of our system and the requirements for zone one control around the wellhead, we were in need of approximately 8 acres of undeveloped land in the harbor. This was
both close to impossible to find and to afford. Since 2020, we have optioned three sites and seriously explored options at three others. We are extremely fortunate that the owners of the current well site were
willing to work with us and that the site produced water which has now been permitted by the state permitted by the state for a public water supply. The cost for all this is prohibitive and borne by 50 households, some of whom
struggle financially despite what one may think given the location of their homes. We are enormously grateful to the many town employees and elected officials who have shared their expertise with us, particularly over the past six years as
we've tried to bring portable water to these households. Thank you. >> Thank you. Any other comments? >> Um, my name is Kim Su and um I have a house
across the street from this. I wish we could see it a little bit better. But um one concern that I'm also work with the spindle rock land corporation which is the which is the spindle rock club right
there and there is we realized um I discussed with members of the land corp um this past weekend about there is an easement that is required over the the spindle rock property
which I do not believe has been approved or accepted. So, it's a question on whether that easement has it has not been agreed to at this point. >> Can you address that? >> Yes, I can address that. Thank you for
the thank you for the comments. I was in discussions today with the president of Westport Harbor Water Association, Carolyn Fren, and she asked me if there was any alternatives and I said there is. You can put that section of the road section of the water line in
the roadway and it'll be additional expense to the Westport Harbor Water Association in order to do that. Um, but they are willing to put it in the roadway and forego that easement if necessary.
>> That was the answer. >> All right. Y >> So the this this board can approve the project, but we wouldn't have anything to do with the easements. That's separate. >> Are there any other comments? >> Can Sorry, I guess I don't understand the easement without the easement, but
they would still get the permit. we can permit something. If they can't legally provide it, then they don't get to provide it, right? So, um, it sounded like they have an alternative if they don't have the easement. It sounds like they have a a
>> an alternative. >> Can we be sure of that? >> Well, we they they can't they can't legally build on on your land without your permission, right? So, we can't we can't do it. I mean, we could in a totally different format do a taking of
an easement, but we're not that's not on the table right now. But, um, we can't allow them to go on someone else's property to do something. We're only in charge of the our roadway easements. >> I don't know if that answered the question, but >> Quick question, M. So, are you in
discussions with them or is it basically you're going to go with option B for the roadway cut? Yeah, I can refer to attorney Connley here in charge of the easement, sir. >> Uh, we did I did draft a proposed easement for the spindle spindle rock land corporation and they are discussing
it, but I think we're ready to go with plan B if there's doesn't seem like they're amendable to the easement. >> Okay. In your construction, you said wouldn't start till after June 15th with the with that situation, right? So, you have time with respect to Yeah. >> Okay.
>> Can Okay, that's fine. Thank you, >> Madam Chair. Yes. Could you embellish more on what the nature of the dispute is? I don't even know if it's a dispute or just a discussion. >> It's just a discussion. Um I wasn't party to it, but it's been relayed to me that um it's a negotiation and Spindola
Rock Land Corporation wants X and that may be cost prohibitive to the um water harbor association and might just try and just go with the the trench permit. Uh it would be more affordable to the water association.
But I would wonder, Madam Chair, maybe Mr. Vitali knows this, that are we precluded from approving this permit because of that unresolved. >> Do the plans before us right now, the the plans that we have before us, are they for the option B or are they with included in the easement?
>> Uh, no. I just had that discussion today with the president and I've not had an opportunity to change the plan to agree with what I just explained. >> All right. So you'd need what do we do? Put some condition on the >> So
just to clarify and maybe I miss it. Does the current plan include that there's an easement or is it on the town within the town right ofway? >> The current plan as submitted includes the spindle rock easement. >> Okay. >> Which is a 10 foot wide by 160 foot long
strip. >> Can >> we can show that on the plan if you'd like? >> Yeah, actually. Can you show that on the plan where we're looking at this? Sorry. So the the current plan that we have in the drawings assumes that you will negotiate an easement. >> That's correct. >> So if that is not if you're not able to
negotiate an easement, you do have an alternative plan, but you would have to amend the plan, >> right? We would revise the plan to reflect that the water line will now be the proposed water line, the 4-inch main will be in the roadway underneath the pave surface. Again, we were trying to
avoid as much pavement disturbance originally as possible. Also, there is that big piece of uh ledge outcrop at 755. >> You want to direct them to which page? >> It's very daunting. Is if you could go to maybe sheet try six or seven. Maybe
seven, please. Oh, I'm sorry. Six. There you go. Uh if you see River Road in the middle on the left side of the screen, there's a rectangular shaped easement. Go down a little bit down right there.
That's the easement that's on the current plan that we're discussing. Spindle Rock easement. Uh we could forego that and we could put our water line completely in the public way. Uh but it will be underneath the paved roadway. So that that will incur a
greater expense for asphalt repair. But again, it is feasible to go that route and if that's what the association selects, then I can revise the plan and submit it for a final copy for the select. >> Do we So you'd have to resubmit that
obviously plan with those changes to that. >> I mean, does it should we disc should we continue the hearing? Should we can we put a condition like what? So, you know, if the board is comfortable with again, you know, that change um you
know, for that segment of the improvement, you can just put a condition on that um you know, in addition to the other conditions that are put on this approval. If the board feels more comfortable uh continuing to the next meeting to see if those conversations have progressed and we
have a definitive answer, then um either options available to you. >> So, I'm I'm only speaking for myself. I don't doesn't bother me either way if whether it's going on their ement or their roadways. They need to work that out. So that wouldn't be I that wouldn't affect my decision whether to approve
this or not. Um that's why I was trying to figure out there's a way we can conditionally if there's some way we can approve either option. >> There is. Yes, we can set that as a condition and I can come up with some language for that >> or we're going to be dumping this entire hearing section of our meeting into >> Yeah. I mean I don't want to just keep
continuing it because I think it's an important project for the neighborhood and I don't want to keep continuing it. But I mean this is a real concern, right? You have to there there's a little section in there that you don't have finally resolved. So >> and maybe you condition it based on because they're doing other cuts in the
roadways, right? So obviously the conditions that the Westwood Highway Department already laid out for the other road cuts would come into play here. So I don't I don't see that changing as to what they would want, you know, from different standards from further down the roadway. So okay,
whatever. Craig, you're usually good at suggestions in times like this. >> All right. >> I'm going to say basically um prove the plan subject to any revisions that are consistent with the plan that we've
seen. >> Second. >> Okay. All right. Any other discussion? >> Go ahead, Chris. >> So, if if we're ready to make motions, I do have a list of conditions for this um approval. I just don't know if the board's ready to go over those. Well, he
just made the motion, so let's see if he wants to amend the motion. >> I'll amend the motion and let's hear the conditions [laughter] now. >> It really >> All right. Obviously, >> you're amend your second once you hear them. Okay. Go ahead. >> All right. So, uh there are a few conditions that we place on projects
like these. Uh so, first is we would require a cash bond um in amounts set by the highway surveyor. Um, second condition, uh, we would look for a indemnity and hold harmless agreement in a form that's acceptable to the town,
um, for any work that's done within our layout. Um, we would require proof of insurance um, with the town named as an additional insured in an amount acceptable by the town in consultation with town council.
Um uh as you noted um police details um we would make those required as determined by our chief of police. Um, we would ask that open trenches uh be covered or plated each night for public safety.
That all work, I know some of it was mentioned uh subject to uh the approval inspection and the standards set by our highway surveyor. Um that they comply with all other town boards, departments um and agencies um
necessary to complete the project. uh upon the completion of the project uh that the down be provide a copy of the asbuilt plan. >> Uh similar to our last discussion topic, we would require the applicant uh be
responsible for any settlement repairs for a period of two years after the project's been completed again within the roadway. Um and for the uh condition that was set uh just now with regards to that
segment. Um in addition um you know if we wanted to include that they notify the highway department 40 hours in advance of any work being done. Um maintaining access for emergency vehicles, residents, businesses.
Um and that uh if in the future that this infrastructure had to be relocated, it would be at the applicant's expense if required. And uh that's my list. >> That was a great motion. Craig,
>> could I add one more to that? If if you don't come to a conclusion on the easement for Spindle Rock, just submission of the plans with the with the road cut in there. >> Yes. >> Because and I don't know if you might have covered it somewhere in that list, but I just want to make sure that's covered. Thank you, Chris. Thank you. >> Are there any questions or concerns
about those conditions he just listed? >> I'm asking you, you're the engineer, the engineer and the lawyer. >> Uh the last one, applicants u expected to pay for relocation of any the water line in the future? Could you be a little clearer on that?
>> Uh certainly. So for whatever reason um if there was ever either something that was initiated through you or there was an improvement and um [clears throat] it required a relocation of it or really just any expense related to the ongoing
maintenance of that um you know we want to specify this isn't the town so we shouldn't be responsible for any of the ongoing work for that. So, if that requires any future improvements, future maintenance, um, you know, we want to make sure that, you know, we're noting
this isn't the town of Westport's responsibility. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Is there any further discussion? >> Right. All in favor? >> I >> I oppose. That's four in favor and one absent. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you very much. Thank you, gentlemen. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, everyone. I appreciate your time and your comments and your help on the project. Have a good night. >> Good luck. >> Good luck. >> We'll give a moment for the audience to depart quietly
and not congregating in the hallway. [snorts] >> You're all welcome to say. >> No one ever does. >> Oh, yeah. Oh, we occasionally occasionally. [laughter] >> So, just I guess closing that out. I'll
follow up with them to make sure that um yeah, >> those conditions are followed up on. >> Yeah. >> All right. Uh the next item we have for a we have a request from the cultural council chair Rob Delgaio to appoint Kevin Gumbbert to the cultural council.
>> Motion to approve. Second. >> All in favor? Madam Chair, I just wanted to make a comment. Uh >> his name is Kenneth, I believe, or Ken. The letter that he submitted said Ken >> Ken Gumbbert. >> Yeah, it's father Ken. I know him and
he's uh Kenneth is his name, but in his letter, he just referred to himself as Ken, >> but not Kevin. Okay, just >> so we had the wrong name. >> We're gonna appoint Ken. >> Motion to appoint Ken. >> Yeah. And I do know him. He's he's a great guy and uh he would be a wonderful
u addition to the cultural council. One in favor of the >> motion. >> All right. All in favor? >> I I four in favor and one absent. >> We have a request from Carolyn Edwards to resign from the cultural council effective April 9, 2026.
>> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I. That's four in favor and one absent. We have a request from the town administrator, Chris Vitali, to accept the resignation of Craig Kadima as
special equipment operator effective February 2nd, right before the storm. >> Yes. >> Yeah, that was helpful. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I I four in favor and one absent. >> Um just uh one moment. Uh sir, I uh
didn't catch your name earlier, but I wanted to just get your information. I don't want you obviously uh have to wait here. >> The record keeper. >> No, take multi duty. >> All right, the next one is from Chris. So, we're going to invite Chris. So, we have a request from the town clerk,
Kristen Sinson, to approve a change official posting location for public bodies. >> Tell us what this is about. So, we currently post at the um on the board outside downstairs by the elevator. And
you know, there's always chaotic. There's always a lot going on there. There's things taped to the bottom. We also always post on the website. And we would just like to make the website the official location >> because I think my recollection is we're optionally posting on the website. Right. >> Right. We're optionally posting on the
website now. Um we do it you know as a >> community engagement availability situation for years. >> The biggest issue with the um is going to make it worse >> other other than it just being redundant and not used often
>> being messy. >> Other than those little things that >> um the concern is let's say the storm. Um >> so Chris, can you just turn off your mic? That would help. >> I'm sorry. [laughter] Um, so
for example, the storm, um, people cancelled meetings, so pulling them off of that board wasn't really an option. Um, meetings were posted. Luckily, I had a requirement. Um, luckily I had a
requirement to be there for a um, election deadline. So, I trudged over and my husband shoveled out a walkway to the door for me. and um I was there so I was able to post but in most situations I would not have done that and then
anything that was posted during that time if we had only posted it online and didn't put it then they wouldn't be official um they wouldn't the votes wouldn't count nothing would be relevant from those meetings so it just makes sense to me to have it someplace where it can be
accessed from computer >> at home if I need to >> I know we would we looked into changing this a number of years ago and it would the the clerk's office was not in favor of at the time. So I think it's part of the modernization of the clerk's office that you've been doing. >> I I lean a little more towards the
modernization of it. Yeah. So and then in the window what we will do is we will post an a poster that shows where the um how to access the meetings from that point on. So anybody who's >> drives the town hall and looks at the
>> right, you know, there's a few people that look at it, you know, there's a few and they would be able to see then and then know where the access is moving forward. >> So that's it. >> Yes. Go ahead. >> Uh we did look at this a few years ago. Wasn't there a requirement or is there a
requirement uh Chris that the attorney general has to approve this? >> Um [snorts] you just have to notify the attorney general. Yeah. So, I've already actually written out a statement and all I will do is tomorrow I will send that over to them if you approve it. Um, and
then we can start moving forward with that sooner than later. >> Okay. If I can follow, I would assume that um >> that would uh >> well I was going to say >> we have people that may not
>> seniors perhaps but it could be others who don't go online >> right >> so is has that been a factor of discussion or consideration? Um, it has been a consideration, but I do think fewer and fewer people are currently
using the posting board. They do have to go there, they have to drive there, they have to stand outside. Um, one of the bigger problems, too, is because we post those paper notifications, the we have to put them all on sheets that will fit in that space. So, the
writing is itsybitsy tiny. So, I think that there's, >> you know, positives and negatives of it. So even if there are some people who have uh more habitually have decided to go to it, I have also gotten feedback that we should make the font much bigger
and you know things like that. And I think that overall um I'm always help I'm always willing to help residents if they want to reach out and have questions about meetings when they're happening or um or how to find it, help direct them where it is on the website.
I'm I'm always open to helping residents with some of these changes. So, I I know there's change changes happen and they're not always awesome, particularly for um our more senior residents. >> Well, I would assume that we're not the first one doing this.
>> No, we're actually far from it. We're one of the last ones [laughter] doing this. We we've been holding tight to this posting board for a pretty long time, I think. >> So, yeah. Did you >> The only question I had on that for when they come to the website for the landing page would the posting just be the when
you click on the calendar where the agenda is that considered the official posting or will there be a landing page where they have everything? >> So currently I am trying to shift it to just the calendar. Okay. >> Um because then you can see what meetings are there and you can see a
list of all events. So then it kind of puts it all in one place. Um Chris and I have been discussing the website is not Um, perfect with um the way whether or not it allows me to upload the agenda. So,
currently I'm also posting it on the town clerk's web page under agendas. Ideally, they would be posted individually the by the people having the meetings on the web
pages um or the if there's a department head that handles theirs. So ideally in the long run those agendas would be secondary in the pages since we have a page for everything and um that would not be my responsibility at that point
and um I would post the meeting under the calendar with an attached agenda. >> Okay. >> So then there's always and that's on the homepage. It's right right there so you can see what they are. Uh right now we're going to continue to kind of it's
it's actually like a 10-step process. It's I know >> uh each meeting and every time somebody changes one and you know so but >> for now it's going to be posted in two places. >> Okay. [laughter] >> Yeah, >> I know Sean and I are all in support of
getting somebody to to manage the web page better. So >> definitely add me to that list. Yes, [laughter] >> we we will hopefully figure that out in the future, but I I agree it needs to be a little cleaner. >> Thank you, Chris, for working with Chris on it. >> Anything Anything else from the board?
>> Motion. >> All right. So, what's the pleasure? >> Motion to approve. >> Second spoke first. >> Go ahead. [laughter] >> All right. All in favor? I >> I That's four in favor and uh one absent. Did you have anything else? >> Um not on this one. And I'm going to see
you at the next meeting. >> Okay. April 14, town elections. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm going to see April. >> When's the When's the town meeting is? >> May 5th. >> May 5th. April 14th. May 5th. Mark your calendar. >> Yes. Don't forget everybody. [laughter] There's an election. Come to it.
>> And the April 14 election starts at 1000 a.m. >> 10 a.m. It starts at 10:00 a.m. Everyone go. I'm sorry. You're going to be lonely. Well, >> that's all right. >> We still have an audience right there. >> One audience. [laughter] >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Um, we have a request from David Aurelio of Westport Bay Ruth League to name the two little league fields located at 17 Main Road in honor of Ray Elias. Actually, we don't have anyone here to talk about that. >> We do not. Um, which I'm I'm surprised
on. >> I am. Did they were they not did they know? >> Uh, they did receive notification on this. So, um, yeah, I'll just say that we had received this request a while back. Um, you know, Rey had been very involved in the community. Um, this was
something that this, uh, league was hoping to, um, you know, move forward and as part of that, I know that at least in my conversations with them, they were talking about putting some type of, um, you know, signage or plaque out there. Um,
um, again, as part of this dedication overall, but um, I'll I'll just say that I hadn't received any size on that. it it was just very conceptual in the conversations that um we received up to this point. >> So I'm assuming they're going to plan some sort of dedication ceremony or
something. So this is just the board approval. >> They have it done by their opening day or something like that. I would assume. >> Yeah, because I'm I'm reading the letter. I this the letter from the president of the Westport Bay Ruth League. I'm reaching out because we'd like to name the two little league fields in honor of Ray Elias. We planned
on getting two signs made up like the kind we use for sponsorship. would hang one from each score scorecard. Um, so that's all it really says, but I think I think Ray was instrumental in getting those the whole league running for years, right? So,
>> yep. >> So, what's the pleasure of the board? >> Motion to approve. Uh, second name in the fields in the name of Ray Elias. >> 17. >> All in favor? I >> I those four in favor and one absent. Um, we have a request from the highway
surveyor, Christopher Gonzolves, to execute a DOT reimbursement payment document for initial work expenses performed in 2025. Chris, you want to tell us about that? >> Sure. Um, so this request is to sign a reimbursement form for the 2025 phase 1
roadway paving project. Um, the improvements um include paving drainage and line striping on Old County Road and several other roads. So, I think eight total totaling 5.7 miles. Uh, the project's complete and under warranty and the
signing will allow the town to receive reimbursement for eligible costs. >> All right. Anything from the board? >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I >> I That's uh four in favor and one
absent. Um request from the town administrator to approve the sustainable purchasing policy. You want to tell us about that one? >> Certainly. Uh so this policy is intended to replace the old uh buy recycled policy um which we have issued every
year. So instead of focusing on only recycled products um it has staff consider waste reuse environmental impacts when making purchasing decisions. So um encourages buying durable reusable recycled content um and
following the state and federal purchasing guidelines. So this was a new requirement uh to participate in mass D's sustainable material recovery program. So SMRP um so again a prior condition of that was that the town had
to abide to recycled policy but now they have expanded that. So um this will allow us to continue um to get the benefits including grants and technical assistance through that funding source. So I recommend approval.
>> All right. Thank you. Any discussion? >> Madam Chair, I don't want to belver the point. What what grants are linked to this specific policy with respect that would be getting from the Commonwealth? >> So um this program it it funds a few different activities. I guess the latest
I'd have to follow up with you on through our highway surveyor for recent funding that we've received. Um, but I know it's uh a litany of eligible um expenses that the town can seek funding through this program for.
>> And with respect to the have have they looked at costs associated with buying products that you know may fall under these categories? Are they more expensive to the towns because we're buying a specific project product? >> Yeah. So what what I would say here is that um
you know for every single purchase obviously it has to be something that the town um um has budgeted. So anything you know more or less you know we make sure that um you know it's only when feasible um
and you know we've determined it's in the best interest of the town to do so. you know, I think it's really targeting um, you know, routine purchases where the option is out there. It's just that we're not really I wouldn't say thinking about it, but it, you know, um, makes
people want to think, I guess, the next time they make some of these purchases where, you know, if it is something that's reusable, you know, that we're mindful of that anytime that we make a purchase of, I would say, routine items. Um, >> so we're not mandated to do that if we
had other options available. >> No. So not I mean so this um as it's written it there's no mandate in here. This is more or less guidance that we give our departments when considering procuring items. So, I'll just say, you know, paper, you know, um you know, if
there is an option out there that's more sustainable, um if there's certain things where um rather than a one-time use, if there's an alternative where it's a reusable item, um you know, it it's intend to guide departments to to think about that before making the
procurement. There is a um there is a clause in this um policy that says by including environmental, public health and waste reduction consideration in our purchasing decisions along with price performance and product availability we
can remain fiscally responsible while promoting practices that minimize waste environmental impacts. >> Okay. >> So specifically doesn't say you have to choose >> and I appreciate the clarification on that. I will change my vote in support. >> Wow. [laughter]
>> And I will I'll follow up as well because I I do want to have the board know, I guess, what the town's been benefiting from through this program and the funding. So, I can definitely Yeah, Chris on that, too. >> I just obviously am cognizant of of state mandates. Um,
just a quick perfect example, Prop 65 in California, which names 900 chemicals that may be harmful to your health. Mhm. >> What ended up happening in California is every single industry has a Prop 65 warning, right? So, it defeats the purpose, right? So, I don't I'm not looking for a mandate that basically
forces us to do something that we we otherwise would not, but I always look at that Prop 65 and you get we get items here in Massachusetts that have that on there and no one has any idea what's in the item that's going to hurt them, but they everyone just over over uh list. So, I appreciate that. Thank you.
>> Anything else? What's the pleasure? I think someone else is gonna have to move this other than Jake [laughter] >> because he was a no until >> I have my you have my vote. >> I will move to approve uh the uh the sustainable purchasing policy as
recommended from the town administrator. >> Madam chair second. >> Any further discussion? All in favor? I >> I uh says four in favor and one absent. Um, we did have a item on here, a request to approve the director of senior services job description. You may
have noticed that the job description wasn't in your packet, so we can't really approve it yet. So, Chris has asked us to um pass over or table this one. I did have a question though. Sure. >> Um, so we're reviewing it with the Council on Aging. Um, so we're getting input from the Council on Aging. And
then is is this a position that needs to go to the personnel board or not? Needs to go before the personnel board. So, uh, I [clears throat] did receive, uh, a draft copy of the changes that the council on aging would like to see. Um, so I know they've spent several months working on it. So, uh, I'm taking their
recommendations under advisement and there's a few additions that I'm going to be making for the latest draft of the board. Uh, I did talk to Cindy, the chair of the personnel board. Um, she had indicated that, um, this is not something that they intended on picking up because it's a contracted position.
Um, so I I based on my conversation, she deferred to the select board with regards to any changes, you know, that the board wanted to see out of the job description. >> Okay. >> Um, >> yeah, because I was thinking that the personnel board didn't have jurisdiction over the employment contracts, but Okay.
All right. >> All right. So, we will take that up at a future meeting. >> That's right. >> All right. Anything else before we move off with that one? >> No. Um, so we have a request from the cemetery department to post a seasonal labor position. >> Uh, yes. This request came uh from Paula
uh within my office uh to move forward with posting for seasonal assistance. This is something the town has done about this time every single year anticipation of the spring and summer months when additional uh assistance is needed. Um I believe in the past they've assisted our department with mowing and
trimming. Um, and in the past it's been posted at 40 hours at just about $20 an hour. So, um, recommend authorization to post. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? >> I.
>> I. That's four in favor and one absent. >> Discuss, review, and approve the annual town meeting warrant. So, um, anything notable you wanted to call to our attention? >> Uh, yes, a few things. So, uh, since our last meeting, we are on draft number eight. Uh, the latest drafts in your
packet. U, the new version includes council's first round of comments. So, they went through with fine tooth comb, they went through all the articles. Um, some small changes here and there. Um, but like I said, the intent remains the same. Um, you know, of note, we are
still working through the personnel bylaw amendment article and the tax title article. So, um, with regards to the personnel bylaw changes, um, you know, they are have suggested that, um,
we make some targeted changes, um, just based off of what they'd like to have retained within the bylaw. Um, and what things, um, you know, based on the intent that we're trying to do here, um, do, you know, is it more appropriate or beneficial to take out and have it be a
separate policy? So, um I had a conversation with them last week and again today um and should have that to the board uh ahead of the next meeting. I will also say that as part of that um I will also be sending over that to the personnel board um so that they can make
a recommendation on that and uh continue the conversation from the last meeting. um for the tax titer article um we are also looping in bond counsel because we want to make sure that um you know how it's being proposed doesn't affect us
from a bond rating standpoint or anything like that. So um we've sent over the draft to them and we're just waiting on uh their final recommendations and feedback. So, um I will note that tomorrow the finance
committee plans to make their recommendations on the articles um so that they can be passed on to the board. I will say that most of the discussion's been around the free cash allocations this year um as well as just
general discussions about the stabilization funds, the amounts and um it it's been good discussion over the last several meetings. So, um those are the first two things. Um one
of the items from council that they um we're looking to get the board's feedback on is article 16. Uh this is with regards to the um revolving accounts. So, as it's currently
structured, the article in is essentially doing two functions. One is it's setting the maximum expenditure amount for the year. The other is and you'll see the highlighted within the packet is there's a couple of those revolving funds that are increasing
their amount um from prior years. So, um, council had, um, just wanted, uh, us to confirm that we wanted to move ahead with it being one article, um, with those, you know, two purposes or if the board wanted to see that separated as
two separate articles. One to, you know, raise the threshold, the other to set the maximum expenditure limits for the year. Um, either way, they said both are acceptable. It's it's a preference item at this point. I think this is how we've done it in previous years, isn't it?
>> I I thought it was and I was going to ask that. >> So, I I don't I'd be interested in what the arguments would be to change it. >> Yeah, I um I'd asked that question. I think um again, from my conversation,
not knowing uh the prior years, um I I think it was his belief that it was two separate articles in the past, but um I could be wrong on that. I think there I do recall that because I remember once I was confused about a
fire department evolving a fund and looked like it was dup duplicative. >> It wasn't one was I guess the minimum the other was the maximum. So we >> we generally have not done that but it has appeared from time to time. I don't I don't know what what the purpose
though is the real to me having a maximum which is what this says makes sense. I mean do we care what the minimum is? I mean, is is there any policy issue there? >> Well, they're increasing the maximum, right? Is there >> this one? That's correct. >> So, like on the Council on Aging Programs, you probably don't have it
right in front of you, but it was something less than 65,000. >> That's correct. I don't have last year's amount, but uh the highlighted numbers include the requests that have come in from the departments on raising those amounts. So I think it's um you know if
I were to um take an educated guess was to ident identify that those departments are seeking an increase in the amount that has historically been there. Um again I think council didn't they wanted me to bring that forward but they said
the article itself is workable either way. >> Yeah. I mean I think you're confus you're going to confuse people either way. If you have separate articles, you're going to confuse them if you haven't won. >> Yep. >> That like >> I I think it's fine the way it is. But we should have we should be able to
answer what it used to be. >> Certainly. I I'll make a note of that as well. >> I don't know you guys have anybody on that. Okay. >> I Well, I have no further comments on that point, but I noticed that in the article it has the the yellow the highlighted ones the ones that have
changed. >> That's correct. >> Okay. And let's say council on aging which I'm familiar with social daycare 175,000 was there a reason for that or or explanation and is there anything there financially that we have to be concerned about or is it we sort of
indifferent to the limits? >> No. So I I don't get the backup detail as to the justification for the increase um from the departments um and I guess the history of if that's a question that's been asked um at town meeting you
know I would refer to those individual departments to explain the operation and you know the reasoning behind that. >> I mean it usually is a good reason. >> Yeah. >> Other than inflation it's just >> yeah I would say the increases are generally minimal. Usually it's you know
um you know 5 to 15,000 again just >> cost of doing business >> and these are revolving fund accounts so it's not like that's right increased taxation. >> Yeah it's not the budget. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Keep going. >> All right. Um so with this year's warrant I know in
years past um the recommendations as well as the draft motions are included on the warrant. Um, you know, I don't know if I've mentioned, I believe I mentioned it previously, that hasn't been my experience. Um, I've had that as
a separate set aside. Um, you know, I did have a conversation with council on it. Um, I think he had shared that, um, you know, he would also be fine and comfortable with if it was
something that was separate. I think um you know how I was would look to do it is have it be something where it's a separate um attachment to the warrant itself. It would allow us time to craft
the motions um ahead of town meeting. So if there was any last minute changes to the motions um there wouldn't be any inaccuracies on the warrant itself. Um, obviously, um, I want to be respectful
of how it's been done or if there's any, um, uh, preference from the board one way or the other. Um, but again, >> well, I know we wanted printed motions because people get really confused with the motions on on the floor, right? So,
what you're talking about is >> um, at town meeting there's it would still be handout printed on paper that people would get. It's just that instead of being embedded in the warrant, it it would be an attach an appendix. >> That's correct. >> It would be way we do other handouts >> here on the table.
>> Yeah. >> So they could physically pick it up and have it in their hands when they >> Yeah. I think as long I think as long as it's available. I think that makes a lot of sense actually rather than putting it in because you have the warrant has two weeks has to be posted two weeks ahead. Right. >> Correct. >> So you're saying so this would allow you
a little more flexibility. You still have to print it. So, you still need some time, but there's a little more flexibility on that. >> That's correct. Or if there's any last minute changes, um, you know, uh, there wouldn't be any accuracies on the warrant. The way that, um, you know, I've done it in the past is that
separate handout would include the recommendations. It would include what the voting rules were for that particular article. if it was simple majority 2/3 >> um you know as well as the draft motion for consideration on there
>> and that could be in the back of the packet for the warrant. >> I like that. So then um at our meeting before the town meeting or maybe not right I think we have a meeting right before town meeting but maybe the meeting after the election between
between the town meeting we would put we could vote on whether we're recommending or not recommending the different articles like how when would we need that? >> Uh so we before town meeting you know obviously that would still give us a few days to print it. Um that was actually going to be my next item. I know that
the finance committee has historically put their recommendations in. I don't know if the board also wanted to put its recommendations in as well. >> In previous years, the previous moderator did not want to put ours in, but >> um we did have a position on the
articles in case we were asked. Okay. So um and I personally think we have a responsibility to make recommendations on the articles but um I think the previous yeah the previous moderator I don't think wanted us to do that to put it >> on printed.
>> Yeah. Right. I remember discussing that myself with him and I thought we should have a more pre-minent role in a lot of these. Yeah. And the finance committee a lot a lot of times yes we recommend it. Yes. It's almost like a broken record >> until you get to, you know, a controversial one. But we had a lot of
knowledge of these and different perspective in some respects. And I always thought that we should be our recommendation should be on there, but that's might be a discussion for another year. I don't know if I'd recommend that change now because I if I were going to
recommend that, I'd say that we should have somebody from the select board assigned to each article, be like the the expert in that one to answer questions. Mhm. >> So that the questions are not directed to, you know, somebody else. A lot of questions you're going to get anyway by nature of your job. >> I think that's a great idea.
>> I I really second that. I think >> Yeah, I think that's a great idea, Dick. We can put that in the amendment in the appendix that he's talking about. >> Yeah. How I don't know if we could pull that off. That may be too much of a change. Um then we'd have to we have to have time to do that. >> Well, we've all been studying this
warrant for months. >> We have. We have, [laughter] >> right? But I like that point because I think what happens at town meeting is the messaging kind of gets lost, right? Sometimes people end up getting more emotional uh in response to whether a article or line item there where the
messaging or whoever is explaining it may not be explaining it the correct way and people get confused and and may get emotional and vote against or for something that they they thought would otherwise. So I think that's a great idea to have not an expert but someone that's at least wellversed in each of the articles to kind of present that.
Makes sense. Yeah, I think we should I think we should I think we should consider that. So, not our next meeting, but the meeting after that I think we should >> but for this town meeting which Yeah. Okay. Yeah. I mean it's there's only so many articles and a lot of them are cut and dried anyway. >> Well, do we need to assign the ones that
are cut and dried or we just need the ones that require some deliberation >> explanation? So, the ones that are more complicated. >> Yeah. Yeah. So I think um for a recommendation and uh again my experience is I would uh make a a summary in layman's terms if you will on
the articles themselves. I think um you know for people who may not be watching these meetings um you know just the justification behind the recommendation you know for why the board was looking to have this move forward. So if it was,
you know, that, you know, it streamlines it or, you know, you know, it's simplification. I'm just thinking about the uh the one with regards to like the tax bills. Um, you know, hey, this is a less administrative burden on our staff. You know, that was
kind of what the discussion was revolved around. um that might provide additional context for the people I guess about, you know, how it got here, how it got the warrant, but whatever the board feels and >> but some of those town warrants are in place because it's a mandate from the
state. So, you know, people say, "Well, why are you doing that?" Well, because in order for us to comply with what we need to do or change in state laws. So, that actually may take some arguments off the table and and move it along, >> you know, smoother. I think we should really think about the only thing really
is tricky is the timing because um the meeting that we have after the election is April 27 which might be too late to put in a print a written document. So, I think what I would work to do if the board [clears throat] wanted to go
this direction is I would try to have that um I'll call it that final draft for the six. You know, um obviously at that point, council would have weighed in on the remaining articles that need to be done. Um and at that meeting, perhaps recommendations could be made
the time it's approved. And then if there was continuing discussion about the assignment, maybe that could take place. >> Okay. >> The the 27th if the board um was considering this as an option. >> Okay. >> Yeah, I like that because I I do think we have a we we know these articles better than most people. Yeah. And I
think it's I think it's on us to to make a recommendation >> and people expect that. They you know they a lot of people have said to me, how come the select board doesn't weigh in on some of these? It's just it's the finance committee all the time. You may not agree with that. We want your view. They're looking to us. Yeah.
>> Seriously. >> No, that's good. Great idea. >> Um, >> have you reached the bottom of your list yet? >> Uh, we're very close. Uh, so uh you know, as I noted, we're going to have that final draft uh for approval at the next meeting so we can make the posting
deadline. Um, are there any uh additions, you know, that the board like to see on the warrant just before we finalize it? One question before we talk about it and this goes maybe to the next agenda item so I don't I don't want to jump out of order but article 27 we've
discussed a couple of times and that's with respect to the increasing of the fe uh penalties for overnight parking at town landings. >> Yes. >> So we do have a letter from Jeff Bull and the landing commission that they unanimously approved the increase in the
fine but it also says to be the same amount as increase fin at fine at town beaches. So I know I asked that before. Is the town landing is that article also including beach violations or beach parking violations?
>> No, because how the fees are established. One is administrative through a policy. >> Okay. >> Um and for the landing commission, it's set here within the bylaw. So I think how the discussion's been with those two
different groups is um you know we're moving forward with the landing commission side because obviously that requires a little more um uh work I would say to get that approved. >> There's already been that discussion on the beach committee side that that's the
number that they're going with. So no match. >> Okay. And that's all I'm looking for with respect to that is that it it's consistent. Now town landings and this is back to maybe agenda item next time is does that include the boat ramp
that's half state half town or whatever that member of un memorandum of understanding becomes >> will that be consider can that 200 go to that as well >> you see what I'm saying >> yeah let me look at the article language as it's currently drafted um
>> you know I know uh the state boat ramp is on my uh TA report. >> Yes. >> But I can also look at the language within that contract as well >> because I think that's where there are a lot of big abuses there as well as at Cherry Web. Um and the only other concern I've heard from people with that
article is that $200 is a lot of money. What if they made a mistake on their beach permit or they didn't have it displayed? I mean obviously we are cognizant and flexible of a resident having an issue and coming to the town hall and and addressing that issue I think. Right. So, I think the biggest
fear amongst Westw residents, oh man, I forgot my ticket or my hang tag wasn't on there, you know, on the on the car. So, am I going to get whacked with a $200 fine? And I've explained that you can come in, appeal it, it's flexible, and then no one's going to do it because, you know, just I think >> I'm fully supportive of it because I
think there's a lot of abuses from people outside of Westport going to Cherry Web and going to Town Landings and using those. So, I'm fully supportive of I just want to make sure it's consistent and and the fines are consistent across the board. So, thank you. That's it. That >> says article 27 that you were talking about.
>> Yes. >> Took me a while to find that because it doesn't say landing on it. It says overnight overnight >> overnight parking. And that's what >> and actually to Madam Chair's point. It it says overnight parking, but this is also a violation like during the day if
there's a non peritted person there. And um I'll certainly review that just you know I guess with what the title of the article is. Okay. I think the conversations evolved from the first time we've talked about this. >> Um >> I
>> I might take the overnight part overnight wording out of that. Uh just again for a little less confusion >> but great suggestion. >> Appreciate it. >> Okay. Anything else? you want to. >> So, um I think at this point, Chris, and
and through the chair, um we obviously have a situation here in town with respect to, you know, absentees with sitting on various boards and I think the time has come with respect to kind of addressing that. Um, you know,
there's members that, you know, we have a planning board that has a fivep person member uh board that may in the future be down to four four members and we're kind of constrained with what we can do with respect to uh it's basically a
recall and somebody tried to start a recall in town and never really followed through with with with getting that recall done. Um, so is there a town warrant or article that you could maybe research for us through town council with respect to uh unexcused absences?
Uh, you know, because I think the planning board will be in a tough position where in some instances they need full four people to pass something and you know, having quorums. Um, you know, there's this situation here on the select board will probably uh will fix itself at the next election. But I think
we want to try to figure out what the town can do because we have people in town that expect representation on various boards, especially the elected boards, uh, that they don't currently have. Um, so I think if there's something we can look at, I've done some
research, uh, looking at other municipalities and towns within the Commonwealth that have various stipulations. you know, town have ever had one with respect to if you've been convicted of a felony, um, you know, you you won't be able to serve in that
elected position. I know anything we do at town meeting, we'll have to get an AG sign off as well. But maybe just look and see if there's possibilities for us to what we can do short of a recall because a recall as we know here is
difficult with respect to gaining the signatures and then getting 10% of the the registered voters. uh and then it would be costly for the town anyway for for a uh election outside of that. So just see if there are options. >> So after we talked I did talk to Chris
um uh yesterday I guess it was yesterday all the way yesterday um about what are some of the options we should look at because we do have a recall pro provision in the town bylaws and so if we wanted to amend that provision so right now it's 10% of registered voters
to trigger a recall which is prohibitive. It's like 1300 signatures. Um, so if we were going to propose a change to the bylaw, we would need to get that on the warrant. Um, but, uh, Chris also had some thoughts about there might be other triggers that don't
require a bylaw. So, I would like I would like to to explore what our options are because we have very narrow window like we'd have to decide next meeting if we're going to put another article on the warrant. Um, but that's where we need to know what are the
triggers that could possibly be pulled like is it excess of absences? Is it conviction of a crime? Um, I I don't I don't know what the other triggers >> and I think we should if we want to do something now, we do that with elected
officials. I think the appointed ones gets a little bit >> stickier. >> Yeah. I mean, I think you could >> because different committees have different functions. Some committees are strictly advisory. They do not have uh and and and and others have very
specific powers that if you don't have a quorum, it affects your ability to to run the business or run that part of town town government even if it's not an elected official. >> So you're thinking maybe separate the idea of of appointed versus elected.
>> Yeah. But and within within the appointed there there are some variations too. >> Yeah. within appointed. I mean, since the select board does appointed, do we have recourse that takes on? >> So, I talked to Chris about this a while ago because there was a point years ago where where I know I wanted to have
someone removed from an appointed committee >> and um we were told at the time that they were appointed for a term and that we were not able to you couldn't get rid of someone off of a committee once they'd been appointed. And I'm thinking
and then your conversation with you, you didn't think that might necessarily be true. >> No, my experience has been that uh appointments under the select board, they serve, you know, just like me, right? I I serve at the pleasure of the board. >> Um, you know, regardless of if it's midterm or not, you know, I would say,
uh, communities and it would be advisable if that's something the board wants to look at is, you know, what's the protocol? um you know obviously you know you want to be even handed into how you look at those. So attendance um
conduct working with other board members um you know but >> but require all boards to to um have take take attendance and report attendance as part of their meetings. I mean every board that I sit on
>> that's appointed um takes attendance and declares a quorum. >> Right. So I think um to that point is um you know in Dartmouth we set up a policy where you have to be in attendance 75% of the time and the trigger was during
your reappoint when you came up you know you look at the attendance history and and that it it began a conversation. It wasn't necessarily a action. It was just a hey how are things going? Are you um you doing okay? Is this something you're
still interested in? Um, and so was there was a real back and forth dial. >> Well, the problem isn't really with the reappoint, right? Because if they're appointed until like June of 26, right, then then this board could elect to appoint or not appoint them again. Yeah. >> But I think um there's a lot more gray
area where we have made an appointment >> and um it's supposed to be you know through the 2027 >> and the person stopped has abandoned the job right. So like what are the conditions you can get you can remove that person? I think the elected one is
the more urgent problem to address. >> That's what my point was. >> Yeah. >> So I think um again this is my opinion I I think the board has flexibility within its purview its powers to set that policy for appointed positions at any point. Um and on that note I would just
say the experience I had was usually it's a conversation with the chair of that committee. um and they would bring that forward after working and trying to um address the issue with any particular member. Um but to your point, yes, um
that would be something additional conversation would be need to have for elected offices. >> All right. So, if you can if you can do the research of whether we need a bylaw change or or if there's what the levers are that we could address this more urgent problem with the
elected official. Um, and then we'll have it ready for May. >> And to the chair's point, what the AG will approve, right? I mean, obviously, it has to go to the AG and this could and maybe there is a way that we don't need to go at town meeting uh because
the AG will probably take three to six months to approve something like that and that and our planning board will be stuck in a situation where they have four people and if one's absent, they can't hold a meeting. Um, so it it puts them in a very difficult spot. So if
there is a way that we can do it without >> it makes it easier. >> So what I'll do is I'll get an opinion from council and I can share that with the board. Um and then again we can determine >> and then I would say if the opinion is that there's some kind of bylaw recommendation kind of have that pretty
well crafted because we're trying to get all that done >> by our next meeting. So may may I ask I'm not quite sure I'm following all of what's behind this particularly as it respects the planning board but we're talking about it because
it's the item here about the annual town meeting warrant. We'd be considering another article addressing these >> issues >> and we have to do that post post. So okay I was I was wondering if this was a sidebar. No, because we're talking about
because if it needs to be if it needs to be a warrant article, we that that's how we brought it up because I thought because so for example, one of the amendments we might want to make is >> to reduce the recall signatures required from 10% to 5%. >> Yeah.
>> So that would be a really simple change of a bylaw that you'd put in a warrant article, right? Okay. >> So, um and >> I don't really like adding but we've also in the past called special meetings inside the town meeting which is kind of messy too. it's easier to just open the warrant. But >> um
>> but that's why it kind of went down the town meeting warrant because um they is the the recall bylaw is in the is in the bylaws now. So if we were going to change it, we'd have to do it at town meeting. >> And if I may, is there something with the planning board that that's going on
here that's >> So one of the elected officials on the planning board has not been attending their meetings. Yes. And there are certain hearings that the planning board has where they have to have a supermajority vote. So um you have to have four in in that case you'd have to
have four yeses. It would have to be unanimous. >> Okay. Okay. >> Enough. Yep. Got it. >> Okay. >> So you have enough on that. >> Great. Anything else about the warrant before we move on? >> Thank you. >> Okay. Um, so you start talking about the
so the request from the Westport Landing Commission to increase the annual parking permit fee. So this is the penalties were the ones that are in the Warren article, right? And then the permit fee. >> I was just going to go from 30 to 40. >> They want to increase from 30 to 40.
>> It's just those two landings there. You know, they're on the opposite side of the river. One is new. >> Oh, the Hicks is east and Hicks West. Okay. >> Everyone was asking me what West was and I'm like, I don't know. I think >> that little place where the trees. >> Yeah. Okay. All right. Anybody have any
comments on that? >> I'd make a motion to approve. >> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? I >> I That's four in favor and one absent. >> Um Okay. Town administrator report.
>> Uh yes, thank you. So, um just uh on the town meeting process, uh in addition to the work that we'll do for uh the the attachments for the town meeting warrant, um also have been having conversations uh with regards to
programming and outreach and education on the warrant. So, I know in years past um we've worked with Westport Community Television to put something together. Uh I've contacted the moderator. Um, also had a conversation with our team at
community television. Um, starting to just think about the format for that for this year. So, um, hoping to have something for the month of April. So, there's a few weeks where it's out for residents. So, uh, more information to follow. Um, this was brought up a little
bit earlier, but um, working in the background. We have been going back and forth with DCR on the Westport River boat launch. um MOA. Um so I had the opportunity to review it uh myself for the first time. Uh I know there had been
ongoing discussions. Um I sent a uh follow-up red line with some uh suggested changes. A lot of those were accepted. Um we're still working through uh the some liability and ongoing maintenance language. So, um I'm hoping
to have a draft for the board's consideration at the April 6th meeting. Um >> other question on that note, of course. >> Should we move on? >> Yeah, go ahead. >> Which boat launch are we talking about?
>> This is um so if the boards >> the the overflow lot across from the back. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. >> Thank you. >> No [laughter] problem. Um both >> fig you didn't have your full geography.
>> Yes, I appreciate that. Um so for the website uh so we were recently notified um that there are new requirements um with regards to ADA accessibility um you know for our digital [clears throat] platforms um which would require us to
come into compliance in April 2027 for the web content accessibility guidelines. Um, we have been working with our thirdparty vendor, Revise. Um, we went through our website over the last month and our site is now aligned with the new standards. So, um, we are
ahead of schedule on that, but it's something that um, it is ongoing in terms of new content that we put on the website. Uh, making sure that um, we use alternative text, things of that nature. So, uh, again, um, hats off to the staff
for getting that done. >> May I have a question, too, Madam Chair? >> Well, so I'm on I'm on this committee. Uh, I don't recall it being discussed of late, you know, I have two-part question. One is, did the Commission on
Disability make recommendations here or bring it to our attention? The second part of that is if they didn't, do they have questions that have been addressed? that need to be addressed. I'm just wondering if what their role was here. >> So, this was something that we received
notice on um through the DOJ. >> Um so, they had set requirements that um or more or less guidelines that we had to comply with with regards to >> um you know the contrast of the website, broken links, alternative text, things
of that nature. Um so, uh we fulfilled that request. um happy to update the commission on disability on you know what type of things that we had to get in compliance on >> um but we were able to satisfy um those
requests of us >> but were they even aware of it >> because hasn't it hasn't been discussed but haven't been >> yeah so no it it has not it hasn't come uh we were able to you know address [clears throat] it administratively but I'm happy to brief the commission on what that requirement is and you know
what actions the town took. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay. I I was just curious about that because we've not heard about it and I was wondering if they had any questions or concerns or if this was older material. >> Yeah. So, um it's more towns are becoming aware of it now. There's some
communities based on the population that these new regulations actually take effect this year, this April. Um but because we're a smaller community, they gave us until next April to get it done. So, >> Okay. Um, yeah, >> it it'll definitely become more prevalent, I guess, in the coming months
when more communities have to address this issue. >> Yeah. Okay. >> We're a little ahead of the curve on that. So, >> we can we can follow up on that as a separate item. >> Sounds good. Uh, and then the last thing was, uh, this past week, we were notified that our online permit system,
permit Eyes, has been acquired. Um, so over the coming months, um, we did receive notice that they will be migrating us to a new permit system, geo permits. Um, as of now, we don't have a set date, but they said this fall. The
change comes at no cost. Um, they did let us know that there are some additional features to the new system that we don't have. So, there are some benefits. Um, you know, but as we get more information, we'll share that out. And obviously that's a system that our
departments are utilizing more. So um and the public's utilizing. So just want to get that out there earlier. >> That's it for me. Thank you. >> Oh, and I I'm sorry. One more thing. I wouldn't I >> I want to make a point of saying I was also uh able to attend the Easter
extravaganza here uh yesterday. I was able to bring my son who was uh in awe. >> He was quite active. >> Quite active. uh in awe of the size of the building and the Easter Bunny. Uh so he had a great time. It was great to see a lot of families out there. So >> yeah, I was remissed not to mention that
at the beginning. The recreation department did a phenomenal job with that. >> Yes, they did. So hats off to everyone involved with that. >> Thank you. All right. So we have minutes of March 9. >> Approve uh the minutes of March 9th.
>> Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor? I >> I those four in favor and one absent report on the bill warrant. >> Uh it was last week that I did this. It's for the week ending 320 and uh 2 million right on almost right on the
nose. All in order, nothing controversial. Everything done on time and that's my report. >> All right. Thank you. Um committee reports or suggestions for future agenda discussion? Craig. >> Okay. U this may fall into both. Uh uh
last week both the affordable housing trust and the uh opiate settlement advisory committees met. Opiate settlement advisory committee. We uh covered the usual progress reports and things like that. But the big thing we did was we we made some serious head
headway in terms of how to uh develop a spending plan for the committee. As you know, money is coming in as a result of opioid settlements with individual uh opioid manufacturers as well as individual drugstore chains. So, cash
flow is a little uh uneven uh in terms of how they pay and how we get the money. Uh the good thing about it is because we didn't spend much money over the uh number of years, we have sort of a $300,000 balance. So I think some of
the variances in the in the payment system um coming to us can be smoothed out for a good portion of time. Um this is going to be into 1930 something uh 2030 um before we uh the money
presumably runs out. But we didn't talk to one of the committee members came up with a two spending models. one which we um front end uh a little bit heavier spending because we're setting things up. The other one is to
basically set up a um anticipated revenue annually plus the balance that we've had for unexpended revenue so far and to set up a spending plan based upon that. What that did was clarify our thinking with respect to RFPs and
actually spending the money and how we're going to spend the money. So, that's coming. Uh, affordable housing trust. Um, we talked about this follows up on the fact that the long-term building committee uh has or
uh um turned them the um their charge back to us um and is disbanded, I guess, or is about to disband. >> They can't disband. We have to disband. >> Well, but but that's when we can we re we can reappoint them. The affordable
housing trust's concern was that housing affordability was knocked out of the charges to that committee. I mean, using part of the the old high school property and facilities for potential of how affordable housing opportunities was
never um has not been considered in recent years. And um the committee has recommended that we recommend um we just uh to this board we have we have not put it in writing that the um that we we we
when we looking at the RGB report that we would be able to uh expand that contract to have them give some consideration to if there is possibilities for uh affordable housing using some portion of the property and
or some portion of the buildings and that's the recommendation coming from the committee to us. >> Okay. Thank you. And there is some uh if it if it is a cost issue in terms of where we are with um RGB
um there is some pre if it if there is a potential to do that there is money in the affordable housing trust um budget for predevelopment cost on identified projects. So, my thought
was um to take up discussion of how to attack the school building problem um at some point after the election. I don't know if we want to do it before town meeting or after town meeting. >> I just I think we wanted to put on the record. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> That that that the affordable housing
trust would like to have uh some contact with an ability to um insert a housing option >> Yeah. >> into plan as I just described it. >> Yeah. Okay, >> Madam Chair, I know there's not a discussion point here, but I agree. I
think there's move seems to be movement um with the old high school and I think the fact that it's going to come back under here, the select board. I think we really need need to take some action on this and find other ways. I know I think Chris had a meeting with someone today with respect to their old high school. I know, you know, providing that option
and and the COA. So listen, I I think now it's going to come under us. We need to really address this and and and maybe have, as Shauna said, a meeting that focuses on the policy. But it all comes down to messaging, everyone working in kind of conjunction on this. And I think
there is a way to get there. So, you know, I I I want that building to be used and I think a lot of people do. It's just how do we get there? So, let's look at all the possible options >> and the opportunity when you begin to introduce housing. We're not talking about town departments having to do
that. We're a town committee, >> but you know what? How does housing get developed? It's usually private developer >> gets financial backers or or or resources and they they do that. This is one of the few areas where we're
bringing external resources >> to deal with the building in such a way that we're not having to spend an awful lot of money. Yeah, I think that and that's the proposal that you and Jim Whiten had brought before us before to include that, right? >> And the planning board is also pretty
much has been very favorable towards >> this. >> Yeah. If I look at the the upcoming meeting calendar, so we have um a meeting on April 27 and then we have it says the 5th of May, but the 5th of May is >> town meeting.
>> The 5th of May is town meeting, right? >> Yes. Um, and then and then we we don't have meeting until like June. So, I think we probably need to take it up. Um, we must have a meeting on the 4th. >> Some meeting in May, maybe next week.
>> Well, I've got the calendar here. >> Oh, well, maybe you could pull out your paper calendar, which would probably serve us all. Well, [laughter] >> because um, so we have a meeting on April 27th >> and May 11th >> and Oh, May 11th. >> That would be a good one. So either I
think May either April 27 or May 11, but then after May 11, we don't have anything till June 1. So we have kind of a gap there. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um >> yeah, that's the three the three that >> Yeah. the three >> Memorial Day, I guess, is >> Yeah. >> throwing us off. >> All right. So maybe we take we'll see if
we we'll see what the 27th agenda is. Look, but I think we need to get moving on. Do we want to go forward with the committee and recharge it? Do we want to um go for this proposal? um or an RFP, you know, like I think we should at least talk about how we want to tax a problem.
>> Then, Madam Chair, just on that because we did approve the $3,000 for council of aging to look at that kind of small specific space in there. So, maybe figure out where we are with respect to that. I know and maybe that, you know, is somewhere in the time frame in the
future where again, I think getting in there and then figuring out even the longer term plan um would be great. So, Okay. Thank you, Craig. Anything else for you? >> That's it. >> All right, Dick. >> Well, I I feel like I'm busy, but I
don't have much to show you in the way of results, [laughter] but I do uh uh I I'm the leazison for Council on Aging, as you know, and the landing commission, but we've discussed the landing commission, their recommendations, and other things. Um I
did meet uh with the committee on disabilities today at uh four o'clock right before this meeting. I don't have anything to report there. They're working on a number of things and actually they spent some time talking about the Saturday event with the uh
candidates. Um, yes, there's things going on and uh one of which is including discussion about the barrier beach and you know about that and I don't know if that involves you Jake but that's I'm not it's not not my call that's Chris's call we'll be doing that. Um I was going to bring up
the old high school but I think you all took my thunder and I do support a lot of what you're saying and I think we do have to get on on with it. people that are asking me all the time what's taking so long and uh I'll save my comments for later but yeah I think that has I think
that's a matter of great urgency so that's it >> okay um so thank you for covering for me at the last meeting when I was unable to >> fine actually they well behaved team here >> oh no uh the chair at the time understands how you feel now with my
constant uh input I said now you know how Shauna feels >> it was enlightening [laughter] Did you bring him cookies or candy though? This >> I don't think I did. >> No, you didn't. But but Carl took care of them. [laughter] >> Um [clears throat] I also missed the climate and resilience committee. So
maybe you have an update on that one. I did not attend. >> Um I had a bike committee meeting uh last week. Um they're working towards bike month is coming up in May and they're looking at how to distribute uh bikes around town. So, we had the the
the bike exchange at the transfer station that was very successful and we're going to continue doing that and they're looking at some ideas for how to get more bike racks around the town. >> Um, so that that's a busy committee actually. Gail Rodri chairs that committee and she's >> keep Yeah,
>> she's a powerhouse. Um, it's not really a committee meeting, but I just want to call a little attention to the fact that Deb Weaver has been the director of the Westgate River Wershed Alliance and she's retiring and so she is um I know I'm having coffee with her >> I don't want to say her replacement but
the next director at the wershed her successor there you go the successor on Friday. So I know they're trying to make the rounds and meet everyone. We appreciate the partnership with Watershed Alliance. And then um there has been a school building committee meeting scheduled which I think is next
week but please check the agenda but um that that committee met went a long time without meeting and now they're meeting again. So that's good. >> That's all for me. >> Uh as Shauna pointed out the only thing I have is I was at the climate resiliency committee. We didn't have a full quorum to vote on stuff but we were
able to um basically go through the report that we'll be getting uh finalized here in the next couple months. Um, so we're working on on that from a town standpoint. That was it. >> Okay. Our public left. Do we have any comments or statements from the public?
>> Val, >> there's no public. >> Val, do you have anything? >> Speak now or forever hold your piece. [laughter] >> This is like a long meeting. I appreciate you guys because 8:15 is kind of a late meeting for us lately, but I think it's because all those public hearings got moved um into the meeting. So, >> not as long as the last one. The last
one was 2 236. >> Oh. >> [laughter] >> We were digging in. >> All right. So, I don't think we have any unanticipated anything within the 48 hour. >> 9:00. I think it should just be before
9:00. [laughter] >> Sorry. >> All right. I think we're done. Thank you very much. I'll entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. >> All in favor? I >> I that's four in favor when it >> Thank you, gentlemen.