[0:06] He's going to I'll text him when it's time.

[0:08] » Okay. Wonderful. >> Super. Thank you very much, Jody.

[0:14] » Yeah, we're ready.

[0:23] » We have a feedback issue.

[0:31] That might help. Is that better? All right. Great.

[0:39] » Welcome to the Town of Camden Select Board meeting. Our meeting will come to

[0:42] order for August 25th, 2026. We are also uh broadcast at our YouTube channel

[0:51] that's noted in the agenda and packet as well as

[0:57] people can participate via Zoom and later in the meeting we'll have Bill

[1:02] join us as we discuss um the action item. [clears throat]

[1:11] First item, do we have any public comment on

[1:16] non-aggenda items?

[1:20] If you would please step to the podium and remember to state who you are and

[1:25] where you live.

[1:31] » Wendy Andreason, 14 Cove, >> it is loud tonight. Yes,

[1:36] » 14 Cove Road. Um, I'd like to see the town remove the

[1:42] discordant bridge to nowhere down at the landing and reimburse the Montgomery

[1:48] family for the money that was misused from their gift under false pretenses.

[1:55] Clearly, it is not being used for maintenance of the non-existent island.

[2:01] Um, and furthermore, I don't see why we can't close the SLE gate if the work's

[2:07] not being done on the island anyway. And if the the um dam is going to come down,

[2:14] it'd be nice if we could have the waterfall for at least uh the rest of

[2:18] the time until that happens. That's it. Thank you.

[2:25] » Thank you, Wendy.

[2:31] Right. >> We only had

[2:34] » Yeah. >> Ray and Dayson, same address. And a

[2:37] couple of things I wanted to find out at the meeting that was in the library

[2:42] about the Montgomery Dam and uh Seaw Walt project. Um didn't have a chance to

[2:49] ask anybody. There was really nobody there who I think could have answered

[2:52] these. But maybe the select board can look into this. Um I do not know and I

[2:57] don't think other members do if the mercer

[3:01] citizens advisory committee has been disbanded or whatever the select board

[3:07] is the one that created that committee and is the one that if it's not going to

[3:11] function anymore you should disband it or if it's going to be a role in the

[3:15] future let us know. Um, and this is something I brought up previously at a

[3:22] select board meeting is how is this select board going to make sure that

[3:27] there are no property tax revenues used on the project of destroying Montgomery

[3:34] Dam. Um, that's what the citizens voted for and that somehow there has to be

[3:41] some kind of analysis, maybe a report. And the third thing is what happens and

[3:48] I think a lot of people have been asking this. What happens if the other grant or

[3:52] grants for the rest of the river project never come through?

[3:57] If the town doesn't receive any money to do the rest of the project or we just

[4:01] saying, "Oh, we just destroy Montgomery Dam and that's it." So be nice to have

[4:08] some kind of a discussion of that at a select board meeting sometime when there

[4:12] are facts known. >> Okay.

[4:13] » Thank you. Thank you, Ray.

[4:18] » Are there any other comments? I don't see any online

[4:23] and the room is fairly empty tonight. So,

[4:29] moving on then to the next item, the approval of board minutes from our

[4:35] August 4th meeting.

[4:40] » To approve. Move to approve. Second.

[4:48] » Any discussion? Ken.

[4:51] » Thank you.

[4:56] » Um all those in favor of the minutes.

[5:01] Any opposed?

[5:06] Seeing none, that goes forward for zero.

[5:13] I'm getting a message that the YouTube sound isn't working.

[5:27] How can we validate that when it is working? any

[5:32] » um

[5:40] » yeah I'm hearing that there's no sound on YouTube and no

[5:48] » and I'm not getting any power to my if you are put that into yours.

[5:55] » Yep.

[6:04] No, you know what? I'm not either. >> Oh, are we not plugged in?

[6:11] » Well, this just looking at we don't have power to our um

[6:16] workstations up here. I don't know how that would make any difference with the

[6:20] audio connections, though. >> No, I wouldn't imagine so. And I'm also

[6:24] getting the same messages.

[6:29] I guess we'll pause while we go ahead and see if we can troubleshoot that

[6:33] quickly. >> Is there a master plug that you know of

[6:36] Jody for the use? >> And then I think somebody's saying I can

[6:40] hear on Zoom just fine.

[6:52] » That happened before. Remember I told you I had a friend

[6:55] » that was youtubing it and couldn't. >> Yep.

[7:00] » I just told my people to try Zoom. >> Um, is there a way that you can put a

[7:04] message on the YouTube thing to go use the uh Zoom or something to that effect

[7:09] » in the messages or something? >> Okay. you don't have anything that you

[7:15] can do >> but they can they can upload that Zoom

[7:21] recording later,

[7:25] » right?

[7:28] » So that updates automatically afterwards or something you you were saying as far

[7:33] as what what can you put to YouTube so that there is audio?

[7:37] » J upload the Zoom recording. >> Okay. So the Zoom recording will be

[7:43] uploaded to YouTube at the probably tomorrow. Okay.

[7:52] » Okay. Is that's the best we can do.

[8:02] » Great. Let him know. >> Let him know we have no power up here as

[8:07] well. So >> I got one saying Zoom's not working as

[8:09] well.

[8:14] Okay.

[8:25] Well, it looks like we should go forward though.

[8:30] » Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh the consent agenda. Um, there are

[8:37] six items on the consent agenda. Are there any issues with any of those

[8:45] items that are listed here?

[8:52] » I see none.

[8:56] » We have a motion for their approval. >> To make a motion to approve.

[9:02] Actually, >> do we have to Yeah, we don't have to do

[9:06] it. It passes. >> Very good. Seeing no issues, we move on.

[9:11] » Um, public hearing for liquor license for the new, you know, since the new

[9:15] owners are required for the first five years and this is for Lucky Betty's at

[9:19] 56 Elm Street for renewal of on premise beer and wine license. Um, is there

[9:27] anyone here? Do you represent Lucky Betty's? Seeing none. Are there any

[9:32] issues that we see with the with the license?

[9:38] » No. >> Move to approve the application of Lucky

[9:43] Betty's for a victual lodging license. Victor's license.

[9:47] » Yeah, I'll second that. >> Great. All those in favor of approval?

[9:55] Any opposed? Seeing none that is approved for zero.

[10:02] The last item is on the agenda before adjournment is

[10:10] to act on an advisory only non-binding referendum question to address metered

[10:16] parking for the town meeting warrant for Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026. We also

[10:22] have a CIF signage approval in our packet

[10:27] » that's we're going to sign at the end at the end there.

[10:30] » I don't see that on the agenda that's posted online.

[10:33] » Oh, it's in the sequence of >> it's in your packet for us to sign off

[10:38] on it. I think

[10:44] » scroll down through on page 10 of the packet

[10:49] » is the application from Seth. Okay. So, that was an item that was not included

[10:56] on our >> It's in the consent agenda B3B.

[11:00] » Very good. >> Oh, okay.

[11:02] » Yeah. And then we'll just need your I think your signatures on one of those.

[11:07] » Okay. It was just out of play out of order.

[11:10] » Okay.

[11:15] » Okay. I'm just waiting for Bill to

[11:20] » Okay. >> He should be dialing in.

[11:23] » Oh, I see. The way this is put together just confused me. Sorry.

[11:38] So, what we're waiting for is for Bill Kelly to join us concerning the action

[11:44] item item number five uh concerning the non-binding

[11:50] referendum. the um you know discussion about

[11:56] the petition that was put forth that'll be in a subsequent meeting uh not this

[12:01] particular one. Um so some context for us while we're waiting for Bill um the

[12:11] three questions that are posed here as part of our packet that was something

[12:16] that I worked on with Bill on Wednesday. Mhm.

[12:21] » Uh and I asked Bill to provide three questions. Um this is intended to be

[12:28] very similar to the vote that we did with the police chief vote for the town.

[12:36] And this was Bill and I's attempt to try to

[12:41] have questions that are um easily understood, you know, not containing a a

[12:48] double negative um in the the questions. So it would confuse people, but this

[12:55] would be

[12:58] something that would could be on the ballot without question as far as its

[13:03] legal authority on a non-binding referendum. So we get the fi, you know,

[13:10] the sense from the public on on what they want. And I had proposed putting it

[13:17] three ways. Mhm. >> one the So, I'm I'm I'm using my words

[13:22] because that might give context to the intent and then we can work on it if we

[13:27] agree with the intent. Um the intent was do we want parking, paid parking or or

[13:35] he uses the word metered parking because I think that's how the statute reads

[13:41] metered parking on the streets. Do we want to keep it? That's one

[13:46] question. Another question is do we want to have

[13:50] it at the public landing because there have been not as much negativity about

[13:56] about that and there is availability of some revenue from that.

[14:01] » And the third item is so what about the other lots? This is more consistent with

[14:09] the way that Rockland is doing this where it is good to make sure that

[14:15] people have an opportunity to do long-term parking. Um, do we want to

[14:21] have metered parking in the long-term parking areas? Um, that's the intent of

[14:30] the questions. >> Yeah. Now

[14:33] again, this was, you know, Bill, Bill and I put this together, working

[14:38] together. Um, but if it's confusing, that's what we

[14:43] don't want to do. We don't, you know, we want to do the intent of this is to find

[14:48] out the public's Camden residents how they really feel about the paid parking.

[14:55] Let's give them let's give them that chance

[14:58] to express their opinion and where would they

[15:02] » right >> want it or not want it.

[15:03] » Yeah. The my only question to Bill is um because I read his Hi Bill.

[15:11] » Hello. Thank you for joining us. I read I read your opinion initially when the

[15:18] signatures were presented and took from that that we would we

[15:24] would still be running a foul of statute.

[15:28] And so my only question is

[15:33] we're doing this strictly on an advisory basis and then it would still come back

[15:37] to the board to make the decision about where and if

[15:44] metered parking existed in town that it would not be a

[15:49] vote by the public. we wouldn't be able to amend the charter to reflect that

[15:56] because it would still be inconsistent with main law. Am I understanding that

[16:00] correctly? >> Right. So I think two questions there.

[16:04] uh the referendum that was presented um sought to amend the charter which is

[16:11] not permitted uh in this situation because the statute that controls

[16:17] exclusively rests um legislative authority with the select board

[16:22] regarding muted parking. So you can't modify you can't create an ordinance

[16:26] about that's contrary to the select board's authority and you cannot amend

[16:31] the charter. Um both of those things are allowed for towns to adopt by uh grace

[16:39] of the state as the sovereign. And since the state has made it clear the select

[16:44] boards the legislative body, there's no legal way um to change the charter uh to

[16:52] say that the um metered parking issue is going to be controlled by the town

[16:57] meeting legislative vote of the people. It might sound a little contrary to what

[17:00] you think democracy is, but because it's about safety and regulation of rights of

[17:05] way. Um, these and parking uh these categories are something that our

[17:13] legislature some a long time ago decided should not be uh held to political

[17:17] forces one year or the next, but should be vested in the elected officials as

[17:22] those accountable for safety. Um, and that's maybe a longer answer to your

[17:27] question than you were looking for, but that's the thought process.

[17:31] » Okay, great. That's that's what I wanted to hear. Thank you.

[17:36] » So, I I would like to make it explicit. Um, Chris, um, we have received

[17:44] the registar certification that there is an

[17:50] adequate number of signatures. So the petition has been certified. The

[17:55] petition is not in our packet and it's not on the agenda. But that is what

[18:00] we're talking about. That is we have 666 valid signatures on the petition.

[18:06] And the petition um to those of you who are listening, the petition says, "Shall

[18:12] the town of Camden Charter be amended to add the following section 2.18

[18:17] notwithstanding 30 AMRS section 3009. Any ordinance or policy said policy

[18:24] setting or increasing fees to park on town of Camden Public Ways shall be null

[18:29] and void unless enacted by voters at a referendum election. That is what's

[18:34] under discussion here. I just wanted to make it clear that that's where we're

[18:38] that's where we're at. >> That that's what you're talking about,

[18:41] but that is not on the agenda tonight. Actually,

[18:43] » the petition is not >> the petition is not on the agenda

[18:47] tonight. The first thing is to get this onto the ballot. We have another meeting

[18:56] which we can do on September 8 to spend more time to go through. That's what I

[19:01] want to make explicit that yes, it will be because the people who brought us

[19:05] that petition deserve to have it addressed by the select board.

[19:10] » That That's right. Um but given we weren't even going to have this meeting

[19:15] initially um that this was kind of an extra one. It wasn't really and we've

[19:21] got the time where we can we have to um have the warrant the official warrant is

[19:29] September 8th which is next next Tuesday or the next Tuesday meeting that I'd

[19:36] rather do one thing at a time. Let's get make sure we get this nailed down on the

[19:42] agenda and then in the September 8th meeting to uh be able to put that as

[19:49] part of the packet for the September 8th meeting as an action item.

[19:54] » Thank you. I needed to make that explicit.

[19:56] » Sure. I I still don't understand why we would be I understand that the

[20:02] signatures were collected and that we've got enough signatures,

[20:09] but what that petition outlined is something that we have been advised runs

[20:14] counter to the charter and to main law. So, I certainly won't be voting in favor

[20:20] of that petition because we've gotten legal advice that it it's not legal.

[20:27] It's not the procedure. And if you if that's the way you want the procedure to

[20:31] go, lobby the legislature and change the

[20:35] law. But as far as I understand it, this is as far as we can go. And you know, it

[20:42] appears that we are having this discussion. So, um, you know, I I

[20:48] » Right. The petition was legally presented to the town.

[20:51] » The petition petitioners can come up with anything.

[20:54] » That's right. >> And have signatures certified. That

[20:56] doesn't mean that we have to move it. >> It does.

[21:01] » Not if it's a legislative item that is we're not following the statute. I would

[21:08] rather I'd rather be able to get what we need and maybe if we need a different

[21:15] legal opinion for example I'd rather be able to prepare and have that for

[21:21] September 8 as compared to now. >> Um can I say something? I would like to

[21:27] bring us back to this. Okay. >> Yes.

[21:29] » Because um >> I meaning what we're supposed to be

[21:33] talking about tonight, not the >> the non-branding.

[21:36] » Yes. Um, question number three. I'm just really curious, and Jody, you might know

[21:40] the answer to this, but do the um do the wind jammers use the parking lot out

[21:46] behind the Knox mill for their like week-long

[21:50] excursions and stuff or do they have somewhere else that people park?

[21:54] » I can't answer that. Sorry. >> No, I'm just curious if that is a thing

[21:57] like if they already like I'm only saying that because I don't think

[22:01] question number three needs to really be on here and I think it's confusing. Some

[22:05] people don't even know there are five parking lots. Do you know what I mean?

[22:09] And I think if you're talking about off streets, people are going to wonder,

[22:11] well, is Chestnut Street going to bill still be it? Or what are the off

[22:14] streets? I think we just do personally questions one and two. Keep it simple.

[22:19] And if we decide to go forward in the future, we do it in a way that's super

[22:23] public about the um off- streetet parking, but we need to

[22:27] see who's using those parking lots. And honestly, I just thought about this

[22:31] because I was reading some stuff. Um, I got an email today from one of the um

[22:38] asking who they should talk to from one of the schooners about the new stuff and

[22:42] they're saying they're not going to have enough space in there to park the

[22:44] schooners. So anyway, my point was he was one of the those three schooners are

[22:48] ones that go out overnight. So I'm just curious if they are using that. I would

[22:53] think that they would be >> and commuting people over there because

[22:57] » I know I have no idea. But I would like to find that out before we go saying

[23:02] we're going to turn all those parking lots. And if they are, I think they

[23:05] should be allotted a section where they could have those overnight people park

[23:10] still. I think that there's too much question about question number three for

[23:13] that to even be on this is my opinion. >> What What if we had a solution by just

[23:19] removing the word hall to give usability?

[23:23] » I don't know. I just think the parking lots like you say five parking lots, I

[23:27] say two. You know what I mean? like it's I don't think that um I don't think

[23:32] honestly I've had two people say what five parking lots

[23:36] » people don't know what you're even talking about. Um so I just think

[23:40] there's a lot of whatifs about that particular question. The first two I

[23:45] really like and I I think they're clear and simple and you're going to know how

[23:52] to answer it. Do you want them? Do you not? You know what I mean? It's a yes or

[23:55] no. But number three, I think we need to find out more about

[24:01] what that paid parking looks like. Is it gate like at at the um airport? Is it,

[24:07] you know, we need to figure out what that looks like more before we

[24:12] ask people to vote on it because we don't even know what that looks like.

[24:15] » Yeah. >> And who's using those long-term spaces

[24:19] or the 24-hour, you know, I mean, the all day spaces. Mhm.

[24:23] » Um, if there's a section of Camden for town employee, not town, but downtown

[24:27] Camden employees, they shouldn't have to pay to park in my opinion. So, if there

[24:31] are a lot of those people using that, and I'm not against making that section

[24:35] of that an all day paid parking by any means, but I think if we have schooners

[24:40] that are using it and we have some town employees that are using it, that there

[24:45] maybe should be some kind of permit parking in there for them as well.

[24:48] » Just a thought. >> Okay. So I think Chris offered a

[24:52] possible resolution to the question about what to do with with number three.

[24:56] Um if we just get rid of the word all and say within other off streetet

[25:02] parking that leaves it uh it enables to yes have them or not have paid

[25:11] parking and and it puts it off until a committee a parking committee can can

[25:15] look at all those questions that you have just asked rather than trying to

[25:18] decide it tonight. We have uh we have not forced

[25:23] we have not forced there to be metered parking in every lot but we have allowed

[25:31] » but when you're saying off- streetet parking what's the difference what's the

[25:33] difference between off streetet parking and parking lots thank you

[25:36] » because when you said off streetet is chestnut street it's not a street that

[25:39] is off of the downtown it's off streetet parking

[25:42] » right like I'm just curious what the difference is off streetet and parking

[25:46] lots are the same thing >> I was so you got confusing

[25:48] » I was thinking Off street and parking lot is the same.

[25:51] » Yeah. So I would that's needlessly confusing.

[25:53] » Oh, that's an extra extra words that are not necessary.

[25:56] » So the the parking board Oh my god, my glasses are terrible.

[26:01] » Metered parking within >> parking lots

[26:05] » other Yeah. parking lots owned by the town. take out the all other off-

[26:11] streetet parking within parking lots owned by the town

[26:15] » and then that can be at the discretion, you know, and we can come up with a

[26:18] scheme for a permit or a bar or a gate or whatever, but just define what those

[26:27] are. >> Yeah.

[26:29] » Yeah. Take out all other off street parking language, which is just as

[26:33] extraneous. In my idea with getting the input from the town on this, you know,

[26:40] like with the chief of police vote, it was pretty obvious

[26:45] the difference. And, you know, if something ends up being kind of close,

[26:50] well, then we at least know >> where we are on it

[26:54] » and and gives people a chance to weigh in.

[26:57] » Well, I definitely like number three better changed with taking the off

[27:00] streetet parking out of it. >> Yep. That's that's that's that's good.

[27:05] » Um >> Ben Ben would like to Yeah.

[27:08] » And then one other I think has a raised hand.

[27:11] » Um >> do we have the ability to

[27:17] » But Ben, I know he sent us a message earlier today, too.

[27:22] » Yeah. >> Ben, are you in a spot where you can

[27:26] come off mute?

[27:32] Hello. >> Hi. Yes.

[27:36] » Right. I did I did send a message. I I I think that number three is very

[27:41] confusing because there are three metered town lots and they don't seem to

[27:49] be covered in this referendum. Um I don't understand that. Um, I'm a

[27:56] little surprised you're asking about metering

[28:01] the free all day lots, but that would be a fourth question. It

[28:08] seems to me you got three types of metered parking. Um, and [clears throat]

[28:14] I think it makes sense to ask people about all three because some people like

[28:19] the public landing, um, don't like the street parking, but

[28:24] there are metered lots at Nolton Street, um, Mechanic [clears throat]

[28:29] Street, and at the public safety building. So, they're they're not in

[28:34] this referendum >> on Nolton Street.

[28:38] » Those are those are those are private lots, though. Those aren't town the

[28:41] Nolton the Mechanic Street lot is not a town owned lot,

[28:44] » right? Yeah. And Nolton Street I mean you can access the Knox Mill parking lot

[28:49] from Nolton Street. So I don't know if that's what you're referring to.

[28:52] » I I mean the at the corner of Mechanic next to the old five and that's town.

[28:58] » Oh that's Mechanic Street. >> Mechanic Street now.

[29:01] » Yes. It's identified in the >> parking Camden parking management plan

[29:06] as Mechanic Street and the Nolton Street one is the one across from um the town

[29:12] the opera house. That's meter, right? >> No.

[29:17] » That's private. >> He's this one over here. He's talking

[29:19] about >> Oh, this Washington Street is where the

[29:23] middle school is. H >> Okay. I mean Washington Street.

[29:26] » Washington Street lot. >> Yeah,

[29:28] » that is a town owned property. That one is over there.

[29:31] » Yeah. Right. >> But right now all the meters are

[29:33] covered. So that's what this kind of covers.

[29:36] » Well, you have suspended >> the enacted voted on parking management

[29:43] plan of Camden and because you wanted a vote on that

[29:48] plan, >> right?

[29:49] » So you got to include all the parts of that metered plan which are those three

[29:55] lots. And if you want to add uh the Nolton Street big lot behind the

[30:02] Knox Mill and that would be a fourth question in my view.

[30:08] Um I also think it's you know it's much

[30:12] simpler for voters the way you've worded it now is

[30:18] question [clears throat] one uh yes means no on parking. Question

[30:24] two, yes means yes on parking. Why not just

[30:30] change the wording to so yes means yes on parking. No means no on meter

[30:36] parking. Why not?

[30:40] » I think they're clear.

[30:44] » Okay. Thank Thank you, Ben. We'll >> Okay.

[30:47] » Consider those points. Um Jeremy, you had your hand up for a moment. Was that

[30:52] » Yeah. I just wanted to clarify the five lots what they are. Um if that would be

[30:57] helpful. I think Ben got to them a little bit, but there's the public

[31:00] safety lot, the public landing, mechanic street which is at the next to the old

[31:04] five and dime, the Washington street lot which I think you just pointed to and

[31:08] then Knox Mill. That's the five those are the five lots. And then as far as

[31:11] the schooners, I can answer that question. Um, so the schooners used to

[31:17] park in the one end kind of on the Washington Street side um when that was

[31:24] privately owned. When the town took ownership of that um they weren't

[31:28] allowed exclusive use of that anymore and they worked out other arrangements

[31:32] um because it was becoming a public public parking lot. It wasn't going to

[31:36] be used by um you know there are other so they figured out other arrangements

[31:41] is is what's happened. I just wanted to clarify that for you Bobby.

[31:44] » Good. Thank you. >> Yeah.

[31:46] » And I have I have one more question for you, Jeremy. Um, does the library

[31:51] parking lot I mean I know it's the libraryowned parking lot, but that is

[31:56] metered, right? >> The cover meter's covered. I know, but

[32:00] it was metered. Yes. Okay. >> Right. That was included in in in the um

[32:04] the library was part of the parking committee. Um, so they took part in

[32:09] that, but that was not included in what we've called the five parking lot or

[32:12] what I think Chris and Bill have called the five parking lots or what envision

[32:15] to be the five parking lots. >> Okay, cool.

[32:18] » That makes sense. >> Yeah, thank you.

[32:20] » Yeah. Would it be better to have clarity then

[32:25] on the parking lots that we mean or is it

[32:28] » No, I think that it's more confusing >> to have clarity on on which parking lots

[32:35] we're talking about now.

[32:39] This was really done with the intent to try to get the public sense on these,

[32:46] but if we're presenting a question that really doesn't help with that process

[32:51] and we just stick with one and two, >> that's what

[32:54] » Well, I just I just still do not understand how we're going to reconcile

[33:01] the petition with this because of where the petition

[33:08] will wind us up

[33:12] in terms of what is legally allowed as a result of that vote. So to me,

[33:19] this is the way that we

[33:25] get the sense of the community. Quite honestly, I think we got the sense of

[33:29] the community. You know, I I don't think there's any

[33:33] mystery around how people feel. The fact that we've got all those signatures is a

[33:38] pretty resounding referendum in and of itself of how people feel about paid

[33:44] parking and

[33:50] what they what what the people who signed that petition were asking for

[33:56] something specific. So this is not what they were asking

[34:01] for. Mhm. And

[34:06] I mean I think you're it's the notion that we

[34:12] can't trust the legal opinion from our council

[34:18] around what that document

[34:24] » would the situation that would result from that referendum

[34:31] is ludicrous. to me. I mean, it's like, why are we even doing this if we're not

[34:36] going to believe what our legal counsel, who's been doing

[34:41] this for decades, is advising us around the result of that. If we get a the

[34:50] expected outcome from putting that petition on the warrant,

[34:56] then what do we do? And we're in a bind.

[35:00] And that's one of the reasons why I did not go there tonight with that

[35:04] particular petition. um instead >> going there

[35:08] » I'm going there with this particular referendum item and then to work through

[35:13] the details with the petition in another another meeting that at a minimum we can

[35:18] » but you're scruting the fact of the details of the petition are neither here

[35:21] nor there because it is what it's been certified with that language with those

[35:27] signatures that is a document in and of itself that you know we wouldn't mess

[35:34] with that but then you know you're creating a scenario where we cannot act

[35:39] on that because it is against the law. End of story, right? And I'm not

[35:44] disagreeing with you at all, Susan. I agree. I think it is against the law

[35:48] with the whole safety thing. I just think what people are so upset about in

[35:52] town, and I know everybody says there were parking things, but those of us

[35:56] that are working 40 hours a week can't go to a 10 a.m. parking meeting. You

[35:59] know what I mean? Like, I didn't even know they were happening or whatever

[36:02] when this was all going on. like my eyes opened up just a few years ago. So, I

[36:08] know everybody's saying that that was going on for a long time and that these

[36:11] were the recommendations and stuff, but seriously, I found out about it when I

[36:15] rode through town. I was like, "What's the green and blue all about?" Like, I

[36:17] had no idea what was going on. So, I don't think that we're out to do

[36:22] anything illegal because I agree that that petition, there are some legality

[36:27] things in it that are going to be against state statute. But I'm hoping

[36:32] that the advisory questions are going to be enough for folks

[36:38] to this is one of those hot button hot button items. But I think

[36:43] » I right I I'm not disagreeing with you about that. But I do agree that we have

[36:47] to give it its day in front of us for the folks that signed it. You know what

[36:52] I mean? Like we just have to we have to let them come and speak on it. We have

[36:56] we have to. But I'm agreeing with you that it's

[37:00] state statute that we can't change those things. And I'm not disagreeing with

[37:04] that at all. But I just think it's still such a hot button issue in town that um

[37:09] I totally agree with just getting rid of question number three for right now. I

[37:13] think it's just confusing personally. But um questions one and two are very

[37:18] straightforward. Do you want it? Do you not want it? So, are people going to be

[37:23] satisfied that we have addressed their concerns with this advisory vote?

[37:31] » Yes. I think I personally think that they will.

[37:32] » This has been the message all along is >> that it should be put out to the voters.

[37:38] » I feel like that this is going to >> it's going to give everybody a voice

[37:43] when they check those boxes. >> I think so, too, Jody. Totally.

[37:48] » Yep. I think it's going to give the people

[37:51] exactly what they what they would have liked to have had before the machines

[37:54] got ordered. >> Yeah,

[37:55] » honestly. >> Yep.

[37:57] » Um, is there a way that we could

[38:03] change the questions so that it's yes and yes and no and no if you really

[38:08] don't want it without making a double negative in here.

[38:12] » Can board should remove metered parking requirements from streets in town.

[38:18] I think it's so black and white. I mean, honestly,

[38:22] » yes means remove them. No means keep them,

[38:24] » right? >> Maintain metered parking within the town

[38:28] public parking lot. Yes means yes. No means no.

[38:34] And then and then that discussion around the

[38:38] parking lots. I mean, I'm here or there about it. Take it out.

[38:42] » Take it out. Take out. >> It needlessly complicates it at this

[38:46] point. >> Right. Right. It needlessly complicates

[38:49] it. That's what I think. >> And then as you move forward with each

[38:54] meeting, you guys can certainly stress to the public, these are the questions

[38:59] and you need to read them carefully, >> right?

[39:01] » And name them each time and say, >> right,

[39:05] » well, and so and and so then it would it would mean that we as a board would vote

[39:12] against that language. We are the ones who would

[39:17] move that referendum forward, the the ones that got all the signatures.

[39:21] » If you're going to follow statute, then I would say that would be

[39:24] » So that is the move would be to vote against putting that on the

[39:29] » We've gotten a legal opinion, >> right? We've gotten a legal opinion and

[39:32] we also are doing something, >> right,

[39:36] » to end this whole situation once and for all.

[39:40] » You know what I mean? To end or have it go forward, honestly.

[39:43] » Right. And the other the other opportunity that exists is in as it

[39:49] relates to the petition is we are in 2027 at some point going to have a

[39:56] charter commission whether or not that can be part of

[40:02] that charter commission's discussion whether to include that language that

[40:06] could be part of the charter commission with

[40:08] » not if the statutes don't change >> which is a bigger thing and if and if

[40:11] it's still a statute issued at that point. It's still a statute issue at

[40:15] that point. >> And maybe the folks that did this want

[40:19] to go to their legislators because that's where it's going to have to

[40:22] change and get it changed before 27 so that it can be changed.

[40:27] » You know what I mean? That's like up to them if they want to do that.

[40:29] » Yeah. I would be stunned. I mean, the you know, this this is a

[40:34] » I just don't see parking as a safety issue personally. I just don't. No, but

[40:38] I I think the overarching um concern

[40:44] is around public safety and

[40:48] that's where it falls. It doesn't fall, it's not parking per se, but it falls

[40:53] under that. Um >> it's like under public safety

[40:56] enforcement. >> Yeah. Yeah.

[40:59] » So to re to reiterate, Chris, question number one stays as is. Question number

[41:06] two stays as is. Question number three addressed a an idea that we had

[41:14] discussed that we could do metered parking in some of the off-

[41:21] streetet lots. So, we're not addressing the off- streetet lots at all. I think

[41:26] that leaves the door open to future discussion on that issue

[41:30] » for sure. >> Yes.

[41:32] » Okay. And if there needs to be like in June,

[41:35] like if we decide we get to there and we're like, "Okay, this is something we

[41:39] want to do." We put it on as a question >> as its own thing.

[41:44] » As its own thing. >> Yeah. And I think that through the

[41:47] budget process that will be examined again

[41:51] » and made public so that people are seeing

[41:56] the implications of you know the costs and the revenue that we missed out on

[42:02] etc etc. So you know we have another bite at that apple through the

[42:08] » through the budget process and and in June could take it up again. But I mean

[42:14] just these two questions will >> tell us what we're getting

[42:17] » satisfy the Yeah. >> So I just want to point out the timeline

[42:22] put together by Julia Merrill says that September 8th which is our next select

[42:26] board meeting is the date when we must approve special town meeting warrant. So

[42:32] the final wording of what we discussed tonight and what we discuss on the 8th

[42:37] will will be enacted then. >> Yeah. So, I'll present a new revised um

[42:42] draft so that you guys can vote and then it literally goes to print the next day.

[42:47] » Okay. >> So, cool.

[42:48] » Yep. And it's going to be it's going to cost the town about $2,000 to do this.

[42:52] Just so you know, just there is a cost to it. So,

[42:56] » Oh, so it's an extra page on the warrant. It's not part of the

[43:00] » Well, it's an actual ballot. So, it's ballot and we have to have it printed by

[43:04] a special company because it has to go through the the

[43:08] » ballot machine. So, um, I just wanted to make you guys aware of that.

[43:11] » Thanks. That's good. >> And I think the questions are very

[43:15] straightforward. I don't think they could be any more

[43:18] » Yeah. >> straightforward. Is there any way to

[43:21] just have

[43:25] to have these questions not in the actual form of a a warrant

[43:32] item >> that people could just check them off

[43:36] and drop them in a box with a slot on the top of it?

[43:40] » What do you mean just in passing? >> No. Well, on election day

[43:45] » or have it be presented? I I don't have a confident. Maybe Bill

[43:51] has an answer for you. So, basically just like uh

[43:54] » pick up a piece of paper. Yeah. >> Do your regular ballot. Maybe check off

[43:59] something on a small piece of paper. I guess I'll defer to Bill

[44:02] » and drop them into a box. >> Can we count them manually?

[44:05] » Well, there that's going to take a lot of time

[44:09] » and staff time. So, >> yeah.

[44:12] » I don't know that you can actually do that. Elections are pretty well

[44:15] regulated. You can have a referendum. That's obviously not binding, but it

[44:19] should be in the same um absentee ballot packet. It should be

[44:25] in the same voting packet and it would go through the same machine.

[44:29] » You in this day and age, you just don't want to create issues about an accurate

[44:33] count, >> right?

[44:35] just being a frugal New England [laughter] when you put a dollar amount

[44:40] on it, it's like Bill, do you have any concerns with uh question one or two? Do

[44:46] those look straightforward enough to you too to get

[44:50] » Yeah, I mean this is a this is, you know, as you guys have discussed, it's

[44:53] really not a legal issue at all. You guys are collecting information for

[44:57] policy um um political purposes, which is fine.

[45:04] Uh that's part of what what you guys do. Um so it I'm I'm fairly neutral in the

[45:11] language other than trying to make it clear, but I thought it was clear.

[45:14] » I think it's clear. [snorts] >> Okay. Well, do we have a motion

[45:17] concerning this item then? >> Well, you're going to bring it back with

[45:21] the changes and we'll vote on it next. >> Um if you Yeah, I I don't think they

[45:26] need to vote on it right now, Bill. I I'll bring back the the polished

[45:30] version. Is that okay? And then they will vote on it. Well, you're going to

[45:34] vote a vote on the eighth. Um, yeah. 8th 8th for the warrant, right?

[45:38] » Yeah. Yeah. >> Right. So, and for what it's So, you'd

[45:41] vote then to put this on the warrant so to speak as a ballot. So, that's all you

[45:46] need to do. And then as far as uh the issue of the petition that you have uh

[45:51] the statute uh triggers the next remedy that the petitioners have uh in when you

[45:58] refuse to put it on the ballot on the warrant. So, by the act of adopting your

[46:04] warrant, which will not have this petition on it, you will have refused to

[46:08] put it on, and you have the right to do that as long as you're reasonable. And

[46:12] if somebody thinks you're not reasonable, they can challenge that in

[46:14] court. So, the refusal act will be not placing it on the warrant itself.

[46:19] » Okay.

[46:22] » Okay. >> So, no need to take a motion on this,

[46:26] but you've got the guidance and our consent.

[46:30] » Yep. >> You okay with that? Number three.

[46:32] » Sounds good. >> All right.

[46:35] » Motion to adjurnn. >> That would be what we're looking for.

[46:38] » Second. >> Thank you, Bill.

[46:40] » Thank you. Good night. >> All those in favor of adjournment.

[46:45] » Very good. Four zero. Thank you. >> Sign. Yep.

Camden Select Board 08.25.26 (Zoom Recording)

Transcript