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Good evening.

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Um, the the tellers have informed me

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that we have a quorum. So, could I ask

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everyone to please take your seats and

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we'll get going.

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Welcome to our 2026 annual town meeting.

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I'm your moderator U Dan Evans

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uh and I'll be conducting the business

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this evening.

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The tellers have informed me that a

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quorum is present. So the meeting will

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please come to order. The return of the

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warrant by the town constable shows that

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the warrant was properly served. So the

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meeting is properly constituted. As you

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know, we begin our meetings with the

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pledge of allegiance. May I ask all of

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you to stand and please joining me in

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the pledge of allegiance? I pledge

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allegiance

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>> to the flag of the United States of

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America, to the republic for which it

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stands, one nation under God,

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indivisible, with liberty and justice

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for all.

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>> Thank you.

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Um I'll start uh as we do typically with

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introductions. Um up here at the table

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on your right uh we have our uh select

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board Ellen Maher chair Chris Plex vice

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chair David Farerraig and Paul Grady. We

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have our interim town manager Michelle

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Liry. We have a town council Roger

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Smuridge. Um behind me uh on the table

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on the to the front on your left um we

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have Mike Barkley, Tom Callahan, Mark

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Cameron, Mike Flity, Diane Kennedy, Mark

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Maggie, Courtney Murphy, Vince Thornton.

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To my right, uh we have the town clerk

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Lisa Le and assistant town clerk Beth

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Anderson. On the small table behind the

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advisory committee, we have our tellers

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for this evening, Phil Faulner, Debbie

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Leget, Michael Putsinger, and Susan

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Putinger.

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As you know, the guests, if you're not a

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registered voter, the guests were issued

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a name tag. And this is the non- voting

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section. Um, some town employees who are

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not voters may be sitting um with their

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colleagues uh in the uh seats here, but

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other than that, that the non- voters

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will be sitting up in the non- voting

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section.

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Um we have find it

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you should have two different uh

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booklets or um stapled material with

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you. One is the um bound warrant article

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which arrived in the mail and then there

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were copies available there that

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provides notice of the actions that

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we're taking at the meeting tonight.

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Then the other packet is the one that's

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stapled in the upper leftand corner.

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That's the town manager's proposed

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motions. Those are the motions that

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those are the that's the actual wording

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that will be acting on each on each of

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the articles this evening. You'll see

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that um for brevity we don't read them.

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I will say at the beginning of each

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article, may I have a motion in the form

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distributed to the meeting. So what I'm

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referring to is these these are the the

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motions that were distributed to the

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meeting. When somebody says moved, what

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they're moving is the language that

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appears under that article in here for

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the motion. when I say second and

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somebody says second then they're

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seconding that and that's the language

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of the motion that we will start

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discussing can they can be amended um

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following procedures but those is that's

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the language of the actual action so the

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warrant simply provides notice the

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proposed motions provides the actual um

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language that we'll be adopting on

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um we'll vote vote by voice unless I'm

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uncertain uh with a voice or at least

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seven voters indicate that they desire

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um that they uh out my count by

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standing, which is fine. Um, if

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necessary, then we'll vote by hand

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ballot. We'll um you'll hold these

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red pieces of paper up in the air to

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vote by hand ballot. So, keep a hold of

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those. The tellers will count um if we

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have to do that.

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If you would like to speak on a motion,

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um please move to a microphone, one of

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the microphones here to be recognized.

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Once I recognize you, um please begin by

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giving your name and street address.

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Please keep the debate concise and to

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the point. All debate must be courteous

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and respectful. Uh brevity is both

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courteous and effective.

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Sarcasm is never appropriate. Generally,

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you should not it shall be not necessary

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to refer to specific individuals

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involved in the debate. If you must

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refer to another speaker's remarks,

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please do so with the utmost respect.

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You can disagree with ideas. Be careful

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about disagreeing with people. Speakers

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are limited to five minutes except when

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you've arranged it with me in advance.

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If at any point you have a question

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about the procedure or the conduct of

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the meeting, including a concern that I

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may have done something incorrectly, you

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should seek to be recognized. Let me

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know you have a question of a point of

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order and then state your question or

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concern. Um, many of you are familiar

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with the motion for a previous question

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or calling the question. It brings an

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immediate vote on the pending motion.

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So, it stops debate. It requires

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twothirds vote to be adopted to stop

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debate. Um, it can only be I will only

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entertain it after both sides have had a

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fair opportunity to be heard. And if

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I've already recognized voters or their

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voters been standing, I may allow them

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to speak before proceeding with the um

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motion to call the question.

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On timing, we've got a long evening

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tonight. I think the plan is to just

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power through it. It may get very late.

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We got a lot of stuff to do, but we'll

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get it all done tonight. Any questions

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before we jump into the business?

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Great. Thank you. As many of you know,

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this is my last meeting as your

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moderator, so let's make it a great one.

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» Thank you. Thanks. Um, article one,

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recognizing citizens and employees for

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particular service to the town. I'll

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recognize the chair of the the select

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board, Ellen Maher.

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» Good evening, everyone. Welcome to our

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annual town meeting. In recognition of

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services as an employee of the town upon

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retirement, Patricia Hamlin, Lorie Topa,

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Moren Bry, Kathleen Sullivan Sanchez,

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Kim Kirker,

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Marshia Campbell, Susan A. Hearn,

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Theodore Holland, Sandra Zapo, Karen

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McGinness, Eileen Weisinger, and Russell

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Sears. Let's have a round of applause

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for our retirees.

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We also take a moment to honor those who

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have passed who have served the town of

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Cohasset.

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Pamela Fehee, public health uh director

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of public health.

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Paula Gel, Cohassid Police. Randall

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Rosano, Cohasset Fire. Edward McDermott,

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Cohassid Public Schools. Dennis Walsh,

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Cohassid Public Schools. Mary Snow, DBW,

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and Jane F. Pescatory, Cohassid Public

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Schools. Thank you.

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For the record, may I have a motion that

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the recognition of the named citizens

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and employees be accepted and placed in

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the permanent records of the town?

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>> Thank you. May I have a second?

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>> All those in favor, please signify by

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saying I.

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>> I.

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>> All those opposed, please signify by

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saying nay. The motion was adopted

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unanimously.

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Uh, article two, annual town report. May

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I have a motion in the form distributed

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to the meeting? Thank you. May I have a

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second?

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>> Thank you. The motion has been made and

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seconded. Is there any discussion?

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We'll proceed to a voice vote. Motion on

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article 2 does require majority vote for

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adoption. All those in favor, please

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signify by saying I.

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>> All those opposed, please signify by

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saying nay.

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>> The motion is adopted unanimously.

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Uh, article three, reports of

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committees. For the pebb committee, I'll

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recognize Mr. Timothy Davis.

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» Thank you. Timothy Davis, 257 Atlantic

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Avenue. The post-employment benefits

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committee is charged with reviewing and

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evaluating the town's OPEB and pension

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liabilities, which provide pensions and

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medical insurance to our retired town

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employees.

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For 15 years, this committee has been

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working to pro provide these excellent

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retirement benefits, follow state

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mandates, and with a and with a

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manageable impact on the town budget

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while at the same time contributing to

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the AAA bond rating for our town debt.

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The top tier bind rating that we now

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enjoy saves the town at least a quarter

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of 1% on our debt service or about

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$900,000 in interest payments on a

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30-year $23 million debt.

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Since the expectation is

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that when fully funded, the OPED trust

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fund assets should never be used. The

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assets are invested for long-term

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growth. And so far, Mr. Market has been

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favorable to us.

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When fully funded, the catchup funding

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that are required by the state on the

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pension funds and what we're doing with

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OPEB,

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which will no longer be required,

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that money plus the annual income

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generated from the investment of these

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assets, could be as much as 8 to12

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million per year,

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which can then be used to fund other

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town budget items the town residents may

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approve. This should coincide

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with the large investment contemplated

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for our schools.

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I would like to thank my colleagues on

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the post-employment benefits committee,

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Michelle Liry, the select board, and the

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community for their continued support of

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the PB committee work. In particular, I

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would like to thank Linda Cole for her

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extraordinary work on all of this. Thank

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you.

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>> Thank you.

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Are there any other committees that

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would like to be heard?

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Very well. No action needs to be taken.

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So we can proceed to article 4, which is

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the operating budget. May I have a

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motion in the form distributed to the

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meeting?

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Thank you. May I have a second?

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>> Thank you. The motion has been made and

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seconded. Requires a majority vote for

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adoption. I'll recognize our interim

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town manager, Michelle Liry.

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Thank you and good evening. Um, so we'll

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be presenting the FY27 budget. Um, we

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can fast forwards through some of these

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slides.

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So when we start building the budget, we

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talk about financial strategies. Um, we

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use dedicated funds for appropriate

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expenses. We maintain structural

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balances. We limit reliance on one-time

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revenues. We align debt service with

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funding sources. And we collaborate with

273
00:11:56,560 --> 00:12:01,590
the school department.

274
00:12:01,600 --> 00:12:04,399
The FY27 operating budgetical article

275
00:12:04,399 --> 00:12:07,680
number four, the total appropriation is

276
00:12:07,680 --> 00:12:12,310
67,642,444.

277
00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:16,399
Of that the general fund is $59,90

278
00:12:16,399 --> 00:12:21,350
sewer enterprise fund $2,682,866

279
00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:23,200
and the water enterprise fund if

280
00:12:23,200 --> 00:12:26,949
5,959,488.

281
00:12:26,959 --> 00:12:29,360
This includes salaries, expenses and

282
00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:34,230
debt service.

283
00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:36,240
What the budget funds? The budget funds

284
00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:38,160
salaries of elected officials and town

285
00:12:38,160 --> 00:12:41,040
staff, departmental expenses, debt

286
00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:43,120
service, both principal and interest,

287
00:12:43,120 --> 00:12:45,440
and other mandatory costs as noted in

288
00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:48,560
the five-year forecast. And everyone can

289
00:12:48,560 --> 00:12:51,440
look at appendix A for the FY27

290
00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:55,430
operating requests.

291
00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:57,200
So, the funding strategy again is a

292
00:12:57,200 --> 00:12:58,399
combination of reoccurring and

293
00:12:58,399 --> 00:13:00,959
non-reoccurring sources. The general

294
00:13:00,959 --> 00:13:03,120
fund through taxation, state aid, and

295
00:13:03,120 --> 00:13:05,440
local receipts. the enterprise fund

296
00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:07,440
contributions and the stabilization and

297
00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:10,959
other revenue other reserves

298
00:13:10,959 --> 00:13:13,839
enterprise and indirect transfers. So

299
00:13:13,839 --> 00:13:16,959
the sewer enterprise revenue is $2.3

300
00:13:16,959 --> 00:13:20,399
million and that's raised by user fees.

301
00:13:20,399 --> 00:13:24,160
The sewer retained earnings of $300,000

302
00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:25,839
and the sewer betterment debt

303
00:13:25,839 --> 00:13:29,519
stabilization of $150,000.

304
00:13:29,519 --> 00:13:32,560
Those are both um transfers into the

305
00:13:32,560 --> 00:13:34,880
sewer enterprise fund for operating

306
00:13:34,880 --> 00:13:39,360
expenses. This includes $141,130

307
00:13:39,360 --> 00:13:41,279
in direct costs reimbured to the general

308
00:13:41,279 --> 00:13:44,000
fund. And as far as the water enterprise

309
00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:46,720
revenue, $6.1 million. And this also

310
00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:49,920
includes $156,948

311
00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:52,240
in indirect costs to reimbursement to

312
00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:55,750
the general fund.

313
00:13:55,760 --> 00:13:58,720
So general fund sources raised through

314
00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:01,120
taxation, state aid and local receipts,

315
00:14:01,120 --> 00:14:05,110
we have 57,697

316
00:14:05,120 --> 00:14:08,870
57,697,54.

317
00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:11,839
The capital stabilization fund um to pay

318
00:14:11,839 --> 00:14:17,509
deaf service is $472,28.

319
00:14:17,519 --> 00:14:21,680
The community preservation fund 257,750

320
00:14:21,680 --> 00:14:24,320
is also a debt service payment. We have

321
00:14:24,320 --> 00:14:26,560
free cash of $30,000 for general

322
00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:29,120
operations. The Title Five Betterment

323
00:14:29,120 --> 00:14:31,839
Fund, $75 transferred in for debt

324
00:14:31,839 --> 00:14:35,199
service, excess overlay reserves. We're

325
00:14:35,199 --> 00:14:38,959
using $150,000 that has previously been

326
00:14:38,959 --> 00:14:41,360
allocated by the board of assessors and

327
00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:43,279
the recreation field revolving fund of

328
00:14:43,279 --> 00:14:44,800
$20,000.

329
00:14:44,800 --> 00:14:46,720
We have a total indirect transfer from

330
00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:50,240
enterprise funds of $298,78

331
00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:54,800
for total sources to equal $59,90.

332
00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:57,040
General fund key takeaways. The total

333
00:14:57,040 --> 00:15:00,000
budget of $59,90

334
00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:05,350
with the total townside being $32,969

335
00:15:05,360 --> 00:15:07,760
$969,85.

336
00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:09,920
This includes all mandatory and shared

337
00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:12,240
expenses. and we have a total school

338
00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:21,189
budget of 26,31,05.

339
00:15:21,199 --> 00:15:23,920
The total mandatory expenses here can be

340
00:15:23,920 --> 00:15:29,990
broken out to be 15,753,523.

341
00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:32,079
When we talk about the budget as a

342
00:15:32,079 --> 00:15:33,680
whole,

343
00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:35,680
I'd like to highlight that the total

344
00:15:35,680 --> 00:15:38,399
town increase is 2.9%

345
00:15:38,399 --> 00:15:40,240
and this includes shared and mandatory

346
00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:42,720
costs while the total schools increase

347
00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:45,839
is 4.83%.

348
00:15:45,839 --> 00:15:50,480
Thank you.

349
00:15:50,480 --> 00:15:52,160
The select board has recommended

350
00:15:52,160 --> 00:15:55,199
approval by a vote of 4 to zero. The

351
00:15:55,199 --> 00:15:56,800
advisory committee has recommended

352
00:15:56,800 --> 00:15:58,959
approval by a vote of 8 to zero with one

353
00:15:58,959 --> 00:16:00,480
abstension.

354
00:16:00,480 --> 00:16:02,240
School committee recommended approval by

355
00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:04,240
a vote of 5 to zero. And the community

356
00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:06,000
preservation committee has approved the

357
00:16:06,000 --> 00:16:09,120
borrowing under article six of the 2023

358
00:16:09,120 --> 00:16:11,360
special town meeting. Is there

359
00:16:11,360 --> 00:16:14,870
discussion?

360
00:16:14,880 --> 00:16:16,800
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Motion on

361
00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:19,120
article 4 does require majority vote for

362
00:16:19,120 --> 00:16:21,279
adoption. All those in favor, please

363
00:16:21,279 --> 00:16:23,040
signify by saying I.

364
00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:25,440
>> I. All those opposed, please signify by

365
00:16:25,440 --> 00:16:28,160
saying nay. The motion is adopted

366
00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:35,030
unanimously.

367
00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:37,680
Article five, unpaid bills from previous

368
00:16:37,680 --> 00:16:39,360
years. May I have a motion in the form

369
00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:41,120
distributed to the meeting? Thank you.

370
00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:43,279
May I have a second? Motion has been

371
00:16:43,279 --> 00:16:45,519
made and seconded. It does require four

372
00:16:45,519 --> 00:16:48,480
fifths vote for adoption. I'll recognize

373
00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:50,800
our interim town manager, Michelle Liri.

374
00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:52,880
So, article five, unpaid bills from

375
00:16:52,880 --> 00:16:55,440
previous years. Um, we're asking for

376
00:16:55,440 --> 00:16:59,110
$5,16.96

377
00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:01,120
um to expended by the town manager to

378
00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:03,279
pay unpaid bills from the previous

379
00:17:03,279 --> 00:17:06,480
fiscal year.

380
00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:08,000
>> The select board has recommended

381
00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:10,000
approval by a vote of four to zero. The

382
00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:11,439
advisory committee has recommended

383
00:17:11,439 --> 00:17:13,679
approval by a vote of 9 to zero. Is

384
00:17:13,679 --> 00:17:16,640
there discussion?

385
00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:18,240
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Again, it

386
00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:19,760
does require four-fifths vote for

387
00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:22,160
adoption. All those in favor of the

388
00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:23,760
motion under article 5, please signify

389
00:17:23,760 --> 00:17:25,760
by saying I. I.

390
00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:27,360
>> All those opposed, please signify by

391
00:17:27,360 --> 00:17:30,000
saying nay. The motion is adopted

392
00:17:30,000 --> 00:17:34,310
unanimously.

393
00:17:34,320 --> 00:17:36,799
Article six, supplemental appropriations

394
00:17:36,799 --> 00:17:39,360
for fiscal 2026.

395
00:17:39,360 --> 00:17:40,559
May I have a motion in the form

396
00:17:40,559 --> 00:17:42,240
distributed to the meeting? Thank you.

397
00:17:42,240 --> 00:17:44,320
May I have a second? Motion has been

398
00:17:44,320 --> 00:17:46,480
made and seconded. requires a majority

399
00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:49,520
vote for adoption. Again, Michelle Liry.

400
00:17:49,520 --> 00:17:54,230
>> So, we are asking that $152,840,000

401
00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:56,960
be taken from sewer retained earnings um

402
00:17:56,960 --> 00:17:58,720
to fund the general fund reserve

403
00:17:58,720 --> 00:18:01,120
transfer. Um there was a transfer given

404
00:18:01,120 --> 00:18:05,039
um earlier this year for $152,840

405
00:18:05,039 --> 00:18:07,440
um for the membrane purchase. We're

406
00:18:07,440 --> 00:18:10,160
asking to refund the general fund for

407
00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:12,640
that amount. Um the next item is the

408
00:18:12,640 --> 00:18:15,360
transfer peg access funds cohasset 143

409
00:18:15,360 --> 00:18:18,080
TV. Um this is an annual article and

410
00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:23,909
we're asking for $114,42.51.

411
00:18:23,919 --> 00:18:26,160
Thank you. Uh the select board has

412
00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:28,000
recommended approval by a vote of 3 to

413
00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:29,760
0. Advisory committee recommended

414
00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:31,600
approval by a vote of 9 to zero. And the

415
00:18:31,600 --> 00:18:33,200
sewer commission recommended approval by

416
00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:35,679
a vote of two to zero. Is there

417
00:18:35,679 --> 00:18:38,080
discussion?

418
00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:39,840
We'll proceed to a voice vote. does

419
00:18:39,840 --> 00:18:41,600
require majority vote for adoption. All

420
00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:43,280
those in favor of the motion under

421
00:18:43,280 --> 00:18:45,600
article 6, please signify by saying I.

422
00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:46,640
>> I.

423
00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:48,240
>> All those opposed, please signify by

424
00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:50,320
saying nay.

425
00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:56,070
The motion is adopted unanimously.

426
00:18:56,080 --> 00:18:58,400
Article 7, stabilization and other

427
00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:01,039
special funds. May I have a motion in

428
00:19:01,039 --> 00:19:02,880
the form distributed to the meeting?

429
00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:04,559
Thank you. May I have a second? Thank

430
00:19:04,559 --> 00:19:06,080
you. The motion has been made and

431
00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:08,240
seconded. Does require majority vote for

432
00:19:08,240 --> 00:19:11,440
adoption. again, Michelle Liry. Okay.

433
00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:14,799
Um, we are looking to transfer $615,000

434
00:19:14,799 --> 00:19:17,039
from raise and appropriate and free cash

435
00:19:17,039 --> 00:19:23,430
to the OPED trust fund. $2,199,712

436
00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:25,600
transfer um through raise and

437
00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:27,280
appropriate and free cash to the capital

438
00:19:27,280 --> 00:19:30,480
stabilization fund and a transfer of

439
00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:32,799
$150,000 from the sewer betterment

440
00:19:32,799 --> 00:19:34,400
stabilization fund to the sewer

441
00:19:34,400 --> 00:19:37,760
enterprise fund and $900,000 through

442
00:19:37,760 --> 00:19:39,440
raise and appropriate and free cash to

443
00:19:39,440 --> 00:19:41,120
the roads and sidewalk stabilization

444
00:19:41,120 --> 00:19:43,520
fund.

445
00:19:43,520 --> 00:19:45,440
>> Thank you. The select board has

446
00:19:45,440 --> 00:19:47,200
recommended approval by a vote of three

447
00:19:47,200 --> 00:19:49,600
to zero. Advisory Committee has

448
00:19:49,600 --> 00:19:51,200
recommended approval by a vote of nine

449
00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:53,520
to zero and the sewer commission has

450
00:19:53,520 --> 00:19:55,120
recommended an approval by a vote of two

451
00:19:55,120 --> 00:19:59,200
to zero. Is there discussion?

452
00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:00,720
We'll proceed to a voice vote. The

453
00:20:00,720 --> 00:20:02,480
motion on article 7 does require

454
00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:04,640
majority vote for adoption. All those in

455
00:20:04,640 --> 00:20:07,760
favor, please signify by saying I. I.

456
00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:09,440
>> All those opposed, please signify by

457
00:20:09,440 --> 00:20:11,200
saying nay.

458
00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:17,510
The motion is adopted unanimously.

459
00:20:17,520 --> 00:20:20,400
Article 8, capital improvements budget.

460
00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:21,840
May I have a motion in the form

461
00:20:21,840 --> 00:20:23,919
distributed to the meeting? Thank you.

462
00:20:23,919 --> 00:20:25,840
May I have a second? Thank you. The

463
00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:28,400
motion has been made and seconded. It

464
00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:30,640
does require twothirds vote for adoption

465
00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:32,400
for the capital budget committee. I'll

466
00:20:32,400 --> 00:20:41,430
recognize Susan Franklin.

467
00:20:41,440 --> 00:20:43,840
» Good evening.

468
00:20:43,840 --> 00:20:45,679
I am Susan Franklin and I'm chair of the

469
00:20:45,679 --> 00:20:47,600
capital budget committee. I'm presenting

470
00:20:47,600 --> 00:20:50,400
article 8 capital improvements tonight.

471
00:20:50,400 --> 00:20:52,640
After internal town discussion, our

472
00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:55,120
committee was presented 2.7 million in

473
00:20:55,120 --> 00:20:56,960
capital projects and equipment for

474
00:20:56,960 --> 00:20:58,480
review.

475
00:20:58,480 --> 00:21:00,320
Presented here for your approval tonight

476
00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:03,039
is 1.2 million in fundings recommended

477
00:21:03,039 --> 00:21:05,840
by the capital budget committee. Needs

478
00:21:05,840 --> 00:21:09,039
for schools represent 55% of the total

479
00:21:09,039 --> 00:21:11,440
recommended items.

480
00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:14,640
44% in total are part of multi-year

481
00:21:14,640 --> 00:21:16,400
rollout programs like vehicle

482
00:21:16,400 --> 00:21:19,360
replacement and furniture and technology

483
00:21:19,360 --> 00:21:21,360
replacement programs utilized in the

484
00:21:21,360 --> 00:21:23,120
schools.

485
00:21:23,120 --> 00:21:24,960
Annual payments recommended for school

486
00:21:24,960 --> 00:21:27,039
buses are inclusive of use and

487
00:21:27,039 --> 00:21:28,720
maintenance under multi-year leasing

488
00:21:28,720 --> 00:21:31,679
programs.

489
00:21:31,679 --> 00:21:34,240
Uh there was a change in the motion uh

490
00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:36,720
noting that two of the items uh they're

491
00:21:36,720 --> 00:21:38,799
listed at a million2 that is the fire

492
00:21:38,799 --> 00:21:42,640
apparatus and the uh sweeper is listed

493
00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:45,039
at 336,000

494
00:21:45,039 --> 00:21:47,840
but we're uh asking just for the uh

495
00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:50,480
amount to fund the initial payments uh

496
00:21:50,480 --> 00:21:53,840
for those uh items which total

497
00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:58,230
approximately $400,000.

498
00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:01,200
Uh lastly, project 23 designed for Elm

499
00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:03,679
Street. Those funds will be turned back

500
00:22:03,679 --> 00:22:06,159
to the capital stabilization fund in the

501
00:22:06,159 --> 00:22:09,360
event that article 23 does not pass.

502
00:22:09,360 --> 00:22:11,200
Thank you.

503
00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:13,600
Uh the select board has

504
00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:15,200
recommended approval by a vote of three

505
00:22:15,200 --> 00:22:17,840
to zero. For the advisory committee,

506
00:22:17,840 --> 00:22:32,230
I'll recognize Mike Barkley.

507
00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:34,240
Good evening. Mike Barklay, 100 Elm

508
00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:35,840
Street. On behalf of the advisory

509
00:22:35,840 --> 00:22:38,000
committee, um, first I'd like to commend

510
00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:39,919
the capital committee for the excellent

511
00:22:39,919 --> 00:22:42,400
job. They are tasked with a difficult

512
00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:45,200
job of allocating a a limited amount of

513
00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:49,039
funds across a really wide need

514
00:22:49,039 --> 00:22:51,520
range of needs for the town. And the

515
00:22:51,520 --> 00:22:53,679
budget you see before you is really a

516
00:22:53,679 --> 00:22:56,880
microcosm of how capital needs should be

517
00:22:56,880 --> 00:23:00,480
planned short, medium, and long term. Uh

518
00:23:00,480 --> 00:23:03,200
this budget addresses needs across the

519
00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:05,840
town. Um and you know, truthfully, we

520
00:23:05,840 --> 00:23:08,320
remain in catch-up mode on our capital

521
00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:10,799
budget because for about a decade, the

522
00:23:10,799 --> 00:23:13,520
budget did not grow yet.

523
00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:16,720
equipment aged, assets got older, they

524
00:23:16,720 --> 00:23:19,520
needed to be replaced, and unfortunately

525
00:23:19,520 --> 00:23:22,159
the uh the budget was static. So, uh we

526
00:23:22,159 --> 00:23:24,159
really are in catch-up mode. The one

527
00:23:24,159 --> 00:23:26,559
thing I would say that uh what you saw

528
00:23:26,559 --> 00:23:29,039
in article seven with the uh special

529
00:23:29,039 --> 00:23:31,679
purpose stabilization fund for uh street

530
00:23:31,679 --> 00:23:33,919
you know roads and sidewalks those have

531
00:23:33,919 --> 00:23:36,000
really proven to be a very nice

532
00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:37,919
supplement to the budget that have

533
00:23:37,919 --> 00:23:40,720
allowed us to extend um you know the

534
00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:42,720
capital budget to other areas that are

535
00:23:42,720 --> 00:23:45,039
in need. The advisory committee has

536
00:23:45,039 --> 00:23:47,919
reviewed all 23 of these. We agree with

537
00:23:47,919 --> 00:23:49,919
the recommendation of the capital

538
00:23:49,919 --> 00:23:52,640
committee by a unanimous vote and we

539
00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:55,039
hope you agree. Thank you.

540
00:23:55,039 --> 00:23:57,840
>> Thank you. I'll recognize Mr. Leland

541
00:23:57,840 --> 00:23:59,120
Jenkins.

542
00:23:59,120 --> 00:24:02,240
>> Leland Jenkins, Jerusalem Road. All the

543
00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:04,880
years I've lived here, we have had three

544
00:24:04,880 --> 00:24:06,400
pumpers,

545
00:24:06,400 --> 00:24:08,400
which we only have enough manpower to

546
00:24:08,400 --> 00:24:11,200
run one pumper. The pumper that's being

547
00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:14,720
taken offline is been sitting in the in

548
00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:18,240
the uh uh fire department garage, I

549
00:24:18,240 --> 00:24:19,919
believe, for seven years without being

550
00:24:19,919 --> 00:24:21,600
used.

551
00:24:21,600 --> 00:24:24,480
Number one, when we bought number one

552
00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:28,640
seven years ago, why do we have

553
00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:31,039
three pumpers? Absolutely. I can't

554
00:24:31,039 --> 00:24:35,279
understand why. And uh I think when

555
00:24:35,279 --> 00:24:36,799
number two comes up, we should be

556
00:24:36,799 --> 00:24:38,559
replacing number two, not number three.

557
00:24:38,559 --> 00:24:39,919
should not be in that

558
00:24:39,919 --> 00:24:42,400
garage. But could somebody answer my

559
00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:44,000
question?

560
00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:52,070
>> Mr. Someone. Yes.

561
00:24:52,080 --> 00:24:54,400
» Good evening. John Dockray, fire chief,

562
00:24:54,400 --> 00:24:57,279
26 Northark Road. Yes, we do have three

563
00:24:57,279 --> 00:24:59,200
fire engines. Under the national

564
00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:01,600
standard, a typical response for any

565
00:25:01,600 --> 00:25:03,679
kind of fire in a single family home is

566
00:25:03,679 --> 00:25:05,760
two engines. When one of those two

567
00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:07,679
engines is out of service, we put the

568
00:25:07,679 --> 00:25:09,679
third engine in service. We maintain two

569
00:25:09,679 --> 00:25:12,240
operating engines at both at all times.

570
00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:14,000
Also, when one of our two primary

571
00:25:14,000 --> 00:25:15,919
engines is out of service due to

572
00:25:15,919 --> 00:25:17,840
mechanical issues like we had last week,

573
00:25:17,840 --> 00:25:19,919
engine one blew a coolant hose was out

574
00:25:19,919 --> 00:25:22,159
of service for two days. Engine 3 went

575
00:25:22,159 --> 00:25:24,559
into service during the blizzard of

576
00:25:24,559 --> 00:25:27,600
February. Engine 3 was staffed and

577
00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:29,919
responded to numerous incidents during

578
00:25:29,919 --> 00:25:31,120
the blizzard. Matter of fact, the

579
00:25:31,120 --> 00:25:33,360
department responded about 75 runs in a

580
00:25:33,360 --> 00:25:36,799
24-h hour period. Also, when one of our

581
00:25:36,799 --> 00:25:38,720
primary engines responds mutual aid to

582
00:25:38,720 --> 00:25:41,200
another community for a building fire,

583
00:25:41,200 --> 00:25:43,279
we will call back offduty members who

584
00:25:43,279 --> 00:25:45,440
will come back and staff engine three or

585
00:25:45,440 --> 00:25:47,600
the reserve engine and put the town back

586
00:25:47,600 --> 00:25:49,360
into proper coverage to respond if

587
00:25:49,360 --> 00:25:52,159
there's an incident in the town. So, we

588
00:25:52,159 --> 00:25:54,799
need the three engines. One, the first

589
00:25:54,799 --> 00:25:56,880
two are primary and the third is is a

590
00:25:56,880 --> 00:26:01,120
reserve backup that does get used a lot.

591
00:26:01,120 --> 00:26:02,960
Thank you,

592
00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:04,159
>> Mr. Jenkins.

593
00:26:04,159 --> 00:26:05,919
>> How many hours does that have on in

594
00:26:05,919 --> 00:26:08,400
seven years?

595
00:26:08,400 --> 00:26:09,840
>> Sitting there for seven years. How many

596
00:26:09,840 --> 00:26:10,559
hours?

597
00:26:10,559 --> 00:26:12,960
>> Let's be careful about engaging in a

598
00:26:12,960 --> 00:26:14,159
collically. Go ahead.

599
00:26:14,159 --> 00:26:16,080
>> I'm sorry. I don't have the total hours

600
00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:20,240
off the top of my head. Um, but it's

601
00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:25,440
probably close to 50 or 60,000 hours.

602
00:26:25,440 --> 00:26:26,799
>> Thank The truck has been the truck has

603
00:26:26,799 --> 00:26:29,039
been in service for 25 years under the

604
00:26:29,039 --> 00:26:31,440
national standards. Uh the truck service

605
00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:33,440
life the first 10 to 15 years serves as

606
00:26:33,440 --> 00:26:35,360
a primary piece for the community and

607
00:26:35,360 --> 00:26:38,000
then the next 10 years serves as a

608
00:26:38,000 --> 00:26:41,360
reserve piece. Thank you. Is there

609
00:26:41,360 --> 00:26:45,110
further discussion?

610
00:26:45,120 --> 00:26:47,440
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Motion

611
00:26:47,440 --> 00:26:50,320
under article 8 does require twothirds

612
00:26:50,320 --> 00:26:52,960
vote for adoption. All those in favor of

613
00:26:52,960 --> 00:26:54,480
the motion under article 8, please

614
00:26:54,480 --> 00:26:57,120
signify by saying I. I.

615
00:26:57,120 --> 00:26:58,720
>> All those opposed, please signify by

616
00:26:58,720 --> 00:27:01,039
saying nay.

617
00:27:01,039 --> 00:27:06,549
>> Motion is adopted unanimously.

618
00:27:06,559 --> 00:27:08,640
» Article 9, allocation of funds for

619
00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:10,799
one-time cost. May I have a motion in

620
00:27:10,799 --> 00:27:12,640
the form distributed to the meeting?

621
00:27:12,640 --> 00:27:15,039
Thank you. May I have a second? Uh, does

622
00:27:15,039 --> 00:27:17,679
require majority vote for adoption. I'll

623
00:27:17,679 --> 00:27:19,360
recognize our interim town manager,

624
00:27:19,360 --> 00:27:29,029
Michelle Liry.

625
00:27:29,039 --> 00:27:31,039
So, article 9, allocation of funds for

626
00:27:31,039 --> 00:27:32,880
onetime costs. What we're looking for is

627
00:27:32,880 --> 00:27:36,240
to transfer $75,000 from cemetery sale

628
00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:39,760
of graves to cemetery maintenance. We're

629
00:27:39,760 --> 00:27:43,279
also looking to fund $10,000 from the

630
00:27:43,279 --> 00:27:45,279
waterways repairs to the harbor master

631
00:27:45,279 --> 00:27:49,600
account. Um, we're funding FY232 24 and

632
00:27:49,600 --> 00:27:52,000
25 excise tax that's been owed to the

633
00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:56,080
waterways fund in the amount of $24,1625

634
00:27:56,080 --> 00:27:58,640
from free cash to the waterways fund.

635
00:27:58,640 --> 00:28:00,960
We're also funding early retire teacher

636
00:28:00,960 --> 00:28:02,480
early retirements in the amount of

637
00:28:02,480 --> 00:28:04,720
$84,156

638
00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:07,760
from free cash to the school budget. And

639
00:28:07,760 --> 00:28:09,919
we're looking to fund new electrical

640
00:28:09,919 --> 00:28:11,919
code inspections for all town buildings

641
00:28:11,919 --> 00:28:14,880
in the amount of $63,65

642
00:28:14,880 --> 00:28:18,159
from free cash to the facilities budget.

643
00:28:18,159 --> 00:28:20,159
>> Thank you. The select board has

644
00:28:20,159 --> 00:28:22,159
recommended approval by a vote of 3 to

645
00:28:22,159 --> 00:28:23,760
zero. The advisory committee has

646
00:28:23,760 --> 00:28:25,600
recommended approval by a vote of 9 to

647
00:28:25,600 --> 00:28:29,990
zero. Is there discussion?

648
00:28:30,000 --> 00:28:31,600
We'll proceed to a voice vote. A motion

649
00:28:31,600 --> 00:28:34,080
under article 9 requires majority vote

650
00:28:34,080 --> 00:28:35,919
for adoption. All those in favor, please

651
00:28:35,919 --> 00:28:38,320
signify by saying I. I.

652
00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:39,840
>> All those opposed, please signify by

653
00:28:39,840 --> 00:28:41,760
saying nay.

654
00:28:41,760 --> 00:28:47,990
The motion is adopted unanimously.

655
00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:50,720
Article 10, Departmental revolving funds

656
00:28:50,720 --> 00:28:52,880
annual spending limits. May I have a

657
00:28:52,880 --> 00:28:54,240
motion in the form distributed to the

658
00:28:54,240 --> 00:28:56,559
meeting? Thank you. May I have a second?

659
00:28:56,559 --> 00:28:58,480
Thank you. The motion has been made and

660
00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:00,399
seconded. Requires a majority vote for

661
00:29:00,399 --> 00:29:04,000
adoption. I'll recognize Michelle Liry.

662
00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:06,960
Um so article 10 um we are looking to

663
00:29:06,960 --> 00:29:08,960
set the annual spending limits for the

664
00:29:08,960 --> 00:29:12,080
departmental revolving funds. Um we're

665
00:29:12,080 --> 00:29:13,679
looking to keep these limits um

666
00:29:13,679 --> 00:29:15,919
remaining in effect from year to year

667
00:29:15,919 --> 00:29:18,880
unless amended by um town meeting vote.

668
00:29:18,880 --> 00:29:21,440
This is a housekeeping article.

669
00:29:21,440 --> 00:29:23,279
>> Thank you. The select board has

670
00:29:23,279 --> 00:29:25,200
recommended approval by a vote of 3 to

671
00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:27,760
zero. The advisory committee likewise re

672
00:29:27,760 --> 00:29:29,600
recommends approval by a vote of 9 to

673
00:29:29,600 --> 00:29:33,360
zero. Is there discussion?

674
00:29:33,360 --> 00:29:35,120
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Motion on

675
00:29:35,120 --> 00:29:36,960
article 10 does require majority vote

676
00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:38,559
for adoption. All those in favor, please

677
00:29:38,559 --> 00:29:40,960
signify by saying I. I.

678
00:29:40,960 --> 00:29:42,480
>> All those opposed, please signify by

679
00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:44,720
saying nay.

680
00:29:44,720 --> 00:29:49,990
The motion is adopted unanimously.

681
00:29:50,000 --> 00:29:52,240
Article 11, Massachusetts General Laws,

682
00:29:52,240 --> 00:29:54,480
Chapter 91 liability. May I have a

683
00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:55,840
motion in the form distributed to the

684
00:29:55,840 --> 00:29:58,080
meeting? Thank you. May I have a second?

685
00:29:58,080 --> 00:29:59,520
Thank you. The motion has been made and

686
00:29:59,520 --> 00:30:01,200
seconded. Requires majority vote for

687
00:30:01,200 --> 00:30:04,240
adoption. Recognize Michelle Liry. Okay.

688
00:30:04,240 --> 00:30:07,279
>> Article 11 um MassGL chapter 91

689
00:30:07,279 --> 00:30:09,600
liability. This is an annual article

690
00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:11,520
again and is a prerequisite for state

691
00:30:11,520 --> 00:30:13,279
funds to perform work in the Cohassid

692
00:30:13,279 --> 00:30:16,320
Harbor and along the shoreline.

693
00:30:16,320 --> 00:30:18,000
>> Thank you. The select board has

694
00:30:18,000 --> 00:30:19,840
recommended approval by a vote of 3 to

695
00:30:19,840 --> 00:30:21,520
zero. The advisory committee has

696
00:30:21,520 --> 00:30:23,679
recommended approval by a vote of 8 to

697
00:30:23,679 --> 00:30:27,919
zero. Is there discussion?

698
00:30:27,919 --> 00:30:29,279
We'll proceed to a voice vote under

699
00:30:29,279 --> 00:30:31,279
article 11 requires majority vote for

700
00:30:31,279 --> 00:30:33,120
adoption. All those in favor, please

701
00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:35,600
signify by saying I. I.

702
00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:37,120
>> All those opposed, please signify by

703
00:30:37,120 --> 00:30:38,960
saying nay.

704
00:30:38,960 --> 00:30:44,149
The motion is adopted unanimously.

705
00:30:44,159 --> 00:30:46,000
Article 12, additional real estate

706
00:30:46,000 --> 00:30:47,919
exemptions annual renewal. May I have a

707
00:30:47,919 --> 00:30:49,279
motion in the form distributed to the

708
00:30:49,279 --> 00:30:51,679
meeting? Thank you. May I have a second?

709
00:30:51,679 --> 00:30:53,279
Thank you. The motion has been made and

710
00:30:53,279 --> 00:30:54,960
seconded. requires majority vote for

711
00:30:54,960 --> 00:30:57,279
adoption. For the board of assessors,

712
00:30:57,279 --> 00:31:06,470
I'll recognize Patrick Kennedy.

713
00:31:06,480 --> 00:31:09,039
» Good evening. I'm Patrick Kennedy, 59

714
00:31:09,039 --> 00:31:10,720
Jerusalem Road Drive, chair of the board

715
00:31:10,720 --> 00:31:13,039
of assessors. The next two articles are

716
00:31:13,039 --> 00:31:15,039
essentially housekeeping articles as

717
00:31:15,039 --> 00:31:19,279
well. Um, Massernal Laws Chapter 59

718
00:31:19,279 --> 00:31:21,919
section 5 has many provisions that

719
00:31:21,919 --> 00:31:23,440
classify

720
00:31:23,440 --> 00:31:26,320
uses of property and classifications of

721
00:31:26,320 --> 00:31:29,039
types of property as being exempt or

722
00:31:29,039 --> 00:31:32,640
possibly uh eligible for deferment of

723
00:31:32,640 --> 00:31:35,840
real estate taxes. The provisions of

724
00:31:35,840 --> 00:31:40,399
article 11, I'm sorry, 12 are exemptions

725
00:31:40,399 --> 00:31:44,320
for uh armed service members,

726
00:31:44,320 --> 00:31:47,600
certain low-income elderly residents and

727
00:31:47,600 --> 00:31:50,880
also legally blind persons. Applicants

728
00:31:50,880 --> 00:31:53,840
have to meet the qualifications and in

729
00:31:53,840 --> 00:31:55,360
order for those exemptions to be

730
00:31:55,360 --> 00:31:58,240
eligible to them, the town under a local

731
00:31:58,240 --> 00:32:00,159
option initiative has to adopt those

732
00:32:00,159 --> 00:32:03,360
provisions. So 12 is to adopt certain

733
00:32:03,360 --> 00:32:04,960
exemptions

734
00:32:04,960 --> 00:32:09,200
and 13 is to adopt local option force

735
00:32:09,200 --> 00:32:12,559
deferments of elderly residents,

736
00:32:12,559 --> 00:32:14,720
longtime residents who meet and certain

737
00:32:14,720 --> 00:32:17,840
income test. Um and this is also to

738
00:32:17,840 --> 00:32:20,000
raise the income threshold for those

739
00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:22,480
eligible for that deferment.

740
00:32:22,480 --> 00:32:24,960
Thank you. The select board recommends

741
00:32:24,960 --> 00:32:26,799
approval of the motion under article 12

742
00:32:26,799 --> 00:32:28,880
by a vote of 3 to zero. Advisory

743
00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:30,399
Committee recommends approval by a vote

744
00:32:30,399 --> 00:32:32,799
of 8 to zero. Board of assessors

745
00:32:32,799 --> 00:32:34,320
recommends approval by a vote of two to

746
00:32:34,320 --> 00:32:37,279
zero. Is there discussion?

747
00:32:37,279 --> 00:32:38,960
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Motion on

748
00:32:38,960 --> 00:32:41,200
article 12 requires majority vote for

749
00:32:41,200 --> 00:32:43,279
adoption. All those in favor, please

750
00:32:43,279 --> 00:32:45,200
signify by saying I.

751
00:32:45,200 --> 00:32:47,440
>> I. All those opposed, please signify by

752
00:32:47,440 --> 00:32:49,200
saying nay.

753
00:32:49,200 --> 00:32:53,039
The motion is adopted unanimously.

754
00:32:53,039 --> 00:32:55,360
Article 13, Massachusetts General Laws,

755
00:32:55,360 --> 00:32:59,039
Chapter 59, Section 5, Clause 41A. May I

756
00:32:59,039 --> 00:33:00,559
have a motion in the form distributed to

757
00:33:00,559 --> 00:33:02,320
the meeting? Thank you. May I have a

758
00:33:02,320 --> 00:33:03,120
second?

759
00:33:03,120 --> 00:33:04,799
>> Thank you. The motion has been made and

760
00:33:04,799 --> 00:33:07,120
seconded. Does require majority vote for

761
00:33:07,120 --> 00:33:08,640
adoption again for the board of

762
00:33:08,640 --> 00:33:11,360
successors, Patrick Kennedy. I

763
00:33:11,360 --> 00:33:13,360
introduced article 13 a minute ago. It's

764
00:33:13,360 --> 00:33:15,760
deferments for elderly longtime

765
00:33:15,760 --> 00:33:18,480
residents who meet an income low income

766
00:33:18,480 --> 00:33:20,720
threshold. This raises the income

767
00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:23,519
threshold to the cir circuit breaker

768
00:33:23,519 --> 00:33:26,399
limit set by the state.

769
00:33:26,399 --> 00:33:28,240
>> Thank you. Uh the select board

770
00:33:28,240 --> 00:33:30,000
recommends approval by a vote of 3 to

771
00:33:30,000 --> 00:33:31,679
zero. Advisory committee recommends

772
00:33:31,679 --> 00:33:33,519
approval by a vote of 8 to zero. And the

773
00:33:33,519 --> 00:33:35,120
board of assessors recommends approval

774
00:33:35,120 --> 00:33:37,360
by a vote of 3 to zero. Is there any

775
00:33:37,360 --> 00:33:39,840
discussion?

776
00:33:39,840 --> 00:33:41,440
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Motion

777
00:33:41,440 --> 00:33:43,519
under article 13 does require majority

778
00:33:43,519 --> 00:33:45,039
vote for adoption. All those in favor,

779
00:33:45,039 --> 00:33:46,799
please signify by saying I.

780
00:33:46,799 --> 00:33:49,120
>> I. All those opposed, please signify by

781
00:33:49,120 --> 00:33:51,840
saying nay. The motion is adopted

782
00:33:51,840 --> 00:33:56,310
unanimously.

783
00:33:56,320 --> 00:33:59,200
Article 14, recision of authorized but

784
00:33:59,200 --> 00:34:01,600
unissued debt. May I have a motion in

785
00:34:01,600 --> 00:34:03,360
the form distributed to the meeting?

786
00:34:03,360 --> 00:34:05,600
Thank you. May I have a second? Motion

787
00:34:05,600 --> 00:34:07,600
has been made and seconded. Requires a

788
00:34:07,600 --> 00:34:09,760
majority vote for adoption. I'll

789
00:34:09,760 --> 00:34:11,679
recognize our interim town manager,

790
00:34:11,679 --> 00:34:13,599
Michelle Liry.

791
00:34:13,599 --> 00:34:16,480
Article 14 um to see if the town will

792
00:34:16,480 --> 00:34:19,280
vote to resend the balance of $3.3

793
00:34:19,280 --> 00:34:21,919
million in authorized but unissued debt

794
00:34:21,919 --> 00:34:24,079
previously authorized under at a article

795
00:34:24,079 --> 00:34:27,760
9 on May 2021 annual town meeting. This

796
00:34:27,760 --> 00:34:29,839
was for a gak system for the water

797
00:34:29,839 --> 00:34:33,040
treatment plant.

798
00:34:33,040 --> 00:34:34,960
>> Thank you. Uh the select board

799
00:34:34,960 --> 00:34:36,639
recommends approval by a vote of three

800
00:34:36,639 --> 00:34:39,040
to zero. Advisory committee recommends

801
00:34:39,040 --> 00:34:41,040
approval by a vote of 9 to zero. The

802
00:34:41,040 --> 00:34:42,480
capital budget committee recommends our

803
00:34:42,480 --> 00:34:45,440
approval by a vote of 5 to zero.

804
00:34:45,440 --> 00:34:48,480
Is there any discussion?

805
00:34:48,480 --> 00:34:50,000
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Requires

806
00:34:50,000 --> 00:34:51,839
majority vote for adoption. All those in

807
00:34:51,839 --> 00:34:53,599
favor of the motion under article 14,

808
00:34:53,599 --> 00:34:56,320
please signify by saying I.

809
00:34:56,320 --> 00:34:57,839
>> All those opposed, please signify by

810
00:34:57,839 --> 00:34:59,760
saying nay.

811
00:34:59,760 --> 00:35:05,349
The motion is adopted unanimously.

812
00:35:05,359 --> 00:35:07,599
Article 15 cohasset water rate

813
00:35:07,599 --> 00:35:09,760
structure. May I have a motion in the

814
00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:11,520
form distributed to the meeting? Thank

815
00:35:11,520 --> 00:35:13,599
you. May I have a second? Thank you. The

816
00:35:13,599 --> 00:35:15,599
motion has been made and seconded.

817
00:35:15,599 --> 00:35:17,760
Requires a majority vote for adoption

818
00:35:17,760 --> 00:35:19,359
for the water commission. I'll recognize

819
00:35:19,359 --> 00:35:22,240
Chris Pratt. Thank you. Uh good evening.

820
00:35:22,240 --> 00:35:23,760
My name is Chris Pratt. I'm the chair of

821
00:35:23,760 --> 00:35:26,560
the KASA Water Commission. Uh this is

822
00:35:26,560 --> 00:35:29,359
article 15, the proposed water rate

823
00:35:29,359 --> 00:35:31,760
structure for the KASA Water Department.

824
00:35:31,760 --> 00:35:33,760
So tonight, I'll briefly walk through

825
00:35:33,760 --> 00:35:35,760
what's being proposed, why it's

826
00:35:35,760 --> 00:35:38,000
necessary, and what it means for us, the

827
00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:41,270
residents.

828
00:35:41,280 --> 00:35:43,440
So we're proposing a 5-year rate plan

829
00:35:43,440 --> 00:35:46,720
with approximately a 4% annual increase.

830
00:35:46,720 --> 00:35:49,359
This applies to base fees, uses, usage

831
00:35:49,359 --> 00:35:51,599
tiers, fire service fees, and other

832
00:35:51,599 --> 00:35:54,000
rates. The goal is to create a

833
00:35:54,000 --> 00:35:56,560
predictable and stable rate path rather

834
00:35:56,560 --> 00:36:00,480
than larger sudden increases.

835
00:36:00,480 --> 00:36:02,480
So why? As you know, the water

836
00:36:02,480 --> 00:36:04,240
department operates as an enterprise

837
00:36:04,240 --> 00:36:05,760
fund.

838
00:36:05,760 --> 00:36:07,440
That means that we're fully funded by

839
00:36:07,440 --> 00:36:10,480
our rate revenue and not by taxes.

840
00:36:10,480 --> 00:36:12,640
The revenue supports operations,

841
00:36:12,640 --> 00:36:16,000
maintenance, regulatory requirements,

842
00:36:16,000 --> 00:36:18,400
and infrastructure investments. This is

843
00:36:18,400 --> 00:36:21,040
a cost of service model, meaning our

844
00:36:21,040 --> 00:36:23,440
rates are set based on actual costs to

845
00:36:23,440 --> 00:36:25,920
run the system, pay debt service, and

846
00:36:25,920 --> 00:36:29,119
keep the department financially solid.

847
00:36:29,119 --> 00:36:31,200
We're also responding to increasing

848
00:36:31,200 --> 00:36:33,280
regulatory requirements and ongoing

849
00:36:33,280 --> 00:36:35,680
water quality challenges which continue

850
00:36:35,680 --> 00:36:37,440
to drive the cost of operating the

851
00:36:37,440 --> 00:36:40,550
department.

852
00:36:40,560 --> 00:36:42,480
A little bit more of the why is that our

853
00:36:42,480 --> 00:36:46,000
operating expenses are increasing.

854
00:36:46,000 --> 00:36:48,000
And importantly, these sustained

855
00:36:48,000 --> 00:36:50,560
increases we're seeing year-over-year,

856
00:36:50,560 --> 00:36:53,200
not one-time spikes. Over the past five

857
00:36:53,200 --> 00:36:56,400
years, sludge removal and disposal has

858
00:36:56,400 --> 00:36:58,800
increased nearly 9%.

859
00:36:58,800 --> 00:37:00,960
Chemical treatment and lab testing is up

860
00:37:00,960 --> 00:37:04,400
nine and a half%. Contracted services

861
00:37:04,400 --> 00:37:07,920
are up nearly 10%. Utilities are up

862
00:37:07,920 --> 00:37:11,599
close to 9%. And these categories alone

863
00:37:11,599 --> 00:37:14,160
represent approximately 72% of our

864
00:37:14,160 --> 00:37:16,320
operating expenses.

865
00:37:16,320 --> 00:37:17,760
Overall, the water department's

866
00:37:17,760 --> 00:37:19,359
operating expenses are increasing by

867
00:37:19,359 --> 00:37:22,079
about 4.4% annually.

868
00:37:22,079 --> 00:37:23,920
When they increase at this level, it has

869
00:37:23,920 --> 00:37:26,160
a direct and material impact on the

870
00:37:26,160 --> 00:37:28,560
department. So, the proposed 4%

871
00:37:28,560 --> 00:37:30,640
adjustment is simply keeping pace with

872
00:37:30,640 --> 00:37:36,390
our expenses and not exceeding them.

873
00:37:36,400 --> 00:37:38,800
With the ongoing cost pressures, rate

874
00:37:38,800 --> 00:37:40,960
considerations, and future planning, the

875
00:37:40,960 --> 00:37:42,720
water commission remains strongly

876
00:37:42,720 --> 00:37:44,800
focused on financial management and

877
00:37:44,800 --> 00:37:46,960
fiscal responsibility.

878
00:37:46,960 --> 00:37:48,720
We're actively managing expenses through

879
00:37:48,720 --> 00:37:50,480
disciplined budgeting and procurement

880
00:37:50,480 --> 00:37:52,880
practices. We're maintaining strong

881
00:37:52,880 --> 00:37:54,480
retained earnings to help stabilize

882
00:37:54,480 --> 00:37:57,359
rates and support future investments.

883
00:37:57,359 --> 00:37:58,640
And we're building a financial

884
00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:00,240
foundation to responsibly plan for

885
00:38:00,240 --> 00:38:02,240
what's ahead for the department, for the

886
00:38:02,240 --> 00:38:03,760
water system, and for the town of

887
00:38:03,760 --> 00:38:08,710
Quasset.

888
00:38:08,720 --> 00:38:11,680
So again, what it means for us, you can

889
00:38:11,680 --> 00:38:13,760
find the full rate table on page 16 of

890
00:38:13,760 --> 00:38:16,640
the warrant. So for a typical household

891
00:38:16,640 --> 00:38:18,720
which has a 1-in meter which is the

892
00:38:18,720 --> 00:38:20,800
majority of households and for the

893
00:38:20,800 --> 00:38:23,359
average annual usage

894
00:38:23,359 --> 00:38:25,599
the usage portion will increase by about

895
00:38:25,599 --> 00:38:29,599
$9 per quarter or $36 per year. The

896
00:38:29,599 --> 00:38:32,160
typical residential base fee which is a

897
00:38:32,160 --> 00:38:34,079
critical component to help cover our

898
00:38:34,079 --> 00:38:36,640
fixed costs will increase approximately

899
00:38:36,640 --> 00:38:40,560
$8 per quarter or $32 a year. So that

900
00:38:40,560 --> 00:38:42,079
resulted in an overall impact of

901
00:38:42,079 --> 00:38:44,640
approximately $68 per year for the

902
00:38:44,640 --> 00:38:47,040
typical user. Of course, this is simply

903
00:38:47,040 --> 00:38:49,760
an example for a typical user and the

904
00:38:49,760 --> 00:38:52,160
usage costs will vary based on your

905
00:38:52,160 --> 00:38:56,630
household and your usage behaviors.

906
00:38:56,640 --> 00:38:59,440
So what's ahead and why we're doing

907
00:38:59,440 --> 00:39:01,680
this? The town of Cohasset and the water

908
00:39:01,680 --> 00:39:03,440
department are entering a very exciting

909
00:39:03,440 --> 00:39:06,560
and transformative period of time. We've

910
00:39:06,560 --> 00:39:08,480
begun a generational investment in the

911
00:39:08,480 --> 00:39:12,079
Cohass in Cohassets water system.

912
00:39:12,079 --> 00:39:14,720
Currently, our Lily Pond water treatment

913
00:39:14,720 --> 00:39:17,440
plant is approaching 50 years old. It's

914
00:39:17,440 --> 00:39:20,560
und sized. It underperforms and it has

915
00:39:20,560 --> 00:39:21,920
effectively reached the end of its

916
00:39:21,920 --> 00:39:25,040
useful life. Our residuals management

917
00:39:25,040 --> 00:39:27,839
area, also known as sludge lagoons, is

918
00:39:27,839 --> 00:39:30,240
undersized, very costly, and it's a

919
00:39:30,240 --> 00:39:32,880
contributor to our treatment challenges.

920
00:39:32,880 --> 00:39:34,960
Due to this, we've begun the early

921
00:39:34,960 --> 00:39:36,480
stages of the largest public

922
00:39:36,480 --> 00:39:38,240
infrastructure investment in coast

923
00:39:38,240 --> 00:39:39,920
history.

924
00:39:39,920 --> 00:39:42,320
First, the renovation and expans

925
00:39:42,320 --> 00:39:45,359
expansion of our residuals area. We're

926
00:39:45,359 --> 00:39:47,040
now nearing completion of the design

927
00:39:47,040 --> 00:39:49,440
phase of the new residuals management

928
00:39:49,440 --> 00:39:50,960
area and look forward to begin

929
00:39:50,960 --> 00:39:53,200
construction process on the new lagoons

930
00:39:53,200 --> 00:39:55,119
in the near future.

931
00:39:55,119 --> 00:39:57,200
Second, we're in the beginning stages of

932
00:39:57,200 --> 00:39:59,520
the piloting process, the design and

933
00:39:59,520 --> 00:40:01,520
construction of a new modern treatment

934
00:40:01,520 --> 00:40:03,760
plant. A treatment plant which will

935
00:40:03,760 --> 00:40:05,200
support the town's water needs for

936
00:40:05,200 --> 00:40:09,589
decades and generations to come.

937
00:40:09,599 --> 00:40:11,200
This rate structure presented tonight

938
00:40:11,200 --> 00:40:12,880
allows us to pursue those objectives

939
00:40:12,880 --> 00:40:15,119
responsibly. We respectfully ask for

940
00:40:15,119 --> 00:40:18,400
your support for article 15. Thank you.

941
00:40:18,400 --> 00:40:20,880
>> Thank you. The select board has

942
00:40:20,880 --> 00:40:22,560
recommended approval by a vote of three

943
00:40:22,560 --> 00:40:25,040
to zero. Advisory Committee reckons

944
00:40:25,040 --> 00:40:26,640
mends approval by a vote of nine to

945
00:40:26,640 --> 00:40:28,800
zero. The water commission recommends

946
00:40:28,800 --> 00:40:31,040
approval by a vote of three to zero. Is

947
00:40:31,040 --> 00:40:34,550
there discussion?

948
00:40:34,560 --> 00:40:36,400
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Requires

949
00:40:36,400 --> 00:40:37,760
majority vote for adoption.

950
00:40:37,760 --> 00:40:38,720
>> I have one question for Chris.

951
00:40:38,720 --> 00:40:39,599
>> I'm sorry. Go ahead.

952
00:40:39,599 --> 00:40:42,000
>> No problem. Uh Jennifer Chu, 25 Virginia

953
00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:45,280
Lane. Hi Chris. Um so my only question

954
00:40:45,280 --> 00:40:48,000
for you is what kind of improvement can

955
00:40:48,000 --> 00:40:50,079
we see in our water quality with the new

956
00:40:50,079 --> 00:40:53,839
treatment plant and um how will that

957
00:40:53,839 --> 00:40:55,920
impact you know will it or will it

958
00:40:55,920 --> 00:40:57,839
impact if we see you know if we have PAS

959
00:40:57,839 --> 00:41:01,359
in the water or other

960
00:41:01,359 --> 00:41:04,000
kind of a things that we don't want in

961
00:41:04,000 --> 00:41:04,560
it.

962
00:41:04,560 --> 00:41:07,760
>> So ultimately the the treatment plant is

963
00:41:07,760 --> 00:41:09,839
being designed and constructed to solve

964
00:41:09,839 --> 00:41:11,760
those water quality problems that exist

965
00:41:11,760 --> 00:41:13,839
today. uh when the plant was built

966
00:41:13,839 --> 00:41:16,720
almost 50 years ago, PAS was not even a

967
00:41:16,720 --> 00:41:18,079
term. People didn't know about it. It

968
00:41:18,079 --> 00:41:19,200
wasn't studied. We didn't know the

969
00:41:19,200 --> 00:41:22,000
effects of it. Um amongst other things

970
00:41:22,000 --> 00:41:25,839
that are uh being regulated today. So 50

971
00:41:25,839 --> 00:41:27,280
years later after the current treatment

972
00:41:27,280 --> 00:41:29,599
plant was built, regulation has changed,

973
00:41:29,599 --> 00:41:32,000
water quality standards have changed. Um

974
00:41:32,000 --> 00:41:33,920
and the fact is we have an undersized

975
00:41:33,920 --> 00:41:35,599
plant currently and we have a very

976
00:41:35,599 --> 00:41:37,680
difficult raw water source to treat. We

977
00:41:37,680 --> 00:41:39,440
have high organics and it's a shallow

978
00:41:39,440 --> 00:41:42,160
pond. In fact, it is a pond. um unlike

979
00:41:42,160 --> 00:41:43,839
larger reservoirs and other bodies of

980
00:41:43,839 --> 00:41:46,319
water. So ultimately the long-term

981
00:41:46,319 --> 00:41:47,760
solution, the best thing for the town of

982
00:41:47,760 --> 00:41:49,839
Kassacet is to invest in a new treatment

983
00:41:49,839 --> 00:41:50,880
plant.

984
00:41:50,880 --> 00:41:52,560
>> Awesome. Thank you so much. I appreciate

985
00:41:52,560 --> 00:41:53,599
it.

986
00:41:53,599 --> 00:41:57,839
>> Thank you. Is there further discussion?

987
00:41:57,839 --> 00:41:59,440
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Article

988
00:41:59,440 --> 00:42:01,200
15 does require majority vote for

989
00:42:01,200 --> 00:42:03,599
adoption. All those in favor, please

990
00:42:03,599 --> 00:42:06,160
signify by saying I. I.

991
00:42:06,160 --> 00:42:07,760
>> All those opposed, please signify by

992
00:42:07,760 --> 00:42:09,599
saying nay.

993
00:42:09,599 --> 00:42:14,790
The motion is adopted unanimously.

994
00:42:14,800 --> 00:42:17,200
Article 16, wastewater treatment plan

995
00:42:17,200 --> 00:42:19,599
system upgrades design. May I have a

996
00:42:19,599 --> 00:42:21,040
motion in the form distributed to the

997
00:42:21,040 --> 00:42:23,760
meeting? Thank you. May I have a second?

998
00:42:23,760 --> 00:42:25,680
Motion has been made and seconded.

999
00:42:25,680 --> 00:42:28,640
Requires twothirds vote for adoption for

1000
00:42:28,640 --> 00:42:30,319
the sewer commission. I'll recognize

1001
00:42:30,319 --> 00:42:40,550
Bill McGawan.

1002
00:42:40,560 --> 00:42:42,240
I think I recognize Bill Mcgau. Maybe

1003
00:42:42,240 --> 00:42:43,920
not. Does anyone from the sewer

1004
00:42:43,920 --> 00:42:44,800
commission want to speak or do you want

1005
00:42:44,800 --> 00:42:49,990
to handle it, Michelle?

1006
00:42:50,000 --> 00:42:52,400
» Paul Kierce, 390 on Coach Road. I am the

1007
00:42:52,400 --> 00:42:55,040
vice chairman of the sewer commission.

1008
00:42:55,040 --> 00:42:57,200
Uh this article um that we currently

1009
00:42:57,200 --> 00:42:59,920
have in front of us, article 16, uh is

1010
00:42:59,920 --> 00:43:01,680
to start the upgrade of the sewer

1011
00:43:01,680 --> 00:43:03,280
treatment plant. Similar to what the

1012
00:43:03,280 --> 00:43:04,560
water department is going through with

1013
00:43:04,560 --> 00:43:06,720
their plant, uh we're doing the same at

1014
00:43:06,720 --> 00:43:10,880
ours. All of the uh funding uh for this

1015
00:43:10,880 --> 00:43:12,800
does uh occur through our current

1016
00:43:12,800 --> 00:43:16,079
rateayers and uh we've been having a

1017
00:43:16,079 --> 00:43:18,000
couple of uh funds set aside for

1018
00:43:18,000 --> 00:43:19,920
membranes and and various upgrades. So

1019
00:43:19,920 --> 00:43:22,720
on this particular article, we're going

1020
00:43:22,720 --> 00:43:25,200
to begin to replace some of the uh

1021
00:43:25,200 --> 00:43:27,680
pumping systems and air systems that are

1022
00:43:27,680 --> 00:43:30,720
in the sewer treatment plant.

1023
00:43:30,720 --> 00:43:32,640
Thank you.

1024
00:43:32,640 --> 00:43:34,160
The select board has recommended

1025
00:43:34,160 --> 00:43:36,720
approval by a vote of 3 to zero. The

1026
00:43:36,720 --> 00:43:38,240
advisory committee has recommended

1027
00:43:38,240 --> 00:43:40,560
approval by a vote of 8 to zero. And the

1028
00:43:40,560 --> 00:43:41,839
sewer commission has recommended

1029
00:43:41,839 --> 00:43:44,079
approval by a vote of two to zero. Is

1030
00:43:44,079 --> 00:43:46,960
there discussion?

1031
00:43:46,960 --> 00:43:48,720
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Motion on

1032
00:43:48,720 --> 00:43:50,720
article 16 does require twothirds vote

1033
00:43:50,720 --> 00:43:53,119
for adoption. All those in favor, please

1034
00:43:53,119 --> 00:43:55,760
signify by saying I. I.

1035
00:43:55,760 --> 00:43:57,280
>> All those opposed, please signify by

1036
00:43:57,280 --> 00:43:59,200
saying nay.

1037
00:43:59,200 --> 00:44:05,190
The motion is adopted unanimously.

1038
00:44:05,200 --> 00:44:07,920
Article 17, creation of a revolving fund

1039
00:44:07,920 --> 00:44:10,640
for cemetery fees. May I have a motion

1040
00:44:10,640 --> 00:44:12,960
in the form distributed to the meeting?

1041
00:44:12,960 --> 00:44:14,720
Thank you. May I have a second? Thank

1042
00:44:14,720 --> 00:44:16,560
you. The motion has been made and

1043
00:44:16,560 --> 00:44:18,560
seconded. requires majority vote for

1044
00:44:18,560 --> 00:44:21,040
adoption. For the cemetery committee, I

1045
00:44:21,040 --> 00:44:27,829
recognize Glenn Pratt.

1046
00:44:27,839 --> 00:44:31,280
472 King Street. Uh the

1047
00:44:31,280 --> 00:44:33,520
cemeteries uh are almost

1048
00:44:33,520 --> 00:44:35,920
self-supporting. We earlier tonight

1049
00:44:35,920 --> 00:44:37,359
transferred money from our sale of

1050
00:44:37,359 --> 00:44:39,359
graves account for maintenance, which is

1051
00:44:39,359 --> 00:44:42,079
lawn mowing. And we have other fees that

1052
00:44:42,079 --> 00:44:44,480
we uh charge folks when they uh have a

1053
00:44:44,480 --> 00:44:46,800
burial which currently are going into

1054
00:44:46,800 --> 00:44:49,359
the general fund and the DPW cemetery

1055
00:44:49,359 --> 00:44:51,040
department doesn't have any benefit of

1056
00:44:51,040 --> 00:44:53,280
that money for additional services they

1057
00:44:53,280 --> 00:44:56,000
need to purchase. So this this money

1058
00:44:56,000 --> 00:44:59,760
that we collect for uh burial fees will

1059
00:44:59,760 --> 00:45:02,319
be uh a revolving fund like the other 10

1060
00:45:02,319 --> 00:45:04,400
revolving funds we talked about earlier.

1061
00:45:04,400 --> 00:45:06,560
It'll be used exclusively for cemetery

1062
00:45:06,560 --> 00:45:08,880
maintenance.

1063
00:45:08,880 --> 00:45:10,240
>> Thank you.

1064
00:45:10,240 --> 00:45:12,000
The select board recommends approval by

1065
00:45:12,000 --> 00:45:14,480
a vote of 3 to zero. The advisory

1066
00:45:14,480 --> 00:45:16,079
committee recommends approval by a vote

1067
00:45:16,079 --> 00:45:21,040
of 9 to zero. Is there discussion?

1068
00:45:21,040 --> 00:45:22,560
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Motion

1069
00:45:22,560 --> 00:45:24,640
under article 17 does require majority

1070
00:45:24,640 --> 00:45:26,640
vote for adoption. All those in favor,

1071
00:45:26,640 --> 00:45:29,359
please signify by saying I.

1072
00:45:29,359 --> 00:45:30,960
>> All those opposed, please signify by

1073
00:45:30,960 --> 00:45:32,880
saying nay.

1074
00:45:32,880 --> 00:45:37,990
The motion is adopted unanimously.

1075
00:45:38,000 --> 00:45:40,000
Article 18, Community Preservation

1076
00:45:40,000 --> 00:45:41,839
Committee. May I have a motion in the

1077
00:45:41,839 --> 00:45:43,839
form distributed to the meeting? Thank

1078
00:45:43,839 --> 00:45:45,839
you. May I have a second? Thank you. The

1079
00:45:45,839 --> 00:45:47,440
motion has been made and seconded.

1080
00:45:47,440 --> 00:45:50,240
Requires majority vote for adoption for

1081
00:45:50,240 --> 00:45:51,839
the Community Preservation Committee.

1082
00:45:51,839 --> 00:46:01,430
I'll recognize Mr. Tom Reirden.

1083
00:46:01,440 --> 00:46:04,800
Good evening. I'm Tom Reirden. uh 131

1084
00:46:04,800 --> 00:46:08,000
Nichols Road and chair of the Cohass

1085
00:46:08,000 --> 00:46:10,640
Community Preservation Committee. The

1086
00:46:10,640 --> 00:46:13,119
committee is unanimously recommending to

1087
00:46:13,119 --> 00:46:16,079
the town meeting two projects. In

1088
00:46:16,079 --> 00:46:17,760
addition, there is a notification of a

1089
00:46:17,760 --> 00:46:20,560
payment from CPC funds for the debt

1090
00:46:20,560 --> 00:46:23,280
service on a bond which was approved at

1091
00:46:23,280 --> 00:46:26,240
a special town meeting in 2023.

1092
00:46:26,240 --> 00:46:29,520
That bond issue was designed to improve

1093
00:46:29,520 --> 00:46:31,599
recreation facilities in various parts

1094
00:46:31,599 --> 00:46:34,240
of town. The first project that we are

1095
00:46:34,240 --> 00:46:37,920
recommending is for $11,225

1096
00:46:37,920 --> 00:46:40,319
from the open space account to the

1097
00:46:40,319 --> 00:46:43,119
conservation commission and department

1098
00:46:43,119 --> 00:46:45,440
to conduct a baseline documentation

1099
00:46:45,440 --> 00:46:48,480
report and matching mapping for

1100
00:46:48,480 --> 00:46:50,880
conservation restrictions at Salerno

1101
00:46:50,880 --> 00:46:53,680
Woodlands which is on King Street Bonds

1102
00:46:53,680 --> 00:46:56,720
Wildlife Sanctuary by Wright Park and

1103
00:46:56,720 --> 00:47:00,560
Ingram Park on Norman Todd Road.

1104
00:47:00,560 --> 00:47:03,359
The second project is for $25,000 from

1105
00:47:03,359 --> 00:47:06,400
the undesated account. That will go to

1106
00:47:06,400 --> 00:47:09,520
the Paul Pratt Library for an ADA

1107
00:47:09,520 --> 00:47:13,280
compliant door. The door will be the

1108
00:47:13,280 --> 00:47:16,640
major access point for the new outdoor

1109
00:47:16,640 --> 00:47:18,640
pavilion, which is under construction

1110
00:47:18,640 --> 00:47:21,599
right now and is due to be finished in

1111
00:47:21,599 --> 00:47:24,079
early summer. The total cost of that

1112
00:47:24,079 --> 00:47:26,319
door is $50,000.

1113
00:47:26,319 --> 00:47:30,560
25,000 is being paid by capital budget.

1114
00:47:30,560 --> 00:47:33,680
Thank you very much. Any questions?

1115
00:47:33,680 --> 00:47:34,160
>> Thank you.

1116
00:47:34,160 --> 00:47:34,560
>> Question.

1117
00:47:34,560 --> 00:47:36,480
>> Thank you. Let me just quot before you

1118
00:47:36,480 --> 00:47:38,800
go. Um, select board recommends approval

1119
00:47:38,800 --> 00:47:40,720
by a vote of three to zero. Advisory

1120
00:47:40,720 --> 00:47:42,560
committee recommends approval by a vote

1121
00:47:42,560 --> 00:47:45,920
of 9 to zero. CPC recommends approval by

1122
00:47:45,920 --> 00:47:47,839
a vote of five to zero for project two

1123
00:47:47,839 --> 00:47:49,599
and by a vote of seven to zero for

1124
00:47:49,599 --> 00:47:53,280
project three. Uh, I could see one

1125
00:47:53,280 --> 00:47:55,839
discussion at least. Uh, Mr. Jenkins.

1126
00:47:55,839 --> 00:47:59,280
Lee Jenkins, Jerusalem Road. Quick uh

1127
00:47:59,280 --> 00:48:01,599
comment. The bond payment, the first

1128
00:48:01,599 --> 00:48:03,280
article, the first thing, number one,

1129
00:48:03,280 --> 00:48:06,560
bond payment uh pursuant to article six

1130
00:48:06,560 --> 00:48:09,599
of 2023

1131
00:48:09,599 --> 00:48:13,430
of of $257,750.

1132
00:48:13,440 --> 00:48:19,910
How many years do we have to pay that?

1133
00:48:19,920 --> 00:48:20,000
Is

1134
00:48:20,000 --> 00:48:21,280
>> there someone that can respond? I think

1135
00:48:21,280 --> 00:48:22,960
the question was, Mr. Jenkins, how many

1136
00:48:22,960 --> 00:48:25,200
years do we have to pay that?

1137
00:48:25,200 --> 00:48:26,079
That's correct.

1138
00:48:26,079 --> 00:48:27,119
>> Yeah.

1139
00:48:27,119 --> 00:48:31,190
>> Does anyone know?

1140
00:48:31,200 --> 00:48:32,880
» I think the question is, is it a onetime

1141
00:48:32,880 --> 00:48:34,880
payment of that amount or is it that

1142
00:48:34,880 --> 00:48:36,400
amount multiple years? Is that the

1143
00:48:36,400 --> 00:48:39,040
question?

1144
00:48:39,040 --> 00:48:40,640
>> Mr. Ren, would you mind standing up and

1145
00:48:40,640 --> 00:48:43,359
addressing?

1146
00:48:43,359 --> 00:48:46,079
>> Sorry. Um, I believe it's a 10-year

1147
00:48:46,079 --> 00:48:48,640
bond, so it's paid each year for 10

1148
00:48:48,640 --> 00:48:51,680
years out of CPC funds, unrestricted

1149
00:48:51,680 --> 00:48:54,000
funds.

1150
00:48:54,000 --> 00:48:56,800
Thank you. Thank you.

1151
00:48:56,800 --> 00:49:00,480
Is there further discussion?

1152
00:49:00,480 --> 00:49:02,720
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Motion on

1153
00:49:02,720 --> 00:49:04,720
article 18 requires majority vote for

1154
00:49:04,720 --> 00:49:07,119
adoption. All those in favor, please

1155
00:49:07,119 --> 00:49:09,680
signify by saying I. I.

1156
00:49:09,680 --> 00:49:11,280
>> All those opposed, please signify by

1157
00:49:11,280 --> 00:49:13,119
saying nay.

1158
00:49:13,119 --> 00:49:18,950
The motion is adopted unanimously.

1159
00:49:18,960 --> 00:49:21,280
Article 19, Southshore Regional

1160
00:49:21,280 --> 00:49:23,200
Vocational School Committee, amend

1161
00:49:23,200 --> 00:49:25,440
regional agreement. May I have a motion

1162
00:49:25,440 --> 00:49:28,559
in the form distributed to the meeting?

1163
00:49:28,559 --> 00:49:30,960
I have a motion. Thank you. May I have a

1164
00:49:30,960 --> 00:49:32,880
second? Thank you. The motion has been

1165
00:49:32,880 --> 00:49:34,720
made and seconded. Does require majority

1166
00:49:34,720 --> 00:49:36,880
vote for adoption. I'll recognize again

1167
00:49:36,880 --> 00:49:38,240
our interim town manager, Michelle

1168
00:49:38,240 --> 00:49:44,630
Liring.

1169
00:49:44,640 --> 00:49:46,319
The amendment to the social regional

1170
00:49:46,319 --> 00:49:47,760
vocational technical high school

1171
00:49:47,760 --> 00:49:50,960
agreement um adds the town of Pembroke

1172
00:49:50,960 --> 00:49:53,280
to the agreement um therefore offsetting

1173
00:49:53,280 --> 00:49:58,000
the expenses um for many communities.

1174
00:49:58,000 --> 00:50:00,079
>> Thank you. The select board recommends

1175
00:50:00,079 --> 00:50:02,559
approval by a vote of three to zero. The

1176
00:50:02,559 --> 00:50:04,079
advisory committee recommends approval

1177
00:50:04,079 --> 00:50:06,640
by a vote of 9 to zero. Is there any

1178
00:50:06,640 --> 00:50:09,670
discussion?

1179
00:50:09,680 --> 00:50:11,440
We'll proceed to a voice vote. Motion on

1180
00:50:11,440 --> 00:50:13,599
article 19 requires majority vote for

1181
00:50:13,599 --> 00:50:15,280
adoption. All those in favor, please

1182
00:50:15,280 --> 00:50:18,000
signify by saying I.

1183
00:50:18,000 --> 00:50:19,599
>> All those opposed, please signify by

1184
00:50:19,599 --> 00:50:21,440
saying nay.

1185
00:50:21,440 --> 00:50:26,470
The motion is adopted unanimously.

1186
00:50:26,480 --> 00:50:29,040
Article 20, amendment to cohasset bylaw

1187
00:50:29,040 --> 00:50:34,400
chapter 244, article 2, sections 244-2

1188
00:50:34,400 --> 00:50:37,119
and 244-4.

1189
00:50:37,119 --> 00:50:38,640
I have a motion in the form distributed

1190
00:50:38,640 --> 00:50:40,319
to the meeting. Thank you. You may have

1191
00:50:40,319 --> 00:50:42,400
a second. Thank you. The motion has been

1192
00:50:42,400 --> 00:50:44,720
made and seconded. Requires a majority

1193
00:50:44,720 --> 00:50:47,200
vote for adoption. I'll recognize our

1194
00:50:47,200 --> 00:50:55,990
town clerk, Lisa Leger.

1195
00:50:56,000 --> 00:51:01,200
Good evening. The amendments to our

1196
00:51:01,200 --> 00:51:04,640
2442 parking permit required works to

1197
00:51:04,640 --> 00:51:07,119
solidify the residency requirement for

1198
00:51:07,119 --> 00:51:09,520
the issuance of the all facility permits

1199
00:51:09,520 --> 00:51:11,200
as it relates to parking in the town of

1200
00:51:11,200 --> 00:51:15,119
Cohasset. The second section 2444

1201
00:51:15,119 --> 00:51:17,920
clarifies the posted parking areas where

1202
00:51:17,920 --> 00:51:19,839
a permit is required to park in the town

1203
00:51:19,839 --> 00:51:23,119
of Cohasset and also establishes the

1204
00:51:23,119 --> 00:51:24,800
criteria for the issuance of

1205
00:51:24,800 --> 00:51:27,040
non-resident government island parking

1206
00:51:27,040 --> 00:51:30,000
permits in the government island parking

1207
00:51:30,000 --> 00:51:32,000
area.

1208
00:51:32,000 --> 00:51:34,640
>> Thank you. Uh the select board has

1209
00:51:34,640 --> 00:51:36,559
recommended approval by a vote of 3 to

1210
00:51:36,559 --> 00:51:38,559
zero and the advisory committee has

1211
00:51:38,559 --> 00:51:40,319
recommended approval by a vote of 9 to

1212
00:51:40,319 --> 00:51:44,400
zero. Is there discussion?

1213
00:51:44,400 --> 00:51:51,990
We'll proceed to a voice vote.

1214
00:51:52,000 --> 00:51:53,760
Sorry, no discussion is we'll proceed to

1215
00:51:53,760 --> 00:51:56,000
a voice vote. Does require majority vote

1216
00:51:56,000 --> 00:51:58,480
for adoption. All those in favor of the

1217
00:51:58,480 --> 00:52:00,160
motion under article 20, please signify

1218
00:52:00,160 --> 00:52:01,280
by saying I.

1219
00:52:01,280 --> 00:52:02,160
>> I.

1220
00:52:02,160 --> 00:52:03,680
>> All those opposed, please signify by

1221
00:52:03,680 --> 00:52:05,520
saying nay.

1222
00:52:05,520 --> 00:52:10,309
The motion is adopted unanimously.

1223
00:52:10,319 --> 00:52:12,720
We'll proceed to article 21, Cohasset

1224
00:52:12,720 --> 00:52:14,800
Public Safety Building. May I have a

1225
00:52:14,800 --> 00:52:16,400
motion in the form distributed to the

1226
00:52:16,400 --> 00:52:18,880
meeting? Thank you. May I have a second?

1227
00:52:18,880 --> 00:52:20,480
Thank you. It does require twothirds

1228
00:52:20,480 --> 00:52:22,960
vote for adoption. I'll recognize for

1229
00:52:22,960 --> 00:52:24,960
the public safety facilities committee,

1230
00:52:24,960 --> 00:52:26,319
Mr. Glenn Pratt.

1231
00:52:26,319 --> 00:52:28,400
>> Uh good evening. My name is Glenn Pratt,

1232
00:52:28,400 --> 00:52:30,400
chair of the Public Safety Facilities

1233
00:52:30,400 --> 00:52:32,400
Committee. Tonight, we're going to

1234
00:52:32,400 --> 00:52:37,200
propose to you uh a new police station.

1235
00:52:37,200 --> 00:52:39,680
After operating from the Independence

1236
00:52:39,680 --> 00:52:42,720
Building at 24 South Main Street since

1237
00:52:42,720 --> 00:52:44,480
1913

1238
00:52:44,480 --> 00:52:46,480
in 1962,

1239
00:52:46,480 --> 00:52:49,680
the police department moved into the new

1240
00:52:49,680 --> 00:52:52,079
state-of-the-art public safety building

1241
00:52:52,079 --> 00:52:55,200
on Elm Street. And the fire department

1242
00:52:55,200 --> 00:52:58,160
moved from their home of 75 years at the

1243
00:52:58,160 --> 00:53:00,720
harbor into the new building that was

1244
00:53:00,720 --> 00:53:02,559
going to take care of Khasset's public

1245
00:53:02,559 --> 00:53:05,520
safety needs for 50 years.

1246
00:53:05,520 --> 00:53:07,520
It did.

1247
00:53:07,520 --> 00:53:11,440
Now 62 years on, the building no longer

1248
00:53:11,440 --> 00:53:14,000
works for either department.

1249
00:53:14,000 --> 00:53:16,640
The community's needs have evolved, and

1250
00:53:16,640 --> 00:53:18,400
so have the needs of the fire and police

1251
00:53:18,400 --> 00:53:20,880
department.

1252
00:53:20,880 --> 00:53:23,280
In 2005,

1253
00:53:23,280 --> 00:53:25,440
the need for a new police station was

1254
00:53:25,440 --> 00:53:27,760
placed on the town's 10-year capital

1255
00:53:27,760 --> 00:53:30,000
plan.

1256
00:53:30,000 --> 00:53:33,680
Now, 20 years later, the time has come

1257
00:53:33,680 --> 00:53:35,839
to do something.

1258
00:53:35,839 --> 00:53:38,240
This article seeks funding to build a

1259
00:53:38,240 --> 00:53:41,440
new police station on Route 3A

1260
00:53:41,440 --> 00:53:43,839
with space for future expansion for the

1261
00:53:43,839 --> 00:53:46,160
fire department.

1262
00:53:46,160 --> 00:53:48,400
Commander Gregory Lenon of the police

1263
00:53:48,400 --> 00:53:51,599
department will show you why we need it

1264
00:53:51,599 --> 00:53:59,430
now.

1265
00:53:59,440 --> 00:54:01,839
Good evening. My name is Gregory Lennon

1266
00:54:01,839 --> 00:54:03,440
and I am a commander with the Kohasa

1267
00:54:03,440 --> 00:54:05,599
Police Department. I currently serve as

1268
00:54:05,599 --> 00:54:07,119
the executive officer, which is the

1269
00:54:07,119 --> 00:54:09,520
second in command of the department. I

1270
00:54:09,520 --> 00:54:10,800
grew up here and have worked for the

1271
00:54:10,800 --> 00:54:12,800
Kohasa Police Department for over 31

1272
00:54:12,800 --> 00:54:15,520
years. If you look at the photos on the

1273
00:54:15,520 --> 00:54:17,680
screen, you're looking at our squad room

1274
00:54:17,680 --> 00:54:20,240
being used for evidence processing, drug

1275
00:54:20,240 --> 00:54:22,400
testing, and training. Work that should

1276
00:54:22,400 --> 00:54:24,079
never be taking place in a shared space

1277
00:54:24,079 --> 00:54:25,599
like this.

1278
00:54:25,599 --> 00:54:27,359
is also where officers eat their

1279
00:54:27,359 --> 00:54:28,960
meals.

1280
00:54:28,960 --> 00:54:30,640
And when the room is being used this

1281
00:54:30,640 --> 00:54:32,800
way, officers have to eat in their cars

1282
00:54:32,800 --> 00:54:35,760
in the parking lot. The squad room was

1283
00:54:35,760 --> 00:54:37,359
originally designed for roll call and

1284
00:54:37,359 --> 00:54:40,079
shift briefings. Today, it serves as

1285
00:54:40,079 --> 00:54:42,559
roll call space, the interview room for

1286
00:54:42,559 --> 00:54:44,960
victims, witnesses, and suspects, the

1287
00:54:44,960 --> 00:54:47,119
evidence processing area, the report

1288
00:54:47,119 --> 00:54:50,079
writing space, the staff break room, and

1289
00:54:50,079 --> 00:54:52,000
the primary meeting space for day-to-day

1290
00:54:52,000 --> 00:54:54,240
operations. All of those functions

1291
00:54:54,240 --> 00:54:56,880
happen in one single room. So when that

1292
00:54:56,880 --> 00:54:58,480
room is in use for one purpose,

1293
00:54:58,480 --> 00:55:01,119
everything else has to wait. If an

1294
00:55:01,119 --> 00:55:02,640
officer is interviewing a victim,

1295
00:55:02,640 --> 00:55:04,800
evidence processing is delayed. If

1296
00:55:04,800 --> 00:55:06,559
evidence is being handled, interviews

1297
00:55:06,559 --> 00:55:09,920
wait. There is nowhere else to go. That

1298
00:55:09,920 --> 00:55:11,839
same room is also the only access point

1299
00:55:11,839 --> 00:55:14,800
to my office. If that room is in use, I

1300
00:55:14,800 --> 00:55:17,359
can't get in or out. I can't interrupt

1301
00:55:17,359 --> 00:55:18,880
those interviews, so I'm effectively

1302
00:55:18,880 --> 00:55:21,359
blocked until they're finished. And just

1303
00:55:21,359 --> 00:55:23,119
to give you a real example of what that

1304
00:55:23,119 --> 00:55:25,440
looks like, there was a time I needed to

1305
00:55:25,440 --> 00:55:27,359
attend an important meeting while a

1306
00:55:27,359 --> 00:55:29,200
critical interview was taking place in

1307
00:55:29,200 --> 00:55:32,480
that room. I couldn't go through it, so

1308
00:55:32,480 --> 00:55:34,960
I had to climb out of my office window

1309
00:55:34,960 --> 00:55:38,800
onto the front lawn. That's not a joke.

1310
00:55:38,800 --> 00:55:41,839
Fortunately, it's a one-story building.

1311
00:55:41,839 --> 00:55:43,839
And even when I'm in my office, the

1312
00:55:43,839 --> 00:55:46,800
space itself is extremely limited. If an

1313
00:55:46,800 --> 00:55:48,160
officer needs to speak with me

1314
00:55:48,160 --> 00:55:50,240
privately, there isn't enough room for

1315
00:55:50,240 --> 00:55:53,119
them to sit. They have to stand or we

1316
00:55:53,119 --> 00:55:54,720
step out into the garage or the parking

1317
00:55:54,720 --> 00:55:57,359
lot to have that conversation.

1318
00:55:57,359 --> 00:56:00,000
At least I have an office. Most officers

1319
00:56:00,000 --> 00:56:01,599
who carry additional administrative

1320
00:56:01,599 --> 00:56:03,440
responsibilities don't have any

1321
00:56:03,440 --> 00:56:06,480
dedicated space at all. There is no room

1322
00:56:06,480 --> 00:56:08,079
to provide them with something as basic

1323
00:56:08,079 --> 00:56:10,880
as their own filing cabinet.

1324
00:56:10,880 --> 00:56:12,720
This is the daily reality of how this

1325
00:56:12,720 --> 00:56:14,720
building functions and it's where people

1326
00:56:14,720 --> 00:56:16,720
are expected to work every day under

1327
00:56:16,720 --> 00:56:18,559
those conditions.

1328
00:56:18,559 --> 00:56:20,799
The building itself is about 13,000

1329
00:56:20,799 --> 00:56:24,160
square ft. It was built in 1962 for nine

1330
00:56:24,160 --> 00:56:26,880
officers. Today, we have 21 full-time

1331
00:56:26,880 --> 00:56:28,559
officers and additional staff working

1332
00:56:28,559 --> 00:56:31,359
out of that same space. Now, look at the

1333
00:56:31,359 --> 00:56:34,079
booking and sell area. It's from that

1334
00:56:34,079 --> 00:56:36,640
same era. It does not meet current

1335
00:56:36,640 --> 00:56:39,200
standards. It's not ADA compliant. It

1336
00:56:39,200 --> 00:56:40,960
fails inspection every year for

1337
00:56:40,960 --> 00:56:43,839
deficiencies and it cannot accommodate a

1338
00:56:43,839 --> 00:56:46,480
stretcher. If somebody in custody needs

1339
00:56:46,480 --> 00:56:48,640
medical attention, they have to be

1340
00:56:48,640 --> 00:56:50,640
physically carried out into the hallway

1341
00:56:50,640 --> 00:56:52,240
before they can even be placed on a

1342
00:56:52,240 --> 00:56:54,799
stretcher. The cells do not reflect

1343
00:56:54,799 --> 00:56:56,880
modern standards for safety,

1344
00:56:56,880 --> 00:56:59,440
supervision, or humane custody

1345
00:56:59,440 --> 00:57:01,760
conditions, and they create a higher

1346
00:57:01,760 --> 00:57:03,440
risk of harm for both officers and

1347
00:57:03,440 --> 00:57:05,920
people in custody. That is the reality

1348
00:57:05,920 --> 00:57:09,040
of this building today. While Cohassid

1349
00:57:09,040 --> 00:57:11,839
is a small, close-knit community, many

1350
00:57:11,839 --> 00:57:14,319
people assume that little happens here.

1351
00:57:14,319 --> 00:57:16,799
In reality, our offices regular

1352
00:57:16,799 --> 00:57:19,040
regularly respond to serious incidents

1353
00:57:19,040 --> 00:57:20,400
and handle them with the highest

1354
00:57:20,400 --> 00:57:22,559
standard of professionalism.

1355
00:57:22,559 --> 00:57:24,319
It could be a domestic situation that's

1356
00:57:24,319 --> 00:57:26,319
escalating. It could be someone

1357
00:57:26,319 --> 00:57:29,280
experiencing a mental health crisis. It

1358
00:57:29,280 --> 00:57:30,960
could be a serious accident involving

1359
00:57:30,960 --> 00:57:33,280
life-threatening injuries. And they

1360
00:57:33,280 --> 00:57:35,040
respond to those situations as part of

1361
00:57:35,040 --> 00:57:37,920
everyday service to this community. When

1362
00:57:37,920 --> 00:57:39,440
they return to the station, their work

1363
00:57:39,440 --> 00:57:41,920
continues. They may be processing

1364
00:57:41,920 --> 00:57:44,079
evidence, interviewing a victim or

1365
00:57:44,079 --> 00:57:46,880
witness, booking someone into custody,

1366
00:57:46,880 --> 00:57:48,880
or writing reports that require accuracy

1367
00:57:48,880 --> 00:57:51,280
and attention to detail.

1368
00:57:51,280 --> 00:57:53,599
And they may be mentally processing a

1369
00:57:53,599 --> 00:57:55,280
traumatic incident they just responded

1370
00:57:55,280 --> 00:57:58,640
to. But there's no place to decompress

1371
00:57:58,640 --> 00:58:00,720
because it is all happening in the same

1372
00:58:00,720 --> 00:58:03,359
room. And if officers need a few moments

1373
00:58:03,359 --> 00:58:05,359
to mentally recover from a difficult

1374
00:58:05,359 --> 00:58:08,160
call, there is nowhere appropriate to do

1375
00:58:08,160 --> 00:58:10,400
that. They may end up sitting in their

1376
00:58:10,400 --> 00:58:12,559
car in the parking lot just as they do

1377
00:58:12,559 --> 00:58:15,040
when they eat their meals or sitting on

1378
00:58:15,040 --> 00:58:18,000
a toolbox in the garage or the floor in

1379
00:58:18,000 --> 00:58:20,000
the locker room.

1380
00:58:20,000 --> 00:58:21,680
Then they immediately move back into

1381
00:58:21,680 --> 00:58:23,359
interviews, evidence processing, and

1382
00:58:23,359 --> 00:58:24,880
other responsibilities in the same

1383
00:58:24,880 --> 00:58:27,599
shared space. Without any place to

1384
00:58:27,599 --> 00:58:30,160
decompress or reset, they're expected to

1385
00:58:30,160 --> 00:58:32,079
go right back to work and be mentally

1386
00:58:32,079 --> 00:58:34,240
ready to think clearly and make good

1387
00:58:34,240 --> 00:58:36,000
decisions on the next call they respond

1388
00:58:36,000 --> 00:58:38,880
to. Investigations slow because work

1389
00:58:38,880 --> 00:58:41,680
cannot be separated into parallel tasks.

1390
00:58:41,680 --> 00:58:43,280
Evidence processing is delayed because

1391
00:58:43,280 --> 00:58:45,040
there is no dedicated space to complete

1392
00:58:45,040 --> 00:58:47,440
it. And when one task has to wait for

1393
00:58:47,440 --> 00:58:49,680
another, it extends the workday and

1394
00:58:49,680 --> 00:58:51,040
generates overtime that would not

1395
00:58:51,040 --> 00:58:53,200
otherwise be necessary.

1396
00:58:53,200 --> 00:58:54,880
Officers are forced to work within the

1397
00:58:54,880 --> 00:58:56,319
limitations of the room instead of

1398
00:58:56,319 --> 00:58:58,640
focusing fully on the work itself.

1399
00:58:58,640 --> 00:59:01,040
Interviews present another challenge.

1400
00:59:01,040 --> 00:59:02,799
Victims and witnesses are brought into

1401
00:59:02,799 --> 00:59:04,960
the same shared space where other

1402
00:59:04,960 --> 00:59:07,520
activity is taking place. There is no

1403
00:59:07,520 --> 00:59:09,920
true sense of privacy in no environment

1404
00:59:09,920 --> 00:59:12,160
that supports them feeling safe while

1405
00:59:12,160 --> 00:59:14,000
they are recounting what may be one of

1406
00:59:14,000 --> 00:59:16,000
the most difficult experiences of their

1407
00:59:16,000 --> 00:59:18,319
life. And once those interviews are

1408
00:59:18,319 --> 00:59:20,400
completed, we often have to move people

1409
00:59:20,400 --> 00:59:22,319
out quickly because the room is needed

1410
00:59:22,319 --> 00:59:24,640
for the next function. That is not how

1411
00:59:24,640 --> 00:59:27,359
these interactions are meant to happen.

1412
00:59:27,359 --> 00:59:28,880
When people walk into this building,

1413
00:59:28,880 --> 00:59:30,880
they see the reality immediately. And

1414
00:59:30,880 --> 00:59:32,559
quite frankly, the workspace is

1415
00:59:32,559 --> 00:59:33,920
embarrassing for a modern police

1416
00:59:33,920 --> 00:59:36,000
department. And for someone considering

1417
00:59:36,000 --> 00:59:38,079
joining this department, it really comes

1418
00:59:38,079 --> 00:59:40,799
down to two questions. Can I do my job

1419
00:59:40,799 --> 00:59:43,599
well here? And will I feel valued here?

1420
00:59:43,599 --> 00:59:45,200
And under the current conditions, it's

1421
00:59:45,200 --> 00:59:46,640
hard to see how the answer to either of

1422
00:59:46,640 --> 00:59:49,119
those can be yes. That is not a

1423
00:59:49,119 --> 00:59:51,599
sustainable standard for any workforce.

1424
00:59:51,599 --> 00:59:53,200
Because the people you want responding

1425
00:59:53,200 --> 00:59:55,280
when something goes wrong, the people

1426
00:59:55,280 --> 00:59:57,280
you want showing up at your home at 2 in

1427
00:59:57,280 --> 00:59:59,440
the morning, have options because this

1428
00:59:59,440 --> 01:00:01,839
is a competitive market and departments

1429
01:00:01,839 --> 01:00:04,079
across the region are all competing for

1430
01:00:04,079 --> 01:00:05,920
a small number of truly exceptional

1431
01:00:05,920 --> 01:00:08,720
officers, including us. And we are very

1432
01:00:08,720 --> 01:00:11,040
selective about who we hire because we

1433
01:00:11,040 --> 01:00:12,559
want the best people serving this

1434
01:00:12,559 --> 01:00:16,000
community and you deserve that.

1435
01:00:16,000 --> 01:00:17,920
And the officers we have are among the

1436
01:00:17,920 --> 01:00:20,559
very best in the Commonwealth. But these

1437
01:00:20,559 --> 01:00:22,240
workplace conditions will ultimately

1438
01:00:22,240 --> 01:00:24,160
determine whether they stay here or take

1439
01:00:24,160 --> 01:00:26,400
their talent somewhere else because this

1440
01:00:26,400 --> 01:00:28,079
is not a standard you can reasonably

1441
01:00:28,079 --> 01:00:30,640
expect people to continue working under.

1442
01:00:30,640 --> 01:00:32,400
The limitations you are seeing are tied

1443
01:00:32,400 --> 01:00:34,079
to a building designed more than 60

1444
01:00:34,079 --> 01:00:36,559
years ago for a department one-third the

1445
01:00:36,559 --> 01:00:40,079
size. A new facility changes that. It

1446
01:00:40,079 --> 01:00:42,559
provides separate spaces so interviews,

1447
01:00:42,559 --> 01:00:45,040
investigations, evidence processing, and

1448
01:00:45,040 --> 01:00:46,720
report writing can happen when they need

1449
01:00:46,720 --> 01:00:48,960
to happen. It provides dedicated

1450
01:00:48,960 --> 01:00:50,960
interview rooms that allow victims and

1451
01:00:50,960 --> 01:00:53,359
witnesses to speak in privacy in a

1452
01:00:53,359 --> 01:00:55,520
setting that supports both dignity and

1453
01:00:55,520 --> 01:00:58,079
safety. It provides a booking and

1454
01:00:58,079 --> 01:00:59,920
detention area that meets current

1455
01:00:59,920 --> 01:01:02,240
standards and allows safe medical

1456
01:01:02,240 --> 01:01:04,079
access.

1457
01:01:04,079 --> 01:01:06,319
It provides a workplace that reflects

1458
01:01:06,319 --> 01:01:08,799
the responsibility placed on the people

1459
01:01:08,799 --> 01:01:11,839
who serve here every day. We ask

1460
01:01:11,839 --> 01:01:14,480
officers to step into uncertainty and to

1461
01:01:14,480 --> 01:01:16,960
respond to situations most people will

1462
01:01:16,960 --> 01:01:20,000
never encounter and to carry significant

1463
01:01:20,000 --> 01:01:22,960
responsibility every day. The facility

1464
01:01:22,960 --> 01:01:25,280
they return to should match that level

1465
01:01:25,280 --> 01:01:28,400
of responsibility. And right now it does

1466
01:01:28,400 --> 01:01:31,280
not. What you're seeing in these photos

1467
01:01:31,280 --> 01:01:33,839
is the current operating environment.

1468
01:01:33,839 --> 01:01:35,520
The decision before you determines

1469
01:01:35,520 --> 01:01:37,680
whether that continues. Thank you for

1470
01:01:37,680 --> 01:01:47,510
your time.

1471
01:01:47,520 --> 01:01:51,680
The timeline that is about to be shown

1472
01:01:51,680 --> 01:01:54,240
shows you that the police station issue

1473
01:01:54,240 --> 01:01:56,559
has been looked at every few years for

1474
01:01:56,559 --> 01:01:58,799
the last 20 years and no action has been

1475
01:01:58,799 --> 01:02:00,480
taken.

1476
01:02:00,480 --> 01:02:03,839
This meeting in 2023 authorized

1477
01:02:03,839 --> 01:02:06,480
10,400,000

1478
01:02:06,480 --> 01:02:09,119
to purchase and renovate 135 King

1479
01:02:09,119 --> 01:02:12,000
Street. Our architect and project

1480
01:02:12,000 --> 01:02:14,240
manager were hired to design a new

1481
01:02:14,240 --> 01:02:18,480
public safety building in 2024.

1482
01:02:18,480 --> 01:02:22,400
During 2025, the project was put on hold

1483
01:02:22,400 --> 01:02:24,559
and the select board appointed a more

1484
01:02:24,559 --> 01:02:26,400
diverse committee consisting of eight

1485
01:02:26,400 --> 01:02:30,000
citizens and seven exopicio members to

1486
01:02:30,000 --> 01:02:32,079
study more options.

1487
01:02:32,079 --> 01:02:34,559
The proposal we will be presenting to

1488
01:02:34,559 --> 01:02:37,760
you tonight is the results of that work.

1489
01:02:37,760 --> 01:02:41,839
First, we took a look at available uh

1490
01:02:41,839 --> 01:02:44,559
opportunities to expand or renovate the

1491
01:02:44,559 --> 01:02:47,520
Elm Street location. The Elm Street

1492
01:02:47,520 --> 01:02:49,680
location is a small parcel which you see

1493
01:02:49,680 --> 01:02:53,200
on the screen uh outlined in in red.

1494
01:02:53,200 --> 01:02:56,000
It's in a condensed small neighborhood.

1495
01:02:56,000 --> 01:02:58,880
Outward expansion is not possible there.

1496
01:02:58,880 --> 01:03:02,480
There's not enough um parking. any uh

1497
01:03:02,480 --> 01:03:04,720
space that's taken for expanded building

1498
01:03:04,720 --> 01:03:06,319
cuts into some other space that the

1499
01:03:06,319 --> 01:03:08,799
department uses now. There is senior

1500
01:03:08,799 --> 01:03:11,839
housing 64 units in in the back. There

1501
01:03:11,839 --> 01:03:14,160
are group homes. There are unmovable

1502
01:03:14,160 --> 01:03:16,960
utility easements and a myriad of other

1503
01:03:16,960 --> 01:03:18,720
complications that do not make it

1504
01:03:18,720 --> 01:03:20,559
feasible.

1505
01:03:20,559 --> 01:03:22,720
The vertical expansion would require

1506
01:03:22,720 --> 01:03:24,880
structural reinforcements, code

1507
01:03:24,880 --> 01:03:27,359
upgrades, and would not probably provide

1508
01:03:27,359 --> 01:03:29,119
enough square footage for the police

1509
01:03:29,119 --> 01:03:30,640
needs.

1510
01:03:30,640 --> 01:03:32,640
And if we were to do that kind of a

1511
01:03:32,640 --> 01:03:34,960
project there, a temporary location

1512
01:03:34,960 --> 01:03:36,880
would have to be found for both the

1513
01:03:36,880 --> 01:03:38,880
police and fire department for a period

1514
01:03:38,880 --> 01:03:41,680
of most likely two years.

1515
01:03:41,680 --> 01:03:44,160
Elm Street cannot solve the public

1516
01:03:44,160 --> 01:03:46,799
safety needs of either department. And

1517
01:03:46,799 --> 01:03:49,760
even if it could, we wonder whether that

1518
01:03:49,760 --> 01:03:51,760
kind of municipal operation should be

1519
01:03:51,760 --> 01:03:55,599
crowded into that small neighborhood.

1520
01:03:55,599 --> 01:03:58,000
The other thing we took a look at was

1521
01:03:58,000 --> 01:03:59,839
perhaps there's another location in the

1522
01:03:59,839 --> 01:04:02,160
3A corridor, which is the pre preferred

1523
01:04:02,160 --> 01:04:05,760
location for uh public safety buildings.

1524
01:04:05,760 --> 01:04:08,559
We looked at 13 open parcels of land

1525
01:04:08,559 --> 01:04:12,240
there. None of them can work because of

1526
01:04:12,240 --> 01:04:14,559
conservation restrictions or they're too

1527
01:04:14,559 --> 01:04:16,640
small or they're currently not owned by

1528
01:04:16,640 --> 01:04:18,079
the town. So, they would have to be

1529
01:04:18,079 --> 01:04:21,680
acquired. So simply put, there are no

1530
01:04:21,680 --> 01:04:24,640
locations on 3A that are viable at this

1531
01:04:24,640 --> 01:04:27,750
time.

1532
01:04:27,760 --> 01:04:29,839
Designing a modern public safety

1533
01:04:29,839 --> 01:04:34,160
building. In 2024, we hired project

1534
01:04:34,160 --> 01:04:39,839
manager P3 and HKT architects. HKT and

1535
01:04:39,839 --> 01:04:42,880
P3 specialized in municipal projects in

1536
01:04:42,880 --> 01:04:45,520
Massachusetts and designed and built

1537
01:04:45,520 --> 01:04:47,920
many public safety buildings.

1538
01:04:47,920 --> 01:04:49,680
The building committee and the police

1539
01:04:49,680 --> 01:04:52,799
department worked extensively with HKT

1540
01:04:52,799 --> 01:04:55,359
to ensure that police station design

1541
01:04:55,359 --> 01:04:57,680
that we are presenting tonight meets the

1542
01:04:57,680 --> 01:04:59,599
current and future needs of the KASA

1543
01:04:59,599 --> 01:05:02,240
police. The architects toured the

1544
01:05:02,240 --> 01:05:04,240
existing building on Elm Street,

1545
01:05:04,240 --> 01:05:07,520
observed police operations firsthand,

1546
01:05:07,520 --> 01:05:09,599
and determined the space needs for

1547
01:05:09,599 --> 01:05:12,079
Cohesid police going forward and the

1548
01:05:12,079 --> 01:05:14,640
types of the types of spaces they needed

1549
01:05:14,640 --> 01:05:16,480
and how they should be related to each

1550
01:05:16,480 --> 01:05:18,640
other within the building.

1551
01:05:18,640 --> 01:05:20,799
The designs we are presenting tonight

1552
01:05:20,799 --> 01:05:22,880
meet those goals and they take advantage

1553
01:05:22,880 --> 01:05:25,039
of the efficiencies of renovating and

1554
01:05:25,039 --> 01:05:27,440
adding on to the building we own at 135

1555
01:05:27,440 --> 01:05:29,760
King Street.

1556
01:05:29,760 --> 01:05:32,480
The next slide which you have in your

1557
01:05:32,480 --> 01:05:33,920
handout uh you might get more

1558
01:05:33,920 --> 01:05:36,720
information by looking at that shows the

1559
01:05:36,720 --> 01:05:38,640
uh site plan. The building is centered

1560
01:05:38,640 --> 01:05:40,880
on the property. The existing building

1561
01:05:40,880 --> 01:05:44,799
is shown in the uh light yellowish green

1562
01:05:44,799 --> 01:05:48,240
in the center. The dark blue edition is

1563
01:05:48,240 --> 01:05:50,640
the secure police detention operation

1564
01:05:50,640 --> 01:05:53,039
side of the building. The pale blue

1565
01:05:53,039 --> 01:05:56,720
edition includes the unfinished garage

1566
01:05:56,720 --> 01:05:58,960
which will be used to house the fire

1567
01:05:58,960 --> 01:06:01,760
department spare engine which we talked

1568
01:06:01,760 --> 01:06:04,000
about earlier and other town owned

1569
01:06:04,000 --> 01:06:06,960
vehicles. Garaging a fire engine here

1570
01:06:06,960 --> 01:06:09,119
will allow the fire department to

1571
01:06:09,119 --> 01:06:11,200
operate their seven ambulance from the

1572
01:06:11,200 --> 01:06:14,559
Elm Street location. The garage bays are

1573
01:06:14,559 --> 01:06:18,880
located with easy access to 3A.

1574
01:06:18,880 --> 01:06:21,200
Also on your handout tonight are the

1575
01:06:21,200 --> 01:06:23,280
floor plans.

1576
01:06:23,280 --> 01:06:26,079
The first floor includes a public

1577
01:06:26,079 --> 01:06:28,559
entrance where citizens of the public

1578
01:06:28,559 --> 01:06:31,200
can come in, have access to police staff

1579
01:06:31,200 --> 01:06:32,799
for questions or permitting

1580
01:06:32,799 --> 01:06:35,280
applications, have access to the

1581
01:06:35,280 --> 01:06:37,680
community room, which is also going to

1582
01:06:37,680 --> 01:06:40,400
be used for police training, and in fact

1583
01:06:40,400 --> 01:06:42,400
will be the town's emergency operations

1584
01:06:42,400 --> 01:06:44,480
center, EOCC.

1585
01:06:44,480 --> 01:06:46,640
The second floor is devoted to police

1586
01:06:46,640 --> 01:06:49,359
operations, including roll call rooms,

1587
01:06:49,359 --> 01:06:51,839
evidence, interview rooms, offices, and

1588
01:06:51,839 --> 01:06:55,430
lockers.

1589
01:06:55,440 --> 01:06:58,079
The exterior view

1590
01:06:58,079 --> 01:07:00,960
shows the building from the from the

1591
01:07:00,960 --> 01:07:03,760
north view. The this is the area that's

1592
01:07:03,760 --> 01:07:05,680
being added on which houses the secure

1593
01:07:05,680 --> 01:07:07,599
police areas, police operations,

1594
01:07:07,599 --> 01:07:09,680
detention cells, evidence storage, and

1595
01:07:09,680 --> 01:07:13,280
those kind of uses. These areas are

1596
01:07:13,280 --> 01:07:15,039
separated from the public entrance for

1597
01:07:15,039 --> 01:07:16,880
the safety of the public, police

1598
01:07:16,880 --> 01:07:19,599
officers and detainees.

1599
01:07:19,599 --> 01:07:22,240
A sallyport is a garage which provides

1600
01:07:22,240 --> 01:07:25,280
secure and private movement of detainees

1601
01:07:25,280 --> 01:07:26,799
into the station where they can be

1602
01:07:26,799 --> 01:07:28,799
safely transferred and move through the

1603
01:07:28,799 --> 01:07:30,960
booking process without any public

1604
01:07:30,960 --> 01:07:33,760
interaction. This garage is sized to

1605
01:07:33,760 --> 01:07:36,079
accommodate ambulances in case in the

1606
01:07:36,079 --> 01:07:37,520
event that detainees need to be

1607
01:07:37,520 --> 01:07:40,240
transferred to a hospital. A secure

1608
01:07:40,240 --> 01:07:42,559
garage bay is also provided being built

1609
01:07:42,559 --> 01:07:46,559
here to process uh evidence on impounded

1610
01:07:46,559 --> 01:07:49,039
vehicles.

1611
01:07:49,039 --> 01:07:50,559
So the next thing you might be

1612
01:07:50,559 --> 01:07:53,599
interested in is how we going to cost

1613
01:07:53,599 --> 01:07:55,200
and how are we going to finance it and

1614
01:07:55,200 --> 01:07:57,359
Rich Kinship by chair of the committee

1615
01:07:57,359 --> 01:08:02,710
will speak to that.

1616
01:08:02,720 --> 01:08:04,319
» Good evening everyone. My name is Rich

1617
01:08:04,319 --> 01:08:06,240
Kincherf. I am the vice chair of the

1618
01:08:06,240 --> 01:08:07,920
public safety facility committee and I

1619
01:08:07,920 --> 01:08:11,440
live at 172 Sawyer Street.

1620
01:08:11,440 --> 01:08:13,200
The table on this slide outlines the

1621
01:08:13,200 --> 01:08:15,119
total project cost for their proposed

1622
01:08:15,119 --> 01:08:18,319
new police station at 135 King Street.

1623
01:08:18,319 --> 01:08:20,159
The total project cost is broken down

1624
01:08:20,159 --> 01:08:22,080
into expenditures the town has incurred

1625
01:08:22,080 --> 01:08:23,759
to date on the project as well as

1626
01:08:23,759 --> 01:08:26,560
estimated costs to complete the project.

1627
01:08:26,560 --> 01:08:28,159
Expenditures to date are the first

1628
01:08:28,159 --> 01:08:30,000
grouping in the table. These include the

1629
01:08:30,000 --> 01:08:32,319
purchase of 135 King Street, various

1630
01:08:32,319 --> 01:08:34,319
fees and expenses for design as well as

1631
01:08:34,319 --> 01:08:36,880
project management. To date, the town

1632
01:08:36,880 --> 01:08:39,679
has spent $5,400,000

1633
01:08:39,679 --> 01:08:41,359
on the project, which was entirely

1634
01:08:41,359 --> 01:08:43,279
funded by the original appropriation

1635
01:08:43,279 --> 01:08:45,679
back in 2023.

1636
01:08:45,679 --> 01:08:47,759
The estimated expenditures to complete

1637
01:08:47,759 --> 01:08:49,600
the project are in the second grouping

1638
01:08:49,600 --> 01:08:51,040
on the table. These include the

1639
01:08:51,040 --> 01:08:53,040
estimated construction costs, radio and

1640
01:08:53,040 --> 01:08:54,960
communications equipment, and various

1641
01:08:54,960 --> 01:08:57,199
fees and other expenses. This also

1642
01:08:57,199 --> 01:08:58,880
includes contingency for any

1643
01:08:58,880 --> 01:09:03,749
unanticipated costs that may arise.

1644
01:09:03,759 --> 01:09:08,080
Adding together what has been spent to

1645
01:09:08,080 --> 01:09:11,920
date with what is needed.

1646
01:09:11,920 --> 01:09:13,600
Moving forward, we arrive at the total

1647
01:09:13,600 --> 01:09:19,829
project cost of $32,183,000.

1648
01:09:19,839 --> 01:09:21,759
This next slide explains how we arrived

1649
01:09:21,759 --> 01:09:23,600
at the appropriation we are requesting

1650
01:09:23,600 --> 01:09:26,159
here tonight. As we just saw from the

1651
01:09:26,159 --> 01:09:28,080
previous slide, the estimated total

1652
01:09:28,080 --> 01:09:32,390
project cost is $32,183,000.

1653
01:09:32,400 --> 01:09:35,839
From that, we subtract the 5.4 million

1654
01:09:35,839 --> 01:09:37,440
that has been spent to date and was

1655
01:09:37,440 --> 01:09:39,279
funded in that original appropriation

1656
01:09:39,279 --> 01:09:41,279
back in 2023.

1657
01:09:41,279 --> 01:09:43,120
There is still another 5 million left of

1658
01:09:43,120 --> 01:09:45,040
the original appropriation that has not

1659
01:09:45,040 --> 01:09:47,120
been spent.

1660
01:09:47,120 --> 01:09:49,040
When we subtract that as well, we arrive

1661
01:09:49,040 --> 01:09:50,799
at the appropriation being requested

1662
01:09:50,799 --> 01:09:53,359
here tonight under article 21, which is

1663
01:09:53,359 --> 01:10:00,390
$21,783,000.

1664
01:10:00,400 --> 01:10:02,239
Planning for the long-term operations of

1665
01:10:02,239 --> 01:10:03,760
the new police station has been an

1666
01:10:03,760 --> 01:10:04,800
important part of the building

1667
01:10:04,800 --> 01:10:07,280
committee's work on this project. Early

1668
01:10:07,280 --> 01:10:08,960
in the design, we invited the town's

1669
01:10:08,960 --> 01:10:10,880
facilities department to meet with the

1670
01:10:10,880 --> 01:10:13,280
architect and engineers as we looked at

1671
01:10:13,280 --> 01:10:16,400
alternative HVAC systems. The electric

1672
01:10:16,400 --> 01:10:18,640
air source heat pump incorporated in the

1673
01:10:18,640 --> 01:10:20,400
design was the decision by the

1674
01:10:20,400 --> 01:10:22,159
facilities department as it is a

1675
01:10:22,159 --> 01:10:23,840
preferred system due to its efficiency

1676
01:10:23,840 --> 01:10:26,560
and ease of maintenance.

1677
01:10:26,560 --> 01:10:28,320
Sustainable design features were also

1678
01:10:28,320 --> 01:10:29,679
considered to help bring down

1679
01:10:29,679 --> 01:10:32,159
operational costs. In additions to the

1680
01:10:32,159 --> 01:10:33,920
high efficiency heat pump system, the

1681
01:10:33,920 --> 01:10:36,000
design features high efficiency LED

1682
01:10:36,000 --> 01:10:38,080
lighting and lowflow plumbing fixtures

1683
01:10:38,080 --> 01:10:40,880
to reduce water usage. Insulation is

1684
01:10:40,880 --> 01:10:42,800
being added to the walls of the existing

1685
01:10:42,800 --> 01:10:44,239
building to improve its thermal

1686
01:10:44,239 --> 01:10:46,400
performance. While the new additions are

1687
01:10:46,400 --> 01:10:48,239
designed with high insulation values in

1688
01:10:48,239 --> 01:10:50,800
their walls and roofs,

1689
01:10:50,800 --> 01:10:52,560
the roofs are also designed to be solar

1690
01:10:52,560 --> 01:10:54,719
ready so that PV panels can be added in

1691
01:10:54,719 --> 01:10:57,120
the future to offset electricity costs

1692
01:10:57,120 --> 01:10:59,679
if the town chooses to do so. The

1693
01:10:59,679 --> 01:11:01,600
parking lots also will include vehicle

1694
01:11:01,600 --> 01:11:03,679
charging.

1695
01:11:03,679 --> 01:11:05,760
As designed and based on today's utility

1696
01:11:05,760 --> 01:11:07,760
rates, we estimate the annual operating

1697
01:11:07,760 --> 01:11:09,520
cost of the new police station to be

1698
01:11:09,520 --> 01:11:12,950
about $68,000.

1699
01:11:12,960 --> 01:11:15,040
Since 135 King Street was purchased by

1700
01:11:15,040 --> 01:11:16,560
the town, it has since been the

1701
01:11:16,560 --> 01:11:18,080
responsibility of the facilities

1702
01:11:18,080 --> 01:11:20,320
department and DPW to maintain the

1703
01:11:20,320 --> 01:11:22,080
building as well as the current facility

1704
01:11:22,080 --> 01:11:25,120
on Elm Street. The facilities and DPW

1705
01:11:25,120 --> 01:11:26,880
departments will continue to do so after

1706
01:11:26,880 --> 01:11:30,640
the police station is completed.

1707
01:11:30,640 --> 01:11:32,080
And now I'd like to introduce David

1708
01:11:32,080 --> 01:11:44,709
Farog for his comments.

1709
01:11:44,719 --> 01:11:47,040
Thank you. Good evening everybody. Uh

1710
01:11:47,040 --> 01:11:49,440
David Farog, select board member, 39

1711
01:11:49,440 --> 01:11:52,000
Beachwood Street. When the article to

1712
01:11:52,000 --> 01:11:53,760
purchase the King Street property for

1713
01:11:53,760 --> 01:11:55,120
the public safety building was

1714
01:11:55,120 --> 01:11:57,199
introduced, I was sitting in the

1715
01:11:57,199 --> 01:11:58,800
audience as a town meeting member just

1716
01:11:58,800 --> 01:12:01,360
like you. Since then, I was elected to

1717
01:12:01,360 --> 01:12:03,199
the select board and the public safety

1718
01:12:03,199 --> 01:12:05,199
facilities committee has spent years

1719
01:12:05,199 --> 01:12:06,880
preparing this project for your vote

1720
01:12:06,880 --> 01:12:09,120
tonight. There are a number of facts

1721
01:12:09,120 --> 01:12:10,640
that I've learned during this process

1722
01:12:10,640 --> 01:12:13,120
that I wanted to share with you. When

1723
01:12:13,120 --> 01:12:14,800
the police station on Elm Street was

1724
01:12:14,800 --> 01:12:16,719
built in 1962,

1725
01:12:16,719 --> 01:12:19,040
officer training was informal and on the

1726
01:12:19,040 --> 01:12:22,000
job. Training later became a structured

1727
01:12:22,000 --> 01:12:25,040
statemandated with an 800 plus hour

1728
01:12:25,040 --> 01:12:27,440
program focused on modern policing

1729
01:12:27,440 --> 01:12:29,920
principles. The Municipal Police

1730
01:12:29,920 --> 01:12:33,280
Training Council established in 1964 and

1731
01:12:33,280 --> 01:12:36,400
further reforms were made in 2020. Our

1732
01:12:36,400 --> 01:12:38,400
police station predates all of these

1733
01:12:38,400 --> 01:12:40,000
changes.

1734
01:12:40,000 --> 01:12:43,040
Please go to slide one. Next slide. In

1735
01:12:43,040 --> 01:12:47,440
the 1970s, Boston Magazine's 1977 cover,

1736
01:12:47,440 --> 01:12:49,520
which you see to the the left,

1737
01:12:49,520 --> 01:12:51,760
highlighted the lack of police training,

1738
01:12:51,760 --> 01:12:54,080
highlighting Cohassid police as the gang

1739
01:12:54,080 --> 01:12:56,719
that couldn't shoot straight. These

1740
01:12:56,719 --> 01:12:58,560
stories are now a part of coacassid

1741
01:12:58,560 --> 01:13:00,880
history and folklore, including the

1742
01:13:00,880 --> 01:13:03,040
story at the time of the police chief's

1743
01:13:03,040 --> 01:13:05,520
son riding a motorcycle through town in

1744
01:13:05,520 --> 01:13:07,920
just cowboy boots, two bandeliers of

1745
01:13:07,920 --> 01:13:10,800
ammunition, and nothing else. Thank

1746
01:13:10,800 --> 01:13:12,239
goodness we didn't have camera phones

1747
01:13:12,239 --> 01:13:14,800
back then. Though these stories were

1748
01:13:14,800 --> 01:13:16,800
entertaining, the need for real training

1749
01:13:16,800 --> 01:13:18,960
and professionalization of the coasset

1750
01:13:18,960 --> 01:13:21,199
police was clear and later achieved.

1751
01:13:21,199 --> 01:13:23,600
Please go to slide two.

1752
01:13:23,600 --> 01:13:25,600
Over time, the department has increased

1753
01:13:25,600 --> 01:13:27,600
its professionalism and standards.

1754
01:13:27,600 --> 01:13:30,480
Today, officers are trained in CPR,

1755
01:13:30,480 --> 01:13:33,199
medical response, firearms, crisis

1756
01:13:33,199 --> 01:13:35,840
intervention, deescalation, active

1757
01:13:35,840 --> 01:13:38,320
shooter scenarios, and complete 60 hours

1758
01:13:38,320 --> 01:13:41,840
of annual inservice training, plus peace

1759
01:13:41,840 --> 01:13:43,440
officer standards and training

1760
01:13:43,440 --> 01:13:45,920
certification every three years.

1761
01:13:45,920 --> 01:13:48,560
Officers now serve our community as law

1762
01:13:48,560 --> 01:13:51,520
enforcement, medical responders, crisis

1763
01:13:51,520 --> 01:13:54,080
managers, technology operators,

1764
01:13:54,080 --> 01:13:56,560
investigators, communicators, and

1765
01:13:56,560 --> 01:13:59,040
deescalation specialists.

1766
01:13:59,040 --> 01:14:01,440
To properly protect Cohassid, police

1767
01:14:01,440 --> 01:14:03,920
need the proper tools and facilities.

1768
01:14:03,920 --> 01:14:05,920
The new public safety building offers

1769
01:14:05,920 --> 01:14:08,000
dedicated training areas, briefing

1770
01:14:08,000 --> 01:14:10,800
rooms, and proper prisoner detention.

1771
01:14:10,800 --> 01:14:13,199
Its layout meets Massachusetts codes for

1772
01:14:13,199 --> 01:14:16,400
safety and efficiency. Modern challenges

1773
01:14:16,400 --> 01:14:17,920
including cell phone and computer

1774
01:14:17,920 --> 01:14:21,120
forensics, crisis intervention, overdose

1775
01:14:21,120 --> 01:14:24,159
response, active shooter protocols, and

1776
01:14:24,159 --> 01:14:26,800
bias-free policing demand updated

1777
01:14:26,800 --> 01:14:30,239
resources. Recent issues in town like

1778
01:14:30,239 --> 01:14:33,840
car thefts, retail theft gangs, online

1779
01:14:33,840 --> 01:14:36,400
identity theft, domestic violence, and

1780
01:14:36,400 --> 01:14:38,480
mental health emergencies also require

1781
01:14:38,480 --> 01:14:41,440
effective responses. Our police are

1782
01:14:41,440 --> 01:14:42,880
highly trained and have performed

1783
01:14:42,880 --> 01:14:44,719
admirably even in challenging

1784
01:14:44,719 --> 01:14:46,480
situations.

1785
01:14:46,480 --> 01:14:48,880
During the Anna Walsh murder case, which

1786
01:14:48,880 --> 01:14:50,400
gained national and international

1787
01:14:50,400 --> 01:14:52,960
attention, both the state police and

1788
01:14:52,960 --> 01:14:55,120
Norfol County District Attorney's Office

1789
01:14:55,120 --> 01:14:56,960
depended heavily on our police

1790
01:14:56,960 --> 01:14:59,760
department due to concerns of their own

1791
01:14:59,760 --> 01:15:02,239
objectivity and lack of professionalism

1792
01:15:02,239 --> 01:15:04,560
following the Karen Reed case. They

1793
01:15:04,560 --> 01:15:06,320
depended upon the coassess police's

1794
01:15:06,320 --> 01:15:08,239
professionalism and something that

1795
01:15:08,239 --> 01:15:10,080
cannot be found in a budget or

1796
01:15:10,080 --> 01:15:12,320
mathematically calculated. That

1797
01:15:12,320 --> 01:15:14,719
ingredient was integrity.

1798
01:15:14,719 --> 01:15:17,199
That is how a conviction was achieved in

1799
01:15:17,199 --> 01:15:19,280
the case based on just circumstantial

1800
01:15:19,280 --> 01:15:27,110
evidence.

1801
01:15:27,120 --> 01:15:29,199
Building a top tier police force starts

1802
01:15:29,199 --> 01:15:31,280
with strong leadership at all levels.

1803
01:15:31,280 --> 01:15:33,760
chief, commanders, lieutenants,

1804
01:15:33,760 --> 01:15:35,440
sergeants, and it permeates to the

1805
01:15:35,440 --> 01:15:38,880
patrol officers. Our building, over 65

1806
01:15:38,880 --> 01:15:41,920
years old, 64 years old, is outdated and

1807
01:15:41,920 --> 01:15:44,400
unsuitable for current operations.

1808
01:15:44,400 --> 01:15:47,360
Nearby towns like Kingham, Hull, and

1809
01:15:47,360 --> 01:15:49,280
Situit are upgrading their public safety

1810
01:15:49,280 --> 01:15:51,920
facilities to modern standards. Since

1811
01:15:51,920 --> 01:15:55,280
1962, Cohassid has built a new Osgood

1812
01:15:55,280 --> 01:15:58,480
school, upgraded the Deer Hill. The high

1813
01:15:58,480 --> 01:16:00,080
school has been renovated twice since

1814
01:16:00,080 --> 01:16:03,199
that time, relocated and expanded the

1815
01:16:03,199 --> 01:16:05,920
library to the old Osgood school and and

1816
01:16:05,920 --> 01:16:08,239
we've constructed a new DPW and senior

1817
01:16:08,239 --> 01:16:11,840
center. After 18 years, Town Hall is now

1818
01:16:11,840 --> 01:16:15,040
being restored to its former glory.

1819
01:16:15,040 --> 01:16:19,189
Please clap for that.

1820
01:16:19,199 --> 01:16:21,120
Uh meanwhile, the Elm Street Police

1821
01:16:21,120 --> 01:16:23,600
Station remains unchanged. Building a

1822
01:16:23,600 --> 01:16:25,280
new public safety building is long

1823
01:16:25,280 --> 01:16:30,480
overdue. In summary, the decision before us is pivotable. We must

1824
01:16:30,480 --> 01:16:32,239
choose whether to unite as a community

1825
01:16:32,239 --> 01:16:34,480
and to move forward together or allow

1826
01:16:34,480 --> 01:16:37,199
division to undermine our shared goals.

1827
01:16:37,199 --> 01:16:39,120
Now is the time for Cohasset to stand

1828
01:16:39,120 --> 01:16:41,360
together, support one another, and

1829
01:16:41,360 --> 01:16:44,320
ensure a safer future for all residents.

1830
01:16:44,320 --> 01:16:46,239
The value of a new public safety

1831
01:16:46,239 --> 01:16:48,320
building to Cohasset goes far beyond

1832
01:16:48,320 --> 01:16:51,040
budgets, dollars, and cents. As Oscar

1833
01:16:51,040 --> 01:16:53,600
Wild once wrote, "A cynic is a man who

1834
01:16:53,600 --> 01:16:55,280
knows the price of everything and the

1835
01:16:55,280 --> 01:16:57,920
value of nothing." Voting yes on this

1836
01:16:57,920 --> 01:16:59,600
article will resolve the issue and

1837
01:16:59,600 --> 01:17:01,840
ensure our public safety operations are

1838
01:17:01,840 --> 01:17:04,080
brought into the 21st century, meeting

1839
01:17:04,080 --> 01:17:05,840
the needs of our community now and for

1840
01:17:05,840 --> 01:17:07,679
future generations.

1841
01:17:07,679 --> 01:17:10,800
Conversely, voting no does not result in

1842
01:17:10,800 --> 01:17:12,880
any financial savings. Instead, it

1843
01:17:12,880 --> 01:17:14,880
creates additional, more expensive

1844
01:17:14,880 --> 01:17:17,360
problems for the town and its residents.

1845
01:17:17,360 --> 01:17:19,920
Therefore, I urge you to join me in

1846
01:17:19,920 --> 01:17:21,920
voting yes on this article. The safety

1847
01:17:21,920 --> 01:17:23,920
of you, your family, and your children

1848
01:17:23,920 --> 01:17:34,870
is of utmost importance. Thank you.

1849
01:17:34,880 --> 01:17:37,360
The select board has voted

1850
01:17:37,360 --> 01:17:40,480
300 to recommend adoption for the

1851
01:17:40,480 --> 01:17:42,239
advisory committee. I'll recognize Mr.

1852
01:17:42,239 --> 01:17:53,189
Mark Cameron.

1853
01:17:53,199 --> 01:17:56,080
18 Virginia Lane, uh, vice

1854
01:17:56,080 --> 01:17:59,120
chair of the advisory committee. The

1855
01:17:59,120 --> 01:18:00,880
public safety building was presented to

1856
01:18:00,880 --> 01:18:03,040
the capital budget committee, advisory

1857
01:18:03,040 --> 01:18:04,560
committee, and the select board in the

1858
01:18:04,560 --> 01:18:06,400
fall of 2025.

1859
01:18:06,400 --> 01:18:08,159
As the various committees dug into the

1860
01:18:08,159 --> 01:18:10,000
details, there were still some items

1861
01:18:10,000 --> 01:18:11,600
that needed to be flushed out before

1862
01:18:11,600 --> 01:18:13,120
putting the article in front of the

1863
01:18:13,120 --> 01:18:14,800
community.

1864
01:18:14,800 --> 01:18:16,640
The article was pulled from fall town

1865
01:18:16,640 --> 01:18:19,920
meeting. The process works. The public

1866
01:18:19,920 --> 01:18:21,440
safety committee flushed out the

1867
01:18:21,440 --> 01:18:23,120
details, went through value management

1868
01:18:23,120 --> 01:18:25,440
items, and we have a plan that will

1869
01:18:25,440 --> 01:18:27,600
provide the Cohasset Police Department

1870
01:18:27,600 --> 01:18:29,360
with a facility that meets current

1871
01:18:29,360 --> 01:18:32,400
operations now and years to come without

1872
01:18:32,400 --> 01:18:37,910
increasing police and fire staffing.

1873
01:18:37,920 --> 01:18:40,400
135 King Street will also help support

1874
01:18:40,400 --> 01:18:41,840
the needs of the fire department

1875
01:18:41,840 --> 01:18:44,960
operations on Elm Street by housing our

1876
01:18:44,960 --> 01:18:47,840
back our existing backup fire engine in

1877
01:18:47,840 --> 01:18:50,400
the shelled out garage space at 135 King

1878
01:18:50,400 --> 01:18:53,679
Street. This frees up space on the Elm

1879
01:18:53,679 --> 01:18:56,080
Street apparatus floor for our existing

1880
01:18:56,080 --> 01:18:58,480
backup ambulance to be stocked with

1881
01:18:58,480 --> 01:19:00,800
medicine and put into service at a

1882
01:19:00,800 --> 01:19:03,120
moment's notice. This is currently not

1883
01:19:03,120 --> 01:19:05,520
the case.

1884
01:19:05,520 --> 01:19:07,679
The shelled out garage space allows for

1885
01:19:07,679 --> 01:19:11,280
f future growth while providing current

1886
01:19:11,280 --> 01:19:13,840
garage needs for critical DPW equipment

1887
01:19:13,840 --> 01:19:15,840
and storms and a space for our school

1888
01:19:15,840 --> 01:19:17,840
buses to receive regular on-site

1889
01:19:17,840 --> 01:19:19,600
maintenance.

1890
01:19:19,600 --> 01:19:21,600
The emergency management center will be

1891
01:19:21,600 --> 01:19:23,840
relocated out of the Deer Hill and

1892
01:19:23,840 --> 01:19:25,920
incorporated into the police station, a

1893
01:19:25,920 --> 01:19:28,480
more appropriate location. It will also

1894
01:19:28,480 --> 01:19:31,520
serve as a community room for in-person

1895
01:19:31,520 --> 01:19:34,080
meetings. The advisory committee has

1896
01:19:34,080 --> 01:19:36,880
voted 8 to1 with one abstension to

1897
01:19:36,880 --> 01:19:39,440
support the police station at 135 King

1898
01:19:39,440 --> 01:19:41,760
Street. Thank you.

1899
01:19:41,760 --> 01:19:46,390
>> Thank you.

1900
01:19:46,400 --> 01:19:48,239
Is there someone from Capital Budget

1901
01:19:48,239 --> 01:19:58,310
that's going to speak?

1902
01:19:58,320 --> 01:20:00,000
Kathy Forest from the capital budget

1903
01:20:00,000 --> 01:20:03,760
committee 36 Parker Avenue.

1904
01:20:03,760 --> 01:20:05,440
One remitt of the capital budget

1905
01:20:05,440 --> 01:20:07,360
committee is to review infrastructure

1906
01:20:07,360 --> 01:20:09,120
projects.

1907
01:20:09,120 --> 01:20:10,960
This committee is separate from the

1908
01:20:10,960 --> 01:20:13,840
public safety facilities committee and

1909
01:20:13,840 --> 01:20:15,600
for this project we have functioned as

1910
01:20:15,600 --> 01:20:17,280
another set of eyes to help the town

1911
01:20:17,280 --> 01:20:20,560
evaluate this proposal.

1912
01:20:20,560 --> 01:20:22,000
The four capital budget committee

1913
01:20:22,000 --> 01:20:23,520
members who have voted to recommend

1914
01:20:23,520 --> 01:20:26,560
article 21 started our work in earnest

1915
01:20:26,560 --> 01:20:28,560
last September.

1916
01:20:28,560 --> 01:20:30,000
The committee consisted of some

1917
01:20:30,000 --> 01:20:31,600
longerterm members with the benefit of

1918
01:20:31,600 --> 01:20:33,760
town history but also some brand new

1919
01:20:33,760 --> 01:20:36,880
members with fresh perspectives.

1920
01:20:36,880 --> 01:20:38,960
During September and early October,

1921
01:20:38,960 --> 01:20:42,080
these four members of the CBC had weekly

1922
01:20:42,080 --> 01:20:44,640
public meetings discussing this project

1923
01:20:44,640 --> 01:20:46,719
directly with the architects, the

1924
01:20:46,719 --> 01:20:49,199
project manager, the chiefs, and town

1925
01:20:49,199 --> 01:20:50,880
management.

1926
01:20:50,880 --> 01:20:54,159
We dug deep into the details of over 50

1927
01:20:54,159 --> 01:20:57,199
documents that were provided to us,

1928
01:20:57,199 --> 01:20:59,679
including existing condition reports for

1929
01:20:59,679 --> 01:21:02,560
Elm Street and King Street,

1930
01:21:02,560 --> 01:21:04,960
public safety staffing and programming

1931
01:21:04,960 --> 01:21:06,800
descriptions,

1932
01:21:06,800 --> 01:21:10,000
detailed site and building renderings,

1933
01:21:10,000 --> 01:21:13,760
and line item cost estimates.

1934
01:21:13,760 --> 01:21:16,159
Perhaps most impactful were the site

1935
01:21:16,159 --> 01:21:19,280
visits that we made during that time.

1936
01:21:19,280 --> 01:21:22,560
We toured the Elm Street station. We

1937
01:21:22,560 --> 01:21:24,880
toured the emergency operations center

1938
01:21:24,880 --> 01:21:27,360
in the Deer Hill basement.

1939
01:21:27,360 --> 01:21:31,120
We toured 135 King Street.

1940
01:21:31,120 --> 01:21:33,280
And most informative, we toured the

1941
01:21:33,280 --> 01:21:36,800
Marshfield Police Station built in 2021,

1942
01:21:36,800 --> 01:21:40,159
which provided a stark contrast to the

1943
01:21:40,159 --> 01:21:42,640
work environment of our town police

1944
01:21:42,640 --> 01:21:45,760
force. and it gave us a firsthand look

1945
01:21:45,760 --> 01:21:48,320
at how police stations support the work

1946
01:21:48,320 --> 01:21:51,600
of modern policing.

1947
01:21:51,600 --> 01:21:53,600
After the select board expanded the

1948
01:21:53,600 --> 01:21:55,520
public safety facilities committee to

1949
01:21:55,520 --> 01:21:57,679
include additional citizens and subject

1950
01:21:57,679 --> 01:22:00,159
matter experts, I was added to the

1951
01:22:00,159 --> 01:22:03,760
committee as an exeicio member. At that

1952
01:22:03,760 --> 01:22:06,000
time, we gained a new representative on

1953
01:22:06,000 --> 01:22:07,679
the capital budget committee who

1954
01:22:07,679 --> 01:22:10,159
unfortunately did not get the benefit of

1955
01:22:10,159 --> 01:22:12,320
those previous extensive meetings or

1956
01:22:12,320 --> 01:22:14,639
document reviews and did not take any

1957
01:22:14,639 --> 01:22:17,120
facility tours.

1958
01:22:17,120 --> 01:22:19,360
From that point, I provided updates

1959
01:22:19,360 --> 01:22:21,360
about the project to the capital budget

1960
01:22:21,360 --> 01:22:23,520
committee at every one of our meetings

1961
01:22:23,520 --> 01:22:26,960
through March, and the CBC continued to

1962
01:22:26,960 --> 01:22:29,199
spend significant time and effort

1963
01:22:29,199 --> 01:22:32,480
pressure testing this proposal.

1964
01:22:32,480 --> 01:22:34,159
We concluded that the current police

1965
01:22:34,159 --> 01:22:36,800
station at Elm Street is outdated and

1966
01:22:36,800 --> 01:22:39,360
inadequate for the requirements of today

1967
01:22:39,360 --> 01:22:41,600
and going forward.

1968
01:22:41,600 --> 01:22:44,159
Our chiefs have done a remarkable job

1969
01:22:44,159 --> 01:22:47,040
keeping their work workforces effective

1970
01:22:47,040 --> 01:22:49,600
in this facility.

1971
01:22:49,600 --> 01:22:52,080
The current facility cannot be expanded

1972
01:22:52,080 --> 01:22:54,159
cost-effectively to solve the complete

1973
01:22:54,159 --> 01:22:56,719
problem but it can be modified to

1974
01:22:56,719 --> 01:22:58,320
provide a suitable home for the fire

1975
01:22:58,320 --> 01:23:00,480
department.

1976
01:23:00,480 --> 01:23:02,400
The police department need a new

1977
01:23:02,400 --> 01:23:06,000
facility, ideally on 3A, which provides

1978
01:23:06,000 --> 01:23:09,679
the best access to the whole town.

1979
01:23:09,679 --> 01:23:12,800
The building at 135 King Street does

1980
01:23:12,800 --> 01:23:15,360
have challenges for its newly proposed

1981
01:23:15,360 --> 01:23:17,040
use.

1982
01:23:17,040 --> 01:23:19,120
The site and the building do need

1983
01:23:19,120 --> 01:23:21,440
modifications to meet the requirements

1984
01:23:21,440 --> 01:23:24,719
for a public safety facility.

1985
01:23:24,719 --> 01:23:27,199
However, a review of other sites around

1986
01:23:27,199 --> 01:23:30,239
3A found them to be too small or subject

1987
01:23:30,239 --> 01:23:32,560
to conservation restrictions or would

1988
01:23:32,560 --> 01:23:35,040
also require extensive cost to make

1989
01:23:35,040 --> 01:23:38,159
suitable. There are no other suitable

1990
01:23:38,159 --> 01:23:42,800
locations on 3A in our little town.

1991
01:23:42,800 --> 01:23:44,960
We also looked at comparables of

1992
01:23:44,960 --> 01:23:47,120
facilities constructed in the last 10

1993
01:23:47,120 --> 01:23:50,000
years based on town size.

1994
01:23:50,000 --> 01:23:52,239
In this effort, we really struggled to

1995
01:23:52,239 --> 01:23:55,520
get truly comparable data. We could,

1996
01:23:55,520 --> 01:23:57,920
however, see that if adjusted for

1997
01:23:57,920 --> 01:24:00,480
today's building prices, the new police

1998
01:24:00,480 --> 01:24:03,360
facility at 135 King Street will be well

1999
01:24:03,360 --> 01:24:04,800
within the range of what other

2000
01:24:04,800 --> 01:24:08,000
facilities have cost to build.

2001
01:24:08,000 --> 01:24:10,560
As a result of our deliberations, the

2002
01:24:10,560 --> 01:24:12,480
capital budget committee recommends the

2003
01:24:12,480 --> 01:24:22,470
approval of article 21. Thank you.

2004
01:24:22,480 --> 01:24:28,229
Is there discussion

2005
01:24:28,239 --> 01:24:31,679
recognize Mr. Collins first?

2006
01:24:31,679 --> 01:24:34,960
>> Francis just was that did you have some

2007
01:24:34,960 --> 01:24:35,760
concluding remarks?

2008
01:24:35,760 --> 01:24:36,719
>> I'm going to be here to answer

2009
01:24:36,719 --> 01:24:37,120
questions.

2010
01:24:37,120 --> 01:24:39,520
>> Oh, okay.

2011
01:24:39,520 --> 01:24:41,840
Somewhere around 35 or 40 years ago, we

2012
01:24:41,840 --> 01:24:44,239
put a committee together to look at that

2013
01:24:44,239 --> 01:24:46,320
building on Elm Street because there had

2014
01:24:46,320 --> 01:24:48,159
been a lot of deferred maintenance.

2015
01:24:48,159 --> 01:24:50,400
Place was really in bad shape and what

2016
01:24:50,400 --> 01:24:53,199
can we do to make it better and most of

2017
01:24:53,199 --> 01:24:56,159
the uh issues that officer Lennon raised

2018
01:24:56,159 --> 01:24:59,520
tonight, we raised them 40 years ago and

2019
01:24:59,520 --> 01:25:01,520
nothing was done. We just kept putting

2020
01:25:01,520 --> 01:25:03,600
off and putting off and putting off. And

2021
01:25:03,600 --> 01:25:07,040
as you know, as you put off and put off, up go the prices and up

2022
01:25:07,040 --> 01:25:09,679
they go. To have proper policing in this

2023
01:25:09,679 --> 01:25:11,760
town, to have proper facilities for

2024
01:25:11,760 --> 01:25:13,440
these men to do their job that they're

2025
01:25:13,440 --> 01:25:15,040
supposed to do, we need a new police

2026
01:25:15,040 --> 01:25:17,040
station. You know, who wants to spend an

2027
01:25:17,040 --> 01:25:19,040
extra $30 million if we don't have to.

2028
01:25:19,040 --> 01:25:21,520
But we do have to. So, this is um this

2029
01:25:21,520 --> 01:25:23,199
is something that we really and truly

2030
01:25:23,199 --> 01:25:25,360
need. And I hope everybody thinks long

2031
01:25:25,360 --> 01:25:26,960
and hard about it and gives it a good

2032
01:25:26,960 --> 01:25:33,520
yes vote. Thank you.

2033
01:25:33,520 --> 01:25:35,360
Um I've got the gentleman here and then

2034
01:25:35,360 --> 01:25:38,159
I got two people right there.

2035
01:25:38,159 --> 01:25:40,960
Sir,

2036
01:25:40,960 --> 01:25:43,920
uh Jack Kraton, 20 uh three Cushing

2037
01:25:43,920 --> 01:25:46,880
Road. I rise to urge my fellow towns

2038
01:25:46,880 --> 01:25:50,080
people to vote enthusiastically for this

2039
01:25:50,080 --> 01:25:52,719
project. It's a good project. I have

2040
01:25:52,719 --> 01:25:55,040
been privileged to be in parts of it

2041
01:25:55,040 --> 01:25:58,320
going back some 20 years. 20 years ago

2042
01:25:58,320 --> 01:26:00,159
when I was first in the police station

2043
01:26:00,159 --> 01:26:03,760
on the right side, I might add. Um it

2044
01:26:03,760 --> 01:26:05,920
was horrible.

2045
01:26:05,920 --> 01:26:08,320
Hasn't gotten any better. You've heard

2046
01:26:08,320 --> 01:26:11,120
compelling evidence from various other

2047
01:26:11,120 --> 01:26:13,600
boards and commissions who've looked at

2048
01:26:13,600 --> 01:26:16,239
it and come to the same conclusion. It

2049
01:26:16,239 --> 01:26:20,400
needs to go a new project. This project

2050
01:26:20,400 --> 01:26:22,560
has been vetted. People have spent

2051
01:26:22,560 --> 01:26:25,040
countless hours. I think we can all be

2052
01:26:25,040 --> 01:26:26,560
confident that we have a winning

2053
01:26:26,560 --> 01:26:29,600
proposal and I asked you to support it

2054
01:26:29,600 --> 01:26:31,840
and yes there were some financial

2055
01:26:31,840 --> 01:26:33,520
questions.

2056
01:26:33,520 --> 01:26:35,920
Two three years ago there were some

2057
01:26:35,920 --> 01:26:38,639
unfortunate budget projections.

2058
01:26:38,639 --> 01:26:40,639
Fortunately

2059
01:26:40,639 --> 01:26:43,920
all of that is gratefully in the past.

2060
01:26:43,920 --> 01:26:46,800
So let's not let that

2061
01:26:46,800 --> 01:26:49,040
influence today. Let us not be held

2062
01:26:49,040 --> 01:26:52,000
hostage by that. Let's also look at the

2063
01:26:52,000 --> 01:26:54,719
financing. Now, this is a debt

2064
01:26:54,719 --> 01:26:57,760
exclusion, and what that means is, yes,

2065
01:26:57,760 --> 01:27:01,679
we're going to uh up our taxes a little,

2066
01:27:01,679 --> 01:27:04,719
but we only pay the taxes until the

2067
01:27:04,719 --> 01:27:07,280
project is paid for and then it goes off

2068
01:27:07,280 --> 01:27:10,239
the books. It's not an unending

2069
01:27:10,239 --> 01:27:12,159
whatever. So, you can take comfort in

2070
01:27:12,159 --> 01:27:15,040
that. What you hopefully agree to

2071
01:27:15,040 --> 01:27:16,960
tonight

2072
01:27:16,960 --> 01:27:20,400
will be paid for. And again, we are very

2073
01:27:20,400 --> 01:27:23,199
fortunate. We have probably the finest

2074
01:27:23,199 --> 01:27:25,679
small town police and fire department in

2075
01:27:25,679 --> 01:27:28,639
the state, if not the nation. We should

2076
01:27:28,639 --> 01:27:31,360
show our support. We should be grateful.

2077
01:27:31,360 --> 01:27:33,440
And again, I ask each and every one of

2078
01:27:33,440 --> 01:27:36,080
you to vote in favor of this project.

2079
01:27:36,080 --> 01:27:42,310
Thank you. Thank you.

2080
01:27:42,320 --> 01:27:43,840
» Let the woman over here, please.

2081
01:27:43,840 --> 01:27:46,159
>> Uh, hi, Chrissy Francona, 55 Redgate

2082
01:27:46,159 --> 01:27:48,320
Lane. Um, as the fifth member of the

2083
01:27:48,320 --> 01:27:49,760
capital budget committee, I would like

2084
01:27:49,760 --> 01:27:51,760
to just take issue with the comments

2085
01:27:51,760 --> 01:27:53,920
that were made. I was the objecting

2086
01:27:53,920 --> 01:27:56,880
vote. I have no issue with the fact that

2087
01:27:56,880 --> 01:27:58,719
we need a new facility. That has never

2088
01:27:58,719 --> 01:28:00,960
been my argument. My issue has been with

2089
01:28:00,960 --> 01:28:03,360
the process, with the transparency of

2090
01:28:03,360 --> 01:28:05,440
costs, and I think it was a pretty low

2091
01:28:05,440 --> 01:28:14,629
blow to suggest otherwise. Thank you,

2092
01:28:14,639 --> 01:28:16,320
» Mr. Jenkins.

2093
01:28:16,320 --> 01:28:19,040
Jerusalem Road. I voted for the

2094
01:28:19,040 --> 01:28:23,199
$10.4 million original price for this

2095
01:28:23,199 --> 01:28:26,560
job. It's gone up three times. That's

2096
01:28:26,560 --> 01:28:30,960
almost impossible to be done. And $32

2097
01:28:30,960 --> 01:28:34,400
million plus, I know I'm going to say

2098
01:28:34,400 --> 01:28:37,040
another 15 or 20,000. So, we're talking

2099
01:28:37,040 --> 01:28:40,880
between 45 to 50 million to do this

2100
01:28:40,880 --> 01:28:42,480
facility.

2101
01:28:42,480 --> 01:28:44,639
Now, I've been told you can't count the

2102
01:28:44,639 --> 01:28:46,639
interest. Well, that's the interest that

2103
01:28:46,639 --> 01:28:49,440
everybody here pays for, so it should be

2104
01:28:49,440 --> 01:28:51,600
counted. I just think we can do

2105
01:28:51,600 --> 01:28:54,320
something better with this facility. I

2106
01:28:54,320 --> 01:28:55,920
think we can do something better. So,

2107
01:28:55,920 --> 01:28:57,360
thank you.

2108
01:28:57,360 --> 01:29:01,750
>> Thank you,

2109
01:29:01,760 --> 01:29:03,199
» uh, Mr. Dick. And then I've got the

2110
01:29:03,199 --> 01:29:05,280
gentleman over here.

2111
01:29:05,280 --> 01:29:08,000
>> Good evening. Mike Dick, 27 Parker

2112
01:29:08,000 --> 01:29:09,520
Avenue.

2113
01:29:09,520 --> 01:29:14,719
This is um a a clear community need. I

2114
01:29:14,719 --> 01:29:17,679
also on the capital budget committee in

2115
01:29:17,679 --> 01:29:22,159
2023 voted for the $10.4 million.

2116
01:29:22,159 --> 01:29:24,960
At that time we had a very similar

2117
01:29:24,960 --> 01:29:28,960
presentation outlining the terrible

2118
01:29:28,960 --> 01:29:30,800
conditions on Elm Street and the need

2119
01:29:30,800 --> 01:29:32,960
for a new facility.

2120
01:29:32,960 --> 01:29:35,360
and we were after much debate were able

2121
01:29:35,360 --> 01:29:38,159
to agree to support that vote at town

2122
01:29:38,159 --> 01:29:43,120
meeting. I I'm here to caution this town

2123
01:29:43,120 --> 01:29:46,159
meeting and future town meetings

2124
01:29:46,159 --> 01:29:49,440
that we have to be so careful about how

2125
01:29:49,440 --> 01:29:55,440
much a budget can increase over time.

2126
01:29:55,440 --> 01:29:57,760
And it's stunning to me that this

2127
01:29:57,760 --> 01:29:59,920
project has

2128
01:29:59,920 --> 01:30:04,080
increased so much from the original 10.4

2129
01:30:04,080 --> 01:30:06,080
to meet the the same need that we've

2130
01:30:06,080 --> 01:30:07,920
heard about tonight. I'm sure there are

2131
01:30:07,920 --> 01:30:11,199
many reasons why, but I just ex I want

2132
01:30:11,199 --> 01:30:14,159
us to exercise caution and be somewhat

2133
01:30:14,159 --> 01:30:16,639
careful on how we approach this

2134
01:30:16,639 --> 01:30:19,920
particular project. We have additional

2135
01:30:19,920 --> 01:30:22,159
capital projects, I'm sure, in the

2136
01:30:22,159 --> 01:30:23,679
pipeline.

2137
01:30:23,679 --> 01:30:26,239
Um, if if there were time, I would ask

2138
01:30:26,239 --> 01:30:27,920
both the advisory committee chair and

2139
01:30:27,920 --> 01:30:31,040
the capital budget chair to outline what

2140
01:30:31,040 --> 01:30:33,840
our futual future capital budget needs

2141
01:30:33,840 --> 01:30:36,719
are over the next three years. The final

2142
01:30:36,719 --> 01:30:38,320
point I'd like to make for us all

2143
01:30:38,320 --> 01:30:42,239
tonight is that the projected $525

2144
01:30:42,239 --> 01:30:46,800
additional tax on a $1 million valuation

2145
01:30:46,800 --> 01:30:50,400
um comes on top of

2146
01:30:50,400 --> 01:30:52,639
many dollars of increases we've

2147
01:30:52,639 --> 01:30:56,159
experienced since 2023 in stabilization

2148
01:30:56,159 --> 01:31:00,800
funds and and other reasons. So, I'm not

2149
01:31:00,800 --> 01:31:04,560
saying vote no, but what I am saying is

2150
01:31:04,560 --> 01:31:07,840
rem remember this night as we get future

2151
01:31:07,840 --> 01:31:12,639
projects and how the town and its boards

2152
01:31:12,639 --> 01:31:14,800
review these projects and make decisions

2153
01:31:14,800 --> 01:31:16,960
for us. Thank you.

2154
01:31:16,960 --> 01:31:21,990
>> Thank you.

2155
01:31:22,000 --> 01:31:23,840
» Gentleman over here, please.

2156
01:31:23,840 --> 01:31:27,040
>> Patrick Reen, 167 Pawn Street. Uh, I'm

2157
01:31:27,040 --> 01:31:29,520
also the a sergeant and the K9 handler

2158
01:31:29,520 --> 01:31:31,520
with the Kawas Police Department. I just

2159
01:31:31,520 --> 01:31:32,560
wanted to say a couple of things

2160
01:31:32,560 --> 01:31:35,199
regarding the project. Um, I'm lucky

2161
01:31:35,199 --> 01:31:37,280
enough to be able to work and live in

2162
01:31:37,280 --> 01:31:41,120
the same town. Uh, gives me the ability

2163
01:31:41,120 --> 01:31:43,760
to, you know, help out as many people

2164
01:31:43,760 --> 01:31:47,440
that I live near as I can. Um, and it's

2165
01:31:47,440 --> 01:31:49,440
been a pleasure to be able to do that

2166
01:31:49,440 --> 01:31:53,280
for almost 20 years. Um, this isn't a

2167
01:31:53,280 --> 01:31:55,520
question of whether or not we need the a

2168
01:31:55,520 --> 01:31:57,520
new department. we do need it and it's

2169
01:31:57,520 --> 01:31:59,679
going to have to happen at some point.

2170
01:31:59,679 --> 01:32:01,600
Uh we've been trying to do this for 20

2171
01:32:01,600 --> 01:32:03,920
years. Um and we've just continued to

2172
01:32:03,920 --> 01:32:06,800
kick the can down the road. Um one of

2173
01:32:06,800 --> 01:32:09,440
the issues that I just want to touch on

2174
01:32:09,440 --> 01:32:11,840
real quick is is recruitment. You know,

2175
01:32:11,840 --> 01:32:14,000
we've taken a long time to build the

2176
01:32:14,000 --> 01:32:16,239
department to have quality officers that

2177
01:32:16,239 --> 01:32:18,159
we have today. And we're trying to keep

2178
01:32:18,159 --> 01:32:20,000
these officers. You know, these are the

2179
01:32:20,000 --> 01:32:21,360
people that are responding to your homes

2180
01:32:21,360 --> 01:32:23,440
at 2 in the morning. you know, all hours

2181
01:32:23,440 --> 01:32:24,800
of the day, you know, we're dealing

2182
01:32:24,800 --> 01:32:26,480
with, you know, we're not running, you

2183
01:32:26,480 --> 01:32:28,320
know, from bank robbery to bank robbery.

2184
01:32:28,320 --> 01:32:30,480
This is Cohassid, you know, like we're

2185
01:32:30,480 --> 01:32:32,880
not this we're a community-based police

2186
01:32:32,880 --> 01:32:34,880
department. We serve different needs

2187
01:32:34,880 --> 01:32:36,960
than bigger cities and towns. We're able

2188
01:32:36,960 --> 01:32:40,960
to give you guys the service that you

2189
01:32:40,960 --> 01:32:43,679
deserve. Um, you know, we have that

2190
01:32:43,679 --> 01:32:45,440
ability to do that. Well, in order to

2191
01:32:45,440 --> 01:32:47,360
have that ability, we need to hire

2192
01:32:47,360 --> 01:32:48,800
people that aren't just intelligent, but

2193
01:32:48,800 --> 01:32:50,880
that are emotionally intelligent. You

2194
01:32:50,880 --> 01:32:53,040
know, we, as you've seen in the last 5

2195
01:32:53,040 --> 01:32:56,000
to 10 years, policing's changed a lot.

2196
01:32:56,000 --> 01:32:58,400
We we aren't concerned with just

2197
01:32:58,400 --> 01:33:00,480
strictly crime anymore. We are dealing

2198
01:33:00,480 --> 01:33:02,719
with mental health crisis. We're dealing

2199
01:33:02,719 --> 01:33:05,360
with drug issues. We're dealing with

2200
01:33:05,360 --> 01:33:08,320
people uh that with things that we never

2201
01:33:08,320 --> 01:33:11,440
had to deal with uh you know, 10, 15, 20

2202
01:33:11,440 --> 01:33:14,000
years ago. Know when we respond to your

2203
01:33:14,000 --> 01:33:16,080
homes, you want us to be able to talk to

2204
01:33:16,080 --> 01:33:18,560
you to communicate effectively. you

2205
01:33:18,560 --> 01:33:20,880
know, when you guys uh having issues or

2206
01:33:20,880 --> 01:33:22,960
your family's having issues or friends,

2207
01:33:22,960 --> 01:33:25,360
mental health is has exploded in the

2208
01:33:25,360 --> 01:33:27,520
last 5 to 10 years. We're trying to

2209
01:33:27,520 --> 01:33:30,719
recruit people that have the ability to

2210
01:33:30,719 --> 01:33:34,480
speak to you and deescalate situations, with your loved

2211
01:33:34,480 --> 01:33:36,800
ones, you know, the the the type of

2212
01:33:36,800 --> 01:33:39,120
officer it's hard to find. Like you

2213
01:33:39,120 --> 01:33:40,320
you've seen things from around the

2214
01:33:40,320 --> 01:33:42,560
country, you know, it's hard to find a

2215
01:33:42,560 --> 01:33:44,159
qual, you know, quality people that can

2216
01:33:44,159 --> 01:33:46,080
handle that, you know, that can jump

2217
01:33:46,080 --> 01:33:49,440
from thing to thing. Um, and I just

2218
01:33:49,440 --> 01:33:51,760
wanted to um, you know, say that what

2219
01:33:51,760 --> 01:33:53,280
that's the type of officer that we're

2220
01:33:53,280 --> 01:33:54,560
looking for. We're hiring right now and

2221
01:33:54,560 --> 01:33:57,199
I'm on the hiring committee.

2222
01:33:57,199 --> 01:33:59,360
You want us to be selective. You know,

2223
01:33:59,360 --> 01:34:00,719
you want us to be able to pick people

2224
01:34:00,719 --> 01:34:03,040
that can handle these things that are

2225
01:34:03,040 --> 01:34:05,760
well-rounded. Um, it's really important

2226
01:34:05,760 --> 01:34:07,679
in the station, a new station where

2227
01:34:07,679 --> 01:34:09,520
these officers can actually work and and

2228
01:34:09,520 --> 01:34:11,520
do the job correctly and interview

2229
01:34:11,520 --> 01:34:13,440
people correctly and and and serve you

2230
01:34:13,440 --> 01:34:19,199
guys with the things that you need. It's extremely important be uh you know

2231
01:34:19,199 --> 01:34:21,199
we're in a recruitment crisis across the

2232
01:34:21,199 --> 01:34:23,679
country so it's a buyer market for us

2233
01:34:23,679 --> 01:34:25,120
you know I'm invested I live here I'm

2234
01:34:25,120 --> 01:34:26,560
not going anywhere you know and there's

2235
01:34:26,560 --> 01:34:28,800
a few others that are too but you know

2236
01:34:28,800 --> 01:34:30,560
there's other places that they can go we

2237
01:34:30,560 --> 01:34:32,719
people have options now used to you know

2238
01:34:32,719 --> 01:34:34,639
it used to be very very hard to get this

2239
01:34:34,639 --> 01:34:37,280
job and now in the last 5 to 10 years we

2240
01:34:37,280 --> 01:34:39,040
have to be very selective about who we

2241
01:34:39,040 --> 01:34:42,159
pick because they can go elsewhere so

2242
01:34:42,159 --> 01:34:44,000
you know just for my friends family and

2243
01:34:44,000 --> 01:34:46,960
neighbors or you know we'd like to be

2244
01:34:46,960 --> 01:34:48,639
able to provide the best services we

2245
01:34:48,639 --> 01:34:50,880
can. So that's all I want to say.

2246
01:34:50,880 --> 01:34:57,750
>> Thank you

2247
01:34:57,760 --> 01:34:58,800
gentlemen over here.

2248
01:34:58,800 --> 01:35:02,719
>> Thank you Justin 72 Lambert's Lane. Um

2249
01:35:02,719 --> 01:35:04,400
you know I want to fully support and I

2250
01:35:04,400 --> 01:35:06,080
think everybody in this room supports

2251
01:35:06,080 --> 01:35:07,679
the police and fire department in this

2252
01:35:07,679 --> 01:35:10,560
town. Um I like many of you voted

2253
01:35:10,560 --> 01:35:12,639
enthusiastically for the 10.4 million

2254
01:35:12,639 --> 01:35:16,719
two years ago. Um, uh, one question I do

2255
01:35:16,719 --> 01:35:18,560
have, so this is the second override as

2256
01:35:18,560 --> 01:35:20,800
part of this project. What has not been

2257
01:35:20,800 --> 01:35:23,679
outlined in this is the Elm Street

2258
01:35:23,679 --> 01:35:25,679
renovation as it relates to the fire

2259
01:35:25,679 --> 01:35:27,280
department. And originally, by the way,

2260
01:35:27,280 --> 01:35:29,760
we all know we voted for a police and

2261
01:35:29,760 --> 01:35:32,960
fire station for $10.4 million. We're at

2262
01:35:32,960 --> 01:35:37,120
32 million and that that amount is is

2263
01:35:37,120 --> 01:35:40,239
not um defined yet. And my concern is

2264
01:35:40,239 --> 01:35:41,679
we're going to be back here a year from

2265
01:35:41,679 --> 01:35:43,920
now asking for another five, six, seven

2266
01:35:43,920 --> 01:35:46,239
million in order to do that project.

2267
01:35:46,239 --> 01:35:48,239
It's going to be a third override. And

2268
01:35:48,239 --> 01:35:49,440
then two years from now, we're going to

2269
01:35:49,440 --> 01:35:51,840
be sitting here with a multiund million

2270
01:35:51,840 --> 01:35:53,840
dollar question in front of this entire

2271
01:35:53,840 --> 01:35:56,239
town when the school planning committee

2272
01:35:56,239 --> 01:35:58,159
comes to us and asks us for another

2273
01:35:58,159 --> 01:36:01,040
override. So, um, I' I'd like to just

2274
01:36:01,040 --> 01:36:03,120
get some clarification as it relates to

2275
01:36:03,120 --> 01:36:05,120
the Elm Street property. Has there been

2276
01:36:05,120 --> 01:36:08,400
research done in order to estimate any

2277
01:36:08,400 --> 01:36:10,320
ballpark whatsoever with regards to that

2278
01:36:10,320 --> 01:36:11,920
renovation?

2279
01:36:11,920 --> 01:36:15,360
>> We have uh earlier this evening

2280
01:36:15,360 --> 01:36:16,960
$150,000

2281
01:36:16,960 --> 01:36:19,520
was uh appropriated so we can begin to

2282
01:36:19,520 --> 01:36:22,159
take a look in depth at what uh can be

2283
01:36:22,159 --> 01:36:24,719
done at Elm Street. We do know what uh

2284
01:36:24,719 --> 01:36:26,400
the requirements of the fire department

2285
01:36:26,400 --> 01:36:28,080
going forward are. There are many things

2286
01:36:28,080 --> 01:36:30,239
that are uh not meeting regulatory

2287
01:36:30,239 --> 01:36:34,400
compliance. And so we're going to take a close look at that now, starting with

2288
01:36:34,400 --> 01:36:36,880
the money we got tonight, but that

2289
01:36:36,880 --> 01:36:40,159
project will probably be at least two

2290
01:36:40,159 --> 01:36:41,920
maybe three years away before we can

2291
01:36:41,920 --> 01:36:44,719
come in with a um price because uh

2292
01:36:44,719 --> 01:36:46,320
nothing can happen till the police move

2293
01:36:46,320 --> 01:36:49,600
out and prices three years out can't be

2294
01:36:49,600 --> 01:36:50,800
estimated today. But we're going to

2295
01:36:50,800 --> 01:36:52,400
start taking a look at that now and

2296
01:36:52,400 --> 01:36:54,320
we'll give you regular updates. We do

2297
01:36:54,320 --> 01:36:58,159
have a uh uh social media website page,

2298
01:36:58,159 --> 01:37:00,480
Facebook page. Uh we'll keep updating

2299
01:37:00,480 --> 01:37:02,480
that uh with Elm Street information as

2300
01:37:02,480 --> 01:37:04,480
we go along. Also,

2301
01:37:04,480 --> 01:37:05,280
>> thank you.

2302
01:37:05,280 --> 01:37:07,920
Woman here, please.

2303
01:37:07,920 --> 01:37:11,119
>> Hi, uh Nina Welfford, um 231 South Main

2304
01:37:11,119 --> 01:37:13,119
Street. I wasn't planning to speak

2305
01:37:13,119 --> 01:37:15,199
tonight, but just sitting here thinking

2306
01:37:15,199 --> 01:37:17,119
uh watching that presentation, which

2307
01:37:17,119 --> 01:37:19,679
I've now seen twice, and thinking about

2308
01:37:19,679 --> 01:37:21,280
what our police department has had to

2309
01:37:21,280 --> 01:37:22,960
put up with for the last 50 years, it is

2310
01:37:22,960 --> 01:37:24,639
deplorable. I mean, I think most of us

2311
01:37:24,639 --> 01:37:27,920
can agree on that. So, I don't think I

2312
01:37:27,920 --> 01:37:30,320
think it boils down to the cost. Okay?

2313
01:37:30,320 --> 01:37:34,320
And all of us are well most of us are

2314
01:37:34,320 --> 01:37:36,239
dismayed about how things have changed

2315
01:37:36,239 --> 01:37:38,320
in the last few years and probably

2316
01:37:38,320 --> 01:37:40,000
aren't real thrilled with the process

2317
01:37:40,000 --> 01:37:41,679
that we were brought through to get to

2318
01:37:41,679 --> 01:37:43,600
this point. But my point right now is

2319
01:37:43,600 --> 01:37:45,360
this project is not going to ever get

2320
01:37:45,360 --> 01:37:49,119
any cheaper. Um, and I would speak the

2321
01:37:49,119 --> 01:37:50,800
reason I felt like I had to say that is

2322
01:37:50,800 --> 01:37:53,040
I was involved and kind of in still

2323
01:37:53,040 --> 01:37:55,280
involved in trying to get a project done

2324
01:37:55,280 --> 01:37:57,119
in a neighboring town that's a small

2325
01:37:57,119 --> 01:38:00,560
commercial building and we raised the

2326
01:38:00,560 --> 01:38:02,800
money for it five years ago. Could not

2327
01:38:02,800 --> 01:38:05,040
decide on what to do with it. The

2328
01:38:05,040 --> 01:38:07,280
program just languished because nobody

2329
01:38:07,280 --> 01:38:09,199
could make up their mind on what to do

2330
01:38:09,199 --> 01:38:11,679
with this need that we all had the need,

2331
01:38:11,679 --> 01:38:13,520
but nobody could come to a decision

2332
01:38:13,520 --> 01:38:16,320
about how to do it. That average square

2333
01:38:16,320 --> 01:38:18,320
footage for that building 5 years ago

2334
01:38:18,320 --> 01:38:21,760
was $400 per square foot. Now the price

2335
01:38:21,760 --> 01:38:24,239
for that building is $1,000 per square

2336
01:38:24,239 --> 01:38:27,199
foot. And it's the delay in our time to

2337
01:38:27,199 --> 01:38:29,280
make the decision that has completely

2338
01:38:29,280 --> 01:38:30,960
put to waste all that money that we

2339
01:38:30,960 --> 01:38:32,400
raised. You know, we've h haved

2340
01:38:32,400 --> 01:38:34,320
basically the the value of that money we

2341
01:38:34,320 --> 01:38:36,960
raised. It's sad and but that is the

2342
01:38:36,960 --> 01:38:39,360
reality that we face today, I think. And

2343
01:38:39,360 --> 01:38:41,360
I don't see this getting any cheaper.

2344
01:38:41,360 --> 01:38:44,239
Um, so if you agree with the need, which

2345
01:38:44,239 --> 01:38:47,600
now I do, I'm convinced thoroughly and I

2346
01:38:47,600 --> 01:38:49,920
think that this building is not extreme

2347
01:38:49,920 --> 01:38:51,760
when I look at what's been put into it

2348
01:38:51,760 --> 01:38:53,440
and what our needs are. If we're

2349
01:38:53,440 --> 01:38:55,520
building something for the future, I

2350
01:38:55,520 --> 01:38:57,360
don't think this is extreme. So if it's

2351
01:38:57,360 --> 01:39:00,560
$27,000 square feet at $1,000 a square

2352
01:39:00,560 --> 01:39:03,360
foot, that's $27 million. So where we

2353
01:39:03,360 --> 01:39:05,040
are, it's probably more than that for

2354
01:39:05,040 --> 01:39:06,800
the kinds of specialized equipment we

2355
01:39:06,800 --> 01:39:09,119
need compared to a regular commercial

2356
01:39:09,119 --> 01:39:11,520
building at 1,000 a square foot. So I

2357
01:39:11,520 --> 01:39:14,239
actually think this is not exorbitant. I

2358
01:39:14,239 --> 01:39:16,159
think we need the we need it and we need

2359
01:39:16,159 --> 01:39:17,840
it now because it's only going to get

2360
01:39:17,840 --> 01:39:20,480
more expensive. Thank you.

2361
01:39:20,480 --> 01:39:24,950
>> Thank you,

2362
01:39:24,960 --> 01:39:29,510
sir.

2363
01:39:29,520 --> 01:39:35,119
Charlie DSantis uh 103 Forest A.

2364
01:39:35,119 --> 01:39:37,119
Let me

2365
01:39:37,119 --> 01:39:38,800
put a little bit more rain on this

2366
01:39:38,800 --> 01:39:42,159
project and hear me out and see if I can

2367
01:39:42,159 --> 01:39:48,229
get some agreement here.

2368
01:39:48,239 --> 01:39:56,639
I see the problem of this project is two parts. We have cost and location.

2369
01:39:56,639 --> 01:39:59,199
As I noted before,

2370
01:39:59,199 --> 01:40:02,960
our first estimate was 10.7 million back

2371
01:40:02,960 --> 01:40:05,199
a number of years and of course now it's

2372
01:40:05,199 --> 01:40:07,679
over 30 million.

2373
01:40:07,679 --> 01:40:11,119
We have Quinsey and we have Hangingham

2374
01:40:11,119 --> 01:40:13,280
that have set two warning bells

2375
01:40:13,280 --> 01:40:15,199
clanging.

2376
01:40:15,199 --> 01:40:18,400
Quinsey's project just finished

2377
01:40:18,400 --> 01:40:21,520
175 million. The place looks like the

2378
01:40:21,520 --> 01:40:23,440
Taj Mahal

2379
01:40:23,440 --> 01:40:26,639
just down the road in Hangum. They com

2380
01:40:26,639 --> 01:40:29,280
just completed their project and they

2381
01:40:29,280 --> 01:40:32,239
may even have some invoices outstanding

2382
01:40:32,239 --> 01:40:36,639
and it stands at 53 million.

2383
01:40:36,639 --> 01:40:38,159
So I mean it seems to me but this is a

2384
01:40:38,159 --> 01:40:41,920
race that maybe we don't want to be in

2385
01:40:41,920 --> 01:40:43,920
timing.

2386
01:40:43,920 --> 01:40:47,280
Presently we have a war with pressures

2387
01:40:47,280 --> 01:40:50,159
not only to cohass it but the entire

2388
01:40:50,159 --> 01:40:53,199
world's economy and this situation has

2389
01:40:53,199 --> 01:40:55,760
never been seen never before seen in our

2390
01:40:55,760 --> 01:40:57,440
lifetimes.

2391
01:40:57,440 --> 01:40:59,600
Respected economists,

2392
01:40:59,600 --> 01:41:01,920
political scientists, historians and

2393
01:41:01,920 --> 01:41:04,639
journalists are predicting at best a

2394
01:41:04,639 --> 01:41:06,560
deep recession

2395
01:41:06,560 --> 01:41:09,679
with many calling it a future

2396
01:41:09,679 --> 01:41:11,360
depression.

2397
01:41:11,360 --> 01:41:13,520
With every day the straight of her moves

2398
01:41:13,520 --> 01:41:17,199
is closed, the length the economic hit

2399
01:41:17,199 --> 01:41:20,480
grows. Right now, the consensus is a

2400
01:41:20,480 --> 01:41:24,239
four year four-year deep recession if

2401
01:41:24,239 --> 01:41:26,239
we're lucky.

2402
01:41:26,239 --> 01:41:28,480
I say this is not the time for loading

2403
01:41:28,480 --> 01:41:31,840
up with additional debt. We can expect a

2404
01:41:31,840 --> 01:41:35,119
really a yearly debt service bill for

2405
01:41:35,119 --> 01:41:39,199
this project. Um I'm estimating

2406
01:41:39,199 --> 01:41:42,480
um for the numbers uh thrown about here

2407
01:41:42,480 --> 01:41:47,440
today about a 1.6 million a year uh debt

2408
01:41:47,440 --> 01:41:50,000
payment which is equivalent to about

2409
01:41:50,000 --> 01:41:53,280
five afternoon kindergartens that we

2410
01:41:53,280 --> 01:41:55,760
weren't able to fund

2411
01:41:55,760 --> 01:41:57,760
at the last town meeting. So think of

2412
01:41:57,760 --> 01:42:00,000
that. This is a sizable amount of money

2413
01:42:00,000 --> 01:42:03,520
in debt service. Next problem I see is

2414
01:42:03,520 --> 01:42:05,360
the location.

2415
01:42:05,360 --> 01:42:07,679
The present location is on a quiet,

2416
01:42:07,679 --> 01:42:10,639
wide, rural New England street near the

2417
01:42:10,639 --> 01:42:13,679
town hall and the center of town where

2418
01:42:13,679 --> 01:42:16,560
the former one first set.

2419
01:42:16,560 --> 01:42:19,040
Proposed location moves it from the

2420
01:42:19,040 --> 01:42:21,679
center of town and places on a very busy

2421
01:42:21,679 --> 01:42:24,480
commuter link to Boston and our own very

2422
01:42:24,480 --> 01:42:27,119
busy commercial thoroughfare. This

2423
01:42:27,119 --> 01:42:29,679
creates a daunting challenge of entrance

2424
01:42:29,679 --> 01:42:32,400
and egress for everyone, especially for

2425
01:42:32,400 --> 01:42:34,639
people my age.

2426
01:42:34,639 --> 01:42:39,199
solution. What could that be? What

2427
01:42:39,199 --> 01:42:42,480
the words I'm going to use are repair,

2428
01:42:42,480 --> 01:42:46,320
renew, and remain in place.

2429
01:42:46,320 --> 01:42:48,080
I didn't come up with this. The town of

2430
01:42:48,080 --> 01:42:50,639
Bedford, Massachusetts did. They're up

2431
01:42:50,639 --> 01:42:53,199
on the north and west of us, and they

2432
01:42:53,199 --> 01:42:55,840
had a problem similar to us. An old

2433
01:42:55,840 --> 01:42:58,719
building, originally the town library,

2434
01:42:58,719 --> 01:43:02,560
converted to a police station in 1961.

2435
01:43:02,560 --> 01:43:05,920
It was showing its age, benign benign

2436
01:43:05,920 --> 01:43:09,119
neglect of some routine maintenance and

2437
01:43:09,119 --> 01:43:12,239
a severe need of some changes and

2438
01:43:12,239 --> 01:43:14,560
controvers

2439
01:43:14,560 --> 01:43:18,239
and and much controversy they had on the

2440
01:43:18,239 --> 01:43:19,760
solution.

2441
01:43:19,760 --> 01:43:22,480
The town liked the co location, but they

2442
01:43:22,480 --> 01:43:24,800
thought they were trapped into new

2443
01:43:24,800 --> 01:43:27,679
costly into a new costly solution

2444
01:43:27,679 --> 01:43:30,719
somewhere far from the town center. What

2445
01:43:30,719 --> 01:43:33,679
they did was remarkable.

2446
01:43:33,679 --> 01:43:36,320
They decided to repair,

2447
01:43:36,320 --> 01:43:39,280
renew the present place, and remain in

2448
01:43:39,280 --> 01:43:40,239
place.

2449
01:43:40,239 --> 01:43:42,000
>> A time check, sir. You've got You're at

2450
01:43:42,000 --> 01:43:44,560
four minutes. You got one minute left.

2451
01:43:44,560 --> 01:43:46,320
>> I I got two minutes more to read.

2452
01:43:46,320 --> 01:43:48,239
>> No, you got one minute left, sir. Just

2453
01:43:48,239 --> 01:43:49,840
>> I can't do it. One minute. I'll do my

2454
01:43:49,840 --> 01:43:51,520
best. Just Just hear me out.

2455
01:43:51,520 --> 01:43:52,560
>> You got five minutes. You got one

2456
01:43:52,560 --> 01:43:52,800
minute.

2457
01:43:52,800 --> 01:43:55,600
>> Decided to repair, renew, and remain in

2458
01:43:55,600 --> 01:43:58,719
place. They accomplished their goals by

2459
01:43:58,719 --> 01:44:02,560
spending a total of 6 million on a

2460
01:44:02,560 --> 01:44:09,760
project that was on time and on budget, How? By staying in place,

2461
01:44:09,760 --> 01:44:11,920
they avoided the prohibitive cost, as in

2462
01:44:11,920 --> 01:44:14,639
the case of Cohass's proposal of

2463
01:44:14,639 --> 01:44:17,119
repurposing an existing building and

2464
01:44:17,119 --> 01:44:20,159
having to meet all of today's code for

2465
01:44:20,159 --> 01:44:23,280
police headquarters. Their tactic, do

2466
01:44:23,280 --> 01:44:25,760
nothing to the existing structure that

2467
01:44:25,760 --> 01:44:27,360
forces the new building code

2468
01:44:27,360 --> 01:44:29,040
requirements.

2469
01:44:29,040 --> 01:44:30,960
Avoid structural changes that would

2470
01:44:30,960 --> 01:44:33,280
exceed the threshold requiring new

2471
01:44:33,280 --> 01:44:35,600
building code requirements. Thus,

2472
01:44:35,600 --> 01:44:37,920
avoiding such headaches as a full fire

2473
01:44:37,920 --> 01:44:38,480
suppression.

2474
01:44:38,480 --> 01:44:39,920
>> Sir, you now are at five. I'm

2475
01:44:39,920 --> 01:44:43,600
>> not finished. Sir, you every citizen has

2476
01:44:43,600 --> 01:44:44,960
five minutes. I'm going to have to ask

2477
01:44:44,960 --> 01:44:45,600
you to

2478
01:44:45,600 --> 01:44:47,840
>> one more minute. I'm reading slow. I'm

2479
01:44:47,840 --> 01:44:48,560
>> I'm sorry. Yes,

2480
01:44:48,560 --> 01:44:52,950
>> please. Yeah. Um,

2481
01:44:52,960 --> 01:44:53,760
» see. Okay.

2482
01:44:53,760 --> 01:44:55,440
>> Can you just summarize Can you summarize

2483
01:44:55,440 --> 01:44:58,000
the remainder, please? Thank you.

2484
01:44:58,000 --> 01:44:58,639
>> Okay. Sure.

2485
01:44:58,639 --> 01:45:00,719
>> I I'll finish it for him.

2486
01:45:00,719 --> 01:45:03,920
>> Very quickly, please. Jennifer Chu, 25

2487
01:45:03,920 --> 01:45:05,760
Virginia,

2488
01:45:05,760 --> 01:45:07,679
avoid structural changes that would

2489
01:45:07,679 --> 01:45:10,080
exceed the threshold requiring new

2490
01:45:10,080 --> 01:45:12,000
building code requirements, thus

2491
01:45:12,000 --> 01:45:14,639
avoiding such headaches as a full fire

2492
01:45:14,639 --> 01:45:17,679
suppression system, a seismic compliant

2493
01:45:17,679 --> 01:45:20,159
foundation, etc.

2494
01:45:20,159 --> 01:45:22,239
Their instructions to their architect

2495
01:45:22,239 --> 01:45:25,840
engineer avoid any changes that cross

2496
01:45:25,840 --> 01:45:29,520
this threshold. This they did. They have

2497
01:45:29,520 --> 01:45:32,000
a new facility right in the middle of

2498
01:45:32,000 --> 01:45:35,520
town where it belongs and something that

2499
01:45:35,520 --> 01:45:37,760
they believe will serve them for at

2500
01:45:37,760 --> 01:45:41,040
least another 60 years.

2501
01:45:41,040 --> 01:45:44,239
Remember, this project does not have to

2502
01:45:44,239 --> 01:45:46,800
burden us particularly in the bumpy

2503
01:45:46,800 --> 01:45:51,199
times ahead. Repair, renew, remain in

2504
01:45:51,199 --> 01:45:52,800
place.

2505
01:45:52,800 --> 01:45:56,310
>> Thank you.

2506
01:45:56,320 --> 01:45:59,760
I would like to add um my own commentary

2507
01:45:59,760 --> 01:46:03,840
to this as well. So, a major concern for

2508
01:46:03,840 --> 01:46:07,679
me and I've got many uh none of which

2509
01:46:07,679 --> 01:46:10,960
are the police and I do hope that we can

2510
01:46:10,960 --> 01:46:13,280
get to a spot sooner rather than later

2511
01:46:13,280 --> 01:46:16,159
where it is feasible. Perhaps that you

2512
01:46:16,159 --> 01:46:19,520
do renew repair and remain in place or

2513
01:46:19,520 --> 01:46:22,080
something different that will meet the

2514
01:46:22,080 --> 01:46:24,960
needs of all the citizens. The location

2515
01:46:24,960 --> 01:46:27,360
is absolutely problematic. It's

2516
01:46:27,360 --> 01:46:29,520
problematic for people with mobility

2517
01:46:29,520 --> 01:46:32,480
issues, and it's problematic for people

2518
01:46:32,480 --> 01:46:35,119
entering and exiting regardless of their

2519
01:46:35,119 --> 01:46:36,800
age.

2520
01:46:36,800 --> 01:46:39,600
I was passing in front of the new

2521
01:46:39,600 --> 01:46:41,920
building about a month ago, and there

2522
01:46:41,920 --> 01:46:44,159
was an officer, I'm not sure which one,

2523
01:46:44,159 --> 01:46:46,639
but he was in a pickup truck that had

2524
01:46:46,639 --> 01:46:49,520
lights on that was trying to exit the

2525
01:46:49,520 --> 01:46:52,159
facility. And the fact of the matter is

2526
01:46:52,159 --> 01:46:55,119
that about five cars passed without

2527
01:46:55,119 --> 01:46:58,000
stopping in either direction, not

2528
01:46:58,000 --> 01:47:00,719
recognizing that he was trying to exit

2529
01:47:00,719 --> 01:47:02,880
the lot.

2530
01:47:02,880 --> 01:47:05,360
Additionally, and I know this because my

2531
01:47:05,360 --> 01:47:07,679
son was in karate at that building,

2532
01:47:07,679 --> 01:47:10,320
there are huge issues with water

2533
01:47:10,320 --> 01:47:13,360
freezing and completely turning that

2534
01:47:13,360 --> 01:47:18,159
particular drive into a an ice sheet at

2535
01:47:18,159 --> 01:47:23,910
the time when there is extreme weather.

2536
01:47:23,920 --> 01:47:26,719
Finally, I would like to say that I

2537
01:47:26,719 --> 01:47:29,119
think it's been extremely problematic on

2538
01:47:29,119 --> 01:47:31,520
the part of many members of these

2539
01:47:31,520 --> 01:47:33,840
committees that they have made people

2540
01:47:33,840 --> 01:47:36,639
that have questions, concerns, or

2541
01:47:36,639 --> 01:47:39,520
objections feel that they have no right

2542
01:47:39,520 --> 01:47:42,800
to ask. If you've got information and

2543
01:47:42,800 --> 01:47:44,800
you're able to share it, then you can

2544
01:47:44,800 --> 01:47:47,119
bring people on board and get them

2545
01:47:47,119 --> 01:47:49,600
aligned with what your decision is. But

2546
01:47:49,600 --> 01:47:52,560
if you yell at them and belittle them,

2547
01:47:52,560 --> 01:47:55,440
it's not going to help your cause. Thank

2548
01:47:55,440 --> 01:47:57,040
you.

2549
01:47:57,040 --> 01:47:59,679
>> Thank you.

2550
01:47:59,679 --> 01:48:02,000
Uh let's see. I see center here and then

2551
01:48:02,000 --> 01:48:04,400
back there and then up front. Go ahead.

2552
01:48:04,400 --> 01:48:08,000
>> Pam Ireland, 66 Nichols Road. Um I have

2553
01:48:08,000 --> 01:48:10,239
some questions.

2554
01:48:10,239 --> 01:48:12,880
Number one, I was struck by the comment

2555
01:48:12,880 --> 01:48:16,000
that there are no comps or no reasonable

2556
01:48:16,000 --> 01:48:18,880
comps. I found that very confusing. uh

2557
01:48:18,880 --> 01:48:20,639
particularly with the number of towns

2558
01:48:20,639 --> 01:48:24,159
nearby including even on 3A where we've

2559
01:48:24,159 --> 01:48:26,000
had recent construction of public safety

2560
01:48:26,000 --> 01:48:30,159
buildings and related to that um based

2561
01:48:30,159 --> 01:48:32,560
on my research the cost for this

2562
01:48:32,560 --> 01:48:35,840
building at a square foot level is about

2563
01:48:35,840 --> 01:48:38,639
somewhere between $1300 and $1,400 a

2564
01:48:38,639 --> 01:48:42,639
square foot and yet Hangingham appears

2565
01:48:42,639 --> 01:48:45,119
to have only been at about $1,000 a

2566
01:48:45,119 --> 01:48:48,480
square foot situ. That's not as good a

2567
01:48:48,480 --> 01:48:50,080
comp because they already own the land

2568
01:48:50,080 --> 01:48:52,159
and I realize that. But I wonder if you

2569
01:48:52,159 --> 01:48:55,679
could clarify the difference in the cost

2570
01:48:55,679 --> 01:48:57,920
per square foot.

2571
01:48:57,920 --> 01:49:00,000
>> I think that the cost per square foot is

2572
01:49:00,000 --> 01:49:01,679
comparable in all of the buildings

2573
01:49:01,679 --> 01:49:04,560
you've seen uh built around in the last

2574
01:49:04,560 --> 01:49:07,440
uh few years. It is in the thousandish

2575
01:49:07,440 --> 01:49:10,080
dollar range. Uh that's what it is

2576
01:49:10,080 --> 01:49:11,520
today. There's no way to get around

2577
01:49:11,520 --> 01:49:14,560
that. It's very difficult to compare to

2578
01:49:14,560 --> 01:49:16,320
other towns and what they've built and

2579
01:49:16,320 --> 01:49:18,480
why because every police department

2580
01:49:18,480 --> 01:49:20,719
operates differently. Every town is

2581
01:49:20,719 --> 01:49:23,440
different. There are towns that people

2582
01:49:23,440 --> 01:49:25,119
have suggested we should take a look at

2583
01:49:25,119 --> 01:49:27,440
for benchmarking which we did. And we

2584
01:49:27,440 --> 01:49:29,040
find things like they don't have a

2585
01:49:29,040 --> 01:49:30,639
commuter rail. They don't have a state

2586
01:49:30,639 --> 01:49:33,679
park. They don't they don't have um a

2587
01:49:33,679 --> 01:49:35,119
local school district. They have a

2588
01:49:35,119 --> 01:49:36,320
regional school district. They don't

2589
01:49:36,320 --> 01:49:39,360
have a harbor. So there is a very

2590
01:49:39,360 --> 01:49:41,119
difficult problem in trying to benchmark

2591
01:49:41,119 --> 01:49:43,040
what other towns have spent and the size

2592
01:49:43,040 --> 01:49:45,040
of the buildings they have um

2593
01:49:45,040 --> 01:49:47,600
constructed. So we think uh ours is

2594
01:49:47,600 --> 01:49:49,520
right where it should be costwise

2595
01:49:49,520 --> 01:49:51,360
comparable to the others and we think

2596
01:49:51,360 --> 01:49:53,520
that the size and the functionality that

2597
01:49:53,520 --> 01:49:55,520
we've designed is exactly what our

2598
01:49:55,520 --> 01:49:59,040
police department needs.

2599
01:49:59,040 --> 01:50:01,119
>> Thank you Mr. McGowan.

2600
01:50:01,119 --> 01:50:02,480
>> Yes. Good evening everyone. My name is

2601
01:50:02,480 --> 01:50:06,000
Bill McGowan 29 Fernway. Uh this is the

2602
01:50:06,000 --> 01:50:08,719
first time in my 35 years in this town

2603
01:50:08,719 --> 01:50:10,560
to speak other than as a sewer

2604
01:50:10,560 --> 01:50:13,199
commissioner. Uh I feel strongly about

2605
01:50:13,199 --> 01:50:16,719
this project. Um unfortunately I'm also

2606
01:50:16,719 --> 01:50:18,400
in the building industry and do things

2607
01:50:18,400 --> 01:50:20,080
internationally.

2608
01:50:20,080 --> 01:50:23,040
And I see this type of debate all the

2609
01:50:23,040 --> 01:50:25,520
time. I don't care in what country. What

2610
01:50:25,520 --> 01:50:27,520
I would like to ask you to look at is

2611
01:50:27,520 --> 01:50:28,880
the fact that the people that have been

2612
01:50:28,880 --> 01:50:30,480
hired, the experts that have been hired,

2613
01:50:30,480 --> 01:50:32,400
the architects, the engineers are not

2614
01:50:32,400 --> 01:50:34,480
doing this for our angst. They're doing

2615
01:50:34,480 --> 01:50:36,400
this for the benefit of the town and

2616
01:50:36,400 --> 01:50:38,639
sometimes that gets it gets out because

2617
01:50:38,639 --> 01:50:41,360
you're looking at the money. I also want

2618
01:50:41,360 --> 01:50:43,920
to mention that probably a lot of you

2619
01:50:43,920 --> 01:50:47,760
here I for one and had a family member

2620
01:50:47,760 --> 01:50:49,600
who was in need of the services of the

2621
01:50:49,600 --> 01:50:51,440
police and the fire about a year and a

2622
01:50:51,440 --> 01:50:54,480
half ago, two years ago. And I was

2623
01:50:54,480 --> 01:50:56,480
absolutely amazed that the police were

2624
01:50:56,480 --> 01:50:59,119
at my front door within two and a half

2625
01:50:59,119 --> 01:51:02,400
to three minutes. even more amazed. Two

2626
01:51:02,400 --> 01:51:04,560
minutes after that was an ambulance.

2627
01:51:04,560 --> 01:51:07,520
Thankfully, we didn't need the services

2628
01:51:07,520 --> 01:51:11,600
at that time. Uh but they were there.

2629
01:51:11,600 --> 01:51:14,639
I think we have to look beyond cost at

2630
01:51:14,639 --> 01:51:16,400
this point because we can kick this can

2631
01:51:16,400 --> 01:51:17,920
down the road. We can do everything we

2632
01:51:17,920 --> 01:51:20,239
want with that can, but at some point in

2633
01:51:20,239 --> 01:51:23,199
time, we have to pick it up and use it.

2634
01:51:23,199 --> 01:51:24,560
And I think we should look at what the

2635
01:51:24,560 --> 01:51:28,000
benefits are and vote yes for this. As I

2636
01:51:28,000 --> 01:51:30,719
see it, it is a no choice, no problem

2637
01:51:30,719 --> 01:51:33,840
situation. Thank you very much.

2638
01:51:33,840 --> 01:51:39,030
>> Thank you.

2639
01:51:39,040 --> 01:51:40,400
Mr. Moderator. Thank you for

2640
01:51:40,400 --> 01:51:41,840
your years of service to our community.

2641
01:51:41,840 --> 01:51:44,000
Uh my name is Craig Mlen. I reside at 8

2642
01:51:44,000 --> 01:51:47,440
Rustic Drive. I move to question.

2643
01:51:47,440 --> 01:51:49,440
Um we've have a motion to move the

2644
01:51:49,440 --> 01:51:51,040
question. I'd actually seen Miss Jenkins

2645
01:51:51,040 --> 01:51:52,960
up here, so I will recognize her and

2646
01:51:52,960 --> 01:51:55,119
then we will proceed to Mr. Mlullen's

2647
01:51:55,119 --> 01:51:57,599
motion to stop debate.

2648
01:51:57,599 --> 01:52:00,560
Leonor Jenkins, 198 Jerusalem Road. I've

2649
01:52:00,560 --> 01:52:02,320
been listening to questions about

2650
01:52:02,320 --> 01:52:05,280
traffic in that area and since they have

2651
01:52:05,280 --> 01:52:07,280
started the construction of that brand

2652
01:52:07,280 --> 01:52:10,239
new storage facility right next door,

2653
01:52:10,239 --> 01:52:12,080
I'm wondering has there been any

2654
01:52:12,080 --> 01:52:14,239
accommodation thought of of how that's

2655
01:52:14,239 --> 01:52:15,679
going to be handled with the traffic

2656
01:52:15,679 --> 01:52:18,790
situation?

2657
01:52:18,800 --> 01:52:22,560
» I'm not sure I understand your question.

2658
01:52:22,560 --> 01:52:23,679
>> Well, you know where the storage

2659
01:52:23,679 --> 01:52:25,119
facility is, right, Glenn?

2660
01:52:25,119 --> 01:52:26,960
>> Indeed, I do. Indeed. You know, so we

2661
01:52:26,960 --> 01:52:29,440
have the traffic coming out from the

2662
01:52:29,440 --> 01:52:31,360
apartments

2663
01:52:31,360 --> 01:52:33,199
and then we're going to have the traffic

2664
01:52:33,199 --> 01:52:37,040
coming out from the storage facility to

2665
01:52:37,040 --> 01:52:41,119
also add to congestion in that area. And

2666
01:52:41,119 --> 01:52:43,840
I know how congested that area is

2667
01:52:43,840 --> 01:52:46,239
because I'm usually taking that left off

2668
01:52:46,239 --> 01:52:48,800
of Sawyer Street to go down to the

2669
01:52:48,800 --> 01:52:51,679
racket club in the morning and it's uh

2670
01:52:51,679 --> 01:52:54,960
just a mess. So, are we putting in any

2671
01:52:54,960 --> 01:52:59,679
type of uh traffic signals or something

2672
01:52:59,679 --> 01:53:04,639
or how, as Miss Chu said, when she saw

2673
01:53:04,639 --> 01:53:06,400
the police trying to get out, they were

2674
01:53:06,400 --> 01:53:08,480
having difficulty getting out of that

2675
01:53:08,480 --> 01:53:10,719
location.

2676
01:53:10,719 --> 01:53:13,199
>> So, the the traffic volume and traffic

2677
01:53:13,199 --> 01:53:15,360
counts uh that generally are associated

2678
01:53:15,360 --> 01:53:18,639
with um storage facilities are low. Uh

2679
01:53:18,639 --> 01:53:21,280
the Avalon project is there. So that's

2680
01:53:21,280 --> 01:53:24,560
established. The state uh department of

2681
01:53:24,560 --> 01:53:28,000
uh DOT mass highway uh has a long range

2682
01:53:28,000 --> 01:53:30,560
plan which is now out and starting to be

2683
01:53:30,560 --> 01:53:33,599
formulated that will commence after they

2684
01:53:33,599 --> 01:53:34,960
finish the work they're doing south of

2685
01:53:34,960 --> 01:53:37,119
Beachwood Street and it involves the

2686
01:53:37,119 --> 01:53:41,119
area from Soya Street north on 3A. uh it

2687
01:53:41,119 --> 01:53:43,280
rearranges the entire traffic flow, the

2688
01:53:43,280 --> 01:53:45,520
lanes, and one of the considerations

2689
01:53:45,520 --> 01:53:47,360
that's in part of their planning is

2690
01:53:47,360 --> 01:53:50,080
traffic uh control signals for this

2691
01:53:50,080 --> 01:53:52,080
public safety building. We've been in

2692
01:53:52,080 --> 01:53:53,440
touch with them. There's nothing that

2693
01:53:53,440 --> 01:53:55,360
can be talked about or done just yet,

2694
01:53:55,360 --> 01:53:57,199
but it is on the docket. We know about

2695
01:53:57,199 --> 01:53:58,960
it and uh we'll certainly be

2696
01:53:58,960 --> 01:54:00,639
participating in whatever those plans

2697
01:54:00,639 --> 01:54:03,440
are. One of the things that uh you

2698
01:54:03,440 --> 01:54:06,560
should know is that many times police

2699
01:54:06,560 --> 01:54:09,119
cruisers uh respond to an incident from

2700
01:54:09,119 --> 01:54:11,199
their patrol, not not from a base

2701
01:54:11,199 --> 01:54:13,599
station like the fire department. So the

2702
01:54:13,599 --> 01:54:16,080
seeming uh frequency of police cars

2703
01:54:16,080 --> 01:54:17,920
coming out maybe less than you might

2704
01:54:17,920 --> 01:54:19,119
think.

2705
01:54:19,119 --> 01:54:20,639
>> Well, thank you very much because I know

2706
01:54:20,639 --> 01:54:22,239
that has been an issue for several

2707
01:54:22,239 --> 01:54:24,080
years. People have complained about

2708
01:54:24,080 --> 01:54:26,000
trying to get onto 3A from Sawyer

2709
01:54:26,000 --> 01:54:26,960
Street.

2710
01:54:26,960 --> 01:54:27,360
>> Thank you.

2711
01:54:27,360 --> 01:54:29,280
very much. So, we've had a

2712
01:54:29,280 --> 01:54:30,560
motion to move the question there or

2713
01:54:30,560 --> 01:54:32,159
sec. Is there a second?

2714
01:54:32,159 --> 01:54:33,440
>> Thank you. The motion has been made.

2715
01:54:33,440 --> 01:54:35,520
It's seconded. It's not debatable. What

2716
01:54:35,520 --> 01:54:37,520
that does is if it passes, it will stop

2717
01:54:37,520 --> 01:54:39,280
debate and then we'll proceed to a vote

2718
01:54:39,280 --> 01:54:41,679
on the main motion. So, the motion to

2719
01:54:41,679 --> 01:54:43,040
move the question or stop debate

2720
01:54:43,040 --> 01:54:46,320
requires twothirds vote for adoption.

2721
01:54:46,320 --> 01:54:48,159
All those in favor of the motion to stop

2722
01:54:48,159 --> 01:54:50,400
debate, please signify by saying I.

2723
01:54:50,400 --> 01:54:51,360
>> I.

2724
01:54:51,360 --> 01:54:53,119
>> All those opposed, please signify by

2725
01:54:53,119 --> 01:54:54,560
saying nay.

2726
01:54:54,560 --> 01:54:57,199
>> Nay. The motion passes by the requisite

2727
01:54:57,199 --> 01:54:59,599
two-thirds vote. So we will now proceed

2728
01:54:59,599 --> 01:55:01,679
to a vote on the main motion. We'll

2729
01:55:01,679 --> 01:55:03,199
start with a voice vote. Does require

2730
01:55:03,199 --> 01:55:05,760
two-thirds vote for adoption.

2731
01:55:05,760 --> 01:55:07,440
All those in favor of the main motion

2732
01:55:07,440 --> 01:55:09,599
under article 21, please signify by

2733
01:55:09,599 --> 01:55:10,800
saying I.

2734
01:55:10,800 --> 01:55:11,679
>> I.

2735
01:55:11,679 --> 01:55:13,360
>> All those opposed, please signify by

2736
01:55:13,360 --> 01:55:14,480
saying nay.

2737
01:55:14,480 --> 01:55:15,840
>> Nay.

2738
01:55:15,840 --> 01:55:17,760
>> The article did carry with a requisite

2739
01:55:17,760 --> 01:55:27,270
twothirds majority.

2740
01:55:27,280 --> 01:55:29,199
Okay, we've got more than seven people

2741
01:55:29,199 --> 01:55:32,080
doubting my count, which is legit. It's

2742
01:55:32,080 --> 01:55:34,480
fine to do. Um, so we will proceed to a

2743
01:55:34,480 --> 01:55:36,719
vote um with their hand ballots. Can I

2744
01:55:36,719 --> 01:55:38,960
ask the tellers to please take their

2745
01:55:38,960 --> 01:55:40,800
stations, so don't bother putting your

2746
01:55:40,800 --> 01:55:42,159
hands up yet. They got to get to their

2747
01:55:42,159 --> 01:55:44,159
stations. We've got a big big audience,

2748
01:55:44,159 --> 01:55:50,560
so it's going to take them a while to uh to

2749
01:55:50,560 --> 01:55:52,400
do the count. So, we're going to get a

2750
01:55:52,400 --> 01:56:06,629
little arm exercise here.

2751
01:56:06,639 --> 01:56:08,239
» So, what you're not Don't you don't need

2752
01:56:08,239 --> 01:56:09,280
to do it yet, but when you're going to

2753
01:56:09,280 --> 01:56:12,239
be voting, hold up your pink card.

2754
01:56:12,239 --> 01:56:25,189
Little the little pink slip of paper.

2755
01:56:25,199 --> 01:56:26,560
Debbie and Michael, you guys find your

2756
01:56:26,560 --> 01:56:31,510
tape.

2757
01:56:31,520 --> 01:56:35,760
Okay. Um All right. All those in favor,

2758
01:56:35,760 --> 01:56:37,679
please hold up your slip of paper. Hold

2759
01:56:37,679 --> 01:56:40,239
it up tall. Got a lot of counting to do.

2760
01:56:40,239 --> 01:56:41,679
And just leave it up in the air, please,

2761
01:56:41,679 --> 01:57:32,870
for us all.

2762
01:57:32,880 --> 01:57:49,270
Please keep your hands up.

2763
01:57:49,280 --> 01:57:50,719
Debbie and Michael, which one of you is

2764
01:57:50,719 --> 01:57:56,149
counting that section?

2765
01:57:56,159 --> 01:58:03,030
» All right, keep going, please.

2766
01:58:03,040 --> 01:58:05,920
» Okay, teller's all good. Look at me,

2767
01:58:05,920 --> 01:58:08,880
please. Teller's all good. Thank you,

2768
01:58:08,880 --> 01:58:12,239
Debbie and Michael. You guys good?

2769
01:58:12,239 --> 01:58:13,599
>> Yes.

2770
01:58:13,599 --> 01:58:17,280
>> Okay. All right. You hands down, please.

2771
01:58:17,280 --> 01:58:18,719
>> All right. Stay at your stations,

2772
01:58:18,719 --> 01:58:20,159
please. Write down the count and then

2773
01:58:20,159 --> 01:58:31,589
stay at your stations.

2774
01:58:31,599 --> 01:58:33,920
Okay. All those opposed, please hold

2775
01:58:33,920 --> 01:58:36,400
your hand up. Pink slip. Please hold

2776
01:58:36,400 --> 01:59:43,910
them up high.

2777
01:59:43,920 --> 01:59:46,080
Okay, Debbie and Michael, you guys good?

2778
01:59:46,080 --> 01:59:46,480
>> Yes.

2779
01:59:46,480 --> 01:59:48,000
>> Okay, you can put your hands down. Thank

2780
01:59:48,000 --> 01:59:50,560
you. Give me a little bit of time. We'll

2781
01:59:50,560 --> 02:01:31,350
do the count, please.

2782
02:01:31,360 --> 02:01:35,360
Okay, the count is in favor 293

2783
02:01:35,360 --> 02:01:39,280
opposed 129. That is the requisite

2784
02:01:39,280 --> 02:01:51,669
twothirds vote. So the motion passes.

2785
02:01:51,679 --> 02:01:54,880
Thank you. We will proceed to article

2786
02:01:54,880 --> 02:01:56,560
22,

2787
02:01:56,560 --> 02:01:58,639
resolution for the town of Cohasset's

2788
02:01:58,639 --> 02:02:01,599
municipal services to reach 50% net zero

2789
02:02:01,599 --> 02:02:05,040
greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and

2790
02:02:05,040 --> 02:02:07,599
100% by 2050.

2791
02:02:07,599 --> 02:02:09,040
May I have a motion in the form

2792
02:02:09,040 --> 02:02:10,880
distributed to the meeting?

2793
02:02:10,880 --> 02:02:12,800
>> Thank you. May I have a second?

2794
02:02:12,800 --> 02:02:14,560
>> Thank you. The motion has been made and

2795
02:02:14,560 --> 02:02:17,280
seconded. Does require majority vote for

2796
02:02:17,280 --> 02:02:21,280
adoption for the alternative.

2797
02:02:21,280 --> 02:02:22,000
>> Thank you.

2798
02:02:22,000 --> 02:02:26,790
>> Uh, alternative energy committee.

2799
02:02:26,800 --> 02:02:29,840
» Okay. Um,

2800
02:02:29,840 --> 02:02:32,719
good evening. Um, I'm Debbie Cook. I'm a

2801
02:02:32,719 --> 02:02:34,480
vice chair of the Alternative Energy

2802
02:02:34,480 --> 02:02:37,599
Committee. I live at 281 King Street and

2803
02:02:37,599 --> 02:02:40,159
we're here to talk about um a

2804
02:02:40,159 --> 02:02:44,639
non-binding resolution um for the town's

2805
02:02:44,639 --> 02:02:47,679
um just the municipal side including the

2806
02:02:47,679 --> 02:02:51,280
schools. Um that basically the

2807
02:02:51,280 --> 02:02:55,440
resolution will support this um a

2808
02:02:55,440 --> 02:02:58,239
commitment by the town to reach 50%

2809
02:02:58,239 --> 02:03:01,679
greenhouse gas reduction by 2030 and

2810
02:03:01,679 --> 02:03:05,040
100% net zero greenhouse gas reduction

2811
02:03:05,040 --> 02:03:07,760
by 2050

2812
02:03:07,760 --> 02:03:12,639
and approving this is good governance.

2813
02:03:12,639 --> 02:03:15,840
Since 2020 carbon reduction goals have

2814
02:03:15,840 --> 02:03:17,520
been codified.

2815
02:03:17,520 --> 02:03:20,000
The state has mandated that towns reach

2816
02:03:20,000 --> 02:03:23,520
these greenhouse gas goals.

2817
02:03:23,520 --> 02:03:26,400
So, as you can see, there was in 2020 a

2818
02:03:26,400 --> 02:03:30,400
decarbonization road map and in 2025 it

2819
02:03:30,400 --> 02:03:36,629
was made state law.

2820
02:03:36,639 --> 02:03:42,400
Um so the state the state's um uh

2821
02:03:42,400 --> 02:03:44,800
codified greenhouse gas emissions

2822
02:03:44,800 --> 02:03:49,840
reduction is based on 1990 uh greenhouse

2823
02:03:49,840 --> 02:03:58,800
gas emissions for every town and um so basically we would have to do 30%

2824
02:03:58,800 --> 02:04:04,639
um by um I mean 50% by 2030 and uh 100%

2825
02:04:04,639 --> 02:04:07,679
by 2050.

2826
02:04:07,679 --> 02:04:10,800
So right now actually just as a point of

2827
02:04:10,800 --> 02:04:14,000
fact um our greenhouse gas emissions in

2828
02:04:14,000 --> 02:04:16,000
coacassid have increased in the last

2829
02:04:16,000 --> 02:04:20,639
eight years by 3%. We've gone from 77

2830
02:04:20,639 --> 02:04:23,760
metric tons to 80,000

2831
02:04:23,760 --> 02:04:28,000
77,000 metric tons to 88,000 to 80,000

2832
02:04:28,000 --> 02:04:31,280
in 2025. So we're kind of going in the

2833
02:04:31,280 --> 02:04:39,189
wrong way.

2834
02:04:39,199 --> 02:04:41,760
Okay.

2835
02:04:41,760 --> 02:04:51,440
So, um as you can see the secretary

2836
02:04:51,440 --> 02:04:54,560
um has established programs to reduce

2837
02:04:54,560 --> 02:04:57,280
emissions of greenhouse gases and the

2838
02:04:57,280 --> 02:05:00,560
important thing is uh to promulgate

2839
02:05:00,560 --> 02:05:05,040
greenhouse gas uh regulations. So we

2840
02:05:05,040 --> 02:05:08,800
have to be prepared um to to address

2841
02:05:08,800 --> 02:05:11,599
those and that's what this resolution

2842
02:05:11,599 --> 02:05:14,560
will start us on the road to do. It's

2843
02:05:14,560 --> 02:05:25,990
good governance to get ahead of what's in store for us.

2844
02:05:26,000 --> 02:05:30,320
So um so one of the things that they say

2845
02:05:30,320 --> 02:05:32,960
is that we are going to have to um have

2846
02:05:32,960 --> 02:05:37,360
plans and um so all the municipalities

2847
02:05:37,360 --> 02:05:40,960
will have to be submitting them um and

2848
02:05:40,960 --> 02:05:43,920
uh municipal governments are called for

2849
02:05:43,920 --> 02:05:49,910
building and transportation projects.

2850
02:05:49,920 --> 02:05:52,400
So, as you can see,

2851
02:05:52,400 --> 02:05:54,480
we have state law that we're going to

2852
02:05:54,480 --> 02:05:58,159
have to comply with, but we also have

2853
02:05:58,159 --> 02:06:00,239
another side, which is the green

2854
02:06:00,239 --> 02:06:03,199
community program. The town has been

2855
02:06:03,199 --> 02:06:06,480
really fortunate to have received over a

2856
02:06:06,480 --> 02:06:09,040
million dollars from the greenhouse uh

2857
02:06:09,040 --> 02:06:11,920
from the green community program, but

2858
02:06:11,920 --> 02:06:15,199
that is we've reached our threshold. So

2859
02:06:15,199 --> 02:06:17,920
the next step is called climate leaders

2860
02:06:17,920 --> 02:06:22,000
and that's a five-step program. Um this

2861
02:06:22,000 --> 02:06:26,719
resolution is one of the five steps and

2862
02:06:26,719 --> 02:06:29,840
um it's actually the third step. So

2863
02:06:29,840 --> 02:06:34,870
we've already done two of the steps.

2864
02:06:34,880 --> 02:06:36,400
» Just a time check, you're at four

2865
02:06:36,400 --> 02:06:39,990
minutes, please.

2866
02:06:40,000 --> 02:06:43,520
So, um, the last thing is, um, I I just

2867
02:06:43,520 --> 02:06:45,760
wanted to discuss this decision tree

2868
02:06:45,760 --> 02:06:48,320
because I think it's really important.

2869
02:06:48,320 --> 02:06:51,119
If if you go down on the no side, if you

2870
02:06:51,119 --> 02:06:54,639
don't pass this, um, the town is not

2871
02:06:54,639 --> 02:06:57,520
going to be eligible for future funding,

2872
02:06:57,520 --> 02:07:00,400
and we'll have to do what we um, the

2873
02:07:00,400 --> 02:07:03,679
best we can with volunteer resources.

2874
02:07:03,679 --> 02:07:07,360
Um, if we do pass this, the town will be

2875
02:07:07,360 --> 02:07:10,639
eligible for grants and fundings through

2876
02:07:10,639 --> 02:07:12,880
as we work towards the climate leaders

2877
02:07:12,880 --> 02:07:14,880
program. We will we can get funding

2878
02:07:14,880 --> 02:07:17,280
through there, but we also can get

2879
02:07:17,280 --> 02:07:20,239
technical assistance grants now um

2880
02:07:20,239 --> 02:07:22,400
without even reaching climate leader

2881
02:07:22,400 --> 02:07:26,560
status. So, it's very important. Um, as

2882
02:07:26,560 --> 02:07:29,520
you can see, the it's non-binding. It

2883
02:07:29,520 --> 02:07:31,520
doesn't require the town to spend any

2884
02:07:31,520 --> 02:07:35,040
money at this point. It is just allowing

2885
02:07:35,040 --> 02:07:39,679
the town to go forward and make plans.

2886
02:07:39,679 --> 02:07:45,270
>> Thank you.

2887
02:07:45,280 --> 02:07:46,239
» Questions?

2888
02:07:46,239 --> 02:07:48,000
>> The select board has recommended

2889
02:07:48,000 --> 02:07:50,960
approval by a vote of four to zero. And

2890
02:07:50,960 --> 02:07:52,560
actually, I don't have the the advisory

2891
02:07:52,560 --> 02:07:53,599
committee was going to be give a

2892
02:07:53,599 --> 02:07:55,040
recommendation at town meeting. Is there

2893
02:07:55,040 --> 02:07:56,800
somebody from advisory committee that

2894
02:07:56,800 --> 02:07:58,239
could indicate what your recommendation

2895
02:07:58,239 --> 02:08:02,069
is?

2896
02:08:02,079 --> 02:08:03,520
It looks like the advisory committee

2897
02:08:03,520 --> 02:08:06,239
does not have a recommendation.

2898
02:08:06,239 --> 02:08:08,960
Is there discussion? Mr. Jenkins,

2899
02:08:08,960 --> 02:08:11,679
>> Leland Jenkins, Jerusalem Road. If we go

2900
02:08:11,679 --> 02:08:14,719
with zero%

2901
02:08:14,719 --> 02:08:19,679
release, what will it cost the town in uh 2050

2902
02:08:19,679 --> 02:08:22,320
to get to that point?

2903
02:08:22,320 --> 02:08:23,840
>> Well,

2904
02:08:23,840 --> 02:08:27,520
that is that's way out of my wheelhouse.

2905
02:08:27,520 --> 02:08:30,400
Um I think the the the important thing

2906
02:08:30,400 --> 02:08:33,360
is is that this is this does not commit

2907
02:08:33,360 --> 02:08:36,639
us to anything except just agreeing to

2908
02:08:36,639 --> 02:08:41,040
go forward doing the research. So you

2909
02:08:41,040 --> 02:08:45,360
know if we if we don't do it we don't um

2910
02:08:45,360 --> 02:08:47,920
you know qualify for grants to go

2911
02:08:47,920 --> 02:08:51,599
forward. The next step is to go for a a

2912
02:08:51,599 --> 02:08:54,000
grant for decarbonization because we

2913
02:08:54,000 --> 02:08:58,400
want to do a decarbonization plan.

2914
02:08:58,400 --> 02:09:01,840
>> Thank you, sir. Jay Whitney Howerin, 18

2915
02:09:01,840 --> 02:09:04,960
Rustic Drive and Cohassid. So, similar

2916
02:09:04,960 --> 02:09:06,719
to what Mr. Jenkins just said, we're

2917
02:09:06,719 --> 02:09:08,480
living in a town where we're very keen

2918
02:09:08,480 --> 02:09:11,760
on cost. What is this going to cost us?

2919
02:09:11,760 --> 02:09:14,000
Here we are. I think some might think

2920
02:09:14,000 --> 02:09:16,079
unrealistic green goals decided by the

2921
02:09:16,079 --> 02:09:18,239
state are going to cost us more money

2922
02:09:18,239 --> 02:09:21,360
and hamstring the town's ability to run.

2923
02:09:21,360 --> 02:09:23,760
So, how do we explain that? What are

2924
02:09:23,760 --> 02:09:26,400
some costs of of voting? No. Do you have

2925
02:09:26,400 --> 02:09:27,920
any idea?

2926
02:09:27,920 --> 02:09:30,639
>> You basically, as I said, this is

2927
02:09:30,639 --> 02:09:33,040
statemandated. So, this is something

2928
02:09:33,040 --> 02:09:34,960
that we're going to have to address.

2929
02:09:34,960 --> 02:09:37,119
We'd rather get ahead of it and get the

2930
02:09:37,119 --> 02:09:40,639
grants than wait for being told what we

2931
02:09:40,639 --> 02:09:43,440
have to do because that's that it's

2932
02:09:43,440 --> 02:09:45,840
codified. It's law.

2933
02:09:45,840 --> 02:09:47,520
>> However, you don't have any idea of

2934
02:09:47,520 --> 02:09:49,599
cost.

2935
02:09:49,599 --> 02:09:52,000
>> Not yet. We have to do the plans. We

2936
02:09:52,000 --> 02:09:54,320
have to do the decarbonization plans.

2937
02:09:54,320 --> 02:09:56,239
And don't forget this is only on the

2938
02:09:56,239 --> 02:09:58,880
municipal side right now. And we're

2939
02:09:58,880 --> 02:10:02,079
already I I want you to know we have an

2940
02:10:02,079 --> 02:10:04,239
agreement with National Grid right now.

2941
02:10:04,239 --> 02:10:07,360
We have anou with them. National grid is

2942
02:10:07,360 --> 02:10:12,880
working with us to decarbonize our plant. And I was on a

2943
02:10:12,880 --> 02:10:16,159
call with National Grid today and the

2944
02:10:16,159 --> 02:10:19,199
town hall is going to be 100% electric.

2945
02:10:19,199 --> 02:10:23,119
So it's really we're really making

2946
02:10:23,119 --> 02:10:24,639
progress.

2947
02:10:24,639 --> 02:10:27,119
>> Many of us are we're going green. Many

2948
02:10:27,119 --> 02:10:31,040
of us. However, the the pace the pace is

2949
02:10:31,040 --> 02:10:32,880
unrealistic. I think that's we've seen

2950
02:10:32,880 --> 02:10:36,159
that time and time again. An unrealistic

2951
02:10:36,159 --> 02:10:38,239
uh plan, if you will, that just ends up

2952
02:10:38,239 --> 02:10:40,480
costing the state more, taxpayers more

2953
02:10:40,480 --> 02:10:42,000
everywhere. And that's that's the point.

2954
02:10:42,000 --> 02:10:43,679
So, I think it would be good for you to

2955
02:10:43,679 --> 02:10:45,280
come back with some costs. For example,

2956
02:10:45,280 --> 02:10:48,159
right now, what is it costing us to as

2957
02:10:48,159 --> 02:10:50,960
things are today? 88,000 metric tons,

2958
02:10:50,960 --> 02:10:53,760
77,000 metric tonses. What is that in

2959
02:10:53,760 --> 02:10:55,679
dollars and cents, please?

2960
02:10:55,679 --> 02:10:59,119
>> I'm sorry that it this is to enable us

2961
02:10:59,119 --> 02:11:01,280
to go forward. We understand that

2962
02:11:01,280 --> 02:11:02,239
search.

2963
02:11:02,239 --> 02:11:03,840
>> I think you're asking unrealistic.

2964
02:11:03,840 --> 02:11:04,960
>> I think we're good. I think you've asked

2965
02:11:04,960 --> 02:11:05,440
the question.

2966
02:11:05,440 --> 02:11:06,320
>> Thank you very much.

2967
02:11:06,320 --> 02:11:07,920
>> Thank you.

2968
02:11:07,920 --> 02:11:09,360
>> Yes.

2969
02:11:09,360 --> 02:11:14,079
>> Uh Richard Avery from Siri Drive.

2970
02:11:14,079 --> 02:11:17,760
Could you explain to us u how we do

2971
02:11:17,760 --> 02:11:19,360
measurement

2972
02:11:19,360 --> 02:11:22,320
setting a baseline and then future

2973
02:11:22,320 --> 02:11:25,360
measurements of did we actually achieve

2974
02:11:25,360 --> 02:11:27,199
a reduction

2975
02:11:27,199 --> 02:11:30,800
especially when we're only doing the

2976
02:11:30,800 --> 02:11:34,239
municipal side of the town and not

2977
02:11:34,239 --> 02:11:36,639
everything? And does this include

2978
02:11:36,639 --> 02:11:40,639
vehicles on the road? What do we mean by

2979
02:11:40,639 --> 02:11:44,000
the municipal side?

2980
02:11:44,000 --> 02:11:46,320
So the municipal side does include

2981
02:11:46,320 --> 02:11:49,760
vehicles. It's town-owned vehicles. Um

2982
02:11:49,760 --> 02:11:53,920
so so basically, you know, um as as far

2983
02:11:53,920 --> 02:11:58,239
as the calculations go, I think that um

2984
02:11:58,239 --> 02:12:02,079
they basically know what each

2985
02:12:02,079 --> 02:12:04,159
um

2986
02:12:04,159 --> 02:12:07,199
you know, vehicle or or piece of

2987
02:12:07,199 --> 02:12:14,239
equipment, um generates. I mean, and so if you can replace it, you they can

2988
02:12:14,239 --> 02:12:18,239
get very specific um um reduction

2989
02:12:18,239 --> 02:12:20,000
figures.

2990
02:12:20,000 --> 02:12:23,920
>> And who does the measuring?

2991
02:12:23,920 --> 02:12:28,880
>> Well, this the state does I I I don't

2992
02:12:28,880 --> 02:12:31,440
know. We're getting into a little bit

2993
02:12:31,440 --> 02:12:34,400
into the a complicated area, but the

2994
02:12:34,400 --> 02:12:35,920
state

2995
02:12:35,920 --> 02:12:38,800
um v has

2996
02:12:38,800 --> 02:12:42,079
certain vendors and certain pieces of

2997
02:12:42,079 --> 02:12:45,840
equipment that they have vetted um and

2998
02:12:45,840 --> 02:12:49,119
you know, so

2999
02:12:49,119 --> 02:12:53,360
that's I basically it's it's a

3000
02:12:53,360 --> 02:12:55,520
combination of the vendor working with

3001
02:12:55,520 --> 02:12:58,719
the state to to talk about what kind of

3002
02:12:58,719 --> 02:13:01,440
greenhouse gases the um piece of

3003
02:13:01,440 --> 02:13:03,920
equipment generates.

3004
02:13:03,920 --> 02:13:07,360
>> Okay. Thank you, sir. The center

3005
02:13:07,360 --> 02:13:11,280
uh Steve Wer, 195 Hull Street. I'm also

3006
02:13:11,280 --> 02:13:12,960
a member of the alternative energy

3007
02:13:12,960 --> 02:13:15,920
committee. Uh I just thought I'd maybe

3008
02:13:15,920 --> 02:13:17,760
make a comment about a a question I

3009
02:13:17,760 --> 02:13:19,360
heard. What can we do to actually

3010
02:13:19,360 --> 02:13:20,960
advance toward this goal and what it

3011
02:13:20,960 --> 02:13:23,360
might cost? I want to remind everybody

3012
02:13:23,360 --> 02:13:26,239
here that we have a wonderful solar

3013
02:13:26,239 --> 02:13:29,360
array at the transfer station that did

3014
02:13:29,360 --> 02:13:32,800
not cost Cohassid a penny.

3015
02:13:32,800 --> 02:13:35,360
Not a penny. And has saved us over a

3016
02:13:35,360 --> 02:13:38,000
million dollars so far. So this is an

3017
02:13:38,000 --> 02:13:40,000
example of the sort of project we can do

3018
02:13:40,000 --> 02:13:43,040
which will advance our goal to to net

3019
02:13:43,040 --> 02:13:48,229
zero. Thank you.

3020
02:13:48,239 --> 02:13:50,960
» Thank you. Gentleman over here, please.

3021
02:13:50,960 --> 02:13:53,679
Uh Owenberry, 15 Braftoft Road. I'd like

3022
02:13:53,679 --> 02:13:55,760
to uh request to move the uh question,

3023
02:13:55,760 --> 02:13:56,560
please.

3024
02:13:56,560 --> 02:13:58,400
>> I'm sorry, I won't recognize that yet.

3025
02:13:58,400 --> 02:13:59,840
We've got two people standing here. So,

3026
02:13:59,840 --> 02:14:01,119
let's let them talk and then we'll

3027
02:14:01,119 --> 02:14:03,199
consider that woman in the front here.

3028
02:14:03,199 --> 02:14:04,880
>> I'm Barbara Russell. I'm also on the

3029
02:14:04,880 --> 02:14:09,119
alternative energy committee. I live at 11 deep run. Um I just want to

3030
02:14:09,119 --> 02:14:11,679
clarify a few things to Deb's point.

3031
02:14:11,679 --> 02:14:14,239
We've already as so we are going up the

3032
02:14:14,239 --> 02:14:16,000
ladder, right? We were a green community

3033
02:14:16,000 --> 02:14:17,920
and now we're about to become a climate

3034
02:14:17,920 --> 02:14:22,239
leader. There are 26 climate leaders in this in the Commonwealth of

3035
02:14:22,239 --> 02:14:25,360
Massachusetts. Um the pool of funds

3036
02:14:25,360 --> 02:14:28,960
available to those 26 are almost $20

3037
02:14:28,960 --> 02:14:32,079
million. So we know that in front of us

3038
02:14:32,079 --> 02:14:35,119
we have $1.6 million of potential

3039
02:14:35,119 --> 02:14:37,679
funding. We have succeeded in getting

3040
02:14:37,679 --> 02:14:40,800
over a million dollars in funding um and

3041
02:14:40,800 --> 02:14:43,040
the climate leaders program. And on the

3042
02:14:43,040 --> 02:14:44,639
topic of how much is this going to cost

3043
02:14:44,639 --> 02:14:46,480
us, we have nothing to do with the fact

3044
02:14:46,480 --> 02:14:49,440
that the state has legislated that we

3045
02:14:49,440 --> 02:14:51,920
will reduce our carbon footprint by 50%

3046
02:14:51,920 --> 02:14:55,119
in 2030 and zero by 2050. We have

3047
02:14:55,119 --> 02:14:56,880
nothing to do with that. But we will

3048
02:14:56,880 --> 02:14:59,440
comply and we must comply over time.

3049
02:14:59,440 --> 02:15:01,280
Sitting and twiddling our thumbs is not

3050
02:15:01,280 --> 02:15:04,000
an option. So why not take advantage of

3051
02:15:04,000 --> 02:15:06,320
the funding ahead of us and become a

3052
02:15:06,320 --> 02:15:08,800
climate leader along with the other 26

3053
02:15:08,800 --> 02:15:11,119
people that are? Thank you.

3054
02:15:11,119 --> 02:15:13,199
>> Thank you.

3055
02:15:13,199 --> 02:15:15,520
got the gentleman here and then over

3056
02:15:15,520 --> 02:15:18,639
here on the side uh Paul Antico 124

3057
02:15:18,639 --> 02:15:20,159
Atlantic. I just had a quick question

3058
02:15:20,159 --> 02:15:21,520
for someone that knows absolutely

3059
02:15:21,520 --> 02:15:23,599
nothing about the state law on this. But

3060
02:15:23,599 --> 02:15:25,360
you referred to the state law and the

3061
02:15:25,360 --> 02:15:27,840
regulations that they're mandating. Is

3062
02:15:27,840 --> 02:15:30,159
that the 50% and 100% at those dates? Is

3063
02:15:30,159 --> 02:15:31,599
that what the state law is requiring or

3064
02:15:31,599 --> 02:15:34,079
is this is this separate from what the

3065
02:15:34,079 --> 02:15:36,159
state law is asking us for?

3066
02:15:36,159 --> 02:15:38,000
>> Oh, this is to comply with the state

3067
02:15:38,000 --> 02:15:38,560
law.

3068
02:15:38,560 --> 02:15:40,000
>> So those those are their mandates. Those

3069
02:15:40,000 --> 02:15:42,320
are those are figures that the state law

3070
02:15:42,320 --> 02:15:45,199
has as part of their road map to getting

3071
02:15:45,199 --> 02:15:47,679
to net zero. They actually have more

3072
02:15:47,679 --> 02:15:50,719
benchmarks. They have something for 2040

3073
02:15:50,719 --> 02:15:52,639
and and different benchmarks were

3074
02:15:52,639 --> 02:15:55,360
supposed to reach, but the two big ones

3075
02:15:55,360 --> 02:15:58,000
are the 20, you know, the 2030 and the

3076
02:15:58,000 --> 02:16:01,040
2050. So, we didn't complicate things

3077
02:16:01,040 --> 02:16:03,119
by, you know, putting in those other

3078
02:16:03,119 --> 02:16:04,239
benchmarks.

3079
02:16:04,239 --> 02:16:05,599
>> And and just quickly, I'll sit down

3080
02:16:05,599 --> 02:16:08,239
after I ask the question. U 2030 is four

3081
02:16:08,239 --> 02:16:09,679
years away. How far are we from that

3082
02:16:09,679 --> 02:16:11,679
50%. Thank you.

3083
02:16:11,679 --> 02:16:14,079
>> Well, we're going the wrong way. I will

3084
02:16:14,079 --> 02:16:16,239
tell you that.

3085
02:16:16,239 --> 02:16:19,520
So, no, we that's what we need to find

3086
02:16:19,520 --> 02:16:22,239
out. That's what the next step is to do

3087
02:16:22,239 --> 02:16:25,360
this decarbonization roadmap and figure

3088
02:16:25,360 --> 02:16:28,000
out, you know, how we can how we can get

3089
02:16:28,000 --> 02:16:30,639
to it. It's not unrealistic. We can do

3090
02:16:30,639 --> 02:16:34,399
it. I mean this and especially with the

3091
02:16:34,399 --> 02:16:36,479
resources that National Grid is giving

3092
02:16:36,479 --> 02:16:39,120
us right now and you know they're

3093
02:16:39,120 --> 02:16:41,920
working with us they on the police

3094
02:16:41,920 --> 02:16:46,000
station they've they have a a a whole

3095
02:16:46,000 --> 02:16:49,040
group that works on on new construction

3096
02:16:49,040 --> 02:16:51,200
and and so they've been in on the ground

3097
02:16:51,200 --> 02:16:59,040
floor to make the police station as as um you know effective as it can be.

3098
02:16:59,040 --> 02:17:01,040
the the one thing is obviously there's

3099
02:17:01,040 --> 02:17:04,319
certain safety mandates that will you

3100
02:17:04,319 --> 02:17:06,880
know make things we have to adjust to

3101
02:17:06,880 --> 02:17:07,840
that but

3102
02:17:07,840 --> 02:17:09,280
>> okay thank you we got a comment from

3103
02:17:09,280 --> 02:17:10,319
over here please

3104
02:17:10,319 --> 02:17:14,160
>> so I'm Jocelyn Dana from 27 King Street

3105
02:17:14,160 --> 02:17:17,040
and I'm just trying to understand this

3106
02:17:17,040 --> 02:17:20,479
is a key to get to the money

3107
02:17:20,479 --> 02:17:22,800
that's available to us to do the

3108
02:17:22,800 --> 02:17:24,399
research

3109
02:17:24,399 --> 02:17:27,679
if we are supporting this is that what

3110
02:17:27,679 --> 02:17:29,679
I'm understanding that this is the key

3111
02:17:29,679 --> 02:17:31,280
for us to be able to have access. It's

3112
02:17:31,280 --> 02:17:33,280
not that it's costing us anything. It is

3113
02:17:33,280 --> 02:17:35,280
for us to be able to have access for

3114
02:17:35,280 --> 02:17:39,120
that research for things like the solar

3115
02:17:39,120 --> 02:17:42,319
on the future police station or whether

3116
02:17:42,319 --> 02:17:45,840
we go with electric buses versus the gas

3117
02:17:45,840 --> 02:17:48,319
buses that type of thing.

3118
02:17:48,319 --> 02:17:52,559
So, so this is this is basically yes a

3119
02:17:52,559 --> 02:17:55,920
step along the way that without this we

3120
02:17:55,920 --> 02:17:58,240
can't our next step would be the

3121
02:17:58,240 --> 02:18:01,200
decarbonization roadmap for the

3122
02:18:01,200 --> 02:18:04,719
municipal side. This will allow us to

3123
02:18:04,719 --> 02:18:07,200
apply for grants. We not we may not get

3124
02:18:07,200 --> 02:18:11,519
them but um without this we cannot apply

3125
02:18:11,519 --> 02:18:12,559
for these grants.

3126
02:18:12,559 --> 02:18:14,960
>> That seems like no-brainer. Thank you.

3127
02:18:14,960 --> 02:18:19,359
>> Thank you. Um woman here.

3128
02:18:19,359 --> 02:18:22,240
>> Yes. Hi uh Mayor Joe Larson 12 Virginia

3129
02:18:22,240 --> 02:18:24,559
Lane. I mean basically if you would just

3130
02:18:24,559 --> 02:18:27,840
concentrate on this slide this is an

3131
02:18:27,840 --> 02:18:30,800
opportunity that you have to it's it's

3132
02:18:30,800 --> 02:18:33,120
aspirational. It's it shows that this

3133
02:18:33,120 --> 02:18:36,960
town cares about the decarbonization or

3134
02:18:36,960 --> 02:18:38,639
reducing our emissions that we're

3135
02:18:38,639 --> 02:18:41,439
willing to look into that and that that

3136
02:18:41,439 --> 02:18:45,280
we are willing to take steps and plan to

3137
02:18:45,280 --> 02:18:47,280
try to reduce our emissions. There's no

3138
02:18:47,280 --> 02:18:49,920
cost to you. It's an opportunity that

3139
02:18:49,920 --> 02:18:53,920
the town has to apply for funds. So

3140
02:18:53,920 --> 02:18:57,359
that's why that non-bounding non-binding

3141
02:18:57,359 --> 02:19:00,319
phrase releases you from worries about

3142
02:19:00,319 --> 02:19:01,920
well what's it going to cost? It costs

3143
02:19:01,920 --> 02:19:04,559
you nothing. All you do is say I'd like

3144
02:19:04,559 --> 02:19:07,120
to look into that and we care about this

3145
02:19:07,120 --> 02:19:09,439
issue. We care about the climate issue.

3146
02:19:09,439 --> 02:19:11,599
That's what you're saying. That's all.

3147
02:19:11,599 --> 02:19:12,399
Thank you.

3148
02:19:12,399 --> 02:19:16,070
>> Thank you.

3149
02:19:16,080 --> 02:19:17,760
Um

3150
02:19:17,760 --> 02:19:19,760
we we did have a gentleman move the

3151
02:19:19,760 --> 02:19:21,679
question. If we don't have any more

3152
02:19:21,679 --> 02:19:23,439
debate, then we don't even need to vote

3153
02:19:23,439 --> 02:19:24,800
on that. We can just proceed to a vote

3154
02:19:24,800 --> 02:19:28,000
on the main motion.

3155
02:19:28,000 --> 02:19:29,599
I don't see any more debate. That's

3156
02:19:29,599 --> 02:19:32,080
great. Um, let's move to a vote on the

3157
02:19:32,080 --> 02:19:34,479
main motion. It does require majority

3158
02:19:34,479 --> 02:19:37,200
vote for adoption. All those in favor of

3159
02:19:37,200 --> 02:19:38,880
the motion under article 22, please

3160
02:19:38,880 --> 02:19:41,439
signify by saying I. I.

3161
02:19:41,439 --> 02:19:43,439
>> All those opposed, please signify by

3162
02:19:43,439 --> 02:19:45,439
saying nay. Nay.

3163
02:19:45,439 --> 02:19:48,080
>> The most the motion is adopted by the

3164
02:19:48,080 --> 02:19:56,230
requisite two-thirds vote.

3165
02:19:56,240 --> 02:19:59,200
Article 23, Storm Water Management bylaw

3166
02:19:59,200 --> 02:20:01,200
Procedural Changes. May I have a motion

3167
02:20:01,200 --> 02:20:03,280
in the form distributed to the meeting?

3168
02:20:03,280 --> 02:20:04,960
Thank you. May I have a second?

3169
02:20:04,960 --> 02:20:06,640
>> Thank you. The motion has been made and

3170
02:20:06,640 --> 02:20:08,319
seconded. Requires majority vote for

3171
02:20:08,319 --> 02:20:12,080
adoption. Um, I will recognize the

3172
02:20:12,080 --> 02:20:26,070
conservation agent, Charlotte Pesty.

3173
02:20:26,080 --> 02:20:27,600
Hi guys, how's it going? Uh Charlotte

3174
02:20:27,600 --> 02:20:29,680
Pactyl, conservation agent. Uh for this

3175
02:20:29,680 --> 02:20:31,680
stormwater bylaw change, we're proposing

3176
02:20:31,680 --> 02:20:34,080
to streamline uh single family home

3177
02:20:34,080 --> 02:20:35,920
projects a little bit more. Uh so

3178
02:20:35,920 --> 02:20:37,200
basically we're not really changing

3179
02:20:37,200 --> 02:20:38,880
anything in terms of the administrative

3180
02:20:38,880 --> 02:20:40,960
procedures. We're just changing for

3181
02:20:40,960 --> 02:20:42,720
single family home projects in terms of

3182
02:20:42,720 --> 02:20:44,319
if you're raising rebuilding, building

3183
02:20:44,319 --> 02:20:46,800
an accessory dwelling unit, a garage. If

3184
02:20:46,800 --> 02:20:48,399
those projects trigger what's called a

3185
02:20:48,399 --> 02:20:50,240
full storm water review, which is a land

3186
02:20:50,240 --> 02:20:52,319
alteration of 5,000 square feet or more,

3187
02:20:52,319 --> 02:20:53,600
it would normally have to go to the

3188
02:20:53,600 --> 02:20:55,359
conservation commission for a full

3189
02:20:55,359 --> 02:20:57,439
review with a public hearing. Um, so for

3190
02:20:57,439 --> 02:20:59,760
single family home projects that are

3191
02:20:59,760 --> 02:21:01,040
completely outside wetlands

3192
02:21:01,040 --> 02:21:02,479
jurisdiction, we would like to make

3193
02:21:02,479 --> 02:21:04,319
those administrative. This is kind of

3194
02:21:04,319 --> 02:21:06,640
modeling what Situit already does. uh

3195
02:21:06,640 --> 02:21:08,800
when Situit has a stormwater project, if

3196
02:21:08,800 --> 02:21:10,560
it's in wetlands jurisdiction or partly

3197
02:21:10,560 --> 02:21:12,080
within wetlands jurisdiction, it goes to

3198
02:21:12,080 --> 02:21:13,840
the conservation commission and if it's

3199
02:21:13,840 --> 02:21:15,120
outside, it goes to the planning

3200
02:21:15,120 --> 02:21:16,479
department. So, we were trying to kind

3201
02:21:16,479 --> 02:21:18,160
of model that a little bit with our

3202
02:21:18,160 --> 02:21:19,600
procedures to streamline that a little

3203
02:21:19,600 --> 02:21:20,800
bit more. So, the administrative

3204
02:21:20,800 --> 02:21:22,160
procedures would still be the same. A

3205
02:21:22,160 --> 02:21:24,000
butters are notified. The appeal process

3206
02:21:24,000 --> 02:21:25,680
is the same. So, we'd really just be

3207
02:21:25,680 --> 02:21:27,200
making those projects outside of

3208
02:21:27,200 --> 02:21:28,880
wetlands jurisdiction um a little bit

3209
02:21:28,880 --> 02:21:30,720
quicker in the review process. Thank

3210
02:21:30,720 --> 02:21:31,840
you.

3211
02:21:31,840 --> 02:21:34,240
>> Thank you. The select board has

3212
02:21:34,240 --> 02:21:36,240
recommended approval by a vote of 3 to

3213
02:21:36,240 --> 02:21:38,160
zero. The advisory committee recommended

3214
02:21:38,160 --> 02:21:40,080
approval by a vote of 9 to zero. And the

3215
02:21:40,080 --> 02:21:41,439
conservation commission recommends

3216
02:21:41,439 --> 02:21:43,840
approval by a vote of four to zero. Is

3217
02:21:43,840 --> 02:21:46,720
there any discussion?

3218
02:21:46,720 --> 02:21:48,240
We'll proceed to a voice vote. The

3219
02:21:48,240 --> 02:21:50,160
motion under article 23 does require

3220
02:21:50,160 --> 02:21:52,080
majority vote for adoption. All those in

3221
02:21:52,080 --> 02:21:54,479
favor, please signify by saying I.

3222
02:21:54,479 --> 02:21:55,439
>> I.

3223
02:21:55,439 --> 02:21:57,040
>> All those opposed, please signify by

3224
02:21:57,040 --> 02:22:00,080
saying nay. The motion is adopted by the

3225
02:22:00,080 --> 02:22:02,160
requisite two-thirds vote.

3226
02:22:02,160 --> 02:22:05,120
>> Thank you.

3227
02:22:05,120 --> 02:22:07,760
>> Article 21, citizens petition noise

3228
02:22:07,760 --> 02:22:10,080
control bylaw. May I have a motion in

3229
02:22:10,080 --> 02:22:11,840
the form distributed to the meeting?

3230
02:22:11,840 --> 02:22:13,520
Thank you. May I have a second? Thank

3231
02:22:13,520 --> 02:22:15,520
you. The m motion has been made and

3232
02:22:15,520 --> 02:22:17,359
seconded. Requires majority vote for

3233
02:22:17,359 --> 02:22:20,000
adoption. I'll recognize on behalf of

3234
02:22:20,000 --> 02:22:34,309
the petitioner, Mr. Fran Collins.

3235
02:22:34,319 --> 02:22:39,030
It's missing.

3236
02:22:39,040 --> 02:22:45,349
Here it is.

3237
02:22:45,359 --> 02:22:47,520
» Evening. I'm Fran Collins, 404 South

3238
02:22:47,520 --> 02:22:52,399
Main Street, Cohasset. Um, we have

3239
02:22:52,399 --> 02:22:54,319
talked to a number of people who are

3240
02:22:54,319 --> 02:22:55,920
pretty concerned about the amount of

3241
02:22:55,920 --> 02:22:57,920
noise that we have in town, particularly

3242
02:22:57,920 --> 02:23:01,760
from gasoline powered leaf blows. And

3243
02:23:01,760 --> 02:23:04,800
I'd like to uh reacquaint you folks to

3244
02:23:04,800 --> 02:23:06,399
the

3245
02:23:06,399 --> 02:23:10,160
noise control bylaw section 170-2. It

3246
02:23:10,160 --> 02:23:12,560
says, "Whereas excessive sound possesses

3247
02:23:12,560 --> 02:23:14,640
poses a serious hazard to public health,

3248
02:23:14,640 --> 02:23:16,800
welfare, safety, and quality of life.

3249
02:23:16,800 --> 02:23:18,720
And whereas the residents of the town of

3250
02:23:18,720 --> 02:23:21,200
Cohassid have a right to and should be

3251
02:23:21,200 --> 02:23:23,280
ensured an environment free of excessive

3252
02:23:23,280 --> 02:23:25,359
noise that may jeopardize their health,

3253
02:23:25,359 --> 02:23:27,359
welfare, safety, or degrade their

3254
02:23:27,359 --> 02:23:31,520
quality of life. And uh under section

3255
02:23:31,520 --> 02:23:35,280
170-3 section G noise disturbance means

3256
02:23:35,280 --> 02:23:38,000
any sound which A may disturb or annoy

3257
02:23:38,000 --> 02:23:39,359
reasonable persons of normal

3258
02:23:39,359 --> 02:23:40,960
sensitivities.

3259
02:23:40,960 --> 02:23:43,439
B causes or tends to cause an adverse

3260
02:23:43,439 --> 02:23:45,600
effect on the public health and welfare

3261
02:23:45,600 --> 02:23:48,240
and c endangers or injure injures

3262
02:23:48,240 --> 02:23:50,399
persons or endangers

3263
02:23:50,399 --> 02:23:53,280
real or personal property. And uh

3264
02:23:53,280 --> 02:23:58,640
sections 170-5 nose to pardon me. Noise

3265
02:23:58,640 --> 02:24:00,479
disturbance. I went to the class at

3266
02:24:00,479 --> 02:24:01,840
public schools. I should be able to read

3267
02:24:01,840 --> 02:24:04,000
better than this.

3268
02:24:04,000 --> 02:24:06,080
Noise disturbance prohibited. No person

3269
02:24:06,080 --> 02:24:08,800
shall make a cause to be made any noise

3270
02:24:08,800 --> 02:24:10,720
disturbance. It shall be unlawful for

3271
02:24:10,720 --> 02:24:13,920
any person to create

3272
02:24:13,920 --> 02:24:16,000
assist in creating cause or suffer allow

3273
02:24:16,000 --> 02:24:18,560
any excessive unnecessary loud unusual

3274
02:24:18,560 --> 02:24:20,640
noise which either annoys disturbs

3275
02:24:20,640 --> 02:24:22,800
injures or endangers the reasonable

3276
02:24:22,800 --> 02:24:25,920
quiet comfort repose or health safety of

3277
02:24:25,920 --> 02:24:29,760
others. That's a whole lot of words. The

3278
02:24:29,760 --> 02:24:35,760
uh the issue we have is that most of the

3279
02:24:35,760 --> 02:24:37,600
people whose businesses taking care of

3280
02:24:37,600 --> 02:24:40,630
lawns,

3281
02:24:40,640 --> 02:24:43,280
landscaping folks use these high-ower

3282
02:24:43,280 --> 02:24:46,080
gasoline engine driven lawn blowers,

3283
02:24:46,080 --> 02:24:48,240
leaf blowers. They make a lot of noise.

3284
02:24:48,240 --> 02:24:50,240
Thursday, I was leaving my house

3285
02:24:50,240 --> 02:24:52,240
Thursday morning and there were two

3286
02:24:52,240 --> 02:24:54,640
people across the street. I had two

3287
02:24:54,640 --> 02:24:56,000
blowers going at the same time. They

3288
02:24:56,000 --> 02:24:58,479
were as far away as me to the bleachers.

3289
02:24:58,479 --> 02:25:01,200
I have a decel meter in my telephone and

3290
02:25:01,200 --> 02:25:05,600
it came in at 197 dec.

3291
02:25:05,600 --> 02:25:07,359
Two weeks ago, I was driving down Border

3292
02:25:07,359 --> 02:25:09,520
Street.

3293
02:25:09,520 --> 02:25:12,240
>> Sorry, there we go. Two weeks ago, I was

3294
02:25:12,240 --> 02:25:14,720
driving down Border Street and uh I saw

3295
02:25:14,720 --> 02:25:16,240
two two other fellows with the with the

3296
02:25:16,240 --> 02:25:18,080
leaf blowers. So, I turned the truck

3297
02:25:18,080 --> 02:25:19,920
around and went back and across the

3298
02:25:19,920 --> 02:25:21,359
street and they were their truck was

3299
02:25:21,359 --> 02:25:23,760
between them and the house that they

3300
02:25:23,760 --> 02:25:26,560
were working on and I got 185 dB. That's

3301
02:25:26,560 --> 02:25:29,439
a lot of noise. That's a lot of noise.

3302
02:25:29,439 --> 02:25:32,479
85 dB of the A scale. That's a scale is

3303
02:25:32,479 --> 02:25:36,399
the human range of hearing.

3304
02:25:36,399 --> 02:25:38,399
Um,

3305
02:25:38,399 --> 02:25:41,359
eight hours of that a day is hazardous.

3306
02:25:41,359 --> 02:25:45,520
100 dBA more than 15 minutes a day,

3307
02:25:45,520 --> 02:25:48,880
permanent hearing loss. 10 110 dBA.

3308
02:25:48,880 --> 02:25:50,479
>> Just to time check for, you're at three

3309
02:25:50,479 --> 02:25:51,600
minutes, so you've got about two minutes

3310
02:25:51,600 --> 02:25:51,840
left.

3311
02:25:51,840 --> 02:25:54,640
>> Right, Dandy? I'll move right along. Um

3312
02:25:54,640 --> 02:25:59,680
any noise exceeding 70 dBA is excessive.

3313
02:25:59,680 --> 02:26:01,840
Many folks who have lawn services are

3314
02:26:01,840 --> 02:26:04,479
not home when the noise happens. Now

3315
02:26:04,479 --> 02:26:06,800
frequently in my neighborhood I have

3316
02:26:06,800 --> 02:26:08,479
immediately seven houses, five of them

3317
02:26:08,479 --> 02:26:10,479
have lawn services. Sometimes there as

3318
02:26:10,479 --> 02:26:12,960
many as two and four blowers going at

3319
02:26:12,960 --> 02:26:15,040
the same time. You can't stay outside

3320
02:26:15,040 --> 02:26:16,560
with all that noises going. And it's

3321
02:26:16,560 --> 02:26:18,800
seven days a week this time of the year.

3322
02:26:18,800 --> 02:26:22,479
I spoke with several people who supply

3323
02:26:22,479 --> 02:26:25,760
lawn equipment and uh and was kind of

3324
02:26:25,760 --> 02:26:27,280
surprised that they said, you know, you

3325
02:26:27,280 --> 02:26:28,880
really don't need these big powerful

3326
02:26:28,880 --> 02:26:30,880
blowers in the summertime. You just need

3327
02:26:30,880 --> 02:26:33,120
a small handheld electric blower that

3328
02:26:33,120 --> 02:26:34,479
can blow the grass clippings off

3329
02:26:34,479 --> 02:26:36,960
sidewalks and driveways and whatnot. We

3330
02:26:36,960 --> 02:26:38,960
don't need to blow every square inch of

3331
02:26:38,960 --> 02:26:42,479
somebody's yard to get the uh loose

3332
02:26:42,479 --> 02:26:46,880
grass clippings off. So, when I put the

3333
02:26:46,880 --> 02:26:49,359
uh How am I doing?

3334
02:26:49,359 --> 02:26:50,319
>> Got about a minute.

3335
02:26:50,319 --> 02:26:53,680
>> Good. When I when I put the proposal out

3336
02:26:53,680 --> 02:26:56,080
to the town attorney and she looked at

3337
02:26:56,080 --> 02:26:57,600
it, she said, "Son of a gun." You know,

3338
02:26:57,600 --> 02:26:59,200
I'm trying to work from home and I had

3339
02:26:59,200 --> 02:27:00,960
the window open and I had to shut it up

3340
02:27:00,960 --> 02:27:02,640
because the lawn blowers were making so

3341
02:27:02,640 --> 02:27:05,120
much noise I couldn't hear myself think.

3342
02:27:05,120 --> 02:27:07,439
So, I've lived my whole life with noise.

3343
02:27:07,439 --> 02:27:09,040
I've worked with machinery all my life.

3344
02:27:09,040 --> 02:27:10,640
I understand what noise is. I suffer

3345
02:27:10,640 --> 02:27:12,720
here from hearing loss. And uh but I

3346
02:27:12,720 --> 02:27:14,080
when I'm home now I like to have some

3347
02:27:14,080 --> 02:27:16,479
peace and quiet and if we have electric

3348
02:27:16,479 --> 02:27:19,200
blowers that would be a wonderful thing.

3349
02:27:19,200 --> 02:27:21,200
Now initially we wanted to ban them

3350
02:27:21,200 --> 02:27:24,000
totally. We rethought that they do you

3351
02:27:24,000 --> 02:27:26,720
do need these big blowers in the fall to

3352
02:27:26,720 --> 02:27:29,120
when all the leaves are out. We do need

3353
02:27:29,120 --> 02:27:34,640
blowers in the spring for clean up. So we decided that let's go from May

3354
02:27:34,640 --> 02:27:37,280
15th to September 15th. There are 11

3355
02:27:37,280 --> 02:27:39,280
towns in the state that have b have

3356
02:27:39,280 --> 02:27:42,000
forbidden them. Three of those towns,

3357
02:27:42,000 --> 02:27:44,800
two of those towns have the the seasonal

3358
02:27:44,800 --> 02:27:47,120
ban that I just mentioned. So, I think

3359
02:27:47,120 --> 02:27:49,600
that for our peace and tranquility, we

3360
02:27:49,600 --> 02:27:51,600
need to get rid of these high-powered

3361
02:27:51,600 --> 02:27:53,760
gasoline engines. And on top of that,

3362
02:27:53,760 --> 02:27:55,359
they're terrible. They're terrible

3363
02:27:55,359 --> 02:27:56,960
polluters. We just heard about

3364
02:27:56,960 --> 02:27:59,439
decarbonization.

3365
02:27:59,439 --> 02:28:01,520
One of these leaf blowers for an hour is

3366
02:28:01,520 --> 02:28:04,080
the same thing as driving your truck a

3367
02:28:04,080 --> 02:28:06,640
thousand miles. It's just it's it's

3368
02:28:06,640 --> 02:28:09,359
ridiculous. So I don't like to uh cause

3369
02:28:09,359 --> 02:28:13,040
any hardship in anybody but uh excuse me

3370
02:28:13,040 --> 02:28:15,120
but um it's time to do something with

3371
02:28:15,120 --> 02:28:16,880
all this noise. We don't have to have

3372
02:28:16,880 --> 02:28:20,640
it's not necessary. The uh what other

3373
02:28:20,640 --> 02:28:22,880
point was I going to make?

3374
02:28:22,880 --> 02:28:23,600
>> Yeah.

3375
02:28:23,600 --> 02:28:25,920
>> And regardless of what they say,

3376
02:28:25,920 --> 02:28:27,520
electric machines are substantially

3377
02:28:27,520 --> 02:28:31,600
quiet by about 35 to 40 dB.

3378
02:28:31,600 --> 02:28:35,040
That's pretty much a a uh an overview of

3379
02:28:35,040 --> 02:28:37,200
what we have. Oh, Home Depot says that

3380
02:28:37,200 --> 02:28:41,600
by 28 2028, 80% of all yard and garden

3381
02:28:41,600 --> 02:28:43,040
equipment will be battery powered.

3382
02:28:43,040 --> 02:28:45,040
That's an interesting fact. I just got

3383
02:28:45,040 --> 02:28:47,840
that today. So,

3384
02:28:47,840 --> 02:28:49,280
I hope you'll give it some serious

3385
02:28:49,280 --> 02:28:52,160
thought. Let's have some peace and quiet

3386
02:28:52,160 --> 02:29:01,429
and uh we'll all be happy.

3387
02:29:01,439 --> 02:29:04,479
The select board has voted recommending

3388
02:29:04,479 --> 02:29:06,640
against adoption by a vote of four to

3389
02:29:06,640 --> 02:29:09,040
zero. For the advisory committee, I'll

3390
02:29:09,040 --> 02:29:22,389
recognize Mike Barkley.

3391
02:29:22,399 --> 02:29:24,800
Uh, good evening. Mike Barklay, 100 Elm

3392
02:29:24,800 --> 02:29:26,880
Street on behalf of the advisory

3393
02:29:26,880 --> 02:29:29,439
committee. Uh the current bylaw that we

3394
02:29:29,439 --> 02:29:32,960
have in place was passed two years ago.

3395
02:29:32,960 --> 02:29:36,160
Um before that was uh brought to the

3396
02:29:36,160 --> 02:29:38,640
town meeting, we spent a lot of time

3397
02:29:38,640 --> 02:29:41,920
studying similar noise bylaws in other

3398
02:29:41,920 --> 02:29:45,439
towns. And you know the goal, no one

3399
02:29:45,439 --> 02:29:47,840
likes noise. No one likes it. No one

3400
02:29:47,840 --> 02:29:51,520
wants it. And when we uh put forth that

3401
02:29:51,520 --> 02:29:55,359
article that was approved here, we

3402
02:29:55,359 --> 02:29:56,800
thought it was really important to

3403
02:29:56,800 --> 02:29:59,439
strike a balance. We wanted to make sure

3404
02:29:59,439 --> 02:30:02,000
that there were guard rails around what

3405
02:30:02,000 --> 02:30:04,880
times people could use equipment,

3406
02:30:04,880 --> 02:30:07,520
contractors could use equipment, uh

3407
02:30:07,520 --> 02:30:09,680
fines were put in place in the event

3408
02:30:09,680 --> 02:30:13,040
that um the rules were not followed. And

3409
02:30:13,040 --> 02:30:14,880
you know again we wanted to make this

3410
02:30:14,880 --> 02:30:16,960
balance so that there were some uh

3411
02:30:16,960 --> 02:30:18,800
because there was no bylaw in place for

3412
02:30:18,800 --> 02:30:21,760
the whole town before that and we wanted

3413
02:30:21,760 --> 02:30:23,520
to strike a balance where there were

3414
02:30:23,520 --> 02:30:26,000
some some definite guard rails in place

3415
02:30:26,000 --> 02:30:30,000
around time. Uh the the police are in

3416
02:30:30,000 --> 02:30:32,960
charge of enforcing this and we also

3417
02:30:32,960 --> 02:30:35,359
didn't want the police to be necessarily

3418
02:30:35,359 --> 02:30:37,200
running from property to property

3419
02:30:37,200 --> 02:30:40,399
measuring decibb and things like that.

3420
02:30:40,399 --> 02:30:45,280
Uh, we also wanted to make sure that part of that balance was that we

3421
02:30:45,280 --> 02:30:47,680
weren't telling all of you what you had

3422
02:30:47,680 --> 02:30:50,640
to do with your lawn equipment. Um, I

3423
02:30:50,640 --> 02:30:53,200
mean, I have an electric mower. Doesn't

3424
02:30:53,200 --> 02:30:55,280
work very well, truthfully. But, you

3425
02:30:55,280 --> 02:30:57,040
know, I don't have to put gas in it.

3426
02:30:57,040 --> 02:31:02,000
That's my own thing. But um you know in putting together the bylaw a couple

3427
02:31:02,000 --> 02:31:05,920
of years ago we did not want to you know

3428
02:31:05,920 --> 02:31:09,200
promulgate that you had to have electric

3429
02:31:09,200 --> 02:31:12,720
equipment. That's a choice. And you know

3430
02:31:12,720 --> 02:31:14,080
some of the you know I know there was a

3431
02:31:14,080 --> 02:31:16,479
handout um you know for instance with

3432
02:31:16,479 --> 02:31:18,720
some costs in it. Um actually you can

3433
02:31:18,720 --> 02:31:21,600
get a lawn mower for under $300 at Home

3434
02:31:21,600 --> 02:31:24,800
Depot or Lowe's a gas powered one. And

3435
02:31:24,800 --> 02:31:27,520
so, um, you know, I had the opportunity

3436
02:31:27,520 --> 02:31:30,160
to speak with, uh, with Fran, had

3437
02:31:30,160 --> 02:31:32,479
tremendous respect for him. Uh, we had

3438
02:31:32,479 --> 02:31:35,120
to agree to disagree, which happens in

3439
02:31:35,120 --> 02:31:37,840
good politics. Um, but I respect his

3440
02:31:37,840 --> 02:31:42,000
opinion. But in this case, um, we have a

3441
02:31:42,000 --> 02:31:44,800
bylaw in place. It makes it's a common

3442
02:31:44,800 --> 02:31:47,439
sense approach to controlling excessive

3443
02:31:47,439 --> 02:31:50,399
noise in our town that gives the police

3444
02:31:50,399 --> 02:31:53,520
some tools to enforce that when people

3445
02:31:53,520 --> 02:31:58,080
do not abide by those guidelines. And um

3446
02:31:58,080 --> 02:32:01,600
you know again we uh are called to vote

3447
02:32:01,600 --> 02:32:04,640
on article 24 in the form that it's been

3448
02:32:04,640 --> 02:32:07,680
presented to town meeting as well. And

3449
02:32:07,680 --> 02:32:11,520
so the vote that we have is based on the

3450
02:32:11,520 --> 02:32:13,280
language that's in the warrant right

3451
02:32:13,280 --> 02:32:16,000
now. And so as you're thinking about

3452
02:32:16,000 --> 02:32:17,600
whatever side you want to come out on

3453
02:32:17,600 --> 02:32:19,920
this, um that's what you're voting on.

3454
02:32:19,920 --> 02:32:23,120
So we we have a a bylaw in place. Um you

3455
02:32:23,120 --> 02:32:26,160
know, again, uh like any bylaw, it's not

3456
02:32:26,160 --> 02:32:29,280
going to contemplate every future event.

3457
02:32:29,280 --> 02:32:32,399
Um, but we also have to be careful about

3458
02:32:32,399 --> 02:32:34,640
uh what kind of, you know, uh, rabbit

3459
02:32:34,640 --> 02:32:36,720
holes we go down in in that. You know,

3460
02:32:36,720 --> 02:32:38,720
we're talking about leaf blowers and and

3461
02:32:38,720 --> 02:32:44,240
line trimmers now. Um, you know, I don't know if snow blowers come

3462
02:32:44,240 --> 02:32:46,000
in electric, but I don't think one would

3463
02:32:46,000 --> 02:32:49,120
have worked very well this winter. So,

3464
02:32:49,120 --> 02:32:51,840
you know, we we voted against this um

3465
02:32:51,840 --> 02:32:54,000
the advisory committee because there is

3466
02:32:54,000 --> 02:32:57,600
a a new bylaw that was put in place two

3467
02:32:57,600 --> 02:33:00,240
years ago that we believe struck the

3468
02:33:00,240 --> 02:33:02,640
appropriate balance between, you know,

3469
02:33:02,640 --> 02:33:06,000
noise, limiting noise at times of the

3470
02:33:06,000 --> 02:33:08,240
day that contractors should not be

3471
02:33:08,240 --> 02:33:11,040
working, but was not an overreach and

3472
02:33:11,040 --> 02:33:13,680
prescribed to people what they should be

3473
02:33:13,680 --> 02:33:15,760
doing and what kind of equipment they

3474
02:33:15,760 --> 02:33:19,040
should be mowing their lawns with or or

3475
02:33:19,040 --> 02:33:23,680
blowing their leaves. So, thank you.

3476
02:33:23,680 --> 02:33:25,760
>> Thank you.

3477
02:33:25,760 --> 02:33:27,359
>> Uh Mr. Wilcox,

3478
02:33:27,359 --> 02:33:30,479
>> uh Mark Wilcox, 26 Parker A. So,

3479
02:33:30,479 --> 02:33:33,120
balance. Balance is the key here. Five

3480
02:33:33,120 --> 02:33:34,880
months a year, five summer months where

3481
02:33:34,880 --> 02:33:36,800
your windows are open, we're asking that

3482
02:33:36,800 --> 02:33:39,040
we not use gasoline powered leaf

3483
02:33:39,040 --> 02:33:41,280
blowers. Nothing to do with lawn

3484
02:33:41,280 --> 02:33:44,399
tractors, nothing to do with chainsaws

3485
02:33:44,399 --> 02:33:47,280
or all any any of the other stuff.

3486
02:33:47,280 --> 02:33:50,080
We're looking for a May 25th 27

3487
02:33:50,080 --> 02:33:53,439
implement I'm sorry May 15th 27th 27th

3488
02:33:53,439 --> 02:33:55,840
implementation. So we have a year to to

3489
02:33:55,840 --> 02:33:58,240
get our arms around this.

3490
02:33:58,240 --> 02:34:00,160
We understand the spring cleanups are

3491
02:34:00,160 --> 02:34:02,240
heavy duty. You got the heavy duty

3492
02:34:02,240 --> 02:34:03,439
machines and you got to do that and

3493
02:34:03,439 --> 02:34:04,960
that's where where Fran talked about,

3494
02:34:04,960 --> 02:34:06,640
you know, we needed to to back off from

3495
02:34:06,640 --> 02:34:08,880
a a complete ban on this thing. And we

3496
02:34:08,880 --> 02:34:10,560
also know that fall cleanup needs needs

3497
02:34:10,560 --> 02:34:13,280
a lot of labels.

3498
02:34:13,280 --> 02:34:18,240
>> Thank you.

3499
02:34:18,240 --> 02:34:19,760
Mr. Dunn.

3500
02:34:19,760 --> 02:34:23,120
>> Oh, sorry. She goes first.

3501
02:34:23,120 --> 02:34:25,120
>> Funny. Miss Dunn.

3502
02:34:25,120 --> 02:34:28,479
>> Elizabeth Dunn, 21 Beach Street. Um I

3503
02:34:28,479 --> 02:34:31,840
think this is a um

3504
02:34:31,840 --> 02:34:34,880
article or an amendment to a bylaw that

3505
02:34:34,880 --> 02:34:38,880
um the bylaw is very very broad. We in

3506
02:34:38,880 --> 02:34:43,200
fact allow um noise seven days a week in

3507
02:34:43,200 --> 02:34:46,399
Cohassid from 7 a.m. to 700 p.m. The

3508
02:34:46,399 --> 02:34:50,319
bylaw has nothing in it that is actually

3509
02:34:50,319 --> 02:34:52,560
um measurable. And I mean we don't

3510
02:34:52,560 --> 02:34:54,800
expect that anybody would be enforcing a

3511
02:34:54,800 --> 02:34:58,319
bylaw with actually measuring decibb.

3512
02:34:58,319 --> 02:35:04,240
But um the the count is um actually 16

3513
02:35:04,240 --> 02:35:07,200
towns in Massachusetts. I'm not sure

3514
02:35:07,200 --> 02:35:09,040
we're that different than any of those

3515
02:35:09,040 --> 02:35:12,560
towns and over a 100 municipalities

3516
02:35:12,560 --> 02:35:18,640
in cities and um all in 27 states. We

3517
02:35:18,640 --> 02:35:20,399
have states that are as diverse as

3518
02:35:20,399 --> 02:35:23,680
Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado,

3519
02:35:23,680 --> 02:35:27,280
California that all have some kind of

3520
02:35:27,280 --> 02:35:30,160
restriction or complete ban on gas

3521
02:35:30,160 --> 02:35:33,439
powered um leaf blowers.

3522
02:35:33,439 --> 02:35:35,840
The public health health data is

3523
02:35:35,840 --> 02:35:38,960
incredibly compelling. The WH recommends

3524
02:35:38,960 --> 02:35:42,479
a level of less than 55 dB for hearing

3525
02:35:42,479 --> 02:35:45,760
preservation and an NIH states that

3526
02:35:45,760 --> 02:35:49,280
exposure of greater than 85 dB can

3527
02:35:49,280 --> 02:35:52,160
result in permanent hearing loss. The

3528
02:35:52,160 --> 02:35:55,520
average decibel level is 100 dB,

3529
02:35:55,520 --> 02:35:58,960
somewhere between 80 and 110. when you

3530
02:35:58,960 --> 02:36:04,160
add two or three folks blowing, you're

3531
02:36:04,160 --> 02:36:07,359
talking about 400 decibel levels. I

3532
02:36:07,359 --> 02:36:10,479
think that um the time has come that we

3533
02:36:10,479 --> 02:36:13,280
move forward. As Fran mentioned, this is

3534
02:36:13,280 --> 02:36:16,479
coming whether we like it or not. Uh

3535
02:36:16,479 --> 02:36:19,280
Lowe's is currently

3536
02:36:19,280 --> 02:36:23,200
selling 60% of their lawn equipment is

3537
02:36:23,200 --> 02:36:27,760
gas uh rather um electric powered. So, I

3538
02:36:27,760 --> 02:36:30,319
just think it's it's common sense. It's

3539
02:36:30,319 --> 02:36:34,240
a ban that is simply in the summer. Um,

3540
02:36:34,240 --> 02:36:36,560
and there's all sorts of different uh

3541
02:36:36,560 --> 02:36:38,560
ways communities have addressed that,

3542
02:36:38,560 --> 02:36:40,800
but they're all addressing it. Thank

3543
02:36:40,800 --> 02:36:41,680
you.

3544
02:36:41,680 --> 02:36:46,399
>> Thank you, gentlemen here in the center.

3545
02:36:46,399 --> 02:36:49,280
>> Dan Ley 215 down. I'll get him and then

3546
02:36:49,280 --> 02:36:51,600
I got gentleman here and then you Mark

3547
02:36:51,600 --> 02:36:55,200
>> Dan Ley 215 forest.

3548
02:36:55,200 --> 02:36:57,040
Um, respectfully, if we're going to

3549
02:36:57,040 --> 02:36:59,840
listen to Lowe's and uh Home Depot,

3550
02:36:59,840 --> 02:37:01,680
there's no need for this at all cuz

3551
02:37:01,680 --> 02:37:03,280
they've projected we're all going to buy

3552
02:37:03,280 --> 02:37:06,399
electric anyway. Um, I would take it

3553
02:37:06,399 --> 02:37:09,920
from a a pure practical standpoint.

3554
02:37:09,920 --> 02:37:13,520
Um, I still do my own lawn. My neighbors

3555
02:37:13,520 --> 02:37:16,240
next door to me on either side across

3556
02:37:16,240 --> 02:37:18,640
the street, they do their own lawn. They

3557
02:37:18,640 --> 02:37:22,399
use ride-on mowers that are as loud as

3558
02:37:22,399 --> 02:37:25,680
any weed whack you can get. I own a

3559
02:37:25,680 --> 02:37:29,040
electric weed whacker. It's as good as

3560
02:37:29,040 --> 02:37:33,120
any gas power, but I have two very good,

3561
02:37:33,120 --> 02:37:35,600
fairly new weed whackers as well because

3562
02:37:35,600 --> 02:37:37,840
I have children who like to help out

3563
02:37:37,840 --> 02:37:42,640
their old father. I also bought a

3564
02:37:42,640 --> 02:37:47,439
uh blower and leaf blower

3565
02:37:47,439 --> 02:37:50,399
because I have 28 trees on my lot and

3566
02:37:50,399 --> 02:37:53,280
they're mostly old oaks. And around

3567
02:37:53,280 --> 02:37:55,520
November 15th, they decide to start

3568
02:37:55,520 --> 02:37:57,760
coming down just as we're getting ready

3569
02:37:57,760 --> 02:37:59,680
for snow.

3570
02:37:59,680 --> 02:38:02,640
The electric leaf blower is a waste of

3571
02:38:02,640 --> 02:38:05,520
time. I used it twice and took it back

3572
02:38:05,520 --> 02:38:09,920
to Lowe's. And I was told at the time,

3573
02:38:09,920 --> 02:38:12,560
and it's all hairs. This is all hearsay

3574
02:38:12,560 --> 02:38:15,760
that we're being uh presented. The guy

3575
02:38:15,760 --> 02:38:18,319
said to me, "You are the third uh

3576
02:38:18,319 --> 02:38:21,600
customer bringing back his electric leaf

3577
02:38:21,600 --> 02:38:24,160
blower today." So maybe it was the

3578
02:38:24,160 --> 02:38:26,160
brand. I don't know. But I'd take it

3579
02:38:26,160 --> 02:38:28,080
from a practical standpoint. We all have

3580
02:38:28,080 --> 02:38:31,200
gas powered devices. This is forcing us

3581
02:38:31,200 --> 02:38:35,680
all to either uh use them only outside

3582
02:38:35,680 --> 02:38:39,040
of these five months that it's here or

3583
02:38:39,040 --> 02:38:41,200
we have to all go out and get brand new

3584
02:38:41,200 --> 02:38:43,600
equipment, which is another form of

3585
02:38:43,600 --> 02:38:46,319
taxation. I live with houses all around

3586
02:38:46,319 --> 02:38:49,840
me. I am until I saw this article, I was

3587
02:38:49,840 --> 02:38:52,880
totally unaware there was a news uh no

3588
02:38:52,880 --> 02:38:55,760
noise pollution issue with any of them.

3589
02:38:55,760 --> 02:38:57,760
I would recommend we just vote this down

3590
02:38:57,760 --> 02:39:00,319
and get on with life. Thank you.

3591
02:39:00,319 --> 02:39:04,389
>> Thank you.

3592
02:39:04,399 --> 02:39:06,160
» And then you Mark, go ahead.

3593
02:39:06,160 --> 02:39:09,040
>> Mark Maji, 19 Stanton Road. Um I don't

3594
02:39:09,040 --> 02:39:10,880
support this, but I have three sort of

3595
02:39:10,880 --> 02:39:12,640
structural administrative issues with

3596
02:39:12,640 --> 02:39:15,600
this. The fivemonth ban is not what's

3597
02:39:15,600 --> 02:39:17,760
listed on the warrant here. That was

3598
02:39:17,760 --> 02:39:19,520
changed after the warrant was printed.

3599
02:39:19,520 --> 02:39:20,720
So, we're talking about the five-month

3600
02:39:20,720 --> 02:39:22,000
ban, but that's not

3601
02:39:22,000 --> 02:39:23,600
>> correct. That's with at the beginning of

3602
02:39:23,600 --> 02:39:24,640
the meeting, I explained the difference

3603
02:39:24,640 --> 02:39:26,000
between the motions printed in the

3604
02:39:26,000 --> 02:39:27,920
packet and the warrant. Correct. So,

3605
02:39:27,920 --> 02:39:29,600
this is narrower than what was presented

3606
02:39:29,600 --> 02:39:30,880
in the warrant. It's within the scope.

3607
02:39:30,880 --> 02:39:32,640
>> What was debated by the advisory

3608
02:39:32,640 --> 02:39:34,880
committee and the select board?

3609
02:39:34,880 --> 02:39:35,920
>> I'm sorry, say again.

3610
02:39:35,920 --> 02:39:37,280
>> What's in the warrant is what was

3611
02:39:37,280 --> 02:39:39,200
debated by the advisory committee and

3612
02:39:39,200 --> 02:39:40,000
the select board.

3613
02:39:40,000 --> 02:39:40,479
>> Okay.

3614
02:39:40,479 --> 02:39:42,080
>> And voted on. Additionally, and I know

3615
02:39:42,080 --> 02:39:43,680
we're not supposed to address people's

3616
02:39:43,680 --> 02:39:46,080
individual uh comments, but it was said

3617
02:39:46,080 --> 02:39:48,000
this is just for leaf blowers. That's

3618
02:39:48,000 --> 02:39:49,840
not the case. Line trimmers are

3619
02:39:49,840 --> 02:39:51,439
explicitly mentioned in the warrant

3620
02:39:51,439 --> 02:39:54,000
article. Finally, it is a citizen

3621
02:39:54,000 --> 02:39:55,520
citizens petition for noise control

3622
02:39:55,520 --> 02:39:57,439
review. The third word is to reduce

3623
02:39:57,439 --> 02:39:59,040
pollution. So, are we quantifying

3624
02:39:59,040 --> 02:40:00,960
pollution or noise? I think this is very

3625
02:40:00,960 --> 02:40:02,560
well-intentioned. I just think from a

3626
02:40:02,560 --> 02:40:03,520
structural and administrative

3627
02:40:03,520 --> 02:40:05,120
standpoint, it's a bit of a mess and we

3628
02:40:05,120 --> 02:40:06,319
should be careful on voting on something

3629
02:40:06,319 --> 02:40:07,760
like that. Thanks.

3630
02:40:07,760 --> 02:40:12,870
>> Thank you.

3631
02:40:12,880 --> 02:40:13,840
Uh Mr. Dunn.

3632
02:40:13,840 --> 02:40:17,359
>> Hey, I'm Mark Dunn, Beach Street, uh in

3633
02:40:17,359 --> 02:40:20,880
Cohassid. So, um you know, you know,

3634
02:40:20,880 --> 02:40:23,120
some of the uh points that have been uh

3635
02:40:23,120 --> 02:40:25,200
brought up have to do with private

3636
02:40:25,200 --> 02:40:29,040
property and my ability to run my

3637
02:40:29,040 --> 02:40:32,319
property and run my lawn care however I

3638
02:40:32,319 --> 02:40:35,680
choose, regardless of whether it has an

3639
02:40:35,680 --> 02:40:38,720
impact on other people. the impact uh

3640
02:40:38,720 --> 02:40:40,640
the impact that it has on other people

3641
02:40:40,640 --> 02:40:44,800
can be noise and could be puh pollution

3642
02:40:44,800 --> 02:40:48,240
and and and a variety of of those of

3643
02:40:48,240 --> 02:40:53,359
those factors. So if uh you know private

3644
02:40:53,359 --> 02:40:55,040
property

3645
02:40:55,040 --> 02:40:56,880
does not mean that you can do anything

3646
02:40:56,880 --> 02:40:59,760
you want to do. Um, so for example, I

3647
02:40:59,760 --> 02:41:02,240
can't go home tonight and decide to turn

3648
02:41:02,240 --> 02:41:05,840
my property into a 7-Eleven or to do

3649
02:41:05,840 --> 02:41:08,960
something else. Zoning and property

3650
02:41:08,960 --> 02:41:11,439
rights are restricted and they're

3651
02:41:11,439 --> 02:41:15,120
restricted for the greater good. Um, so

3652
02:41:15,120 --> 02:41:18,640
zoning for example, I have industrial

3653
02:41:18,640 --> 02:41:23,359
zones. industrial zones were uh created

3654
02:41:23,359 --> 02:41:26,960
uh to isolate impacts whether it's uh

3655
02:41:26,960 --> 02:41:29,520
noise whether it's pollution whatever it

3656
02:41:29,520 --> 02:41:31,120
is

3657
02:41:31,120 --> 02:41:33,280
uh what has happened with leaf blowers

3658
02:41:33,280 --> 02:41:36,000
is it's kind of a migration of an

3659
02:41:36,000 --> 02:41:40,240
industrial product to residential use uh

3660
02:41:40,240 --> 02:41:42,000
and when I say leaf blowers I mean gas

3661
02:41:42,000 --> 02:41:44,479
leaf lovers with respect to the

3662
02:41:44,479 --> 02:41:46,000
structure

3663
02:41:46,000 --> 02:41:50,160
um we agree uh the uh warrant should be

3664
02:41:50,160 --> 02:41:53,120
amended to take out uh clippers or

3665
02:41:53,120 --> 02:41:57,040
tremors and that was an oversight. Um

3666
02:41:57,040 --> 02:42:00,960
and um so uh going you know going

3667
02:42:00,960 --> 02:42:02,640
forward

3668
02:42:02,640 --> 02:42:07,600
um you know unreasonable noise imposes

3669
02:42:07,600 --> 02:42:09,200
costs on other property owners and

3670
02:42:09,200 --> 02:42:12,399
residents. Um, also I would say property

3671
02:42:12,399 --> 02:42:17,359
values. Um, your uh use of your property

3672
02:42:17,359 --> 02:42:20,319
or my use of my property could have a

3673
02:42:20,319 --> 02:42:22,479
negative impact on the value of your

3674
02:42:22,479 --> 02:42:24,960
property. Uh, nobody wants to move in

3675
02:42:24,960 --> 02:42:28,000
next to a hazardous weight waste uh dump

3676
02:42:28,000 --> 02:42:31,600
or something like that. And so I take,

3677
02:42:31,600 --> 02:42:33,439
you know, I I respect the advisory

3678
02:42:33,439 --> 02:42:36,800
committee's uh view. uh but they must

3679
02:42:36,800 --> 02:42:40,399
not live uh dealing with what we live

3680
02:42:40,399 --> 02:42:43,840
with every day. It's just absurd the

3681
02:42:43,840 --> 02:42:47,439
amount of noise uh that is uh is causing

3682
02:42:47,439 --> 02:42:50,240
us issues. So

3683
02:42:50,240 --> 02:42:52,000
um you know Cohassid's a highly

3684
02:42:52,000 --> 02:42:54,479
desirable place. Uh we want to keep it

3685
02:42:54,479 --> 02:42:55,760
that way.

3686
02:42:55,760 --> 02:42:58,880
uh this is not the first um community to

3687
02:42:58,880 --> 02:43:02,399
pass uh this kind of uh restriction and

3688
02:43:02,399 --> 02:43:05,200
hopefully uh with cooperative help we

3689
02:43:05,200 --> 02:43:06,960
can do it. Thank you.

3690
02:43:06,960 --> 02:43:08,960
>> Thank you Mr. Whitney.

3691
02:43:08,960 --> 02:43:10,640
>> Thank you very much Jay Whitney Harin

3692
02:43:10,640 --> 02:43:13,520
again of 18 rustic drug. Hey I want

3693
02:43:13,520 --> 02:43:15,120
green. We all want green. I got a green

3694
02:43:15,120 --> 02:43:17,840
weed whacker. My new brand new truck is

3695
02:43:17,840 --> 02:43:20,399
as a hybrid. Uh it all gets back to

3696
02:43:20,399 --> 02:43:22,000
what's reality. What what is realistic

3697
02:43:22,000 --> 02:43:24,240
of planning of these things? you know,

3698
02:43:24,240 --> 02:43:26,240
the noise. I hate the noise. I can't

3699
02:43:26,240 --> 02:43:27,920
stand it, but it's usually not very long

3700
02:43:27,920 --> 02:43:29,439
in my neighborhood. That guy does it,

3701
02:43:29,439 --> 02:43:31,680
that house does it. You know, it's over

3702
02:43:31,680 --> 02:43:34,160
and then it's my turn to do mine. Um,

3703
02:43:34,160 --> 02:43:35,600
and we and we kind of go through like

3704
02:43:35,600 --> 02:43:36,800
that. So, you know, time, place,

3705
02:43:36,800 --> 02:43:39,439
occasion, so to speak. Um, I also think

3706
02:43:39,439 --> 02:43:41,520
of the economic impact of the people

3707
02:43:41,520 --> 02:43:43,600
working very hard in our town mowing our

3708
02:43:43,600 --> 02:43:45,840
loans and doing these things. What's the

3709
02:43:45,840 --> 02:43:47,520
impact on these poor businesses? You

3710
02:43:47,520 --> 02:43:48,479
know, they're going to have to now

3711
02:43:48,479 --> 02:43:51,600
retrofit, I'm sorry, buy all brand new

3712
02:43:51,600 --> 02:43:53,439
electric

3713
02:43:53,439 --> 02:43:55,279
First of all, is it lawnmowers as well?

3714
02:43:55,279 --> 02:43:57,279
You were saying lawnmowers, but it's but

3715
02:43:57,279 --> 02:44:00,080
it's blower. It's leaf blowers and weed

3716
02:44:00,080 --> 02:44:01,840
whackers.

3717
02:44:01,840 --> 02:44:03,279
>> And weed whackers.

3718
02:44:03,279 --> 02:44:07,510
>> No weed whackers. Okay.

3719
02:44:07,520 --> 02:44:08,319
» Let guys.

3720
02:44:08,319 --> 02:44:09,040
>> Okay. Great.

3721
02:44:09,040 --> 02:44:11,040
>> Do not address people in the audience.

3722
02:44:11,040 --> 02:44:13,600
>> Absolutely. Beautiful. So, okay. So, and

3723
02:44:13,600 --> 02:44:15,040
final point. Is there is there going to

3724
02:44:15,040 --> 02:44:16,560
be a fine or something if somebody gets

3725
02:44:16,560 --> 02:44:19,040
caught with their with their gas leaf

3726
02:44:19,040 --> 02:44:20,399
blower? Is there a fine you're going to

3727
02:44:20,399 --> 02:44:21,760
be installing? Is that what you'd like

3728
02:44:21,760 --> 02:44:25,429
to do?

3729
02:44:25,439 --> 02:44:26,560
» Why don't you tell me? I Why don't you

3730
02:44:26,560 --> 02:44:30,000
tell us? I don't

3731
02:44:30,000 --> 02:44:31,359
>> The gentleman asked, "Will there be a

3732
02:44:31,359 --> 02:44:32,880
finest?" There's one of the proponents

3733
02:44:32,880 --> 02:44:34,399
who can answer that question. Just brief

3734
02:44:34,399 --> 02:44:35,200
very briefly.

3735
02:44:35,200 --> 02:44:37,359
>> Yeah. I just

3736
02:44:37,359 --> 02:44:38,560
>> I'll have to see if I can pick it up

3737
02:44:38,560 --> 02:44:41,840
here right now.

3738
02:44:41,840 --> 02:44:42,560
>> First offense,

3739
02:44:42,560 --> 02:44:44,000
>> we all want green. What's real?

3740
02:44:44,000 --> 02:44:44,880
>> Sir,

3741
02:44:44,880 --> 02:44:46,560
>> you asked a question. Let them answer

3742
02:44:46,560 --> 02:44:49,520
it. If defense is if this is inserted

3743
02:44:49,520 --> 02:44:52,479
into the bylaws, yes, there would be a

3744
02:44:52,479 --> 02:44:55,920
fine. The current bylaws levy f levy

3745
02:44:55,920 --> 02:44:58,720
fines for non-compliance with the bylaw.

3746
02:44:58,720 --> 02:45:00,000
>> Okay, thank you. That was the answer.

3747
02:45:00,000 --> 02:45:01,600
Let's let's take the tone of this

3748
02:45:01,600 --> 02:45:03,600
discussion down a little bit, please.

3749
02:45:03,600 --> 02:45:05,359
>> Okay, I've got a gentleman Jay, you're

3750
02:45:05,359 --> 02:45:07,040
good. I've got a gentleman right here.

3751
02:45:07,040 --> 02:45:08,880
Then I've got the woman back there.

3752
02:45:08,880 --> 02:45:12,479
Please, sir. Fred Zodto, 28 Old Coach

3753
02:45:12,479 --> 02:45:14,960
Road, neighbor of Dan Ley, who is my old

3754
02:45:14,960 --> 02:45:18,880
boss at Hugo's to see you, Dan.

3755
02:45:18,880 --> 02:45:20,479
Um, live in the same neighborhood that I

3756
02:45:20,479 --> 02:45:22,240
grew up in when my parents moved here in

3757
02:45:22,240 --> 02:45:26,240
1967. It used to be a quiet town. I do

3758
02:45:26,240 --> 02:45:29,200
not think it is anymore. Um, I work from

3759
02:45:29,200 --> 02:45:32,160
home. Uh, my mother's 98 years old. I

3760
02:45:32,160 --> 02:45:33,600
have to constantly shut the windows when

3761
02:45:33,600 --> 02:45:35,520
the weather's nice. Uh, because of the

3762
02:45:35,520 --> 02:45:36,960
leaf blowers. I'm an electrical

3763
02:45:36,960 --> 02:45:40,160
mechanical engineer by training. Um, and

3764
02:45:40,160 --> 02:45:42,319
I can tell you that when one leaf

3765
02:45:42,319 --> 02:45:45,359
blower, yes, can be 110 dB, but when two

3766
02:45:45,359 --> 02:45:47,920
or three operate in unison, they

3767
02:45:47,920 --> 02:45:50,800
reinforce the sound waves and it

3768
02:45:50,800 --> 02:45:53,520
resonates. So, you not only get, it's

3769
02:45:53,520 --> 02:45:56,880
not additive um, as far as 100, 200,

3770
02:45:56,880 --> 02:46:00,399
300, but you do get that resonance which

3771
02:46:00,399 --> 02:46:03,040
is extraordinarily much louder. When an

3772
02:46:03,040 --> 02:46:07,040
A380 Airbus goes over our house, it's

3773
02:46:07,040 --> 02:46:09,359
less noise than the leaf blowers and

3774
02:46:09,359 --> 02:46:12,080
that's the largest commercial plane in

3775
02:46:12,080 --> 02:46:15,520
the world. It's quiet though. Now, the

3776
02:46:15,520 --> 02:46:18,640
next article is on Wheelright Park. If

3777
02:46:18,640 --> 02:46:20,080
you don't know, Old Coach Road is

3778
02:46:20,080 --> 02:46:21,600
adjacent to Wheelright Park and I've

3779
02:46:21,600 --> 02:46:23,200
been playing in that and taking hikes in

3780
02:46:23,200 --> 02:46:26,960
that for my entire life. When I go for a

3781
02:46:26,960 --> 02:46:30,319
hike in Wirwai Park, the leaf blowers,

3782
02:46:30,319 --> 02:46:34,240
it's 300 acres, but the leaf blowers you

3783
02:46:34,240 --> 02:46:37,040
can hear from each corner of the park

3784
02:46:37,040 --> 02:46:39,760
and you can't escape it. It is

3785
02:46:39,760 --> 02:46:43,040
omniresent when you go for a walk or a

3786
02:46:43,040 --> 02:46:45,920
hike in Wy Park. So, I would really

3787
02:46:45,920 --> 02:46:48,640
encourage everybody um this isn't

3788
02:46:48,640 --> 02:46:50,479
outlawing leaf blowers. certainly not

3789
02:46:50,479 --> 02:46:52,800
outlawing any other gasoline motor

3790
02:46:52,800 --> 02:46:55,600
equipment which was intimated by the

3791
02:46:55,600 --> 02:46:58,720
advisory committee person um which I you

3792
02:46:58,720 --> 02:47:03,760
know with all due respects it's uh the article reads and I do have five

3793
02:47:03,760 --> 02:47:05,120
minutes correct sir

3794
02:47:05,120 --> 02:47:06,720
>> you don't need to use all of it

3795
02:47:06,720 --> 02:47:09,439
>> oh I know you know that but it's the

3796
02:47:09,439 --> 02:47:13,279
first time in 61 years that I've spoken

3797
02:47:13,279 --> 02:47:16,640
at a town meeting so please um the

3798
02:47:16,640 --> 02:47:18,399
article says just for everybody's

3799
02:47:18,399 --> 02:47:20,319
clarification

3800
02:47:20,319 --> 02:47:22,080
moved that the town vote to amend its

3801
02:47:22,080 --> 02:47:24,319
general bylaws, chapter 170, noise

3802
02:47:24,319 --> 02:47:27,200
control by amending section 170-6

3803
02:47:27,200 --> 02:47:29,680
specific activities by adding to the end

3804
02:47:29,680 --> 02:47:32,000
of this section, quote, notwithstanding

3805
02:47:32,000 --> 02:47:34,560
the foregoing, gasoline powered leaf

3806
02:47:34,560 --> 02:47:37,279
blowers and line trimmers are banned

3807
02:47:37,279 --> 02:47:40,160
between May 15th and September 15th.

3808
02:47:40,160 --> 02:47:42,800
Period. End quote. And I would like to

3809
02:47:42,800 --> 02:47:46,960
ask the um the advisory committee we've

3810
02:47:46,960 --> 02:47:48,399
already heard from, but I'd like to ask

3811
02:47:48,399 --> 02:47:51,200
the board of selectmen what their

3812
02:47:51,200 --> 02:47:55,920
rationale was for voting. Um

3813
02:47:55,920 --> 02:47:57,920
the select board recommended approval by

3814
02:47:57,920 --> 02:48:00,560
a vote from 0 to 4. So what their

3815
02:48:00,560 --> 02:48:02,800
rationale was for, if they could

3816
02:48:02,800 --> 02:48:05,439
illuminate on it, uh for rejecting this

3817
02:48:05,439 --> 02:48:08,640
particular um article.

3818
02:48:08,640 --> 02:48:09,840
>> Thank you. Is there anyone from the

3819
02:48:09,840 --> 02:48:11,120
select board that would like to respond

3820
02:48:11,120 --> 02:48:12,960
to that?

3821
02:48:12,960 --> 02:48:19,110
You can go ahead and and sit down, sir.

3822
02:48:19,120 --> 02:48:24,160
» Hi, Ellen Mar 63 Pasture Road. Uh the select board voted to not recommend

3823
02:48:24,160 --> 02:48:26,479
this to town meeting floor. We concur

3824
02:48:26,479 --> 02:48:28,560
with our colleagues on advisory that we

3825
02:48:28,560 --> 02:48:31,040
already have a noise ordinance bylaw and

3826
02:48:31,040 --> 02:48:33,920
that this was um forcing choices upon

3827
02:48:33,920 --> 02:48:36,399
people that they perhaps didn't want to

3828
02:48:36,399 --> 02:48:39,120
make and and now adding in the time

3829
02:48:39,120 --> 02:48:42,080
frame into the motion um from the

3830
02:48:42,080 --> 02:48:44,960
original warrant article um forces

3831
02:48:44,960 --> 02:48:46,800
people perhaps to have too because it's

3832
02:48:46,800 --> 02:48:51,120
been it's been declared that um electric

3833
02:48:51,120 --> 02:48:53,040
powered leaf blowers are not sufficient

3834
02:48:53,040 --> 02:48:55,279
for fall or spring cleanup. So people

3835
02:48:55,279 --> 02:48:56,960
could end up having to have two, an

3836
02:48:56,960 --> 02:48:59,520
electric one for the time period defined

3837
02:48:59,520 --> 02:49:02,720
in the motion and then a gas powered one

3838
02:49:02,720 --> 02:49:04,479
for the other seasons. And we just felt

3839
02:49:04,479 --> 02:49:07,520
it was too uh too oblique the warrant

3840
02:49:07,520 --> 02:49:09,520
article. We felt we had the noise

3841
02:49:09,520 --> 02:49:12,720
ordinance um bylaw in place and it was

3842
02:49:12,720 --> 02:49:15,120
undefined in terms of how it impacts our

3843
02:49:15,120 --> 02:49:18,800
municipal um facilities team and what

3844
02:49:18,800 --> 02:49:20,399
they have to do. Do we have to buy all

3845
02:49:20,399 --> 02:49:22,399
new equipment for our facilities team in

3846
02:49:22,399 --> 02:49:25,840
season and um also for all the

3847
02:49:25,840 --> 02:49:28,560
commercial uh landscapers in town?

3848
02:49:28,560 --> 02:49:29,840
That's not really our concern, the

3849
02:49:29,840 --> 02:49:32,240
commercial people, but it is it is part

3850
02:49:32,240 --> 02:49:35,279
of our the fabric of our community.

3851
02:49:35,279 --> 02:49:35,920
Thank you.

3852
02:49:35,920 --> 02:49:37,760
>> Thank you.

3853
02:49:37,760 --> 02:49:39,120
I've got the woman right here. Please,

3854
02:49:39,120 --> 02:49:40,720
we've got a number of people standing.

3855
02:49:40,720 --> 02:49:43,120
Um we've been discussing through a bit.

3856
02:49:43,120 --> 02:49:44,399
Please be sure you're limiting your

3857
02:49:44,399 --> 02:49:47,040
remarks to new ideas, new new thoughts.

3858
02:49:47,040 --> 02:49:49,680
Please go ahead. I'm Jocelyn Dana from

3859
02:49:49,680 --> 02:49:54,000
27 King Street. I just wanted to

3860
02:49:54,000 --> 02:49:57,600
agree with um that there is a pretty bad

3861
02:49:57,600 --> 02:49:59,680
sound issue that we have in town

3862
02:49:59,680 --> 02:50:03,040
specific to blowers and that I do feel

3863
02:50:03,040 --> 02:50:05,520
that the time frame that's been selected

3864
02:50:05,520 --> 02:50:08,240
here to have it be available for the

3865
02:50:08,240 --> 02:50:12,399
leaf time when you need a more powerful

3866
02:50:12,399 --> 02:50:15,040
unit and including all of the different

3867
02:50:15,040 --> 02:50:17,439
um service providers for the area so

3868
02:50:17,439 --> 02:50:19,279
that they have that to do that type of

3869
02:50:19,279 --> 02:50:21,760
work. I think that's great. I do think

3870
02:50:21,760 --> 02:50:23,920
this is a really wonderful, smart

3871
02:50:23,920 --> 02:50:27,920
program for us to be able to lead with

3872
02:50:27,920 --> 02:50:31,120
within our community that is so very

3873
02:50:31,120 --> 02:50:32,960
specific and so very measurable and

3874
02:50:32,960 --> 02:50:35,200
something that we can do for ourselves,

3875
02:50:35,200 --> 02:50:38,240
for our community. Um, and it

3876
02:50:38,240 --> 02:50:41,040
environmentally has a positive impact

3877
02:50:41,040 --> 02:50:43,359
and aligns with what I feel our town is

3878
02:50:43,359 --> 02:50:44,960
also doing. So, I feel like this would

3879
02:50:44,960 --> 02:50:49,520
be something that makes sense um from a

3880
02:50:49,520 --> 02:50:51,920
homeowner who is also bothered by the

3881
02:50:51,920 --> 02:50:54,960
sounds in the community and also uses

3882
02:50:54,960 --> 02:50:58,560
both kinds of things and would willingly

3883
02:50:58,560 --> 02:51:01,920
align with this um and support it for

3884
02:51:01,920 --> 02:51:04,160
the small businesses that also would be

3885
02:51:04,160 --> 02:51:06,240
needing to make that transition for our

3886
02:51:06,240 --> 02:51:08,160
benefit. Thanks,

3887
02:51:08,160 --> 02:51:10,080
>> Mr. Peace.

3888
02:51:10,080 --> 02:51:12,399
>> Uh Sam Peas, Three Sanki Road. I'd like

3889
02:51:12,399 --> 02:51:14,319
to call a question, please.

3890
02:51:14,319 --> 02:51:16,399
>> Um, motion to call the question. There

3891
02:51:16,399 --> 02:51:18,080
is the second.

3892
02:51:18,080 --> 02:51:20,720
>> Thank you. It's not debatable. Um, it

3893
02:51:20,720 --> 02:51:23,439
requires twothirds vote for adoption. As

3894
02:51:23,439 --> 02:51:25,920
we saw before, it ceases debate. So, if

3895
02:51:25,920 --> 02:51:27,760
it passes by a voice vote, then we stop

3896
02:51:27,760 --> 02:51:29,359
debate. If it doesn't pass, then we

3897
02:51:29,359 --> 02:51:31,200
continue on our debate. So, it requires

3898
02:51:31,200 --> 02:51:32,960
two-thirds vote for adoption. All those

3899
02:51:32,960 --> 02:51:34,479
in favor of stopping debate, please

3900
02:51:34,479 --> 02:51:36,000
signify by saying I.

3901
02:51:36,000 --> 02:51:36,960
>> I.

3902
02:51:36,960 --> 02:51:38,560
>> All those opposed, please signify by

3903
02:51:38,560 --> 02:51:39,359
saying, "Nay."

3904
02:51:39,359 --> 02:51:41,520
>> Nay. The motion was passed with the

3905
02:51:41,520 --> 02:51:43,600
requisite twothirds vote so that we do

3906
02:51:43,600 --> 02:51:45,200
stop debate and we'll proceed to the

3907
02:51:45,200 --> 02:51:47,920
vote on the main motion. Motion under

3908
02:51:47,920 --> 02:51:50,399
article 24 requires majority vote for

3909
02:51:50,399 --> 02:51:52,880
adoption. All those in favor please

3910
02:51:52,880 --> 02:51:54,640
signify by saying I.

3911
02:51:54,640 --> 02:51:55,680
>> I.

3912
02:51:55,680 --> 02:51:57,359
>> Those opposed, please signify by saying

3913
02:51:57,359 --> 02:51:58,160
nay.

3914
02:51:58,160 --> 02:51:59,120
>> Nay.

3915
02:51:59,120 --> 02:52:00,880
>> That's too close to call. I'll ask the

3916
02:52:00,880 --> 02:52:07,030
tellers to please take your stations.

3917
02:52:07,040 --> 02:52:08,399
» They do. Everybody does. I don't know

3918
02:52:08,399 --> 02:52:11,830
why you guys.

3919
02:52:11,840 --> 02:52:26,150
move.

3920
02:52:26,160 --> 02:52:28,479
Okay, we're going to vote by hand as we

3921
02:52:28,479 --> 02:52:30,160
did last time. Tellers, once the tellers

3922
02:52:30,160 --> 02:52:39,590
take their stations,

3923
02:52:39,600 --> 02:52:41,040
Debbie and Michael, if you guys want to

3924
02:52:41,040 --> 02:52:43,040
ask people to slide over one way or the

3925
02:52:43,040 --> 02:52:55,590
other to make it clear, please do that.

3926
02:52:55,600 --> 02:52:57,359
People in the in the bleachers, if you

3927
02:52:57,359 --> 02:52:58,880
guys could please slide one way or the

3928
02:52:58,880 --> 02:53:00,399
other as asked by the tellers so that

3929
02:53:00,399 --> 02:53:02,479
they can see a clear dividing line so we

3930
02:53:02,479 --> 02:53:03,760
don't have any confusion, that would be

3931
02:53:03,760 --> 02:53:06,080
great. Please.

3932
02:53:06,080 --> 02:53:08,720
Great. Thank you. Every teller's good.

3933
02:53:08,720 --> 02:53:10,479
>> Okay. All those in favor, please hold

3934
02:53:10,479 --> 02:53:13,040
your uh pink slips of paper up way high.

3935
02:53:13,040 --> 02:53:39,750
Hold them up high.

3936
02:53:39,760 --> 02:53:41,200
Keep them up. Keep them up. Keep them

3937
02:53:41,200 --> 02:53:56,790
up.

3938
02:53:56,800 --> 02:53:59,600
Okay, teller's good.

3939
02:53:59,600 --> 02:54:00,960
>> Yes.

3940
02:54:00,960 --> 02:54:02,640
>> Okay, you can put your hands down for

3941
02:54:02,640 --> 02:54:05,760
the S's. Okay, now for the nose. Put

3942
02:54:05,760 --> 02:54:44,389
your hands up high.

3943
02:54:44,399 --> 02:54:57,110
Keep them up.

3944
02:54:57,120 --> 02:55:00,000
» Okay. Michael, Debbie, you guys good?

3945
02:55:00,000 --> 02:55:01,520
>> Okay, you can put your hands down. Thank

3946
02:55:01,520 --> 02:55:25,670
you.

3947
02:55:25,680 --> 02:56:40,550
Yeah, that's good.

3948
02:56:40,560 --> 02:56:45,600
Okay, the tally is in favor 141 opposed

3949
02:56:45,600 --> 02:56:59,269
145. The motion fails.

3950
02:56:59,279 --> 02:57:02,720
Uh we'll proceed to motion under article

3951
02:57:02,720 --> 02:57:07,680
26 25 I mean sorry

3952
02:57:07,680 --> 02:57:09,439
I have a motion in the form distributed

3953
02:57:09,439 --> 02:57:10,800
to the meeting.

3954
02:57:10,800 --> 02:57:12,960
>> Thank you. May I have a second?

3955
02:57:12,960 --> 02:57:14,800
>> Thank you. Motion has been made and

3956
02:57:14,800 --> 02:57:16,720
seconded. Requires majority vote for

3957
02:57:16,720 --> 02:57:18,240
adoption.

3958
02:57:18,240 --> 02:57:20,080
I'll recognize for the Open Space and

3959
02:57:20,080 --> 02:57:23,840
Recreation Commission, Adam Norman.

3960
02:57:23,840 --> 02:57:26,160
>> Hello, my name is Adam Norman. I live at

3961
02:57:26,160 --> 02:57:29,359
88 Don Street and I'm here to represent

3962
02:57:29,359 --> 02:57:31,520
the Cohasset Open Space and Recreation

3963
02:57:31,520 --> 02:57:34,160
Committee. Um, some of you might not be

3964
02:57:34,160 --> 02:57:35,840
aware that the town is in the middle of

3965
02:57:35,840 --> 02:57:39,920
a project to construct a 160 foot tall

3966
02:57:39,920 --> 02:57:43,680
cell phone tower in Wright Park. Um,

3967
02:57:43,680 --> 02:57:45,680
this motion seeks to preserve the

3968
02:57:45,680 --> 02:57:47,600
current condition and recreational use

3969
02:57:47,600 --> 02:57:49,920
of Wheelright Park and ask the select

3970
02:57:49,920 --> 02:57:53,279
board to pursue alternative location for

3971
02:57:53,279 --> 02:57:56,000
this cell phone tower. I want to be very

3972
02:57:56,000 --> 02:57:58,560
clear, we recognize that wireless

3973
02:57:58,560 --> 02:58:01,040
communication networks are an essential

3974
02:58:01,040 --> 02:58:04,080
public service, including for emergency

3975
02:58:04,080 --> 02:58:07,600
response, and let you know that public

3976
02:58:07,600 --> 02:58:09,840
safety is not the issue here tonight.

3977
02:58:09,840 --> 02:58:12,640
The issue is that the process

3978
02:58:12,640 --> 02:58:15,600
uh to select this site and the use of

3979
02:58:15,600 --> 02:58:18,319
protected open space that was gifted to

3980
02:58:18,319 --> 02:58:21,120
this town for a very specific purpose

3981
02:58:21,120 --> 02:58:23,439
and that's recreational use. We see a

3982
02:58:23,439 --> 02:58:25,439
lot of flaws in that process. So, we're

3983
02:58:25,439 --> 02:58:27,520
not opposed to a cell phone tower. We

3984
02:58:27,520 --> 02:58:30,319
just don't want it in our public park.

3985
02:58:30,319 --> 02:58:32,479
We have a lot of concerns about the lack

3986
02:58:32,479 --> 02:58:34,640
of due diligence and the incomplete

3987
02:58:34,640 --> 02:58:37,439
analysis associated with this project.

3988
02:58:37,439 --> 02:58:40,160
We have not seen a town-led study

3989
02:58:40,160 --> 02:58:42,800
demonstrating that alternative sites

3990
02:58:42,800 --> 02:58:46,000
were fully evaluated, nor a clear

3991
02:58:46,000 --> 02:58:48,880
costbenefit analysis that justifies this

3992
02:58:48,880 --> 02:58:51,840
specific location in Wright Park. We

3993
02:58:51,840 --> 02:58:54,160
have repeatedly asked the town to

3994
02:58:54,160 --> 02:58:57,279
present uh alternative sites, but none

3995
02:58:57,279 --> 02:58:59,920
have been meaningfully analyzed or

3996
02:58:59,920 --> 02:59:01,920
shared with us.

3997
02:59:01,920 --> 02:59:04,640
uh technologies and coverage solutions

3998
02:59:04,640 --> 02:59:07,439
for cell phone networks are evolving

3999
02:59:07,439 --> 02:59:10,000
rapidly, but there's been no discussion

4000
02:59:10,000 --> 02:59:13,120
on whether newer approaches could reduce

4001
02:59:13,120 --> 02:59:16,080
the need for a tower in this undisturbed

4002
02:59:16,080 --> 02:59:18,160
open space.

4003
02:59:18,160 --> 02:59:21,200
This plan for this project requires

4004
02:59:21,200 --> 02:59:24,479
crossing a culvert uh through the forest

4005
02:59:24,479 --> 02:59:28,880
a entrance with an intermittent stream.

4006
02:59:28,880 --> 02:59:31,279
It's going to have to widen the access

4007
02:59:31,279 --> 02:59:33,120
path in order for maintenance vehicles

4008
02:59:33,120 --> 02:59:35,600
to access the site, cutting down dozens

4009
02:59:35,600 --> 02:59:38,800
of trees. And yet, there's been no

4010
02:59:38,800 --> 02:59:41,439
wildlife impact study.

4011
02:59:41,439 --> 02:59:43,600
Access to this park is going to be

4012
02:59:43,600 --> 02:59:46,240
severely disrupted, not just during the

4013
02:59:46,240 --> 02:59:50,319
construction phase, but well beyond.

4014
02:59:50,319 --> 02:59:53,040
Um there are potential viable

4015
02:59:53,040 --> 02:59:54,720
alternatives

4016
02:59:54,720 --> 02:59:57,040
uh alternative sites but but those have

4017
02:59:57,040 --> 02:59:59,600
been quickly dismissed.

4018
02:59:59,600 --> 03:00:03,359
Wheight was selected for its elevation

4019
03:00:03,359 --> 03:00:06,720
and its proximity to the areas of town

4020
03:00:06,720 --> 03:00:09,760
that lacks adequate cell phone coverage.

4021
03:00:09,760 --> 03:00:11,439
We have proposed an alternative location

4022
03:00:11,439 --> 03:00:15,200
in the recycling transfer facility.

4023
03:00:15,200 --> 03:00:17,920
um that site in Wheelright has an

4024
03:00:17,920 --> 03:00:20,640
elevation of of 78 feet above sea level

4025
03:00:20,640 --> 03:00:24,160
whereas the RTF site has a a higher

4026
03:00:24,160 --> 03:00:27,520
elevation at 93 feet above sea level.

4027
03:00:27,520 --> 03:00:29,279
That site ated RTF has already been

4028
03:00:29,279 --> 03:00:31,600
disturbed and it's only about a thousand

4029
03:00:31,600 --> 03:00:33,920
yards from the proposed site in Wright

4030
03:00:33,920 --> 03:00:36,720
Park. So this this alternative site

4031
03:00:36,720 --> 03:00:38,240
could actually improve coverage by

4032
03:00:38,240 --> 03:00:40,960
moving it to higher ground.

4033
03:00:40,960 --> 03:00:43,279
Uh at a recent conservation commission

4034
03:00:43,279 --> 03:00:45,200
meeting regarding this project, a

4035
03:00:45,200 --> 03:00:47,680
concern was raised about falling debris

4036
03:00:47,680 --> 03:00:50,479
damaging the the transfer station solar

4037
03:00:50,479 --> 03:00:53,040
field. And our concern is that if

4038
03:00:53,040 --> 03:00:54,960
falling components are a risk from this

4039
03:00:54,960 --> 03:00:57,120
infrastructure, they're also a risk to

4040
03:00:57,120 --> 03:01:01,439
hikers who use the forest trails below.

4041
03:01:01,439 --> 03:01:04,080
The most meaningful differences for the

4042
03:01:04,080 --> 03:01:07,520
RTF site are uh reduce wetland

4043
03:01:07,520 --> 03:01:10,160
disturbance, honoring the the original

4044
03:01:10,160 --> 03:01:12,479
intent of the donors of this park, and

4045
03:01:12,479 --> 03:01:14,720
potentially lowering the overall impact

4046
03:01:14,720 --> 03:01:17,840
from this construction.

4047
03:01:17,840 --> 03:01:19,760
And long-term, last thing I'll say is

4048
03:01:19,760 --> 03:01:22,240
longterm, the ramifications of using

4049
03:01:22,240 --> 03:01:25,200
this pro this protected land are

4050
03:01:25,200 --> 03:01:27,520
profound. If this project proceeds as

4051
03:01:27,520 --> 03:01:29,680
proposed, we'll need to ask how do we

4052
03:01:29,680 --> 03:01:31,840
protect the rest of Wheelright Park and

4053
03:01:31,840 --> 03:01:34,240
our other parks and open spaces from

4054
03:01:34,240 --> 03:01:36,800
similar actions in the future. Once we

4055
03:01:36,800 --> 03:01:38,560
set this precedent that donated open

4056
03:01:38,560 --> 03:01:40,960
space can be repurposed without full

4057
03:01:40,960 --> 03:01:42,720
process and appropriate studies, it

4058
03:01:42,720 --> 03:01:44,800
becomes much harder to say no to the

4059
03:01:44,800 --> 03:01:47,359
next time. This motion will give the

4060
03:01:47,359 --> 03:01:50,319
town an opportunity to pause, reassess,

4061
03:01:50,319 --> 03:01:52,640
and pursue alternatives without limiting

4062
03:01:52,640 --> 03:01:54,399
the town's ability to address public

4063
03:01:54,399 --> 03:01:58,389
safety needs.

4064
03:01:58,399 --> 03:01:59,600
Just a second. He's in the middle of

4065
03:01:59,600 --> 03:01:59,760
speaking.

4066
03:01:59,760 --> 03:02:01,040
>> I just have one last closing. You

4067
03:02:01,040 --> 03:02:02,080
>> about 30 seconds, sir.

4068
03:02:02,080 --> 03:02:03,359
>> The the Open Space and Recreation

4069
03:02:03,359 --> 03:02:05,600
Committee is asking the town to oppose

4070
03:02:05,600 --> 03:02:07,760
this project in its current form, not to

4071
03:02:07,760 --> 03:02:09,920
stop cell phone service, but to demand

4072
03:02:09,920 --> 03:02:12,800
transparency, uh, alternatives, and

4073
03:02:12,800 --> 03:02:13,920
respect for the land that's been

4074
03:02:13,920 --> 03:02:15,840
entrusted to us.

4075
03:02:15,840 --> 03:02:21,030
>> Thank you.

4076
03:02:21,040 --> 03:02:23,680
Mr. Dick. You had a a point of order.

4077
03:02:23,680 --> 03:02:36,790
>> Yes. I'd like to the components.

4078
03:02:36,800 --> 03:02:38,560
» This is on behalf of their proponents.

4079
03:02:38,560 --> 03:02:40,800
The proponent notified me that this

4080
03:02:40,800 --> 03:02:44,240
gentleman was going to speak.

4081
03:02:44,240 --> 03:02:48,160
>> Okay. So, the um the select board has

4082
03:02:48,160 --> 03:02:50,479
recommended against by a vote of four to

4083
03:02:50,479 --> 03:02:52,800
zero. The advisory committee has

4084
03:02:52,800 --> 03:02:54,880
recommended against by a vote of nine to

4085
03:02:54,880 --> 03:02:57,120
zero. I recognize the gentleman over

4086
03:02:57,120 --> 03:02:58,640
here.

4087
03:02:58,640 --> 03:03:00,560
>> Uh why don't we let the selectman go

4088
03:03:00,560 --> 03:03:05,510
first?

4089
03:03:05,520 --> 03:03:06,800
» I defer to the selectman.

4090
03:03:06,800 --> 03:03:08,080
>> Okay. Sorry, I didn't realize that

4091
03:03:08,080 --> 03:03:09,200
selectman were going to speak. Go ahead,

4092
03:03:09,200 --> 03:03:11,520
Mr. Farra.

4093
03:03:11,520 --> 03:03:14,240
>> Thank you. David Farog, Select Board, 39

4094
03:03:14,240 --> 03:03:16,240
Beachwood Street.

4095
03:03:16,240 --> 03:03:20,399
The cell phone project was approved by

4096
03:03:20,399 --> 03:03:22,880
town meeting, special town meeting in

4097
03:03:22,880 --> 03:03:25,359
December of 2022.

4098
03:03:25,359 --> 03:03:28,960
That vote was unanimous. Um, as a part

4099
03:03:28,960 --> 03:03:31,760
of that, the warrant that was sent out

4100
03:03:31,760 --> 03:03:34,319
to every single home in this town giving

4101
03:03:34,319 --> 03:03:36,640
everyone notice regarding the project.

4102
03:03:36,640 --> 03:03:40,000
The article spoke to where the cell

4103
03:03:40,000 --> 03:03:41,520
phone tower was going to be put in

4104
03:03:41,520 --> 03:03:45,200
Wright Park and it also um uh denoted

4105
03:03:45,200 --> 03:03:46,880
the land that it was going to be swapped

4106
03:03:46,880 --> 03:03:49,439
for in the other end of town. That being

4107
03:03:49,439 --> 03:03:52,080
on Route 3A, the EP Espazito property

4108
03:03:52,080 --> 03:03:54,560
which the town acquired uh and it

4109
03:03:54,560 --> 03:03:56,080
authorized the town to go forward with

4110
03:03:56,080 --> 03:03:58,800
article 97 legislation to put up the

4111
03:03:58,800 --> 03:04:01,359
cell phone tower.

4112
03:04:01,359 --> 03:04:03,040
Following that with the select board

4113
03:04:03,040 --> 03:04:05,920
authorized um they went forward to go

4114
03:04:05,920 --> 03:04:09,120
with article 97 legislation in order to

4115
03:04:09,120 --> 03:04:11,439
um swap and do the cell tower. It was

4116
03:04:11,439 --> 03:04:13,600
approved by the state legislature both

4117
03:04:13,600 --> 03:04:15,359
the house and senate. It was approved by

4118
03:04:15,359 --> 03:04:17,279
the governor. It went to the attorney

4119
03:04:17,279 --> 03:04:20,160
general and once all that was done and a

4120
03:04:20,160 --> 03:04:22,000
request for proposal was put out by the

4121
03:04:22,000 --> 03:04:24,560
town of Cohassid uh to select the cell

4122
03:04:24,560 --> 03:04:27,680
phone um company that would help put up

4123
03:04:27,680 --> 03:04:30,960
the tower. the other and and so right

4124
03:04:30,960 --> 03:04:32,720
now that is being permitted in front of

4125
03:04:32,720 --> 03:04:34,960
the conservation commission and soon to

4126
03:04:34,960 --> 03:04:36,720
be in front of the zoning board as we

4127
03:04:36,720 --> 03:04:39,120
speak. The other locations that are

4128
03:04:39,120 --> 03:04:41,920
spoken of and it doesn't address it in

4129
03:04:41,920 --> 03:04:44,640
the substance of the article. It just

4130
03:04:44,640 --> 03:04:47,359
says to find another location um the

4131
03:04:47,359 --> 03:04:49,600
only other town owned properties in that

4132
03:04:49,600 --> 03:04:52,720
into town that I am aware of is the RTF

4133
03:04:52,720 --> 03:04:56,080
and Wadlay Park. Wad Lake Park is um

4134
03:04:56,080 --> 03:04:58,080
next to Rocky Beach if you know as you

4135
03:04:58,080 --> 03:05:01,920
go down Forest A uh to the there and so

4136
03:05:01,920 --> 03:05:04,479
uh a cell phone tower was uh looked

4137
03:05:04,479 --> 03:05:06,399
there but again it's in a neighborhood

4138
03:05:06,399 --> 03:05:08,399
it would be there on Jerusalem road and

4139
03:05:08,399 --> 03:05:10,399
it would have to be standing over a

4140
03:05:10,399 --> 03:05:13,439
house which was not uh appropriate and

4141
03:05:13,439 --> 03:05:15,840
also face the Atlantic Ocean which

4142
03:05:15,840 --> 03:05:17,600
wouldn't be the the greatest when you

4143
03:05:17,600 --> 03:05:20,640
have a noraster the RTF um that keeps

4144
03:05:20,640 --> 03:05:22,080
being talked about as a potential

4145
03:05:22,080 --> 03:05:25,120
location. We have a capped landfill at

4146
03:05:25,120 --> 03:05:27,760
the RTF, which everyone should know. Um,

4147
03:05:27,760 --> 03:05:29,680
when you have a capped landfill,

4148
03:05:29,680 --> 03:05:32,479
underneath that cap, as the organics

4149
03:05:32,479 --> 03:05:34,800
break down, it breaks down to methane

4150
03:05:34,800 --> 03:05:37,040
and carbon dioxide.

4151
03:05:37,040 --> 03:05:39,279
Um, we have a solar array that's on top

4152
03:05:39,279 --> 03:05:42,399
of it now, as you were well aware. And

4153
03:05:42,399 --> 03:05:44,479
the idea that we would be able to drill

4154
03:05:44,479 --> 03:05:48,399
through that cap to then put a uh cell

4155
03:05:48,399 --> 03:05:51,520
tower in, whoever is jackhammering

4156
03:05:51,520 --> 03:05:53,520
through that cap better have their life

4157
03:05:53,520 --> 03:05:55,439
insurance paid because of all the

4158
03:05:55,439 --> 03:05:57,359
methane gas that's below there. So if

4159
03:05:57,359 --> 03:05:59,120
there's a spark, that is not going to

4160
03:05:59,120 --> 03:06:01,520
work out very well. Let alone having a

4161
03:06:01,520 --> 03:06:03,680
cell tower there. It's lower ele it's a

4162
03:06:03,680 --> 03:06:05,520
lower elevation than Wheelright Park is.

4163
03:06:05,520 --> 03:06:08,960
So the RTF is is not an acceptable or or

4164
03:06:08,960 --> 03:06:11,040
sensible uh approach for this. And

4165
03:06:11,040 --> 03:06:12,960
that's precisely why Willight Park was

4166
03:06:12,960 --> 03:06:17,359
chosen. Um, finally, um, the contract,

4167
03:06:17,359 --> 03:06:19,040
uh, we have a contract with a cell phone

4168
03:06:19,040 --> 03:06:22,080
operator, uh, to to build the tower in

4169
03:06:22,080 --> 03:06:24,800
Wright Park. Um, if we were to move it

4170
03:06:24,800 --> 03:06:26,319
somewhere else or try and do that, the

4171
03:06:26,319 --> 03:06:28,000
town would be in breach of contract with

4172
03:06:28,000 --> 03:06:30,240
that carrier. Uh, and the town would be

4173
03:06:30,240 --> 03:06:31,520
on the hook for the consequential

4174
03:06:31,520 --> 03:06:33,279
damages, the architectural renderings,

4175
03:06:33,279 --> 03:06:34,479
the engineering that they've done up

4176
03:06:34,479 --> 03:06:36,960
until this point in time. Uh and then

4177
03:06:36,960 --> 03:06:39,439
finally, um the balloon test, uh we did

4178
03:06:39,439 --> 03:06:42,160
in Wright Park over a year ago showed

4179
03:06:42,160 --> 03:06:43,760
that you can barely see it above the

4180
03:06:43,760 --> 03:06:46,319
treetops for where it is. And and uh

4181
03:06:46,319 --> 03:06:48,240
there's only one small view corridor

4182
03:06:48,240 --> 03:06:52,960
that in the wintertime uh from the other side of the beach side, you might

4183
03:06:52,960 --> 03:06:54,080
be able to see a little bit of the

4184
03:06:54,080 --> 03:06:57,600
tower, but it's it's out of the way. Um,

4185
03:06:57,600 --> 03:06:59,760
and the final note is that when it comes

4186
03:06:59,760 --> 03:07:01,359
to cell phone towers and

4187
03:07:01,359 --> 03:07:03,439
telecommunications equipment, it's very

4188
03:07:03,439 --> 03:07:05,600
common to have them in parks or state

4189
03:07:05,600 --> 03:07:07,760
parks. In fact, the Commonwealth of

4190
03:07:07,760 --> 03:07:08,960
Massachusetts puts most their

4191
03:07:08,960 --> 03:07:10,720
telecommunications equipment on fire

4192
03:07:10,720 --> 03:07:12,479
towers, uh, which are found all

4193
03:07:12,479 --> 03:07:13,600
throughout the state at the highest

4194
03:07:13,600 --> 03:07:15,439
elevations. And if you go to the Blue

4195
03:07:15,439 --> 03:07:16,720
Hills, one of the biggest

4196
03:07:16,720 --> 03:07:19,040
telecommunications towers or needle that

4197
03:07:19,040 --> 03:07:21,680
there is, uh, serves most of the radio

4198
03:07:21,680 --> 03:07:25,680
stations in Boston, including WGBH, NPR,

4199
03:07:25,680 --> 03:07:28,160
uh, the sports and sports radio and half

4200
03:07:28,160 --> 03:07:29,600
of the radio stations that you probably

4201
03:07:29,600 --> 03:07:31,520
all listen to. Uh, your plane, of

4202
03:07:31,520 --> 03:07:32,800
course, has to go around it when you're

4203
03:07:32,800 --> 03:07:34,800
coming from the south back to Logan. Uh,

4204
03:07:34,800 --> 03:07:36,319
but it's pretty common that you would

4205
03:07:36,319 --> 03:07:39,359
you put these um put this technology in

4206
03:07:39,359 --> 03:07:44,960
there. So, for all these reasons, um the to put it plainly, the horse has

4207
03:07:44,960 --> 03:07:47,040
left the barn on this. We're four years

4208
03:07:47,040 --> 03:07:48,960
into it. We've did what Town Meeting

4209
03:07:48,960 --> 03:07:50,720
wanted us to do unanimously four years

4210
03:07:50,720 --> 03:07:52,720
ago, and it's going to be for public

4211
03:07:52,720 --> 03:07:54,720
safety. And then, of course, we'll have

4212
03:07:54,720 --> 03:07:56,800
a few other carriers on it as well. So,

4213
03:07:56,800 --> 03:07:58,880
I ask you to vote no on this article.

4214
03:07:58,880 --> 03:08:00,399
Thank you.

4215
03:08:00,399 --> 03:08:02,880
>> Thank you.

4216
03:08:02,880 --> 03:08:05,200
>> Let the gentleman here, sir.

4217
03:08:05,200 --> 03:08:07,520
>> Yes. Fred Zodto, 28 Old Coach Road.

4218
03:08:07,520 --> 03:08:09,600
Again, thank you for your patience. I

4219
03:08:09,600 --> 03:08:12,160
know it's late. Um, but this actually is

4220
03:08:12,160 --> 03:08:15,359
in our neighborhood. Uh, selectman and I

4221
03:08:15,359 --> 03:08:17,200
guess I wear a few hats. I'm also a

4222
03:08:17,200 --> 03:08:18,319
master's degree in electrical

4223
03:08:18,319 --> 03:08:20,319
engineering and I've been working on

4224
03:08:20,319 --> 03:08:22,640
microcell environments lately for

4225
03:08:22,640 --> 03:08:25,120
autonomous vehicles. Um, so there are

4226
03:08:25,120 --> 03:08:27,040
definitely different ways to get around

4227
03:08:27,040 --> 03:08:30,960
having to put a 160 foot cell tower in a

4228
03:08:30,960 --> 03:08:34,080
trusted deed property where the Rearwite

4229
03:08:34,080 --> 03:08:36,240
family will probably roll over in their

4230
03:08:36,240 --> 03:08:39,359
graves, the ones that ded that trusted

4231
03:08:39,359 --> 03:08:42,800
it to the town. And it sets, as the uh

4232
03:08:42,800 --> 03:08:44,160
committee said, the conservation

4233
03:08:44,160 --> 03:08:46,399
committee, I believe, on my opinion, it

4234
03:08:46,399 --> 03:08:48,479
sets a very bad precedent for people

4235
03:08:48,479 --> 03:08:52,080
that leave gifts and trust to the town

4236
03:08:52,080 --> 03:08:54,160
in their wills. And this was not one.

4237
03:08:54,160 --> 03:08:56,960
This was four wills from the family.

4238
03:08:56,960 --> 03:08:58,960
Now, as far as alternative sites, I've

4239
03:08:58,960 --> 03:09:01,840
heard the RTF. I don't know if anybody's

4240
03:09:01,840 --> 03:09:04,240
noticed, but there is a for sale sign

4241
03:09:04,240 --> 03:09:05,520
right across the street from the

4242
03:09:05,520 --> 03:09:07,600
Wheelwright Park entrance on Forest

4243
03:09:07,600 --> 03:09:11,200
Avenue for 9 acres of property

4244
03:09:11,200 --> 03:09:14,479
um to do with you what you will. I would

4245
03:09:14,479 --> 03:09:16,640
imagine uh we could reszone it or

4246
03:09:16,640 --> 03:09:18,960
whatever, but it wouldn't be uh

4247
03:09:18,960 --> 03:09:20,800
violating the trust of the people that

4248
03:09:20,800 --> 03:09:23,439
put the park up. And I and also with due

4249
03:09:23,439 --> 03:09:24,960
respect to the selectman, I do not know

4250
03:09:24,960 --> 03:09:27,760
of a tree that's 160 foot tall in

4251
03:09:27,760 --> 03:09:30,080
Wheelwright Park. Maybe 80 feet, yes.

4252
03:09:30,080 --> 03:09:34,080
But 160 feet, no. This will rival the uh

4253
03:09:34,080 --> 03:09:36,160
windmill, the electric windmill that

4254
03:09:36,160 --> 03:09:38,160
they were going to put on top of um I

4255
03:09:38,160 --> 03:09:40,080
think it was Turkey Hill or Bear Hill

4256
03:09:40,080 --> 03:09:42,720
off of Route 3A. Um which would have

4257
03:09:42,720 --> 03:09:44,160
been bigger than the one they had in

4258
03:09:44,160 --> 03:09:47,040
Hull, which is now defunct and fallen

4259
03:09:47,040 --> 03:09:50,960
down uh t removed. So I ask you know

4260
03:09:50,960 --> 03:09:52,880
take this even though you've had sunken

4261
03:09:52,880 --> 03:09:55,439
money in the last four years uh

4262
03:09:55,439 --> 03:09:57,680
development in electronics in Wi-Fi

4263
03:09:57,680 --> 03:10:00,720
reception Wi-Fi 6 is here Wi-Fi 7 is

4264
03:10:00,720 --> 03:10:03,920
coming edge network computing you don't

4265
03:10:03,920 --> 03:10:06,240
need those huge cell towers anymore in

4266
03:10:06,240 --> 03:10:08,160
order to get the same coverage. You use

4267
03:10:08,160 --> 03:10:10,399
a unit called a roadside unit which is

4268
03:10:10,399 --> 03:10:12,960
about a foot square and you just put

4269
03:10:12,960 --> 03:10:14,960
them along a few telephone poles up and

4270
03:10:14,960 --> 03:10:16,399
down the streets. you're gonna even

4271
03:10:16,399 --> 03:10:18,560
gonna get even better coverage than you

4272
03:10:18,560 --> 03:10:20,880
would from the 160 cell foot tower which

4273
03:10:20,880 --> 03:10:24,000
is now old technology for less cost. So

4274
03:10:24,000 --> 03:10:25,359
I think you could actually if you looked

4275
03:10:25,359 --> 03:10:27,600
at this you could you could n the

4276
03:10:27,600 --> 03:10:31,200
project and actually save money. Thank

4277
03:10:31,200 --> 03:10:35,600
you. Thank you.

4278
03:10:35,600 --> 03:10:37,600
So I've got a number of people

4279
03:10:37,600 --> 03:10:39,120
recognized. Gentleman here, woman there,

4280
03:10:39,120 --> 03:10:40,720
man behind her, women behind him, and

4281
03:10:40,720 --> 03:10:42,640
then I got a man here. So we've got

4282
03:10:42,640 --> 03:10:45,279
quite a number. You're you're up. Good

4283
03:10:45,279 --> 03:10:47,680
evening. Corey Evans, uh 313 North Main

4284
03:10:47,680 --> 03:10:50,880
Street. Um I was paying attention to

4285
03:10:50,880 --> 03:10:53,200
this project closely when it was

4286
03:10:53,200 --> 03:10:55,359
originally proposed because my house

4287
03:10:55,359 --> 03:10:57,279
looks literally right at where the

4288
03:10:57,279 --> 03:11:01,040
antenna is. Uh and so

4289
03:11:01,040 --> 03:11:03,840
I wanted I was curious. So when the

4290
03:11:03,840 --> 03:11:06,720
balloon was up, I watched from my my

4291
03:11:06,720 --> 03:11:09,200
house. I walked around the neighborhood.

4292
03:11:09,200 --> 03:11:12,319
I walked through the park and came to

4293
03:11:12,319 --> 03:11:14,800
the conclusion that okay, this won't

4294
03:11:14,800 --> 03:11:16,800
affect me.

4295
03:11:16,800 --> 03:11:18,479
I paid attention then because I was

4296
03:11:18,479 --> 03:11:23,040
worried. So I want to share that that

4297
03:11:23,040 --> 03:11:26,080
this is a location that is going to be

4298
03:11:26,080 --> 03:11:28,800
hidden from my perspective. The other

4299
03:11:28,800 --> 03:11:31,920
thing is I'm a frequent runner. I run

4300
03:11:31,920 --> 03:11:34,880
from my house down forest.

4301
03:11:34,880 --> 03:11:37,439
I can't make a phone call from certain

4302
03:11:37,439 --> 03:11:40,399
places. We now I've seen from the school

4303
03:11:40,399 --> 03:11:42,319
committee side. I've heard from parents

4304
03:11:42,319 --> 03:11:44,880
who are worried why the bus tracker

4305
03:11:44,880 --> 03:11:46,560
doesn't work. We lose cell phone

4306
03:11:46,560 --> 03:11:48,960
coverage.

4307
03:11:48,960 --> 03:11:50,960
I understand very much the concerns

4308
03:11:50,960 --> 03:11:52,560
about conservation. I think they're

4309
03:11:52,560 --> 03:11:56,319
valid. But I do think this is a sensible

4310
03:11:56,319 --> 03:11:57,840
solution

4311
03:11:57,840 --> 03:12:00,399
to solve something that anyone who lives

4312
03:12:00,399 --> 03:12:03,680
on Jerusalem Road Drive or goes to the

4313
03:12:03,680 --> 03:12:06,640
beach, we can solve this now. And from

4314
03:12:06,640 --> 03:12:09,760
my perspective years ago, I I think the

4315
03:12:09,760 --> 03:12:13,359
impact is is quite low. Um, so I do

4316
03:12:13,359 --> 03:12:14,960
support this, but everyone's got to vote

4317
03:12:14,960 --> 03:12:16,960
their own way. But from my perspective,

4318
03:12:16,960 --> 03:12:22,630
this is a good trade-off. Thanks.

4319
03:12:22,640 --> 03:12:24,319
» Woman there, please.

4320
03:12:24,319 --> 03:12:27,840
>> Hello, Amy Bernicker, 662 Jerusalem

4321
03:12:27,840 --> 03:12:30,800
Road. I have poor cell phone service in

4322
03:12:30,800 --> 03:12:33,680
my neighborhood, but but I am against a

4323
03:12:33,680 --> 03:12:36,080
cell phone tower in Wilright Park.

4324
03:12:36,080 --> 03:12:38,160
is a unique special place

4325
03:12:38,160 --> 03:12:41,520
in Cohasset. I visit frequently and

4326
03:12:41,520 --> 03:12:43,680
within a moment of stepping in, I feel

4327
03:12:43,680 --> 03:12:45,520
renewed by the natural quiet

4328
03:12:45,520 --> 03:12:48,800
environment. I also was stunned to read

4329
03:12:48,800 --> 03:12:51,359
article 25 which states that the Wright

4330
03:12:51,359 --> 03:12:54,080
family donated the land as a public park

4331
03:12:54,080 --> 03:12:56,960
and that the wills expressly state that

4332
03:12:56,960 --> 03:12:59,760
there be no buildings except for park

4333
03:12:59,760 --> 03:13:03,439
use and no other construction. So I

4334
03:13:03,439 --> 03:13:05,279
believe it would be a profound mistake

4335
03:13:05,279 --> 03:13:08,240
to damage and misuse Wright Park and it

4336
03:13:08,240 --> 03:13:10,240
would not be justified simply to make

4337
03:13:10,240 --> 03:13:12,880
better cell phone service. I am not

4338
03:13:12,880 --> 03:13:14,960
against public safety or a cell phone

4339
03:13:14,960 --> 03:13:17,600
tower for improved reception, but let's

4340
03:13:17,600 --> 03:13:20,479
honor the Wright family and look for a

4341
03:13:20,479 --> 03:13:22,479
more appropriate location for a tower.

4342
03:13:22,479 --> 03:13:23,840
Thank you.

4343
03:13:23,840 --> 03:13:28,070
>> Thank you,

4344
03:13:28,080 --> 03:13:30,479
» sir.

4345
03:13:30,479 --> 03:13:33,680
Jeremy Deona, 276 North Main Street. I

4346
03:13:33,680 --> 03:13:35,120
attended the town meeting when Chris

4347
03:13:35,120 --> 03:13:37,760
Senior spoke about the proposed uh tower

4348
03:13:37,760 --> 03:13:40,720
on December 12th, 2022 and he would like

4349
03:13:40,720 --> 03:13:42,239
to enter into the record that

4350
03:13:42,239 --> 03:13:45,040
approximately the 37th minute. The

4351
03:13:45,040 --> 03:13:47,359
former town manager Christina stated

4352
03:13:47,359 --> 03:13:48,880
there's a lot more work that will have

4353
03:13:48,880 --> 03:13:51,120
to be done and any further action would

4354
03:13:51,120 --> 03:13:52,960
have to come back to town meeting if we

4355
03:13:52,960 --> 03:13:54,960
were to lease the land and and the

4356
03:13:54,960 --> 03:13:57,279
carrier. Town meeting did not vote to

4357
03:13:57,279 --> 03:14:00,319
approve a cell tower in Whale Park. The

4358
03:14:00,319 --> 03:14:02,160
town appears to believe that the

4359
03:14:02,160 --> 03:14:03,760
proposed tower is exempt from planning

4360
03:14:03,760 --> 03:14:05,760
board review. This is an error that

4361
03:14:05,760 --> 03:14:07,920
should be corrected. The current design

4362
03:14:07,920 --> 03:14:10,080
clearly intended for commercial use by

4363
03:14:10,080 --> 03:14:11,920
carriers such as Verizon T-Mobile and

4364
03:14:11,920 --> 03:14:14,640
AT&T which removes the town's ability to

4365
03:14:14,640 --> 03:14:16,160
exempt the site from planning board

4366
03:14:16,160 --> 03:14:18,560
review. Additionally, a violation has

4367
03:14:18,560 --> 03:14:21,520
clearly occurred as we as many other

4368
03:14:21,520 --> 03:14:24,399
abutters and abutters were not notified

4369
03:14:24,399 --> 03:14:26,960
which is required form a notice. I've

4370
03:14:26,960 --> 03:14:29,359
attended all subsequent meetings and at

4371
03:14:29,359 --> 03:14:31,840
no meeting did I and or attendees ever

4372
03:14:31,840 --> 03:14:33,680
vote to approve a cell tower in Willrate

4373
03:14:33,680 --> 03:14:35,920
Park. Thank you.

4374
03:14:35,920 --> 03:14:40,710
>> Thank you.

4375
03:14:40,720 --> 03:14:41,840
» Woman, please.

4376
03:14:41,840 --> 03:14:46,000
>> Hi, I'm Jen Madden from 60 Forest AB. Um

4377
03:14:46,000 --> 03:14:48,880
I walk in Wheight Park often and I just

4378
03:14:48,880 --> 03:14:52,319
have two questions. Um, as I've been

4379
03:14:52,319 --> 03:14:54,399
walking in Wheelright Park, I've noticed

4380
03:14:54,399 --> 03:14:58,479
a lot of tags on the trees. What

4381
03:14:58,479 --> 03:15:02,239
percentage of the park will be used for

4382
03:15:02,239 --> 03:15:06,080
the cell phone tower, including access

4383
03:15:06,080 --> 03:15:09,120
to the cell phone tower? That's my first

4384
03:15:09,120 --> 03:15:12,479
question. My second question is, our

4385
03:15:12,479 --> 03:15:14,560
cross country, Cohassid High School

4386
03:15:14,560 --> 03:15:17,920
cross country team uses Wheelright Park

4387
03:15:17,920 --> 03:15:20,640
as its raceourse. Will they be affected

4388
03:15:20,640 --> 03:15:23,990
by this?

4389
03:15:24,000 --> 03:15:25,840
» So my first question is the percentage

4390
03:15:25,840 --> 03:15:28,319
of the park. How many trees are we

4391
03:15:28,319 --> 03:15:31,040
cutting down? Are we creating an access?

4392
03:15:31,040 --> 03:15:33,200
>> Is there some You may know the answer.

4393
03:15:33,200 --> 03:15:34,479
>> There's somebody from the select board

4394
03:15:34,479 --> 03:15:36,640
that could answer the two questions.

4395
03:15:36,640 --> 03:15:39,040
>> So what percentage of the park is used?

4396
03:15:39,040 --> 03:15:41,439
I think was the question by the proposed

4397
03:15:41,439 --> 03:15:43,439
cell tower and

4398
03:15:43,439 --> 03:15:45,600
>> impact on cross country runners. Uh the

4399
03:15:45,600 --> 03:15:48,399
project takes up about 6 acres

4400
03:15:48,399 --> 03:15:50,720
approximately. Wheelright park depending

4401
03:15:50,720 --> 03:15:52,800
upon how you want to size is between 200

4402
03:15:52,800 --> 03:15:55,600
and 300 acres. Um and the flags that you

4403
03:15:55,600 --> 03:15:57,760
might be talking about might be the uh

4404
03:15:57,760 --> 03:16:00,080
wetland flagging that was done uh for

4405
03:16:00,080 --> 03:16:02,880
the for the project. Thank you.

4406
03:16:02,880 --> 03:16:05,120
>> Any I'm sorry that's great response on

4407
03:16:05,120 --> 03:16:06,239
the question about cross

4408
03:16:06,239 --> 03:16:07,760
>> of land is what they're taking and

4409
03:16:07,760 --> 03:16:10,160
there's at least 70 trees that are to be

4410
03:16:10,160 --> 03:16:16,070
felled.

4411
03:16:16,080 --> 03:16:17,920
At least 70 trees have been earmarked

4412
03:16:17,920 --> 03:16:19,520
for being felled.

4413
03:16:19,520 --> 03:16:21,279
>> 30 on the site and then a 40 on the

4414
03:16:21,279 --> 03:16:23,040
access portion.

4415
03:16:23,040 --> 03:16:25,760
>> I'm sorry. And what about the AC is

4416
03:16:25,760 --> 03:16:28,319
there is it necessary that there be some

4417
03:16:28,319 --> 03:16:31,520
kind of access to the cell phone tower?

4418
03:16:31,520 --> 03:16:33,520
>> Is it necessary that there be some kind

4419
03:16:33,520 --> 03:16:43,349
of access to the cell phone tower?

4420
03:16:43,359 --> 03:16:45,840
Uh the access to the the cell phone

4421
03:16:45,840 --> 03:16:48,479
tower would be from the forest a side

4422
03:16:48,479 --> 03:16:50,640
and it would go along the current cart

4423
03:16:50,640 --> 03:16:53,279
path that is there and then as you go

4424
03:16:53,279 --> 03:16:56,160
down it you take a left to where the cell phone tower would be

4425
03:16:56,160 --> 03:16:58,479
located.

4426
03:16:58,479 --> 03:17:01,680
>> Thank you. Uh let's see. I've got the

4427
03:17:01,680 --> 03:17:04,720
gentleman here in the front

4428
03:17:04,720 --> 03:17:07,840
Cycler 30 Ocean Lely.

4429
03:17:07,840 --> 03:17:12,000
Um, I just need some clarification here.

4430
03:17:12,000 --> 03:17:14,720
The officials seem to be speaking

4431
03:17:14,720 --> 03:17:20,239
against this project, but my copy of the

4432
03:17:20,239 --> 03:17:23,040
proposed motions says that they've

4433
03:17:23,040 --> 03:17:27,670
recommended approval.

4434
03:17:27,680 --> 03:17:30,000
» They Yeah, that it was phrased that way.

4435
03:17:30,000 --> 03:17:31,600
They recommended approval by a vote of

4436
03:17:31,600 --> 03:17:33,680
zero to four, I think, which is the same

4437
03:17:33,680 --> 03:17:38,710
thing as recommending disapproval by 40.

4438
03:17:38,720 --> 03:17:41,359
Thank you. I got the woman over here.

4439
03:17:41,359 --> 03:17:44,160
>> Hi, uh Carrie Pendolino. I'm at three

4440
03:17:44,160 --> 03:17:48,239
Jerusalem Lane. Uh yes, myself does not

4441
03:17:48,239 --> 03:17:52,160
work most of the time. Um but having

4442
03:17:52,160 --> 03:17:54,960
lived in other communities across the

4443
03:17:54,960 --> 03:17:58,080
nation, um Fred here talked about the

4444
03:17:58,080 --> 03:18:01,600
boxes. The boxes actually are the new

4445
03:18:01,600 --> 03:18:06,160
way of putting to uh sell cell access to

4446
03:18:06,160 --> 03:18:10,720
it on telephone poles which is a more

4447
03:18:10,720 --> 03:18:13,200
economical and a more environmental way

4448
03:18:13,200 --> 03:18:15,520
of actually providing cell phone

4449
03:18:15,520 --> 03:18:18,880
service. So Fred here is actually right

4450
03:18:18,880 --> 03:18:21,920
because I have had that in all of the

4451
03:18:21,920 --> 03:18:25,120
cities that I've lived in. So just to

4452
03:18:25,120 --> 03:18:28,870
give you a different perspective.

4453
03:18:28,880 --> 03:18:31,439
» Thank you.

4454
03:18:31,439 --> 03:18:34,239
>> I've got Mr. Jenkins and Jenkins

4455
03:18:34,239 --> 03:18:37,200
Jerusalem Road. As Dr. Wood would say,

4456
03:18:37,200 --> 03:18:39,680
call a question.

4457
03:18:39,680 --> 03:18:42,000
>> Um okay. So I've actually seen I've got

4458
03:18:42,000 --> 03:18:45,120
Thank you for that. I've got um four

4459
03:18:45,120 --> 03:18:46,640
people I think that I've already noted.

4460
03:18:46,640 --> 03:18:48,319
So we'll let them speak and then we will

4461
03:18:48,319 --> 03:18:50,000
uh I'll entertain the motion to call the

4462
03:18:50,000 --> 03:18:53,439
question. So, uh, you're first,

4463
03:18:53,439 --> 03:18:58,000
>> Peter Pascuri, 12 Linton Lane. Um, as

4464
03:18:58,000 --> 03:19:00,960
far as cross country, the runners turn

4465
03:19:00,960 --> 03:19:03,920
left into the Boy Scout camp and take

4466
03:19:03,920 --> 03:19:06,399
the trail back to the parking lot, so

4467
03:19:06,399 --> 03:19:08,479
they wouldn't be going down to where the

4468
03:19:08,479 --> 03:19:12,239
tower is. Um, I walk in there every day.

4469
03:19:12,239 --> 03:19:16,560
Uh wheel right is is the gem of Cohasset

4470
03:19:16,560 --> 03:19:19,760
and it's already being infringed upon by

4471
03:19:19,760 --> 03:19:23,279
houses that are being built close to the

4472
03:19:23,279 --> 03:19:26,319
trails and one is very close to where

4473
03:19:26,319 --> 03:19:29,040
the Boy Scout encampment is and I don't

4474
03:19:29,040 --> 03:19:30,399
think we should have any more

4475
03:19:30,399 --> 03:19:33,760
encroachment on that beautiful park.

4476
03:19:33,760 --> 03:19:40,070
Thank you. Thank you.

4477
03:19:40,080 --> 03:19:42,239
Got the woman here on the right. Uh,

4478
03:19:42,239 --> 03:19:46,080
Marissa Manley, 14 Spin Drift Lane. Uh,

4479
03:19:46,080 --> 03:19:49,520
I moved to Kohasa in 2018, and for those

4480
03:19:49,520 --> 03:19:51,920
that don't know, Spinrift Lane is one

4481
03:19:51,920 --> 03:19:54,720
block up from Black Rockck Beach, um, in

4482
03:19:54,720 --> 03:19:58,000
that sort of dead cell service zone. I

4483
03:19:58,000 --> 03:20:00,080
also sit on the open spaces committee,

4484
03:20:00,080 --> 03:20:02,239
so I'm very close to this project. We've

4485
03:20:02,239 --> 03:20:03,840
been talking about it for the past two

4486
03:20:03,840 --> 03:20:07,439
years. And despite the lackluster cell

4487
03:20:07,439 --> 03:20:10,239
service at my house, I'm very much in

4488
03:20:10,239 --> 03:20:12,960
favor of not having the cell tower in

4489
03:20:12,960 --> 03:20:17,840
Wright Park. Uh in 2018, we had no

4490
03:20:17,840 --> 03:20:20,640
service. Definitely was disconcerting

4491
03:20:20,640 --> 03:20:24,720
when we lost power. In 2026, we now have

4492
03:20:24,720 --> 03:20:26,800
a few bars of service. And I can only

4493
03:20:26,800 --> 03:20:30,319
speak from my own experience, but I feel

4494
03:20:30,319 --> 03:20:32,640
very confident that as technology

4495
03:20:32,640 --> 03:20:36,399
changes and evolves that we will get to

4496
03:20:36,399 --> 03:20:38,479
a place where we will have full cell

4497
03:20:38,479 --> 03:20:42,080
coverage in Cohasset whereas a cell

4498
03:20:42,080 --> 03:20:45,279
tower is a very permanent solution and

4499
03:20:45,279 --> 03:20:47,120
it's a permanent solution that can't be

4500
03:20:47,120 --> 03:20:49,680
undone. It's very destructive to the

4501
03:20:49,680 --> 03:20:52,720
ecosystem in Wright Park and it's a park

4502
03:20:52,720 --> 03:20:55,120
as many have already mentioned that was

4503
03:20:55,120 --> 03:20:58,000
gifted to the town and should be honored

4504
03:20:58,000 --> 03:21:01,120
by those that gifted it. Um the other

4505
03:21:01,120 --> 03:21:03,279
thing I think was kind of glossed over

4506
03:21:03,279 --> 03:21:05,760
that I just want to mention is the land

4507
03:21:05,760 --> 03:21:09,520
swap that was gifted to or what will be

4508
03:21:09,520 --> 03:21:12,000
the trade for this 2acre parcel in

4509
03:21:12,000 --> 03:21:14,560
Wright Park is a swamp. It's a

4510
03:21:14,560 --> 03:21:18,080
completely unused p or un we it cannot

4511
03:21:18,080 --> 03:21:20,640
be a piece of property that can be used

4512
03:21:20,640 --> 03:21:23,600
for any sort of recreation and so for

4513
03:21:23,600 --> 03:21:26,319
that it's not really an equal piece of

4514
03:21:26,319 --> 03:21:28,080
property and the town will actually be

4515
03:21:28,080 --> 03:21:31,840
losing public recreation space.

4516
03:21:31,840 --> 03:21:36,790
>> Thank you.

4517
03:21:36,800 --> 03:21:38,160
I've got the women here at the

4518
03:21:38,160 --> 03:21:39,040
microphone.

4519
03:21:39,040 --> 03:21:42,319
>> Uh Barbara Ren, 44 Black Rock Road. I

4520
03:21:42,319 --> 03:21:44,000
have listened to all the conservation

4521
03:21:44,000 --> 03:21:47,040
hearings and the proposed tower I think

4522
03:21:47,040 --> 03:21:50,239
is 175 feet which is like a 17story

4523
03:21:50,239 --> 03:21:52,960
building and also of note as I think 50

4524
03:21:52,960 --> 03:21:55,120
trees are um some of them very mature

4525
03:21:55,120 --> 03:21:57,120
are going to be marked to take down the

4526
03:21:57,120 --> 03:21:59,040
parking lot's going to be enlarged and

4527
03:21:59,040 --> 03:22:01,439
the cart path uh which is the the

4528
03:22:01,439 --> 03:22:04,160
walking path up to the tower the utility

4529
03:22:04,160 --> 03:22:05,760
companies are asking for a 12-oot

4530
03:22:05,760 --> 03:22:10,239
easement uh enormous cranes 80 800 I

4531
03:22:10,239 --> 03:22:11,840
don't know the the cement trucks that

4532
03:22:11,840 --> 03:22:13,439
are going to have to go up there. That

4533
03:22:13,439 --> 03:22:15,520
path is going to have to be widened and

4534
03:22:15,520 --> 03:22:20,880
altered and I think every quarter um six

4535
03:22:20,880 --> 03:22:23,359
maybe three to six util big utility

4536
03:22:23,359 --> 03:22:25,600
trucks will have to go up to that tower.

4537
03:22:25,600 --> 03:22:26,960
I think the park is going to be

4538
03:22:26,960 --> 03:22:29,760
irrevocably changed. I think that it's

4539
03:22:29,760 --> 03:22:32,720
just a disgrace to the Wright family.

4540
03:22:32,720 --> 03:22:34,640
The park is beautiful. We don't have a

4541
03:22:34,640 --> 03:22:38,080
lot of open space in our town. Um, and

4542
03:22:38,080 --> 03:22:40,000
also when I was listening, I would

4543
03:22:40,000 --> 03:22:41,600
recommend that you all go back and and

4544
03:22:41,600 --> 03:22:43,680
watch the conservation hearings. The

4545
03:22:43,680 --> 03:22:47,120
cell plans are very old. The technology

4546
03:22:47,120 --> 03:22:49,600
has to have improved. There has to be

4547
03:22:49,600 --> 03:22:52,080
something better than a massive tower

4548
03:22:52,080 --> 03:22:53,760
which will have all of those lines

4549
03:22:53,760 --> 03:22:56,640
coming down that the birds can fly into

4550
03:22:56,640 --> 03:22:59,600
there. I think we should pause and the

4551
03:22:59,600 --> 03:23:01,920
technology should be looked at. Um,

4552
03:23:01,920 --> 03:23:03,359
that's pretty much all I have to say.

4553
03:23:03,359 --> 03:23:10,710
Thank you.

4554
03:23:10,720 --> 03:23:12,640
We have had a motion to move

4555
03:23:12,640 --> 03:23:15,120
the question. Is there a second?

4556
03:23:15,120 --> 03:23:17,200
>> Okay. We're going to This is a vote on

4557
03:23:17,200 --> 03:23:18,399
whether we're going to stop debate or

4558
03:23:18,399 --> 03:23:20,160
not. It's not a vote on the main motion.

4559
03:23:20,160 --> 03:23:22,000
to stop debate does require

4560
03:23:22,000 --> 03:23:23,840
twothirds vote for adoption. So, all

4561
03:23:23,840 --> 03:23:25,520
those in favor of stopping debate,

4562
03:23:25,520 --> 03:23:27,439
please signify by saying I.

4563
03:23:27,439 --> 03:23:28,399
>> I.

4564
03:23:28,399 --> 03:23:30,000
>> All those opposed, please signify by

4565
03:23:30,000 --> 03:23:31,760
saying nay.

4566
03:23:31,760 --> 03:23:33,040
Debate is stopped. That passed

4567
03:23:33,040 --> 03:23:35,359
unanimously. We'll now proceed to a vote

4568
03:23:35,359 --> 03:23:36,800
on the main motion. The motion under

4569
03:23:36,800 --> 03:23:39,200
article 25, it requires a majority vote

4570
03:23:39,200 --> 03:23:41,840
for adoption. All those in favor of the

4571
03:23:41,840 --> 03:23:43,920
main motion under under article 25,

4572
03:23:43,920 --> 03:23:45,840
please signify by saying I.

4573
03:23:45,840 --> 03:23:46,960
>> I.

4574
03:23:46,960 --> 03:23:48,720
>> All those opposed, please signify by

4575
03:23:48,720 --> 03:23:50,640
saying nay.

4576
03:23:50,640 --> 03:23:52,399
>> The motion does pass with the requisite

4577
03:23:52,399 --> 03:23:58,150
majority vote.

4578
03:23:58,160 --> 03:24:01,600
» That that concludes the business in our

4579
03:24:01,600 --> 03:24:03,439
warrant. Thank you for your

4580
03:24:03,439 --> 03:24:05,439
consideration and respect. May I have a

4581
03:24:05,439 --> 03:24:11,110
motion to dissolve? Thank you.

4582
03:24:11,120 --> 03:24:13,279
» You serious?

4583
03:24:13,279 --> 03:24:17,359
>> Okay, we we Well, hold on, hold on, hold on. We've got two people at

4584
03:24:17,359 --> 03:24:18,960
least doubting the count. Are there

4585
03:24:18,960 --> 03:24:20,720
others that doubt the count? You need

4586
03:24:20,720 --> 03:24:21,920
seven.

4587
03:24:21,920 --> 03:24:24,800
>> One, two, three, four, five,

4588
03:24:24,800 --> 03:24:27,040
>> six. Is there a seventh?

4589
03:24:27,040 --> 03:24:28,960
>> Seven. Okay. All right. We're going to

4590
03:24:28,960 --> 03:24:34,309
have to do a hand count.

4591
03:24:34,319 --> 03:24:35,840
Please sit tight that we're going to

4592
03:24:35,840 --> 03:24:39,830
have to vote by hand.

4593
03:24:39,840 --> 03:24:48,870
» Making the tellers work.

4594
03:24:48,880 --> 03:24:50,640
» Okay, we got to we got to get this vote

4595
03:24:50,640 --> 03:24:55,269
done.

4596
03:24:55,279 --> 03:24:57,680
» Okay, all those in favor of the motion

4597
03:24:57,680 --> 03:24:59,680
under article 25, please hold your

4598
03:24:59,680 --> 03:25:22,389
little pink slips up.

4599
03:25:22,399 --> 03:25:53,110
Keep your hands up.

4600
03:25:53,120 --> 03:25:54,960
Keep them up. Just a little bit more

4601
03:25:54,960 --> 03:26:05,510
longer, please.

4602
03:26:05,520 --> 03:26:14,550
Okay, write your tallies down, please.

4603
03:26:14,560 --> 03:26:18,319
Okay, tellers, you good? Okay. Uh, all

4604
03:26:18,319 --> 03:26:20,080
those against, please hold your pink

4605
03:26:20,080 --> 03:26:37,590
slips up, please.

4606
03:26:37,600 --> 03:26:39,439
Don't please don't leave. The tellers

4607
03:26:39,439 --> 03:26:40,880
are trying to count. Make don't make

4608
03:26:40,880 --> 03:26:42,319
life hard for them by moving around,

4609
03:26:42,319 --> 03:26:57,510
please.

4610
03:26:57,520 --> 03:26:58,880
Okay, you can put your hands down. Thank

4611
03:26:58,880 --> 03:27:43,510
you.

4612
03:27:43,520 --> 03:27:52,710
I also noticed your hairy

4613
03:27:52,720 --> 03:28:01,590
But it looks like

4614
03:28:01,600 --> 03:28:07,349
» I haven't heard anything.

4615
03:28:07,359 --> 03:28:22,710
I'd be right in front of

4616
03:28:22,720 --> 03:28:28,239
Okay, the tally is uh in favor 199

4617
03:28:28,239 --> 03:28:35,510
opposed 30. It does pass.

4618
03:28:35,520 --> 03:28:39,120
» Um may I have a motion to dissolve?

4619
03:28:39,120 --> 03:28:41,359
>> Thank you. Is there a second? Second.

4620
03:28:41,359 --> 03:28:42,880
>> All those in favor of the motion

4621
03:28:42,880 --> 03:28:45,120
dissolve, please signify by saying I.

4622
03:28:45,120 --> 03:28:45,760
>> I.

4623
03:28:45,760 --> 03:28:47,439
>> All those opposed, please signify by

4624
03:28:47,439 --> 03:28:49,120
saying nay.

4625
03:28:49,120 --> 03:28:50,800
>> The meeting is dissolved.

4626
03:28:50,800 --> 03:28:51,279
>> How are you?

4627
03:28:51,279 --> 03:28:53,200
>> Thank you very much.

4628
03:28:53,200 --> 03:28:54,560
>> This is the first time I've seen you

4629
03:28:54,560 --> 03:28:57,200
with tie.

4630
03:28:57,200 --> 03:28:59,760
>> Thank you.