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U forum being present, we're going to

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start the meeting. Uh we have tellers

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appointed if we need them. It's kind of

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a a light crowd tonight. Uh we have

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Terresa Whitman, Rob Fitzgibbons, and

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Vicki Catalo.

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If I get everyone to stand, we'll do a

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pledge of allegiance who will over here.

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I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

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United States of America, to the

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republic for which it stands, one

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nation.

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indivisice.

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Stand one more minute. Heading it being

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our 250th anniversary at the birthday of

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the United States. Just want to wish

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everyone a happy birthday.

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Now you can sit down.

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Um

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the warrant has been uh posted in its

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proper locations.

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Um, if you are a non-voter or or

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unregistered or a non-resident, you

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should be over in the lefth hand side of

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the room. If you don't have a card, you

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need to be over there uh to vote. We're

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going to do cards. Unless it's going to

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be a teller count, standing count. So,

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when I ask raise your card for yay or

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nay, please do that. If you can keep the

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chitchat down, I can't hear a lot of the

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little conversations, but a lot of

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people can hear conversations, so they

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can't hear the speakers. So, if you can

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keep the discussions to a minimum, that

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would be very helpful.

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I do have a request from the fire chief

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and I believe maybe the police fire for

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reminding people to put numbers on your

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homes on your street address, whether

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it's on your house itself or if you're

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in a long driveway at the front or end

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of the driveway. Like to thank the

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people that have already participated. I

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believe Sally's here. She was involved

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in that process. Sophie, just remember

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it's very important that you get those

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numbers so that they can respond when

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they need to.

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I believe there are two articles, two

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zoning articles on number 14 and number

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28. They will require a twothirds vote.

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So when that happens, um I believe I

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should ask planning board if they had

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their public hearings on both of those

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articles.

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She has affirmed that they have. And you

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want to you going to respond to those

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when they come up? Perfect. Um finance

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committee is here.

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» That's not helpful.

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I will make a motion to wave the reading

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of the warrant.

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Is there a second? All those in favor?

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>> Thank you.

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Um

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really performance.

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Um, I guess we're going to start with

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article one and wait for the finance

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committee because I had a question just

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as I did with the plumbing board. So,

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uh, we'll start with article one,

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please.

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Hello everybody, Alvin Harrow here. Um,

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article one is a fun article, my

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favorite of all. Um, I elangarrow move

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that the town authorize the board of

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selectman to appoint a surveyor and bark

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and lumber

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for bark and lumber.

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>> Is there a second to that?

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>> Any discussion? Uh the only discussion

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is um I will say that Brendan provided

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us with some information to let us know

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that in 2010 the board of selectman had

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selected had decided to continue this

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traditional um motion. Thank you.

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» All those in favor of article one raise

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your card.

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Any opposed? The motion passes

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unanimously.

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Article Article Two.

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>> Good evening everyone. I, Peter D.

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Fippen, move that the town receive the

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reports of the town officials, boards,

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and committees contained in the annual

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town report as you should all have.

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>> Is there a second

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discussion?

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>> No discussion.

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>> Any discussion from anyone out here?

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>> Okay. All those in favor of article two,

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raise your card, please.

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Any opposed?

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The motion passes. Just want to remind

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every we have uh Drew Tar, our new state

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rep uh representative.

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He replaced Dan Margaret. Thank you for

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coming.

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Article three.

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» I can't skip it.

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Mr. Moderator, if we could move to move

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to five until the income gets here.

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>> Is that a motion to move article five

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before article three? Please.

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>> Is there a second to that?

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>> All those in favor of moving article

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five before article 3.

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>> Any opposed? So move article five.

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Good evening. My name is Robert Teal

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from the um Essex um school committee

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member to the um tech school board. I,

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Robert Teal, move that the town vote to

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raise and appropriate the sum of $257127

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to pay the town's share of the operation

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and capital cost of the Essex Rockshore

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Agricultural Technical Hight Technical

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School District for the fiscal year

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commencing July 1st, 2026. Is there a

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second?

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>> Any discussion?

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See none. All those in favor of article

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five, please raise your card. Any

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opposed? The motion passes.

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Mr. Moderator, we're going to move to

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article 8.

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>> Is that a motion to move article 8? Is

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there a second?

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All those in favor of moving article 843

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raise your card.

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Um

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>> opposed.

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>> I elaro move the town vote to approve

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the wage and salary scale for fiscal

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year 2027 in accordance with the

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recommendation of the personnel board

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report.

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>> Any discussion?

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Um if you look at the report you will

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see that the um some areas that we're

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looking at moving um were for the

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Council on Aging and for the library

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but so no real discussion.

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>> Any other discussion?

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» Yes.

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>> Mr. Moderator I, Edward Neil, move that

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the town vote to amend article 8 the

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wage and salary scale for 2027 by

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deleting under the heading fire

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department the first line fire captain

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fire prevention officer minimum $90,000

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maximum $120,000.

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There's a second

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Am

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I recognized?

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I'm just trying to make sure I can

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speak. Okay.

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You're recognized, Ed.

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>> Thank you. Before I fully dawn this hair

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shirt, I want to share my bonafidees. I

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was a firefighter EMT for 10 years in

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the 80s and 90s and my son recently

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completed over 10 years as a firefighter

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EMT. I was the chief of the auxiliary fire department for a few

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years back when we had one. Um I have

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the greatest respect and gratitude for

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our first responders and didn't need to

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see the heroics of the recent river

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rescue who appreciate the courage and

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dedication that they demonstrate

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regularly. For over 20 years, we've been

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periodically told that we need one or

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more full-time firefighters due to fewer

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able a able individuals working in town.

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The usual pressing issues were the

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necessary paperwork and inspections

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needed to be done. Most recently, it was

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asserted that we needed full-time staff

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due to the number of medical calls until

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research revealed that even departments

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with many full-time firemen contract out

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their ambulance services as more

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economical than hiring staff. In those

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same 20 years, I am unaware of any

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calamity resulting from a lack of a

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full-time department or our first

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responders letting us down. Approving

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this wage and salary scale would be the

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first step towards a full-time fire

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department. And the issue deserves more

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consideration than having the question

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buried in the wage and salary scale.

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When I was on the department, every

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Thursday evening and Sunday morning,

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firemen would come to the station and

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perform a variety of menial tasks like

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washing the trucks, checking and filling

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the SCBA air bottles and water tanks on

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the trucks, as well as just driving the

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trucks around to keep everything

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lubricated. This was all done for free.

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Time donated to the town by willing

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volunteers. My experience with the

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department my experience with

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departments that have transitioned to

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full-time employees is that the

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volunteer incentive diminishes.

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Why should volunteers do this work when

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the town is paying for men to man the

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station? Inevitably, friction grows

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between the full-time and call men with

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the full-timers considering themselves

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as professionals and treating veterans

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of the call department as amateurs. This

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is bad for the department and the town

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because it leads to callmen retiring,

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creating a need for more full-timers.

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This is a small town and we do not have

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the d tax base to support a full-time

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department. To date, the town has done a

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good job of addressing the manning

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problem by hiring part-time men from

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other departments or hiring young men

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who want to be firemen. And we train

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them and give them the experience that

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makes them desirable to other

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surrounding full-time departments. This

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is a win-win for the fire service

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overall. As for the inspections, we have

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part-time building, plumbing,

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electrical, animal health, restaurant,

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and public nurses nurse inspection

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services. I see no reason why the fire

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inspection services should be handled in

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a different manner. We certain they

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certainly are not reason to create

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full-time employees with the health

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care, vacation, sick pay, sick pay, and

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retirement expenses that go along with

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it. If you support my amendment, it will

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not be the end of this issue, but may

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facilitate a more open and honest debate

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than has occurred so far. Thank you.

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Any

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further discussion on the amendment to

256
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article 8

257
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street? Um

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I thought about this earlier and it was

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uh glad to had good up and spoke. I've

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always supported the fire department

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wholeheartedly. I think we've had a

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great group of men and women involved

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but I

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And and

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when I when the building was built and

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we tore down the old building, I

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remembered the whisper in my ear was,

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"If you build it, they will come.

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If you build it, they will come." What

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does that mean? It means what Ed's

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talking about. This thing is growing

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bigger than it should.

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And the volunteerism isn't as there as

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much as uh it used to be. But I think

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this is also a little bit of subtrafuge

276
00:13:25,680 --> 00:13:31,120
putting this in an article where it's almost impossible to see and did

277
00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:33,120
his homework and that's how we found it.

278
00:13:33,120 --> 00:13:35,920
So I'm going to support the amendment.

279
00:13:35,920 --> 00:13:44,230
>> Any further discussion on the amendment?

280
00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:46,880
I think um you should reject this

281
00:13:46,880 --> 00:13:51,120
amendment and discuss the value of the

282
00:13:51,120 --> 00:13:54,800
position. Um would love it if someone

283
00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:57,120
from the fire department could up could

284
00:13:57,120 --> 00:14:00,160
come up and speak to it. But Essex is

285
00:14:00,160 --> 00:14:03,279
not what it was 20 years ago. And I

286
00:14:03,279 --> 00:14:07,120
think expecting volunteers to

287
00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:11,600
address the needs that are of of um

288
00:14:11,600 --> 00:14:17,040
regulations and expecting those folks to have

289
00:14:17,040 --> 00:14:19,839
full-time jobs and to do this sort of

290
00:14:19,839 --> 00:14:23,760
regulatory compliance is not realistic

291
00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:27,279
and not fair um of volunteers. So, I

292
00:14:27,279 --> 00:14:28,320
would love for somebody from the fire

293
00:14:28,320 --> 00:14:29,680
department to come up and speak to this,

294
00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:31,440
but I would encourage you to vote

295
00:14:31,440 --> 00:14:35,680
against Mr. Neil's amendment,

296
00:14:35,680 --> 00:14:39,750
>> further discussion.

297
00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:42,079
» Good evening, Christian Hassel, Essex

298
00:14:42,079 --> 00:14:44,480
Fire Chief. So, I think Mr. Neil makes

299
00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:47,040
some good points. Uh, we do have strong

300
00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:49,040
volunteerism within the Essex Fire

301
00:14:49,040 --> 00:14:50,560
Department. It's been a point of pride

302
00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:52,160
for the town and the department for

303
00:14:52,160 --> 00:14:54,079
quite some time.

304
00:14:54,079 --> 00:14:58,959
This position is not to disrupt but more

305
00:14:58,959 --> 00:15:02,480
to enhance that volunteerism.

306
00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:05,440
We have regulations that have changed.

307
00:15:05,440 --> 00:15:08,880
We have OSHA NFPA standards that we need

308
00:15:08,880 --> 00:15:12,079
to abide by and it becomes more and more

309
00:15:12,079 --> 00:15:15,600
difficult to manage department of 49

310
00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:19,600
people at this time um and manage the

311
00:15:19,600 --> 00:15:23,120
needs of the town and manage the uh

312
00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:26,079
search uh inspection process as well.

313
00:15:26,079 --> 00:15:28,720
This person is not designed to be just a

314
00:15:28,720 --> 00:15:30,639
fire inspector. They are going to be a

315
00:15:30,639 --> 00:15:33,199
frontline responder as well as a fire

316
00:15:33,199 --> 00:15:35,600
inspector. We already staff the station

317
00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:38,959
seven days a week uh with two people who

318
00:15:38,959 --> 00:15:42,880
are call firefighters at this time. So

319
00:15:42,880 --> 00:15:46,720
offering this or in adding this position

320
00:15:46,720 --> 00:15:49,360
allows for consistency five days a week.

321
00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:51,120
When you're trying to manage a

322
00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:54,240
department and move it forward and meet

323
00:15:54,240 --> 00:15:56,320
different initiatives,

324
00:15:56,320 --> 00:15:58,720
it's very difficult to do it with two

325
00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:00,800
hours in the morning from say 6:00 to

326
00:16:00,800 --> 00:16:03,600
8:00 a.m. when I'm in the office. Um,

327
00:16:03,600 --> 00:16:05,519
regardless of how many fantastic people

328
00:16:05,519 --> 00:16:07,440
we have on the department, it is very

329
00:16:07,440 --> 00:16:09,199
important to have someone who can be a

330
00:16:09,199 --> 00:16:11,279
clearing house for us and actually get

331
00:16:11,279 --> 00:16:14,079
the work done 5 days a week and be

332
00:16:14,079 --> 00:16:16,399
consistent and have oversight, let alone

333
00:16:16,399 --> 00:16:18,160
the efficiencies that someone who's

334
00:16:18,160 --> 00:16:19,839
full-time in the department and having

335
00:16:19,839 --> 00:16:22,079
some oversight will add to the duty

336
00:16:22,079 --> 00:16:25,120
group in general. Um we want to make

337
00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:28,320
sure that we are the adequately trained

338
00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:32,480
if not overly adequately trained and uh

339
00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:35,519
be ready to go for any emergency. It has

340
00:16:35,519 --> 00:16:38,320
happened in the past that Essex has not

341
00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:40,639
been able to respond to a call because

342
00:16:40,639 --> 00:16:43,040
of a lack of manpower. It's not

343
00:16:43,040 --> 00:16:45,440
something we're proud of, but it is the

344
00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:47,440
reality. Over the last year, we've

345
00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:49,839
worked very hard to move away from that

346
00:16:49,839 --> 00:16:52,800
and we've done much better with it, but

347
00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:55,199
it it has happened in the past and we

348
00:16:55,199 --> 00:16:56,959
don't want that to happen again. We see

349
00:16:56,959 --> 00:16:59,120
this as a good step forward, a

350
00:16:59,120 --> 00:17:01,600
reasonable step forward to allow the

351
00:17:01,600 --> 00:17:04,319
fire department to remain cal for years

352
00:17:04,319 --> 00:17:07,280
to come. I consider myself a career call

353
00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:09,280
guy, meaning I want to be a call person

354
00:17:09,280 --> 00:17:10,799
the rest of my life. I don't necessarily

355
00:17:10,799 --> 00:17:12,000
want to be the chief the rest of my

356
00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:15,360
life, but we have uh you know, this

357
00:17:15,360 --> 00:17:17,520
person would be kind of a step forward

358
00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:21,039
in a secession plan to to still maintain

359
00:17:21,039 --> 00:17:23,839
the the department the way it operates

360
00:17:23,839 --> 00:17:26,959
now while um providing that support that

361
00:17:26,959 --> 00:17:29,200
we need. So, thank you.

362
00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:35,270
>> Any further discussion?

363
00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:37,360
So, no discuss. So, all those in favor

364
00:17:37,360 --> 00:17:39,120
of just the amendment to article 8,

365
00:17:39,120 --> 00:17:42,400
raise your card,

366
00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:46,470
opposed.

367
00:17:46,480 --> 00:17:49,039
The amendment does not pass.

368
00:17:49,039 --> 00:17:52,720
Back to article 8 as it is.

369
00:17:52,720 --> 00:17:56,799
Any any discussion on article 8?

370
00:17:56,799 --> 00:17:58,480
All those in favor of article 8, raise

371
00:17:58,480 --> 00:18:00,720
your card.

372
00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:04,480
All those opposed. Article passes. Back

373
00:18:04,480 --> 00:18:07,679
to article three.

374
00:18:07,679 --> 00:18:10,960
>> Just want to reconsider this to um close

375
00:18:10,960 --> 00:18:16,310
out procedurally this um article.

376
00:18:16,320 --> 00:18:18,240
» Oh, you didn't hear any of that.

377
00:18:18,240 --> 00:18:20,799
>> Hi, Alvin Garo. Um I'd like to

378
00:18:20,799 --> 00:18:21,919
reconsider this vote.

379
00:18:21,919 --> 00:18:23,280
>> It's a motion to reconsider.

380
00:18:23,280 --> 00:18:25,120
>> Motion to reconsider article eight.

381
00:18:25,120 --> 00:18:27,360
>> Article eight, please. The main motion.

382
00:18:27,360 --> 00:18:29,120
>> The main motion. Yeah.

383
00:18:29,120 --> 00:18:29,919
>> Thank you.

384
00:18:29,919 --> 00:18:34,000
>> Uh is there a second to that?

385
00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:37,120
Uh any discussion on reconsider? This is

386
00:18:37,120 --> 00:18:39,360
a twothirds vote. All those that want to

387
00:18:39,360 --> 00:18:41,919
reconsider article 8, please raise your

388
00:18:41,919 --> 00:18:45,520
card. All those opposed.

389
00:18:45,520 --> 00:18:49,039
The motion does not pass. I enough.

390
00:18:49,039 --> 00:19:09,039
Okay. Article three.

391
00:19:09,039 --> 00:19:10,480
>> I Ruth Pine move

392
00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:13,039
>> before we get so normally asked the

393
00:19:13,039 --> 00:19:14,720
finance committee if they support the

394
00:19:14,720 --> 00:19:16,480
financial articles. I think there's

395
00:19:16,480 --> 00:19:19,679
about 20 of them.

396
00:19:19,679 --> 00:19:29,830
>> So you've approved all. Yes.

397
00:19:29,840 --> 00:19:32,320
Jody Harris, Finance Committee. We

398
00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:34,240
recommend all of the financial articles

399
00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:36,640
to town meeting. We recommended the two

400
00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:39,520
override articles to be put before the

401
00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:44,230
taxpayers for their vote.

402
00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:47,039
» Okay. Article three.

403
00:19:47,039 --> 00:19:49,120
I, Ruth Pere, move that the town vote to

404
00:19:49,120 --> 00:19:50,640
raise and appropriate the sum of

405
00:19:50,640 --> 00:19:54,230
$268,722

406
00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:55,760
for the purpose of supplementing the

407
00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:58,320
town of Essex's fiscal year 2027

408
00:19:58,320 --> 00:20:00,320
operating budget, provided that the

409
00:20:00,320 --> 00:20:02,080
amount authorized herein shall be

410
00:20:02,080 --> 00:20:04,240
contingent upon the vote at the town

411
00:20:04,240 --> 00:20:05,919
election to assess additional real

412
00:20:05,919 --> 00:20:08,320
estate and personal property taxes in

413
00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:09,760
accordance with the provisions of

414
00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:12,400
Proposition 2 and a half so-called. Is

415
00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:12,559
there

416
00:20:12,559 --> 00:20:14,640
>> a second?

417
00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:20,870
discussion.

418
00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:22,799
» This evening, the town meet uh Ruth

419
00:20:22,799 --> 00:20:24,799
Pere, 15 Lufkin Street. This evening,

420
00:20:24,799 --> 00:20:26,400
the town meeting is being asked to

421
00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:28,480
consider and support a Proposition 2 and

422
00:20:28,480 --> 00:20:33,110
a half override in the amount of 268,722

423
00:20:33,120 --> 00:20:34,960
in additional real estate and personal

424
00:20:34,960 --> 00:20:37,600
property taxes. These funds are intended

425
00:20:37,600 --> 00:20:39,440
to supplement the Town of Essex's

426
00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:41,200
operating budget for the fiscal year

427
00:20:41,200 --> 00:20:44,799
beginning July 1st, 2026. It's important

428
00:20:44,799 --> 00:20:46,559
to note that the town of Essex has not

429
00:20:46,559 --> 00:20:48,240
passed an operational override in more

430
00:20:48,240 --> 00:20:50,640
than 20 years. During that time, the

431
00:20:50,640 --> 00:20:53,440
cost of nearly every essential expense,

432
00:20:53,440 --> 00:20:56,080
utilities, goods, and services has risen

433
00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:58,559
significantly. While residents have felt

434
00:20:58,559 --> 00:21:00,480
the strain of these increases in their

435
00:21:00,480 --> 00:21:02,799
daily lives, the town has similarly

436
00:21:02,799 --> 00:21:04,880
faced rising costs in maintaining

437
00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:07,200
services, compensating employees, and

438
00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:10,000
meeting regulatory obligations. There's

439
00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:11,760
been some misunderstanding regarding the

440
00:21:11,760 --> 00:21:13,919
purpose of this override. It is not

441
00:21:13,919 --> 00:21:16,799
solely driven by the fire department.

442
00:21:16,799 --> 00:21:18,720
While fire services represent a

443
00:21:18,720 --> 00:21:20,720
significant portion of the request,

444
00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:22,400
multiple factors contribute to the

445
00:21:22,400 --> 00:21:25,679
overall need. For example,

446
00:21:25,679 --> 00:21:27,360
uh the town's health insurance costs

447
00:21:27,360 --> 00:21:30,080
increased by 14.4%.

448
00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:31,919
In recent decisions regarding employee

449
00:21:31,919 --> 00:21:33,760
compensation, including adjustments for

450
00:21:33,760 --> 00:21:35,200
the Department of Public Works and the

451
00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:37,520
senior center staff, reflect the ne

452
00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:40,400
necessity of retaining competitive

453
00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:42,799
um compet competitive in attracting and

454
00:21:42,799 --> 00:21:44,960
retaining qualified personnel. Without

455
00:21:44,960 --> 00:21:46,960
appropriate investment in our workforce,

456
00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:49,600
the town risks losing employees whose

457
00:21:49,600 --> 00:21:51,760
who have proven essential services to

458
00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:54,000
our community. With respect to the fire

459
00:21:54,000 --> 00:21:56,000
department, it's critical to understand

460
00:21:56,000 --> 00:21:58,240
that this is not a new or sudden

461
00:21:58,240 --> 00:22:00,159
request. The need for additional

462
00:22:00,159 --> 00:22:02,159
staffing has been raised multiple times

463
00:22:02,159 --> 00:22:04,480
over several years. Former fire chief

464
00:22:04,480 --> 00:22:06,640
Dan Dowset advocated for the addition of

465
00:22:06,640 --> 00:22:08,799
a full-time position on more than one

466
00:22:08,799 --> 00:22:11,679
occasion, including again in 2019. That

467
00:22:11,679 --> 00:22:14,159
request was not approved. At the time, a

468
00:22:14,159 --> 00:22:15,440
commitment was made by the board of

469
00:22:15,440 --> 00:22:17,760
selectmen that the next full-time public

470
00:22:17,760 --> 00:22:19,760
safety hire would be for the fire

471
00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:21,600
department. However, that commitment was

472
00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:24,000
not fulfilled when a full-time police

473
00:22:24,000 --> 00:22:26,640
officer was subsequently hired. Under

474
00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:28,720
the leadership of the current fire chief

475
00:22:28,720 --> 00:22:31,360
Christian Hassel, appointed in 2025, the

476
00:22:31,360 --> 00:22:33,760
department has reaffirmed its commitment

477
00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:36,720
to maintaining a call volunteer fire

478
00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:39,440
service model for as long as possible.

479
00:22:39,440 --> 00:22:41,360
The request before town meeting is not

480
00:22:41,360 --> 00:22:43,120
to transition to a fully staffed

481
00:22:43,120 --> 00:22:45,280
full-time department, but rather

482
00:22:45,280 --> 00:22:47,360
represents a targeted and necessary

483
00:22:47,360 --> 00:22:49,440
step. The addition of a single full-time

484
00:22:49,440 --> 00:22:52,240
firefighter EMT to provide day coverage

485
00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:54,720
when call member availability is often

486
00:22:54,720 --> 00:22:57,360
at it often limited. Recent

487
00:22:57,360 --> 00:22:59,039
communications to residents have

488
00:22:59,039 --> 00:23:01,039
suggested that this override represents

489
00:23:01,039 --> 00:23:03,360
a move to a fully full-time fire

490
00:23:03,360 --> 00:23:05,760
department. That characterization is

491
00:23:05,760 --> 00:23:08,559
inaccurate. The department's 48 call

492
00:23:08,559 --> 00:23:10,080
firefighters remain committed to

493
00:23:10,080 --> 00:23:11,919
sustaining this model well into the

494
00:23:11,919 --> 00:23:14,240
future. In fact, this request is

495
00:23:14,240 --> 00:23:16,320
intended to help preserve that model by

496
00:23:16,320 --> 00:23:17,919
addressing increasing operational

497
00:23:17,919 --> 00:23:20,080
demands, including administrative

498
00:23:20,080 --> 00:23:21,919
workload compliance with evolving

499
00:23:21,919 --> 00:23:24,799
regulations and NFPA standards, training

500
00:23:24,799 --> 00:23:26,960
requirements, and equipment maintenance.

501
00:23:26,960 --> 00:23:28,720
It's also worth noting that the fire

502
00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:31,360
department experienced a 12.49% 49%

503
00:23:31,360 --> 00:23:35,200
budget reduction from $38,25

504
00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:38,950
to $267,17,

505
00:23:38,960 --> 00:23:41,360
which significantly al uh altered the

506
00:23:41,360 --> 00:23:43,600
funding trajectory. Had the department's

507
00:23:43,600 --> 00:23:45,360
budget followed the its historical

508
00:23:45,360 --> 00:23:47,520
10-year growth trend, the projected

509
00:23:47,520 --> 00:23:50,240
shortfall for fiscal 26 would have been

510
00:23:50,240 --> 00:23:52,400
substantially smaller prior to recent

511
00:23:52,400 --> 00:23:54,799
compensation adjustments. In summary,

512
00:23:54,799 --> 00:23:56,880
this override is not new or or an

513
00:23:56,880 --> 00:23:59,200
isolated request, nor is it driven by a

514
00:23:59,200 --> 00:24:01,039
single department. It reflects the

515
00:24:01,039 --> 00:24:02,799
combination of rising costs,

516
00:24:02,799 --> 00:24:04,480
long-standing staffing needs, and the

517
00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:06,159
town's responsibility to maintain

518
00:24:06,159 --> 00:24:08,159
essential services. Supporting this

519
00:24:08,159 --> 00:24:09,679
measure is an investment in the

520
00:24:09,679 --> 00:24:11,679
sustainability, safety, and operational

521
00:24:11,679 --> 00:24:14,240
stability of the town of Essex.

522
00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:15,520
>> Ruth, I'm not sure I got a second

523
00:24:15,520 --> 00:24:18,159
because you transferred right to So,

524
00:24:18,159 --> 00:24:20,159
>> can we get a second on that?

525
00:24:20,159 --> 00:24:25,190
>> Thank you. I'll take

526
00:24:25,200 --> 00:24:29,350
Yeah, that's just my discussion.

527
00:24:29,360 --> 00:24:31,120
» Okay. Any further discussion? I think

528
00:24:31,120 --> 00:24:32,559
I'm gonna go here and then I'm gonna go

529
00:24:32,559 --> 00:24:33,760
there.

530
00:24:33,760 --> 00:24:35,279
>> Up there.

531
00:24:35,279 --> 00:24:37,279
>> Since no one's seconded, should she read

532
00:24:37,279 --> 00:24:37,600
again?

533
00:24:37,600 --> 00:24:40,080
>> No, it's good.

534
00:24:40,080 --> 00:24:42,320
>> All right. Good evening. Uh Christian

535
00:24:42,320 --> 00:24:43,840
Hassel, Essex Fire Chief, in case

536
00:24:43,840 --> 00:24:46,080
someone's walked in late. Uh I'm here

537
00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:47,760
tonight because the demands of the Essex

538
00:24:47,760 --> 00:24:49,279
Fire Department have dramatically have

539
00:24:49,279 --> 00:24:51,919
changed dramatically. Uh we responded to

540
00:24:51,919 --> 00:24:54,480
more than 600 incidents last year and

541
00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:56,159
we're already on pace to match that this

542
00:24:56,159 --> 00:24:58,480
year. But it's just not the it's not

543
00:24:58,480 --> 00:25:00,640
just the volume, it's the complexity.

544
00:25:00,640 --> 00:25:04,720
Modern fires, hazardous materials,

545
00:25:04,720 --> 00:25:09,200
lithium-ion batteries, medical calls,

546
00:25:09,200 --> 00:25:11,520
and the regulatory requirements we must

547
00:25:11,520 --> 00:25:13,520
meet to keep our firefighters safe have

548
00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:15,760
grown substantially. Our call department

549
00:25:15,760 --> 00:25:17,919
is talented, committed, and the

550
00:25:17,919 --> 00:25:19,760
foundation of how Essex provides fire

551
00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:22,159
and EMS service. This proposal isn't

552
00:25:22,159 --> 00:25:24,000
about replacing that model. It's about

553
00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:25,919
preserving it. A full-time fire

554
00:25:25,919 --> 00:25:28,000
prevention officer gives us the capacity

555
00:25:28,000 --> 00:25:30,960
to train

556
00:25:30,960 --> 00:25:35,830
and learn how to read.

557
00:25:35,840 --> 00:25:40,000
Yeah. Or glasses. uh support and oversee

558
00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:42,400
the work that today's standards require

559
00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:44,720
while continuing to provide reliable

560
00:25:44,720 --> 00:25:47,760
weekday response. This is a strategic

561
00:25:47,760 --> 00:25:50,559
cost conscious step that strengthens the

562
00:25:50,559 --> 00:25:52,640
call department, improves safety, and

563
00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:54,640
ensures we can continue delivering the

564
00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:56,320
level of service this community expects

565
00:25:56,320 --> 00:26:05,510
and deserves.

566
00:26:05,520 --> 00:26:08,640
Brian Grestler, 30 Ch Street. Uh, Mr.

567
00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:10,799
Moderator, I rise in support of this

568
00:26:10,799 --> 00:26:13,520
article, not because I'm a fan of

569
00:26:13,520 --> 00:26:16,080
raising taxes, but because this override

570
00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:18,799
is the logical next step in the

571
00:26:18,799 --> 00:26:20,480
financial strategy town leadership has

572
00:26:20,480 --> 00:26:22,720
chosen. That doesn't mean I support that

573
00:26:22,720 --> 00:26:24,000
strategy or the way it's been

574
00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:26,159
communicated, but the remedy for that is

575
00:26:26,159 --> 00:26:28,159
not a no vote on this article. The

576
00:26:28,159 --> 00:26:30,080
remedy for that is to change leadership.

577
00:26:30,080 --> 00:26:31,440
As it rel as as it relates to this

578
00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:33,919
article, we just need to move forward.

579
00:26:33,919 --> 00:26:35,360
For a number of years, the town has

580
00:26:35,360 --> 00:26:37,440
taken our austerity approach to the town

581
00:26:37,440 --> 00:26:40,320
general budget, but austerity is a

582
00:26:40,320 --> 00:26:43,200
short-term solution. Eventually, whether

583
00:26:43,200 --> 00:26:45,840
we like it or not, the pendulum swims

584
00:26:45,840 --> 00:26:49,200
swings back and bills come due. That

585
00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:51,520
correction began last year when the town

586
00:26:51,520 --> 00:26:54,480
general budget increased by 5.6%.

587
00:26:54,480 --> 00:26:56,720
Uh this increase was largely obscured by

588
00:26:56,720 --> 00:26:57,919
the way the school override was

589
00:26:57,919 --> 00:27:00,000
structured and by the use of one-time

590
00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:02,400
revenue. But at the c at the candidate

591
00:27:02,400 --> 00:27:04,480
forum last year for board of selectmen,

592
00:27:04,480 --> 00:27:06,240
I asked the then chair of the board how

593
00:27:06,240 --> 00:27:07,600
we would continue paying for that

594
00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:09,440
increase this year. And her answer that

595
00:27:09,440 --> 00:27:11,440
was was that an override would likely be

596
00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:13,679
needed. So when we combined years of

597
00:27:13,679 --> 00:27:16,320
austerity, last year's approach and

598
00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:18,240
continued uh corrections this year

599
00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:21,039
contributing to an 8.1% increase, no one

600
00:27:21,039 --> 00:27:23,520
should be surprised by this override.

601
00:27:23,520 --> 00:27:24,960
Further, to date, corrections have

602
00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:26,559
focused largely on public safety, which

603
00:27:26,559 --> 00:27:28,799
I think most of us generally support.

604
00:27:28,799 --> 00:27:30,240
That being said, there are still other

605
00:27:30,240 --> 00:27:31,919
departments and services that have not

606
00:27:31,919 --> 00:27:34,080
been addressed. Uh, with that in mind,

607
00:27:34,080 --> 00:27:35,760
Mr. Moderator, and given that town

608
00:27:35,760 --> 00:27:38,320
leadership has provided limited public

609
00:27:38,320 --> 00:27:40,159
information compared to what many towns

610
00:27:40,159 --> 00:27:41,679
provide when recommending an override,

611
00:27:41,679 --> 00:27:43,279
whether on the town website, through

612
00:27:43,279 --> 00:27:44,960
public forums, or through other

613
00:27:44,960 --> 00:27:46,880
allowable means. I did have one question

614
00:27:46,880 --> 00:27:48,960
for the uh board of the finance

615
00:27:48,960 --> 00:27:52,070
committee.

616
00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:54,880
Uh, if this override does not pass, how

617
00:27:54,880 --> 00:27:56,480
does town leadership plan to account for

618
00:27:56,480 --> 00:27:59,760
the $268,000 shortfall? Is the plan to

619
00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:01,600
use reserves for one year or multiple

620
00:28:01,600 --> 00:28:03,919
years to make cuts or some combination

621
00:28:03,919 --> 00:28:06,159
of of both? If cuts are part of the

622
00:28:06,159 --> 00:28:16,789
plan, what specifically will be cut?

623
00:28:16,799 --> 00:28:20,640
» Jody Harris. Um so we that was actually

624
00:28:20,640 --> 00:28:22,640
uh what our discussion was uh prior to

625
00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:25,360
this meeting. I believe that at this

626
00:28:25,360 --> 00:28:28,000
point we would look to uh make cuts

627
00:28:28,000 --> 00:28:30,320
within the current budget. We would not

628
00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:33,200
be looking to use one-time funds to fund

629
00:28:33,200 --> 00:28:36,399
this budget as their operating costs. So

630
00:28:36,399 --> 00:28:39,760
uh we would have to look back into the

631
00:28:39,760 --> 00:28:41,840
fire budget and any other large budget

632
00:28:41,840 --> 00:28:44,399
in town that would be discussed among

633
00:28:44,399 --> 00:28:46,159
the finance committee and those

634
00:28:46,159 --> 00:28:49,909
department heads.

635
00:28:49,919 --> 00:28:51,919
Further discussion

636
00:28:51,919 --> 00:28:57,200
up here anyone? Nothing. Okay. Ed Neil

637
00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:00,720
15 Western. So what's happened here is

638
00:29:00,720 --> 00:29:03,039
that we've got an override article in

639
00:29:03,039 --> 00:29:05,120
front of us and the finance committee

640
00:29:05,120 --> 00:29:06,559
tells us it's not about the fire

641
00:29:06,559 --> 00:29:08,559
department. But the only department that

642
00:29:08,559 --> 00:29:11,840
got up and talked about it is the fire

643
00:29:11,840 --> 00:29:14,480
department. And

644
00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:17,440
now we're told that well if the override

645
00:29:17,440 --> 00:29:21,039
doesn't pass and the override almost

646
00:29:21,039 --> 00:29:23,440
half of it is dedicated to this new

647
00:29:23,440 --> 00:29:26,559
position of fire inspector

648
00:29:26,559 --> 00:29:28,799
then they're not going to change their

649
00:29:28,799 --> 00:29:30,799
mind about that. They're going to cut

650
00:29:30,799 --> 00:29:33,840
the rest of the budget. So, by not

651
00:29:33,840 --> 00:29:36,880
amending not agreeing to my amendment,

652
00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:39,360
um, we're putting a hurt on the rest of

653
00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:41,760
the town instead of getting a clear

654
00:29:41,760 --> 00:29:44,080
decision about the override and the new

655
00:29:44,080 --> 00:29:46,000
position on the fire department. It's

656
00:29:46,000 --> 00:29:48,240
all being jumbled together and it's not

657
00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:50,480
by accident. Thank you.

658
00:29:50,480 --> 00:29:54,000
>> Further discussion on article three. All

659
00:29:54,000 --> 00:29:55,520
those in favor of article three, raise

660
00:29:55,520 --> 00:29:58,399
your card.

661
00:29:58,399 --> 00:30:00,720
All those opposed.

662
00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:03,520
The motion passes.

663
00:30:03,520 --> 00:30:16,070
Article four.

664
00:30:16,080 --> 00:30:18,799
» I, Michael Flynn, move that the town

665
00:30:18,799 --> 00:30:27,029
vote to appropriate the sum of 10,59,998

666
00:30:27,039 --> 00:30:31,919
as follows. A to raise by taxation the

667
00:30:31,919 --> 00:30:38,470
sum of1,949,364

668
00:30:38,480 --> 00:30:41,279
for debt repayment, principal, and

669
00:30:41,279 --> 00:30:42,960
interest.

670
00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:46,240
B. Transfer from the cemetery sale of

671
00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:50,960
lots fund the sum of $6,800

672
00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:55,279
to the cemetery budget. C. transfer from

673
00:30:55,279 --> 00:30:58,480
the cemetery lot care fund the sum of

674
00:30:58,480 --> 00:31:02,960
600 excuse me 6,575

675
00:31:02,960 --> 00:31:06,799
to the cemetery budget. D transfer from

676
00:31:06,799 --> 00:31:09,919
the cemetery perpetual care fund the sum

677
00:31:09,919 --> 00:31:12,960
of $5,334

678
00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:16,640
to the cemetery budget. E. Transfer from

679
00:31:16,640 --> 00:31:20,080
the town technology fund the sum of

680
00:31:20,080 --> 00:31:22,159
15,500

681
00:31:22,159 --> 00:31:25,200
to the town IT budget.

682
00:31:25,200 --> 00:31:28,799
F. Transfer from the ambulance fund the

683
00:31:28,799 --> 00:31:33,520
sum of 75,000 to the ambulance budget.

684
00:31:33,520 --> 00:31:36,399
G. Transfer from the septic betterment

685
00:31:36,399 --> 00:31:40,480
fund the sum of $27,980

686
00:31:40,480 --> 00:31:42,240
for debt.

687
00:31:42,240 --> 00:31:46,080
H. transfer from the waterways fund the

688
00:31:46,080 --> 00:31:49,679
sum of 58,479

689
00:31:49,679 --> 00:31:52,720
to the harbor master budget.

690
00:31:52,720 --> 00:31:55,840
I transfer from the wetlands fund to the

691
00:31:55,840 --> 00:31:59,279
sum the sum of $3,500

692
00:31:59,279 --> 00:32:02,240
to the conservation commission budget

693
00:32:02,240 --> 00:32:06,720
and J to raise by taxation the sum of

694
00:32:06,720 --> 00:32:11,190
$8,361,466

695
00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:15,120
all in combination with the nonpropy tax

696
00:32:15,120 --> 00:32:18,880
revenue sources noted on pages nine and

697
00:32:18,880 --> 00:32:22,799
10 in the finance committee report to be

698
00:32:22,799 --> 00:32:24,880
allocated between the salaries and

699
00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:27,440
expenses of the town according to the

700
00:32:27,440 --> 00:32:30,000
remaining budget items as indicated in

701
00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:32,159
the finance committee report and to

702
00:32:32,159 --> 00:32:33,919
authorize the finance committee to

703
00:32:33,919 --> 00:32:37,039
permit budget line item transfers within

704
00:32:37,039 --> 00:32:39,360
the department from salary line items to

705
00:32:39,360 --> 00:32:41,840
salary lines

706
00:32:41,840 --> 00:32:45,120
and from expense lines to expense lines.

707
00:32:45,120 --> 00:32:46,960
That's a mouthful, but

708
00:32:46,960 --> 00:32:49,200
>> hold on. Is there a second?

709
00:32:49,200 --> 00:32:51,200
Uh this is the general budget short of

710
00:32:51,200 --> 00:32:53,519
uh a school budget. Um it is something

711
00:32:53,519 --> 00:32:56,480
we talk about every year. Um it is uh

712
00:32:56,480 --> 00:32:59,279
something that uh is

713
00:32:59,279 --> 00:33:04,310
about half of our our town budget.

714
00:33:04,320 --> 00:33:06,240
Further discussion?

715
00:33:06,240 --> 00:33:08,159
Seeing none. All those in favor of

716
00:33:08,159 --> 00:33:11,200
article four, raise your card.

717
00:33:11,200 --> 00:33:14,559
All those opposed. The motion passes.

718
00:33:14,559 --> 00:33:22,870
Article f excuse me. Article six.

719
00:33:22,880 --> 00:33:28,710
Could have got your mic.

720
00:33:28,720 --> 00:33:31,600
» Thank you.

721
00:33:31,600 --> 00:33:33,679
I, Kate Cotch Sunquist, move that the

722
00:33:33,679 --> 00:33:35,679
town vote to raise and appropriate the

723
00:33:35,679 --> 00:33:40,549
sum of 185,727

724
00:33:40,559 --> 00:33:42,080
for the purpose of supplementing the

725
00:33:42,080 --> 00:33:43,600
Manchester Essex Regional School

726
00:33:43,600 --> 00:33:46,799
District's fiscal year 2027 assessment,

727
00:33:46,799 --> 00:33:48,559
provided that the amount authorized

728
00:33:48,559 --> 00:33:50,559
herein shall be contingent upon the vote

729
00:33:50,559 --> 00:33:52,159
at the town election to assess

730
00:33:52,159 --> 00:33:53,919
additional real estate and personal

731
00:33:53,919 --> 00:33:56,080
property taxes in accordance with the

732
00:33:56,080 --> 00:33:58,240
provisions of Proposition 2 and a half,

733
00:33:58,240 --> 00:34:00,399
so-called.

734
00:34:00,399 --> 00:34:06,389
disc any further discussion?

735
00:34:06,399 --> 00:34:08,399
» Um, I'd like to thank the board of

736
00:34:08,399 --> 00:34:10,320
selectmen and the finance committee for

737
00:34:10,320 --> 00:34:11,760
your continued partnership and

738
00:34:11,760 --> 00:34:13,760
collaboration this year. We are

739
00:34:13,760 --> 00:34:15,440
particularly grateful to the board of

740
00:34:15,440 --> 00:34:17,200
selectmen who for the first time in my

741
00:34:17,200 --> 00:34:19,200
tenure took a majority affirmative vote

742
00:34:19,200 --> 00:34:21,760
to endorse the district override. I also

743
00:34:21,760 --> 00:34:23,520
want to thank the residents of Essex for

744
00:34:23,520 --> 00:34:25,520
your ongoing support of our schools and

745
00:34:25,520 --> 00:34:27,919
our students. The Manchester Essex

746
00:34:27,919 --> 00:34:29,520
Regional School District continues to be

747
00:34:29,520 --> 00:34:31,119
a place where students thrive

748
00:34:31,119 --> 00:34:34,079
academically, socially, and emotionally.

749
00:34:34,079 --> 00:34:36,000
We do not aim to compete with the top

750
00:34:36,000 --> 00:34:37,440
private schools that surround our

751
00:34:37,440 --> 00:34:39,440
community, but we do aim to provide the

752
00:34:39,440 --> 00:34:41,599
best public education possible with the

753
00:34:41,599 --> 00:34:43,679
resources available from both member

754
00:34:43,679 --> 00:34:45,839
towns. I truly believe that we do an

755
00:34:45,839 --> 00:34:47,520
amazing job of that thanks to the

756
00:34:47,520 --> 00:34:49,359
strength of our staff and the shared

757
00:34:49,359 --> 00:34:50,960
support of our communities, both

758
00:34:50,960 --> 00:34:53,760
Manchester and Essex. The fiscical year

759
00:34:53,760 --> 00:34:56,720
27 proposed budget is 33.7 million,

760
00:34:56,720 --> 00:34:59,040
representing a 3.5%

761
00:34:59,040 --> 00:35:01,599
increase over last year. This is a level

762
00:35:01,599 --> 00:35:03,200
services budget that will maintain

763
00:35:03,200 --> 00:35:04,800
current programming, staffing, and

764
00:35:04,800 --> 00:35:06,640
student supports without adding any

765
00:35:06,640 --> 00:35:08,640
bells and whistles or cutting any

766
00:35:08,640 --> 00:35:11,280
necessities. As was the case last year,

767
00:35:11,280 --> 00:35:13,359
approximately 80% of our budget is

768
00:35:13,359 --> 00:35:16,880
dedicated to salaries and benefits.

769
00:35:16,880 --> 00:35:18,400
costs in areas such as special

770
00:35:18,400 --> 00:35:20,560
education, transportation, and employee

771
00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:22,560
benefits continue to rise and are large

772
00:35:22,560 --> 00:35:24,240
and are largely outside of the

773
00:35:24,240 --> 00:35:26,560
district's direct control. For this

774
00:35:26,560 --> 00:35:28,480
reason, and the reasons already outlined

775
00:35:28,480 --> 00:35:30,720
by FINCOM member Ruth Pere, growth

776
00:35:30,720 --> 00:35:32,880
exceeds the limitations of Prop 2 and a

777
00:35:32,880 --> 00:35:35,359
half. Still, this year's budget reflects

778
00:35:35,359 --> 00:35:37,040
a balanced, responsible use of

779
00:35:37,040 --> 00:35:40,079
resources. The planned use of $600,000

780
00:35:40,079 --> 00:35:42,000
in reserves as well as a measured

781
00:35:42,000 --> 00:35:43,920
adjustment to our annual OPED

782
00:35:43,920 --> 00:35:46,000
contribution reflects our thoughtful

783
00:35:46,000 --> 00:35:47,839
leverage of financial tools within a

784
00:35:47,839 --> 00:35:49,920
multi-year plan to reduce the burden on

785
00:35:49,920 --> 00:35:52,160
taxpayers. This allows us to make

786
00:35:52,160 --> 00:35:53,839
progress toward both our long-term

787
00:35:53,839 --> 00:35:56,000
financial obligations and the priorities

788
00:35:56,000 --> 00:35:58,560
outlined in our strategic plan. And of

789
00:35:58,560 --> 00:36:00,240
course, looking ahead, we are excited to

790
00:36:00,240 --> 00:36:01,760
continue our work on the Essex

791
00:36:01,760 --> 00:36:03,760
Elementary building project. This

792
00:36:03,760 --> 00:36:05,520
project will benefit all students in our

793
00:36:05,520 --> 00:36:07,040
district, but especially those who live

794
00:36:07,040 --> 00:36:09,280
here in our town. It will also benefit

795
00:36:09,280 --> 00:36:11,200
all of us here tonight, not just by

796
00:36:11,200 --> 00:36:12,960
reflecting a capital investment right

797
00:36:12,960 --> 00:36:15,200
here where we gather, but also by

798
00:36:15,200 --> 00:36:16,720
providing a community space for

799
00:36:16,720 --> 00:36:19,040
recreation, a home for prek students in

800
00:36:19,040 --> 00:36:21,119
our own town, and a meeting space,

801
00:36:21,119 --> 00:36:23,839
which, dare I say, may even provide

802
00:36:23,839 --> 00:36:25,920
better comfort and acoustics than those

803
00:36:25,920 --> 00:36:28,240
we enjoy tonight under the hallowed

804
00:36:28,240 --> 00:36:31,760
peaks of Mount Candoo.

805
00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:33,760
The Essex Elementary building project

806
00:36:33,760 --> 00:36:35,280
represents the final phase of a

807
00:36:35,280 --> 00:36:37,359
multi-year capital improvement plan that

808
00:36:37,359 --> 00:36:39,599
began with the middle high school. As a

809
00:36:39,599 --> 00:36:41,280
regional district, our work depends on

810
00:36:41,280 --> 00:36:42,960
the strength, commitment, and compromise

811
00:36:42,960 --> 00:36:45,119
of both communities and the decisions we

812
00:36:45,119 --> 00:36:47,440
make together. We remain committed to

813
00:36:47,440 --> 00:36:49,599
maintaining a highquality educational

814
00:36:49,599 --> 00:36:51,760
program while managing resources

815
00:36:51,760 --> 00:36:54,560
responsibly and transparently. On behalf

816
00:36:54,560 --> 00:36:56,000
of the school committee and the entire

817
00:36:56,000 --> 00:36:57,760
Manchester Essex School Committee, thank

818
00:36:57,760 --> 00:36:59,520
you for your continued support of our

819
00:36:59,520 --> 00:37:08,870
schools and our students.

820
00:37:08,880 --> 00:37:11,200
Further discussion? Seeing none, all

821
00:37:11,200 --> 00:37:13,040
those in favor of article six, raise

822
00:37:13,040 --> 00:37:14,800
your card.

823
00:37:14,800 --> 00:37:16,720
Any opposed?

824
00:37:16,720 --> 00:37:19,119
The motion passes. The this article and

825
00:37:19,119 --> 00:37:20,800
the other override article will be

826
00:37:20,800 --> 00:37:22,240
showing up on the ballot on Monday. Just

827
00:37:22,240 --> 00:37:24,079
a reminder that it's two two-step

828
00:37:24,079 --> 00:37:25,680
process in passing this. So, it's got to

829
00:37:25,680 --> 00:37:27,760
pass here and it has to pass at the

830
00:37:27,760 --> 00:37:30,720
ballot on Monday.

831
00:37:30,720 --> 00:37:37,280
on the 11th Monday. Uh, article seven.

832
00:37:37,280 --> 00:37:39,119
>> I, Kate Cotch Sunquist, move that the

833
00:37:39,119 --> 00:37:40,880
town vote to raise and appropriate the

834
00:37:40,880 --> 00:37:45,670
sum of 10,948,841

835
00:37:45,680 --> 00:37:47,200
to fund a portion of the town's

836
00:37:47,200 --> 00:37:48,960
assessment from the Manchester Essex

837
00:37:48,960 --> 00:37:50,960
Regional School District, said some to

838
00:37:50,960 --> 00:37:52,640
be calculated solely in accordance with

839
00:37:52,640 --> 00:37:54,560
the agreement between the towns of Essex

840
00:37:54,560 --> 00:37:55,680
and Manchester by the Sea,

841
00:37:55,680 --> 00:37:57,520
Massachusetts, with respect to the

842
00:37:57,520 --> 00:37:59,599
formation of a regional school district.

843
00:37:59,599 --> 00:38:02,000
as most recently amended by invoking and

844
00:38:02,000 --> 00:38:03,359
approving the provision found in

845
00:38:03,359 --> 00:38:05,280
paragraph 4 of Massachusetts General

846
00:38:05,280 --> 00:38:08,880
Laws chapter 71 section 16B allowing

847
00:38:08,880 --> 00:38:10,800
district members to reallocate the sum

848
00:38:10,800 --> 00:38:13,280
of their required local contributions to

849
00:38:13,280 --> 00:38:14,640
the district in accordance with the

850
00:38:14,640 --> 00:38:16,960
regional agreement for the fiscal year

851
00:38:16,960 --> 00:38:22,150
beginning July 1st 2026

852
00:38:22,160 --> 00:38:24,880
» discussion

853
00:38:24,880 --> 00:38:29,990
>> no further discussion from me

854
00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:31,520
Seeing none, all those in favor of

855
00:38:31,520 --> 00:38:34,320
article 7, raise your card.

856
00:38:34,320 --> 00:38:41,030
All those opposed. The motion passes.

857
00:38:41,040 --> 00:38:47,910
Article nine.

858
00:38:47,920 --> 00:38:50,079
» Sorry. Can I make a motion to reconsider

859
00:38:50,079 --> 00:38:52,960
article three?

860
00:38:52,960 --> 00:38:53,599
>> You can.

861
00:38:53,599 --> 00:38:56,000
>> Yep. I, Brian Greser, move to reconsider

862
00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:59,839
article three.

863
00:38:59,839 --> 00:39:00,640
>> town override.

864
00:39:00,640 --> 00:39:02,800
>> The town override.

865
00:39:02,800 --> 00:39:04,960
>> Uh, is there a second to that motion for

866
00:39:04,960 --> 00:39:07,359
amend?

867
00:39:07,359 --> 00:39:09,680
>> Wouldn't do that one. We did the

868
00:39:09,680 --> 00:39:11,760
>> discussion.

869
00:39:11,760 --> 00:39:13,280
No discussion. All those in favor of

870
00:39:13,280 --> 00:39:15,599
reconsidering article three, raise your

871
00:39:15,599 --> 00:39:17,599
card.

872
00:39:17,599 --> 00:39:20,000
>> All those opposed?

873
00:39:20,000 --> 00:39:22,640
Motion does not pass to reconsider.

874
00:39:22,640 --> 00:39:25,520
>> One more. I, Brian Grassler, move to

875
00:39:25,520 --> 00:39:27,920
reconsider article six.

876
00:39:27,920 --> 00:39:30,720
>> Is there a second?

877
00:39:30,720 --> 00:39:33,839
Any discussion? Any discussion? That's

878
00:39:33,839 --> 00:39:36,000
second. All those in favor of

879
00:39:36,000 --> 00:39:40,160
reconsidering article uh six,

880
00:39:40,160 --> 00:39:43,920
raise your card. All those opposed

881
00:39:43,920 --> 00:39:45,599
reconsider does not pass.

882
00:39:45,599 --> 00:39:46,640
>> Thank you.

883
00:39:46,640 --> 00:39:50,950
>> Article nine.

884
00:39:50,960 --> 00:39:54,560
I, Elvin Garero, Martin Street,

885
00:39:54,560 --> 00:39:57,839
move to move that the town fix the

886
00:39:57,839 --> 00:40:00,079
salary and compensation for each elected

887
00:40:00,079 --> 00:40:03,440
official um officer of the town required

888
00:40:03,440 --> 00:40:05,119
by the Massachusetts General Law,

889
00:40:05,119 --> 00:40:08,720
Chapter 41, section 108 as amended for

890
00:40:08,720 --> 00:40:11,280
fiscal year 2027

891
00:40:11,280 --> 00:40:13,040
in accordance with the recommendation of

892
00:40:13,040 --> 00:40:15,200
the personnel board report.

893
00:40:15,200 --> 00:40:17,920
>> Is there a second?

894
00:40:17,920 --> 00:40:20,560
>> Discussion. I have no discussion on

895
00:40:20,560 --> 00:40:22,480
this. No changes.

896
00:40:22,480 --> 00:40:24,240
>> Any further discussion? All those in

897
00:40:24,240 --> 00:40:28,400
favor of article 9, raise your card.

898
00:40:28,400 --> 00:40:39,589
>> Opposed? Motion passes. Article 10.

899
00:40:39,599 --> 00:40:41,680
» I, Nick Ellis, move that article 10 be

900
00:40:41,680 --> 00:40:43,520
indefinitely postponed. Is there a

901
00:40:43,520 --> 00:40:45,280
second?

902
00:40:45,280 --> 00:40:47,839
All those in favor of postponing article

903
00:40:47,839 --> 00:40:50,240
10

904
00:40:50,240 --> 00:40:52,320
opposed

905
00:40:52,320 --> 00:40:56,160
passes. Article 11. I Nick Ellis v um

906
00:40:56,160 --> 00:40:57,839
move that the town vote to appropriate

907
00:40:57,839 --> 00:41:03,670
the sum of1,249,395

908
00:41:03,680 --> 00:41:05,839
for the fiscal year 2027 sewer

909
00:41:05,839 --> 00:41:08,400
enterprise fund budget as follows. debt

910
00:41:08,400 --> 00:41:10,400
repayment, principal, and interest, the

911
00:41:10,400 --> 00:41:13,440
sum of $129,54

912
00:41:13,440 --> 00:41:16,240
to be raised by taxation, and funds to

913
00:41:16,240 --> 00:41:18,319
be allocated between the salaries and

914
00:41:18,319 --> 00:41:20,079
expenses of the sewer department,

915
00:41:20,079 --> 00:41:23,910
1,119,891

916
00:41:23,920 --> 00:41:25,520
from department receipts, all as

917
00:41:25,520 --> 00:41:26,800
indicated in the finance committee

918
00:41:26,800 --> 00:41:28,480
report, and to authorize the finance

919
00:41:28,480 --> 00:41:31,040
committee to permit line budget line

920
00:41:31,040 --> 00:41:32,560
item transfers within the sewer

921
00:41:32,560 --> 00:41:34,720
department, from salary lines to salary

922
00:41:34,720 --> 00:41:37,280
lines, and from expense lines to expense

923
00:41:37,280 --> 00:41:40,950
lines.

924
00:41:40,960 --> 00:41:43,599
This is to fund our sewer operating

925
00:41:43,599 --> 00:41:50,710
budget.

926
00:41:50,720 --> 00:41:55,760
» Any opposed? Motion passes. Article 12.

927
00:41:55,760 --> 00:41:57,760
>> I, Nick Ellis, move that article 12 be

928
00:41:57,760 --> 00:41:59,119
indefinitely postponed.

929
00:41:59,119 --> 00:42:01,200
>> Is there a second?

930
00:42:01,200 --> 00:42:02,960
>> All those in favor of postponing article

931
00:42:02,960 --> 00:42:05,760
12, raise your card. Any opposed? Motion

932
00:42:05,760 --> 00:42:09,119
passes to postpone. Article 13.

933
00:42:09,119 --> 00:42:11,359
>> I Nelis move that the town vote to

934
00:42:11,359 --> 00:42:15,589
appropriate the sum of1,51,84

935
00:42:15,599 --> 00:42:18,400
the fisc year 2027 water enterprise fund

936
00:42:18,400 --> 00:42:20,800
budget as follows. A debt repayment

937
00:42:20,800 --> 00:42:22,240
principle and interest, the sum of

938
00:42:22,240 --> 00:42:25,119
$81,289

939
00:42:25,119 --> 00:42:27,040
from departmental receipts and the sum

940
00:42:27,040 --> 00:42:29,599
of $34,839

941
00:42:29,599 --> 00:42:32,240
to be raised by taxation. and B funds to

942
00:42:32,240 --> 00:42:33,760
be allocated between the salaries and

943
00:42:33,760 --> 00:42:37,440
expenses of the water department 934

944
00:42:37,440 --> 00:42:39,680
$935,000

945
00:42:39,680 --> 00:42:43,030
935,676

946
00:42:43,040 --> 00:42:44,400
from department receipts all as

947
00:42:44,400 --> 00:42:45,520
indicated in the finance committee

948
00:42:45,520 --> 00:42:47,440
report and to authorize finance

949
00:42:47,440 --> 00:42:50,000
committee to permit line item transfers

950
00:42:50,000 --> 00:42:52,319
within the water department from salary

951
00:42:52,319 --> 00:42:54,000
lines to salary lines and from expense

952
00:42:54,000 --> 00:42:57,280
lines to expense lines. Second

953
00:42:57,280 --> 00:43:01,589
>> discussion.

954
00:43:01,599 --> 00:43:05,760
» This is to fund our water budget.

955
00:43:05,760 --> 00:43:07,680
>> All those in favor of article 13, raise

956
00:43:07,680 --> 00:43:11,920
your card. Opposed. Motion passes.

957
00:43:11,920 --> 00:43:17,190
Article 14.

958
00:43:17,200 --> 00:43:19,440
I, Lisa O'Donnell,

959
00:43:19,440 --> 00:43:22,079
am here for one article tonight. move

960
00:43:22,079 --> 00:43:23,920
that the town vote to amend the town

961
00:43:23,920 --> 00:43:27,440
zoning bylaws 6-10.2.1

962
00:43:27,440 --> 00:43:29,359
membership and organization as shown in

963
00:43:29,359 --> 00:43:32,079
article 14 of the warrant. And in the

964
00:43:32,079 --> 00:43:33,440
warrant you'll see there is one

965
00:43:33,440 --> 00:43:35,440
boldfaced sentence that reads the

966
00:43:35,440 --> 00:43:37,119
planning board shall designate and

967
00:43:37,119 --> 00:43:38,960
recommend individuals for appointment as

968
00:43:38,960 --> 00:43:40,880
associate members and such appointment

969
00:43:40,880 --> 00:43:43,040
shall be made by majority vote of the

970
00:43:43,040 --> 00:43:44,880
planning board and board of selectmen.

971
00:43:44,880 --> 00:43:46,800
So this just establishes how those

972
00:43:46,800 --> 00:43:48,400
associate members are appointed.

973
00:43:48,400 --> 00:43:51,119
>> Is there a second? Any further

974
00:43:51,119 --> 00:43:54,230
discussion?

975
00:43:54,240 --> 00:43:56,960
» Further discussion? Yeah.

976
00:43:56,960 --> 00:43:58,720
>> So, Lisa in the planning board, can you

977
00:43:58,720 --> 00:44:01,200
explain the why an alternate is

978
00:44:01,200 --> 00:44:03,520
something that you feel that is needed?

979
00:44:03,520 --> 00:44:06,079
>> We already established the alternate um

980
00:44:06,079 --> 00:44:09,280
last fall. as one of the articles that

981
00:44:09,280 --> 00:44:13,520
passed. But um when a special permit

982
00:44:13,520 --> 00:44:16,880
comes in front of the planning board, uh

983
00:44:16,880 --> 00:44:18,800
if a member of the planning board is in

984
00:44:18,800 --> 00:44:21,520
a butter or has a conflict or might be

985
00:44:21,520 --> 00:44:23,119
going on vacation and miss one of the

986
00:44:23,119 --> 00:44:25,280
meetings of the hearing, they can't sit

987
00:44:25,280 --> 00:44:27,680
in that decision. Special permits

988
00:44:27,680 --> 00:44:29,599
require supermajority. So we need five

989
00:44:29,599 --> 00:44:31,839
or seven votes. So, what this would do

990
00:44:31,839 --> 00:44:34,319
is it'll give the opportunity for the

991
00:44:34,319 --> 00:44:37,680
planning board um to have a associate

992
00:44:37,680 --> 00:44:40,400
member come in and fill the spot of a

993
00:44:40,400 --> 00:44:42,319
planning board member who's unable to

994
00:44:42,319 --> 00:44:44,400
sit. So, we already established that at

995
00:44:44,400 --> 00:44:47,599
the last meeting, but what this does is

996
00:44:47,599 --> 00:44:50,000
confirms how that um appointment is

997
00:44:50,000 --> 00:44:52,000
made. So, people who are interested in

998
00:44:52,000 --> 00:44:53,760
being an associate would be selected by

999
00:44:53,760 --> 00:44:55,680
the planning board. planning board would

1000
00:44:55,680 --> 00:44:57,680
recommend that to themselves and the

1001
00:44:57,680 --> 00:44:59,680
selectman and the selectman and the

1002
00:44:59,680 --> 00:45:01,359
planning board jointly take a vote to

1003
00:45:01,359 --> 00:45:04,319
make those appointments which is um how

1004
00:45:04,319 --> 00:45:07,200
it's done for it's how how like if a

1005
00:45:07,200 --> 00:45:08,480
planning board member steps down that's

1006
00:45:08,480 --> 00:45:10,480
the exact same process we use to replace

1007
00:45:10,480 --> 00:45:12,160
a planning board member if we have to

1008
00:45:12,160 --> 00:45:13,920
fill a vacancy

1009
00:45:13,920 --> 00:45:17,440
>> any further discussion

1010
00:45:17,440 --> 00:45:19,440
uh this requires twothirds so all those

1011
00:45:19,440 --> 00:45:22,800
in favor of article 14 raise your card

1012
00:45:22,800 --> 00:45:24,480
opposed

1013
00:45:24,480 --> 00:45:27,200
Motion passes by 2/3.

1014
00:45:27,200 --> 00:45:33,750
Article 15.

1015
00:45:33,760 --> 00:45:35,839
I, Peter D. Fippen, move that the town

1016
00:45:35,839 --> 00:45:38,560
vote to amend the town bylaws be revi by

1017
00:45:38,560 --> 00:45:42,319
revising section 4-4A.4

1018
00:45:42,319 --> 00:45:44,640
as shown in article 15 of the warrant.

1019
00:45:44,640 --> 00:45:46,960
>> Is there a second?

1020
00:45:46,960 --> 00:45:49,359
>> Discussion. So, this is to bring the uh

1021
00:45:49,359 --> 00:45:53,200
moing permit bylaw um in line with the

1022
00:45:53,200 --> 00:45:55,920
uh regulations, which is to have the

1023
00:45:55,920 --> 00:45:59,520
mooring uh permits effective April 1st

1024
00:45:59,520 --> 00:46:06,630
to December 31st.

1025
00:46:06,640 --> 00:46:09,040
Any further discussion?

1026
00:46:09,040 --> 00:46:11,359
All those in favor of article 15, please

1027
00:46:11,359 --> 00:46:14,480
raise your card. All those opposed, the

1028
00:46:14,480 --> 00:46:16,960
motion passes.

1029
00:46:16,960 --> 00:46:20,470
Article 16.

1030
00:46:20,480 --> 00:46:24,000
» Me again. Okay. So, I Elvan Gaharero

1031
00:46:24,000 --> 00:46:26,800
move that the town vote to amend the

1032
00:46:26,800 --> 00:46:30,960
town bylaw by adding a new section 4- A

1033
00:46:30,960 --> 00:46:32,880
4-4A.

1034
00:46:32,880 --> 00:46:36,319
8 river use fee as shown in the article

1035
00:46:36,319 --> 00:46:39,920
16 of the warrant with addition um the

1036
00:46:39,920 --> 00:46:43,839
following changes. A to insert the word

1037
00:46:43,839 --> 00:46:46,960
motorized between

1038
00:46:46,960 --> 00:46:50,480
the word any and the word vessel in the

1039
00:46:50,480 --> 00:46:53,760
first sentence and B but this bylaw

1040
00:46:53,760 --> 00:46:58,560
shall become effective January 1st 2027

1041
00:46:58,560 --> 00:47:01,280
correct you said 26

1042
00:47:01,280 --> 00:47:07,270
>> 27 2027

1043
00:47:07,280 --> 00:47:09,359
» second

1044
00:47:09,359 --> 00:47:11,520
>> I did I marked

1045
00:47:11,520 --> 00:47:13,440
discussion.

1046
00:47:13,440 --> 00:47:17,280
>> I have sorry I have the chief here to um

1047
00:47:17,280 --> 00:47:21,440
respond. Um M uh also the harbor master.

1048
00:47:21,440 --> 00:47:25,990
>> Thank you.

1049
00:47:26,000 --> 00:47:27,680
» Good evening. Tom Shamshack, chief of

1050
00:47:27,680 --> 00:47:30,160
police and the harbor master. So I have

1051
00:47:30,160 --> 00:47:33,359
a little breakdown history. Essex had

1052
00:47:33,359 --> 00:47:35,599
established a waterway fund decades ago.

1053
00:47:35,599 --> 00:47:37,839
It is supposed to be funded by any and

1054
00:47:37,839 --> 00:47:41,280
all moing fees, user fees, 50% of excise

1055
00:47:41,280 --> 00:47:43,599
or other waterway generated revenue to

1056
00:47:43,599 --> 00:47:47,119
be able to fund the waterway services.

1057
00:47:47,119 --> 00:47:49,119
This account funds maintenance such as

1058
00:47:49,119 --> 00:47:51,760
replacing buoys or repairing boats,

1059
00:47:51,760 --> 00:47:54,000
infrastructure such as dock floats,

1060
00:47:54,000 --> 00:47:56,640
chains, ramps, and can cover salary

1061
00:47:56,640 --> 00:47:58,400
services to patrol all bodies of water

1062
00:47:58,400 --> 00:48:01,359
in a jurisdiction. When I took over July

1063
00:48:01,359 --> 00:48:03,839
1st of 2025, the budget had been cut

1064
00:48:03,839 --> 00:48:07,599
from just over 78,000 to 39,000.

1065
00:48:07,599 --> 00:48:09,359
Harbor and waterways need appropriate

1066
00:48:09,359 --> 00:48:12,079
funding. For example, last season, the

1067
00:48:12,079 --> 00:48:14,160
town float broke a mooring chain. The

1068
00:48:14,160 --> 00:48:16,880
chain alone was over $1,000. There was

1069
00:48:16,880 --> 00:48:19,040
only 500 appropriated to fund the entire

1070
00:48:19,040 --> 00:48:20,560
dock and float maintenance line for the

1071
00:48:20,560 --> 00:48:22,480
entire season.

1072
00:48:22,480 --> 00:48:25,760
Why is this user fee being explored?

1073
00:48:25,760 --> 00:48:27,599
Many municipalities use fees as a

1074
00:48:27,599 --> 00:48:29,040
funding source to help establish an

1075
00:48:29,040 --> 00:48:30,800
enterprise fund or as close to self-

1076
00:48:30,800 --> 00:48:32,720
sustaining as it can be to fund the

1077
00:48:32,720 --> 00:48:35,440
services that a waterway demands.

1078
00:48:35,440 --> 00:48:37,359
Over the last season, I have been asked

1079
00:48:37,359 --> 00:48:39,040
by the board of selectmen to explore

1080
00:48:39,040 --> 00:48:41,359
various other municipalities fees and

1081
00:48:41,359 --> 00:48:42,720
present them the findings so that they

1082
00:48:42,720 --> 00:48:45,119
could present an article on the warrant.

1083
00:48:45,119 --> 00:48:47,599
Who is paying fees?

1084
00:48:47,599 --> 00:48:50,319
Currently, the boers at a marina do not

1085
00:48:50,319 --> 00:48:52,960
pay fees. Essex is one of the only towns

1086
00:48:52,960 --> 00:48:54,720
that I could find that does not assess a

1087
00:48:54,720 --> 00:48:57,359
general waterway fee or user fee or some

1088
00:48:57,359 --> 00:49:00,720
other uniform fee to all users. Excise

1089
00:49:00,720 --> 00:49:02,720
is entirely different. It's set by the

1090
00:49:02,720 --> 00:49:04,960
state and only 50% of people that

1091
00:49:04,960 --> 00:49:07,760
actually pay it is deposited into the

1092
00:49:07,760 --> 00:49:09,280
fund.

1093
00:49:09,280 --> 00:49:11,200
The only people assess town of Essex

1094
00:49:11,200 --> 00:49:13,440
fees are moing holders, dinghyd do

1095
00:49:13,440 --> 00:49:15,599
slips, kayak slip renters, or

1096
00:49:15,599 --> 00:49:18,559
non-resident launch pass holders.

1097
00:49:18,559 --> 00:49:20,559
slip holders or seasonal private launch

1098
00:49:20,559 --> 00:49:21,920
members, whether resident or

1099
00:49:21,920 --> 00:49:24,160
non-resident, do not pay any user fee or

1100
00:49:24,160 --> 00:49:26,880
waterway fee to Essex. They may or may

1101
00:49:26,880 --> 00:49:29,680
not pay excise. The marinas sometimes do

1102
00:49:29,680 --> 00:49:31,440
or sometimes do not provide the list of

1103
00:49:31,440 --> 00:49:34,319
boats on slips for excise compliance.

1104
00:49:34,319 --> 00:49:36,079
Last July, we found numerous boats that

1105
00:49:36,079 --> 00:49:37,920
are habitually docked at some marinas

1106
00:49:37,920 --> 00:49:40,000
but are registered out of state or had

1107
00:49:40,000 --> 00:49:41,839
been unregistered or expired as far back

1108
00:49:41,839 --> 00:49:43,920
as 2007.

1109
00:49:43,920 --> 00:49:46,000
This will not trigger an excise bill.

1110
00:49:46,000 --> 00:49:47,839
Yet the boat is using the river and

1111
00:49:47,839 --> 00:49:50,640
waterways infrastructure and services.

1112
00:49:50,640 --> 00:49:52,400
The town is rightfully owed excise tax

1113
00:49:52,400 --> 00:49:54,160
if a boat is habitually morowed, docked,

1114
00:49:54,160 --> 00:49:56,640
stored, or used in the waters here.

1115
00:49:56,640 --> 00:49:59,680
Examples of other municipalities fees.

1116
00:49:59,680 --> 00:50:02,240
Beverly assesses fees to mored boats or

1117
00:50:02,240 --> 00:50:05,760
boats on marina slips at $7 a foot.

1118
00:50:05,760 --> 00:50:08,000
Salem assesses fees for moorings and

1119
00:50:08,000 --> 00:50:11,440
also slips at $7 a foot. Danvers

1120
00:50:11,440 --> 00:50:13,200
assesses fees for moorings and slips,

1121
00:50:13,200 --> 00:50:14,800
and the fees vary for resident or

1122
00:50:14,800 --> 00:50:17,280
non-resident. The town of Winthre

1123
00:50:17,280 --> 00:50:18,800
assesses a flat waterway fee to

1124
00:50:18,800 --> 00:50:21,760
residents of $250 and $300 for

1125
00:50:21,760 --> 00:50:24,240
non-residents for moorings and slips.

1126
00:50:24,240 --> 00:50:26,240
Salsbury assesses fees for all boats,

1127
00:50:26,240 --> 00:50:29,680
both moorings or slips, at $5 a foot.

1128
00:50:29,680 --> 00:50:31,760
Manchester assesses $1250 a foot for a

1129
00:50:31,760 --> 00:50:34,000
moing permit and also 1250 a foot for

1130
00:50:34,000 --> 00:50:37,920
slips. The article, the ask of this

1131
00:50:37,920 --> 00:50:40,319
article is not out of the ordinary.

1132
00:50:40,319 --> 00:50:42,319
These fees collected shall be deposited

1133
00:50:42,319 --> 00:50:43,599
into the waterway fund to be

1134
00:50:43,599 --> 00:50:45,599
appropriated for waterway needs. It

1135
00:50:45,599 --> 00:50:46,960
legally cannot be used for anything

1136
00:50:46,960 --> 00:50:49,200
else. That is the purpose of the fund

1137
00:50:49,200 --> 00:50:50,960
and it is funded by these types of user

1138
00:50:50,960 --> 00:50:54,160
fees. I have received questions such as,

1139
00:50:54,160 --> 00:50:55,920
I am retired and on a fixed income and

1140
00:50:55,920 --> 00:50:58,000
do not have a boat. Why should my taxes

1141
00:50:58,000 --> 00:50:59,760
to go up to buy new buoys or pay for

1142
00:50:59,760 --> 00:51:02,240
waterway patrols when I'm not out there?

1143
00:51:02,240 --> 00:51:03,920
The answer to this is to go for a user

1144
00:51:03,920 --> 00:51:06,720
fee funding source.

1145
00:51:06,720 --> 00:51:08,960
If we assess all users some type of fee

1146
00:51:08,960 --> 00:51:11,040
that goes into the waterway fund, the

1147
00:51:11,040 --> 00:51:13,040
ultimate goal is to minimize taxation.

1148
00:51:13,040 --> 00:51:15,040
We want to fund the waterway fees with

1149
00:51:15,040 --> 00:51:17,440
user fees. I have also been told that we

1150
00:51:17,440 --> 00:51:19,040
are unfairly targeting boers that choose

1151
00:51:19,040 --> 00:51:21,119
to get slips or valet or seasonal launch

1152
00:51:21,119 --> 00:51:23,680
passes at marinas. I've been told to

1153
00:51:23,680 --> 00:51:25,359
increase mooring fees on moing holders

1154
00:51:25,359 --> 00:51:28,240
and do not charge fees to slip holders.

1155
00:51:28,240 --> 00:51:30,480
After brief research, it would seem that

1156
00:51:30,480 --> 00:51:32,079
almost everywhere else is charging the

1157
00:51:32,079 --> 00:51:34,880
slip fees or marina fees. Manchester,

1158
00:51:34,880 --> 00:51:37,760
Salem, and Beverly pay the same fee for

1159
00:51:37,760 --> 00:51:40,240
slips and moorings. Salsbury charges

1160
00:51:40,240 --> 00:51:42,640
more than a mooring fee. Winthre play

1161
00:51:42,640 --> 00:51:44,640
pays a flat fee, resident status

1162
00:51:44,640 --> 00:51:47,440
dependent. Danvers pays less for a slip

1163
00:51:47,440 --> 00:51:50,400
or rack fee. Essex is asking for less of

1164
00:51:50,400 --> 00:51:53,839
a fee at $5 a foot compared to the $8 a

1165
00:51:53,839 --> 00:51:55,680
foot for moorings. How would this be

1166
00:51:55,680 --> 00:51:58,400
captured? Through DACA, issued the same

1167
00:51:58,400 --> 00:52:00,000
color sticker as everyone else in town

1168
00:52:00,000 --> 00:52:02,240
to be displayed in the same manner. I do

1169
00:52:02,240 --> 00:52:03,760
not expect this to be enforced by the

1170
00:52:03,760 --> 00:52:05,440
marina owners. This will be paid to the

1171
00:52:05,440 --> 00:52:07,520
town in Daqua, deposited into the

1172
00:52:07,520 --> 00:52:08,960
waterway fund, and we will mail them

1173
00:52:08,960 --> 00:52:12,470
stickers.

1174
00:52:12,480 --> 00:52:17,670
» Further discussion.

1175
00:52:17,680 --> 00:52:22,240
» Is it on? Betsy Ridge, Saganese Road, 22

1176
00:52:22,240 --> 00:52:25,839
Saganese Road. Um, I think that if this

1177
00:52:25,839 --> 00:52:27,680
is illuminating and I'm I'm glad you

1178
00:52:27,680 --> 00:52:29,839
discussed this. I think that the slip

1179
00:52:29,839 --> 00:52:32,240
fees make a lot of sense, but I'm

1180
00:52:32,240 --> 00:52:37,040
wondering about um extra taxes towards

1181
00:52:37,040 --> 00:52:39,680
Essex residents because I think there

1182
00:52:39,680 --> 00:52:42,880
are some people who in this town who

1183
00:52:42,880 --> 00:52:48,400
actually don't have to use slips or um

1184
00:52:48,400 --> 00:52:51,760
other means to get their kayaks out onto

1185
00:52:51,760 --> 00:52:54,559
the river. And this sounds like it would

1186
00:52:54,559 --> 00:52:57,440
apply to Essex residents. I think that

1187
00:52:57,440 --> 00:53:00,000
this is a great way of res raising

1188
00:53:00,000 --> 00:53:02,240
revenue from non-residents,

1189
00:53:02,240 --> 00:53:04,559
but I think that it should be applied to

1190
00:53:04,559 --> 00:53:08,640
slip owners and uh or renters and not to

1191
00:53:08,640 --> 00:53:11,200
the general. So, if you think that needs

1192
00:53:11,200 --> 00:53:15,119
an amendment, I would do that.

1193
00:53:15,119 --> 00:53:16,960
>> Mr. Mart, that was specifically amended

1194
00:53:16,960 --> 00:53:18,880
to include motorized vessels only, not

1195
00:53:18,880 --> 00:53:20,000
apply to kayaks.

1196
00:53:20,000 --> 00:53:21,760
>> Correct.

1197
00:53:21,760 --> 00:53:23,280
>> Further discussion. Scott, I think you

1198
00:53:23,280 --> 00:53:25,599
were up.

1199
00:53:25,599 --> 00:53:28,559
Yes. Scott Woodward, 25 Belture Street.

1200
00:53:28,559 --> 00:53:31,119
Um, I have a couple issues with this. I

1201
00:53:31,119 --> 00:53:33,839
do own Pike Marine. Uh, you have first

1202
00:53:33,839 --> 00:53:35,839
line is no person shall use or allow

1203
00:53:35,839 --> 00:53:38,319
another to use any vessel.

1204
00:53:38,319 --> 00:53:40,400
Who is the person that's going to use or

1205
00:53:40,400 --> 00:53:42,400
allow someone else not to use that

1206
00:53:42,400 --> 00:53:43,839
vessel? Who's going to enforce that to

1207
00:53:43,839 --> 00:53:47,359
say you can't use that vessel?

1208
00:53:47,359 --> 00:53:48,640
>> Is that a question for the

1209
00:53:48,640 --> 00:53:50,160
>> That's a for the chief.

1210
00:53:50,160 --> 00:53:52,240
>> Okay. That would be the same as if you

1211
00:53:52,240 --> 00:53:53,520
allowed somebody to use your your

1212
00:53:53,520 --> 00:53:55,520
vehicle that you you own. Hey, take my

1213
00:53:55,520 --> 00:53:57,040
vehicle for the weekend. Take my boat

1214
00:53:57,040 --> 00:53:58,079
for the weekend.

1215
00:53:58,079 --> 00:53:59,440
>> So, they're going to be liable for it,

1216
00:53:59,440 --> 00:54:00,960
not the marine owners or anyone else

1217
00:54:00,960 --> 00:54:03,599
that's on the dock.

1218
00:54:03,599 --> 00:54:05,280
>> Correct. It would not be the marine

1219
00:54:05,280 --> 00:54:06,480
owners would have nothing to do with

1220
00:54:06,480 --> 00:54:09,280
this. It would be purely a town of Essex

1221
00:54:09,280 --> 00:54:10,960
registration through DACA.

1222
00:54:10,960 --> 00:54:14,160
>> Okay. Next question. Um, you had do not

1223
00:54:14,160 --> 00:54:16,960
have moorings included in this. You did

1224
00:54:16,960 --> 00:54:18,800
raise your mooring rate this year from

1225
00:54:18,800 --> 00:54:22,800
what? $5 to $8 a foot. Now, if you take

1226
00:54:22,800 --> 00:54:26,480
this $5.50 a foot or $5 a foot off of

1227
00:54:26,480 --> 00:54:28,480
that and they're not paying this fee,

1228
00:54:28,480 --> 00:54:30,000
they're back down to three bucks a foot.

1229
00:54:30,000 --> 00:54:33,910
So, they're getting a deal.

1230
00:54:33,920 --> 00:54:36,880
That's a comment, not a question.

1231
00:54:36,880 --> 00:54:42,230
Okay. Why?

1232
00:54:42,240 --> 00:54:44,960
That's a question.

1233
00:54:44,960 --> 00:54:47,440
So, we're not taking it off the There

1234
00:54:47,440 --> 00:54:49,920
were exemptions. Some municipalities

1235
00:54:49,920 --> 00:54:52,240
charge everybody. Some don't. Some are

1236
00:54:52,240 --> 00:54:55,839
category specific. It it it varies, but

1237
00:54:55,839 --> 00:54:58,319
every municipality charges some type of

1238
00:54:58,319 --> 00:55:00,640
fee. We we were so far behind we thought

1239
00:55:00,640 --> 00:55:02,240
we were in the lead. That's the only way

1240
00:55:02,240 --> 00:55:02,559
I

1241
00:55:02,559 --> 00:55:04,240
>> I mean, I've gone through a lot of the

1242
00:55:04,240 --> 00:55:06,480
towns that have done this and a lot of

1243
00:55:06,480 --> 00:55:09,680
the towns charge dock and moing the user

1244
00:55:09,680 --> 00:55:11,520
fee.

1245
00:55:11,520 --> 00:55:12,000
>> Correct.

1246
00:55:12,000 --> 00:55:14,720
>> Both. Not just one, both of them. And

1247
00:55:14,720 --> 00:55:17,040
we're not charging a moing fee, a moing

1248
00:55:17,040 --> 00:55:19,680
user fee for the river.

1249
00:55:19,680 --> 00:55:21,680
>> Correct. Many municipalities have

1250
00:55:21,680 --> 00:55:23,839
different ways of doing it.

1251
00:55:23,839 --> 00:55:25,920
>> So now you're taking it to the people

1252
00:55:25,920 --> 00:55:27,760
that are trailering boats and the ones

1253
00:55:27,760 --> 00:55:29,280
that are on the docks and they have to

1254
00:55:29,280 --> 00:55:30,720
pay it. And the ones that are on

1255
00:55:30,720 --> 00:55:32,559
moorings that come from out of town

1256
00:55:32,559 --> 00:55:34,640
don't have to pay it and they're still

1257
00:55:34,640 --> 00:55:36,880
using our waterways.

1258
00:55:36,880 --> 00:55:39,040
>> That's a statement.

1259
00:55:39,040 --> 00:55:41,200
I'm I'm try honestly I'm trying to avoid

1260
00:55:41,200 --> 00:55:43,440
a conversation. Let me re let me uh fix

1261
00:55:43,440 --> 00:55:45,599
it. And they're still using our

1262
00:55:45,599 --> 00:55:48,960
waterways, right?

1263
00:55:48,960 --> 00:55:52,000
>> So, a prime example is somebody has a

1264
00:55:52,000 --> 00:55:53,440
slip, say at your marina.

1265
00:55:53,440 --> 00:55:53,760
>> Yep.

1266
00:55:53,760 --> 00:55:55,839
>> They live in Wakefield, Massachusetts,

1267
00:55:55,839 --> 00:55:57,200
but their boat is registered in New

1268
00:55:57,200 --> 00:55:58,799
Hampshire.

1269
00:55:58,799 --> 00:56:00,319
>> They're skirting excise. They're also

1270
00:56:00,319 --> 00:56:02,960
skirting town fees. Under Mass General

1271
00:56:02,960 --> 00:56:05,760
Laws, chapter 60B, section two, boat

1272
00:56:05,760 --> 00:56:08,799
owners must file

1273
00:56:08,799 --> 00:56:11,200
uh a return on or before August 1st to

1274
00:56:11,200 --> 00:56:12,960
the city or town where the vessel is

1275
00:56:12,960 --> 00:56:14,799
habitually morowed, docked, or

1276
00:56:14,799 --> 00:56:17,440
principally situated. That's law. That's

1277
00:56:17,440 --> 00:56:19,760
mass law. So, if it's on my dock, the

1278
00:56:19,760 --> 00:56:21,920
boat owner is respire responsible to do

1279
00:56:21,920 --> 00:56:25,349
this.

1280
00:56:25,359 --> 00:56:27,920
» Statement. The boat owner is responsible

1281
00:56:27,920 --> 00:56:30,640
to do this. Right.

1282
00:56:30,640 --> 00:56:34,000
>> Correct. Some municipalities and marinas

1283
00:56:34,000 --> 00:56:35,680
have cooperation, but we understand it

1284
00:56:35,680 --> 00:56:38,000
could put marina owners in a odd

1285
00:56:38,000 --> 00:56:41,760
position to demand compliance from their

1286
00:56:41,760 --> 00:56:44,559
uh customers. So, it would be enforced

1287
00:56:44,559 --> 00:56:45,280
as a harvest.

1288
00:56:45,280 --> 00:56:47,119
>> I mean, that's excise tax. I get that.

1289
00:56:47,119 --> 00:56:50,640
But who's going to enforce that?

1290
00:56:50,640 --> 00:56:52,160
>> Who's going to enforce which?

1291
00:56:52,160 --> 00:56:53,760
>> Collecting the excise tax on the boats

1292
00:56:53,760 --> 00:56:55,200
that are on the docks or even on the

1293
00:56:55,200 --> 00:56:58,559
moorings, sters, and everything else. So

1294
00:56:58,559 --> 00:57:00,880
when they register in DACA, it will

1295
00:57:00,880 --> 00:57:02,960
generate that this is their principal

1296
00:57:02,960 --> 00:57:05,599
place of mooring. It's on them to file

1297
00:57:05,599 --> 00:57:07,119
an abatement if they feel that they

1298
00:57:07,119 --> 00:57:07,839
don't.

1299
00:57:07,839 --> 00:57:09,200
>> There's there's the whole problem right

1300
00:57:09,200 --> 00:57:11,200
there. It's on them and they're not

1301
00:57:11,200 --> 00:57:13,359
going to do it.

1302
00:57:13,359 --> 00:57:16,160
>> Any further comments?

1303
00:57:16,160 --> 00:57:19,280
>> No, I think I got it. I think I made a

1304
00:57:19,280 --> 00:57:19,680
point.

1305
00:57:19,680 --> 00:57:21,839
>> Thank you. I'm not trying to limit the

1306
00:57:21,839 --> 00:57:23,520
discussion. I'm trying to limit a

1307
00:57:23,520 --> 00:57:25,119
conversation. Thank you.

1308
00:57:25,119 --> 00:57:26,880
>> That way. I think I'm gonna go with

1309
00:57:26,880 --> 00:57:28,960
Katie

1310
00:57:28,960 --> 00:57:32,000
>> Kate Cotch Sunquist 8 Dodge Street. Um I

1311
00:57:32,000 --> 00:57:35,680
move to amend the article.

1312
00:57:35,680 --> 00:57:40,319
I would like to add to section 4-48

1313
00:57:40,319 --> 00:57:45,190
dot so sorry 4-4A.8.2.

1314
00:57:45,200 --> 00:57:47,680
That section is the exceptions. I would

1315
00:57:47,680 --> 00:57:50,640
like to add vote operators below the age

1316
00:57:50,640 --> 00:57:54,480
of 18 and over the age of 65.

1317
00:57:54,480 --> 00:57:57,200
My reason for doing so is I think that

1318
00:57:57,200 --> 00:57:58,880
everybody should be able to access our

1319
00:57:58,880 --> 00:58:00,559
river. I think it is an amazing natural

1320
00:58:00,559 --> 00:58:02,400
resource. I personally have a

1321
00:58:02,400 --> 00:58:04,240
14-year-old who bought his boat with his

1322
00:58:04,240 --> 00:58:06,079
own money. He pays his taxes with his

1323
00:58:06,079 --> 00:58:09,119
own money. um which is not much, but

1324
00:58:09,119 --> 00:58:11,680
adding a you know 70s something dollars

1325
00:58:11,680 --> 00:58:14,160
onto that represents a significant

1326
00:58:14,160 --> 00:58:16,319
expense for him as I think it would for

1327
00:58:16,319 --> 00:58:19,920
people on a fixed income um or other

1328
00:58:19,920 --> 00:58:23,680
youth who are interested in getting um

1329
00:58:23,680 --> 00:58:25,599
out on the water which is a great thing.

1330
00:58:25,599 --> 00:58:28,000
>> Is there a second to that amendment

1331
00:58:28,000 --> 00:58:30,240
>> that and that was not charging less than

1332
00:58:30,240 --> 00:58:32,880
18 or over 65? Was that what that was?

1333
00:58:32,880 --> 00:58:36,870
>> Do you have that right?

1334
00:58:36,880 --> 00:58:39,280
Is there discussion on that amendment?

1335
00:58:39,280 --> 00:58:40,559
Not the main article, but the amendment

1336
00:58:40,559 --> 00:58:44,799
to limit the age below 18 and above 65.

1337
00:58:44,799 --> 00:58:48,230
Not qu

1338
00:58:48,240 --> 00:58:50,640
» question. How do we enforce operator

1339
00:58:50,640 --> 00:58:55,030
verse owner?

1340
00:58:55,040 --> 00:59:07,670
» Motion was operator, right?

1341
00:59:07,680 --> 00:59:09,599
The reason that I say operator and not

1342
00:59:09,599 --> 00:59:12,319
owner is because anybody who owns a

1343
00:59:12,319 --> 00:59:16,640
boat, um, if an adult owns a boat and

1344
00:59:16,640 --> 00:59:18,880
plans to be operating it themselves,

1345
00:59:18,880 --> 00:59:21,839
they will still need to have the sticker

1346
00:59:21,839 --> 00:59:24,240
or whatever it is affixed to their boat.

1347
00:59:24,240 --> 00:59:26,880
If the only person operating that boat

1348
00:59:26,880 --> 00:59:29,040
is 18 or below, you wouldn't have it on

1349
00:59:29,040 --> 00:59:31,200
your boat. But if I wanted to take my

1350
00:59:31,200 --> 00:59:33,280
son's boat out, I'm not skirting the

1351
00:59:33,280 --> 00:59:36,799
rule because I'm over 18. So I would

1352
00:59:36,799 --> 00:59:38,559
still need to have the sticker affixed

1353
00:59:38,559 --> 00:59:40,079
to his boat. If the only person

1354
00:59:40,079 --> 00:59:42,559
operating his boat is him, then he would

1355
00:59:42,559 --> 00:59:45,599
not need to pay that.

1356
00:59:45,599 --> 00:59:48,400
>> Any further discussion on the amendment?

1357
00:59:48,400 --> 00:59:49,920
>> You wouldn't be able to take the sticker

1358
00:59:49,920 --> 00:59:51,119
on or off?

1359
00:59:51,119 --> 00:59:53,599
>> No, I I understand. And I'm just saying

1360
00:59:53,599 --> 00:59:56,000
that what it would do would be allow my

1361
00:59:56,000 --> 00:59:58,240
son to take his boat out but not allow

1362
00:59:58,240 --> 01:00:00,480
me to take his boat out. If I want to go

1363
01:00:00,480 --> 01:00:02,000
out on the river, I'm paying to put the

1364
01:00:02,000 --> 01:00:05,200
sticker on my boat.

1365
01:00:05,200 --> 01:00:06,880
>> Further discussion. I think I'm going to

1366
01:00:06,880 --> 01:00:08,079
go over here. I think you were standing.

1367
01:00:08,079 --> 01:00:09,599
I didn't

1368
01:00:09,599 --> 01:00:11,920
>> Well, I'm sorry.

1369
01:00:11,920 --> 01:00:13,680
>> Any further discussion on the amendment?

1370
01:00:13,680 --> 01:00:14,480
>> Yes.

1371
01:00:14,480 --> 01:00:16,160
>> Okay.

1372
01:00:16,160 --> 01:00:19,440
>> Go ahead. Uh Steuart Pratt, 15 Tree

1373
01:00:19,440 --> 01:00:23,119
Hill, Essex, Mass. I don't think I'm in

1374
01:00:23,119 --> 01:00:25,760
favor of this amendment. I think it's

1375
01:00:25,760 --> 01:00:28,400
offering up an opportunity for people to

1376
01:00:28,400 --> 01:00:30,880
get around paying the fee because if you

1377
01:00:30,880 --> 01:00:33,359
have someone like myself is over the age

1378
01:00:33,359 --> 01:00:37,280
of 65 and has a son who is 45, I'll just

1379
01:00:37,280 --> 01:00:38,960
register the vote for myself

1380
01:00:38,960 --> 01:00:41,359
theoretically and he can use it. But I

1381
01:00:41,359 --> 01:00:44,240
think the least amount of problems we

1382
01:00:44,240 --> 01:00:46,079
give to the chief and making sure this

1383
01:00:46,079 --> 01:00:47,520
works for the town which needs the

1384
01:00:47,520 --> 01:00:49,839
income the better. So I would say I'm

1385
01:00:49,839 --> 01:00:52,319
against this. Any further discussion on

1386
01:00:52,319 --> 01:00:53,520
the amendment?

1387
01:00:53,520 --> 01:00:55,440
>> So, it's not who the boat is registered

1388
01:00:55,440 --> 01:00:58,079
to. It is who is operating the boat.

1389
01:00:58,079 --> 01:00:59,040
>> That's your motion. Yes.

1390
01:00:59,040 --> 01:01:02,960
>> Yes. So, then you couldn't register the

1391
01:01:02,960 --> 01:01:05,440
boat under your older parents name and

1392
01:01:05,440 --> 01:01:07,680
skirt the rule if you plan to operate

1393
01:01:07,680 --> 01:01:08,640
the boat yourself.

1394
01:01:08,640 --> 01:01:10,160
>> If the operator is pulled over, he's

1395
01:01:10,160 --> 01:01:11,359
probably going to pay the fee if he

1396
01:01:11,359 --> 01:01:12,480
doesn't have a sticker,

1397
01:01:12,480 --> 01:01:13,680
>> right?

1398
01:01:13,680 --> 01:01:17,829
>> Or if he's under 18.

1399
01:01:17,839 --> 01:01:27,270
» Any further discussion on the amendment?

1400
01:01:27,280 --> 01:01:30,480
Hello. Okay. Um, what if someone under

1401
01:01:30,480 --> 01:01:35,200
18 is on the boat with someone over 18

1402
01:01:35,200 --> 01:01:37,040
and I'm riding my boat down the river

1403
01:01:37,040 --> 01:01:38,880
and I see the harbor master and I go,

1404
01:01:38,880 --> 01:01:42,160
"Oh, drive."

1405
01:01:42,160 --> 01:01:43,839
>> To be clear, I'm not the harbor master.

1406
01:01:43,839 --> 01:01:44,799
>> No, no,

1407
01:01:44,799 --> 01:01:47,280
>> I see him. He's He's behind you.

1408
01:01:47,280 --> 01:01:49,760
>> That's easy, right? Because if you use

1409
01:01:49,760 --> 01:01:51,599
that boat sometimes, you're going to

1410
01:01:51,599 --> 01:01:53,119
have a sticker on it anyway because

1411
01:01:53,119 --> 01:01:55,359
you're over 18. If the only time you

1412
01:01:55,359 --> 01:01:57,440
ever use that boat is with somebody who

1413
01:01:57,440 --> 01:02:00,559
is below the age of 18, then you

1414
01:02:00,559 --> 01:02:04,549
wouldn't have the sticker.

1415
01:02:04,559 --> 01:02:08,480
» Any further discussion on the amendment?

1416
01:02:08,480 --> 01:02:12,240
We have someone Gilly

1417
01:02:12,240 --> 01:02:15,040
>> Gil Frerieden 104 John Weisav. I would

1418
01:02:15,040 --> 01:02:19,280
be it sounds like this amendment will

1419
01:02:19,280 --> 01:02:20,880
probably

1420
01:02:20,880 --> 01:02:24,160
not help almost anyone but on the

1421
01:02:24,160 --> 01:02:26,720
because there's going to be my mom is 82

1422
01:02:26,720 --> 01:02:28,799
but if she registered my boat and I

1423
01:02:28,799 --> 01:02:30,640
wanted to drive it we'd buy the sticker

1424
01:02:30,640 --> 01:02:34,319
anyways so it doesn't matter but there

1425
01:02:34,319 --> 01:02:38,559
will be a very few exceptions to this

1426
01:02:38,559 --> 01:02:41,119
rule that will be able to benefit for it

1427
01:02:41,119 --> 01:02:44,160
and as someone who loves the senior

1428
01:02:44,160 --> 01:02:47,680
center and loves all the people that go

1429
01:02:47,680 --> 01:02:50,240
there. I say we pass this amendment.

1430
01:02:50,240 --> 01:02:52,799
It's going to be very seldom used, but

1431
01:02:52,799 --> 01:02:55,359
it's going it but it may benefit a

1432
01:02:55,359 --> 01:02:57,520
couple of seniors and a couple of 14y

1433
01:02:57,520 --> 01:03:03,990
olds, and that's what we're here for.

1434
01:03:04,000 --> 01:03:08,079
Further discussion on the amendment.

1435
01:03:08,079 --> 01:03:09,680
Seeing none, all those in favor of

1436
01:03:09,680 --> 01:03:11,839
amending article 16 to add the age

1437
01:03:11,839 --> 01:03:15,520
limit, raise your card. Oppo

1438
01:03:15,520 --> 01:03:23,430
opposed.

1439
01:03:23,440 --> 01:03:26,160
Can we do that again? All those in favor

1440
01:03:26,160 --> 01:03:33,029
of amending article 16, raise your card.

1441
01:03:33,039 --> 01:03:36,319
All those opposed.

1442
01:03:36,319 --> 01:03:42,549
>> Going to need the towers. Thanks.

1443
01:03:42,559 --> 01:03:44,400
I hate

1444
01:03:44,400 --> 01:03:47,119
that.

1445
01:03:47,119 --> 01:04:11,670
>> So soon as we get the towers up here.

1446
01:04:11,680 --> 01:04:14,710
So,

1447
01:04:14,720 --> 01:04:16,640
can we keep it down a bit so we can get

1448
01:04:16,640 --> 01:04:20,640
organized and get this over with?

1449
01:04:20,640 --> 01:04:39,270
>> How many How many

1450
01:04:39,280 --> 01:04:41,599
So, I'm gonna they're gonna have to walk

1451
01:04:41,599 --> 01:04:44,960
and count. So, if you could raise your

1452
01:04:44,960 --> 01:04:47,039
card if you are in favor of amending

1453
01:04:47,039 --> 01:04:49,440
article 60.

1454
01:04:49,440 --> 01:04:50,640
Hold them up because they've got to

1455
01:04:50,640 --> 01:04:59,910
count

1456
01:04:59,920 --> 01:05:02,400
through that. should be up there.

1457
01:05:02,400 --> 01:05:13,349
>> That should be up there.

1458
01:05:13,359 --> 01:05:15,760
» I I'm I'm reading your amendment. I'm

1459
01:05:15,760 --> 01:05:18,240
going to rule it out of scope. There's

1460
01:05:18,240 --> 01:05:22,720
too many changes to it. People

1461
01:05:22,720 --> 01:05:24,400
that looked at the original article are

1462
01:05:24,400 --> 01:05:25,839
going to say, "Well, I I had known

1463
01:05:25,839 --> 01:05:27,599
something else was going to be on there

1464
01:05:27,599 --> 01:05:28,960
and there's enough change and they

1465
01:05:28,960 --> 01:05:30,880
didn't come." That's not fair. So, I'm

1466
01:05:30,880 --> 01:05:35,190
going to rule it out of scope.

1467
01:05:35,200 --> 01:05:37,119
It's what?

1468
01:05:37,119 --> 01:05:39,200
>> It's not Well, I have to make it fair

1469
01:05:39,200 --> 01:05:41,039
for everyone that either was here or not

1470
01:05:41,039 --> 01:05:42,720
here because they read the article and

1471
01:05:42,720 --> 01:05:47,670
that amendment changes it too much.

1472
01:05:47,680 --> 01:05:50,319
» I understand, but it it changes too much

1473
01:05:50,319 --> 01:06:10,630
of the original article.

1474
01:06:10,640 --> 01:06:29,670
Keep your cards up.

1475
01:06:29,680 --> 01:06:50,789
donating your car.

1476
01:06:50,799 --> 01:06:52,880
Still a yay vote for the amendment. Keep

1477
01:06:52,880 --> 01:07:01,349
your card up.

1478
01:07:01,359 --> 01:07:05,920
» What? Done. Okay. So, now we need all

1479
01:07:05,920 --> 01:07:08,400
those voting no on the amendment raise

1480
01:07:08,400 --> 01:07:35,750
your card, please.

1481
01:07:35,760 --> 01:07:37,280
This is the You're holding your card for

1482
01:07:37,280 --> 01:07:51,109
the no vote on the amendment.

1483
01:07:51,119 --> 01:08:26,309
I'm sorry.

1484
01:08:26,319 --> 01:08:41,669
No, it isn't.

1485
01:08:41,679 --> 01:08:44,080
I suggested he postpone this whole thing

1486
01:08:44,080 --> 01:08:47,279
and have a public forum on it.

1487
01:08:47,279 --> 01:08:50,080
>> I'm hoping he may still. He still has a

1488
01:08:50,080 --> 01:09:15,110
chance to do that.

1489
01:09:15,120 --> 01:09:33,510
Keep your cards up so they can see them.

1490
01:09:33,520 --> 01:09:50,149
Correct.

1491
01:09:50,159 --> 01:09:55,920
» 21. 22. We need 22 for another.

1492
01:09:55,920 --> 01:09:57,600
>> Correct.

1493
01:09:57,600 --> 01:10:02,630
>> 40 60

1494
01:10:02,640 --> 01:10:05,199
89

1495
01:10:05,199 --> 01:10:06,719
19.

1496
01:10:06,719 --> 01:10:17,189
We need 19 for

1497
01:10:17,199 --> 01:10:31,189
you. Good.

1498
01:10:31,199 --> 01:10:33,040
Oh, so the only number you don't have is

1499
01:10:33,040 --> 01:10:33,520
this one.

1500
01:10:33,520 --> 01:10:33,840
>> Yes,

1501
01:10:33,840 --> 01:10:36,320
>> it's going to fit.

1502
01:10:36,320 --> 01:10:37,679
>> By a lot. I didn't think it was that

1503
01:10:37,679 --> 01:10:54,070
close. I don't know.

1504
01:10:54,080 --> 01:10:54,800
system.

1505
01:10:54,800 --> 01:10:59,830
>> I'm not getting

1506
01:10:59,840 --> 01:11:36,470
» I'm staying in my lane. Yeah.

1507
01:11:36,480 --> 01:11:39,199
Okay, everybody can get back to back to

1508
01:11:39,199 --> 01:11:43,840
order here. Uh the the vote to amend

1509
01:11:43,840 --> 01:11:47,440
failed 91 to 115. So now we'll move on

1510
01:11:47,440 --> 01:11:49,440
to the main article

1511
01:11:49,440 --> 01:11:56,070
16. Further discussion on article 16.

1512
01:11:56,080 --> 01:11:56,960
Ed,

1513
01:11:56,960 --> 01:11:59,280
>> I just wanted to touch on one thing that

1514
01:11:59,280 --> 01:12:02,320
hasn't that's kind of been glossed over.

1515
01:12:02,320 --> 01:12:04,800
>> The boat excise tax, 50% of it's being

1516
01:12:04,800 --> 01:12:06,239
taken by the town. It's spent on the

1517
01:12:06,239 --> 01:12:09,120
general fund.

1518
01:12:09,120 --> 01:12:11,280
>> That's all.

1519
01:12:11,280 --> 01:12:12,560
>> Jim,

1520
01:12:12,560 --> 01:12:14,800
>> uh Jim Lewiki, Belter Street, uh just

1521
01:12:14,800 --> 01:12:17,760
clarification on the scope of uh

1522
01:12:17,760 --> 01:12:20,560
applicability. So uh will all the

1523
01:12:20,560 --> 01:12:22,960
clammers who launch in Essex have to pay

1524
01:12:22,960 --> 01:12:25,679
the fee? And how does it apply to the

1525
01:12:25,679 --> 01:12:28,320
commercial operations like uh Essex

1526
01:12:28,320 --> 01:12:31,120
River Cruises and to say the ship

1527
01:12:31,120 --> 01:12:34,080
building museum who may launch vessels

1528
01:12:34,080 --> 01:12:36,159
uh randomly at any time?

1529
01:12:36,159 --> 01:12:38,719
>> Correct. So un unless there's some um

1530
01:12:38,719 --> 01:12:41,520
tax exemption based on a status that you

1531
01:12:41,520 --> 01:12:44,159
file, everybody would have to pay this a

1532
01:12:44,159 --> 01:12:47,840
onetime seasonal fee.

1533
01:12:47,840 --> 01:12:50,000
Ted Ted Marshall Pickering Street and

1534
01:12:50,000 --> 01:12:51,440
the owner of Agawan Boat and Fishing

1535
01:12:51,440 --> 01:12:52,880
Charters here in town. I've been in the

1536
01:12:52,880 --> 01:12:54,400
marine industry now for something like

1537
01:12:54,400 --> 01:12:57,199
45 years and I'm very familiar with

1538
01:12:57,199 --> 01:12:59,520
Marblehead, Beverly, Salem, Danvers and

1539
01:12:59,520 --> 01:13:01,679
how they do their permits. We are the

1540
01:13:01,679 --> 01:13:03,440
only town, as he says, that does not

1541
01:13:03,440 --> 01:13:06,159
collect a fee on all the boats in their

1542
01:13:06,159 --> 01:13:08,640
territory. Uh, so I'm not against it

1543
01:13:08,640 --> 01:13:11,760
totally. It sounds to me a this Dqua

1544
01:13:11,760 --> 01:13:14,880
thing uh for my mooring is royal pain in

1545
01:13:14,880 --> 01:13:17,520
the butt for one. It just means they

1546
01:13:17,520 --> 01:13:18,880
don't have to do it and they send it to

1547
01:13:18,880 --> 01:13:20,880
DACA and I don't know what do charges

1548
01:13:20,880 --> 01:13:23,199
the town but they send me weekly emails

1549
01:13:23,199 --> 01:13:25,360
of all kinds of crap that I don't

1550
01:13:25,360 --> 01:13:29,360
appreciate. Uh I don't understand why we

1551
01:13:29,360 --> 01:13:31,280
have never collected fees on boats at

1552
01:13:31,280 --> 01:13:33,280
the marinas. That makes absolutely no

1553
01:13:33,280 --> 01:13:34,800
sense to me if they were using our

1554
01:13:34,800 --> 01:13:37,120
waterway. It sounds like a uh

1555
01:13:37,120 --> 01:13:40,960
enforcement headache. Uh Maximus,

1556
01:13:40,960 --> 01:13:42,800
with our river, with all the boats that

1557
01:13:42,800 --> 01:13:44,239
come in here to go to the beach and up

1558
01:13:44,239 --> 01:13:45,840
river to the restaurants and everything

1559
01:13:45,840 --> 01:13:47,040
else, how are you going to tell who's an

1560
01:13:47,040 --> 01:13:48,560
Nessex resident or not? If you're out in

1561
01:13:48,560 --> 01:13:50,239
the patrol boat, you don't see a sticker

1562
01:13:50,239 --> 01:13:51,360
on the back of the boat because they're

1563
01:13:51,360 --> 01:13:53,360
from Newport or wherever else. You're

1564
01:13:53,360 --> 01:13:54,719
going to stop every boat coming up and

1565
01:13:54,719 --> 01:13:57,840
down the river. I mean, it's, you know,

1566
01:13:57,840 --> 01:13:59,679
kind of a crazy thing. So, if you get

1567
01:13:59,679 --> 01:14:01,600
every boat that's habitually here in

1568
01:14:01,600 --> 01:14:03,679
Essex and you charge them the same fee

1569
01:14:03,679 --> 01:14:06,080
as a mooring fee, I pay my mooring fee

1570
01:14:06,080 --> 01:14:08,239
happily. I also have a dock. Does that

1571
01:14:08,239 --> 01:14:09,440
mean I'm going to have to pay moing fee

1572
01:14:09,440 --> 01:14:14,719
and a dock fee on top of my dock rental?

1573
01:14:14,719 --> 01:14:17,360
I mean, there's a lot of funny stuff.

1574
01:14:17,360 --> 01:14:18,880
I've read everything that was promoted

1575
01:14:18,880 --> 01:14:20,880
in the paper and in this stuff and it

1576
01:14:20,880 --> 01:14:22,400
doesn't make a great deal of sense. It's

1577
01:14:22,400 --> 01:14:25,440
too overly complicated.

1578
01:14:25,440 --> 01:14:28,719
>> Was there a question in there?

1579
01:14:28,719 --> 01:14:30,080
Okay. I just want to make sure you

1580
01:14:30,080 --> 01:14:31,360
didn't miss the question. I'm gonna go

1581
01:14:31,360 --> 01:14:34,000
here first.

1582
01:14:34,000 --> 01:14:38,790
>> That

1583
01:14:38,800 --> 01:14:42,719
» I don't I don't understand the question.

1584
01:14:42,719 --> 01:14:44,000
>> Yep.

1585
01:14:44,000 --> 01:14:51,910
>> Correct.

1586
01:14:51,920 --> 01:14:54,000
» I believe yes. The moing fee is

1587
01:14:54,000 --> 01:14:58,630
different than this fee.

1588
01:14:58,640 --> 01:15:02,000
We're No, that's Betsy McKeen, 35 Linham

1589
01:15:02,000 --> 01:15:03,440
Point Road. So, I want to clarify

1590
01:15:03,440 --> 01:15:05,280
something that a earlier presenter said

1591
01:15:05,280 --> 01:15:09,040
that I found confusing after reading the

1592
01:15:09,040 --> 01:15:12,000
article. So, I'm an Essex resident. I

1593
01:15:12,000 --> 01:15:14,159
have a moing, happily, as this other

1594
01:15:14,159 --> 01:15:15,840
gentleman does, pay my moing fee every

1595
01:15:15,840 --> 01:15:19,600
year. As I read this article,

1596
01:15:19,600 --> 01:15:21,440
I would continue to pay my moing fee for

1597
01:15:21,440 --> 01:15:22,960
$8 a foot.

1598
01:15:22,960 --> 01:15:24,400
>> Correct? I would not pay anything

1599
01:15:24,400 --> 01:15:25,840
different from that because it's an

1600
01:15:25,840 --> 01:15:27,360
exemption

1601
01:15:27,360 --> 01:15:29,920
from the river user fee. So, someone

1602
01:15:29,920 --> 01:15:33,440
else had mentioned $8 minus $5, $3, but

1603
01:15:33,440 --> 01:15:36,320
no, I still pay my $8 a foot moing fee.

1604
01:15:36,320 --> 01:15:37,440
Correct.

1605
01:15:37,440 --> 01:15:38,800
>> Correct. That is correct.

1606
01:15:38,800 --> 01:15:46,070
>> Thank you.

1607
01:15:46,080 --> 01:15:51,189
» Everyone here? All right.

1608
01:15:51,199 --> 01:15:53,040
Let me know if you can't hear this.

1609
01:15:53,040 --> 01:15:53,520
Okay,

1610
01:15:53,520 --> 01:15:55,040
>> we just need your name.

1611
01:15:55,040 --> 01:16:00,000
>> My name is Jack Gail, 105 Pawn Street.

1612
01:16:00,000 --> 01:16:03,199
Uh, in Massachusetts, the public has a

1613
01:16:03,199 --> 01:16:06,719
constitutional right to fish, fowl, and

1614
01:16:06,719 --> 01:16:09,679
navigate in the intertital zone. That

1615
01:16:09,679 --> 01:16:12,640
means between high and low tide. These

1616
01:16:12,640 --> 01:16:14,719
rights are reserved by the colonial

1617
01:16:14,719 --> 01:16:20,560
ordinances of 1641 to 1647.

1618
01:16:20,560 --> 01:16:22,400
In every coastal state, the use of

1619
01:16:22,400 --> 01:16:25,040
tidelands tidelands is governed by a

1620
01:16:25,040 --> 01:16:27,920
concept in property law known as the

1621
01:16:27,920 --> 01:16:30,719
public trust doctrine, which dates back

1622
01:16:30,719 --> 01:16:33,600
centuries to Roman law. The doctrine

1623
01:16:33,600 --> 01:16:36,000
states that all rights in tide lands and

1624
01:16:36,000 --> 01:16:39,280
the water itself are held by the state

1625
01:16:39,280 --> 01:16:43,920
in trust for the benefit of the public.

1626
01:16:43,920 --> 01:16:46,239
Over

1627
01:16:46,239 --> 01:16:49,679
the years, Massachusetts courts have

1628
01:16:49,679 --> 01:16:52,480
ruled that the scope of activities on

1629
01:16:52,480 --> 01:16:56,480
private tide land uh on um tidelands

1630
01:16:56,480 --> 01:16:59,440
covered by the reserved public rights of

1631
01:16:59,440 --> 01:17:02,320
fishing, fouling and navigation is broad

1632
01:17:02,320 --> 01:17:04,960
and includes all of their natural

1633
01:17:04,960 --> 01:17:08,480
derivatives, including for example, the

1634
01:17:08,480 --> 01:17:10,640
right to navigate includes the right to

1635
01:17:10,640 --> 01:17:13,360
conduct any activity involving the

1636
01:17:13,360 --> 01:17:15,840
movement movement of a boat, vessel,

1637
01:17:15,840 --> 01:17:18,320
float, or other watercraft as well as

1638
01:17:18,320 --> 01:17:20,800
the transport of people and materials

1639
01:17:20,800 --> 01:17:23,920
and relating to loading and unloading

1640
01:17:23,920 --> 01:17:31,270
activity.

1641
01:17:31,280 --> 01:17:33,440
While it is legal for a town to charge

1642
01:17:33,440 --> 01:17:35,120
fees for the use of its coastal

1643
01:17:35,120 --> 01:17:38,480
waterways for services like moorings,

1644
01:17:38,480 --> 01:17:40,960
docking, and in some cases using

1645
01:17:40,960 --> 01:17:43,600
municipal boat ramps,

1646
01:17:43,600 --> 01:17:45,760
such fees must generally be reasonable

1647
01:17:45,760 --> 01:17:47,520
and used to cover the expenses of

1648
01:17:47,520 --> 01:17:50,480
maintaining the waterways and deposited

1649
01:17:50,480 --> 01:17:55,590
into special accounts.

1650
01:17:55,600 --> 01:18:00,149
Essex does that.

1651
01:18:00,159 --> 01:18:03,760
Yes, running a town is expensive. We

1652
01:18:03,760 --> 01:18:06,000
always need more.

1653
01:18:06,000 --> 01:18:09,520
But must every single thing in town be

1654
01:18:09,520 --> 01:18:14,320
taxed? Are road use fees next in Essex?

1655
01:18:14,320 --> 01:18:17,199
What about parking meters?

1656
01:18:17,199 --> 01:18:19,840
Perhaps we could consider instead

1657
01:18:19,840 --> 01:18:22,080
spending less.

1658
01:18:22,080 --> 01:18:24,000
Maybe even do without in some

1659
01:18:24,000 --> 01:18:28,550
situations.

1660
01:18:28,560 --> 01:18:30,400
It's really no wonder sometimes that

1661
01:18:30,400 --> 01:18:33,360
overrides get voted down.

1662
01:18:33,360 --> 01:18:35,199
Unless the town is looking for a legal

1663
01:18:35,199 --> 01:18:37,520
challenge, we shouldn't waste any more

1664
01:18:37,520 --> 01:18:39,360
time on this article and promptly vote

1665
01:18:39,360 --> 01:18:42,630
it down.

1666
01:18:42,640 --> 01:18:51,040
Peter Peter Faro Rocky Hill Road.

1667
01:18:51,040 --> 01:18:52,560
Well, thank God we're talking about

1668
01:18:52,560 --> 01:18:54,320
taking care of the Essex River once and

1669
01:18:54,320 --> 01:18:56,640
for all.

1670
01:18:56,640 --> 01:18:59,600
We need money to do it. Chief Shamshack

1671
01:18:59,600 --> 01:19:01,360
and I have met about an Essex Water

1672
01:19:01,360 --> 01:19:03,600
Waste Commission and really determine

1673
01:19:03,600 --> 01:19:05,679
how to establish the funding. We need a

1674
01:19:05,679 --> 01:19:07,679
boat waste management act. We have to

1675
01:19:07,679 --> 01:19:10,480
determine who's using our town landings.

1676
01:19:10,480 --> 01:19:12,239
I know there's 17 of them. I've

1677
01:19:12,239 --> 01:19:14,159
identified 10 of them. There's a lot of

1678
01:19:14,159 --> 01:19:16,480
things we need to do and I think the

1679
01:19:16,480 --> 01:19:18,880
marina owners have to commit to

1680
01:19:18,880 --> 01:19:20,400
providing the information so we can

1681
01:19:20,400 --> 01:19:23,679
collect the excise tax. And I do believe

1682
01:19:23,679 --> 01:19:26,480
there should be a water use tax.

1683
01:19:26,480 --> 01:19:28,239
However, I think we need to tap the

1684
01:19:28,239 --> 01:19:30,560
brakes on it, come back in the fall in

1685
01:19:30,560 --> 01:19:33,520
an organized manner and determine who's

1686
01:19:33,520 --> 01:19:35,520
going to get the user fee, who isn't,

1687
01:19:35,520 --> 01:19:39,440
and at what level. I think the um the

1688
01:19:39,440 --> 01:19:41,280
application of it and the enforcability

1689
01:19:41,280 --> 01:19:43,840
of it as we're proposing it right now,

1690
01:19:43,840 --> 01:19:45,840
it's going to be complicated. I mean,

1691
01:19:45,840 --> 01:19:48,159
you're going to stop boats at low tide.

1692
01:19:48,159 --> 01:19:50,400
We've got to determine a lot more. I'm

1693
01:19:50,400 --> 01:19:52,400
in agreement, chief. We need to get this

1694
01:19:52,400 --> 01:19:55,280
done and we need to find all the ways to

1695
01:19:55,280 --> 01:19:57,440
generate some revenue so that we can

1696
01:19:57,440 --> 01:19:59,040
take care of the Essex River once and

1697
01:19:59,040 --> 01:20:02,080
for all. Thank you for your time.

1698
01:20:02,080 --> 01:20:05,669
>> Any further discussion?

1699
01:20:05,679 --> 01:20:08,239
Yeah. Nick Royal, Six Winthre Street. Um

1700
01:20:08,239 --> 01:20:10,560
I agree with the last speaker. I would

1701
01:20:10,560 --> 01:20:12,400
like to see though some guard rails put

1702
01:20:12,400 --> 01:20:14,880
around this. Um fees have a nasty habit

1703
01:20:14,880 --> 01:20:17,679
of going up and up and up and I would

1704
01:20:17,679 --> 01:20:20,000
like to see if possible that town

1705
01:20:20,000 --> 01:20:23,040
meeting gets to to decide when a fee

1706
01:20:23,040 --> 01:20:26,159
goes up and also that it gets sunset say

1707
01:20:26,159 --> 01:20:29,440
after five years unless town meeting um

1708
01:20:29,440 --> 01:20:31,040
comes around and says look we can

1709
01:20:31,040 --> 01:20:33,600
continue this in in principle I'm I'm in

1710
01:20:33,600 --> 01:20:36,400
favor of this um and I'm happy to put an

1711
01:20:36,400 --> 01:20:38,159
amendment which I've written down just

1712
01:20:38,159 --> 01:20:39,920
to those two points because I know you

1713
01:20:39,920 --> 01:20:41,840
ruled my other thing out of out of Move

1714
01:20:41,840 --> 01:20:46,480
it. Any further discussion?

1715
01:20:46,480 --> 01:20:48,560
No discussion. All those in favor of

1716
01:20:48,560 --> 01:20:53,189
article 16, raise your card.

1717
01:20:53,199 --> 01:21:01,270
All those opposed.

1718
01:21:01,280 --> 01:21:02,880
Let's try that again. All those in

1719
01:21:02,880 --> 01:21:09,110
favor.

1720
01:21:09,120 --> 01:21:12,159
All those opposed.

1721
01:21:12,159 --> 01:21:13,920
Can't call it. We're going to need the

1722
01:21:13,920 --> 01:21:25,430
tellers.

1723
01:21:25,440 --> 01:21:29,189
» Sorry guys.

1724
01:21:29,199 --> 01:21:30,640
» I know. I can't go one side or the

1725
01:21:30,640 --> 01:21:36,470
other.

1726
01:21:36,480 --> 01:21:39,520
» I just start

1727
01:21:39,520 --> 01:21:41,679
and he's usually. There he is over the

1728
01:21:41,679 --> 01:21:44,239
Oh, yeah. As a when I was in a sweat

1729
01:21:44,239 --> 01:21:47,040
constantly,

1730
01:21:47,040 --> 01:21:55,350
okay, he was really pretty good.

1731
01:21:55,360 --> 01:21:57,920
Everyone, everyone in favor of article

1732
01:21:57,920 --> 01:22:01,360
16, raise your card, please.

1733
01:22:01,360 --> 01:22:34,229
>> And keep them up so they can see them.

1734
01:22:34,239 --> 01:22:34,880
Jeffrey.

1735
01:22:34,880 --> 01:22:36,639
>> Yes.

1736
01:22:36,639 --> 01:22:38,719
What's that?

1737
01:22:38,719 --> 01:22:41,120
>> I'm already calling for the vote. I

1738
01:22:41,120 --> 01:22:42,480
can't once I call for a vote, I can't

1739
01:22:42,480 --> 01:22:46,080
put an amendment in.

1740
01:22:46,080 --> 01:22:48,320
>> You did not. You said you would like to

1741
01:22:48,320 --> 01:23:11,750
see that when it came up.

1742
01:23:11,760 --> 01:23:13,280
104.

1743
01:23:13,280 --> 01:23:16,080
>> Okay, we're good. All those

1744
01:23:16,080 --> 01:23:18,239
not in favor of article 16, please raise

1745
01:23:18,239 --> 01:23:31,669
your card.

1746
01:23:31,679 --> 01:23:55,350
Keep your cards up.

1747
01:23:55,360 --> 01:24:02,390
26 - 104

1748
01:24:02,400 --> 01:24:11,430
» perhaps

1749
01:24:11,440 --> 01:24:25,590
you guys there. You can put your cards

1750
01:24:25,600 --> 01:24:40,709
on the last.

1751
01:24:40,719 --> 01:24:41,760
Unless there were people that didn't

1752
01:24:41,760 --> 01:24:47,110
vote on the amendment. That's what I'm

1753
01:24:47,120 --> 01:24:50,950
» guess

1754
01:24:50,960 --> 01:25:15,510
could be.

1755
01:25:15,520 --> 01:25:18,880
So the only no real one is Apple Street

1756
01:25:18,880 --> 01:25:34,790
connection.

1757
01:25:34,800 --> 01:25:37,360
you in the middle can put theirs down.

1758
01:25:37,360 --> 01:26:04,310
Stay up over here.

1759
01:26:04,320 --> 01:26:17,750
Okay, we're all good.

1760
01:26:17,760 --> 01:26:19,440
» They go,

1761
01:26:19,440 --> 01:26:40,790
>> we need the Carla. We need your number.

1762
01:26:40,800 --> 01:26:51,110
» So the motion passes 104 to 97.

1763
01:26:51,120 --> 01:26:52,480
Article 17.

1764
01:26:52,480 --> 01:26:53,840
>> Excuse me.

1765
01:26:53,840 --> 01:26:58,080
>> Can I Can I um Kate Crows from 45 Apple

1766
01:26:58,080 --> 01:27:00,080
Street, can I motion to discuss article

1767
01:27:00,080 --> 01:27:01,520
22?

1768
01:27:01,520 --> 01:27:03,360
>> You want You want to move article 22 in

1769
01:27:03,360 --> 01:27:04,560
front of 17?

1770
01:27:04,560 --> 01:27:04,880
>> Yes.

1771
01:27:04,880 --> 01:27:05,840
>> Is that a motion?

1772
01:27:05,840 --> 01:27:06,480
>> It's a motion.

1773
01:27:06,480 --> 01:27:08,800
>> Is there a second?

1774
01:27:08,800 --> 01:27:11,280
>> All those in favor of moving article 22

1775
01:27:11,280 --> 01:27:15,280
in front of 17, raise your card.

1776
01:27:15,280 --> 01:27:17,679
>> Any opposed?

1777
01:27:17,679 --> 01:27:28,709
We're going to move to 22.

1778
01:27:28,719 --> 01:27:30,880
» Nick, can we keep the conversation down,

1779
01:27:30,880 --> 01:27:34,470
please?

1780
01:27:34,480 --> 01:27:36,480
I, Nick Ellis, move that the town vote

1781
01:27:36,480 --> 01:27:39,920
to transfer from free cash the sum of

1782
01:27:39,920 --> 01:27:42,880
$75,000 to design and construct a road

1783
01:27:42,880 --> 01:27:45,199
from Apple Street to the town's DPW

1784
01:27:45,199 --> 01:27:47,360
facility over the town owned parcel

1785
01:27:47,360 --> 01:27:50,719
known as 30 Apple Street, including but

1786
01:27:50,719 --> 01:27:53,360
not limited to site and wetland surveys,

1787
01:27:53,360 --> 01:27:55,600
equipment rental materials, and anything

1788
01:27:55,600 --> 01:27:59,840
incidental there too. Is there a second

1789
01:27:59,840 --> 01:28:02,800
>> discussion?

1790
01:28:02,800 --> 01:28:04,880
I suspect there will be. Um there's a

1791
01:28:04,880 --> 01:28:08,159
few things that I'd like to say quickly.

1792
01:28:08,159 --> 01:28:10,400
Um I was surprised to find a letter in

1793
01:28:10,400 --> 01:28:13,920
my mailbox about this uh article. Um as

1794
01:28:13,920 --> 01:28:16,080
we had had several discussions at the

1795
01:28:16,080 --> 01:28:18,639
board of public works meetings uh and

1796
01:28:18,639 --> 01:28:21,520
nobody came to talk to us about it. Um I

1797
01:28:21,520 --> 01:28:22,960
was a little surprised by some of the

1798
01:28:22,960 --> 01:28:25,679
assertions in the letter uh specifically

1799
01:28:25,679 --> 01:28:27,600
that there is no urgency for us to do

1800
01:28:27,600 --> 01:28:29,760
this. Um, I will note that we have

1801
01:28:29,760 --> 01:28:31,840
evaluated the bridge on Landing Road.

1802
01:28:31,840 --> 01:28:33,199
Uh, folks who have driven over the

1803
01:28:33,199 --> 01:28:35,120
bridge at Landing Road can tell that

1804
01:28:35,120 --> 01:28:36,719
it's got a big hump on it and that's

1805
01:28:36,719 --> 01:28:38,159
because the subbase is eroding from

1806
01:28:38,159 --> 01:28:39,280
underneath of it and it needs to be

1807
01:28:39,280 --> 01:28:42,000
fixed. Um, even today we heard from the

1808
01:28:42,000 --> 01:28:44,400
bridge evaluator that work is going to

1809
01:28:44,400 --> 01:28:45,840
need to be done in the next 1 to 5

1810
01:28:45,840 --> 01:28:49,520
years. So, it is somewhat urgent. Um, in

1811
01:28:49,520 --> 01:28:51,520
the letter it also noted that we could

1812
01:28:51,520 --> 01:28:54,560
just drive across the field as it is

1813
01:28:54,560 --> 01:28:58,080
now. Um, I don't suspect that our fuel

1814
01:28:58,080 --> 01:29:00,400
delivery trucks or our dumpster removal

1815
01:29:00,400 --> 01:29:02,560
trucks or our fire trucks or our

1816
01:29:02,560 --> 01:29:04,159
ambulances,

1817
01:29:04,159 --> 01:29:06,239
um, or folks who bring trash to the dump

1818
01:29:06,239 --> 01:29:08,719
in their Subaru are going to drive

1819
01:29:08,719 --> 01:29:14,070
across the field as it is. Um,

1820
01:29:14,080 --> 01:29:16,080
there's a note saying that the DPW has

1821
01:29:16,080 --> 01:29:17,440
said we could just move the road. I'm

1822
01:29:17,440 --> 01:29:18,960
not sure exactly what that's referring

1823
01:29:18,960 --> 01:29:21,360
to because I didn't say that. Um, I

1824
01:29:21,360 --> 01:29:24,159
don't believe Mandy said that. Um, our

1825
01:29:24,159 --> 01:29:26,159
intent is to build this road and leave

1826
01:29:26,159 --> 01:29:28,000
it in place until such time as the

1827
01:29:28,000 --> 01:29:30,000
actual use of the property becomes

1828
01:29:30,000 --> 01:29:32,719
clear. Uh, to my knowledge there is no

1829
01:29:32,719 --> 01:29:34,239
conversation with the exception of the

1830
01:29:34,239 --> 01:29:35,920
original evaluation for a new school

1831
01:29:35,920 --> 01:29:37,679
there about what we're going to do with

1832
01:29:37,679 --> 01:29:39,040
the property. So, I expect that that

1833
01:29:39,040 --> 01:29:41,520
road will be there for quite some time.

1834
01:29:41,520 --> 01:29:44,159
Um, as it relates to the hedge row,

1835
01:29:44,159 --> 01:29:48,639
which is a quote rich wildlife habitat,

1836
01:29:48,639 --> 01:29:50,880
um, we have no plans to remove the

1837
01:29:50,880 --> 01:29:52,880
bushes along the edge of the property.

1838
01:29:52,880 --> 01:29:54,639
we're going to build the road next to

1839
01:29:54,639 --> 01:29:57,280
it. Um,

1840
01:29:57,280 --> 01:29:59,920
what I think probably makes me the most

1841
01:29:59,920 --> 01:30:01,360
concerned about the contents of this

1842
01:30:01,360 --> 01:30:04,000
letter is related to the RAP and the

1843
01:30:04,000 --> 01:30:06,960
accusations in this letter about RAP and

1844
01:30:06,960 --> 01:30:09,199
why the DPW is proposing to use RAP on

1845
01:30:09,199 --> 01:30:11,760
this road. Um, we are not trying to get

1846
01:30:11,760 --> 01:30:14,159
ourselves out of trouble as the letter

1847
01:30:14,159 --> 01:30:16,880
states. Um, we did not tell anybody to

1848
01:30:16,880 --> 01:30:19,199
put RAP down at Centennial Grove. In

1849
01:30:19,199 --> 01:30:21,120
fact, we don't control Centennial Grove.

1850
01:30:21,120 --> 01:30:22,880
That's the perview of the select board.

1851
01:30:22,880 --> 01:30:24,560
Uh with the exception of the water

1852
01:30:24,560 --> 01:30:26,960
treatment plant inside the fence uh and

1853
01:30:26,960 --> 01:30:30,000
the well well number three which is on

1854
01:30:30,000 --> 01:30:33,199
Lake um and the well protection district

1855
01:30:33,199 --> 01:30:35,280
uh we have no control over what happens

1856
01:30:35,280 --> 01:30:39,280
at at Centennial Grove. Uh in fact we

1857
01:30:39,280 --> 01:30:40,800
noticed that the wrap was being placed

1858
01:30:40,800 --> 01:30:43,360
and insisted that it stop being placed.

1859
01:30:43,360 --> 01:30:45,440
U not only did it not stop being placed,

1860
01:30:45,440 --> 01:30:46,800
more rap was brought there and was

1861
01:30:46,800 --> 01:30:49,440
continued to be placed and compacted.

1862
01:30:49,440 --> 01:30:52,159
Um, we insisted that it be removed, uh,

1863
01:30:52,159 --> 01:30:54,080
not because it is toxic, which is

1864
01:30:54,080 --> 01:30:56,639
another assertion that the letter made,

1865
01:30:56,639 --> 01:30:59,679
uh, but because it creates a imperous

1866
01:30:59,679 --> 01:31:01,679
surface in our wellhead recharge area,

1867
01:31:01,679 --> 01:31:03,040
so we don't get water down into the

1868
01:31:03,040 --> 01:31:04,880
groundwater and it affects our ability

1869
01:31:04,880 --> 01:31:07,920
to pump water out of the well. Um, so

1870
01:31:07,920 --> 01:31:10,560
this idea that wrap is toxic, wrap is

1871
01:31:10,560 --> 01:31:12,800
just pavement, ground up. There's some

1872
01:31:12,800 --> 01:31:14,400
right outside that door if you want to

1873
01:31:14,400 --> 01:31:17,040
go look at it. Um, it's not the cleanest

1874
01:31:17,040 --> 01:31:18,320
stuff in the world. you shouldn't

1875
01:31:18,320 --> 01:31:22,000
probably eat it. But um you know, Mass D

1876
01:31:22,000 --> 01:31:24,159
has no rules. It says you can't put wrap

1877
01:31:24,159 --> 01:31:26,080
in wetland areas or wetland buffer

1878
01:31:26,080 --> 01:31:29,040
areas. Um it doesn't specifically say

1879
01:31:29,040 --> 01:31:31,120
that you can't store wrap in a wellhead

1880
01:31:31,120 --> 01:31:32,480
protection area. What it says is that

1881
01:31:32,480 --> 01:31:34,560
you can't install and compact wrap

1882
01:31:34,560 --> 01:31:36,159
because again it makes an impervious

1883
01:31:36,159 --> 01:31:38,719
area. So um I would encourage folks to

1884
01:31:38,719 --> 01:31:40,400
vote for this road. Uh the last point

1885
01:31:40,400 --> 01:31:43,199
I'll make is that when the town chose to

1886
01:31:43,199 --> 01:31:45,199
purchase this property, one of the main

1887
01:31:45,199 --> 01:31:47,520
reasons we noted for purchasing it was

1888
01:31:47,520 --> 01:31:49,840
to provide us with an alternative route

1889
01:31:49,840 --> 01:31:52,560
to get to the transfer station in the

1890
01:31:52,560 --> 01:31:55,520
DPW yard. Um

1891
01:31:55,520 --> 01:31:58,080
Apple Street is a public right of way.

1892
01:31:58,080 --> 01:31:59,920
Uh it is one of only two ways to get

1893
01:31:59,920 --> 01:32:01,280
from south of the river to the north of

1894
01:32:01,280 --> 01:32:04,080
the river. And it's one of only two way

1895
01:32:04,080 --> 01:32:07,360
um one of only two ways that we have to

1896
01:32:07,360 --> 01:32:11,679
get um to our DPW to our fuel station to

1897
01:32:11,679 --> 01:32:14,480
our transfer station. So thank you.

1898
01:32:14,480 --> 01:32:17,199
>> Further discussion Lisa

1899
01:32:17,199 --> 01:32:20,639
>> Lisa O'Donnell um Island Road. Um I want

1900
01:32:20,639 --> 01:32:22,719
to emphasize some of what Nick said

1901
01:32:22,719 --> 01:32:25,679
about the culvert um in landing road.

1902
01:32:25,679 --> 01:32:27,360
I've noticed it getting worse over a

1903
01:32:27,360 --> 01:32:30,239
couple of years and um I was out there.

1904
01:32:30,239 --> 01:32:32,239
I'm a structural engineer by trade. I

1905
01:32:32,239 --> 01:32:35,040
was out there with the um engineer who

1906
01:32:35,040 --> 01:32:37,760
evaluated for the town and it does have

1907
01:32:37,760 --> 01:32:39,280
issues. It is going to need to be

1908
01:32:39,280 --> 01:32:41,600
repaired and when it gets repaired, the

1909
01:32:41,600 --> 01:32:43,600
whole road's going to have to be closed.

1910
01:32:43,600 --> 01:32:45,360
In addition, as Nick mentioned, we

1911
01:32:45,360 --> 01:32:49,440
bought the property for um at Apple

1912
01:32:49,440 --> 01:32:52,159
Street and one of the main reasons was

1913
01:32:52,159 --> 01:32:54,159
how it is strategically located to

1914
01:32:54,159 --> 01:32:56,239
provide that access from Apple Street to

1915
01:32:56,239 --> 01:32:57,760
the transfer station, which gives us

1916
01:32:57,760 --> 01:32:59,520
another access to that important piece

1917
01:32:59,520 --> 01:33:03,830
of property. Um

1918
01:33:03,840 --> 01:33:07,040
I have in my hand a motion that would um

1919
01:33:07,040 --> 01:33:09,520
amend the article to preclude the use of

1920
01:33:09,520 --> 01:33:12,320
the wrap, the recycled asphalt pavement.

1921
01:33:12,320 --> 01:33:15,679
Um, I'm not going to read it yet. If

1922
01:33:15,679 --> 01:33:17,440
this article goes down, I'm going to get

1923
01:33:17,440 --> 01:33:19,600
up and ask to reconsider the article and

1924
01:33:19,600 --> 01:33:22,080
then limit it to not having the wrap.

1925
01:33:22,080 --> 01:33:23,679
will make it cost

1926
01:33:23,679 --> 01:33:25,679
more. So, I'm going to let the article

1927
01:33:25,679 --> 01:33:27,280
go. People can decide what they want to

1928
01:33:27,280 --> 01:33:29,280
do about it. If the article goes down,

1929
01:33:29,280 --> 01:33:31,520
we need this road. So, I will get up and

1930
01:33:31,520 --> 01:33:34,159
ask to reconsider it and ask to not use

1931
01:33:34,159 --> 01:33:35,600
rap.

1932
01:33:35,600 --> 01:33:39,840
>> Ruth Pin, 15 Lufkin Street. So, two

1933
01:33:39,840 --> 01:33:41,600
points. Uh, number one, I just want to

1934
01:33:41,600 --> 01:33:44,560
read a quote from John Phyious. I was on

1935
01:33:44,560 --> 01:33:46,159
the board of public works and Mike

1936
01:33:46,159 --> 01:33:47,840
Galley received permission from the

1937
01:33:47,840 --> 01:33:50,080
board to accept it. So, while Nick Ellis

1938
01:33:50,080 --> 01:33:51,440
may not have been on the board, the

1939
01:33:51,440 --> 01:33:53,040
superintendent did receive permission

1940
01:33:53,040 --> 01:33:54,800
from the board of public works to accept

1941
01:33:54,800 --> 01:33:57,199
it. Just for clarity, the second thing

1942
01:33:57,199 --> 01:33:59,760
is to Lisa O'Donnell's point, um, the

1943
01:33:59,760 --> 01:34:02,159
recycled asphalt material. I I want

1944
01:34:02,159 --> 01:34:03,920
everyone in the room to understand, I do

1945
01:34:03,920 --> 01:34:05,520
attend the meetings and I do understand

1946
01:34:05,520 --> 01:34:07,199
the cost of this wrap. So, it is at

1947
01:34:07,199 --> 01:34:09,199
Centennial Grove. We know it. We want it

1948
01:34:09,199 --> 01:34:12,239
gone. What the DPW is considering is

1949
01:34:12,239 --> 01:34:15,120
actually to hire dump trucks, big

1950
01:34:15,120 --> 01:34:17,840
10-heel dump trucks, to load it into the

1951
01:34:17,840 --> 01:34:19,600
dump truck and haul it over to Miles

1952
01:34:19,600 --> 01:34:21,520
River in Ipsswitch. Miles River is

1953
01:34:21,520 --> 01:34:23,040
willing to take it for free, but you

1954
01:34:23,040 --> 01:34:25,199
taxpayers will be paying those trucking

1955
01:34:25,199 --> 01:34:27,520
charges to haul it away. So, the

1956
01:34:27,520 --> 01:34:29,040
recommendation was, why don't we bring

1957
01:34:29,040 --> 01:34:30,800
it to Apple Street because we're putting

1958
01:34:30,800 --> 01:34:32,880
a road there anyway. The road is going

1959
01:34:32,880 --> 01:34:36,480
in. We can save money by using the wrap

1960
01:34:36,480 --> 01:34:38,880
as part of this road construction. So

1961
01:34:38,880 --> 01:34:40,560
you don't have to use the wrap if you

1962
01:34:40,560 --> 01:34:42,239
don't want to. But if you don't use it,

1963
01:34:42,239 --> 01:34:44,239
you are purchasing additional material

1964
01:34:44,239 --> 01:34:46,480
for that road. So this is going to cost

1965
01:34:46,480 --> 01:34:48,400
you one way or the other, but you

1966
01:34:48,400 --> 01:34:49,760
already have the material that can just

1967
01:34:49,760 --> 01:34:52,159
be used at this point.

1968
01:34:52,159 --> 01:34:53,760
>> Can I address a statement made there?

1969
01:34:53,760 --> 01:34:56,960
>> Sure. Um, when we talk about permission

1970
01:34:56,960 --> 01:35:00,639
to store wrap at Centennial Grove, there

1971
01:35:00,639 --> 01:35:02,880
was a paving project that happened on

1972
01:35:02,880 --> 01:35:05,679
Route 22 in Essex

1973
01:35:05,679 --> 01:35:08,480
wherein it was requested that we store

1974
01:35:08,480 --> 01:35:11,280
wrap at Centennial Grove. That wrap was

1975
01:35:11,280 --> 01:35:13,760
stored in a pile. Then, when we were

1976
01:35:13,760 --> 01:35:15,679
done installing the pads for the

1977
01:35:15,679 --> 01:35:18,159
recycling bins at the transfer station,

1978
01:35:18,159 --> 01:35:20,239
we brought that wrap over to the

1979
01:35:20,239 --> 01:35:21,920
transfer station and flattened the land

1980
01:35:21,920 --> 01:35:24,560
around it. That was the permission that

1981
01:35:24,560 --> 01:35:27,760
Mike was given. Any further discussion

1982
01:35:27,760 --> 01:35:33,030
on article 22?

1983
01:35:33,040 --> 01:35:34,719
» Hold on. You got to wait for this

1984
01:35:34,719 --> 01:35:37,679
person, right?

1985
01:35:37,679 --> 01:35:42,000
>> Janet Carlson, 24 Apple Street. Rap is

1986
01:35:42,000 --> 01:35:44,880
known to contain heavy metals like lead

1987
01:35:44,880 --> 01:35:47,760
and cadmium and a carcinogen referred to

1988
01:35:47,760 --> 01:35:49,760
as PH.

1989
01:35:49,760 --> 01:35:52,320
These can be released by runoff waters

1990
01:35:52,320 --> 01:35:55,040
and end up in groundwater and rivers.

1991
01:35:55,040 --> 01:35:58,320
These are very toxic to fish and other

1992
01:35:58,320 --> 01:36:00,960
aquatic animals and they can leech into

1993
01:36:00,960 --> 01:36:02,639
soils.

1994
01:36:02,639 --> 01:36:04,639
It has been said in various meetings

1995
01:36:04,639 --> 01:36:07,199
that the DP doesn't consider rap

1996
01:36:07,199 --> 01:36:09,520
hazardous.

1997
01:36:09,520 --> 01:36:13,520
The science actually says that it is.

1998
01:36:13,520 --> 01:36:16,960
Um, the DP can't actually classify RAP

1999
01:36:16,960 --> 01:36:19,440
as toxic because it would be a legal

2000
01:36:19,440 --> 01:36:22,560
nightmare and practical impossibility to

2001
01:36:22,560 --> 01:36:25,280
address it. This does not mean it's an

2002
01:36:25,280 --> 01:36:28,639
acceptable or safe material. Testing has

2003
01:36:28,639 --> 01:36:31,440
shown it's toxic, but it would bankrupt

2004
01:36:31,440 --> 01:36:34,159
towns and cities to officially consider

2005
01:36:34,159 --> 01:36:37,440
RAP hazardous. Given this, we don't want

2006
01:36:37,440 --> 01:36:42,709
it on that farmland.

2007
01:36:42,719 --> 01:36:46,080
It's quite a contradiction to hear that

2008
01:36:46,080 --> 01:36:49,760
we have to move it from Centennial Grove

2009
01:36:49,760 --> 01:36:53,280
um too close to our town wells, the

2010
01:36:53,280 --> 01:36:56,000
water supply, but let's put it on this

2011
01:36:56,000 --> 01:36:58,800
clean soil, this untainted soil very

2012
01:36:58,800 --> 01:37:01,679
close to the river. Thank you.

2013
01:37:01,679 --> 01:37:05,910
>> Any further discussion?

2014
01:37:05,920 --> 01:37:09,199
» Sure. Dan Mayor to Liberty Road. So, I

2015
01:37:09,199 --> 01:37:10,560
guess I'm the one who's kind of taking a

2016
01:37:10,560 --> 01:37:12,000
lot of heat for this, but it was always

2017
01:37:12,000 --> 01:37:14,239
communicated. I'm not looking to move

2018
01:37:14,239 --> 01:37:16,239
rap. It was something the parking lot

2019
01:37:16,239 --> 01:37:18,320
down there to improve it. We brought it

2020
01:37:18,320 --> 01:37:21,040
in there from town paving projects said

2021
01:37:21,040 --> 01:37:22,719
something about coming from a Hamilton

2022
01:37:22,719 --> 01:37:24,320
construction site. Whoever wrote that

2023
01:37:24,320 --> 01:37:27,520
foolish letter, you can contact me

2024
01:37:27,520 --> 01:37:29,360
directly. I'll bring you to where it

2025
01:37:29,360 --> 01:37:31,440
came from. There was no construction

2026
01:37:31,440 --> 01:37:33,679
site but but the wraps there was always

2027
01:37:33,679 --> 01:37:35,199
communicated

2028
01:37:35,199 --> 01:37:36,880
with my galley because I would never do

2029
01:37:36,880 --> 01:37:38,400
anything

2030
01:37:38,400 --> 01:37:40,480
you without speaking to my galley or

2031
01:37:40,480 --> 01:37:41,840
meetings down there with the select

2032
01:37:41,840 --> 01:37:43,920
board walking the whole site what we

2033
01:37:43,920 --> 01:37:46,960
intended on doing it was all brought in

2034
01:37:46,960 --> 01:37:49,360
laser graded compacted it was very nice

2035
01:37:49,360 --> 01:37:52,400
now and there was a pile there for years

2036
01:37:52,400 --> 01:37:54,320
like we can go back I'll you know Google

2037
01:37:54,320 --> 01:37:56,239
photos of when the pile was there but

2038
01:37:56,239 --> 01:37:57,600
there'd always been a pile there because

2039
01:37:57,600 --> 01:37:58,880
not the pile that was brought there and

2040
01:37:58,880 --> 01:38:00,560
then you moved it No, that was the

2041
01:38:00,560 --> 01:38:03,440
original pile that we spread. So, no

2042
01:38:03,440 --> 01:38:04,960
problem. I said it went in there at the

2043
01:38:04,960 --> 01:38:06,880
speed of volunteers. It will come out at

2044
01:38:06,880 --> 01:38:10,000
the speed of volunteers or it'll get

2045
01:38:10,000 --> 01:38:13,920
paid, you know, to be removed the way you want to do it. But, but

2046
01:38:13,920 --> 01:38:16,719
anyway, just in defense, but, you know,

2047
01:38:16,719 --> 01:38:18,400
obviously done a lot down there

2048
01:38:18,400 --> 01:38:22,080
improving the site. Even you can come

2049
01:38:22,080 --> 01:38:24,000
down tomorrow night as we continue to

2050
01:38:24,000 --> 01:38:26,960
put the roof on the bathous and anything

2051
01:38:26,960 --> 01:38:28,480
else that goes on down there that we're

2052
01:38:28,480 --> 01:38:30,480
happy to help with. But it's unfortunate

2053
01:38:30,480 --> 01:38:32,239
that this whole thing is, you know,

2054
01:38:32,239 --> 01:38:33,600
spiraled. But it was always

2055
01:38:33,600 --> 01:38:35,119
communicated. I'm sorry if you came

2056
01:38:35,119 --> 01:38:37,280
later in the discussion. I never got

2057
01:38:37,280 --> 01:38:39,920
word, you know, to stop it if there was

2058
01:38:39,920 --> 01:38:43,520
a stop and something still came in. I

2059
01:38:43,520 --> 01:38:45,119
was unaware. There was one night when

2060
01:38:45,119 --> 01:38:47,199
they were paving and stuff came in

2061
01:38:47,199 --> 01:38:49,199
unaccounted for from a paving project,

2062
01:38:49,199 --> 01:38:51,840
but even still, it was already well on

2063
01:38:51,840 --> 01:38:56,080
its way. So, I apologize.

2064
01:38:56,080 --> 01:38:58,400
Whatever. I'm not calling anybody out.

2065
01:38:58,400 --> 01:39:00,320
and uh tried to stay quiet about the

2066
01:39:00,320 --> 01:39:02,320
whole thing, but uh yeah, I guess it

2067
01:39:02,320 --> 01:39:05,440
falls on me. Cheers.

2068
01:39:05,440 --> 01:39:06,880
Over here,

2069
01:39:06,880 --> 01:39:08,480
>> Tracea Whitman at Lufkin Street. I just

2070
01:39:08,480 --> 01:39:11,199
have a clarifying question. Um is the It

2071
01:39:11,199 --> 01:39:13,119
just says design and construct a road.

2072
01:39:13,119 --> 01:39:16,800
Is the intent of this road to be access

2073
01:39:16,800 --> 01:39:20,800
emergency access only while the main

2074
01:39:20,800 --> 01:39:24,800
access to um the transfer station is

2075
01:39:24,800 --> 01:39:26,239
functional and operational or is this

2076
01:39:26,239 --> 01:39:28,880
intended to be a public cut through from

2077
01:39:28,880 --> 01:39:30,719
the start?

2078
01:39:30,719 --> 01:39:33,360
>> Uh I wouldn't say emergency access only.

2079
01:39:33,360 --> 01:39:34,800
I would say it would be more accurate to

2080
01:39:34,800 --> 01:39:37,840
say it's temporary access. So when we

2081
01:39:37,840 --> 01:39:40,480
have an ongoing bridge project

2082
01:39:40,480 --> 01:39:43,040
uh in order to get trucks, trailers,

2083
01:39:43,040 --> 01:39:45,360
people in and out of the site, we would

2084
01:39:45,360 --> 01:39:47,760
use that road.

2085
01:39:47,760 --> 01:39:49,920
>> May I ask a follow question? Y

2086
01:39:49,920 --> 01:39:52,080
>> So would it be open to the public from

2087
01:39:52,080 --> 01:39:53,520
the start though to be able to use

2088
01:39:53,520 --> 01:39:55,119
>> that? That is not the intent. No.

2089
01:39:55,119 --> 01:39:56,800
>> Okay. Thank you.

2090
01:39:56,800 --> 01:39:58,639
>> Go here.

2091
01:39:58,639 --> 01:40:00,000
>> Southern A.

2092
01:40:00,000 --> 01:40:01,040
>> Say it again.

2093
01:40:01,040 --> 01:40:03,760
>> 82 Southern A. Um, I'm sorry if this was

2094
01:40:03,760 --> 01:40:05,360
already addressed and I didn't hear it,

2095
01:40:05,360 --> 01:40:07,360
but assuming the road is a foregone

2096
01:40:07,360 --> 01:40:08,960
conclusion and that is happening. I

2097
01:40:08,960 --> 01:40:11,360
assume there are alternatives

2098
01:40:11,360 --> 01:40:14,400
that I'm trying to understand what why

2099
01:40:14,400 --> 01:40:16,159
this instead of something else. Is it

2100
01:40:16,159 --> 01:40:19,520
just cost savings? Um, because there

2101
01:40:19,520 --> 01:40:22,320
must be alternatives to this

2102
01:40:22,320 --> 01:40:23,840
>> controversial material.

2103
01:40:23,840 --> 01:40:27,520
>> Yeah. Um well, so I've never seen rap as

2104
01:40:27,520 --> 01:40:28,960
controversial until literally a week

2105
01:40:28,960 --> 01:40:31,360
ago. But um

2106
01:40:31,360 --> 01:40:34,960
>> near a water source though,

2107
01:40:34,960 --> 01:40:36,960
>> again, imperousness is the issue.

2108
01:40:36,960 --> 01:40:39,360
Anyway, you could do it with gravel.

2109
01:40:39,360 --> 01:40:42,159
Yes. Um gravel is likely to require more

2110
01:40:42,159 --> 01:40:43,679
maintenance over time and frankly it'll

2111
01:40:43,679 --> 01:40:46,239
have to be replaced more frequently. So

2112
01:40:46,239 --> 01:40:48,000
it'll cost more upfront and then it'll

2113
01:40:48,000 --> 01:40:49,679
cost more in the long term for you to I

2114
01:40:49,679 --> 01:40:49,920
do.

2115
01:40:49,920 --> 01:40:54,470
>> Thank you. Yep.

2116
01:40:54,480 --> 01:40:58,000
» Jack Gale, 105 Pawn Street.

2117
01:40:58,000 --> 01:41:00,000
Uh, at that town meeting when the voters

2118
01:41:00,000 --> 01:41:03,760
decided to buy 30 Apple Street, yes,

2119
01:41:03,760 --> 01:41:05,920
some people spoke in need for an

2120
01:41:05,920 --> 01:41:09,760
emergency or secondary or temporary

2121
01:41:09,760 --> 01:41:12,800
access road to the DPW, citing the

2122
01:41:12,800 --> 01:41:16,000
eventual need to replace the C or remove

2123
01:41:16,000 --> 01:41:20,870
the Culver. Um,

2124
01:41:20,880 --> 01:41:23,520
others clearly didn't want the field to

2125
01:41:23,520 --> 01:41:26,239
turn into a proposed nine-house

2126
01:41:26,239 --> 01:41:27,840
development.

2127
01:41:27,840 --> 01:41:30,800
Still others wanted it to remain as open

2128
01:41:30,800 --> 01:41:33,360
agricultural land.

2129
01:41:33,360 --> 01:41:35,440
I fell into that last group of voters,

2130
01:41:35,440 --> 01:41:37,920
but felt that if it were necessary to

2131
01:41:37,920 --> 01:41:40,159
build a road across the field, that

2132
01:41:40,159 --> 01:41:42,159
would be better than building a road and

2133
01:41:42,159 --> 01:41:46,159
nine houses on it. I suspect that many

2134
01:41:46,159 --> 01:41:49,840
others agreed. Well, we have as a town

2135
01:41:49,840 --> 01:41:52,000
have not yet decided what to do with the

2136
01:41:52,000 --> 01:41:54,000
field and I'm concerned that any

2137
01:41:54,000 --> 01:41:56,239
decisions as to what to do on the field

2138
01:41:56,239 --> 01:42:00,400
should be made in the correct order.

2139
01:42:00,400 --> 01:42:02,639
Now, here's my opinion as to why this

2140
01:42:02,639 --> 01:42:07,040
article is in front of us now.

2141
01:42:07,040 --> 01:42:09,840
Um, somehow they're contradictory

2142
01:42:09,840 --> 01:42:12,239
reports here this evening, but a large

2143
01:42:12,239 --> 01:42:14,560
amount of the wrap material was moved to

2144
01:42:14,560 --> 01:42:18,320
Centennial Grove for for use there

2145
01:42:18,320 --> 01:42:22,719
um with or without oversight.

2146
01:42:22,719 --> 01:42:25,679
There were concerns about this and it

2147
01:42:25,679 --> 01:42:27,440
was determined by the water department

2148
01:42:27,440 --> 01:42:29,280
that this material should not be in the

2149
01:42:29,280 --> 01:42:32,400
vicinity of the town wells or as our

2150
01:42:32,400 --> 01:42:35,280
town administrator worded it out of an

2151
01:42:35,280 --> 01:42:37,840
abundance of caution.

2152
01:42:37,840 --> 01:42:39,840
It was decided not to use it at the

2153
01:42:39,840 --> 01:42:42,719
grove. So at this point there was a

2154
01:42:42,719 --> 01:42:44,400
large amount of wrap to be dealt with

2155
01:42:44,400 --> 01:42:46,400
somehow.

2156
01:42:46,400 --> 01:42:48,560
Then an alternate plan was developed to

2157
01:42:48,560 --> 01:42:51,280
quickly move and stockpile the material

2158
01:42:51,280 --> 01:42:53,760
to the field at 30 Apple Street for

2159
01:42:53,760 --> 01:42:56,719
future road in building the road the DPW

2160
01:42:56,719 --> 01:43:00,159
has been advocating for.

2161
01:43:00,159 --> 01:43:02,400
Citizens became concerned about the wrap

2162
01:43:02,400 --> 01:43:04,639
near our town wells and aware of the

2163
01:43:04,639 --> 01:43:10,229
plan to use the road across the field.

2164
01:43:10,239 --> 01:43:13,679
So here we are. There are so many things

2165
01:43:13,679 --> 01:43:16,719
wrong with this picture. First of all,

2166
01:43:16,719 --> 01:43:18,639
Essex deserves a more thoughtful

2167
01:43:18,639 --> 01:43:21,840
approach to her issues than this.

2168
01:43:21,840 --> 01:43:23,840
If and when a road is to be built on

2169
01:43:23,840 --> 01:43:26,239
townland, we the voters deserve a

2170
01:43:26,239 --> 01:43:30,239
sensible plan to build the road, showing

2171
01:43:30,239 --> 01:43:33,360
where it's to be built, specifying what

2172
01:43:33,360 --> 01:43:36,320
materials are to be used with limits as

2173
01:43:36,320 --> 01:43:39,199
to its width and with limits on how it

2174
01:43:39,199 --> 01:43:42,080
is to be used. when we know where it

2175
01:43:42,080 --> 01:43:44,000
should be built based on the eventual

2176
01:43:44,000 --> 01:43:47,119
use of the field.

2177
01:43:47,119 --> 01:43:49,600
Not a cart blanch for the DPW to do

2178
01:43:49,600 --> 01:43:51,920
whatever it wants.

2179
01:43:51,920 --> 01:43:54,800
In my opinion, the article in this form

2180
01:43:54,800 --> 01:43:57,440
should be voted down.

2181
01:43:57,440 --> 01:43:59,440
As for the assessment of the so-called

2182
01:43:59,440 --> 01:44:01,760
bridge, which is clearly not a bridge,

2183
01:44:01,760 --> 01:44:03,920
but a culvert, but you can call it

2184
01:44:03,920 --> 01:44:08,080
whatever you want. Yes, it the road will

2185
01:44:08,080 --> 01:44:09,760
need some work at some point in the

2186
01:44:09,760 --> 01:44:13,360
future. And um yes, a limitary a limited

2187
01:44:13,360 --> 01:44:17,040
secondary access road to the DPW will be

2188
01:44:17,040 --> 01:44:21,199
important at that time. I examine the

2189
01:44:21,199 --> 01:44:23,360
culvert and the concrete foundation

2190
01:44:23,360 --> 01:44:25,520
supporting it and it appears to be in

2191
01:44:25,520 --> 01:44:32,310
amazingly good condition.

2192
01:44:32,320 --> 01:44:35,280
I was not here in the first part uh of

2193
01:44:35,280 --> 01:44:39,280
the meeting, but I gather that um that

2194
01:44:39,280 --> 01:44:41,520
that's what the engineers assessment

2195
01:44:41,520 --> 01:44:43,360
said. Not that it's in amazingly good

2196
01:44:43,360 --> 01:44:46,159
condition, but that it's not uh going to

2197
01:44:46,159 --> 01:44:48,639
fall down immediately.

2198
01:44:48,639 --> 01:44:50,639
Uh I personally wouldn't lose any sleep

2199
01:44:50,639 --> 01:44:52,960
over that.

2200
01:44:52,960 --> 01:44:54,960
Landing road at the culvert does show

2201
01:44:54,960 --> 01:44:56,719
some depression and in my opinion, this

2202
01:44:56,719 --> 01:44:58,800
is not the result of any weakness in the

2203
01:44:58,800 --> 01:45:00,400
culvert.

2204
01:45:00,400 --> 01:45:02,719
I disagree with the previous assertion

2205
01:45:02,719 --> 01:45:04,800
that a hurricane could take out Landing

2206
01:45:04,800 --> 01:45:08,320
Road or the Culver or or disagree that

2207
01:45:08,320 --> 01:45:10,639
and disagree that landing road floods as

2208
01:45:10,639 --> 01:45:12,239
had been claimed by the town

2209
01:45:12,239 --> 01:45:14,719
administrator. The nearest neighbor was

2210
01:45:14,719 --> 01:45:17,119
consulted and backs this up. This has

2211
01:45:17,119 --> 01:45:18,639
never been a there's never been a

2212
01:45:18,639 --> 01:45:21,119
significant storm surge there. It's well

2213
01:45:21,119 --> 01:45:27,590
back in a protected corner of the marsh.

2214
01:45:27,600 --> 01:45:29,840
This shouldn't be a battle.

2215
01:45:29,840 --> 01:45:32,000
The voters who decided to buy 30 Apple

2216
01:45:32,000 --> 01:45:33,920
Street should be able to come together

2217
01:45:33,920 --> 01:45:37,920
for their common goals. Why not plan a

2218
01:45:37,920 --> 01:45:40,400
modestsized environmentally friendly

2219
01:45:40,400 --> 01:45:41,920
truly secondary road

2220
01:45:41,920 --> 01:45:43,199
>> 30 seconds

2221
01:45:43,199 --> 01:45:45,119
>> that's limited in use to only when

2222
01:45:45,119 --> 01:45:47,280
landing road is impassible and also

2223
01:45:47,280 --> 01:45:48,960
preserving the habitat as much as

2224
01:45:48,960 --> 01:45:51,679
possible. If we avoid rushing into this

2225
01:45:51,679 --> 01:45:53,440
until we have a better idea of how we'll

2226
01:45:53,440 --> 01:45:55,760
be using the rest of the land, so much

2227
01:45:55,760 --> 01:45:57,600
the better and we won't risk having to

2228
01:45:57,600 --> 01:46:00,000
rebuild or duplicate the road in the

2229
01:46:00,000 --> 01:46:06,629
future. Thank you.

2230
01:46:06,639 --> 01:46:11,189
» Brandon.

2231
01:46:11,199 --> 01:46:12,560
» Yes. Point of order.

2232
01:46:12,560 --> 01:46:13,040
>> Yeah.

2233
01:46:13,040 --> 01:46:15,840
>> Um I never said that landing road floods

2234
01:46:15,840 --> 01:46:19,360
at any time. He may be confused with the

2235
01:46:19,360 --> 01:46:21,280
Apple Street project at the other end of

2236
01:46:21,280 --> 01:46:23,920
the street where in fact that part of

2237
01:46:23,920 --> 01:46:26,320
the road does flood and did flood. Last

2238
01:46:26,320 --> 01:46:28,639
time it would happened was in 2018, but

2239
01:46:28,639 --> 01:46:31,360
I have never claimed that Landing Road

2240
01:46:31,360 --> 01:46:33,040
floods. Thank you. I

2241
01:46:33,040 --> 01:46:36,950
>> think Jody, you were next.

2242
01:46:36,960 --> 01:46:40,080
» Jody Harris. Um, I just want to uh

2243
01:46:40,080 --> 01:46:44,239
clarify that not only uh if we do not

2244
01:46:44,239 --> 01:46:47,920
use the wrap for the um Apple Street

2245
01:46:47,920 --> 01:46:50,080
project, which as you see in your

2246
01:46:50,080 --> 01:46:52,320
handout, we tell you exactly where the

2247
01:46:52,320 --> 01:46:54,719
lo the road will be going over 30 Apple

2248
01:46:54,719 --> 01:46:58,639
Street, but we will need to bear the

2249
01:46:58,639 --> 01:47:01,600
cost of removing the wrap even though

2250
01:47:01,600 --> 01:47:04,000
they're taking it for free. But what

2251
01:47:04,000 --> 01:47:09,920
wasn't mentioned is the cost that we'll incur to actually bring materials

2252
01:47:09,920 --> 01:47:13,280
in to build the road. So, we're going to

2253
01:47:13,280 --> 01:47:17,440
be literally paying coming and going for

2254
01:47:17,440 --> 01:47:22,639
a road that um today an email from uh

2255
01:47:22,639 --> 01:47:25,119
the engineering firm who is evaluating

2256
01:47:25,119 --> 01:47:28,400
this whatever you want to call it bridge

2257
01:47:28,400 --> 01:47:31,440
culvert says that we will need to plan

2258
01:47:31,440 --> 01:47:34,080
on repairs within the short term of two

2259
01:47:34,080 --> 01:47:37,920
to four years. So, it's a necessity. Our

2260
01:47:37,920 --> 01:47:40,719
DPW facility is there. All of our

2261
01:47:40,719 --> 01:47:43,760
equipment is there. Our fuel station is

2262
01:47:43,760 --> 01:47:46,880
there. Our transfer station is there.

2263
01:47:46,880 --> 01:47:48,880
You all are going to need to get to go

2264
01:47:48,880 --> 01:47:51,440
to the transfer station. Our fire

2265
01:47:51,440 --> 01:47:54,560
trucks, our police vehicles, and all of

2266
01:47:54,560 --> 01:47:57,119
our DPW trucks that are housed there.

2267
01:47:57,119 --> 01:47:59,840
They're all going there for fuel. So, it

2268
01:47:59,840 --> 01:48:02,239
is critical that we get this road

2269
01:48:02,239 --> 01:48:04,800
implemented. And it's really a matter of

2270
01:48:04,800 --> 01:48:07,280
how much you want to pay for the road.

2271
01:48:07,280 --> 01:48:10,000
Do you want to pay with materials that

2272
01:48:10,000 --> 01:48:13,199
have been approved for that type of use

2273
01:48:13,199 --> 01:48:15,199
as an impervious surface or do you want

2274
01:48:15,199 --> 01:48:18,320
to pay coming and going for a road that

2275
01:48:18,320 --> 01:48:19,679
we're going to have to build from

2276
01:48:19,679 --> 01:48:24,709
scratch

2277
01:48:24,719 --> 01:48:27,760
Dave Landry 73 stories

2278
01:48:27,760 --> 01:48:30,080
there's been a lot of discussion on wrap

2279
01:48:30,080 --> 01:48:31,679
and I think there was an amendment to

2280
01:48:31,679 --> 01:48:33,199
decide whether we should go forward with

2281
01:48:33,199 --> 01:48:34,480
that. Why don't we get that one out of

2282
01:48:34,480 --> 01:48:36,560
the way because that's a critical issue

2283
01:48:36,560 --> 01:48:36,960
right here.

2284
01:48:36,960 --> 01:48:38,239
>> Would you like to make an amendment?

2285
01:48:38,239 --> 01:48:39,840
>> Make an a I think there's one on the

2286
01:48:39,840 --> 01:48:41,280
table there. Someone said they're going

2287
01:48:41,280 --> 01:48:42,880
to bring an amendment before.

2288
01:48:42,880 --> 01:48:44,560
>> There's not one yet.

2289
01:48:44,560 --> 01:48:45,119
>> Can't hear you.

2290
01:48:45,119 --> 01:48:46,880
>> There could be, but there isn't one yet.

2291
01:48:46,880 --> 01:48:48,239
>> I thought one of the selectman said

2292
01:48:48,239 --> 01:48:50,000
there was, but go ahead. I'll make a mo

2293
01:48:50,000 --> 01:48:52,800
a motion to uh decide whether wrap could

2294
01:48:52,800 --> 01:48:56,320
be used as a composite for this road.

2295
01:48:56,320 --> 01:48:58,400
>> Is I'll need that in writing. We have

2296
01:48:58,400 --> 01:49:00,239
paper up here. I believe we can.

2297
01:49:00,239 --> 01:49:01,600
>> Yes or no on that one.

2298
01:49:01,600 --> 01:49:07,750
>> Or do you want to use yours? Excuse

2299
01:49:07,760 --> 01:49:09,679
me.

2300
01:49:09,679 --> 01:49:11,199
>> Because this sounds like a question, not

2301
01:49:11,199 --> 01:49:12,159
a statement. So,

2302
01:49:12,159 --> 01:49:13,920
>> no, I think you wanted to eliminate wrap

2303
01:49:13,920 --> 01:49:14,960
being used in the

2304
01:49:14,960 --> 01:49:16,480
>> So, it would be specifically using

2305
01:49:16,480 --> 01:49:18,080
gravel, correct?

2306
01:49:18,080 --> 01:49:19,600
>> Because we should be specific. We're not

2307
01:49:19,600 --> 01:49:21,119
going to pave the road.

2308
01:49:21,119 --> 01:49:22,719
>> He said wrap.

2309
01:49:22,719 --> 01:49:29,590
>> What's that?

2310
01:49:29,600 --> 01:49:31,520
Is there a second to the amendment that

2311
01:49:31,520 --> 01:49:33,760
says we we'd like to remove wrap from

2312
01:49:33,760 --> 01:49:36,800
the project?

2313
01:49:36,800 --> 01:49:39,679
>> Well, eliminate the use of

2314
01:49:39,679 --> 01:49:43,910
Is there a second?

2315
01:49:43,920 --> 01:49:59,350
» When I have it, I'll read it.

2316
01:49:59,360 --> 01:50:01,040
Be good to know the price difference,

2317
01:50:01,040 --> 01:50:16,950
wouldn't it?

2318
01:50:16,960 --> 01:50:18,480
So the amendment is going to read a

2319
01:50:18,480 --> 01:50:24,639
motion to eliminate the use of wrap of the new access road for the transfer

2320
01:50:24,639 --> 01:50:26,159
station.

2321
01:50:26,159 --> 01:50:30,480
Yes. Is there a second to that?

2322
01:50:30,480 --> 01:50:33,520
Any further discussion on the amendment?

2323
01:50:33,520 --> 01:50:36,080
>> Can I on the amendment, not the article?

2324
01:50:36,080 --> 01:50:38,159
>> Yeah, I mean I think it's on the

2325
01:50:38,159 --> 01:50:44,080
amendment. My question is, do we have a figure of price the price difference

2326
01:50:44,080 --> 01:50:46,400
between a gravel road and a wrap road?

2327
01:50:46,400 --> 01:50:48,000
Because I think if we're voting not to

2328
01:50:48,000 --> 01:50:50,000
use wrap, we should also know what the

2329
01:50:50,000 --> 01:50:52,159
price tag or the delta would be between

2330
01:50:52,159 --> 01:50:52,719
the two.

2331
01:50:52,719 --> 01:50:56,800
>> We we do um the cost delta including

2332
01:50:56,800 --> 01:50:58,960
paying for gravel delivered and also

2333
01:50:58,960 --> 01:51:02,480
removing uh the wrap is in the order of

2334
01:51:02,480 --> 01:51:04,560
25 to30,000 additional dollars for the

2335
01:51:04,560 --> 01:51:11,669
road.

2336
01:51:11,679 --> 01:51:14,080
discussion on the amendment, not the

2337
01:51:14,080 --> 01:51:16,080
article. The amendment to remove rap

2338
01:51:16,080 --> 01:51:18,080
from muse

2339
01:51:18,080 --> 01:51:20,719
over here.

2340
01:51:20,719 --> 01:51:24,960
Paul Trimby, 56 Apple Street. Um,

2341
01:51:24,960 --> 01:51:26,880
putting on an article to or putting on

2342
01:51:26,880 --> 01:51:28,880
an amendment to remove wrap. Is the

2343
01:51:28,880 --> 01:51:34,229
option gravel wrap or fresh pavement?

2344
01:51:34,239 --> 01:51:36,239
» That's a good question. So fresh

2345
01:51:36,239 --> 01:51:38,239
pavement would have more runoff, more

2346
01:51:38,239 --> 01:51:41,119
toxicity than any wrap would. So if

2347
01:51:41,119 --> 01:51:42,719
there was to be an amendment, it should

2348
01:51:42,719 --> 01:51:44,080
probably end up being that it'd be a

2349
01:51:44,080 --> 01:51:46,159
gravel road instead of a paved road or

2350
01:51:46,159 --> 01:51:48,400
wrap road if that was the concern.

2351
01:51:48,400 --> 01:51:50,000
>> Got to work on this amendment first.

2352
01:51:50,000 --> 01:51:51,760
>> Yep. Just adding that for everyone's

2353
01:51:51,760 --> 01:51:52,400
consideration.

2354
01:51:52,400 --> 01:51:54,560
>> Discussion on the amendment.

2355
01:51:54,560 --> 01:51:55,679
>> Go ahead.

2356
01:51:55,679 --> 01:52:00,159
>> Jack Gale, 105 Pond Street. Um,

2357
01:52:00,159 --> 01:52:02,239
I find it hard to believe that we would

2358
01:52:02,239 --> 01:52:07,040
really resist paying an amount like

2359
01:52:07,040 --> 01:52:10,560
$30,000 to avoid a potential

2360
01:52:10,560 --> 01:52:13,679
um health risk. This has been pretty

2361
01:52:13,679 --> 01:52:16,800
well established and uh if anybody reads

2362
01:52:16,800 --> 01:52:20,880
the Essics issues page uh there was um

2363
01:52:20,880 --> 01:52:24,800
an extensive link posted on that um

2364
01:52:24,800 --> 01:52:28,960
about uh scientific studies and and the

2365
01:52:28,960 --> 01:52:31,840
results having to do with the toxins and

2366
01:52:31,840 --> 01:52:34,400
wrap. Uh it seems like a small price to

2367
01:52:34,400 --> 01:52:38,000
pay to do this properly. I I hope you'll

2368
01:52:38,000 --> 01:52:43,350
um approve this amendment.

2369
01:52:43,360 --> 01:52:54,390
Further discussion on the amendment.

2370
01:52:54,400 --> 01:52:58,400
» Yes, maybe we should consider no wrap on

2371
01:52:58,400 --> 01:53:00,880
anywhere in Essex, nobody's driveway,

2372
01:53:00,880 --> 01:53:03,520
and then survey people's driveways who

2373
01:53:03,520 --> 01:53:08,480
have wrap, even if they paved over it.

2374
01:53:08,480 --> 01:53:10,960
No wrap in Essex. It sounds like because

2375
01:53:10,960 --> 01:53:12,639
if you want to put wrap on a temporary

2376
01:53:12,639 --> 01:53:14,560
road that you' maybe you'd put filter

2377
01:53:14,560 --> 01:53:16,639
fabric down because when you do a

2378
01:53:16,639 --> 01:53:18,560
temporary road and we we make temporary

2379
01:53:18,560 --> 01:53:21,599
roads all the time, you scrape out the

2380
01:53:21,599 --> 01:53:24,159
organic matter down to gravel. You put

2381
01:53:24,159 --> 01:53:26,000
some fabric down. You put gravel or you

2382
01:53:26,000 --> 01:53:27,760
can put wrap or some kind of material.

2383
01:53:27,760 --> 01:53:29,360
And if it's a temporary road, you pick

2384
01:53:29,360 --> 01:53:31,679
it up. If you put you spend all the

2385
01:53:31,679 --> 01:53:33,280
money on a nice road, I thinking we're

2386
01:53:33,280 --> 01:53:34,800
going to just sell this property to a

2387
01:53:34,800 --> 01:53:37,280
developer with a road already intact

2388
01:53:37,280 --> 01:53:38,960
with an easement going over it that

2389
01:53:38,960 --> 01:53:40,800
we'll always have access, but maybe a

2390
01:53:40,800 --> 01:53:42,560
firegate at one end, but still we'll be

2391
01:53:42,560 --> 01:53:45,119
able to use that road when we need to in

2392
01:53:45,119 --> 01:53:46,880
the future because not bridges don't

2393
01:53:46,880 --> 01:53:49,360
last forever. But uh maybe just add to

2394
01:53:49,360 --> 01:53:51,679
it that no wrap in Essex. You do that

2395
01:53:51,679 --> 01:53:53,360
and I'll take all that rap out of there

2396
01:53:53,360 --> 01:53:55,679
on my back. I'll I'll make it all go

2397
01:53:55,679 --> 01:53:58,159
away. But I would like to see no rap in

2398
01:53:58,159 --> 01:54:00,719
Essics after this because this is kind

2399
01:54:00,719 --> 01:54:04,390
of insane.

2400
01:54:04,400 --> 01:54:06,320
» Further discussion on the amendment to

2401
01:54:06,320 --> 01:54:07,920
re

2402
01:54:07,920 --> 01:54:09,840
I've got one more one more com two more

2403
01:54:09,840 --> 01:54:12,080
comments and we'll move it. You can't

2404
01:54:12,080 --> 01:54:13,599
and I'm just so you know I'm not going

2405
01:54:13,599 --> 01:54:15,199
to have someone from the audience yell

2406
01:54:15,199 --> 01:54:16,880
move the question. You have to be up at

2407
01:54:16,880 --> 01:54:19,520
a mic to make that motion.

2408
01:54:19,520 --> 01:54:20,560
>> Go ahead.

2409
01:54:20,560 --> 01:54:24,560
>> Jared Strong 17 School Street.

2410
01:54:24,560 --> 01:54:26,480
We can debate the use of wrap for a

2411
01:54:26,480 --> 01:54:28,480
variety of reasons. I just think it's

2412
01:54:28,480 --> 01:54:30,159
important to the discussion that

2413
01:54:30,159 --> 01:54:33,199
recycled asphalt is the most recycled

2414
01:54:33,199 --> 01:54:36,239
product in the country. Over 90% of

2415
01:54:36,239 --> 01:54:38,800
asphalt is recycled and reused

2416
01:54:38,800 --> 01:54:41,520
throughout the nation. Reduce, reuse,

2417
01:54:41,520 --> 01:54:49,910
recycle.

2418
01:54:49,920 --> 01:54:52,639
» Stacy Capitas, 15 Apple Street. I just

2419
01:54:52,639 --> 01:54:54,880
have a question. If this is a temporary

2420
01:54:54,880 --> 01:54:57,040
road, um, and we'd have to decide

2421
01:54:57,040 --> 01:55:00,239
between a wrap or gravel road or

2422
01:55:00,239 --> 01:55:03,840
pavement, is one,

2423
01:55:03,840 --> 01:55:06,480
uh, easier, cheaper to remove?

2424
01:55:06,480 --> 01:55:09,360
>> It's not a temporary road. It is a road

2425
01:55:09,360 --> 01:55:10,960
for temporary access while we're working

2426
01:55:10,960 --> 01:55:12,719
on the bridge or if there's another

2427
01:55:12,719 --> 01:55:14,639
reason that we cannot get down Landing

2428
01:55:14,639 --> 01:55:17,440
Road to

2429
01:55:17,440 --> 01:55:18,960
the transfer station.

2430
01:55:18,960 --> 01:55:22,400
>> Will it be gated when it's not? Okay,

2431
01:55:22,400 --> 01:55:29,350
>> good question. Thank you.

2432
01:55:29,360 --> 01:55:30,400
» Over here.

2433
01:55:30,400 --> 01:55:32,480
>> Hello.

2434
01:55:32,480 --> 01:55:35,440
>> Um Dan Ducet, John Weise Avenue. I move

2435
01:55:35,440 --> 01:55:36,560
the question

2436
01:55:36,560 --> 01:55:37,360
>> the amendment

2437
01:55:37,360 --> 01:55:38,639
>> on the amendment.

2438
01:55:38,639 --> 01:55:40,480
>> Is there a second?

2439
01:55:40,480 --> 01:55:41,840
>> Second.

2440
01:55:41,840 --> 01:55:45,040
>> All those in favor of terminating debate

2441
01:55:45,040 --> 01:55:46,880
on the amendment

2442
01:55:46,880 --> 01:55:48,719
>> and the amendment to article 22, which

2443
01:55:48,719 --> 01:55:50,480
would remove the wrap from the use of

2444
01:55:50,480 --> 01:55:57,669
this Apple Street Road. Raise your card.

2445
01:55:57,679 --> 01:56:01,599
» Terminating debate on that app. Yes.

2446
01:56:01,599 --> 01:56:04,400
>> Any opposed?

2447
01:56:04,400 --> 01:56:07,599
>> We have terminated debate.

2448
01:56:07,599 --> 01:56:09,040
>> Now, we're going to still stay on the

2449
01:56:09,040 --> 01:56:10,880
amendment and we need to vote on the

2450
01:56:10,880 --> 01:56:12,800
amendment.

2451
01:56:12,800 --> 01:56:16,239
All those in favor of amending article

2452
01:56:16,239 --> 01:56:19,040
the amendment to article 22 which is

2453
01:56:19,040 --> 01:56:22,159
removing the wrap from the street on 30

2454
01:56:22,159 --> 01:56:24,239
Apple Street. That's what we're doing.

2455
01:56:24,239 --> 01:56:25,440
This is on the amendment, not the

2456
01:56:25,440 --> 01:56:28,639
article. All those in favor

2457
01:56:28,639 --> 01:56:34,629
of the amendment, raise your card.

2458
01:56:34,639 --> 01:56:38,709
All those opposed.

2459
01:56:38,719 --> 01:56:42,239
The motion fails.

2460
01:56:42,239 --> 01:56:46,719
back to art article 22 main article I

2461
01:56:46,719 --> 01:56:50,560
believe you you were up first

2462
01:56:50,560 --> 01:56:53,599
Mike Mike Dyer Indian Rock Lane uh first

2463
01:56:53,599 --> 01:56:56,239
of all I want to uh agree wholeheartedly

2464
01:56:56,239 --> 01:57:00,639
with Jack Gail's point about the lack of

2465
01:57:00,639 --> 01:57:02,560
land use planning for this piece of land

2466
01:57:02,560 --> 01:57:07,199
that the town got a couple years ago. it seems pretty foolish to go ahead in

2467
01:57:07,199 --> 01:57:09,520
peacemeal fashion

2468
01:57:09,520 --> 01:57:11,280
before we really know what the app what

2469
01:57:11,280 --> 01:57:16,159
the ultimate use of the land will be.

2470
01:57:16,159 --> 01:57:17,920
Secondly, as far as the use of wrap

2471
01:57:17,920 --> 01:57:22,880
goes, um I'm no expert. There does seem

2472
01:57:22,880 --> 01:57:25,119
to be there do seem to be contrary

2473
01:57:25,119 --> 01:57:26,719
indications in the in the literature

2474
01:57:26,719 --> 01:57:28,719
about whether it's toxic or not, whether

2475
01:57:28,719 --> 01:57:31,119
there are uh whether there's leech that

2476
01:57:31,119 --> 01:57:33,119
can come out of it. Sounds like there

2477
01:57:33,119 --> 01:57:38,159
could be um I guess that not all wrap is

2478
01:57:38,159 --> 01:57:41,760
created or exists equally. I'm wondering

2479
01:57:41,760 --> 01:57:45,280
if it's possible to assayate the stuff

2480
01:57:45,280 --> 01:57:47,440
and and see what the quality of the

2481
01:57:47,440 --> 01:57:50,159
stuff is that we have if there's any way

2482
01:57:50,159 --> 01:57:51,760
to measure the risk. That would be a

2483
01:57:51,760 --> 01:57:56,080
question for uh DPW, I guess. Um, and

2484
01:57:56,080 --> 01:57:58,159
the final point about the need for the

2485
01:57:58,159 --> 01:58:01,440
road, the the only need that I can see

2486
01:58:01,440 --> 01:58:03,199
that's really been articulated is that

2487
01:58:03,199 --> 01:58:05,840
we will need the road at the point when

2488
01:58:05,840 --> 01:58:07,440
the bridge is to be repaired or the

2489
01:58:07,440 --> 01:58:10,320
culvert is to be repaired. My guess is

2490
01:58:10,320 --> 01:58:13,440
that that wouldn't be taking place for

2491
01:58:13,440 --> 01:58:15,840
three, four, five years from now. I

2492
01:58:15,840 --> 01:58:17,440
don't see why we need to put this road

2493
01:58:17,440 --> 01:58:20,800
in at this point. I'm against this.

2494
01:58:20,800 --> 01:58:23,599
>> Point of order.

2495
01:58:23,599 --> 01:58:26,080
just responding. Um, as was read by the

2496
01:58:26,080 --> 01:58:28,080
chair of the finance committee, the

2497
01:58:28,080 --> 01:58:29,679
engineers that are currently looking at

2498
01:58:29,679 --> 01:58:31,199
all three town owned bridges are

2499
01:58:31,199 --> 01:58:33,040
indicating that it's somewhere on a

2500
01:58:33,040 --> 01:58:35,119
continuum between one year and four

2501
01:58:35,119 --> 01:58:37,119
years from now. I also wanted to point

2502
01:58:37,119 --> 01:58:39,520
out that if and when a repair is

2503
01:58:39,520 --> 01:58:42,719
designed and then cost estimated, you

2504
01:58:42,719 --> 01:58:45,840
might find that the cost of repairing

2505
01:58:45,840 --> 01:58:48,480
the bridge/culvert

2506
01:58:48,480 --> 01:58:51,599
is so much more than just having the

2507
01:58:51,599 --> 01:58:54,000
simple road. You may not ever even want

2508
01:58:54,000 --> 01:58:56,239
to repair it. I don't know because we

2509
01:58:56,239 --> 01:58:58,000
don't have the information yet. Just

2510
01:58:58,000 --> 01:59:00,639
please keep in your mind that we have no

2511
01:59:00,639 --> 01:59:02,960
idea what the repair, even if it is

2512
01:59:02,960 --> 01:59:05,360
termed repair, will cost. Things are

2513
01:59:05,360 --> 01:59:08,159
very expensive.

2514
01:59:08,159 --> 01:59:11,440
>> Hi. Um I'm Jen Hulki. Um my husband and

2515
01:59:11,440 --> 01:59:14,239
I live on Land Farm Road. We are direct

2516
01:59:14,239 --> 01:59:16,960
a butter of the road being proposed. I

2517
01:59:16,960 --> 01:59:18,560
guess I'm just wondering if there's any

2518
01:59:18,560 --> 01:59:20,960
conversation about potential screenage

2519
01:59:20,960 --> 01:59:23,280
for the people that are impacted since

2520
01:59:23,280 --> 01:59:25,840
obviously this road would directly

2521
01:59:25,840 --> 01:59:27,679
affect in a positive way everyone else

2522
01:59:27,679 --> 01:59:29,199
in the town. Just wondering if there's

2523
01:59:29,199 --> 01:59:31,360
any conversation about how that might be

2524
01:59:31,360 --> 01:59:33,119
rectified for the people who are

2525
01:59:33,119 --> 01:59:36,080
negatively implicated by it.

2526
01:59:36,080 --> 01:59:37,679
>> Answer your question.

2527
01:59:37,679 --> 01:59:40,639
>> Um we have not considered that. Um we

2528
01:59:40,639 --> 01:59:42,159
recently started speaking about this

2529
01:59:42,159 --> 01:59:44,560
road. We can certainly look at what the

2530
01:59:44,560 --> 01:59:46,560
view is from where the road winds up to

2531
01:59:46,560 --> 01:59:49,440
your home. Um you could look at putting

2532
01:59:49,440 --> 01:59:51,520
screenings in just keeping in mind that

2533
01:59:51,520 --> 01:59:54,960
large mature trees cost money so it's

2534
01:59:54,960 --> 01:59:56,320
going to increase the price of the

2535
01:59:56,320 --> 01:59:56,800
project.

2536
01:59:56,800 --> 01:59:59,199
>> Yeah. and and we I guess this is my

2537
01:59:59,199 --> 02:00:01,199
first town hall meeting so apologize if

2538
02:00:01,199 --> 02:00:03,440
this is not the right forum to ask but

2539
02:00:03,440 --> 02:00:06,400
um we have taken it upon ourselves to

2540
02:00:06,400 --> 02:00:08,480
incur some of that expense but I guess

2541
02:00:08,480 --> 02:00:11,280
if it's a benefit to the entire town

2542
02:00:11,280 --> 02:00:14,080
that hurts most specifically a couple

2543
02:00:14,080 --> 02:00:15,440
people I guess I'm wondering if that

2544
02:00:15,440 --> 02:00:16,800
would be something that people would be

2545
02:00:16,800 --> 02:00:19,679
open to discussing

2546
02:00:19,679 --> 02:00:21,280
>> and if that's not this is not the forum

2547
02:00:21,280 --> 02:00:25,199
for that please let me know. Yeah, I I I guess I would say it's probably not.

2548
02:00:25,199 --> 02:00:27,599
Um I would say, you know, we have a DPW

2549
02:00:27,599 --> 02:00:29,679
meeting every two weeks. The public is

2550
02:00:29,679 --> 02:00:32,560
welcome to come. Our agenda goes out

2551
02:00:32,560 --> 02:00:34,560
before we have the DPW meeting. So if

2552
02:00:34,560 --> 02:00:36,320
there's something on there like a road

2553
02:00:36,320 --> 02:00:37,760
through 30 Apple Street that you'd like

2554
02:00:37,760 --> 02:00:40,560
to discuss with us, you can come talk to

2555
02:00:40,560 --> 02:00:42,320
us about it and we can talk about things

2556
02:00:42,320 --> 02:00:44,400
like trees and using gravel and you know

2557
02:00:44,400 --> 02:00:47,199
>> well and if if it's a if it's a town

2558
02:00:47,199 --> 02:00:49,119
decision because of the cost implication

2559
02:00:49,119 --> 02:00:50,480
then would that be the place for it

2560
02:00:50,480 --> 02:00:51,920
though or would this be the place to

2561
02:00:51,920 --> 02:00:52,400
talk about it?

2562
02:00:52,400 --> 02:00:55,199
>> It would at the DPW meeting would be the

2563
02:00:55,199 --> 02:00:55,599
place?

2564
02:00:55,599 --> 02:00:56,000
>> Okay.

2565
02:00:56,000 --> 02:00:56,639
>> Yes.

2566
02:00:56,639 --> 02:00:59,679
>> All right. Thank you.

2567
02:00:59,679 --> 02:01:01,199
>> Go ahead over here.

2568
02:01:01,199 --> 02:01:04,880
>> Um Mr. moderator, I move um to amend the

2569
02:01:04,880 --> 02:01:06,639
main motion

2570
02:01:06,639 --> 02:01:08,960
further. I have two amendments and I

2571
02:01:08,960 --> 02:01:11,040
propose to offer them sequentially.

2572
02:01:11,040 --> 02:01:14,080
>> I'm going to do one at a time.

2573
02:01:14,080 --> 02:01:16,639
>> Okay. The um

2574
02:01:16,639 --> 02:01:19,599
the first amendment would add specifics

2575
02:01:19,599 --> 02:01:23,119
as to use and the language would be

2576
02:01:23,119 --> 02:01:26,080
added around the word road. In the

2577
02:01:26,080 --> 02:01:28,480
second line, we would add the words

2578
02:01:28,480 --> 02:01:31,679
secondary access before the word road

2579
02:01:31,679 --> 02:01:35,520
and the words gated at both ends after

2580
02:01:35,520 --> 02:01:39,520
the word road. And further after the

2581
02:01:39,520 --> 02:01:42,080
words 30 Apple Street, we would add the

2582
02:01:42,080 --> 02:01:45,360
words for use only when landing road is

2583
02:01:45,360 --> 02:01:47,119
closed.

2584
02:01:47,119 --> 02:01:56,550
Um the leng sorry that's in writing.

2585
02:01:56,560 --> 02:02:08,229
So that

2586
02:02:08,239 --> 02:02:09,920
the amendment is adding for use only

2587
02:02:09,920 --> 02:02:11,440
when landing road is closed including

2588
02:02:11,440 --> 02:02:13,679
but not limited to site and wetland

2589
02:02:13,679 --> 02:02:16,159
surveys. Is that correct? Uh, no. It's

2590
02:02:16,159 --> 02:02:21,440
the uppercase language. Um, that

2591
02:02:21,440 --> 02:02:21,920
>> Okay.

2592
02:02:21,920 --> 02:02:23,920
>> said secondary access.

2593
02:02:23,920 --> 02:02:24,560
>> Yep.

2594
02:02:24,560 --> 02:02:26,719
>> Before the word road and gated at

2595
02:02:26,719 --> 02:02:28,400
>> So, it's adding secondary access in

2596
02:02:28,400 --> 02:02:30,560
front of road. So, secondary access road

2597
02:02:30,560 --> 02:02:32,880
gated at both ends is added

2598
02:02:32,880 --> 02:02:35,119
>> and then landing road is only used when

2599
02:02:35,119 --> 02:02:37,199
landing road is closed. That's the

2600
02:02:37,199 --> 02:02:40,550
>> Mr. Moderator.

2601
02:02:40,560 --> 02:02:44,000
» Sorry. Point of order. It's the concern

2602
02:02:44,000 --> 02:02:46,159
is what if this ends up being the access

2603
02:02:46,159 --> 02:02:49,280
road because landing road is no longer

2604
02:02:49,280 --> 02:02:51,280
accessible. We don't know. I don't want

2605
02:02:51,280 --> 02:02:53,119
to make the assumption that that's

2606
02:02:53,119 --> 02:02:55,040
what's going to happen. However, I'm a

2607
02:02:55,040 --> 02:02:56,480
little bit concerned about changing

2608
02:02:56,480 --> 02:03:00,320
language that could limit us.

2609
02:03:00,320 --> 02:03:02,000
>> That's what we put to the vote.

2610
02:03:02,000 --> 02:03:03,599
>> Okay.

2611
02:03:03,599 --> 02:03:06,480
So, is there a second to that?

2612
02:03:06,480 --> 02:03:08,159
Further discussion on amending adding

2613
02:03:08,159 --> 02:03:10,880
secondary access and a gate at both ends

2614
02:03:10,880 --> 02:03:13,920
of Apple from Apple Street to the DPW

2615
02:03:13,920 --> 02:03:16,000
and use only used when landing road is

2616
02:03:16,000 --> 02:03:17,760
closed. Further discussion on your

2617
02:03:17,760 --> 02:03:19,760
motion.

2618
02:03:19,760 --> 02:03:21,119
>> No further discussion, Dan.

2619
02:03:21,119 --> 02:03:23,599
>> Uh in regards to the U amendment to the

2620
02:03:23,599 --> 02:03:25,280
article, I believe and I'm going to ask

2621
02:03:25,280 --> 02:03:27,440
this to the DPW commission, we're asking

2622
02:03:27,440 --> 02:03:30,400
for funds tonight to study this and do

2623
02:03:30,400 --> 02:03:32,239
engineering on what that site would be

2624
02:03:32,239 --> 02:03:35,440
used for. Correct.

2625
02:03:35,440 --> 02:03:37,679
>> No. Well, it's a combination of things.

2626
02:03:37,679 --> 02:03:40,719
Yes, to to do the plan, um, but then

2627
02:03:40,719 --> 02:03:42,320
also to physically construct the road.

2628
02:03:42,320 --> 02:03:44,480
So, another point to be made here. The

2629
02:03:44,480 --> 02:03:46,880
reason why this is so inexpensive is

2630
02:03:46,880 --> 02:03:48,639
because the DPW is going to do it

2631
02:03:48,639 --> 02:03:51,040
ourselves. So, if we have to do this as

2632
02:03:51,040 --> 02:03:52,880
part of a bridge contra construction

2633
02:03:52,880 --> 02:03:54,880
contract, the price of this road is

2634
02:03:54,880 --> 02:03:58,400
going to double probably at least, if

2635
02:03:58,400 --> 02:04:00,880
not more. Um, we're proposing to do it

2636
02:04:00,880 --> 02:04:02,480
now because we know we need to do bridge

2637
02:04:02,480 --> 02:04:05,360
work in the near future. We have the

2638
02:04:05,360 --> 02:04:07,040
people who are capable of building the

2639
02:04:07,040 --> 02:04:09,520
road at the DPW. We have the time to do

2640
02:04:09,520 --> 02:04:11,599
it on our own time frame. And so the

2641
02:04:11,599 --> 02:04:14,639
cost that we're asking for money for is

2642
02:04:14,639 --> 02:04:17,199
to um do partial survey of the property

2643
02:04:17,199 --> 02:04:21,199
and design and and construct the road.

2644
02:04:21,199 --> 02:04:22,800
>> I'm sorry I didn't say my name last

2645
02:04:22,800 --> 02:04:24,560
time. Dan Ducet, John Weisav, and

2646
02:04:24,560 --> 02:04:25,760
another question. There would probably

2647
02:04:25,760 --> 02:04:28,239
be a public comment or a or sometime of

2648
02:04:28,239 --> 02:04:29,679
a hearing probably regarding this

2649
02:04:29,679 --> 02:04:31,520
process, right?

2650
02:04:31,520 --> 02:04:34,800
Uh yeah, probably once the actual final

2651
02:04:34,800 --> 02:04:36,800
design of the road is completed, we

2652
02:04:36,800 --> 02:04:38,320
would we would open it up to public

2653
02:04:38,320 --> 02:04:39,599
>> where where everybody would have the

2654
02:04:39,599 --> 02:04:42,000
opportunity to go to a DPW meeting.

2655
02:04:42,000 --> 02:04:46,080
They're very exciting. They are very com

2656
02:04:46,080 --> 02:04:48,239
to pinhole us into something like was

2657
02:04:48,239 --> 02:04:50,159
just proposed and limit what we can do

2658
02:04:50,159 --> 02:04:53,679
with that property is uh totally um

2659
02:04:53,679 --> 02:04:55,360
irresponsible.

2660
02:04:55,360 --> 02:04:59,280
um the the original motion at hand.

2661
02:04:59,280 --> 02:05:01,840
>> The wraps are not going to have um baby

2662
02:05:01,840 --> 02:05:03,280
squirrels coming out with two heads out

2663
02:05:03,280 --> 02:05:06,000
of the wombs out in the fields. We need

2664
02:05:06,000 --> 02:05:07,440
to make good use of it. They didn't use

2665
02:05:07,440 --> 02:05:09,199
it at the water plant because it was

2666
02:05:09,199 --> 02:05:10,800
impervious. The water wouldn't go

2667
02:05:10,800 --> 02:05:12,320
through to go to the wellheads. It

2668
02:05:12,320 --> 02:05:14,880
wasn't a contamination issue. We need to

2669
02:05:14,880 --> 02:05:16,880
get back on track here. Save some money.

2670
02:05:16,880 --> 02:05:19,040
Do it right. Plan for the future. That

2671
02:05:19,040 --> 02:05:20,639
bridge is not going to last forever. It

2672
02:05:20,639 --> 02:05:22,560
failed within the last 10 years. Had to

2673
02:05:22,560 --> 02:05:24,239
have repairs done. It have been 15

2674
02:05:24,239 --> 02:05:28,000
years. It all goes so fast. Um, but

2675
02:05:28,000 --> 02:05:29,599
we're we're walk we're going in circles

2676
02:05:29,599 --> 02:05:32,800
here. Uh, don't vote for this uh

2677
02:05:32,800 --> 02:05:35,520
amendment to the uh motion, please.

2678
02:05:35,520 --> 02:05:37,840
>> There's discussion on the amendment to

2679
02:05:37,840 --> 02:05:39,679
the article. Yes.

2680
02:05:39,679 --> 02:05:41,520
>> No,

2681
02:05:41,520 --> 02:05:42,320
>> I do.

2682
02:05:42,320 --> 02:05:43,040
>> Okay.

2683
02:05:43,040 --> 02:05:46,560
>> Uh, Chris Capitasto, 15 Apple. So, what

2684
02:05:46,560 --> 02:05:48,639
I'm hearing is that this could

2685
02:05:48,639 --> 02:05:50,480
potentially become the new entrance to

2686
02:05:50,480 --> 02:05:52,159
the dump. Why doesn't somebody just say

2687
02:05:52,159 --> 02:05:55,589
that?

2688
02:05:55,599 --> 02:05:56,000
Thank you.

2689
02:05:56,000 --> 02:05:56,880
>> That is Hold on.

2690
02:05:56,880 --> 02:05:57,520
>> That's my question.

2691
02:05:57,520 --> 02:05:59,840
>> That that's that is not the intent. What

2692
02:05:59,840 --> 02:06:01,360
Brendan is saying is that

2693
02:06:01,360 --> 02:06:02,960
>> the intent is one thing, but you guys

2694
02:06:02,960 --> 02:06:04,639
once you do this, there's no stopping

2695
02:06:04,639 --> 02:06:06,480
it, right? So you guys go put a cheap

2696
02:06:06,480 --> 02:06:09,040
temporary road. Oh, well this is too

2697
02:06:09,040 --> 02:06:11,119
expensive now. This is the new entrance.

2698
02:06:11,119 --> 02:06:12,239
That's

2699
02:06:12,239 --> 02:06:14,239
>> that's how it reads to me.

2700
02:06:14,239 --> 02:06:18,320
>> Any further discussion on the amendment?

2701
02:06:18,320 --> 02:06:19,920
>> Uh okay. Okay. All those in favor of

2702
02:06:19,920 --> 02:06:25,119
amending article 22, raise your card.

2703
02:06:25,119 --> 02:06:27,119
All those opposed.

2704
02:06:27,119 --> 02:06:29,920
The motion fails.

2705
02:06:29,920 --> 02:06:33,679
Back to the main motion.

2706
02:06:33,679 --> 02:06:35,840
>> And I have a question before I say

2707
02:06:35,840 --> 02:06:52,629
>> Okay.

2708
02:06:52,639 --> 02:07:31,910
Sorry. Patience is a virtue.

2709
02:07:31,920 --> 02:07:33,920
We have another motion coming.

2710
02:07:33,920 --> 02:07:39,360
>> Yes. Uh the second amendment um would

2711
02:07:39,360 --> 02:07:42,639
uh address the vagueness in terms of the

2712
02:07:42,639 --> 02:07:45,119
size of the road and that would involve

2713
02:07:45,119 --> 02:07:48,719
adding words after the word road in the

2714
02:07:48,719 --> 02:07:52,079
second line to include with a maximum

2715
02:07:52,079 --> 02:07:54,880
width of 20 ft.

2716
02:07:54,880 --> 02:07:57,280
>> Is there a second?

2717
02:07:57,280 --> 02:08:02,320
>> There's a second. Discussion on the amendment to restrict

2718
02:08:02,320 --> 02:08:05,990
the width to 20 ft.

2719
02:08:06,000 --> 02:08:11,750
is my my point. Okay.

2720
02:08:11,760 --> 02:08:14,480
» I would um object to the 20 foot width.

2721
02:08:14,480 --> 02:08:15,840
Um yeah, there are a lot of roads in

2722
02:08:15,840 --> 02:08:17,679
Essex that are 20 ft wide and they're

2723
02:08:17,679 --> 02:08:19,280
hairy to drive on. There's roads that

2724
02:08:19,280 --> 02:08:20,719
are less than that. If we're going to

2725
02:08:20,719 --> 02:08:23,360
put in a road that's got to handle um

2726
02:08:23,360 --> 02:08:27,280
DPW equipment, uh the dumpsters coming

2727
02:08:27,280 --> 02:08:29,679
in and out, plus if it is a temporary

2728
02:08:29,679 --> 02:08:31,599
road while the culvert and landing road

2729
02:08:31,599 --> 02:08:33,360
is being repaired and all of us are

2730
02:08:33,360 --> 02:08:37,280
driving down it, um why make it 20 ft

2731
02:08:37,280 --> 02:08:39,599
instead of 24, which is a standard safe

2732
02:08:39,599 --> 02:08:41,440
width for two lanes that are 12 feet

2733
02:08:41,440 --> 02:08:43,679
wide for passage?

2734
02:08:43,679 --> 02:08:45,520
>> Nick, you had she said what I was going

2735
02:08:45,520 --> 02:08:47,360
to say.

2736
02:08:47,360 --> 02:08:49,360
>> Any further discussion on the amendment?

2737
02:08:49,360 --> 02:08:50,639
I have some.

2738
02:08:50,639 --> 02:08:51,920
>> Okay,

2739
02:08:51,920 --> 02:08:58,709
>> thank you. Um,

2740
02:08:58,719 --> 02:09:02,480
in this case, the maximum width of 20 ft

2741
02:09:02,480 --> 02:09:06,480
is typical of rural roads um in Essex

2742
02:09:06,480 --> 02:09:09,840
and elsewhere. landing it road itself is

2743
02:09:09,840 --> 02:09:12,719
19 ft wide at the culvert and all the

2744
02:09:12,719 --> 02:09:16,000
vehicles travel to and from the dump um

2745
02:09:16,000 --> 02:09:19,360
with at a 19 ft width that should be

2746
02:09:19,360 --> 02:09:23,119
more than ample um 25 ft is like

2747
02:09:23,119 --> 02:09:25,760
industrial strength. It's too big a scar

2748
02:09:25,760 --> 02:09:27,920
on the landscape and especially given

2749
02:09:27,920 --> 02:09:30,239
that it's going to be used so rarely

2750
02:09:30,239 --> 02:09:32,480
only when landing road is closed. It

2751
02:09:32,480 --> 02:09:34,079
would make a huge difference to the

2752
02:09:34,079 --> 02:09:36,639
appearance of this scenic open space

2753
02:09:36,639 --> 02:09:39,440
that many of us see a reason to protect.

2754
02:09:39,440 --> 02:09:42,000
Instead of creating an oversized road in

2755
02:09:42,000 --> 02:09:44,800
this farmland on a scenic road, let's

2756
02:09:44,800 --> 02:09:47,760
strive to design it so that it fits into

2757
02:09:47,760 --> 02:09:50,239
the landscape and makes as small a

2758
02:09:50,239 --> 02:09:54,000
bruise as possible. Thank you.

2759
02:09:54,000 --> 02:09:57,510
>> Further discussion.

2760
02:09:57,520 --> 02:09:59,599
» Go ahead.

2761
02:09:59,599 --> 02:10:02,320
I'm going to sit down after this. Jack

2762
02:10:02,320 --> 02:10:07,119
Gale, 105 Pawn Street. Um

2763
02:10:07,119 --> 02:10:09,360
to just to give you an idea of what is

2764
02:10:09,360 --> 02:10:12,480
being talked about, Apple Street is 20

2765
02:10:12,480 --> 02:10:16,079
ft at the 22 end, Route 22nd end. Pawn

2766
02:10:16,079 --> 02:10:20,079
Street, the the width is 20 ft. You're

2767
02:10:20,079 --> 02:10:22,239
talking about a road like Pawn Street

2768
02:10:22,239 --> 02:10:24,079
across this field that's supposed to be

2769
02:10:24,079 --> 02:10:26,960
for temporary use only.

2770
02:10:26,960 --> 02:10:28,800
I really don't think the trucks and fire

2771
02:10:28,800 --> 02:10:30,719
engines have any trouble getting past

2772
02:10:30,719 --> 02:10:33,599
each other on Pawn Street.

2773
02:10:33,599 --> 02:10:35,920
>> Consider that.

2774
02:10:35,920 --> 02:10:37,360
>> Let's keep it in scale.

2775
02:10:37,360 --> 02:10:39,840
>> It's supposed to be temporary.

2776
02:10:39,840 --> 02:10:43,119
>> Further discussion on the amendment.

2777
02:10:43,119 --> 02:10:44,719
>> Hearing none.

2778
02:10:44,719 --> 02:10:50,790
>> Dan.

2779
02:10:50,800 --> 02:10:52,079
» Yeah. So, I could just add to that

2780
02:10:52,079 --> 02:10:55,520
because some support here. It's uh cuz

2781
02:10:55,520 --> 02:10:57,119
you're going to pull 18 wheelers because

2782
02:10:57,119 --> 02:10:59,760
that's what hauls our trash. I apologize

2783
02:10:59,760 --> 02:11:01,199
for our trucks that come through town

2784
02:11:01,199 --> 02:11:03,040
occasionally. But we certainly know what

2785
02:11:03,040 --> 02:11:05,119
it will take to get a truck in and out

2786
02:11:05,119 --> 02:11:06,800
of there. Turn. You can only going to

2787
02:11:06,800 --> 02:11:09,599
turn right. Sorry, Chris. Trucks are

2788
02:11:09,599 --> 02:11:11,679
only going to go right out of there to

2789
02:11:11,679 --> 02:11:15,119
get out to State Road. So, the road's

2790
02:11:15,119 --> 02:11:16,639
going to have to be bigger. It's going

2791
02:11:16,639 --> 02:11:18,480
to be flared out at the end certainly as

2792
02:11:18,480 --> 02:11:20,079
well, but might as well be that's what

2793
02:11:20,079 --> 02:11:22,320
it's going to take. No doubt about it.

2794
02:11:22,320 --> 02:11:23,520
Otherwise, trucks are just going to

2795
02:11:23,520 --> 02:11:25,119
drive right across the street, go up on

2796
02:11:25,119 --> 02:11:27,119
that just to make the turn. So,

2797
02:11:27,119 --> 02:11:29,199
realistic, let these guys build the road

2798
02:11:29,199 --> 02:11:31,440
that they actually need. Sorry.

2799
02:11:31,440 --> 02:11:35,589
>> Further discussion on the amendment.

2800
02:11:35,599 --> 02:11:37,280
All those in favor of amending article

2801
02:11:37,280 --> 02:11:40,239
22 by limiting the width to 20 ft. Raise

2802
02:11:40,239 --> 02:11:42,880
your card.

2803
02:11:42,880 --> 02:11:46,480
Opposed. The amendment fails.

2804
02:11:46,480 --> 02:11:49,119
Now, back to the main motion 22. Any

2805
02:11:49,119 --> 02:11:53,440
discussion on 22? Um I wanted to address

2806
02:11:53,440 --> 02:11:57,679
the idea of um the future disposition of

2807
02:11:57,679 --> 02:12:01,040
the property at 30 Apple Street. Um I

2808
02:12:01,040 --> 02:12:02,480
mentioned earlier one of the the

2809
02:12:02,480 --> 02:12:04,320
motivating reasons for purchasing this

2810
02:12:04,320 --> 02:12:07,040
is because that we could get access from

2811
02:12:07,040 --> 02:12:09,199
Apple Street to the transfer station

2812
02:12:09,199 --> 02:12:13,360
easily. Um what will happen on that 11

2813
02:12:13,360 --> 02:12:16,079
and a half acre parcel in the long run

2814
02:12:16,079 --> 02:12:18,079
is something that this town will still

2815
02:12:18,079 --> 02:12:22,639
be debating when I'm dead. Um, honestly,

2816
02:12:22,639 --> 02:12:24,960
think about Kenomo Point. When we

2817
02:12:24,960 --> 02:12:26,960
figured out what to do at Komo Point,

2818
02:12:26,960 --> 02:12:28,880
that was a 20-year discussion, and our

2819
02:12:28,880 --> 02:12:31,199
options were tear it down, rent it, or

2820
02:12:31,199 --> 02:12:33,360
sell it. We had three options, and it

2821
02:12:33,360 --> 02:12:35,679
took us 20 years to figure out what to

2822
02:12:35,679 --> 02:12:38,079
do with it. We're talking about 11 acres

2823
02:12:38,079 --> 02:12:41,199
here that we could sell to a developer.

2824
02:12:41,199 --> 02:12:45,520
We could plant flowers on. We could we

2825
02:12:45,520 --> 02:12:47,199
could put senior housing there. We could

2826
02:12:47,199 --> 02:12:48,800
put nothing there. We could put ball

2827
02:12:48,800 --> 02:12:51,119
fields there. The options for this

2828
02:12:51,119 --> 02:12:54,159
property are so vast and so varied and

2829
02:12:54,159 --> 02:12:56,239
are going to take a twothirds vote when

2830
02:12:56,239 --> 02:12:58,320
we get there. So, this property is going

2831
02:12:58,320 --> 02:13:00,800
to sit empty with hopefully a road down

2832
02:13:00,800 --> 02:13:07,270
the middle for as long as I live.

2833
02:13:07,280 --> 02:13:10,159
Rob's been standing up for a long time.

2834
02:13:10,159 --> 02:13:13,360
>> Good job, Lisa. Um, Rob Fitzgib 18 Main

2835
02:13:13,360 --> 02:13:15,920
Street. So, um, politics makes very

2836
02:13:15,920 --> 02:13:18,079
strange bedfellows. And when we voted to

2837
02:13:18,079 --> 02:13:20,000
purchase this property back like a

2838
02:13:20,000 --> 02:13:22,239
couple years ago, I was thinking like,

2839
02:13:22,239 --> 02:13:24,880
uhoh. Um, because it was this really

2840
02:13:24,880 --> 02:13:27,360
kind of interesting kind of ven diagram

2841
02:13:27,360 --> 02:13:29,599
of people bonding together to purchase

2842
02:13:29,599 --> 02:13:32,400
it. you had the kind of uh operations

2843
02:13:32,400 --> 02:13:34,079
contingent, if you will, the sort of Bob

2844
02:13:34,079 --> 02:13:36,480
the Builder folks, and then you had the

2845
02:13:36,480 --> 02:13:38,000
environmental contingent, the sort of

2846
02:13:38,000 --> 02:13:44,880
tree huggers. And I think the thing is that both groups got together and

2847
02:13:44,880 --> 02:13:47,119
were a and allowed the town to purchase

2848
02:13:47,119 --> 02:13:49,520
the property, but both groups have very

2849
02:13:49,520 --> 02:13:51,360
different motivations for what to do

2850
02:13:51,360 --> 02:13:53,360
with the property. And the problem with

2851
02:13:53,360 --> 02:13:56,480
this article is that it it just talks

2852
02:13:56,480 --> 02:13:58,400
about a road, but it doesn't talk about

2853
02:13:58,400 --> 02:14:01,280
the sort of like entire use of the land,

2854
02:14:01,280 --> 02:14:02,639
which many people want to, including

2855
02:14:02,639 --> 02:14:04,719
myself, want to preserve. I'd recommend

2856
02:14:04,719 --> 02:14:05,920
that someone make a motion to

2857
02:14:05,920 --> 02:14:07,280
indefinitely postpone this, and let's

2858
02:14:07,280 --> 02:14:09,440
come back in November and have an entire

2859
02:14:09,440 --> 02:14:11,360
plan. Well, it'll be enough time. I

2860
02:14:11,360 --> 02:14:12,560
don't think the covert's going to break

2861
02:14:12,560 --> 02:14:14,480
in six months. Then we can have a full

2862
02:14:14,480 --> 02:14:16,239
pan and address everybody's needs. Thank

2863
02:14:16,239 --> 02:14:16,560
you.

2864
02:14:16,560 --> 02:14:17,760
>> Is that your motion, Rob?

2865
02:14:17,760 --> 02:14:19,520
>> Hold on.

2866
02:14:19,520 --> 02:14:20,639
Okay.

2867
02:14:20,639 --> 02:14:23,040
>> I make a motion to indefinitely postpone

2868
02:14:23,040 --> 02:14:24,719
article 22.

2869
02:14:24,719 --> 02:14:27,840
>> 22. Thank you for a second.

2870
02:14:27,840 --> 02:14:28,800
>> All those in favor of

2871
02:14:28,800 --> 02:14:32,480
>> Could I could I discussion really quick?

2872
02:14:32,480 --> 02:14:33,760
>> Sorry. Just make a point,

2873
02:14:33,760 --> 02:14:34,560
>> I guess. Sure.

2874
02:14:34,560 --> 02:14:36,159
>> We are not going to be able to design a

2875
02:14:36,159 --> 02:14:38,719
road without money.

2876
02:14:38,719 --> 02:14:41,679
>> So,

2877
02:14:41,679 --> 02:14:43,599
all those in favor of indefinitely

2878
02:14:43,599 --> 02:14:47,040
postponing article 22, raise your card.

2879
02:14:47,040 --> 02:14:56,629
All those opposed.

2880
02:14:56,639 --> 02:15:07,350
All those in favor?

2881
02:15:07,360 --> 02:15:08,960
» I know, but I have to have a plan. So,

2882
02:15:08,960 --> 02:15:16,390
we're going to do the tower vote.

2883
02:15:16,400 --> 02:15:18,800
In the meantime,

2884
02:15:18,800 --> 02:15:22,950
perfect

2885
02:15:22,960 --> 02:15:24,560
before you raise your cards, I want to

2886
02:15:24,560 --> 02:15:26,960
recognize uh Senator Bruce Tar is here.

2887
02:15:26,960 --> 02:15:28,400
He's going to come up and say a couple

2888
02:15:28,400 --> 02:15:36,629
of word. So So

2889
02:15:36,639 --> 02:15:38,000
we're we're going to save a little time

2890
02:15:38,000 --> 02:15:39,599
by having him speak while we take the

2891
02:15:39,599 --> 02:15:43,679
vote. And he's going to rap for us.

2892
02:15:43,679 --> 02:15:45,280
rap. Maybe not, but thank you, Mr.

2893
02:15:45,280 --> 02:15:46,000
Moderator.

2894
02:15:46,000 --> 02:15:47,760
>> Raise your cards if you're in favor of

2895
02:15:47,760 --> 02:15:49,760
article 22.

2896
02:15:49,760 --> 02:15:55,199
>> Postponing article 22.

2897
02:15:55,199 --> 02:15:57,760
>> You got to come to the mic.

2898
02:15:57,760 --> 02:16:00,000
>> All those in favor indefinitely

2899
02:16:00,000 --> 02:16:05,430
postponing article 22, raise your card.

2900
02:16:05,440 --> 02:16:08,239
» That changed. That just changed.

2901
02:16:08,239 --> 02:16:12,950
Definitely did.

2902
02:16:12,960 --> 02:16:13,840
Go ahead.

2903
02:16:13,840 --> 02:16:15,119
>> Keep your cards up. He's going to speak

2904
02:16:15,119 --> 02:16:15,840
for us.

2905
02:16:15,840 --> 02:16:17,040
>> Thank you, Miss Moderator, and through

2906
02:16:17,040 --> 02:16:18,560
you to the members. I fear what I have

2907
02:16:18,560 --> 02:16:20,480
just stepped into by approaching this

2908
02:16:20,480 --> 02:16:22,800
microphone. I I have to tell you, this

2909
02:16:22,800 --> 02:16:24,400
is my third town meeting of this

2910
02:16:24,400 --> 02:16:26,719
evening, and I have not at any of the

2911
02:16:26,719 --> 02:16:28,239
other town meetings heard such an

2912
02:16:28,239 --> 02:16:30,880
interesting combination of engineering,

2913
02:16:30,880 --> 02:16:33,679
wit, and philosophy. And uh it's been an

2914
02:16:33,679 --> 02:16:35,359
a very interesting discussion. I want to

2915
02:16:35,359 --> 02:16:37,120
congratulate everyone who's participated

2916
02:16:37,120 --> 02:16:39,200
in it. I just want to give you a very

2917
02:16:39,200 --> 02:16:41,679
quick update. We on Beacon Hill are in

2918
02:16:41,679 --> 02:16:43,599
our season of budgeting just as you are

2919
02:16:43,599 --> 02:16:45,920
here tonight in the town of Essex. And I

2920
02:16:45,920 --> 02:16:47,920
want you to know that the House uh just

2921
02:16:47,920 --> 02:16:50,399
a short while ago completed its version

2922
02:16:50,399 --> 02:16:52,240
of the budget for the upcoming fiscal

2923
02:16:52,240 --> 02:16:55,359
year, fiscal year 2027. And one of the

2924
02:16:55,359 --> 02:16:57,280
most notable things that they did was

2925
02:16:57,280 --> 02:16:59,840
increase the amount of minimum per pupil

2926
02:16:59,840 --> 02:17:02,240
aid. Uh the governor had proposed that

2927
02:17:02,240 --> 02:17:05,599
number to be at $75. The House increased

2928
02:17:05,599 --> 02:17:09,200
it uh very fortunately to $160 per

2929
02:17:09,200 --> 02:17:15,359
pupil, meaning for the Manchester Essex

2930
02:17:15,359 --> 02:17:16,719
Regional School District that'll be

2931
02:17:16,719 --> 02:17:20,000
about $170,000 additional dollars. And

2932
02:17:20,000 --> 02:17:22,399
in the Senate, uh our budget will be uh

2933
02:17:22,399 --> 02:17:24,719
unveiled tomorrow and we'll be debating

2934
02:17:24,719 --> 02:17:26,319
it over the next couple of weeks and we

2935
02:17:26,319 --> 02:17:28,960
hope to hold that number. In addition to

2936
02:17:28,960 --> 02:17:30,800
that, one of the things in the state

2937
02:17:30,800 --> 02:17:32,479
budget that has needed to be addressed

2938
02:17:32,479 --> 02:17:35,760
in a very long time is unrestricted

2939
02:17:35,760 --> 02:17:38,719
general government aid, so-called UGGA,

2940
02:17:38,719 --> 02:17:41,200
the funding that the state provides for

2941
02:17:41,200 --> 02:17:44,160
municipal purposes such as funding

2942
02:17:44,160 --> 02:17:45,679
police and fire departments. Do you want

2943
02:17:45,679 --> 02:17:47,359
to declare the vote?

2944
02:17:47,359 --> 02:17:49,439
>> All those opposed to artic postponing

2945
02:17:49,439 --> 02:17:51,359
article 22,

2946
02:17:51,359 --> 02:17:53,120
>> thank you. You can make it. I have never

2947
02:17:53,120 --> 02:17:54,800
been involved in the middle of a vote

2948
02:17:54,800 --> 02:17:59,280
before, but uh unrestricted general government

2949
02:17:59,280 --> 02:18:01,599
aid is what pays for the non-school

2950
02:18:01,599 --> 02:18:03,439
things that the state provides funding

2951
02:18:03,439 --> 02:18:05,920
for. And we are working very hard in the

2952
02:18:05,920 --> 02:18:08,960
Senate to increase that number because

2953
02:18:08,960 --> 02:18:10,800
over the years the state budget has

2954
02:18:10,800 --> 02:18:13,920
gotten bigger, tremendously bigger, but

2955
02:18:13,920 --> 02:18:16,559
the percentage of unrestricted general

2956
02:18:16,559 --> 02:18:19,439
government aid has gone down. So, we're

2957
02:18:19,439 --> 02:18:21,359
hoping that we're going to increase that

2958
02:18:21,359 --> 02:18:23,120
so that we'll have more money for the

2959
02:18:23,120 --> 02:18:25,200
schools and more money for the municipal

2960
02:18:25,200 --> 02:18:26,639
side of government. We hope to

2961
02:18:26,639 --> 02:18:28,800
accomplish that uh over the next couple

2962
02:18:28,800 --> 02:18:31,280
of weeks as the Senate uh debates the

2963
02:18:31,280 --> 02:18:33,599
state budget. Uh I also want to point

2964
02:18:33,599 --> 02:18:35,599
out that it is my hope that when we

2965
02:18:35,599 --> 02:18:37,840
debate the budget in the Senate, we will

2966
02:18:37,840 --> 02:18:40,719
at long last uh recreate and

2967
02:18:40,719 --> 02:18:43,120
reconstitute the Foundation Budget

2968
02:18:43,120 --> 02:18:45,439
Review Commission. Because for anyone

2969
02:18:45,439 --> 02:18:47,679
that's been following funding from

2970
02:18:47,679 --> 02:18:50,000
Massachusetts to our school districts,

2971
02:18:50,000 --> 02:18:52,559
you know that that foundation budget is

2972
02:18:52,559 --> 02:18:55,359
broken and it is not providing a fair

2973
02:18:55,359 --> 02:18:57,679
amount of state assistance to regional

2974
02:18:57,679 --> 02:19:00,399
districts and regular school districts

2975
02:19:00,399 --> 02:19:01,920
all across the Commonwealth of

2976
02:19:01,920 --> 02:19:06,319
Massachusetts. In fact, over 270

2977
02:19:06,319 --> 02:19:08,800
school districts in our state receive

2978
02:19:08,800 --> 02:19:11,920
only the minimum amount of per pupil aid

2979
02:19:11,920 --> 02:19:14,240
increase every year. It's time to change

2980
02:19:14,240 --> 02:19:16,399
that and it starts with the Foundation

2981
02:19:16,399 --> 02:19:18,160
Budget Review Commission. So, we hope to

2982
02:19:18,160 --> 02:19:20,719
do that. Last but not least, I'm trying

2983
02:19:20,719 --> 02:19:24,160
to see if the vote is done yet,

2984
02:19:24,160 --> 02:19:26,960
how much more time I need to speak for,

2985
02:19:26,960 --> 02:19:28,800
but last but not least, I think we all

2986
02:19:28,800 --> 02:19:30,559
know how phenomenal our our town

2987
02:19:30,559 --> 02:19:32,960
manager, Brendan Zubri, is uh once

2988
02:19:32,960 --> 02:19:35,200
again, he worked with us. He is

2989
02:19:35,200 --> 02:19:43,750
phenomenal.

2990
02:19:43,760 --> 02:19:46,080
And just a couple of weeks ago, uh,

2991
02:19:46,080 --> 02:19:47,840
Brendan worked with us as we did a

2992
02:19:47,840 --> 02:19:50,000
supplemental budget that was spending

2993
02:19:50,000 --> 02:19:53,359
some of the proceeds of the income sir

2994
02:19:53,359 --> 02:19:55,680
tax on incomes over a million dollars.

2995
02:19:55,680 --> 02:19:57,280
Those funds can only be used for

2996
02:19:57,280 --> 02:19:59,920
transportation and education. And

2997
02:19:59,920 --> 02:20:01,920
Brendan worked with us and we secured an

2998
02:20:01,920 --> 02:20:03,840
earmark in the Senate version of that

2999
02:20:03,840 --> 02:20:07,200
budget uh for some $60,000 to help Essex

3000
02:20:07,200 --> 02:20:09,680
study its bridges. um so that we can

3001
02:20:09,680 --> 02:20:11,359
understand what we need to do to make

3002
02:20:11,359 --> 02:20:13,120
them more resilient and more

3003
02:20:13,120 --> 02:20:15,359
sustainable. And I'm guessing Brendan,

3004
02:20:15,359 --> 02:20:16,880
with that amount of money, you can also

3005
02:20:16,880 --> 02:20:18,479
study how wide they are, but I'm not

3006
02:20:18,479 --> 02:20:20,800
sure.

3007
02:20:20,800 --> 02:20:22,640
And then and then very last but not

3008
02:20:22,640 --> 02:20:24,399
least, I just wanted to say a special

3009
02:20:24,399 --> 02:20:27,439
thanks to Chief Shamshuk uh because uh

3010
02:20:27,439 --> 02:20:30,080
he and uh everyone uh at the public

3011
02:20:30,080 --> 02:20:32,240
safety building has been hosting some

3012
02:20:32,240 --> 02:20:34,080
very important discussions that we've

3013
02:20:34,080 --> 02:20:36,560
been leading about what to do to reduce

3014
02:20:36,560 --> 02:20:39,359
incidences of wrongway driving in the

3015
02:20:39,359 --> 02:20:41,359
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It's a

3016
02:20:41,359 --> 02:20:44,000
very serious issue. It is something that

3017
02:20:44,000 --> 02:20:46,319
happens far too often and it is

3018
02:20:46,319 --> 02:20:47,920
something that we are learning day by

3019
02:20:47,920 --> 02:20:50,800
day that we can do something about. And

3020
02:20:50,800 --> 02:20:53,040
the chief has been hosting us right here

3021
02:20:53,040 --> 02:20:55,520
in Essex as uh folks from all across the

3022
02:20:55,520 --> 02:20:57,359
region have been getting together to

3023
02:20:57,359 --> 02:21:01,280
plan a strategy to reduce incidents of

3024
02:21:01,280 --> 02:21:02,880
wrongway driving. And it is going to

3025
02:21:02,880 --> 02:21:04,319
make a difference. It's going to save

3026
02:21:04,319 --> 02:21:07,120
lives. And I appreciate his good work in

3027
02:21:07,120 --> 02:21:09,280
his hosting us and all of the chiefs on

3028
02:21:09,280 --> 02:21:15,270
the Northshore.

3029
02:21:15,280 --> 02:21:16,800
Mr. Moderator, I think there's a

3030
02:21:16,800 --> 02:21:18,560
question. I'm not know sure if I'm

3031
02:21:18,560 --> 02:21:20,080
allowed to entertain a question, but go

3032
02:21:20,080 --> 02:21:23,110
ahead.

3033
02:21:23,120 --> 02:21:37,030
» Sure. Go ahead.

3034
02:21:37,040 --> 02:21:39,600
I'm Shelley Bradberry. Um, thank you,

3035
02:21:39,600 --> 02:21:42,319
Senator Tar. I am very interested in the

3036
02:21:42,319 --> 02:21:45,840
energy costs that we're paying where um

3037
02:21:45,840 --> 02:21:48,880
I heard that the legislative is going to

3038
02:21:48,880 --> 02:21:52,160
talk about raising the service fees

3039
02:21:52,160 --> 02:21:55,120
>> in in December. And right now, our

3040
02:21:55,120 --> 02:21:58,319
service fees are more than what we use.

3041
02:21:58,319 --> 02:22:01,680
and it is getting to a point where it's

3042
02:22:01,680 --> 02:22:05,680
unaffordable and I I want to know more

3043
02:22:05,680 --> 02:22:08,000
about this and where what you're

3044
02:22:08,000 --> 02:22:08,640
thinking.

3045
02:22:08,640 --> 02:22:11,280
>> Sure. Well, thanks Shel. So, uh what's

3046
02:22:11,280 --> 02:22:12,399
happening is that the House of

3047
02:22:12,399 --> 02:22:15,200
Representatives has passed a bill uh to

3048
02:22:15,200 --> 02:22:17,359
work on reducing energy costs.

3049
02:22:17,359 --> 02:22:19,840
Massachusetts right now pays among the

3050
02:22:19,840 --> 02:22:22,160
highest electricity cost in the

3051
02:22:22,160 --> 02:22:25,040
continental United States of America.

3052
02:22:25,040 --> 02:22:27,520
And so uh the House passed a bill to

3053
02:22:27,520 --> 02:22:30,000
look at various ways to reduce that. The

3054
02:22:30,000 --> 02:22:32,080
Senate plans on taking that bill up over

3055
02:22:32,080 --> 02:22:34,399
the next several months. Um I have

3056
02:22:34,399 --> 02:22:36,720
offered a comprehensive bill with many

3057
02:22:36,720 --> 02:22:39,040
of my colleagues uh to try to reduce

3058
02:22:39,040 --> 02:22:41,840
those costs while making sure that we

3059
02:22:41,840 --> 02:22:43,920
have reliable sources of sustainable

3060
02:22:43,920 --> 02:22:46,720
energy. And so it's a conversation that

3061
02:22:46,720 --> 02:22:48,800
is ongoing. Uh but we are going to work

3062
02:22:48,800 --> 02:22:50,880
at both of those goals. Number one,

3063
02:22:50,880 --> 02:22:53,280
making sure that we have enough supply.

3064
02:22:53,280 --> 02:22:55,600
Number two, making sure that it's

3065
02:22:55,600 --> 02:22:57,920
affordable and sustainable over the

3066
02:22:57,920 --> 02:22:59,920
future. So, it's a great question and

3067
02:22:59,920 --> 02:23:01,359
it's one of the things that we

3068
02:23:01,359 --> 02:23:03,200
absolutely must address in

3069
02:23:03,200 --> 02:23:05,200
Massachusetts. And I'm I'm just going to

3070
02:23:05,200 --> 02:23:07,760
editorialize for a minute and say that

3071
02:23:07,760 --> 02:23:09,920
over the last several years, we

3072
02:23:09,920 --> 02:23:12,000
literally have had thousands of people

3073
02:23:12,000 --> 02:23:14,479
leaving our Commonwealth because it's

3074
02:23:14,479 --> 02:23:17,040
not affordable to be here. And one of

3075
02:23:17,040 --> 02:23:19,600
the driving causes of that is the cost

3076
02:23:19,600 --> 02:23:21,439
of energy. So, we take it very

3077
02:23:21,439 --> 02:23:23,680
seriously. We have a lot of ideas on how

3078
02:23:23,680 --> 02:23:26,000
to get at it. And I promise you maybe

3079
02:23:26,000 --> 02:23:27,760
even if you tune in to the Senate budget

3080
02:23:27,760 --> 02:23:30,560
debate two weeks from now, you may even

3081
02:23:30,560 --> 02:23:32,160
hear some ideas from me about how to get

3082
02:23:32,160 --> 02:23:34,000
at that sooner than later. Thanks for

3083
02:23:34,000 --> 02:23:40,469
the question.

3084
02:23:40,479 --> 02:23:42,000
All right, I think I've used enough time

3085
02:23:42,000 --> 02:23:44,399
so that the vote has been completed and

3086
02:23:44,399 --> 02:23:46,479
uh I think where's Lisa O'Donnell?

3087
02:23:46,479 --> 02:23:48,000
think, you know, it certainly got done

3088
02:23:48,000 --> 02:23:50,319
in a shorter time than what you had

3089
02:23:50,319 --> 02:23:52,319
predicted and I want to make sure you're

3090
02:23:52,319 --> 02:23:57,359
living for a long long time. So,

3091
02:23:57,359 --> 02:24:00,000
thank thank you all for for coming out

3092
02:24:00,000 --> 02:24:01,680
to town meeting. I know these nights can

3093
02:24:01,680 --> 02:24:03,600
be long, but they make a real difference

3094
02:24:03,600 --> 02:24:05,040
when people get together and make

3095
02:24:05,040 --> 02:24:06,880
decisions for the town. Thank you all

3096
02:24:06,880 --> 02:24:14,870
very much.

3097
02:24:14,880 --> 02:24:17,840
» Thank you, Bruce. Um

3098
02:24:17,840 --> 02:24:20,880
>> the motion to postpone

3099
02:24:20,880 --> 02:24:24,399
failed 85 to 103. So we're going to move

3100
02:24:24,399 --> 02:24:29,349
on to the main article 22 still.

3101
02:24:29,359 --> 02:24:31,920
» Go ahead. Mike Dyer, Indian Rock Lane.

3102
02:24:31,920 --> 02:24:33,840
Uh question through you, Mr. Moderator,

3103
02:24:33,840 --> 02:24:38,000
to the DPW. Um I I understand that the

3104
02:24:38,000 --> 02:24:40,560
design and construction of this road are

3105
02:24:40,560 --> 02:24:44,240
pencil out to $75,000.

3106
02:24:44,240 --> 02:24:45,840
I'm surprised you can even get a road

3107
02:24:45,840 --> 02:24:49,760
designed for $75,000 these days and and

3108
02:24:49,760 --> 02:24:53,040
built based on prices I've seen on on

3109
02:24:53,040 --> 02:24:57,280
other projects recently. Um I' I'd like

3110
02:24:57,280 --> 02:24:59,120
a little more detail on that, including

3111
02:24:59,120 --> 02:25:05,349
who will be designing the road.

3112
02:25:05,359 --> 02:25:06,960
design will be per a standard

3113
02:25:06,960 --> 02:25:09,760
detail and width and will be built by

3114
02:25:09,760 --> 02:25:17,830
DBW personnel with rented equipment.

3115
02:25:17,840 --> 02:25:20,160
Next question or statement.

3116
02:25:20,160 --> 02:25:23,920
>> Um to David Perne, 15 Lufkin Street. I'd

3117
02:25:23,920 --> 02:25:25,680
like to urge everybody here to vote on

3118
02:25:25,680 --> 02:25:30,319
this article the way it is written. Um, a lot of us probably

3119
02:25:30,319 --> 02:25:32,960
remember, which is coming up shortly,

3120
02:25:32,960 --> 02:25:34,800
the all the lovely Mother's Day

3121
02:25:34,800 --> 02:25:36,960
rainstorms that we had and how

3122
02:25:36,960 --> 02:25:39,680
inconvenient for the town of Ipsswitch

3123
02:25:39,680 --> 02:25:42,399
it was when the choke bridge did not

3124
02:25:42,399 --> 02:25:46,160
operate for months. We are one simple

3125
02:25:46,160 --> 02:25:48,800
little rainstorm away from that culvert

3126
02:25:48,800 --> 02:25:51,920
being useless, which is going to cut off

3127
02:25:51,920 --> 02:25:55,520
100% of your access to vital emergency

3128
02:25:55,520 --> 02:25:58,399
services. So, please vote on the article

3129
02:25:58,399 --> 02:26:02,389
as it is written.

3130
02:26:02,399 --> 02:26:05,040
» Uh, Christopher Wolf, Forese Creek Road.

3131
02:26:05,040 --> 02:26:06,560
I'd like to move the question, please.

3132
02:26:06,560 --> 02:26:08,800
Okay.

3133
02:26:08,800 --> 02:26:10,960
>> All those in favor of moving question

3134
02:26:10,960 --> 02:26:14,720
article 22, raise your card.

3135
02:26:14,720 --> 02:26:16,399
All those that want to keep continuing

3136
02:26:16,399 --> 02:26:19,760
talking about it, raise your card.

3137
02:26:19,760 --> 02:26:21,680
We are we're going to stop debate. We

3138
02:26:21,680 --> 02:26:24,560
will now take a vote on article 22. All

3139
02:26:24,560 --> 02:26:26,800
those in favor of article 22, raise your

3140
02:26:26,800 --> 02:26:28,960
card.

3141
02:26:28,960 --> 02:26:31,120
All those opposed.

3142
02:26:31,120 --> 02:26:37,429
The motion passes.

3143
02:26:37,439 --> 02:26:38,800
» Article 17. It's

3144
02:26:38,800 --> 02:26:42,000
>> Mr. Moderator.

3145
02:26:42,000 --> 02:26:44,160
>> I'd like to propose that we uh consider

3146
02:26:44,160 --> 02:26:46,160
article 28 next. Please.

3147
02:26:46,160 --> 02:26:48,800
>> Is there a second?

3148
02:26:48,800 --> 02:26:51,359
>> All those in favor of moving article 28

3149
02:26:51,359 --> 02:26:56,389
before 17, raise your card.

3150
02:26:56,399 --> 02:26:59,439
All those opposed to moving it.

3151
02:26:59,439 --> 02:27:15,030
Article 28.

3152
02:27:15,040 --> 02:27:17,920
» Mr. Moderator I, Edward Neil, move that

3153
02:27:17,920 --> 02:27:20,560
the town vote to repeal or resin the

3154
02:27:20,560 --> 02:27:22,800
vote of article 21 of the annual town

3155
02:27:22,800 --> 02:27:26,080
meeting of May 2nd, 2011, by which the

3156
02:27:26,080 --> 02:27:28,399
town adopted the open space residential

3157
02:27:28,399 --> 02:27:32,479
development zoning bylaw as section 6-14

3158
02:27:32,479 --> 02:27:35,680
of the town zoning bylaw, subsequently

3159
02:27:35,680 --> 02:27:39,040
reumbered as and currently existing as

3160
02:27:39,040 --> 02:27:42,399
section 6-8 of the town zoning bylaw,

3161
02:27:42,399 --> 02:27:45,359
and to delete said section 68 from the

3162
02:27:45,359 --> 02:27:48,319
town zoning bylaw. Said repeal or

3163
02:27:48,319 --> 02:27:51,120
recision shall not apply to any

3164
02:27:51,120 --> 02:27:53,760
application properly filed before the

3165
02:27:53,760 --> 02:27:56,880
passage of this article at the May 2026

3166
02:27:56,880 --> 02:28:02,000
annual town meeting. Is there a second

3167
02:28:02,000 --> 02:28:06,550
>> discussion?

3168
02:28:06,560 --> 02:28:08,080
» Do you want me to give the planning

3169
02:28:08,080 --> 02:28:09,760
boards

3170
02:28:09,760 --> 02:28:10,560
Jeff?

3171
02:28:10,560 --> 02:28:11,359
>> What?

3172
02:28:11,359 --> 02:28:12,800
>> I guess I wasn't paying attention.

3173
02:28:12,800 --> 02:28:14,399
>> Yes. I have to ask because this is

3174
02:28:14,399 --> 02:28:16,720
twothirds at zoning. I'm I want the

3175
02:28:16,720 --> 02:28:18,080
planning board to answer whether they

3176
02:28:18,080 --> 02:28:19,120
voted on it or not.

3177
02:28:19,120 --> 02:28:19,920
>> Beg your pardon?

3178
02:28:19,920 --> 02:28:21,200
>> I'm asking the planning board if they

3179
02:28:21,200 --> 02:28:23,280
voted on it because this is a zoning

3180
02:28:23,280 --> 02:28:26,319
article and it takes twothirds. I asked

3181
02:28:26,319 --> 02:28:28,640
planning board if they voted on it or in

3182
02:28:28,640 --> 02:28:29,120
favor of it.

3183
02:28:29,120 --> 02:28:30,560
>> They voted not to support it at their

3184
02:28:30,560 --> 02:28:30,800
hearing.

3185
02:28:30,800 --> 02:28:35,349
>> I have to ask her.

3186
02:28:35,359 --> 02:28:37,840
» The planning board did hear this article

3187
02:28:37,840 --> 02:28:41,200
as um part of our hearing on April 15th.

3188
02:28:41,200 --> 02:28:43,280
And at that point, no one spoke to the

3189
02:28:43,280 --> 02:28:46,880
article and the planning board as is our

3190
02:28:46,880 --> 02:28:49,359
as is required takes a vote on whether

3191
02:28:49,359 --> 02:28:51,439
to support the article and to recommend

3192
02:28:51,439 --> 02:28:54,479
it to town meeting. And our vote was

3193
02:28:54,479 --> 02:28:56,399
against the article and we do not

3194
02:28:56,399 --> 02:29:01,030
recommend it to town meeting.

3195
02:29:01,040 --> 02:29:02,880
» Is it my time clock starting now?

3196
02:29:02,880 --> 02:29:05,520
>> Right now. Okay. I guess I wasn't paying

3197
02:29:05,520 --> 02:29:07,840
attention when the town passed the OSRD

3198
02:29:07,840 --> 02:29:11,680
bylaw in 2011, but even if I was, I

3199
02:29:11,680 --> 02:29:12,960
probably probably would not have

3200
02:29:12,960 --> 02:29:14,640
understood the ramifications of it

3201
02:29:14,640 --> 02:29:16,640
passing. The Essex Park Road

3202
02:29:16,640 --> 02:29:18,160
development, however, has brought

3203
02:29:18,160 --> 02:29:20,640
significant issues to light. The

3204
02:29:20,640 --> 02:29:22,640
objective of this bylaw is clearly to

3205
02:29:22,640 --> 02:29:24,720
preserve green spaces as part of

3206
02:29:24,720 --> 02:29:27,040
residential development projects, and in

3207
02:29:27,040 --> 02:29:28,960
overdeveloped urban settings, it might

3208
02:29:28,960 --> 02:29:31,600
make some sense. But in Essex, we have

3209
02:29:31,600 --> 02:29:34,080
expansive undeveloped green spaces and

3210
02:29:34,080 --> 02:29:36,240
conservation areas for passive

3211
02:29:36,240 --> 02:29:38,880
recreation. The Star Roast Reservation,

3212
02:29:38,880 --> 02:29:40,880
New England Antiquities, Green Belt and

3213
02:29:40,880 --> 02:29:43,439
Trustees all offer public access to

3214
02:29:43,439 --> 02:29:46,640
undeveloper farm and forest areas and

3215
02:29:46,640 --> 02:29:48,960
the existing large residential lots

3216
02:29:48,960 --> 02:29:51,600
provide pleasant treed and grassy areas

3217
02:29:51,600 --> 02:29:54,479
for your viewing pleasure. In Essex, our

3218
02:29:54,479 --> 02:29:56,399
zoning for residential development has

3219
02:29:56,399 --> 02:29:59,040
required 30,000 square foot lots on

3220
02:29:59,040 --> 02:30:01,840
streets in existence in 1972

3221
02:30:01,840 --> 02:30:05,120
and 40,000 on new subdivision roads.

3222
02:30:05,120 --> 02:30:06,960
These requirements were enacted for

3223
02:30:06,960 --> 02:30:09,840
several reason. One is that large lots

3224
02:30:09,840 --> 02:30:12,319
and fences make for good neighbors and

3225
02:30:12,319 --> 02:30:14,560
that without municipal sewers, it's

3226
02:30:14,560 --> 02:30:16,399
difficult to site a functional septic

3227
02:30:16,399 --> 02:30:19,520
system on smaller lots. The bylaws,

3228
02:30:19,520 --> 02:30:21,120
sewer regulations, and special

3229
02:30:21,120 --> 02:30:23,200
legislation that controls our municipal

3230
02:30:23,200 --> 02:30:25,920
sewer do not allow new developments to

3231
02:30:25,920 --> 02:30:28,800
tie in. The system was built to correct

3232
02:30:28,800 --> 02:30:30,960
existing pollution problems, not to

3233
02:30:30,960 --> 02:30:34,319
facilitate future development. The OSRD

3234
02:30:34,319 --> 02:30:37,120
bylaw allows and indeed encourages

3235
02:30:37,120 --> 02:30:40,319
developers to create undersized 10,000

3236
02:30:40,319 --> 02:30:43,040
square foot lots, thereby creating more

3237
02:30:43,040 --> 02:30:45,600
lots than would otherwise be allowed in

3238
02:30:45,600 --> 02:30:47,520
return for allowing a portion of the lot

3239
02:30:47,520 --> 02:30:49,920
to remain undeveloped. This creates

3240
02:30:49,920 --> 02:30:55,920
several issues. First, we are creating clustered housing on small lots

3241
02:30:55,920 --> 02:30:57,520
that are out of character with the

3242
02:30:57,520 --> 02:31:00,880
overall residents of Essex. Second, due

3243
02:31:00,880 --> 02:31:04,240
to the small small lots on light on lot

3244
02:31:04,240 --> 02:31:06,240
septic systems will be impossible,

3245
02:31:06,240 --> 02:31:08,160
driving the developer to build communal

3246
02:31:08,160 --> 02:31:10,000
septic systems with pipes in the street

3247
02:31:10,000 --> 02:31:12,399
from the new houses to remote leeching

3248
02:31:12,399 --> 02:31:15,280
fields. As it is, the owners of the new

3249
02:31:15,280 --> 02:31:16,880
homes will be responsible for the

3250
02:31:16,880 --> 02:31:19,120
maintenance of and plowing of the new

3251
02:31:19,120 --> 02:31:21,920
subdivision roads, the water supply

3252
02:31:21,920 --> 02:31:24,080
which will be on private property and

3253
02:31:24,080 --> 02:31:26,399
maintenance of the storm water recharge

3254
02:31:26,399 --> 02:31:28,720
structures that are required. Adding

3255
02:31:28,720 --> 02:31:31,280
sewer system responsibility is adding

3256
02:31:31,280 --> 02:31:33,760
insult to injury. We are creating a

3257
02:31:33,760 --> 02:31:36,160
two-tiered community where a significant

3258
02:31:36,160 --> 02:31:38,640
group of taxpayers are excluded from the

3259
02:31:38,640 --> 02:31:40,399
bulk of municipal services that are

3260
02:31:40,399 --> 02:31:42,960
available to the greater population.

3261
02:31:42,960 --> 02:31:44,319
Lastly, but not least are the

3262
02:31:44,319 --> 02:31:46,800
ramifications of this precious open

3263
02:31:46,800 --> 02:31:49,120
space we will be creating. Who's

3264
02:31:49,120 --> 02:31:51,439
responsible for maintaining this space?

3265
02:31:51,439 --> 02:31:54,000
Who can use it? If there are dangerous

3266
02:31:54,000 --> 02:31:56,240
trees that need pruning or removal, who

3267
02:31:56,240 --> 02:31:58,800
pays for that? What if a neighborhood

3268
02:31:58,800 --> 02:32:01,040
kid is playing in there and is hurt? Who

3269
02:32:01,040 --> 02:32:03,520
pays the bill? Are the new homeowners

3270
02:32:03,520 --> 02:32:06,080
shouldering this burden as well? It's

3271
02:32:06,080 --> 02:32:07,680
been suggested that ownership of the

3272
02:32:07,680 --> 02:32:09,920
open space might be transferred to one

3273
02:32:09,920 --> 02:32:11,760
of our local conservation groups, which

3274
02:32:11,760 --> 02:32:14,080
will remove it from the tax roles. If

3275
02:32:14,080 --> 02:32:16,800
so, will these organizations maintain

3276
02:32:16,800 --> 02:32:19,280
and be responsible for this property?

3277
02:32:19,280 --> 02:32:21,680
Other than maintaining walking trails, I

3278
02:32:21,680 --> 02:32:24,080
am unaware of any efforts to create fire

3279
02:32:24,080 --> 02:32:27,359
roads, fire breaks, or decrease the fire

3280
02:32:27,359 --> 02:32:30,000
load in the vast woodland areas they now

3281
02:32:30,000 --> 02:32:33,439
control. I don't see it happening. We're

3282
02:32:33,439 --> 02:32:35,920
only asking these questions because we

3283
02:32:35,920 --> 02:32:38,080
have created these problems by enacting

3284
02:32:38,080 --> 02:32:40,560
this bylaw, which makes no sense for

3285
02:32:40,560 --> 02:32:43,200
this rural community. Please join me in

3286
02:32:43,200 --> 02:32:45,359
voting to remove this boutique bylaw

3287
02:32:45,359 --> 02:32:47,680
from our books and return to common

3288
02:32:47,680 --> 02:32:50,000
sense subdivision rules that work for

3289
02:32:50,000 --> 02:32:58,710
Essex and new residents. Thank you.

3290
02:32:58,720 --> 02:33:02,080
Gilen 104 John Weisav

3291
02:33:02,080 --> 02:33:04,319
vote no. I support keeping the open

3292
02:33:04,319 --> 02:33:06,720
space residential development zoning

3293
02:33:06,720 --> 02:33:09,040
bylaw because it lets Essex protect open

3294
02:33:09,040 --> 02:33:12,960
spaces while still allowing housing.

3295
02:33:12,960 --> 02:33:14,960
Clustered development is a smarter use

3296
02:33:14,960 --> 02:33:17,760
of land than scattered large lot sprawl

3297
02:33:17,760 --> 02:33:20,160
and it helps preserve the trees that you

3298
02:33:20,160 --> 02:33:22,800
fought for in the past.

3299
02:33:22,800 --> 02:33:24,479
So, we can't really advocate for

3300
02:33:24,479 --> 02:33:26,720
clear-cutting to make way for big single

3301
02:33:26,720 --> 02:33:29,359
family houses over dense housing and

3302
02:33:29,359 --> 02:33:31,200
more trees

3303
02:33:31,200 --> 02:33:33,120
when that's how we've been voting in the

3304
02:33:33,120 --> 02:33:35,680
past. I agree that nature is what makes

3305
02:33:35,680 --> 02:33:37,760
Essex special.

3306
02:33:37,760 --> 02:33:40,319
Good planning lets us grow without

3307
02:33:40,319 --> 02:33:42,479
giving up land, air, and space that

3308
02:33:42,479 --> 02:33:45,280
makes Essex worth living in. Denser

3309
02:33:45,280 --> 02:33:47,439
housing can add more to the town's tax

3310
02:33:47,439 --> 02:33:50,160
base per acre than low density single

3311
02:33:50,160 --> 02:33:52,720
family development because compact land

3312
02:33:52,720 --> 02:33:55,359
use tends to generate more property tax

3313
02:33:55,359 --> 02:33:58,479
revenue relative to the land it uses.

3314
02:33:58,479 --> 02:34:01,120
Keeping open spaces helps Essex preserve

3315
02:34:01,120 --> 02:34:04,720
the rural character. I would contend

3316
02:34:04,720 --> 02:34:06,960
that can strengthen our eligibility for

3317
02:34:06,960 --> 02:34:09,600
state rural town benefits including

3318
02:34:09,600 --> 02:34:12,080
housing and planning incentives. Vote no

3319
02:34:12,080 --> 02:34:17,990
on 28.

3320
02:34:18,000 --> 02:34:20,000
I just wanted to put a little context

3321
02:34:20,000 --> 02:34:24,240
around the OSRD and um make sure that

3322
02:34:24,240 --> 02:34:25,680
people are clear on on what we're

3323
02:34:25,680 --> 02:34:28,080
talking about here. The open space

3324
02:34:28,080 --> 02:34:30,080
residential development is one option

3325
02:34:30,080 --> 02:34:32,080
that developers have. They don't have to

3326
02:34:32,080 --> 02:34:34,080
use this. They can go do a conventional

3327
02:34:34,080 --> 02:34:36,960
subdivision just as they could without

3328
02:34:36,960 --> 02:34:39,760
this. So, it's not getting rid of this

3329
02:34:39,760 --> 02:34:41,600
isn't going to stop development. It's

3330
02:34:41,600 --> 02:34:42,880
just going to ensure that any

3331
02:34:42,880 --> 02:34:45,600
development that does happen um is going

3332
02:34:45,600 --> 02:34:48,240
to be of the 40,000 square foot lot and

3333
02:34:48,240 --> 02:34:49,840
not allow the smaller cluster

3334
02:34:49,840 --> 02:34:51,520
development and the protection of open

3335
02:34:51,520 --> 02:34:53,520
space. So, this isn't a way to stop

3336
02:34:53,520 --> 02:34:55,280
development at all. It just takes away

3337
02:34:55,280 --> 02:34:57,040
the option for the open space

3338
02:34:57,040 --> 02:34:59,280
residential development. This article

3339
02:34:59,280 --> 02:35:02,399
passed in 2011 with 83% of the vote. The

3340
02:35:02,399 --> 02:35:04,800
vote was 204 in favor of 42 people

3341
02:35:04,800 --> 02:35:06,399
against it. So, it's something that was

3342
02:35:06,399 --> 02:35:08,640
very popular here in Essex. We've seen

3343
02:35:08,640 --> 02:35:11,439
the first one in 15 years now um that

3344
02:35:11,439 --> 02:35:12,880
we're we're hearing at the planning

3345
02:35:12,880 --> 02:35:14,640
board level right now. So it's not

3346
02:35:14,640 --> 02:35:17,040
something that is happening all over.

3347
02:35:17,040 --> 02:35:20,160
It's it's like I said the first time in

3348
02:35:20,160 --> 02:35:21,680
15 years. We don't see a lot of

3349
02:35:21,680 --> 02:35:24,800
developments happen. Actually um it

3350
02:35:24,800 --> 02:35:27,680
doesn't an OSRD does not create um a

3351
02:35:27,680 --> 02:35:29,840
higher density in town because the whole

3352
02:35:29,840 --> 02:35:31,840
concept of preserving urban space means

3353
02:35:31,840 --> 02:35:34,240
that in effect you get the same density.

3354
02:35:34,240 --> 02:35:36,000
It's a little bit higher because they

3355
02:35:36,000 --> 02:35:38,319
have the bonus. They can get a couple

3356
02:35:38,319 --> 02:35:40,720
more lots if they pro protect more of

3357
02:35:40,720 --> 02:35:43,439
the property, but it's it's not it's not

3358
02:35:43,439 --> 02:35:45,600
substantial. The conventional

3359
02:35:45,600 --> 02:35:47,840
subdivision plan that's was used to

3360
02:35:47,840 --> 02:35:50,319
prove out the OSRD that we're looking at

3361
02:35:50,319 --> 02:35:52,720
pretty much cleared or used up the

3362
02:35:52,720 --> 02:35:55,840
entire 88 acre parcel. The OSRD that

3363
02:35:55,840 --> 02:35:58,479
we're looking at now has of that 80 I'm

3364
02:35:58,479 --> 02:36:00,800
sorry, 84 acres, there are seven or

3365
02:36:00,800 --> 02:36:03,760
about 50 left in open space. 70% of the

3366
02:36:03,760 --> 02:36:05,760
property is protected in open space. So

3367
02:36:05,760 --> 02:36:09,200
it does provide that benefit that was

3368
02:36:09,200 --> 02:36:13,840
the goal of it. Um

3369
02:36:13,840 --> 02:36:16,800
in a statistic I found and it's a little

3370
02:36:16,800 --> 02:36:20,080
outdated but is between 1971 and 1991

3371
02:36:20,080 --> 02:36:22,240
the population of Massachusetts grew by

3372
02:36:22,240 --> 02:36:25,680
15% and the area of developed land grew

3373
02:36:25,680 --> 02:36:28,160
by 35%. And that's around the time when

3374
02:36:28,160 --> 02:36:31,120
towns were adopting this sort of oneacre

3375
02:36:31,120 --> 02:36:33,359
um single family lot and and that's just

3376
02:36:33,359 --> 02:36:35,920
not a sustainable process. So the

3377
02:36:35,920 --> 02:36:37,920
concept of having the open space

3378
02:36:37,920 --> 02:36:39,680
residential development as an option for

3379
02:36:39,680 --> 02:36:41,920
developers makes a lot of sense.

3380
02:36:41,920 --> 02:36:44,319
Virtually every town has some version of

3381
02:36:44,319 --> 02:36:48,560
this. So do does our open space bylaw

3382
02:36:48,560 --> 02:36:50,640
need a few tweaks? Yes. And the planning

3383
02:36:50,640 --> 02:36:52,160
board is watching for those and we're

3384
02:36:52,160 --> 02:36:53,760
going to propose some tweaks. if it

3385
02:36:53,760 --> 02:36:55,520
survives tonight, we'll be making

3386
02:36:55,520 --> 02:36:57,280
updates to it in the future, having

3387
02:36:57,280 --> 02:36:58,720
learned a lot going through this

3388
02:36:58,720 --> 02:37:01,520
process. Now, um and I would like to say

3389
02:37:01,520 --> 02:37:07,120
that um if you to to say that um an open

3390
02:37:07,120 --> 02:37:08,479
space residential development, this

3391
02:37:08,479 --> 02:37:09,920
cluster development is not in keeping

3392
02:37:09,920 --> 02:37:11,600
with the character of Essex. If you look

3393
02:37:11,600 --> 02:37:13,600
at much of our downtown area between

3394
02:37:13,600 --> 02:37:17,760
Western and Martin, Pickering um Winthre

3395
02:37:17,760 --> 02:37:20,560
that whole area and even on around um

3396
02:37:20,560 --> 02:37:22,800
Southern Avenue and Eastern Avenue in

3397
02:37:22,800 --> 02:37:24,560
that area, there's a lot of properties

3398
02:37:24,560 --> 02:37:27,680
that are the size of the development

3399
02:37:27,680 --> 02:37:29,600
properties that are in an OSRD that the

3400
02:37:29,600 --> 02:37:31,200
10,000 square foot lots just a quarter

3401
02:37:31,200 --> 02:37:33,680
acre lot. Um so that actually is kind of

3402
02:37:33,680 --> 02:37:34,800
in keeping with some of the

3403
02:37:34,800 --> 02:37:36,479
neighborhoods that we have in Essex. do

3404
02:37:36,479 --> 02:37:39,040
have a lot of sort of smaller lot closed

3405
02:37:39,040 --> 02:37:40,880
neighborhoods and a lot of people I know

3406
02:37:40,880 --> 02:37:43,600
live in them and like them. So, um I

3407
02:37:43,600 --> 02:37:46,399
don't see the reason to eliminate this

3408
02:37:46,399 --> 02:37:49,120
option for developers. It it helps bring

3409
02:37:49,120 --> 02:37:51,439
um variety to our community. If everyone

3410
02:37:51,439 --> 02:37:53,840
lives on one house on an acre, it's

3411
02:37:53,840 --> 02:37:57,280
pretty sterile and generic.

3412
02:37:57,280 --> 02:37:58,640
>> Okay.

3413
02:37:58,640 --> 02:38:02,560
>> Uh Tom Deo, 35 Water Street. Um, I'm in

3414
02:38:02,560 --> 02:38:06,399
favor of looking at zoning situations

3415
02:38:06,399 --> 02:38:10,319
where we increase density, possibly in

3416
02:38:10,319 --> 02:38:13,120
improve uh possibility of more growth in

3417
02:38:13,120 --> 02:38:15,520
the town. But I don't like this law.

3418
02:38:15,520 --> 02:38:18,399
It's from my point of view when you've

3419
02:38:18,399 --> 02:38:20,960
got land use

3420
02:38:20,960 --> 02:38:23,680
requirements in town, it provides

3421
02:38:23,680 --> 02:38:25,280
something to the land owners. It

3422
02:38:25,280 --> 02:38:27,359
provides a reliable expectation of

3423
02:38:27,359 --> 02:38:30,399
value. you know what's going to happen

3424
02:38:30,399 --> 02:38:32,240
in the surrounding properties around

3425
02:38:32,240 --> 02:38:34,720
your property. It's important to land

3426
02:38:34,720 --> 02:38:38,319
owners to know that if you do this, this

3427
02:38:38,319 --> 02:38:40,640
is a cheat. If you just happen to be

3428
02:38:40,640 --> 02:38:43,439
next to the

3429
02:38:43,439 --> 02:38:48,240
port portion of a development where the houses are clustered instead of the

3430
02:38:48,240 --> 02:38:50,720
expectations you bought the house under,

3431
02:38:50,720 --> 02:38:54,000
suddenly there's 20 20 properties in a

3432
02:38:54,000 --> 02:38:55,760
completely different density level next

3433
02:38:55,760 --> 02:38:57,600
to you.

3434
02:38:57,600 --> 02:38:59,520
The whole purpose of land use

3435
02:38:59,520 --> 02:39:02,160
requirements is to provide reliability

3436
02:39:02,160 --> 02:39:04,640
to land owners and to provide an

3437
02:39:04,640 --> 02:39:07,520
expectation of value. If we want to have

3438
02:39:07,520 --> 02:39:09,200
denser

3439
02:39:09,200 --> 02:39:12,319
land development, do it in a global do

3440
02:39:12,319 --> 02:39:15,600
it in zoned areas. Make it reliable. Let

3441
02:39:15,600 --> 02:39:17,680
people know what's going to happen and

3442
02:39:17,680 --> 02:39:20,399
they can plan accordingly. Having this

3443
02:39:20,399 --> 02:39:26,790
it it's it's not reliable.

3444
02:39:26,800 --> 02:39:31,439
Bob Fitzgib 18 Main Street. Um I I don't

3445
02:39:31,439 --> 02:39:33,680
know. I just feel like we're having this

3446
02:39:33,680 --> 02:39:35,840
like hybrid vehicles are bad. Let's go

3447
02:39:35,840 --> 02:39:40,880
back to leted gasoline. Um the OSRD is a

3448
02:39:40,880 --> 02:39:44,880
tool in a developer's toolbox. And it's

3449
02:39:44,880 --> 02:39:47,120
not for every situation, but it is a

3450
02:39:47,120 --> 02:39:49,920
very very useful tool. OSRDs are great

3451
02:39:49,920 --> 02:39:52,080
to build in certain circumstances. They

3452
02:39:52,080 --> 02:39:54,720
were a win-win situation for a town and

3453
02:39:54,720 --> 02:39:58,319
for the developer. Um, I don't see any

3454
02:39:58,319 --> 02:40:00,720
economic, environmental, fiscal, or

3455
02:40:00,720 --> 02:40:03,760
operational benefit to eliminate this

3456
02:40:03,760 --> 02:40:06,160
tool we've had in our toolbox since

3457
02:40:06,160 --> 02:40:07,840
2011. And I don't know if you've

3458
02:40:07,840 --> 02:40:09,760
noticed, but the sky hasn't fallen and

3459
02:40:09,760 --> 02:40:11,840
the seas haven't, you know, drowned

3460
02:40:11,840 --> 02:40:14,399
Essex in during the time since that got

3461
02:40:14,399 --> 02:40:16,319
passed. Um, just think of it, it's just

3462
02:40:16,319 --> 02:40:18,000
a Phillips head screwdriver. I don't

3463
02:40:18,000 --> 02:40:19,920
understand we why we'd throw away our

3464
02:40:19,920 --> 02:40:22,319
own Philips head when every other town

3465
02:40:22,319 --> 02:40:24,319
around here Newbury Port Hamilton

3466
02:40:24,319 --> 02:40:26,960
Ipsswitch they have OSRD everything's

3467
02:40:26,960 --> 02:40:32,000
cool. So vote no on this. Peter

3468
02:40:32,000 --> 02:40:34,720
Hill Road

3469
02:40:34,720 --> 02:40:39,750
where do we start on this? Um,

3470
02:40:39,760 --> 02:40:42,160
the OSRD on Essex Park Road is a good

3471
02:40:42,160 --> 02:40:45,520
example of why we probably want to

3472
02:40:45,520 --> 02:40:48,240
resend this. And the sole purpose of

3473
02:40:48,240 --> 02:40:51,760
this is to exchange conservation land

3474
02:40:51,760 --> 02:40:54,479
for density development in exchange for

3475
02:40:54,479 --> 02:40:56,479
10,000 square foot lots. What's the

3476
02:40:56,479 --> 02:40:58,319
problem down there? First of all, 50% of

3477
02:40:58,319 --> 02:41:00,000
the construction is in wetlands or

3478
02:41:00,000 --> 02:41:02,800
wetland buffer zone. And I'm using this

3479
02:41:02,800 --> 02:41:05,359
o the OSRD on Essex Park Road as an

3480
02:41:05,359 --> 02:41:09,680
example of what can go wrong here.

3481
02:41:09,680 --> 02:41:12,960
There's a 50 thou 15 to 20,000 gallon

3482
02:41:12,960 --> 02:41:15,520
per day sewage system. It'll sit right

3483
02:41:15,520 --> 02:41:18,000
on the Elbrook. You heard me say we

3484
02:41:18,000 --> 02:41:19,359
don't take care of the Essex River.

3485
02:41:19,359 --> 02:41:21,600
Well, that leads directly to the Essex

3486
02:41:21,600 --> 02:41:24,880
River. It also overlaps a hazardous

3487
02:41:24,880 --> 02:41:28,080
waste zone uh which there's no final

3488
02:41:28,080 --> 02:41:31,359
remediation in place for

3489
02:41:31,359 --> 02:41:35,200
the Ly Brook borders or bisects onethird

3490
02:41:35,200 --> 02:41:38,160
of this property.

3491
02:41:38,160 --> 02:41:40,000
The potential conservation land is

3492
02:41:40,000 --> 02:41:41,600
wetland and the gas pipeline. What kind

3493
02:41:41,600 --> 02:41:43,520
of a tradeoff is that? We don't even

3494
02:41:43,520 --> 02:41:46,800
have it yet. As a matter of fact, I feel

3495
02:41:46,800 --> 02:41:48,319
kind of bad for the planning board with

3496
02:41:48,319 --> 02:41:49,760
the advice they've been getting from our

3497
02:41:49,760 --> 02:41:52,560
town planner and town council. We have a

3498
02:41:52,560 --> 02:41:55,439
town bylaw that states

3499
02:41:55,439 --> 02:41:58,479
no building permits allowed on something

3500
02:41:58,479 --> 02:42:00,720
like this until we get the conservation

3501
02:42:00,720 --> 02:42:03,200
restrictions in place. We had a meeting

3502
02:42:03,200 --> 02:42:06,000
where our town planner stated when she

3503
02:42:06,000 --> 02:42:09,439
was asked, planning board was asked,

3504
02:42:09,439 --> 02:42:10,880
when will we get the conservation

3505
02:42:10,880 --> 02:42:12,560
restrictions?

3506
02:42:12,560 --> 02:42:15,359
Well, maybe after 15

3507
02:42:15,359 --> 02:42:17,200
houses are built, building permits are

3508
02:42:17,200 --> 02:42:19,600
issued because it's expensive. That's

3509
02:42:19,600 --> 02:42:21,600
typical.

3510
02:42:21,600 --> 02:42:24,560
Town council stated, I don't know, two,

3511
02:42:24,560 --> 02:42:27,760
what's the concern? The concern is we're

3512
02:42:27,760 --> 02:42:30,880
trading off open land for density here,

3513
02:42:30,880 --> 02:42:35,030
and we're not getting it.

3514
02:42:35,040 --> 02:42:37,439
There's potentially a large deficit to

3515
02:42:37,439 --> 02:42:39,040
the school system. It's not a perfect

3516
02:42:39,040 --> 02:42:41,920
mathematical formula, but let's say out

3517
02:42:41,920 --> 02:42:44,640
of 36 houses, there's 1.5 kids in each

3518
02:42:44,640 --> 02:42:46,720
house and 1.94 is the average in this

3519
02:42:46,720 --> 02:42:50,479
state. That'd be 56 students into the

3520
02:42:50,479 --> 02:42:52,399
school system

3521
02:42:52,399 --> 02:42:55,040
at roughly 29,5600

3522
02:42:55,040 --> 02:42:57,520
per student. It's a million five,

3523
02:42:57,520 --> 02:43:00,319
million six. Someone from the from the

3524
02:43:00,319 --> 02:43:03,120
assessors can tell me what a

3525
02:43:03,120 --> 02:43:05,680
10,000 foot house lot on house is that

3526
02:43:05,680 --> 02:43:08,720
$10,000. Are we running a million plus

3527
02:43:08,720 --> 02:43:11,680
dollar deficit annually? It's one of the

3528
02:43:11,680 --> 02:43:14,479
things that can go wrong. The developer,

3529
02:43:14,479 --> 02:43:15,600
some young guys trying to hit a

3530
02:43:15,600 --> 02:43:17,520
hometown, trying to hit a home run in

3531
02:43:17,520 --> 02:43:19,840
Essex. Well,

3532
02:43:19,840 --> 02:43:21,680
my response to that, don't try that in a

3533
02:43:21,680 --> 02:43:23,600
small town.

3534
02:43:23,600 --> 02:43:27,600
It's not typical. Essex isn't typical. I

3535
02:43:27,600 --> 02:43:31,280
sent a letter around Apollo 13. They

3536
02:43:31,280 --> 02:43:33,680
said, "Okay, Houston, I think we have a

3537
02:43:33,680 --> 02:43:35,920
problem here."

3538
02:43:35,920 --> 02:43:38,240
Okay, Essex, we definitely have a

3539
02:43:38,240 --> 02:43:40,399
problem here. We need to resend this.

3540
02:43:40,399 --> 02:43:43,910
Thank you for your time.

3541
02:43:43,920 --> 02:43:51,590
» Sure.

3542
02:43:51,600 --> 02:43:52,800
» No one said anything about

3543
02:43:52,800 --> 02:43:54,160
discrimination.

3544
02:43:54,160 --> 02:43:54,560
>> Ruth,

3545
02:43:54,560 --> 02:43:56,560
>> no one said anything.

3546
02:43:56,560 --> 02:44:00,469
>> Sorry. Ruth

3547
02:44:00,479 --> 02:44:04,160
» Ruth Pin 15 Lin Street. On February 9th,

3548
02:44:04,160 --> 02:44:06,160
2026, I went before the board of

3549
02:44:06,160 --> 02:44:08,080
selectmen with a scheduled appointment

3550
02:44:08,080 --> 02:44:10,960
asking to repeal two different um

3551
02:44:10,960 --> 02:44:12,640
bylaws. The second one, the second

3552
02:44:12,640 --> 02:44:15,840
request was to repeal section 66 6-8

3553
02:44:15,840 --> 02:44:19,200
open space residential OSRD of the Essex

3554
02:44:19,200 --> 02:44:22,880
bylaws. Um, in that I wrote, "I'm

3555
02:44:22,880 --> 02:44:24,560
requesting a warrant article to repeal

3556
02:44:24,560 --> 02:44:27,359
section 6-8 of the Essex zoning bylaws

3557
02:44:27,359 --> 02:44:29,040
concerning the open space residential

3558
02:44:29,040 --> 02:44:31,279
development. According to the town of

3559
02:44:31,279 --> 02:44:36,399
Essex 2021 open space plan, 81.9%

3560
02:44:36,399 --> 02:44:39,040
of the town's land remains open space

3561
02:44:39,040 --> 02:44:42,080
with 35% permanently protected in an

3562
02:44:42,080 --> 02:44:45,200
additional 17.9 subject to development

3563
02:44:45,200 --> 02:44:47,760
restrictions when water bodies in salt

3564
02:44:47,760 --> 02:44:50,000
marsh already protected under state law

3565
02:44:50,000 --> 02:44:53,600
are included. Over 64% of Essex's

3566
02:44:53,600 --> 02:44:55,600
protected open space falls into these

3567
02:44:55,600 --> 02:44:58,000
categories. While conservation remains

3568
02:44:58,000 --> 02:45:00,399
an important goal, the continued removal

3569
02:45:00,399 --> 02:45:03,120
of land from the tax roles increases the

3570
02:45:03,120 --> 02:45:06,240
tax burden on remaining taxpayers. OSRD

3571
02:45:06,240 --> 02:45:08,160
provisions allow development on smaller

3572
02:45:08,160 --> 02:45:10,319
lots, 10,000 square foot as you've heard

3573
02:45:10,319 --> 02:45:12,319
tonight, uh rather than the standard

3574
02:45:12,319 --> 02:45:14,800
40,000 square feet, while placing up to

3575
02:45:14,800 --> 02:45:17,279
70% of that parcel under permanent

3576
02:45:17,279 --> 02:45:19,600
restriction, rendering that portion

3577
02:45:19,600 --> 02:45:21,200
non-taxable.

3578
02:45:21,200 --> 02:45:22,640
Given the substantial amount of

3579
02:45:22,640 --> 02:45:24,319
protected land already in Essex, I

3580
02:45:24,319 --> 02:45:25,840
believe it's appropriate to reconsider

3581
02:45:25,840 --> 02:45:27,439
whether this bylaw continues to serve

3582
02:45:27,439 --> 02:45:29,359
the town's financial in policy

3583
02:45:29,359 --> 02:45:32,000
interests. So the attorney I know the

3584
02:45:32,000 --> 02:45:33,840
planning board, seven elected officials

3585
02:45:33,840 --> 02:45:35,600
received a letter from the attorney

3586
02:45:35,600 --> 02:45:37,760
general. It was five pages which

3587
02:45:37,760 --> 02:45:40,000
basically said you can't make decisions

3588
02:45:40,000 --> 02:45:42,160
based on the finances of the town. So

3589
02:45:42,160 --> 02:45:43,920
congratulations to those seven elected

3590
02:45:43,920 --> 02:45:46,160
officials who are holding up to that.

3591
02:45:46,160 --> 02:45:48,240
But we as a body do need to consider our

3592
02:45:48,240 --> 02:45:50,640
finances. We're fortunate that we

3593
02:45:50,640 --> 02:45:52,479
haven't passed an operational override

3594
02:45:52,479 --> 02:45:54,399
in 20 years up until this evening.

3595
02:45:54,399 --> 02:45:56,720
Congratulations to us for that. But this

3596
02:45:56,720 --> 02:45:59,279
OSRD, we have a lot of protected land.

3597
02:45:59,279 --> 02:46:01,760
We have more land under restriction. We

3598
02:46:01,760 --> 02:46:03,760
love Essex. We don't want to see major

3599
02:46:03,760 --> 02:46:05,279
developments. We want to see our land

3600
02:46:05,279 --> 02:46:07,600
protected. I agree. But we cannot

3601
02:46:07,600 --> 02:46:09,680
continue to take land off the tax role.

3602
02:46:09,680 --> 02:46:11,680
It it we shoulder that burden

3603
02:46:11,680 --> 02:46:14,000
financially when we continue to do

3604
02:46:14,000 --> 02:46:16,160
things like this. So, I urge you to

3605
02:46:16,160 --> 02:46:19,279
please vote in favor of Mr. Neil's uh

3606
02:46:19,279 --> 02:46:25,429
citizens petition to um remove the OSRD.

3607
02:46:25,439 --> 02:46:28,800
» Hi. Um I'm Annie Martin. I live at 23

3608
02:46:28,800 --> 02:46:31,359
Pickering Street. I also work in housing

3609
02:46:31,359 --> 02:46:34,000
policy for a nonprofit. Um I think this

3610
02:46:34,000 --> 02:46:36,560
is a bad idea. This is the wrong time to

3611
02:46:36,560 --> 02:46:38,640
be moving away from innovative solutions

3612
02:46:38,640 --> 02:46:40,399
for housing, especially higher density

3613
02:46:40,399 --> 02:46:42,800
housing. As a commonwealth, we are

3614
02:46:42,800 --> 02:46:45,680
moving towards um trying to figure out

3615
02:46:45,680 --> 02:46:47,120
what solutions, what innovative

3616
02:46:47,120 --> 02:46:49,359
solutions we can use to produce more

3617
02:46:49,359 --> 02:46:51,040
housing. Our state's in a shortage. You

3618
02:46:51,040 --> 02:46:53,359
just heard Senator Tar talk about how

3619
02:46:53,359 --> 02:46:55,040
young people especially are being priced

3620
02:46:55,040 --> 02:46:57,200
out of this state. So, I don't know why

3621
02:46:57,200 --> 02:46:59,359
we would be considering eliminating a

3622
02:46:59,359 --> 02:47:01,920
key piece of our toolkit um when we're

3623
02:47:01,920 --> 02:47:04,000
already in a housing crisis. Um, and

3624
02:47:04,000 --> 02:47:05,840
then I would also just say I've heard a

3625
02:47:05,840 --> 02:47:07,600
lot of coded language tonight about like

3626
02:47:07,600 --> 02:47:10,080
the character of this housing and what

3627
02:47:10,080 --> 02:47:12,240
that means for Essex. And I would just

3628
02:47:12,240 --> 02:47:13,680
encourage everyone to challenge the way

3629
02:47:13,680 --> 02:47:15,040
that they're speaking about this housing

3630
02:47:15,040 --> 02:47:24,309
and actually do some research into it.

3631
02:47:24,319 --> 02:47:27,680
Brian Grestler, 30 CHO. Uh, I think if

3632
02:47:27,680 --> 02:47:29,120
we wanted to pass an article like this

3633
02:47:29,120 --> 02:47:30,720
or make a change, then we would need to

3634
02:47:30,720 --> 02:47:31,920
come up with a with a different

3635
02:47:31,920 --> 02:47:33,439
solution. simply eliminating all the

3636
02:47:33,439 --> 02:47:37,600
rules isn't a solution. Um, and so if we

3637
02:47:37,600 --> 02:47:38,640
want to, you know, these are things we

3638
02:47:38,640 --> 02:47:39,760
want to do. I'm all for citizen

3639
02:47:39,760 --> 02:47:41,840
petitions. I'm all for for this kind of

3640
02:47:41,840 --> 02:47:43,359
citizens, you know, bringing things

3641
02:47:43,359 --> 02:47:45,279
forward for us to vote on. But

3642
02:47:45,279 --> 02:47:46,720
eliminating without a without an

3643
02:47:46,720 --> 02:47:48,240
alternate solution is not really a

3644
02:47:48,240 --> 02:47:49,680
solution at all. It's just going

3645
02:47:49,680 --> 02:47:51,600
backwards.

3646
02:47:51,600 --> 02:47:53,279
Uh, beyond that, one other quick thing.

3647
02:47:53,279 --> 02:47:55,040
Uh, it does not cost every every time

3648
02:47:55,040 --> 02:47:56,960
you add a student, the school has fixed

3649
02:47:56,960 --> 02:47:59,439
costs. The building doesn't get bigger.

3650
02:47:59,439 --> 02:48:01,520
The buses don't get you get half a bus.

3651
02:48:01,520 --> 02:48:03,200
You don't get a quarter of a teacher,

3652
02:48:03,200 --> 02:48:06,560
right? You spread the cost you have over an additional student. It does not

3653
02:48:06,560 --> 02:48:08,399
cost $29,000 every time you add a

3654
02:48:08,399 --> 02:48:13,590
student. That's ridiculous.

3655
02:48:13,600 --> 02:48:16,240
» I just wanted to be boring and provide

3656
02:48:16,240 --> 02:48:20,240
more numbers. Um, we had the or Brendan

3657
02:48:20,240 --> 02:48:25,120
had the assessors compare um what 31

3658
02:48:25,120 --> 02:48:28,399
acre parcels would the value that the

3659
02:48:28,399 --> 02:48:31,279
town would realize there versus 36

3660
02:48:31,279 --> 02:48:34,640
quarter acre parcels. And they did a

3661
02:48:34,640 --> 02:48:38,160
comparison there with equal value on the

3662
02:48:38,160 --> 02:48:39,600
buildings. So, I'm not going to talk

3663
02:48:39,600 --> 02:48:42,319
about those, but 36 buildings of equal

3664
02:48:42,319 --> 02:48:44,560
value will bring you more revenue than

3665
02:48:44,560 --> 02:48:47,359
30 buildings of equal value. But looking

3666
02:48:47,359 --> 02:48:49,439
at the value of the land, which is how

3667
02:48:49,439 --> 02:48:50,880
the assessments are done, value of the

3668
02:48:50,880 --> 02:48:52,160
land and value of the building, the

3669
02:48:52,160 --> 02:48:54,960
value of the land for 31 acre lots is

3670
02:48:54,960 --> 02:48:56,560
19,62

3671
02:48:56,560 --> 02:49:00,950
million. I mean, sorry, $19,62

3672
02:49:00,960 --> 02:49:02,720
$62,000.

3673
02:49:02,720 --> 02:49:06,240
And the value of 364 acre parcels is

3674
02:49:06,240 --> 02:49:08,160
18,993.

3675
02:49:08,160 --> 02:49:11,760
So the the 31 acre parcels are only a

3676
02:49:11,760 --> 02:49:14,560
couple hundred,000 more out of 1819

3677
02:49:14,560 --> 02:49:16,720
million more valuable than the smaller

3678
02:49:16,720 --> 02:49:18,479
lots. But it's also been demonstrated

3679
02:49:18,479 --> 02:49:23,040
that open space um property does

3680
02:49:23,040 --> 02:49:25,680
increase in value more quickly that's

3681
02:49:25,680 --> 02:49:28,880
been demonstrated from state level um

3682
02:49:28,880 --> 02:49:31,279
and data. And the other thing to think

3683
02:49:31,279 --> 02:49:33,279
about is the whole argument against kids

3684
02:49:33,279 --> 02:49:36,319
in schools which is not something we can

3685
02:49:36,319 --> 02:49:38,800
consider. And Kate has pointed out is

3686
02:49:38,800 --> 02:49:40,160
not something we should be talking

3687
02:49:40,160 --> 02:49:45,359
about, but 30 homes on one acre lots

3688
02:49:45,359 --> 02:49:47,600
will put probably just as many students

3689
02:49:47,600 --> 02:49:50,640
as 36 homes on quarter acre lots. So

3690
02:49:50,640 --> 02:49:52,479
that's a completely This property would

3691
02:49:52,479 --> 02:49:54,000
be developed one way or another. It's

3692
02:49:54,000 --> 02:49:55,760
going to be developed and the options

3693
02:49:55,760 --> 02:49:59,040
would be 30 houses on 1acre lots or 36

3694
02:49:59,040 --> 02:50:01,279
houses on quarter acre lots with 50

3695
02:50:01,279 --> 02:50:05,600
acres of open space. So, um, it's not

3696
02:50:05,600 --> 02:50:08,080
really an argument. It's it's

3697
02:50:08,080 --> 02:50:12,230
>> Yeah,

3698
02:50:12,240 --> 02:50:14,399
» Mike Dier, Indian Rock Lane. Uh, thanks

3699
02:50:14,399 --> 02:50:16,319
Lisa. You made a couple of the points

3700
02:50:16,319 --> 02:50:19,040
that I was thinking of making and as uh

3701
02:50:19,040 --> 02:50:21,279
as Rob Fitzkimmer pointed out, this it's

3702
02:50:21,279 --> 02:50:26,160
a tool, not a choice. Um, in fact, the

3703
02:50:26,160 --> 02:50:29,520
cluster zoning will probably result in

3704
02:50:29,520 --> 02:50:34,399
savings to the uh developer in terms of infrastructure, road

3705
02:50:34,399 --> 02:50:38,319
building, u utilities in the ground and

3706
02:50:38,319 --> 02:50:40,560
all that sort of stuff may make these

3707
02:50:40,560 --> 02:50:43,120
homes slightly more affordable for the

3708
02:50:43,120 --> 02:50:46,319
home buyers. And I think we should

3709
02:50:46,319 --> 02:50:48,479
consider that some home buyers may uh

3710
02:50:48,479 --> 02:50:51,120
appreciate the choice of smaller, more

3711
02:50:51,120 --> 02:50:53,520
densely packed neighborhoods similar to

3712
02:50:53,520 --> 02:50:56,080
those that I think most of us probably

3713
02:50:56,080 --> 02:51:00,800
grew up in uh back in the well a lot of

3714
02:51:00,800 --> 02:51:03,920
great a lot of gray hair 60s and 70s. Um

3715
02:51:03,920 --> 02:51:07,520
like Leave it to Beaver. Um I urge you

3716
02:51:07,520 --> 02:51:12,230
to vote no.

3717
02:51:12,240 --> 02:51:14,319
» Just one more comment. Tom Deale, 35

3718
02:51:14,319 --> 02:51:17,200
Water Street. All innovation is not

3719
02:51:17,200 --> 02:51:19,520
equal. Okay? Just because it's

3720
02:51:19,520 --> 02:51:21,600
innovation doesn't mean it's always

3721
02:51:21,600 --> 02:51:23,840
good. We could just do something really

3722
02:51:23,840 --> 02:51:27,520
simple and decide to zone certain areas

3723
02:51:27,520 --> 02:51:31,040
for more density. That's an option, too.

3724
02:51:31,040 --> 02:51:33,840
And it's a smarter, cleaner, more

3725
02:51:33,840 --> 02:51:36,319
reliable option. There's no reason why

3726
02:51:36,319 --> 02:51:39,040
we can't have more dense density. We

3727
02:51:39,040 --> 02:51:42,319
just have to zone it. But having it be,

3728
02:51:42,319 --> 02:51:45,040
you know, a variable situation where it

3729
02:51:45,040 --> 02:51:46,880
might happen in your neighborhood or it

3730
02:51:46,880 --> 02:51:50,240
might not, that's weird. We don't need

3731
02:51:50,240 --> 02:51:54,080
this. We can just do basic zoning and do

3732
02:51:54,080 --> 02:51:57,590
it right.

3733
02:51:57,600 --> 02:52:01,040
» Tom Bario, um, 39 Spring Street. Uh,

3734
02:52:01,040 --> 02:52:02,479
there's lots of issues that are being

3735
02:52:02,479 --> 02:52:06,399
brought into the conversation here. Um,

3736
02:52:06,399 --> 02:52:08,240
the OSRD

3737
02:52:08,240 --> 02:52:12,800
bylaw allows the town to opt to do

3738
02:52:12,800 --> 02:52:15,200
higher density development when it's

3739
02:52:15,200 --> 02:52:16,800
appropriate and when certain conditions

3740
02:52:16,800 --> 02:52:19,680
are met. Doesn't have to do it, but it

3741
02:52:19,680 --> 02:52:22,640
gives us the option. The notion that

3742
02:52:22,640 --> 02:52:24,960
Essex is overloaded with conservation

3743
02:52:24,960 --> 02:52:26,800
land and we need to strike down this law

3744
02:52:26,800 --> 02:52:28,800
to prevent that, it's a bit of a red

3745
02:52:28,800 --> 02:52:31,680
herring. Uh, this town's character is

3746
02:52:31,680 --> 02:52:33,840
defined by the marsh. The marsh is

3747
02:52:33,840 --> 02:52:36,640
conservation land by state law and

3748
02:52:36,640 --> 02:52:38,160
that's why we have a lot of conservation

3749
02:52:38,160 --> 02:52:42,399
land in this town. The notion that um

3750
02:52:42,399 --> 02:52:46,000
people are taking away money from the

3751
02:52:46,000 --> 02:52:48,240
taxpayers when they bring land under

3752
02:52:48,240 --> 02:52:50,479
conservation again it's a red herring.

3753
02:52:50,479 --> 02:52:53,600
That's a state law. If people don't like

3754
02:52:53,600 --> 02:52:55,200
the notion that bringing land under

3755
02:52:55,200 --> 02:52:57,040
conservation protection makes it tax

3756
02:52:57,040 --> 02:52:59,120
exempt they have the right to fight that

3757
02:52:59,120 --> 02:53:02,160
law in the state legislature. at a town

3758
02:53:02,160 --> 02:53:04,160
level. It's merely something we have to

3759
02:53:04,160 --> 02:53:06,720
obey.

3760
02:53:06,720 --> 02:53:08,880
>> Any further discussion? I don't see any.

3761
02:53:08,880 --> 02:53:12,080
So, all those in favor of article 28,

3762
02:53:12,080 --> 02:53:14,319
this is 2/3, by the way. It's a zoning

3763
02:53:14,319 --> 02:53:16,640
bylaw. Uh, this is 2/3. So, all those in

3764
02:53:16,640 --> 02:53:21,120
favor of article 28, raise your card.

3765
02:53:21,120 --> 02:53:23,040
All opposed.

3766
02:53:23,040 --> 02:53:28,870
The motion fails.

3767
02:53:28,880 --> 02:53:31,040
Article 17.

3768
02:53:31,040 --> 02:53:32,960
And we're back.

3769
02:53:32,960 --> 02:53:35,439
>> Hello. Remember me?

3770
02:53:35,439 --> 02:53:37,359
I, Nick Ellis, move that the town vote

3771
02:53:37,359 --> 02:53:39,600
to transfer from free cash the sum of

3772
02:53:39,600 --> 02:53:41,840
$28,125

3773
02:53:41,840 --> 02:53:44,080
and to transfer from water enterprise

3774
02:53:44,080 --> 02:53:48,640
retained earnings the sum of $28,125

3775
02:53:48,640 --> 02:53:52,479
for a total appropriation of $56,250

3776
02:53:52,479 --> 02:53:54,080
to purchase a fully equipped mini

3777
02:53:54,080 --> 02:53:55,840
excavator for the highway, cemetery, and

3778
02:53:55,840 --> 02:53:58,080
water departments to replace the

3779
02:53:58,080 --> 02:53:59,600
Department of Public Works existing

3780
02:53:59,600 --> 02:54:01,760
backhoe and anything incidental there

3781
02:54:01,760 --> 02:54:03,359
too and further to authorize the board

3782
02:54:03,359 --> 02:54:04,960
of public works to enter into any

3783
02:54:04,960 --> 02:54:06,640
necessary agreements to effectuate the

3784
02:54:06,640 --> 02:54:09,120
purposes of this vote and dispose of the

3785
02:54:09,120 --> 02:54:11,359
old backho by sale or trade. Is

3786
02:54:11,359 --> 02:54:13,359
>> there a second?

3787
02:54:13,359 --> 02:54:15,760
>> Any discussion?

3788
02:54:15,760 --> 02:54:18,720
>> We have an old backhoe. Um, we have a

3789
02:54:18,720 --> 02:54:20,640
new backhoe. Uh, we want to get rid of

3790
02:54:20,640 --> 02:54:22,160
the old one and instead of replacing it

3791
02:54:22,160 --> 02:54:23,520
with a big new backho, we're going to

3792
02:54:23,520 --> 02:54:25,520
get a smaller mini excavator that's more

3793
02:54:25,520 --> 02:54:26,640
appropriate for what we have to do with

3794
02:54:26,640 --> 02:54:29,200
it. And as an added side benefit, it

3795
02:54:29,200 --> 02:54:32,240
costs way less money.

3796
02:54:32,240 --> 02:54:34,479
>> Any further discussion? Seeing none. All

3797
02:54:34,479 --> 02:54:36,240
those in favor of article 17, raise your

3798
02:54:36,240 --> 02:54:36,720
card.

3799
02:54:36,720 --> 02:54:37,040
>> Love it.

3800
02:54:37,040 --> 02:54:41,279
>> All opposed. Motion passes. Article 18.

3801
02:54:41,279 --> 02:54:46,469
What?

3802
02:54:46,479 --> 02:54:47,200
» What?

3803
02:54:47,200 --> 02:54:48,960
>> 18.

3804
02:54:48,960 --> 02:54:51,760
Don't mess with me, Lisa. I, Nick Ellis,

3805
02:54:51,760 --> 02:54:53,600
move that the town vote to transfer from

3806
02:54:53,600 --> 02:54:57,520
free cash the sum of $20,293

3807
02:54:57,520 --> 02:54:59,279
to transfer from the water enterprise

3808
02:54:59,279 --> 02:55:03,279
retained earnings the sum of $20,293

3809
02:55:03,279 --> 02:55:04,800
and to transfer from the sewer

3810
02:55:04,800 --> 02:55:07,120
enterprise retained earnings the sum of

3811
02:55:07,120 --> 02:55:09,120
$20,293

3812
02:55:09,120 --> 02:55:13,120
for a total appropriation of $60,879

3813
02:55:13,120 --> 02:55:15,040
for work order tracking and asset

3814
02:55:15,040 --> 02:55:16,800
management software and anything

3815
02:55:16,800 --> 02:55:20,160
incidental there too. Is there a second?

3816
02:55:20,160 --> 02:55:25,590
discussion.

3817
02:55:25,600 --> 02:55:28,640
Um, so, uh, we at the Department of

3818
02:55:28,640 --> 02:55:30,560
Public Works have a lot of stuff, uh,

3819
02:55:30,560 --> 02:55:32,240
buried in the street, sitting in our

3820
02:55:32,240 --> 02:55:34,319
yard at our water treatment plant. Um,

3821
02:55:34,319 --> 02:55:35,520
we also have a lot of different jobs

3822
02:55:35,520 --> 02:55:37,680
that we do throughout town. Um, this

3823
02:55:37,680 --> 02:55:39,120
money is going to be used to purchase

3824
02:55:39,120 --> 02:55:40,800
software that'll help us track work

3825
02:55:40,800 --> 02:55:43,040
orders. It'll help us track our assets,

3826
02:55:43,040 --> 02:55:44,479
uh, and it'll help us in the long term

3827
02:55:44,479 --> 02:55:47,040
to plan for, uh, capital planning and

3828
02:55:47,040 --> 02:55:49,680
financing of work within the town.

3829
02:55:49,680 --> 02:55:51,680
Any further discussion? All those in

3830
02:55:51,680 --> 02:55:54,080
favor of article 18, raise your card.

3831
02:55:54,080 --> 02:55:58,479
Opposed? Motion passes. Article 19. I,

3832
02:55:58,479 --> 02:56:00,160
Nick Ellis, move that the town vote to

3833
02:56:00,160 --> 02:56:01,920
transfer from the water enterprise fund

3834
02:56:01,920 --> 02:56:04,880
retained earnings the sum of $17,000 to

3835
02:56:04,880 --> 02:56:06,720
purchase and install security cameras at

3836
02:56:06,720 --> 02:56:08,720
the water tower and anything incidental

3837
02:56:08,720 --> 02:56:11,600
there, too. Is there a second?

3838
02:56:11,600 --> 02:56:13,600
>> Discussion.

3839
02:56:13,600 --> 02:56:15,200
We don't have security cameras at the

3840
02:56:15,200 --> 02:56:17,040
water tower. We think it's a good idea

3841
02:56:17,040 --> 02:56:19,040
to have security cameras at the water

3842
02:56:19,040 --> 02:56:22,720
tower. So, we're going to buy some.

3843
02:56:22,720 --> 02:56:24,479
>> All those in favor of Article 19, raise

3844
02:56:24,479 --> 02:56:29,279
your card. Opposed? Motion passes.

3845
02:56:29,279 --> 02:56:32,640
Article 20. I, Nick Ellis, move that the

3846
02:56:32,640 --> 02:56:34,399
town vote to transfer from free cashache

3847
02:56:34,399 --> 02:56:36,560
the sum of 81,900

3848
02:56:36,560 --> 02:56:37,920
and to transfer from the water

3849
02:56:37,920 --> 02:56:40,560
enterprise retained earnings the sum of

3850
02:56:40,560 --> 02:56:43,600
191,100 for a total appropriation of

3851
02:56:43,600 --> 02:56:45,359
273,000

3852
02:56:45,359 --> 02:56:47,359
as a match for federal funding for

3853
02:56:47,359 --> 02:56:49,520
design and construction of water mane

3854
02:56:49,520 --> 02:56:51,680
replacement work and anything incidental

3855
02:56:51,680 --> 02:56:52,479
there too.

3856
02:56:52,479 --> 02:56:56,389
>> Second.

3857
02:56:56,399 --> 02:56:58,240
» Um, we got a state grant to do some

3858
02:56:58,240 --> 02:57:00,000
water work in the street. This is uh

3859
02:57:00,000 --> 02:57:01,120
funding that would essentially match

3860
02:57:01,120 --> 02:57:02,720
that state grant and allow us to execute

3861
02:57:02,720 --> 02:57:05,040
a project uh specifically on Dotto Road

3862
02:57:05,040 --> 02:57:07,760
to replace the undersized water man and

3863
02:57:07,760 --> 02:57:12,080
loop it to connect it to a water man on

3864
02:57:12,080 --> 02:57:14,080
forest.

3865
02:57:14,080 --> 02:57:16,319
>> Any further? Nope. Uh all those in favor

3866
02:57:16,319 --> 02:57:18,640
of article 20, raise your card. All

3867
02:57:18,640 --> 02:57:20,319
opposed? Motion passes.

3868
02:57:20,319 --> 02:57:21,600
>> Oh, this is my favorite one.

3869
02:57:21,600 --> 02:57:24,000
>> Article 21. I, Nick Ellis, move that the

3870
02:57:24,000 --> 02:57:25,439
town vote to transfer from sewer

3871
02:57:25,439 --> 02:57:28,240
retained earnings a sum of $125,000

3872
02:57:28,240 --> 02:57:30,479
for replacement of grinder pumps and

3873
02:57:30,479 --> 02:57:31,760
related equipment and anything

3874
02:57:31,760 --> 02:57:33,279
incidental there, too.

3875
02:57:33,279 --> 02:57:34,960
>> Is there a second

3876
02:57:34,960 --> 02:57:37,760
>> discussion? I come here every year and

3877
02:57:37,760 --> 02:57:39,600
ask you guys for money for water uh for

3878
02:57:39,600 --> 02:57:42,399
grinder pumps. This is it. We're all

3879
02:57:42,399 --> 02:57:44,319
done. After this, we'll be putting it in

3880
02:57:44,319 --> 02:57:45,760
our maintenance budget because we won't

3881
02:57:45,760 --> 02:57:47,920
have to replace them uh in large scale

3882
02:57:47,920 --> 02:57:49,359
anymore. So, that's what this is for.

3883
02:57:49,359 --> 02:57:51,840
>> Excellent. All those in All those in

3884
02:57:51,840 --> 02:57:54,880
favor, article 21, raise your card.

3885
02:57:54,880 --> 02:57:57,910
>> Opposed

3886
02:57:57,920 --> 02:58:00,080
I usually don't do this, but well done,

3887
02:58:00,080 --> 02:58:04,309
Nick.

3888
02:58:04,319 --> 02:58:08,000
We are on article 23.

3889
02:58:08,000 --> 02:58:09,840
I, Peter Fippen, move that the town

3890
02:58:09,840 --> 02:58:12,240
appropriate or reserve from fiscal year

3891
02:58:12,240 --> 02:58:14,640
2027 community preservation fund

3892
02:58:14,640 --> 02:58:17,359
estimated annual revenues or other

3893
02:58:17,359 --> 02:58:19,439
available community preservation act

3894
02:58:19,439 --> 02:58:22,240
funds. All is specified on community

3895
02:58:22,240 --> 02:58:24,800
preservation act town meeting handout

3896
02:58:24,800 --> 02:58:28,479
which you all have. Um the amounts

3897
02:58:28,479 --> 02:58:29,840
recommended by the community

3898
02:58:29,840 --> 02:58:31,680
preservation committee for open space

3899
02:58:31,680 --> 02:58:34,000
reserve, historic resources reserve,

3900
02:58:34,000 --> 02:58:36,240
community housing reserve, budgeted

3901
02:58:36,240 --> 02:58:38,640
reserve, administrative expenses, and

3902
02:58:38,640 --> 02:58:41,840
special projects or transfers.

3903
02:58:41,840 --> 02:58:44,640
>> Is there a second?

3904
02:58:44,640 --> 02:58:45,920
>> Discussion.

3905
02:58:45,920 --> 02:58:47,920
>> Sure. Um, you see on the handout that

3906
02:58:47,920 --> 02:58:51,120
there's 28,000 plus going to the the

3907
02:58:51,120 --> 02:58:53,600
three the three uh buckets, open space,

3908
02:58:53,600 --> 02:58:56,560
historic, community housing, and then a

3909
02:58:56,560 --> 02:58:59,760
large one for a budgeted reserve. Uh,

3910
02:58:59,760 --> 02:59:01,600
some amount of money for administrative

3911
02:59:01,600 --> 02:59:04,000
expenses, and then this year, the

3912
02:59:04,000 --> 02:59:07,200
community preservation committee um

3913
02:59:07,200 --> 02:59:09,680
voted to approve two particular

3914
02:59:09,680 --> 02:59:13,359
projects. Uh, one for 25,000 for floats

3915
02:59:13,359 --> 02:59:18,240
at the town landing. um and 35,000 for

3916
02:59:18,240 --> 02:59:22,160
um the ship building museum to study um

3917
02:59:22,160 --> 02:59:23,920
three properties that they're looking at

3918
02:59:23,920 --> 02:59:27,200
consolidating together as part of a um

3919
02:59:27,200 --> 02:59:29,279
campus that they want to uh look at and

3920
02:59:29,279 --> 02:59:31,920
this is just a study doesn't include any

3921
02:59:31,920 --> 02:59:34,880
um any construction or anything.

3922
02:59:34,880 --> 02:59:37,040
>> Any further discussion? All those in

3923
02:59:37,040 --> 02:59:39,600
favor of article 23 raise your card.

3924
02:59:39,600 --> 02:59:44,389
Opposed motion passes.

3925
02:59:44,399 --> 02:59:46,560
Article 24.

3926
02:59:46,560 --> 02:59:49,040
>> I, Peter Fippen, move that the town vote

3927
02:59:49,040 --> 02:59:51,439
to transfer from town technology fund

3928
02:59:51,439 --> 02:59:54,800
the sum of $5,000 for updating of

3929
02:59:54,800 --> 02:59:56,880
operating system running on the town's

3930
02:59:56,880 --> 02:59:58,960
virtual servers hosted by the town of

3931
02:59:58,960 --> 03:00:01,120
Danverson and anything incidental there

3932
03:00:01,120 --> 03:00:01,439
too.

3933
03:00:01,439 --> 03:00:04,399
>> Is there a second?

3934
03:00:04,399 --> 03:00:04,960
>> No comment.

3935
03:00:04,960 --> 03:00:06,640
Okay. All those in favor of

3936
03:00:06,640 --> 03:00:09,680
article 24, raise your card. Opposed?

3937
03:00:09,680 --> 03:00:14,309
Motion passes.

3938
03:00:14,319 --> 03:00:18,950
Article 25.

3939
03:00:18,960 --> 03:00:20,880
» I, Nina McKinnon, move that the town

3940
03:00:20,880 --> 03:00:23,359
vote to transfer from free cash the sum

3941
03:00:23,359 --> 03:00:26,160
of $64,947

3942
03:00:26,160 --> 03:00:27,840
and to transfer from previous

3943
03:00:27,840 --> 03:00:33,030
appropriations the sum of $110,990.

3944
03:00:33,040 --> 03:00:35,200
All as shown on the town meeting handout

3945
03:00:35,200 --> 03:00:37,920
for article 25 for a total appropriation

3946
03:00:37,920 --> 03:00:41,510
of $175,937

3947
03:00:41,520 --> 03:00:44,000
to fund the town's snow and ice deficit

3948
03:00:44,000 --> 03:00:46,720
for fiscal year 20 26.

3949
03:00:46,720 --> 03:00:48,960
>> Is there a second?

3950
03:00:48,960 --> 03:00:52,080
Any discussion? Nope. Nope. Okay. All

3951
03:00:52,080 --> 03:00:54,000
those in favor of article 25, raise your

3952
03:00:54,000 --> 03:00:59,040
card. Any opposed? Motion passes.

3953
03:00:59,040 --> 03:01:02,399
Article 26.

3954
03:01:02,399 --> 03:01:04,080
I, Nina McKinnon, move that the town

3955
03:01:04,080 --> 03:01:06,720
vote to transfer from free cash the sum

3956
03:01:06,720 --> 03:01:10,000
of $56,132

3957
03:01:10,000 --> 03:01:12,000
to replenish the finance committee's

3958
03:01:12,000 --> 03:01:13,920
reserve fund for the remainder of fiscal

3959
03:01:13,920 --> 03:01:16,000
year 2026.

3960
03:01:16,000 --> 03:01:18,240
>> Any discussion?

3961
03:01:18,240 --> 03:01:20,080
All those in favor of article 26, raise

3962
03:01:20,080 --> 03:01:25,120
your card. Opposed? Motion passes.

3963
03:01:25,120 --> 03:01:28,240
Article 27. I, Nina McKinnon, move that

3964
03:01:28,240 --> 03:01:30,479
the town vote to transfer from free cash

3965
03:01:30,479 --> 03:01:33,120
the sum of $4,924

3966
03:01:33,120 --> 03:01:35,520
for the payment of unpaid bills from

3967
03:01:35,520 --> 03:01:37,040
past fiscal years.

3968
03:01:37,040 --> 03:01:39,439
>> This takes a four-fifth vote. So, all

3969
03:01:39,439 --> 03:01:41,520
those in favor of article 27, raise your

3970
03:01:41,520 --> 03:01:44,800
card. Any opposed?

3971
03:01:44,800 --> 03:01:46,800
Unanimous.

3972
03:01:46,800 --> 03:01:51,110
That's a wrap. Motion to adjurnn.

3973
03:01:51,120 --> 03:01:57,190
» Good. Don't have to take a vote.

3974
03:01:57,200 --> 03:02:00,319
Not bad.