[0:00] All right. So we will call the meeting of the select board to order on Wednesday,
[0:04] September 23rd. I'd like you to know that this meeting is being recorded.
[0:08] We have three members present, with Ms. Noonan and Mr. Greater absent tonight.
[0:13] Open up with public comment.
[0:20] Going online?
[0:23] No.
[0:26] All right. Beautiful. Patrick, move on. Time for his update.
[0:31] Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The one update I have for you tonight is an update
[0:36] on the Coffee School FB.
[0:38] Okay.
[0:40] We conducted a site walk yesterday for potential bidders.
[0:46] It was handled by Allison Jenkins, our chief procurement officer, Chief Jason
[0:51] Gilliland, who had the keys to the building-
[0:54] Mm-hmm
[0:54] ... so folks could get in there, and Jacinta Williams, our town planner,
[0:59] participating in the walkthrough.
[1:01] There was a total of 10 potential bidders,
[1:05] folks looking at it. And so basically, the purpose is to walk through the building
[1:09] for them to get eyes on, take a look at it, at the site,
[1:14] ask questions about the site, look at the existing conditions, so that they can
[1:19] have all the information they need to put in very responsive and well-informed
[1:25] proposals. So it's in our interest that they have as much information as possible
[1:30] for the proposal.
[1:32] So we are somewhat encouraged based on the level of participation.
[1:38] The
[1:40] deadline is October 19th. So, this gives
[1:45] these potential bidders enough time to assess the information, build it in their
[1:50] proposals, and submit for the October 19th deadline.
[1:54] Great.
[1:56] Excellent. Well, thank you for that. Any questions?
[1:59] No.
[2:00] All right. We're moving along here.
[2:01] Next up, we have Roe from Veterans Agent to discuss our POW chair.
[2:08] Thank you.
[2:08] Yep. Oh, sorry. And you've got a sidekick as well.
[2:12] I do.
[2:12] Appreciate that secret snuffing club sergeant for captain.
[2:16] Roe, you're our captain.
[2:19] So I did between-
[2:20] Danny Driver. Yes. Good evening.
[2:24] So I am come to you before to present the POW MIA chair dedicated to those who
[2:30] never made it home. To date, there are over 83,000 military members, both men and
[2:35] women, who have not made it back. Either missing in action or former POWs.
[2:40] And over 30, 130 cities and towns across the Commonwealth has a chair similar to...
[2:46] Well, not anything like this chair because this is an old chair.
[2:50] This fits into decor, and it's a chair of honor.
[2:55] No one is supposed to sit in it, hence the stanchions and the flags, and I have a
[3:01] plaque, so I will unveil that with the commander.
[3:04] And, I got one of the first ones when I was in Winter Gas, the VSO, and Speaker Leo
[3:10] had paid for the whole thing.
[3:12] Mm.
[3:12] And back then it was Rolling Thunder who was doing it.
[3:15] So it's just a chair of honor to recognize those who have not made it home, who've
[3:20] made the ultimate sacrifice. So if I may open the chair and show it to you?
[3:25] Any idea through the chair where it came from or?
[3:27] Oh, Chief Jason.
[3:28] Oh, Chief Jason. I think it was the Masonic Lodge. Oh, cool.
[3:32] It's over 200 years old.
[3:35] Oh, great.
[3:37] And it was one of the only ones that wasn't damaged, and then I restored it in my
[3:42] side office there and refinished it all, and I think it came out pretty good.
[3:48] The VFW donated the stanchions and the flags, and we paid for the plaque, and the
[3:53] chair, again, was donated, so it didn't really cost much at all.
[3:56] I thought it was supposed to go in the chamber.
[3:58] Multiple.
[3:59] Right.
[4:00] Multiple. Beeswax and-
[4:02] It's kind of lonely.
[4:03] It's that.
[4:05] That's why you're here, Chief? You're doing fire watch?
[4:10] Sorry. He took it down from the fifth floor of the Mason Hall.
[4:15] I want to see pictures.
[4:17] And when he took me up to the Mason Hall, I'm like, "How are we getting up here?"
[4:20] So I had to find my two flagestias after going up to the elevator to the third
[4:23] floor. And then we came for it, and Bruce helped me with setting it all
[4:29] up. So it's a team effort. Willisia helped me, and so it's truly been a group
[4:34] effort in putting this together.
[4:36] Well, thank you to the team. This is overdue, and I'm glad that you've brought this
[4:40] forward.
[4:41] Last time I came here and I asked Thatcher about it and he's like, "No." I'm like,
[4:45] "This is one of the oldest town halls in the Commonwealth.
[4:49] Why don't we have that?"
[4:51] Well, now we're about to.
[4:52] Well, I'm going to show it to you.
[4:53] Great.
[4:53] Excellent.
[4:54] Commander?
[5:11] And if you would read the plaque, Mayor?
[5:15] You got my glasses? You should wear them.
[5:18] Let this empty chair serve as a memorial to those who served in our military of
[5:24] our great nation, but have not returned home to us.
[5:29] They are prisoners of war or missing in action.
[5:31] The Army will forever be grateful for your bravery and sacrifice and service to our
[5:37] nation. We will never forget. God bless all of us. God bless America.
[5:42] Dedicated by the town of Marblehead, Marblehead Veteran Services, and Marblehead
[5:47] VFW Post 2000.
[5:53] So with your vote, Mr. Chair, do you think it stays on right here or it goes back
[5:57] in the hall?
[5:59] I understand this might not be a huge celebration, but we will follow our
[6:04] formalities for sure.
[6:09] Okay, Roe, you got anything else? She wants to be there just in case you have
[6:14] paradox. Jason, can you get over and be ready just in case you have paradox?
[6:18] Great up in this honor. Yeah, no, I'm not supposed to. Exactly.
[6:21] If I could have a motion to accept the placement of the chair and coordinate
[6:24] placement of the chair in Abbott Hall with the town administrator.
[6:28] Second.
[6:29] All in favor?
[6:32] All right. Congratulations. Thank you.
[6:34] Real, real quick, I just wanted to add on, I wanted to thank everybody for taking
[6:38] part in the Company of Heroes road race, walk, everything else.
[6:42] Rumor has it that Moses is still out walking the route, so
[6:47] we will see about that. I also want to thank Rosanna for her coming to the race and
[6:51] everything else. First year we did this, with Kate Van Auken, we had 17 people
[6:57] that did it. Second year it was 67.
[7:01] Latest race was 123. Great. We raised over $7,000 for Company to Heroes,
[7:07] which provides PTSD dogs to veterans.
[7:10] I just want to thank the town, all the selectmen, Marblehead police, fire,
[7:14] everything else, for allowing us to do this.
[7:16] I know it's never easy running through town on a Saturday.
[7:20] But I want to thank everybody for their help.
[7:22] Bigger and better next year, so looking forward to it.
[7:25] If I don't get to talk to you again, we've got a big event coming up in November
[7:29] for the New England Center for Homeless Veterans.
[7:31] But also too, please make sure that you're available for Army Navy, things like
[7:36] that. Roe and I will be duking it out downstairs in the bunker because she's former
[7:40] Army and we're Air Force. But thank you very much. Thank you.
[7:44] Thank you so much.
[7:44] Thank you all again. Remember, Jimmy Full always wins. I know he always do.
[7:48] You never lose. You never lose. Thank you very much.
[7:51] Thank you.
[7:51] So pleased to. Thank you. We can't wait to-
[7:55] So, Mr. Donald, we thought this would be best to fill the void in here, not that
[8:00] you have the author online, but basically a portrait.
[8:02] Well, we appreciate that. Absolutely.
[8:05] And yeah, well, Patrick and Mark, we'll love to have your input as well, since you
[8:09] guys were instrumental.
[8:11] And it's a full dedication on Veterans Day.
[8:13] Great.
[8:14] That's wonderful. Amazing.
[8:15] Great.
[8:17] No problem.
[8:17] Look forward to it. Great.
[8:20] Thank you.
[8:20] Thank you.
[8:20] Thank you.
[8:21] Have a great night. Thank you. All right.
[8:24] Next up we have Historical Commission. Pam Peterson, if you want to come on up?
[8:29] Donation to the town of some portraits. Pam. Good evening.
[8:33] Evening.
[8:36] Peter just wanted to, we've got the letter from Sharon Heim-
[8:41] Right
[8:41] ... about donating. I just wanted to give us a little history.
[8:44] I know you and I were discussing before.
[8:47] So this is a donation that we just received over the summer, the end of the summer,
[8:53] from a woman who is sort of
[8:58] tidying up her affairs, and she has these four portraits from her family.
[9:03] And it's fascinating because the four women are
[9:09] related by birth or by marriage. And
[9:14] they're all from 19th century Marblehead, and none of them are-
[9:19] ... famous women, but
[9:23] several of them were wives of ship captains, several others were involved in
[9:27] maritime trade, and they all lived in Marblehead all their lives.
[9:31] So
[9:33] last year, we actually had a couple of people who commented that there are no
[9:38] portraits in Abbott Hall of any women, which is true.
[9:43] And that is because we don't have any portrait.
[9:45] We didn't until now have any portraits of any women from Marblehead.
[9:50] So having this essentially come out of the blue is really wonderful.
[9:56] So we would like to install them here in the Select Board room,
[10:02] and somewhere on this wall.
[10:05] One thing, the
[10:08] image of Judge Story, who was certainly an important Marbleheader, but that's a
[10:13] photograph. It's not a painting. And it's very badly faded.
[10:19] And so we would remove that, slightly rearrange things, and put the four
[10:24] paintings on this wall, so that they receive some prominence.
[10:30] And then Judge Story will come back once we've gotten a new photographic image.
[10:36] I was just saying to Dan, I believe the original is at the State House in Boston,
[10:40] the original of that painting.
[10:43] But we can get a color reproduction of it to put in either that frame or
[10:48] potentially a smaller one, or however we do it.
[10:52] Obviously, we're going to have to do some rearranging in this room, in general, to
[10:56] figure out where
[11:00] the chair might go. So, anyway, that will be part of our
[11:06] project.
[11:08] So anyway, but this is a great opportunity to
[11:13] introduce some women into Abbott Hall and also into this room.
[11:20] And so we were very pleased to receive it, and we wanted to inform you of it.
[11:26] Great. Okay. So Story's coming back, that's-
[11:29] He will come back, yeah. I just don't know
[11:34] if we can get a good copy of that image, it will be that one, or there may be
[11:39] another portrait of him somewhere that we don't-
[11:42] There is one in my office.
[11:45] Of this one?
[11:46] It's not the same. It's a different portrait of Justice Story.
[11:51] So maybe we can just swap it out?
[11:55] We could put this one. It's fading in the room.
[11:57] Yes. Well, this one really has-
[11:59] Good idea.
[12:03] The one thing-
[12:04] Fading away.
[12:06] The one thing I did notice, although it's photographic, it was donated, and then
[12:10] redone through slate. So I think there's some sensitivity to that.
[12:13] So I would say if you can get the same-
[12:17] Same image
[12:17] ... image.
[12:18] That is the intent, because it would be the same image and go back into the same
[12:22] frame, so it would have the same plaque on it and everything.
[12:25] Yeah.
[12:26] I know there's a book, "The Women of Marblehead."
[12:29] Mm-hmm.
[12:31] And by chance, these women probably are not in that book.
[12:33] I don't believe they are.
[12:34] But that would've been really cool-
[12:35] Yeah
[12:36] ... if they were.
[12:38] Right. The women of Marblehead's an interesting mix of women that are in there, but
[12:44] again, they are often not necessarily famous women.
[12:48] That's right, yeah. Not famous.
[12:50] But people who certainly lived. So is it very characteristic of lives that they
[12:56] lived in the time period that they were-
[12:58] I think that's great that they have come about.
[13:01] Yeah. Great. Nice little nod to some women in history.
[13:04] It is, yes.
[13:05] For sure.
[13:05] So very serendipitous that that just happened.
[13:09] Great. All right.
[13:09] Okay.
[13:10] Thank you for coming tonight. I appreciate you spending all that time.
[13:12] Okay.
[13:13] And Dan, as I was mentioning, I think you should go to the State House and tell
[13:16] them we want the original.
[13:17] Okay.
[13:18] I volunteer.
[13:19] Sure.
[13:20] So if I get a motion to accept as a gift to the town, four family portraits from
[13:25] Sharonheim, and put in the care and custody of the Historical Commission.
[13:28] Installation of portraits shall be coordinated with Town Administrator and
[13:31] Historical Commission.
[13:32] So moved.
[13:32] Second.
[13:33] All in favor? Thank you, Pam.
[13:35] Thank you.
[13:35] Have a good night.
[13:36] You, too.
[13:38] Next up, AMQ from the head of DPW to talk about ride, road,
[13:44] and sidewalk improvements. In particular,
[13:49] their implementation of Article 11.
[13:52] And Maggie, good evening.
[13:53] Good
[13:55] evening.
[13:56] Maybe your portraits will be up next one assumption.
[14:01] It's amazing to think of this one.
[14:03] I know. It's one second.
[14:04] That's okay.
[14:04] And I saw the letter from her like, "There's not a woman in it." Yeah. It's great.
[14:11] So the floor is yours.
[14:13] Okay. So good evening, and thank you for having me. I'm Maggie.
[14:19] Tonight, I'm excited to walk you through how transforming Marblehead's streets and
[14:22] sidewalks into safer and more accessible, more connected networks than ever before.
[14:28] We're going to look at how a street moves from assessment to construction, how
[14:33] Article 11 has allowed us to elevate our standards, and the results your support
[14:38] have made possible. We also will be previewing what's coming next, including new
[14:43] tools for communication and public access.
[14:46] This work is more coordinated, more strategic, and more community-centered than
[14:50] ever, and I'm thrilled to share our progress.
[14:54] Our goal is simple: fix the right streets at the right time, once.
[14:59] To make this happen, DPW blends pavement conditions, safety needs, accessibility
[15:03] requirements, and utility coordination, so we're not just resurfacing old roads.
[15:09] We're building long-lasting, integrated public ways.
[15:13] This is how we achieve total street projects, by combining engineering data with
[15:17] real-world coordination. It's smarter, it's more efficient, and it protects the
[15:22] taxpayer's investment.
[15:25] Every decision is grounded in real data and formal planning documents, pavement
[15:30] assessments, sidewalk network analysis, ADA compliance planning, bicycle facility
[15:36] work, and resident input. There aren't isolated plans.
[15:39] Together, they create a full picture of condition, mobility, safety, accessibility,
[15:44] and demand, guiding us toward designs that match each street's needs.
[15:49] The result is predictable, clear, data-driven project selection.
[15:56] Here's the heart of our approach. Condition, utility review, scope development,
[16:01] funding path, and prioritization.
[16:03] The workflow helps prevent streets from being repaved before planned utility work
[16:08] occurs. It incorporates ADA upgrades into the initial project planning process, and
[16:13] it promotes early coordination of funding.
[16:16] Most importantly, it ensures that each project is completed appropriately the first
[16:20] time, maximizing the long-term value.
[16:24] Tonight, I would like to show you this in practice.
[16:31] When streets are in decent shape, we seize the opportunity to improve sidewalks,
[16:35] ramps, and connectivity.
[16:38] These projects are fast-moving because the utilities do not require planned
[16:42] improvements and design needs are minimal.
[16:45] Examples like West Shore Drive, Lafayette Street, and Tedesco Street show how we
[16:49] enhance safety and accessibility even when the pavement doesn't need full
[16:53] reconstruction. This is how we elevate our network without waiting for pavement
[16:58] failure.
[17:03] Streets with poor pavement condition and completed utility upgrades are ready to
[17:08] go. These projects move through the workflow faster because utilities do
[17:14] not require planned improvements and design needs are minimal.
[17:18] These become prime candidates for the total street treatment, appropriate road
[17:23] rehabilitation, sidewalk ADA, and network improvements.
[17:27] Streets such as Elm Street, Commercial Street, and State Street demonstrate how
[17:32] quickly a location can move
[17:35] through the workflow once utility conditions have been confirmed.
[17:41] Some streets require comprehensive total street treatment.
[17:45] Utility upgrades incorporated into the improvement plans.
[17:49] Rather than paving a street, then excavating it later, we coordinate with the
[17:53] utility providers to ensure that water and gas, for example, and other
[17:57] infrastructure projects are completed first.
[18:00] As utility work progresses, the Department of Public Works develops the scope for
[18:04] corresponding public way improvements.
[18:07] Streets such as West, Mystic, Florence, and Bouvier demonstrate how effective
[18:12] coordination can accelerate utility projects and advance the roadway improvements.
[18:20] Before Article 11, most of our work relied on Chapter 90, limited state funding,
[18:26] allowing only basic resurfacing and minimal sidewalk upgrades.
[18:31] Article 11 transformed our capabilities, supporting full holistic total street
[18:36] projects that combine roadway structure, sidewalks, ADA, utilities, and
[18:42] connectivity.
[18:44] This map is an example of tracking maps we plan to make available on the town
[18:48] website.
[18:52] Article 11 authorized $12.475 million,
[19:00] and your support has turned the investment into over six miles of full total street
[19:05] projects, plus minor rehabilitation and major ADA and sidewalk advancements.
[19:11] We've expended $4.17 million, committed $1.82 million, and
[19:17] have $6.48 million remaining. The funding is delivering real, visible results
[19:23] across Marblehead.
[19:28] What's next follows the same proven workflow. A few highlights.
[19:33] Pleasant Street road diet, turning the corridor with the crash history, including
[19:38] two fatalities, into a safer redesigned road.
[19:41] We put in a grant application for $1 million.
[19:44] The total cost is approximately $3.5 million, which will be supported by Article 11
[19:49] money.
[19:52] Curtis, Roosevelt, and Maverick, approximately $1 million are slotted for public
[19:57] way improvements. Utilities are done and it is ready for the total street redesign.
[20:03] $1 million has been put towards sidewalk upgrades town wide, and $800,000
[20:09] for minor road rehabilitation, which is for sections of Pleasant Street, Humphrey
[20:14] Street, and Evans Road. While all this is going on, we've coordinated with
[20:19] utilities, so Laurel Street, Doane Street, Washington Street, Front Street, Gregory
[20:23] Street, and the Prospect Street area have utility projects that are underway now.
[20:28] We're moving from reactive repairs to long-term infrastructure planning.
[20:37] This year, we expanded public communication significantly.
[20:41] Residents now get regular Marblehead TD updates, we have an updated town meeting,
[20:46] and website updates. We have monthly traffic safety advisory committee briefings,
[20:52] and every two to three weeks prior to a project, you would get advance notice.
[20:58] Weekly website updates, Zoom meeting, Zoom neighborhood meetings before
[21:02] construction, and 24-hour paving door tags.
[21:05] Communication is faster, clearer, and more consistent, but we still need to keep
[21:10] improving.
[21:13] So what's next? We're launching several major communication tools.
[21:18] Marblehead Alerts is already up and running and will be used for additional
[21:23] notification for the next roadway project. That is launched now.
[21:28] We have an FAQ page, which is centralizing project status, funding sources, and
[21:33] workflow explanations. That's expected to launch by October 2026.
[21:40] We're working on our foundational GIS map. So that's your GIS base map.
[21:47] We're developing the foundation GIS base map to support a public-facing project
[21:51] information map. That's expected to launch internally summer
[21:56] 2027. Then we'll be building an interactive public map.
[22:01] Past, current, and future capital projects will all be visible online.
[22:06] There'll be a map on the town website of past, current, and future projects, and
[22:10] then also your public way improvements.
[22:12] That's expected to launch, and that we'll be playing with for quite a while to make
[22:16] sure that it's interactive and what people want to see.
[22:19] So that will be summer of 2029. This effort represents the DPW's commitment to
[22:25] significantly improving transparency and residents' access to information.
[22:32] Thank you for your continued support of the Total Street projects and the care
[22:36] you've shown to Marblehead's infrastructure.
[22:38] Together, we are modernizing and improving safety, expanding accessibility, and
[22:43] building a system the community can rely on.
[22:46] I'm happy to take any questions on the project selection, timelines, utility
[22:50] coordination, funding, communications, or whatever else you might have.
[22:54] So Amy, can we go back to where you talked about kind of what's next?
[22:59] Sure.
[23:00] I think that's on everybody's mind in terms of what the plan is, at least right
[23:06] now.
[23:07] Yeah. So, the only thing that we're highlighting tonight or showing you is the
[23:12] capital improvement plans, right? So there's still maintenance going on.
[23:16] You would still see Chapter 90 money that will be put towards designs,
[23:22] or is actually right now going towards designs.
[23:24] And, we still have design work that's happening with the Article 11 money.
[23:30] But I think the biggest project that we have, and the most important, is what we
[23:35] consider the Pleasant Street corridor.
[23:38] MBTA has already put funds towards a design and the construction of
[23:44] the intersection at Smith, improvements for the intersection at Smith, Baldwin, and
[23:47] Pleasant. So that's one anchor on one end.
[23:51] And then that is the area that we had the two fatalities.
[23:55] So we currently have Apex redesigning what they call a road diet.
[24:00] It's trying to slow everyone down, so that will narrow the road.
[24:03] That is one of the larger roads in Marblehead, so we have the ability to put in now
[24:08] bike plans, and all the plans converge right here and actually work.
[24:13] So you're going to see everything that people have proposed that should be done to
[24:16] make things better, you'll be able to see it in this section.
[24:19] So we'll have a shared use sidewalk on one side, a different sidewalk, a plain
[24:24] sidewalk on the other side. You'll be down to two lanes, so you won't have multiple
[24:29] lanes converging into a smaller amount.
[24:32] There's space for a bus to still pull over.
[24:36] And that will go from Devereux Street to
[24:41] Smith. Now, even with the money, the upgrades, we'll also be doing the lights.
[24:46] Even with the upgrades that MBTA is going to be funding for the town, we still are
[24:51] looking at a project of $3.5 million.
[24:55] Unless we get this.
[24:57] Unless we get that, right. So if we do get the $1 million grant, it will be $2.5
[25:02] million for Marblehead to-
[25:03] So following up on, because this is such a big project and so important, right?
[25:07] Yeah.
[25:07] And so I think you said that there's about $6 million in change remaining of
[25:11] Article 11, right? So this project is about half of it.
[25:14] Yes.
[25:16] And so what's the thought with the other half? Or not?
[25:19] So the roads that DPW has put forward, and everybody's
[25:25] taking write down because they really are roads that need to be upgraded, is
[25:30] Curtis, Roosevelt, and Maverick. So they now had poor road ratings to start with.
[25:36] And then they needed a lot of utility upgrades.
[25:41] So water went down, gas went down, then water went down.
[25:46] And if you go down that, that brought the road rating way down, because now you
[25:49] have two large trenches on opposite sides of the street.
[25:53] They're also digging in a street that isn't very thick anymore, right?
[25:56] So as soon as they start to dig, it starts to crumble, so the trenches look even
[25:59] worse. Trying to patch them makes it very difficult because the road just kind of
[26:02] disappears as you cut it. So, those are part of that project.
[26:08] Those are estimated $1 million. Those right now are in deep discussion with our
[26:13] consultant about what we do with the public way. How much sidewalk do we install?
[26:18] Those are dead-end roads. But they all do have somewhere that you want to be
[26:23] connected to. So, it might be coming off the main road that you need some sidewalks
[26:28] that get you further down. And then we are discussing
[26:33] neighborhood greenways or safe streets, which would be some kind of sign and some
[26:37] kind of slowing traffic down and letting people know that you're sharing the street
[26:41] with a bike or a vulnerable user or walker.
[26:46] Maverick Street, we're looking at, there are sidewalks.
[26:50] So where there are sidewalks or holes of sidewalks, that would be continuing to
[26:53] where the sidewalk goes, is where we are right now.
[26:57] Granted, this is all in discussion right now.
[26:59] And these roads are really difficult because they have a lot of parking, they have
[27:02] a lot of trees, they have intermittent sidewalks, and they're pretty much dead ends
[27:07] that don't go anywhere. So we have to take that balance into account, how we're
[27:12] going to do that piece.
[27:14] You mean balancing because it's a dead end and it's not necessarily a priority as
[27:18] far as traffic and safety, but then obviously they're in poor condition.
[27:22] Right.
[27:22] So as you go through that grid
[27:25] When you get to the sidewalk assessment and advancement, that's where we start to
[27:29] question. And of course,
[27:32] we have a longstanding thing of not taking trees down here.
[27:35] So trees are difficult because they push your sidewalk further in to the street.
[27:40] Then all of a sudden, parking has to be removed because you don't have enough space
[27:43] for parking and a tree, and the sidewalk. So, we're working our way through that.
[27:50] Maverick Street is, we're planning on sidewalk right to the rail trail, right?
[27:54] That's an access point, that's a connectivity point.
[27:57] Very similar to Bouvier Road, which has a path that goes somewhere.
[28:01] So that will definitely be sidewalks on both sides, I think.
[28:06] At least on both sides, we're planning there.
[28:09] And then we're talking with what we do beyond there, because now you're a dead-end
[28:12] street, it's quiet.
[28:14] So, that will be where that goes.
[28:18] So there's another million. Then, right now, I've proposed that we hold a million
[28:23] for our sidewalk upgrade. So, we put in two years ago for a grant
[28:29] for, it might be one year ago, for
[28:33] ADA ramps down Tedesco and Humphrey Street. That's why you didn't see us do those.
[28:37] We did Washburn Drive first, hoping we were going to get that money.
[28:41] We were denied that grant or not awarded that grant, so that will be the next place
[28:45] we look. We're going to look around target school areas and then Humphrey and
[28:49] Tedesco to get those ramps in.
[28:54] So,
[28:56] that's kind of your slush bucket too.
[28:59] You can do ramps, you can do five ramps, you can do a whole bunch of ramps.
[29:02] So as your funding starts to get restricted, that would be a spot that you would
[29:07] have to wait and put those onto the future projects.
[29:12] And then the next one is, we're looking at $800,000 for roads that
[29:18] are major throughways but do need some kind of utility upgrade.
[29:24] But the utility plans do not have that work happening in the next three, five
[29:30] years. These roads
[29:34] do have a lower road rating and need some type of it, so we're looking at minor
[29:37] rehabilitation on those roads. And that's basically what Marblehead had done all
[29:41] the time in the past, right? So we're just going to mill and overlay those roads,
[29:45] or maybe just overlay, depending on which road it is.
[29:49] Which ones would be examples of that?
[29:51] So we're looking at sections of Pleasant Street, which are Pleasant Street from
[29:57] Devereux Terrace, because mind you, the first part's getting a full total streets.
[30:02] So we're going to go from Devereux Terrace to Prospect, because Vine and Village
[30:08] was done with the TIP program when they redid that.
[30:11] During a drain project, you got the next section of Pleasant Street paved to
[30:17] Spring. So then we'll jump over and do Spring to Watson, and then you've had Watson
[30:22] to Washington paved recently. So, we'll stop there.
[30:26] So those are the sections of Pleasant, and then we're going to look at Humphrey
[30:29] from Maple to
[30:32] Tenth Corner or to the high school. So that would be paved.
[30:36] And then if anyone drives down Evans Road, Evans Road is one of those that they
[30:39] consider just unraveling.
[30:42] That will need design work if you were going to do a total street project.
[30:47] It does need water upgrade, it does need gas upgrade.
[30:50] So, that one, just keep the road together until those times come.
[30:54] That is just a straight overlay.
[30:57] It might be a mill and overlay, so we can make all of the grades at the different
[31:01] sidewalks though.
[31:02] Is Washington on any of those?
[31:04] So Washington is, if you go back to the workflow, Washington is stuck in the
[31:08] utility upgrades right now. So the gas company has committed to doing the utility
[31:13] upgrades, and I
[31:16] can't thank them enough for being great partners with Marblehead.
[31:20] We didn't have a lot of gas work done previously. It was all just kind of patching.
[31:25] Now that we have put our pavement management plan forward, they've been really good
[31:30] partners in trying to get ahead of us.
[31:32] So Washington Street, you saw them do some upgrades right here, from Five Corners
[31:37] to here. I don't know how much they did there.
[31:40] But they did go down to Rockaway Street.
[31:42] Now they're picking up at Rockaway Street and going all the way to Orange Street.
[31:47] Okay. So you're holding off on that because you're in that chart, you're in the
[31:52] utility replacement, so then once that's done, that could become more of a
[31:57] priority.
[31:58] Yes, exactly. As I said, while the utility replacement is working, we're also
[32:03] looking at the design, because that's not what Maggie likes to call a book job,
[32:07] right? We have to look at the materials that sidewalks are already, because a lot
[32:11] of them are not really conducive to accessibility.
[32:16] We have to look at telephone poles, because they're actually in the middle of where
[32:20] we need to put ramps to get across the town hall.
[32:24] We're also looking at some narrowing and what we can get in without losing parking.
[32:30] It also is part of, you've already invested in the Five Corners design, right?
[32:34] So, we don't want to do anything beyond Five Corners design.
[32:37] We still have that design-
[32:38] Where does the Five Corners design fit in all this?
[32:41] So the Five Corners design, while utilities are working, the Five Corners design is
[32:45] part of the design. So they're working on that piece of design, and then once that
[32:50] is settled, we'll move them up the street, the designers up the street to make sure
[32:54] that we can get it-
[32:55] So here's a question, and this will be my last one.
[32:58] I'm sure they all have questions too.
[33:00] So what happens when the utilities are ready for that, for Five Corners, and then
[33:06] your design's done, right? Because you're working that parallel, but then you get
[33:09] to the point and you don't have the money.
[33:11] Right.
[33:12] Like because there's other projects that are ready, right?
[33:15] Yep.
[33:15] So that 6 million seems it's going to go pretty quick.
[33:18] Yep.
[33:19] And so the timing, so then what happens to that?
[33:21] It waits until-- You can't borrow Chapter 90 money.
[33:25] No, we can use Chapter 90 money for that, right? Chapter 90 money is limited.
[33:30] It's generally around 400,000. This year, we got 600,000 without a gas tax.
[33:35] That's how it comes. We could go back to 200,000 one year.
[33:38] So it's not something you can count on, but it is something that you gather your
[33:42] Chapter 90 money, you wait to pave everywhere else, and you say, "We're going to
[33:45] pave Washington Street." Or you do just a sidewalk.
[33:52] Pieces of the sidewalk, not the whole sidewalk.
[33:56] So those will be difficult decisions for Marblehead to make.
[34:00] Now, when they voted in 2022, the idea was that this was going to happen every five
[34:05] years. You were going to fund your streets for the next 20, 30 years at that rate.
[34:11] So every five years, you were going to give 12 or seven five to the
[34:17] town to continue with that. And if you go back to that presentation, you'll see
[34:22] they have a whole bunch of graphs of where you're trying to be, and that basically
[34:27] that 3.1 million a year, roughly,
[34:31] which part of that's your Chapter 90 money too, it's supposed to maintain where you
[34:35] are and give you a slight increase of where your roads are.
[34:41] Marblehead's a little difficult, though, because they just looked at roads, they
[34:45] didn't look at utilities, and utilities have been, gas utilities, and water
[34:51] was slow for a while. Water's been cranking out work for a lot of years right now.
[34:56] The drainage project was huge, but
[34:59] they are hard to say that if you only spend 3.1 million you're going to see huge
[35:05] raises in where your conditions assessments are.
[35:09] But
[35:11] they definitely, cast iron gas from the early 1900s, and I'm glad to see it
[35:16] replaced right now.
[35:19] Terry, you had a question?
[35:20] Yeah. So, as a matter of fact, I was heading out of town about 6:00 a.m.
[35:26] this morning, up on Pleasant Street, approaching Baldwin and Smith, and
[35:32] all of a sudden, the light change coming inbound, and the usual jockeying for the
[35:37] lane, two cars hit each other. The big huge pickup truck came into my lane.
[35:42] I just missed it, but that is just a horrible place, and the sooner we can get
[35:48] that done, the better. And that was just-
[35:50] Yeah
[35:51] ... to me, we call the fire chief, but they didn't want to walk and stuff.
[35:55] But anyhow, no, it's very good.
[35:58] Personally committed to making that section safe.
[36:01] This morning, this happened to happen.
[36:03] On 6:00 o'clock, this
[36:06] just ended up. But anyhow, the question I have is timing of all this stuff.
[36:11] We heard about a lot of
[36:14] streets, and the question I always get, and the question I have is, when is this
[36:20] going to happen next year, the year after?
[36:23] A good example, we always hear about Washington Street here.
[36:26] Understand there's utility work.
[36:28] But does that mean,
[36:30] I try to respond to people, and you always say, "There's utility work, there's
[36:34] this." And they say, "When? When is it going to be done?" And I don't have a good
[36:37] answer. So do we have- That I know there's a lot of moving parts, but when is
[36:43] Washington Street kind of done? When is Pleasant? What are the jobs for next year?
[36:50] That is, I think, what people are asking for.
[36:54] Do we have that or can we-
[36:57] So we don't have a five-year plan is what people want to see, right?
[37:02] Well-
[37:02] Water and sewer, you can kind of do a five-year plan.
[37:04] No, I don't think-
[37:05] When you get to the roads
[37:07] ... I think people want to see a couple of things.
[37:09] One is what's going to happen in the next year or two, and then there's specific
[37:14] hotspots. We hear about Washington and Pleasant, when those are going to be done.
[37:19] I don't think there is as much concern about
[37:23] five-year, unless it happens to be Washington or Pleasant or one of those.
[37:26] Which Washington, for all I know, the utility work might take five years, but I
[37:30] don't know that. That's really what I'm, in this design work and all that, and I
[37:36] think
[37:39] people will feel better if they see that timeline.
[37:42] And we know what we learned from Bouvier Road on the other end.
[37:46] People want to know what's actually going to happen this spring, and that's a
[37:50] real-- So I think there's two things going on there, and I think that was the
[37:56] lesson from Bouvier, is people didn't realize what was coming.
[38:01] And I would say it was me on-
[38:03] So-
[38:04] Yeah, so
[38:04] ... that I think is a communication issue.
[38:07] Okay. But yeah.
[38:09] I think that when we started this, the town meeting we started talking about and we
[38:14] came to the select board and talked about roadways 101.
[38:18] Yeah.
[38:18] That was really to understand, and if you call DPW and they say, "When is my road
[38:23] going to be paved?" Well, gas is there this year, so next year's water.
[38:27] You're looking at three to four years before you get your road paved.
[38:31] That was said to Bouvier, West, Maverick.
[38:35] And after the first, everybody's pretty okay when gas goes down.
[38:40] When water goes down, they start to get really frustrated.
[38:42] And then by waiting, which you have to wait for the freeze-thaw and to make sure
[38:46] all your trenches are correct, that time period is when people don't want to see
[38:51] you anymore.
[38:53] Right in the middle of the water project, people are pretty done seeing
[38:56] construction. Prospect Street is right there, right now. Right?
[39:00] Prospect's not on my list for the Article 11 money because it didn't make it to the
[39:05] flow yet for the funding, so that will be, maybe we'll have to go back in front of
[39:11] town meeting and say, "This is what five years has done.
[39:14] This is how you see it."
[39:15] So I understand that, but what we know is going to be done, whatever it is-
[39:19] So what I just told you is what will be done in the next three years, two to three
[39:22] years.
[39:22] But what is going to be done in 2027, in 2028?
[39:26] That's-
[39:27] So I don't want to jump to 2020. Oh, so the other thing we've done also is-
[39:31] Well, just 2020
[39:32] ... there's a working group. We're all talking about how designs work, how things
[39:36] happen. Every job we've been to, we've learned something, and it's created a
[39:43] pause for the next one to make sure that we don't make those same, they're not
[39:49] wrong, but same decisions that people are upset about.
[39:53] That's why Maverick Street and Roosevelt and Curtis are with consultants now.
[39:58] Right? They could've been book jobs.
[40:00] Would've been very simple, but-
[40:01] So when you say consultants, you mean full design so that-
[40:04] Yeah
[40:04] ... people who are making sure-
[40:06] So consultant-wise would be, we'll have a surveyor come in and mark things.
[40:10] Okay.
[40:10] That's going to take funding that isn't private.
[40:13] I understand. What street's going to be done next year? Do we know that?
[40:17] So in the next two to three years.
[40:20] No, next year.
[40:20] Next year. So this fall, I hope to see, of course, you're at the end of the season
[40:25] now, right?
[40:25] Yeah.
[40:26] So we have requested, we've given him a big list because we still have a contract
[40:31] until June 30th.
[40:32] DNR?
[40:32] DNR. Right. So he's got sections of Pleasant Street.
[40:36] He's got Humphrey Street, section that I read from Maple to-
[40:41] See, that would be very helpful because I hear a lot of complaints about those two
[40:45] sections.
[40:46] Yep.
[40:46] But keep going.
[40:47] So these are what we've put forward to him right now.
[40:51] Okay.
[40:51] This is what we want to have done. We have time constraints and other people
[40:55] constraints, but whether he gets it-
[40:56] But if DNR-
[40:56] But those are on there
[40:57] ... if DNR came back and said, "I can't do it till next April," that's-
[41:01] And Evans Road is on his list.
[41:03] Okay. I have a separate question about Evans Road.
[41:06] Okay. Well, Evans Road is on his list.
[41:07] So if he doesn't get it done this fall,
[41:11] we'll be out the gates in the spring with those three.
[41:13] Okay. And I heard about Roosevelt, Curtis, and Maverick are those-
[41:18] Those I hope to follow right after.
[41:21] Okay. That's-
[41:22] In the spring. Those aren't going to be done this year
[41:24] ... knowing-
[41:25] But in the spring
[41:25] ... the short-term interest people have, I think it would be helpful to have that
[41:29] somewhere that we plan on doing these in the next 12 months.
[41:32] I realize there's a lot of,
[41:35] Pleasant Street is going to take a lot of work in certain sections, but certain
[41:39] sections will be improved. And Washington Street is hot button, but
[41:44] if people can understand that it's-- If I could tell someone, people say to me,
[41:49] "You work at the hall, and the street is horrible." And if I say, "Well, it's going
[41:55] to be like that for three years because of
[41:58] design work," that's fine. So, just getting that-
[42:02] And what might happen, that town administrator at the end of the third year might
[42:05] say, "Take the Chapter 90 money and Mellon overlay, this section of Washington
[42:10] Street."
[42:10] Okay.
[42:10] "But we won't do the sidewalks until later."
[42:13] That's-
[42:13] That's where it could end up
[42:14] ... that's fine. So I think my interest, after hearing all this, is what is the
[42:19] next 12 months? And, as you know, over in my neighborhood, we did a private road.
[42:25] It takes about two years to do it, to figure it out.
[42:29] And-
[42:30] And you didn't do your water, so you didn't upgrade the utilities.
[42:32] No, but that, sure. Two years, and we actually had Eric come out.
[42:38] I think you sent Eric out to do a flow test because-
[42:41] Yeah. No, by understanding that he is-
[42:44] We rubbed our hands. Are we going to get the eight-inch pipe or the six-inch pipe?
[42:47] And I talked to, God love him, Kyle Siegel, and he said, "No way.
[42:51] You're not getting nothing." But believe me.
[42:53] But anyhow,
[42:55] so the-
[42:56] The water and sewer does run with it, by their depth, because they only dig things
[42:59] out.
[43:00] Within the-
[43:01] And theirs is all done on water quality and fire flow.
[43:04] Don't-
[43:05] So it's different than a lot of-
[43:06] It sounds like you do have line of sight, at least based on design being done,
[43:11] based on some other moving parts, but that you do have some line of sight as to
[43:16] what-
[43:16] It would be helpful if we could get out the next, whenever you have good
[43:20] confidence, which I think is 12 months, maybe 18.
[43:24] Right.
[43:25] And-
[43:25] So we have those listed in our first FAQ sheet that we're putting out?
[43:30] Okay.
[43:30] Is that-
[43:31] Is it with a map, too? Because when I say-
[43:35] Yeah
[43:35] ... Pleasant from Rockaway to this and that-
[43:37] Right
[43:37] ... most people, except I wish the fire chief, can't visualize the streets.
[43:44] So all of them, so that would be helpful.
[43:47] That's what-- And that was a sample of the map, and that won't be-
[43:51] The other thing, I have a question about Evans Road, is if I go down to Kyle
[43:56] Siegel's old house, God bless his soul, is that end unaccepted?
[44:01] I keep hearing that end of Evans Road is an unaccepted road, that to Washington-
[44:04] I'm sure it was across the street that's in question.
[44:07] The end where it's-
[44:08] On the other side of West Shore Drive. Yeah.
[44:10] Oh, it's the other side?
[44:11] That's what I thought, but I'll double-check that.
[44:13] Okay. But a-
[44:15] And I can't remember if-
[44:15] ... part of Evans is in question as being unaccepted, is that-
[44:18] The extension, I think, but I don't-
[44:20] Okay. I thought it was because the part by Kyle Siegel's old house, see, that's why
[44:25] you need a map because people say, "What is this guy talking about?"
[44:28] I know where Dr. Drethall lives, too, and I don't even know him.
[44:32] Or did live.
[44:33] Oh, okay. So Evans is on there. But I think the important part is when that facts
[44:37] comes out, is the 12 to 18 months, and then there's a list-
[44:41] I will tell you that I've gotten a lot of pushback because it kills me to pave a
[44:45] road knowing that I have to dig it up to do all these utilities.
[44:48] But common sense does say-
[44:51] Yeah
[44:51] ... if it's going to be 10 years for a utility, you might as well pave.
[44:54] So, okay, and I don't want it to be labored, but if Don Dolgov was here, he might
[44:59] say, "I've got the 400th anniversary coming up in '29.
[45:04] Is Washington Street going to be done?" That might be-
[45:07] Mm-hmm
[45:08] ... and if the answer is yes, that's good. If it's no, whatever, fine.
[45:12] And that's the kind of feedback we want to get, right?
[45:15] Because that changes from a total street project, right?
[45:20] Because that might slow it down-
[45:22] Yeah
[45:22] ... waiting for the design. Pleasant Street, we've been talking about how to design
[45:26] Pleasant Street now for-
[45:27] Since 1998.
[45:29] Yeah.
[45:30] I'm not kidding.
[45:31] Only you and I on the last, that section.
[45:34] So that might be where you do what we're doing right now on Humphrey and the other
[45:39] sections of Pleasant, but still need the utility upgrade. Let's just build that.
[45:42] The 1998 conversation ends. So where are we on that design for Pleasant
[45:48] Street?
[45:50] I'm speaking off the cuff, but I think that was $18 million we were at right now.
[45:55] No.
[45:59] Is it completely designed?
[46:02] So when will the design phase be done of that?
[46:05] Of the portion you're going to-
[46:06] Of the portion from-
[46:08] Yeah
[46:08] ... from, I think it was from Smith Street to Deborah Terrace.
[46:12] Yes. I don't have a date on that. We meet with him tomorrow to get the exact-
[46:16] But not-
[46:16] There'll be a few months
[46:17] ... that's 48.
[46:18] No, no. That little section. But I think that's what Marblehead needs to look at
[46:22] doing is sections, not these humongous projects.
[46:26] Yeah, like Jim said from his example this morning, that's obviously the-
[46:30] Yeah
[46:30] ... probably one of the most critical areas in town.
[46:32] And I just want to also highlight, so there was two fatalities.
[46:35] One was a former planning board member, one was a high school student, and then
[46:39] there was a critical bike accident at the trail crossing there, and it also spokes
[46:45] out from the
[46:47] trail, which is a utility corridor and the backbone to the town's active
[46:52] transportation network. So it does link between your schools and gets you kind of
[46:57] off that-
[46:57] Almost every school
[46:58] ... yeah. When we wrote the grant application, you have to check a mile radius from
[47:04] the project area, and we hit every public school.
[47:07] Yeah.
[47:08] So if we're picking the heart of Marblehead, we found it.
[47:12] And-
[47:13] I really hope we get awarded that grant.
[47:15] Yeah.
[47:16] Because that will allow us to do more work.
[47:17] If we don't get awarded that grant, then everything I just said might get done, we
[47:21] have to look at it again because funding always is going to shift.
[47:25] Yeah. It's definitely worth
[47:29] it.
[47:30] And just to shift a little bit to the communication. So then what's next?
[47:33] I think that FAQ page is going to be really big for the community to be able to
[47:37] just kind of at least a starting point if they have more questions they can call.
[47:40] But I know the FAQ page you have for water and sewer is really good.
[47:45] It's very easy to use. It's one of the obvious questions people might have.
[47:50] So I think that's going to be very useful, especially to Jim's point, just even
[47:54] highlighting what part, year by year, 12 months at a time.
[47:58] Yes.
[47:59] Knowing that things could change based on funding or priority or something else
[48:03] happening.
[48:06] But it sounds like there's a lot of good work here, and it's not easy.
[48:09] And right now I think that FAQ page is going to have a stagnant map with things on
[48:14] it.
[48:15] Once we get to that interactive map, that's a whole different story.
[48:18] Yeah. That's next level.
[48:20] Yeah. That would be great. But right now you're going to have to stick with the map
[48:23] that was in this presentation. Like-
[48:26] So will the interactive-
[48:27] ... here's what fall is, here's what spring is.
[48:29] Will the interactive map be like my job if enabling actually gets delayed all of a
[48:34] sudden, the end project automatically gets delayed, tackling like a smart sheet or
[48:40] something?
[48:43] Probably.
[48:43] I don't know the amount of that in the end, but...
[48:47] You're going to click online on a street, and it will say, "This was paved in
[48:52] 2010." It'll just drop down-
[48:54] No.
[48:54] ... that kind of thing.
[48:55] Just with all that goes into changing this-
[48:57] Project
[48:58] ... so you have a plan to do Washington Street, then National Grid told you, "I'm
[49:03] going to be done with my work in April of 2028," and then you get a call, "Well,
[49:08] it's-"
[49:09] So we could definitely-
[49:10] Yeah. And by the way, I heard they're thinking of canceling the yellow pipe
[49:15] project, but we can work on that on a different day. But true, let's see.
[49:20] Okay. Yeah.
[49:23] And that's why if National Grid's willing to put people here and put design in and
[49:27] do it, I'm taking it as much as we can.
[49:29] Here for safety.
[49:30] Because I have heard that they're going to stop that.
[49:32] And it does bother me that we have a cast iron pipe from 1901 that's still carrying
[49:36] gas through-
[49:37] Yeah
[49:37] ... a lot of these neighborhoods. So I'll take it.
[49:40] Yeah.
[49:41] And that's what they're addressing right now.
[49:42] It's going to be very painful, though.
[49:44] Washington Street, Front Street, Gregory Street, those are-
[49:46] Sure
[49:47] ... very painful.
[49:49] So I'd like to close off here. Thank you. This is very informative.
[49:55] For those looking at it for the first time, it seems very simple, but I know from
[50:00] sitting with you all, Louisa, I know you've helped these guys out.
[50:03] There was a lot of hard work.
[50:04] Thank you.
[50:05] And seeing your different books, is it the blue book or the green book?
[50:08] Green book.
[50:08] Green book.
[50:10] And all these different components that go in, and that you guys had this in your
[50:14] minds and putting it on paper,
[50:17] I know your engineering, to simplify this was, it's great.
[50:21] So thank you for all the time you guys put into this.
[50:22] I know that it was a big effort to compile years of information in one place, so I
[50:27] think it's very helpful. Thank you very much.
[50:30] Thank you. And thank you for your help, as that was very difficult for us to get
[50:33] down to a simple workflow.
[50:35] We just wanted a crayon.
[50:36] Yeah.
[50:38] Like everybody else. Give it to us.
[50:39] Doing it in your mind for so long. Years with these. Forget it. So all right.
[50:45] Well, thank you all.
[50:45] Thanks, Mike.
[50:46] Appreciate it.
[50:47] Thank you.
[50:47] All right. Moving on, we have a license revocation hearing for 257 Washington
[50:52] Street, Hank Barrelman. There was a certified letter that went out
[50:58] on September 11th to Benjamin Newman to both his private home as well as The
[51:03] Barrelman. We do have a certified receipt that it was delivered.
[51:08] It's attached in your packet.
[51:12] Top of the mind, you guys have it in yours, too.
[51:14] Mm-hmm.
[51:15] Yes.
[51:15] And it does not look like Ben is here.
[51:18] The last communication that we did have from The Barrelman was back in July.
[51:24] He was unable to attend our board meeting when he called us trying to update Ben,
[51:29] and it looks like he was trying to clean up some issues, I will call
[51:35] it, for certificates of standing for DOR and DUA.
[51:40] And as most people probably know that he did sell the property.
[51:45] However, the liquor license still stays with him and that property until it's
[51:49] transferred. So with him not being here tonight, we do have a couple of options.
[51:56] We can actually vote to revoke the license.
[52:02] Oh, no, I'm sorry. Sorry. So we can vote to continue,
[52:06] or we could vote to definitely suspend the license due to failure to appear, and to
[52:10] send notice that license need to appear before the board at the next meeting of
[52:13] October 14th. Now, suspending the license doesn't take it away, suspends it.
[52:18] It's giving a notice at that time, if he doesn't show up again, we then have the
[52:21] right to revoke it.
[52:22] Did we hear anything from him why he wouldn't be here tonight?
[52:26] No.
[52:27] This receipt just said unveiled it. We didn't get that.
[52:30] We didn't get to that.
[52:30] Right, but I mean-
[52:31] I'm sorry.
[52:31] Right. Okay.
[52:33] Yep. No.
[52:35] And I'm sorry to interrupt. Just briefly, do you have choices we have?
[52:38] So
[52:40] we can start the revocation process. We can vote to wait about six months. No?
[52:46] I think he needs to be in front of us.
[52:48] He needs to be in front of us. So I think our only option tonight
[52:52] is to-- I thought he had to-- Is suspend the license or not act at all.
[52:58] Correct?
[53:00] So we could suspend the license indefinitely, and then we would send notice and ask
[53:05] him to come back to our next meeting, at which time he has the right to come and
[53:09] ask us to give us his plan, basically, on how he plans to move forward.
[53:14] We haven't heard anything. He did sell this.
[53:17] I understand that he has sold his property to Honeycomb.
[53:20] Looks like they are doing some work in there.
[53:22] And the next step, regardless, even if he still had his license, was to apply for
[53:27] renewal in November, which in order to get that, there are a bunch of conditions
[53:31] which would include the chief going in, passing permits, inspection, all that type
[53:36] of stuff, which to my layman's eye, doesn't look like he's going to be there
[53:39] anyway. This is not just one more thing here.
[53:43] According to him, and I think we've got some different things, but according to
[53:47] him, the last operating day at The Barrelman was New Year's Eve of last year, so
[53:52] 12/31/2025.
[53:55] And so he's been aware that he's had to do something with this?
[53:58] Correct.
[53:59] So I would lean towards the suspension until he can come in here.
[54:05] I think suspending it gives him a, at least, elevates us
[54:11] to the next level, lets him know, and the new owners, if they want to come in,
[54:17] and put some pressure on him to get in front of us.
[54:20] I think we have a right to know what's going on with a license that has not been
[54:24] used for 10 months, basically.
[54:28] Yeah, because we have limited licenses.
[54:29] We have limited licenses to begin with.
[54:32] So
[54:33] I would tend to lean that way as well.
[54:36] And if we did suspend it, if
[54:40] Mr. Newman could
[54:43] get it back if he was so declined.
[54:45] Yeah.
[54:46] How long does that suspension last before it's revoked?
[54:50] So it would be indefinite suspension.
[54:54] And then, in theory,
[54:56] we could
[54:59] Revoke as of March 23rd, correct? So based on when we gave him the notice, we
[55:05] could revoke on March 23rd, which is my birthday, for anyone paying attention,
[55:10] of 2027.
[55:13] Okay.
[55:13] Yep. So it's-
[55:14] So there would be six months.
[55:17] Yeah.
[55:17] Yeah,
[55:20] we have an empty storefront-
[55:21] Fair
[55:21] ... a building that could probably be somewhere. And I hate to discourage that.
[55:27] Without question, I think what we would like to think.
[55:29] So just so you are aware,
[55:32] if we suspend tonight-
[55:33] Yeah
[55:34] ... we will send out notice again for October 14th.
[55:37] If he does not appear-
[55:39] Yeah
[55:39] ... then, or hear from him, we have the right, according to ABCC, to revoke on
[55:43] October 14th.
[55:45] Okay.
[55:45] But we can speed that up for failure to show up twice in a row.
[55:49] Once with initial notice, and on the second one on Catherine being suspended.
[55:52] And I'm sorry, kind of, Kyle, you mentioned something about being in person.
[55:57] What was that for, to revoke?
[55:59] Well, they said the six-month process would start if he was in person tonight, if
[56:04] he wanted to start the revocation process.
[56:07] But since he didn't show up tonight,
[56:11] they suggest to suspend, and then after the second time, he could revoke.
[56:17] Okay. So if we suspend tonight, and he shows up, then we could have a conversation,
[56:22] at least hear his side.
[56:23] Yeah.
[56:24] And then we could start the revocation process then, because he's in person.
[56:29] If he doesn't show up, we have the right to revoke on October 14th.
[56:35] Am I
[56:36] saying that right?
[56:37] Yeah. If he doesn't show up, you have the right to revoke him-
[56:39] Yeah
[56:39] ... to meet. If he shows up, that kicks off the six-month process.
[56:43] Yeah.
[56:45] And if we did revoke at the next meeting, then?
[56:50] We then send certified mail and notify the ABC.
[56:54] At that point, I'm assuming he has a right to
[57:00] appeal. And then if not, the liquor license would come back to the town.
[57:03] From a notice standpoint, can we make sure the address is correct and everything?
[57:07] Just double-check.
[57:08] Right off his application.
[57:09] Okay. Yeah, I just want to make sure, since we didn't get the green card back.
[57:13] Correct.
[57:13] Right. I know sometimes we don't...
[57:16] Just make sure that he's getting the notices and that's all.
[57:22] Okay.
[57:23] More questions, sir?
[57:24] Yeah,
[57:26] I don't have a big problem with the suspension either.
[57:29] Seems like the owner, and is the owner of the liquor license, does have some
[57:34] additional opportunity to--
[57:38] We're a little bit low on forum, but I guess if it's 3-0, then
[57:45] the math works.
[57:46] Yeah, I don't think it's something we're making our final decision.
[57:48] Yeah, I would feel very uncomfortable revoking without having all five people here.
[57:52] Correct.
[57:52] Yeah.
[57:52] Yeah. And the restaurant industry's been
[57:58] real tough and stuff like that, and I don't know all the things.
[58:01] I'm a little bit sympathetic, but this will have some
[58:06] leeway to come in and-
[58:08] It does. On the other side of that, we do have some empty spaces, big spaces that
[58:13] in the event that we do get it back, I'm sure there's some other people who could
[58:16] use that.
[58:16] Yeah. Well, I'm also thinking, again, I'm not trying to play business developer-
[58:20] Yeah
[58:20] ... but if there is someone that's trying to get in that space that currently wants
[58:23] the license-
[58:24] Right
[58:24] ... that's what it is.
[58:25] Well, that means-
[58:27] That's the next. So if I could have a motion to indefinitely suspend the license
[58:32] due to failure to appear, and to send notice to the licensee to appear before the
[58:36] board at the next meeting on October 14th for license number
[58:39] 00024-RS-0657.
[58:44] So moved.
[58:45] Second.
[58:46] We don't need to poll this, do we? Okay. All in favor? Okay.
[58:53] Moving along.
[58:55] Next up, we are going to go back and review the Selectboard goals that we did at
[59:00] our retreat over the summer.
[59:03] I think, Patrick, you put together
[59:08] a memo for us, sort of going over it all.
[59:10] It's great how you've broken it down based on financial management and the
[59:14] different sections that it falls in.
[59:15] I think what we did discuss, or I know what we did discuss at our retreat was that
[59:22] in order to stay on top of this, clearly a lot of these don't fall necessarily
[59:25] directly to the Selectboard, that a lot of this is going to be done by
[59:30] town administrator and staff. However, communication and tracking it is something
[59:35] that we can take some responsibility for to make sure, and this all doesn't fall on
[59:40] one person. So I don't know if, Patrick, you want to go over a quick overview of
[59:44] what you put together for us, and then we can have a discussion and maybe assign or
[59:49] volunteer for individual goals. And then what I'd like to see is throughout the
[59:54] year, have an update on where we are on these so they don't just fall into the
[59:58] background, and we can track them, and people can keep them moving forward.
[1:00:02] So, if I was to summarize the outcome of the retreat, I would
[1:00:08] put it the board's goals are centered on stronger financial oversight, preparing
[1:00:13] the organization for leadership transition, improving accountability and
[1:00:18] performance management, strengthening long-term capital planning, modernizing
[1:00:23] communications and governance, and making deliberate decisions about key town
[1:00:27] assets. That's the top level, so it breaks out into 13 goals
[1:00:35] that are listed on the pages.
[1:00:41] And let's quickly run through it. Number one, monthly financial reporting.
[1:00:47] Number two is a quarterly town school financial review.
[1:00:51] And we're anticipating that in October.
[1:00:56] Procurement of major services.
[1:00:59] Independent operational review.
[1:01:02] So that's having someone come in and look at how we're structured and organized.
[1:01:08] Leadership transition succession.
[1:01:11] So that's developing succession planning, not just because of town administrator
[1:01:15] position transition, but looking at the top levels of the organization, department
[1:01:20] heads. And so what the longer-term succession plan is for that.
[1:01:26] Performance management.
[1:01:29] Basically, the board wants to implement its annual evaluation process for the town
[1:01:34] administrator, and have the town administrator have a goal of implementing at the
[1:01:39] department head level. Selectboard liaison assignments, so that's members of this
[1:01:43] board liaison with other boards and committees of the town.
[1:01:50] By-law review,
[1:01:52] to do administrative
[1:01:55] look at all the by-laws. And as it was highlighted,
[1:02:00] that I was emphasizing is looking at the personnel by-laws, the priority to update.
[1:02:06] Capital planning committee, to strengthen that committee's role.
[1:02:11] Long-term capital and debt forecasting.
[1:02:14] Develop a forward-looking forecast of capital needs.
[1:02:18] Townwide communications. Establish communication best practices.
[1:02:23] Amy and Maggie had touched about one component of that in the realm of
[1:02:29] infrastructure work, but also more broadly for the town.
[1:02:35] GFOA-aligned strategic budget document.
[1:02:39] So that's the main document that ties your goals
[1:02:45] to the funding mechanism, your budgets, and your department head goals.
[1:02:49] That's the document that links all of this together.
[1:02:53] And then the Turner Road, AKA, the former coffin school,
[1:02:59] determine the highest and best use and was updated. That is in process.
[1:03:03] So those are the 13 top-level goals that were discussed with a whole bunch
[1:03:09] of detail and specific action items behind those.
[1:03:16] Great.
[1:03:18] Open to hearing, does it make sense to just go through the list?
[1:03:21] Or do we have a discussion? Does this accurately represent?
[1:03:24] Yeah.
[1:03:25] I feel like they've done a great job of summarizing what we did with some more
[1:03:27] details, like how we have immediate follow-up actions, and also discussing some of
[1:03:33] the things that we talked about, but weren't necessarily dropped as goals to
[1:03:38] move forward with, because it's a good way to track this.
[1:03:41] I would propose that we go through one by one, and either decide whether or not.
[1:03:47] There appears to be, there's some here we don't even need somebody to be tracking.
[1:03:50] Like for instance, the coffin school, what's happening.
[1:03:52] Right.
[1:03:52] I don't think we need a lead on that one.
[1:03:55] Right.
[1:03:55] But to go through.
[1:03:56] Yeah. No, because I think we did talk about who would be doing some of them anyway
[1:04:00] at that meeting.
[1:04:01] Yeah.
[1:04:01] Because I already know kind of the ones I had mentioned. So, yeah.
[1:04:06] So let's just make sure, just go through on monthly financial reporting.
[1:04:09] So- Establishment size monthly report that highlights material budget variances,
[1:04:15] revenue trends, risks, and emerging concerns.
[1:04:18] Feels to me like that is in process and will be developed as part of what's
[1:04:23] going to be reported on the MOU, and then we can do that movement up,
[1:04:30] basically to being compliant with the MOU and to follow up with that.
[1:04:34] I feel like that is a good next one.
[1:04:35] I think it's a subset. Yeah.
[1:04:36] Yeah.
[1:04:36] No, I think so. I'm working with Molly as a lead for the MOU.
[1:04:42] What we consider really a best practice would be the quarterly update.
[1:04:46] And so I think the monthly financial reporting is going to flow out of that.
[1:04:50] That's going to get established, and then we can go to the monthly version.
[1:04:54] Yep. And I see somebody sitting over in the corner here who's going to be very
[1:04:57] helpful with that. Nick?
[1:04:59] Yes, Nick. Thank you very much.
[1:05:01] Thank you. Yep, that's it.
[1:05:01] Nick has been working with Molly, and I've been working with Molly.
[1:05:04] So, it sounds like one
[1:05:08] and two, you're sort of working on already, continue to work on with Anna.
[1:05:13] Yep.
[1:05:13] And I honestly don't think it's a ton of input here.
[1:05:18] I think we're going to know pretty soon what this looks like.
[1:05:21] But if we're going to assign anybody. Feel good?
[1:05:25] Yeah, no, totally. I think we're on track for October.
[1:05:28] Yeah. I think there's a couple of moving parts going on.
[1:05:32] The migration, implementation of UNIS, which gives us a whole lot of accounting
[1:05:38] reporting capability.
[1:05:41] There is ongoing work to clean up the chart of accounts to make it-- Right?
[1:05:45] And actually, a little much work. There's a ton of work going on in the background
[1:05:50] for those things. The point being that even as we start this process of
[1:05:55] reporting,
[1:05:58] it'll get better and better as time goes.
[1:06:00] Mm-hmm.
[1:06:00] Because our tools are going to get settled in.
[1:06:04] What information that's being reported out, what will happen is you might get a
[1:06:10] whole bunch of data, and you'll look at it and say, "I don't know what this means."
[1:06:13] And then you do a different version.
[1:06:15] You say, "Okay, now this presented this way is very useful." So it'll
[1:06:20] be refined as you go so that it's a more useful information tool as we go.
[1:06:25] So the point being, whatever you do on the first set,
[1:06:31] it may change over time.
[1:06:32] Well, we're going to get feedback on what's helpful.
[1:06:33] Yeah, of course. No, of course. It'll evolve, right?
[1:06:37] But in speaking to Molly, and working again with Nick as well, we're confident that
[1:06:41] we can report on something-
[1:06:43] Yeah
[1:06:43] ... in October and at least start, right?
[1:06:46] We have to start with-
[1:06:46] We'll have the quarterly report, as discussed, mid-October
[1:06:50] with the chairs discuss, and then the plan
[1:06:56] is on October 28th, that'll be reported back to the full board, and we'll use
[1:07:02] that first quarterly as our monthly, three monthly updates.
[1:07:07] Yeah.
[1:07:07] And then we can use that, and we'll give feedback on what's helpful, what isn't.
[1:07:12] And we'll ultimately-
[1:07:13] Yeah, we just have to start somewhere, and then we'll-- But yes, it'll evolve.
[1:07:16] So number three, I think with that, am I right?
[1:07:19] I think for that would be, you feel comfortable-
[1:07:23] Yeah
[1:07:23] ... since that was, I think you brought that, Aaron.
[1:07:26] Yeah.
[1:07:26] Yeah.
[1:07:26] And I think actually, that kind of falls into the first two, because as we look at
[1:07:31] the monthly reporting and quarterly reporting, we'll see if there's big cost
[1:07:37] centers.
[1:07:37] Mm-hmm.
[1:07:39] And we did one of my favorite subjects,
[1:07:42] Lee played right into my hand about the legal costs this week in the comment.
[1:07:46] And as we move forward with the budget, I think for next year, we should look
[1:07:51] forward, if we're spending that level of money on legal services,
[1:07:56] maybe the schools and towns should look to maybe come back to the same level.
[1:08:01] But I think, yeah, that would be wise to do that.
[1:08:03] Okay. So the independent operational review, which is a thing that we put out for
[1:08:08] bid, didn't get anyone. I think you do have an update on that as well, correct?
[1:08:11] Yeah. So I'm working with the call center.
[1:08:15] Once again,
[1:08:17] we're lining someone up for them to come in and start that process.
[1:08:21] So yeah, we put it on the street. Nobody bit on it.
[1:08:25] One of the advantages of the call center, they're a government entity, so we can
[1:08:29] just engage into an agreement, and they can proceed.
[1:08:32] So I'll have a little more information soon as to who exactly and when things will
[1:08:38] start.
[1:08:38] In the cost.
[1:08:40] In the cost, yeah. I'm estimating about 25,000.
[1:08:44] So,
[1:08:46] that's my estimated number. This is a high-level review of the organization, so I
[1:08:52] don't think it's not analyzing deep every position
[1:08:58] and things of that sort, so I think that'd be-
[1:09:00] But it's looking at different boards, maybe how they can work out together.
[1:09:03] Yeah.
[1:09:03] Efficiencies, looking at-
[1:09:04] Cross-departmental stuff. Yeah.
[1:09:06] I'm going to put Aaron on that one-
[1:09:09] Yeah
[1:09:09] ... since he drove that. Sound fair? Leadership transition and succession.
[1:09:14] I don't remember who brought that one. Anybody here?
[1:09:19] I may have been part of that.
[1:09:20] Okay.
[1:09:22] I think I was-- I'm not going to claim-
[1:09:24] Full
[1:09:24] ... full credit, but the next two I was.
[1:09:27] So I would like to say number five goes to Aaron as well, if that's good.
[1:09:30] And then number six, performance management is all you.
[1:09:33] Yeah.
[1:09:33] I think that you brought that, and you had some background in that.
[1:09:37] Yeah, and I think what we talked about was that actually back in the day, was kind
[1:09:42] of surprised that he wasn't going to have a performance-
[1:09:44] Right
[1:09:45] ... review.
[1:09:46] Yeah.
[1:09:46] And I think the way forward is, I think we all agree that the new town
[1:09:50] administrator, that would be in the contract.
[1:09:52] And that would, I think, be a good way to tee it off for the new person.
[1:09:58] I'm being reviewed, so-
[1:09:59] Yeah
[1:10:00] ... that can flow down from there.
[1:10:01] And does Tom Howard have some type of-- Can he start working on that,
[1:10:07] recommendations on what that looks like? Or where would that come from?
[1:10:11] So there are plenty of example contracts.
[1:10:15] So the first step, as far as the town initiative?
[1:10:18] Well, not the contract, but actually like-
[1:10:20] The review
[1:10:20] ... the review.
[1:10:21] Oh, that.
[1:10:21] Yeah.
[1:10:22] Yeah. We can reach out to the HR-
[1:10:26] Network
[1:10:27] ... network, is to get the evaluation forms.
[1:10:30] Okay.
[1:10:30] Yeah, certainly, if he can get that rolling in advance of the town administrator.
[1:10:34] Well, we should have it for the town administrator contract, but then
[1:10:40] we have some ideas in place for the new town administrator.
[1:10:42] I think it'd be nice to propose something that they-
[1:10:45] Yeah
[1:10:45] ... but it takes a little time to gather, so if he could, I don't know, start-
[1:10:48] Yeah
[1:10:49] ... gathering.
[1:10:51] So moving on to number seven.
[1:10:56] I'd like to take that one if everyone's okay with that.
[1:10:58] Yeah, I think you have to take it.
[1:10:59] You'll take that from-
[1:10:59] The ethics.
[1:11:01] Yeah, ethics.
[1:11:01] Yep.
[1:11:02] And I think I'm going to start, I mentioned what I'd like to do is start meeting
[1:11:07] with other chairs to start and then expand from there.
[1:11:11] Yep.
[1:11:12] So I'm working on that bylaw review.
[1:11:14] That's me.
[1:11:14] That's definitely not me.
[1:11:16] No, Aaron and I have already talked about that.
[1:11:18] Okay. All right. For those, we'll go Ari.
[1:11:20] And we'll start with personnel after.
[1:11:22] Yeah.
[1:11:23] Because we were like, where do we start?
[1:11:25] Because that's hopefully actually-
[1:11:27] Okay.
[1:11:28] Yeah. So we're on that.
[1:11:29] The output planning committee.
[1:11:32] Feels-
[1:11:34] Noonan.
[1:11:34] Yeah, that's Noonan.
[1:11:36] Long-term capital and debt forecast.
[1:11:39] I don't feel like that necessarily sits with the board.
[1:11:43] I think it's a goal to make sure that is happening with our new head of finance.
[1:11:49] I almost feel like that comes into play with that monthly reporting and financial
[1:11:53] oversight.
[1:11:54] Yeah. Don't we have a committee?
[1:11:55] Well, yeah, the debt forecast. So I almost feel like nine and ten go together.
[1:12:05] But we also already have this chart in lots of ways-
[1:12:08] Yeah
[1:12:08] ... Alicia put together, and I think you guys have that, how much
[1:12:11] debt we have-
[1:12:15] Yeah
[1:12:15] ... what our obligations are, and when they fade off.
[1:12:18] And I think what it's doing is taking that and overlaying it with future capital
[1:12:22] projects to keep that level.
[1:12:24] So there is the capital planning committee.
[1:12:30] Once they figure out, they do a review and for recommendation to town meeting.
[1:12:36] The actual capital planning is primarily at the professional staff, department
[1:12:42] head level, where we put together, because you have your vehicle equipment, rolling
[1:12:48] stock, walls and fences, facilities.
[1:12:52] So that's more of an internal process, and then those projects that rise over a
[1:12:58] certain threshold of a million dollars or above are the ones that then go to that
[1:13:04] capital planning committee. So the point being that a lot of your capital debt is
[1:13:09] more of an internal process that gets presented to the boards that accept it.
[1:13:14] I think we also, a part of this is just evaluating that.
[1:13:17] Yeah.
[1:13:18] Is it doing what it's supposed to do? Should it be composed differently?
[1:13:21] It hadn't been realized.
[1:13:26] Town-wide communications
[1:13:27] That was me.
[1:13:30] Unless you want it, Dan.
[1:13:32] So yeah, I'm happy to let you do that. I think we know who number 12 is.
[1:13:36] The FOA is Moses, whether he wants it or not, that is his baby.
[1:13:42] And then the Turner Road property, as I mentioned before, I don't think...
[1:13:45] Where, obviously, we have-- Maybe this comes into play if we don't choose somebody,
[1:13:51] or if we don't get applications for-
[1:13:53] But there's going to be a committee, right?
[1:13:54] Yes. We're going to put together that committee, which after we'll convene.
[1:13:57] Yeah.
[1:13:58] Yes. So, I think we're going to have a committee on that already.
[1:14:00] I would say whoever ends up on the committee-
[1:14:02] Yeah
[1:14:03] ... goes with that.
[1:14:07] I don't feel any need to have more discussion on this. Everyone good? Great. Jim?
[1:14:11] Yeah.
[1:14:11] All right. Great. After our discussion on flexible work policy.
[1:14:16] Yeah, so I have
[1:14:19] sent it to you electronically also, so you can review at your leisure.
[1:14:25] So I had mentioned I was putting together a flexible workplace policy.
[1:14:31] I went back. One, I am on the MMA's policy committee on labor
[1:14:37] and personnel, and so we had a meeting last week in Boston, and this was actually
[1:14:42] one of the topics that was discussed.
[1:14:45] Not the marblehead one, but just in general.
[1:14:48] And the MMA shared their best practice, which I have on the next page
[1:14:54] down on this. And I just wanted to do that, get some additional
[1:14:59] communities as references, as well as conversation with the other
[1:15:05] members of the policy committee. So with all that input, I've created an updated,
[1:15:10] revised version. So it's not just flexible
[1:15:16] location, which is what I was putting together initially, but it
[1:15:22] would involve the options of hybrid, remote work, temporary arrangements,
[1:15:29] which was flex.
[1:15:34] Starting, flexible starting and end times, compressed schedules,
[1:15:40] hybrid work, remote work, and temporary arrangements.
[1:15:42] So the whole idea is giving department heads a number of tools to
[1:15:48] address workforce,
[1:15:53] providing flexibility for the workforce.
[1:15:56] The key ingredient here,
[1:15:59] whatever
[1:16:01] flexible arrangements are done, are done in the interest of the town,
[1:16:06] to meet all of its
[1:16:08] duties and needs. So I can lay that out in the top of memo.
[1:16:14] But we are trying to respond to, one, the situation with the construction at Mary
[1:16:20] Alley. That's sort of driving it along.
[1:16:24] But also workforce expectations.
[1:16:26] As we're hiring new people coming in,
[1:16:31] the expectation in the workforce is having
[1:16:35] more flexibility arrangements. It's recognizing all the challenges that
[1:16:41] as a municipality, we provide a wide range of services and functions.
[1:16:46] So, not all positions are conducive.
[1:16:50] By adding some of the other flexibility options, it does allow us to
[1:16:57] expand the number of employees that may be eligible for some type of flexibility.
[1:17:03] So the original just remote work is great if you work in an office environment.
[1:17:09] It doesn't work for you if you're on the street.
[1:17:11] But if arrangements of compressed work times, altering times,
[1:17:17] that opens up the workforce that would be eligible for some type of options.
[1:17:21] Interesting. Yeah.
[1:17:22] The key factor is this is the decision of being able to do this is at the
[1:17:28] department head working with HR, working with the town manager at a level.
[1:17:33] There are no expectations of this. This is not a benefit. It can be revoked.
[1:17:39] It can be altered at the town's needs.
[1:17:41] So there's setting clarification that what comes first is
[1:17:47] meeting the service needs of the town first, and then doing those things that are
[1:17:54] available to accommodate the workforce demands.
[1:17:57] I also read in there that clearly anyone under collective bargaining, this doesn't
[1:18:02] go into effect for that. They would have to go back-
[1:18:06] Sure
[1:18:06] ... to be part of the agreements with the affected unions.
[1:18:09] Yeah. So if the board were to accept this, it would immediately apply
[1:18:15] to the, in here, the non-represented, meaning the non-union-
[1:18:19] Mm-hmm
[1:18:19] ... it would apply.
[1:18:22] For any of the collective bargaining units that are not going to be you folks, we
[1:18:27] would have to sit down and make an agreement with them for it to affect them.
[1:18:32] And this excludes anybody on the school side.
[1:18:35] Sure.
[1:18:35] So this is town side only. So any employees that fall under the school community
[1:18:40] are not part of this. School committee manages that side of the house.
[1:18:47] So the immediate effect would be for non-union, and then obviously I've already
[1:18:52] given the union president a heads up that this is forthcoming and we'll sit down
[1:18:58] and discuss.
[1:18:59] I think the HR support is going to be really important-
[1:19:02] Yes
[1:19:03] ... there for sure for the department heads.
[1:19:05] And then I noticed you talked about a flexible, a written arrangement.
[1:19:11] Yeah.
[1:19:12] That again, sounds great, but for the practicality of that,
[1:19:16] again, they're going to need help.
[1:19:17] Yeah.
[1:19:19] For sure with that.
[1:19:20] Yeah, I mean, there's some flexibility in that.
[1:19:22] So of what we've had is, I remember the morning we all showed up when the Mary
[1:19:27] Alley building was broken into. And
[1:19:32] I just issued the order, "Everybody's working remote. Grab your laptop.
[1:19:37] Here you go."
[1:19:38] Mm-hmm.
[1:19:38] And we actually were able to maintain levels of productivity even though folks
[1:19:43] couldn't go in the building for a day or so.
[1:19:46] So there are short-term situations where it'll mostly be a verbal
[1:19:51] go.
[1:19:54] And there's some definitions in here on categories of flexibility, of ad hoc versus
[1:20:00] long-term, and then there's a 30-day.
[1:20:03] Even in the long-term, there's a 30-day
[1:20:09] initial one, evaluate, and then permission to continue the practice on
[1:20:15] the longer term.
[1:20:17] Yeah. And is there timing on this that you would like us to
[1:20:23] go back to you with?
[1:20:24] If you're ready. So
[1:20:26] sort of tying along with the project at Mary Alley right now, the work that's being
[1:20:30] done is not being very impactful to us or the building.
[1:20:35] In two weeks or four weeks, that may change on us.
[1:20:38] My desire would be, if you're ready at the next meeting-
[1:20:41] Yeah
[1:20:42] ... we can do it. If you-
[1:20:44] And there'll be comments about individuals.
[1:20:46] Yeah.
[1:20:46] Specifics getting too direct with-
[1:20:48] I think that board can resolve
[1:20:51] ... along those lines, like for collectors, drivers where people drop stuff off,
[1:20:55] what will happen to the Mary Alley?
[1:20:57] So the plan is so up where they are now-
[1:20:59] Yeah
[1:20:59] ... unaffected.
[1:21:00] Oh, it is?
[1:21:01] They're doing the lower level.
[1:21:02] Okay.
[1:21:03] They're doing all the conference rooms.
[1:21:06] Mm-hmm.
[1:21:06] When that is done, we're actually going to move those services into the conference
[1:21:11] room, and that'll be the customer service-
[1:21:15] Gotcha
[1:21:15] ... area while the other parts of the building are being done.
[1:21:19] Sounds like you guys actually planned this out. This is, yeah. Awesome. All right.
[1:21:24] I'm good. Good work.
[1:21:26] Yeah.
[1:21:26] All right. Let's move on to agenda item number nine, consent to agenda items.
[1:21:31] If I could have a motion to approve the following consent to agenda items subject
[1:21:34] to usual rules or additional fees.
[1:21:36] Minutes of May 27th, August 12th, and September 9th to 26th.
[1:21:42] Abbott Hall, Marblehead High School, and Veterans Memorial Middle School Art Show,
[1:21:45] May 10th through the 26th of 26th. Opening rece--
[1:21:53] These dates right?
[1:21:55] Yeah. May 10th through the 26th.
[1:21:56] It's included for the whole month, but they have an exhibit.
[1:21:58] But they don't really pass. Am I just getting really tired?
[1:22:02] Yeah.
[1:22:02] Is it supposed to be 27th?
[1:22:04] 27th.
[1:22:04] Okay. Just want to make sure.
[1:22:07] So next, 27th.
[1:22:10] And I'm assuming that these are all... Yeah. Okay.
[1:22:15] So Veterans Memorial School Art Show, May 10th through 26th, 2027.
[1:22:20] Opening reception, May 18th, 2027, Abbott Hall.
[1:22:23] Congressman Moulton's Veterans Town Hall, November 11th, 2026.
[1:22:28] Chamber of Commerce, Trick-or-Treat, Temple Park restrictions, October 29th, 2026.
[1:22:33] Subject to approval from police and fire.
[1:22:35] Chamber of Commerce sidewalk sale, Saturday, October 3rd, 2016, subject to
[1:22:39] compliance with all ADA, fire zoning, building codes.
[1:22:43] DPW request for Roundhouse Road annual cleanup, October 19th,
[1:22:49] 2026.
[1:22:51] Abbott Hall, September 26th, bowling, park wedding, and MHS All Sports Boosters
[1:22:57] annual door-to-door canvas on Sunday October 18th, 2026 from 12 noon to
[1:23:03] 3:00 PM.
[1:23:06] Move.
[1:23:07] Second.
[1:23:08] In favor.
[1:23:10] Unanimous. Moving on. We have reappointment of a registrar.
[1:23:15] We have one that is appointed by the Democratic
[1:23:21] Town Committee. This one is coming from Republican Town Committee.
[1:23:24] They have asked us, provided response, that we approve Timothy Swiger's
[1:23:30] appointment to Registrar of Voters, and that it is the unanimous intention of their
[1:23:35] members.
[1:23:39] Do I have a motion to appoint Timothy Swiger Registrar of Voters for the term to
[1:23:42] expire in June of 2028?
[1:23:44] So moved.
[1:23:45] Second.
[1:23:46] All in favor?
[1:23:48] How about the
[1:23:51] vodka?
[1:23:51] Just a little bit.
[1:23:54] So we have some contracts. These all-- Oh, I didn't look.
[1:23:59] Because I don't have my glasses on. Here's what I thought.
[1:24:04] These are all historical commission.
[1:24:09] First contract is, if I could have motion approved, contract 26-67 for mechanical
[1:24:14] engineering services between the town and GGD Consulting Engineers Inc., not to
[1:24:18] exceed $24,400. Authorize Fairie to sign on behalf of the board.
[1:24:22] So moved.
[1:24:23] Second.
[1:24:24] In favor? If I could have a motion to approve contract 26-67 for structural
[1:24:29] engineering service between the town and Gale Associates Inc.
[1:24:32] not to exceed $29,700. Authorize Fairie to sign on behalf of the board.
[1:24:37] So moved.
[1:24:38] Second.
[1:24:38] In favor? And a motion to approve contract for architectural services between the
[1:24:43] town and Nilsson and Studio Associates not to exceed $25,000.
[1:24:48] Authorize Fairie to sign on behalf of the board.
[1:24:51] So moved. Second. Yeah, I just have one thing of discussion on that before we vote.
[1:24:56] Yep.
[1:24:57] It says Ed is doing it pro bono, which is great.
[1:25:00] But then, oh, I guess it's reimbursables.
[1:25:02] If he has reimbursables, he needs-
[1:25:05] Not-- Right.
[1:25:06] Okay. Directly reimbursable to someone else.
[1:25:08] And that's all coming from there. Yep.
[1:25:10] Yeah.
[1:25:10] Yeah.
[1:25:11] Gotcha.
[1:25:11] My understanding, ran it through commission with Adam and chilled it.
[1:25:15] Yeah, he can do that.
[1:25:17] He can do this role.
[1:25:19] Yeah, I'm sure. I've known him. Yes, I'm sure he would.
[1:25:21] Yeah.
[1:25:21] So we've got a motion and a second. All in favor?
[1:25:25] Approved.
[1:25:26] And if I could have a motion to approve contract for survey services between the
[1:25:29] Town and John Punchin for $50,000. Authorize Fairie to sign on behalf of the board.
[1:25:34] So moved.
[1:25:35] So moved.
[1:25:36] And that is for contract number 26-65. All in favor? All right.
[1:25:41] That was paid for by the grant you all approved-
[1:25:43] That they-
[1:25:44] ... last month
[1:25:45] Okay, great.
[1:25:47] Moving on. We have a one-day liquor license, Little Harbor Printmakers
[1:25:51] Collaborative on October 19th. I have a motion to approve the application for the
[1:25:55] following one-day liquor license from Little Harbor Printmakers Collaborative,
[1:25:58] October 19th, 2026 from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM for beer and wine only at Abbott
[1:26:03] Library, Pleasant Street, subject to the following conditions.
[1:26:07] Delivery of and receipt by licensed authority of required fee of $50.
[1:26:10] Delivery of and receipt by licensed authority of proof that the alcohol be
[1:26:13] purchased from an authorized source.
[1:26:15] Proof that applicant can receive proper delivery, provide proper storage and
[1:26:18] disposal of all alcohol beverages purchased all in accordance with the requirements
[1:26:21] of GLC 138. Liquor liability insurance.
[1:26:24] No alcohol is allowed to remain on premises unattended overnight.
[1:26:28] And alcohol will be purchased from True North Ales.
[1:26:31] So moved.
[1:26:32] Second. It's approved.
[1:26:34] Withholding?
[1:26:36] In favor.
[1:26:37] Does it-- Mr. Zitin?
[1:26:38] In favor.
[1:26:39] Mr. Potter?
[1:26:40] In favor.
[1:26:41] And last but not least, we have received letters of interest from Donald Henrik for
[1:26:46] CONCOM and Andy Garnets for harbors and waters.
[1:26:51] So what we usually do here is we set some deadlines for applications and then also
[1:26:57] for interviews.
[1:27:00] Why don't we give them
[1:27:03] till-- Why don't we set the interviews for the 28th, and why don't
[1:27:09] we close that out, Kyle, the 23rd?
[1:27:12] Yeah.
[1:27:13] The Friday before. Great. Any select board announcements?
[1:27:18] I have two very brief ones.
[1:27:19] Okay.
[1:27:19] Okay. Dan and I last week attended-
[1:27:22] Okay
[1:27:23] ... South Essex Storage, I guess open house.
[1:27:26] And just two comments on that is, one, that I've driven by there 32 million times
[1:27:31] in my life, maybe 35. It was bigger and more technically complex than I thought.
[1:27:37] Bigger, it was an understatement because I'd gone by it on the water and the
[1:27:42] roadside and never been in.
[1:27:44] Stuff went underground.
[1:27:45] Yeah, underground. A lot of it's underground.
[1:27:48] The other thing, David Masterson did talk about the $400 million elephant, if
[1:27:54] you will, which is a lot of money, but I felt a little bit better about it.
[1:27:58] There's five communities, and we're the smallest, so 190,000
[1:28:04] population it serves. We're 20. So roughly, we're just 10% of that, rough numbers.
[1:28:10] But with that said, some of the work associated with it, like we've already done
[1:28:15] our pipeline. In walking through this, there is essentially Roble head property on
[1:28:21] the site, like the intake, and then it's, oh, by the way, that's Beverly's and
[1:28:26] Danvers' intake over there. And the last thing he impressed me with
[1:28:31] is they have 16 different cost centers for all the spending there.
[1:28:37] And as he said, I love this, you can tell when engineers in charge want to break
[1:28:40] down the expenses. But the important part of that is, it's not like going out to
[1:28:46] dinner with five different couples and someone gets six drinks and dessert.
[1:28:51] They really break down
[1:28:53] what you pay for. And we pay forward our pipes, for instance.
[1:28:59] So, it's going to be a hit. It's going to be over time, but I don't think it's
[1:29:03] going to be
[1:29:07] end-of-the-world type yet.
[1:29:08] I think I was also impressed by really the need for it-
[1:29:11] Yeah
[1:29:11] ... from an operational standpoint and their fixed costs.
[1:29:15] They're getting rid of the sludge, if we take away the cost of having to move that
[1:29:18] by diesel.
[1:29:19] Yeah.
[1:29:20] And also the fact that there's not going to be a place for it in Massachusetts.
[1:29:23] And looking at some of it, they actually talked about some things that have
[1:29:26] happened that we didn't know about-
[1:29:28] Yeah
[1:29:28] ... that could be catastrophic and what would happen-
[1:29:31] Yeah
[1:29:32] ... in the event of a contempt decree.
[1:29:34] Mm-hmm.
[1:29:35] So, it has turned into a little bit of a political game over there to get this
[1:29:39] through.
[1:29:40] Yeah.
[1:29:40] But it's pretty clear that it's necessary.
[1:29:44] Yeah. And they do it, I think, every six months, and it's open to the public.
[1:29:47] So I would say-
[1:29:48] It's important
[1:29:49] ... it's really worth going to.
[1:29:51] Well, and to look at that water that comes out at the end-
[1:29:55] Yeah
[1:29:55] ... which is clear as can be.
[1:29:56] It is.
[1:29:57] It's impressive what they're doing over there.
[1:29:58] It's incredible. Yeah.
[1:30:00] We learned a lot.
[1:30:01] A lot.
[1:30:02] A lot of stuff we didn't want to learn, either.
[1:30:03] Yeah.
[1:30:06] Forget about your dog poo bags. Like, that's not... Yeah, no, it's incredible.
[1:30:13] If there's any questions, fine. The only other thing, I'm enrolled in the Police
[1:30:17] Academy 2.0, so you have your next chief right here.
[1:30:21] Okay.
[1:30:21] Actually, I'm over the age limit, but otherwise, I think I'd be a great candidate.
[1:30:24] But Thatcher
[1:30:29] Thatcher gives a lecture every year, and a very good one, and he spoke for a little
[1:30:35] bit over an hour. And when he concluded it, Lieutenant Ozzie Ostrovich said
[1:30:41] this is his last lecture because he's going to be moving on.
[1:30:44] And I'll just say, there's about 25 people in the class, and one of the class
[1:30:49] members stood up and said, "We wanted to thank you for everything you did for the
[1:30:53] town." And there was a big ovation.
[1:30:55] And I think it's maybe the first of many, or certainly one of many that's going to
[1:30:59] be over the next few months. And it was really-- We all know superintendents and
[1:31:03] town administrators can be punching bags at times, but this was a mixed group of
[1:31:08] people that really-- It was a genuine recognition, so that was good.
[1:31:13] So that's another thing, if anyone ever gets the time to take that police academy,
[1:31:18] it's really enlightening. So that's it.
[1:31:22] All right. Thank you. All right. With that, can I have a motion to adjourn?
[1:31:26] So moved.
[1:31:26] Second.
[1:31:27] All in favor?
[1:31:29] All right. Thank you all.