[0:03] Good even uh good evening and welcome to

[0:06] the standing fall town meeting convened

[0:09] pursuant uh pursuant to Rockport's code

[0:10] of bylaws. I note for the record a

[0:13] quorum being present the meeting is

[0:14] called to order. On my on the dis to my

[0:17] right are town clerk Melanie Wadell and

[0:20] assistant town clerk Courtney Buchanan.

[0:22] To my left, town council uh Greg Corvo

[0:26] and town administrator uh Mitch Vieiraa.

[0:29] Uh sitting in convened session this

[0:32] evening are the Brockport Select Board,

[0:34] the Community Preservation Committee,

[0:36] the Department of Public Works

[0:37] Commissioners, the Finance Committee,

[0:39] and the Historical Commission. I don't

[0:41] think I left anybody out, but if I did,

[0:43] let me know.

[0:46] I'm going [clears throat] to have you

[0:46] stand in a moment. And just to preview

[0:48] for you, you're going to stand for three

[0:50] events. the [clears throat] pledge of

[0:51] allegiance, an invocation, and then a

[0:54] brief moment of silence in commemoration

[0:55] of 911, which I'll introduce very

[0:58] briefly. So, at this time, please stand,

[1:00] attend the nation's flag, and kindly

[1:03] recite with me the pledge of allegiance,

[1:05] and remain standing for the invocation

[1:07] and for the moment of silence.

[1:10] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the

[1:12] United States of America and to the

[1:14] republic for which it stands, one nation

[1:18] under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[1:21] justice for all. I will now ask Reverend

[1:24] Nathan Ives of the St. Peter San Pedro

[1:27] Episcopal Church in Salem and one of

[1:29] Rockport's assistant fire chiefs to step

[1:31] forward and deliver the invocation.

[1:42] Let us pray.

[1:45] Most loving God, as we assemble in this

[1:47] special town by the sea to do the work

[1:49] of government this night, bless us as we

[1:52] take up these tasks so that our efforts

[1:54] will be plumbed to the ways of justice,

[1:58] level to the lines of fairness, and true

[2:00] to the values of mutual respect and

[2:03] appreciation for one another's ideas and

[2:06] opinions. And bless our community and

[2:09] our commonwealth and our nation, oh God,

[2:11] to always be focused on the needs of

[2:13] your people. and especially the most

[2:15] vulnerable in our midst. In your holy

[2:18] name we pray. Amen.

[2:20] >> Thank you, Reverend Dives. Please

[2:22] [clears throat] remain standing for a

[2:24] brief moment. This past Friday,

[2:26] Rockport, like cities and towns across

[2:28] the country, observed the 25th

[2:31] anniversary of the vicious attacks

[2:34] carried out against the United States by

[2:36] [clears throat] terrorist forces which

[2:38] murdered 2,977

[2:40] innocent lives and the consequences of

[2:43] which continue to take the lives of

[2:45] thousands more, including first

[2:47] responders and good Samaritans. We won't

[2:50] attempt to duplicate that ceremony led

[2:52] by our fire department, police

[2:54] department, first responders, and the

[2:56] American Legion. But if you were there

[2:58] last Friday, you know how powerful it

[3:00] was. Let's take a brief moment of

[3:02] silence tonight before we undertake the

[3:05] tasks before us, which are the always

[3:08] important, even if sometimes seemingly

[3:11] mundane, decisions required by

[3:13] self-government.

[3:15] You being here tonight does much to

[3:17] honor the dead and to tell the attackers

[3:20] that they failed and that they will

[3:22] always fail. Please join me in a brief

[3:25] moment of silence.

[3:40] Thank you. You may be seated. Thank you.

[3:48] The first order of business is the

[3:50] reading of the warrant. The chair will

[3:52] entertain a motion to omit the verbatim

[3:54] reading of the warrant articles.

[3:56] >> Second.

[3:57] >> Is there's a second moved and seconded.

[3:59] The [clears throat] question before you

[4:00] is whether to omit a verbatim reading of

[4:02] the warrant articles. It requires a

[4:04] majority vote to pass. All in favor say

[4:06] I.

[4:08] >> Oppose say no.

[4:10] That motion carries by a majority. The

[4:13] second order of business would be

[4:15] reading of the return on a s service of

[4:16] the warrant, but I am informed we've had

[4:18] a procedural change where the return of

[4:20] service has been included with the

[4:22] warrant. Uh so we may note that for the

[4:24] record having been accomplished

[4:27] [clears throat]

[4:28] um for this evening's meeting, uh there

[4:31] are restrooms outside of the uh the

[4:34] hall. Smoking is prohibited anywhere on

[4:36] school grounds, which I think everybody

[4:38] certainly knows by now. Please keep in

[4:40] mind we're guests of the school

[4:41] department, so let's keep the hall and

[4:43] the area clean. And then finally, please

[4:45] silence any cell phones, pagers, Apple

[4:48] watches, or anything else that may make

[4:50] noise and interrupt the meeting. [cough]

[4:53] The meeting will be conducted in

[4:54] accordance with Robert's rules of order

[4:56] as adapted to town meeting by the laws

[4:58] of the Commonwealth, Rockport's bylaws,

[5:00] and custom and practice. First

[5:02] principle, let's be civil to one

[5:04] another, listen carefully to one

[5:05] another, and consider our decisions

[5:07] thoughtfully. I'll briefly summarize our

[5:10] expected procedure and refer you to the

[5:12] guide for voters participating in town

[5:14] meeting contained in your voters

[5:16] booklet. I have a long form and I have a

[5:18] short form. And once again, for the

[5:20] fall, you all look like the usual crowd,

[5:21] so I'm going to go to the short form.

[5:24] [cough and clears throat]

[5:25] All comments and remarks are addressed

[5:27] to the chair and should relate to the

[5:28] immediate question before the meeting.

[5:30] Remarks should focus on the question

[5:32] before the meeting, its merits or lack

[5:34] of merit, not on personalities. The

[5:37] motion, not the person, is the subject

[5:39] of the discussion. The sponsor bringing

[5:41] a motion ordinarily is afforded seven

[5:43] minutes for remarks and subsequent

[5:45] speakers ordinarily have three minutes.

[5:47] I will warn you if you are approaching

[5:49] your limit so that you can make your

[5:50] final points. [cough and clears throat]

[5:52] Speakers technically can't start back

[5:54] and forth questioning. However, if

[5:56] issues arise which call for

[5:58] clarification, I'll try to get focused,

[6:00] specific answers for you to avoid

[6:02] confusion. Straw polls, how many favor

[6:05] this or that, are not in order and

[6:07] should not be requested and will not be

[6:08] allowed. Speakers won't usually be

[6:11] recognized more than twice to address a

[6:13] particular debatable issue and

[6:15] preference will be given to voters who

[6:16] have not yet spoken. [snorts]

[6:19] If by a twothirds vote, if a two-thirds

[6:21] vote is required by statute or bylaw,

[6:24] and I declare the vote or announce the

[6:26] vote was unanimous, if anyone wants to

[6:28] challenge my announced vote, please go

[6:30] ahead and do so. will vote again and I

[6:31] will take the count by electronic means.

[6:34] When discussion on a debatable motion is

[6:36] done, we'll proceed to vote. Once we

[6:39] make that transition, further discussion

[6:41] is not in order. That happens when

[6:43] either I, as the moderator, sense that

[6:45] you're ready to vote or a member with

[6:47] the floor makes a motion to move the

[6:49] previous question or end debate. Five

[6:51] points on any motion for the previous

[6:53] question to end debate. First, you must

[6:55] have the floor. You can't just shout it

[6:57] out. I won't take it up. Second, once

[6:59] properly made, it's not itself a

[7:01] debatable motion. We will move

[7:02] immediately to voting on whether or not

[7:04] to end debate. Third, if you make this

[7:07] motion, that is all that you should say.

[7:09] Don't argue your view and then move the

[7:11] question. If you decide to make this

[7:12] motion when you're recognized, please

[7:14] just state your name and residential

[7:16] address and state I move the question or

[7:18] I move to end debate. Fifth and finally,

[7:21] with this in mind, I would ask any

[7:23] member to consider before moving to end

[7:25] discussion

[7:27] whether [clears throat] there have been

[7:28] legitimate issues raised by your friends

[7:30] and neighbors here which have not yet

[7:31] been clarified. I won't stop you from

[7:34] bringing the motion, but I ask you to be

[7:36] mindful of this before making it. If

[7:38] this motion is made and fails, however,

[7:40] it is then within my discuss uh

[7:42] discretion as the chair to determine

[7:44] when another such motion may again be

[7:47] put before the meeting for a vote. I

[7:50] want to [clears throat] thank our

[7:50] microphone runners uh Emily Welski and

[7:54] Emil Almanzar. If you guys can raise

[7:57] your hands so we everybody can see you.

[7:58] Thank you Molly and Emil.

[8:02] Uh for today's meetings for today's

[8:04] meeting I have determined that the

[8:05] following articles are related so that

[8:08] when any one of a related group is drawn

[8:10] by the town clerk we will take up the

[8:12] articles in that group in the order

[8:14] stated uh A and B and then C D and E. So

[8:18] if B is drawn, we'll go A and then B. If C D or E are drawn, we'll go C D and

[8:24] E. Uh the town clerk can better explain

[8:26] how lottery articles are drawn. Miss

[8:29] Widow.

[8:37] » Can we get the mic on?

[8:38] >> I think it's on now. Okay. Hi everyone.

[8:40] Uh yes. So inside the bag, I have

[8:43] articles A through G on Scrabble

[8:45] letters. the same way we've done it at

[8:47] every town meeting since I've been town

[8:49] clerk. Um, I will put all the letters

[8:51] inside the bag and we'll pull one out

[8:54] and we will then do the articles as

[8:56] related once we get through. We'll have

[8:59] three up. We'll get through those and

[9:01] then we'll pull the next three. But it's

[9:03] a short warrant tonight. So

[9:05] >> Brian, do you want me to start just to

[9:06] pull the first one so we know?

[9:08] >> Sure. Yeah, go ahead. Let's pull the

[9:09] first article.

[9:12] >> First article is A.

[9:13] >> All right, that's easy. So, we're going

[9:14] to do A and then B. Before we do that,

[9:16] let's do a quick QA check on the

[9:18] electronic clickers. We very well may

[9:20] use electronic voting this evening. So,

[9:22] everybody take out your clickers. Let me

[9:24] just explain. I know I recognize a lot

[9:26] of faces. I know you've been here

[9:27] before, but let me just go through the

[9:28] drill. [clears throat] There will be 12

[9:30] seconds put on the clock whenever we're

[9:32] going to take an electronic vote. When

[9:34] that's counting down, you can vote as

[9:36] often as you want. It's only going to

[9:38] register once. I will introduce the

[9:41] voting by saying something like, "Vote

[9:43] now. Now, now and I'll continue to say

[9:45] it as that starts to count down. So, you

[9:46] can watch the clock and you can know

[9:47] that your vote counts. When you press a

[9:50] button, you want to see a green light,

[9:53] right, Mike? Green light. So, you're

[9:55] looking for a green light during the 12

[9:58] seconds. I think if you press it early

[10:00] or late, it's going to be red, but

[10:01] during the 12 seconds, it should light

[10:02] up green. [clears throat] So, uh, we'll

[10:06] have a question. All right. I get $128

[10:10] stipen to be moderator. So here's the

[10:12] question. The question is whether we

[10:15] want to forget town meeting, we all go

[10:16] to Dairy Train, get ice cream on me, my

[10:19] treat. That's the question.

[10:21] So get your clickers out.

[10:24] [clears throat] All those in favor of

[10:26] blowing off uh town meeting and going to

[10:28] get ice cream at the dairy train, you're

[10:30] going to press one or A for I. If you

[10:33] are opposed and you want to do the

[10:34] business that we frankly have to do,

[10:35] you're going to press two or B for no.

[10:37] And this is just a check to make sure a

[10:39] green light shows up. So, all those in

[10:42] favor of blowing this popsicle stand and

[10:44] getting ice cream, press one or A for I.

[10:47] All those opposed, press two or B for

[10:49] no. Voting now. Now. Now. Now. It's

[10:53] counting down. You can vote now and look

[10:56] for a green light.

[11:05] » All right, let's go to the dairy train.

[11:12] to

[11:12] >> uh Mr. Arcinian, yours is red.

[11:15] >> Okay, hang on. We need to get you

[11:16] another clicker then. And you have yours

[11:18] is red, too. So, we've got to anyone

[11:19] else? Anyone have a red light? One. I've

[11:21] got three that need to be replaced.

[11:26] » Okay, hold on.

[11:35] » Okay.

[11:38] Yes. So, Linda, we've got um Mr.

[11:40] Arcinian. Uh

[11:44] >> we've got Kate Shaw and sir, you as

[11:48] well.

[11:51] >> Yeah, it'll be red now. We have to do

[11:52] the test again. Remember, you're looking

[11:54] for a green light when you press the

[11:56] button as that countdown is running from

[12:00] 12 seconds down to zero. That's the only

[12:02] time you're going to get the green

[12:03] light. That's why we put the countdown

[12:06] up there.

[12:10] Did anyone have a failed clicker that

[12:12] hasn't gotten a replacement?

[12:15] » Keep Yeah, keep your hands up if you

[12:17] would.

[12:24] » Yeah.

[12:37] Ma'am, you you're waiting for one. Okay.

[12:42] Are they getting more? Linda, we need

[12:43] another one.

[12:46] » Huh?

[13:03] Uh, right here, Linda.

[13:10] » Oh, all we can do is run it again.

[13:16] » Yes, this gentleman down here.

[13:23] And then over here, Linda.

[13:39] And then Linda uh Tom Mike is right

[13:42] there and then behind him.

[13:49] » We'll do it again.

[14:01] Y

[14:05] okay. Did anybody have a failed clicker

[14:08] that does not yet have a replacement?

[14:12] I'm looking. Speak up because I don't

[14:14] see anybody raising their hands. All

[14:15] right. So, we're [clears throat] going

[14:17] to do it again.

[14:19] I'm going to state the question briefly.

[14:21] 12 seconds is going to go on the clock.

[14:23] I'm going to say vote now. Now, now.

[14:25] Watch the 12 seconds. Make sure that clock is running when you press and

[14:29] look for the green light.

[14:33] All right. The question is whether we're

[14:35] going to blow this off and go get an ice

[14:36] cream. All those in favor are going to

[14:38] press one or A for I. All those opposed

[14:41] are going to press two or B for no.

[14:44] Voting

[14:47] now. Now. Now. Now. 98. This is when you

[14:51] should be hitting the button and looking

[14:53] for a green light.

[14:55] As many times as you want. Two. One.

[14:58] Stop.

[15:01] Anybody have a failed clicker?

[15:05] » Okay. Thank you.

[15:08] >> Did anybody have a failed clicker?

[15:12] >> One. One person.

[15:14] >> Okay. Okay.

[15:15] >> And and ma'am, did your clicker work the

[15:17] first time?

[15:19] >> No. Okay. So, that's your first

[15:21] replacement. All right. So, um

[15:24] >> that's your second replacement. Okay.

[15:26] Again, don't buy a lottery ticket today.

[15:30] >> All right. I won't restate the I won't

[15:33] restate the question. You all know what

[15:34] it is. All those in favor, press one or

[15:37] A for I. All those opposed, press two or

[15:39] B for no. voting

[15:43] now. Now, now is when you should be

[15:46] pressing the button. Now is when you get

[15:47] a green light. 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 stop. All

[15:56] right. Anybody have a failed clicker?

[15:59] Okay.

[16:01] All right. [clears throat] So, um we are

[16:04] on a if I understood right. Mr. Vieiraa,

[16:07] is there a motion?

[16:10] >> Mr. Moderator, Select Board Chair Paul

[16:12] Murphy moves uh motion for article A as

[16:15] printed on page 18 in the September

[16:17] 14th, 2026 falltown meeting voters

[16:20] booklet. The select board and finance

[16:22] committee recommend this article.

[16:25] >> Seconded.

[16:27] >> Okay. And it'll [clears throat] be up on

[16:28] the screen in a moment. Moved. And there

[16:30] is a second. The question is whether to

[16:32] appropriate and transfer the sums as set

[16:35] forth on page 18 of the voters's booklet

[16:38] to pay unpaid bills and adjustments from

[16:40] prior fiscal years. This requires a 9/10

[16:45] vote.

[16:46] Mr. Vieira,

[16:47] >> Mr. Moderator, this is to address uh a

[16:49] single bill uh for one department from a

[16:51] vendor that came in after uh our

[16:54] statemandated deadline for paying prior

[16:56] year bills. So, the bill just came late.

[16:58] This remedies that matter.

[17:00] >> All right. Any further discussion?

[17:02] Seeing none, I sent you ready to vote.

[17:04] I'm going to try this on a voice vote.

[17:05] If it is not clearly unanimous, we're

[17:07] going to use the clickers, but in

[17:08] efficiency, I'm going to try a voice

[17:10] vote. [clears throat] So, the question

[17:12] is whether to appropriate and transfer

[17:14] the sum set forth on page 18 to pay

[17:16] unpaid bills from prior fiscal years. It

[17:19] requires a 9/10en vote. All those in

[17:21] favor say I. I.

[17:23] >> All those opposed say no. That motion

[17:26] carries and it is unanimous. On to

[17:27] article B.

[17:32] Mr. Moderator, Finance Committee Chair

[17:34] Loren Russell moves that the town amend

[17:35] the votes taken under articles 5, 5A,

[17:37] 5B, 5C, 6, 6A, and/or 6B of the April

[17:41] 5th, 2025 uh annual town meeting by

[17:44] transferring the sum set forth in the

[17:46] September 14th, 2026 fall town meeting

[17:49] voters booklet for article B as shown on

[17:52] your screen.

[17:55] the amounts listed for for the purposes

[17:57] specified therein. The select board and

[17:59] the finance committee recommend this

[18:01] article.

[18:02] >> Seconded.

[18:03] >> Moved. And there is a second. The

[18:05] question is whether to amend the votes

[18:06] taken at the April 11, 2026 annual town

[18:09] meeting under the cited articles by

[18:11] transferring the specified sums which

[18:14] are on pages 18 through 19 of the voters

[18:16] booklet. This requires a majority vote.

[18:19] Is there any discussion?

[18:24] Seeing none, I sent you ready to vote.

[18:27] It requires a majority vote. Uh the

[18:30] question is whether to amend the votes

[18:32] taken under the cited statutes and

[18:33] transferring the specified sums as

[18:35] discussed. All those in favor say I.

[18:37] >> I.

[18:38] >> Opposed say no. That motion carries and

[18:41] it is unanimous. Uh and I was supposed

[18:43] to have another article drawn but I

[18:44] forgot to let Miss Wadell do that.

[18:49] E

[18:51] >> E. So [clears throat] that will then be

[18:53] C, D, and E. We'll have a motion on

[18:55] article C followed by D followed by E.

[18:59] So motion on article C, Mr. Vieira.

[19:04] » Mr. moderator, CPC chair Ruth George

[19:06] moves the motion printed for article C

[19:08] on page 19 of the voters's booklet. The

[19:11] select board and the community

[19:12] preservation committee recommend this

[19:13] article.

[19:16] >> Is there a second? Moved and moved and

[19:18] seconded. The question is whether to

[19:20] receive the annual report of the

[19:22] community preservation committee

[19:23] requires a majority vote. Miss George.

[19:35] Good evening everyone. My name is Ruth

[19:38] George and I am the chair of the

[19:40] Rockport Community Preservation

[19:41] Committee. I'm presenting tonight in

[19:43] accordance with the town of Rockport

[19:45] bylaw chapter 2 section 6D. This calls

[19:48] for recommendations to be made at town

[19:50] meeting. You will hear later this

[19:53] evening about each of our current

[19:54] applications that we are presenting to

[19:56] you, the voters, for approval and

[19:58] spending your CPC funds. First, I'd like

[20:02] to do a quick recap of CPC and the town

[20:04] of Rockport.

[20:06] 26 years ago today, September 14th,

[20:11] 2000,

[20:12] then Governor Paul Saluchi signed into

[20:15] law the Community Preservation Act. this

[20:18] very day 26 years ago. The core reasons

[20:22] for starting CPC were combating suburban

[20:25] sprawl, unplanned development was

[20:27] consuming massive amounts of open land

[20:30] space in the Commonwealth. Number two,

[20:32] budget constraints. Regular municipal

[20:35] budgets like ours rarely had enough

[20:37] non-essential money for long-term land

[20:40] and historic preservation and for

[20:43] advocacy efforts. A multi-deade push by

[20:46] the community preservation coalition and

[20:49] the environmental and housing groups led

[20:51] the law to be passed. This also strived

[20:54] to provide affordable housing and enable

[20:57] the next generation of long-term

[20:59] residents to remain close to their

[21:01] homes.

[21:03] You, the voters, voted in CPC at our

[21:05] Springtown meeting in 2002 at the

[21:09] maximum percentage allowed at 3%. And

[21:12] our first projects came before the town

[21:14] in 2003.

[21:17] Of the approximate 351 cities and towns,

[21:20] we were in the first 12 to 15 to be

[21:23] approved in the state to have CPC.

[21:27] is overseen by the department of

[21:29] revenue and it is made up of a mandatory

[21:32] group of town boards that we have four

[21:34] appointed by the moderate moderator. So

[21:36] there are nine total on the committee.

[21:39] Currently serving on the committee are

[21:41] housing authority Dana, conservation

[21:44] commission Don Epstein, myself from the

[21:47] DPW, the planning board Peter Cutner,

[21:51] historic commission Carrie O'Donnell,

[21:53] and four other appointed by the

[21:55] moderator Mel Michaels who's our

[21:57] treasurer, Larry Neil, Jim Yugoni, and

[22:01] Sue Terry Blake who is our vice chair.

[22:04] We also have assigned liaison select

[22:06] board Paul Murphy finance committee

[22:09] Christine Maguire. We meet monthly via

[22:12] Zoom on the second Monday of the month.

[22:15] Funds can only be used if they fall into

[22:17] one of the four categories.

[22:20] Affordable housing, historic

[22:22] preservation, open space, and

[22:24] recreation.

[22:26] This year in 2026, I want to talk about

[22:28] what we've done and why. In the fall, we

[22:32] held our yearly workshop to explain CPC

[22:34] application process to residents and all

[22:37] the town boards and committees and

[22:39] encouraging new and existing applicants.

[22:42] Our application deadline is always the

[22:45] same. It's the first Monday of February.

[22:48] That's when the work really starts for

[22:50] the committee reviewing initial

[22:52] applications and working with each group

[22:54] to see if their specific application

[22:57] does meet the standard under which their

[22:59] specific category is. After going

[23:02] through revisions and then coming back

[23:04] to present their applications several

[23:06] times to get it just right for you, the

[23:08] voters. This year we received nine

[23:11] applications totaling 1,379,884.

[23:19] This year two of the applications didn't

[23:21] at first look meet the CPC criteria as

[23:24] submitted, but as you will see in the

[23:26] presentations, we worked and looked

[23:29] outside the box for projects especially

[23:31] fitting for the town and its residents.

[23:34] This past year, we also looked at all

[23:36] the outstanding CPC projects that had

[23:39] unspent monies. There were 28, including

[23:43] nine new projects approved last year. We

[23:47] request that all the applicants include

[23:50] a 10 10% contingency into their cost

[23:53] estimate. Money given for each project

[23:56] has specifics that it can be spent on

[23:58] and they are not allowed to add

[24:00] additional items to use up the remaining

[24:02] money of CPC.

[24:04] Looking at projects back to 2014, we now

[24:07] will be able to close out nine projects

[24:10] and get unspent money balances back to

[24:12] CPC for projects for next year.

[24:16] This year the state has gone from

[24:18] initial match back when we started of

[24:21] 101%

[24:23] in 2003 to the projected match for 20

[24:28] 2027

[24:29] 18.6%

[24:31] more communities sharing the pot of

[24:33] decreasing funds. At our July meeting we

[24:37] held a public hearing at which the

[24:38] applicants presented. Then the committee

[24:40] finalized which applications to move

[24:42] forward to the town meeting and for what

[24:44] amounts.

[24:46] I'm happy to say that all nine have

[24:48] moved forward. We on CPC are stewards of

[24:51] your money, all of our residents money.

[24:55] Tonight, we have nine great

[24:56] applications, all that he helped keep

[24:58] Rockport, Rockport, the town we all

[25:00] love. Reflecting on the initial goal of

[25:03] CPC act, I'm happy to say that we have

[25:06] 62 open space recreation projects, 65

[25:11] historic preservation projects, and 30

[25:14] 32 projects using CPC money to help in

[25:17] our affordable housing category,

[25:20] totaling over $17 million that we've

[25:23] brought into the town.

[25:25] We have created a poster of all the CPC

[25:28] appropriations

[25:30] um as of um May 10th, 2026 for you all

[25:34] to see the amazing things that we've

[25:36] been able to do, you've been able to do.

[25:38] It's out in the front lobby and it will

[25:40] be rotated through different town

[25:42] buildings like the town hall and the

[25:44] library so residents can see just what

[25:46] has been accomplished and hopefully

[25:48] inspire other groups and residents to

[25:50] think of projects that might fall into

[25:52] one of the four four approved categories

[25:55] for next year's consideration.

[25:57] Looking at the long list of applications

[26:00] and applicants, one thing stands out

[26:02] loud and clear. We're a town that comes

[26:04] together as volunteers for the things

[26:07] that we cherish about Rockport and want

[26:09] to continue for the next generation.

[26:11] It's why we live here.

[26:14] >> Thank you.

[26:15] >> Uh thank you, Miss George.

[26:17] Any further discussion?

[26:21] [applause]

[26:22] Any further discussion? Seeing none, I

[26:25] sense you're ready to vote. The

[26:27] [clears throat] question is whether to

[26:28] receive the report that you just

[26:30] received. It requires a majority vote.

[26:32] All those in favor say I.

[26:34] >> I.

[26:35] >> Opposed say no. That carries and it is

[26:38] unanimous. On to article D, first

[26:40] motion.

[26:43] Mr. Moderator, article D, first motion.

[26:46] CPC chair Ruth George moves article D

[26:48] first motion printed on page 20 of the

[26:52] September 14th, 2026 falltown meeting

[26:55] voters booklet. The select board and the

[26:56] community preservation committee

[26:58] recommend.

[26:58] >> Second.

[26:59] >> Moved and seconded. The question is

[27:01] whether to transfer $83,200

[27:05] from [clears throat] CPC estimated

[27:07] annual revenues to the community housing

[27:09] reserve account as set forth on page 20

[27:12] of the booklet. It requires a majority

[27:14] vote. Miss George,

[27:16] >> this is the 10% that is mandated by the

[27:19] state that is put into each of the

[27:21] categories at the beginning of the year.

[27:23] So that is why this is our estimated

[27:25] revenue. So the 10% is 83,200.

[27:31] going into each of the accounts.

[27:33] >> Thank you, Miss George. Any further

[27:35] discussion?

[27:38] Seeing none, I send you ready to vote.

[27:40] All those in favor say I.

[27:42] >> Opposed say no. That motion carries and

[27:45] it is unanimous. Second motion.

[27:48] >> Mr. Moderator CPC Chair Ruth George

[27:50] moves second motion for article D as

[27:52] printed on page 20 of the September

[27:54] 14th, 2026 falltown meeting voters

[27:56] booklet. Select board and community

[27:58] preservation committee recommend this

[28:00] article.

[28:00] >> Seconded.

[28:01] >> Moved and seconded. The question is

[28:03] whether to transfer the same sum $83,200

[28:07] from the CPC estimated annual revenues

[28:09] to the CPC open space recreation reserve

[28:12] account as set forth on page 20. Miss

[28:14] George.

[28:15] >> Again, same thing. It's the 10% that

[28:17] we're mandated to put into each account.

[28:20] >> Right. Any further discussion? Yes,

[28:22] ma'am. Miss Mada, uh, we can get a mic

[28:24] to you or you can come down whatever you prefer. Could one of our

[28:27] runners bring a mic?

[28:30] >> Thank you, Molly.

[28:48] Try the clicker.

[28:49] >> Hello there.

[28:50] >> Thank you. Don't be scared. This is not

[28:53] a bad motion. Uh this is a motion that I

[28:56] expect to be told cannot be voted on

[28:58] today, but I'm going to make the motion

[29:01] in anticipation of being told it can't

[29:03] be voted.

[29:05] My goal was to bring to town meeting

[29:10] discussion of open space community

[29:14] preservation

[29:16] not about what you've done in the past

[29:18] but what I think what needs to be done

[29:20] in the future and that's preserving the

[29:23] open space and the nature and the sounds

[29:28] of nature in Rockport. So my motion was

[29:32] going to be

[29:35] for my motion is I'm anticipating it be

[29:38] turned down and thank you for your

[29:39] discussion of this.

[29:40] >> Sure. Oh, I'm gonna have to do it

[29:41] without running. The motion is

[29:46] awkward because of the manner of the

[29:48] need to uh present it as a financial

[29:50] motion that these funds not be spent

[29:54] unless there is a prohibition

[29:58] on outdoor amplified sound

[30:03] that carries on public open spaces,

[30:07] specifically Front Beach, because I

[30:10] happen to know Front Beach well. I do

[30:12] anticipate other people have issues with

[30:14] other beaches.

[30:16] I was going to make that motion. One

[30:18] can't make a motion like that that

[30:20] constrains the selectmen from town

[30:23] meeting. I cannot ask you to vote. Tell

[30:26] the selectmen don't issue those

[30:28] entertainment licenses.

[30:31] They issued one this year for exactly

[30:33] that space.

[30:35] That's not my concern. It's the one next

[30:37] to it where the gazebo is. Everybody

[30:40] know Front Beach and the Stone Gazbo.

[30:42] Imagine that location having a wedding

[30:45] every single weekend day all summer and

[30:49] not being able to hear the ocean. So

[30:51] that was my motion. I think it merits

[30:53] discussion at a different time. I'll be

[30:56] turned down now. It may be a zoning

[30:58] issue because it can't be done by the

[31:00] selectman perhaps and I don't want to

[31:02] interfere with my place by the sea. Rock

[31:05] on. So that's my motion. I look forward

[31:09] to discussing it in another setting and

[31:11] thank you for your work, Miss George.

[31:13] >> Uh thank you, Mday. That is correct. I

[31:15] have had to rule that uh motion to amend

[31:18] beyond the scope of the article and

[31:20] therefore we will not be taking up for

[31:21] discussion, but I appreciate the

[31:22] advanced notice. Thank you very much.

[31:24] All right, so back to the main motion

[31:26] made by Miss George on the 83,000. Any

[31:29] further discussion?

[31:32] Seeing none, I sent you ready to vote.

[31:34] [clears throat]

[31:36] The question again was

[31:39] whether to transfer $83,200

[31:41] from annual revenues, estimated annual

[31:44] revenues to open space recreation

[31:46] requires a majority vote. All those in

[31:48] favor say I. I.

[31:50] >> Opposed say no. That motion carries and

[31:53] it is unanimous. Third motion.

[31:58] » Mr. Moderator CPC Chair Ruth George

[32:00] moves article D, third motion as printed

[32:03] on page 20 in the Falltown meeting

[32:06] voters booklet. Select board and

[32:07] community preservation committee

[32:08] recommend the motion.

[32:10] >> Seconded.

[32:11] >> Moved and seconded. The question is to

[32:12] whether to transfer that same amount

[32:14] 83,200

[32:15] from estimated annual revenues to CPC

[32:18] historic preservation. Again, as

[32:19] outlined on page 20 of your booklets, it

[32:22] requires a majority vote. Miss George,

[32:24] >> same thing. 83,200 is the 10% that we

[32:28] mandated to put in to the account.

[32:31] >> Thank you. Any further discussion?

[32:34] Seeing none, I sense you're ready to

[32:36] vote. All those in favor say I.

[32:39] >> Oppose say no. That motion carries and

[32:42] it is unanimous. On to article E.

[32:49] » Mr. Moderator. Article E first motion.

[32:52] CPC Chair Ruth George moves article E

[32:54] first motion as printed on page 22 of

[32:57] the falltown meeting voters booklet. The

[32:59] select board and the community

[33:00] preservation committee recommend.

[33:02] >> Second.

[33:03] >> Moved and seconded. The question is

[33:05] whether to appropriate and transfer

[33:07] $200,000 from the CPC on designated fund

[33:10] to be expended by the Thatcher and

[33:12] Straitsmith Island Committee relating to

[33:14] the Thatcher Island South Tower as

[33:16] outlined on page 22 of the voters's

[33:18] booklet. It requires a majority vote.

[33:20] Miss George

[33:22] >> Thatcha Island South Tower phase 2

[33:25] 200,000.

[33:26] This project falls under both historic

[33:28] preservation, open space, and

[33:31] recreational land. This is the third

[33:33] installment request for this specific

[33:35] project. The twin lighouses were built

[33:38] in 1861.

[33:40] The iron rails and their stansion

[33:42] anchors on the granite parapets have

[33:44] been rustjacking, a process in which the

[33:46] rusting iron expands and cracks the

[33:49] granite blocks into which each stansion

[33:51] anchor is inserted. This has weakened

[33:54] the outside parapet walkways on both

[33:56] decks. Because the parapets support the

[33:59] upper portion of the tower, their

[34:00] continued disintegration could result in

[34:02] a catastrophic loss of the light, the

[34:05] lantern room, and [snorts] the galley

[34:06] deck below. The lighthouse contractor IC

[34:10] Commonwealth

[34:12] has has estimated that this will be a

[34:15] $1.6 to2 million with projected

[34:18] escalation cost. This project will

[34:21] probably require the entire top to be

[34:24] taken off by helicopter and replaced

[34:26] when work is completed. This is

[34:29] estimated to take a full threemon season

[34:31] to complete. This will only be needed

[34:34] for the south tower. The North Tower is

[34:37] owned by the US Fish and Wildlife

[34:38] Service, which has committed to raising

[34:41] the funds and doing the repairs for that

[34:43] tower in the next few years. When this

[34:46] was first presented to CPC, Thatcher

[34:48] Island Town Committee and the associated

[34:52] association committed to work to raising

[34:54] a matching million dollars via local

[34:57] fundraising, applying for grants and

[35:00] foundations that supported this type of

[35:03] project. So far into their third year,

[35:06] they have raised over 605,000

[35:09] themselves

[35:11] exclusively of CPC's money. Thatcher

[35:14] Island is 52 acres. They average 3,000

[35:18] visitors a year. The island was deed to

[35:20] the town of Rockport in 2011. The

[35:23] Thatcher Island and Straitsmith Island

[35:26] Committee and the Thatcher Island and

[35:27] Straitsmith Island Association have

[35:30] invested over 4.5 million to maintain

[35:34] and preserve the townowned property.

[35:37] Failure to continue could cause the

[35:38] National Historic Landmark designation

[35:41] by the park services to be lost and the

[35:44] ownership revert back to the federal

[35:46] government. The Thatcher Island

[35:48] Committee has 1,200 members and has over

[35:51] 115 volunteers that provide inind labor

[35:55] to restore and preserve the property. As

[35:58] Dr. Wedma would say, that's a lot of

[36:00] sweat equity out there. In 2025, the

[36:04] volunteers contributed over 6,000 hours

[36:07] of labor to maintain and preserve both

[36:09] islands.

[36:11] Twin Lights and Thatcher Island are

[36:13] featured on our town seal because of the

[36:15] historic significance they represent to

[36:17] us all. Fundraising will continue over

[36:20] the next two years as they hope to have

[36:22] the project done in 2029.

[36:25] They are continually looking at ways to

[36:27] do smaller projects with volunteers and

[36:30] saving up money towards this large

[36:32] restoration project. If passed tonight,

[36:35] this will make 600,000 granted to CPC

[36:38] for this project with their current

[36:40] fundraising totaling 605 with two more

[36:44] years to go. Wow.

[36:47] Thank you.

[36:48] >> Thank you, Miss George. Any discussion?

[36:53] All right, seeing none, I sent you ready

[36:54] to vote. Briefly, the question before

[36:57] you is whether to appropriate and

[36:58] transfer $200,000 from the undesated

[37:01] fund for the Thatcher Island South Tower

[37:04] as set forth on page 22 of your

[37:06] booklets. It requires a majority vote.

[37:08] All those in favor say I.

[37:11] >> Oppose say no. That motion passes and it

[37:14] is unanimous. Second motion.

[37:18] >> Mr. Moderator, CPC Chair Ruth George

[37:20] moves article E. Second motion is

[37:22] printed on page 22 of the fall town

[37:25] meeting voters booklet. The select board

[37:26] and community preservation committee

[37:28] recommend this.

[37:29] >> Seconded.

[37:30] >> Moved and seconded. The question is

[37:32] whether to appropriate and transfer

[37:34] $87,800

[37:36] from the historic preservation reserve

[37:38] account to be expended as a grant under

[37:41] the direction of the select board

[37:44] relating to the first parish burial

[37:45] ground and her on and hurse house on

[37:48] beach street as set forth on page 22 of

[37:50] the voters's booklet. It requires a

[37:52] majority vote. Miss George,

[37:54] >> thank you. Old first parish bureau

[37:56] ground 87,800.

[37:59] This project falls on historic

[38:01] resources. This application was

[38:03] submitted by the Sandy Bay Historical

[38:05] Society last year that we awarded them

[38:08] 62,000. And this additional application

[38:10] amount is to complete the second phase

[38:13] of the renovation project. This is the

[38:16] graveyard across from Front Beach. And

[38:18] the property was given to the town by

[38:19] Richard Cha, a first settler in 1690

[38:25] who was buried there in 1732.

[38:28] Here also lie most of the first settlers

[38:30] and many of the officers and soldiers of

[38:32] the French Indian revolutionary and 1812

[38:36] wars as well as civil war. Other

[38:39] notables that were buried there include

[38:41] 13 veterans of the revolution of 13

[38:45] veterans and revolutionary war soldiers,

[38:48] the Seville, the Abbotts, Nolton's

[38:50] well-known names in town. Another

[38:53] prominent citizen of Rockport, Hannah

[38:55] Jumper was buried there in 1865.

[38:58] We all remember Hannah in our Rockport

[39:00] history. She She's notable for why

[39:03] Rockport was dry for the next 162 years.

[39:08] The initial application had several

[39:09] goals. gravestone cleaning, gravestone

[39:12] repairs, the hearse house, education,

[39:16] signage, walkway, and the terra

[39:20] centennial terentennial marker, which

[39:23] was already completed by the Sandy Bay

[39:24] Historical and the DPW.

[39:28] This past year, they've done extensive

[39:29] cleaning under the direction of Rob

[39:31] Subar Seiran with groups of volunteers.

[39:34] They have also done several walking

[39:36] tours of the graveyard, telling

[39:38] fascinating stories about some of the 11

[39:40] soldiers buried there. Rob has also

[39:43] worked on gravestones that have fallen

[39:45] over or sunken, and is rewriting them.

[39:48] The signage planned changed from

[39:50] engraving the front stone wall, which

[39:52] already has the marker out front

[39:54] denoting the graveyard, to a wooden sign

[39:57] at the middle lane entrance, and a

[39:59] repaired and gated and repaired and

[40:02] painted gate. This sign is the same as

[40:04] used at both the Union and Beach Grove

[40:07] cemeteries in town. This back entrance

[40:10] on Mil Lane side has since been

[40:13] completely cleaned up and replanted by

[40:14] the neighbors. Now that the cemetery is

[40:17] being spruced up, the whole neighborhood

[40:19] is looking nice and everyone's taking

[40:21] great pride in that. It looks amazing.

[40:24] This additional ask will be to continue

[40:26] the grave repairs and cleaning to work

[40:29] on the and then also work on the

[40:31] educational component of having a living

[40:34] history tutorial um where they'll put a

[40:37] QR code on the Hurst House building and

[40:41] then people can click on that and do a

[40:43] self-guided tour of um the prop the uh

[40:47] entrance.

[40:49] Um, we also they're going to um repair

[40:53] the Hurst House building, keeping it

[40:55] true to its original historic detail

[40:57] without any additional adornments. That

[41:00] first they had talked about putting a

[41:02] coupler on the top, but that really

[41:04] isn't part of the original structure, so

[41:06] we're not having that allowed. They also

[41:09] will work with the town on regrading

[41:10] some of the uneven grass areas of the

[41:13] cemetery. Thank you.

[41:15] >> Thank you, Miss George. Further

[41:17] discussion?

[41:20] All right, seeing none, I sense you're

[41:21] ready to vote. The [clears throat]

[41:22] question is whether to transfer

[41:24] appropriate and transfer $87,800 from

[41:26] the preservation reserve account uh to

[41:29] be expended as a grant relating to the

[41:30] burial ground in Hurst House. Let's

[41:32] raise a glass to Hannah jumper. It

[41:34] requires a majority vote. All those in

[41:36] favor say I.

[41:37] >> I.

[41:38] >> Oppose say no.

[41:40] >> That motion carries by more than a

[41:42] majority vote. Third motion.

[41:44] >> Mr. Moderator CPC Chair Ruth George

[41:46] moves article E3 third motion as printed

[41:50] on page 22 of the falltown meeting

[41:52] voters booklet select board and

[41:53] community preservation committee

[41:55] recommend.

[41:56] >> Moved and seconded. The question is

[41:58] whether to appropriate a total of

[42:00] $238,000

[42:02] with 170,000 from estimated revenues and

[42:06] 68,000 from the affordable housing

[42:08] reserve account to be placed in the

[42:10] affordable housing trust fund for

[42:12] purposes consistent with the community

[42:14] preservation act as set forth on page 22

[42:17] of the voters's booklet. It requires a

[42:19] majority vote. Miss George

[42:23] >> 238,000

[42:24] community um housing affordable housing

[42:28] trust. This is the third request for

[42:30] money to support the Rockwood affordable

[42:32] housing trust in town since it

[42:33] originated. They are relatively new

[42:36] group that is working hard to find much

[42:38] needed access to build or renovate areas

[42:41] to assist in our need for additional

[42:43] housing for seniors, small families or

[42:46] singles or others who struggle with high

[42:48] cost of affordable housing in town. Over

[42:51] the past three years, they have looked

[42:53] at and evaluated many options, but at

[42:56] the present time, there is no specific

[42:58] site or plan on the table. This is a

[43:01] category that CPC specifically

[43:03] stipulates that money can be given to

[43:06] without a specific property attached.

[43:09] This fund is very much like the

[43:11] conservation committee on commission in

[43:13] that money is awarded kept in a reserve

[43:16] account and when appropriate project is

[43:19] um found it is available and given um

[43:23] via the board of selectment approval.

[43:26] Over this past year, several sites were

[43:28] brought forward and extensive reviews

[43:31] were done to the properties, but as of

[43:33] this date, nothing has been passed

[43:34] forward or is on the table as a current

[43:37] viable housing option. This is a slow

[43:40] process, but needs to be right for

[43:42] Rockport and its residents. This year's

[43:45] original application was for $500,000.

[43:50] After considerable discussion with the

[43:51] committee and CPC, it was decided to

[43:54] grant 238,000

[43:57] to bring their coffers up to

[43:58] approximately 1 million that included

[44:01] previous CPC funding, ARPER funds, and

[44:04] community impact fees. The CPC members

[44:08] all feel this is a very important use of

[44:10] funding to be in a good position to act

[44:13] if the project is a right fit for the

[44:15] town. We as a town need to have money

[44:18] available to put forward if and when we

[44:21] are in a position to move forward on

[44:23] this much needed housing in Rockport.

[44:26] Thank you.

[44:27] >> Thank you, Miss George. Any further

[44:28] discussion?

[44:31] Mr. Arcinian,

[44:34] you can come up to the mic or we can get

[44:36] you one. You're coming up. Okay.

[44:41] » Toby are sending a 95 Granite Street. Uh

[44:45] I'll venture that most of us are in

[44:47] favor of affordable housing. But what is

[44:50] in prospect here is not affordable

[44:53] housing. It is not the fault of Diane

[44:56] Bella and the affordable housing trust.

[44:58] It is the curse of the state and their

[45:00] definition of what constitutes

[45:02] affordable housing. Uh their definition

[45:05] is both dishonest and heartless. is

[45:09] based on the area community uh average

[45:13] community income and uh starts with

[45:17] $80,000

[45:18] up to $80,000 for individuals uh over

[45:23] $130,000

[45:24] for a family with four and totally

[45:27] leaves out the interests of those who

[45:29] earn minimum wage which would give you

[45:31] $31,000 a year. The housing trust

[45:35] admirably say that they would like to

[45:37] provide housing for people in all

[45:39] housing categories that qualify. They

[45:43] are most unlikely to be able to do so.

[45:46] Right from the beginning, they have said

[45:48] that they would not be building the

[45:50] housing. They would work with the

[45:52] developer to provide the housing. as yet

[45:55] they've get have not secured a

[45:58] developer, have not got got one into

[46:00] their clutches or no developer has got

[46:04] them into their clutches. But when it

[46:07] happens, they negotiate. It's not the

[46:10] community pre. It's not up to the

[46:12] committee to com negotiate. It's up to

[46:14] the board of selectmen. In practice, it

[46:17] would probably be the town administrator

[46:19] and town council. And there would be a

[46:22] great deal of pressure on them to say

[46:24] yes to any sort of project. It having

[46:27] been a long time. In order to qualify as

[46:31] affordable housing, it has to be

[46:33] affordable for only 30 years. Then if it

[46:37] belongs to a a developer, has been built

[46:39] by one, it would be market rate. This

[46:43] has already happened in this town with

[46:45] the housing on Curtis Street, the Pigeon

[46:48] Cove Ledges. uh that was funded as a a

[46:52] 40B project and after the 30 years it

[46:56] would have gone market rate had harbor

[46:58] light not step forward to buy it.

[47:01] Community preservation funds went into

[47:04] that. So it's a real threat and I asked

[47:07] the board of select and in public

[47:09] comment if they would make a commitment

[47:11] that any money that we

[47:12] >> Mr. and you've got 30 seconds just so

[47:14] you can focus your remarks

[47:15] >> that any money that would go into

[47:17] affordable housing would be for

[47:19] permanently affordable housing. They

[47:22] cannot the board of selectmen make that

[47:24] commitment.

[47:26] >> Thank you, Mr. Arinian. Any further

[47:29] discussion?

[47:32] All right,

[47:34] seeing none,

[47:36] the question again is whether to

[47:37] appropriate a total of $238,000

[47:40] from the housing from uh estimated

[47:42] revenues in the housing reserve account

[47:45] uh for the affordable housing trust as

[47:47] set forth in page 22. It requires a

[47:49] majority vote. All those in favor say I.

[47:52] >> Oppose say no.

[47:54] >> That motion passes by a majority vote.

[47:57] On to the fourth motion.

[48:01] » Mr. Moderator CPC Chair Ruth George

[48:03] moves article E4th motion as printed on

[48:06] page 23 of the falltown meeting voters

[48:08] booklet. Select board and community

[48:10] preservation committee recommend.

[48:12] >> Second.

[48:13] >> Moved and seconded. The question is

[48:14] whether to appropriate and transfer

[48:16] $100,000 from the CPC open space and

[48:20] recreation reserve account to be

[48:22] expended by the DPW relating to treecape

[48:25] restoration as set forth on page 23 of

[48:28] your booklets. It requires a majority

[48:30] vote. Miss George

[48:32] >> Rockport tree project 100,000. This

[48:35] project falls under open space. This

[48:38] application was submitted from a citizen

[48:40] group called the Rockport Tree Project.

[48:43] The goal of this application is to

[48:45] restore RPOut's historic treecovered

[48:47] landscape of the 18th, 19th, and 20th

[48:50] centuries to its former beauty by

[48:53] creating a tree covered canopy all

[48:55] throughout the downtown area that will

[48:57] once again shade the streets and

[48:59] beautify our landscape and clean the air

[49:01] of our historic downtown on Main Street,

[49:05] Broadway, School Street, Beach Street,

[49:07] and Mount Pleasant. Rockport pictures

[49:10] show all the large maples, elms,

[49:12] chestnuts, oaks, and sycamores that once

[49:15] lined the streets. They were selected

[49:17] for their huge height, spreading canopy,

[49:20] and longevity, and many, if not most,

[49:22] live well beyond 100 years. Today,

[49:25] nearly all of that is gone, and few

[49:28] large trees remain at all in the

[49:30] downtown neighborhoods. The tree group

[49:32] has done a lot of homework looking at to

[49:34] what other similar towns have done into

[49:36] their downtown areas for trees. They

[49:39] have also had had names of consultants

[49:42] that had done similar work in in smaller

[49:44] town like ours planning a tree

[49:46] restoration project. Their original ask

[49:49] was for $315,000

[49:54] and was listed under historic open space

[49:57] and recreational categories.

[50:00] On first presentation, all on the

[50:02] committee thought this was a very

[50:03] worthwhile Rockport project and it would

[50:06] get great backing from town residents.

[50:09] But exactly what and how could CPC fund

[50:12] this? They did have a support letter

[50:14] from the historic commission in town.

[50:19] Our lead state CPC coalition was called

[50:22] and consulted and they felt that trees

[50:24] were not an historic resource.

[50:27] open space, yes, but they felt downtown

[50:30] area was not a designated open space.

[50:34] This group worked with a consultant who

[50:36] did a similar project in Massachusetts,

[50:38] like I previously said, and they paid

[50:40] themselves for a $25,000 study of

[50:44] downtown Rockport for tree restoration

[50:47] and planting. This study was discussed

[50:49] with the DPW who had questions and

[50:52] concerns regarding the current street

[50:54] widths, underground and above ground

[50:56] utilities and sidewalk size on our

[50:59] narrow streets. But it all agreed it was

[51:02] a great project.

[51:05] So how to get the town project going? We

[51:08] went back to the group and discussed

[51:10] using just open space category

[51:14] in CPC as a way to go. a first step to

[51:18] get this wonderful project underway and

[51:21] going. After discussion, the Rockport

[51:24] tree project group resubmitted a revised

[51:27] application. The revised goal is to

[51:30] plant new trees at sites within the

[51:32] town, which will improve the quality of

[51:34] life throughout open spaces in Rockport

[51:37] for Rockport residents and visitors

[51:39] alike. Adding a significant number of

[51:42] locally sustainable shade trees will

[51:44] upgrade everyone's outdoor recreational

[51:47] experience and enjoyment.

[51:49] Examples of locations for plannings

[51:51] could be, but are not limited to Front

[51:54] Beach, the Bandstand area, Harvey Park,

[51:57] Barleta Park, Old Garden Beach, Pingry

[52:00] Park, the Headlands, and Milberg Park

[52:03] areas.

[52:04] This would be done using qualified

[52:06] consultants familiar with the kind of

[52:09] plantings identifying locations, types

[52:12] and size of suitable trees for Rockwood

[52:14] and its windy coastal location. This

[52:17] will be done under the direction of the

[52:19] DPW which has the final decision

[52:22] regarding plantings. This will also

[52:25] address planting and watering of the

[52:27] trees for one to two years or more to

[52:30] make sure they get a good start.

[52:32] Great first step for trees in Rockport.

[52:35] This project group is applying for a

[52:38] nonprofit status to raise additional

[52:40] money to assist the town in additional

[52:43] tree plantings throughout town not

[52:45] covered under CPC guidelines.

[52:48] Thank you.

[52:49] >> Uh thank you, Miss George. Further

[52:51] discussion?

[52:54] Anyone else? Mr. Arinia.

[53:00] And I'm not disrespecting Mr. Arcinian.

[53:02] Remember I said preference will be given

[53:03] to voters who haven't spoken yet. That's

[53:05] the only reason I asked that.

[53:08] >> Toby Arcenian 95 Granite Street. Um

[53:11] right at the beginning uh when the

[53:13] project was presented to the community

[53:15] preservation uh the proponents had

[53:18] already hired their consultants at a

[53:20] cost of $25,000

[53:22] their money. And it turns out that it is

[53:25] the consultants who will get to choose

[53:27] what sort of trees uh will be planted.

[53:31] Uh certainly you need people who are

[53:33] professional and expert to decide what

[53:35] sort of trees could survive in the

[53:37] various places. That's rightly the first

[53:40] step. The second step which will be

[53:43] missing in this program is that we the

[53:46] voters who are paying for it get to

[53:48] choose what sort of trees that we would

[53:50] like. That's not part of it. I think the

[53:53] whole approach is mistaken. When Peter

[53:56] Cutner was explaining the project to the

[53:58] planning board, he the planning

[54:00] consultant Betsy Wear volunteered that

[54:03] in Winchester where she had been

[54:05] planner, they planted a great many more

[54:08] trees, smaller ones at much less cost.

[54:11] And it was a community effort. We're

[54:14] talking about community preservation.

[54:17] there. The scouts, the Rotary, and so

[54:19] forth volunteered and planted the trees.

[54:22] That could happen here, too. We could

[54:25] save our money and give money next year

[54:27] in the spring to the DPW.

[54:30] They have the equipment. Nathan Ives and

[54:33] his group have the expertise and many

[54:36] people care about trees and would

[54:38] volunteer. I'm against it.

[54:41] >> Thank you, Mr. Arinian. Yes, sir.

[54:45] And we got a microphone coming to you

[54:46] and then we'll go to

[54:50] >> Bill. Let her give you the mic because

[54:51] some people aren't going to hear you.

[54:53] >> Okay.

[54:55] >> Bill Lee, 25 Pleasant Street and TF.

[54:59] I have a um thing written here. Within

[55:02] less than a month after the

[55:04] incorporation of the town of Rockport in

[55:06] 1642,

[55:07] the voters brought in place restrictions

[55:10] upon cutting trees in the trees in the

[55:13] town of Rockport. I'm in favor of this

[55:15] project. One of the first as this next

[55:18] paragraph, the first recorded

[55:20] restriction, I mean regulation was

[55:23] passed in June 1642

[55:26] to keep the trees in the town of

[55:27] Rockport. So the people of town of

[55:29] Rockport voted in 1642

[55:32] to keep trees coming to Rockport. So I

[55:35] am very much in favor of this project

[55:37] and I think it's a good start. We've

[55:39] lost a lot of trees for a lot of

[55:40] different reasons, but we need to get

[55:42] the trees back.

[55:44] >> Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Lee. Mr.

[55:46] [clears throat] Ives,

[55:52] » Nathan Ives, 98 South Street, also a

[55:54] member of the tree uh committee that's

[55:56] worked on this project. Um

[56:00] with all due respect to Mr. Arinian,

[56:02] he's been um he's raised this this

[56:04] concern a number of times and each time

[56:06] we've reasserted that this is going to

[56:08] be very public and open and inquiring of

[56:12] the public as to which trees they'd like

[56:14] to have in different areas. Of course,

[56:16] you have to take in consideration to

[56:17] site, height, wind, uh all kinds of

[56:21] conditions that will dictate what you

[56:23] know narrow the field of trees for any

[56:25] particular site, but public input will

[56:27] be a great part of this process. Please

[56:29] be reassured. Thank you, Mr. Ives. Any

[56:33] further discussion?

[56:36] All right.

[56:37] >> Oh, hang on. Sorry. Where?

[56:40] Oh, Miss Ma. Yes.

[56:43] And name and address, please. Thank you.

[56:45] Jamie Mada Hullber Court to Holbert

[56:47] Court. U my question, it's a question,

[56:51] not a um an outright opposition.

[56:54] You've mentioned a number of specific

[56:57] locations and some of them have had real

[57:00] concerns and discussions about the

[57:02] location of trees. The example is

[57:04] Milbrook Meadow. It is used been

[57:07] tremendously restored, beautifully, beautifully done. And thank

[57:10] you the garden club, too. Not that I was

[57:12] on the committee or anything. Uh the

[57:14] trees though came up almost as though it

[57:17] was going to be by fiat. Yeah, we're

[57:19] going to put a whole line of trees along

[57:21] the walkway through the meadow. And it

[57:23] took a lot of effort in front of the

[57:24] selectman to make it clear no. A lot of

[57:26] people like to play there to run there.

[57:30] They don't want a line of trees

[57:32] preventing the use of that open space.

[57:35] Could you say just a little bit more

[57:37] about this gentleman's statement that

[57:39] there will be very open dialogue about

[57:43] where trees are going to go? Thank you

[57:45] very much.

[57:46] >> Thank you, Miss Mao. Let's see. But Miss

[57:47] George, before I go to you, let's see if

[57:49] there's anyone else so we can maybe tee

[57:50] something up if there's anything else.

[57:52] Any further discussion before I go to

[57:53] Miss George on that point?

[57:56] >> Yes, ma'am.

[58:02] Hi Kim Anderson 52 Stockholm A and I

[58:05] love the idea of having a bunch more

[58:07] trees in the town. I think it would be

[58:09] absolutely beautiful. My only concern is

[58:11] our water rates have just gone way up.

[58:14] We're in the middle of a drought.

[58:16] [snorts] How are we going to care for

[58:18] these trees if the drought doesn't close

[58:20] down? I mean, are water rates going to

[58:22] go even higher so that we as homeowners

[58:25] can help pay for the trees?

[58:28] >> Just a question. Okay. Thank you. Any

[58:30] further discussion before I return to

[58:32] the CPC?

[58:34] All right. Seeing none, Miss George.

[58:36] >> Um to address your um comment, Jamie, um

[58:40] we just looked at areas that are open

[58:43] space. We did put Millbrook, but they're

[58:45] pretty much have their open space area.

[58:48] The thing we were trying to address were

[58:50] areas like Old Garden Beach, Front

[58:53] Beach, places like that that a lot of us

[58:57] in this room would like to go sit on a

[58:59] summer day, but not in the blazing sun.

[59:02] We need some trees in those areas like

[59:04] up by the parking lot at Old Garden

[59:06] Beach. Something maybe over by the side

[59:09] of Front Beach by Captain what used to

[59:11] be Captain's Bounty or whatever it is

[59:13] now. um a set of a tree over there where

[59:16] people can have some shade and get get

[59:19] this tree project started with some open

[59:22] space areas. Not specifically those it

[59:25] will be discussed through DPW and the D

[59:29] um the tree group of where everything

[59:31] will go and it will be a very public

[59:33] process I'm sure.

[59:35] >> All right. Thank you, Miss George.

[59:38] >> Um did I hear somebody? We got a hand.

[59:42] responsible.

[59:43] >> Oh yeah, Miss George, can you address

[59:45] that if you can? If you can.

[59:47] >> I mean, it's certainly a concern. It's

[59:49] certainly a concern, but we will, you

[59:52] know, at and at that point, um, I would

[59:54] assume maybe with the funding of the

[59:57] tree group that they will pay to have a

[1:00:01] company come in and water and it will be

[1:00:04] their cost of the watering, not the

[1:00:06] towns, I would assume.

[1:00:09] >> And and when would this go into effect,

[1:00:10] Miss George? Excuse me.

[1:00:13] >> When when would this project actually be

[1:00:15] funded and be underway?

[1:00:17] >> Money wouldn't be available to the

[1:00:19] beginning of the year and then it would

[1:00:20] probably be at least 6 months or more

[1:00:22] till they get figured out of where some

[1:00:24] might go and there's open discussion of

[1:00:27] what's going to happen and everything.

[1:00:29] So, it wouldn't be right off.

[1:00:31] >> All right. Any further discussion?

[1:00:37] » And I'm told someone's in the back, but

[1:00:39] I can't see. Okay. Thank you.

[1:00:43] >> [clears throat and cough]

[1:00:44] >> Harry Cororsland. I'm going to uh I'm at

[1:00:46] two Green Street. Um I'd like to request

[1:00:49] that this vote be conducted by clicker

[1:00:52] along with the subsequent votes coming

[1:00:54] up.

[1:00:55] >> Well, I'll take the subsequent votes as

[1:00:57] they come, but I'm more than happy to go

[1:00:58] through to use the clickers for the

[1:01:00] vote. Any further discussion?

[1:01:04] » All right. [clears throat] Seeing none,

[1:01:06] I sense you're ready to vote. There's

[1:01:08] been a request which I will honor to

[1:01:10] vote by electronic means.

[1:01:13] The question before you is whether to

[1:01:15] appropriate and transfer $100,000 from

[1:01:17] the CPC open space and recreation

[1:01:19] reserve account to be expended uh by the

[1:01:22] DPW relating to treecape restoration as

[1:01:25] set forth on page 23 of the voters's

[1:01:27] booklet. This requires a majority vote.

[1:01:31] [clears throat] You will have 12 seconds

[1:01:33] from when I say the words vote now. You

[1:01:35] will press one or a for I if you support

[1:01:38] the motion. You will press two or B for

[1:01:41] no if you oppose the motion.

[1:01:44] Would anyone like me to clarify the

[1:01:46] question before you or how we are

[1:01:48] voting?

[1:01:51] All right. All those in favor will press

[1:01:53] one or A for I. All [clears throat]

[1:01:55] those opposed will press two or B for

[1:01:58] no. Ready? Vote now. Now. Now. Now. 8 7

[1:02:05] 6 5 4 3 2 1 stop. And that motion

[1:02:14] carries by 84%

[1:02:17] to 16% and the numerical count is 150 to

[1:02:23] 29. That motion carries. On to the next

[1:02:26] motion.

[1:02:30] And I [clears throat] want to take a

[1:02:31] minute to recognize and thank the

[1:02:33] attendance of our senator in the great

[1:02:34] and general court of the Commonwealth of

[1:02:36] Massachusetts, Senator Bruce Tar, who's

[1:02:38] seated over to my right over there.

[1:02:39] Welcome, Senator Tar.

[1:02:46] Mr. Moderator, article E, fifth motion,

[1:02:48] CPC chair Ruth George moves fifth motion

[1:02:51] as printed on page 23 of the fall town

[1:02:53] meeting voters booklet. Select board and

[1:02:55] CPC recommend. Second.

[1:03:01] » All right. Fifth motion moved

[1:03:03] [clears throat] and seconded. The

[1:03:04] question is whether to appropriate and

[1:03:05] transfer $30,000 from the CPC undesated

[1:03:09] reserve account to be expended under the

[1:03:11] direction of the select board and

[1:03:12] historical commission with the CPC

[1:03:15] relating to historic uh tentenary. I am

[1:03:18] sorry I cannot pronounce that the way

[1:03:20] it's supposed to be pronounced. Markers

[1:03:22] is set forth on page 23 of the voters

[1:03:24] booklet. This requires a majority vote.

[1:03:27] Miss George,

[1:03:29] >> this project falls under historic

[1:03:30] resources. This project applicant is the

[1:03:33] Rockport Historic District Commission.

[1:03:35] There are 15 historical markers in

[1:03:37] Rockport, seven of which are 1930

[1:03:41] turentennial markers. One, the old

[1:03:44] parish burial ground across from Front

[1:03:47] Beach was recently refurbished by Sandy

[1:03:49] Bay Historical and the Rockport DPW.

[1:03:52] three in town. The first settler one at

[1:03:55] 133 Main Street, the John Pool House at

[1:03:58] the corner of

[1:04:00] Smith and King Streets and the one at

[1:04:03] Bearskin Neck at Dock Square and Baskin

[1:04:06] Neck will be refurbished.

[1:04:08] Two others, the Samuel D. Champlain one,

[1:04:11] which is at South Street and Whale Cove

[1:04:13] Lane, and the Benjamin Tar House on

[1:04:16] South Street were destroyed in storms

[1:04:18] and replaced with wooden replicas. These

[1:04:21] two will be replaced with new markers

[1:04:23] and restored to their original form.

[1:04:26] One, the old stone fort has been missing

[1:04:29] for many years. [snorts]

[1:04:31] Records show it was put in place at the

[1:04:34] sight of the fort at the end of Bear

[1:04:35] Skin Neck on the right. There is a

[1:04:38] building marker on the building that is

[1:04:39] designated as the fort, but the wording

[1:04:42] is not the same as the turentennial

[1:04:44] marker. They will create a duplicate

[1:04:46] marker and install it at the site of the

[1:04:49] original fort.

[1:04:50] They have a 1930s article from the

[1:04:53] Glouester Daily Times that notes the

[1:04:55] fort was dismantled in 1910 and the

[1:04:59] granite was used for the breakwater

[1:05:02] construction.

[1:05:03] The database of turentennial markers

[1:05:06] lists the inscription as sight of stone

[1:05:09] fort erected by public subscription as a

[1:05:13] protection against British warships

[1:05:16] during the war of 1812.

[1:05:19] All the markers will be like the

[1:05:20] originals done in cast iron. They have

[1:05:23] received several quotes and are looking

[1:05:26] at once the project is approved and

[1:05:28] money available, they will be removed

[1:05:30] and be back in place within 60 to 90

[1:05:32] days. Thank you.

[1:05:34] >> Thank you, Miss George. Further

[1:05:36] discussion?

[1:05:39] >> All right. Sensing seeing none, I sent

[1:05:41] you. Oh, yes, ma'am. Right here.

[1:05:53] Oh, it works. I'm Judy Lurie, Seven

[1:05:57] Smith Road. I just want to say I'm very

[1:06:00] excited about this project. Um, these

[1:06:03] markers are knowledge of the history

[1:06:06] that you've been talking about is so um

[1:06:10] essential to this the meaning of this

[1:06:12] town. Um, and I remember

[1:06:16] having a chat with you, Ruth, about the

[1:06:19] marker that's now illeible at the top of

[1:06:22] Whale Cove Road, which I was always

[1:06:24] extremely excited about. I mean, going

[1:06:27] back to 16, what was it? 160 when Samuel

[1:06:30] de Champlain stopped by. That's

[1:06:34] extremely exciting. So, I hope it

[1:06:36] passes.

[1:06:38] >> Thank you. Any further discussion?

[1:06:42] All right. Seeing none, I sense you're

[1:06:43] ready to vote. Let [clears throat] me

[1:06:45] pose a question to the uh voter in the

[1:06:47] upper left. Let me explain my philosophy

[1:06:50] on the form of voting. I try to use

[1:06:52] voice votes or hand votes. If I believe

[1:06:54] that that the decision is going to

[1:06:56] clearly go one way or the other. If I

[1:06:58] ever sense that it's close or if it's

[1:07:00] controversial, I use the clickers. If

[1:07:02] there's a request for clickers, I use

[1:07:03] the clickers. I do the voice and hand

[1:07:06] votes to try to keep the meeting moving

[1:07:07] along, but I'm not a dictator. So, uh,

[1:07:10] with that explanation, sir, are you

[1:07:12] insisting that we use clickers for every

[1:07:14] vote tonight? Okay.

[1:07:17] [clears throat] So,

[1:07:19] the question before you was whether to

[1:07:21] appropriate and transfer $30,000 from

[1:07:23] the CPC undesated reserve account to be

[1:07:27] expended under the direction of the

[1:07:28] select board and historical commission

[1:07:30] as set forth on page 23 of the voters

[1:07:32] booklet. This requires a majority vote.

[1:07:34] All those in favor say I. I.

[1:07:36] >> Oppose say no. That motion pat carries

[1:07:39] and it is unanimous. Sixth motion,

[1:07:43] >> Mr. Moderator, CPC Chair Ruth George

[1:07:46] moves article E, sixth motion as printed

[1:07:48] on page 23 of the fall town meeting

[1:07:50] voters booklet. Select board and

[1:07:52] community preservation committee

[1:07:53] recommend.

[1:07:54] >> Second.

[1:07:56] >> Moved and seconded. The question is

[1:07:57] whether to appropriate a total of $8,500

[1:08:00] from the historic preservation reserve

[1:08:02] account to be expended by the DPW

[1:08:04] relating to the Pigeon Cove Veterans

[1:08:06] Memorial as set forth on page 23. It

[1:08:09] requires a majority vote. Miss George,

[1:08:13] this project falls under historic

[1:08:15] resources. The Veterans Memorial was

[1:08:17] built in 1945 by King and Lilia builders

[1:08:21] as an honor role for Pigeon Cove

[1:08:23] enlistes. It has been cared for over the

[1:08:26] years by the Rockport Rotary Club. This

[1:08:29] year, the Rotary Club has submitted an

[1:08:31] application to restore the memorial. It

[1:08:33] is located in the Pigeon Cove Square in

[1:08:36] front of the Old Castle building at the

[1:08:38] corner of Granite and Critter Street. It

[1:08:41] holds the names of those who served in

[1:08:42] the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard,

[1:08:46] and Maritime Services from the Pigeon

[1:08:48] Cove area. They propose replacing the

[1:08:51] deteriorating memorial with new, more

[1:08:54] long-lasting materials with PVC

[1:08:56] composits. It will look identical to

[1:08:59] what is there now. This is not for

[1:09:02] maintenance, but a completely new re

[1:09:04] construction. They have letters of

[1:09:07] support from the commander of the

[1:09:08] American Legion, Nicholas Favaluro, and

[1:09:11] other local veterans. This has full

[1:09:13] support from the Rockport Rotary.

[1:09:16] >> Thank you, Miss George. Is there any

[1:09:18] discussion?

[1:09:20] Seeing none, I sense you're ready to

[1:09:22] vote. The question is whether to

[1:09:23] appropriate $8,500 from the historic

[1:09:26] preservation account for the Pigeon Cove

[1:09:28] Veterans Memorial per page 23. It

[1:09:30] requires a majority vote. All those in

[1:09:32] favor say I.

[1:09:33] >> I.

[1:09:34] >> Oppose say no. That motion carries and

[1:09:36] it is unanimous. Seventh motion.

[1:09:40] >> Mr. Moderator, CPC Chair Ruth George

[1:09:42] moves article E. Seventh motion is

[1:09:44] printed on page 23 of the Falltown

[1:09:46] meeting voters booklet. Select Board and

[1:09:48] Community Preservation Committee

[1:09:49] recommended.

[1:09:51] >> Moved and seconded. The question is

[1:09:53] whether to appropriate a total of

[1:09:54] $115,000

[1:09:56] from estimated revenues to be expended

[1:09:58] by the DPW relating to installation of a

[1:10:01] ramp for Cape Hedge beach access and

[1:10:04] purchase of beach accessible wheelchairs

[1:10:06] and storage as set forth on page 23. It

[1:10:10] requires a majority vote. Miss George,

[1:10:13] >> beach wheelchair project for 115,000.

[1:10:16] This project f falls under open space

[1:10:19] and recreational land. This project was

[1:10:22] brought to the committee by a Rockport

[1:10:23] citizen. The goal of this project is to

[1:10:26] offer the disabled p the disabled public

[1:10:29] access to Cape Hedge beach old garden

[1:10:32] and front beaches. Currently, there is

[1:10:34] no way for wheelchair dependent people

[1:10:36] to access beaches in Rockport without

[1:10:39] their own private beach wheelchair that

[1:10:42] costs approximately $3,000 each. The

[1:10:46] provision of three beach wheelchairs for

[1:10:48] Cape Edge, Old Garden, and Front would

[1:10:50] offer three different parts of town

[1:10:52] wheelchair access to beaches. That would

[1:10:55] be a tremendous benefit for disabled

[1:10:57] residents and visitors alike. This

[1:11:00] application at first review did not meet

[1:11:02] the specific requirements of the

[1:11:03] allowable spending chart. After the

[1:11:06] initial presentation, it had unanimous

[1:11:09] support from our committee. But again,

[1:11:11] how could we make this work within our

[1:11:13] guidelines? After a lot of discussion

[1:11:16] and checking with the CPC coalition in

[1:11:19] Boston, which we belong to, it was noted

[1:11:22] not an eligible project to adjust

[1:11:25] wheelchairs. But if it was capital

[1:11:27] project, maybe.

[1:11:30] Looking at the wording of the allowable

[1:11:31] use chart under rehabilitation and

[1:11:34] restoration, it's a yes. as the

[1:11:37] definition states, make capital

[1:11:39] improvements or extraordinary repairs to

[1:11:42] make assets functional for intended use,

[1:11:45] including improvements for access. So,

[1:11:49] in the meantime, we had also concerns

[1:11:51] for storage and access for the three

[1:11:53] wheelchairs, and it was decided to look

[1:11:55] to include storage units at each site.

[1:11:59] But how to get the wheelchairs down onto

[1:12:01] Cape Edge Beach with a deteriorating

[1:12:03] cement ramp?

[1:12:05] Make it capital. Put all three together.

[1:12:09] Group the three handicap wheelchairs,

[1:12:11] the storage units, and a metal handicap

[1:12:14] accessible ramp like Old Garden and Back

[1:12:17] Beach have. We spoke to the conservation

[1:12:20] agent, and this would be allowable as a

[1:12:22] non-permanent structure to be taken out

[1:12:25] and stored in the offse.

[1:12:27] The ask that began at 15,000 came to the

[1:12:31] committee and passed for 115,000.

[1:12:35] This will be done under the direction of

[1:12:37] the DPW.

[1:12:38] This is one of those projects like the

[1:12:40] trees that was too good to pass up. We

[1:12:43] had to figure out a way it could fit

[1:12:46] sort of that round peg into our square

[1:12:48] hole or the other way around, but just

[1:12:50] to make it work because it's such a

[1:12:53] perfect project for Rockport and its

[1:12:55] residents. Thank you.

[1:12:57] >> Thank you, Miss George. Yes, ma'am.

[1:13:04] » [snorts]

[1:13:06] >> Once again, I had to speak. I'm Judy

[1:13:08] Luri, 7 Smith Road. Uh, I'm certainly in

[1:13:12] favor of this whole project, but especi

[1:13:17] Cape Hedge Beach since I was a little

[1:13:19] kid and this summer for the first time

[1:13:22] because I had a foot problem. I don't

[1:13:25] know what designates handicapped, but

[1:13:27] and because I'm of a certain age, I

[1:13:30] really couldn't make it down to Cape

[1:13:32] Edge Beach at all except one day when my

[1:13:35] cousin was able to hold my hand. So, I'm

[1:13:38] really excited about this.

[1:13:41] >> Thank you, ma'am. Any further

[1:13:43] discussion?

[1:13:46] >> Yes, ma'am. Over here, we could have a

[1:13:48] mic.

[1:13:50] Thank you, Emil.

[1:13:56] » Karen Perry, 41 Corey Ridge Lane. I

[1:13:59] really have more of a question and I

[1:14:01] also like the concept and realization of

[1:14:04] the project, but the question is about

[1:14:07] Old Garden Beach. Most of the time I go

[1:14:09] to Old Garden Beach, it's not a staffed

[1:14:12] beach where the other two beaches are

[1:14:13] well staffed. and I'm wondering how the

[1:14:16] wheelchair and the wheelchair access

[1:14:18] will work at Old Garden.

[1:14:20] >> Okay. Uh thank you ma'am. Let's see if

[1:14:22] there's anyone else and then we'll go

[1:14:23] back to Miss George. Any further

[1:14:25] discussion?

[1:14:26] >> Points of clarification.

[1:14:28] Yes, ma'am.

[1:14:30] >> I wasn't uh Laura Hallowell, 37 High

[1:14:33] Street. I wasn't clear whether it was

[1:14:35] for front beach or back beach. It's a

[1:14:38] question. And the other question is just

[1:14:40] that those words aren't in the warrant.

[1:14:43] And so I am confused about when

[1:14:48] Ruth's um description is a little bit

[1:14:51] different from the printed warrant.

[1:14:53] >> I'm sorry. And which what wasn't in the

[1:14:54] warrant?

[1:14:55] >> Well, it it says to Cape Hedge Beach. It

[1:14:58] doesn't mention Old Garden or whether

[1:15:02] it's front or back. I'm a little

[1:15:04] confused on. So, I just want to make

[1:15:08] sure that if we're voting the money that

[1:15:11] it can be used for what was described,

[1:15:14] not what's written.

[1:15:16] >> And I will take a guess, but we'll go to

[1:15:18] Miss George, that that relates to the uh

[1:15:20] wheelchairs. Um, any any further

[1:15:23] discussion before we go to Miss George?

[1:15:25] >> All right, Miss George.

[1:15:26] >> Okay, Laura, I'll do yours first. So on

[1:15:28] the on the motion it says the

[1:15:31] installation of a handicapped accessible

[1:15:33] ramp at Cape Hedge and then the purchase

[1:15:35] of the three beach wheelchairs and

[1:15:37] storage units are for the other beaches.

[1:15:40] So the combined beaches. So that is that

[1:15:43] one. Um and

[1:15:45] >> there is another question that I missed.

[1:15:46] Yes sir.

[1:15:49] >> Way up high.

[1:15:54] » Oh yes ma'am. I'm sorry. I saw somebody

[1:15:56] moving back there. It's okay.

[1:15:58] >> Glasses, contacts, you got to forget.

[1:16:00] >> Um,

[1:16:00] >> Mary Corsland to Green Street. I think

[1:16:03] it's a great idea, but I do have some

[1:16:05] concerns about really the logistics of

[1:16:08] it. When you think about the ramp that

[1:16:09] goes the this the um concrete ramp that

[1:16:13] goes down to Cape Hedge,

[1:16:15] how do you push a wheelchair up and down

[1:16:17] that? I mean, it's a very steep steep

[1:16:19] slope. So, when you're talking

[1:16:20] handicapped accessible,

[1:16:23] you're going to have to start thinking.

[1:16:24] It's a it's a very big project. And I

[1:16:26] don't know if you've talked to people

[1:16:27] about handicapped accessibility and the

[1:16:29] length of the ramp and incline of the

[1:16:30] ramp and all that kind of stuff, but

[1:16:32] that's a big deal.

[1:16:33] >> Are you referring to Old Garden or Cape

[1:16:35] Hedge? You mentioned a concrete ramp.

[1:16:37] >> Cape Hedge, but Old Garden is I mean,

[1:16:39] not Cape Hedge, but Front Beach also has

[1:16:41] that very steep ramp. So, the ramps are

[1:16:44] not handicapped accessible any way you

[1:16:46] shake it. Um, but I do worry about

[1:16:48] safety issues with inclines and

[1:16:50] wheelchairs and all that kind of stuff

[1:16:52] because the incline's not handicap

[1:16:55] accessible right now at Cape Hedge.

[1:16:57] >> Okay. Thank you, Miss Corland. Any

[1:17:00] further points, clarification,

[1:17:02] discussions? I see you, Mr. Ives.

[1:17:03] Anybody else before we go to Mr. Ives?

[1:17:05] No, Mr. Ives.

[1:17:07] >> Uh, just as a point of reference, I was

[1:17:09] the person that put forward the request

[1:17:11] for the uh for this proposal. Um, we've

[1:17:14] worked with a contractor who can, and

[1:17:16] there are others, you could get multiple

[1:17:17] bids, uh, can actually go over the

[1:17:21] existing concrete ramp, which is an

[1:17:23] awful, you wouldn't barely call it a

[1:17:25] ramp at Cape Hedge Beach on South

[1:17:27] Street, and have um an aluminum ramp

[1:17:30] that runs 60 feet that would be wide

[1:17:33] enough handicap accessibility wise or

[1:17:35] ADA wise, and the grade would be such

[1:17:38] that it would be it would meet all

[1:17:39] requirements of the ADA in order for

[1:17:41] that to be bridged. And of course, it's

[1:17:43] going to help the general public get on

[1:17:44] Cape Hedge, too, which is awful right

[1:17:46] now. It, you know, the average mom and

[1:17:48] dad taking a bunch of kids down there,

[1:17:50] you're going to twist your ankle better

[1:17:52] than not. So, uh, it's going to be good

[1:17:54] all the way around. As to the other

[1:17:56] beaches, the ramps are what they are.

[1:17:58] They've been there for decades. And um

[1:18:01] until such time as perhaps another

[1:18:02] alternative is found, this is the best

[1:18:04] bridge for anyone hoping for handicap

[1:18:06] accessibility is to use what's existing

[1:18:09] on other beaches and have wheelchairs to

[1:18:12] use on them.

[1:18:14] >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Ives. Anyone

[1:18:15] else before I go to Miss George? Yes,

[1:18:17] ma'am.

[1:18:19] Uh Miss Welski.

[1:18:24] » Thank you. Amy Senro Avenue, a quick

[1:18:27] question about the storage units. Um,

[1:18:29] I'm for the process, but I'm just would

[1:18:31] like a point of clarification. Are the

[1:18:33] storage units going to be open and

[1:18:34] available? I mean, I'm just concerned if

[1:18:37] there's going to be people, animals

[1:18:39] going in and deciding to store

[1:18:40] themselves in those units, and are they

[1:18:42] going to be um all year long or just

[1:18:45] during the summer seasons?

[1:18:47] >> Okay. Thank you, Miss George. You you

[1:18:49] still have those things in mind. I I

[1:18:50] compiled a long list on you. I'm sorry,

[1:18:52] Miss George.

[1:18:57] if you want to address

[1:18:59] those.

[1:18:59] >> Oh, okay. Um, so about the beaches

[1:19:02] without a lifeguard. We've looked into

[1:19:04] that and we've discussed the um huts or

[1:19:09] whatever we're going to put them in.

[1:19:10] They would be locked and we would have

[1:19:13] the we would have it noted on them.

[1:19:15] We've started talking about that with

[1:19:17] Nathan about um calling a different a

[1:19:20] number. Maybe it would be the police

[1:19:21] station. Maybe it would be a number for

[1:19:24] DPW to unlock it or a lifeguard to

[1:19:27] unlock it or the police. Maybe it would

[1:19:29] be like um the person would have to

[1:19:33] leave their license at the police

[1:19:34] station to get the key and bring it

[1:19:36] back, something like that. But we want

[1:19:38] to make sure that they're protected. The

[1:19:40] huts will be taken out just like the

[1:19:42] ramp and the wheelchairs and they'll be

[1:19:44] stored in the off season. So they'll

[1:19:46] just be during the busy beach season

[1:19:48] that they'll be available.

[1:19:50] >> Thank you, Miss George. And if I

[1:19:52] understand it, the question before us

[1:19:53] today is a ramp at Cape Hedge and then

[1:19:56] three chairs for uh beaches. Uh do you

[1:19:59] can is there any information you can

[1:20:01] provide relating to Front Beach per the

[1:20:03] voters's question which is not before us

[1:20:05] today obviously.

[1:20:06] >> Right. No, we're Front Beach has its own

[1:20:09] ramp already. We're not looking to put

[1:20:11] another ramp down there. We're just

[1:20:12] trying to get ramp a ramp at Cape Hedge

[1:20:15] where it's really needed. I mean this

[1:20:17] summer constantly people were

[1:20:19] complaining about getting on there

[1:20:21] whether they were with young children or

[1:20:22] elderly people and so we just focused

[1:20:25] that one this time with the wheelchairs

[1:20:28] and the huts to store them.

[1:20:31] Back beach back beach also has a um a

[1:20:34] ramp that they take in and out every

[1:20:35] year.

[1:20:36] >> Thank you, Miss George. Any further

[1:20:38] discussion?

[1:20:40] >> Yes, ma'am. Miss Borton. I know I got it

[1:20:42] wrong, but it used to be Borton. Lori

[1:20:44] Williams, uh, 32 High Street. Um,

[1:20:46] correct me if I'm wrong, but just to

[1:20:48] sort of speak to your safety question,

[1:20:51] um, the my understanding of the design

[1:20:53] of the wheelchairs are such that they're

[1:20:56] even for folks who, um, self-propelled

[1:20:58] their own wheelchairs. Beach wheelchairs

[1:21:01] are not designed to be self-propelling

[1:21:03] wheelchairs. So, in inherent in the

[1:21:05] design is that you need to have a

[1:21:07] companion person alongside to help um,

[1:21:10] push the wheelchair. So, in any

[1:21:13] situation in which someone was going to

[1:21:15] be able to utilize a wheelchair on the

[1:21:17] beach, they need to have a partner

[1:21:19] person with them anyway, which I think

[1:21:21] could help um secure safety going up and

[1:21:24] down the ramps.

[1:21:26] >> Thank you, Miss Williams. Apologies to

[1:21:28] Kurt. Uh we are going to use electronic

[1:21:29] voting on this. Uh any further

[1:21:31] discussion?

[1:21:34] All right. Seeing none,

[1:21:38] the question before you is whether to

[1:21:40] appropriate a total of $115,000 from

[1:21:43] estimated revenues to be expended

[1:21:45] [clears throat] by the DPW relating to

[1:21:47] installation of a ramp for Cape Hedge

[1:21:49] beach access and the purchase of uh

[1:21:52] beach wheelchairs, specifically three

[1:21:54] beach wheelchairs for beaches in

[1:21:55] Rockport. It requires a majority vote.

[1:21:58] We will vote by electronic means. You

[1:22:00] will have 12 seconds from when I say the

[1:22:03] words vote now. You will press one or a

[1:22:05] for I if you support the motion. You

[1:22:08] will press two or B for no if you oppose

[1:22:10] the motion. Would [clears throat] anyone

[1:22:12] like me to clarify the question before

[1:22:14] you or how we are voting?

[1:22:17] All right.

[1:22:19] All those in favor press one or A for I.

[1:22:22] All those opposed press two or B for no.

[1:22:26] Ready? Vote now. Now. Now. It's counting

[1:22:29] down. 9 8 7 6 5 4

[1:22:35] 3 2 1 stop. And that motion carries by

[1:22:41] 90%.

[1:22:43] >> Y

[1:22:43] >> 90% in favor, 10 opposed, and the

[1:22:46] numerical count is 169 in favor and 19

[1:22:49] opposed.

[1:22:51] On to the eighth motion.

[1:22:53] >> Mr. Moderator CPC Chair Ruth George

[1:22:55] moves article E8 motion as printed on

[1:22:58] page 23 of the falltime meeting voters

[1:23:00] booklet. Select Ford and CPC recommend.

[1:23:03] >> Seconded.

[1:23:04] >> Moved and seconded. The question is

[1:23:06] whether to appropriate and transfer

[1:23:08] $193,200

[1:23:10] from the CPC undesated fund as a grant

[1:23:14] to the Pigeon Cove Chapel for

[1:23:16] restoration, rehabilitation, and

[1:23:18] preservation of the historic building at

[1:23:21] 155 Granite Street is set forth on page

[1:23:24] 23 of the voters's booklet. It requires

[1:23:26] a majority vote. Miss George

[1:23:30] >> Pigeon Cove Chapel historic steeple

[1:23:32] restoration project for 193,200.

[1:23:36] This project falls under historic

[1:23:38] resources. This application is brought

[1:23:40] on behalf of the Pigeon Cove Chapel

[1:23:42] steering committee. The chapel was built

[1:23:45] was constructed in 1868

[1:23:48] and the Carpenter Gothic steeple tower

[1:23:51] was added in 1873.

[1:23:53] The steeple has served for over 150

[1:23:56] years as an important landmark in the

[1:23:58] historic landscape of Pigeon Cove. This

[1:24:01] is the last remaining church in Pigeon

[1:24:04] Cove that in the day had three to four

[1:24:06] or more other churches. The goal of this

[1:24:09] restoration project is to hire

[1:24:11] professional steeple jack company

[1:24:14] American steeple and tower who have

[1:24:16] restored several other historic

[1:24:18] streetscape steeples in town. the

[1:24:20] Congregational, Universalist, Unitarian,

[1:24:23] and the Baptist. They will undertake

[1:24:26] critical preservation work that will

[1:24:28] stabilize and restore the steeple,

[1:24:30] ensuring its structural integrity,

[1:24:32] historic character, and aesthetic

[1:24:34] qualities are preserved while

[1:24:36] maintaining the chapel's historic charm

[1:24:38] and the scenic contribution to

[1:24:41] Rockwood's townscape from land and sea.

[1:24:44] This church is community oriented and

[1:24:46] hosts numerous events open to the public

[1:24:48] throughout the years like all the other

[1:24:50] churches in town do. A previous

[1:24:53] structural assessment for this project

[1:24:55] was completed with another grant from

[1:24:58] CPC in 2017.

[1:25:01] A reminder historic church work is

[1:25:03] allowable under CPC as it relates to the

[1:25:06] historic quality and streetscape to the

[1:25:09] town.

[1:25:10] This this application is supported by

[1:25:13] the Rockport Historic Commission.

[1:25:15] Because this is not a town-owned

[1:25:17] property, a deed restriction would be

[1:25:20] done with the church and the town. This

[1:25:22] is to ensure that properties funded or

[1:25:24] acquired with public money continue to

[1:25:27] be used for their intended purposes.

[1:25:30] Thank you. [clears throat]

[1:25:31] >> Thank you, Miss George. Discussion,

[1:25:35] Mr. Arcinian.

[1:25:47] Toby Arcenian 95 Granite Street continue

[1:25:50] to be used for the intended purposes,

[1:25:53] historic purposes. Um, but we had a

[1:25:56] Methodist church, not a historic

[1:25:58] building on Broadway, and it isn't there

[1:26:00] any longer. It turned out it didn't

[1:26:02] belong to the congregation. it belonged

[1:26:04] to the Methodist Association in Lawrence

[1:26:08] or Habil or some such place and uh they

[1:26:11] pocketed the money and sold it to a

[1:26:13] developer. Uh I don't know how many

[1:26:16] people belong to the Pigeon Coke Chapel.

[1:26:18] Um it's been there a long time. Uh not

[1:26:21] being a member I you know don't have

[1:26:24] strong feelings but would hope it

[1:26:26] continues. uh if it doesn't continue uh

[1:26:30] and it was sold to a developer like the

[1:26:33] Methodist church and turned into luxury

[1:26:35] condos, you never heard of a condo that

[1:26:38] was not a luxury condo. Um we would get

[1:26:41] the money back. Um but in 2040 we would

[1:26:45] get the signed sum back that we gave

[1:26:48] give them in 2026. Uh that's just an

[1:26:51] observation.

[1:26:53] >> Thank you Mr. Arinian.

[1:26:56] Any further discussion? Yes, ma'am. If

[1:26:59] we could get a mic.

[1:27:02] Thank you, Emil. Right down here to my

[1:27:03] left.

[1:27:08] Karen Perry, 41 Corey Ridge Lane. And

[1:27:10] it's really a question. Um, have we used

[1:27:13] funds from this uh program and from the

[1:27:18] town to support the restoration of any

[1:27:21] of the other churches in town? In

[1:27:23] particular, the steel restoration and

[1:27:25] equivalent.

[1:27:27] >> We did on the congregational church, but

[1:27:29] I'll let Miss uh George address that.

[1:27:31] And any further discussion before I go

[1:27:32] to Miss George?

[1:27:35] >> All right. Seeing none, Miss George?

[1:27:37] >> Yes, we have done three other projects.

[1:27:39] We did the universalist unarian church

[1:27:41] steeple. We did the Baptist church

[1:27:43] steeple and we did the congregational

[1:27:46] church steeple.

[1:27:49] Thank you, Miss George. Any further

[1:27:51] discussion?

[1:27:53] Seeing none, I sense you're ready to

[1:27:54] vote. Again, the question is whether to

[1:27:57] appropriate and transfer $192,000

[1:28:00] $193,200

[1:28:02] from the undesated fund as a grant to

[1:28:04] the Pigeon Cove Chapel relating to the

[1:28:07] restoration of the historic building at

[1:28:09] 155 Granite Street. It requires a

[1:28:11] majority vote. All those in favor say I.

[1:28:15] >> Oppos say no.

[1:28:17] >> That motion carries by more than a

[1:28:19] majority. Ninth motion.

[1:28:27] Mr. Moderator, CPC Chair Ruth George

[1:28:29] moves article E9th motion as printed on

[1:28:32] page 23 of the Falltown meeting voters

[1:28:35] booklet. Select board and community

[1:28:37] preservation committee recommend.

[1:28:41] » Moved and seconded. The question before

[1:28:42] you is whether to appro appropriate and

[1:28:45] transfer $70,000 from the CPC undesated

[1:28:49] fund to be expended by the town clerk

[1:28:52] relating to preservation of town records

[1:28:54] as set forth on page 23 of the voters's

[1:28:56] booklet. Uh we'll go to Miss George and

[1:28:58] then to the clerk.

[1:29:01] >> This project falls under historic

[1:29:03] preservation. This application is

[1:29:05] submitted by the town clerk Melanie

[1:29:07] Wadell. It is it is a proposal for the

[1:29:10] continuation of last year's CPC project

[1:29:13] for restoration, preservation, and

[1:29:15] digitalization of the oldest and most as

[1:29:17] at risk volumes of the town's vital

[1:29:20] records and permanent documents dating

[1:29:22] back to our town incorporation in 1840.

[1:29:26] This request is part of a large effort

[1:29:28] that includes the restoration of the

[1:29:30] public records vault in town hall. The

[1:29:33] vault restoration would provide adequate

[1:29:36] archival shelving and ensure an

[1:29:37] appropriate environment for its

[1:29:39] contents. This collective effort works

[1:29:42] hard towards our lawful duty to protect

[1:29:44] and preserve our records in perpetuity.

[1:29:47] Original records are currently unbound

[1:29:49] and suffering from deterioration.

[1:29:52] The only vital records that have been

[1:29:53] rebound and encapsulated in archival

[1:29:56] pockets are from the years 2000 to 2024.

[1:30:00] The proposal was for a phased approach

[1:30:03] in the next three to five years. It

[1:30:05] would start with the oldest and most

[1:30:07] atrisisk volumes of the town's vital

[1:30:09] records as recommended by a free

[1:30:12] assessment conducted by co-ile in

[1:30:14] January of 2025.

[1:30:17] This phase would be to digitalize and

[1:30:18] preserve all vital ledger books, the

[1:30:21] oldest nine volumes of birth, nine

[1:30:23] volumes of marriages, and 11 volumes of

[1:30:26] death records. Permanent records are by

[1:30:28] their nature a historical and cultural

[1:30:30] importance to the town. We must lawfully

[1:30:33] store, maintain, and preserve these

[1:30:36] irreplaceable cultural artifacts and

[1:30:38] must provide adequate and secure

[1:30:41] archival storage to protect our historic

[1:30:43] town documents.

[1:30:45] Not only because we are legally required

[1:30:47] to do so, but to maintain the historic

[1:30:49] public resource for future generations.

[1:30:53] Mass General Laws site section 11 fire

[1:30:56] approved vaults and safes and site

[1:30:58] section 12 arrangement of records. The

[1:31:01] town clerk's office has also been

[1:31:03] awarded capital improvement planning

[1:31:05] committee money to assist in purchasing

[1:31:07] a storage system designated to protect

[1:31:10] the integrity of the documents required

[1:31:12] to be to be kept in perpetuity.

[1:31:15] Space has also been created in the vault

[1:31:17] design for future restoration and

[1:31:20] archiving of our maps. Other files in

[1:31:23] the vault include planning and zoning

[1:31:25] files, town meeting files, deeds and

[1:31:28] town owned land files, and election

[1:31:30] materials and storage of election

[1:31:32] results that have retention

[1:31:34] requirements.

[1:31:36] This original application was submitted

[1:31:38] for $100,000.

[1:31:40] This past year, the town clerk has done

[1:31:42] extensive work and visited several other

[1:31:45] towns and spoken to facilities and

[1:31:47] revised her ask down to 70,000. She

[1:31:51] feels she can be more economical and get

[1:31:53] more work done than anticipated. She

[1:31:56] would like to get the first 76 books

[1:31:59] done and re-evaluate because of the

[1:32:01] other items in the vault needing a

[1:32:03] different type of work. She has already

[1:32:05] gotten back many books and works from

[1:32:07] last year's grant. Thank you.

[1:32:11] >> Thank you, Miss George. Discussion.

[1:32:16] All right. Seeing none, I sense you are

[1:32:17] ready to vote. The question is whether

[1:32:19] to appropriate and transfer 75 $70,000

[1:32:22] from the undesated fund to be expended

[1:32:24] by the town clerk relating to records

[1:32:26] preservation. It requires a majority

[1:32:28] vote. All those in favor say I.

[1:32:31] >> I.

[1:32:31] >> Oppos say no. That motion carries and it

[1:32:34] is unanimous. We are on to a motion

[1:32:37] under article F Foxtrot which also

[1:32:40] starts the word final and it is the

[1:32:42] final motion.

[1:32:44] >> Thank you everyone.

[1:32:46] >> [applause]

[1:32:53] » Miss George, your season has started far

[1:32:55] better than Drake May. I think you

[1:32:56] should go down there and give him a

[1:32:57] tuneup in Foxboro.

[1:33:01] Mr. Moderator, article F, select board

[1:33:03] member, uh, Don Southern moves the

[1:33:05] motion for article F as printed on page

[1:33:07] 24 of the Falltown meeting voters

[1:33:09] booklet. The select board, finance

[1:33:11] committee, and DPW commissioners

[1:33:13] recommend.

[1:33:14] >> Second. moved and seconded. The question

[1:33:17] before you is whether to appropriate

[1:33:18] $1,800,000

[1:33:20] to pay costs of the town hall

[1:33:22] remediation, renovation, and

[1:33:24] modernization project and to end uh and

[1:33:27] to this end to authorize borrowing by

[1:33:29] the treasurer with approval of the

[1:33:31] select board as set forth on page 24 of

[1:33:34] the voters's booklet. This requires a

[1:33:36] twothirds vote and we will be using

[1:33:38] electronic uh the clickers to vote on

[1:33:40] this uh motion.

[1:33:42] Mr. Vieiraa and crew.

[1:33:55] » We could move to the first overview

[1:33:57] slide.

[1:33:58] >> And Mr. Craig, if you could just state

[1:34:00] your name and position.

[1:34:00] >> Yeah, certainly. Uh, Robert Craig,

[1:34:02] special projects and grants manager for

[1:34:04] the town of Rockport. I just wanted to

[1:34:06] give a quick overview on this project as

[1:34:08] a whole as pending this appropriation,

[1:34:10] it will be beginning quite soon. at this

[1:34:13] point just wanted to go over what the

[1:34:14] project is is not and then give some

[1:34:16] basic overview as well as some uh

[1:34:18] overview from those who are up with me

[1:34:21] today. Um primary objective of this

[1:34:24] project and the reason why one of the

[1:34:25] original allocations for the project was

[1:34:27] related to ARPA funding is to abate

[1:34:30] hazardous material in the building.

[1:34:32] There's a combination of asbestous in

[1:34:34] both uh floors and ceilings as well as

[1:34:37] lead lead paint on the walls that needs

[1:34:39] to be abated in order to improve uh

[1:34:42] general health and safety for employees

[1:34:44] and users of the building as well as

[1:34:46] install a fully electrified HVAC system

[1:34:49] which will meet the fresh air

[1:34:50] circulation requirements uh that now

[1:34:52] exist for buildings that didn't uh when

[1:34:54] the building was originally built in the

[1:34:56] 50s. In addition to that, uh there is an

[1:34:58] associate electrical upgrade in order to

[1:35:01] fully electrify the HVAC and heat and

[1:35:05] hot water systems. Uh this will be in

[1:35:07] alignment with the net zero objectives

[1:35:09] that the town has put forward in the

[1:35:10] past and continues to pursue. Uh so

[1:35:13] complete removal of the current oil fire

[1:35:15] heat system that's in the building. Also

[1:35:18] replacing uh all of the windows in the

[1:35:20] building. Uh we had a I would say

[1:35:23] constructive back and forth with the uh

[1:35:25] historic commission about the windows on

[1:35:27] this building and we're able to settle

[1:35:29] on full back to the masonry uh

[1:35:32] replacement of the windows so that

[1:35:34] they'll retain their original

[1:35:36] dimensions, original look um and also

[1:35:39] going with full wood windows as a

[1:35:41] replacement for that. So that's actually

[1:35:43] something that's out to bid right now

[1:35:44] and we're excited to see those bids come

[1:35:46] back from some of the vendors who can

[1:35:49] meet those historical requirements. uh

[1:35:50] that were brought forward in the

[1:35:52] discussion with the historic commission.

[1:35:54] We'll also be as I mentioned

[1:35:55] electrifying that HVAC and hot water

[1:35:57] system. Uh there's associate national

[1:35:59] grid incentives with that which we've

[1:36:01] been working with national grid since

[1:36:03] the conception of the project to make

[1:36:05] sure that we maximize on those

[1:36:06] incentives wherever possible. Um, as

[1:36:09] Melanie mentioned, um, not only is she

[1:36:12] doing fantastic restoration work with

[1:36:14] the records themselves, but there's a

[1:36:16] large portion of this project that

[1:36:19] involves updating our record storage

[1:36:21] vault in town hall to be able to

[1:36:23] maintain those records going forward and

[1:36:25] really good be good stewards of those

[1:36:27] historic records and the investments

[1:36:29] that CPC and others are making to that

[1:36:31] project. We're also making associated

[1:36:34] ADA improvements. um that's was always a

[1:36:37] core part of the project, but given the

[1:36:38] project budget as a percentage of the

[1:36:41] valuation of the building, there's a

[1:36:42] requirement for that as well. So that'll

[1:36:44] be some changes to the ramp that gets

[1:36:46] you down into the conference room to

[1:36:48] meet the necessary slope requirements

[1:36:51] there. Dropping all the counter heights

[1:36:53] to 36 in um to be more accessible for

[1:36:56] general users and some miscellaneous

[1:36:58] changes to bathrooms and water fountains

[1:37:00] and things of that sort. And then uh

[1:37:02] flooring and wall painting as

[1:37:04] necessitated by the abatement. As I

[1:37:06] mentioned uh with issues of lead paint

[1:37:08] as well as the renovation work necessary

[1:37:10] for that HVAC system swap out uh there

[1:37:13] will be impacts to uh both the floors,

[1:37:16] the walls and the ceilings. So there

[1:37:18] will be replacements associated with all

[1:37:20] of that.

[1:37:22] Moving to what the project is not,

[1:37:24] there's no change to the footprint of

[1:37:26] the building. Uh it's not a redecoration

[1:37:29] project. We'll be, as I mentioned,

[1:37:30] swapping out floors and doing some

[1:37:32] painting. Uh, but there won't be any

[1:37:34] significant redecoration uh efforts

[1:37:36] associated with that. Um, there won't be

[1:37:38] any new furniture going into the

[1:37:40] building. Those of us, uh, who have

[1:37:43] desks that are in good working order,

[1:37:44] myself included, uh, will be simply

[1:37:46] rolling our desks back into the building

[1:37:48] once the work is complete. And, uh,

[1:37:51] there are some that may require

[1:37:53] replacement just because they're on the

[1:37:54] older side, may not be able to be moved

[1:37:56] out and back in. Um, but that will be on

[1:37:58] an as necessary basis. Uh, and there's

[1:38:01] also not a significant redesign of the

[1:38:02] building or anything of that sort. Um,

[1:38:04] there may be some small changes to one

[1:38:07] particular office location or another.

[1:38:09] Um, but all the walls are staying where

[1:38:10] they are. Um, and things of that sort.

[1:38:12] So, you'll be able to see the folks in

[1:38:14] town hall that you've been seeing in

[1:38:15] town hall for various services over

[1:38:18] time. So, just a quick recap, the focus

[1:38:20] really was primarily from the start and

[1:38:22] continues to be on employee health and

[1:38:24] safety. Um the priority is a simple

[1:38:27] functional renovation uh within the

[1:38:30] existing building because we that's

[1:38:32] simply the building that we have right

[1:38:34] now and the associated magnitude of cost

[1:38:36] with anything beyond the current

[1:38:38] building would be astronomical in

[1:38:40] comparison. and to really update all the

[1:38:43] major building systems so that we can

[1:38:45] continue to occupy this building for at

[1:38:46] least the next 30 years um and really

[1:38:49] evaluate those systems as they reach end

[1:38:53] of life 20 to 30 years from now. So

[1:38:56] that's just a basic overview of the

[1:38:57] project itself.

[1:39:05] So, as you've Melanie Wadell, town

[1:39:07] clerk, sorry. As you've heard a few

[1:39:10] times tonight about the vault. It's a

[1:39:11] project I've been working on over the

[1:39:13] last three years. Um, I have received

[1:39:15] capital funding for archival shelving.

[1:39:18] Um, trying to make sure that first it

[1:39:21] was storage cabinets, fireproof storage

[1:39:23] cabinets, just because the vault isn't

[1:39:24] fireproof, but the vault also has a

[1:39:26] ceiling that is asbestous. So, this is

[1:39:28] where it all really ties in together.

[1:39:31] Um, the renovation with the humidity

[1:39:34] control and temperature control that's

[1:39:36] going to go into the whole building will

[1:39:37] also be in the vault. So, it will help

[1:39:39] to continue uh reduce deterioration on

[1:39:42] the vital records that we have. And by

[1:39:45] doing the preservation that I'm doing

[1:39:47] with the uh CPC money, um they've been

[1:39:50] they're actually brought a sample of it.

[1:39:51] They're put into archival folders and

[1:39:53] into clamshells. So, um, all of the

[1:39:56] effort and money and time that we're

[1:39:59] putting into preserving these records,

[1:40:01] uh, the renovation is like, you know,

[1:40:03] previously said, it will just help

[1:40:05] further that effort. Um, additionally, I

[1:40:08] mean, even more important to this, I

[1:40:10] think the first line in Rob's

[1:40:12] presentation said to mitigate hazardous

[1:40:15] materials. Um, most important to me is

[1:40:19] the health and safety of the employees

[1:40:21] and not only employee the employees but

[1:40:24] every one of you that comes into town

[1:40:26] hall to do business on a daily basis.

[1:40:28] Um, so I'm I'm really hoping that you'll

[1:40:31] support this article for all of our

[1:40:33] health and safety. Thank you.

[1:40:36] >> Thank you, Mr. Craig and Miss Waldell

[1:40:38] and Mr. Shalufo.

[1:40:41] >> Oh, Vieira, pardon me. Uh so this is

[1:40:44] again as a as the indicates in the um

[1:40:47] warrant. This is supplemental funding.

[1:40:49] The town does have uh funding in place.

[1:40:52] A million dollar borrowing is already in

[1:40:54] place which was previously approved. It

[1:40:55] is using approximately $750,000 in ARPA

[1:40:59] funding for this and has other capital

[1:41:01] appropriations including the capital

[1:41:03] appropriation uh for the town clerk's

[1:41:05] vault. Uh the town intends also to

[1:41:09] continue to seek out grants to continue

[1:41:12] to defay the costs for this. So this

[1:41:14] isn't simply okay this money is here and

[1:41:15] let's move forward. The towni is

[1:41:17] intending and will be applying for a

[1:41:20] green communities grant as well to

[1:41:22] continue to try to defay the costs

[1:41:24] associated with this. So, we continue to

[1:41:27] take all the uh uh possible and

[1:41:29] appropriate steps to try to keep the

[1:41:31] cost down, recognizing that at the end

[1:41:33] of the day, uh as has been said several

[1:41:35] times, this truly is a uh a health and

[1:41:38] safety issue first and foremost in

[1:41:40] addition to preserving uh town hall uh

[1:41:43] for a number of years to come.

[1:41:47] >> And director Shalufo,

[1:41:49] >> Eric Shalo, uh TBW director again. Uh

[1:41:52] Rob said a lot. uh Mitch and thank you.

[1:41:55] Um again, health and safety um through

[1:41:58] the building process or through the

[1:42:00] evaluation of the building process there were more things found uh that

[1:42:04] came up from an electrical standpoint,

[1:42:06] from a mitigation standpoint, and that's

[1:42:08] the uh needed costs uh for this

[1:42:10] renovation project. Thank you.

[1:42:15] >> All right. Uh for the boards that need

[1:42:17] to weigh in on this article, we'll start

[1:42:19] with the select board, Mr. Murphy.

[1:42:22] intimidating

[1:42:29] group in back of me here. Uh this

[1:42:31] article before you tonight, the

[1:42:32] additional 1.8 million for town hall

[1:42:35] renovation is not a luxury. Uh it is a

[1:42:39] responsibility. Uh town hall has not

[1:42:41] seen a significant uh renovation since

[1:42:44] it opened in 1956.

[1:42:47] And the building now contains, as you

[1:42:48] heard, asbestous that must be removed to

[1:42:51] protect the health of our employees, our

[1:42:54] residents, and every visitor who walks

[1:42:56] through those doors. Our staff in the

[1:42:59] building is that's in the building every

[1:43:01] day deserve it. They deserve a safe

[1:43:03] environment and our community deserves a

[1:43:06] town hall that reflects the pride that

[1:43:09] we take in Rockport. A building that is

[1:43:11] functional, healthy, and prepared for

[1:43:14] the next generation. The select board

[1:43:16] urges you to support this article. Let's

[1:43:19] invest in the future of our town and

[1:43:21] take care of the people who take care of

[1:43:24] Rockport. Thank you.

[1:43:26] >> Thank you, Mr. Murphy. I believe we're

[1:43:28] hearing from the finance committee. Miss

[1:43:31] Donnelly,

[1:43:34] [cough and clears throat]

[1:43:36] » Denise Donnelly, 72 Pigeon Hill Street.

[1:43:39] From uh the finance committee

[1:43:41] perspective, this uh borrowing if and

[1:43:44] when it happens as needed will have no

[1:43:46] effect at all on our bond rating, which

[1:43:48] is double A+ right now thanks to the

[1:43:52] judicious and thoughtful management of

[1:43:54] the town budget over a long period of

[1:43:57] time. And because of our uh good

[1:44:00] financial standing, we will um borrow at

[1:44:04] a favorable rate. So, the finance

[1:44:06] committee supports this motion.

[1:44:09] >> Thank you, Miss Donnelly.

[1:44:13] So, uh discussion.

[1:44:15] >> Oh, I I'm sorry. Uh who are you again?

[1:44:18] [laughter]

[1:44:19] >> Hi,

[1:44:20] >> Miss Batistelli.

[1:44:21] >> Yes. Uh Aaron Bedestelli. the chair of

[1:44:23] the DPW commissioners and um and because

[1:44:27] of all the reasons that were laid out to

[1:44:29] you tonight, the DPW commissioners voted

[1:44:32] unanimously to support this article and hope you're you're able to see um

[1:44:39] your way to to pass it. Um I don't think

[1:44:43] you know I can add any more information

[1:44:45] than you've already heard. And it and

[1:44:47] sometimes you know these short articles

[1:44:49] like four lines um you know it's a it's

[1:44:52] a uh it doesn't show us here tonight how

[1:44:57] much work has been put forth um you know

[1:45:01] to get us to this place. Um so we hope

[1:45:04] you support the article. Thank you.

[1:45:06] [clears throat]

[1:45:06] >> Thank you Miss Batistelli. All right.

[1:45:08] Discussion.

[1:45:12] Yes, sir.

[1:45:19] Hi, Steve Trider 15 Sandy Bay Terrace. I

[1:45:23] would like to know what is the total

[1:45:25] cost of this project from beginning to

[1:45:28] end. We haven't seen any facts or

[1:45:31] figures concerning that. I'm not against

[1:45:34] the health provisions. They definitely

[1:45:37] need it. But I feel like

[1:45:40] you're saying 100 1,800,000

[1:45:44] is it? How do we know you're not going

[1:45:46] to come back for more money? And how is

[1:45:49] it that a company that you hired to

[1:45:53] evaluate this project in the beginning

[1:45:56] for a building that was built in 1956

[1:46:00] didn't know that there was asbestous and

[1:46:03] lead paint in it?

[1:46:06] I I don't buy it. I think something's

[1:46:08] fishy here. So, I think they deserve the

[1:46:11] renovations, but I think we're being uh

[1:46:15] shielded from what the total costs are

[1:46:17] going to be.

[1:46:19] >> Uh, all right. Thank you, sir. Let me

[1:46:20] see if I can line up any others and then

[1:46:21] we'll go to either the DPW or one of our boards here. Yes, ma'am.

[1:46:29] Let's go to you and then we'll go to

[1:46:30] this lady. Hi, I'm Victoria Jackson, 145

[1:46:34] South Street, and I agree with the

[1:46:38] previous question and also would like to

[1:46:40] know how long are we committed to having

[1:46:44] the town hall be in this building.

[1:46:48] >> Okay. And let's take one more and then

[1:46:49] we'll go back to our boards. Yes, ma'am.

[1:46:52] And I'm I'm trying not to

[1:46:55] ignore this side. I'm sorry. I know I'm

[1:46:57] tilting this way. I'll make sure I get

[1:46:58] over here, too. Yes, ma'am. Uh Karen

[1:47:01] Perry, I'm reinforcing the first

[1:47:02] question. I also support upgrades for

[1:47:05] health and safety and also just upgrades

[1:47:07] for our town hall and we get a lot of

[1:47:09] work done there and we'd like it to be

[1:47:11] great. Um but I do have a question. I'm unclear about what we are getting an

[1:47:17] incremental budget on top of. So it

[1:47:20] would be very helpful to understand the

[1:47:21] larger picture for the project. And I

[1:47:24] also have a question um about

[1:47:26] remediation. Um my understanding is that

[1:47:29] we always get rid of lead paint. You

[1:47:31] never want to have that around. But the

[1:47:33] process of getting rid of asbestous is

[1:47:36] one of the problems. But actually having

[1:47:38] encased in best is oftentimes not a

[1:47:41] problem at all. So just because one has

[1:47:43] asbestous because there's a lot of it in

[1:47:46] places if it is well maintain well

[1:47:48] contained it's better to leave it there

[1:47:50] than move it around. So I'm wondering

[1:47:53] are we getting rid of every bit of

[1:47:54] asbestous or are we being strategic in

[1:47:58] what we're getting rid of in the in the

[1:48:00] building.

[1:48:00] >> Okay. Thank you ma'am. Let

[1:48:01] [clears throat] Mr. Ring I see you and I

[1:48:03] see you Mr. Cini and let's go back to

[1:48:04] our boards to handle those questions and

[1:48:07] then before we do that who over here is

[1:48:09] waiting to speak. I know I've been going

[1:48:11] to that side of the room. I have a

[1:48:12] number of people over here too. All

[1:48:13] right. So we're going to go to we're

[1:48:14] going to go to the boards then we'll go

[1:48:15] to Mr. Ring and then I'm going to switch

[1:48:16] over to this side of the room. Uh yes

[1:48:19] please Mr. Craig. So, I'll uh address a

[1:48:22] few of the questions uh that have been

[1:48:23] asked so far. So, um as Mitch mentioned,

[1:48:27] $750,000

[1:48:28] was allocated through ARPA funding. Uh

[1:48:31] the initial borrowing that was

[1:48:33] authorized by town meeting was 1

[1:48:35] million. This is an additional 1.8 on

[1:48:38] top of that initial 1 million. So, in

[1:48:40] total of direct funds, 750,000 from ARPA

[1:48:44] and pending this allocation, 2.8 total

[1:48:47] through the town meeting. Uh in addition

[1:48:49] to the other smaller capital investments

[1:48:52] that were mentioned uh for the vault and

[1:48:53] other uses as well as grants, uh the

[1:48:56] town received a grant to go toward the

[1:48:58] windows. As Mitch mentioned, the town is

[1:49:00] actively pursuing and active

[1:49:02] conversations with the green communities

[1:49:04] program which could grant anywhere from

[1:49:06] $250 to $500,000 toward the project were

[1:49:09] it to be approved. Uh and it is in

[1:49:12] alignment with the values of that

[1:49:14] program. In addition to that, you know,

[1:49:16] half my title, it is my job as well to

[1:49:18] look for additional grants for this

[1:49:20] project and I continue to pursue that as

[1:49:23] it relates to the resultant uh costs,

[1:49:26] the total costs of the project as well

[1:49:27] as the cost estimate that's before us

[1:49:29] today. Uh this project when it was

[1:49:32] originally brought before the town

[1:49:33] meeting had not yet gone through the

[1:49:35] comprehensive design process which is

[1:49:37] now at 95% for the building. We're

[1:49:39] finalizing bid documents now. Um so at

[1:49:42] that time the full cost of the project

[1:49:44] was not known nor was it confidently

[1:49:46] estimated based on the assessments that

[1:49:48] have been done to date mainly with

[1:49:50] internal staff. Uh this number that's

[1:49:52] before you today is at the result of um

[1:49:55] spending lots of time and effort amongst

[1:49:57] the DPW and others in town hall uh with

[1:50:00] a design engineer to get to the point

[1:50:02] that we're at today. Um that bid process

[1:50:06] will be conducted pending this

[1:50:08] allocation uh this fall and that's

[1:50:10] really when we know those hard numbers

[1:50:12] because we do not yet have a

[1:50:13] construction contract. We don't know

[1:50:15] what that construction budget will be.

[1:50:17] Uh but we do have a cost estimate that

[1:50:20] this allocation is based on that was

[1:50:22] developed based on those 95% design

[1:50:24] plans. Um, and as far as total uh

[1:50:28] eventual time in this building, as I

[1:50:29] mentioned in my comments, uh the cost of

[1:50:32] a more extensive renovation of an

[1:50:35] existing building or construction of a

[1:50:37] new building would be much uh much more

[1:50:39] expensive uh than what's before you

[1:50:41] tonight and maybe before you at any

[1:50:43] point in the future for any other

[1:50:44] building renovations for other

[1:50:46] properties in town. Um, if you think

[1:50:48] back to the DPW facility, uh, the cost

[1:50:50] per square foot for that building would

[1:50:53] be considerably lower than you what you

[1:50:55] would see in fully occupied space

[1:50:57] because that building contains quite a

[1:50:58] bit of garage space and other open

[1:51:00] workshop space. Whereas fully furnished

[1:51:03] interior office space is much more

[1:51:05] expensive to build. Uh, and therefore

[1:51:08] we're uh, we're not putting an option

[1:51:10] like that before you today because it

[1:51:12] would be untenable uh, with the current

[1:51:14] uh, allocations. Thank you, Mr. Craig.

[1:51:17] Uh, Mr. Ring, and just so I can see

[1:51:19] again who's waiting over here.

[1:51:21] >> Oh, you I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

[1:51:23] >> To address the remediation question, the

[1:51:25] town does intend to be strategic in how

[1:51:27] it does it. There are a number of areas

[1:51:28] because we are removing the uh forced

[1:51:31] hot water system. So, we have those

[1:51:32] registers, the heat registers that are

[1:51:33] throughout the building. As those are

[1:51:35] removed, the tiling on the floor around

[1:51:37] and under them will be impacted uh as

[1:51:40] will any area where there are punctures

[1:51:42] made through the floors or the ceilings

[1:51:43] that need to be addressed. The most

[1:51:45] significant area uh where there is

[1:51:47] asbestous is it is sprayed on the

[1:51:49] ceilings. So on the main level and the

[1:51:52] lower level when you go into town hall

[1:51:53] you see the drop ceiling a couple feet

[1:51:55] above that it is sprayed on. So if you

[1:51:58] were to shift one of those tiles now it

[1:52:00] would look like white dust that's

[1:52:01] falling. It's not white dust it's

[1:52:03] asbestous coming down from it. There are

[1:52:05] exposed areas of asbestous. if you were

[1:52:07] to go into the boiler room or you go to

[1:52:09] go into the um clerk's vault in the

[1:52:11] basement that is fully exposed and you

[1:52:13] look up it's sprayed on the ceiling

[1:52:15] that's that's what's there all of that

[1:52:17] does need to be remediated

[1:52:19] >> thank you Mr. V Mr. Ring

[1:52:24] » Jonathan Ring 9 Pools Lane. Um will

[1:52:27] there be any increase in property taxes

[1:52:30] um as a result of this project or and or

[1:52:33] this um motion? Um and if so, what would

[1:52:37] the increase be?

[1:52:39] >> Thank you.

[1:52:40] Mr. Ring. Uh you want to

[1:52:42] handle that quickly and then we're going

[1:52:43] to go over here.

[1:52:44] >> So this is uh borrowing that would be

[1:52:45] addressed and handled through the uh

[1:52:48] general fund operating budget. The town

[1:52:50] does have uh some older borrowings that

[1:52:52] are coming off of the tax rate now. So

[1:52:55] we will see a slight dip. These will

[1:52:56] come on. We could not pin an exact

[1:52:58] number now, but we have some debt coming

[1:53:00] off. It's being fully amortized this

[1:53:02] cycle. U so this would add back a bit,

[1:53:05] but it would not necessarily be on top

[1:53:06] of that. So we're at a point where we're have some coming off and we're

[1:53:09] adding a bit back on.

[1:53:11] >> All right. Thank you, Mr. Vieira. And

[1:53:12] I'm sorry my voters on this side. All

[1:53:14] right. Uh see, Mr.

[1:53:17] you, sir.

[1:53:21] And then this gentleman,

[1:53:23] >> I'm sorry. Did you This right here

[1:53:25] first.

[1:53:27] >> Yeah.

[1:53:28] >> Is that We're just gonna start here.

[1:53:31] >> That's where we're starting.

[1:53:33] >> Can you hear me? Christine Downing. Um

[1:53:36] the 19 Parker Street. Uh I have two

[1:53:39] things to talk about. One of them is a

[1:53:41] question about the renovation and um it

[1:53:45] mentioned that it's moving toward you're

[1:53:47] moving toward electri um using

[1:53:50] electricity which I assume has to do

[1:53:52] with getting rid of forest hot water but

[1:53:55] you didn't say um what if that's solar

[1:53:58] that you're moving to as a source or

[1:54:01] heat pumps. Um that's just the first

[1:54:04] piece.

[1:54:06] Um, my main point is really this, which

[1:54:09] I'll read. Um, town hall is not required

[1:54:12] to comply with the lighting bylaws that

[1:54:15] govern the rest of us because they only

[1:54:18] apply to the exterior uh exterior

[1:54:20] residential lighting. Uh, this has to do

[1:54:24] with, it seems minor given the context

[1:54:25] here, but we have more than one project

[1:54:28] on the table that has to do with um

[1:54:31] replacement LEDs and overlighting areas

[1:54:34] at night. So, this just has to do with

[1:54:37] the the uh lights that are going to be

[1:54:40] on town hall.

[1:54:42] Let's see. The upgrade plan for town

[1:54:44] hall could have considered clear um the

[1:54:46] clear preference for dark sky compliance

[1:54:49] that was expressed by residents in the

[1:54:52] select survey this spring, but it

[1:54:54] didn't. that proved new exterior light

[1:54:57] fixtures are not dark sky compliant.

[1:55:00] Because new exterior lamps for town hall

[1:55:02] are not dark dark sky compliant, I was

[1:55:05] hoping to amend article F, but that's

[1:55:08] not really possible for several reasons

[1:55:09] which I won't go into now. However,

[1:55:12] since article F asks for more money for

[1:55:15] the renovation of town hall, this is an

[1:55:17] opportunity to make the exterior lights

[1:55:19] on town hall dark sky compliant.

[1:55:23] Um, the new fixtures have not been

[1:55:25] installed yet. I checked with the source

[1:55:27] of suitable exterior fixtures and

[1:55:29] learned that dark sky modules or shields

[1:55:32] can be purchased for almost any fixtures

[1:55:35] of um the source that I talked to. So,

[1:55:39] that perhaps that's a way to modify the um

[1:55:44] lamps that have been chosen that are not

[1:55:47] dark sky compliant. If the new

[1:55:49] non-compliant fixtures have been

[1:55:51] ordered, they can be returned or adapted

[1:55:53] with shield mo modules um in addition to

[1:55:57] adding dimmer. That's that's it. Thank

[1:55:59] you.

[1:56:00] >> Uh thank you, Miss Downing. This

[1:56:02] gentleman [clears throat] right here in

[1:56:03] the blue shirt and then we'll go to Mr.

[1:56:04] Micas.

[1:56:07] >> Thank you. Uh Mike Buché, one Twin Light

[1:56:10] Circle. Uh

[1:56:11] >> I think what most of us

[1:56:12] >> The beard threw me off, Mike. I'm sorry.

[1:56:14] >> What's that?

[1:56:15] >> The beard threw me off and it

[1:56:16] >> Sorry about that. Sorry. Um I think what

[1:56:19] most of us want to know and you you

[1:56:20] partly answered this so but I just want

[1:56:22] to kind of go over it a little bit

[1:56:24] further. So total this project sounds

[1:56:27] like it's costing about $3 million 2.9

[1:56:29] something like that right? Uh you

[1:56:31] mentioned that um you you've got this

[1:56:35] design people who you've already you

[1:56:38] completed but you didn't really

[1:56:40] understand these cost overruns because

[1:56:41] you really didn't complete the design.

[1:56:44] Um, but you came to the town for more

[1:56:46] money or not more money for money prior

[1:56:49] to that. So, I'm trying to understand

[1:56:51] the process. I think a lot of us are

[1:56:53] trying to understand the process.

[1:56:55] [clears throat] Now, you're coming to us

[1:56:56] for basically double of what the

[1:57:00] original number was you came for. And as

[1:57:04] was mentioned by Mr. ring. We wanted to

[1:57:06] know if it was going to increase our

[1:57:08] taxes,

[1:57:09] but you haven't put it out to bid yet,

[1:57:12] but you're asking for the money before

[1:57:13] you even put it out to bid.

[1:57:16] Maybe I'm missing something. I think we

[1:57:19] all want to understand the process. We

[1:57:21] just got hit with humongous water bills

[1:57:24] recently. I think probably everybody

[1:57:27] here would agree with me on that. And so

[1:57:30] now we're being asked for a whole bunch

[1:57:32] more money.

[1:57:34] And we really want to make sure

[1:57:37] we tr I let me say one other thing. We think you all need an upgraded town

[1:57:45] hall. But one of the questions was and

[1:57:47] this may you you gave an answer about oh

[1:57:52] uh you know if we were to replace the

[1:57:54] building or move the building or

[1:57:56] whatever it would cost a lot more but

[1:57:57] you didn't really put any numbers to

[1:57:58] that. So the question is if we were to

[1:58:01] tear down the building and maybe it's

[1:58:03] too late for that, but if we were to

[1:58:05] tear down the building and replace it,

[1:58:07] did anybody look at that? Or if we were

[1:58:10] to tear down the building and put the new town hall up at the DPW barn,

[1:58:17] what would the cost of that be? So did

[1:58:19] anybody look at these things? That's all I'm asking. I think that's what most

[1:58:23] people want to know is answers to those

[1:58:25] questions. Thank you. [clears throat]

[1:58:26] >> Thank you, Mr. Buchet. That is a pretty

[1:58:28] big list. So I'm going to return to the

[1:58:29] departments and then we'll get to you

[1:58:30] Mr. Micas after they've had a chance to

[1:58:32] field that [cough and clears throat]

[1:58:36] and I see you Mr. Ar.

[1:58:40] » Yeah. So I'll start with the last one

[1:58:42] and work work my way backward toward the

[1:58:43] dark sky question. Um regarding the

[1:58:46] timeline of funding um just for

[1:58:48] clarity's sake. The initial allocation

[1:58:50] from the town meeting that 1 million

[1:58:52] helped pay for the design engineer. Um,

[1:58:55] so they had not yet been engaged at the

[1:58:57] point of that initial ask at town

[1:58:59] meeting for $1 million. Um, and then as

[1:59:02] far as uh tearown costs, um, very

[1:59:06] conservative estimates just based on par

[1:59:08] square footage cost. We'd say probably

[1:59:11] about $20 million to build a new

[1:59:13] building that meets all of the office

[1:59:15] requirements. Um, there may be some cost

[1:59:18] change between building in the downtown

[1:59:20] versus building on Upper Main Street or

[1:59:22] elsewhere in town just because of

[1:59:23] historical requirements, but for the

[1:59:25] most part, that's kind of a good number

[1:59:26] to to keep in your head as far as what a

[1:59:29] full tear down, renovation, rebuild, uh,

[1:59:31] would look like. And then as far as the

[1:59:33] bids not going out yet and us not having

[1:59:36] that final number to bring before you

[1:59:38] tonight, um, in municipal finance in

[1:59:41] general, we're not able to issue a bid

[1:59:44] until we have that money on hand to be

[1:59:47] able to pay a p potential contractor who

[1:59:50] would receive that contract. So, we're

[1:59:52] not able to contract yet because we

[1:59:54] don't have the money sitting in the

[1:59:55] pocket, so to speak, uh, to be able to

[1:59:57] pay them. And that's a standard of

[1:59:59] municipal finance. Um, if you think of

[2:00:01] other, you know, significant projects,

[2:00:04] the DPW facility being one of them, all

[2:00:07] of those requests for funding came prior

[2:00:10] to the bid. Um, and then what remained

[2:00:13] for available funding after that bid

[2:00:15] cost was used as contingency throughout

[2:00:17] the project to hold in reserve as it

[2:00:20] relates to uh the dark side sky

[2:00:23] compliance. Um I spent some time uh

[2:00:26] going over this uh with project team as

[2:00:28] well as myself over the last couple days

[2:00:30] knowing that this would be a subject of

[2:00:32] discussion. Um in reviewing the dark sky

[2:00:35] approved program uh they have a list of

[2:00:38] lights that are you know their sort of

[2:00:41] checkbox so to speak uh lights that are

[2:00:43] approved. Uh none of those met the

[2:00:45] design uh that was approved by the

[2:00:47] historical commission. So that

[2:00:49] particular route of a truly approved

[2:00:52] lighting um would not be possible.

[2:00:55] However, the town would be able to meet

[2:00:57] the sort of spirit so to speak behind

[2:00:59] that. So based on their designations

[2:01:01] associated with their commercial

[2:01:03] lighting standards u not directing light

[2:01:06] outward and limiting the total amount of

[2:01:09] light emitted uh by those fixtures. the

[2:01:11] town could use a combination of uh

[2:01:14] capped style bulbs that essentially

[2:01:15] don't allow any light to be elid emitted

[2:01:18] above a parallel grade from the light

[2:01:20] which is in there the dark sky standards

[2:01:23] um as well as limiting the total amount

[2:01:25] of light issued by those. Um, and then

[2:01:27] in review, because I know there was

[2:01:29] discussion about complying with the

[2:01:30] residential bylaw as well, uh, we've

[2:01:33] been able to find, uh, bulbs of that

[2:01:35] type of that capped style that don't

[2:01:37] emit upward light, uh, that are below

[2:01:40] the 2750 Kelvin that's mentioned in the

[2:01:42] residential bylaw. uh the town, the

[2:01:45] select board uh will be making a variety

[2:01:47] of design decisions associated with you

[2:01:49] know interior paint color and some of

[2:01:50] that uh you know relatively mundane

[2:01:52] stuff that you know you don't notice

[2:01:54] after 5 years but you definitely notice

[2:01:56] uh when you first move back into the

[2:01:57] building. Um so we'll be finalizing

[2:01:59] those specific bulbs that get used uh in

[2:02:02] the existing fixtures that have been

[2:02:04] approved by the historic commission at

[2:02:06] that time. Um so I would encourage

[2:02:08] engagement through that process. Um, but

[2:02:10] that's the the thought process of the

[2:02:12] project team as of right now is to be

[2:02:14] able to pick bulbs that don't emit that

[2:02:16] upward light that limit the total amount

[2:02:18] of light that they emit and that are

[2:02:20] below that 2750 established in the

[2:02:23] residential bylaw.

[2:02:25] >> Uh, thank you Mr. Craig, Mr. Micas. And

[2:02:28] we've got a mic coming down.

[2:02:34] » Thank you, Tom Mikas 73 Marian.

[2:02:38] Well, I attended the historic commission

[2:02:40] meeting when they presented the uh the

[2:02:41] lighting options and it was obvious that

[2:02:43] it it didn't meet the residential um

[2:02:46] bylaw

[2:02:47] and I was surprised because the DPW

[2:02:50] facility newly constructed does meet

[2:02:52] that and I think it sets a good example

[2:02:54] for for the residents. The town should

[2:02:56] set a good example and question why the

[2:03:00] presented fixtures um to the historical

[2:03:02] commission did not meet it. The answer

[2:03:04] was because we don't have to. That's the

[2:03:07] wrong answer. If I can get a firm

[2:03:08] commitment that they are going to try to

[2:03:11] meet that bylaw requirement,

[2:03:14] uh, I I'd be happy to vote for this.

[2:03:16] Otherwise, I'm going to vote no in front

[2:03:18] protest.

[2:03:20] >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Mikas. Is anybody Mr.

[2:03:22] Oin has got his hand up. Is anybody who

[2:03:25] hasn't yet spoken today wish to speak?

[2:03:29] >> Where?

[2:03:31] Oh, uh, Mr. Valentin.

[2:03:34] Oh, Laura, Miss Evans, I'm sorry.

[2:03:44] Uh Laura Evans, speaking for myself at

[2:03:47] 77 High Street, I urge people to support

[2:03:51] uh this this funding. I think it's

[2:03:53] unconscionable would be unconscionable

[2:03:55] of us to ask our employees to be working

[2:03:58] in an unsafe and to continue to work in

[2:04:01] an unsafe environment. Um, I think the

[2:04:04] other thing that would benefit all of us

[2:04:06] is the capability once this building is

[2:04:09] renovated, we'll be able to meet in

[2:04:11] boards and commissions can meet in

[2:04:13] person again in meeting room A in a

[2:04:14] hybrid fashion. And it's been years,

[2:04:18] it's been since CO since we've been able

[2:04:20] to do that. On the lighting issue, uh,

[2:04:23] what we're talking about, my

[2:04:24] understanding is there's two lights on

[2:04:26] either side of the front door that light

[2:04:28] the steps up to the front door. That's what's at issue here about the

[2:04:32] lighting. Um, and the basically our town

[2:04:36] hall is the is is our flagship. It's the

[2:04:39] hub of the wheel of government. And I

[2:04:41] think it's, you know, it's something

[2:04:43] that we really really need to do. And a,

[2:04:47] as we all know, the longer we wait, this

[2:04:50] has been in the planning for years. and

[2:04:52] they've done extensive planning on how

[2:04:54] all the people in town hall are going to

[2:04:56] be relocated to, you know, the the um ad

[2:05:00] adjunct buildings around town. And

[2:05:02] there's extensive planning that have

[2:05:04] gone into it. And the longer we wait,

[2:05:05] the more it's going to cost. Building

[2:05:07] costs are just going up as we as we sit

[2:05:10] here. So, I urge I urge folks to vote in

[2:05:14] favor of this so we can get it done and

[2:05:16] we can begin the the bidding work and

[2:05:18] actually get it done hopefully dur

[2:05:21] started during the cold weather. Thank

[2:05:23] you.

[2:05:23] >> Thank you, Miss Evans. Anyone who hasn't

[2:05:25] spoken yet tonight who wishes to speak

[2:05:28] and I'm vision challenged. No. No. All

[2:05:31] right, Mr. Arcinian.

[2:05:37] And don't be afraid to shout if I'm not

[2:05:39] seeing you. Get my attention if you're

[2:05:40] trying to speak and I'm not seeing you.

[2:05:42] Please.

[2:05:43] >> Toby Arcenian 95 Granite Street. Uh what

[2:05:46] Denise Donnelly had to say about the

[2:05:48] bond rating is reassuring and what Mitch

[2:05:51] Vieira told Jonathan Ring about the tax

[2:05:54] rate is also reassuring. But certainly

[2:05:57] it would have been better and fairer if

[2:05:59] we had been given the total cost at the

[2:06:02] beginning. Perhaps that wasn't possible.

[2:06:05] And perhaps if there is another large

[2:06:07] project, God forbid, um we'd learn

[2:06:10] something from uh the way this one went

[2:06:12] forward.

[2:06:14] Saying that, I think that what Laura

[2:06:16] Evans said about the safety of the

[2:06:18] employees, uh what Melanie said about

[2:06:21] the safety employees carries the day.

[2:06:23] We're halfway across the stream and

[2:06:25] there's no going back. I think we have

[2:06:28] to grit our teeth and hold our noses and

[2:06:31] vote for it. Anytime that we're being

[2:06:34] asked to uh add to the town debt, I

[2:06:37] think we should be told the total debt

[2:06:39] at the moment. Uh and I spoke with

[2:06:41] Carrie Arnode and she can give us a

[2:06:44] figure. That's all.

[2:06:45] >> Thank you, Mr. Arinian.

[2:06:48] Further discussion? Yes, sir. I'll get

[2:06:50] to you unless there's someone who hasn't

[2:06:52] yet spoken yet and this woman I don't

[2:06:54] believe you've spoken yet. Is that

[2:06:55] right?

[2:06:56] >> I didn't hear the answer to my question.

[2:06:58] >> Oh, you did? Okay. I'm sorry. Restate

[2:06:59] your question. I'm going to go to this

[2:07:00] gentleman. Yep. Um, how long are we

[2:07:04] planning to stay in town hall after the

[2:07:06] renovations? Has there a commitment to

[2:07:08] that?

[2:07:08] >> Okay. Thank you. And sir,

[2:07:11] this gentleman right here. Thank you,

[2:07:13] Emil.

[2:07:14] >> Yes. Steve Trident of 15 Sandy Bay

[2:07:16] Terrace. Um, I still haven't got an

[2:07:19] answer to the question. You folks about

[2:07:22] the total cost. We're only seeing this.

[2:07:26] A man over there estimated and you said

[2:07:29] that you paid a million dollars for the

[2:07:32] design.

[2:07:33] >> Well, what hang on. We're not going to

[2:07:36] have Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.

[2:07:38] >> Okay. I'm just confused. We don't have

[2:07:40] anything to

[2:07:41] >> That's great. Let me just explain

[2:07:42] something. [clears throat] We can't

[2:07:43] start having back and forth because

[2:07:45] it'll become chaotic. But I do want you

[2:07:47] to get your question out and then we're

[2:07:48] going to try our best to get an answer

[2:07:49] for you. Okay.

[2:07:50] >> Okay. So I would just my question is

[2:07:54] what is the total cost over the period

[2:07:57] of the two years of construction? How

[2:08:00] has that been assessed? And I also want

[2:08:04] to say that it is important that we have

[2:08:06] a better town hall. I don't think

[2:08:08] anybody here disagrees with that and we

[2:08:11] care about the health, but I think it's

[2:08:13] unconscionable

[2:08:15] not to be accountable to residents

[2:08:18] financially by giving us the statements,

[2:08:21] the data, and all that ahead of time.

[2:08:23] And I'm not voting for it.

[2:08:25] >> Okay. Uh [clears throat] thank you, sir.

[2:08:26] With those points in mind, uh can we go

[2:08:29] back to the boards, please? Speaking uh

[2:08:32] regarding how long the town intends to

[2:08:34] stay in in town hall, um I'm unaware

[2:08:37] that the town has any plans to go

[2:08:39] anywhere from town hall in the

[2:08:40] foreseeable future. And unless the

[2:08:42] select board sees that differently, my

[2:08:44] understanding is this is the town hall

[2:08:46] for the long haul. This is the town

[2:08:48] hall.

[2:08:52] » Mr. Craig.

[2:08:53] >> Yeah. regarding uh the funding for the

[2:08:55] project. So, as I mentioned with the the

[2:08:58] 1 million initial allocation, this

[2:08:59] additional 1.8 and the 750,000

[2:09:03] from ARPA, you we're in the range of

[2:09:06] right around 3.6 million total. Uh you

[2:09:10] add in the the miscellaneous uh grant

[2:09:12] funding and other capital allocation

[2:09:14] closer to 3.9 total uh expected. And as

[2:09:18] I mentioned, once those bids uh have

[2:09:20] been put out and come back, we will have

[2:09:22] a firm number. Um, and that will be the

[2:09:25] award of that bid is something that the

[2:09:26] select board uh does under their

[2:09:28] jurisdiction. So, if you're interested

[2:09:29] in what that exact number ends up being

[2:09:31] at the end of that, um, that's

[2:09:33] definitely something to tune in on. Um,

[2:09:35] as as far as my statement regarding the

[2:09:37] funding for uh design being part of

[2:09:40] those initial ARPA and 1 million, um, I

[2:09:43] was saying that that money for design

[2:09:45] came from that pot, not that that's

[2:09:47] where all that money went. Um, at the

[2:09:50] time, uh, we released an RFP, uh, for a

[2:09:53] design engineer through the

[2:09:55] Massachusetts state procurement process.

[2:09:57] We at that time were estimating based on

[2:09:59] the lower number of about$ 1.8 8 to2

[2:10:02] million project total because that

[2:10:04] design phase had not occurred. So our

[2:10:07] contract with the design engineer was

[2:10:08] round about $175,000.

[2:10:12] Um so the money that has been spent to

[2:10:15] date on gathering this to 95% design is

[2:10:19] around about that number. Um so that's

[2:10:21] uh how much has been spent uh so far

[2:10:24] specifically for design engineering and

[2:10:26] the cost estimation that's been

[2:10:28] conducted to date.

[2:10:29] >> Uh thank you Mr. Craig. Would you just

[2:10:31] take 30 seconds to again reiterate the

[2:10:33] restrictions on municipal financing and

[2:10:36] getting contracts out for bid just in

[2:10:38] case there's any confusion?

[2:10:39] >> Yeah, certainly. So, we cannot issue

[2:10:40] contracts unless the money has already

[2:10:43] been uh allocated through the town

[2:10:45] meeting or through other uh purposes uh

[2:10:48] to be able to get that funding. So, uh

[2:10:50] essentially you you need to have a

[2:10:52] mortgage lined up for your house before

[2:10:53] you can buy it type thing. We're the

[2:10:55] same way as a community uh that we need

[2:10:57] you, the voters, to approve funding

[2:11:00] before we, the practitioners, so to

[2:11:02] speak, are able to work with a uh

[2:11:05] through the bid process and then have

[2:11:06] the select board award the contract for

[2:11:08] construction.

[2:11:10] >> Thank you, Mr. Craig. [clears throat]

[2:11:12] Discussion. Oh, this Yes, ma'am.

[2:11:15] >> Hi, Marin Woodro, 8 alpaca court. Um, I

[2:11:18] don't know if you can put the screen

[2:11:20] back up, but you had kind of a a pick

[2:11:22] list of everything that had to be done

[2:11:24] in this renovation. And I guess what I'm trying to understand is why is this

[2:11:29] an all ornone project? And I'm I'm new

[2:11:32] to um town meetings and how these go,

[2:11:34] but in the previous articles, you had

[2:11:36] allocations of money that was split up

[2:11:38] from a fund to fund certain projects. So

[2:11:42] you're correct in when you do uh

[2:11:44] municipal bids because I work for the

[2:11:46] state and we work through combines too

[2:11:48] is that when we have cap funds uh we may

[2:11:51] have a certain amount of money um for

[2:11:53] our division and we can do like a roof

[2:11:55] repair or we can do you know the

[2:11:57] carpeting we've had asbesus abatement

[2:11:59] too but we get it in smaller increments.

[2:12:01] Um so my question is why you're talking

[2:12:04] about 1.8 million for a project that you

[2:12:07] don't even know what it actually costs

[2:12:08] which each detail on this costs. So if

[2:12:12] you came back and you said that those 1

[2:12:14] 2 3 four five six seven maybe more on

[2:12:17] the next projects caught and each one

[2:12:20] costs a different amount of money and

[2:12:22] then all of us could sit in this room

[2:12:24] and decide if that was worthy of

[2:12:26] increasing our tax dollars. I think it

[2:12:29] would be easier for us to have that that

[2:12:31] decision.

[2:12:33] So I don't know if that's possible and again I'm new to town meetings so I

[2:12:38] so maybe somebody can help me out from

[2:12:39] here. I don't know if there's a way to

[2:12:43] um to to pick and I know that you don't

[2:12:46] have costs yet, but when you say I can't

[2:12:49] go to Combis and put out a contract

[2:12:51] there because I have to have all the

[2:12:53] money in order to have a developer do

[2:12:55] it. Well, if you have $1.8 million, you

[2:12:58] can go out and you can say, "Well, how

[2:12:59] much is it going to cost for the

[2:13:00] hazardous material abatement? I think I

[2:13:03] have a million dollars that I'm going to

[2:13:05] put out for it." And you're going to see

[2:13:06] what kind of bids you get back. And if

[2:13:08] you don't have any bids that you like,

[2:13:10] you can actually deny it and you can

[2:13:12] redo the bid.

[2:13:14] So, so you can get costs for us by

[2:13:18] breaking this up into smaller projects.

[2:13:23] I'm going to see if I can get answers

[2:13:25] for you on that. I don't know. But I

[2:13:27] think CPC is a completely different

[2:13:29] animal, but I'll let people with more

[2:13:31] background explain that. Let me see if

[2:13:32] there's any other points that I can get

[2:13:34] teed up before we return to the boards

[2:13:36] again.

[2:13:37] Where you? Oh,

[2:13:40] >> Mr. Buchanan.

[2:13:55] » Hello. Hello. Can you hear me? Um,

[2:13:58] Courtney Buchanan 10 Doc Square. This is

[2:14:00] kind of a a tough one. Um, I understand

[2:14:04] the money and the lights, but all I can

[2:14:07] think about is the white dust on my

[2:14:08] desk. But I did prepare something, so

[2:14:10] I'm just going to read it for you guys.

[2:14:12] I would like to speak in support of the

[2:14:14] proposed renovation of our town hall,

[2:14:17] particularly the removal of asbestous

[2:14:20] and lead paint and the installation of

[2:14:22] the new HVAC system. As a town employee,

[2:14:26] I believe this project is about more

[2:14:29] than improving an old building. It is

[2:14:31] about protecting the health and safety

[2:14:33] of the people who work in and visit town

[2:14:37] hall every day.

[2:14:39] As someone who works there, this is

[2:14:41] something that is personally important

[2:14:43] to me.

[2:14:45] Abestous and lead paint are serious

[2:14:47] health hazards when they are disturbed,

[2:14:50] deteriorating, and improperly managed.

[2:14:55] We should not wait for someone to become

[2:14:57] sick before we take action. Removing

[2:15:01] these hazard hazards properly and safely

[2:15:04] is an important investment in the people

[2:15:06] who serve our community.

[2:15:09] Town Hall is my workplace, a public

[2:15:11] building, and an important part of our

[2:15:14] community. We have a responsibility to

[2:15:16] make sure it is safe in a healthy

[2:15:19] environment for everyone who enters its

[2:15:21] doors.

[2:15:23] I understand that this is a significant

[2:15:25] investment, but I believe the health and

[2:15:28] safety of our employees and residents

[2:15:30] should be a priority.

[2:15:32] I respectfully ask that you support this

[2:15:34] project and allow these necessary health

[2:15:37] and safety improvements to move forward.

[2:15:40] >> Uh thank you, Mr. Buchanan. Let's go

[2:15:42] back to the boards to see if we can

[2:15:43] discuss the bid process, breaking up the

[2:15:46] contract into uh various uh sub bids or

[2:15:49] however you want to address that. Mr.

[2:15:51] Craig,

[2:15:51] >> sub bids. You got you got a a a choice

[2:15:54] word there, Mr. Moderator.

[2:15:55] >> Sub bid.

[2:15:56] >> Uh no, that's it's a useful word.

[2:15:57] Actually, I have it on my page here. Um

[2:16:00] so, as it relates to the project that's

[2:16:02] before you, if you might recall a few

[2:16:04] years ago, uh the town hall roof uh was

[2:16:07] replaced as a separate project. Um

[2:16:10] typically, some of these smaller

[2:16:11] projects can be done as separate

[2:16:14] projects. The reason why this particular

[2:16:16] project is brought to you as a

[2:16:18] comprehensive overhaul is twofold. Um,

[2:16:22] addressing the primary concern, the

[2:16:25] health and safety of employees requires

[2:16:27] the replacement of the HVAC system as

[2:16:29] the primary uh cost driver associated

[2:16:33] with the project. In addition to the

[2:16:35] abatement, which although significant is

[2:16:38] not nearly as expensive as the HVAC

[2:16:40] system, that HVAC system requires an

[2:16:43] electrical upgrade to the service of the

[2:16:45] building. Um, so the actual amount of

[2:16:47] power coming in from the street will

[2:16:49] need to be increased. Uh, and as a

[2:16:51] result, the backup generator will need

[2:16:53] to be uh replaced uh and expanded. We'll

[2:16:57] be able to reuse that generator that's

[2:16:59] already on site elsewhere in the

[2:17:00] community. Um and all of the internal

[2:17:03] electrical for the building will be

[2:17:05] replaced uh with code requirements as

[2:17:07] well. Uh once we hit that threshold,

[2:17:09] then we start getting into the the

[2:17:10] mandated requirements of the ADA

[2:17:12] upgrades uh that I've already discussed.

[2:17:15] And in order to improve the efficiency

[2:17:17] of that new HVAC system, replacement of

[2:17:19] the windows with new uh airtight uh wood

[2:17:22] window uh replacements and doing that

[2:17:25] associated building envelope work. Um so

[2:17:28] as it relates although these are

[2:17:30] discrete parts as mentioned hazardous

[2:17:32] material abatement electrical upgrade

[2:17:35] etc as although they are discrete parts

[2:17:38] and as the moderator mentioned uh will

[2:17:40] come in as sub bids under the general

[2:17:42] contractor contract um they are very

[2:17:45] much so intertwined and to do any of

[2:17:47] them individually uh likely would not be

[2:17:50] cost effective uh for the project on a

[2:17:52] whole.

[2:17:54] >> Thank you Mr. Craig. Further discussion.

[2:18:01] You you you get two shots on any

[2:18:02] debatable issue, sir. I'll give you 30

[2:18:04] seconds.

[2:18:05] >> Oh, I'm sorry. And we have someone who

[2:18:07] hasn't spoken yet. Where's that? I

[2:18:09] missed it. Yes.

[2:18:11] >> Lori Williamson, 207 Granite Street. I

[2:18:14] just wanted to address what you were

[2:18:16] asking. Um, you could break this up

[2:18:20] potentially into eight different

[2:18:22] projects, but every single time you

[2:18:25] addressed one issue, you would have to

[2:18:27] move all of the employees out of town

[2:18:30] hall, put them someplace else, and then

[2:18:34] put them back in the building. And once

[2:18:36] you start disrupting

[2:18:38] the hazardous waste that's in the

[2:18:40] building,

[2:18:43] it's going to be everywhere.

[2:18:46] So, it doesn't make sense to do this

[2:18:49] peacemeal. It has to be done all at once

[2:18:52] as far as I'm concerned.

[2:18:54] >> Thank you, Lori. All sir, I'll give you

[2:18:56] 30 seconds, but I'm violating my own

[2:18:58] rule.

[2:18:59] >> Okay. Again, you know, the issue is not

[2:19:01] whether or not we need this work done,

[2:19:04] but could we have more time before the

[2:19:07] next meeting in the fall to consider

[2:19:09] what the options are to break it down so

[2:19:12] that the residents get actual dollars

[2:19:15] and cents. Right now, tonight, I'm

[2:19:17] hearing $4 million total without any

[2:19:21] bids going out and without hearing from

[2:19:23] any contractors. I'm afraid that it's

[2:19:26] going to come back higher and next time

[2:19:29] you're going to be asking for more

[2:19:30] money. So why not wait? Has the

[2:19:33] asbestous already been started? Has the

[2:19:35] work been started?

[2:19:37] >> Couldn't they wait another six months?

[2:19:39] >> All right. Thank you, sir. I'm going to

[2:19:40] now go to the boards to see if they can

[2:19:41] feel that question. Thank you.

[2:19:46] » Well, hold on. Hold on. I was going back

[2:19:48] to them to to answer that question

[2:19:50] first.

[2:19:53] U my uh answer remains very much the

[2:19:55] same as as stated previously. Um just to

[2:19:58] add upon it uh Lori made a very good

[2:20:00] point as far as the mobilization

[2:20:02] associated with a phased project. Uh we

[2:20:05] did consider a phased project uh when

[2:20:07] having early discussions with the design

[2:20:09] engineer but determined uh several moves

[2:20:12] back and forth or partial occupancy of

[2:20:14] the building would further increase

[2:20:16] costs. Additionally, um given the

[2:20:19] current market of construction costs,

[2:20:21] current craziness associated with oil

[2:20:23] notwithstanding, um there we have seen

[2:20:26] significant increases across all

[2:20:28] construction sectors that the town

[2:20:30] participates in over the recent years

[2:20:32] and to get this done as quickly as

[2:20:34] possible with current year dollars uh

[2:20:36] would be the most prudent option uh as

[2:20:38] we the project team see it.

[2:20:40] >> Thank you, Mr. Craig. I have a voter

[2:20:42] here. Yes, ma'am. Amy Oaks, 18 JW

[2:20:46] Street. I appreciate all the work that's

[2:20:48] gone into this. I understand

[2:20:51] um how we start asking for one amount of

[2:20:55] money and then as we uh explore, we

[2:20:58] realize the project is so much larger

[2:21:01] than we anticipated. Um, I've lived in

[2:21:04] Rockport for 5 years and I am still

[2:21:08] shocked when I walk into town hall and

[2:21:10] I'm shocked when I walk into various

[2:21:12] parts of our school buildings. I think

[2:21:14] that we've gotten used to a level of

[2:21:16] decrepitude that's absolutely shocking.

[2:21:22] We're in an absolutely beautiful part of

[2:21:25] this school. This is perhaps the most

[2:21:27] beautiful part of this school.

[2:21:29] It's hard for me to understand how we

[2:21:32] can walk into this building and feel

[2:21:35] great about this town. When you look

[2:21:37] around, we live in the most beautiful

[2:21:41] community, but when you go into our

[2:21:43] public buildings, it's as if there's

[2:21:45] something wrong. I don't mistrust the

[2:21:48] people who are doing this. I don't

[2:21:51] mistrust the process. I don't mistrust

[2:21:54] the bids. I don't mistrust any of this.

[2:21:57] Construction is extraordinarily

[2:22:00] expensive. Go out and replace an air

[2:22:03] conditioner in your own home. A simple

[2:22:06] little air conditioner.

[2:22:09] We've replaced two in the building that

[2:22:11] we live in. It used to be a public

[2:22:13] building.

[2:22:15] Tens of thousands of dollars for simple

[2:22:18] residential air conditioners when

[2:22:20] there's no asbestous involved.

[2:22:24] The last thing I would leave you with is

[2:22:25] that now that we've talked about this at

[2:22:27] such great length, we've heard about the

[2:22:30] asbestous, we've heard about dust on

[2:22:33] people's desk, I would propose to you

[2:22:35] that we have a liability issue if we do

[2:22:37] not go ahead and fix this. So, I will

[2:22:40] certainly vote in support of this,

[2:22:42] appreciate the work that has been done.

[2:22:45] I respect our our our concerns about um

[2:22:49] skyrocketing costs, but I don't see how

[2:22:52] we can not do this. Thank you.

[2:22:54] >> Thank you, Miss Oaks. [applause]

[2:22:58] >> All right. Is anybody looking to be

[2:22:59] recognized? I I'm having trouble seeing.

[2:23:01] Yes, Miss Wilkinson.

[2:23:07] » Sarah Wilkinson, 23 Road. Can we call

[2:23:09] the question?

[2:23:11] >> All right. Is there a second?

[2:23:15] All right. The motion for the previous

[2:23:17] question uh or to uh end debate has been

[2:23:21] made and seconded and is in order.

[2:23:23] [clears throat] This again itself is not

[2:23:25] a debatable motion. It requires a

[2:23:27] twothirds vote to carry. If the motion

[2:23:29] to end debate passes, we will then

[2:23:31] proceed immediately to vote on the

[2:23:33] underlying uh motion under article F on

[2:23:36] the $1.8 million. If the motion to end

[2:23:39] debate fails, the floor will then

[2:23:40] immediately be reopened for further

[2:23:42] discussion on the motion made under

[2:23:44] article uh F. We will vote by electronic

[2:23:48] means. You will have 12 seconds from

[2:23:50] when I say the words vote now. You will

[2:23:52] press one or A for I. If you support the

[2:23:56] motion to end debate on the underlying

[2:23:59] motion, you will press two or B for no.

[2:24:02] If you would if you oppose ending debate

[2:24:05] and wish to continue discussing the

[2:24:07] motion under article F, would anyone

[2:24:09] like me to clarify the question before

[2:24:11] you or how we are voting?

[2:24:14] All right.

[2:24:16] All those in favor of ending debate,

[2:24:18] press one or A for I. All those opposed,

[2:24:21] press two or B for no. Ready? Vote now.

[2:24:25] Now. 10 9 8 7 Vote now.

[2:24:32] 4 3 2 1 stop. And that motion passes

[2:24:41] >> 94% to 6% and the numerical count is 171

[2:24:45] to

[2:24:47] 11. So now we return to the motion under

[2:24:51] article F.

[2:24:55] [clears throat]

[2:24:55] The question before you is whether to

[2:24:57] appropriate $1.8 $8 million to pay costs

[2:25:00] of the town hall remediation,

[2:25:02] renovation, and modernization project

[2:25:04] and to that end to authorize borrowing

[2:25:06] by the treasurer with approval of the

[2:25:08] select board as set forth on page 24 of

[2:25:10] the voters's booklet. This requires a

[2:25:13] twothirds vote. We will vote by

[2:25:15] electronic means. You will press one or

[2:25:18] I A for I if you are in support of the

[2:25:21] motion. You will press two or B for no

[2:25:23] if you oppose the motion. Would anyone

[2:25:25] like me to clarify the question or how

[2:25:27] we are voting?

[2:25:30] All right. All those in favor press one

[2:25:33] or A for I. All those opposed, press two

[2:25:36] or B for no. Ready? Vote now. Now. Now.

[2:25:41] 10 9 8

[2:25:48] 3 2 1 zero. And that motion passes 90%

[2:25:53] to 10%.

[2:25:55] And the numerical count is 163 to 8

[2:25:59] >> to 18. All right. I believe that

[2:26:03] completes the warrant. Mr. Vieira,

[2:26:05] >> it does. Mr. Moderator,

[2:26:06] >> is there a motion to dissolve?

[2:26:10] >> Moved and seconded. The question before

[2:26:11] you is whether to dissolve the meeting.

[2:26:13] It requires a majority vote. All those

[2:26:15] in favor say oh no.

[2:26:18] >> All those opposed say Mr. Bill.

[2:26:21] I hope you got that. You've got to be

[2:26:23] over 55 if you did.

Rockport Fall Town Meeting - September 14, 2026

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