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Time being 900 a.m. on Saturday, May 20

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May 9th, 2026. I'll call this annual

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town meeting to order. Good morning and

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welcome to the 2026 annual town meeting.

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My name is Jim Salvi, 74 West Actton

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Road. I'm the town moderator and I'll be

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presiding over today's meeting.

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As you know, town meeting is where town

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the is where the town gathers as a

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legislature to govern its affairs, to

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appropriate funds, enact bylaws, and

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accomplish other tasks. Generally

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speaking, any resident who wishes to

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speak on a subject relevant to the

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meeting may do so, but may have to wait

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for the appropriate time. And to

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encourage participation, no one can

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monopolize the floor. But before I get

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into some of the particular procedures

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governing this meeting, let's keep in

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mind some of the simpler rules.

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Food, water, and drinks are okay here in

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the whatever we call this

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cathogimatorium.

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Smoking is not smoking is not permitted

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on anywhere on school grounds.

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Please turn off or mute your cell

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phones. And please pack out your trash

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when you leave. We don't have janitors

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on duty. We're relying on you to take

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your trash out with you.

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Let's spend a minute talking about our

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most important function today, which is

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voting.

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So many, but not all of our votes today,

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we'll be using the electronic clickers.

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The buttons labeled yes and no and one

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or 1 A and 2B are the ones that you'll

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use to vote yes or no on the motions.

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The button mark 3C

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also works and you use that to register

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an abstension,

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not a vote. It just lets us know that

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the clickers are working.

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Those are the only buttons that should

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be working on the clickers today.

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When your vote is recorded, the clicker

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will confirm your vote with a one or a

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two or a three in the LCD window and

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there'll be a little okay on the left

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side of that window. Look for that okay.

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That is the only way that you know that

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you voted. I do see people voting like

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this, like they're sitting on the couch

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changing channels. I see some people

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stunning people with a phaser like that.

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You're not going to see the okay if you

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vote like that. Um, I will tell you for

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how long the voting window is open. The

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last button that you press during that

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voting window is the vote that will be

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recorded. So, you can make a mistake or

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change your mind during the voting

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window and that'll be okay. If you have

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any troubles with the clickers, please

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go to one of our checkers and they will

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help you out.

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The clickers will work in this entire

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room. They will not work outside. And

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don't count on them working anywhere

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else in the school. On votes that

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require only a simple majority and that

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I don't think will be controversial, I

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may call for the use of our

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old-fashioned cards. You know how to use

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these. You just hold them up to vote. If a vote is closer than I

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anticipated it being, I will still make

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the call whether it passes or not. But

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my call can be challenged by seven

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voters standing. And if that happens,

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we'll just take another vote using the

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clickers.

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Let me introduce the folks up here on

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the stage with me. I have Town Clerk

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Linda Hathaway. Assistant Town Clerk Deb

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Scythe is over by the checkers.

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Town Council Robin Stein. And making his

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town meeting debut is Zack Kennedy, our

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IT director running the Clicker

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software.

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We will need a deputy moderator for

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those articles where I'll need to take a

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break or I can't preside. The charter

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says that the deputy moderator is

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nominated by the moderator, but town

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meeting gets to vote on that nomination.

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and let's also use that as a chance to

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test our clickers.

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So, I nominate Lisa Lvina of Gleondale

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Road to be deputy moderator. I don't

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think that needs a second, but I'd like

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to get one anyway.

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>> Thank you. Uh, this requires a simple

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majority. As I said, we're using our

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clickers. You already, Zach? Yes. Uh,

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voting will be open for 15 seconds

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beginning now.

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Sure.

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>> Voting's open. [clears throat]

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» And I would appreciate it when I call

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for the vote if those of you in the back

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could tell me whether or not you get the

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okay in your LCD window. Just give me a

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thumbs up or a thumbs down. I'm getting

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thumbs ups. That's a good sign.

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All right. And voting is closed.

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>> Pardon?

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I can't

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>> thumbs down. You might need to click.

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>> I think we saw one thumbs down. You

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might need to go

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talk to somebody about the clickers. And

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by a vote of 87 to one, an absolute

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landslide and one abstension, Lisa Lvina

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is elected deputy moderator

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on the floor in front of me. And facing

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you

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is the select board and our town

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administrator, board chair Megan Burch

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Mcichael,

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members JT Tulle, Hector Constanzos,

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Ingaborg Hegaman, and Dan Peterson, and

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of course, our town administrator Denise

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Demkowski.

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Your warrant contains recommendations

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from the finance committee. The finance

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committee is an independent committee

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established by charter to review all

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articles and to make recommendations.

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They are seated in the audience. I'd

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appreciate if they raise their hands

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when I say their names. Chair Brian

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Pachudo, members Tom Farnsworth, Jeff

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Kimmelman, Ross Perry, Angela Zang, and

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associate member John Mulroy. And we'll

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also be hearing from the capital

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planning committee with recommendations

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on capital items. They're also seated in

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the audience. Chair Steve Gelanick,

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David Arsenal, Ed Duca, Brian Pudo from

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the Fincom, Select Board Member JT

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Tulle, and associate members Missy Reid

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and Steven Seagull.

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And while I'm introducing people, if

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he's here, let's all say hello to Ricky

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Seirway, our new library director. Is

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Ricky here? Ricky, please stand up.

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[applause]

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As we do with all new library directors,

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we built them a brand new library

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[laughter]

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which had its grand opening yesterday

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and the whole thing is now open to the

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public. It really is very beautiful and

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if you haven't had a chance yet, please

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stop by and take a look at it.

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My favorite slide.

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Persons who live out of town do not have

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a right to address town meeting, but

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they can do so if town meeting votes to

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allow them to speak. Town meeting time

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used to refer to such people as

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strangers, thus reflecting the inherent

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suspicion with which we should regard

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these people.

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On the slide in front of you are the

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various strangers who we may want to

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hear from today during this meeting.

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mostly town, actually all of them, town

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employees, uh, school employees, and

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town council.

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Can I have a motion to allow these

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strangers to address us?

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>> And do I have a second?

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>> Motion made second to allow the

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strangers to address us.

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>> Point of order. Yes.

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>> Ricky's name.

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>> I'm sorry. I can't

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>> He will not. As far as we know, he will

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not be addressing the meeting. And if he does, you don't have to be sorry.

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And if he does, then we'll take a vote

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then.

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>> Thank you.

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>> Sure. Thank you. Uh we'll be using our

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cards. This requires a simple majority.

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All those in favor, please signify by

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holding up your cards. Thank you. And

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those opposed. Thank you. I'll call that

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vote unanimous.

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Nice use of a point of order, by the

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way. Um, points of order are used for if

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you think the person uh speaking isn't

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entitled to speak, the thing they're

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saying isn't relevant, um,

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or we should be talking about something

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else.

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So, that takes care of my housekeeping

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rules. Let's talk about the ground rules

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for the meeting. What you will be voting

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on will be the main motions under each

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article which will usually be made by a

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select board member. On the citizens

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petitions, the motions will be made by

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one of the sponsors of the petitions.

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These motions are allowed to differ a

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little bit from the language that's in

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the warrant. The warrant is really just

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a warning or notice to the residents of

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what might be voted on at this meeting.

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I do not expect any of the motions that

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we'll be taking up today to vary from

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the warrant, at least not significantly,

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and if they do, the variations will be

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explained. In any event, the all the

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motions except the ones on the petition

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articles will be displayed on the slide

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in front of you. Please pay attention to

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the language of the motion and not

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necessarily the warrant article. Our

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debate is governed by a procedural

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manual called town meeting time which is

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found in the library and also by bylaws

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and traditions of town meeting. Over

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time the moderators of Stowe have

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compiled a 16page handbook that

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summarizes some uh most of the important

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rules. It is available on the town's

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website under the moderators page. There

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are also 10 reference copies over by the

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checkers if you'd like to look at one

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and check out some of the rules. So, I

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am going to cover some of the highlights

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of the rules here, but this is by no

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means an exhaustive list. One of the

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most important rules, no cheering,

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booing, or other verbal outbursts,

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except as I may direct or ask for to

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recognize accomplishments. Cheering and

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booing really do discourage people from

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offering opinions that are perceived as

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being unpopular and we just can't have

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that.

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No one speaks unless being unless

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recognized but the mo by the moderator.

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But being recognized by the moderator is

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pretty easy. You just go to the

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microphone and you wait your turn. It is

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tradition to say your name and at least

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your street. And if you don't do that,

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your fellow residents will probably

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remind you. Please address all your

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remarks to me, not to anyone else, by

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starting with Mr. Moderator or Madame

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Moderator. If Lisa is in the chair,

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we do have a time limit of two minutes

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per question or comment. Two minutes is

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a long time. It is the average length of

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an entire traffic light circle from red

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to green to yellow and back to red. So,

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if you have ever sat at a red light and

272
00:12:12,240 --> 00:12:13,680
complained about how long you have been

273
00:12:13,680 --> 00:12:15,360
sitting there, you have even longer than

274
00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:18,079
that to make your comments here at town

275
00:12:18,079 --> 00:12:21,760
meeting. Speakers can have one follow-up

276
00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:24,560
question of up to one minute after they

277
00:12:24,560 --> 00:12:27,279
receive a response. A very short

278
00:12:27,279 --> 00:12:29,519
statement like, "So, you didn't consider

279
00:12:29,519 --> 00:12:31,920
that." That's legitimate thing to say,

280
00:12:31,920 --> 00:12:33,920
but that's going to count as your one

281
00:12:33,920 --> 00:12:37,040
followup. So, use it wisely.

282
00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:39,279
Repeated questioning until you receive

283
00:12:39,279 --> 00:12:41,920
an answer that you think is satisfactory

284
00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:44,399
will not be allowed. If you receive an

285
00:12:44,399 --> 00:12:46,000
answer to your question that you don't

286
00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:48,240
think is responsive, you can use your

287
00:12:48,240 --> 00:12:51,440
followup to ask it again. Or you can

288
00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:54,000
highlight that fact by saying, "I don't

289
00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:55,519
think that answered my question, but

290
00:12:55,519 --> 00:12:57,200
thank you."

291
00:12:57,200 --> 00:12:59,200
Please keep your remarks confined to

292
00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:01,600
whatever motion is pending at that time

293
00:13:01,600 --> 00:13:03,920
or you risk being ruled out of order or

294
00:13:03,920 --> 00:13:05,920
at least interrupted by me when I ask

295
00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:08,560
you to tie it up to the motion. Please

296
00:13:08,560 --> 00:13:10,880
use only language that you would use if

297
00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:13,040
your mother were here.

298
00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:15,760
And please, no attacks on personalities.

299
00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:17,680
Let's be tough on the issues but gentle

300
00:13:17,680 --> 00:13:21,120
on the people. My final please is please

301
00:13:21,120 --> 00:13:23,279
put any amendments to motions that

302
00:13:23,279 --> 00:13:26,160
you're considering offering in writing

303
00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:28,959
as soon as possible on a form that is

304
00:13:28,959 --> 00:13:30,800
available at the checkers. It really

305
00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:33,920
does help me and the town clerk uh

306
00:13:33,920 --> 00:13:36,240
review the motions at for amendment

307
00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:38,160
ahead of time

308
00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:40,720
in Stow. Our tradition has been to allow

309
00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:43,440
debate to proceed for 30 minutes at

310
00:13:43,440 --> 00:13:45,519
which time I will accept a motion to

311
00:13:45,519 --> 00:13:47,839
call the question. That means to end

312
00:13:47,839 --> 00:13:50,720
debate. If you think you've heard enough

313
00:13:50,720 --> 00:13:53,519
before 30 minutes has expired, you can

314
00:13:53,519 --> 00:13:55,839
still move to call the question. But if

315
00:13:55,839 --> 00:13:57,519
I don't think that all the issues have

316
00:13:57,519 --> 00:13:59,360
been aired or there's a significant

317
00:13:59,360 --> 00:14:01,760
number of people waiting in line, I

318
00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:04,320
might ask you to renew your motion after

319
00:14:04,320 --> 00:14:06,720
the 30 minute mark. At the 30 minute

320
00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:09,199
mark, something that sounds suspiciously

321
00:14:09,199 --> 00:14:12,160
like an oven timer will go off.

322
00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:14,000
I'm not going to follow this rule on

323
00:14:14,000 --> 00:14:16,399
articles that are non-binding, such as

324
00:14:16,399 --> 00:14:18,720
the last three articles on the warrant.

325
00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:20,560
On those, I will entertain a motion to

326
00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:24,000
call the question at any time. So, that

327
00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:26,399
ends our discussion of the rules. And

328
00:14:26,399 --> 00:14:28,240
before we begin, I want to do a few

329
00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:31,120
recognitions.

330
00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:32,800
Several of our elected officials

331
00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:35,360
resigned since our last town annual town

332
00:14:35,360 --> 00:14:37,360
meeting or they're ending their terms at

333
00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:39,760
this town meeting. Ending their terms

334
00:14:39,760 --> 00:14:42,079
are Megan Burch Mcichael of the Select

335
00:14:42,079 --> 00:14:45,360
Board, Merrily Evdakimoff

336
00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:47,839
of the Board of Health, John McFarland

337
00:14:47,839 --> 00:14:50,240
of the Nohoba Regional School Committee,

338
00:14:50,240 --> 00:14:52,240
and Barbie Wolfendon of the Randall

339
00:14:52,240 --> 00:14:54,880
Trustees with a remarkable 15 years on

340
00:14:54,880 --> 00:14:56,880
that board.

341
00:14:56,880 --> 00:14:59,040
And several elected officials resigned

342
00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:01,519
since our last annual town meeting,

343
00:15:01,519 --> 00:15:03,199
including Mark Dexter and Sunonny

344
00:15:03,199 --> 00:15:05,839
Richardson of the Randall Trustees. And

345
00:15:05,839 --> 00:15:07,760
even though he's resigning from an

346
00:15:07,760 --> 00:15:09,839
appointed board, I did want to recognize

347
00:15:09,839 --> 00:15:12,240
Ernie Dodd, who I understand is moving

348
00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:15,360
out of town. Ernie put in eight years on

349
00:15:15,360 --> 00:15:18,000
the zoning board of appeals after an

350
00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:20,399
absolutely stunning 16 years on the

351
00:15:20,399 --> 00:15:23,120
planning board. Serving as an elected

352
00:15:23,120 --> 00:15:25,680
official takes a lot of time and effort,

353
00:15:25,680 --> 00:15:28,480
and the compensation is modest. Let's

354
00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:30,160
take a moment to express our

355
00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:31,360
appreciation to all of these

356
00:15:31,360 --> 00:15:37,305
individuals. [applause]

357
00:15:37,315 --> 00:15:42,069
» [applause]

358
00:15:42,079 --> 00:15:44,959
» On a much sadder note, we lost a number

359
00:15:44,959 --> 00:15:46,560
of former employees and committee

360
00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:48,880
members in the past year, including

361
00:15:48,880 --> 00:15:50,959
several long-term town volunteers who

362
00:15:50,959 --> 00:15:52,560
were rightly considered to be

363
00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:55,120
institutions in this town. Please join

364
00:15:55,120 --> 00:15:57,199
me in a moment of silence in memory of

365
00:15:57,199 --> 00:15:59,279
all these individuals who we lost in the

366
00:15:59,279 --> 00:16:05,189
past year.

367
00:16:05,199 --> 00:16:08,870
Thank you.

368
00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:11,199
Stow TV is recording this and it will be

369
00:16:11,199 --> 00:16:13,519
broadcast on cable and I also think

370
00:16:13,519 --> 00:16:17,839
YouTube uh after the meeting.

371
00:16:17,839 --> 00:16:19,519
Special thanks to all those who pulled

372
00:16:19,519 --> 00:16:21,199
this town meeting together, especially

373
00:16:21,199 --> 00:16:24,000
Stow TV, the IT department, the town

374
00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:26,720
clerk's office, all of our checkers,

375
00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:28,880
Lisa Lvina, the technical volunteer,

376
00:16:28,880 --> 00:16:31,839
Kate West, the town administrator, and

377
00:16:31,839 --> 00:16:34,880
the select board office.

378
00:16:34,880 --> 00:16:37,279
And finally, before we turn to the

379
00:16:37,279 --> 00:16:39,839
business of the day, I'd like to take a

380
00:16:39,839 --> 00:16:41,839
moment to reflect on the past because

381
00:16:41,839 --> 00:16:44,560
this is no ordinary year.

382
00:16:44,560 --> 00:16:47,519
250 years ago, before there was a

383
00:16:47,519 --> 00:16:49,519
federal government, before there was

384
00:16:49,519 --> 00:16:52,480
polling, social media, Zoom, or even

385
00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:55,600
many newspapers, town meeting was where

386
00:16:55,600 --> 00:16:57,519
Americans gathered and registered their

387
00:16:57,519 --> 00:16:59,759
opinions. This was where ordinary

388
00:16:59,759 --> 00:17:03,040
people, farmers, tradesmen, ministers,

389
00:17:03,040 --> 00:17:05,520
even the occasional lawyer, came

390
00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:07,520
together to debate the great questions

391
00:17:07,520 --> 00:17:10,319
of the day. The British authorities

392
00:17:10,319 --> 00:17:12,799
tried to suppress town meetings because

393
00:17:12,799 --> 00:17:15,199
they understood perhaps better than we

394
00:17:15,199 --> 00:17:17,760
do that a people who are in the habit of

395
00:17:17,760 --> 00:17:20,319
governing themselves are not easily

396
00:17:20,319 --> 00:17:21,839
ruled.

397
00:17:21,839 --> 00:17:25,039
And right here in Stow, our predecessors

398
00:17:25,039 --> 00:17:28,240
rose to their moment in history. On July

399
00:17:28,240 --> 00:17:30,799
1, 1776,

400
00:17:30,799 --> 00:17:32,960
before the Continental Congress adopted

401
00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:35,440
the Declaration of Independence, the

402
00:17:35,440 --> 00:17:37,440
citizens of the citizens of this town

403
00:17:37,440 --> 00:17:39,919
assembled in town meeting just as we are

404
00:17:39,919 --> 00:17:42,559
assembling today and voted to support

405
00:17:42,559 --> 00:17:45,440
independence from Great Britain. Now,

406
00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:47,760
think about what that took. These were

407
00:17:47,760 --> 00:17:50,640
not sophisticated political philosophers

408
00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:52,960
or great statesmen or the landed

409
00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:55,600
nobility. These were people with farms

410
00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:58,960
to tend, shops to run, families to feed,

411
00:17:58,960 --> 00:18:01,919
and everything to lose. At a time when

412
00:18:01,919 --> 00:18:05,200
independence was far from a sure thing,

413
00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:07,679
they took a leap into the unknown,

414
00:18:07,679 --> 00:18:10,160
backed by nothing except their principle

415
00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:12,320
and their resolve.

416
00:18:12,320 --> 00:18:14,320
We honor that resolve every time we

417
00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:17,039
gather like this. every one of you who

418
00:18:17,039 --> 00:18:19,360
took the time to be here today and

419
00:18:19,360 --> 00:18:21,120
especially those of you who will go to

420
00:18:21,120 --> 00:18:23,520
the microphone today or who have offered

421
00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:26,080
citizens petitions. What you have in

422
00:18:26,080 --> 00:18:28,799
common with our noble forebears is the

423
00:18:28,799 --> 00:18:30,880
understanding that self-government

424
00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:33,039
requires some skin in the game.

425
00:18:33,039 --> 00:18:35,440
Sometimes some risk, perhaps the

426
00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:38,320
occasional leap into the unknown. So

427
00:18:38,320 --> 00:18:40,320
today, let's be worthy of that

428
00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:42,640
inheritance and conduct ourselves with

429
00:18:42,640 --> 00:18:45,120
the seriousness and the respect for one

430
00:18:45,120 --> 00:18:48,240
another that this institution deserves.

431
00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:50,320
And with that, I am ready for our first

432
00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:55,270
motion, Miss Burch Mcichel.

433
00:18:55,280 --> 00:18:57,440
» Mr. Moderator, I move the reading of the

434
00:18:57,440 --> 00:18:59,200
warrant and return of the constable

435
00:18:59,200 --> 00:19:01,360
thereon be waved but made a part of the

436
00:19:01,360 --> 00:19:03,120
record of this meeting and that the

437
00:19:03,120 --> 00:19:05,200
moderator be permitted to refer to each

438
00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:07,200
article by subject matter instead of

439
00:19:07,200 --> 00:19:10,960
reading each article in its entirety.

440
00:19:10,960 --> 00:19:12,400
>> Do I hear a second?

441
00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:13,360
>> Second.

442
00:19:13,360 --> 00:19:15,520
>> Motion's been made and seconded. This is

443
00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:17,840
a procedural motion that waves the

444
00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:19,679
traditional requirement that the

445
00:19:19,679 --> 00:19:21,679
moderator read the entire warrant out

446
00:19:21,679 --> 00:19:24,400
loud. Its merits are obvious. Is there

447
00:19:24,400 --> 00:19:27,360
any debate? Seeing none, we'll go to a

448
00:19:27,360 --> 00:19:29,760
vote. This requires a simple majority.

449
00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:32,320
We'll use our cards. All those in favor,

450
00:19:32,320 --> 00:19:34,559
please signify by raising your cards.

451
00:19:34,559 --> 00:19:37,840
Thank you. And all those opposed. I will

452
00:19:37,840 --> 00:19:40,400
declare that unanimous. And the motion

453
00:19:40,400 --> 00:19:43,200
passes.

454
00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:45,760
I'm ready for a motion on article one,

455
00:19:45,760 --> 00:19:48,000
reports of select board and other

456
00:19:48,000 --> 00:19:51,840
officers and committees. Mr. Tulle.

457
00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:54,160
>> Mr. Moderator. I move that the town

458
00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:56,559
accept the reports of the select board

459
00:19:56,559 --> 00:19:58,720
and other officers and committees of the

460
00:19:58,720 --> 00:20:02,559
town as printed in the 2025 annual town

461
00:20:02,559 --> 00:20:03,600
report.

462
00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:04,240
>> Second.

463
00:20:04,240 --> 00:20:06,240
>> I have a motion made and seconded under

464
00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:08,559
article one. This is the formal

465
00:20:08,559 --> 00:20:10,799
acceptance of the annual reports of the

466
00:20:10,799 --> 00:20:12,480
select board and other standing

467
00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:14,720
committees. Those reports are gathered

468
00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:18,480
in the 2025 annual town report. These

469
00:20:18,480 --> 00:20:20,559
are available over by the checkers. get

470
00:20:20,559 --> 00:20:24,080
yours while supply last. Um, is there

471
00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:27,360
any debate on article one? Seeing none,

472
00:20:27,360 --> 00:20:29,919
we'll go to a vote. Again, this requires

473
00:20:29,919 --> 00:20:32,159
a simple majority and we'll use our

474
00:20:32,159 --> 00:20:34,080
cards. All those in favor, please

475
00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:36,159
signify by raising your cards. Thank

476
00:20:36,159 --> 00:20:39,679
you. And those opposed. Thank you. I

477
00:20:39,679 --> 00:20:42,000
will declare that unanimous. The motion

478
00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:44,159
passes.

479
00:20:44,159 --> 00:20:46,559
Do I have a article two reports of

480
00:20:46,559 --> 00:20:48,559
special committees? Do I have a motion,

481
00:20:48,559 --> 00:20:53,990
Mr. Stanzos.

482
00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:56,000
» Mr. moderator, I move that the town

483
00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:57,679
accept the reports of the special

484
00:20:57,679 --> 00:21:00,559
committees as printed in the 2025 annual

485
00:21:00,559 --> 00:21:02,480
town report.

486
00:21:02,480 --> 00:21:03,280
Second,

487
00:21:03,280 --> 00:21:05,120
>> I have a motion made and seconded under

488
00:21:05,120 --> 00:21:07,840
article two. This is the same formal

489
00:21:07,840 --> 00:21:10,080
acceptance of reports but from ad hoc

490
00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:12,720
committees. Uh I think a good example is

491
00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:15,200
maybe the comprehensive plan committee.

492
00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:17,919
Is there any debate on article two?

493
00:21:17,919 --> 00:21:20,320
Seeing none, we will go to a vote.

494
00:21:20,320 --> 00:21:22,960
Simple majority. Use our cards. All

495
00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:24,559
those in favor, please signify by

496
00:21:24,559 --> 00:21:27,200
raising your cards. Thank you. And those

497
00:21:27,200 --> 00:21:30,080
opposed. Seeing none, I will call it

498
00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:33,919
unanimous. And the motion passes.

499
00:21:33,919 --> 00:21:36,960
And article three. I am going to recuse

500
00:21:36,960 --> 00:21:39,440
myself from article three. My spouse

501
00:21:39,440 --> 00:21:42,000
receives compensation from the town and

502
00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:44,400
it is tied to the schedule that is in

503
00:21:44,400 --> 00:21:47,360
this article. Miss Lavina will take

504
00:21:47,360 --> 00:21:57,750
over.

505
00:21:57,760 --> 00:22:00,720
» Good morning everybody. Um, do we have a

506
00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:02,720
motion for article three?

507
00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:04,080
>> Miss Hegman.

508
00:22:04,080 --> 00:22:07,039
>> Thank you madam moderator. I move that

509
00:22:07,039 --> 00:22:09,520
the town amend article 11 of the general

510
00:22:09,520 --> 00:22:11,440
bylaws of the town personnel

511
00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:14,240
administration by deleting from section

512
00:22:14,240 --> 00:22:16,159
20.

513
00:22:16,159 --> 00:22:17,919
The existing wage and salary schedules

514
00:22:17,919 --> 00:22:20,000
and inserting in place thereof the new

515
00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:23,600
schedules A, B, C, and D as printed in

516
00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:25,200
the warrant.

517
00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:27,520
>> Thank you. We have a motion and a

518
00:22:27,520 --> 00:22:29,919
second. Is there any discussion on

519
00:22:29,919 --> 00:22:33,120
article three?

520
00:22:33,120 --> 00:22:36,480
Seeing none, we'll use our cards. All

521
00:22:36,480 --> 00:22:40,320
those in favor, please raise your cards.

522
00:22:40,320 --> 00:22:43,120
Thank you. Those opposed,

523
00:22:43,120 --> 00:22:46,880
thank you. That's a unanimous vote.

524
00:22:46,880 --> 00:22:48,960
And now I'm going to return the mic to

525
00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:50,720
Jim.

526
00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:53,440
>> Excuse me, Mr. Moderator.

527
00:22:53,440 --> 00:22:58,870
>> Thank you.

528
00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:02,240
That brings us to article four, the 2027

529
00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:04,880
operating budget. As we've done in the

530
00:23:04,880 --> 00:23:07,120
past, we'll first have a motion for the

531
00:23:07,120 --> 00:23:10,480
entire amount of the budget followed by

532
00:23:10,480 --> 00:23:13,120
several presentations. Then I will

533
00:23:13,120 --> 00:23:15,120
proceed through the warrant page by

534
00:23:15,120 --> 00:23:18,080
page, calling out the line item numbers

535
00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:21,120
on those pages. Any resident who wishes

536
00:23:21,120 --> 00:23:23,919
to discuss a particular line item should

537
00:23:23,919 --> 00:23:26,720
call out the number of that line item

538
00:23:26,720 --> 00:23:29,039
and we'll consider the held items, those

539
00:23:29,039 --> 00:23:31,679
held items separately. After discussing

540
00:23:31,679 --> 00:23:34,159
all of the held items, there'll be an

541
00:23:34,159 --> 00:23:36,240
opportunity to comment on the budget as

542
00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:38,480
a whole and then we'll vote on the

543
00:23:38,480 --> 00:23:41,919
budget as a whole.

544
00:23:41,919 --> 00:23:44,159
Article 4, general budget for fiscal

545
00:23:44,159 --> 00:23:47,200
year 2027. Do I have a motion, Mr.

546
00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:48,400
Peterson?

547
00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:50,480
>> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town

548
00:23:50,480 --> 00:23:52,880
raise and appropriate appropriate the

549
00:23:52,880 --> 00:23:57,669
sum of 39,167,51

550
00:23:57,679 --> 00:23:59,600
as recommended by the town administrator

551
00:23:59,600 --> 00:24:03,039
for items 1 through 78 inclusive as

552
00:24:03,039 --> 00:24:05,039
printed in the warrant under the column

553
00:24:05,039 --> 00:24:08,559
entitled fiscal year 2027 budget town

554
00:24:08,559 --> 00:24:11,600
admin recommend. Each item is to be

555
00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:13,760
considered a separate appropriation for

556
00:24:13,760 --> 00:24:16,559
the purpose designated and the same to

557
00:24:16,559 --> 00:24:19,840
be extended only for such purposes.

558
00:24:19,840 --> 00:24:20,799
>> Second.

559
00:24:20,799 --> 00:24:22,880
>> I have a motion made and seconded under

560
00:24:22,880 --> 00:24:25,760
article 4. Your finance committee's

561
00:24:25,760 --> 00:24:27,520
favorable recommendation is in the

562
00:24:27,520 --> 00:24:30,559
warrant. The select board also has a

563
00:24:30,559 --> 00:24:34,240
recommendation. Miss Burch Mcichel.

564
00:24:34,240 --> 00:24:36,480
>> Uh Mr. Moderator, the select board

565
00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:38,960
recommends favorable action.

566
00:24:38,960 --> 00:24:40,480
>> Thank you.

567
00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:43,360
And we'll begin our presentations

568
00:24:43,360 --> 00:25:15,510
with Mr. Pudo. Are you ready?

569
00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:17,120
Good morning. Thank you very much. My

570
00:25:17,120 --> 00:25:18,640
name is Brian Patuto and I am the chair

571
00:25:18,640 --> 00:25:21,840
of your finance committee. Um,

572
00:25:21,840 --> 00:25:23,600
>> too many hands, not enough too many

573
00:25:23,600 --> 00:25:28,070
things, not enough hands.

574
00:25:28,080 --> 00:25:32,799
it. Hang on.

575
00:25:32,799 --> 00:25:34,640
So, uh, your finance committee

576
00:25:34,640 --> 00:25:36,480
represents you as the voters within the

577
00:25:36,480 --> 00:25:39,840
town. Our role is to act as stewards and

578
00:25:39,840 --> 00:25:42,159
watchd dogss for the town's finances.

579
00:25:42,159 --> 00:25:44,080
Um, we are appointed by the town

580
00:25:44,080 --> 00:25:46,880
moderator. There we go. That works. Um,

581
00:25:46,880 --> 00:25:50,480
and we go over every single article line

582
00:25:50,480 --> 00:25:52,640
by line to determine if the town is

583
00:25:52,640 --> 00:25:55,360
spending our money, our tax pay, our tax

584
00:25:55,360 --> 00:25:56,720
funds in the most reasonable and

585
00:25:56,720 --> 00:25:59,200
responsible way we can. Um we also

586
00:25:59,200 --> 00:26:01,919
manage the reserve fund which is a small

587
00:26:01,919 --> 00:26:05,039
uh financial sort of slush fund um to

588
00:26:05,039 --> 00:26:08,240
fund unusual and unexpected

589
00:26:08,240 --> 00:26:10,000
expenses throughout the town. It's sort

590
00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:14,710
of an additional safety net

591
00:26:14,720 --> 00:26:17,440
for uh fiscal year 27. We have an

592
00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:19,440
estimated revenue of approximately

593
00:26:19,440 --> 00:26:22,870
44,900,000.

594
00:26:22,880 --> 00:26:29,750
Um 90% of that coming from the tax levy.

595
00:26:29,760 --> 00:26:32,640
um what that funds in terms of our

596
00:26:32,640 --> 00:26:35,039
savings. These are things like our our

597
00:26:35,039 --> 00:26:38,480
capital stabilization account and our OPED

598
00:26:38,480 --> 00:26:41,440
liability trust fund. Um each of these

599
00:26:41,440 --> 00:26:43,760
is a necessary spend. These are the

600
00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:45,919
things that give us the the AAA credit

601
00:26:45,919 --> 00:26:47,360
rating that allows us to borrow at the

602
00:26:47,360 --> 00:26:50,080
most favorable rates. Um, our estimate

603
00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:54,320
for fiscal year 27 will have our uh

604
00:26:54,320 --> 00:26:57,039
stabilization fund somewhere around $1.9

605
00:26:57,039 --> 00:27:00,390
million.

606
00:27:00,400 --> 00:27:02,640
Our capital stabilization fund around

607
00:27:02,640 --> 00:27:06,310
$475,000

608
00:27:06,320 --> 00:27:09,919
and our oped trust fund around $2.6

609
00:27:09,919 --> 00:27:13,039
million. Um, OPED is particularly

610
00:27:13,039 --> 00:27:16,720
important. You let me go back because

611
00:27:16,720 --> 00:27:19,520
OPED is other post-employment benefits.

612
00:27:19,520 --> 00:27:23,279
These are non-pension benefits that uh

613
00:27:23,279 --> 00:27:25,279
employees of the town earn through their

614
00:27:25,279 --> 00:27:27,679
commitment to supporting our community.

615
00:27:27,679 --> 00:27:30,080
Um we are responsible for paying these

616
00:27:30,080 --> 00:27:31,840
after they have no longer working for

617
00:27:31,840 --> 00:27:34,400
the town. And our goal is within the

618
00:27:34,400 --> 00:27:36,960
next 30 years to have 100% of our

619
00:27:36,960 --> 00:27:39,279
liability funded. Um and we are well on

620
00:27:39,279 --> 00:27:40,720
our way. We're in fact a little ahead of

621
00:27:40,720 --> 00:27:44,960
schedule and that we're almost 27% or 27

622
00:27:44,960 --> 00:27:51,750
and change funded after this year.

623
00:27:51,760 --> 00:27:54,000
Which brings us to expenditures. We have

624
00:27:54,000 --> 00:27:57,279
approximately $43,353,000

625
00:27:57,279 --> 00:27:59,679
worth of expenditures planned for uh

626
00:27:59,679 --> 00:28:01,520
FY27.

627
00:28:01,520 --> 00:28:05,120
Um 59% of those go being attributed to

628
00:28:05,120 --> 00:28:06,720
our assessments to the two regional

629
00:28:06,720 --> 00:28:08,559
school districts, Minute Man and Nshoba

630
00:28:08,559 --> 00:28:12,080
Regional. Uh 9% is our general fund and

631
00:28:12,080 --> 00:28:15,520
operations. Uh 8% is public safety and

632
00:28:15,520 --> 00:28:22,070
7% is debt servicing.

633
00:28:22,080 --> 00:28:25,679
Uh major budget drivers are uh municipal

634
00:28:25,679 --> 00:28:28,240
employee salaries, the new contracts for

635
00:28:28,240 --> 00:28:29,919
our town administrator and our fire

636
00:28:29,919 --> 00:28:33,039
union, as well as um always every year,

637
00:28:33,039 --> 00:28:34,559
everyone knows this, the rising cost of

638
00:28:34,559 --> 00:28:37,520
health insurance. Um and then finally,

639
00:28:37,520 --> 00:28:40,000
we have an increasing number of capital

640
00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:42,320
requests that are also more expensive.

641
00:28:42,320 --> 00:28:44,720
And as such, we are working to build a

642
00:28:44,720 --> 00:28:49,200
healthy debt plan where some of these things are paid out of the

643
00:28:49,200 --> 00:28:51,919
tax levy as opposed to uh out of free

644
00:28:51,919 --> 00:28:56,230
cash and debt every year.

645
00:28:56,240 --> 00:29:02,480
We are recommending uh uh 2.6 million no

646
00:29:02,480 --> 00:29:05,600
$2.4 million $2.5 million in capital

647
00:29:05,600 --> 00:29:08,720
items mostly split between free cash and

648
00:29:08,720 --> 00:29:11,760
bonding. Um

649
00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:13,279
and we will go over all of these

650
00:29:13,279 --> 00:29:16,399
throughout the capital request later.

651
00:29:16,399 --> 00:29:20,000
Um we recommend favorable action on most

652
00:29:20,000 --> 00:29:21,760
of the articles in the warrant today.

653
00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:24,240
Particularly we've reviewed and uh the

654
00:29:24,240 --> 00:29:26,159
budget for the town quite thoroughly

655
00:29:26,159 --> 00:29:27,760
over the last several months and

656
00:29:27,760 --> 00:29:32,789
recommend its support in 39,167,51.

657
00:29:32,799 --> 00:29:35,760
Um, and we really do spend several

658
00:29:35,760 --> 00:29:38,559
months going over every single item

659
00:29:38,559 --> 00:29:40,640
multiple times.

660
00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:43,919
Um, and always my favorite slide. Um,

661
00:29:43,919 --> 00:29:46,159
there are open associate positions on

662
00:29:46,159 --> 00:29:47,919
the FINCOM. We welcome your

663
00:29:47,919 --> 00:29:51,840
participation. Um, and

664
00:29:51,840 --> 00:29:53,279
if you're interested, you can address

665
00:29:53,279 --> 00:30:05,990
the Mr. moderator. Thank you very much.

666
00:30:06,000 --> 00:30:08,559
Thank you. Next, we'll be hearing from

667
00:30:08,559 --> 00:30:11,520
the Nshoba Regional School District. Um,

668
00:30:11,520 --> 00:30:13,440
Ross Mal Karen, their assistant

669
00:30:13,440 --> 00:30:16,240
superintendent, I think for business,

670
00:30:16,240 --> 00:30:18,399
and I believe he's accompanied by Kirk

671
00:30:18,399 --> 00:30:31,510
Downing, the superintendent.

672
00:30:31,520 --> 00:30:33,120
Thank you, Mr. Roderator, for your

673
00:30:33,120 --> 00:30:35,360
recognition. I want to thank all the

674
00:30:35,360 --> 00:30:38,159
members of the town for appearing today.

675
00:30:38,159 --> 00:30:40,960
I am Kurt Downing, superintendent of the

676
00:30:40,960 --> 00:30:47,510
Nosha Regional School District.

677
00:30:47,520 --> 00:30:51,830
» How's that? [laughter]

678
00:30:51,840 --> 00:30:53,919
» I would like to reclaim my time. That's

679
00:30:53,919 --> 00:30:54,640
good.

680
00:30:54,640 --> 00:30:56,960
>> I am Kirk Downing, superintendent of the

681
00:30:56,960 --> 00:30:58,880
Noshoba Regional School District. I am

682
00:30:58,880 --> 00:31:00,720
joined by Assistant Superintendent Ross

683
00:31:00,720 --> 00:31:03,440
Moccaren. I want to thank you all uh for

684
00:31:03,440 --> 00:31:05,919
welcoming us strangers to the meeting

685
00:31:05,919 --> 00:31:07,679
today so we can give you an opportunity

686
00:31:07,679 --> 00:31:09,279
to share some information about the

687
00:31:09,279 --> 00:31:11,520
school district. I particularly want to

688
00:31:11,520 --> 00:31:15,200
thank uh the town boards and chairs that

689
00:31:15,200 --> 00:31:17,760
have engaged with us throughout the

690
00:31:17,760 --> 00:31:20,320
process this year. Mr. Enosski, Mr.

691
00:31:20,320 --> 00:31:22,640
Jelnick, Miss Burch Mcichel, and Mr.

692
00:31:22,640 --> 00:31:24,559
Patudo, thank you for the time that you

693
00:31:24,559 --> 00:31:26,880
put into meeting with us. We're very

694
00:31:26,880 --> 00:31:28,559
appreciative and it demonstrates a great

695
00:31:28,559 --> 00:31:31,200
partnership that the school district has

696
00:31:31,200 --> 00:31:33,679
uh with the town of Stow. And with that,

697
00:31:33,679 --> 00:31:34,960
I will turn it over to Assistant

698
00:31:34,960 --> 00:31:36,799
Superintendent McCarron to share the

699
00:31:36,799 --> 00:31:41,830
finances of uh the school district.

700
00:31:41,840 --> 00:31:43,519
Good morning. I'd like to thank my boss

701
00:31:43,519 --> 00:31:44,720
for making the mistakes with the

702
00:31:44,720 --> 00:31:47,760
microphone so I don't have to. Uh good

703
00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:49,440
morning everyone. Ross Mall current,

704
00:31:49,440 --> 00:31:50,960
assistant superintendent, finance,

705
00:31:50,960 --> 00:31:54,000
operations and safety. Uh former center

706
00:31:54,000 --> 00:31:56,480
school principal. So this stage is uh

707
00:31:56,480 --> 00:32:05,350
not unfamiliar to me.

708
00:32:05,360 --> 00:32:07,679
» So when we stood before you last year,

709
00:32:07,679 --> 00:32:11,279
uh we were at the end of a uh much more

710
00:32:11,279 --> 00:32:15,039
um difficult budget season. um some

711
00:32:15,039 --> 00:32:16,480
things that we've done this year to

712
00:32:16,480 --> 00:32:18,240
address the issues that approached us

713
00:32:18,240 --> 00:32:21,679
last year. Um and that included the

714
00:32:21,679 --> 00:32:23,840
reduction of staff. Um we're able to

715
00:32:23,840 --> 00:32:25,519
retain a lot of people through some

716
00:32:25,519 --> 00:32:27,279
other adjustments, but we did have to

717
00:32:27,279 --> 00:32:30,559
reduce our our staff um across the

718
00:32:30,559 --> 00:32:34,720
district. So, a couple things. Um

719
00:32:34,720 --> 00:32:36,960
special education was a big issue last

720
00:32:36,960 --> 00:32:39,760
year. We've um done a couple things

721
00:32:39,760 --> 00:32:42,000
including bringing our we've ended some

722
00:32:42,000 --> 00:32:44,080
transportation contracts uh that were

723
00:32:44,080 --> 00:32:46,240
not working in our favor. Um we're

724
00:32:46,240 --> 00:32:48,159
bringing those things inhouse as well as

725
00:32:48,159 --> 00:32:49,519
establishing a transportation

726
00:32:49,519 --> 00:32:51,600
coordinator position to run those things

727
00:32:51,600 --> 00:32:53,519
for us. And we are already projecting a

728
00:32:53,519 --> 00:32:55,600
cost savings for next year and able to

729
00:32:55,600 --> 00:32:58,880
reduce what we anticipated the FY27 uh

730
00:32:58,880 --> 00:33:00,720
special education transportation budget

731
00:33:00,720 --> 00:33:02,799
would be during the budget season. So

732
00:33:02,799 --> 00:33:05,120
those those um cost differentials are

733
00:33:05,120 --> 00:33:07,200
before you in this budget. Uh,

734
00:33:07,200 --> 00:33:08,960
additionally, we've reconfigured some

735
00:33:08,960 --> 00:33:10,720
special education programming across the

736
00:33:10,720 --> 00:33:12,799
district um to better serve our students

737
00:33:12,799 --> 00:33:14,320
with the hopes that we will also be able

738
00:33:14,320 --> 00:33:16,159
to keep some students within the

739
00:33:16,159 --> 00:33:18,000
district uh instead of those costly

740
00:33:18,000 --> 00:33:20,480
outofd district programs um and ensuring

741
00:33:20,480 --> 00:33:22,559
that students are with their their

742
00:33:22,559 --> 00:33:25,039
neighbors uh and uh other members of

743
00:33:25,039 --> 00:33:27,039
their school district.

744
00:33:27,039 --> 00:33:28,720
And the health insurance front, this is

745
00:33:28,720 --> 00:33:30,799
no different. Um you know, your town

746
00:33:30,799 --> 00:33:32,480
administrator and I talked quite a bit

747
00:33:32,480 --> 00:33:34,960
uh about this during budget season. Last

748
00:33:34,960 --> 00:33:36,399
year we were initially faced with an

749
00:33:36,399 --> 00:33:40,240
almost 20% increase. This year um we

750
00:33:40,240 --> 00:33:42,480
were able to post budget negotiate that

751
00:33:42,480 --> 00:33:45,679
down a little bit but for FY27 we we see

752
00:33:45,679 --> 00:33:48,399
an 11 a.5% which is almost sort of half

753
00:33:48,399 --> 00:33:50,559
of what we've seen but it's it's quite

754
00:33:50,559 --> 00:33:52,559
literally three times uh higher than

755
00:33:52,559 --> 00:33:54,080
we've seen in the past. So health

756
00:33:54,080 --> 00:33:56,880
insurance remains a concern. Uh the

757
00:33:56,880 --> 00:33:59,760
impact is not as big for FY27 as it was

758
00:33:59,760 --> 00:34:03,360
for the FY26 planning.

759
00:34:03,360 --> 00:34:07,760
So, uh, without, uh, going too far into

760
00:34:07,760 --> 00:34:09,679
this, uh, I do want to update you on

761
00:34:09,679 --> 00:34:11,200
borrowing for the new high school. I

762
00:34:11,200 --> 00:34:12,879
won't do this every year, uh, as we

763
00:34:12,879 --> 00:34:15,200
approach the end of project. Um, but

764
00:34:15,200 --> 00:34:16,960
some of our previous borrowing for the

765
00:34:16,960 --> 00:34:19,040
high school for projects is slowly

766
00:34:19,040 --> 00:34:22,800
fading off. Uh, those bottom uh, two

767
00:34:22,800 --> 00:34:24,399
bonds that you see are the bonds that

768
00:34:24,399 --> 00:34:26,240
are carrying the new construction as

769
00:34:26,240 --> 00:34:28,800
well as our MSBA reimbursements as the

770
00:34:28,800 --> 00:34:31,200
project go along goes along. uh in

771
00:34:31,200 --> 00:34:32,800
working with your town uh

772
00:34:32,800 --> 00:34:34,560
representatives a couple summers ago, we

773
00:34:34,560 --> 00:34:36,720
came up with a bonding strategy. This is

774
00:34:36,720 --> 00:34:38,879
the result of that. Uh we do not

775
00:34:38,879 --> 00:34:41,599
anticipating doing any bonding uh during

776
00:34:41,599 --> 00:34:45,040
FY or excuse me during the time from now

777
00:34:45,040 --> 00:34:47,359
uh until the time that FY27 would be

778
00:34:47,359 --> 00:34:48,879
impacted. So we see no additional

779
00:34:48,879 --> 00:34:51,520
borrowing that would impact FY27

780
00:34:51,520 --> 00:34:53,040
assessments and that's what you see

781
00:34:53,040 --> 00:34:56,790
before you today.

782
00:34:56,800 --> 00:34:59,280
So, your your total assessment on the

783
00:34:59,280 --> 00:35:01,440
operating budget, which is based off the

784
00:35:01,440 --> 00:35:02,800
five-year rolling average of your

785
00:35:02,800 --> 00:35:05,200
enrollment in the school district, uh is

786
00:35:05,200 --> 00:35:08,960
going up just exactly three and a half%.

787
00:35:08,960 --> 00:35:10,640
Uh you'll notice that your debt

788
00:35:10,640 --> 00:35:13,119
assessment is going down. That's because

789
00:35:13,119 --> 00:35:15,119
Stow has a decreasing enrollment like

790
00:35:15,119 --> 00:35:18,640
most uh municipalities in this uh state.

791
00:35:18,640 --> 00:35:20,480
However, because of the way the regional

792
00:35:20,480 --> 00:35:22,480
agreement is written, it's based off a

793
00:35:22,480 --> 00:35:24,640
one-year calculation. So you have a

794
00:35:24,640 --> 00:35:26,160
differential that's going down on your

795
00:35:26,160 --> 00:35:27,760
debt assessment due to lower enrollment

796
00:35:27,760 --> 00:35:30,960
at the high school on October one.

797
00:35:30,960 --> 00:35:33,200
So that's your total budget uh from the

798
00:35:33,200 --> 00:35:34,560
school district that you see before you.

799
00:35:34,560 --> 00:35:36,640
We again thank you for your support as

800
00:35:36,640 --> 00:35:38,960
always for the schools. Um we're really

801
00:35:38,960 --> 00:35:40,720
happy and glad to be part of the

802
00:35:40,720 --> 00:35:42,720
partnerships with this town and look

803
00:35:42,720 --> 00:35:44,640
forward to continue to do an excellent

804
00:35:44,640 --> 00:35:46,720
job for students each and every day uh

805
00:35:46,720 --> 00:35:49,280
across our district. Thank you.

806
00:35:49,280 --> 00:35:51,680
>> All right. Thank you gentlemen.

807
00:35:51,680 --> 00:35:53,599
Next, we have a brief presentation from

808
00:35:53,599 --> 00:35:56,640
the Minute Man Regional Vocational

809
00:35:56,640 --> 00:35:59,440
Technical School District. I believe

810
00:35:59,440 --> 00:36:01,599
that's from Nikki Andradi, their

811
00:36:01,599 --> 00:36:03,359
business manager, and she is accompanied

812
00:36:03,359 --> 00:36:05,280
by, I believe, Heidi Driscoll, their

813
00:36:05,280 --> 00:36:14,550
superintendent.

814
00:36:14,560 --> 00:36:16,400
» Thank you very much. Uh, my name is

815
00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:18,079
Heidi Driscoll. I'm the proud

816
00:36:18,079 --> 00:36:20,320
superintendent of Minute Man Regional.

817
00:36:20,320 --> 00:36:22,400
It's an absolute pleasure to be here

818
00:36:22,400 --> 00:36:24,480
with all of the residents from Stowe. We

819
00:36:24,480 --> 00:36:27,440
hope to share um more information about

820
00:36:27,440 --> 00:36:30,079
Minute Man with you. Outside of this

821
00:36:30,079 --> 00:36:31,839
meeting, if any of you ever are

822
00:36:31,839 --> 00:36:34,000
interested, please reach out. You'll see

823
00:36:34,000 --> 00:36:36,240
that our budget reflects our values and

824
00:36:36,240 --> 00:36:38,079
what we provide for Stowe is an

825
00:36:38,079 --> 00:36:41,280
immersive vocational program for

826
00:36:41,280 --> 00:36:43,920
students who enroll. Um our business

827
00:36:43,920 --> 00:36:46,240
manager, Nikki Andreed, will be sharing

828
00:36:46,240 --> 00:36:52,150
with you our specific budget.

829
00:36:52,160 --> 00:36:55,910
Good morning.

830
00:36:55,920 --> 00:36:58,079
Um, as Superintendent Driscoll

831
00:36:58,079 --> 00:37:00,560
mentioned, our budget is based on our

832
00:37:00,560 --> 00:37:02,800
um, values which are our students and

833
00:37:02,800 --> 00:37:06,320
our staff. Um, we are bringing um, a

834
00:37:06,320 --> 00:37:09,200
budget which is a 2.99% increase from

835
00:37:09,200 --> 00:37:11,839
last year um, which is just under $33

836
00:37:11,839 --> 00:37:14,560
and a half million dollars.

837
00:37:14,560 --> 00:37:17,760
um what how that makes is made up. Um on

838
00:37:17,760 --> 00:37:20,960
the operating side um we are seeing just

839
00:37:20,960 --> 00:37:23,200
under 26 and a half million um which is

840
00:37:23,200 --> 00:37:26,320
a 3.84% increase. You'll see in um

841
00:37:26,320 --> 00:37:29,200
future slides uh majority of that is due

842
00:37:29,200 --> 00:37:31,040
to our collective bargaining agreement

843
00:37:31,040 --> 00:37:32,800
which we successfully negotiated with

844
00:37:32,800 --> 00:37:36,320
our teachers from 2027 to 2029. Um as

845
00:37:36,320 --> 00:37:38,880
well as the town um in Nova is

846
00:37:38,880 --> 00:37:41,040
experiencing um double digit increases

847
00:37:41,040 --> 00:37:43,520
in our health insurance. Our operating

848
00:37:43,520 --> 00:37:46,320
capital recommendation um is about a 4

849
00:37:46,320 --> 00:37:49,359
percent decrease uh around $1.2 million.

850
00:37:49,359 --> 00:37:51,599
That's um made up majority of our

851
00:37:51,599 --> 00:37:53,440
capital stabilization account. And then

852
00:37:53,440 --> 00:37:56,640
our building project debt um somewhat uh

853
00:37:56,640 --> 00:37:58,880
consistent, just less than a 1% um

854
00:37:58,880 --> 00:38:02,870
change between years.

855
00:38:02,880 --> 00:38:05,280
So overall, our increases to our member

856
00:38:05,280 --> 00:38:08,640
towns is a 2.44% increase to the

857
00:38:08,640 --> 00:38:11,200
assessments, which is just just around

858
00:38:11,200 --> 00:38:14,640
27 million. Um but for Stow we are just

859
00:38:14,640 --> 00:38:18,320
under 2.6 um and that's a 7% decrease

860
00:38:18,320 --> 00:38:21,200
and that is due to um as Mishova had

861
00:38:21,200 --> 00:38:22,720
mentioned um the four-year rolling

862
00:38:22,720 --> 00:38:27,280
average of the number um of students.

863
00:38:27,280 --> 00:38:29,280
So you know just breaking that out your

864
00:38:29,280 --> 00:38:31,119
total assessment just about 2.6 6

865
00:38:31,119 --> 00:38:34,320
million. Um whereas um without the debt

866
00:38:34,320 --> 00:38:37,520
excluded um debt service um on the

867
00:38:37,520 --> 00:38:39,920
school project um it's about 2.1

868
00:38:39,920 --> 00:38:41,680
million.

869
00:38:41,680 --> 00:38:44,000
As I mentioned before um staffing and

870
00:38:44,000 --> 00:38:47,440
insuranceances are um you know probably

871
00:38:47,440 --> 00:38:49,760
the biggest uh budget drivers in in our

872
00:38:49,760 --> 00:38:51,760
budget here as well as prioritizing

873
00:38:51,760 --> 00:38:53,440
funding to our capital stabilization

874
00:38:53,440 --> 00:38:56,000
account.

875
00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:57,920
Um you will see here our overall

876
00:38:57,920 --> 00:39:00,240
enrollment um as it's strongly tied to

877
00:39:00,240 --> 00:39:03,440
our budget. We have 657

878
00:39:03,440 --> 00:39:05,280
students which is our purple line here

879
00:39:05,280 --> 00:39:06,960
made up of a majority of our member

880
00:39:06,960 --> 00:39:09,760
towns which is the red line. Um and then

881
00:39:09,760 --> 00:39:12,640
we have a small amount of uh non-member

882
00:39:12,640 --> 00:39:16,240
towns which is about 42 this year.

883
00:39:16,240 --> 00:39:19,520
For Stow in particular, um we have 54

884
00:39:19,520 --> 00:39:22,960
total students. Um 14 seniors, 20

885
00:39:22,960 --> 00:39:25,920
juniors, 11 sophomores, and nine

886
00:39:25,920 --> 00:39:29,359
freshmen. Um Stow graduated a class last

887
00:39:29,359 --> 00:39:33,200
year of 19 students. Um and we had a

888
00:39:33,200 --> 00:39:35,680
freshman class of nine. So um you will

889
00:39:35,680 --> 00:39:37,520
see in our next slide here your

890
00:39:37,520 --> 00:39:39,920
four-year rolling average did decrease

891
00:39:39,920 --> 00:39:44,079
um about you know negative one% um you

892
00:39:44,079 --> 00:39:47,040
are seeing about a negative 7% um

893
00:39:47,040 --> 00:39:48,960
decrease in the total overall

894
00:39:48,960 --> 00:39:51,359
assessments but again kind of um just

895
00:39:51,359 --> 00:39:53,280
showing our total overall assessments

896
00:39:53,280 --> 00:39:55,280
here 2.44%

897
00:39:55,280 --> 00:39:57,359
and then our total um change in the

898
00:39:57,359 --> 00:39:59,280
four-year rolling average about 3%. So

899
00:39:59,280 --> 00:40:01,440
that um is mostly consistent

900
00:40:01,440 --> 00:40:04,240
year-to-year.

901
00:40:04,240 --> 00:40:06,079
And thank you so much for your time. Um

902
00:40:06,079 --> 00:40:08,000
we're happy to answer any questions that

903
00:40:08,000 --> 00:40:10,560
you have.

904
00:40:10,560 --> 00:40:14,310
>> Thank you both.

905
00:40:14,320 --> 00:40:18,480
And as I said, uh at this point or we do

906
00:40:18,480 --> 00:40:20,400
have a presentation from the select

907
00:40:20,400 --> 00:40:21,839
board, a very brief statement from the

908
00:40:21,839 --> 00:40:24,400
select board, Miss Burj Mcichael.

909
00:40:24,400 --> 00:40:26,480
>> Thank you. Um good morning. My name is

910
00:40:26,480 --> 00:40:28,240
Megan Burch Mcichel and I'm the current

911
00:40:28,240 --> 00:40:30,800
chair of the STO select board. Uh we

912
00:40:30,800 --> 00:40:32,240
wanted to take a moment this morning to

913
00:40:32,240 --> 00:40:34,160
address article 4, specifically the

914
00:40:34,160 --> 00:40:35,680
budget line item of the town

915
00:40:35,680 --> 00:40:38,320
administrator's salary. As you should be

916
00:40:38,320 --> 00:40:40,240
aware, the town administrator operates

917
00:40:40,240 --> 00:40:41,920
under a three-year contract that the

918
00:40:41,920 --> 00:40:44,000
select board approves. This contract

919
00:40:44,000 --> 00:40:46,079
goes under review by the board in an

920
00:40:46,079 --> 00:40:48,000
executive session, much like other high

921
00:40:48,000 --> 00:40:49,599
position contracts like the chief of

922
00:40:49,599 --> 00:40:51,520
police and the fire chief, and then the

923
00:40:51,520 --> 00:40:54,000
detailed minutes are released. As the

924
00:40:54,000 --> 00:40:55,760
board began their discussions this year

925
00:40:55,760 --> 00:40:57,119
about compensation for the town

926
00:40:57,119 --> 00:40:59,280
administrator, we were provided with an

927
00:40:59,280 --> 00:41:01,359
independent salary survey of all of the

928
00:41:01,359 --> 00:41:02,880
town administrators by the M

929
00:41:02,880 --> 00:41:06,079
Massachusetts Municipal Association.

930
00:41:06,079 --> 00:41:07,680
It was noted that the market rate for

931
00:41:07,680 --> 00:41:09,200
town administrator positions has

932
00:41:09,200 --> 00:41:11,920
continued to increase yearover-year. The

933
00:41:11,920 --> 00:41:14,000
average town administrator compens

934
00:41:14,000 --> 00:41:16,800
compensation for the last fiscal year

935
00:41:16,800 --> 00:41:19,119
based on the full survey. This includes

936
00:41:19,119 --> 00:41:22,560
all size towns

937
00:41:22,560 --> 00:41:26,870
was $192,780.

938
00:41:26,880 --> 00:41:29,280
In preparation for our board meeting,

939
00:41:29,280 --> 00:41:31,599
Miss Demkowski put together a salary

940
00:41:31,599 --> 00:41:33,280
package that she both believes is fair

941
00:41:33,280 --> 00:41:35,040
and equitable and that would bring her

942
00:41:35,040 --> 00:41:37,520
closer to the average. After reviewing

943
00:41:37,520 --> 00:41:39,760
the full salary survey, the board made a

944
00:41:39,760 --> 00:41:41,680
slightly higher counter proposal to

945
00:41:41,680 --> 00:41:43,280
recognize and appreciate the work that

946
00:41:43,280 --> 00:41:45,280
she has accomplished in Stowe and to

947
00:41:45,280 --> 00:41:47,680
bring her closer to the market rate.

948
00:41:47,680 --> 00:41:49,280
Additionally, this decision was made

949
00:41:49,280 --> 00:41:51,359
after a board discussion that recognized

950
00:41:51,359 --> 00:41:53,280
that the town of Stow does not provide

951
00:41:53,280 --> 00:41:55,520
bonuses, longevity, or deferred

952
00:41:55,520 --> 00:41:57,680
compensation that many other towns

953
00:41:57,680 --> 00:41:59,520
provide to their town administrators.

954
00:41:59,520 --> 00:42:01,440
Monetary compensations that are not

955
00:42:01,440 --> 00:42:05,119
reflected in their salary line items.

956
00:42:05,119 --> 00:42:06,640
Among the list of accomplishments that

957
00:42:06,640 --> 00:42:08,480
Miss Dunkoski has achieved in the brief

958
00:42:08,480 --> 00:42:09,920
seven years that she has been the town

959
00:42:09,920 --> 00:42:12,160
administrator, it would not be possible

960
00:42:12,160 --> 00:42:14,000
to overstate the importance of Denise's

961
00:42:14,000 --> 00:42:15,520
involvement in the Mast's Academy

962
00:42:15,520 --> 00:42:17,119
project moving from conception to

963
00:42:17,119 --> 00:42:19,280
groundbreaking. When she first became

964
00:42:19,280 --> 00:42:20,720
aware of this project becoming a

965
00:42:20,720 --> 00:42:22,640
possibility, she not only worked

966
00:42:22,640 --> 00:42:24,800
directly with Masters, but with various

967
00:42:24,800 --> 00:42:27,200
town boards and town meeting to clear

968
00:42:27,200 --> 00:42:28,880
the way for this historic project to

969
00:42:28,880 --> 00:42:31,760
take shape. This is an $83 million

970
00:42:31,760 --> 00:42:33,359
project that is going to positively

971
00:42:33,359 --> 00:42:34,720
change the shape of the town for

972
00:42:34,720 --> 00:42:36,960
generations to come and there is no way

973
00:42:36,960 --> 00:42:38,240
that it would have come close to the

974
00:42:38,240 --> 00:42:40,400
finish line without Denise's stewardship

975
00:42:40,400 --> 00:42:42,319
involving state agencies and local

976
00:42:42,319 --> 00:42:44,560
representatives on advocating for this

977
00:42:44,560 --> 00:42:46,079
project.

978
00:42:46,079 --> 00:42:48,160
On top of that project, she has also

979
00:42:48,160 --> 00:42:50,079
been heavily involved in the Lake Boon

980
00:42:50,079 --> 00:42:52,319
Dam project, the Stow Acres project,

981
00:42:52,319 --> 00:42:54,640
finalized the lower village water study,

982
00:42:54,640 --> 00:42:57,119
worked on ongoing PAS remediation,

983
00:42:57,119 --> 00:42:58,960
helped to shepherd the Randall Library

984
00:42:58,960 --> 00:43:02,000
project to completion, and also serves

985
00:43:02,000 --> 00:43:03,760
and chairs various boards around the

986
00:43:03,760 --> 00:43:05,760
state of Massachusetts in order to

987
00:43:05,760 --> 00:43:08,319
advocate for small towns like ours. She

988
00:43:08,319 --> 00:43:10,079
has also maintained a healthy and

989
00:43:10,079 --> 00:43:13,040
balanced budget for the town of Stowe.

990
00:43:13,040 --> 00:43:15,520
However, in our discussions, it was also

991
00:43:15,520 --> 00:43:17,280
very important for the board to note

992
00:43:17,280 --> 00:43:20,160
that tomorrow is not promised. It is our

993
00:43:20,160 --> 00:43:21,920
fiscal responsibility to make sure that

994
00:43:21,920 --> 00:43:24,000
the town of Stowe can compete with these

995
00:43:24,000 --> 00:43:26,079
town administrator salaries should any

996
00:43:26,079 --> 00:43:28,480
of life's changes happen. By bringing

997
00:43:28,480 --> 00:43:30,560
this line item up to an equitable salary

998
00:43:30,560 --> 00:43:32,480
rate, we are guaranteeing that in the

999
00:43:32,480 --> 00:43:34,000
future, we will be able to be in a

1000
00:43:34,000 --> 00:43:36,000
competitive position instead of having

1001
00:43:36,000 --> 00:43:38,160
to possibly pat a future budget to meet

1002
00:43:38,160 --> 00:43:40,319
the market rate for this job. Thank you

1003
00:43:40,319 --> 00:43:43,119
all for your time this morning.

1004
00:43:43,119 --> 00:43:45,760
Thank you, Miss Burch Mcichael. So, as I

1005
00:43:45,760 --> 00:43:48,079
said at the beginning, I will go page by

1006
00:43:48,079 --> 00:43:50,240
page through the budget that is in your

1007
00:43:50,240 --> 00:43:52,400
warrant. If you want to hold a line

1008
00:43:52,400 --> 00:43:55,440
item, shout out the number of that line

1009
00:43:55,440 --> 00:43:56,960
item.

1010
00:43:56,960 --> 00:44:03,040
Page 21, line items 1 through nine.

1011
00:44:03,040 --> 00:44:12,390
Page 22, line items 10 through 18.

1012
00:44:12,400 --> 00:44:19,990
Page 23, line items 19 through 27.

1013
00:44:20,000 --> 00:44:27,430
Page 24, line items 28 through 35.

1014
00:44:27,440 --> 00:44:33,040
Page 25, line items 36 through 42.

1015
00:44:33,040 --> 00:44:34,480
>> 41.

1016
00:44:34,480 --> 00:44:40,309
>> I heard 41.

1017
00:44:40,319 --> 00:44:48,309
Page 26, line items 43 through 51.

1018
00:44:48,319 --> 00:44:56,309
Page 27, line items 52 through 57.

1019
00:44:56,319 --> 00:44:59,440
» Hold which one?

1020
00:44:59,440 --> 00:45:01,040
>> 55, please.

1021
00:45:01,040 --> 00:45:06,950
>> Thank you. I heard 55.

1022
00:45:06,960 --> 00:45:15,510
Page 28, line items 58 through 65.

1023
00:45:15,520 --> 00:45:19,200
» I heard 60.

1024
00:45:19,200 --> 00:45:27,109
Page 29, line items 66 through 71.

1025
00:45:27,119 --> 00:45:33,200
Page 30, line items 72 through 77.

1026
00:45:33,200 --> 00:45:34,079
>> Which one?

1027
00:45:34,079 --> 00:45:38,800
>> 72. I heard 72

1028
00:45:38,800 --> 00:45:45,829
and page 31 line item 78.

1029
00:45:45,839 --> 00:45:52,630
I heard holds on

1030
00:45:52,640 --> 00:45:55,520
line items 41,

1031
00:45:55,520 --> 00:45:58,630
55,

1032
00:45:58,640 --> 00:46:03,040
and 60 60 and 72.

1033
00:46:03,040 --> 00:46:05,119
Are there any other line items to be

1034
00:46:05,119 --> 00:46:07,280
held?

1035
00:46:07,280 --> 00:46:10,720
Hearing none, let's circle back to the

1036
00:46:10,720 --> 00:46:12,960
first line item that was held, which I

1037
00:46:12,960 --> 00:46:19,270
believe was 41.

1038
00:46:19,280 --> 00:46:21,280
Uh, I'm going to call this microphone

1039
00:46:21,280 --> 00:46:23,599
that is on my left, your right, front

1040
00:46:23,599 --> 00:46:25,760
microphone. And I'm going to call that

1041
00:46:25,760 --> 00:46:28,160
microphone side microphone, front

1042
00:46:28,160 --> 00:46:30,079
microphone.

1043
00:46:30,079 --> 00:46:33,280
>> 88 PBD drive. Uh there's a lot going on

1044
00:46:33,280 --> 00:46:36,000
with item for line item 41 here. Could

1045
00:46:36,000 --> 00:46:38,960
somebody please explain to me why

1046
00:46:38,960 --> 00:46:40,960
the budget request is half of what last

1047
00:46:40,960 --> 00:46:43,280
year's budget was and the town

1048
00:46:43,280 --> 00:46:45,920
administrator is recommending 580,000

1049
00:46:45,920 --> 00:46:47,760
more than what's been requested.

1050
00:46:47,760 --> 00:46:49,280
>> Most.

1051
00:46:49,280 --> 00:46:52,480
>> Yes. Thank you. So this is nothing more

1052
00:46:52,480 --> 00:46:55,280
than a timing issue. Um the same is

1053
00:46:55,280 --> 00:46:56,640
actually true for the treasur's office,

1054
00:46:56,640 --> 00:47:00,480
but no one held that line item. Um the

1055
00:47:00,480 --> 00:47:01,760
fire department was in the middle of

1056
00:47:01,760 --> 00:47:03,599
union negotiations. The fire chief did

1057
00:47:03,599 --> 00:47:06,000
not want to plug a number in. Um but the

1058
00:47:06,000 --> 00:47:07,680
way our budget software works, I had to

1059
00:47:07,680 --> 00:47:09,680
shut off department requested at a

1060
00:47:09,680 --> 00:47:11,599
certain time period. So it was shut off

1061
00:47:11,599 --> 00:47:12,800
while we continued to go through

1062
00:47:12,800 --> 00:47:15,040
negotiations. He put in the true cost

1063
00:47:15,040 --> 00:47:17,520
that he knew outside of the union. Um

1064
00:47:17,520 --> 00:47:20,079
the recommended budget is including the

1065
00:47:20,079 --> 00:47:21,839
uh negotiated and finalized union

1066
00:47:21,839 --> 00:47:25,510
contract wages.

1067
00:47:25,520 --> 00:47:28,640
I see no further discussion on 41. I am

1068
00:47:28,640 --> 00:47:32,480
moving to line item 55.

1069
00:47:32,480 --> 00:47:34,960
Will whoever held line item 55, would

1070
00:47:34,960 --> 00:47:37,760
they like to ask their question?

1071
00:47:37,760 --> 00:47:39,839
Mr. moderator, it's not that I have a

1072
00:47:39,839 --> 00:47:41,440
question, but because it directly

1073
00:47:41,440 --> 00:47:44,880
relates to um

1074
00:47:44,880 --> 00:47:48,000
my spouse, I would like to recuse myself

1075
00:47:48,000 --> 00:47:51,680
from that specific line item vote.

1076
00:47:51,680 --> 00:47:54,960
>> All right. I think you would um then

1077
00:47:54,960 --> 00:47:56,400
press number three. Is that really

1078
00:47:56,400 --> 00:47:59,599
necessary at a town meeting?

1079
00:47:59,599 --> 00:48:02,079
I I don't think it's necessary. Uh Mr.

1080
00:48:02,079 --> 00:48:07,520
Tulle. Um but your attention to your

1081
00:48:07,520 --> 00:48:09,760
ethical obligations is admirable. So

1082
00:48:09,760 --> 00:48:11,760
I'll I'll leave that I'll leave the

1083
00:48:11,760 --> 00:48:14,240
decision to your conscience.

1084
00:48:14,240 --> 00:48:16,480
Is there any other discussion on number

1085
00:48:16,480 --> 00:48:19,510
55?

1086
00:48:19,520 --> 00:48:26,319
Seeing none, moving on to line item 60.

1087
00:48:26,319 --> 00:48:27,680
Side microphone.

1088
00:48:27,680 --> 00:48:32,079
>> Tom Ryan. Is that on?

1089
00:48:32,079 --> 00:48:33,119
>> Hello.

1090
00:48:33,119 --> 00:48:33,920
>> It's on.

1091
00:48:33,920 --> 00:48:38,000
>> Tom Ryan, 453 Great Road. I held this

1092
00:48:38,000 --> 00:48:43,680
one because it uh I questioned the

1093
00:48:43,680 --> 00:48:46,079
last year's number of 102,000

1094
00:48:46,079 --> 00:48:49,119
approximately. the requested number was

1095
00:48:49,119 --> 00:48:50,880
94,000

1096
00:48:50,880 --> 00:48:55,119
and then the recommended budget is

1097
00:48:55,119 --> 00:48:56,880
101,000.

1098
00:48:56,880 --> 00:48:58,640
And one of the things that I have

1099
00:48:58,640 --> 00:49:02,160
noticed throughout this is that

1100
00:49:02,160 --> 00:49:07,280
there are quite a few um lines that the

1101
00:49:07,280 --> 00:49:10,720
recommended amount is in some cases

1102
00:49:10,720 --> 00:49:13,200
significantly over

1103
00:49:13,200 --> 00:49:16,160
the requested amount. So, I kind of

1104
00:49:16,160 --> 00:49:18,800
picked on this one to

1105
00:49:18,800 --> 00:49:21,359
try to find out what's going on. Why a

1106
00:49:21,359 --> 00:49:24,160
number of

1107
00:49:24,160 --> 00:49:27,599
re our recommended amounts are in some

1108
00:49:27,599 --> 00:49:30,240
cases grossly over

1109
00:49:30,240 --> 00:49:32,319
requested amounts.

1110
00:49:32,319 --> 00:49:35,680
I figured that the last one would re get

1111
00:49:35,680 --> 00:49:38,480
relating to the fire department was an

1112
00:49:38,480 --> 00:49:41,680
oddball, but I'm just kind of curious

1113
00:49:41,680 --> 00:49:45,839
about why there are large increase or

1114
00:49:45,839 --> 00:49:47,359
recommendations

1115
00:49:47,359 --> 00:49:50,720
that greatly exceed the requested

1116
00:49:50,720 --> 00:49:51,280
numbers.

1117
00:49:51,280 --> 00:49:53,359
>> Understood, Miss Dowski.

1118
00:49:53,359 --> 00:49:54,640
>> Yep. So, it's actually the same

1119
00:49:54,640 --> 00:49:57,119
situation. Uh, we had no library

1120
00:49:57,119 --> 00:49:59,280
director. We had interim directors, that

1121
00:49:59,280 --> 00:50:00,960
was the staff. They put forward a number

1122
00:50:00,960 --> 00:50:03,200
that they felt the next director should

1123
00:50:03,200 --> 00:50:05,119
come in at. The library trustees

1124
00:50:05,119 --> 00:50:06,720
negotiated a contract when the new

1125
00:50:06,720 --> 00:50:08,400
director came in and the recommended

1126
00:50:08,400 --> 00:50:11,200
amount represents the contract amount.

1127
00:50:11,200 --> 00:50:12,800
Again, it was just a timing matter of

1128
00:50:12,800 --> 00:50:14,559
when the software had to shut off the

1129
00:50:14,559 --> 00:50:16,480
department requested versus when we

1130
00:50:16,480 --> 00:50:18,240
finalized the budget, which still takes

1131
00:50:18,240 --> 00:50:23,109
months after the requests are submitted.

1132
00:50:23,119 --> 00:50:26,240
» Seeing no further debate on line item

1133
00:50:26,240 --> 00:50:29,040
60, I am moving to the next held item.

1134
00:50:29,040 --> 00:50:32,240
Line item 72, the NRSD operating

1135
00:50:32,240 --> 00:50:33,359
assessment.

1136
00:50:33,359 --> 00:50:35,359
>> Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Debbie Woods,

1137
00:50:35,359 --> 00:50:37,920
Great Road. Um, my question is regarding

1138
00:50:37,920 --> 00:50:39,760
a comment that was made during the

1139
00:50:39,760 --> 00:50:42,319
presentation from the I think it was the

1140
00:50:42,319 --> 00:50:44,160
assistant superintendent. One of the

1141
00:50:44,160 --> 00:50:45,760
comments was made that part of the

1142
00:50:45,760 --> 00:50:48,640
reason they were able to hold a lower

1143
00:50:48,640 --> 00:50:50,800
increase was due to staff reduction. And

1144
00:50:50,800 --> 00:50:52,960
my question is in that staff reduction,

1145
00:50:52,960 --> 00:50:56,160
what's the percentage of teachers or c

1146
00:50:56,160 --> 00:50:58,640
um studentf facing positions versus

1147
00:50:58,640 --> 00:51:00,480
administration?

1148
00:51:00,480 --> 00:51:11,990
>> Mr. Meraren, can you address that?

1149
00:51:12,000 --> 00:51:15,040
» So ju so just to clarify, I was

1150
00:51:15,040 --> 00:51:17,440
referencing the FY26 budget season where

1151
00:51:17,440 --> 00:51:19,760
we had staffing reductions. We do not

1152
00:51:19,760 --> 00:51:22,319
have any staffing reductions in the FY27

1153
00:51:22,319 --> 00:51:24,640
budget. However, we still do use our

1154
00:51:24,640 --> 00:51:28,480
staff cla our standard um standards for

1155
00:51:28,480 --> 00:51:31,280
classroom sizes uh as well as our

1156
00:51:31,280 --> 00:51:32,800
administrative standards across the

1157
00:51:32,800 --> 00:51:35,520
district so that there's uh equality in

1158
00:51:35,520 --> 00:51:37,359
the number of people facing students and

1159
00:51:37,359 --> 00:51:40,079
doing certain roles.

1160
00:51:40,079 --> 00:51:41,920
>> Is there any further debate on line item

1161
00:51:41,920 --> 00:51:44,160
72?

1162
00:51:44,160 --> 00:51:46,880
>> Clarification if I may, Mr. Moderator.

1163
00:51:46,880 --> 00:51:50,240
So no teachers or studentf facing

1164
00:51:50,240 --> 00:51:52,559
positions have been eliminated in the 27

1165
00:51:52,559 --> 00:51:59,670
budget.

1166
00:51:59,680 --> 00:52:02,079
The only situation in which positions

1167
00:52:02,079 --> 00:52:04,480
would be eliminated or reduced in the

1168
00:52:04,480 --> 00:52:07,040
FY27 budget would be to do due to

1169
00:52:07,040 --> 00:52:10,000
enrollment not budgetary constraints or

1170
00:52:10,000 --> 00:52:12,640
programmatic changes not budgetary

1171
00:52:12,640 --> 00:52:15,599
constraints.

1172
00:52:15,599 --> 00:52:18,079
>> Thank you. Seeing no further debate on

1173
00:52:18,079 --> 00:52:21,680
line item 72, I will ask, are there any

1174
00:52:21,680 --> 00:52:23,920
comments or debate on the budget as a

1175
00:52:23,920 --> 00:52:26,559
whole?

1176
00:52:26,559 --> 00:52:30,400
Side microphone. Uh Tom Ryan 453 Great

1177
00:52:30,400 --> 00:52:33,760
Road. Mr. moderator.

1178
00:52:33,760 --> 00:52:38,079
The overall budget I decided not to beat

1179
00:52:38,079 --> 00:52:40,559
individual line items to death, but I am

1180
00:52:40,559 --> 00:52:44,160
concerned about the

1181
00:52:44,160 --> 00:52:48,640
rate of increase in the budget overall.

1182
00:52:48,640 --> 00:52:51,599
I think this year the school district

1183
00:52:51,599 --> 00:52:54,800
I'm very pleased they're coming in at

1184
00:52:54,800 --> 00:52:58,720
three some odd percent which I think is

1185
00:52:58,720 --> 00:53:01,839
great and I think it shows badly for us

1186
00:53:01,839 --> 00:53:06,880
overall that we're coming in oh closer

1187
00:53:06,880 --> 00:53:08,960
to 6%.

1188
00:53:08,960 --> 00:53:11,280
And that's before we start talking about

1189
00:53:11,280 --> 00:53:16,079
the debt service that pushes the overall

1190
00:53:16,079 --> 00:53:19,760
budget for the town excluding the

1191
00:53:19,760 --> 00:53:23,040
education closer to a 10% increase this

1192
00:53:23,040 --> 00:53:24,960
year.

1193
00:53:24,960 --> 00:53:27,119
It's bothering me and I'm hoping that

1194
00:53:27,119 --> 00:53:29,680
our town officials will look at this

1195
00:53:29,680 --> 00:53:32,000
stuff more closely, especially in light

1196
00:53:32,000 --> 00:53:35,839
of a number of double-digit budget

1197
00:53:35,839 --> 00:53:37,359
increases

1198
00:53:37,359 --> 00:53:39,280
in some of the salary line items and

1199
00:53:39,280 --> 00:53:41,599
other things like that.

1200
00:53:41,599 --> 00:53:44,880
We're all our our taxes are going up, I

1201
00:53:44,880 --> 00:53:47,680
think, at an unsustainable level. We're

1202
00:53:47,680 --> 00:53:50,400
going to max out our unused levy

1203
00:53:50,400 --> 00:53:53,280
capacity in the not too distant future.

1204
00:53:53,280 --> 00:53:56,720
And I think we are we need to take a

1205
00:53:56,720 --> 00:54:00,720
closer look and reduce the rate of

1206
00:54:00,720 --> 00:54:02,800
increase.

1207
00:54:02,800 --> 00:54:04,880
>> Thank you. That was not expressly a

1208
00:54:04,880 --> 00:54:06,640
question, but Miss Dimcowski, do you

1209
00:54:06,640 --> 00:54:09,040
want to respond?

1210
00:54:09,040 --> 00:54:11,440
>> No. Okay. Um, do I have any additional

1211
00:54:11,440 --> 00:54:13,119
debate? Side microphone.

1212
00:54:13,119 --> 00:54:16,000
>> Hi, Sandy Taff 303 Redacre Road. And

1213
00:54:16,000 --> 00:54:17,280
this is really a request for

1214
00:54:17,280 --> 00:54:20,000
clarification for future warrants um

1215
00:54:20,000 --> 00:54:21,760
with regard to this subject of the

1216
00:54:21,760 --> 00:54:23,440
overall budget. It was very helpful to

1217
00:54:23,440 --> 00:54:26,400
see the bar graphs that we saw today.

1218
00:54:26,400 --> 00:54:28,079
Would it be possible to have those bar

1219
00:54:28,079 --> 00:54:29,520
graphs that show the historical

1220
00:54:29,520 --> 00:54:31,520
progression like you should on those two

1221
00:54:31,520 --> 00:54:33,520
powerpoints with the capital number as

1222
00:54:33,520 --> 00:54:35,200
well as the general number as part of

1223
00:54:35,200 --> 00:54:38,079
the warrant article in the future?

1224
00:54:38,079 --> 00:54:43,109
>> That was a question. Uh, Miss Decausski,

1225
00:54:43,119 --> 00:54:44,640
» certainly we could consider putting it

1226
00:54:44,640 --> 00:54:46,240
right in the warrant. We we do have a

1227
00:54:46,240 --> 00:54:48,160
lot of information on our website. We do

1228
00:54:48,160 --> 00:54:49,920
a very thorough budget book that has the

1229
00:54:49,920 --> 00:54:51,760
breakdown of the past few years so you

1230
00:54:51,760 --> 00:54:54,160
can see the progression. Um I can look

1231
00:54:54,160 --> 00:54:55,839
at it for the warrant. It's just tough

1232
00:54:55,839 --> 00:54:57,280
when we don't print and color and it's

1233
00:54:57,280 --> 00:54:58,960
on a paper, but um certainly I'll

1234
00:54:58,960 --> 00:55:02,000
consider it.

1235
00:55:02,000 --> 00:55:03,599
>> Thank you. Seeing no further debate,

1236
00:55:03,599 --> 00:55:05,119
we'll go to a vote. But before we do

1237
00:55:05,119 --> 00:55:06,880
that, am I the only one who's having

1238
00:55:06,880 --> 00:55:10,640
difficulty hearing the side microphone?

1239
00:55:10,640 --> 00:55:12,720
>> Yeah, apparently I am. Okay, well never

1240
00:55:12,720 --> 00:55:14,960
mind.

1241
00:55:14,960 --> 00:55:19,040
Um, we'll go to a vote. The question is

1242
00:55:19,040 --> 00:55:21,359
on the passage of the main motion under

1243
00:55:21,359 --> 00:55:23,680
article 4. This requires a simple

1244
00:55:23,680 --> 00:55:26,720
majority and we will use our clickers

1245
00:55:26,720 --> 00:55:30,800
and voting will be open for 15 seconds

1246
00:55:30,800 --> 00:55:41,183
beginning now.

1247
00:55:41,193 --> 00:55:50,470
[snorts]

1248
00:55:50,480 --> 00:55:56,630
and voting is closed.

1249
00:55:56,640 --> 00:56:00,079
And by a vote of 126 to 18, the main

1250
00:56:00,079 --> 00:56:09,910
motion under article 4 passes.

1251
00:56:09,920 --> 00:56:12,480
That brings us to the consent calendar,

1252
00:56:12,480 --> 00:56:16,000
articles 5 through 39.

1253
00:56:16,000 --> 00:56:18,079
The consent calendar is a group of

1254
00:56:18,079 --> 00:56:20,079
articles that ex that experience has

1255
00:56:20,079 --> 00:56:22,480
shown us should not be controversial and

1256
00:56:22,480 --> 00:56:24,400
can be dealt with effectively through

1257
00:56:24,400 --> 00:56:27,839
one consolidated motion without debate.

1258
00:56:27,839 --> 00:56:30,799
The last article this year, article 39,

1259
00:56:30,799 --> 00:56:33,920
is new. Uh, Miss Decosski, could you

1260
00:56:33,920 --> 00:56:36,000
briefly explain what that is and why

1261
00:56:36,000 --> 00:56:36,880
it's there?

1262
00:56:36,880 --> 00:56:39,359
>> Yes, certainly. So article 39 is the

1263
00:56:39,359 --> 00:56:41,520
acceptance of chapter 90 funds. This was

1264
00:56:41,520 --> 00:56:43,599
on recommendation of council based on

1265
00:56:43,599 --> 00:56:45,599
department of revenue recommendations

1266
00:56:45,599 --> 00:56:48,240
that town meeting formally uh vote to

1267
00:56:48,240 --> 00:56:50,559
accept funding from the state to fix our

1268
00:56:50,559 --> 00:56:53,599
roads. It's just a procedural article.

1269
00:56:53,599 --> 00:56:56,160
>> Thank you. Um of course any resident has

1270
00:56:56,160 --> 00:56:58,559
a right to debate any consent calendar

1271
00:56:58,559 --> 00:57:00,480
article if they want. So here's what

1272
00:57:00,480 --> 00:57:02,240
we're going to do. After the

1273
00:57:02,240 --> 00:57:05,200
consolidated motion is made. I will read

1274
00:57:05,200 --> 00:57:07,280
each article number and its title and

1275
00:57:07,280 --> 00:57:09,280
I'll wait a second. If you want to

1276
00:57:09,280 --> 00:57:11,839
debate that article, please shout hold

1277
00:57:11,839 --> 00:57:15,280
in a clear and loud voice. If I hear a

1278
00:57:15,280 --> 00:57:17,760
hold, I will ask if it's I'll ask you if

1279
00:57:17,760 --> 00:57:20,000
it's a quick question or a subject for

1280
00:57:20,000 --> 00:57:21,680
discussion. A quick question is

1281
00:57:21,680 --> 00:57:24,000
something factual like a date or a

1282
00:57:24,000 --> 00:57:25,599
number, something that can be dealt with

1283
00:57:25,599 --> 00:57:27,359
quickly without actually holding the

1284
00:57:27,359 --> 00:57:30,000
item. A question like why do we do this?

1285
00:57:30,000 --> 00:57:32,400
What is this for? perfectly legitimate

1286
00:57:32,400 --> 00:57:34,079
question, but something more like a

1287
00:57:34,079 --> 00:57:36,559
subject for discussion. Please heir on

1288
00:57:36,559 --> 00:57:38,240
the side of saying it's a subject for

1289
00:57:38,240 --> 00:57:40,880
discussion. If you're not sure, anything

1290
00:57:40,880 --> 00:57:42,559
held will be dropped from the

1291
00:57:42,559 --> 00:57:45,119
consolidated motion and debated and

1292
00:57:45,119 --> 00:57:48,559
voted independently.

1293
00:57:48,559 --> 00:57:50,559
We'll vote the remaining consolidated

1294
00:57:50,559 --> 00:57:53,599
motion without any debate. Before we

1295
00:57:53,599 --> 00:57:56,079
begin, I do have a I I need you to know

1296
00:57:56,079 --> 00:57:57,920
I do have a letter from the chair of the

1297
00:57:57,920 --> 00:57:59,920
community preservation committee

1298
00:57:59,920 --> 00:58:02,079
informing all of us that at a meeting on

1299
00:58:02,079 --> 00:58:05,760
January 5, 2026, the CPC voted to

1300
00:58:05,760 --> 00:58:08,480
approve articles 25 and 26. It's a

1301
00:58:08,480 --> 00:58:10,799
statutory requirement that you be told

1302
00:58:10,799 --> 00:58:13,359
that. And with that, I am ready for the

1303
00:58:13,359 --> 00:58:16,160
consolidated motion. Miss Burch Mcichel.

1304
00:58:16,160 --> 00:58:18,640
>> Mr. Moderator, I move that the annual

1305
00:58:18,640 --> 00:58:23,920
town meeting approve articles 5 6 7 8 9

1306
00:58:23,920 --> 00:58:34,480
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

1307
00:58:34,480 --> 00:58:44,799
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35

1308
00:58:44,799 --> 00:58:49,520
36 37 7, 38, and 39 as printed in the

1309
00:58:49,520 --> 00:58:51,440
warrant without debate on any such

1310
00:58:51,440 --> 00:58:53,920
articles. And provided that upon the

1311
00:58:53,920 --> 00:58:55,680
request of any voter at this meeting

1312
00:58:55,680 --> 00:58:57,440
made before the vote is taken on this

1313
00:58:57,440 --> 00:58:59,599
motion, an article shall be dropped from

1314
00:58:59,599 --> 00:59:02,000
the consent calendar and shall be acted

1315
00:59:02,000 --> 00:59:04,480
upon in the ordinary course and order of

1316
00:59:04,480 --> 00:59:08,640
business at this town meeting.

1317
00:59:08,640 --> 00:59:10,400
>> Did I hear a second?

1318
00:59:10,400 --> 00:59:10,799
>> Yes.

1319
00:59:10,799 --> 00:59:12,720
>> I have a consolidated motion made and

1320
00:59:12,720 --> 00:59:14,400
seconded. Your finance committee's

1321
00:59:14,400 --> 00:59:16,240
recommendations are in the warrant. They

1322
00:59:16,240 --> 00:59:19,280
are all favorable. And I will now, as I

1323
00:59:19,280 --> 00:59:23,119
said, read the number and title of each

1324
00:59:23,119 --> 00:59:25,599
article in the consent calendar. If you

1325
00:59:25,599 --> 00:59:28,400
want to hold it, shout hold in a clear

1326
00:59:28,400 --> 00:59:32,000
and convincing voice. Article five,

1327
00:59:32,000 --> 00:59:35,520
revolving fund expenditure limits.

1328
00:59:35,520 --> 00:59:39,359
Article six, stow cultural council.

1329
00:59:39,359 --> 00:59:42,640
Article seven, smart 911 rave

1330
00:59:42,640 --> 00:59:45,119
notification system.

1331
00:59:45,119 --> 00:59:47,040
Article eight, weights and measures

1332
00:59:47,040 --> 00:59:48,799
testing.

1333
00:59:48,799 --> 00:59:51,200
Article 9, transfer to conservation

1334
00:59:51,200 --> 00:59:52,799
fund.

1335
00:59:52,799 --> 00:59:55,359
Article 10, transfer from wetlands

1336
00:59:55,359 --> 00:59:57,839
protection fund.

1337
00:59:57,839 --> 01:00:00,240
Article 11, addition to conservation

1338
01:00:00,240 --> 01:00:02,160
fund.

1339
01:00:02,160 --> 01:00:04,559
Article 12, update of property

1340
01:00:04,559 --> 01:00:06,960
valuations.

1341
01:00:06,960 --> 01:00:10,400
Article 13, DPW, road machinery, private

1342
01:00:10,400 --> 01:00:13,839
ways, and municipal parking lots.

1343
01:00:13,839 --> 01:00:18,079
Article 14, DPW, engineering fees.

1344
01:00:18,079 --> 01:00:20,559
Article 15, household hazardous waste

1345
01:00:20,559 --> 01:00:22,400
collection.

1346
01:00:22,400 --> 01:00:24,799
Article 16, municipal solid waste

1347
01:00:24,799 --> 01:00:26,640
disposal.

1348
01:00:26,640 --> 01:00:30,960
Article 17, Stow TV expenses.

1349
01:00:30,960 --> 01:00:33,520
Article 18, holiday decorations and

1350
01:00:33,520 --> 01:00:35,920
lighting fund.

1351
01:00:35,920 --> 01:00:39,920
Article 19, audit of financial records.

1352
01:00:39,920 --> 01:00:44,000
Article 20, water system expenses.

1353
01:00:44,000 --> 01:00:46,880
Article 21, select board small purchase

1354
01:00:46,880 --> 01:00:48,880
fund.

1355
01:00:48,880 --> 01:00:51,280
Article 22, construction and maintenance

1356
01:00:51,280 --> 01:00:53,200
of water holes for firefighting

1357
01:00:53,200 --> 01:00:55,359
operations.

1358
01:00:55,359 --> 01:00:58,160
Article 23, Lake Boon water quality

1359
01:00:58,160 --> 01:01:00,640
remediation.

1360
01:01:00,640 --> 01:01:03,599
Article 24, planning board engineering

1361
01:01:03,599 --> 01:01:06,640
consulting expenses.

1362
01:01:06,640 --> 01:01:09,119
Article 25, community preservation

1363
01:01:09,119 --> 01:01:11,359
expenses.

1364
01:01:11,359 --> 01:01:13,760
Article 26, community preservation

1365
01:01:13,760 --> 01:01:16,160
reserves.

1366
01:01:16,160 --> 01:01:21,440
Article 27, online budgeting software.

1367
01:01:21,440 --> 01:01:24,240
Article 28, traffic safety advisory

1368
01:01:24,240 --> 01:01:26,559
funds.

1369
01:01:26,559 --> 01:01:28,799
Article 29,

1370
01:01:28,799 --> 01:01:33,680
MS4 storm water permit requirements.

1371
01:01:33,680 --> 01:01:37,520
Article 30, legal services.

1372
01:01:37,520 --> 01:01:42,240
Article 31, subscription services.

1373
01:01:42,240 --> 01:01:45,520
>> Hold on. Article 31.

1374
01:01:45,520 --> 01:01:49,920
Article 32, town events fund.

1375
01:01:49,920 --> 01:01:53,760
Article 33, veterans benefits. Oh, I'm

1376
01:01:53,760 --> 01:01:55,760
sorry. I should have asked on article

1377
01:01:55,760 --> 01:01:58,640
31. Is it a quick question or is it a

1378
01:01:58,640 --> 01:02:00,640
subject for discussion?

1379
01:02:00,640 --> 01:02:02,720
>> Additional information. Uh, we'll call

1380
01:02:02,720 --> 01:02:05,440
that subject for discussion. Thank you.

1381
01:02:05,440 --> 01:02:08,240
I think I was up to article 34, National

1382
01:02:08,240 --> 01:02:12,559
Guard Reserve Tax Relief.

1383
01:02:12,559 --> 01:02:15,200
Article 35, Economic Development and

1384
01:02:15,200 --> 01:02:18,640
Industrial Commission Funds.

1385
01:02:18,640 --> 01:02:24,079
Article 36, transfer to OPED trust fund.

1386
01:02:24,079 --> 01:02:26,720
Article 37, transfer to stabilization

1387
01:02:26,720 --> 01:02:28,720
fund.

1388
01:02:28,720 --> 01:02:30,799
Article 38, transfer to capital

1389
01:02:30,799 --> 01:02:33,200
stabilization fund

1390
01:02:33,200 --> 01:02:36,160
and article 39, acceptance of chapter 90

1391
01:02:36,160 --> 01:02:38,640
funds.

1392
01:02:38,640 --> 01:02:41,119
All right, we are ready for Thank you.

1393
01:02:41,119 --> 01:02:43,280
Are there any holds that anybody wants

1394
01:02:43,280 --> 01:02:45,200
to make a last at a last minute? It's

1395
01:02:45,200 --> 01:02:46,720
fine.

1396
01:02:46,720 --> 01:02:48,880
Seeing none, we are ready for a vote on

1397
01:02:48,880 --> 01:02:51,200
the consolidated motions which is

1398
01:02:51,200 --> 01:02:54,160
articles 5 through 39 with the exception

1399
01:02:54,160 --> 01:02:56,960
of 31.

1400
01:02:56,960 --> 01:02:58,960
There is no debate on this. This

1401
01:02:58,960 --> 01:03:01,280
requires a simple majority and we will

1402
01:03:01,280 --> 01:03:03,520
use our cards. All those in favor of

1403
01:03:03,520 --> 01:03:05,119
passing the consolidated motion, please

1404
01:03:05,119 --> 01:03:07,440
signify by raising your cards. Thank

1405
01:03:07,440 --> 01:03:11,359
you. And those against. And I will call

1406
01:03:11,359 --> 01:03:14,079
that unanimous.

1407
01:03:14,079 --> 01:03:17,599
And if we could circle back, please to

1408
01:03:17,599 --> 01:03:21,359
the held item, article 31. I need a I

1409
01:03:21,359 --> 01:03:24,319
first need a motion to be read.

1410
01:03:24,319 --> 01:03:26,400
>> Mr. Moderator, I move the town approve

1411
01:03:26,400 --> 01:03:28,799
article 31 and as funding therefore to

1412
01:03:28,799 --> 01:03:31,599
raise and appropriate the sum of $35,000

1413
01:03:31,599 --> 01:03:33,760
to be added to any remaining balance for

1414
01:03:33,760 --> 01:03:35,520
the purpose of paying for subscription

1415
01:03:35,520 --> 01:03:37,440
services that were previously paid for

1416
01:03:37,440 --> 01:03:40,319
through COVID funding.

1417
01:03:40,319 --> 01:03:42,480
>> I need a second.

1418
01:03:42,480 --> 01:03:44,079
>> After some prompting, I have a motion

1419
01:03:44,079 --> 01:03:47,119
made and seconded on article 31 side

1420
01:03:47,119 --> 01:03:48,079
microphone.

1421
01:03:48,079 --> 01:03:49,920
>> Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Debbie Woods,

1422
01:03:49,920 --> 01:03:52,640
Great Road. Um while I understand this

1423
01:03:52,640 --> 01:03:54,480
is a small amount, I'm always concerned

1424
01:03:54,480 --> 01:03:56,000
with nickels and dimes because nickels

1425
01:03:56,000 --> 01:03:58,079
and dimes add up. The other thing I'm

1426
01:03:58,079 --> 01:04:01,839
concerned about is we became very um

1427
01:04:01,839 --> 01:04:03,520
confident and comfortable with COVID

1428
01:04:03,520 --> 01:04:05,599
money and we tend to keep spending what

1429
01:04:05,599 --> 01:04:07,839
was allocated for CO money maybe because

1430
01:04:07,839 --> 01:04:10,400
we do do not need it. So my question is

1431
01:04:10,400 --> 01:04:12,559
what are these subscriptions that are

1432
01:04:12,559 --> 01:04:15,359
included in this $35,000 and are they

1433
01:04:15,359 --> 01:04:18,400
needs versus wants?

1434
01:04:18,400 --> 01:04:23,430
Uh, Miss Demcowski.

1435
01:04:23,440 --> 01:04:25,920
» Uh, yes. So, well, it depends who you

1436
01:04:25,920 --> 01:04:28,079
ask. I would consider them needs. We did

1437
01:04:28,079 --> 01:04:30,079
uh use CO money to make an number of

1438
01:04:30,079 --> 01:04:31,760
purchases regarding software and

1439
01:04:31,760 --> 01:04:34,400
services. Um, so this line item covers

1440
01:04:34,400 --> 01:04:37,200
things like the required um social media

1441
01:04:37,200 --> 01:04:39,599
archiving for public records law. Uh, it

1442
01:04:39,599 --> 01:04:41,839
includes our facility software. It

1443
01:04:41,839 --> 01:04:44,240
includes the services of the PR firm,

1444
01:04:44,240 --> 01:04:46,960
all of our Zoom licenses. Uh, it's

1445
01:04:46,960 --> 01:04:48,240
called First Arriving. It does

1446
01:04:48,240 --> 01:04:51,119
dashboards for public safety. Uh we have

1447
01:04:51,119 --> 01:04:53,839
licensing for other softwares like GIS

1448
01:04:53,839 --> 01:04:57,280
systems. Uh items that we did not have

1449
01:04:57,280 --> 01:04:59,280
prior to COVID that we implemented

1450
01:04:59,280 --> 01:05:02,319
during COVID to make residents um be

1451
01:05:02,319 --> 01:05:04,319
able to ex access our data more

1452
01:05:04,319 --> 01:05:06,240
transparently and so we have continued

1453
01:05:06,240 --> 01:05:08,480
to keep them up.

1454
01:05:08,480 --> 01:05:10,240
>> Thank you, Mr. Moderator.

1455
01:05:10,240 --> 01:05:12,799
>> Thank you. Any further debate?

1456
01:05:12,799 --> 01:05:14,880
Seeing none, we will go to a vote on the

1457
01:05:14,880 --> 01:05:17,599
main motion under article 31. This

1458
01:05:17,599 --> 01:05:19,520
requires a simple majority. We'll use

1459
01:05:19,520 --> 01:05:21,200
our cards. All those in favor, please

1460
01:05:21,200 --> 01:05:23,280
signify by raising your cards. Thank

1461
01:05:23,280 --> 01:05:26,799
you. And those against, I will call that

1462
01:05:26,799 --> 01:05:30,319
unanimous. It passes. That brings us to

1463
01:05:30,319 --> 01:05:34,480
article 40. The uh free cash capital

1464
01:05:34,480 --> 01:05:37,280
items. I'm going to the uh deputy

1465
01:05:37,280 --> 01:05:40,960
moderator asked to do one article, but

1466
01:05:40,960 --> 01:05:44,000
left the choice up to me and I picked

1467
01:05:44,000 --> 01:05:46,000
article 40. You know,

1468
01:05:46,000 --> 01:05:50,400
>> why not? So, I will turn it over to Miss

1469
01:05:50,400 --> 01:06:17,109
Lavina.

1470
01:06:17,119 --> 01:06:19,200
Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Good morning

1471
01:06:19,200 --> 01:06:20,799
again.

1472
01:06:20,799 --> 01:06:23,839
Um, so here we are with capital items.

1473
01:06:23,839 --> 01:06:28,559
This, um, is articles 40 and 41. Capital

1474
01:06:28,559 --> 01:06:31,119
requests are divided between those items

1475
01:06:31,119 --> 01:06:33,520
proposed to be paid for from free cash

1476
01:06:33,520 --> 01:06:36,400
and they are listed in article 40 and

1477
01:06:36,400 --> 01:06:38,640
the items proposed to be paid by

1478
01:06:38,640 --> 01:06:42,000
borrowing are listed in article 41. The

1479
01:06:42,000 --> 01:06:44,160
proposed borrowing does not include a

1480
01:06:44,160 --> 01:06:46,079
debt exclusion.

1481
01:06:46,079 --> 01:06:48,319
First, we have a procedural motion on

1482
01:06:48,319 --> 01:06:51,680
article 40. Mr. Tulle.

1483
01:06:51,680 --> 01:06:54,000
>> Madame moderator, I move the town

1484
01:06:54,000 --> 01:06:56,079
discuss the items of this article

1485
01:06:56,079 --> 01:06:58,559
individually and vote upon each

1486
01:06:58,559 --> 01:07:00,559
separately as to the amount to be

1487
01:07:00,559 --> 01:07:03,440
appropriated for each item as set forth

1488
01:07:03,440 --> 01:07:06,559
in separate motions proposed.

1489
01:07:06,559 --> 01:07:07,280
>> Second.

1490
01:07:07,280 --> 01:07:09,039
>> Thank you. We have a motion and a second

1491
01:07:09,039 --> 01:07:12,559
on the floor. Do we have any discussion?

1492
01:07:12,559 --> 01:07:14,720
Seeing none, we'll move to a vote by

1493
01:07:14,720 --> 01:07:16,799
cards. All those in favor, please raise

1494
01:07:16,799 --> 01:07:19,280
your cards.

1495
01:07:19,280 --> 01:07:22,319
Thank you. All those opposed. That is

1496
01:07:22,319 --> 01:07:25,200
unanimous. Thank you.

1497
01:07:25,200 --> 01:07:27,440
Before considering the elements included

1498
01:07:27,440 --> 01:07:29,680
in article 40, we have a presentation

1499
01:07:29,680 --> 01:07:31,839
from the capital planning committee

1500
01:07:31,839 --> 01:07:35,829
chair Steve Gelanick.

1501
01:07:35,839 --> 01:07:37,440
Uh good morning folks. Steve Jelanick,

1502
01:07:37,440 --> 01:07:39,119
chair of capital planning. Um here to

1503
01:07:39,119 --> 01:07:41,839
give you a short overview of uh the

1504
01:07:41,839 --> 01:07:43,599
capital items in the warrant this year.

1505
01:07:43,599 --> 01:07:45,280
Um,

1506
01:07:45,280 --> 01:07:46,880
I'm sure everybody knows this, but just

1507
01:07:46,880 --> 01:07:49,599
as a reminder, capital a capital item is

1508
01:07:49,599 --> 01:07:51,680
anything that uh constitutes land

1509
01:07:51,680 --> 01:07:53,839
purchase or anything that costs more

1510
01:07:53,839 --> 01:07:56,799
than $10,000 and has a useful life of at

1511
01:07:56,799 --> 01:07:59,760
least three years. Um, capital planning

1512
01:07:59,760 --> 01:08:01,839
is charged by our bylaws to develop a

1513
01:08:01,839 --> 01:08:03,680
capital outlay plan for the town and to

1514
01:08:03,680 --> 01:08:06,880
make recommendations uh at town meeting.

1515
01:08:06,880 --> 01:08:09,119
This year we have a total of 26 capital

1516
01:08:09,119 --> 01:08:11,359
items in the warrant. Um which I think

1517
01:08:11,359 --> 01:08:13,839
might be a new record.

1518
01:08:13,839 --> 01:08:17,600
Um and as uh Miss Lavina just said um we

1519
01:08:17,600 --> 01:08:19,600
are broken this up into two different

1520
01:08:19,600 --> 01:08:21,359
articles. Article 40 covers things that

1521
01:08:21,359 --> 01:08:22,719
are going to be paid for out of free

1522
01:08:22,719 --> 01:08:28,080
cash and item article 41 covers uh stuff

1523
01:08:28,080 --> 01:08:29,679
that's going to be paid for via

1524
01:08:29,679 --> 01:08:31,440
borrowing. Um we're going to have more

1525
01:08:31,440 --> 01:08:33,600
to say about each item as they come up.

1526
01:08:33,600 --> 01:08:36,000
our are our uh our recommendations are

1527
01:08:36,000 --> 01:08:39,279
printed in the warrant. Um

1528
01:08:39,279 --> 01:08:40,719
but we'll have more to say about each

1529
01:08:40,719 --> 01:08:42,880
one why we recommend or not recommend.

1530
01:08:42,880 --> 01:08:44,640
Um lastly, we've listed all the members

1531
01:08:44,640 --> 01:08:46,080
of the capital planning committee on

1532
01:08:46,080 --> 01:08:47,520
this particular slide and I'd like to

1533
01:08:47,520 --> 01:08:49,839
acknowledge their contributions for

1534
01:08:49,839 --> 01:08:51,520
their efforts this year. Again, it was a

1535
01:08:51,520 --> 01:08:55,199
very challenging budget season.

1536
01:08:55,199 --> 01:08:58,799
This first slide uh has two columns or

1537
01:08:58,799 --> 01:09:01,759
several columns, but uh it summarizes

1538
01:09:01,759 --> 01:09:03,120
the requests that are in your warrant

1539
01:09:03,120 --> 01:09:05,199
for this year. It does not include the

1540
01:09:05,199 --> 01:09:07,279
funding that's requested in articles 42

1541
01:09:07,279 --> 01:09:09,679
and 48, which are the CPC article and

1542
01:09:09,679 --> 01:09:12,319
the citizens petition.

1543
01:09:12,319 --> 01:09:14,159
This compares the requests in in

1544
01:09:14,159 --> 01:09:16,239
articles 40 and 41 with a couple of

1545
01:09:16,239 --> 01:09:17,679
different things. First of all, what

1546
01:09:17,679 --> 01:09:19,359
each department had in their five-year

1547
01:09:19,359 --> 01:09:22,080
plan last year.

1548
01:09:22,080 --> 01:09:24,640
second and how today's requests compare

1549
01:09:24,640 --> 01:09:26,560
to what each department originally told

1550
01:09:26,560 --> 01:09:28,080
us they were going to request when they

1551
01:09:28,080 --> 01:09:30,640
first met with us back in January.

1552
01:09:30,640 --> 01:09:33,199
So, it's typical for department plans to

1553
01:09:33,199 --> 01:09:35,679
change from year to year. And there's

1554
01:09:35,679 --> 01:09:37,199
often a difference between what is being

1555
01:09:37,199 --> 01:09:38,880
requested at town meeting and what was

1556
01:09:38,880 --> 01:09:41,359
originally requested. There's lots of

1557
01:09:41,359 --> 01:09:42,799
numbers on this slide, but there's a

1558
01:09:42,799 --> 01:09:44,159
couple of takeaways that I'd like you to

1559
01:09:44,159 --> 01:09:46,400
have. Yes, the bottom line in article 40

1560
01:09:46,400 --> 01:09:49,920
and 41 is over $2 million,

1561
01:09:49,920 --> 01:09:51,359
but there's some good news. First of

1562
01:09:51,359 --> 01:09:53,440
all, overall capital items in this

1563
01:09:53,440 --> 01:09:56,320
warrant are $3.3 million less than what

1564
01:09:56,320 --> 01:09:57,760
we presented at last year's town

1565
01:09:57,760 --> 01:09:59,840
meeting. In other words, what we thought

1566
01:09:59,840 --> 01:10:01,520
was going to be like a really bad year

1567
01:10:01,520 --> 01:10:04,080
is just a sort of a bad year. I guess I

1568
01:10:04,080 --> 01:10:06,000
would put it that way. Second of all,

1569
01:10:06,000 --> 01:10:07,920
total requests in this year's warrant

1570
01:10:07,920 --> 01:10:10,640
are nearly $1.5 million less than what

1571
01:10:10,640 --> 01:10:12,159
was originally requested back in

1572
01:10:12,159 --> 01:10:14,560
January. I'll have more to say on what

1573
01:10:14,560 --> 01:10:17,760
happened there on our next slide. And uh

1574
01:10:17,760 --> 01:10:19,440
lastly, our recommendations are on the

1575
01:10:19,440 --> 01:10:23,120
last column here in terms of what we're recommending

1576
01:10:23,120 --> 01:10:27,030
for each item.

1577
01:10:27,040 --> 01:10:28,800
So this this slide here gives you a look

1578
01:10:28,800 --> 01:10:30,800
behind the curtain. Uh for those of you

1579
01:10:30,800 --> 01:10:32,560
that have never wanted to attend a

1580
01:10:32,560 --> 01:10:33,679
capital planning meeting, you're

1581
01:10:33,679 --> 01:10:35,040
certainly welcome. They're all public

1582
01:10:35,040 --> 01:10:38,080
meetings. Um and this shows what became

1583
01:10:38,080 --> 01:10:40,320
of those original requests that the

1584
01:10:40,320 --> 01:10:42,080
departments made back in January, but

1585
01:10:42,080 --> 01:10:43,760
that did not appear in in today's

1586
01:10:43,760 --> 01:10:46,320
warrant. last I told you on the last

1587
01:10:46,320 --> 01:10:47,920
slide that those initial requests were

1588
01:10:47,920 --> 01:10:50,800
over $3.9 million

1589
01:10:50,800 --> 01:10:52,640
and after we finished meeting with all

1590
01:10:52,640 --> 01:10:55,760
of the departments um a little over $1.5

1591
01:10:55,760 --> 01:10:57,920
million have been deferred for further

1592
01:10:57,920 --> 01:11:00,000
study delayed or otherwise reconsidered.

1593
01:11:00,000 --> 01:11:01,440
Those are the green numbers on this

1594
01:11:01,440 --> 01:11:04,719
slide. Green be green means good. Um

1595
01:11:04,719 --> 01:11:06,880
there's three big pieces to those uh

1596
01:11:06,880 --> 01:11:08,080
things. First of all, the planning

1597
01:11:08,080 --> 01:11:10,080
department has deferred its study of the

1598
01:11:10,080 --> 01:11:13,040
town center for another year.

1599
01:11:13,040 --> 01:11:15,199
The public works has deferred starting

1600
01:11:15,199 --> 01:11:17,199
construction on the Sbury Road bridge

1601
01:11:17,199 --> 01:11:19,040
project

1602
01:11:19,040 --> 01:11:21,920
and the school district has deferred the

1603
01:11:21,920 --> 01:11:24,159
uh Hail School Boiler project by to by

1604
01:11:24,159 --> 01:11:25,840
looking at different ways to reduce the

1605
01:11:25,840 --> 01:11:28,000
cost of this project.

1606
01:11:28,000 --> 01:11:29,679
Other departments have reduced the size

1607
01:11:29,679 --> 01:11:32,000
of their requests by funding things in

1608
01:11:32,000 --> 01:11:34,320
other ways and I'm sure you're all

1609
01:11:34,320 --> 01:11:36,880
grateful to them for that.

1610
01:11:36,880 --> 01:11:39,199
Uh the not so good news is a total of

1611
01:11:39,199 --> 01:11:41,199
46,000 was eventually added to the

1612
01:11:41,199 --> 01:11:42,960
request list. That's the red number at

1613
01:11:42,960 --> 01:11:49,990
the bottom of the slide.

1614
01:11:50,000 --> 01:11:51,920
This slide shows our projection of the

1615
01:11:51,920 --> 01:11:55,040
town's 5-year capital outlay program.

1616
01:11:55,040 --> 01:11:57,840
Again, a lot of numbers on this slide.

1617
01:11:57,840 --> 01:12:00,560
Uh f the first column is what's in the

1618
01:12:00,560 --> 01:12:03,760
warrant under articles 40 and 41. The

1619
01:12:03,760 --> 01:12:05,120
next four columns are what the

1620
01:12:05,120 --> 01:12:06,640
departments have told us they expect to

1621
01:12:06,640 --> 01:12:08,560
ask for in the next four years. I'll

1622
01:12:08,560 --> 01:12:10,080
make the usual caveat here that these

1623
01:12:10,080 --> 01:12:12,800
requests for FY28 through FY31 are very

1624
01:12:12,800 --> 01:12:15,120
likely to change. I'll show you some

1625
01:12:15,120 --> 01:12:16,960
more details on the next slide, but um

1626
01:12:16,960 --> 01:12:19,120
over the next few years, capital

1627
01:12:19,120 --> 01:12:21,199
expenses will continue to be higher than

1628
01:12:21,199 --> 01:12:25,679
what we've typically approved and many of these are due to some high

1629
01:12:25,679 --> 01:12:28,320
ticket high budget price items that

1630
01:12:28,320 --> 01:12:30,800
we're going to talk about. Bottom line

1631
01:12:30,800 --> 01:12:34,800
is here that our warrant uh articles

1632
01:12:34,800 --> 01:12:37,120
plus the what's projected to occur over

1633
01:12:37,120 --> 01:12:44,550
the next four years is over $20 million.

1634
01:12:44,560 --> 01:12:46,320
And here are some of those big ticket

1635
01:12:46,320 --> 01:12:47,920
items that I talked about. First of all,

1636
01:12:47,920 --> 01:12:49,440
we have some bridge projects that are

1637
01:12:49,440 --> 01:12:52,080
coming up. The bridge that's uh over the

1638
01:12:52,080 --> 01:12:54,960
Sbury River uh on Sbury Road over the

1639
01:12:54,960 --> 01:12:57,280
Asabet River has a construction cost of

1640
01:12:57,280 --> 01:13:02,320
about $350,000 just for the first phase.

1641
01:13:02,320 --> 01:13:04,480
There's a culvert that takes Elizabeth

1642
01:13:04,480 --> 01:13:06,880
Brook under Wheeler Road and the

1643
01:13:06,880 --> 01:13:09,120
estimated cost to replace that aging

1644
01:13:09,120 --> 01:13:14,149
culvert is over $4.2 million.

1645
01:13:14,159 --> 01:13:16,239
We have another million dollars or so

1646
01:13:16,239 --> 01:13:18,480
that the public works department is is

1647
01:13:18,480 --> 01:13:20,640
earmarking for other culvert replacement

1648
01:13:20,640 --> 01:13:23,120
projects a few years from now. That's an

1649
01:13:23,120 --> 01:13:24,800
estimate. We don't really know exactly

1650
01:13:24,800 --> 01:13:26,480
what those are going to take, but we

1651
01:13:26,480 --> 01:13:27,920
wanted to get something on the books for

1652
01:13:27,920 --> 01:13:29,760
that.

1653
01:13:29,760 --> 01:13:33,120
Also on the list, um once again, the

1654
01:13:33,120 --> 01:13:35,440
Hail School roof is in need of repair.

1655
01:13:35,440 --> 01:13:37,840
The original budget that the uh school

1656
01:13:37,840 --> 01:13:40,080
district gave us for that was over $3.7

1657
01:13:40,080 --> 01:13:42,480
million.

1658
01:13:42,480 --> 01:13:43,760
We're expecting that we're going to be

1659
01:13:43,760 --> 01:13:45,360
able to reduce the cost of that and

1660
01:13:45,360 --> 01:13:49,120
potentially split that over a few years.

1661
01:13:49,120 --> 01:13:51,280
The uh the Hail School also is in need

1662
01:13:51,280 --> 01:13:54,000
of a new boiler plant and new flooring

1663
01:13:54,000 --> 01:13:56,159
to the tune of almost a million dollars

1664
01:13:56,159 --> 01:13:59,520
totaling those two.

1665
01:13:59,520 --> 01:14:01,120
The police department is looking to

1666
01:14:01,120 --> 01:14:02,480
expand into the second floor of the

1667
01:14:02,480 --> 01:14:03,920
police station. That might cost us

1668
01:14:03,920 --> 01:14:06,800
another million dollars.

1669
01:14:06,800 --> 01:14:09,679
There's another uh vehicle replacement

1670
01:14:09,679 --> 01:14:11,520
in the fire department's budget for

1671
01:14:11,520 --> 01:14:13,760
tanker 11. That's threequarters of a

1672
01:14:13,760 --> 01:14:15,840
million dollars.

1673
01:14:15,840 --> 01:14:17,600
And also the public works department is

1674
01:14:17,600 --> 01:14:20,159
looking to request an increase to the uh

1675
01:14:20,159 --> 01:14:21,920
capacity of the highway barn that might

1676
01:14:21,920 --> 01:14:24,800
cost us a half a million dollars. A lot

1677
01:14:24,800 --> 01:14:26,800
of things to consider over the next few

1678
01:14:26,800 --> 01:14:29,360
years.

1679
01:14:29,360 --> 01:14:31,600
Sandy, here's your one-page snapshot of

1680
01:14:31,600 --> 01:14:35,040
the uh capital items. Uh the green bars

1681
01:14:35,040 --> 01:14:36,880
are what you guys have spent money on

1682
01:14:36,880 --> 01:14:38,640
over the last 10 years. This is stuff

1683
01:14:38,640 --> 01:14:40,880
that affects the war uh the the levy

1684
01:14:40,880 --> 01:14:43,679
directly. Uh it's a little bit hard to

1685
01:14:43,679 --> 01:14:46,080
show clearly how much is affected by

1686
01:14:46,080 --> 01:14:47,760
borrowing. So this is just stuff that's

1687
01:14:47,760 --> 01:14:50,560
been paid for out of free cash.

1688
01:14:50,560 --> 01:14:52,719
Um

1689
01:14:52,719 --> 01:14:54,560
the red bar is what's in this year's

1690
01:14:54,560 --> 01:14:59,669
warrant in article 40. That's $867,000.

1691
01:14:59,679 --> 01:15:02,480
And the blue bars are Oh, one more thing

1692
01:15:02,480 --> 01:15:04,080
about the green bars. They don't include

1693
01:15:04,080 --> 01:15:06,640
the money that we spent uh for that was

1694
01:15:06,640 --> 01:15:08,080
funded through ARPA. That's about

1695
01:15:08,080 --> 01:15:12,800
$600,000 over the last I think three years ago. Denise, I can't

1696
01:15:12,800 --> 01:15:13,840
remember exactly when we stopped

1697
01:15:13,840 --> 01:15:17,040
spending ARPA money. Um the black line

1698
01:15:17,040 --> 01:15:19,600
here is the average uh the ro the

1699
01:15:19,600 --> 01:15:22,000
10-year rolling average of our capital

1700
01:15:22,000 --> 01:15:25,679
expenditures. And um notice that it

1701
01:15:25,679 --> 01:15:31,189
continues to trend up.

1702
01:15:31,199 --> 01:15:36,400
Um, and the blue bars are uh our future.

1703
01:15:36,400 --> 01:15:37,840
Remember I talked a few minutes ago

1704
01:15:37,840 --> 01:15:41,040
about how these uh these large projects,

1705
01:15:41,040 --> 01:15:42,239
some of which are going to be paid for

1706
01:15:42,239 --> 01:15:44,320
out of borrowing, but this is my guess

1707
01:15:44,320 --> 01:15:45,760
as to how much we're going to try to pay

1708
01:15:45,760 --> 01:15:48,239
for out of free cash. It doesn't when we

1709
01:15:48,239 --> 01:15:49,360
look at what's going to be spent out of

1710
01:15:49,360 --> 01:15:50,640
borrowing, it's things like vehicles

1711
01:15:50,640 --> 01:15:52,960
and, you know, other stuff that has a

1712
01:15:52,960 --> 01:15:54,560
longer term picture. So, this does not

1713
01:15:54,560 --> 01:15:56,719
include those blue bars do not include

1714
01:15:56,719 --> 01:15:58,320
the Sorbay Road and Wheeler Road

1715
01:15:58,320 --> 01:16:01,040
projects, the replacement of uh engine

1716
01:16:01,040 --> 01:16:04,320
11 or the uh DPW and police station

1717
01:16:04,320 --> 01:16:06,640
expansion projects. So, uh I'm here to

1718
01:16:06,640 --> 01:16:08,239
say that the capital expenditure picture

1719
01:16:08,239 --> 01:16:09,840
over the next few years is still not a

1720
01:16:09,840 --> 01:16:12,239
pretty picture and I'd urge you to

1721
01:16:12,239 --> 01:16:14,239
consider this as you uh vote on the next

1722
01:16:14,239 --> 01:16:16,960
two warrant articles. Thank you, Madam

1723
01:16:16,960 --> 01:16:17,840
Moer.

1724
01:16:17,840 --> 01:16:20,880
>> Thank you very much, Mr. Jeleneck. Okay,

1725
01:16:20,880 --> 01:16:22,960
so we're gonna get started here. We're

1726
01:16:22,960 --> 01:16:25,440
going to start with article 40-1

1727
01:16:25,440 --> 01:16:27,760
purchasing tire equipment and related

1728
01:16:27,760 --> 01:16:30,400
equipment and all costs incidental and

1729
01:16:30,400 --> 01:16:32,400
related there too.

1730
01:16:32,400 --> 01:16:34,320
>> Mr. Constanzas.

1731
01:16:34,320 --> 01:16:36,400
>> Madame moderator, I move that the town

1732
01:16:36,400 --> 01:16:39,520
transfer from certified free cash the

1733
01:16:39,520 --> 01:16:41,679
sum of $22,500

1734
01:16:41,679 --> 01:16:44,719
for article 40-1 as printed in the

1735
01:16:44,719 --> 01:16:47,280
warrant to purchase tire equipment and

1736
01:16:47,280 --> 01:16:49,199
related equipment and all costs

1737
01:16:49,199 --> 01:16:51,360
incidental and related there too.

1738
01:16:51,360 --> 01:16:53,600
>> Second. Thank you. We have a motion and

1739
01:16:53,600 --> 01:16:55,840
a second on the floor. Uh the finance

1740
01:16:55,840 --> 01:16:57,600
committee's recommendation is in your

1741
01:16:57,600 --> 01:17:03,189
warrant and capital planning, Mr. Duca.

1742
01:17:03,199 --> 01:17:06,800
Uh Ed Duca, 26 Crescent Street. So the

1743
01:17:06,800 --> 01:17:09,760
um this equipment is going to allow for

1744
01:17:09,760 --> 01:17:12,239
in-house repair and replacement of tires

1745
01:17:12,239 --> 01:17:14,400
on light and medium duty vehicles in the

1746
01:17:14,400 --> 01:17:17,679
town for all the departments and uh will

1747
01:17:17,679 --> 01:17:20,159
reduce downtime and reliance on outside

1748
01:17:20,159 --> 01:17:23,440
vendors. It will improve the fleet um

1749
01:17:23,440 --> 01:17:25,600
fleet maintenance and lower operating

1750
01:17:25,600 --> 01:17:27,600
cost. [snorts] The purchase of this

1751
01:17:27,600 --> 01:17:30,880
equipment um the committee believes will

1752
01:17:30,880 --> 01:17:33,360
it will increase efficiency and uh there

1753
01:17:33,360 --> 01:17:35,760
are strict requirements in addition on

1754
01:17:35,760 --> 01:17:37,840
the tires for police vehicle pursuit

1755
01:17:37,840 --> 01:17:40,080
vehicles which require relatively

1756
01:17:40,080 --> 01:17:42,560
frequent replacement. This is a new

1757
01:17:42,560 --> 01:17:44,159
activity for the department of public

1758
01:17:44,159 --> 01:17:47,120
works. Um the previously this work had

1759
01:17:47,120 --> 01:17:49,920
been contracted out. the uh committee

1760
01:17:49,920 --> 01:17:52,823
passed uh supported this rec um

1761
01:17:52,823 --> 01:17:53,440
[clears throat]

1762
01:17:53,440 --> 01:17:55,760
committee voted to recommend support for

1763
01:17:55,760 --> 01:17:57,679
this article unanimously.

1764
01:17:57,679 --> 01:17:59,920
>> Thank you very much, Mr. Duca. Is there

1765
01:17:59,920 --> 01:18:04,709
any discussion on article 40-1?

1766
01:18:04,719 --> 01:18:06,560
Seeing none, we'll move to a vote. We'll

1767
01:18:06,560 --> 01:18:08,640
be using our cards on this vote. All

1768
01:18:08,640 --> 01:18:12,239
those in favor, please raise your cards.

1769
01:18:12,239 --> 01:18:16,000
Thank you very much. Those opposed,

1770
01:18:16,000 --> 01:18:17,760
we'll take that as a unanimous vote.

1771
01:18:17,760 --> 01:18:23,189
Thank you.

1772
01:18:23,199 --> 01:18:26,880
Moving on to article 40-2, resurfacing

1773
01:18:26,880 --> 01:18:29,679
Evelyn Road, sorry, Evelyn Road

1774
01:18:29,679 --> 01:18:32,400
resurfacing and all costs incidental and

1775
01:18:32,400 --> 01:18:35,120
related there too. Miss Hegman.

1776
01:18:35,120 --> 01:18:38,000
>> Madame moderator, I move that the town

1777
01:18:38,000 --> 01:18:40,080
transfer from certified free cash the

1778
01:18:40,080 --> 01:18:43,360
sum of $70,000 for article 40-2 as

1779
01:18:43,360 --> 01:18:45,280
printed in the warrant for Evelyn Road

1780
01:18:45,280 --> 01:18:47,679
resurfacing and all costs incidental and

1781
01:18:47,679 --> 01:18:49,040
related thereto.

1782
01:18:49,040 --> 01:18:50,400
>> Second.

1783
01:18:50,400 --> 01:18:52,000
>> Thank you. We have a motion and a second

1784
01:18:52,000 --> 01:18:54,239
on the floor and uh the finance

1785
01:18:54,239 --> 01:18:55,920
committee's recommendation is in your

1786
01:18:55,920 --> 01:18:59,199
warrant. Uh capital planning, Mr. Duc.

1787
01:18:59,199 --> 01:19:01,679
uh capital planning voted unanimously to

1788
01:19:01,679 --> 01:19:04,080
recommend support for this article. Uh

1789
01:19:04,080 --> 01:19:06,480
Department of Public Works historically

1790
01:19:06,480 --> 01:19:10,320
is using these funds to uh repave one

1791
01:19:10,320 --> 01:19:12,159
small road every year outside of the

1792
01:19:12,159 --> 01:19:15,280
chapter 90 allocation. Uh this is part

1793
01:19:15,280 --> 01:19:17,920
of a regular uh activity and and

1794
01:19:17,920 --> 01:19:20,320
commonly appears on the uh capital

1795
01:19:20,320 --> 01:19:21,360
article.

1796
01:19:21,360 --> 01:19:23,600
>> Thank you very much. Is there any

1797
01:19:23,600 --> 01:19:27,520
discussion on article 40-2?

1798
01:19:27,520 --> 01:19:29,760
Seeing none, we'll go to cards for

1799
01:19:29,760 --> 01:19:31,360
voting again. Please, if you're in

1800
01:19:31,360 --> 01:19:34,320
favor, please raise your card.

1801
01:19:34,320 --> 01:19:37,760
Thank you very much. Any opposed?

1802
01:19:37,760 --> 01:19:41,040
The mot Oh, the motion passes

1803
01:19:41,040 --> 01:19:47,510
unanimously.

1804
01:19:47,520 --> 01:19:50,400
Moving on to article 40-3

1805
01:19:50,400 --> 01:19:53,760
retrofit motorbank more bank chipper

1806
01:19:53,760 --> 01:19:56,239
with a winch and related equipment and

1807
01:19:56,239 --> 01:19:58,320
all costs incidental and related there

1808
01:19:58,320 --> 01:20:00,239
too. Mr. Peterson.

1809
01:20:00,239 --> 01:20:02,320
>> Madame moderator, I move that the town

1810
01:20:02,320 --> 01:20:04,400
transfer from certified free cash the

1811
01:20:04,400 --> 01:20:07,600
sum of $15,000 for article 40-3 as

1812
01:20:07,600 --> 01:20:10,800
printed in the warrant to retrofit more

1813
01:20:10,800 --> 01:20:12,719
bank chipper with a winch and related

1814
01:20:12,719 --> 01:20:14,880
equipment and all costs incidental and

1815
01:20:14,880 --> 01:20:17,280
related there too.

1816
01:20:17,280 --> 01:20:18,560
>> Thank you very much. We have a motion

1817
01:20:18,560 --> 01:20:20,480
and a second on the floor. Uh the

1818
01:20:20,480 --> 01:20:22,400
finance committee recommendation is in

1819
01:20:22,400 --> 01:20:25,120
your warrant and capital planning, Mr.

1820
01:20:25,120 --> 01:20:27,920
Duca. Thank you. uh capital planning uh

1821
01:20:27,920 --> 01:20:30,000
unanimously voted to recommend support

1822
01:20:30,000 --> 01:20:32,960
for this article. Uh the winch added to

1823
01:20:32,960 --> 01:20:35,280
this chipper uh the chipper was designed

1824
01:20:35,280 --> 01:20:41,040
to have a winch and uh this uh adds the winch that would that should be on

1825
01:20:41,040 --> 01:20:45,600
the chipper. It is a uh speeds up the um

1826
01:20:45,600 --> 01:20:48,320
operational efficiency and is a safety

1827
01:20:48,320 --> 01:20:50,719
measure as well. Thank you.

1828
01:20:50,719 --> 01:20:53,360
>> Thank you. Do we have any discussion on

1829
01:20:53,360 --> 01:20:56,870
article 40-3?

1830
01:20:56,880 --> 01:20:58,560
Seeing none, we'll go to a vote with

1831
01:20:58,560 --> 01:21:00,400
your cards, please. All those in favor,

1832
01:21:00,400 --> 01:21:03,120
please raise your cards.

1833
01:21:03,120 --> 01:21:06,960
Thank you. All those opposed. We'll call

1834
01:21:06,960 --> 01:21:08,640
that a unanimous. Thank you. The motion

1835
01:21:08,640 --> 01:21:13,510
carries.

1836
01:21:13,520 --> 01:21:16,480
Uh, next article 40-4,

1837
01:21:16,480 --> 01:21:19,199
radio systems upgrades and related

1838
01:21:19,199 --> 01:21:21,760
equipment and all costs incidental and

1839
01:21:21,760 --> 01:21:25,199
related there too, Miss Burch Mcichael.

1840
01:21:25,199 --> 01:21:27,040
>> Madame moderator, I move that the town

1841
01:21:27,040 --> 01:21:28,960
transfer from certified free cash the

1842
01:21:28,960 --> 01:21:32,560
sum of $45,000 for article 40-4 as

1843
01:21:32,560 --> 01:21:34,640
printed in the warrant for radio system

1844
01:21:34,640 --> 01:21:36,560
upgrades and related equipment and all

1845
01:21:36,560 --> 01:21:38,719
costs incidental and related there too.

1846
01:21:38,719 --> 01:21:39,600
>> Second.

1847
01:21:39,600 --> 01:21:41,040
>> Thank you. Do we have a motion and a

1848
01:21:41,040 --> 01:21:43,440
second on the floor? Uh the finance

1849
01:21:43,440 --> 01:21:45,280
committee's recommendation is in your

1850
01:21:45,280 --> 01:21:47,199
warrant. Capital planning your

1851
01:21:47,199 --> 01:21:48,320
recommendation.

1852
01:21:48,320 --> 01:21:51,280
>> Uh capital planning uh unanimously

1853
01:21:51,280 --> 01:21:54,880
supported recommendation uh uh voted in

1854
01:21:54,880 --> 01:21:58,239
support of this article. Um so the radio

1855
01:21:58,239 --> 01:22:01,840
system is not the current system uh has

1856
01:22:01,840 --> 01:22:05,360
issues. These are will improve and uh

1857
01:22:05,360 --> 01:22:07,920
eliminate the gaps that are that occur

1858
01:22:07,920 --> 01:22:10,880
in the current system. the committee uh

1859
01:22:10,880 --> 01:22:13,199
wondered whether you know cell phones

1860
01:22:13,199 --> 01:22:16,320
might be used in in place of this. Um

1861
01:22:16,320 --> 01:22:18,560
but that's not really it's it would be a

1862
01:22:18,560 --> 01:22:20,000
more expensive option, not really an

1863
01:22:20,000 --> 01:22:22,239
option because you then have to uh

1864
01:22:22,239 --> 01:22:24,560
purchase and provide cell phones for

1865
01:22:24,560 --> 01:22:26,639
your employees and the people who are

1866
01:22:26,639 --> 01:22:29,440
working for the town. The cell tower on

1867
01:22:29,440 --> 01:22:32,560
Hartley Road will house the repeater and

1868
01:22:32,560 --> 01:22:34,639
uh and so we believe that this is

1869
01:22:34,639 --> 01:22:37,280
actually a cost-effective investment for

1870
01:22:37,280 --> 01:22:39,120
the DPW.

1871
01:22:39,120 --> 01:22:41,840
>> Thank you very much.

1872
01:22:41,840 --> 01:22:43,760
Do we have any discussion on article

1873
01:22:43,760 --> 01:22:46,320
40-4?

1874
01:22:46,320 --> 01:22:48,080
Seeing none, we'll move to a vote with

1875
01:22:48,080 --> 01:22:49,120
cards.

1876
01:22:49,120 --> 01:22:56,310
>> Oops. I'm sorry.

1877
01:22:56,320 --> 01:22:59,199
Side microphone. Yeah. Hi, U Margaret

1878
01:22:59,199 --> 01:23:01,360
Costello Gleasonale Road. I just want to

1879
01:23:01,360 --> 01:23:03,120
know why we're not using our electronic

1880
01:23:03,120 --> 01:23:05,360
clickers. I think this is intimidating

1881
01:23:05,360 --> 01:23:08,080
using the cards. I would like to vote

1882
01:23:08,080 --> 01:23:10,000
electronically on all the motions,

1883
01:23:10,000 --> 01:23:13,990
please.

1884
01:23:14,000 --> 01:23:15,679
Uh Mr. Moderator, can you help me with

1885
01:23:15,679 --> 01:23:22,790
that one?

1886
01:23:22,800 --> 01:23:25,120
Okay, I'm I'm good. Thank you. So, in

1887
01:23:25,120 --> 01:23:27,920
the interest of expediency and moving

1888
01:23:27,920 --> 01:23:30,800
the meeting along, I chose to go with

1889
01:23:30,800 --> 01:23:34,480
cards on the items that don't create any

1890
01:23:34,480 --> 01:23:38,239
discussion um or controversy in the

1891
01:23:38,239 --> 01:23:43,270
conversation in the audience.

1892
01:23:43,280 --> 01:23:44,880
Do we have any other discussion on

1893
01:23:44,880 --> 01:23:48,000
article 40-4?

1894
01:23:48,000 --> 01:23:50,880
Okay, moving forward, um we'll vote with

1895
01:23:50,880 --> 01:23:53,199
uh our cards again on this one. All

1896
01:23:53,199 --> 01:23:56,790
those in favor?

1897
01:23:56,800 --> 01:24:00,159
Thank you. Those opposed.

1898
01:24:00,159 --> 01:24:05,280
Uh we have um a majority in favor.

1899
01:24:05,280 --> 01:24:09,830
The motion carries. Thank you.

1900
01:24:09,840 --> 01:24:12,719
Uh article 40-5

1901
01:24:12,719 --> 01:24:15,120
purchase windstorm blower and related

1902
01:24:15,120 --> 01:24:17,600
equipment and all costs incidental and

1903
01:24:17,600 --> 01:24:20,000
related there too.

1904
01:24:20,000 --> 01:24:22,239
Mr. Tulle.

1905
01:24:22,239 --> 01:24:24,560
Madame moderator, I move that the town

1906
01:24:24,560 --> 01:24:27,120
transfer from certified free cash the

1907
01:24:27,120 --> 01:24:31,280
sum of $13,000 for article 40-5 as

1908
01:24:31,280 --> 01:24:33,199
printed in the warrant to purchase a

1909
01:24:33,199 --> 01:24:35,760
windstorm blower and related equipment

1910
01:24:35,760 --> 01:24:38,080
and all costs incidental and related

1911
01:24:38,080 --> 01:24:40,320
there too.

1912
01:24:40,320 --> 01:24:41,679
>> Thank you very much. We have a motion

1913
01:24:41,679 --> 01:24:44,159
and a second on the floor. The finance

1914
01:24:44,159 --> 01:24:46,000
committee's recommendation is in your

1915
01:24:46,000 --> 01:24:47,760
warrant. Capital planning your

1916
01:24:47,760 --> 01:24:50,719
recommendation. uh capital planning uh

1917
01:24:50,719 --> 01:24:52,719
voted unanimously to recommend support

1918
01:24:52,719 --> 01:24:55,920
for this article. So the issue here is

1919
01:24:55,920 --> 01:24:58,400
uh previously the department or

1920
01:24:58,400 --> 01:25:01,679
currently the department is uh renting

1921
01:25:01,679 --> 01:25:04,480
uh this type of equipment for the town.

1922
01:25:04,480 --> 01:25:06,719
Uh the argument is made that the

1923
01:25:06,719 --> 01:25:08,800
purchasing the equipment will in improve

1924
01:25:08,800 --> 01:25:11,440
efficiency and be cost effective more

1925
01:25:11,440 --> 01:25:14,159
cost-effective than repeated rentals and

1926
01:25:14,159 --> 01:25:15,920
will provide a reliable tool for

1927
01:25:15,920 --> 01:25:18,719
cleaning leaves, deb debris and storm

1928
01:25:18,719 --> 01:25:21,040
related material. Uh the committee

1929
01:25:21,040 --> 01:25:23,280
discussed this uh it is a new piece of

1930
01:25:23,280 --> 01:25:25,760
equipment. So we the committee weighed

1931
01:25:25,760 --> 01:25:27,679
the relative merits of continuing to

1932
01:25:27,679 --> 01:25:29,920
rent with no need for required

1933
01:25:29,920 --> 01:25:32,239
maintenance against ownership. uh the

1934
01:25:32,239 --> 01:25:34,080
additional cost savings was noted and

1935
01:25:34,080 --> 01:25:36,480
the flexibility associated with having

1936
01:25:36,480 --> 01:25:39,520
the blower at hand uh could prove in uh

1937
01:25:39,520 --> 01:25:41,760
helpful to the department. So that that

1938
01:25:41,760 --> 01:25:44,080
was why we voted in favor of

1939
01:25:44,080 --> 01:25:45,600
>> Thank you very much support.

1940
01:25:45,600 --> 01:25:47,600
>> Is there any discuss discussion on

1941
01:25:47,600 --> 01:25:49,920
motion 40-5?

1942
01:25:49,920 --> 01:25:52,800
>> Hi Sandy Taff from 303 Redacre Road.

1943
01:25:52,800 --> 01:25:55,920
What is a windstorm blower actually and

1944
01:25:55,920 --> 01:25:59,120
can we use that on our own property? Uh,

1945
01:25:59,120 --> 01:26:00,639
Miss Demkowski, would you like to

1946
01:26:00,639 --> 01:26:02,320
address that?

1947
01:26:02,320 --> 01:26:03,440
>> Oh, Ed, thank you.

1948
01:26:03,440 --> 01:26:07,040
>> Um, yes. So, this is a a large uh piece

1949
01:26:07,040 --> 01:26:12,480
of equipment for uh blowing debris uh

1950
01:26:12,480 --> 01:26:15,360
off the road into an area where they

1951
01:26:15,360 --> 01:26:18,560
could be collected and removed. So, it

1952
01:26:18,560 --> 01:26:23,040
is the sort of large wheeled version of

1953
01:26:23,040 --> 01:26:26,239
what you might have as a uh a uh a

1954
01:26:26,239 --> 01:26:28,880
blower for your leaves in the fall.

1955
01:26:28,880 --> 01:26:30,639
>> In all seriousness, is this something

1956
01:26:30,639 --> 01:26:32,400
like the library where we can go and

1957
01:26:32,400 --> 01:26:33,840
take out a piece of equipment to use

1958
01:26:33,840 --> 01:26:36,480
that for? [laughter]

1959
01:26:36,480 --> 01:26:40,000
>> Um, I don't believe that the DPW is a

1960
01:26:40,000 --> 01:26:42,239
rental department.

1961
01:26:42,239 --> 01:26:46,629
>> That was your follow-up question.

1962
01:26:46,639 --> 01:26:48,239
Thank you very much. Is there any other

1963
01:26:48,239 --> 01:26:52,320
discussion on article 40-5?

1964
01:26:52,320 --> 01:26:53,760
Seeing none, we're going to use our

1965
01:26:53,760 --> 01:26:56,719
cards to vote on this. Would uh all in

1966
01:26:56,719 --> 01:27:00,080
favor please raise your cards.

1967
01:27:00,080 --> 01:27:04,000
Thank you very much. All those opposed.

1968
01:27:04,000 --> 01:27:05,760
We'll call that a majority vote. Thank

1969
01:27:05,760 --> 01:27:11,590
you very much.

1970
01:27:11,600 --> 01:27:14,880
Article 40-6 add card readers to

1971
01:27:14,880 --> 01:27:18,000
interior doors at PMPO and related

1972
01:27:18,000 --> 01:27:20,480
equipment and all costs incidental and

1973
01:27:20,480 --> 01:27:22,880
related there too.

1974
01:27:22,880 --> 01:27:25,520
>> Excuse me, Mr. Castanzas. Madame

1975
01:27:25,520 --> 01:27:27,600
moderator, I move that the town transfer

1976
01:27:27,600 --> 01:27:30,560
from certified free cash the sum of

1977
01:27:30,560 --> 01:27:33,840
$30,000 for article 40-6

1978
01:27:33,840 --> 01:27:36,159
as printed in the warrant to add card

1979
01:27:36,159 --> 01:27:38,960
readers to interior doors at PMPO and

1980
01:27:38,960 --> 01:27:40,719
related equipment and all costs

1981
01:27:40,719 --> 01:27:43,920
incidental and related there too.

1982
01:27:43,920 --> 01:27:45,760
>> Thank you. We have a motion and a second

1983
01:27:45,760 --> 01:27:47,920
on the floor. Uh the finance committee's

1984
01:27:47,920 --> 01:27:50,000
recommendation is in your warrant.

1985
01:27:50,000 --> 01:27:52,880
Capital planning, Mr. Chelan. Madam

1986
01:27:52,880 --> 01:27:54,400
moderator, Capital Planning voted

1987
01:27:54,400 --> 01:27:56,000
unanimously to recommend the town

1988
01:27:56,000 --> 01:27:57,600
support this funding request, which

1989
01:27:57,600 --> 01:27:59,360
authorizes funds for the facilities

1990
01:27:59,360 --> 01:28:01,360
department to use to expand the number

1991
01:28:01,360 --> 01:28:03,360
of interior doors at the Pompo Community

1992
01:28:03,360 --> 01:28:05,360
Center that are equipped with electronic

1993
01:28:05,360 --> 01:28:07,840
key card readers. This project is

1994
01:28:07,840 --> 01:28:09,600
intended to improve security at the

1995
01:28:09,600 --> 01:28:11,360
center by ensuring that access to

1996
01:28:11,360 --> 01:28:13,120
certain critical rooms will only be

1997
01:28:13,120 --> 01:28:16,239
provided to authorized users.

1998
01:28:16,239 --> 01:28:17,600
>> Thank you very much. Is there any

1999
01:28:17,600 --> 01:28:21,440
discussion on article 40-6?

2000
01:28:21,440 --> 01:28:22,880
Madam moderator, Tom,

2001
01:28:22,880 --> 01:28:24,239
>> the side microphone,

2002
01:28:24,239 --> 01:28:27,360
>> Tom Ryan, 453 Great Road.

2003
01:28:27,360 --> 01:28:29,600
>> Um, we're spending an awful lot of

2004
01:28:29,600 --> 01:28:32,800
money. I think keys are probably fairly

2005
01:28:32,800 --> 01:28:34,719
adequate for something like this and I

2006
01:28:34,719 --> 01:28:36,960
would suggest we vote no on this

2007
01:28:36,960 --> 01:28:38,400
article.

2008
01:28:38,400 --> 01:28:40,320
>> Thank you.

2009
01:28:40,320 --> 01:28:41,520
Front microphone,

2010
01:28:41,520 --> 01:28:45,040
>> Pam Weathers, 89 West Actton Road. And I

2011
01:28:45,040 --> 01:28:48,080
am concerned because these things fail.

2012
01:28:48,080 --> 01:28:49,760
I've been in situations where they

2013
01:28:49,760 --> 01:28:52,000
failed where I work and then you're

2014
01:28:52,000 --> 01:28:55,120
stuck. And so I agree. I don't think we

2015
01:28:55,120 --> 01:28:57,360
need them. I think a key makes a lot

2016
01:28:57,360 --> 01:28:59,600
more sense.

2017
01:28:59,600 --> 01:29:01,120
>> Miss Demkowski, would you care to

2018
01:29:01,120 --> 01:29:02,159
address this?

2019
01:29:02,159 --> 01:29:04,159
>> Yes. So we are looking for the

2020
01:29:04,159 --> 01:29:05,920
electronic card readers for a number of

2021
01:29:05,920 --> 01:29:09,280
reasons. Um we have added them to the

2022
01:29:09,280 --> 01:29:11,280
library, the town building, police

2023
01:29:11,280 --> 01:29:13,040
station, the fire station, and the

2024
01:29:13,040 --> 01:29:15,280
exterior doors at PMPO. Uh, one of the

2025
01:29:15,280 --> 01:29:17,120
difficulties we have at PMPO is a number

2026
01:29:17,120 --> 01:29:18,800
of people still have keys that used to

2027
01:29:18,800 --> 01:29:22,320
work there um or that um have had

2028
01:29:22,320 --> 01:29:24,400
programs or events there. Uh, the

2029
01:29:24,400 --> 01:29:26,000
electronic card readers would allow us

2030
01:29:26,000 --> 01:29:28,320
to digitally unlock the doors if someone

2031
01:29:28,320 --> 01:29:29,920
is renting space from us so we don't

2032
01:29:29,920 --> 01:29:32,560
have to provide them keys. And if we

2033
01:29:32,560 --> 01:29:34,159
give a swipe card, we know who's in the

2034
01:29:34,159 --> 01:29:36,000
building and when. Uh we've had a number

2035
01:29:36,000 --> 01:29:37,679
of instances over the last few months

2036
01:29:37,679 --> 01:29:40,800
that um staff or folks are being in are

2037
01:29:40,800 --> 01:29:43,120
in the building um for their own event

2038
01:29:43,120 --> 01:29:45,600
after hours and people walk in, they

2039
01:29:45,600 --> 01:29:47,920
wander around uh and frankly it's not

2040
01:29:47,920 --> 01:29:49,840
safe. Uh we run an afterchool program.

2041
01:29:49,840 --> 01:29:52,480
There are kids there and to have every

2042
01:29:52,480 --> 01:29:54,480
access point available is just something

2043
01:29:54,480 --> 01:29:55,920
that we're not comfortable with. We'd

2044
01:29:55,920 --> 01:29:58,080
like to increase the security and the

2045
01:29:58,080 --> 01:30:00,560
controls there.

2046
01:30:00,560 --> 01:30:04,880
>> Thank you. Side microphone.

2047
01:30:04,880 --> 01:30:07,760
I'm thinking um Debbie Woods great road

2048
01:30:07,760 --> 01:30:10,400
thank you madam moderator so these are

2049
01:30:10,400 --> 01:30:14,719
for I'm 100% support agree with external

2050
01:30:14,719 --> 01:30:17,520
doors these are for internal doors for

2051
01:30:17,520 --> 01:30:20,480
example going into the cafetorium going

2052
01:30:20,480 --> 01:30:24,320
into room 121 and things like that I am

2053
01:30:24,320 --> 01:30:27,760
a frequent user of pompo and there have

2054
01:30:27,760 --> 01:30:30,560
been multiple issues of not being

2055
01:30:30,560 --> 01:30:33,920
provided either the code or a card to go

2056
01:30:33,920 --> 01:30:36,639
in and have been standing out as Miss

2057
01:30:36,639 --> 01:30:40,080
Weathers um said in the cold not being

2058
01:30:40,080 --> 01:30:42,239
able to go in. This to me is just going

2059
01:30:42,239 --> 01:30:44,400
to increase that outside doors

2060
01:30:44,400 --> 01:30:46,880
absolutely positively. Internal doors I

2061
01:30:46,880 --> 01:30:49,440
am questioning that expense for that. I

2062
01:30:49,440 --> 01:30:50,719
think it's going to cause more issues

2063
01:30:50,719 --> 01:30:52,480
than than solve.

2064
01:30:52,480 --> 01:30:54,480
>> Miss Demkowski.

2065
01:30:54,480 --> 01:30:56,400
>> Yes. So that's understandable. Um, like

2066
01:30:56,400 --> 01:30:58,400
any system, we have dealt with our

2067
01:30:58,400 --> 01:31:00,239
growing pains with facilities being able

2068
01:31:00,239 --> 01:31:01,840
to unlock the doors or get um,

2069
01:31:01,840 --> 01:31:03,280
information about who was using the

2070
01:31:03,280 --> 01:31:05,040
space. Uh, we actually have them on a

2071
01:31:05,040 --> 01:31:06,719
number of the interior doors at PMPO

2072
01:31:06,719 --> 01:31:09,120
now. Um, and this was just a request

2073
01:31:09,120 --> 01:31:11,040
brought forward by a number of the staff

2074
01:31:11,040 --> 01:31:13,840
and facilities just again to keep

2075
01:31:13,840 --> 01:31:16,480
security. Um, as you know because you

2076
01:31:16,480 --> 01:31:18,000
are a frequent user, the building has

2077
01:31:18,000 --> 01:31:19,440
been vandalized a number of times over

2078
01:31:19,440 --> 01:31:20,880
the last six months. People have gotten

2079
01:31:20,880 --> 01:31:22,480
into spaces they shouldn't be. when

2080
01:31:22,480 --> 01:31:23,840
there's other programs in say the

2081
01:31:23,840 --> 01:31:26,159
function room, they've gotten into 120,

2082
01:31:26,159 --> 01:31:29,280
125 and actually damaged TVs, the sinks,

2083
01:31:29,280 --> 01:31:32,719
the bathrooms. Um, so nothing is ideal

2084
01:31:32,719 --> 01:31:34,719
and we are hoping that this actually

2085
01:31:34,719 --> 01:31:38,159
improves our um ability to let you into

2086
01:31:38,159 --> 01:31:39,679
the space that you need to but still

2087
01:31:39,679 --> 01:31:41,360
keep everyone safe and the building

2088
01:31:41,360 --> 01:31:44,320
secure. along with this to those points

2089
01:31:44,320 --> 01:31:46,560
because I know the building department

2090
01:31:46,560 --> 01:31:49,040
is overwhelmed. I think a very clear

2091
01:31:49,040 --> 01:31:50,639
policy and procedure needs to be in

2092
01:31:50,639 --> 01:31:54,639
place before this kind of expenditure is um approved.

2093
01:31:54,639 --> 01:31:56,159
>> Thank you, Miss Woods.

2094
01:31:56,159 --> 01:31:57,440
>> Front microphone.

2095
01:31:57,440 --> 01:32:00,159
>> Tom Porch, Reder Road. Um I'm wondering

2096
01:32:00,159 --> 01:32:05,280
how many locks this actually applies to.

2097
01:32:05,280 --> 01:32:07,040
>> Miss Demkowski, I know you're looking it

2098
01:32:07,040 --> 01:32:17,350
up.

2099
01:32:17,360 --> 01:32:19,679
Yeah, sure. Uh, side microphone. Mr.

2100
01:32:19,679 --> 01:32:20,719
Ryan,

2101
01:32:20,719 --> 01:32:24,000
>> Tom Ryan, great road. Another comment on

2102
01:32:24,000 --> 01:32:27,520
this. Um, as many of you know, I've been

2103
01:32:27,520 --> 01:32:29,600
on a number of boards and committees

2104
01:32:29,600 --> 01:32:34,320
over the years. I never saw any problems

2105
01:32:34,320 --> 01:32:38,560
uh over all those years with just key

2106
01:32:38,560 --> 01:32:40,719
access. One of the things that's

2107
01:32:40,719 --> 01:32:44,320
happened in the last couple years is oh

2108
01:32:44,320 --> 01:32:47,840
golly gee, somebody forgets to program

2109
01:32:47,840 --> 01:32:52,159
the door when um the board of assessors

2110
01:32:52,159 --> 01:32:55,440
is there and guess what? We end up

2111
01:32:55,440 --> 01:32:58,320
having to prop the door open because we

2112
01:32:58,320 --> 01:33:01,199
don't have a key to unlock it. In order

2113
01:33:01,199 --> 01:33:03,360
to make sure that we've got a legal

2114
01:33:03,360 --> 01:33:05,920
meeting, we have to prop the door open.

2115
01:33:05,920 --> 01:33:07,760
If we had a key, that wouldn't be

2116
01:33:07,760 --> 01:33:09,280
necessary.

2117
01:33:09,280 --> 01:33:09,679
>> Thank you.

2118
01:33:09,679 --> 01:33:11,760
>> I believe in keys,

2119
01:33:11,760 --> 01:33:13,120
>> Miss Demoski.

2120
01:33:13,120 --> 01:33:15,199
>> So, may I comment on that quickly first?

2121
01:33:15,199 --> 01:33:15,840
>> Yes, sure.

2122
01:33:15,840 --> 01:33:17,920
>> Um, so we actually provide access to all

2123
01:33:17,920 --> 01:33:19,360
the department heads, but those that

2124
01:33:19,360 --> 01:33:21,440
refuse to use their cell phone for

2125
01:33:21,440 --> 01:33:23,280
access don't have the ability to lock

2126
01:33:23,280 --> 01:33:24,960
and unlock the doors. So, the department

2127
01:33:24,960 --> 01:33:26,880
heads that don't want to use the the

2128
01:33:26,880 --> 01:33:28,480
electronic locks have to prop the door

2129
01:33:28,480 --> 01:33:30,719
open. Um, I don't have the number. I'm

2130
01:33:30,719 --> 01:33:31,920
sorry. I don't have the number of doors

2131
01:33:31,920 --> 01:33:33,120
in front of me.

2132
01:33:33,120 --> 01:33:36,320
>> Any any summary of any guess?

2133
01:33:36,320 --> 01:33:38,320
>> So, as I said, we did do a number of the

2134
01:33:38,320 --> 01:33:40,800
doors already. Um, this would do, I

2135
01:33:40,800 --> 01:33:45,360
believe, the function room. Uh, one the room right behind the front desk,

2136
01:33:45,360 --> 01:33:48,239
the two rooms in the back. Um, and I

2137
01:33:48,239 --> 01:33:50,800
think the COA the front access to the

2138
01:33:50,800 --> 01:33:52,880
COA space um because the other doors

2139
01:33:52,880 --> 01:33:54,320
already have it. So, we're talking about

2140
01:33:54,320 --> 01:33:56,239
less than 10 locks.

2141
01:33:56,239 --> 01:33:56,639
>> Yes.

2142
01:33:56,639 --> 01:33:59,360
>> At at a cost of over $3,000 each.

2143
01:33:59,360 --> 01:34:01,360
>> It's the wiring that that is required.

2144
01:34:01,360 --> 01:34:04,000
Yes.

2145
01:34:04,000 --> 01:34:07,360
>> Thank you. Side microphone.

2146
01:34:07,360 --> 01:34:09,040
>> Good morning. Mark Groomman, Elmidge

2147
01:34:09,040 --> 01:34:11,280
Road. I just wanted to ask a clarifying

2148
01:34:11,280 --> 01:34:12,400
question. I believe the planning

2149
01:34:12,400 --> 01:34:14,239
committee talked about additional doors

2150
01:34:14,239 --> 01:34:15,360
that are being put in. Could somebody

2151
01:34:15,360 --> 01:34:18,560
please clarify that?

2152
01:34:18,560 --> 01:34:22,229
>> Miss Demkowski.

2153
01:34:22,239 --> 01:34:23,600
I'm sorry. I don't I didn't understand

2154
01:34:23,600 --> 01:34:24,400
your question.

2155
01:34:24,400 --> 01:34:25,120
>> Please repeat.

2156
01:34:25,120 --> 01:34:27,040
>> I was under the impression that one of

2157
01:34:27,040 --> 01:34:28,560
the comments was that additional doors

2158
01:34:28,560 --> 01:34:30,880
are being put in as as part of this

2159
01:34:30,880 --> 01:34:32,159
work. Is that is that not the case? Did

2160
01:34:32,159 --> 01:34:32,960
I misunderstand?

2161
01:34:32,960 --> 01:34:35,280
>> No, this is additional door locks being

2162
01:34:35,280 --> 01:34:37,360
put on. So, the doors are there. We

2163
01:34:37,360 --> 01:34:38,880
already did a phase that we put the door

2164
01:34:38,880 --> 01:34:40,400
locks on a number of doors. This is

2165
01:34:40,400 --> 01:34:42,400
additional doors to be added.

2166
01:34:42,400 --> 01:34:44,560
>> Thank you. You're welcome.

2167
01:34:44,560 --> 01:34:48,000
>> Is there any further discussion?

2168
01:34:48,000 --> 01:34:50,080
Seeing none, we'll go Oh, sorry. Go

2169
01:34:50,080 --> 01:34:51,840
ahead.

2170
01:34:51,840 --> 01:34:54,719
Deputy Woods, Great Road. I'm confused.

2171
01:34:54,719 --> 01:34:57,600
I'm really confused. Um, given this last

2172
01:34:57,600 --> 01:35:00,000
comment of we're now Oh, great road.

2173
01:35:00,000 --> 01:35:02,320
Thank you, ma madam moderator. We're

2174
01:35:02,320 --> 01:35:06,719
asking for $30,000 for additional

2175
01:35:06,719 --> 01:35:10,960
security for doors. Yet, I heard that if

2176
01:35:10,960 --> 01:35:13,920
a person is not willing to utilize their

2177
01:35:13,920 --> 01:35:15,920
cell phone, they have to prop the door

2178
01:35:15,920 --> 01:35:18,950
open.

2179
01:35:18,960 --> 01:35:21,280
What? I'm now

2180
01:35:21,280 --> 01:35:24,159
So, is this $30,000 now going to cause

2181
01:35:24,159 --> 01:35:27,280
or create a different type of security

2182
01:35:27,280 --> 01:35:29,440
issue? Because, as a town administrator

2183
01:35:29,440 --> 01:35:30,800
said, you got to prop the door open

2184
01:35:30,800 --> 01:35:31,840
because you have to have an open

2185
01:35:31,840 --> 01:35:34,159
meeting. So, I'm now very confused

2186
01:35:34,159 --> 01:35:37,520
whether this $30,000 is for the better

2187
01:35:37,520 --> 01:35:40,000
or not for the better. And the other

2188
01:35:40,000 --> 01:35:43,120
comment I'd like to make is the um

2189
01:35:43,120 --> 01:35:46,239
vandalism that was mentioned. The

2190
01:35:46,239 --> 01:35:47,840
understanding is that that happened

2191
01:35:47,840 --> 01:35:51,600
during the day and lack of supervision

2192
01:35:51,600 --> 01:35:54,560
versus security. So let's not let's not

2193
01:35:54,560 --> 01:35:56,560
confuse things.

2194
01:35:56,560 --> 01:35:58,800
>> Do you have any response, Miss Demoski?

2195
01:35:58,800 --> 01:36:00,880
>> I do. So first on the vandalism, I must

2196
01:36:00,880 --> 01:36:02,239
have missed that police report that

2197
01:36:02,239 --> 01:36:03,679
stated we had the police investigate

2198
01:36:03,679 --> 01:36:05,040
that. They did not determine it was

2199
01:36:05,040 --> 01:36:06,560
during the day. Uh they believe it

2200
01:36:06,560 --> 01:36:09,440
happened after hours or overnight. Um,

2201
01:36:09,440 --> 01:36:12,639
as far as the doors, PMPO is not readily

2202
01:36:12,639 --> 01:36:14,159
utilized for public meetings. It's for

2203
01:36:14,159 --> 01:36:16,320
people renting out space. It's for

2204
01:36:16,320 --> 01:36:18,080
quilting classes. It's for private

2205
01:36:18,080 --> 01:36:21,199
events. Um, the staff, while the

2206
01:36:21,199 --> 01:36:22,480
building is open during the day, have

2207
01:36:22,480 --> 01:36:24,159
free access to all of that space. This

2208
01:36:24,159 --> 01:36:25,920
is after hours for people that are not

2209
01:36:25,920 --> 01:36:27,600
employees of the town, are not covered

2210
01:36:27,600 --> 01:36:29,600
by the town's insurance, going in there

2211
01:36:29,600 --> 01:36:32,719
and renting spaces from us.

2212
01:36:32,719 --> 01:36:34,080
>> Thank you.

2213
01:36:34,080 --> 01:36:36,400
Do we have any further discussion on

2214
01:36:36,400 --> 01:36:39,440
article 40-6?

2215
01:36:39,440 --> 01:36:41,199
Seeing none, we're going to go to a vote

2216
01:36:41,199 --> 01:36:42,800
and we're going to use our clickers on

2217
01:36:42,800 --> 01:36:46,790
this one.

2218
01:36:46,800 --> 01:36:49,199
Voting will be open for 15 seconds and

2219
01:36:49,199 --> 01:37:18,390
begins now.

2220
01:37:18,400 --> 01:37:22,960
Okay, with a vote of 72 in favor, 79

2221
01:37:22,960 --> 01:37:27,270
against,

2222
01:37:27,280 --> 01:37:32,000
and three abstensions, the article 40-6

2223
01:37:32,000 --> 01:37:40,390
fails.

2224
01:37:40,400 --> 01:37:43,760
Okay. On to article 40-7,

2225
01:37:43,760 --> 01:37:46,239
new and upgraded security cameras and

2226
01:37:46,239 --> 01:37:48,080
related equipment and all costs

2227
01:37:48,080 --> 01:37:50,639
incidental and related thereto. Miss

2228
01:37:50,639 --> 01:37:53,920
Hegman. Madame moderator, I move that

2229
01:37:53,920 --> 01:37:55,840
the town transfer from certified free

2230
01:37:55,840 --> 01:37:58,560
cash the sum of $45,000 for article

2231
01:37:58,560 --> 01:38:02,629
40-7.

2232
01:38:02,639 --> 01:38:05,199
Madame moderator, I move that the town

2233
01:38:05,199 --> 01:38:07,520
transfer from certified free cash the

2234
01:38:07,520 --> 01:38:11,520
sum of $45,000 for article 40-7 as

2235
01:38:11,520 --> 01:38:14,080
printed in the warrant

2236
01:38:14,080 --> 01:38:16,400
for new and upgraded security cameras

2237
01:38:16,400 --> 01:38:18,320
and related equipment and all costs

2238
01:38:18,320 --> 01:38:22,000
incidental and related thereto.

2239
01:38:22,000 --> 01:38:23,679
Thank you. We have a motion and a second

2240
01:38:23,679 --> 01:38:25,920
on the floor. Uh the finance committee's

2241
01:38:25,920 --> 01:38:28,400
recommendation is in your warrant and

2242
01:38:28,400 --> 01:38:30,639
capital planning your recommendation.

2243
01:38:30,639 --> 01:38:33,119
Madam moderator, the facilities manager

2244
01:38:33,119 --> 01:38:34,880
reports that some of the exterior

2245
01:38:34,880 --> 01:38:36,880
security cameras at the PMPO community

2246
01:38:36,880 --> 01:38:39,440
center and fire station have failed and

2247
01:38:39,440 --> 01:38:41,360
that the current camera systems do not

2248
01:38:41,360 --> 01:38:43,280
provide good coverage of the interior

2249
01:38:43,280 --> 01:38:45,920
spaces. Accordingly, he is requesting

2250
01:38:45,920 --> 01:38:48,080
these funds to install new interior

2251
01:38:48,080 --> 01:38:50,000
security cameras and to upgrade the

2252
01:38:50,000 --> 01:38:52,480
exterior cameras.

2253
01:38:52,480 --> 01:38:54,719
Recognizing that a robust camera system

2254
01:38:54,719 --> 01:38:56,960
is a vital component of the systems used

2255
01:38:56,960 --> 01:38:58,320
to protect the building and the

2256
01:38:58,320 --> 01:39:00,080
employees and residents who use it,

2257
01:39:00,080 --> 01:39:01,520
Capital Planning therefore voted

2258
01:39:01,520 --> 01:39:03,840
unanimously to recommend the town

2259
01:39:03,840 --> 01:39:05,679
support this request.

2260
01:39:05,679 --> 01:39:08,080
>> Thank you very much.

2261
01:39:08,080 --> 01:39:09,760
We have a motion and a second on the

2262
01:39:09,760 --> 01:39:12,159
floor. Any discussion?

2263
01:39:12,159 --> 01:39:15,280
Side microphone. Madam moderator, I

2264
01:39:15,280 --> 01:39:18,800
would recommend that we not support this

2265
01:39:18,800 --> 01:39:22,080
article. I think we've got plenty of

2266
01:39:22,080 --> 01:39:24,800
security cameras around. I could see

2267
01:39:24,800 --> 01:39:27,520
some replacing some of them, but where

2268
01:39:27,520 --> 01:39:30,239
they're talking about now adding them to

2269
01:39:30,239 --> 01:39:34,239
the interior of the building. Come on.

2270
01:39:34,239 --> 01:39:36,000
We've got enough. We've got we're

2271
01:39:36,000 --> 01:39:39,360
already turning into a, you know, a

2272
01:39:39,360 --> 01:39:41,280
society where everybody's watching

2273
01:39:41,280 --> 01:39:43,920
everybody all the time. I think enough

2274
01:39:43,920 --> 01:39:45,760
is enough.

2275
01:39:45,760 --> 01:39:47,920
>> Miss Demkowski,

2276
01:39:47,920 --> 01:39:49,920
do you have a response or

2277
01:39:49,920 --> 01:39:51,040
>> um comment?

2278
01:39:51,040 --> 01:39:52,960
>> No, it's this is a request from

2279
01:39:52,960 --> 01:39:54,719
facilities again and staff saying that

2280
01:39:54,719 --> 01:39:56,560
they feel they need more security. Uh

2281
01:39:56,560 --> 01:39:58,000
the fire department has expressed an

2282
01:39:58,000 --> 01:39:59,679
interest in their external cameras as

2283
01:39:59,679 --> 01:40:01,920
well as the external cameras around the

2284
01:40:01,920 --> 01:40:03,600
building. Uh my understanding is the

2285
01:40:03,600 --> 01:40:05,440
interior cameras were to be at the

2286
01:40:05,440 --> 01:40:08,080
access points um again because of the

2287
01:40:08,080 --> 01:40:09,600
vandalism and concerns that we've had

2288
01:40:09,600 --> 01:40:10,960
with people being in the building when

2289
01:40:10,960 --> 01:40:13,040
there are students and employees in

2290
01:40:13,040 --> 01:40:14,159
there.

2291
01:40:14,159 --> 01:40:16,480
>> Thank you. Front microphone

2292
01:40:16,480 --> 01:40:19,440
>> Pam Weathers 89 West Actton Road. I have

2293
01:40:19,440 --> 01:40:22,400
a concern about where and I would really

2294
01:40:22,400 --> 01:40:26,239
like assurance on this and also on 40-18

2295
01:40:26,239 --> 01:40:28,080
for these security cameras. Where's this

2296
01:40:28,080 --> 01:40:30,159
information going? I am very concerned

2297
01:40:30,159 --> 01:40:34,719
about the lack of privacy and how this

2298
01:40:34,719 --> 01:40:37,840
uh software starts to go nationally and

2299
01:40:37,840 --> 01:40:40,320
we are surveiled then by something like

2300
01:40:40,320 --> 01:40:42,480
a system like Flock and I would like

2301
01:40:42,480 --> 01:40:44,480
assurance that that is not going to

2302
01:40:44,480 --> 01:40:46,400
happen because I want that in the

2303
01:40:46,400 --> 01:40:49,360
written record or I vote no on this.

2304
01:40:49,360 --> 01:40:51,760
>> Miss Demoski, do you have um information

2305
01:40:51,760 --> 01:40:53,920
on that?

2306
01:40:53,920 --> 01:40:55,920
Uh, the cameras for the PMPO Community

2307
01:40:55,920 --> 01:40:57,760
Center are run to a server that is

2308
01:40:57,760 --> 01:40:59,679
housed in a locked room in the fire

2309
01:40:59,679 --> 01:41:01,440
department. They are not in the cloud.

2310
01:41:01,440 --> 01:41:05,360
It is server based and it is onsite.

2311
01:41:05,360 --> 01:41:07,280
>> Thank you. Side microphone.

2312
01:41:07,280 --> 01:41:10,560
>> Hi, Nancy Arsenal, 267 Readyacre Road.

2313
01:41:10,560 --> 01:41:13,199
Um, the article just states um,

2314
01:41:13,199 --> 01:41:15,199
facilities, so it doesn't say fire

2315
01:41:15,199 --> 01:41:17,760
department or PMPO or whatever. So, I'm

2316
01:41:17,760 --> 01:41:20,639
just really wondering how specific these

2317
01:41:20,639 --> 01:41:23,600
uses are, and if it includes the cameras

2318
01:41:23,600 --> 01:41:25,840
that are at conservation property,

2319
01:41:25,840 --> 01:41:27,840
parking lots, stuff like that, like

2320
01:41:27,840 --> 01:41:29,280
they're just all over. I think it would

2321
01:41:29,280 --> 01:41:31,600
be helpful to know where are these

2322
01:41:31,600 --> 01:41:33,600
cameras, what's being collected, and how

2323
01:41:33,600 --> 01:41:36,000
is it being used.

2324
01:41:36,000 --> 01:41:37,840
>> Mowski,

2325
01:41:37,840 --> 01:41:39,440
>> it says facilities because that's the

2326
01:41:39,440 --> 01:41:41,679
department that requested the funds. Um,

2327
01:41:41,679 --> 01:41:43,600
the facilities department oversees the

2328
01:41:43,600 --> 01:41:46,080
buildings. Uh, as was mentioned in the

2329
01:41:46,080 --> 01:41:47,520
capital presentation, this is for the

2330
01:41:47,520 --> 01:41:49,199
PMPO community center, which is the

2331
01:41:49,199 --> 01:41:50,400
community center side and the fire

2332
01:41:50,400 --> 01:41:52,960
department side.

2333
01:41:52,960 --> 01:41:55,679
>> Thank you. Front microphone, Mr. Duca,

2334
01:41:55,679 --> 01:41:58,400
>> uh, at Duca, 26 Crescent Street. Uh, one

2335
01:41:58,400 --> 01:42:00,159
of the item, one of the issues that did

2336
01:42:00,159 --> 01:42:02,400
come up in our discussions was that the

2337
01:42:02,400 --> 01:42:05,679
town needs uh, policies related to their

2338
01:42:05,679 --> 01:42:08,320
camera systems. Uh, that the storage

2339
01:42:08,320 --> 01:42:10,159
needs to be encrypted. the int the

2340
01:42:10,159 --> 01:42:12,719
retention time for the images for all

2341
01:42:12,719 --> 01:42:15,679
the cameras need to be set based on what

2342
01:42:15,679 --> 01:42:17,760
is the why you're putting the camera

2343
01:42:17,760 --> 01:42:20,639
there and the access to the data that is

2344
01:42:20,639 --> 01:42:22,480
stored need to be restricted and

2345
01:42:22,480 --> 01:42:24,960
controlled. So I think that was you know

2346
01:42:24,960 --> 01:42:27,920
implicit within our recommendation was a

2347
01:42:27,920 --> 01:42:30,159
discussion that there would be a town

2348
01:42:30,159 --> 01:42:33,600
policy related to camera images and

2349
01:42:33,600 --> 01:42:36,480
their storage retention and control.

2350
01:42:36,480 --> 01:42:38,560
>> Thank you for that clarification. side

2351
01:42:38,560 --> 01:42:39,520
microphone.

2352
01:42:39,520 --> 01:42:43,040
>> Tom Ryan, great road. Um, one of the

2353
01:42:43,040 --> 01:42:45,119
things is even the motion for this

2354
01:42:45,119 --> 01:42:47,679
article doesn't doesn't actually specify

2355
01:42:47,679 --> 01:42:50,480
where they're for. Is this could this

2356
01:42:50,480 --> 01:42:52,719
money be used to put cameras somewhere

2357
01:42:52,719 --> 01:42:56,159
else other than where it's being said?

2358
01:42:56,159 --> 01:43:00,159
That being said, I still say no. This is

2359
01:43:00,159 --> 01:43:02,800
$45,000 that we could potentially use

2360
01:43:02,800 --> 01:43:05,119
somewhere else. If we don't spend it,

2361
01:43:05,119 --> 01:43:07,199
guess what? Maybe our taxes won't go up

2362
01:43:07,199 --> 01:43:10,000
as much.

2363
01:43:10,000 --> 01:43:13,590
>> Side microphone.

2364
01:43:13,600 --> 01:43:16,800
» Debbie Woods. Great road. As with the

2365
01:43:16,800 --> 01:43:19,280
previous article,

2366
01:43:19,280 --> 01:43:21,679
I'm sure some of this is required, but

2367
01:43:21,679 --> 01:43:24,400
before we spend $45,000

2368
01:43:24,400 --> 01:43:26,480
to Mr. to Luca's point and to capital

2369
01:43:26,480 --> 01:43:28,480
planning point, policies and procedures

2370
01:43:28,480 --> 01:43:31,520
should be in place to know where um

2371
01:43:31,520 --> 01:43:33,360
information is being stored and how long

2372
01:43:33,360 --> 01:43:35,600
before we just make that problem worse.

2373
01:43:35,600 --> 01:43:38,000
So I would I would recommend tableabling

2374
01:43:38,000 --> 01:43:39,520
not tableling this voting no on this

2375
01:43:39,520 --> 01:43:41,199
until those policies and procedures are

2376
01:43:41,199 --> 01:43:42,560
in place.

2377
01:43:42,560 --> 01:43:45,040
>> Thank you very much. Is there any

2378
01:43:45,040 --> 01:43:48,320
further discussion on article 40-7? Oh,

2379
01:43:48,320 --> 01:43:49,679
side microphone.

2380
01:43:49,679 --> 01:43:52,560
>> Charlie Erensson Arbor Glen Drive. Full

2381
01:43:52,560 --> 01:43:55,040
disclosure, I'm a member of the Council

2382
01:43:55,040 --> 01:43:57,440
on Aging Board, but I'm speaking as an

2383
01:43:57,440 --> 01:44:00,480
individual. I spent a lot of time at

2384
01:44:00,480 --> 01:44:04,239
this senior center and in discussions

2385
01:44:04,239 --> 01:44:07,119
with other people there at lunch and in

2386
01:44:07,119 --> 01:44:09,600
other activities, a lot of seniors

2387
01:44:09,600 --> 01:44:11,440
expressed a lot of concern about their

2388
01:44:11,440 --> 01:44:14,000
security in the center because of the

2389
01:44:14,000 --> 01:44:16,320
lack of

2390
01:44:16,320 --> 01:44:20,239
security equipment. Um, so I would

2391
01:44:20,239 --> 01:44:22,000
suggest that we do vote for this

2392
01:44:22,000 --> 01:44:25,040
article. Thank you. Thank you very much.

2393
01:44:25,040 --> 01:44:29,360
Any further discussion on article 40-7?

2394
01:44:29,360 --> 01:44:30,800
All right, we'll move to a vote. We're

2395
01:44:30,800 --> 01:44:34,880
going to use our clickers for this one.

2396
01:44:34,880 --> 01:44:36,880
Voting will be open for 15 seconds and

2397
01:44:36,880 --> 01:44:54,550
you may vote now.

2398
01:44:54,560 --> 01:44:57,440
And voting is closed.

2399
01:44:57,440 --> 01:45:01,760
With a vote of 63 in favor, 94 opposed,

2400
01:45:01,760 --> 01:45:10,550
three abstensions. This motion fails.

2401
01:45:10,560 --> 01:45:13,119
Article 40-8.

2402
01:45:13,119 --> 01:45:16,480
Paint the old town hall 375 Great Road

2403
01:45:16,480 --> 01:45:19,679
and all costs and incidental and all

2404
01:45:19,679 --> 01:45:22,400
costs incidental and related thereto.

2405
01:45:22,400 --> 01:45:24,080
Mr. Peterson,

2406
01:45:24,080 --> 01:45:26,400
>> Madame moderator, I move that the town

2407
01:45:26,400 --> 01:45:28,560
transfer from certified free cash the

2408
01:45:28,560 --> 01:45:32,080
sum of 49,375

2409
01:45:32,080 --> 01:45:34,400
for article 40-8 as printed in the

2410
01:45:34,400 --> 01:45:37,600
warrant to paint the old town hall 375

2411
01:45:37,600 --> 01:45:40,880
Great Road and all costs incidental and

2412
01:45:40,880 --> 01:45:43,199
related there too.

2413
01:45:43,199 --> 01:45:44,960
Thank you. We have a motion and a second

2414
01:45:44,960 --> 01:45:46,639
on the floor. Do we have any dis Oh,

2415
01:45:46,639 --> 01:45:50,320
sorry. Um, finance finance committee's

2416
01:45:50,320 --> 01:45:52,000
recommendation is in your warrant

2417
01:45:52,000 --> 01:45:53,920
capital planning. Mr. Jeleneck,

2418
01:45:53,920 --> 01:45:56,960
>> madam moderator, for nearly 180 years,

2419
01:45:56,960 --> 01:45:58,960
the old town hall has stood proudly in

2420
01:45:58,960 --> 01:46:00,639
the center of town. The majority of that

2421
01:46:00,639 --> 01:46:02,480
time serving as the seat of our town

2422
01:46:02,480 --> 01:46:05,119
government. How this historic Greek

2423
01:46:05,119 --> 01:46:07,119
revival structure can best suit the

2424
01:46:07,119 --> 01:46:08,960
town's needs going forward has been an

2425
01:46:08,960 --> 01:46:10,960
ongoing question since the town building

2426
01:46:10,960 --> 01:46:13,760
was constructed in 1989. This has

2427
01:46:13,760 --> 01:46:15,360
notably included the study that was

2428
01:46:15,360 --> 01:46:17,840
undertaken starting in 2019 using CPA

2429
01:46:17,840 --> 01:46:19,920
funds to assess the town's structural

2430
01:46:19,920 --> 01:46:22,320
condition and to chart a courts for its

2431
01:46:22,320 --> 01:46:24,880
future. For a variety of reasons,

2432
01:46:24,880 --> 01:46:26,560
regrettably that future remains

2433
01:46:26,560 --> 01:46:28,239
unresolved.

2434
01:46:28,239 --> 01:46:30,000
With this being New England, however,

2435
01:46:30,000 --> 01:46:32,080
Mother Nature is not waiting for us to

2436
01:46:32,080 --> 01:46:34,719
decide what comes next. Her elements

2437
01:46:34,719 --> 01:46:36,320
continue to challenge the building's

2438
01:46:36,320 --> 01:46:38,400
exterior, which was last painted 13

2439
01:46:38,400 --> 01:46:41,199
years ago. The facilities manager feels

2440
01:46:41,199 --> 01:46:43,040
it would be imprudent to further delay

2441
01:46:43,040 --> 01:46:44,719
making an investment in the preservation

2442
01:46:44,719 --> 01:46:46,880
of the exterior of this pillar of town

2443
01:46:46,880 --> 01:46:49,520
history, and capital planning concurs

2444
01:46:49,520 --> 01:46:50,880
with this judgment on the matter.

2445
01:46:50,880 --> 01:46:52,719
Accordingly, we voted unanimously to

2446
01:46:52,719 --> 01:46:56,560
recommend the town support this request.

2447
01:46:56,560 --> 01:46:59,119
Thank you very much. Do we have any

2448
01:46:59,119 --> 01:47:02,320
discussion on article 40-8 s front

2449
01:47:02,320 --> 01:47:04,320
microphone?

2450
01:47:04,320 --> 01:47:06,800
Madame moderator, Linda Hathway, 76

2451
01:47:06,800 --> 01:47:09,760
Crescent Street. I'd like to amend the

2452
01:47:09,760 --> 01:47:23,910
um motion to say historic town hall.

2453
01:47:23,920 --> 01:47:35,109
Um, do

2454
01:47:35,119 --> 01:47:38,159
» Okay. Um, do we have an amendment form

2455
01:47:38,159 --> 01:48:00,149
prepared?

2456
01:48:00,159 --> 01:48:01,679
Okay,

2457
01:48:01,679 --> 01:48:05,760
we have a motion on the floor to amend

2458
01:48:05,760 --> 01:48:09,040
article 40-8 to read painting the

2459
01:48:09,040 --> 01:48:12,560
historic town hall at 375 Great Road. Do

2460
01:48:12,560 --> 01:48:13,679
we have a second?

2461
01:48:13,679 --> 01:48:15,119
>> Second.

2462
01:48:15,119 --> 01:48:17,760
Okay, we'll move to a vote on adding

2463
01:48:17,760 --> 01:48:20,080
that word. This is not a vote on the

2464
01:48:20,080 --> 01:48:22,480
painting project. And we'll use our

2465
01:48:22,480 --> 01:48:25,280
cards for that. All those in favor,

2466
01:48:25,280 --> 01:48:27,520
please raise your cards.

2467
01:48:27,520 --> 01:48:30,639
All those opposed.

2468
01:48:30,639 --> 01:48:32,719
We'll call that a majority vote in favor

2469
01:48:32,719 --> 01:48:36,639
of changing the word old to historic.

2470
01:48:36,639 --> 01:48:39,119
So, returning to discussion on article

2471
01:48:39,119 --> 01:48:41,920
40-8, painting the historic town hall.

2472
01:48:41,920 --> 01:48:44,880
Any discussion? Um, I'm not sure who

2473
01:48:44,880 --> 01:48:46,800
approached the mic first. We'll go with

2474
01:48:46,800 --> 01:48:48,560
the front mic.

2475
01:48:48,560 --> 01:48:52,080
>> Andy Durr, 35 Harvard Broad. I'm a

2476
01:48:52,080 --> 01:48:54,719
retired carpenter with 43 years in the

2477
01:48:54,719 --> 01:48:59,280
trade. Any delayed painting is going to

2478
01:48:59,280 --> 01:49:04,480
re increase our costs in future years.

2479
01:49:04,480 --> 01:49:07,520
We should do this soon.

2480
01:49:07,520 --> 01:49:09,600
>> Thank you. Side mic.

2481
01:49:09,600 --> 01:49:12,080
>> Hi, I'm Kelly Lawler. I live at 170

2482
01:49:12,080 --> 01:49:14,320
Hudson Road. Um I do do some

2483
01:49:14,320 --> 01:49:16,320
volunteering for the Stow Historical

2484
01:49:16,320 --> 01:49:18,239
Society and I just think we should vote

2485
01:49:18,239 --> 01:49:21,679
in favor of painting the historic town

2486
01:49:21,679 --> 01:49:25,119
hall. Um this is the 250 anniversary and

2487
01:49:25,119 --> 01:49:26,639
many other towns have created

2488
01:49:26,639 --> 01:49:29,440
commissions to better celebrate our

2489
01:49:29,440 --> 01:49:31,920
250th collectively as a country and the

2490
01:49:31,920 --> 01:49:33,920
local impact that we've made here. Um,

2491
01:49:33,920 --> 01:49:38,159
so I think it's really important that we do this now and that we focus on

2492
01:49:38,159 --> 01:49:40,800
celebrating our history in the future.

2493
01:49:40,800 --> 01:49:43,600
>> Thank you very much, Miss Demoski.

2494
01:49:43,600 --> 01:49:45,920
>> I just like to add a comment. Um, so I

2495
01:49:45,920 --> 01:49:47,520
just want to add that this cost, the

2496
01:49:47,520 --> 01:49:49,119
49,375

2497
01:49:49,119 --> 01:49:51,040
includes powerwashing the building,

2498
01:49:51,040 --> 01:49:52,880
fixing woodwork as they find it,

2499
01:49:52,880 --> 01:49:54,480
repairing the window sills. So this is

2500
01:49:54,480 --> 01:49:55,679
more than just painting. They will do

2501
01:49:55,679 --> 01:49:57,280
upkeep necessary to maintain the

2502
01:49:57,280 --> 01:49:58,080
building.

2503
01:49:58,080 --> 01:50:00,000
>> Thank you for that clarification. Uh,

2504
01:50:00,000 --> 01:50:02,639
front microphone. Uh Kathleen Pavlech

2505
01:50:02,639 --> 01:50:04,719
Golden Road, is there any possibility

2506
01:50:04,719 --> 01:50:06,880
that uh community presentation funds

2507
01:50:06,880 --> 01:50:08,639
could be used for this cost?

2508
01:50:08,639 --> 01:50:12,229
>> Miss Dowski,

2509
01:50:12,239 --> 01:50:14,400
» there could uh facilities decided to put

2510
01:50:14,400 --> 01:50:16,000
it through as an article request instead

2511
01:50:16,000 --> 01:50:18,719
of community preservation.

2512
01:50:18,719 --> 01:50:24,800
>> Could we accept this motion amendment or

2513
01:50:24,800 --> 01:50:27,199
whatever warrant article and then fund

2514
01:50:27,199 --> 01:50:31,119
it from CBC if that's a possibility?

2515
01:50:31,119 --> 01:50:32,800
or would that require some kind of an

2516
01:50:32,800 --> 01:50:35,360
amendment to have that as an option

2517
01:50:35,360 --> 01:50:38,320
alternate funding?

2518
01:50:38,320 --> 01:50:39,600
>> Uh, Miss Decausski,

2519
01:50:39,600 --> 01:50:40,880
>> that would require meetings of the

2520
01:50:40,880 --> 01:50:42,480
community preservation committee and a

2521
01:50:42,480 --> 01:50:45,040
formal vote. So, it could not be done

2522
01:50:45,040 --> 01:50:47,360
based on a vote here today.

2523
01:50:47,360 --> 01:50:49,760
>> Thank you.

2524
01:50:49,760 --> 01:50:53,270
>> Side microphone,

2525
01:50:53,280 --> 01:50:56,639
» Carol Strade, 20 Mitchell Road in Stow.

2526
01:50:56,639 --> 01:50:59,840
Um, I have a question as far as how you

2527
01:50:59,840 --> 01:51:02,080
come up with the number for the cost of

2528
01:51:02,080 --> 01:51:05,119
this. I definitely am for preserving a

2529
01:51:05,119 --> 01:51:07,760
historical site in Stow. I just don't

2530
01:51:07,760 --> 01:51:09,520
know if it's been put out to bid, if

2531
01:51:09,520 --> 01:51:13,040
you've gotten several bids. Um, if you

2532
01:51:13,040 --> 01:51:17,040
uh just have how you've come to the sum,

2533
01:51:17,040 --> 01:51:18,719
I guess I have a question. How you've

2534
01:51:18,719 --> 01:51:20,000
come to the sum,

2535
01:51:20,000 --> 01:51:21,040
>> Miss Dowski?

2536
01:51:21,040 --> 01:51:22,400
>> Yes. So, this is based on a true

2537
01:51:22,400 --> 01:51:24,719
estimate u a true quote that we have to

2538
01:51:24,719 --> 01:51:26,080
do this. This is the lowest quote that

2539
01:51:26,080 --> 01:51:27,760
we have.

2540
01:51:27,760 --> 01:51:30,719
>> And um can you can you just um tell me

2541
01:51:30,719 --> 01:51:33,280
how many quotes that you received?

2542
01:51:33,280 --> 01:51:34,639
>> I don't know how many the facilities

2543
01:51:34,639 --> 01:51:35,920
department received when they submitted

2544
01:51:35,920 --> 01:51:37,840
the request. By law, we are required to

2545
01:51:37,840 --> 01:51:39,440
take the lowest responsive and

2546
01:51:39,440 --> 01:51:40,800
responsible bidder and that was this

2547
01:51:40,800 --> 01:51:42,400
price. So that's what he put forward.

2548
01:51:42,400 --> 01:51:43,280
>> Okay. Thank you.

2549
01:51:43,280 --> 01:51:45,599
>> Thank you. Front mic.

2550
01:51:45,599 --> 01:51:49,119
>> Lisa Fierce, 284 Redacre Road. Um I

2551
01:51:49,119 --> 01:51:51,280
assume but just wanted to clarify what

2552
01:51:51,280 --> 01:51:53,280
color are you planning to paint the old

2553
01:51:53,280 --> 01:51:57,440
town hall the historic town hall.

2554
01:51:57,440 --> 01:52:01,119
>> It will be white. Thank you.

2555
01:52:01,119 --> 01:52:04,159
>> Side microphone.

2556
01:52:04,159 --> 01:52:06,400
>> Oh okay. Front microphone.

2557
01:52:06,400 --> 01:52:08,320
>> Morin Crawford Harvard Road. I am

2558
01:52:08,320 --> 01:52:10,719
speaking as the chairman of the CPC

2559
01:52:10,719 --> 01:52:13,199
board.

2560
01:52:13,199 --> 01:52:16,719
Maintenance work cannot fall under the

2561
01:52:16,719 --> 01:52:20,719
CPCA or the CPA. Restoration may fall

2562
01:52:20,719 --> 01:52:23,760
under an application. However,

2563
01:52:23,760 --> 01:52:26,400
there is more of a need, immediate need

2564
01:52:26,400 --> 01:52:30,000
to do this work. The applications to the

2565
01:52:30,000 --> 01:52:31,520
CPC

2566
01:52:31,520 --> 01:52:34,159
closed on the 1 of December. So any

2567
01:52:34,159 --> 01:52:37,280
needed work could not be done or

2568
01:52:37,280 --> 01:52:39,440
application submitted until the 1st of

2569
01:52:39,440 --> 01:52:41,520
December and then it couldn't be

2570
01:52:41,520 --> 01:52:43,920
presented until next year's town

2571
01:52:43,920 --> 01:52:46,560
meeting. So that would give us an entire

2572
01:52:46,560 --> 01:52:48,639
year's delay for this work.

2573
01:52:48,639 --> 01:52:50,880
>> Thank you for that clarification.

2574
01:52:50,880 --> 01:52:54,239
Any further discussion?

2575
01:52:54,239 --> 01:52:56,560
Oh, one more

2576
01:52:56,560 --> 01:52:59,119
>> front microphone.

2577
01:52:59,119 --> 01:53:02,080
>> Melissa Rollins, 18 carriage lane. I

2578
01:53:02,080 --> 01:53:04,000
would just like some clarification on

2579
01:53:04,000 --> 01:53:06,800
where we stand with the future of the

2580
01:53:06,800 --> 01:53:10,080
historic town hall. Uh my understanding

2581
01:53:10,080 --> 01:53:12,239
is there is not a current committee

2582
01:53:12,239 --> 01:53:15,040
investigating uses for this and I'm

2583
01:53:15,040 --> 01:53:19,119
wondering about spending and spending to maintain this building

2584
01:53:19,119 --> 01:53:22,320
with no plans for use for it.

2585
01:53:22,320 --> 01:53:26,070
>> Mr. Demkowski.

2586
01:53:26,080 --> 01:53:28,320
» So over the last iteration of surveys,

2587
01:53:28,320 --> 01:53:30,239
the town overwhelmingly wanted to

2588
01:53:30,239 --> 01:53:33,040
maintain that building. Um the there was

2589
01:53:33,040 --> 01:53:36,080
a desire to keep it uh with the unknown

2590
01:53:36,080 --> 01:53:38,560
of what to do with it. Um I think this

2591
01:53:38,560 --> 01:53:39,840
would be the next step to actually

2592
01:53:39,840 --> 01:53:41,679
maintain the building, keep it in good

2593
01:53:41,679 --> 01:53:43,440
shape. Everyone comments on it as it's

2594
01:53:43,440 --> 01:53:46,320
in the center of our town. Um there is

2595
01:53:46,320 --> 01:53:48,080
no committee to figure out what to do

2596
01:53:48,080 --> 01:53:50,000
with it yet. That is in progress. It

2597
01:53:50,000 --> 01:53:51,280
just hasn't happened. But the

2598
01:53:51,280 --> 01:53:52,800
overwhelming sense of the community was

2599
01:53:52,800 --> 01:53:54,159
they wanted to keep this building and

2600
01:53:54,159 --> 01:53:58,629
maintain it as a historic property.

2601
01:53:58,639 --> 01:54:01,360
» How do we go about um moving forward to

2602
01:54:01,360 --> 01:54:05,040
establish a committee to figure out

2603
01:54:05,040 --> 01:54:06,400
what's going to happen with this empty

2604
01:54:06,400 --> 01:54:07,840
building?

2605
01:54:07,840 --> 01:54:10,000
>> It is on my plan. I just haven't had

2606
01:54:10,000 --> 01:54:11,840
time. [laughter]

2607
01:54:11,840 --> 01:54:13,760
Thank you.

2608
01:54:13,760 --> 01:54:15,280
>> Thank you very much. Any further

2609
01:54:15,280 --> 01:54:18,000
discussion? Okay, we'll move to a vote.

2610
01:54:18,000 --> 01:54:20,560
We'll use cards on this one.

2611
01:54:20,560 --> 01:54:23,520
Uh, all those in favor of the repainting

2612
01:54:23,520 --> 01:54:26,480
of the historic town hall,

2613
01:54:26,480 --> 01:54:30,239
thank you very much. Those opposed,

2614
01:54:30,239 --> 01:54:31,920
thank you. We'll call that a majority

2615
01:54:31,920 --> 01:54:36,310
pass.

2616
01:54:36,320 --> 01:54:39,920
Uh, moving on to article 40-9,

2617
01:54:39,920 --> 01:54:42,639
purchase new turnout gear and related

2618
01:54:42,639 --> 01:54:44,960
equipment and all costs incidental and

2619
01:54:44,960 --> 01:54:47,360
related there too. Miss Birch Mcichael.

2620
01:54:47,360 --> 01:54:49,280
Madame moderator, I move that the town

2621
01:54:49,280 --> 01:54:51,119
transfer from certified free cash the

2622
01:54:51,119 --> 01:54:54,480
sum of $41,000 for article 40-9 as

2623
01:54:54,480 --> 01:54:56,400
printed in the warrant to purchase new

2624
01:54:56,400 --> 01:54:58,400
turnout gear and related equipment and

2625
01:54:58,400 --> 01:55:00,320
all costs incidental and related there

2626
01:55:00,320 --> 01:55:02,639
too.

2627
01:55:02,639 --> 01:55:04,320
>> Thank you. We have a motion and a second

2628
01:55:04,320 --> 01:55:06,639
on the floor. The finance committee's

2629
01:55:06,639 --> 01:55:08,639
recommendation is in your warrant.

2630
01:55:08,639 --> 01:55:11,119
Capital planning your recommendation.

2631
01:55:11,119 --> 01:55:13,119
>> Uh capital planning unanimously

2632
01:55:13,119 --> 01:55:15,920
recommended support for this article. Uh

2633
01:55:15,920 --> 01:55:19,119
the additional turnout gear is a uh for

2634
01:55:19,119 --> 01:55:20,880
each full-time member of which there are

2635
01:55:20,880 --> 01:55:23,599
seven uh is required by the contract

2636
01:55:23,599 --> 01:55:26,320
with the union and we support fulfilling

2637
01:55:26,320 --> 01:55:27,840
that contract.

2638
01:55:27,840 --> 01:55:29,679
>> Thank you very much. Do we have any

2639
01:55:29,679 --> 01:55:33,440
discussion on article 40-9?

2640
01:55:33,440 --> 01:55:35,280
Seeing none, we'll move to a vote. We'll

2641
01:55:35,280 --> 01:55:40,149
be using Oh, I'm sorry.

2642
01:55:40,159 --> 01:55:41,440
Front microphone.

2643
01:55:41,440 --> 01:55:44,159
>> Ros Anthony, 35 Harvard Road. What is

2644
01:55:44,159 --> 01:55:46,560
turnout gear?

2645
01:55:46,560 --> 01:55:51,440
Miss Debkowski or Mr. Duca.

2646
01:55:51,440 --> 01:55:53,040
>> It is the protective gear that

2647
01:55:53,040 --> 01:55:54,880
firefighters wear going into a fire

2648
01:55:54,880 --> 01:55:56,800
scene or on site. You see the coats, the

2649
01:55:56,800 --> 01:55:58,560
pants, it is their protective gear.

2650
01:55:58,560 --> 01:56:03,440
>> Oh, I like them having that. So do we.

2651
01:56:03,440 --> 01:56:06,000
>> Thank you. Any further discussion?

2652
01:56:06,000 --> 01:56:07,760
All right, we'll move to voting with

2653
01:56:07,760 --> 01:56:09,679
cards. All those in favor, please raise

2654
01:56:09,679 --> 01:56:11,760
your cards.

2655
01:56:11,760 --> 01:56:14,960
Thank you very much. Those opposed,

2656
01:56:14,960 --> 01:56:16,480
we'll call that unanimous. Thank you

2657
01:56:16,480 --> 01:56:20,950
very much.

2658
01:56:20,960 --> 01:56:23,280
Article 40-10,

2659
01:56:23,280 --> 01:56:25,280
purchase new Hail Middle School

2660
01:56:25,280 --> 01:56:27,840
scoreboard and related equipment and all

2661
01:56:27,840 --> 01:56:31,199
costs incidental and related there too.

2662
01:56:31,199 --> 01:56:32,800
Mr. Tulle,

2663
01:56:32,800 --> 01:56:35,599
>> Madame moderator, I move no action on

2664
01:56:35,599 --> 01:56:39,589
article 40-10.

2665
01:56:39,599 --> 01:56:42,159
» Thank you. Um, we have a motion and a

2666
01:56:42,159 --> 01:56:44,719
second on the floor. Um, Miss Demoski,

2667
01:56:44,719 --> 01:56:46,560
would you like to address this no action

2668
01:56:46,560 --> 01:56:48,800
motion?

2669
01:56:48,800 --> 01:56:52,000
>> Uh, certainly. Um, the article request

2670
01:56:52,000 --> 01:56:54,239
came in. It went before capital and the

2671
01:56:54,239 --> 01:56:55,840
finance committee. They both chose not

2672
01:56:55,840 --> 01:56:57,520
to move it forward at this time. They

2673
01:56:57,520 --> 01:56:59,440
would like to see an alternative method

2674
01:56:59,440 --> 01:57:01,920
to funding for this perhaps the uh

2675
01:57:01,920 --> 01:57:03,840
organizations that use the scoreboard.

2676
01:57:03,840 --> 01:57:06,159
So, they recommended not favorable

2677
01:57:06,159 --> 01:57:07,599
action. I did speak with the school

2678
01:57:07,599 --> 01:57:08,880
department and they were in support of

2679
01:57:08,880 --> 01:57:10,400
moving no action.

2680
01:57:10,400 --> 01:57:11,840
>> Thank you very much. Um finance

2681
01:57:11,840 --> 01:57:13,520
committee, do you have any comment on

2682
01:57:13,520 --> 01:57:18,149
the recommendation of no action?

2683
01:57:18,159 --> 01:57:21,040
» Oh, thank you. Um and capital planning

2684
01:57:21,040 --> 01:57:22,239
your recommendation?

2685
01:57:22,239 --> 01:57:24,320
>> Uh capital planning met this morning and

2686
01:57:24,320 --> 01:57:26,080
voted to support no action.

2687
01:57:26,080 --> 01:57:28,960
>> Thank you very much. Um a no action

2688
01:57:28,960 --> 01:57:31,520
motion still requires a vote. So, all

2689
01:57:31,520 --> 01:57:34,320
those in favor of no action on article

2690
01:57:34,320 --> 01:57:37,599
40-10, raise your cards. Thank you very

2691
01:57:37,599 --> 01:57:40,000
much. Those opposed,

2692
01:57:40,000 --> 01:57:46,470
we'll call that unanimous. Thank you.

2693
01:57:46,480 --> 01:57:49,119
Article 40-11,

2694
01:57:49,119 --> 01:57:52,080
Hail Fire alarm control panel and all

2695
01:57:52,080 --> 01:57:55,119
equipment and all costs incidental and

2696
01:57:55,119 --> 01:57:58,480
related there too. Mr. Constanzos.

2697
01:57:58,480 --> 01:58:00,719
>> Madame moderator, I move that the town

2698
01:58:00,719 --> 01:58:03,760
transfer from certified free cash a sum

2699
01:58:03,760 --> 01:58:07,679
of $100,000 for article 40-11 as printed

2700
01:58:07,679 --> 01:58:09,440
in the warrant for Hill Middle School

2701
01:58:09,440 --> 01:58:12,000
fire alarm control panel and related

2702
01:58:12,000 --> 01:58:14,320
equipment and all costs incidental and

2703
01:58:14,320 --> 01:58:16,719
related there too.

2704
01:58:16,719 --> 01:58:18,400
>> Thank you. We have a motion and a second

2705
01:58:18,400 --> 01:58:20,560
on the floor. The finance committee

2706
01:58:20,560 --> 01:58:22,880
recommendation is in your warrant and

2707
01:58:22,880 --> 01:58:24,880
capital planning your recommendation.

2708
01:58:24,880 --> 01:58:27,119
Uh, Capital Planning unanimously voted

2709
01:58:27,119 --> 01:58:29,280
to support a recommendation for this

2710
01:58:29,280 --> 01:58:31,840
article. Uh, the fire alarm control

2711
01:58:31,840 --> 01:58:34,239
panel is nearing its end of useful life

2712
01:58:34,239 --> 01:58:36,639
and is going to it's difficult to find

2713
01:58:36,639 --> 01:58:38,960
replacement parts if something breaks.

2714
01:58:38,960 --> 01:58:40,960
Uh, this is a basic safety feature for

2715
01:58:40,960 --> 01:58:42,560
the building and it needs to be in good

2716
01:58:42,560 --> 01:58:44,159
working order and it needs to be

2717
01:58:44,159 --> 01:58:45,440
maintainable.

2718
01:58:45,440 --> 01:58:48,080
>> Thank you very much. Do we have any

2719
01:58:48,080 --> 01:58:53,280
discussion on article 40-11? We do.

2720
01:58:53,280 --> 01:58:56,080
front microphone.

2721
01:58:56,080 --> 01:58:57,920
>> Mark Groomman, Elmbridge Road. Uh, I

2722
01:58:57,920 --> 01:58:59,520
just wanted to clarification because I

2723
01:58:59,520 --> 01:59:01,040
know that there was an issue earlier

2724
01:59:01,040 --> 01:59:03,199
this year at center school with the fire

2725
01:59:03,199 --> 01:59:04,800
suppression system and I wanted to know

2726
01:59:04,800 --> 01:59:06,960
if these two items are related and if so

2727
01:59:06,960 --> 01:59:09,599
if the item was addressed at center

2728
01:59:09,599 --> 01:59:10,960
school if there was a cost with that or

2729
01:59:10,960 --> 01:59:12,960
if this will include that as well.

2730
01:59:12,960 --> 01:59:14,719
>> Mr. McCarron, can you address this

2731
01:59:14,719 --> 01:59:21,669
question?

2732
01:59:21,679 --> 01:59:24,000
Uh thank you madam moderator. Uh the

2733
01:59:24,000 --> 01:59:26,239
issue that we faced at the uh center

2734
01:59:26,239 --> 01:59:28,480
school this year was relative to the dry

2735
01:59:28,480 --> 01:59:30,560
loop system in the old center school.

2736
01:59:30,560 --> 01:59:33,280
That issue um has been addressed uh and

2737
01:59:33,280 --> 01:59:35,440
is unrelated to this request.

2738
01:59:35,440 --> 01:59:37,760
>> Thank you very much. Any further

2739
01:59:37,760 --> 01:59:41,760
discussion on article 40-11?

2740
01:59:41,760 --> 01:59:43,440
Seeing none, we'll move to a vote with

2741
01:59:43,440 --> 01:59:46,159
our cards. All those in favor, please

2742
01:59:46,159 --> 01:59:48,239
raise your cards.

2743
01:59:48,239 --> 01:59:51,280
Thank you very much. Those opposed,

2744
01:59:51,280 --> 01:59:53,119
we'll call that a majority vote in

2745
01:59:53,119 --> 01:59:59,030
favor.

2746
01:59:59,040 --> 02:00:02,719
Uh, next we have article 40-12

2747
02:00:02,719 --> 02:00:05,360
center boiler plant replacement and

2748
02:00:05,360 --> 02:00:07,360
related equipment and all costs

2749
02:00:07,360 --> 02:00:09,520
incidental and related there too. Miss

2750
02:00:09,520 --> 02:00:12,159
Hegman. Madame moderator, I move that

2751
02:00:12,159 --> 02:00:14,239
the town transfer from certified free

2752
02:00:14,239 --> 02:00:17,040
cash the sum of $165,000

2753
02:00:17,040 --> 02:00:19,840
for article 40-12 as printed in the

2754
02:00:19,840 --> 02:00:22,400
warrant for center school boiler plant

2755
02:00:22,400 --> 02:00:24,080
replacement and related equipment and

2756
02:00:24,080 --> 02:00:26,719
all costs in incidental and related

2757
02:00:26,719 --> 02:00:29,040
thereto.

2758
02:00:29,040 --> 02:00:30,800
>> Thank you. We have a motion and a second

2759
02:00:30,800 --> 02:00:32,880
on the floor. Uh the finance committee's

2760
02:00:32,880 --> 02:00:35,199
recommendation is in your warrant and

2761
02:00:35,199 --> 02:00:37,280
capital planning your recommendation.

2762
02:00:37,280 --> 02:00:39,760
Capital Planning uh voted unanimously to

2763
02:00:39,760 --> 02:00:42,320
recommend support for this article. Uh

2764
02:00:42,320 --> 02:00:44,480
Center School has a pair of redundant

2765
02:00:44,480 --> 02:00:46,960
boilers. Uh one of the pair failed and

2766
02:00:46,960 --> 02:00:49,040
needed to be replaced during the year

2767
02:00:49,040 --> 02:00:52,480
and it was replaced by NSRD using

2768
02:00:52,480 --> 02:00:55,280
emergency funds. This article covers the

2769
02:00:55,280 --> 02:00:56,960
cost of that replacement and the

2770
02:00:56,960 --> 02:00:59,360
replacement of the other boiler. The new

2771
02:00:59,360 --> 02:01:01,599
boiler system is simpler and more

2772
02:01:01,599 --> 02:01:03,280
efficient than the current boiler

2773
02:01:03,280 --> 02:01:04,320
system.

2774
02:01:04,320 --> 02:01:06,560
>> Thank you very much. Do we have any

2775
02:01:06,560 --> 02:01:09,280
discussion on article 40, excuse me,

2776
02:01:09,280 --> 02:01:12,390
40-12?

2777
02:01:12,400 --> 02:01:14,080
Seeing none, we'll move to a vote with

2778
02:01:14,080 --> 02:01:18,880
our cards, please. All those in favor?

2779
02:01:18,880 --> 02:01:22,480
Thank you very much. All those opposed.

2780
02:01:22,480 --> 02:01:24,000
Thank you. We'll call that a majority

2781
02:01:24,000 --> 02:01:28,629
vote. in favor.

2782
02:01:28,639 --> 02:01:31,599
Uh, moving on to article 40-13,

2783
02:01:31,599 --> 02:01:34,800
installation of a great road Johnston

2784
02:01:34,800 --> 02:01:37,520
Way crosswalk and related equipment and

2785
02:01:37,520 --> 02:01:39,679
all costs incidental and related there

2786
02:01:39,679 --> 02:01:41,440
too. Mr. Peterson.

2787
02:01:41,440 --> 02:01:43,440
>> Madame moderator, I move that the town

2788
02:01:43,440 --> 02:01:46,400
transfer from certified free cash the

2789
02:01:46,400 --> 02:01:50,080
sum of $50,000 for article 40-13 as

2790
02:01:50,080 --> 02:01:51,599
printed in the warrant for installation

2791
02:01:51,599 --> 02:01:54,320
of a great road/jstonway

2792
02:01:54,320 --> 02:01:57,599
crosswalk and all costs incidental and

2793
02:01:57,599 --> 02:01:59,840
related thereto.

2794
02:01:59,840 --> 02:02:01,520
>> Thank you. We have a motion and a second

2795
02:02:01,520 --> 02:02:03,760
on the floor. Uh finance committee

2796
02:02:03,760 --> 02:02:06,159
recommendation is in your warrant f uh

2797
02:02:06,159 --> 02:02:08,719
capital planning Mr. Jeleneck. Madam

2798
02:02:08,719 --> 02:02:10,239
moderator, this project will involve

2799
02:02:10,239 --> 02:02:12,080
marking a crosswalk and installing

2800
02:02:12,080 --> 02:02:14,239
pedestrian activated rapid flashing

2801
02:02:14,239 --> 02:02:16,239
beacons that are intended to ensure safe

2802
02:02:16,239 --> 02:02:19,360
pedestrian access from Johnston Way to

2803
02:02:19,360 --> 02:02:21,199
the sidewalk on network on the north

2804
02:02:21,199 --> 02:02:23,360
side of Great Road. These will be

2805
02:02:23,360 --> 02:02:25,119
similar to other crosswalks on Great

2806
02:02:25,119 --> 02:02:26,880
Road such as those at Harvard Road

2807
02:02:26,880 --> 02:02:28,400
between the town building and town hall

2808
02:02:28,400 --> 02:02:30,000
and between Bradley Lane and Deerfield

2809
02:02:30,000 --> 02:02:32,560
Lane. Capital Planning feels that it is

2810
02:02:32,560 --> 02:02:34,239
critical for the town to adopt measures

2811
02:02:34,239 --> 02:02:36,400
that promote pedestrian safety,

2812
02:02:36,400 --> 02:02:37,599
particularly for residents of the

2813
02:02:37,599 --> 02:02:39,599
Elizabeth Brook Apartments. And so we

2814
02:02:39,599 --> 02:02:41,360
voted unanimously to recommend the town

2815
02:02:41,360 --> 02:02:43,760
support this funding request.

2816
02:02:43,760 --> 02:02:45,440
>> Thank you very much. Do we have any

2817
02:02:45,440 --> 02:02:50,070
discussion on article 40-13?

2818
02:02:50,080 --> 02:02:52,400
Front microphone.

2819
02:02:52,400 --> 02:02:55,520
>> Hi, I'm Ellen Anthony of Harvard Road

2820
02:02:55,520 --> 02:02:58,480
and um you know crosswalks are great.

2821
02:02:58,480 --> 02:02:59,920
There's one at the bottom of Harvard

2822
02:02:59,920 --> 02:03:03,280
Road, which I use now and again, but the

2823
02:03:03,280 --> 02:03:10,000
well, this man said sidewalk, and the little plaque out there says byway.

2824
02:03:10,000 --> 02:03:12,000
And I've been told that because it's a

2825
02:03:12,000 --> 02:03:15,119
byway, not a sidewalk, that the town

2826
02:03:15,119 --> 02:03:17,440
can't, I don't know, do proper

2827
02:03:17,440 --> 02:03:20,080
maintenance on it, the dirt is

2828
02:03:20,080 --> 02:03:22,560
encroaching on it on both sides for much

2829
02:03:22,560 --> 02:03:24,880
of its length. In the winter, it's

2830
02:03:24,880 --> 02:03:27,119
impassible. So that when I was working

2831
02:03:27,119 --> 02:03:29,679
in lower village and walking in the

2832
02:03:29,679 --> 02:03:33,119
winter in the snow, it it's like, do I

2833
02:03:33,119 --> 02:03:34,639
walk in the street where somebody's

2834
02:03:34,639 --> 02:03:36,719
going to hit me or do I walk on the ice

2835
02:03:36,719 --> 02:03:38,400
where I'm going to break my leg?

2836
02:03:38,400 --> 02:03:41,199
>> Is this relative to the Johnston Way

2837
02:03:41,199 --> 02:03:42,080
Great Road?

2838
02:03:42,080 --> 02:03:44,800
>> I guess I guess tangentially it is. I

2839
02:03:44,800 --> 02:03:45,840
guess I'll stop. Thank you.

2840
02:03:45,840 --> 02:03:47,440
>> Thank you.

2841
02:03:47,440 --> 02:03:48,960
>> Side microphone.

2842
02:03:48,960 --> 02:03:52,080
>> Uh Jeremy D71 Robert Road. I'm here to

2843
02:03:52,080 --> 02:03:54,880
vote in favor of this. Uh this is a

2844
02:03:54,880 --> 02:03:57,119
crosswalk that is from the Elizabethian

2845
02:03:57,119 --> 02:03:59,360
uh apartments to cross the street to get

2846
02:03:59,360 --> 02:04:01,360
to the north side where their sidewalk

2847
02:04:01,360 --> 02:04:04,080
is. We had a senior citizen who happens

2848
02:04:04,080 --> 02:04:06,159
to be my mother-in-law that was hit at

2849
02:04:06,159 --> 02:04:08,560
this exact uh crosswalk trying to cross

2850
02:04:08,560 --> 02:04:10,639
the street in the winter. Uh the you

2851
02:04:10,639 --> 02:04:12,239
know the medical costs there were

2852
02:04:12,239 --> 02:04:13,840
actually two or three times as much as

2853
02:04:13,840 --> 02:04:16,480
this cost. The town has looked at this

2854
02:04:16,480 --> 02:04:18,560
for the past couple of years. were well

2855
02:04:18,560 --> 02:04:21,280
aware of this particular crossing and

2856
02:04:21,280 --> 02:04:24,320
the need for this. Uh and so you know

2857
02:04:24,320 --> 02:04:25,840
she is here along with rest of the

2858
02:04:25,840 --> 02:04:28,159
residents of that area that would like

2859
02:04:28,159 --> 02:04:31,280
to have crossing to get over to uh to

2860
02:04:31,280 --> 02:04:33,679
the STO center to get or to the park on

2861
02:04:33,679 --> 02:04:35,280
the other side and actually have a

2862
02:04:35,280 --> 02:04:37,520
passable way. Uh it's a very common

2863
02:04:37,520 --> 02:04:39,440
thing that actually should be looked at.

2864
02:04:39,440 --> 02:04:41,119
I'm surprised it has had to come to a

2865
02:04:41,119 --> 02:04:42,800
town vote and that there's not funds or

2866
02:04:42,800 --> 02:04:44,480
means by which to go ahead to address

2867
02:04:44,480 --> 02:04:46,880
this, but I I ask people to vote for it.

2868
02:04:46,880 --> 02:04:49,760
Thank you. Thank you very much. Any

2869
02:04:49,760 --> 02:04:54,080
other discussion on article 40-13?

2870
02:04:54,080 --> 02:04:56,080
Seeing none, we'll use our cards for a

2871
02:04:56,080 --> 02:04:58,000
vote on this. All those in favor, raise

2872
02:04:58,000 --> 02:05:00,960
your cards.

2873
02:05:00,960 --> 02:05:04,080
>> Thank you. All those opposed.

2874
02:05:04,080 --> 02:05:07,920
Thank you. That passes by majority.

2875
02:05:07,920 --> 02:05:09,440
Moving

2876
02:05:09,440 --> 02:05:13,830
on to article 40-14,

2877
02:05:13,840 --> 02:05:16,000
excuse me, police cruiser replacement

2878
02:05:16,000 --> 02:05:18,800
with hybrid and related equipment and

2879
02:05:18,800 --> 02:05:21,040
all costs incidental and related there

2880
02:05:21,040 --> 02:05:23,199
too. Miss Burch Mcichel. Madam

2881
02:05:23,199 --> 02:05:25,360
moderator, I move that the town transfer

2882
02:05:25,360 --> 02:05:27,360
from certified free cash the sum of

2883
02:05:27,360 --> 02:05:31,199
$65,000 for article 40-14 as printed in

2884
02:05:31,199 --> 02:05:32,960
the warrant for police cruiser

2885
02:05:32,960 --> 02:05:34,880
replacement with hybrid and related

2886
02:05:34,880 --> 02:05:36,880
equipment and all costs incidental and

2887
02:05:36,880 --> 02:05:39,199
related there too.

2888
02:05:39,199 --> 02:05:41,040
>> Thank you. We have a motion and a second

2889
02:05:41,040 --> 02:05:42,800
on the floor. The finance committee

2890
02:05:42,800 --> 02:05:44,800
recommendation is in your warrant and

2891
02:05:44,800 --> 02:05:46,719
capital planning's recommendation, Mr.

2892
02:05:46,719 --> 02:05:48,639
Jelan. Madam moderator, the police

2893
02:05:48,639 --> 02:05:50,320
department proposes to use the funds

2894
02:05:50,320 --> 02:05:52,000
authorized by this article to replace

2895
02:05:52,000 --> 02:05:53,760
car number one, which is a six-year-old

2896
02:05:53,760 --> 02:05:55,840
Ford Interceptor hybrid SUV that has

2897
02:05:55,840 --> 02:05:57,599
reached the end of its useful life with

2898
02:05:57,599 --> 02:05:59,440
a similar hybrid vehicle. The department

2899
02:05:59,440 --> 02:06:01,199
is requesting these funds consistent

2900
02:06:01,199 --> 02:06:03,679
with its ongoing practice of replacing

2901
02:06:03,679 --> 02:06:05,920
one vehicle per year, and capital

2902
02:06:05,920 --> 02:06:07,679
planning considers this to be a prudent

2903
02:06:07,679 --> 02:06:09,520
expense that will avoid the risk of the

2904
02:06:09,520 --> 02:06:11,920
town being exposed to unpredictable and

2905
02:06:11,920 --> 02:06:13,520
potentially costly vehicle repairs.

2906
02:06:13,520 --> 02:06:15,760
Accordingly, we voted unanimously to

2907
02:06:15,760 --> 02:06:18,080
recommend the town support it.

2908
02:06:18,080 --> 02:06:19,760
>> Thank you very much. Do we have any

2909
02:06:19,760 --> 02:06:24,470
discussion on article 40-14?

2910
02:06:24,480 --> 02:06:26,000
Just to stay in practice, we're going to

2911
02:06:26,000 --> 02:06:29,920
use our clickers on this one.

2912
02:06:29,920 --> 02:06:31,920
Voting is open now and you have 15

2913
02:06:31,920 --> 02:06:48,149
seconds.

2914
02:06:48,159 --> 02:06:51,760
And voting is closed with a vote of 119

2915
02:06:51,760 --> 02:06:57,990
to 33. The motion passes.

2916
02:06:58,000 --> 02:07:00,719
Article 40-15,

2917
02:07:00,719 --> 02:07:03,760
second story design funds and all costs

2918
02:07:03,760 --> 02:07:06,159
incidental and related there too. Mr.

2919
02:07:06,159 --> 02:07:07,520
tool.

2920
02:07:07,520 --> 02:07:10,239
>> Madame moderator, I move that the town

2921
02:07:10,239 --> 02:07:12,880
transfer from certified free cash the

2922
02:07:12,880 --> 02:07:15,119
sum of $35,000

2923
02:07:15,119 --> 02:07:18,000
per article 40-15 as printed in the

2924
02:07:18,000 --> 02:07:20,639
warrant for police department second

2925
02:07:20,639 --> 02:07:23,520
story design funds and all costs

2926
02:07:23,520 --> 02:07:27,679
incidental and related there too.

2927
02:07:27,679 --> 02:07:29,360
>> Thank you. We have a motion and a second

2928
02:07:29,360 --> 02:07:31,119
on the floor. The finance committee

2929
02:07:31,119 --> 02:07:33,520
recommendation is in your warrant.

2930
02:07:33,520 --> 02:07:35,679
Capital Planning, your recommendation.

2931
02:07:35,679 --> 02:07:37,440
>> Madame moderator, for the past few

2932
02:07:37,440 --> 02:07:39,199
years, the police department has been

2933
02:07:39,199 --> 02:07:41,199
constrained by limits of the functional

2934
02:07:41,199 --> 02:07:43,679
interior space of the police station.

2935
02:07:43,679 --> 02:07:45,360
They intend to use the money requested

2936
02:07:45,360 --> 02:07:47,599
by this article to fund a design study

2937
02:07:47,599 --> 02:07:49,760
to add additional office space in the

2938
02:07:49,760 --> 02:07:52,159
currently unfinished second story of the

2939
02:07:52,159 --> 02:07:54,960
station. Having been convinced by Chief

2940
02:07:54,960 --> 02:07:56,880
CIS that the current space constraints

2941
02:07:56,880 --> 02:07:59,199
at the station are unsustainable,

2942
02:07:59,199 --> 02:08:00,880
capital planning voted to recommend the

2943
02:08:00,880 --> 02:08:03,360
town support this funding request. The

2944
02:08:03,360 --> 02:08:05,440
vote was not unanimous, however, as not

2945
02:08:05,440 --> 02:08:06,880
all members of the committee view this

2946
02:08:06,880 --> 02:08:10,560
as a necessary expense at this time.

2947
02:08:10,560 --> 02:08:12,079
>> Thank you very much. Do we have any

2948
02:08:12,079 --> 02:08:16,950
discussion on article 40-15?

2949
02:08:16,960 --> 02:08:18,000
Side microphone.

2950
02:08:18,000 --> 02:08:21,520
>> Uh Nancy Arsenal, Redacre Road. I'm just

2951
02:08:21,520 --> 02:08:24,400
curious if the current roof situation

2952
02:08:24,400 --> 02:08:26,000
that looks like it's under repair is

2953
02:08:26,000 --> 02:08:29,360
part of this project with the tarp. Um,

2954
02:08:29,360 --> 02:08:31,199
and I'm just wondering or is that a

2955
02:08:31,199 --> 02:08:33,040
completely separate action,

2956
02:08:33,040 --> 02:08:34,239
>> Miss Debkowski?

2957
02:08:34,239 --> 02:08:36,000
>> So, the roof was replaced uh about a

2958
02:08:36,000 --> 02:08:37,760
month ago. The top was as a result of a

2959
02:08:37,760 --> 02:08:39,520
leak and insurance paid to have our roof

2960
02:08:39,520 --> 02:08:41,280
replaced. So, that is all taken care of.

2961
02:08:41,280 --> 02:08:43,119
This is completely separate.

2962
02:08:43,119 --> 02:08:45,119
>> Thank you. Site microphone.

2963
02:08:45,119 --> 02:08:47,760
>> Tom Ryan, great road.

2964
02:08:47,760 --> 02:08:50,159
I'm actually torn on this article. I'm a

2965
02:08:50,159 --> 02:08:52,079
big supporter of the police department.

2966
02:08:52,079 --> 02:08:55,360
I think they do a great job. But when I

2967
02:08:55,360 --> 02:08:58,400
saw Capital Planning's thoughts that

2968
02:08:58,400 --> 02:08:59,840
it's going to be a million-dollar

2969
02:08:59,840 --> 02:09:01,679
project,

2970
02:09:01,679 --> 02:09:03,679
there's no way I would support a

2971
02:09:03,679 --> 02:09:06,239
million-doll renovation for the second

2972
02:09:06,239 --> 02:09:08,719
floor of the police station. So, I

2973
02:09:08,719 --> 02:09:11,360
>> this um this arc addresses just the

2974
02:09:11,360 --> 02:09:12,320
design plan.

2975
02:09:12,320 --> 02:09:15,040
>> I I know that, but the thing is the

2976
02:09:15,040 --> 02:09:17,760
design to do a million-doll project.

2977
02:09:17,760 --> 02:09:22,079
They're very much related. So,

2978
02:09:22,079 --> 02:09:24,560
I'm at this at this point in time, I'm

2979
02:09:24,560 --> 02:09:26,320
not in favor of this article and I think

2980
02:09:26,320 --> 02:09:28,400
we should vote no because of the

2981
02:09:28,400 --> 02:09:30,960
projected costs that this is going to

2982
02:09:30,960 --> 02:09:31,920
lead to.

2983
02:09:31,920 --> 02:09:34,320
>> Thank you. Side microphone.

2984
02:09:34,320 --> 02:09:36,639
>> Oh, Mr. Deosski, do you have a response?

2985
02:09:36,639 --> 02:09:38,159
>> Yes. I just wanted to comment. I think

2986
02:09:38,159 --> 02:09:40,320
Tom, that's part of our unknown. Uh, the

2987
02:09:40,320 --> 02:09:43,199
chief brought this forward. Um, I'll be

2988
02:09:43,199 --> 02:09:44,719
honest. I told him I don't know if I

2989
02:09:44,719 --> 02:09:46,159
could support a second story at this

2990
02:09:46,159 --> 02:09:48,159
time, but it's worth the design funds to

2991
02:09:48,159 --> 02:09:49,679
see if it's feasible, what the actual

2992
02:09:49,679 --> 02:09:51,599
cost would be, and then be able to bring

2993
02:09:51,599 --> 02:09:53,119
it back to this group and decide if it's

2994
02:09:53,119 --> 02:09:54,719
something we want to proceed with. Right

2995
02:09:54,719 --> 02:09:56,880
now, it's just all unknown.

2996
02:09:56,880 --> 02:09:58,239
>> Thank you. Side microphone.

2997
02:09:58,239 --> 02:10:00,560
>> Hi, Lori Clark, Brad Lane. I had two

2998
02:10:00,560 --> 02:10:03,920
questions. One was, are there any uh

2999
02:10:03,920 --> 02:10:07,760
grant programs for things like this that

3000
02:10:07,760 --> 02:10:10,000
were considered? And the second question

3001
02:10:10,000 --> 02:10:12,800
is, did we just say that we replace the

3002
02:10:12,800 --> 02:10:14,800
roof, but we plan to rip it off to put a

3003
02:10:14,800 --> 02:10:16,320
second floor on?

3004
02:10:16,320 --> 02:10:17,520
>> Miss Debcowski.

3005
02:10:17,520 --> 02:10:19,199
>> So, there is no grant funds. There's

3006
02:10:19,199 --> 02:10:20,639
very little for municipal buildings

3007
02:10:20,639 --> 02:10:21,760
right now. It's something we've been

3008
02:10:21,760 --> 02:10:23,920
advocating for heavily. Uh, there is a

3009
02:10:23,920 --> 02:10:26,400
full second story. So, it is unassigned

3010
02:10:26,400 --> 02:10:28,239
space. It's just used for storage right

3011
02:10:28,239 --> 02:10:30,560
now. So, there is a full second floor.

3012
02:10:30,560 --> 02:10:32,000
This would build it out into office

3013
02:10:32,000 --> 02:10:33,679
space to move the administration from

3014
02:10:33,679 --> 02:10:35,599
the first floor up to the second.

3015
02:10:35,599 --> 02:10:36,960
>> Thank you.

3016
02:10:36,960 --> 02:10:38,320
side microphone.

3017
02:10:38,320 --> 02:10:40,480
>> Just further clarification, Sandy Taff

3018
02:10:40,480 --> 02:10:43,920
303 Red Road. Um, this is a feasibility

3019
02:10:43,920 --> 02:10:46,000
study. So, the design, it could be

3020
02:10:46,000 --> 02:10:48,239
determined that it wasn't feasible yet.

3021
02:10:48,239 --> 02:10:49,840
I just heard you say that there's a

3022
02:10:49,840 --> 02:10:51,920
second floor there and it could support

3023
02:10:51,920 --> 02:10:54,320
a number of office spaces. So, is there

3024
02:10:54,320 --> 02:10:56,000
some criteria that you've developed

3025
02:10:56,000 --> 02:10:58,320
already to say it's going to be feasible

3026
02:10:58,320 --> 02:11:01,360
if we can get this number of rooms or

3027
02:11:01,360 --> 02:11:02,960
what what would be the criteria for

3028
02:11:02,960 --> 02:11:05,280
feasibility? I guess

3029
02:11:05,280 --> 02:11:06,560
>> Mr. Stemcoski.

3030
02:11:06,560 --> 02:11:08,560
>> So I it is a design study, not a

3031
02:11:08,560 --> 02:11:10,719
feasibility study. Um I think it's more

3032
02:11:10,719 --> 02:11:12,400
what it would look like and what it

3033
02:11:12,400 --> 02:11:16,320
would cost. Um you know on a personal

3034
02:11:16,320 --> 02:11:18,000
note my concern is we have buildings

3035
02:11:18,000 --> 02:11:19,119
falling apart all over the place. We

3036
02:11:19,119 --> 02:11:20,880
have a DPW that we can't replace because

3037
02:11:20,880 --> 02:11:23,360
of the cost of that. So in my opinion we

3038
02:11:23,360 --> 02:11:25,679
have to balance needs versus wants and

3039
02:11:25,679 --> 02:11:27,360
this is something depending on the cost.

3040
02:11:27,360 --> 02:11:28,639
Obviously the chief is saying it's

3041
02:11:28,639 --> 02:11:30,719
necessary. He has all of our all of his

3042
02:11:30,719 --> 02:11:32,400
officers are sharing one space which is

3043
02:11:32,400 --> 02:11:34,239
not very productive. Um, but at the end

3044
02:11:34,239 --> 02:11:35,520
of the day, what will it look like and

3045
02:11:35,520 --> 02:11:37,040
what will it cost us? And then we can

3046
02:11:37,040 --> 02:11:38,719
have that next conversation. But it's

3047
02:11:38,719 --> 02:11:41,119
just a design, not a feasibility.

3048
02:11:41,119 --> 02:11:44,320
>> Thank you for that clarification.

3049
02:11:44,320 --> 02:11:46,239
>> Thank you. Any further discussion on

3050
02:11:46,239 --> 02:11:48,960
article 40-15?

3051
02:11:48,960 --> 02:11:50,800
Seeing none, we'll use our clickers to

3052
02:11:50,800 --> 02:11:53,440
vote on this one.

3053
02:11:53,440 --> 02:11:55,679
We'll have 15 seconds and voting is open

3054
02:11:55,679 --> 02:12:11,750
now.

3055
02:12:11,760 --> 02:12:15,119
Voting is closed and with a vote of 76

3056
02:12:15,119 --> 02:12:18,079
in favor and 71 against with two

3057
02:12:18,079 --> 02:12:26,470
abstensions, this motion passes.

3058
02:12:26,480 --> 02:12:28,719
Article 40-16

3059
02:12:28,719 --> 02:12:32,239
purchase a shared UTV and related

3060
02:12:32,239 --> 02:12:34,719
equipment and all costs incidental and

3061
02:12:34,719 --> 02:12:36,880
related thereto

3062
02:12:36,880 --> 02:12:38,719
Mr. Constanzos.

3063
02:12:38,719 --> 02:12:40,960
>> Madame moderator, I move that the town

3064
02:12:40,960 --> 02:12:43,679
transfer from certified free cash the

3065
02:12:43,679 --> 02:12:45,679
sum of $52,000

3066
02:12:45,679 --> 02:12:48,800
for article 40-16 as printed in the

3067
02:12:48,800 --> 02:12:51,599
warrant to purchase a shared UTV and

3068
02:12:51,599 --> 02:12:53,280
related equipment and all costs

3069
02:12:53,280 --> 02:12:56,560
incidental and related there too.

3070
02:12:56,560 --> 02:12:58,320
Thank you. We have a motion and a second

3071
02:12:58,320 --> 02:13:00,639
on the floor. The finance committee

3072
02:13:00,639 --> 02:13:02,880
recommendation is in your warrant and

3073
02:13:02,880 --> 02:13:05,280
capital planning, Mr. Jeleneck. Madam

3074
02:13:05,280 --> 02:13:07,360
moderator, this request is for funds to

3075
02:13:07,360 --> 02:13:09,760
replace the existing allterrain utility

3076
02:13:09,760 --> 02:13:11,599
vehicle that has been shared between the

3077
02:13:11,599 --> 02:13:13,840
conservation commission, the police and

3078
02:13:13,840 --> 02:13:15,840
fire and other departments since it was

3079
02:13:15,840 --> 02:13:18,320
acquired in 1999

3080
02:13:18,320 --> 02:13:21,040
using grant funding. Although it has

3081
02:13:21,040 --> 02:13:23,040
faithfully served the town in a variety

3082
02:13:23,040 --> 02:13:24,960
of capacities, including emergency

3083
02:13:24,960 --> 02:13:27,040
response, rescues in remote areas, and

3084
02:13:27,040 --> 02:13:29,679
brush fire suppression, nothing lasts

3085
02:13:29,679 --> 02:13:32,079
forever. And it pains me to report that

3086
02:13:32,079 --> 02:13:33,840
the end of the trail for this vehicle

3087
02:13:33,840 --> 02:13:37,280
has finally arrived.

3088
02:13:37,280 --> 02:13:39,040
Recognizing its value to several

3089
02:13:39,040 --> 02:13:40,719
departments. Capital Planning therefore

3090
02:13:40,719 --> 02:13:42,960
voted unanimously to recommend that the

3091
02:13:42,960 --> 02:13:45,280
town support sending it out to pasture

3092
02:13:45,280 --> 02:13:47,280
and replacing it with an updated vehicle

3093
02:13:47,280 --> 02:13:48,880
that will consolidate multiple

3094
02:13:48,880 --> 02:13:51,280
departmental needs into a single shared

3095
02:13:51,280 --> 02:13:53,840
asset. Thank you very much. Do we have

3096
02:13:53,840 --> 02:13:59,430
any discussion on article 40-16?

3097
02:13:59,440 --> 02:14:01,040
Seeing none, we'll move to a vote. We'll

3098
02:14:01,040 --> 02:14:03,199
use our cards on this one. All those in

3099
02:14:03,199 --> 02:14:05,760
favor,

3100
02:14:05,760 --> 02:14:08,800
thank you. All those opposed.

3101
02:14:08,800 --> 02:14:13,350
We'll call that a majority in favor.

3102
02:14:13,360 --> 02:14:16,560
Getting close. Almost there. Article

3103
02:14:16,560 --> 02:14:18,800
40-17.

3104
02:14:18,800 --> 02:14:22,159
Install a Pineluff well filter system

3105
02:14:22,159 --> 02:14:24,320
and related equipment and all costs

3106
02:14:24,320 --> 02:14:26,560
incidental and related there too. Miss

3107
02:14:26,560 --> 02:14:29,040
Hegman. Madame moderator, I move that

3108
02:14:29,040 --> 02:14:31,199
the town transfer from certified free

3109
02:14:31,199 --> 02:14:34,239
cashache the sum of $35,000 for article

3110
02:14:34,239 --> 02:14:35,840
40-17

3111
02:14:35,840 --> 02:14:38,239
as printed in the warrant to install a

3112
02:14:38,239 --> 02:14:40,639
Pine Bluff well filter system and

3113
02:14:40,639 --> 02:14:42,320
related equipment and all costs

3114
02:14:42,320 --> 02:14:45,280
incidental and related there too.

3115
02:14:45,280 --> 02:14:46,400
Second,

3116
02:14:46,400 --> 02:14:47,760
>> thank you very much. We have a motion

3117
02:14:47,760 --> 02:14:49,920
and a second on the floor. The finance

3118
02:14:49,920 --> 02:14:51,599
committee's recommendation is in your

3119
02:14:51,599 --> 02:14:54,800
warrant and capital planning, Mr. Jelan.

3120
02:14:54,800 --> 02:14:56,320
Madam moderator, the recreation

3121
02:14:56,320 --> 02:14:58,079
department is requesting funds to add a

3122
02:14:58,079 --> 02:15:00,560
PAS filter to the existing water supply

3123
02:15:00,560 --> 02:15:02,320
system at the Pine Bluffs Recreation

3124
02:15:02,320 --> 02:15:04,880
Area. This equipment is necessary for

3125
02:15:04,880 --> 02:15:07,199
the Massachusetts D to certify the

3126
02:15:07,199 --> 02:15:09,599
system as a public water supply, which

3127
02:15:09,599 --> 02:15:11,760
among other benefits will avoid the need

3128
02:15:11,760 --> 02:15:13,679
for the town to provide bottled drinking

3129
02:15:13,679 --> 02:15:15,119
water for the children that attend the

3130
02:15:15,119 --> 02:15:16,880
recreation department's camp stow

3131
02:15:16,880 --> 02:15:19,679
program in the summer. Capital Planning

3132
02:15:19,679 --> 02:15:21,280
therefore voted unanimously to recommend

3133
02:15:21,280 --> 02:15:23,599
the town support this project.

3134
02:15:23,599 --> 02:15:25,599
Thank you very much. Any discussion on

3135
02:15:25,599 --> 02:15:30,470
article 40-17

3136
02:15:30,480 --> 02:15:32,880
side microphone

3137
02:15:32,880 --> 02:15:36,159
>> Ames Coney 371 Sudbury Road uh and then

3138
02:15:36,159 --> 02:15:38,639
a butter to Pine Bluffs. Madam

3139
02:15:38,639 --> 02:15:41,280
moderator, is this a replacement for the

3140
02:15:41,280 --> 02:15:43,119
current irrigation system where there's

3141
02:15:43,119 --> 02:15:45,280
a pump house down by the lake or will

3142
02:15:45,280 --> 02:15:47,920
the two systems operate in parallel?

3143
02:15:47,920 --> 02:15:49,520
>> Miss Demkowski,

3144
02:15:49,520 --> 02:15:51,040
>> they will operate in parallel. This is

3145
02:15:51,040 --> 02:15:52,880
for a public water supply for the

3146
02:15:52,880 --> 02:15:53,840
children to be able to drink with

3147
02:15:53,840 --> 02:15:55,360
they're playing at the sports and camp.

3148
02:15:55,360 --> 02:15:55,760
>> Thank you.

3149
02:15:55,760 --> 02:15:56,880
>> You're welcome.

3150
02:15:56,880 --> 02:15:58,800
>> Thank you very much. Any further

3151
02:15:58,800 --> 02:16:00,880
discussion?

3152
02:16:00,880 --> 02:16:02,480
We'll move to a vote on this. We'll use

3153
02:16:02,480 --> 02:16:04,880
our cards, please. All in favor, raise

3154
02:16:04,880 --> 02:16:06,880
your cards.

3155
02:16:06,880 --> 02:16:09,920
Thank you very much. Those opposed.

3156
02:16:09,920 --> 02:16:15,750
And we'll call that a majority in favor.

3157
02:16:15,760 --> 02:16:18,480
and article 40-18

3158
02:16:18,480 --> 02:16:21,280
Stow Community Park security cameras and

3159
02:16:21,280 --> 02:16:23,360
related equipment and all costs

3160
02:16:23,360 --> 02:16:25,760
incidental and related there too. Mr.

3161
02:16:25,760 --> 02:16:27,920
Peterson.

3162
02:16:27,920 --> 02:16:30,000
>> Madame moderator, I move that the town

3163
02:16:30,000 --> 02:16:31,920
transfer from certified free cash the

3164
02:16:31,920 --> 02:16:35,519
sum of $19,000 for article 40-18 as

3165
02:16:35,519 --> 02:16:37,120
printed in the warrant for Stow

3166
02:16:37,120 --> 02:16:39,280
Community Park security cameras and

3167
02:16:39,280 --> 02:16:41,280
related equipment and all costs

3168
02:16:41,280 --> 02:16:44,559
incidental and related there too.

3169
02:16:44,559 --> 02:16:46,240
>> Thank you. We have a motion and a second

3170
02:16:46,240 --> 02:16:48,080
on the floor. The finance committee

3171
02:16:48,080 --> 02:16:50,000
recommendation is in your warrant.

3172
02:16:50,000 --> 02:16:51,280
Capital planning.

3173
02:16:51,280 --> 02:16:53,120
>> Madam moderator, capital planning voted

3174
02:16:53,120 --> 02:16:54,719
to recommend the town support this

3175
02:16:54,719 --> 02:16:56,240
funding request. It'll be used to

3176
02:16:56,240 --> 02:16:58,160
replace the broken security cameras at

3177
02:16:58,160 --> 02:17:00,880
Stow Community Park on Old Bolton Road.

3178
02:17:00,880 --> 02:17:02,880
The vote was not unanimous. Some members

3179
02:17:02,880 --> 02:17:04,479
of the committee expressed reservations

3180
02:17:04,479 --> 02:17:06,479
about how secure the video data captured

3181
02:17:06,479 --> 02:17:08,800
by these cameras will be as other

3182
02:17:08,800 --> 02:17:11,439
residents of town expressed today.

3183
02:17:11,439 --> 02:17:12,800
Nonetheless, the majority of the

3184
02:17:12,800 --> 02:17:14,240
committee members are persuaded that

3185
02:17:14,240 --> 02:17:16,160
functioning security cameras serve as an

3186
02:17:16,160 --> 02:17:17,920
effective deterrent against acts of

3187
02:17:17,920 --> 02:17:20,399
vandalism at the park and consistent

3188
02:17:20,399 --> 02:17:22,000
with procedures used for the security

3189
02:17:22,000 --> 02:17:24,559
cameras on other town property. Access

3190
02:17:24,559 --> 02:17:26,319
to the video footage from these cameras

3191
02:17:26,319 --> 02:17:27,439
would be limited to the police

3192
02:17:27,439 --> 02:17:28,960
department and others on a need to- know

3193
02:17:28,960 --> 02:17:30,399
basis only.

3194
02:17:30,399 --> 02:17:31,840
>> Thank you very much. Do we have any

3195
02:17:31,840 --> 02:17:34,880
discussion on article 40-18?

3196
02:17:34,880 --> 02:17:36,399
Side microphone.

3197
02:17:36,399 --> 02:17:39,120
>> Tom Ryan, great road. I would suggest we

3198
02:17:39,120 --> 02:17:41,359
vote no on this the same way we did the

3199
02:17:41,359 --> 02:17:44,639
security cameras for PMPO. I think we've

3200
02:17:44,639 --> 02:17:47,040
got plenty of security cameras. The

3201
02:17:47,040 --> 02:17:49,040
other thing that I would even question

3202
02:17:49,040 --> 02:17:51,359
is, okay,

3203
02:17:51,359 --> 02:17:54,160
why are the ones that are there now

3204
02:17:54,160 --> 02:17:55,840
broken? Is it because somebody took a

3205
02:17:55,840 --> 02:17:57,840
stick to them?

3206
02:17:57,840 --> 02:17:59,280
And so we'll put up new ones, then

3207
02:17:59,280 --> 02:18:02,000
they'll take another stick. Uh I I just

3208
02:18:02,000 --> 02:18:03,280
don't think we need them.

3209
02:18:03,280 --> 02:18:05,200
>> Thank you very much. Front microphone.

3210
02:18:05,200 --> 02:18:07,679
>> Pam Weathers 89 Westen Road. same

3211
02:18:07,679 --> 02:18:10,319
concerns. I just I am tired of being

3212
02:18:10,319 --> 02:18:13,439
surveiled everywhere and I am finding

3213
02:18:13,439 --> 02:18:15,840
this not to be something we should be

3214
02:18:15,840 --> 02:18:17,359
supporting anymore.

3215
02:18:17,359 --> 02:18:19,200
>> Thank you. Side microphone.

3216
02:18:19,200 --> 02:18:22,639
>> Hi, Mike Bush, 25 Peody Drive. Um I'm on

3217
02:18:22,639 --> 02:18:26,479
the recreation commission as well. Um,

3218
02:18:26,479 --> 02:18:29,840
since we installed cameras, uh, when we,

3219
02:18:29,840 --> 02:18:32,719
um, constructed Stoke Community Park,

3220
02:18:32,719 --> 02:18:35,200
we've been able to solve a number of

3221
02:18:35,200 --> 02:18:37,519
vandalism type issues based on just

3222
02:18:37,519 --> 02:18:40,160
looking at the cameras. Um, the cameras

3223
02:18:40,160 --> 02:18:42,399
we bought originally are very, very old,

3224
02:18:42,399 --> 02:18:45,599
low resolution, and um, the technology

3225
02:18:45,599 --> 02:18:47,359
has improved a lot since we built the

3226
02:18:47,359 --> 02:18:48,639
park.

3227
02:18:48,639 --> 02:18:52,240
Um, one example was is uh right after

3228
02:18:52,240 --> 02:18:54,399
the park was constructed, the sign out

3229
02:18:54,399 --> 02:18:57,040
front was uh stolen. Another one was

3230
02:18:57,040 --> 02:19:00,399
there was damage on tennis courts and a

3231
02:19:00,399 --> 02:19:02,080
number of other things where if you add

3232
02:19:02,080 --> 02:19:03,920
up the total cost, it's beyond the

3233
02:19:03,920 --> 02:19:06,559
19,000. We were able to recover the the

3234
02:19:06,559 --> 02:19:08,399
money based on going after the people

3235
02:19:08,399 --> 02:19:12,319
that stole or caused the damage. Um,

3236
02:19:12,319 --> 02:19:14,000
it's been a long time. We've had the

3237
02:19:14,000 --> 02:19:15,840
cameras for a while. The cameras are all

3238
02:19:15,840 --> 02:19:18,000
local data. It doesn't even leave the

3239
02:19:18,000 --> 02:19:19,280
park. I'm not sure if that's been

3240
02:19:19,280 --> 02:19:21,359
uploaded to another local place, but

3241
02:19:21,359 --> 02:19:24,559
they're not cloud-based cameras. Um, so

3242
02:19:24,559 --> 02:19:26,719
this is basically something that will

3243
02:19:26,719 --> 02:19:28,639
save us money because we'll be able to

3244
02:19:28,639 --> 02:19:31,120
see what goes on on the land to see who

3245
02:19:31,120 --> 02:19:32,880
did something to go after them to get

3246
02:19:32,880 --> 02:19:34,559
them to pay for it and we've done that

3247
02:19:34,559 --> 02:19:36,719
and it's been effective. Thank you.

3248
02:19:36,719 --> 02:19:40,160
>> Thank you. Site microphone.

3249
02:19:40,160 --> 02:19:42,479
>> Hi madam um madam moderator. My name is

3250
02:19:42,479 --> 02:19:46,000
Karen Wesley or um 51 Orchard Drive and

3251
02:19:46,000 --> 02:19:47,920
my perspective comes as being a teacher

3252
02:19:47,920 --> 02:19:50,399
in Stow but also a mother of um five

3253
02:19:50,399 --> 02:19:52,640
children. We abut the M's academy which

3254
02:19:52,640 --> 02:19:55,040
abuts the community park. I just had a

3255
02:19:55,040 --> 02:19:57,120
clarify clarifying question. Does um the

3256
02:19:57,120 --> 02:20:00,080
cameras collect can they can they see

3257
02:20:00,080 --> 02:20:01,920
the um the parking lots for like license

3258
02:20:01,920 --> 02:20:03,439
plate something for like a safety

3259
02:20:03,439 --> 02:20:05,760
feature for god forbid like if one of

3260
02:20:05,760 --> 02:20:07,760
the like a kid was grabbed because when

3261
02:20:07,760 --> 02:20:09,359
I go to watch my students play soccer

3262
02:20:09,359 --> 02:20:12,000
you have multiple families coming and

3263
02:20:12,000 --> 02:20:13,680
going lots of adults and also with the

3264
02:20:13,680 --> 02:20:15,600
master's academy I know there'll be more

3265
02:20:15,600 --> 02:20:18,560
traffic more people like not strangers

3266
02:20:18,560 --> 02:20:20,640
but more new clientele in that area

3267
02:20:20,640 --> 02:20:22,880
using the fields I just wasn't sure if

3268
02:20:22,880 --> 02:20:24,560
that do you know can they see the

3269
02:20:24,560 --> 02:20:25,600
license plates

3270
02:20:25,600 --> 02:20:27,040
>> Mr.

3271
02:20:27,040 --> 02:20:28,880
So in the request by recreation, they

3272
02:20:28,880 --> 02:20:30,800
did include one camera facing the

3273
02:20:30,800 --> 02:20:32,240
parking lot that the police would be

3274
02:20:32,240 --> 02:20:33,760
able to zoom in and access a license

3275
02:20:33,760 --> 02:20:35,040
plate if need be.

3276
02:20:35,040 --> 02:20:37,520
>> So to clip my my followup, I would

3277
02:20:37,520 --> 02:20:39,439
recommend having that if god forbid if

3278
02:20:39,439 --> 02:20:41,280
something happens, we would have that

3279
02:20:41,280 --> 02:20:43,280
necessary for life live police

3280
02:20:43,280 --> 02:20:44,640
departments. Thank you.

3281
02:20:44,640 --> 02:20:49,349
>> Thank you. Side microphone

3282
02:20:49,359 --> 02:20:50,880
» Debbie Woods, great route. Thank you,

3283
02:20:50,880 --> 02:20:52,800
madam moderator.

3284
02:20:52,800 --> 02:20:56,640
As in previous articles,

3285
02:20:56,640 --> 02:20:59,520
the town needs to secure and really firm

3286
02:20:59,520 --> 02:21:01,439
up their policies and procedures for

3287
02:21:01,439 --> 02:21:03,520
what happens to the data. I hear maybe

3288
02:21:03,520 --> 02:21:05,120
the recreation commission is looking at

3289
02:21:05,120 --> 02:21:06,880
them. Maybe the police department's

3290
02:21:06,880 --> 02:21:10,479
looking at the at the tapes.

3291
02:21:10,479 --> 02:21:12,960
I don't want anybody get hurt. I don't

3292
02:21:12,960 --> 02:21:16,880
want any um vandalism, whatever. But

3293
02:21:16,880 --> 02:21:20,560
there's two issues. There's until until

3294
02:21:20,560 --> 02:21:22,720
we have firm policies and procedures in

3295
02:21:22,720 --> 02:21:25,520
place to decide on what happens with the

3296
02:21:25,520 --> 02:21:28,160
information to ensure it's insured. I'm

3297
02:21:28,160 --> 02:21:29,920
not in favor of adding any more security

3298
02:21:29,920 --> 02:21:32,560
cameras or tapes.

3299
02:21:32,560 --> 02:21:34,720
Thank you very much.

3300
02:21:34,720 --> 02:21:38,479
Any further discussion on article 40-18?

3301
02:21:38,479 --> 02:21:40,479
Oh, one more.

3302
02:21:40,479 --> 02:21:42,960
>> Mike Bush, 25 PBD drive. This is

3303
02:21:42,960 --> 02:21:44,800
replacing existing equipment which is

3304
02:21:44,800 --> 02:21:47,760
very, very old. Um, we've been using

3305
02:21:47,760 --> 02:21:51,359
these cameras for quite a long time and

3306
02:21:51,359 --> 02:21:54,000
these are replacements for cameras that

3307
02:21:54,000 --> 02:21:56,399
just don't see well anymore. They don't

3308
02:21:56,399 --> 02:21:58,960
see the license plates. They can't see

3309
02:21:58,960 --> 02:22:02,800
faces really well. Um,

3310
02:22:02,800 --> 02:22:04,720
and we can do it better with better

3311
02:22:04,720 --> 02:22:06,800
cameras. So, the policy, as far as

3312
02:22:06,800 --> 02:22:09,520
policies go, I agree with that. Um, we

3313
02:22:09,520 --> 02:22:12,080
have a a spoken policy of we don't want

3314
02:22:12,080 --> 02:22:14,160
anything going to the cloud. We wanted

3315
02:22:14,160 --> 02:22:16,880
to be able to use this to keep um people

3316
02:22:16,880 --> 02:22:19,280
safe, but we don't have a policy of what

3317
02:22:19,280 --> 02:22:21,040
to do with the data afterwards. So,

3318
02:22:21,040 --> 02:22:23,200
that's a good idea, but in this case,

3319
02:22:23,200 --> 02:22:24,720
getting the equipment and creating the

3320
02:22:24,720 --> 02:22:27,520
policy really aren't orthog or going in

3321
02:22:27,520 --> 02:22:29,439
the same direction. We need to get one

3322
02:22:29,439 --> 02:22:32,640
and then do the other. Um, so this is

3323
02:22:32,640 --> 02:22:34,560
just to replace, not to actually do a

3324
02:22:34,560 --> 02:22:36,880
new set of cameras. Thank you.

3325
02:22:36,880 --> 02:22:38,960
>> Thank you very much. Any further

3326
02:22:38,960 --> 02:22:41,920
discussion on 40-18?

3327
02:22:41,920 --> 02:22:44,960
front microphone.

3328
02:22:44,960 --> 02:22:48,800
>> Courtney Freda of Boxboro Road. I just

3329
02:22:48,800 --> 02:22:52,080
wanted to make a quick comment. Um I

3330
02:22:52,080 --> 02:22:54,479
feel that sometimes

3331
02:22:54,479 --> 02:22:56,479
we have

3332
02:22:56,479 --> 02:23:00,000
staff or or um one of the departments in

3333
02:23:00,000 --> 02:23:02,160
town is asking for support. They're

3334
02:23:02,160 --> 02:23:07,040
asking for a tool. Um, and when we deny

3335
02:23:07,040 --> 02:23:10,240
them that tool,

3336
02:23:10,240 --> 02:23:12,880
we're not supporting them. They're

3337
02:23:12,880 --> 02:23:16,160
trying to do their best to

3338
02:23:16,160 --> 02:23:19,520
make this a good town, make us safe. And

3339
02:23:19,520 --> 02:23:22,080
by denying them tools,

3340
02:23:22,080 --> 02:23:24,800
we're making we're we're giving them a

3341
02:23:24,800 --> 02:23:27,040
vote of non-confidence,

3342
02:23:27,040 --> 02:23:28,960
and we're not giving them the tool they

3343
02:23:28,960 --> 02:23:32,800
asked for. So, please consider that as

3344
02:23:32,800 --> 02:23:37,280
you as you shepherd the budget and and

3345
02:23:37,280 --> 02:23:40,319
protect your own pocket. Thank you.

3346
02:23:40,319 --> 02:23:42,720
>> Thank you. Side microphone.

3347
02:23:42,720 --> 02:23:44,160
>> Deputy Woods. Great road. Thank you,

3348
02:23:44,160 --> 02:23:46,319
madam moderator. I want to at least

3349
02:23:46,319 --> 02:23:49,120
clarify my position. I am in support of

3350
02:23:49,120 --> 02:23:51,680
tools. I am in support of software. I am

3351
02:23:51,680 --> 02:23:54,319
in support of all this, but not until we

3352
02:23:54,319 --> 02:23:56,240
have policies and procedures in place

3353
02:23:56,240 --> 02:23:57,680
with what we're going to do with the

3354
02:23:57,680 --> 02:24:00,800
information. So my unsupport or non-sup

3355
02:24:00,800 --> 02:24:02,720
support of this article in no way, shape

3356
02:24:02,720 --> 02:24:05,359
or form should be construed as to I'm

3357
02:24:05,359 --> 02:24:06,479
not supporting the recreation

3358
02:24:06,479 --> 02:24:07,840
commission. I'm not supporting the

3359
02:24:07,840 --> 02:24:10,160
police because that is not true. I am.

3360
02:24:10,160 --> 02:24:12,000
But I am more concerned with the data

3361
02:24:12,000 --> 02:24:15,200
that these um cameras and whatever are

3362
02:24:15,200 --> 02:24:19,120
doing the fact that we want to um the

3363
02:24:19,120 --> 02:24:20,640
police want to look at at license

3364
02:24:20,640 --> 02:24:22,560
plates. It scares me that this

3365
02:24:22,560 --> 02:24:24,399
information is now potentially to be

3366
02:24:24,399 --> 02:24:27,280
captured. So I am not I am supporting

3367
02:24:27,280 --> 02:24:29,920
these organizations but not until we as

3368
02:24:29,920 --> 02:24:31,760
a town have our policies and procedures

3369
02:24:31,760 --> 02:24:33,040
in place.

3370
02:24:33,040 --> 02:24:35,600
>> Thank you. Any further discussion on

3371
02:24:35,600 --> 02:24:39,270
article 40-18

3372
02:24:39,280 --> 02:24:40,720
side microphone?

3373
02:24:40,720 --> 02:24:44,080
>> John Color Romano uh Boxboro Road. I'm

3374
02:24:44,080 --> 02:24:46,960
wondering if uh someone in town

3375
02:24:46,960 --> 02:24:49,840
government can commit to putting

3376
02:24:49,840 --> 02:24:52,399
together those uh procedures and

3377
02:24:52,399 --> 02:24:55,520
policies uh so that that would uh put

3378
02:24:55,520 --> 02:24:58,319
the town at ease in voting for some of

3379
02:24:58,319 --> 02:25:02,240
these security uh articles. Thank you,

3380
02:25:02,240 --> 02:25:03,760
Mr. Dowski.

3381
02:25:03,760 --> 02:25:05,760
>> Yes, we can. It was already part of the

3382
02:25:05,760 --> 02:25:07,200
discussion as capital planning

3383
02:25:07,200 --> 02:25:09,040
mentioned. It came up there during their

3384
02:25:09,040 --> 02:25:10,720
discussions that they would like us to

3385
02:25:10,720 --> 02:25:12,560
have a policy. So, we just didn't want

3386
02:25:12,560 --> 02:25:13,840
to put off the purchase of these for

3387
02:25:13,840 --> 02:25:17,120
another year and put um places at risk.

3388
02:25:17,120 --> 02:25:18,560
So, we were moving the cameras forward

3389
02:25:18,560 --> 02:25:20,560
this year with the intention of having

3390
02:25:20,560 --> 02:25:23,600
the board put forward a policy.

3391
02:25:23,600 --> 02:25:26,479
Thank you. Any further discussion on

3392
02:25:26,479 --> 02:25:29,680
article 40-18?

3393
02:25:29,680 --> 02:25:30,880
All right, we're going to move to a

3394
02:25:30,880 --> 02:25:32,160
vote. We're going to use our clickers

3395
02:25:32,160 --> 02:25:34,880
for this one. You have 15 seconds to

3396
02:25:34,880 --> 02:25:51,830
vote and voting is open now.

3397
02:25:51,840 --> 02:25:55,280
And voting is closed. With a vote of 116

3398
02:25:55,280 --> 02:25:57,920
in favor, 33 against, and three

3399
02:25:57,920 --> 02:26:01,600
abstensions, the motion passes.

3400
02:26:01,600 --> 02:26:03,040
And with that, I'm going to turn the

3401
02:26:03,040 --> 02:26:17,510
podium back over to the moderator.

3402
02:26:17,520 --> 02:26:22,319
Thank you, Miss Lvina. That was a big

3403
02:26:22,319 --> 02:26:24,640
lift.

3404
02:26:24,640 --> 02:26:27,359
All right, that brings us to article 41,

3405
02:26:27,359 --> 02:26:29,600
the capital items proposed for

3406
02:26:29,600 --> 02:26:32,319
borrowing. Because borrowing is proposed

3407
02:26:32,319 --> 02:26:34,640
for these items, all the motions under

3408
02:26:34,640 --> 02:26:36,960
these articles will require a twothirds

3409
02:26:36,960 --> 02:26:39,680
majority to pass. That means we'll be

3410
02:26:39,680 --> 02:26:42,319
using our clickers on all six of these

3411
02:26:42,319 --> 02:26:45,200
items. A word of caution. Clearly, our

3412
02:26:45,200 --> 02:26:47,520
clicker software is working based on the

3413
02:26:47,520 --> 02:26:49,200
number of votes we're getting. But

3414
02:26:49,200 --> 02:26:50,720
there's always the possibility that

3415
02:26:50,720 --> 02:26:53,600
individual clickers are not working. So

3416
02:26:53,600 --> 02:26:56,720
again, please be sure to look at the

3417
02:26:56,720 --> 02:26:59,439
Okay, I was just voting. It took a few

3418
02:26:59,439 --> 02:27:01,280
seconds every now and then to get that

3419
02:27:01,280 --> 02:27:03,439
okay. It's also very possible that

3420
02:27:03,439 --> 02:27:06,720
you'll get an okay on one vote, but it

3421
02:27:06,720 --> 02:27:08,399
won't register on another one. So, look

3422
02:27:08,399 --> 02:27:10,720
for an okay, please, on every single

3423
02:27:10,720 --> 02:27:12,800
vote.

3424
02:27:12,800 --> 02:27:15,120
As with article 40, we first have a

3425
02:27:15,120 --> 02:27:17,920
procedural motion uh separating these

3426
02:27:17,920 --> 02:27:20,720
items out into individual votes. Do I

3427
02:27:20,720 --> 02:27:22,720
have a motion, Miss Burch Mcichael?

3428
02:27:22,720 --> 02:27:24,720
>> Mr. Moderator, I move the town discuss

3429
02:27:24,720 --> 02:27:26,880
the items of this article individually

3430
02:27:26,880 --> 02:27:29,439
and vote upon each separately as to the

3431
02:27:29,439 --> 02:27:31,439
amount to be appropriated for each item

3432
02:27:31,439 --> 02:27:33,280
as set forth in separate motions

3433
02:27:33,280 --> 02:27:34,640
proposed.

3434
02:27:34,640 --> 02:27:36,479
>> This procedural motion has been made and

3435
02:27:36,479 --> 02:27:38,399
seconded. As I said, this allows us to

3436
02:27:38,399 --> 02:27:41,040
consider each item under article 41

3437
02:27:41,040 --> 02:27:43,600
separately as we did in article 40. Is

3438
02:27:43,600 --> 02:27:45,359
there any debate on this procedural

3439
02:27:45,359 --> 02:27:49,120
motion? Seeing none, we'll go to a vote.

3440
02:27:49,120 --> 02:27:51,520
This requires a simple majority and we

3441
02:27:51,520 --> 02:27:53,680
will use our cards. All those in favor,

3442
02:27:53,680 --> 02:27:56,240
please signify by raising your cards.

3443
02:27:56,240 --> 02:27:59,280
Thank you. And those against, I will

3444
02:27:59,280 --> 02:28:01,840
call that unanimous.

3445
02:28:01,840 --> 02:28:05,840
That brings me to article 41,

3446
02:28:05,840 --> 02:28:08,160
purchase of a Ford Maverick pickup by

3447
02:28:08,160 --> 02:28:09,760
the Department of Public Works. Do I

3448
02:28:09,760 --> 02:28:15,990
have a motion, Mr. Tulle?

3449
02:28:16,000 --> 02:28:17,920
Mr. Moderator, I move that the town

3450
02:28:17,920 --> 02:28:20,160
borrow $45,000

3451
02:28:20,160 --> 02:28:22,640
for article 41-1

3452
02:28:22,640 --> 02:28:25,040
as printed in the warrant to purchase a

3453
02:28:25,040 --> 02:28:27,520
Ford Maverick pickup truck and related

3454
02:28:27,520 --> 02:28:29,920
equipment including all costs incidental

3455
02:28:29,920 --> 02:28:32,560
and related thereto and that to meet

3456
02:28:32,560 --> 02:28:35,760
said appropriation, the treasurer with

3457
02:28:35,760 --> 02:28:37,600
the approval from the select board is

3458
02:28:37,600 --> 02:28:39,840
authorized to borrow the full amount of

3459
02:28:39,840 --> 02:28:41,920
the appropriation under general laws

3460
02:28:41,920 --> 02:28:44,960
chapter 44 or any other general or

3461
02:28:44,960 --> 02:28:48,720
special law or other enabling authority

3462
02:28:48,720 --> 02:28:52,160
and to issue bonds or notes of the town.

3463
02:28:52,160 --> 02:28:54,319
Therefore,

3464
02:28:54,319 --> 02:28:56,240
>> I have a motion made and seconded under

3465
02:28:56,240 --> 02:28:58,640
article 41-1.

3466
02:28:58,640 --> 02:29:00,319
Finance committee's recommendation,

3467
02:29:00,319 --> 02:29:02,000
favorable recommendation is in the

3468
02:29:02,000 --> 02:29:04,319
warrant. Mr. Duca with the capital

3469
02:29:04,319 --> 02:29:05,439
planning recommendation

3470
02:29:05,439 --> 02:29:08,160
>> uh at Duca 26 Crescent Street. Uh

3471
02:29:08,160 --> 02:29:10,720
capital planning's uh votes were split

3472
02:29:10,720 --> 02:29:12,960
on this. Two in favor and two opposed.

3473
02:29:12,960 --> 02:29:16,399
So it we did not uh recommend support

3474
02:29:16,399 --> 02:29:18,720
for the article. The Department of

3475
02:29:18,720 --> 02:29:20,399
Public Works is seeking to a

3476
02:29:20,399 --> 02:29:23,280
fuelefficient Ford Maverick to replace

3477
02:29:23,280 --> 02:29:28,080
the 2021 Ford F-150 regular cab that is

3478
02:29:28,080 --> 02:29:31,680
driven by the DPW director. The full F1

3479
02:29:31,680 --> 02:29:35,760
F350 gets just 13 miles to gallon per

3480
02:29:35,760 --> 02:29:38,160
gallon while the Maverick is expected to

3481
02:29:38,160 --> 02:29:41,520
achieve 37 to 38 miles per gallon

3482
02:29:41,520 --> 02:29:45,920
significant fuel savings. The 3 F3

3483
02:29:45,920 --> 02:29:48,800
excuse me F 350 would remain in the

3484
02:29:48,800 --> 02:29:51,680
fleet allowing the DPW crew to take full

3485
02:29:51,680 --> 02:29:53,760
advantage of its size payload capacity

3486
02:29:53,760 --> 02:29:56,800
for hauling equipment and materials and

3487
02:29:56,800 --> 02:29:59,840
uh for use in operations. Uh the

3488
02:29:59,840 --> 02:30:02,880
committee uh in favor agreed that the

3489
02:30:02,880 --> 02:30:05,040
new efficient truck would uh new truck

3490
02:30:05,040 --> 02:30:07,200
would be more efficient and appropriate

3491
02:30:07,200 --> 02:30:10,399
use by the uh DPW director. The current

3492
02:30:10,399 --> 02:30:12,319
truck will be used by the department as

3493
02:30:12,319 --> 02:30:14,560
needed for jobs that require its

3494
02:30:14,560 --> 02:30:20,479
capability and capacity. The uh those in opposition felt that this is an

3495
02:30:20,479 --> 02:30:22,399
additional vehicle for the town to

3496
02:30:22,399 --> 02:30:24,800
maintain and ensure the cost savings

3497
02:30:24,800 --> 02:30:27,200
from the fuel usage in comparison with

3498
02:30:27,200 --> 02:30:31,200
the Frief 350 are unlikely to be offset

3499
02:30:31,200 --> 02:30:33,040
by the cost of the vehicle over the

3500
02:30:33,040 --> 02:30:35,439
lifetime of the vehicle. [clears throat]

3501
02:30:35,439 --> 02:30:37,439
>> Thank you, Mr. Duca. Do I have any

3502
02:30:37,439 --> 02:30:41,680
debate on article 41-1?

3503
02:30:41,680 --> 02:30:42,560
>> Signed microphone.

3504
02:30:42,560 --> 02:30:46,240
>> Tom Ryan, great road. One of one concern

3505
02:30:46,240 --> 02:30:49,120
I have is I mentioned it earlier in this

3506
02:30:49,120 --> 02:30:53,040
meeting that our um debt service had

3507
02:30:53,040 --> 02:30:56,479
increased about 21% between la the end

3508
02:30:56,479 --> 02:31:00,720
of last or since the last meeting.

3509
02:31:00,720 --> 02:31:03,520
I'm worried about borrowing for a

3510
02:31:03,520 --> 02:31:07,040
$45,000 truck when we could be taking it

3511
02:31:07,040 --> 02:31:10,720
out of free cash or something like that

3512
02:31:10,720 --> 02:31:15,920
as well as adding adding another vehicle

3513
02:31:15,920 --> 02:31:20,240
to kind of replace a 5-year-old vehicle.

3514
02:31:20,240 --> 02:31:22,880
One question I do have is how long would

3515
02:31:22,880 --> 02:31:25,359
you planning is the plan to borrow this

3516
02:31:25,359 --> 02:31:27,600
money for?

3517
02:31:27,600 --> 02:31:29,920
And that's going to be a question that I

3518
02:31:29,920 --> 02:31:32,479
have for all of the other articles is

3519
02:31:32,479 --> 02:31:33,760
how long are we going to borrow the

3520
02:31:33,760 --> 02:31:36,000
money for and how long is it going to

3521
02:31:36,000 --> 02:31:39,840
stick around on our debt schedule?

3522
02:31:39,840 --> 02:31:41,680
>> Miss Denoski, I think the question is

3523
02:31:41,680 --> 02:31:43,280
what is the expected term of the

3524
02:31:43,280 --> 02:31:44,080
borrowing?

3525
02:31:44,080 --> 02:31:45,920
>> So under Mass General Law Departmental

3526
02:31:45,920 --> 02:31:47,600
Equipment, which this is considered as a

3527
02:31:47,600 --> 02:31:53,670
five-year term, maximum of five years.

3528
02:31:53,680 --> 02:31:56,000
» Is there a followup, Mr. Ryan? I'm just

3529
02:31:56,000 --> 02:31:57,920
not in favor of it at this point. I

3530
02:31:57,920 --> 02:31:59,840
could see buying a truck like this when

3531
02:31:59,840 --> 02:32:01,680
the other one wears out.

3532
02:32:01,680 --> 02:32:04,800
>> Thank you. Side microphone.

3533
02:32:04,800 --> 02:32:08,240
>> Susan Crane, 122 Kirkland Drive. I'm all

3534
02:32:08,240 --> 02:32:11,600
in favor of more fuel efficient vehicles

3535
02:32:11,600 --> 02:32:14,160
and I'd really like the town to consider

3536
02:32:14,160 --> 02:32:16,319
purchasing electric vehicles rather than

3537
02:32:16,319 --> 02:32:19,520
gaspowered vehicles. So, I'm not in

3538
02:32:19,520 --> 02:32:21,359
favor of this. I'd prefer that we wait

3539
02:32:21,359 --> 02:32:24,640
and buy an electric vehicle.

3540
02:32:24,640 --> 02:32:30,399
Thank you. Are there is there a need to respond?

3541
02:32:30,399 --> 02:32:31,280
>> If I may.

3542
02:32:31,280 --> 02:32:31,920
>> Yes, of course.

3543
02:32:31,920 --> 02:32:35,840
>> Um, so the um manufacturers have not

3544
02:32:35,840 --> 02:32:37,359
come up with electric vehicles for the

3545
02:32:37,359 --> 02:32:40,240
heavy duty uh DPW type trucks. This one

3546
02:32:40,240 --> 02:32:42,720
would also um function as a plow and we

3547
02:32:42,720 --> 02:32:43,760
just don't have the capacity with

3548
02:32:43,760 --> 02:32:45,280
electric vehicles at this time. So

3549
02:32:45,280 --> 02:32:46,960
hybrid would be the way to go until they

3550
02:32:46,960 --> 02:32:48,720
do have the technology to allow for

3551
02:32:48,720 --> 02:32:51,280
fully EVs.

3552
02:32:51,280 --> 02:32:54,319
>> Any further comment or debate?

3553
02:32:54,319 --> 02:32:56,560
Seeing none, the question we'll go to a

3554
02:32:56,560 --> 02:32:58,000
vote. Question is on the main motion

3555
02:32:58,000 --> 02:33:00,560
under article 41-1. As I said, this

3556
02:33:00,560 --> 02:33:03,600
requires a 2/3 vote and we will use our

3557
02:33:03,600 --> 02:33:06,880
clickers. Voting will be open for 15

3558
02:33:06,880 --> 02:33:27,830
seconds beginning now.

3559
02:33:27,840 --> 02:33:37,030
And voting is closed.

3560
02:33:37,040 --> 02:33:41,600
And by a vote of 32 in favor, 110

3561
02:33:41,600 --> 02:33:44,800
against, and abstensions of three, the

3562
02:33:44,800 --> 02:33:49,359
measure, the motion fails. achieved

3563
02:33:49,359 --> 02:33:53,120
a majority but not 2/3. No, we did not

3564
02:33:53,120 --> 02:33:56,950
achieve a majority.

3565
02:33:56,960 --> 02:34:01,349
Article 41-2,

3566
02:34:01,359 --> 02:34:04,800
replacing truck S11, crew chief's pickup

3567
02:34:04,800 --> 02:34:06,960
truck by the Department of Public Works.

3568
02:34:06,960 --> 02:34:09,760
Do I have a motion, Mr. Constantos?

3569
02:34:09,760 --> 02:34:12,000
Mr. Moderator, I move that the town

3570
02:34:12,000 --> 02:34:16,319
borrow $100,000 for article 41-2

3571
02:34:16,319 --> 02:34:18,240
as printed in the warrant to purchase a

3572
02:34:18,240 --> 02:34:21,840
new vehicle to replace truck S11, crew

3573
02:34:21,840 --> 02:34:24,080
chief's pickup truck and all related

3574
02:34:24,080 --> 02:34:26,240
equipment and for all costs incidental

3575
02:34:26,240 --> 02:34:29,760
and related thereto and that the meet

3576
02:34:29,760 --> 02:34:33,200
said appropriation the treasurer

3577
02:34:33,200 --> 02:34:35,439
and that to meet set appropriation the

3578
02:34:35,439 --> 02:34:37,840
treasurer with approval from the select

3579
02:34:37,840 --> 02:34:39,520
board is authorized to borrow the full

3580
02:34:39,520 --> 02:34:41,840
amount of the appropriation under

3581
02:34:41,840 --> 02:34:44,960
general laws chapter 44 or any other

3582
02:34:44,960 --> 02:34:47,920
general or specific law or other

3583
02:34:47,920 --> 02:34:50,479
enabling authority and to issue bonds or

3584
02:34:50,479 --> 02:34:54,240
notes of the town therefore.

3585
02:34:54,240 --> 02:34:56,000
>> I have a motion made and seconded under

3586
02:34:56,000 --> 02:34:58,720
article 41-2. The finance committee's

3587
02:34:58,720 --> 02:35:00,319
favorable recommendation is in the

3588
02:35:00,319 --> 02:35:02,560
warrant. Uh capital planning

3589
02:35:02,560 --> 02:35:04,240
recommendation, Mr. Tupo.

3590
02:35:04,240 --> 02:35:07,040
>> Uh capital planning uh voted unanimously

3591
02:35:07,040 --> 02:35:09,520
to recommend support for this article.

3592
02:35:09,520 --> 02:35:12,479
Uh the pickup truck in question is uh

3593
02:35:12,479 --> 02:35:18,960
S11. It's uh a currently a 2012 uh Chevy

3594
02:35:18,960 --> 02:35:22,399
2500 HD equipped with a plow. It has

3595
02:35:22,399 --> 02:35:25,280
approximately 100,000

3596
02:35:25,280 --> 02:35:28,240
111,000 miles on it and has reached the

3597
02:35:28,240 --> 02:35:30,880
end of its useful life. Uh the committee

3598
02:35:30,880 --> 02:35:33,120
agrees that the that a new truck is

3599
02:35:33,120 --> 02:35:35,920
warranted. Uh the new truck will also

3600
02:35:35,920 --> 02:35:37,920
have the additional capability of a lift

3601
02:35:37,920 --> 02:35:40,720
gate. uh on the back and that has proved

3602
02:35:40,720 --> 02:35:43,600
effective for both safety and efficiency

3603
02:35:43,600 --> 02:35:46,880
uh with that the DPW has been using and

3604
02:35:46,880 --> 02:35:49,040
so uh we support that additional

3605
02:35:49,040 --> 02:35:51,120
capability for the new truck as well.

3606
02:35:51,120 --> 02:35:52,479
Thank you.

3607
02:35:52,479 --> 02:35:56,319
>> Thank you. Is there any debate

3608
02:35:56,319 --> 02:36:02,160
>> Tom Ryan great road it my question is

3609
02:36:02,160 --> 02:36:04,160
simply is this also a five-year

3610
02:36:04,160 --> 02:36:08,399
borrowing and maybe it'll be if Um the

3611
02:36:08,399 --> 02:36:10,880
other ones can be clarified. I won't

3612
02:36:10,880 --> 02:36:13,439
have to keep asking the same question.

3613
02:36:13,439 --> 02:36:15,600
>> Mr.

3614
02:36:15,600 --> 02:36:17,920
>> So borrowing authoriz authorization rest

3615
02:36:17,920 --> 02:36:20,160
solely with the town treasurer. I can't

3616
02:36:20,160 --> 02:36:21,920
commit to what she plans to borrow when

3617
02:36:21,920 --> 02:36:23,680
the time comes. Um but departmental

3618
02:36:23,680 --> 02:36:25,520
equipment is a five-year borrowing. I

3619
02:36:25,520 --> 02:36:27,359
will touch upon the reason why we borrow

3620
02:36:27,359 --> 02:36:28,960
especially these type this type of

3621
02:36:28,960 --> 02:36:30,720
equipment is we can't go out to a lot

3622
02:36:30,720 --> 02:36:33,840
and buy it tomorrow. Um, some of them on

3623
02:36:33,840 --> 02:36:35,200
at Tuesday's select board meeting,

3624
02:36:35,200 --> 02:36:36,640
they're authorizing the bond for

3625
02:36:36,640 --> 02:36:38,560
vehicles that were purchased at the 2023

3626
02:36:38,560 --> 02:36:40,080
annual town meeting because it's taking

3627
02:36:40,080 --> 02:36:41,920
three years and we would rather not

3628
02:36:41,920 --> 02:36:43,840
commit the cash upfront and take it out

3629
02:36:43,840 --> 02:36:45,280
of free cash so we borrow it when the

3630
02:36:45,280 --> 02:36:47,439
equipment is needed. Um, I would expect

3631
02:36:47,439 --> 02:36:50,240
this to be a five-year again. Um, as far

3632
02:36:50,240 --> 02:36:52,640
as the rest of them, the fire engine, if

3633
02:36:52,640 --> 02:36:53,280
I may just

3634
02:36:53,280 --> 02:36:55,760
>> Yes, of course. Um, so the fire engine,

3635
02:36:55,760 --> 02:36:57,520
um, with the last engine, the board

3636
02:36:57,520 --> 02:36:59,280
voted to extend the authorization

3637
02:36:59,280 --> 02:37:00,960
because fire engines have a much longer

3638
02:37:00,960 --> 02:37:03,600
useful life up to 20 years. So the board

3639
02:37:03,600 --> 02:37:05,439
could choose to extend that borrowing

3640
02:37:05,439 --> 02:37:08,880
authorization. Um, and the other cost

3641
02:37:08,880 --> 02:37:12,000
would all be historically five years.

3642
02:37:12,000 --> 02:37:13,439
Again, I can't speak on behalf of the

3643
02:37:13,439 --> 02:37:14,960
treasur, but historically five years for

3644
02:37:14,960 --> 02:37:17,600
the other items.

3645
02:37:17,600 --> 02:37:19,920
>> Thank you. Front microphone.

3646
02:37:19,920 --> 02:37:22,800
>> Hi, Joe Dro. Actton Road. Uh, I'm just

3647
02:37:22,800 --> 02:37:24,960
wondering why we can't get the $45,000

3648
02:37:24,960 --> 02:37:30,389
truck for the crew chief. Thanks.

3649
02:37:30,399 --> 02:37:34,240
» Um, Miss Timosski, does that add you?

3650
02:37:34,240 --> 02:37:35,680
>> Um, yeah. I think this is a very

3651
02:37:35,680 --> 02:37:38,399
different uh the the role of this truck

3652
02:37:38,399 --> 02:37:40,560
is very different than the hybrid

3653
02:37:40,560 --> 02:37:45,439
Maverick and this is a uh needed for um

3654
02:37:45,439 --> 02:37:47,600
plow work, heavy duty maintenance and

3655
02:37:47,600 --> 02:37:49,439
carrying things. It needs the capacity.

3656
02:37:49,439 --> 02:37:52,880
it needs the uh the weight and uh and it

3657
02:37:52,880 --> 02:37:55,439
the smaller hybrid truck would not be

3658
02:37:55,439 --> 02:37:58,080
appropriate in the opinion of the DPW

3659
02:37:58,080 --> 02:38:00,640
and and the committee have agreed with

3660
02:38:00,640 --> 02:38:03,120
that assessment. It's it's essentially

3661
02:38:03,120 --> 02:38:06,640
replacing an an existing truck of this

3662
02:38:06,640 --> 02:38:09,120
particular size. So the current truck is

3663
02:38:09,120 --> 02:38:12,640
doing its job and this truck there if

3664
02:38:12,640 --> 02:38:14,640
it's purchased will continue to do the

3665
02:38:14,640 --> 02:38:17,200
same job. So as far as we we understand

3666
02:38:17,200 --> 02:38:19,359
that's the right thing to do. Thank you,

3667
02:38:19,359 --> 02:38:21,200
Mr. Tuca. Side microphone.

3668
02:38:21,200 --> 02:38:23,760
>> Sandy Tap, Redacre Road. Um, clarifying

3669
02:38:23,760 --> 02:38:26,160
question or just a question about a Ford

3670
02:38:26,160 --> 02:38:28,960
F-150 all-electric vehicle. I don't know

3671
02:38:28,960 --> 02:38:31,120
if that meets the requirements, but it's

3672
02:38:31,120 --> 02:38:32,960
certainly more powerful than the

3673
02:38:32,960 --> 02:38:34,240
Maverick. At least that's my

3674
02:38:34,240 --> 02:38:36,000
understanding. I was wondering if that

3675
02:38:36,000 --> 02:38:38,240
would work or not. I appreciate it as be

3676
02:38:38,240 --> 02:38:39,760
for service.

3677
02:38:39,760 --> 02:38:43,040
>> Any response, Mr. McCoski?

3678
02:38:43,040 --> 02:38:44,800
>> I would just stick to my prior response.

3679
02:38:44,800 --> 02:38:46,319
We're not at the we're not at the point

3680
02:38:46,319 --> 02:38:48,800
that we are ready to use EVs on

3681
02:38:48,800 --> 02:38:51,200
equipment that we will be relying on all

3682
02:38:51,200 --> 02:38:53,280
um snow season. Um some of our snow

3683
02:38:53,280 --> 02:38:55,760
events are multi-day. We have to take a

3684
02:38:55,760 --> 02:38:58,640
truck off the line and charge it if we

3685
02:38:58,640 --> 02:39:00,399
were in that situation. So I think until

3686
02:39:00,399 --> 02:39:02,000
they come up with better batteries that

3687
02:39:02,000 --> 02:39:04,080
will last the duration of our regular

3688
02:39:04,080 --> 02:39:05,600
storms, we're just not comfortable

3689
02:39:05,600 --> 02:39:07,439
moving in that direction yet for DPW

3690
02:39:07,439 --> 02:39:09,600
equipment.

3691
02:39:09,600 --> 02:39:12,640
>> Any further comment or debate? Seeing

3692
02:39:12,640 --> 02:39:14,720
none, we'll go to a vote. Questions on

3693
02:39:14,720 --> 02:39:17,359
the main motion under article 41-2. This

3694
02:39:17,359 --> 02:39:19,920
requires a twothirds majority to pass.

3695
02:39:19,920 --> 02:39:22,399
We'll use our clickers and voting will

3696
02:39:22,399 --> 02:39:34,150
be open for 15 seconds beginning now.

3697
02:39:34,160 --> 02:39:46,230
Oh, that's right.

3698
02:39:46,240 --> 02:39:50,790
And voting is closed.

3699
02:39:50,800 --> 02:39:55,680
And by a yet vote of 100 to 40 with

3700
02:39:55,680 --> 02:40:07,030
three abstensions, the measure passes.

3701
02:40:07,040 --> 02:40:09,760
Article 41-3,

3702
02:40:09,760 --> 02:40:11,920
replacing the police station generator

3703
02:40:11,920 --> 02:40:13,600
of the facilities department. Do I have

3704
02:40:13,600 --> 02:40:15,920
a motion, Miss Hegman?

3705
02:40:15,920 --> 02:40:18,000
>> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town

3706
02:40:18,000 --> 02:40:22,000
borrow $110,000 for article 41-3 as

3707
02:40:22,000 --> 02:40:24,160
printed in the warrant to replace the

3708
02:40:24,160 --> 02:40:26,800
police station generator and for related

3709
02:40:26,800 --> 02:40:28,640
equipment and all costs incidental and

3710
02:40:28,640 --> 02:40:31,120
related there too and to meet said

3711
02:40:31,120 --> 02:40:33,040
appropriation. The treasur with approval

3712
02:40:33,040 --> 02:40:34,960
from the select board is authorized to

3713
02:40:34,960 --> 02:40:36,640
borrow the full amount of the

3714
02:40:36,640 --> 02:40:38,640
appropriation under general laws chapter

3715
02:40:38,640 --> 02:40:41,439
44 or any other general or special law

3716
02:40:41,439 --> 02:40:43,760
or other enabling authority and to issue

3717
02:40:43,760 --> 02:40:48,870
bonds or notes of the town. Therefore,

3718
02:40:48,880 --> 02:40:50,640
» I have a motion made and seconded under

3719
02:40:50,640 --> 02:40:52,960
article 41-3.

3720
02:40:52,960 --> 02:40:54,800
Your finance committee's favorable

3721
02:40:54,800 --> 02:40:57,120
recommendation is in the warrant. And

3722
02:40:57,120 --> 02:40:59,040
Mr. Jelanic with capital planning

3723
02:40:59,040 --> 02:40:59,760
recommendation.

3724
02:40:59,760 --> 02:41:01,600
>> Mr. Moderator, to ensure that the

3725
02:41:01,600 --> 02:41:03,120
department can continue to provide

3726
02:41:03,120 --> 02:41:04,960
uninterrupted service during power

3727
02:41:04,960 --> 02:41:07,200
outages, a backup electrical generator

3728
02:41:07,200 --> 02:41:09,280
was installed at the police station when

3729
02:41:09,280 --> 02:41:12,399
it was constructed almost 35 years ago.

3730
02:41:12,399 --> 02:41:14,160
Although the generator was rebuilt in

3731
02:41:14,160 --> 02:41:16,160
2009, it has reached the end of its

3732
02:41:16,160 --> 02:41:18,640
useful life and needs to be replaced.

3733
02:41:18,640 --> 02:41:20,479
The facilities manager intended to

3734
02:41:20,479 --> 02:41:22,000
request the funds to replace the

3735
02:41:22,000 --> 02:41:24,560
generator last year, but agreed to a

3736
02:41:24,560 --> 02:41:25,840
delay so that we could better

3737
02:41:25,840 --> 02:41:28,479
accommodate last year's capital needs.

3738
02:41:28,479 --> 02:41:30,240
He believes that further delay of this

3739
02:41:30,240 --> 02:41:31,920
critical infrastructure replacement

3740
02:41:31,920 --> 02:41:34,160
project will be unwise, as the lead time

3741
02:41:34,160 --> 02:41:35,920
to purchase and install a new generator

3742
02:41:35,920 --> 02:41:38,319
is at least 18 months.

3743
02:41:38,319 --> 02:41:40,000
Capital Planning unanimously concurs

3744
02:41:40,000 --> 02:41:41,439
with this assessment and voted to

3745
02:41:41,439 --> 02:41:44,240
recommend the town support this request.

3746
02:41:44,240 --> 02:41:46,960
>> Thank you, Mr. Jalen. Jelanick, is there

3747
02:41:46,960 --> 02:41:49,520
any comment or debate?

3748
02:41:49,520 --> 02:41:52,399
Seeing none, we'll go to a vote. The

3749
02:41:52,399 --> 02:41:53,920
question is on the main motion under

3750
02:41:53,920 --> 02:41:57,040
article 41-3. This requires a twothirds

3751
02:41:57,040 --> 02:41:59,680
majority. We will use our clickers and

3752
02:41:59,680 --> 02:42:18,710
voting is open now.

3753
02:42:18,720 --> 02:42:23,429
and voting is closed

3754
02:42:23,439 --> 02:42:26,560
and by I'm waiting for the software to

3755
02:42:26,560 --> 02:42:29,590
finish.

3756
02:42:29,600 --> 02:42:32,720
By a vote of 136 in favor, 10 against,

3757
02:42:32,720 --> 02:42:42,790
and one abstension, the measure passes.

3758
02:42:42,800 --> 02:42:45,280
Article 41-4,

3759
02:42:45,280 --> 02:42:47,359
engine 12, replacement for fire

3760
02:42:47,359 --> 02:42:48,960
department. Do I have a motion, Mr.

3761
02:42:48,960 --> 02:42:50,720
Peterson?

3762
02:42:50,720 --> 02:42:52,720
>> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town

3763
02:42:52,720 --> 02:42:55,840
borrow 1,100,000

3764
02:42:55,840 --> 02:42:58,240
for article 41-4

3765
02:42:58,240 --> 02:43:00,240
as printed in the warrant to purchase a

3766
02:43:00,240 --> 02:43:03,359
new firet truck to replace engine 12 and

3767
02:43:03,359 --> 02:43:05,520
related equipment and for all costs

3768
02:43:05,520 --> 02:43:08,479
incidental and related there too. and

3769
02:43:08,479 --> 02:43:10,640
that to meet said appropriation, the

3770
02:43:10,640 --> 02:43:13,040
treasurer with approval from the select

3771
02:43:13,040 --> 02:43:15,200
board is authorized to borrow the full

3772
02:43:15,200 --> 02:43:17,120
amount of the appropriation under

3773
02:43:17,120 --> 02:43:20,399
general laws chapter 44 or any other

3774
02:43:20,399 --> 02:43:23,040
general or special law or other enabling

3775
02:43:23,040 --> 02:43:25,920
authority and to issue bonds or notes of

3776
02:43:25,920 --> 02:43:28,319
the town. Therefore,

3777
02:43:28,319 --> 02:43:29,840
>> thank you. I have a motion made and

3778
02:43:29,840 --> 02:43:32,479
seconded under article 41-4.

3779
02:43:32,479 --> 02:43:34,240
Again, the finance committee's favorable

3780
02:43:34,240 --> 02:43:36,319
recommendation is in the warrant. Mr.

3781
02:43:36,319 --> 02:43:37,760
Jula for capital planning.

3782
02:43:37,760 --> 02:43:40,160
>> Uh capital planning planning uh

3783
02:43:40,160 --> 02:43:42,720
unanimously voted to support this

3784
02:43:42,720 --> 02:43:47,120
article. Um engine 12 uh was constructed

3785
02:43:47,120 --> 02:43:50,880
in 2004 has uh served beyond its

3786
02:43:50,880 --> 02:43:53,439
expected life and is showing increasing

3787
02:43:53,439 --> 02:43:57,600
signs of wear and tear. Um the funding

3788
02:43:57,600 --> 02:44:00,080
uh this truck is there's likely a

3789
02:44:00,080 --> 02:44:03,120
three-year build time for this truck and

3790
02:44:03,120 --> 02:44:05,760
so it will be arriving at the department

3791
02:44:05,760 --> 02:44:09,840
probably around 2028 if if the if the uh

3792
02:44:09,840 --> 02:44:15,439
bill passes. Um the new truck has a 190

3793
02:44:15,439 --> 02:44:18,000
uh 100 9960

3794
02:44:18,000 --> 02:44:21,359
gallon water capacity 20 gallon foam

3795
02:44:21,359 --> 02:44:24,240
capacity. It's a pumper truck and it can

3796
02:44:24,240 --> 02:44:27,120
deliver 1,500 gallons per minute of

3797
02:44:27,120 --> 02:44:29,760
water. Uh it will be the frontline truck

3798
02:44:29,760 --> 02:44:32,319
for the department and the borrowing for

3799
02:44:32,319 --> 02:44:34,319
the truck will occur when the truck is

3800
02:44:34,319 --> 02:44:36,000
about to be delivered.

3801
02:44:36,000 --> 02:44:37,920
>> Thank you, Mr. Duca. Is there any

3802
02:44:37,920 --> 02:44:40,080
comment or debate?

3803
02:44:40,080 --> 02:44:45,120
Seeing none, we seeing one

3804
02:44:45,120 --> 02:44:45,920
sign.

3805
02:44:45,920 --> 02:44:48,880
>> Ames Con Redacre wrote, "Mr. moderator,

3806
02:44:48,880 --> 02:44:51,279
I think I heard Mr. Duca say 900

3807
02:44:51,279 --> 02:44:54,800
gallons. That seems awfully small.

3808
02:44:54,800 --> 02:44:58,399
>> Water capacity is listed as 960 gallons.

3809
02:44:58,399 --> 02:45:00,080
Thank you.

3810
02:45:00,080 --> 02:45:04,790
>> Anything else?

3811
02:45:04,800 --> 02:45:06,800
» Side microphone.

3812
02:45:06,800 --> 02:45:09,520
>> Sandy taffaker road. Um I am full

3813
02:45:09,520 --> 02:45:11,120
support of the fire department and the

3814
02:45:11,120 --> 02:45:13,680
police department. Um, what I want to

3815
02:45:13,680 --> 02:45:16,080
understand though is the I understand

3816
02:45:16,080 --> 02:45:18,000
the vehicle turnover in the police

3817
02:45:18,000 --> 02:45:19,680
department is every seven years and that

3818
02:45:19,680 --> 02:45:21,840
makes sense to me. Again, this is

3819
02:45:21,840 --> 02:45:23,359
getting back to my big picture of trying

3820
02:45:23,359 --> 02:45:26,240
to understand the full spend and time um

3821
02:45:26,240 --> 02:45:28,880
of of when the spend will happen. Um,

3822
02:45:28,880 --> 02:45:30,960
this is engine 12, but we don't have 12

3823
02:45:30,960 --> 02:45:33,680
fire engines. I I know that. So, it'd be

3824
02:45:33,680 --> 02:45:35,120
helpful to understand how many fire

3825
02:45:35,120 --> 02:45:36,720
engines we do have. We had a great

3826
02:45:36,720 --> 02:45:38,560
picture of the brush truck and I think

3827
02:45:38,560 --> 02:45:40,720
that's extremely important with the dry

3828
02:45:40,720 --> 02:45:42,560
weather we've been having. I'd like to

3829
02:45:42,560 --> 02:45:44,479
know that that's in good shape as well

3830
02:45:44,479 --> 02:45:46,720
too. But just a bigger picture of where

3831
02:45:46,720 --> 02:45:48,720
we are on fire engine replacement and

3832
02:45:48,720 --> 02:45:50,960
what that looks like down the road as we

3833
02:45:50,960 --> 02:45:53,120
think about that blue three four blue

3834
02:45:53,120 --> 02:45:55,200
bars coming up. Just want to make sure

3835
02:45:55,200 --> 02:45:56,880
we can get it all done because I don't

3836
02:45:56,880 --> 02:45:58,880
want to lose a fire truck especially the

3837
02:45:58,880 --> 02:46:00,399
ones that contain the water because we

3838
02:46:00,399 --> 02:46:02,000
don't have a water system. So it's

3839
02:46:02,000 --> 02:46:03,200
really important to have the pumper

3840
02:46:03,200 --> 02:46:05,120
trucks. Thank you. So, is the town

3841
02:46:05,120 --> 02:46:06,479
administrator the best to give an

3842
02:46:06,479 --> 02:46:07,760
overview of the vehicles?

3843
02:46:07,760 --> 02:46:09,600
>> No. May I ask the fire chief to come up?

3844
02:46:09,600 --> 02:46:10,319
>> Yes. Chief Ever.

3845
02:46:10,319 --> 02:46:21,269
>> Chief Evers.

3846
02:46:21,279 --> 02:46:23,359
» Hi, good morning. Uh, my name is Barry.

3847
02:46:23,359 --> 02:46:25,680
I'm the uh fire chief here in Stow. And

3848
02:46:25,680 --> 02:46:27,040
I don't know if it matters, but I'm a

3849
02:46:27,040 --> 02:46:29,359
stranger, so

3850
02:46:29,359 --> 02:46:30,560
I've been waiting a long time to say

3851
02:46:30,560 --> 02:46:33,120
that. I'm sorry. Um, so just a few

3852
02:46:33,120 --> 02:46:34,720
things to clarify.

3853
02:46:34,720 --> 02:46:39,200
>> So hold it. Was he on the slide?

3854
02:46:39,200 --> 02:46:40,080
>> Sorry.

3855
02:46:40,080 --> 02:46:43,680
to interrupt you, Chief.

3856
02:46:43,680 --> 02:46:46,399
>> Uh, so yes, we did see a nice picture of

3857
02:46:46,399 --> 02:46:48,080
the new brush truck there that um we

3858
02:46:48,080 --> 02:46:51,200
were able to uh refurbish this year. Um,

3859
02:46:51,200 --> 02:46:52,720
and I just want to clarify that this

3860
02:46:52,720 --> 02:46:54,800
truck that we're asking for this year is

3861
02:46:54,800 --> 02:46:58,000
one of two structural firefighting uh

3862
02:46:58,000 --> 02:46:59,200
apparatus that we have in the

3863
02:46:59,200 --> 02:47:01,600
department. In addition to the two

3864
02:47:01,600 --> 02:47:03,920
structural pumper trucks that we have,

3865
02:47:03,920 --> 02:47:06,000
um, as it was mentioned, this town does

3866
02:47:06,000 --> 02:47:09,680
not have a, uh, mincible water system.

3867
02:47:09,680 --> 02:47:12,160
So, we also rely on two tankers that we

3868
02:47:12,160 --> 02:47:14,080
have. Last year, we were able to

3869
02:47:14,080 --> 02:47:16,479
purchase one tanker. And then, as you

3870
02:47:16,479 --> 02:47:18,560
saw earlier, we have another one slated

3871
02:47:18,560 --> 02:47:22,880
for 2029 replacement. So, this would be

3872
02:47:22,880 --> 02:47:24,319
uh, just to wrap it up, this would be

3873
02:47:24,319 --> 02:47:26,319
two structural firefighting with two

3874
02:47:26,319 --> 02:47:29,279
tankers.

3875
02:47:29,279 --> 02:47:31,840
Thank you, Chief. Any further comment or

3876
02:47:31,840 --> 02:47:33,359
debate?

3877
02:47:33,359 --> 02:47:35,680
Seeing none, we'll go to a vote on the

3878
02:47:35,680 --> 02:47:38,479
main motion under article 41-4.

3879
02:47:38,479 --> 02:47:41,200
This requires twothirds majority. We'll

3880
02:47:41,200 --> 02:47:59,510
use our clickers and voting is open now.

3881
02:47:59,520 --> 02:48:05,269
And voting is closed.

3882
02:48:05,279 --> 02:48:09,120
And by a vote of 131 in favor, 18

3883
02:48:09,120 --> 02:48:12,080
against, and one extension, the measure

3884
02:48:12,080 --> 02:48:18,870
passes.

3885
02:48:18,880 --> 02:48:21,279
Article 41-5,

3886
02:48:21,279 --> 02:48:23,600
the center hail network switch

3887
02:48:23,600 --> 02:48:26,720
replacement for NRSD. Do I have a

3888
02:48:26,720 --> 02:48:28,800
motion, Miss Burch Mcichael?

3889
02:48:28,800 --> 02:48:31,120
>> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town

3890
02:48:31,120 --> 02:48:34,790
borrow $143,850

3891
02:48:34,800 --> 02:48:37,680
for article 41-5 as printed in the

3892
02:48:37,680 --> 02:48:39,520
warrant for the center hail switch

3893
02:48:39,520 --> 02:48:41,680
replacement and related equipment and

3894
02:48:41,680 --> 02:48:44,880
all costs incidental and related thereto

3895
02:48:44,880 --> 02:48:47,040
and that to meet said appropriation, the

3896
02:48:47,040 --> 02:48:48,720
treasurer with approval from the select

3897
02:48:48,720 --> 02:48:50,720
board is authorized to borrow the full

3898
02:48:50,720 --> 02:48:52,720
amount of the appropriation under

3899
02:48:52,720 --> 02:48:55,600
general laws chapter 44 or any other

3900
02:48:55,600 --> 02:48:57,840
general or special law or other enabling

3901
02:48:57,840 --> 02:49:00,240
authority. and to issue bonds or notes

3902
02:49:00,240 --> 02:49:01,840
of the town. Therefore,

3903
02:49:01,840 --> 02:49:04,479
>> second a motion made and seconded under

3904
02:49:04,479 --> 02:49:06,399
article 41-5.

3905
02:49:06,399 --> 02:49:07,680
Finance committee's favorable

3906
02:49:07,680 --> 02:49:09,600
recommendation is in the warrant. Mr.

3907
02:49:09,600 --> 02:49:11,520
Duca has the capital planning

3908
02:49:11,520 --> 02:49:12,319
recommendation.

3909
02:49:12,319 --> 02:49:14,880
>> Uh capital planning voted unanimously to

3910
02:49:14,880 --> 02:49:17,120
recommend support for the article. Uh

3911
02:49:17,120 --> 02:49:19,920
the network switch is at its end of life

3912
02:49:19,920 --> 02:49:21,920
and it is a critical piece of

3913
02:49:21,920 --> 02:49:25,040
infrastructure for the Nishoba district.

3914
02:49:25,040 --> 02:49:27,359
The network switches between the three

3915
02:49:27,359 --> 02:49:30,960
member towns are uh all being updated at

3916
02:49:30,960 --> 02:49:32,560
the same time and will be consistent

3917
02:49:32,560 --> 02:49:35,680
with those used at the new high school.

3918
02:49:35,680 --> 02:49:38,640
Um with when you're using an old

3919
02:49:38,640 --> 02:49:40,319
outofdate network switch, there are

3920
02:49:40,319 --> 02:49:42,080
issues relating with updating the

3921
02:49:42,080 --> 02:49:43,520
software which can lead to

3922
02:49:43,520 --> 02:49:46,640
vulnerabilities and security risks. Um

3923
02:49:46,640 --> 02:49:48,880
and so it's important for these things

3924
02:49:48,880 --> 02:49:50,960
to be maintained even though we

3925
02:49:50,960 --> 02:49:53,359
recognize that they are expensive. The

3926
02:49:53,359 --> 02:49:54,960
committee agreed that the switches need

3927
02:49:54,960 --> 02:49:56,640
to be replaced and having a unified

3928
02:49:56,640 --> 02:49:58,880
system across three towns is essential

3929
02:49:58,880 --> 02:50:01,840
for operations and maintenance.

3930
02:50:01,840 --> 02:50:03,359
>> Thank you. Is there any comment or

3931
02:50:03,359 --> 02:50:05,439
debate?

3932
02:50:05,439 --> 02:50:07,279
As I get older, I find myself

3933
02:50:07,279 --> 02:50:09,279
sympathizing with these things that are

3934
02:50:09,279 --> 02:50:11,120
old and out of date and at the end of

3935
02:50:11,120 --> 02:50:13,840
their useful life, but one day someone

3936
02:50:13,840 --> 02:50:17,279
will be saying that about me.

3937
02:50:17,279 --> 02:50:18,880
Seeing no comment or debate, we'll go to

3938
02:50:18,880 --> 02:50:20,880
a vote on the main motion under article

3939
02:50:20,880 --> 02:50:22,880
41-5.

3940
02:50:22,880 --> 02:50:24,560
Again, this requires a twothirds

3941
02:50:24,560 --> 02:50:26,960
majority and we will use our clickers.

3942
02:50:26,960 --> 02:50:46,389
Voting is open now.

3943
02:50:46,399 --> 02:50:50,469
And voting is closed.

3944
02:50:50,479 --> 02:50:54,399
By a vote of 122 in favor, 14 against,

3945
02:50:54,399 --> 02:51:03,269
and two abstensions, the measure passes.

3946
02:51:03,279 --> 02:51:05,680
Article 41-6,

3947
02:51:05,680 --> 02:51:08,000
water system upgrade at center school

3948
02:51:08,000 --> 02:51:10,399
for the NRSD. Do I have a motion, Mr.

3949
02:51:10,399 --> 02:51:12,080
Tulle?

3950
02:51:12,080 --> 02:51:14,960
Mr. Moderator, first I would never vote

3951
02:51:14,960 --> 02:51:16,800
you out of date and be had a useful

3952
02:51:16,800 --> 02:51:17,520
life. Just

3953
02:51:17,520 --> 02:51:18,640
>> I appreciate that, but you're a little

3954
02:51:18,640 --> 02:51:20,479
bit ahead of the timeline than I am, I

3955
02:51:20,479 --> 02:51:25,349
think.

3956
02:51:25,359 --> 02:51:27,359
» Mr. Moderator, I move that the town

3957
02:51:27,359 --> 02:51:31,279
borrow 118,000 for article 41-6

3958
02:51:31,279 --> 02:51:33,520
as printed in the warrant for a water

3959
02:51:33,520 --> 02:51:35,760
system upgrade at center school and

3960
02:51:35,760 --> 02:51:37,680
related equipment in all costs,

3961
02:51:37,680 --> 02:51:40,319
incidental and related there, too. and

3962
02:51:40,319 --> 02:51:42,160
that to meet set appropriation, the

3963
02:51:42,160 --> 02:51:44,399
treasurer with approval from the select

3964
02:51:44,399 --> 02:51:46,640
board is authorized to borrow the full

3965
02:51:46,640 --> 02:51:48,399
amount of the appropriation under

3966
02:51:48,399 --> 02:51:51,120
general laws chapter 44 or any other

3967
02:51:51,120 --> 02:51:53,920
general or special law or other enabling

3968
02:51:53,920 --> 02:51:57,200
authority and to issue bonds or notes of

3969
02:51:57,200 --> 02:51:59,920
the town. Therefore,

3970
02:51:59,920 --> 02:52:01,600
>> I have a motion made and seconded under

3971
02:52:01,600 --> 02:52:04,080
article 41-6. Finance committee's

3972
02:52:04,080 --> 02:52:05,600
favorable recommendation is in the

3973
02:52:05,600 --> 02:52:08,240
warrant and Mr. Duca has the capital

3974
02:52:08,240 --> 02:52:10,000
planning recommendation. Uh capital

3975
02:52:10,000 --> 02:52:12,319
planning unanimously recommended support

3976
02:52:12,319 --> 02:52:15,040
for this article. Uh the water system at

3977
02:52:15,040 --> 02:52:17,520
center school uh needs to be updated to

3978
02:52:17,520 --> 02:52:21,760
be in compliance with DP D regulations.

3979
02:52:21,760 --> 02:52:24,399
It is a public water supply. Uh the

3980
02:52:24,399 --> 02:52:26,479
current system is running but is is not

3981
02:52:26,479 --> 02:52:29,520
sustainable as there is uh calcification

3982
02:52:29,520 --> 02:52:33,120
buildup and that needs to be addressed.

3983
02:52:33,120 --> 02:52:35,120
>> Thank you. Any comment or debate on

3984
02:52:35,120 --> 02:52:37,760
article 41-6?

3985
02:52:37,760 --> 02:52:39,520
Seeing none, we'll go to a vote. The

3986
02:52:39,520 --> 02:52:41,520
vote is on the main motion under article

3987
02:52:41,520 --> 02:52:43,040
41-6.

3988
02:52:43,040 --> 02:52:45,680
Requires a twothirds majority. And we

3989
02:52:45,680 --> 02:52:48,560
will use our clickers with voting

3990
02:52:48,560 --> 02:53:06,550
opening now.

3991
02:53:06,560 --> 02:53:09,359
And voting is closed.

3992
02:53:09,359 --> 02:53:13,040
By a vote of 124 in favor, 12 against,

3993
02:53:13,040 --> 02:53:22,070
and one abstension, the measure passes.

3994
02:53:22,080 --> 02:53:25,120
That concludes our capital items. Give

3995
02:53:25,120 --> 02:53:26,560
yourselves a big hand for getting

3996
02:53:26,560 --> 02:53:29,200
through that. That was

3997
02:53:29,200 --> 02:53:33,269
a lot of work. [applause]

3998
02:53:33,279 --> 02:53:36,000
Article 42. Do I have a motion, Mr.

3999
02:53:36,000 --> 02:53:37,520
Constanzos.

4000
02:53:37,520 --> 02:53:39,680
>> Mr. Moderator, I move no action on

4001
02:53:39,680 --> 02:53:42,319
article 42.

4002
02:53:42,319 --> 02:53:45,680
>> Do I have a second?

4003
02:53:45,680 --> 02:53:47,279
>> Motion's been made and seconded to take

4004
02:53:47,279 --> 02:53:50,399
no action on article 42. Ms. Denosski,

4005
02:53:50,399 --> 02:53:53,760
do you want to explain why no action?

4006
02:53:53,760 --> 02:53:56,880
>> Um, sure. Um after the request was

4007
02:53:56,880 --> 02:53:59,520
submitted to community preservation and

4008
02:53:59,520 --> 02:54:02,240
capital planning uh the historical

4009
02:54:02,240 --> 02:54:03,760
commission found out that they would

4010
02:54:03,760 --> 02:54:06,319
have to do significant um ADA

4011
02:54:06,319 --> 02:54:08,000
requirements if they were going to make

4012
02:54:08,000 --> 02:54:10,399
this these repairs to the west school.

4013
02:54:10,399 --> 02:54:13,120
Um so they had decided to pull their

4014
02:54:13,120 --> 02:54:14,720
request so they could do more research

4015
02:54:14,720 --> 02:54:16,880
before it comes back. Uh the reason the

4016
02:54:16,880 --> 02:54:18,640
finance committee had recommended

4017
02:54:18,640 --> 02:54:20,880
favorable I'm sorry did not recommend is

4018
02:54:20,880 --> 02:54:22,640
because the information came in after

4019
02:54:22,640 --> 02:54:24,160
capital planning voted but before the

4020
02:54:24,160 --> 02:54:26,080
fincom voted. So that's why there's a

4021
02:54:26,080 --> 02:54:27,279
different recommendation for both

4022
02:54:27,279 --> 02:54:28,240
committees.

4023
02:54:28,240 --> 02:54:31,040
>> Thank you. Is may I assume uh finance

4024
02:54:31,040 --> 02:54:33,279
committee is in favor of no action?

4025
02:54:33,279 --> 02:54:34,720
>> You may moderator.

4026
02:54:34,720 --> 02:54:36,960
>> Thank you. And capital planning on

4027
02:54:36,960 --> 02:54:38,399
>> capital planning is in favor of no

4028
02:54:38,399 --> 02:54:39,760
action. Mr. moderator.

4029
02:54:39,760 --> 02:54:42,160
>> Thank you. Uh no action motions are

4030
02:54:42,160 --> 02:54:43,920
debatable. Is there any comment or

4031
02:54:43,920 --> 02:54:46,479
debate on the motion for no action?

4032
02:54:46,479 --> 02:54:48,880
Front microphone.

4033
02:54:48,880 --> 02:54:52,640
>> Just curious whether it's possible to

4034
02:54:52,640 --> 02:54:53,840
>> uh name Street.

4035
02:54:53,840 --> 02:54:57,120
>> Oh, sorry. Douglas Moffett uh 185

4036
02:54:57,120 --> 02:54:59,520
Harvard Road. I live right next door to

4037
02:54:59,520 --> 02:55:02,560
the West School. Um just wondered

4038
02:55:02,560 --> 02:55:05,920
whether it's possible to uh sort of

4039
02:55:05,920 --> 02:55:09,439
dodge the ADA requirement

4040
02:55:09,439 --> 02:55:12,720
if do I need to stand closer?

4041
02:55:12,720 --> 02:55:13,680
>> No, it's probably

4042
02:55:13,680 --> 02:55:16,319
>> whether it's possible to dodge the ADA

4043
02:55:16,319 --> 02:55:19,359
requirement if you like fix the ye roof

4044
02:55:19,359 --> 02:55:22,960
this year and repoint the bricks the

4045
02:55:22,960 --> 02:55:27,349
next year or something like that.

4046
02:55:27,359 --> 02:55:29,840
» Miss Towski. Well, I would not advise

4047
02:55:29,840 --> 02:55:31,680
the town of Stow dodge the ADA

4048
02:55:31,680 --> 02:55:33,520
requirements. Um, I think that's

4049
02:55:33,520 --> 02:55:34,960
something that the historical commission

4050
02:55:34,960 --> 02:55:36,160
will be looking at. They'll be looking

4051
02:55:36,160 --> 02:55:38,080
at what repairs they can do without

4052
02:55:38,080 --> 02:55:39,680
triggering that requirements. I think

4053
02:55:39,680 --> 02:55:40,720
that's one of the reasons they wanted to

4054
02:55:40,720 --> 02:55:42,800
pull it is to do more research overall.

4055
02:55:42,800 --> 02:55:44,640
They also planned um they've asked the

4056
02:55:44,640 --> 02:55:45,840
building commission to do a walkthrough

4057
02:55:45,840 --> 02:55:47,760
to see what he would require under the

4058
02:55:47,760 --> 02:55:50,000
code to be ADA compliant just so it

4059
02:55:50,000 --> 02:55:51,359
gives them better information for them

4060
02:55:51,359 --> 02:55:54,160
to come back to this group.

4061
02:55:54,160 --> 02:55:55,279
>> Side microphone.

4062
02:55:55,279 --> 02:55:58,479
>> Hi, Nancy Arsenal Ready. I'm on the

4063
02:55:58,479 --> 02:56:00,560
historical commission and we just had a

4064
02:56:00,560 --> 02:56:02,560
meeting this week and we are setting up

4065
02:56:02,560 --> 02:56:05,600
a site visit over there just to check

4066
02:56:05,600 --> 02:56:07,840
condition of everything. Um, and we have

4067
02:56:07,840 --> 02:56:10,560
a list of what's required by ADA and

4068
02:56:10,560 --> 02:56:12,800
we'll envision how that would fit into

4069
02:56:12,800 --> 02:56:15,200
renovations or changes we might have to

4070
02:56:15,200 --> 02:56:17,439
make. Everything from the parking lot to

4071
02:56:17,439 --> 02:56:20,240
the entrance path to um widening the

4072
02:56:20,240 --> 02:56:22,080
doorways and these things are all

4073
02:56:22,080 --> 02:56:25,279
required. So rather than do things peace

4074
02:56:25,279 --> 02:56:26,479
meal, we're going to try and come up

4075
02:56:26,479 --> 02:56:29,920
with what the full picture has to be.

4076
02:56:29,920 --> 02:56:31,680
>> Thank you. I want to remind everyone the

4077
02:56:31,680 --> 02:56:33,200
motion on the floor is to take no

4078
02:56:33,200 --> 02:56:35,359
action. So in order to take action, it

4079
02:56:35,359 --> 02:56:37,040
will be coming back to town meeting

4080
02:56:37,040 --> 02:56:40,800
presumably. With that front microphone,

4081
02:56:40,800 --> 02:56:45,120
>> Andy Dur 35 Harvard Road. Uh um is the

4082
02:56:45,120 --> 02:56:49,750
roof leaking?

4083
02:56:49,760 --> 02:56:52,560
» No. because deferred maintenance of a

4084
02:56:52,560 --> 02:56:54,720
leaking roof is going to cost a lot

4085
02:56:54,720 --> 02:56:57,920
more. So if it's not leaking, no action

4086
02:56:57,920 --> 02:57:00,240
is

4087
02:57:00,240 --> 02:57:03,040
>> any further comment or debate.

4088
02:57:03,040 --> 02:57:06,720
Seeing none, we will take uh a vote. The

4089
02:57:06,720 --> 02:57:09,120
this requires a simple majority on again

4090
02:57:09,120 --> 02:57:10,960
the motion is to take no action. This

4091
02:57:10,960 --> 02:57:13,120
requires a simple majority and we will

4092
02:57:13,120 --> 02:57:15,279
use our cards. All those in favor,

4093
02:57:15,279 --> 02:57:17,600
please signify by holding up your cards.

4094
02:57:17,600 --> 02:57:20,880
Thank you. and those against. No action.

4095
02:57:20,880 --> 02:57:26,309
Thank you. I'll call that unanimous.

4096
02:57:26,319 --> 02:57:29,760
Article 43, snow and ice deficit

4097
02:57:29,760 --> 02:57:31,840
transfer.

4098
02:57:31,840 --> 02:57:35,600
>> Mr. Sorry. Sorry, Miss Heg.

4099
02:57:35,600 --> 02:57:37,840
>> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town

4100
02:57:37,840 --> 02:57:40,479
approve article 43 snow and ice deficit

4101
02:57:40,479 --> 02:57:42,880
transfer as printed in the warrant as a

4102
02:57:42,880 --> 02:57:45,200
and as funding. Therefore, transfer

4103
02:57:45,200 --> 02:57:48,080
$80,000 from certified free cash to

4104
02:57:48,080 --> 02:57:51,439
cover the unexpected or expected snow

4105
02:57:51,439 --> 02:57:54,399
and ice deficit.

4106
02:57:54,399 --> 02:57:56,240
Do I have I have a motion made and

4107
02:57:56,240 --> 02:57:58,640
seconded under article 43. Finance

4108
02:57:58,640 --> 02:58:00,319
committee's favorable recommendation is

4109
02:58:00,319 --> 02:58:02,880
in the warrant. Mr. Dowski, I think you

4110
02:58:02,880 --> 02:58:04,800
have a very brief presentation.

4111
02:58:04,800 --> 02:58:06,720
>> Yes, just two slides to show. So,

4112
02:58:06,720 --> 02:58:08,240
obviously we all know the winter that we

4113
02:58:08,240 --> 02:58:10,560
had this year. Um here's how our snow

4114
02:58:10,560 --> 02:58:12,479
and ice budget looks this year as it has

4115
02:58:12,479 --> 02:58:15,359
in the past. Um, our total spending for

4116
02:58:15,359 --> 02:58:19,590
snow and ice came in at $552,329.

4117
02:58:19,600 --> 02:58:21,279
Uh, some of you may remember when I

4118
02:58:21,279 --> 02:58:23,040
started here in 2020, we were

4119
02:58:23,040 --> 02:58:26,000
appropriating $165,000 for snow and ice.

4120
02:58:26,000 --> 02:58:27,520
It had been that way for quite some

4121
02:58:27,520 --> 02:58:30,640
time. Uh, we increased it to 200,000.

4122
02:58:30,640 --> 02:58:32,479
Uh, and then I think just last year, we

4123
02:58:32,479 --> 02:58:35,120
increased it to $225,000 to slowly

4124
02:58:35,120 --> 02:58:36,960
increase with the cost of uh,

4125
02:58:36,960 --> 02:58:40,160
maintaining our roadways. Um,

4126
02:58:40,160 --> 02:58:42,080
so given that our deficit, our total

4127
02:58:42,080 --> 02:58:45,750
deficit is $327,329.

4128
02:58:45,760 --> 02:58:47,760
Um, the town accountant and I have gone

4129
02:58:47,760 --> 02:58:50,160
through budgets. Uh, I've told folks

4130
02:58:50,160 --> 02:58:52,000
they have to cut spending in certain

4131
02:58:52,000 --> 02:58:54,080
areas and we were able to free up

4132
02:58:54,080 --> 02:58:56,479
247,329

4133
02:58:56,479 --> 02:58:59,439
in the existing fiscal 26 budget that

4134
02:58:59,439 --> 02:59:01,120
the select board will vote on Tuesday

4135
02:59:01,120 --> 02:59:02,479
and the finance committee will vote on

4136
02:59:02,479 --> 02:59:04,160
Wednesday to move that money around,

4137
02:59:04,160 --> 02:59:06,240
leaving a balance of $80,000 that we

4138
02:59:06,240 --> 02:59:07,840
would need to transfer from free cash to

4139
02:59:07,840 --> 02:59:10,479
cover that deficit.

4140
02:59:10,479 --> 02:59:12,560
>> Thank you. Is there any comment or

4141
02:59:12,560 --> 02:59:17,750
debate on article 43?

4142
02:59:17,760 --> 02:59:21,830
front microphone

4143
02:59:21,840 --> 02:59:25,520
» Alan Fierce 284 Redacre Road

4144
02:59:25,520 --> 02:59:28,080
I'm on the board of ORS the watershed

4145
02:59:28,080 --> 02:59:30,319
group for aset subbury and conquered

4146
02:59:30,319 --> 02:59:32,880
rivers and we do a water quality

4147
02:59:32,880 --> 02:59:35,040
monitoring program for all those rivers

4148
02:59:35,040 --> 02:59:37,439
and one of the most disturbing findings

4149
02:59:37,439 --> 02:59:40,399
that we have is the increase in salt

4150
02:59:40,399 --> 02:59:42,240
that we're finding in the water over the

4151
02:59:42,240 --> 02:59:46,000
past decade slowly rising considerably

4152
02:59:46,000 --> 02:59:50,640
so in the last few years. The primary

4153
02:59:50,640 --> 02:59:54,000
source of that salt in our rivers and

4154
02:59:54,000 --> 02:59:58,720
streams is is road salt. And I I'm going

4155
02:59:58,720 --> 03:00:01,600
to vote in favor of this, but I would

4156
03:00:01,600 --> 03:00:05,279
like to see our DPW start using less

4157
03:00:05,279 --> 03:00:07,200
salt. And if there are other alternative

4158
03:00:07,200 --> 03:00:10,080
methods that can be used, we need that

4159
03:00:10,080 --> 03:00:13,200
to happen or this trend. And it's not

4160
03:00:13,200 --> 03:00:17,040
just Stow, it's all over the state. We

4161
03:00:17,040 --> 03:00:20,640
need to have the ice the the salt level

4162
03:00:20,640 --> 03:00:23,600
drop for the ecological health of our

4163
03:00:23,600 --> 03:00:26,720
res river systems in Massachusetts. So

4164
03:00:26,720 --> 03:00:30,960
vote for this but try if you can DPW to

4165
03:00:30,960 --> 03:00:34,319
reduce your use of salt. Thank you.

4166
03:00:34,319 --> 03:00:36,319
>> Thank you. Any further comment or

4167
03:00:36,319 --> 03:00:38,160
debate?

4168
03:00:38,160 --> 03:00:39,040
>> Front microphone.

4169
03:00:39,040 --> 03:00:41,439
>> Yeah. Steve Chelik 88 PBD drive. And I'm

4170
03:00:41,439 --> 03:00:43,040
embarrassed to ask this question, but I

4171
03:00:43,040 --> 03:00:44,560
might not be the only one that wants to

4172
03:00:44,560 --> 03:00:47,359
know what is covered by the snow and ice

4173
03:00:47,359 --> 03:00:49,600
budget. Is that just materials or are we

4174
03:00:49,600 --> 03:00:51,359
paying overtime to people to do plowing

4175
03:00:51,359 --> 03:00:53,840
or what's included in that overage?

4176
03:00:53,840 --> 03:00:56,479
>> So, it covers all operations. So, it it

4177
03:00:56,479 --> 03:00:58,319
covers the overtime for our staff. It

4178
03:00:58,319 --> 03:00:59,760
covers the private contractors that come

4179
03:00:59,760 --> 03:01:01,760
in and it covers all of the materials.

4180
03:01:01,760 --> 03:01:06,399
The majority of that cost is materials.

4181
03:01:06,399 --> 03:01:09,840
>> Any further comment or debate?

4182
03:01:09,840 --> 03:01:12,720
Seeing none, we'll go to a vote.

4183
03:01:12,720 --> 03:01:15,439
Main motion under article 43. This

4184
03:01:15,439 --> 03:01:17,680
requires a simple majority and we'll

4185
03:01:17,680 --> 03:01:19,680
just use our cards. All those in favor,

4186
03:01:19,680 --> 03:01:21,600
please signify by holding up your cards.

4187
03:01:21,600 --> 03:01:24,720
Thank you. And opposed?

4188
03:01:24,720 --> 03:01:26,880
I uh I have a few, but I will call that

4189
03:01:26,880 --> 03:01:32,950
unanimous.

4190
03:01:32,960 --> 03:01:36,640
Article 44. Do I have a motion, Mr.

4191
03:01:36,640 --> 03:01:38,319
Peterson?

4192
03:01:38,319 --> 03:01:40,160
>> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town

4193
03:01:40,160 --> 03:01:42,880
approve article 44, archiving documents

4194
03:01:42,880 --> 03:01:44,880
as printed in the warrant, and as

4195
03:01:44,880 --> 03:01:47,359
funding, therefore raise and appropriate

4196
03:01:47,359 --> 03:01:49,680
the fund of $15,000

4197
03:01:49,680 --> 03:01:51,840
for the purpose of archiving permanent

4198
03:01:51,840 --> 03:01:54,319
records, including documents, plans, and

4199
03:01:54,319 --> 03:01:57,359
permit information.

4200
03:01:57,359 --> 03:01:59,040
>> Motion been made and seconded under

4201
03:01:59,040 --> 03:02:01,200
article 44. Your finance committee's

4202
03:02:01,200 --> 03:02:03,439
favorable recommendation is in the

4203
03:02:03,439 --> 03:02:05,840
warrant. Is there any comment or debate

4204
03:02:05,840 --> 03:02:08,319
on article 44?

4205
03:02:08,319 --> 03:02:10,479
Seeing none, we will go to a vote. This

4206
03:02:10,479 --> 03:02:12,399
requires a simple majority. We will use

4207
03:02:12,399 --> 03:02:14,240
our cards. All those in favor, please

4208
03:02:14,240 --> 03:02:16,399
signify by raising your cards. Thank

4209
03:02:16,399 --> 03:02:20,399
you. And those opposed.

4210
03:02:20,399 --> 03:02:26,950
Thank you. I'll call that unanimous.

4211
03:02:26,960 --> 03:02:29,920
Article 45. Do I have a motion, Miss

4212
03:02:29,920 --> 03:02:31,120
Burch Mcichel?

4213
03:02:31,120 --> 03:02:32,880
>> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town

4214
03:02:32,880 --> 03:02:35,279
approve article 45 updating the town's

4215
03:02:35,279 --> 03:02:37,200
hazard mitigation plan as printed in the

4216
03:02:37,200 --> 03:02:39,200
warrant and as funding therefore raise

4217
03:02:39,200 --> 03:02:42,000
and appropriate the sum of $30,000 for

4218
03:02:42,000 --> 03:02:44,080
the purpose of hiring a consultant to

4219
03:02:44,080 --> 03:02:46,080
update the town's hazard mitigation

4220
03:02:46,080 --> 03:02:48,319
plan.

4221
03:02:48,319 --> 03:02:49,840
>> Thank you. I have a motion made and

4222
03:02:49,840 --> 03:02:52,880
seconded under article 45. Your finance

4223
03:02:52,880 --> 03:02:54,560
committee's favorable recommendation is

4224
03:02:54,560 --> 03:02:56,800
in the warrant. Uh there are generally

4225
03:02:56,800 --> 03:02:58,399
very good explanations in the warrant

4226
03:02:58,399 --> 03:03:00,319
but I am going to ask Miss Demkowski

4227
03:03:00,319 --> 03:03:02,640
what exactly is a hazard mitigation

4228
03:03:02,640 --> 03:03:05,600
plan?

4229
03:03:05,600 --> 03:03:07,600
So the hazard mitigation plan is done

4230
03:03:07,600 --> 03:03:10,000
under sort of FEMA and then MIMA's

4231
03:03:10,000 --> 03:03:12,000
regulations. It requires us to identify

4232
03:03:12,000 --> 03:03:14,319
all of the concerns we have in the town

4233
03:03:14,319 --> 03:03:16,080
that are potential hazards. It talks

4234
03:03:16,080 --> 03:03:17,840
about streams. It talks about droughts.

4235
03:03:17,840 --> 03:03:20,640
It talks about um different areas that

4236
03:03:20,640 --> 03:03:23,120
may be sensitive in town. um any

4237
03:03:23,120 --> 03:03:25,040
concerns that we have and that the

4238
03:03:25,040 --> 03:03:26,800
federal government may have as far as

4239
03:03:26,800 --> 03:03:31,040
our response times um is a so our plan

4240
03:03:31,040 --> 03:03:35,200
was expired in 2016. Um as I did note in

4241
03:03:35,200 --> 03:03:36,880
the comments here, we're hopeful that

4242
03:03:36,880 --> 03:03:38,880
this these funds are not needed. Uh we

4243
03:03:38,880 --> 03:03:41,200
do have a federal grant to get this plan

4244
03:03:41,200 --> 03:03:43,520
updated. Um but with the changes in the

4245
03:03:43,520 --> 03:03:44,960
federal government, they're expecting to

4246
03:03:44,960 --> 03:03:46,640
take away our grant funding next year

4247
03:03:46,640 --> 03:03:49,120
and this is a two-year process. So, um,

4248
03:03:49,120 --> 03:03:51,279
the article would be to supplement the

4249
03:03:51,279 --> 03:03:52,800
grant if the grant were to go away and

4250
03:03:52,800 --> 03:03:54,399
so that we could get us up to compliance

4251
03:03:54,399 --> 03:03:57,279
with the DP's requirements.

4252
03:03:57,279 --> 03:03:58,880
>> Thank you. Is there any comment or

4253
03:03:58,880 --> 03:04:01,439
debate?

4254
03:04:01,439 --> 03:04:04,800
>> Uh, why don't you let Mr. Taft go first?

4255
03:04:04,800 --> 03:04:06,720
He was heading there and you kind of cut

4256
03:04:06,720 --> 03:04:11,670
him off.

4257
03:04:11,680 --> 03:04:14,479
» Um, Sandy Taffer Road with regard to the

4258
03:04:14,479 --> 03:04:17,279
hazard mitigation plan. Um I remember

4259
03:04:17,279 --> 03:04:19,600
that one of the votes we are we have a

4260
03:04:19,600 --> 03:04:22,080
couple covert projects that are being

4261
03:04:22,080 --> 03:04:25,600
designed and with the impact of climate

4262
03:04:25,600 --> 03:04:27,279
change obviously coverts are very

4263
03:04:27,279 --> 03:04:29,760
important and does it make more sense to

4264
03:04:29,760 --> 03:04:31,359
have the hazard mitigation plan

4265
03:04:31,359 --> 03:04:32,960
completed before we undertake the work

4266
03:04:32,960 --> 03:04:40,389
on the covers.

4267
03:04:40,399 --> 03:04:42,160
» So the hazard mitigation plan is not

4268
03:04:42,160 --> 03:04:43,840
going to tell us that we have to replace

4269
03:04:43,840 --> 03:04:45,520
the culverts. going to identify where

4270
03:04:45,520 --> 03:04:47,439
there are concerns and possible hazards.

4271
03:04:47,439 --> 03:04:49,680
So, I think um if we can identify

4272
03:04:49,680 --> 03:04:51,200
through the consultants that they are on

4273
03:04:51,200 --> 03:04:53,120
the list for funding to be replaced,

4274
03:04:53,120 --> 03:04:55,760
they can note that. Um I would not want

4275
03:04:55,760 --> 03:04:57,120
to hold either one of them off because

4276
03:04:57,120 --> 03:04:58,880
they are both critical and timesensitive

4277
03:04:58,880 --> 03:05:02,160
on both matters.

4278
03:05:02,160 --> 03:05:03,600
>> Sorry, microphone.

4279
03:05:03,600 --> 03:05:06,960
>> Uh Tom Ryan, great road. I suppose I

4280
03:05:06,960 --> 03:05:09,439
really just question whether we need to

4281
03:05:09,439 --> 03:05:11,920
spend $30,000

4282
03:05:11,920 --> 03:05:15,279
when we have an expired plan that okay,

4283
03:05:15,279 --> 03:05:18,560
it's 10 years out of date. But I would

4284
03:05:18,560 --> 03:05:22,240
think that the department heads in town

4285
03:05:22,240 --> 03:05:26,080
know where all the hazards are, anything

4286
03:05:26,080 --> 03:05:28,000
that might be new. And why couldn't we

4287
03:05:28,000 --> 03:05:30,000
do something like this in house and not

4288
03:05:30,000 --> 03:05:33,279
spend 30 grand on consultants?

4289
03:05:33,279 --> 03:05:36,720
That was a question, Miss Demoski.

4290
03:05:36,720 --> 03:05:38,800
>> So, while our department heads are

4291
03:05:38,800 --> 03:05:40,399
phenomenal, we just don't have the time

4292
03:05:40,399 --> 03:05:42,880
and capacity to do a study like this. It

4293
03:05:42,880 --> 03:05:45,680
takes 18 to 24 months. Um, it requires

4294
03:05:45,680 --> 03:05:48,000
public input. It requires surveys. It

4295
03:05:48,000 --> 03:05:50,319
requires public information sessions.

4296
03:05:50,319 --> 03:05:52,960
Um, and I think in my opinion, $30,000

4297
03:05:52,960 --> 03:05:54,880
through a grant currently is a small

4298
03:05:54,880 --> 03:05:56,960
price to pay to have someone come in and

4299
03:05:56,960 --> 03:05:58,960
handle that so that we don't have to

4300
03:05:58,960 --> 03:06:00,960
free up time of the fire chief or of the

4301
03:06:00,960 --> 03:06:02,720
planning department to make room for

4302
03:06:02,720 --> 03:06:04,960
this study. Um, it is a requirement by

4303
03:06:04,960 --> 03:06:06,880
law. We are 10 years out of compliance.

4304
03:06:06,880 --> 03:06:08,640
So, again, the goal is we don't need

4305
03:06:08,640 --> 03:06:10,800
this money. Uh, we did go out to bid and

4306
03:06:10,800 --> 03:06:13,760
$30,000 is what it costs to do this. Um,

4307
03:06:13,760 --> 03:06:15,439
and I'm just hesitant to sign the

4308
03:06:15,439 --> 03:06:16,880
contract until I know that we will have

4309
03:06:16,880 --> 03:06:20,479
the funds should the grant go away. Any

4310
03:06:20,479 --> 03:06:23,120
further comment or debate?

4311
03:06:23,120 --> 03:06:24,960
Seeing none, we'll go to a vote on the

4312
03:06:24,960 --> 03:06:27,040
main motion under article 45, which

4313
03:06:27,040 --> 03:06:29,279
requires a simple majority. We will use

4314
03:06:29,279 --> 03:06:34,000
our clickers and voting will be open.

4315
03:06:34,000 --> 03:06:36,479
I need the high signs act. Voting is

4316
03:06:36,479 --> 03:06:40,710
open now. Thank you

4317
03:06:40,720 --> 03:06:51,990
for 15 seconds.

4318
03:06:52,000 --> 03:06:55,520
And voting is closed. And by a vote of

4319
03:06:55,520 --> 03:06:58,960
115 in favor and 22 against with one

4320
03:06:58,960 --> 03:07:07,750
extension, the measure passes.

4321
03:07:07,760 --> 03:07:11,520
Article 46, special legislation to allow

4322
03:07:11,520 --> 03:07:14,000
digital legal notices. Do I have a

4323
03:07:14,000 --> 03:07:16,880
motion, Mr. tool.

4324
03:07:16,880 --> 03:07:19,359
>> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town

4325
03:07:19,359 --> 03:07:22,479
approve article 46, special legislation

4326
03:07:22,479 --> 03:07:25,600
to allow digital legal notices as

4327
03:07:25,600 --> 03:07:27,760
printed in the warrant to authorize the

4328
03:07:27,760 --> 03:07:29,760
select board to petition the

4329
03:07:29,760 --> 03:07:32,319
Massachusetts General Court for special

4330
03:07:32,319 --> 03:07:35,359
legislation to allow the town to satisfy

4331
03:07:35,359 --> 03:07:37,439
requirements set forth in the general

4332
03:07:37,439 --> 03:07:40,319
laws for publication of legal notices,

4333
03:07:40,319 --> 03:07:43,359
either by publication in a newspaper or

4334
03:07:43,359 --> 03:07:46,000
posting on the town's website or in a

4335
03:07:46,000 --> 03:07:48,960
local digital newspaper. Provided,

4336
03:07:48,960 --> 03:07:50,640
however, that the general court is

4337
03:07:50,640 --> 03:07:53,520
authorized to make changes of form only

4338
03:07:53,520 --> 03:07:55,520
to the bill without the approval of the

4339
03:07:55,520 --> 03:07:58,319
select board and to authorize the select

4340
03:07:58,319 --> 03:08:01,439
board to approve such changes as are

4341
03:08:01,439 --> 03:08:03,840
within the public purposes of the

4342
03:08:03,840 --> 03:08:06,080
petition.

4343
03:08:06,080 --> 03:08:08,160
>> I have a motion made and seconded under

4344
03:08:08,160 --> 03:08:11,040
article 46. The finance committee's

4345
03:08:11,040 --> 03:08:13,359
favorable recommendation is in the

4346
03:08:13,359 --> 03:08:15,520
warrant. There is an explanation in your

4347
03:08:15,520 --> 03:08:18,080
warrant. Do I have any comment or

4348
03:08:18,080 --> 03:08:19,680
debate?

4349
03:08:19,680 --> 03:08:22,160
And seeing none, we will go to a vote on

4350
03:08:22,160 --> 03:08:24,640
the main motion under article 46, which

4351
03:08:24,640 --> 03:08:27,200
requires a simple majority who use our

4352
03:08:27,200 --> 03:08:28,720
cards. All those in favor, please

4353
03:08:28,720 --> 03:08:31,279
signify by raising your cards. Thank

4354
03:08:31,279 --> 03:08:34,800
you. And those against.

4355
03:08:34,800 --> 03:08:36,560
I'm going to call that almost a

4356
03:08:36,560 --> 03:08:38,560
majority, but it passes.

4357
03:08:38,560 --> 03:08:40,000
Almost unanimous.

4358
03:08:40,000 --> 03:08:41,760
>> You mean almost unanimous?

4359
03:08:41,760 --> 03:08:44,880
>> Almost. Uh, I meant almost unanimous. It

4360
03:08:44,880 --> 03:08:46,479
does pass.

4361
03:08:46,479 --> 03:08:48,240
>> See, that's why we have council here.

4362
03:08:48,240 --> 03:08:52,950
It's very important.

4363
03:08:52,960 --> 03:08:57,439
Our 42nd new general bylaw article on

4364
03:08:57,439 --> 03:08:59,680
storm water management. I I hope you all

4365
03:08:59,680 --> 03:09:01,359
remember that vote we took at the very

4366
03:09:01,359 --> 03:09:03,359
beginning of town meeting about waving

4367
03:09:03,359 --> 03:09:05,359
the requirement that the moderator read

4368
03:09:05,359 --> 03:09:07,840
the entire warrant. This is why we do

4369
03:09:07,840 --> 03:09:11,279
that. Do I have a motion, Mr.

4370
03:09:11,279 --> 03:09:12,800
Constantos?

4371
03:09:12,800 --> 03:09:14,960
>> Mr. Moderator, I move that the town

4372
03:09:14,960 --> 03:09:18,399
approve article 47, new general bylaw

4373
03:09:18,399 --> 03:09:21,040
article on storm water management as

4374
03:09:21,040 --> 03:09:23,439
printed in the warrant to add a new

4375
03:09:23,439 --> 03:09:26,240
article 19 to the general bylaws to read

4376
03:09:26,240 --> 03:09:28,319
in its entirety as stated in the

4377
03:09:28,319 --> 03:09:31,840
warrant, including to authorize the town

4378
03:09:31,840 --> 03:09:34,560
act in pursuant to general law chapter

4379
03:09:34,560 --> 03:09:38,240
40 section 58 to impose a lean on real

4380
03:09:38,240 --> 03:09:41,359
property for any unpaid charges imposed

4381
03:09:41,359 --> 03:09:45,200
person pursuent to said article 19,

4382
03:09:45,200 --> 03:09:47,359
including but not limited to any charges

4383
03:09:47,359 --> 03:09:49,920
for costs incurred by the town resulting

4384
03:09:49,920 --> 03:09:53,040
from any violation of or abatement or

4385
03:09:53,040 --> 03:09:55,680
remediation order pursuant to said

4386
03:09:55,680 --> 03:09:58,479
article 19, including administrative

4387
03:09:58,479 --> 03:10:00,800
costs and further to authorize the town

4388
03:10:00,800 --> 03:10:03,760
clerk to correct

4389
03:10:03,760 --> 03:10:06,640
scrier's errors and make no

4390
03:10:06,640 --> 03:10:09,520
non-substantive changes to the numbering

4391
03:10:09,520 --> 03:10:12,080
or formatting. Second.

4392
03:10:12,080 --> 03:10:14,000
>> I have a motion made and seconded under

4393
03:10:14,000 --> 03:10:17,520
article 47. The finance committee's uh

4394
03:10:17,520 --> 03:10:18,880
recommendation that's kind of a

4395
03:10:18,880 --> 03:10:22,000
non-recommendation is in your warrant.

4396
03:10:22,000 --> 03:10:23,760
And this obviously requires some

4397
03:10:23,760 --> 03:10:25,600
explanation. And for that we're going to

4398
03:10:25,600 --> 03:10:28,720
go to DPW director Dan Rowley making I

4399
03:10:28,720 --> 03:10:32,800
believe his town meeting speaking debut.

4400
03:10:32,800 --> 03:10:36,000
>> Yes. Uh Dan Rowley, DPW director. Uh so

4401
03:10:36,000 --> 03:10:37,920
I am a true stranger being your first

4402
03:10:37,920 --> 03:10:41,200
time addressing you. Um little bit about

4403
03:10:41,200 --> 03:10:44,479
this bylaw. So um part of my role as

4404
03:10:44,479 --> 03:10:47,520
your DPW director um I am tasked with

4405
03:10:47,520 --> 03:10:50,080
ensuring compliance with our MS4 permit

4406
03:10:50,080 --> 03:10:54,880
administer administrated by the EPA. Um

4407
03:10:54,880 --> 03:10:57,120
earlier this morning you folks funded

4408
03:10:57,120 --> 03:10:59,040
one of the critical uh components of

4409
03:10:59,040 --> 03:11:01,840
that program with um providing money for

4410
03:11:01,840 --> 03:11:03,200
maintenance and operations of the

4411
03:11:03,200 --> 03:11:05,359
system. Um we're required to clean catch

4412
03:11:05,359 --> 03:11:06,560
basins [snorts]

4413
03:11:06,560 --> 03:11:09,600
uh sweep streets. Um we have an

4414
03:11:09,600 --> 03:11:11,680
education and outreach component to that

4415
03:11:11,680 --> 03:11:13,279
where we have to provide information to

4416
03:11:13,279 --> 03:11:16,000
folks so they understand um the critical

4417
03:11:16,000 --> 03:11:18,960
nature of this infrastructure. Um we

4418
03:11:18,960 --> 03:11:21,040
have a bylaw already for illicit

4419
03:11:21,040 --> 03:11:23,040
discharge detection and elimination.

4420
03:11:23,040 --> 03:11:26,080
That's bylaw 18. Um and obviously a lot

4421
03:11:26,080 --> 03:11:29,920
of reporting that goes with that. Um our

4422
03:11:29,920 --> 03:11:32,479
current permit was issued in 2016. an

4423
03:11:32,479 --> 03:11:36,720
amendment uh issued on January 6, 2021

4424
03:11:36,720 --> 03:11:38,800
required us to put in place post

4425
03:11:38,800 --> 03:11:40,880
construction storm water management

4426
03:11:40,880 --> 03:11:44,640
ordinances. Um and what the EPA is

4427
03:11:44,640 --> 03:11:48,399
trying to accomplish is um ensuring that

4428
03:11:48,399 --> 03:11:50,960
infrastructure that is um put in place

4429
03:11:50,960 --> 03:11:54,399
during uh large projects um is

4430
03:11:54,399 --> 03:11:56,560
maintained and there's a plan for that.

4431
03:11:56,560 --> 03:11:58,560
So um they're looking for implementation

4432
03:11:58,560 --> 03:12:00,960
of best management practices. Address

4433
03:12:00,960 --> 03:12:03,359
post construction runoff. Um ensure

4434
03:12:03,359 --> 03:12:04,960
adequate long-term operation and

4435
03:12:04,960 --> 03:12:06,720
maintenance of storm water

4436
03:12:06,720 --> 03:12:09,279
infrastructure. Oftent times these uh

4437
03:12:09,279 --> 03:12:10,800
items are constructed and not

4438
03:12:10,800 --> 03:12:13,200
maintained. U retention basins you know

4439
03:12:13,200 --> 03:12:15,279
will let be let go for 20 30 years and

4440
03:12:15,279 --> 03:12:18,319
be you know forested at that point. So

4441
03:12:18,319 --> 03:12:20,880
what the EPA has recommended is the

4442
03:12:20,880 --> 03:12:24,240
development of um rules and regulations.

4443
03:12:24,240 --> 03:12:27,359
And so what this bylaw does, it it

4444
03:12:27,359 --> 03:12:29,439
really creates the framework for us to

4445
03:12:29,439 --> 03:12:33,760
do that. Um once this is in place, the

4446
03:12:33,760 --> 03:12:35,680
next step will be to promulgate rules

4447
03:12:35,680 --> 03:12:37,840
and regulations with the planning board.

4448
03:12:37,840 --> 03:12:39,359
That's really where the detail will come

4449
03:12:39,359 --> 03:12:41,120
in. This is really just framework to

4450
03:12:41,120 --> 03:12:44,960
allow us to do that. Um the uh threshold

4451
03:12:44,960 --> 03:12:47,200
is set at one acre, so it's a fairly

4452
03:12:47,200 --> 03:12:49,040
goodsized project that would fall under

4453
03:12:49,040 --> 03:12:51,520
this.

4454
03:12:51,520 --> 03:12:54,240
>> Thank you, Mr. Rowley. Um, I do want to

4455
03:12:54,240 --> 03:12:55,920
give the planning board a chance to

4456
03:12:55,920 --> 03:12:57,439
comment. I believe they're involved in

4457
03:12:57,439 --> 03:13:00,080
this proposed bylaw

4458
03:13:00,080 --> 03:13:02,960
and I have planning board chair Lori

4459
03:13:02,960 --> 03:13:06,640
Clark making her way to the microphone.

4460
03:13:06,640 --> 03:13:08,080
Mr. Elli, you might want to stay there

4461
03:13:08,080 --> 03:13:10,560
just in case there's questions.

4462
03:13:10,560 --> 03:13:12,399
I'm not prompting any questions. I'm

4463
03:13:12,399 --> 03:13:14,080
just recommending

4464
03:13:14,080 --> 03:13:21,110
Miss Clark.

4465
03:13:21,120 --> 03:13:23,439
» Hi, Lori Clark. current uh planning

4466
03:13:23,439 --> 03:13:25,439
board chair. Um we actually didn't

4467
03:13:25,439 --> 03:13:28,160
prepare a statement for today. We did

4468
03:13:28,160 --> 03:13:33,120
meet um and go through the bylaw and

4469
03:13:33,120 --> 03:13:36,720
um gave input, but we did not take a

4470
03:13:36,720 --> 03:13:39,359
vote one way or the other. I'm not sure

4471
03:13:39,359 --> 03:13:42,319
if there are specific questions.

4472
03:13:42,319 --> 03:13:43,840
>> Just want to give you an opportunity to

4473
03:13:43,840 --> 03:13:46,399
comment if you want it. That's all. Is

4474
03:13:46,399 --> 03:13:50,790
there any question or debate?

4475
03:13:50,800 --> 03:13:52,720
Mr. uh front microphone

4476
03:13:52,720 --> 03:13:55,359
>> Alan Fierce 284 Redacre Road. You know

4477
03:13:55,359 --> 03:13:59,040
Dan, I'm on the board of ORS. This is a

4478
03:13:59,040 --> 03:14:02,239
plan that is designed to protect the

4479
03:14:02,239 --> 03:14:05,120
water quality of our rivers and streams,

4480
03:14:05,120 --> 03:14:07,840
our Ethan Middle Brook, Elizabeth Brook,

4481
03:14:07,840 --> 03:14:12,000
the Escet River from runoff

4482
03:14:12,000 --> 03:14:14,479
from projects, from roads, from

4483
03:14:14,479 --> 03:14:18,000
developments. Um, this is one of the

4484
03:14:18,000 --> 03:14:20,640
major sources of pollution to our water

4485
03:14:20,640 --> 03:14:23,359
systems in the state and this is a

4486
03:14:23,359 --> 03:14:26,160
national requirement that plans like

4487
03:14:26,160 --> 03:14:28,880
this, we call them MS4 plans. I heard

4488
03:14:28,880 --> 03:14:30,960
you mention that. Nobody knows what that

4489
03:14:30,960 --> 03:14:33,600
stands for, but it's the municipal

4490
03:14:33,600 --> 03:14:39,760
separate storm sewer system plan. And I

4491
03:14:39,760 --> 03:14:41,279
haven't gone through this with a fine

4492
03:14:41,279 --> 03:14:43,680
tooth chrome, but my question I guess

4493
03:14:43,680 --> 03:14:45,760
would be is who prepared this particular

4494
03:14:45,760 --> 03:14:48,720
plan and was it thoroughly reviewed by

4495
03:14:48,720 --> 03:14:51,279
the planning board or how do we know

4496
03:14:51,279 --> 03:14:54,800
that this is a good plan? So this bylaw

4497
03:14:54,800 --> 03:14:56,479
we had technical assistance from Weston

4498
03:14:56,479 --> 03:14:58,239
and Samson. They've helped many

4499
03:14:58,239 --> 03:15:01,040
communities um develop this and they

4500
03:15:01,040 --> 03:15:02,640
will be assisting us with the rules and

4501
03:15:02,640 --> 03:15:04,479
regulations which will have you know

4502
03:15:04,479 --> 03:15:06,640
that techn you know the real detailed

4503
03:15:06,640 --> 03:15:08,640
reg you know requirements. This is

4504
03:15:08,640 --> 03:15:10,479
really just the framework to get us to

4505
03:15:10,479 --> 03:15:12,479
be able to implement those. But that's

4506
03:15:12,479 --> 03:15:14,000
um and that will be you know they'll be

4507
03:15:14,000 --> 03:15:15,359
developed. We'll have a public you know

4508
03:15:15,359 --> 03:15:17,840
public hearing get input and feedback

4509
03:15:17,840 --> 03:15:19,200
you know make sure that we're doing it

4510
03:15:19,200 --> 03:15:21,200
right and we put you know you know a lot

4511
03:15:21,200 --> 03:15:22,560
of effort into it to protect our

4512
03:15:22,560 --> 03:15:28,630
waterways.

4513
03:15:28,640 --> 03:15:34,389
front microphone.

4514
03:15:34,399 --> 03:15:37,600
» Kathy Spar, 74 West Actton Road. Um,

4515
03:15:37,600 --> 03:15:40,239
everything the DBW director makes said

4516
03:15:40,239 --> 03:15:43,040
makes perfect sense to me. Um, I do have

4517
03:15:43,040 --> 03:15:45,600
a concern though about the breadth of

4518
03:15:45,600 --> 03:15:47,840
this bylaw and the fact that it sets up

4519
03:15:47,840 --> 03:15:49,680
a whole new permitting process before

4520
03:15:49,680 --> 03:15:52,239
the planning board. I understand the

4521
03:15:52,239 --> 03:15:54,880
federal and state requirements um and in

4522
03:15:54,880 --> 03:15:58,319
general there's a oneacre uh disturbance

4523
03:15:58,319 --> 03:16:00,399
requirement but if you look at section

4524
03:16:00,399 --> 03:16:03,040
two applicability and you read the

4525
03:16:03,040 --> 03:16:05,040
second sentence which comes after the

4526
03:16:05,040 --> 03:16:08,640
1acre requirement it says any activity

4527
03:16:08,640 --> 03:16:10,239
that will alter the drainage

4528
03:16:10,239 --> 03:16:12,720
characteristics of a parcel of land

4529
03:16:12,720 --> 03:16:15,760
unless that activity is exempt.

4530
03:16:15,760 --> 03:16:18,080
So that seems to say notwithstanding

4531
03:16:18,080 --> 03:16:20,399
that oneacre requirement and my concern

4532
03:16:20,399 --> 03:16:22,160
is that there are a whole bunch of

4533
03:16:22,160 --> 03:16:24,720
things that a homeowner might do from

4534
03:16:24,720 --> 03:16:27,439
installing a new gutter drainage system,

4535
03:16:27,439 --> 03:16:29,600
installing a sump pump, redirecting

4536
03:16:29,600 --> 03:16:33,520
driveway water, etc. that then seem like

4537
03:16:33,520 --> 03:16:35,200
they would be subject to this

4538
03:16:35,200 --> 03:16:37,120
requirement. So I wanted to ask about

4539
03:16:37,120 --> 03:16:41,120
that. So that they would be subject to

4540
03:16:41,120 --> 03:16:44,479
the the rules that we promate, but they

4541
03:16:44,479 --> 03:16:46,080
wouldn't wouldn't require a permit. The

4542
03:16:46,080 --> 03:16:47,920
permit's required under like the one

4543
03:16:47,920 --> 03:16:50,319
acre, but if they're discharging into

4544
03:16:50,319 --> 03:16:52,800
the street or, you know, looking to

4545
03:16:52,800 --> 03:16:55,279
change a drain drainage characteristic,

4546
03:16:55,279 --> 03:16:57,120
I mean, I I would expect them to have

4547
03:16:57,120 --> 03:17:01,840
to, you know, protect our waterways.

4548
03:17:01,840 --> 03:17:04,319
I wouldn't expect a lot of that, per se.

4549
03:17:04,319 --> 03:17:07,439
I guess my followup would be who decides

4550
03:17:07,439 --> 03:17:09,920
um what has to apply for a permit and

4551
03:17:09,920 --> 03:17:11,359
what doesn't? There seems like there's

4552
03:17:11,359 --> 03:17:12,800
some ambiguity.

4553
03:17:12,800 --> 03:17:15,990
>> Thanks,

4554
03:17:16,000 --> 03:17:19,840
Mr. Ali. So, um

4555
03:17:19,840 --> 03:17:23,279
obviously a a development with one acre

4556
03:17:23,279 --> 03:17:24,640
or more would have to apply for a

4557
03:17:24,640 --> 03:17:26,319
permit, but you know, folks that are

4558
03:17:26,319 --> 03:17:28,080
doing work at their house would have to

4559
03:17:28,080 --> 03:17:29,920
follow, you know, the rules and

4560
03:17:29,920 --> 03:17:32,080
regulations that we establish. they

4561
03:17:32,080 --> 03:17:33,600
wouldn't necessarily need a permit, but

4562
03:17:33,600 --> 03:17:35,279
you know, if there was a a concern that

4563
03:17:35,279 --> 03:17:38,560
we had, we would be holding them to what

4564
03:17:38,560 --> 03:17:39,840
the SP, you know, the rules and

4565
03:17:39,840 --> 03:17:42,319
regulations are.

4566
03:17:42,319 --> 03:17:45,840
Is there any further comment or debate?

4567
03:17:45,840 --> 03:17:47,760
Seeing none, we will go to a vote on the

4568
03:17:47,760 --> 03:17:50,080
main motion under article 47. This

4569
03:17:50,080 --> 03:17:52,080
requires a simple majority. We'll use

4570
03:17:52,080 --> 03:17:55,279
our clickers and voting will is open now

4571
03:17:55,279 --> 03:18:15,110
for 15 seconds.

4572
03:18:15,120 --> 03:18:18,960
And voting is closed. And by a vote of

4573
03:18:18,960 --> 03:18:23,680
96 in favor, 34 against, and four

4574
03:18:23,680 --> 03:18:30,870
abstensions, the measure passes.

4575
03:18:30,880 --> 03:18:36,790
brings me to article 48.

4576
03:18:36,800 --> 03:18:39,200
I have a motion being made by the

4577
03:18:39,200 --> 03:18:42,160
petitioner or one of the petitioners,

4578
03:18:42,160 --> 03:18:48,150
Mr. Perry.

4579
03:18:48,160 --> 03:18:50,160
» Thank you, Mr. Mo. Do you have copies?

4580
03:18:50,160 --> 03:18:51,840
Um,

4581
03:18:51,840 --> 03:18:53,439
the moderator and the town council have

4582
03:18:53,439 --> 03:18:54,560
copies.

4583
03:18:54,560 --> 03:18:58,640
>> We do. We're all set. Thank you.

4584
03:18:58,640 --> 03:19:01,840
Mr. Moderator, I move the town ask the

4585
03:19:01,840 --> 03:19:04,000
select board to consider making Common

4586
03:19:04,000 --> 03:19:07,680
Road a two-way street again and further

4587
03:19:07,680 --> 03:19:10,880
to transfer from free cash the sum of

4588
03:19:10,880 --> 03:19:13,040
$100,000

4589
03:19:13,040 --> 03:19:16,080
for Common Road improvements to provide

4590
03:19:16,080 --> 03:19:18,479
funds for engineering and construction

4591
03:19:18,479 --> 03:19:21,760
of Common Road as a two-way road.

4592
03:19:21,760 --> 03:19:23,200
>> Thank you. Do I have a second?

4593
03:19:23,200 --> 03:19:24,399
>> Second.

4594
03:19:24,399 --> 03:19:26,319
I have a motion made and seconded under

4595
03:19:26,319 --> 03:19:29,920
article 48. Uh the finance committee's

4596
03:19:29,920 --> 03:19:32,160
unfavorable recommendation is in the

4597
03:19:32,160 --> 03:19:34,399
warrant. Uh for capital planning's

4598
03:19:34,399 --> 03:19:40,950
recommendation, Mr. Jelan,

4599
03:19:40,960 --> 03:19:42,640
Mr. Moderator, Capital Planning voted

4600
03:19:42,640 --> 03:19:44,399
unanimously to recommend the town not

4601
03:19:44,399 --> 03:19:46,239
support this article. While we recognize

4602
03:19:46,239 --> 03:19:48,160
the possible traffic implications of

4603
03:19:48,160 --> 03:19:50,239
Common Road being a one-way street, we

4604
03:19:50,239 --> 03:19:52,000
believe that addressing this issue is

4605
03:19:52,000 --> 03:19:54,000
best done as part of the Town Center

4606
03:19:54,000 --> 03:19:55,760
study that the planning department

4607
03:19:55,760 --> 03:20:00,070
intends to conduct in FY28.

4608
03:20:00,080 --> 03:20:01,840
» Thank you, Mr. Gelik. And we have a

4609
03:20:01,840 --> 03:20:04,160
presentation by Mr. Perry. Thank you.

4610
03:20:04,160 --> 03:20:05,680
>> Thank you. [clears throat] Um, and

4611
03:20:05,680 --> 03:20:07,600
considering the time, I will keep this

4612
03:20:07,600 --> 03:20:10,720
very brief. I'm Ross Perry for Circuit

4613
03:20:10,720 --> 03:20:14,160
Drive. The drive behind this article is

4614
03:20:14,160 --> 03:20:17,120
that that after experiencing common road

4615
03:20:17,120 --> 03:20:19,520
closed to through traffic for two years

4616
03:20:19,520 --> 03:20:22,239
during the library construction, it

4617
03:20:22,239 --> 03:20:24,560
became obvious to a lot of people that

4618
03:20:24,560 --> 03:20:27,520
forcing more traffic on the Great Road

4619
03:20:27,520 --> 03:20:29,520
is not efficient and it creates new

4620
03:20:29,520 --> 03:20:31,600
hazards.

4621
03:20:31,600 --> 03:20:34,319
Allowing cars to enter and exit Common

4622
03:20:34,319 --> 03:20:37,520
Road from both ends can reduce traffic

4623
03:20:37,520 --> 03:20:40,160
through the traffic light at Library

4624
03:20:40,160 --> 03:20:44,239
Hill Road and Great Road intersection.

4625
03:20:44,239 --> 03:20:46,720
It also can reduce the need to make that

4626
03:20:46,720 --> 03:20:49,120
sharp and dangerous turn from the east

4627
03:20:49,120 --> 03:20:52,399
end of Common Road to the westbound lane

4628
03:20:52,399 --> 03:20:54,800
on Great Road.

4629
03:20:54,800 --> 03:20:56,800
On the other hand, making common road

4630
03:20:56,800 --> 03:20:59,920
one way will not prevent speeding or cut

4631
03:20:59,920 --> 03:21:02,000
through traffic.

4632
03:21:02,000 --> 03:21:04,319
We believe there are design changes to

4633
03:21:04,319 --> 03:21:06,960
common road that can reduce the speed

4634
03:21:06,960 --> 03:21:10,239
and discourage cut through traffic.

4635
03:21:10,239 --> 03:21:13,040
There are also changes that can increase

4636
03:21:13,040 --> 03:21:15,840
parking in the area of the library that

4637
03:21:15,840 --> 03:21:18,080
will address the ZBA requirement for

4638
03:21:18,080 --> 03:21:20,479
parking.

4639
03:21:20,479 --> 03:21:23,359
Maintaining two points of entry and exit

4640
03:21:23,359 --> 03:21:25,279
that have been on common road for

4641
03:21:25,279 --> 03:21:27,680
decades for the library and first parish

4642
03:21:27,680 --> 03:21:30,880
church is essential.

4643
03:21:30,880 --> 03:21:33,040
Town meeting is not the most efficient

4644
03:21:33,040 --> 03:21:36,080
venue for discussing road layouts and

4645
03:21:36,080 --> 03:21:38,880
engineering designs.

4646
03:21:38,880 --> 03:21:40,960
Therefore, this article is asking the

4647
03:21:40,960 --> 03:21:43,760
select board to discuss returning common

4648
03:21:43,760 --> 03:21:46,479
road to two-way traffic at one of their

4649
03:21:46,479 --> 03:21:48,960
future meetings.

4650
03:21:48,960 --> 03:21:51,200
And if the select board agrees to

4651
03:21:51,200 --> 03:21:53,200
provide funds for engineering and

4652
03:21:53,200 --> 03:21:57,200
construction of any required changes,

4653
03:21:57,200 --> 03:21:58,960
we look forward to working with the

4654
03:21:58,960 --> 03:22:00,880
select board and the traffic safety

4655
03:22:00,880 --> 03:22:03,279
committee to fully explore changes that

4656
03:22:03,279 --> 03:22:06,640
will make two-way traffic on common road

4657
03:22:06,640 --> 03:22:09,920
safe and feasible.

4658
03:22:09,920 --> 03:22:14,160
Please vote in favor of article 48.

4659
03:22:14,160 --> 03:22:16,000
>> Thank you, Mr. Perry. Before we start

4660
03:22:16,000 --> 03:22:17,920
debate, just a a word or two of

4661
03:22:17,920 --> 03:22:20,479
clarification. You may note that Mr.

4662
03:22:20,479 --> 03:22:23,200
Perry's motion began with requesting the

4663
03:22:23,200 --> 03:22:25,200
select board to consider making Common

4664
03:22:25,200 --> 03:22:28,160
Road two-way. Again, town meeting and

4665
03:22:28,160 --> 03:22:30,080
council can correct me if I overstate

4666
03:22:30,080 --> 03:22:31,840
this. Town Meeting does not have the

4667
03:22:31,840 --> 03:22:34,319
authority to tell the select board what

4668
03:22:34,319 --> 03:22:37,040
to do, what to consider, especially when

4669
03:22:37,040 --> 03:22:39,600
it comes to roads. So that portion of

4670
03:22:39,600 --> 03:22:42,080
his motion is best understood as a

4671
03:22:42,080 --> 03:22:44,720
non-binding referral of this issue to

4672
03:22:44,720 --> 03:22:47,279
the select board. It also means, and I

4673
03:22:47,279 --> 03:22:49,359
believe Mr. Perry alludes to this, that

4674
03:22:49,359 --> 03:22:52,319
any detailed discussion of road design

4675
03:22:52,319 --> 03:22:54,479
changes is going to be of very

4676
03:22:54,479 --> 03:22:57,279
tangential relevance to this motion. I

4677
03:22:57,279 --> 03:22:59,120
will be asking you, anybody who raises

4678
03:22:59,120 --> 03:23:02,399
it, how it's related to this motion. The

4679
03:23:02,399 --> 03:23:04,319
second part of his motion, however,

4680
03:23:04,319 --> 03:23:06,880
where he asked to transfer $100,000 from

4681
03:23:06,880 --> 03:23:10,000
free cash elsewhere. That is not

4682
03:23:10,000 --> 03:23:11,840
non-binding. That's a binding. That's an

4683
03:23:11,840 --> 03:23:16,000
actual motion. Okay. Let's begin debate

4684
03:23:16,000 --> 03:23:18,479
uh with the front microphone.

4685
03:23:18,479 --> 03:23:21,200
>> Uh Susan Perry, for Circuit Drive at the

4686
03:23:21,200 --> 03:23:24,479
corner of 62. I am the face of the

4687
03:23:24,479 --> 03:23:28,160
petition for everybody. Hi. Uh I got up

4688
03:23:28,160 --> 03:23:30,160
and spoke in front of town meeting about

4689
03:23:30,160 --> 03:23:32,399
40 years ago.

4690
03:23:32,399 --> 03:23:36,399
The issue 40 years ago was convincing

4691
03:23:36,399 --> 03:23:39,120
town meeting to put in a traffic light

4692
03:23:39,120 --> 03:23:44,000
at 117 and Library Hill Road because a

4693
03:23:44,000 --> 03:23:46,960
pedestrian had been killed trying to

4694
03:23:46,960 --> 03:23:48,479
cross

4695
03:23:48,479 --> 03:23:50,479
right in the location that we're now

4696
03:23:50,479 --> 03:23:53,600
being asked to turn left into Common

4697
03:23:53,600 --> 03:23:56,720
Road. And I feel 40 years later, you

4698
03:23:56,720 --> 03:23:59,920
know, the traffic is not the same.

4699
03:23:59,920 --> 03:24:02,640
It's equally dangerous for cars to be

4700
03:24:02,640 --> 03:24:05,600
turning left to get into Common Road off

4701
03:24:05,600 --> 03:24:07,760
of 117.

4702
03:24:07,760 --> 03:24:09,600
And for many of the people that are

4703
03:24:09,600 --> 03:24:12,800
coming to the library and First Parish,

4704
03:24:12,800 --> 03:24:14,479
all the different activities that both

4705
03:24:14,479 --> 03:24:18,000
of those institutions host, the

4706
03:24:18,000 --> 03:24:21,760
preschool is there, too. It's not safe a

4707
03:24:21,760 --> 03:24:25,279
majority of the day to make a left-hand

4708
03:24:25,279 --> 03:24:27,439
turn. It's also not safe to be coming

4709
03:24:27,439 --> 03:24:29,040
out of there and making a left-hand

4710
03:24:29,040 --> 03:24:32,640
turn. All we're asking is for the select

4711
03:24:32,640 --> 03:24:36,239
board to open this dialogue again after

4712
03:24:36,239 --> 03:24:38,160
two years of living with the road

4713
03:24:38,160 --> 03:24:42,000
completely closed and navigating in and

4714
03:24:42,000 --> 03:24:46,239
out on the east end of 117 and Common

4715
03:24:46,239 --> 03:24:48,160
Road. We'd like to have further

4716
03:24:48,160 --> 03:24:51,120
conversation. We don't feel that this is

4717
03:24:51,120 --> 03:24:53,279
the safest way. I would much prefer to

4718
03:24:53,279 --> 03:24:54,880
be able to come up through that traffic

4719
03:24:54,880 --> 03:24:57,680
light that I fought for 40 years ago

4720
03:24:57,680 --> 03:25:00,000
onto Common Road, Library Hill Road, to

4721
03:25:00,000 --> 03:25:03,520
turn right onto Common Road for going to

4722
03:25:03,520 --> 03:25:05,520
both the library and church functions

4723
03:25:05,520 --> 03:25:07,359
and everything else that's held up that

4724
03:25:07,359 --> 03:25:11,120
way. So, we're just asking for that. The

4725
03:25:11,120 --> 03:25:14,479
$100,000 may or may not be used. It's

4726
03:25:14,479 --> 03:25:16,640
not raising your taxes. It is coming out

4727
03:25:16,640 --> 03:25:18,239
of free cash like some of the other

4728
03:25:18,239 --> 03:25:21,359
articles we just voted for. And it might

4729
03:25:21,359 --> 03:25:22,960
not even be that much money because

4730
03:25:22,960 --> 03:25:24,960
there is some money set aside right now

4731
03:25:24,960 --> 03:25:27,200
to repave common road if I understand

4732
03:25:27,200 --> 03:25:28,640
correctly.

4733
03:25:28,640 --> 03:25:30,160
>> About 30 seconds.

4734
03:25:30,160 --> 03:25:32,479
>> That's what we're asking for is the

4735
03:25:32,479 --> 03:25:34,720
courtesy of a little more opportunity to

4736
03:25:34,720 --> 03:25:36,720
discuss this decision and not wait

4737
03:25:36,720 --> 03:25:38,880
another year.

4738
03:25:38,880 --> 03:25:42,239
>> Thank you. I understand the select board

4739
03:25:42,239 --> 03:25:47,030
may have a statement. Mr. Tulle.

4740
03:25:47,040 --> 03:25:51,429
» Thank you, Mr. Moderator.

4741
03:25:51,439 --> 03:25:54,880
I'd like to just educate folks as to the

4742
03:25:54,880 --> 03:25:58,800
process of how this decision was made

4743
03:25:58,800 --> 03:26:02,950
and where it came from.

4744
03:26:02,960 --> 03:26:05,600
First of all, we did speak with the

4745
03:26:05,600 --> 03:26:07,920
president of the First Parish Church who

4746
03:26:07,920 --> 03:26:11,680
wanted us to know that this is not

4747
03:26:11,680 --> 03:26:14,399
the church's request.

4748
03:26:14,399 --> 03:26:16,640
So the church has not formally requested

4749
03:26:16,640 --> 03:26:21,439
this in any way, shape, manner, or form.

4750
03:26:21,439 --> 03:26:24,640
It comes simply from

4751
03:26:24,640 --> 03:26:27,200
less than two dozen residents who signed

4752
03:26:27,200 --> 03:26:30,160
the petition during

4753
03:26:30,160 --> 03:26:36,070
uh to bring this forward.

4754
03:26:36,080 --> 03:26:40,000
When the library construction

4755
03:26:40,000 --> 03:26:44,239
was coming forward, discussions began in

4756
03:26:44,239 --> 03:26:47,200
2022,

4757
03:26:47,200 --> 03:26:50,160
so four years ago when the traffic

4758
03:26:50,160 --> 03:26:52,319
safety advisory committee began looking

4759
03:26:52,319 --> 03:26:54,880
at common road

4760
03:26:54,880 --> 03:26:57,680
and the different issues that were uh

4761
03:26:57,680 --> 03:27:00,080
present.

4762
03:27:00,080 --> 03:27:03,520
In August 2023, the select board took it

4763
03:27:03,520 --> 03:27:06,640
up and discussed Common Road and asked

4764
03:27:06,640 --> 03:27:09,279
traffic safety advisory to conduct a

4765
03:27:09,279 --> 03:27:12,160
public hearing on making Common Road a

4766
03:27:12,160 --> 03:27:14,560
one-way street.

4767
03:27:14,560 --> 03:27:17,279
That was done. And from the public

4768
03:27:17,279 --> 03:27:19,200
hearing,

4769
03:27:19,200 --> 03:27:23,040
traffic safety held on October 3rd,

4770
03:27:23,040 --> 03:27:24,720
2023.

4771
03:27:24,720 --> 03:27:26,640
The traffic safety advisory committee

4772
03:27:26,640 --> 03:27:30,319
voted unanimously to recommend one way

4773
03:27:30,319 --> 03:27:33,760
to the select board.

4774
03:27:33,760 --> 03:27:37,359
On October 10th, 2023,

4775
03:27:37,359 --> 03:27:40,720
the select board took up what the

4776
03:27:40,720 --> 03:27:42,800
recommendation from the traffic safety

4777
03:27:42,800 --> 03:27:45,439
advisory committee had recommended and

4778
03:27:45,439 --> 03:27:47,439
voted unanimously

4779
03:27:47,439 --> 03:27:50,000
based on that recommendation to make

4780
03:27:50,000 --> 03:27:53,439
Common Road a one-way street westbound,

4781
03:27:53,439 --> 03:27:56,960
but still allowing two-way traffic at

4782
03:27:56,960 --> 03:28:00,399
the easternmost entrance to accommodate

4783
03:28:00,399 --> 03:28:03,040
for the First Paris Church and parking

4784
03:28:03,040 --> 03:28:05,120
area.

4785
03:28:05,120 --> 03:28:08,000
The board the board further voted to

4786
03:28:08,000 --> 03:28:11,439
take up to 2 to 5 ft of the town common

4787
03:28:11,439 --> 03:28:13,920
from Library Hill for approximately 100

4788
03:28:13,920 --> 03:28:18,080
ft to add in the marked parking on the

4789
03:28:18,080 --> 03:28:23,670
road for the library.

4790
03:28:23,680 --> 03:28:26,319
October 2nd, 2025,

4791
03:28:26,319 --> 03:28:29,120
traffic safety advisory committee held a

4792
03:28:29,120 --> 03:28:32,000
meeting to discuss closing Common Road

4793
03:28:32,000 --> 03:28:37,110
completely at the library end.

4794
03:28:37,120 --> 03:28:41,279
On October 14th, 2025, the select board

4795
03:28:41,279 --> 03:28:44,560
redised common road.

4796
03:28:44,560 --> 03:28:46,720
With that possibility and after robust

4797
03:28:46,720 --> 03:28:48,960
discussion decided to keep the road a

4798
03:28:48,960 --> 03:28:52,469
oneway,

4799
03:28:52,479 --> 03:28:54,720
the select board in the decision to make

4800
03:28:54,720 --> 03:28:56,880
common road a one-way street was not

4801
03:28:56,880 --> 03:28:58,640
quick.

4802
03:28:58,640 --> 03:29:01,439
It was not impulsive or premature

4803
03:29:01,439 --> 03:29:03,520
decision.

4804
03:29:03,520 --> 03:29:05,760
The decision was made over a period of

4805
03:29:05,760 --> 03:29:07,760
four years and was previously

4806
03:29:07,760 --> 03:29:10,640
reconsidered by both traffic safety

4807
03:29:10,640 --> 03:29:13,200
advisory committee as well as the select

4808
03:29:13,200 --> 03:29:14,800
board.

4809
03:29:14,800 --> 03:29:17,920
In that process,

4810
03:29:17,920 --> 03:29:20,319
a question was asked from our public

4811
03:29:20,319 --> 03:29:22,560
safety. Were there any accidents that

4812
03:29:22,560 --> 03:29:26,800
actually took place? The answer was no.

4813
03:29:26,800 --> 03:29:29,279
There have been no accidents. There have

4814
03:29:29,279 --> 03:29:32,319
been no incidents whatsoever.

4815
03:29:32,319 --> 03:29:34,399
Thank you.

4816
03:29:34,399 --> 03:29:36,560
>> Thank you. Side microphone,

4817
03:29:36,560 --> 03:29:39,760
>> Tom Ryan. Great road. I would still like

4818
03:29:39,760 --> 03:29:43,279
to see this whole issue re-examined. I'd

4819
03:29:43,279 --> 03:29:45,840
rather much rather see common road a

4820
03:29:45,840 --> 03:29:48,720
two-way road.

4821
03:29:48,720 --> 03:29:52,880
>> Is there any further comment or debate?

4822
03:29:52,880 --> 03:29:58,229
>> Seeing none, we'll go to a vote on the

4823
03:29:58,239 --> 03:30:01,359
front microphone.

4824
03:30:01,359 --> 03:30:03,840
I'm not disputing that this decision

4825
03:30:03,840 --> 03:30:06,960
started four years ago and I don't have

4826
03:30:06,960 --> 03:30:08,880
the litany of all the different meetings

4827
03:30:08,880 --> 03:30:12,000
and who attended and the pros and cons.

4828
03:30:12,000 --> 03:30:13,840
I can tell you that at different

4829
03:30:13,840 --> 03:30:16,000
opportunities, people were told this

4830
03:30:16,000 --> 03:30:17,680
decision had already been made and there

4831
03:30:17,680 --> 03:30:20,399
would be no further discussion.

4832
03:30:20,399 --> 03:30:22,560
As recently as a traffic safety

4833
03:30:22,560 --> 03:30:24,640
committee meeting in February of this

4834
03:30:24,640 --> 03:30:27,120
year that I attended and it was on the

4835
03:30:27,120 --> 03:30:30,160
agenda to discuss common road and the

4836
03:30:30,160 --> 03:30:32,000
committee voted to not have any

4837
03:30:32,000 --> 03:30:34,399
conversation about it.

4838
03:30:34,399 --> 03:30:36,479
All we're asking is for an opportunity

4839
03:30:36,479 --> 03:30:39,040
for further conversation. Yes, you've

4840
03:30:39,040 --> 03:30:40,960
had all those meetings. Yes, people have

4841
03:30:40,960 --> 03:30:43,040
said this is how we should do it, but

4842
03:30:43,040 --> 03:30:45,120
after two years of living with the road

4843
03:30:45,120 --> 03:30:47,279
mostly closed,

4844
03:30:47,279 --> 03:30:49,279
more than two dozen people would like to

4845
03:30:49,279 --> 03:30:51,600
open the conversation again. That's all

4846
03:30:51,600 --> 03:30:53,920
we're asking.

4847
03:30:53,920 --> 03:30:55,439
>> Thank you. I'm going to go to front

4848
03:30:55,439 --> 03:30:57,359
microphone. He was a little bit ahead of

4849
03:30:57,359 --> 03:30:59,200
you. Front microphone.

4850
03:30:59,200 --> 03:31:01,520
>> Hi, William Burns, Cuttleplane Road. Um,

4851
03:31:01,520 --> 03:31:02,880
I just want to say last year I was

4852
03:31:02,880 --> 03:31:05,279
coming down 117 and there was a car that

4853
03:31:05,279 --> 03:31:07,359
had come out of Common Road there and

4854
03:31:07,359 --> 03:31:09,920
caused a head-on collision that happened

4855
03:31:09,920 --> 03:31:11,600
right on there. They didn't have good

4856
03:31:11,600 --> 03:31:14,239
visibility. There was a Sto police

4857
03:31:14,239 --> 03:31:16,720
officer coming uh eastbound of there.

4858
03:31:16,720 --> 03:31:18,560
So, they probably panicked a little bit,

4859
03:31:18,560 --> 03:31:20,800
but they came out and went head-on into

4860
03:31:20,800 --> 03:31:22,640
a vehicle in front of me there. So there

4861
03:31:22,640 --> 03:31:24,880
have been accidents there and it is a

4862
03:31:24,880 --> 03:31:26,720
tough spot when you come out of there to

4863
03:31:26,720 --> 03:31:28,640
see the eastbound the westbound traffic

4864
03:31:28,640 --> 03:31:30,640
coming in and to make a decision as

4865
03:31:30,640 --> 03:31:33,120
they're doing often 40 miles an hour

4866
03:31:33,120 --> 03:31:35,279
still there um to be able to see and

4867
03:31:35,279 --> 03:31:39,359
clearly say I can make it out. Okay.

4868
03:31:39,359 --> 03:31:41,279
>> Thank you. Side microphone.

4869
03:31:41,279 --> 03:31:44,399
>> Um Robert Maynard Harvard Road. Um just

4870
03:31:44,399 --> 03:31:46,239
a question. I assume when traffic safety

4871
03:31:46,239 --> 03:31:48,479
looked at this they conducted a traffic

4872
03:31:48,479 --> 03:31:49,279
study that

4873
03:31:49,279 --> 03:31:50,479
>> Can you speak a little closer to the

4874
03:31:50,479 --> 03:31:52,640
mic? I I'm assuming when traffic safety

4875
03:31:52,640 --> 03:31:54,399
looked at this, they conducted a traffic

4876
03:31:54,399 --> 03:31:56,800
study and spent money on that and had

4877
03:31:56,800 --> 03:31:58,800
professional engineers look at this. And

4878
03:31:58,800 --> 03:32:00,479
I was just wondering what the what the

4879
03:32:00,479 --> 03:32:02,399
recommendation was from them, whether a

4880
03:32:02,399 --> 03:32:05,760
two-way or one way.

4881
03:32:05,760 --> 03:32:08,880
>> Hi, Robert. Um,

4882
03:32:08,880 --> 03:32:11,279
>> yes. So, they had consultants review it

4883
03:32:11,279 --> 03:32:13,840
as part of the initial town center

4884
03:32:13,840 --> 03:32:15,439
study. Uh, the consultants all

4885
03:32:15,439 --> 03:32:16,880
recommended that it should either be

4886
03:32:16,880 --> 03:32:19,840
closed entirely or one way. Um they did

4887
03:32:19,840 --> 03:32:21,920
not do full data studies because that

4888
03:32:21,920 --> 03:32:24,560
was intended to so the way that the plan

4889
03:32:24,560 --> 03:32:26,080
worked out was they had made their

4890
03:32:26,080 --> 03:32:27,600
recommendations, traffic safety made

4891
03:32:27,600 --> 03:32:29,359
their recommendations

4892
03:32:29,359 --> 03:32:30,880
for the board to take action. So

4893
03:32:30,880 --> 03:32:32,720
whatever the board decided could be

4894
03:32:32,720 --> 03:32:35,359
included in the full town center study.

4895
03:32:35,359 --> 03:32:38,000
Um so since the board's intention was

4896
03:32:38,000 --> 03:32:39,920
one way, they will work one way and then

4897
03:32:39,920 --> 03:32:40,960
figuring out how to make the

4898
03:32:40,960 --> 03:32:43,120
intersections more safe based on the

4899
03:32:43,120 --> 03:32:44,560
decision of the select board.

4900
03:32:44,560 --> 03:32:46,000
>> Thank you very much.

4901
03:32:46,000 --> 03:32:47,920
>> Thank you. front microphone.

4902
03:32:47,920 --> 03:32:51,439
>> Wendy Bachmann, 28 Lel Drive. Um, every

4903
03:32:51,439 --> 03:32:53,439
time I have come out of Common Road

4904
03:32:53,439 --> 03:32:56,560
since the access in front of the library

4905
03:32:56,560 --> 03:32:58,960
has been closed during the construction,

4906
03:32:58,960 --> 03:33:03,359
I have definitely felt anxious uh coming

4907
03:33:03,359 --> 03:33:05,920
out of Common Road, even to make a

4908
03:33:05,920 --> 03:33:08,080
right-hand turn. So, I'm not crossing

4909
03:33:08,080 --> 03:33:11,920
traffic to go left. Um, I'm making a

4910
03:33:11,920 --> 03:33:14,960
right-hand turn to go westbound toward

4911
03:33:14,960 --> 03:33:17,600
the traffic light. That line of sight as

4912
03:33:17,600 --> 03:33:20,560
you look to your left to make sure it's

4913
03:33:20,560 --> 03:33:24,399
clear is a very short distance and cars

4914
03:33:24,399 --> 03:33:26,960
are coming quickly. And even though I

4915
03:33:26,960 --> 03:33:30,000
have I now have a bright red minivan, I

4916
03:33:30,000 --> 03:33:32,160
am anxious that someone is going to come

4917
03:33:32,160 --> 03:33:35,520
slam into me as I make that sharp turn

4918
03:33:35,520 --> 03:33:39,279
to get onto the onto 117 to go

4919
03:33:39,279 --> 03:33:41,680
westbound.

4920
03:33:41,680 --> 03:33:44,720
>> Thank you. side microphone.

4921
03:33:44,720 --> 03:33:48,319
>> Kathy Leonard, Redacre Road. So, it

4922
03:33:48,319 --> 03:33:51,680
sounded to me as if there was only one

4923
03:33:51,680 --> 03:33:58,239
public facing meeting or forum and that took place several years ago. Um,

4924
03:33:58,239 --> 03:34:01,200
and that the process is considered

4925
03:34:01,200 --> 03:34:05,279
complete now. Uh, but I think maybe

4926
03:34:05,279 --> 03:34:07,359
there needs to be some more public

4927
03:34:07,359 --> 03:34:09,040
input.

4928
03:34:09,040 --> 03:34:11,439
>> Thank you. front microphone

4929
03:34:11,439 --> 03:34:14,399
>> Ed Duca 26 Crescent Street. I think the

4930
03:34:14,399 --> 03:34:19,600
discussions relative to exiting from the

4931
03:34:19,600 --> 03:34:22,800
common road during the time of library

4932
03:34:22,800 --> 03:34:26,239
dis the construction are irrelevant

4933
03:34:26,239 --> 03:34:29,600
because we are going to have with the

4934
03:34:29,600 --> 03:34:32,399
one-way street a two ways of exiting

4935
03:34:32,399 --> 03:34:34,960
from the common. This will not change

4936
03:34:34,960 --> 03:34:37,600
the exiting aspects. So, all of the

4937
03:34:37,600 --> 03:34:40,880
issues related to difficulties exiting

4938
03:34:40,880 --> 03:34:44,640
onto 117 are already addressed by having

4939
03:34:44,640 --> 03:34:47,840
the one-way street that exits onto

4940
03:34:47,840 --> 03:34:49,760
Library Hill Road.

4941
03:34:49,760 --> 03:34:53,600
>> Thank you. Side microphone,

4942
03:34:53,600 --> 03:34:54,560
>> Debbie [clears throat] Woods, Great

4943
03:34:54,560 --> 03:34:58,479
Road. Um, more of a comment. Having been

4944
03:34:58,479 --> 03:35:00,000
someone who has brought citizens

4945
03:35:00,000 --> 03:35:02,880
petitions forward to um town meeting

4946
03:35:02,880 --> 03:35:06,319
first of all I commend the next series

4947
03:35:06,319 --> 03:35:08,399
because it's not an easy thing to do.

4948
03:35:08,399 --> 03:35:10,560
Second of all part of the I take a

4949
03:35:10,560 --> 03:35:13,200
little exception to a comment that um

4950
03:35:13,200 --> 03:35:15,520
Mr. Tulle made and that is you know

4951
03:35:15,520 --> 03:35:17,439
stressing the fact that there was you

4952
03:35:17,439 --> 03:35:19,359
know two dozen signatures. There is a

4953
03:35:19,359 --> 03:35:21,279
minimum requirement required to bring

4954
03:35:21,279 --> 03:35:22,880
something forward to town meeting and

4955
03:35:22,880 --> 03:35:25,920
that number is either 24 or 25. I think

4956
03:35:25,920 --> 03:35:28,880
it is not fair to categorize just

4957
03:35:28,880 --> 03:35:31,920
because the number of um signatures

4958
03:35:31,920 --> 03:35:34,399
needed to bring forward to town meeting

4959
03:35:34,399 --> 03:35:36,880
equates to support. So I would ask the

4960
03:35:36,880 --> 03:35:38,960
select board to be careful with comments

4961
03:35:38,960 --> 03:35:41,439
with that and again kudos to the folks

4962
03:35:41,439 --> 03:35:44,560
bringing forward um the petitions.

4963
03:35:44,560 --> 03:35:47,200
>> Thank you. Any desire to respond to

4964
03:35:47,200 --> 03:35:50,790
that?

4965
03:35:50,800 --> 03:35:53,680
» You don't have to. I'm just asking. No.

4966
03:35:53,680 --> 03:35:55,520
Okay. front microphone.

4967
03:35:55,520 --> 03:35:58,880
>> Uh Pam Weathers, 89 West Actton Road. Um

4968
03:35:58,880 --> 03:36:00,239
a bunch of us are sitting there

4969
03:36:00,239 --> 03:36:02,239
confused.

4970
03:36:02,239 --> 03:36:05,920
One way going east or west and then can

4971
03:36:05,920 --> 03:36:08,720
you exit what direction? So we were like

4972
03:36:08,720 --> 03:36:11,359
sitting there not really it's not clear

4973
03:36:11,359 --> 03:36:16,560
to us what the oneway um limits are and

4974
03:36:16,560 --> 03:36:18,880
you know two-way we understand but one

4975
03:36:18,880 --> 03:36:20,479
way. Can you somebody clarify that

4976
03:36:20,479 --> 03:36:22,080
please? just what's

4977
03:36:22,080 --> 03:36:24,399
>> So, so are you asking what the current

4978
03:36:24,399 --> 03:36:25,600
requirements are?

4979
03:36:25,600 --> 03:36:27,520
>> What the one-way

4980
03:36:27,520 --> 03:36:30,399
deal is because it isn't clear where do

4981
03:36:30,399 --> 03:36:33,120
you enter and are you going are you one

4982
03:36:33,120 --> 03:36:36,080
way east or you one way west on common

4983
03:36:36,080 --> 03:36:39,200
road and can you enter or exit then on

4984
03:36:39,200 --> 03:36:40,560
these different directions?

4985
03:36:40,560 --> 03:36:42,720
>> Mr. Dowski, can you describe the current

4986
03:36:42,720 --> 03:36:45,439
traffic pattern or traffic pattern once

4987
03:36:45,439 --> 03:36:47,840
it's finalized?

4988
03:36:47,840 --> 03:36:51,920
>> Yes. What the board voted for was

4989
03:36:51,920 --> 03:36:54,080
one-way traffic from its entirety

4990
03:36:54,080 --> 03:36:57,680
westbound from 117 to Library Hill.

4991
03:36:57,680 --> 03:36:59,760
However,

4992
03:36:59,760 --> 03:37:01,760
for the church property, the both

4993
03:37:01,760 --> 03:37:03,600
parking lots, you could go two ways. So,

4994
03:37:03,600 --> 03:37:05,120
you could come out of the church parking

4995
03:37:05,120 --> 03:37:07,600
lot and take a left and travel eastbound

4996
03:37:07,600 --> 03:37:10,479
on Common Road to get to 117 or to get

4997
03:37:10,479 --> 03:37:12,800
to other parts of the church. But in

4998
03:37:12,800 --> 03:37:16,239
front of the library is a one-way only

4999
03:37:16,239 --> 03:37:20,950
westbound.

5000
03:37:20,960 --> 03:37:24,239
» Side microphone.

5001
03:37:24,239 --> 03:37:26,720
>> Margaret Costello Road.

5002
03:37:26,720 --> 03:37:28,239
>> Could you speak a little closer to the

5003
03:37:28,239 --> 03:37:30,000
mic? Miss Costello?

5004
03:37:30,000 --> 03:37:33,680
>> Sure. Um, this article 48 is a fairness

5005
03:37:33,680 --> 03:37:37,279
issue. Um, philosophically, um, I do not

5006
03:37:37,279 --> 03:37:39,920
believe that one business entity should

5007
03:37:39,920 --> 03:37:41,920
be allowed to make a change in the

5008
03:37:41,920 --> 03:37:44,479
character of a neighborhood or a shared

5009
03:37:44,479 --> 03:37:47,840
road that is detrimental to another

5010
03:37:47,840 --> 03:37:52,239
business entity. Period. Um,

5011
03:37:52,239 --> 03:37:54,479
in 2022,

5012
03:37:54,479 --> 03:37:56,319
I heard the library planners were

5013
03:37:56,319 --> 03:37:59,120
intending to make Common Road one way.

5014
03:37:59,120 --> 03:38:01,520
Their desire was to create a patio and

5015
03:38:01,520 --> 03:38:04,000
terrace outside the lower library

5016
03:38:04,000 --> 03:38:06,880
entrance. The only available space for

5017
03:38:06,880 --> 03:38:09,760
the concept was to commandeer part of

5018
03:38:09,760 --> 03:38:12,560
common road that is making common road

5019
03:38:12,560 --> 03:38:16,000
one way. My immediate reaction was to

5020
03:38:16,000 --> 03:38:18,560
worry about the detrimental impact on

5021
03:38:18,560 --> 03:38:21,920
the first parish campus. I was told back

5022
03:38:21,920 --> 03:38:24,720
even then that the outcome had already

5023
03:38:24,720 --> 03:38:28,479
been decided. I objected that this

5024
03:38:28,479 --> 03:38:30,800
decision was made by a small group of

5025
03:38:30,800 --> 03:38:33,920
people. I told one member of the group

5026
03:38:33,920 --> 03:38:36,399
that it was unethical to be considering

5027
03:38:36,399 --> 03:38:39,439
a change to Common Road without First

5028
03:38:39,439 --> 03:38:42,160
Parish being at the table at the very

5029
03:38:42,160 --> 03:38:45,439
least as an equal partner.

5030
03:38:45,439 --> 03:38:48,000
After that time, First Parish was

5031
03:38:48,000 --> 03:38:50,960
invited to attend the planning meetings.

5032
03:38:50,960 --> 03:38:54,399
However, the only two options for

5033
03:38:54,399 --> 03:38:58,239
outcome offered for Common Road were one

5034
03:38:58,239 --> 03:39:00,640
closing off the library end of Common

5035
03:39:00,640 --> 03:39:04,560
Road or one-way traffic on Common Road.

5036
03:39:04,560 --> 03:39:07,439
The third option of keeping Common Road

5037
03:39:07,439 --> 03:39:10,960
two-way was never on the table. Even in

5038
03:39:10,960 --> 03:39:14,000
the public forums already been decided

5039
03:39:14,000 --> 03:39:17,120
was the overriding message. And that is

5040
03:39:17,120 --> 03:39:20,080
the message that the first parish church

5041
03:39:20,080 --> 03:39:22,640
representatives brought back to the

5042
03:39:22,640 --> 03:39:25,439
first parish membership. Although there

5043
03:39:25,439 --> 03:39:28,880
is no consensus at first parish for the

5044
03:39:28,880 --> 03:39:32,319
final outcome, no one would say that

5045
03:39:32,319 --> 03:39:35,040
having common road one way with one

5046
03:39:35,040 --> 03:39:38,319
access point makes for increased safety

5047
03:39:38,319 --> 03:39:41,680
or improved vehicular logistics. This

5048
03:39:41,680 --> 03:39:44,720
one-way option does nothing to improve

5049
03:39:44,720 --> 03:39:47,200
the First Parish campus.

5050
03:39:47,200 --> 03:39:49,279
>> I have never been given a voice in this.

5051
03:39:49,279 --> 03:39:50,800
>> Ma'am, I think you're over your time.

5052
03:39:50,800 --> 03:39:52,160
Thank you very much.

5053
03:39:52,160 --> 03:39:53,680
>> Do you want to say one more sentence to

5054
03:39:53,680 --> 03:39:54,479
kind of wrap it up?

5055
03:39:54,479 --> 03:39:56,080
>> I've never been given a voice in this

5056
03:39:56,080 --> 03:39:59,520
and I encourage you to allow more voices

5057
03:39:59,520 --> 03:40:01,680
to give an opinion on this particular

5058
03:40:01,680 --> 03:40:02,399
topic.

5059
03:40:02,399 --> 03:40:04,239
>> Thank you.

5060
03:40:04,239 --> 03:40:06,160
>> Front microphone.

5061
03:40:06,160 --> 03:40:09,120
>> Mark Groomman, Elmidge Road. Um, if I

5062
03:40:09,120 --> 03:40:11,600
understood the comment by the by Mr.

5063
03:40:11,600 --> 03:40:13,760
Dowski,

5064
03:40:13,760 --> 03:40:16,080
although there is allowed one-way

5065
03:40:16,080 --> 03:40:17,840
traffic,

5066
03:40:17,840 --> 03:40:21,680
exits can be made from both sides. I

5067
03:40:21,680 --> 03:40:23,439
think that's a recipe for disaster. I

5068
03:40:23,439 --> 03:40:24,720
think that if there's going to be an

5069
03:40:24,720 --> 03:40:29,120
accident at the entrance of 117 between

5070
03:40:29,120 --> 03:40:31,279
a car entering and a car exiting from

5071
03:40:31,279 --> 03:40:32,960
say the church, it's going to be very

5072
03:40:32,960 --> 03:40:34,960
difficult to determine who had the right

5073
03:40:34,960 --> 03:40:36,880
of way and whether a vi a law was

5074
03:40:36,880 --> 03:40:38,880
violated. Um I simply think this is a

5075
03:40:38,880 --> 03:40:40,479
good idea to revisit this. So I support

5076
03:40:40,479 --> 03:40:42,479
this article. Thank you.

5077
03:40:42,479 --> 03:40:44,000
>> Thank you. I understand there's a

5078
03:40:44,000 --> 03:40:45,920
follow-up comment from the select board.

5079
03:40:45,920 --> 03:40:47,359
Is that correct?

5080
03:40:47,359 --> 03:40:49,279
>> I just I wanted a point of clarification

5081
03:40:49,279 --> 03:40:52,160
from the planning board. Um, I believe

5082
03:40:52,160 --> 03:40:54,319
it was the planning board's engineer

5083
03:40:54,319 --> 03:40:57,840
that um recommended that the road be one

5084
03:40:57,840 --> 03:41:00,239
way and so if someone could speak to

5085
03:41:00,239 --> 03:41:06,950
that that would be

5086
03:41:06,960 --> 03:41:10,960
» so in the meantime side microphone

5087
03:41:10,960 --> 03:41:14,560
John clone Armano Boxville Road uh full

5088
03:41:14,560 --> 03:41:16,880
disclosure also a member of the planning

5089
03:41:16,880 --> 03:41:20,319
board u just wanted to say that I I I am

5090
03:41:20,319 --> 03:41:23,920
in favor of revisiting this. The concern

5091
03:41:23,920 --> 03:41:26,720
with this particular petition for me is

5092
03:41:26,720 --> 03:41:28,560
the $100,000

5093
03:41:28,560 --> 03:41:31,200
number which isn't clear what would be

5094
03:41:31,200 --> 03:41:33,200
done with that and how it would be used.

5095
03:41:33,200 --> 03:41:35,359
My other comment is that given that

5096
03:41:35,359 --> 03:41:40,000
there is a plan to uh have a design of

5097
03:41:40,000 --> 03:41:43,120
the town center, it seems like this

5098
03:41:43,120 --> 03:41:44,640
would be better to be done in the

5099
03:41:44,640 --> 03:41:48,239
context of that analysis uh to consider

5100
03:41:48,239 --> 03:41:51,279
it as a whole of town center. Thank you.

5101
03:41:51,279 --> 03:41:53,120
>> Thank you. Did I hear a question with

5102
03:41:53,120 --> 03:41:56,710
regard to the $100,000?

5103
03:41:56,720 --> 03:42:00,399
» I Okay. Thank you. Miss Clark, do you

5104
03:42:00,399 --> 03:42:01,680
have something in response to the

5105
03:42:01,680 --> 03:42:03,279
question from the select board?

5106
03:42:03,279 --> 03:42:13,040
>> Um, I think as mentioned earlier, um the initial town center study um was the

5107
03:42:13,040 --> 03:42:17,439
engineer was asked um what the best

5108
03:42:17,439 --> 03:42:19,279
recommendation would be and at that time

5109
03:42:19,279 --> 03:42:25,840
they did say one way or um closing. Um

5110
03:42:25,840 --> 03:42:28,950
it

5111
03:42:28,960 --> 03:42:32,239
again it's not that an extensive study

5112
03:42:32,239 --> 03:42:35,520
traffic wise was done. This was more

5113
03:42:35,520 --> 03:42:39,279
asking a consultant for input of what

5114
03:42:39,279 --> 03:42:43,279
was there at the time. Um

5115
03:42:43,279 --> 03:42:45,359
that's that's that's all I got.

5116
03:42:45,359 --> 03:42:47,840
>> Thank you. And front microphone Mr.

5117
03:42:47,840 --> 03:42:50,560
Perry Ross Perry for Circuit Drive.

5118
03:42:50,560 --> 03:42:53,680
There was a question about the $100,000.

5119
03:42:53,680 --> 03:42:55,600
We were advised that if we had a

5120
03:42:55,600 --> 03:42:57,920
petition and asked the select to make a

5121
03:42:57,920 --> 03:42:59,840
change, there should be a way to fund

5122
03:42:59,840 --> 03:43:02,720
that change if they should agree. So, we

5123
03:43:02,720 --> 03:43:04,560
picked 100,000 hoping that would be

5124
03:43:04,560 --> 03:43:07,520
enough to cover it. If they don't use it

5125
03:43:07,520 --> 03:43:09,920
or need all of it, that goes back to

5126
03:43:09,920 --> 03:43:11,680
free cash.

5127
03:43:11,680 --> 03:43:13,760
There is references to the traffic

5128
03:43:13,760 --> 03:43:16,960
safety or the traffic the town center

5129
03:43:16,960 --> 03:43:19,760
study that's being planned that's been

5130
03:43:19,760 --> 03:43:21,760
put on hold because there was no funding

5131
03:43:21,760 --> 03:43:24,960
available this year. So that it could be

5132
03:43:24,960 --> 03:43:26,960
two or three years down the road before

5133
03:43:26,960 --> 03:43:29,439
we hear the results. That's why we're

5134
03:43:29,439 --> 03:43:32,319
asking the selectman to revisit the

5135
03:43:32,319 --> 03:43:34,960
topic of common road being two-way.

5136
03:43:34,960 --> 03:43:38,239
revisit it now, not wait two to three

5137
03:43:38,239 --> 03:43:41,120
years for the TRA for the town center

5138
03:43:41,120 --> 03:43:42,960
study.

5139
03:43:42,960 --> 03:43:46,080
>> So, I just want to clarify with council

5140
03:43:46,080 --> 03:43:48,960
if the motion that is currently on the

5141
03:43:48,960 --> 03:43:50,960
floor passes

5142
03:43:50,960 --> 03:43:54,479
the $100,000 transfers from free cash to

5143
03:43:54,479 --> 03:43:56,720
another account. Correct. And will only

5144
03:43:56,720 --> 03:43:58,800
go back to free cash if there is a

5145
03:43:58,800 --> 03:44:00,399
further vote of town meeting

5146
03:44:00,399 --> 03:44:20,550
transferring it back. Correct.

5147
03:44:20,560 --> 03:44:21,439
uh

5148
03:44:21,439 --> 03:44:25,040
>> well miss Dowski can comment.

5149
03:44:25,040 --> 03:44:27,760
So the way all of our articles work when

5150
03:44:27,760 --> 03:44:30,000
funding is appropriated into articles uh

5151
03:44:30,000 --> 03:44:32,160
from this board when the either

5152
03:44:32,160 --> 03:44:34,640
expenditure is made or the study is

5153
03:44:34,640 --> 03:44:37,439
completed any funding um that is that

5154
03:44:37,439 --> 03:44:40,479
remains we close out to free cash. Um

5155
03:44:40,479 --> 03:44:42,160
usually you know as you see some of

5156
03:44:42,160 --> 03:44:44,399
these articles maybe a round number if

5157
03:44:44,399 --> 03:44:47,520
there's you know $2,500 left it we close

5158
03:44:47,520 --> 03:44:49,920
it out. So if the select board if this

5159
03:44:49,920 --> 03:44:51,600
article passes and the select board

5160
03:44:51,600 --> 03:44:54,880
decide a they don't want to revisit it

5161
03:44:54,880 --> 03:44:56,479
um and money has been appropriated we

5162
03:44:56,479 --> 03:44:57,840
would close that article at the end of

5163
03:44:57,840 --> 03:44:59,680
the fiscal year. If they choose to

5164
03:44:59,680 --> 03:45:01,199
revisit it and they need some of that

5165
03:45:01,199 --> 03:45:03,040
funding whatever they need will be spent

5166
03:45:03,040 --> 03:45:04,720
and then whatever remains we'll revert

5167
03:45:04,720 --> 03:45:06,399
back to free cash. So it's a process we

5168
03:45:06,399 --> 03:45:08,160
do at the end of every fiscal year. We

5169
03:45:08,160 --> 03:45:09,920
look at all the articles and see if the

5170
03:45:09,920 --> 03:45:11,439
matter that was voted on has been

5171
03:45:11,439 --> 03:45:12,960
completed and if so the funding goes

5172
03:45:12,960 --> 03:45:15,040
back to free cashache.

5173
03:45:15,040 --> 03:45:17,040
>> Thank you. That answered the question.

5174
03:45:17,040 --> 03:45:22,469
Is there any further comment or debate?

5175
03:45:22,479 --> 03:45:28,160
» An an Saddler Elliot Drive. Um,

5176
03:45:28,160 --> 03:45:30,479
as somebody who's lived in the town for

5177
03:45:30,479 --> 03:45:32,800
nearly 40 years,

5178
03:45:32,800 --> 03:45:34,800
I have found the last two years

5179
03:45:34,800 --> 03:45:39,920
extremely stressful driving um to enter

5180
03:45:39,920 --> 03:45:42,720
the um campus with the library and the

5181
03:45:42,720 --> 03:45:48,720
church approaching from the west on um

5182
03:45:48,720 --> 03:45:50,640
117.

5183
03:45:50,640 --> 03:45:52,800
Um, turning at the traffic lights left

5184
03:45:52,800 --> 03:45:55,920
is no problem, but once you're on R 117,

5185
03:45:55,920 --> 03:45:58,319
then you're trying to turn left into the

5186
03:45:58,319 --> 03:46:00,560
campus. Traffic is building up behind

5187
03:46:00,560 --> 03:46:01,840
you. People are trying to squeeze

5188
03:46:01,840 --> 03:46:03,520
through on the inside, and there's

5189
03:46:03,520 --> 03:46:05,600
non-stop traffic coming the other way on

5190
03:46:05,600 --> 03:46:07,439
117.

5191
03:46:07,439 --> 03:46:09,439
Um, the other point I'd like to make is

5192
03:46:09,439 --> 03:46:13,120
that I think that my personal opinion is

5193
03:46:13,120 --> 03:46:15,600
it's premature to make a decision on the

5194
03:46:15,600 --> 03:46:17,680
direction of the road before we've

5195
03:46:17,680 --> 03:46:19,199
actually

5196
03:46:19,199 --> 03:46:22,080
um lived with

5197
03:46:22,080 --> 03:46:25,920
uh just one entrance into the campus.

5198
03:46:25,920 --> 03:46:27,600
And I think although we have two

5199
03:46:27,600 --> 03:46:30,080
egresses, I think we need two entrances

5200
03:46:30,080 --> 03:46:32,160
as well. Thank you.

5201
03:46:32,160 --> 03:46:34,239
>> Thank you. Just a reminder, this is a

5202
03:46:34,239 --> 03:46:36,319
non there's a vote on a non-binding

5203
03:46:36,319 --> 03:46:39,359
resolution. Um the select board may

5204
03:46:39,359 --> 03:46:41,199
choose not even to consider it or if

5205
03:46:41,199 --> 03:46:43,120
they do consider it, what they do is up

5206
03:46:43,120 --> 03:46:44,560
to them, except of course for the

5207
03:46:44,560 --> 03:46:47,680
$100,000 part, which is binding. Front

5208
03:46:47,680 --> 03:46:48,399
microphone.

5209
03:46:48,399 --> 03:46:50,960
>> Uh Janet Crestle Moff at 185 Harvard

5210
03:46:50,960 --> 03:46:54,479
Road. My question is, can the select

5211
03:46:54,479 --> 03:46:57,600
board decide to at any time with or

5212
03:46:57,600 --> 03:47:00,319
without this warrant article to bring up

5213
03:47:00,319 --> 03:47:05,830
the question of traffic on common road?

5214
03:47:05,840 --> 03:47:07,600
» Yes. So, we have traffic rules and

5215
03:47:07,600 --> 03:47:09,040
regulations that the town of Stow

5216
03:47:09,040 --> 03:47:12,319
adopted in 1979 uh and mass general law

5217
03:47:12,319 --> 03:47:14,479
that puts full authority of roadways in

5218
03:47:14,479 --> 03:47:16,479
a town in the select board's hands.

5219
03:47:16,479 --> 03:47:18,000
That's why they were the authority that

5220
03:47:18,000 --> 03:47:19,920
made this decision starting four years

5221
03:47:19,920 --> 03:47:22,880
ago. um they often look at roads,

5222
03:47:22,880 --> 03:47:24,319
traffic safety will come in and talk

5223
03:47:24,319 --> 03:47:26,000
about speeds on roads, direction of

5224
03:47:26,000 --> 03:47:27,920
roads. That authority rests solely with

5225
03:47:27,920 --> 03:47:29,760
the five members of the select board. So

5226
03:47:29,760 --> 03:47:32,239
they could at any time decide that they

5227
03:47:32,239 --> 03:47:33,920
want to revisit it. Again, they could

5228
03:47:33,920 --> 03:47:35,279
decide they don't want to revisit it.

5229
03:47:35,279 --> 03:47:38,720
It's up to the five members.

5230
03:47:38,720 --> 03:47:41,359
>> Side microphone.

5231
03:47:41,359 --> 03:47:45,359
>> Hector Constanzos 34 meeting house lane.

5232
03:47:45,359 --> 03:47:47,840
Nobody's talking about the reason, one

5233
03:47:47,840 --> 03:47:49,680
of the reasons that this was turned into

5234
03:47:49,680 --> 03:47:53,760
a one-way road is because of safety for

5235
03:47:53,760 --> 03:47:55,600
parents and children that are crossing

5236
03:47:55,600 --> 03:47:59,760
between cars and the library

5237
03:47:59,760 --> 03:48:03,359
on the Library Hill end of Common Road.

5238
03:48:03,359 --> 03:48:06,319
Cars turning into Common Road from

5239
03:48:06,319 --> 03:48:09,199
Library Hill were zipping in and there

5240
03:48:09,199 --> 03:48:12,880
were me, many, many near misses of

5241
03:48:12,880 --> 03:48:15,680
people almost hit because especially

5242
03:48:15,680 --> 03:48:18,080
cars coming from the intersection of

5243
03:48:18,080 --> 03:48:20,239
Library Hill and Crescent Street. They

5244
03:48:20,239 --> 03:48:21,680
were trying to be traffic that was

5245
03:48:21,680 --> 03:48:24,640
coming up from Gleondale after the light

5246
03:48:24,640 --> 03:48:27,600
turns green or for any other reason they

5247
03:48:27,600 --> 03:48:29,520
were trying to avoid the light and just

5248
03:48:29,520 --> 03:48:31,279
zipping into common road and almost

5249
03:48:31,279 --> 03:48:32,720
hitting people that were crossing

5250
03:48:32,720 --> 03:48:35,359
between the library and the cars parked

5251
03:48:35,359 --> 03:48:37,439
across the street.

5252
03:48:37,439 --> 03:48:39,920
The main reason I voted as a member of

5253
03:48:39,920 --> 03:48:43,199
the select board to go to a one-way

5254
03:48:43,199 --> 03:48:46,239
street was to see if that would stop

5255
03:48:46,239 --> 03:48:49,760
that dangerous situation. When you turn

5256
03:48:49,760 --> 03:48:53,199
into Common Road from 117, you have

5257
03:48:53,199 --> 03:48:56,239
plenty of time to look ahead of you and

5258
03:48:56,239 --> 03:48:58,000
see if there's anybody that any

5259
03:48:58,000 --> 03:49:00,239
pedestrians crossing so you can slow

5260
03:49:00,239 --> 03:49:04,160
down before you hit somebody. We have

5261
03:49:04,160 --> 03:49:06,000
seen what it's like to have two-way

5262
03:49:06,000 --> 03:49:08,160
traffic on Common Road. The past two

5263
03:49:08,160 --> 03:49:09,760
years has shown us what it's like to

5264
03:49:09,760 --> 03:49:12,560
have Common Road closed off.

5265
03:49:12,560 --> 03:49:16,080
Let's give one-way traffic a shot and

5266
03:49:16,080 --> 03:49:19,520
see what common road is like overall,

5267
03:49:19,520 --> 03:49:22,560
who it endangers and who it doesn't,

5268
03:49:22,560 --> 03:49:24,399
and then we can always change it in a

5269
03:49:24,399 --> 03:49:26,399
couple of years.

5270
03:49:26,399 --> 03:49:28,800
>> Thank you. Front microphone,

5271
03:49:28,800 --> 03:49:31,359
>> Malice Duca, 26 Crescent Street,

5272
03:49:31,359 --> 03:49:34,560
formerly old, now historic.

5273
03:49:34,560 --> 03:49:37,439
Um, [clears throat] I would like to uh

5274
03:49:37,439 --> 03:49:39,439
say that this area, which is right near

5275
03:49:39,439 --> 03:49:42,000
my house, is more of a TARDIS, as in

5276
03:49:42,000 --> 03:49:44,640
Doctor Who, in which it's bigger on the

5277
03:49:44,640 --> 03:49:47,680
outside than it is on the inside. The

5278
03:49:47,680 --> 03:49:49,920
whole area is kind of squished in there

5279
03:49:49,920 --> 03:49:51,760
with a lot of things going on. It's a

5280
03:49:51,760 --> 03:49:53,520
one-way street, but it's not a one-way

5281
03:49:53,520 --> 03:49:55,359
street. You know, it isn't actually

5282
03:49:55,359 --> 03:49:57,600
one-way street right now. It's two ways

5283
03:49:57,600 --> 03:50:00,000
in some places. So, [clears throat] I

5284
03:50:00,000 --> 03:50:02,960
would like to see the comprehensive uh

5285
03:50:02,960 --> 03:50:04,640
planning approach where you're looking

5286
03:50:04,640 --> 03:50:07,600
at the entire area

5287
03:50:07,600 --> 03:50:12,880
fix this problem um and not uh sub I

5288
03:50:12,880 --> 03:50:14,720
feel like I [clears throat] feel like

5289
03:50:14,720 --> 03:50:18,399
the level of upset about the

5290
03:50:18,399 --> 03:50:21,199
communication about this project

5291
03:50:21,199 --> 03:50:22,640
demonstrates that there needs to be

5292
03:50:22,640 --> 03:50:24,399
further discussion and that it has to be

5293
03:50:24,399 --> 03:50:25,920
included in this discussion of the

5294
03:50:25,920 --> 03:50:28,960
redesign of the sound center. Um, and we

5295
03:50:28,960 --> 03:50:30,800
need to make sure the voices are heard

5296
03:50:30,800 --> 03:50:33,040
because this isn't really uncomfortable.

5297
03:50:33,040 --> 03:50:34,880
I really love debate. I like hearing

5298
03:50:34,880 --> 03:50:36,640
about firet trucks. I like hearing

5299
03:50:36,640 --> 03:50:38,720
about, you know, all the things on town

5300
03:50:38,720 --> 03:50:40,399
meeting floor and the discussions and

5301
03:50:40,399 --> 03:50:42,800
stuff, but people are not comfortable

5302
03:50:42,800 --> 03:50:44,720
means that the communication is not

5303
03:50:44,720 --> 03:50:46,800
adequate. So, I'd like to see more of

5304
03:50:46,800 --> 03:50:48,800
that. And thank you.

5305
03:50:48,800 --> 03:50:50,720
>> Thank you, Miss Woods. I think I want to

5306
03:50:50,720 --> 03:50:52,880
go to the two individuals behind you

5307
03:50:52,880 --> 03:50:55,520
have not spoken yet.

5308
03:50:55,520 --> 03:50:57,760
>> John Catcher, Harvard Road. I move the

5309
03:50:57,760 --> 03:50:58,960
question.

5310
03:50:58,960 --> 03:51:01,439
>> Thank you. I have a motion. Uh well, do

5311
03:51:01,439 --> 03:51:02,399
I have a second?

5312
03:51:02,399 --> 03:51:03,040
>> Second.

5313
03:51:03,040 --> 03:51:04,880
>> I have a motion made and seconded to

5314
03:51:04,880 --> 03:51:06,560
call the question. That means to end

5315
03:51:06,560 --> 03:51:09,840
debate. This is not debatable. Uh this

5316
03:51:09,840 --> 03:51:13,359
requires a twothird vote and we will use

5317
03:51:13,359 --> 03:51:16,800
our clickers. Um again, we are voting on

5318
03:51:16,800 --> 03:51:18,640
the motion to call the question, which

5319
03:51:18,640 --> 03:51:21,760
means to end debate. If you have heard

5320
03:51:21,760 --> 03:51:23,600
enough and you want to go to another

5321
03:51:23,600 --> 03:51:26,720
vote on the main motion, then you vote

5322
03:51:26,720 --> 03:51:29,040
yes. If you have not heard enough, if

5323
03:51:29,040 --> 03:51:30,880
you want to continue the debate, then

5324
03:51:30,880 --> 03:51:35,750
you vote no.

5325
03:51:35,760 --> 03:51:37,439
» And we just need one second. So, I guess

5326
03:51:37,439 --> 03:51:39,040
I got to stall. So, everybody understand

5327
03:51:39,040 --> 03:51:40,960
that that that vote again. We're now

5328
03:51:40,960 --> 03:51:42,399
voting on the motion to call the

5329
03:51:42,399 --> 03:51:44,399
question. If you have heard enough, you

5330
03:51:44,399 --> 03:51:46,319
vote yes. If you have not heard enough,

5331
03:51:46,319 --> 03:51:48,560
you vote no. Either way, we go to

5332
03:51:48,560 --> 03:51:52,880
another vote on the main motion.

5333
03:51:52,880 --> 03:51:55,279
>> Two3.

5334
03:51:55,279 --> 03:51:57,680
>> All set.

5335
03:51:57,680 --> 03:52:01,120
>> And voting is open now

5336
03:52:01,120 --> 03:52:20,070
for 15 seconds.

5337
03:52:20,080 --> 03:52:24,560
Voting is closed and by a vote,

5338
03:52:24,560 --> 03:52:28,399
let's let the software finish.

5339
03:52:28,399 --> 03:52:31,359
By a vote of 118 in favor and 15

5340
03:52:31,359 --> 03:52:34,080
against, the motion to call the question

5341
03:52:34,080 --> 03:52:37,279
passes. We'll now go to another vote on

5342
03:52:37,279 --> 03:52:40,000
the main motion. The main motion vote

5343
03:52:40,000 --> 03:52:43,040
requires only a simple majority, but we

5344
03:52:43,040 --> 03:52:45,359
will still use our clickers again. You

5345
03:52:45,359 --> 03:52:48,080
ready, Zack?

5346
03:52:48,080 --> 03:52:53,590
>> This is a simple majority.

5347
03:52:53,600 --> 03:52:56,000
» Voting will be open for 15 seconds

5348
03:52:56,000 --> 03:53:12,790
beginning now.

5349
03:53:12,800 --> 03:53:15,439
And voting is closed.

5350
03:53:15,439 --> 03:53:20,160
And by a vote of 76 in favor, 49

5351
03:53:20,160 --> 03:53:22,319
against, and five abstensions, the

5352
03:53:22,319 --> 03:53:28,790
motion passes.

5353
03:53:28,800 --> 03:53:32,160
That brings us to article 49,

5354
03:53:32,160 --> 03:53:34,160
a citizens petition. And I believe I

5355
03:53:34,160 --> 03:53:36,160
have Miss Waller

5356
03:53:36,160 --> 03:53:45,830
making a motion.

5357
03:53:45,840 --> 03:53:47,760
Hello, my name is Kelly Lawler. I live

5358
03:53:47,760 --> 03:53:50,800
at 170 Hudson Road and I move for

5359
03:53:50,800 --> 03:53:54,479
article 49, the citizens petition in

5360
03:53:54,479 --> 03:53:56,640
support of changing the mass state flag

5361
03:53:56,640 --> 03:53:59,680
and seal for favorable action as written

5362
03:53:59,680 --> 03:54:01,920
with one exception. If you've read

5363
03:54:01,920 --> 03:54:04,560
through the petition, um we need to

5364
03:54:04,560 --> 03:54:08,800
replace Kate Hudson with Rep. Kate

5365
03:54:08,800 --> 03:54:10,880
Hogan. Um, I've been watching a little

5366
03:54:10,880 --> 03:54:13,680
bit too much P. Um, Running Point. If

5367
03:54:13,680 --> 03:54:15,120
you haven't seen it, it's kind of like

5368
03:54:15,120 --> 03:54:18,160
Succession and meets Ted Lasso.

5369
03:54:18,160 --> 03:54:19,680
>> Thank you, Miss Waller. Is there a

5370
03:54:19,680 --> 03:54:21,760
second?

5371
03:54:21,760 --> 03:54:24,319
>> That slightly amended motion is within

5372
03:54:24,319 --> 03:54:26,479
scope of the original. Your finance

5373
03:54:26,479 --> 03:54:28,640
committee's nonrecommendation

5374
03:54:28,640 --> 03:54:30,960
recommendation is in the warrant. Miss

5375
03:54:30,960 --> 03:54:33,199
Lawler, I think you have a brief

5376
03:54:33,199 --> 03:54:34,479
presentation.

5377
03:54:34,479 --> 03:54:39,429
>> I do. I think you have the slides.

5378
03:54:39,439 --> 03:54:42,160
Uh, do you have a clicker over there?

5379
03:54:42,160 --> 03:54:44,640
>> Excellent. Thank you. Uh, so hello. My

5380
03:54:44,640 --> 03:54:46,479
name is Kelly Lawler. I live at 170

5381
03:54:46,479 --> 03:54:49,040
Hudson Road. I am um speaking as an

5382
03:54:49,040 --> 03:54:51,439
individual here today. Uh, I'm a proud

5383
03:54:51,439 --> 03:54:53,600
community member, mother, educator, and

5384
03:54:53,600 --> 03:54:57,199
advocate. Uh, I volunteer my time for

5385
03:54:57,199 --> 03:54:59,359
many committees and boards. Um, the Stow

5386
03:54:59,359 --> 03:55:02,160
Historical Society and Rediscover Maple

5387
03:55:02,160 --> 03:55:04,239
have kind of become my main focus right

5388
03:55:04,239 --> 03:55:06,080
now. Um and I just want to reiterate

5389
03:55:06,080 --> 03:55:08,319
that this petition petition has no

5390
03:55:08,319 --> 03:55:11,279
funding associated with it. It is a

5391
03:55:11,279 --> 03:55:14,000
crucial practice to recognize the Nipmuk

5392
03:55:14,000 --> 03:55:16,640
Massachusett

5393
03:55:16,640 --> 03:55:19,120
peoples along with many other indigenous

5394
03:55:19,120 --> 03:55:21,680
nations who are the traditional stewards

5395
03:55:21,680 --> 03:55:24,800
of the land now known as Massachusetts.

5396
03:55:24,800 --> 03:55:26,399
Acknowledging that this land is

5397
03:55:26,399 --> 03:55:28,720
unseated, meaning it was never legally

5398
03:55:28,720 --> 03:55:31,040
given up through treaty, is a necessary

5399
03:55:31,040 --> 03:55:33,680
step toward recognizing the ongoing

5400
03:55:33,680 --> 03:55:36,399
impacts of colonization and honoring the

5401
03:55:36,399 --> 03:55:39,120
enduring president, presence of culture

5402
03:55:39,120 --> 03:55:42,800
and sovereignty of indigenous peoples.

5403
03:55:42,800 --> 03:55:45,040
This petition asks the town's people of

5404
03:55:45,040 --> 03:55:47,600
Stowe at today's annual town meeting to

5405
03:55:47,600 --> 03:55:50,399
adopt a resolution supporting the work

5406
03:55:50,399 --> 03:55:52,560
of a state advisory commission on

5407
03:55:52,560 --> 03:55:55,680
redesigning the Massachusetts state flag

5408
03:55:55,680 --> 03:55:57,439
and seal.

5409
03:55:57,439 --> 03:56:00,560
The Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto

5410
03:56:00,560 --> 03:56:03,680
Advisory Commission, established by

5411
03:56:03,680 --> 03:56:06,880
chapter 140 of the Acts of 2024, is

5412
03:56:06,880 --> 03:56:09,199
tasked with creating a new inclusive and

5413
03:56:09,199 --> 03:56:11,279
aspirational design to replace the

5414
03:56:11,279 --> 03:56:14,560
current state imagery. The initiative

5415
03:56:14,560 --> 03:56:17,199
focuses on a 2021 special commission

5416
03:56:17,199 --> 03:56:20,080
report determining that the current flag

5417
03:56:20,080 --> 03:56:22,800
featuring a colonial sword above the

5418
03:56:22,800 --> 03:56:25,359
head of a Native American figure causes

5419
03:56:25,359 --> 03:56:28,399
harm and celebrates violence against our

5420
03:56:28,399 --> 03:56:30,880
indigenous peoples still living with us

5421
03:56:30,880 --> 03:56:34,800
today. So, how did we get here?

5422
03:56:34,800 --> 03:56:38,000
In 1629, the original seal of the

5423
03:56:38,000 --> 03:56:39,760
Massachusetts Bay Colony shows an

5424
03:56:39,760 --> 03:56:41,840
indigenous caricature. If we could just

5425
03:56:41,840 --> 03:56:44,000
move to the next slide. Um I do have a

5426
03:56:44,000 --> 03:56:45,680
flyer that points out some of the

5427
03:56:45,680 --> 03:56:48,880
problems um with our current flag. An

5428
03:56:48,880 --> 03:56:50,960
indigenous caricature wearing a loin

5429
03:56:50,960 --> 03:56:53,120
cloth of leaves holding one downward

5430
03:56:53,120 --> 03:56:55,680
pointed arrow as a symbol of submission.

5431
03:56:55,680 --> 03:56:58,319
A peaceful narrative stereotype that

5432
03:56:58,319 --> 03:57:01,520
plays into the noble savage trope with

5433
03:57:01,520 --> 03:57:03,120
the speech balloon coming out of his

5434
03:57:03,120 --> 03:57:04,960
mouth with the words come over and help

5435
03:57:04,960 --> 03:57:08,800
us. We still have the same downward

5436
03:57:08,800 --> 03:57:11,279
pointed arrow in the flag and seal

5437
03:57:11,279 --> 03:57:14,720
today. These symbols are dangerously

5438
03:57:14,720 --> 03:57:17,600
inaccurate, disregarding the reality of

5439
03:57:17,600 --> 03:57:20,000
sophisticated diplomacy, complex

5440
03:57:20,000 --> 03:57:22,000
politics, and the diverse warrior

5441
03:57:22,000 --> 03:57:24,080
traditions of various tribes within New

5442
03:57:24,080 --> 03:57:26,960
England. We tried to make some positive

5443
03:57:26,960 --> 03:57:30,080
changes, I think, um, in 1775 with the

5444
03:57:30,080 --> 03:57:33,600
revolutionary seal. Um, it was created

5445
03:57:33,600 --> 03:57:37,040
uh because royal governor Thomas Gage

5446
03:57:37,040 --> 03:57:39,840
held the official province seal and

5447
03:57:39,840 --> 03:57:44,080
commissioned Paul Rivere, happy 250th,

5448
03:57:44,080 --> 03:57:46,560
uh, to engrave a new seal. This seal

5449
03:57:46,560 --> 03:57:48,800
shows a minute man holding a copy of the

5450
03:57:48,800 --> 03:57:51,920
Magna Carta symbolizing no taxation

5451
03:57:51,920 --> 03:57:54,800
without representation in one hand and

5452
03:57:54,800 --> 03:57:58,160
holding a broad sword in the other.

5453
03:57:58,160 --> 03:58:00,880
After the Revolutionary War, the seal of

5454
03:58:00,880 --> 03:58:03,359
Massachusetts reverted to an image of an

5455
03:58:03,359 --> 03:58:06,000
indigenous person with one downward

5456
03:58:06,000 --> 03:58:08,960
pointed arrow, no quiver of arrows. In

5457
03:58:08,960 --> 03:58:10,960
other words, the native person is not

5458
03:58:10,960 --> 03:58:13,199
armed for battle, but now the broad

5459
03:58:13,199 --> 03:58:16,080
sword is held by a white hand over the

5460
03:58:16,080 --> 03:58:18,640
head of a native person. Artists

5461
03:58:18,640 --> 03:58:21,040
rendered it in various ways for over a

5462
03:58:21,040 --> 03:58:23,279
century. And this is a particularly

5463
03:58:23,279 --> 03:58:26,560
scary rendition of a gross of gross

5464
03:58:26,560 --> 03:58:28,960
white supremacy, neither welcoming nor

5465
03:58:28,960 --> 03:58:31,359
accurate for a flag representative of

5466
03:58:31,359 --> 03:58:34,560
all people of the Commonwealth.

5467
03:58:34,560 --> 03:58:37,600
Later in 19 in 1898

5468
03:58:37,600 --> 03:58:40,239
um in the late late 19th century, the

5469
03:58:40,239 --> 03:58:41,760
Secretary of State wanted to eliminate

5470
03:58:41,760 --> 03:58:44,239
artistic freedom and standardize the

5471
03:58:44,239 --> 03:58:47,199
flag. um since the Revolutionary War.

5472
03:58:47,199 --> 03:58:50,800
The legislation voted um in 1898 for the

5473
03:58:50,800 --> 03:58:52,880
design to be created by illustrator

5474
03:58:52,880 --> 03:58:55,279
Edmund Garrett, which we are still

5475
03:58:55,279 --> 03:58:57,920
living with today. Garrett used a

5476
03:58:57,920 --> 03:58:59,840
skeleton of a native person unearthed in

5477
03:58:59,840 --> 03:59:01,920
the town of Winthrop to come up with the

5478
03:59:01,920 --> 03:59:03,920
bodily proportions of this native

5479
03:59:03,920 --> 03:59:05,439
figure.

5480
03:59:05,439 --> 03:59:08,560
um the person uh that was originally

5481
03:59:08,560 --> 03:59:11,920
shot in the town of of Sudbury and the

5482
03:59:11,920 --> 03:59:14,319
name of the person whose bow we are

5483
03:59:14,319 --> 03:59:17,040
using in the state flag we have no

5484
03:59:17,040 --> 03:59:20,239
record of um historically.

5485
03:59:20,239 --> 03:59:22,880
He used, this artist used features of

5486
03:59:22,880 --> 03:59:25,279
Ojiway chief from Montana named Little

5487
03:59:25,279 --> 03:59:26,960
Shell for the facial features of the

5488
03:59:26,960 --> 03:59:29,760
flag and seal because he considered him

5489
03:59:29,760 --> 03:59:32,479
to be a fine specimen of an Indian,

5490
03:59:32,479 --> 03:59:34,880
although not from Massachusetts. And he

5491
03:59:34,880 --> 03:59:37,840
used the broad sword that belonged to

5492
03:59:37,840 --> 03:59:40,319
Miles Standish as the model for the

5493
03:59:40,319 --> 03:59:42,399
sword that we still have hanging over a

5494
03:59:42,399 --> 03:59:46,000
Native American neighbor as we know that

5495
03:59:46,000 --> 03:59:48,479
they are still here today. Finally, in

5496
03:59:48,479 --> 03:59:52,239
1984 and 1985, the legislature

5497
03:59:52,239 --> 03:59:59,120
um had a study um to recommission and to redo the flag and the seal. Native

5498
03:59:59,120 --> 04:00:01,040
American leaders have been calling for

5499
04:00:01,040 --> 04:00:03,120
Massachusetts to take down the sword

5500
04:00:03,120 --> 04:00:05,359
that has been held over this head um and

5501
04:00:05,359 --> 04:00:07,359
this figure as our state symbol for more

5502
04:00:07,359 --> 04:00:09,760
than 50 years. And there are 88 cities

5503
04:00:09,760 --> 04:00:12,160
and towns in the Commonwealth that

5504
04:00:12,160 --> 04:00:14,080
support changing it. Today, the town of

5505
04:00:14,080 --> 04:00:16,080
Stove can add their voice to that

5506
04:00:16,080 --> 04:00:18,000
growing list of cities and towns, asking

5507
04:00:18,000 --> 04:00:20,239
our legislators to make it a priority to

5508
04:00:20,239 --> 04:00:22,800
finally get this done. Um, this is the

5509
04:00:22,800 --> 04:00:25,760
last state flag of overt white supremacy

5510
04:00:25,760 --> 04:00:28,239
still flying today. Um, and I want to

5511
04:00:28,239 --> 04:00:30,479
thank David Demold, who's not not here

5512
04:00:30,479 --> 04:00:33,439
right now, um, but he is a part of the

5513
04:00:33,439 --> 04:00:36,800
change the mass flag initiative and MA

5514
04:00:36,800 --> 04:00:38,800
indigenous agenda, which you can find

5515
04:00:38,800 --> 04:00:42,160
readily available online. I I think I

5516
04:00:42,160 --> 04:00:43,920
think we're at the end of our time.

5517
04:00:43,920 --> 04:00:45,359
>> All right. Thank you very much.

5518
04:00:45,359 --> 04:00:47,199
>> Thank you.

5519
04:00:47,199 --> 04:00:49,359
>> Um before we begin debate, just a very

5520
04:00:49,359 --> 04:00:52,239
quick note. Uh again, this should be

5521
04:00:52,239 --> 04:00:54,399
understood as a sense of the town

5522
04:00:54,399 --> 04:00:57,600
resolution. There is a very small part

5523
04:00:57,600 --> 04:01:01,439
of this uh petition at the bottom that

5524
04:01:01,439 --> 04:01:03,600
purports to direct the town clerk to

5525
04:01:03,600 --> 04:01:06,880
send the proclamation to a certain to

5526
04:01:06,880 --> 04:01:08,720
certain people with certain requests.

5527
04:01:08,720 --> 04:01:10,560
Again, town meeting does not have the

5528
04:01:10,560 --> 04:01:13,120
power to direct town boards or officers

5529
04:01:13,120 --> 04:01:14,960
to do particular things on particular

5530
04:01:14,960 --> 04:01:17,359
ways on particular days. So, that part

5531
04:01:17,359 --> 04:01:20,880
of it should be regarded as non-binding.

5532
04:01:20,880 --> 04:01:23,279
With those brief words of caution, are

5533
04:01:23,279 --> 04:01:26,239
there any word are there any uh debate

5534
04:01:26,239 --> 04:01:28,479
or comment?

5535
04:01:28,479 --> 04:01:31,359
And seeing none, we will go to a vote.

5536
04:01:31,359 --> 04:01:34,560
This the main motion under article 49

5537
04:01:34,560 --> 04:01:37,120
requires a simple majority. We will use

5538
04:01:37,120 --> 04:01:38,880
our clickers

5539
04:01:38,880 --> 04:01:42,160
and voting will be open for 15 seconds

5540
04:01:42,160 --> 04:02:03,830
beginning now.

5541
04:02:03,840 --> 04:02:07,199
And voting is closed. And by a vote of

5542
04:02:07,199 --> 04:02:10,880
95 in favor to 20 against and three

5543
04:02:10,880 --> 04:02:17,510
abstensions, the motion passes.

5544
04:02:17,520 --> 04:02:20,319
And article 50, I believe I have a

5545
04:02:20,319 --> 04:02:25,910
motion by Mr. Roberts.

5546
04:02:25,920 --> 04:02:28,080
Lisa, can you show him where the ramp

5547
04:02:28,080 --> 04:02:29,600
is?

5548
04:02:29,600 --> 04:03:01,670
He may know.

5549
04:03:01,680 --> 04:03:04,239
Excuse me. Uh, there's no handing

5550
04:03:04,239 --> 04:03:07,359
anything out until the end, so please

5551
04:03:07,359 --> 04:03:09,439
put it on the voter information table. I

5552
04:03:09,439 --> 04:03:12,160
explained that to the petition sponsors

5553
04:03:12,160 --> 04:03:16,550
before this.

5554
04:03:16,560 --> 04:03:20,550
» I I can't hear you.

5555
04:03:20,560 --> 04:03:26,070
» On the table,

5556
04:03:26,080 --> 04:03:29,359
» Mr. Roberts, you have a motion.

5557
04:03:29,359 --> 04:03:32,000
>> Um, hello everyone. Thank you for

5558
04:03:32,000 --> 04:03:33,600
staying to the bitter end of town

5559
04:03:33,600 --> 04:03:36,239
meeting. Um,

5560
04:03:36,239 --> 04:03:40,319
I move that article 50 be adopted as

5561
04:03:40,319 --> 04:03:42,080
written.

5562
04:03:42,080 --> 04:03:44,960
And if I could have slide one. Do I have

5563
04:03:44,960 --> 04:03:47,520
a second?

5564
04:03:47,520 --> 04:03:49,520
>> Your finance committee's uh

5565
04:03:49,520 --> 04:03:53,760
non-recommendation is in the warrant.

5566
04:03:53,760 --> 04:03:55,760
And

5567
04:03:55,760 --> 04:03:57,840
we do have a presentation. Do you have a

5568
04:03:57,840 --> 04:03:59,439
clicker?

5569
04:03:59,439 --> 04:04:03,600
>> I don't have a a slide clicker.

5570
04:04:03,600 --> 04:04:07,279
>> Here. Oh, sorry.

5571
04:04:07,279 --> 04:04:10,080
>> Okay.

5572
04:04:10,080 --> 04:04:12,239
So, I want to click that one.

5573
04:04:12,239 --> 04:04:12,479
>> Got it.

5574
04:04:12,479 --> 04:04:13,600
>> Go ahead, Mr. Roberts.

5575
04:04:13,600 --> 04:04:16,880
>> Okay. Article 50 gives Stowe an

5576
04:04:16,880 --> 04:04:18,720
opportunity to do something that's

5577
04:04:18,720 --> 04:04:21,520
worthy of our revolutionary history. On

5578
04:04:21,520 --> 04:04:24,319
the 250th anniversary of the Declaration

5579
04:04:24,319 --> 04:04:26,880
of Independence, we can issue a

5580
04:04:26,880 --> 04:04:30,560
declaration supporting our democracy. By

5581
04:04:30,560 --> 04:04:32,800
passing this article, Stow will join

5582
04:04:32,800 --> 04:04:36,640
over a hundred other cities, towns, and

5583
04:04:36,640 --> 04:04:39,279
counties across the country, including

5584
04:04:39,279 --> 04:04:41,040
Boston, Brooklyn, and 10 other

5585
04:04:41,040 --> 04:04:43,520
Massachusetts municipalities,

5586
04:04:43,520 --> 04:04:46,239
standing up for democracy and calling on

5587
04:04:46,239 --> 04:04:48,960
the federal government, the president,

5588
04:04:48,960 --> 04:04:51,520
Congress to follow the Constitution, and

5589
04:04:51,520 --> 04:04:54,319
the rule of law.

5590
04:04:54,319 --> 04:04:56,560
Our

5591
04:04:56,560 --> 04:04:59,600
declaration reaffirms the values that

5592
04:04:59,600 --> 04:05:03,359
our men forefathers marched for in the

5593
04:05:03,359 --> 04:05:05,920
battle of Lexington and conquered. And

5594
04:05:05,920 --> 04:05:08,399
I'll note on the inside back cover are

5595
04:05:08,399 --> 04:05:11,600
the names of the 81 minute men from Stow

5596
04:05:11,600 --> 04:05:16,630
who were engaged in that battle.

5597
04:05:16,640 --> 04:05:19,920
The declaration reaffirms our rights to

5598
04:05:19,920 --> 04:05:22,960
freedom of speech, freedom of the press,

5599
04:05:22,960 --> 04:05:26,080
due process, protection from unlawful

5600
04:05:26,080 --> 04:05:28,800
search and seizure, the separation of

5601
04:05:28,800 --> 04:05:32,160
church and state, and supports the

5602
04:05:32,160 --> 04:05:34,399
fundamental truth that no person, not

5603
04:05:34,399 --> 04:05:36,479
even the president, stands above the

5604
04:05:36,479 --> 04:05:38,960
law.

5605
04:05:38,960 --> 04:05:41,040
The declaration calls out the

5606
04:05:41,040 --> 04:05:43,040
constitutional violations that have

5607
04:05:43,040 --> 04:05:46,560
recently occurred and continue to occur.

5608
04:05:46,560 --> 04:05:48,800
The congressional authority to tax and

5609
04:05:48,800 --> 04:05:51,520
spend is being undermined by the

5610
04:05:51,520 --> 04:05:54,880
president at the same time that what the

5611
04:05:54,880 --> 04:05:57,600
Congress advocates its constitutional

5612
04:05:57,600 --> 04:05:59,279
responsibilities.

5613
04:05:59,279 --> 04:06:01,359
The executive branch and department of

5614
04:06:01,359 --> 04:06:03,439
justice are defying federal court

5615
04:06:03,439 --> 04:06:06,560
orders. Our military and civil service

5616
04:06:06,560 --> 04:06:09,600
are being politicized. The separation of

5617
04:06:09,600 --> 04:06:12,560
church and state is being eroded. There

5618
04:06:12,560 --> 04:06:15,120
are systematic violations of the checks

5619
04:06:15,120 --> 04:06:17,840
and balances the constitution was

5620
04:06:17,840 --> 04:06:21,439
designed to protect. Each of these are a

5621
04:06:21,439 --> 04:06:24,560
departure not merely from one political

5622
04:06:24,560 --> 04:06:27,840
party's preferences but from the

5623
04:06:27,840 --> 04:06:32,550
constitutional order itself.

5624
04:06:32,560 --> 04:06:34,880
The declaration also demands

5625
04:06:34,880 --> 04:06:36,880
accountability from the Department of

5626
04:06:36,880 --> 04:06:40,000
Homeland Security, Customs and Border

5627
04:06:40,000 --> 04:06:43,120
Protection, and ICE. These agencies have

5628
04:06:43,120 --> 04:06:45,359
routinely detained people without due

5629
04:06:45,359 --> 04:06:48,720
process, defied court orders, and

5630
04:06:48,720 --> 04:06:51,199
conducted operations targeting people

5631
04:06:51,199 --> 04:06:55,439
based on race, national organ origin,

5632
04:06:55,439 --> 04:06:58,160
immigration status rather than genu

5633
04:06:58,160 --> 04:07:01,840
genuine legal violations.

5634
04:07:01,840 --> 04:07:04,640
The declaration calls for the Trump

5635
04:07:04,640 --> 04:07:06,880
administration and Congress to follow

5636
04:07:06,880 --> 04:07:09,680
the Constitution, the law, and court

5637
04:07:09,680 --> 04:07:12,800
orders. It also calls for protection of

5638
04:07:12,800 --> 04:07:15,520
the free press, defense of peaceful

5639
04:07:15,520 --> 04:07:18,720
protesters, no arrests or deportations

5640
04:07:18,720 --> 04:07:21,600
without due process, compliance with

5641
04:07:21,600 --> 04:07:24,000
federal court orders, an end to

5642
04:07:24,000 --> 04:07:26,640
targeting people by race, origin, and

5643
04:07:26,640 --> 04:07:28,960
immigration status.

5644
04:07:28,960 --> 04:07:31,520
Unfortunately, the president has gotten

5645
04:07:31,520 --> 04:07:34,080
us into a war with Iran, which has

5646
04:07:34,080 --> 04:07:38,720
already cost us 72 billion dollar. The

5647
04:07:38,720 --> 04:07:41,359
Constitution explicitly gives Congress

5648
04:07:41,359 --> 04:07:44,560
the power to declare war. And the reason

5649
04:07:44,560 --> 04:07:47,120
for this is so that all alternatives

5650
04:07:47,120 --> 04:07:49,920
will be debated before plunging this

5651
04:07:49,920 --> 04:07:53,120
country into war.

5652
04:07:53,120 --> 04:07:56,239
These are not partisan principles. They

5653
04:07:56,239 --> 04:07:58,479
are fundamental tenants of the republics

5654
04:07:58,479 --> 04:08:01,359
that our ancestors helped found. They

5655
04:08:01,359 --> 04:08:03,920
are the soul of America.

5656
04:08:03,920 --> 04:08:06,560
What will some will ask what will this

5657
04:08:06,560 --> 04:08:09,279
accomplish? But anybody who spent a

5658
04:08:09,279 --> 04:08:11,840
night with a mosquito in their bedroom

5659
04:08:11,840 --> 04:08:14,800
knows the power of small things. And

5660
04:08:14,800 --> 04:08:17,520
today the answer is the same as it was

5661
04:08:17,520 --> 04:08:19,520
in 1775.

5662
04:08:19,520 --> 04:08:22,560
Our declaration accomp accomplishes

5663
04:08:22,560 --> 04:08:25,199
everything that courage and conscious

5664
04:08:25,199 --> 04:08:27,680
can accomplish when ordinary people

5665
04:08:27,680 --> 04:08:31,120
refuse to be silent. When Stowe speaks,

5666
04:08:31,120 --> 04:08:35,520
it speaks with 251 years of earned moral

5667
04:08:35,520 --> 04:08:38,720
authority behind it. Please vote to have

5668
04:08:38,720 --> 04:08:41,279
the select board issue the declaration

5669
04:08:41,279 --> 04:08:45,199
as set forth in article 50 on July 4th

5670
04:08:45,199 --> 04:08:48,479
of this year, the 250th anniversary of

5671
04:08:48,479 --> 04:08:50,960
the Declaration of Independence. Thank

5672
04:08:50,960 --> 04:08:51,520
you.

5673
04:08:51,520 --> 04:08:53,680
>> Thank you, Mr. Roberts. Now, apparently

5674
04:08:53,680 --> 04:08:56,880
there there will be Thank you. There is

5675
04:08:56,880 --> 04:08:58,399
some new information that was not

5676
04:08:58,399 --> 04:09:00,319
available, new written information that

5677
04:09:00,319 --> 04:09:01,680
was not available at the beginning of

5678
04:09:01,680 --> 04:09:03,920
town meeting, but is now available over

5679
04:09:03,920 --> 04:09:06,399
on the side table. Uh, a couple of

5680
04:09:06,399 --> 04:09:09,439
precautions before debate. Um, similar

5681
04:09:09,439 --> 04:09:11,040
to the last two articles, this should

5682
04:09:11,040 --> 04:09:13,040
best be viewed as a sense of the town

5683
04:09:13,040 --> 04:09:15,359
resolution. There's a small portion of

5684
04:09:15,359 --> 04:09:17,920
it that Mr. Roberts alluded to directing

5685
04:09:17,920 --> 04:09:20,720
the select board to issue something on a

5686
04:09:20,720 --> 04:09:24,160
particular day that is not binding. That

5687
04:09:24,160 --> 04:09:26,640
small portion should be regarded as

5688
04:09:26,640 --> 04:09:28,640
nonbinding. Other than that, it is a

5689
04:09:28,640 --> 04:09:31,040
sense of the town resolution. I want to

5690
04:09:31,040 --> 04:09:33,439
repeat what I said at the beginning. No

5691
04:09:33,439 --> 04:09:36,160
applause and no booing. Applause and

5692
04:09:36,160 --> 04:09:38,399
booing can be intimidating to people who

5693
04:09:38,399 --> 04:09:40,720
have opinions that may not be perceived

5694
04:09:40,720 --> 04:09:43,199
to be popular and we simply cannot have

5695
04:09:43,199 --> 04:09:45,840
it. And with those few words of caution,

5696
04:09:45,840 --> 04:09:51,510
do we have any comment or debate

5697
04:09:51,520 --> 04:09:55,680
front mic fighting two polite gentlemen

5698
04:09:55,680 --> 04:09:58,160
fighting over who goes first.

5699
04:09:58,160 --> 04:10:01,120
>> Ross Perry, Circuit Drive. I support

5700
04:10:01,120 --> 04:10:03,603
this um article. I think it's

5701
04:10:03,603 --> 04:10:04,880
[clears throat] time that we stand up

5702
04:10:04,880 --> 04:10:06,720
and have the Constitution enforced the

5703
04:10:06,720 --> 04:10:09,040
way it was supposed to. I also want to

5704
04:10:09,040 --> 04:10:11,359
make a bit of a public service

5705
04:10:11,359 --> 04:10:13,680
announcement. The select board agenda

5706
04:10:13,680 --> 04:10:16,640
for their meeting next week, May 12th,

5707
04:10:16,640 --> 04:10:20,319
includes the topic town meeting recap.

5708
04:10:20,319 --> 04:10:22,880
Discuss and vote implications to the

5709
04:10:22,880 --> 04:10:25,680
select board on citizens petitions. for

5710
04:10:25,680 --> 04:10:27,840
the last for this article and the

5711
04:10:27,840 --> 04:10:30,080
previous two articles. It would be great

5712
04:10:30,080 --> 04:10:32,479
to show up and let the selectman know

5713
04:10:32,479 --> 04:10:34,399
that we're serious about trying to have

5714
04:10:34,399 --> 04:10:37,279
those votes enforced. Thank you.

5715
04:10:37,279 --> 04:10:39,600
>> Thank you. Side microphone.

5716
04:10:39,600 --> 04:10:42,640
>> Shirley, sorry. Shirley Birfield, 200

5717
04:10:42,640 --> 04:10:46,080
Barton Road. And I support this article.

5718
04:10:46,080 --> 04:10:48,720
This is not a matter of it's not a

5719
04:10:48,720 --> 04:10:51,199
partisan matter. It's a matter of life

5720
04:10:51,199 --> 04:10:54,640
or death of our democracy. And I

5721
04:10:54,640 --> 04:10:56,560
couldn't live with myself if I didn't

5722
04:10:56,560 --> 04:11:00,399
speak up or face my grandchildren and

5723
04:11:00,399 --> 04:11:03,199
explaining why I took no action when our

5724
04:11:03,199 --> 04:11:06,239
constitution is in danger. Thank you.

5725
04:11:06,239 --> 04:11:09,680
>> Thank you. And front microphone,

5726
04:11:09,680 --> 04:11:12,640
>> Alen Pierce again, 284 Red Road. I

5727
04:11:12,640 --> 04:11:16,399
support this wholeheartedly. Um and I I

5728
04:11:16,399 --> 04:11:21,760
really encourage my fellow citizens of Stowe to support this.

5729
04:11:21,760 --> 04:11:25,520
I I don't know if all of you understand

5730
04:11:25,520 --> 04:11:30,319
what a significant role played during

5731
04:11:30,319 --> 04:11:34,960
the events of April 19th, 1775

5732
04:11:34,960 --> 04:11:38,560
and thereafter. We are living in a

5733
04:11:38,560 --> 04:11:42,479
historic community here. Um, many of you

5734
04:11:42,479 --> 04:11:44,000
know what happened at the North Bridge,

5735
04:11:44,000 --> 04:11:46,560
but why did it happen? The British were

5736
04:11:46,560 --> 04:11:49,680
coming out to James Barrett's farm,

5737
04:11:49,680 --> 04:11:51,840
which was on Barretts Mill Road right

5738
04:11:51,840 --> 04:11:55,120
over here in in Conquered, to get some

5739
04:11:55,120 --> 04:11:56,720
armaments that were stored, which

5740
04:11:56,720 --> 04:11:59,439
included a couple of uh brass cannons

5741
04:11:59,439 --> 04:12:01,199
that had been stolen from the British.

5742
04:12:01,199 --> 04:12:04,319
And General Gage in Boston was very

5743
04:12:04,319 --> 04:12:07,840
angry. He was poed and he wanted his

5744
04:12:07,840 --> 04:12:10,640
cannons back. But the patriots got word

5745
04:12:10,640 --> 04:12:12,640
of it. And where did they store those

5746
04:12:12,640 --> 04:12:14,560
cannons so that they couldn't be found?

5747
04:12:14,560 --> 04:12:16,800
They stored them in stove and they

5748
04:12:16,800 --> 04:12:20,160
stored them on Henry Gardner's farm.

5749
04:12:20,160 --> 04:12:22,160
People know Henry Gardner. Do you know

5750
04:12:22,160 --> 04:12:24,479
who Henry Gardner is? We have Gardener

5751
04:12:24,479 --> 04:12:27,359
Hill right here in the town forest. And

5752
04:12:27,359 --> 04:12:28,960
so when the British came out and

5753
04:12:28,960 --> 04:12:31,120
couldn't find their armamentance, they

5754
04:12:31,120 --> 04:12:34,399
were annoyed. Why? And and meanwhile

5755
04:12:34,399 --> 04:12:37,920
back at the ranch at the bridge,

5756
04:12:37,920 --> 04:12:41,760
British set out their their troops so

5757
04:12:41,760 --> 04:12:44,319
that they could protect

5758
04:12:44,319 --> 04:12:46,080
the people coming back from Verrett's

5759
04:12:46,080 --> 04:12:48,880
farm, the troops, and that's when the

5760
04:12:48,880 --> 04:12:52,000
battle started. And unfortunately, our

5761
04:12:52,000 --> 04:12:53,680
minute men arrived a little bit late for

5762
04:12:53,680 --> 04:12:57,279
that, but they were awarded commenations

5763
04:12:57,279 --> 04:13:00,640
for the battle along battle road because

5764
04:13:00,640 --> 04:13:03,359
they were distinguished. They they

5765
04:13:03,359 --> 04:13:05,760
caused so many casualties that they

5766
04:13:05,760 --> 04:13:09,040
awarded special commenation, 81 people

5767
04:13:09,040 --> 04:13:12,159
from Stow. We were very much involved in

5768
04:13:12,159 --> 04:13:13,840
and I hope we can continue to be

5769
04:13:13,840 --> 04:13:15,279
involved now. Thank you.

5770
04:13:15,279 --> 04:13:19,520
>> Thank you. Signed microphone.

5771
04:13:19,520 --> 04:13:24,159
>> Wes Fisher 200 Barton Road in Stowe and

5772
04:13:24,159 --> 04:13:29,279
really uh having the audience still here

5773
04:13:29,279 --> 04:13:34,239
to uh hear this eloquent statement. Uh

5774
04:13:34,239 --> 04:13:36,880
I'm very supportive of it. I want to

5775
04:13:36,880 --> 04:13:39,520
look to the future. I'm quite concerned

5776
04:13:39,520 --> 04:13:42,159
about July 4th and what will have

5777
04:13:42,159 --> 04:13:45,680
happened by July 4th. I'm very worried

5778
04:13:45,680 --> 04:13:48,640
about ICE because it's huge. It's the

5779
04:13:48,640 --> 04:13:55,760
size of the Canadian Army. Um and what might be done if ICE changes its

5780
04:13:55,760 --> 04:13:59,760
name. So very very important for us all

5781
04:13:59,760 --> 04:14:03,600
to listen and and respond to this.

5782
04:14:03,600 --> 04:14:05,040
Thanks.

5783
04:14:05,040 --> 04:14:06,800
>> Thank you. Before we go any further, I

5784
04:14:06,800 --> 04:14:08,319
do think the select board has a

5785
04:14:08,319 --> 04:14:13,590
statement to make. Mr. Peterson,

5786
04:14:13,600 --> 04:14:15,279
» uh, so I just wanted to take the chance

5787
04:14:15,279 --> 04:14:19,680
to sort of recall actions and meetings

5788
04:14:19,680 --> 04:14:21,840
that have already taken place um where

5789
04:14:21,840 --> 04:14:24,560
the select board was discussing um this

5790
04:14:24,560 --> 04:14:26,560
matter, a very similar matter um in the

5791
04:14:26,560 --> 04:14:29,359
last year. So uh the select board did

5792
04:14:29,359 --> 04:14:31,680
schedule time at four meetings and had

5793
04:14:31,680 --> 04:14:34,159
extensive discussions on a declaration

5794
04:14:34,159 --> 04:14:37,840
of for democracy. June 10th of last year

5795
04:14:37,840 --> 04:14:40,080
the proclamation request uh went before

5796
04:14:40,080 --> 04:14:42,080
the select board and we discussed

5797
04:14:42,080 --> 04:14:43,680
extensively

5798
04:14:43,680 --> 04:14:48,080
uh agreed to sign a sort of tonedown

5799
04:14:48,080 --> 04:14:51,199
letter on democracy um with less less

5800
04:14:51,199 --> 04:14:54,239
politically charged rhetoric. Uh June

5801
04:14:54,239 --> 04:14:56,640
24th, the select board revisited the

5802
04:14:56,640 --> 04:14:59,359
signing of the revised letter as there

5803
04:14:59,359 --> 04:15:01,120
were still too many political

5804
04:15:01,120 --> 04:15:02,800
implications. to be a little bit more

5805
04:15:02,800 --> 04:15:06,080
specific about that. Um, one example,

5806
04:15:06,080 --> 04:15:09,279
the the so-called big beautiful bill was

5807
04:15:09,279 --> 04:15:11,600
something that even though there was

5808
04:15:11,600 --> 04:15:13,760
general and collective

5809
04:15:13,760 --> 04:15:16,870
um

5810
04:15:16,880 --> 04:15:18,800
uh disagreement say with with the

5811
04:15:18,800 --> 04:15:21,520
legislation, the the idea was that it

5812
04:15:21,520 --> 04:15:25,120
was done through constitutional avenues

5813
04:15:25,120 --> 04:15:28,319
and it was done following the norms um

5814
04:15:28,319 --> 04:15:30,239
of our democracy. So there might have

5815
04:15:30,239 --> 04:15:32,800
been personal disagreement about it, but

5816
04:15:32,800 --> 04:15:34,880
that it was following uh constitutional

5817
04:15:34,880 --> 04:15:37,199
norms.

5818
04:15:37,199 --> 04:15:40,000
September 23rd, the select board once

5819
04:15:40,000 --> 04:15:41,840
again had extensive discussions about

5820
04:15:41,840 --> 04:15:44,560
the proclamation request. And October

5821
04:15:44,560 --> 04:15:46,800
7th, the board voted to approve a

5822
04:15:46,800 --> 04:15:48,800
democracy statement and a letter

5823
04:15:48,800 --> 04:15:51,439
supporting actions to protect America's

5824
04:15:51,439 --> 04:15:53,600
democracy to the state and federal

5825
04:15:53,600 --> 04:15:58,319
delegation, which was signed and sent.

5826
04:15:58,319 --> 04:16:00,640
Um overall the select board spent a

5827
04:16:00,640 --> 04:16:02,479
significant amount of time over the

5828
04:16:02,479 --> 04:16:04,080
period of five months discussing a

5829
04:16:04,080 --> 04:16:06,479
declaration for democracy and voted to

5830
04:16:06,479 --> 04:16:08,159
draft something that a majority of the

5831
04:16:08,159 --> 04:16:12,720
board would support. Um collectively

5832
04:16:12,720 --> 04:16:15,359
there was agreement about the sentiment

5833
04:16:15,359 --> 04:16:18,159
of the statement um and the desire to

5834
04:16:18,159 --> 04:16:22,479
make a symbolic statement in that way.

5835
04:16:22,479 --> 04:16:24,800
Um,

5836
04:16:24,800 --> 04:16:28,080
that being said, as that was done last

5837
04:16:28,080 --> 04:16:32,319
fall, should article 50 pass,

5838
04:16:32,319 --> 04:16:34,319
I I do not believe that a majority of

5839
04:16:34,319 --> 04:16:36,159
the board would support putting their

5840
04:16:36,159 --> 04:16:38,399
names on the declaration as it would

5841
04:16:38,399 --> 04:16:41,199
sort of be almost like a hat on a hat,

5842
04:16:41,199 --> 04:16:43,359
something where it has already been

5843
04:16:43,359 --> 04:16:48,640
discussed, signed, and sent last fall.

5844
04:16:48,640 --> 04:16:50,479
>> Thank you, Mr. Peterson. Side

5845
04:16:50,479 --> 04:16:53,359
microphone. Acting

5846
04:16:53,359 --> 04:16:56,960
Constanzos 34 meeting house lane

5847
04:16:56,960 --> 04:16:58,560
though I agree with a lot of the

5848
04:16:58,560 --> 04:17:00,560
statements that are made in this article

5849
04:17:00,560 --> 04:17:02,560
I don't agree that the select board

5850
04:17:02,560 --> 04:17:05,120
should be speaking on behalf of the

5851
04:17:05,120 --> 04:17:07,199
residents of this town to the state

5852
04:17:07,199 --> 04:17:10,960
government on these matters. I think

5853
04:17:10,960 --> 04:17:12,479
this is something that should be brought

5854
04:17:12,479 --> 04:17:16,080
before town meeting for all the town to

5855
04:17:16,080 --> 04:17:18,399
decide whether they want to have their

5856
04:17:18,399 --> 04:17:21,439
names attached to these statements and

5857
04:17:21,439 --> 04:17:23,760
sent to their representatives. Kate

5858
04:17:23,760 --> 04:17:26,960
Hogan, Jamie Aldridge,

5859
04:17:26,960 --> 04:17:29,920
all the ones that represent us in the

5860
04:17:29,920 --> 04:17:33,279
state government and they are our voices

5861
04:17:33,279 --> 04:17:35,760
in state government. A select board is

5862
04:17:35,760 --> 04:17:39,359
not a voice for the town. It's a

5863
04:17:39,359 --> 04:17:42,560
we're there to manage the town and do

5864
04:17:42,560 --> 04:17:44,080
what's in the best interest of the

5865
04:17:44,080 --> 04:17:46,479
residents of the town, not to speak on

5866
04:17:46,479 --> 04:17:49,199
behalf of the town.

5867
04:17:49,199 --> 04:17:51,279
>> Thank you. And front microphone,

5868
04:17:51,279 --> 04:17:54,553
>> Pam Weathers, 89 West Actton Road. Two

5869
04:17:54,553 --> 04:17:56,080
[clears throat] things. First, this is

5870
04:17:56,080 --> 04:18:02,000
motherhood and apple pie to me. It's a no-brainer. Um secondly, having a

5871
04:18:02,000 --> 04:18:04,560
vote from town meeting is powerful

5872
04:18:04,560 --> 04:18:07,439
because it says the town has agreed that

5873
04:18:07,439 --> 04:18:09,920
the constitution makes sense in

5874
04:18:09,920 --> 04:18:12,159
governing our democracy, which is what

5875
04:18:12,159 --> 04:18:14,319
we're supposed to be all about. So I see

5876
04:18:14,319 --> 04:18:17,199
no problem with town meeting voting in

5877
04:18:17,199 --> 04:18:18,720
favor of this and I would encourage

5878
04:18:18,720 --> 04:18:20,800
others to do so if you believe in our

5879
04:18:20,800 --> 04:18:23,990
democracy.

5880
04:18:24,000 --> 04:18:27,040
» Thank you. Front microphone.

5881
04:18:27,040 --> 04:18:29,520
>> Janet C. Janet Crestle Moff at 185

5882
04:18:29,520 --> 04:18:32,000
Harvard Road. I guess my question is if

5883
04:18:32,000 --> 04:18:35,040
the town meeting votes in favor of this,

5884
04:18:35,040 --> 04:18:38,159
who would be the board who would be the

5885
04:18:38,159 --> 04:18:41,520
body that would speak for us

5886
04:18:41,520 --> 04:18:43,680
if it's not the select board?

5887
04:18:43,680 --> 04:18:45,840
>> So, I'll I'll answer that with uh

5888
04:18:45,840 --> 04:18:47,840
hopefully council paying close attention

5889
04:18:47,840 --> 04:18:51,040
to what I say. If the town votes if

5890
04:18:51,040 --> 04:18:52,720
meeting the town meeting votes in favor

5891
04:18:52,720 --> 04:18:54,399
of it, it is a sense of the town

5892
04:18:54,399 --> 04:18:57,760
resolution. The portions of this

5893
04:18:57,760 --> 04:19:00,479
petition article directing the select

5894
04:19:00,479 --> 04:19:02,720
board to do anything to issue anything

5895
04:19:02,720 --> 04:19:04,960
on a particular day would not be

5896
04:19:04,960 --> 04:19:08,080
binding. It would just exist. The the

5897
04:19:08,080 --> 04:19:11,199
vote would just exist. That town meeting

5898
04:19:11,199 --> 04:19:13,279
had voted a certain way on a certain

5899
04:19:13,279 --> 04:19:16,159
day. What happened to it thereafter?

5900
04:19:16,159 --> 04:19:18,800
Uh nothing in the petition is binding

5901
04:19:18,800 --> 04:19:20,479
about that.

5902
04:19:20,479 --> 04:19:22,560
>> Thank you. I understand that. Um

5903
04:19:22,560 --> 04:19:24,159
>> well, let's check. Did I get that

5904
04:19:24,159 --> 04:19:35,910
anywhere close to right?

5905
04:19:35,920 --> 04:19:38,479
» Yes. I mean essentially it the record of

5906
04:19:38,479 --> 04:19:40,399
town meeting would be the record that

5907
04:19:40,399 --> 04:19:42,560
this was approved by town meeting and

5908
04:19:42,560 --> 04:19:45,279
that would be a part of a public record

5909
04:19:45,279 --> 04:19:48,800
that it exists. but it doesn't or can't

5910
04:19:48,800 --> 04:19:51,920
command or demand that any board or or

5911
04:19:51,920 --> 04:19:53,840
agent or representative of the town take

5912
04:19:53,840 --> 04:19:56,239
any action relative to it.

5913
04:19:56,239 --> 04:19:58,239
>> I I guess I'm responding to Mr.

5914
04:19:58,239 --> 04:20:01,199
Constensus um point that the select

5915
04:20:01,199 --> 04:20:03,359
board he did not believe the select

5916
04:20:03,359 --> 04:20:06,080
board could speak for the town meeting.

5917
04:20:06,080 --> 04:20:08,640
So I if it's not the select board that

5918
04:20:08,640 --> 04:20:12,800
could speak for the town meeting,

5919
04:20:12,800 --> 04:20:14,960
we can speak on our own. Does that mean

5920
04:20:14,960 --> 04:20:17,520
we all write letters individually or

5921
04:20:17,520 --> 04:20:19,279
what?

5922
04:20:19,279 --> 04:20:21,680
>> It just means that the vote would exist

5923
04:20:21,680 --> 04:20:24,880
in the minutes of town meeting. It does

5924
04:20:24,880 --> 04:20:27,760
not mean that anyone would speak for the

5925
04:20:27,760 --> 04:20:29,840
town or for town meeting. The vote will

5926
04:20:29,840 --> 04:20:31,439
have happened. It will have been in the

5927
04:20:31,439 --> 04:20:33,920
minutes. What people do with that would

5928
04:20:33,920 --> 04:20:35,199
be up to them.

5929
04:20:35,199 --> 04:20:37,439
>> Okay. I guess

5930
04:20:37,439 --> 04:20:39,040
>> I'm sorry that was your one followup,

5931
04:20:39,040 --> 04:20:42,149
Janet.

5932
04:20:42,159 --> 04:20:44,239
» Front microphone.

5933
04:20:44,239 --> 04:20:46,159
Hello, Ingaborg Hegman. I'm on the

5934
04:20:46,159 --> 04:20:47,040
select board, but I'm also

5935
04:20:47,040 --> 04:20:48,960
>> Oh, I'm sorry. Side microphone.

5936
04:20:48,960 --> 04:20:52,000
>> Oh, sorry. You go.

5937
04:20:52,000 --> 04:20:53,040
>> Go ahead, Ingaborg.

5938
04:20:53,040 --> 04:20:56,000
>> I apologize. I apologize. I guess I have

5939
04:20:56,000 --> 04:20:57,600
a question. Since the board of selectman

5940
04:20:57,600 --> 04:20:59,439
already wrote a letter in support of

5941
04:20:59,439 --> 04:21:01,520
this democratic statement and I

5942
04:21:01,520 --> 04:21:05,120
personally find it to be very important.

5943
04:21:05,120 --> 04:21:06,960
I have a different opinion than some of

5944
04:21:06,960 --> 04:21:10,479
my board uh cohorts. Why? What

5945
04:21:10,479 --> 04:21:14,000
specifically is are you asking the

5946
04:21:14,000 --> 04:21:15,760
select board to do that's different than

5947
04:21:15,760 --> 04:21:17,439
what we've already done?

5948
04:21:17,439 --> 04:21:22,319
>> LA last year there is a movement and a

5949
04:21:22,319 --> 04:21:24,080
number of towns across the country

5950
04:21:24,080 --> 04:21:26,640
including Philadelphia and Boston on

5951
04:21:26,640 --> 04:21:30,080
July 4th issued declarations. We asked

5952
04:21:30,080 --> 04:21:32,880
the town of Stowa to do that because

5953
04:21:32,880 --> 04:21:34,880
during the summer the select board

5954
04:21:34,880 --> 04:21:37,520
doesn't have a full the whole select

5955
04:21:37,520 --> 04:21:40,479
board doesn't meet that kicked off till

5956
04:21:40,479 --> 04:21:42,560
September and then it was issued in

5957
04:21:42,560 --> 04:21:46,560
October and nobody heard it again this

5958
04:21:46,560 --> 04:21:49,120
year. And this is more important because

5959
04:21:49,120 --> 04:21:52,080
this is last year was the 250th

5960
04:21:52,080 --> 04:21:54,239
anniversary of the Battle of Lexington

5961
04:21:54,239 --> 04:21:57,840
Conquered. This year it's the 250th

5962
04:21:57,840 --> 04:21:59,520
anniversary of the Declaration of

5963
04:21:59,520 --> 04:22:01,600
Independence. And we're going to get a

5964
04:22:01,600 --> 04:22:04,720
car race in Boston. We're going to have

5965
04:22:04,720 --> 04:22:09,680
a um what's it called? A wrestling

5966
04:22:09,680 --> 04:22:12,560
match. I mean, we're we're going to have

5967
04:22:12,560 --> 04:22:14,319
all these things by the federal

5968
04:22:14,319 --> 04:22:19,840
government which don't don't respect the

5969
04:22:19,840 --> 04:22:22,080
Declaration of Independence that we're

5970
04:22:22,080 --> 04:22:24,239
supposed to be supporting and

5971
04:22:24,239 --> 04:22:26,800
celebrating. And so, it's up to towns

5972
04:22:26,800 --> 04:22:29,840
and cities and counties, two counties in

5973
04:22:29,840 --> 04:22:32,800
me, New Mexico have voted for this

5974
04:22:32,800 --> 04:22:36,159
>> to let the federal government know the

5975
04:22:36,159 --> 04:22:37,920
constitution matters.

5976
04:22:37,920 --> 04:22:39,760
>> Okay. So, as I understand it, it's sort

5977
04:22:39,760 --> 04:22:41,920
of a reaffirmation.

5978
04:22:41,920 --> 04:22:45,359
>> It's a new to the select board. Yes.

5979
04:22:45,359 --> 04:22:46,399
>> Thank you very much.

5980
04:22:46,399 --> 04:22:49,040
>> And it's it's trying to get the select

5981
04:22:49,040 --> 04:22:51,760
board to have the courage with the

5982
04:22:51,760 --> 04:22:54,800
support of town meeting to actually take

5983
04:22:54,800 --> 04:22:57,600
the action and issue the declaration on

5984
04:22:57,600 --> 04:22:58,880
the 4th.

5985
04:22:58,880 --> 04:23:01,680
>> But I have to clarify, should this

5986
04:23:01,680 --> 04:23:04,399
resolution pass, it is not binding on

5987
04:23:04,399 --> 04:23:06,239
the select board. The select board

5988
04:23:06,239 --> 04:23:09,279
doesn't have to do anything as council

5989
04:23:09,279 --> 04:23:12,080
affirmed. Front microphone.

5990
04:23:12,080 --> 04:23:15,520
>> Wendy Bachmann, 28 L Drive.

5991
04:23:15,520 --> 04:23:18,319
Um, I'm very pleased to hear that the

5992
04:23:18,319 --> 04:23:20,399
select board has talked about this

5993
04:23:20,399 --> 04:23:22,960
issue, debated this issue, and sent

5994
04:23:22,960 --> 04:23:25,520
something to our state government

5995
04:23:25,520 --> 04:23:28,960
already. I'm very pleased about that.

5996
04:23:28,960 --> 04:23:33,120
But I think that the a message from the

5997
04:23:33,120 --> 04:23:35,840
governing body of Stowe, which is the

5998
04:23:35,840 --> 04:23:40,239
town meeting, which is us here now, adds

5999
04:23:40,239 --> 04:23:43,920
importance and weight to that message.

6000
04:23:43,920 --> 04:23:46,720
And

6001
04:23:46,720 --> 04:23:49,439
I don't think it's a problem to repeat

6002
04:23:49,439 --> 04:23:52,479
that message, but it's important in fact

6003
04:23:52,479 --> 04:23:55,760
to repeat that message and emphasize it

6004
04:23:55,760 --> 04:23:58,159
that we want the Constitution to remain

6005
04:23:58,159 --> 04:24:00,479
the rule of law in this country and we

6006
04:24:00,479 --> 04:24:03,520
will not stand for the way it's being

6007
04:24:03,520 --> 04:24:06,319
treated now. Thank you.

6008
04:24:06,319 --> 04:24:08,720
>> Thank you. And side microphone.

6009
04:24:08,720 --> 04:24:13,120
>> Hi, Kelly 170 Hudson Road. Um 250 years

6010
04:24:13,120 --> 04:24:17,040
ago uh we did at a town meeting have to

6011
04:24:17,040 --> 04:24:19,120
make a very important vote. So you know

6012
04:24:19,120 --> 04:24:21,439
our vote matters. It's important. The

6013
04:24:21,439 --> 04:24:24,000
historical record today is going to be

6014
04:24:24,000 --> 04:24:25,920
important and it's going to hold and

6015
04:24:25,920 --> 04:24:27,279
people are going to look back at this in

6016
04:24:27,279 --> 04:24:30,319
250 more years. So there is an important

6017
04:24:30,319 --> 04:24:33,199
event declaring independence then and

6018
04:24:33,199 --> 04:24:35,760
now at the historic town hall hosted by

6019
04:24:35,760 --> 04:24:38,560
the Stow Historical Society on May 29th.

6020
04:24:38,560 --> 04:24:40,399
It's very relevant that we celebrate

6021
04:24:40,399 --> 04:24:42,720
this there as well. Thank you.

6022
04:24:42,720 --> 04:24:44,800
>> Thank you. And front microphone.

6023
04:24:44,800 --> 04:24:47,040
>> Mr. Moderator, Linda Hathway. Speaking

6024
04:24:47,040 --> 04:24:50,880
as the town clerk, I regularly certify

6025
04:24:50,880 --> 04:24:53,840
votes of the town meeting. And the

6026
04:24:53,840 --> 04:24:57,279
anybody can request a certified

6027
04:24:57,279 --> 04:25:00,399
vote for this particular article. I'll

6028
04:25:00,399 --> 04:25:02,800
be glad to issue it. I will not be

6029
04:25:02,800 --> 04:25:04,880
sending it to anywhere any place because

6030
04:25:04,880 --> 04:25:07,359
I'm not directed to. But there's no

6031
04:25:07,359 --> 04:25:09,680
reason that I can't provide you a vote

6032
04:25:09,680 --> 04:25:12,239
and that you someone else may send.

6033
04:25:12,239 --> 04:25:14,960
>> Thank you. And side microphone.

6034
04:25:14,960 --> 04:25:18,000
>> Uh Brian Patuto 63 Crescent Street. I'm

6035
04:25:18,000 --> 04:25:21,439
really happy to see so many of our

6036
04:25:21,439 --> 04:25:24,000
citizens coming out and viferously

6037
04:25:24,000 --> 04:25:26,479
supporting this. Um I don't think I've

6038
04:25:26,479 --> 04:25:29,120
heard a single person speak against it.

6039
04:25:29,120 --> 04:25:31,840
Um as it is a non-binding resolution. I

6040
04:25:31,840 --> 04:25:34,399
think it's a wonderful uh opportunity

6041
04:25:34,399 --> 04:25:37,439
for us as citizens to express our voice.

6042
04:25:37,439 --> 04:25:40,000
Um with this said, Mr. moderator, I

6043
04:25:40,000 --> 04:25:42,080
would like to call the question.

6044
04:25:42,080 --> 04:25:45,040
>> Uh thank you. That's a little uh

6045
04:25:45,040 --> 04:25:47,359
untraditional to make a big introductory

6046
04:25:47,359 --> 04:25:50,080
statement, but I will. [laughter]

6047
04:25:50,080 --> 04:25:52,800
It's sort of like saying after I get the

6048
04:25:52,800 --> 04:25:54,239
last word, I want to call the question,

6049
04:25:54,239 --> 04:25:57,600
but I will take it anyway. Uh motions

6050
04:25:57,600 --> 04:25:59,040
are made to call the question. This is

6051
04:25:59,040 --> 04:26:02,880
undebatable. It requires twothirds. Um,

6052
04:26:02,880 --> 04:26:05,600
and we will use our clickers for it. And

6053
04:26:05,600 --> 04:26:06,640
>> don't vote yet.

6054
04:26:06,640 --> 04:26:12,309
Don't vote yet.

6055
04:26:12,319 --> 04:26:13,840
» Apparently, I did get a second, but

6056
04:26:13,840 --> 04:26:21,990
thank you, Mr. Chelanick.

6057
04:26:22,000 --> 04:26:25,279
So, the question is on closing debate.

6058
04:26:25,279 --> 04:26:27,199
If you have heard enough and want to

6059
04:26:27,199 --> 04:26:29,120
proceed to another vote on the main

6060
04:26:29,120 --> 04:26:31,359
motion, you vote yes. If you have not

6061
04:26:31,359 --> 04:26:33,120
heard enough from your fellow residents,

6062
04:26:33,120 --> 04:26:35,520
you vote no. Again, it requires

6063
04:26:35,520 --> 04:26:37,600
twothirds.

6064
04:26:37,600 --> 04:26:39,760
We

6065
04:26:39,760 --> 04:26:49,349
voting will be open very soon.

6066
04:26:49,359 --> 04:26:53,840
Voting is open now for 15 seconds

6067
04:26:53,840 --> 04:27:10,389
on the question to close debate

6068
04:27:10,399 --> 04:27:14,159
and voting is closed.

6069
04:27:14,159 --> 04:27:18,159
And by a vote of 96 in favor and 13

6070
04:27:18,159 --> 04:27:22,000
against, the motion passes.

6071
04:27:22,000 --> 04:27:25,600
We will proceed to a motion to a vote on

6072
04:27:25,600 --> 04:27:28,960
the main motion under article 50. This

6073
04:27:28,960 --> 04:27:32,000
requires only a simple majority to pass.

6074
04:27:32,000 --> 04:27:35,199
Yet again, we will use our clickers

6075
04:27:35,199 --> 04:27:40,399
and voting will be open for 15 seconds

6076
04:27:40,399 --> 04:27:58,070
beginning now.

6077
04:27:58,080 --> 04:28:01,439
And voting is closed. And by a vote of

6078
04:28:01,439 --> 04:28:04,720
96 in favor, 14 against, and two

6079
04:28:04,720 --> 04:28:08,479
abstensions, the motion passes.

6080
04:28:08,479 --> 04:28:11,359
So, a couple of housekeeping things

6081
04:28:11,359 --> 04:28:13,520
before our last and most important

6082
04:28:13,520 --> 04:28:15,680
motion. Um, at the end of town meeting,

6083
04:28:15,680 --> 04:28:17,199
please return your cards and your

6084
04:28:17,199 --> 04:28:19,279
clickers and please fill out, please

6085
04:28:19,279 --> 04:28:20,960
consider filling out a town meeting

6086
04:28:20,960 --> 04:28:26,640
feedback form. We do read them and uh

6087
04:28:26,640 --> 04:28:28,720
remember that there's an election next

6088
04:28:28,720 --> 04:28:32,479
Saturday for town officers and in-person

6089
04:28:32,479 --> 04:28:34,560
early voting is Monday, Tuesday, and

6090
04:28:34,560 --> 04:28:37,279
Wednesday at the town building. And

6091
04:28:37,279 --> 04:28:39,760
finally, in what I hope is not her last

6092
04:28:39,760 --> 04:28:42,399
action for the town of Stow, Miss Burch

6093
04:28:42,399 --> 04:28:44,239
Mcichael, do you have a motion for us?

6094
04:28:44,239 --> 04:28:46,159
>> Mr. Moderator, I move to adjourn the

6095
04:28:46,159 --> 04:28:47,920
meeting to the town election on May

6096
04:28:47,920 --> 04:28:51,040
16th, 2026, commencing at 10:00 a.m. at

6097
04:28:51,040 --> 04:28:53,199
the center school in said town of Stowe

6098
04:28:53,199 --> 04:28:55,600
and then and there to act on article 51

6099
04:28:55,600 --> 04:28:57,680
for such election of officers as listed

6100
04:28:57,680 --> 04:28:59,600
in the warrant and thereafter at the

6101
04:28:59,600 --> 04:29:01,279
close of the polls to dissolve this

6102
04:29:01,279 --> 04:29:03,040
meeting. Second,

6103
04:29:03,040 --> 04:29:04,960
>> this is undebatable. Not that I would

6104
04:29:04,960 --> 04:29:06,960
expect much. Simple majority. Please

6105
04:29:06,960 --> 04:29:08,880
hold up your cards if you agree. Thank

6106
04:29:08,880 --> 04:29:11,680
you. And those opposed, that is

6107
04:29:11,680 --> 04:29:13,600
unanimous. Thank you very much. We'll

6108
04:29:13,600 --> 04:29:15,920
see you next annual or maybe at a

6109
04:29:15,920 --> 04:29:19,640
special. Thank you.