Select Board September 23, 2026

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[0:36] No, not
[0:42] not too many shrimp in our hi Colette.
[0:44] Hi.
[0:46] I
[0:48] can you hear me?
[0:48] Okay.
[0:50] Mm-hmm .
[0:50] Yep.
[0:51] Okay.
[0:51] Good.
[0:53] Good afternoon, everybody I'd like to call to order the select board meeting of
[0:57] September 23rd, 2026.
[1:00] In the Giuliani room at town hall.
[1:04] The meeting is being held in hybrid.
[1:06] Form format broadcast live on Comcast channel eight and Verizon channel 40.
[1:12] And available for later viewing on Wellesley media.org.
[1:16] Select board members here are Tom Felder.
[1:19] Vice-chair.
[1:20] Secretary Collette of Frank joining us via.
[1:23] Zoom Beth Sullivan woods and Kenny largest.
[1:26] And I'm Marjorie Fryman.
[1:28] Also here with us, our executive director, Megan JOP, and assistant executive director.
[1:33] Corey Tesa.
[1:35] I don't think we have anyone here for citizen speak.
[1:39] So we'll turn to Megan, please.
[1:41] For the executive director's update.
[1:45] I don't have much of an update today, Marg.
[1:48] Marjorie.
[1:48] Oh, oh, the only thing I just remind folks to register for the October 1st
[1:52] north, north.
[1:55] Charette.
[1:56] And you can do that online at the town's website.
[1:59] And if you haven't heard the charette has been moved to the high school
[2:03] from the Honeywell school.
[2:06] Next, not this weekend, but next weekend.
[2:09] Is discover Wellesley the merchant event.
[2:11] So we would encourage people to go out Friday and Saturday.
[2:15] Parking is waived and the merchants have planned.
[2:18] A lot of exciting activities.
[2:20] Thank you, Beth.
[2:22] Our next agenda item is the consent agenda.
[2:25] We have five items on the consent agenda this afternoon.
[2:29] To reappoint a member to the Wellesley cultural council.
[2:33] To vote to purchase.
[2:35] Seasonal wreaths for the downtown commercial areas.
[2:39] Areas to vote two, one day alcohol licenses for the Wellesley historical society.
[2:44] For fall event
[2:46] to vote the warrant for the national.
[2:49] Election for the state election on Tuesday.
[2:52] November 3rd, 2026.
[2:54] And to vote.
[2:55] Brandon Schmidt, NRC director.
[2:58] As the local government representative for clean energy sighting and permitting.
[3:04] Colette, may I have a motion please?
[3:07] Move to approve the consent agenda.
[3:09] Second
[3:10] Colette.
[3:12] I Kenny, I
[3:14] Beth.Aye.
[3:14] And I vote aye as well.
[3:16] And I do.
[3:16] Oh, sorry, Tom.
[3:18] I heard you say second and I forgot to get your vote.
[3:21] Sorry about.
[3:22] That.
[3:23] Okay.
[3:24] Moving right along.
[3:30] Just gotta get to the rec the right page.
[3:33] Okay.
[3:33] Our next agenda item is to discuss and vote the Cochituate aqueduct.
[3:38] Aqueduct access license for 16 Laurel avenue.
[3:41] And
[3:43] we have attorney David Berger here with us.
[3:52] Megan, would you like to introduce it?
[3:54] Sure.
[3:55] So
[3:57] 16 lower lab project is converting an existing building to residential with a, an
[4:03] addition.
[4:04] This is one of the town's first, M B T.
[4:07] T a community projects that we'll be going forward.
[4:09] This project has gone through site plan review,
[4:13] and is essentially a permitted project at this point.
[4:16] Prior to construction the
[4:19] applicants worked.
[4:21] As a requirement of the, the site plan.
[4:24] With the engineering division.
[4:27] For location of utilities, waterline.
[4:31] And as part of that,
[4:33] given the very close proximity to the town's aqueduct.
[4:35] We're only.
[4:37] Inches
[4:38] from the property line where the, the existing building is.
[4:41] So looking at
[4:43] actual constructability and looking at from a safety perspective.
[4:47] Access to do that
[4:48] in addition and on inspection.
[4:51] Of the aqueduct, that particular section.
[4:54] The town identified that there was some installations that were.
[4:59] In
[4:59] put on at some point likely in 20, 19, 20, 20.
[5:04] Which included, you know, a flagpole, some lights.
[5:08] And those would be removed as part of this.
[5:11] Given this as an M B T a project, we also have worked with
[5:14] the applicant.
[5:15] And I do believe Jeff is also.
[5:18] On zoom as well.
[5:20] From pioneer construction.
[5:23] And so we've worked with them too, to look at creating redoing sort of
[5:28] a path to connect the two roads.
[5:31] Which then would get from Laurel to Prescott, which then would get you closer
[5:34] to the MBTA.
[5:37] And so with that, we have a license agreement for them to.
[5:42] Access proportion the back end of the.
[5:45] Aqueduct
[5:46] for construction and, and David, I don't know if you wanna add to that
[5:52] Thank you.
[5:53] Megan, David Hemel, Berger representing
[5:55] Babson house, LLC.
[5:57] The record owner.
[5:59] And as you mentioned, Jeff Birnbaum,
[6:01] the principal is on as well.
[6:03] So, yes.
[6:05] The aqueduct parcel runs
[6:07] skewed at an angle past
[6:10] my client's property.
[6:12] And there is a portion that is.
[6:13] Very close as Megan indicated inches.
[6:17] We met.
[6:19] For about an hour and a half with Dave Hickey at engineering.
[6:23] To review all of
[6:25] engineering and D P w.
[6:27] Concerns
[6:28] regarding how we would do that.
[6:33] Was a suggestion, which we agreed to, that we, in addition to providing an
[6:38] as-built for our foundation, which is.
[6:41] The portion above the ground
[6:43] would also provide an as-built for the footings,
[6:46] just to confirm that our footings are not intru.
[6:49] Intruding onto the town land.
[6:52] We have a designated area.
[6:56] That was, is on.
[6:58] Attachment a, to the license that shows.
[7:01] The discreet area where we are in, in very close proximity.
[7:08] Additionally
[7:09] there was a
[7:11] an existing walkway.
[7:14] That extends from Laurel F to Prescott street.
[7:18] That
[7:19] again, because the properties are not parallel.
[7:23] It crosses.
[7:25] 16, Laurel, and then goes out onto.
[7:28] The townland before returning onto 16 Laurel.
[7:32] And so during the site plan review,
[7:35] process the applicant agreed to relocate.
[7:39] That walkway, if you will.
[7:42] Fully onto the town's land.
[7:46] And Sheila page from mobility.
[7:49] Well, the, you know,
[7:51] also weighed in and the agreement was to.
[7:55] Construct the
[7:58] sidewalk based upon D P w plans.
[8:01] Plans in a
[8:02] somewhat meandering fashion.
[8:04] So is to avoid any of the existing trees or shrubs that are there
[8:09] Additionally, there is a, a monument.
[8:13] On the ground,
[8:15] roughly three by five feet in dimension.
[8:18] That's probably.
[8:20] 18 inches.
[8:22] Tall sitting on the ground at a bit of an angle.
[8:25] That commemorates, the fact that this was.
[8:28] Babson reports and
[8:32] the, the history of the building and it sits literally on the property line
[8:37] And so we agreed to.
[8:39] Move that onto the town's
[8:41] property as well.
[8:43] There are a number of, of.
[8:45] Specific
[8:46] elements that are outlined in the license agreement, all of which were reviewed with
[8:52] Dave Hickey.
[8:54] Town as importantly town council.
[8:57] And I believe we have an agreed upon license agreement.
[9:02] For your
[9:03] approval.
[9:05] Respectfully
[9:07] do board members have any questions?
[9:09] Questions Beth.
[9:11] So
[9:12] I guess, are we approving this retro?
[9:15] Retroactively, because it appears that.
[9:19] Much of the
[9:21] work has occurred and the.
[9:23] Area is sealed off that walkway is not accessible anymore.
[9:27] So,
[9:28] no,
[9:29] the walkway that's sealed off is the portion that's on 16 Laurel.
[9:35] There is,
[9:36] it's my understanding there.
[9:38] Where the
[9:41] property is in proximity
[9:43] to the townland that there is construction fencing.
[9:46] And so.
[9:47] That piece is in existence currently.
[9:51] But the
[9:53] there hasn't been a ceiling off of.
[9:56] The town land per se.
[9:58] It's the.
[10:00] 16, Laurel.
[10:02] Has the start of the walkway on it.
[10:04] And so the construction fencing is around.
[10:07] If I understand it correctly, I couldn't find the flagpole.
[10:10] Today.
[10:11] So the flagpole is on the far side, closer to Prescott.
[10:15] I.
[10:16] Do you think it's gone?
[10:18] I think it's gone.
[10:19] I.
[10:21] I mean, it was out there.
[10:22] Not that long ago.
[10:22] I have questions on that.
[10:24] the flag.
[10:25] The flag is gone, but the pole's still there.
[10:28] Okay.
[10:28] Yeah.
[10:31] Anything else, Beth?
[10:32] I, I, a couple other things.
[10:36] So this is 18.
[10:37] Well, the.
[10:38] Entire pathway be closed to public access during the construction.
[10:44] You know, like, can you.
[10:46] Cut from Prescott to Laurel.
[10:49] Currently on town land safely.
[10:52] Yes, but you'd be walking on grass.
[10:55] Okay.
[10:57] And that's how long is this work supposed to last?
[11:01] I would ask Mr. Bierbaum is this 18 months?
[11:05] Eight 18 months, roughly?
[11:07] Yes.
[11:08] And this agreement.
[11:11] Covers the entire duration.
[11:12] So if it goes.
[11:14] 24 months,
[11:15] we have the ability to say.
[11:18] Yes.
[11:18] And, and the only other.
[11:20] Kind of time.
[11:23] Sensitive piece is that the walkway has to be.
[11:27] Constructed prior to
[11:30] the first granting of any certificate of occupancy, be it partial,
[11:34] temporary.
[11:34] What have you.
[11:35] So, okay.
[11:37] I was not clear why we're not reinstalling the flagpole on townland.
[11:42] I, I, it's a, it's a maintenance issue essentially.
[11:45] Yeah.
[11:45] It's not.
[11:47] Clear to me.
[11:48] I think it was it's possible that it was installed by Babson reports.
[11:53] When they owned the building, understanding it was installed after.
[11:56] Arnold Haynes passed away
[11:58] as a.
[12:01] That's my understanding.
[12:03] But didn't he just pass away in the last 2017.
[12:10] It's it's
[12:11] possible, but, but.
[12:13] I don't know, but could we put the flagpole back up?
[12:18] I, it just seems to me, we shouldn't be.
[12:21] Removing flagpoles.
[12:24] Well, it was
[12:26] installed without,
[12:27] I mean, it is townland.
[12:28] It was installed without permit.
[12:30] There was electricity run to it without.
[12:33] Permit.
[12:33] So
[12:34] we would look at it currently as a encroachment on townland.
[12:39] It would be additional,
[12:41] you know, I think D P w was looking at it for removal because
[12:43] it was it's additional.
[12:46] Maintenance mm-hmm
[12:47] it's not particularly visible now in the fact that you have the Wellesley.
[12:53] Women's
[12:54] women's well,
[12:55] medical office building on Washington street.
[12:59] Effectively blocks the view of it.
[13:02] The only view is when you get down Prescott street,
[13:07] but
[13:08] may may I suggest that that's an issue that can be part of some
[13:11] continued conversations.
[13:13] It shouldn't hold up our approval of this license.
[13:15] And if somebody.
[13:16] Wants to put it up, they could apply to put it up.
[13:19] Right.It's town land.
[13:20] It's on town land, right?
[13:22] Oh, well, we were only taking it down because we were requested to take
[13:25] it down.
[13:26] Okay.
[13:26] Well, I think Tom's right.
[13:27] That's not really the issue of the license.
[13:30] Agreement right now.
[13:33] Yeah, the license agreement is for construction.
[13:36] Access onto the aqueduct for construction purpose
[13:39] and to allow for them to reconstruct.
[13:43] Construct well to do some of the tie outs on the waterline and then
[13:45] to reconstruct the path.
[13:47] Yeah.
[13:47] That's the other point
[13:49] during Cy plan approval.
[13:51] D P w water department asked whether we would, the client would be willing
[13:57] to allow the town to run a.
[13:59] Waterline from the end of Prescott, which is a dead end waterline, which they
[14:04] Disfavor
[14:06] significantly.
[14:07] And connect over to Laurel Ave.
[14:09] So that there'd be a loop.
[14:11] And we agreed.
[14:13] Yes, of course.
[14:14] We're happy to give you an easement to run it.
[14:16] Our water was coming directly and from Laurel.
[14:20] As part of this.
[14:22] Conversation with D P w.
[14:26] They said, you know, it really makes a lot more sense just to put
[14:29] this on our land.
[14:30] That is to say the townland.
[14:32] And run it over the, the town parcel.
[14:36] So we said, fine.
[14:37] We're happy to do that too.
[14:38] DPW is supplying the.
[14:41] Materials and we're doing the installation.
[14:44] And my last question was
[14:46] I.
[14:47] I didn't see compensation for the.
[14:50] Year and a half access.
[14:52] License.
[14:52] And
[14:53] I'm my familiarity is with when the town.
[14:56] Allows the use of its land.
[14:59] For a period of time that there is compensation.
[15:01] For that usage,
[15:03] I guess I would argue that the compensation, if you will, is an in-kind
[15:07] compensation, the installation of the.
[15:10] Waterline for the town.
[15:12] As well as the reconstruction of a sidewalk for the town.
[15:18] That has value too.
[15:19] Right?
[15:19] So.
[15:21] I thought when projects of this type happened.
[15:25] Reconstruction of sidewalks was generally a part of the deal when a development goes
[15:30] in.
[15:30] So I, I guess I didn't.
[15:33] Didn't understand that as in kind because the, and the water pipe serves.
[15:37] Serves the development?
[15:37] No, no, no. The water pipe, no doesn't does not serve the development. It's
[15:41] solely to allow the town to have a loop.
[15:44] As opposed to a dead end,
[15:45] this.
[15:47] Walkway is not part of the.
[15:50] Site plan approval, but was something.
[15:52] Additional
[15:53] that was agreed to.
[15:56] The Cy plan approval addressed.
[15:59] Sidewalks on Laurel.
[16:02] But this was not a sidewalk that was part of side plan approval.
[16:07] The request was made.
[16:08] Would you relocate it?
[16:09] And we agreed the client agreed.
[16:12] It seems to make sense to do that while they're opening things up and
[16:16] not to have to do it later, if the town wanted a loop.
[16:20] Correct?
[16:20] Yeah, correct.
[16:21] So that seems to me to have some value.
[16:24] Anybody else, Kenny.
[16:27] So that was one of my questions, which.
[16:30] That answers that question.
[16:33] My other question was
[16:35] and I, I don't purport to totally understand it.
[16:37] It sounds like we're gonna let the, the developer use our lands.
[16:42] To facilitate building.
[16:44] The structure
[16:46] and everything around it.
[16:47] Right.
[16:48] Correct.
[16:48] And, and we're getting paid in an in-kind.
[16:52] In-kind contribution essentially.
[16:53] And
[16:54] but if something happens on that land, there's an indemnity, correct?
[16:57] Which covers, which is good.
[16:59] And town is name doesn't additional insured, et cetera, et cetera.
[17:02] But in, in fairness, this is a, a, a parcel that is.
[17:07] 20 or 40 feet wide.
[17:10] And the distance from Laurel, the Prescott, the portion that we need.
[17:15] Is
[17:16] a much smaller portion.
[17:18] But the entire area is licensed because we're gonna be installing the town's water
[17:23] pipe at a place to be determined and.
[17:26] Reconstructing the
[17:28] sidewalk at a place to be determined based upon the D P w plants
[17:32] So, what do you think the risk of, of
[17:35] somebody getting hurt on that?
[17:36] Or
[17:38] some instance that would trigger the indem?
[17:40] Indemnity, because my concern ultimately is, and maybe the insurance gets us there.
[17:45] Is something happens and I don't know who Babson house LLC is or how
[17:48] it's capitalized or is there anything standing behind that?
[17:51] Well, I think the.
[17:54] The biggest element is that they'd have to get through a construction fence.
[18:00] And that's why the town.
[18:03] Insists upon not just indemnification, but also
[18:06] being named.
[18:08] As
[18:09] a, an insured, additional insured
[18:12] on a insurance policy.
[18:14] Okay.
[18:15] So
[18:17] anything else?
[18:19] Anybody else, Collette, you have any questions?
[18:22] Questions?
[18:22] Nope.
[18:23] Okay.
[18:24] All right.
[18:25] I think if go ahead.
[18:27] Move to approve the access license for the constituent aqueduct.
[18:32] Aqueduct second,
[18:32] Tom.
[18:33] Aye.
[18:34] Beth.
[18:34] Aye.
[18:35] Collette.
[18:36] Aye, Kenny aye.
[18:38] And I vote aye as well.
[18:39] Thank you very much, David, for being here, that was very helpful.
[18:45] Thank you everybody.
[18:47] Oh, thank you, Jeff.
[18:48] Thanks, Jeff.
[18:49] Can't see you so forgot to thank you.
[18:52] Okay.
[18:53] Our next agenda item is special town meeting preparation.
[18:56] We are going to defer.
[18:58] Discussion on both article five and article seven.
[19:02] The bylaw review committee is meeting on Monday.
[19:05] And we're deferring article five to allow for finalization of financial materials.
[19:11] Materials.
[19:12] So we have other motions that we can discuss.
[19:16] And
[19:17] as we go through them,
[19:20] okay.
[19:20] Is nothing on article one, I assume.
[19:24] Is there anything on article two?
[19:26] Anybody have anything on article two, an an article two is a proposed.
[19:31] Consent agenda, which
[19:32] I've added the.
[19:35] Transfer parking clerk fund.
[19:37] From treasurer to police, which is article four, motion one and article six mm-hmm
[19:40] , which is the resin debt.
[19:44] And again, that would be contingent upon discussions with the moderator as well as
[19:49] unanimous vote by advisory.
[19:50] Yeah.
[19:51] We we plan to meet with the.
[19:54] Ad moderator in the next week or so, and Megan presented these two advisory
[19:57] and there, there wasn't any.
[19:59] Concern about those.
[20:01] So I wondered if planning would want to put their transfer.
[20:05] Also in consent.
[20:07] Because it's not an incremental budget item.
[20:09] It's just.
[20:11] It's similar to what we're doing.
[20:12] I haven't seen their motion.
[20:14] Okay.
[20:14] So.
[20:15] Motions are due on Friday.
[20:17] So that very well might be a consent agenda item as well, Beth.
[20:21] Again, depending on advisory.
[20:23] Okay.
[20:24] And the moderator
[20:27] okay.
[20:29] I will present article two at town meeting.
[20:32] Beth would you do article four?
[20:34] If for some reason it's pulled from consent.
[20:38] Lemme just
[20:40] the answer is yes.
[20:40] I'm just looking to see what it is.
[20:43] Yes.
[20:43] It's our transfer.
[20:44] Yes.
[20:45] Okay.
[20:46] Colette will do article five.
[20:47] And we'll talk about that.
[20:50] Next week or the week after Colette.
[20:53] Okay.
[20:54] Yes.
[20:56] That's yeah, Tom, if necessary, will you do article six?
[21:00] And Kenny will do article seven and we'll defer discussion till next week.
[21:05] Or when, when Kenny's ready following the bylaw review committee meeting.
[21:11] Are there any other questions about our motions?
[21:15] Motions?
[21:17] No. Do you want me to make a motion to approve
[21:20] the articles?
[21:23] Two four and six, please.
[21:25] Okay, so move to approve the 20, 26 special time meeting motion language for.
[21:31] Article two motion, one, article four, motion, one.
[21:35] Article six motion one.
[21:37] Second Kenny.
[21:38] Aye,
[21:39] Tom.
[21:40] Aye.
[21:40] Collette.
[21:41] I Beth.
[21:42] Aye.
[21:43] And I vote aye as well.
[21:47] Right.Moving on to administrative matters.
[21:50] We have two sets of minutes.
[21:52] From July 22nd and August 17th.
[21:56] 2026.
[22:02] I did have some comments on the edits, Margie.
[22:06] Okay.
[22:08] So looking at July 22nd.
[22:11] Online.
[22:13] S 79.
[22:17] I, I actually think, I think it was fine as it was drafted.
[22:19] I, I do think the intent was to say it was virtually impossible, not
[22:23] more challeng.
[22:24] Challenging.
[22:25] Sorry, say what line again?
[22:26] That is Colette and I can amend it.
[22:29] Amend it's line 78 and 70 9th of July 22nd.
[22:32] Mm-hmm .
[22:44] Yeah, I believe that was a comment that made, made, made that edit.
[22:48] I just, I think virtually impossible is.
[22:51] If I see it here.
[22:51] Sorry.
[22:51] A far stronger sentiment.
[22:53] We're challenging.
[22:55] Acknowledges that there, it requires more coordination.
[22:58] It's not my mouth.
[22:59] Right.
[22:59] But it's yeah.
[23:00] I mean, but I think that that, that's what the discussion.
[23:03] Was it's 10,000 pages with no centralization of who,
[23:06] you know, you can't control it.
[23:07] So I think it really is.
[23:09] I, I think that was the true nature of the discussion.
[23:11] And I think we've shown that it's, it's not working to ask people to
[23:16] work together on.
[23:18] This, you know, there are all different ways of doing things and people don't
[23:21] respond when they're asked for information for the website.
[23:25] I agree it's stronger, but I don't think it's incorrect.
[23:33] So I would just strike that.
[23:34] If,
[23:35] if we need a motion, I'll move to strike.
[23:37] That edit.
[23:41] Anything else, Colette.
[23:43] Yeah.
[23:43] If you go down to approximately lane one 60 under one 40 Western road
[23:54] It uses Megan's name there, but it should be missed job.
[23:57] So that's twice.
[24:11] And then if you go down to approximately lane 207 under Townhall, interior are
[24:16] updated.
[24:17] Updated.
[24:20] I, I actually prefer to leave that.
[24:22] I, I don't want to strike that because I think it's important that we
[24:25] had.
[24:25] Only had one discussion.
[24:27] I mean, there were some questions raised, so I prefer to leave that.
[24:30] And I believe that's what you said.
[24:33] It was what I said.
[24:33] Mm-hmm .
[24:36] And the same is true under the war Memorial.
[24:38] I think we had a
[24:40] discussion is it can cause uneven surfaces.
[24:43] Surfaces, because what was reported to us as staff had gone out to fix
[24:47] Some of the masonry and couldn't find the unevenness because it, it was dependent
[24:51] on weather.
[24:51] So again,
[24:54] I, I feel that that.
[24:56] Those edits are, are I prefer not to have those edits?
[25:00] Edits Megan, do you know whether it's current damage or the potential for damage
[25:05] So when we went out there, so if we went out right now, I
[25:08] bet they would be loose because we've been in a drought condition.
[25:12] As we get more
[25:14] hu humidity in the air as we go into fall.
[25:17] When we had been out there prior to.
[25:19] The
[25:22] veterans say event last year when I was out there with cricket, we, we
[25:25] couldn't find anything moving because.
[25:27] It had been
[25:29] rehydrated.
[25:31] Rehydrated, but I, I do believe if we went out there right now, there
[25:33] would be.
[25:35] Probably some failing.
[25:35] So
[25:36] and we have had big pieces of mortar.
[25:40] Come out when people step on it.
[25:42] Yeah, we had that on one of the steps up.
[25:45] A big chunk come up at, at a public gathering.
[25:49] But, but I do feel it can be weather dependent.
[25:52] Mm-hmm .
[25:54] So
[25:56] typically by November we're we're okay.
[25:58] From all wobbly standpoint, but it doesn't preclude.
[26:00] We did have the, the step break when we were there for a veteran's
[26:03] day event.
[26:04] So Colette, what about saying.
[26:07] Which has caused uneven surfaces.
[26:11] Surfaces, depending on the weather
[26:12] or, or, or we can just say to address the, the, the, the failing
[26:16] masonry period and take the rest of it out.
[26:18] If we don't agree on it.
[26:19] I just don't.
[26:21] I think that's a great secret suggestion.
[26:23] That's fine too.
[26:24] Yeah.
[26:25] So after masonry period, and then take the rest of it out.
[26:28] Okay.
[26:30] And then
[26:32] don't approximately lane 235 under whites pond.
[26:38] There's been a statement added in there to say if the NRC is interested
[26:42] in pursuing the acceptance of whites pond.
[26:45] I, I don't remember that it was dependent on that.
[26:47] I think we had a lot of discussion that we, we felt that we
[26:50] had to discuss it anyway.
[26:53] At some point.
[26:53] So I don't, I don't necessarily agree with that addition.
[27:05] I agree with you that we had to, we asked for more information and
[27:10] Expected to talk further about it.
[27:13] Right.
[27:14] And so it wasn't dependent on the NRC being interested.
[27:17] Because, you know, you know, it's moving forward as a citizen's petition and, you
[27:21] know, we, we might want to know more about it.
[27:23] So I would suggest, suggest striking that edit.
[27:27] Megan it's
[27:29] it's I've heard white pond and whites pond.
[27:33] I don't know the answer to that, but I will find out and we
[27:35] can correct.
[27:35] It's generally pond.
[27:37] Let me see what we have on the map, which is.
[27:40] The
[27:42] I can it's white.
[27:45] Do you have a, I dunno, it's has whites.
[27:48] How do they spell it though?
[27:49] W I G H T S mm-hmm no apostrophe, no apostrophe.
[27:52] Okay.
[27:52] No.
[27:53] Okay.
[27:53] Okay.
[27:53] Good.
[27:54] Okay.
[27:56] Hmm.
[27:58] Colette.
[27:59] Anything else?
[28:02] No, that's it on the, on that's it.
[28:04] Anybody else have any comments on the 22nd?
[28:07] I had one comment.
[28:08] Go ahead, Kenny.
[28:09] Right in the intro.
[28:16] In the call to order, it says the meeting was not recorded as it
[28:19] was a working retreat.
[28:21] And that is not in fact, the case.
[28:24] So
[28:25] we need to change that.
[28:28] Do we wanna say video?
[28:29] Not televised.
[28:30] Yeah.
[28:32] Is that okay?
[28:37] Did we record the meeting?
[28:39] Was recorded.
[28:42] We didn't announce that though.
[28:43] Right?
[28:46] I don't think so.
[28:48] No, we didn't cuz that's not what's in my notes.
[28:50] So, but that I think tele not televised is AC accurate.
[28:56] Anything else, Kenny?
[28:57] Okay.
[28:57] Anything else on the 22nd?
[29:00] All right.
[29:01] Anything on August 17th.
[29:04] I do
[29:06] go ahead, Colette.
[29:08] So on
[29:10] lane one 12.
[29:14] It says
[29:16] sorry, my wait, I'll wait till Megan brings up.
[29:32] So on line one 12, when it says.
[29:35] Asked whether the board had previously discussed outsourcing.
[29:40] I think that's actually a better representation of what has actually happened because the
[29:43] board has several times discussed outsourcing.
[29:47] Of the
[29:48] weights and measures to the.
[29:51] To the
[29:53] Norfolk county.
[29:53] So, I mean, that's why it was worded that way.
[29:59] We have discussed it.
[29:59] Megan had advised us several times that Jack was retiring.
[30:04] And that we were looking.
[30:06] To
[30:07] whether we could outsource it.
[30:08] And we'd had a previous discussion about it.
[30:11] So several times I had to ask, when did we have the discussion discuss
[30:15] Because I'm, so we had a unfamiliar with it.
[30:18] So we had it several times,
[30:19] I think in ACHI, at least once in public session, because I had asked
[30:22] if we could put as
[30:25] a review of.
[30:26] The
[30:28] the money that we pay to the county, I think is a.
[30:32] It's a significant amount of money that we pay to the county and whether
[30:34] we were getting value from money for that.
[30:35] And Megan has always responded.
[30:38] That
[30:39] she, she believed it would be an.
[30:41] Something we would look into with the weights and measures when the current.
[30:45] Mr. Walsh retired because it's hard to hire.
[30:49] And the, the county was providing that service.
[30:51] We've had that discussion at least three times.
[30:54] Okay, this is an accurate representation of what I said at the meeting though
[30:58] And that's what minutes are for, it's not for you also had this discussion
[31:02] Before, when, if there's something that's said that's incorrect, we don't necessarily want to
[31:06] make that part of the record.
[31:07] So we had this discussion, I think two weeks ago.
[31:10] And I think that I believe that's in our policy.
[31:12] So something that's said.
[31:14] You try and correct it in the moment, but you don't want to factor
[31:14] That's incorrect.
[31:16] it into the, into the record.
[31:18] So that's why I thought this was a better.
[31:20] I think you asked, you know,
[31:23] whether the port had discussed it.
[31:24] And I think that's a better representation of the, of the actual.
[31:28] Situations, because if you say, you know, why the board had not discussed it
[31:31] there's no correction that that's not true.
[31:37] What was, I apologize club.
[31:39] What was the edit that you were suggesting?
[31:42] So when it says
[31:45] she asked
[31:46] the, the why.
[31:48] I, I think I, I, I think it should stay as she asked, whether
[31:51] the board had previously discussed, not why the board had not previously discussed.
[31:57] So under the weather being eliminated and the adding of why.
[32:02] And undo the adding of not.
[32:20] Okay.
[32:21] And then at the very end online, 1 25, when it says as it's technically
[32:26] a deviation.
[32:27] From the language in M M G L. I don't think that's necessary because
[32:30] I think.
[32:31] I don't think that's the case again, for the same reason, we had an
[32:34] opinion that it, you know, it was acceptable.
[32:37] So I don't, I don't think that's helpful.
[32:39] To put in there.
[32:41] They did.
[32:43] Actually agree to that.
[32:44] Collette at the meeting, I went back and watched it.
[32:46] So I.
[32:48] Would like that included.
[32:49] And I did actually say that.
[32:51] So.
[32:52] I don't believe we should rewrite.
[32:55] What happened?
[32:57] Can I make a comment Marjorie?
[32:59] Yeah, go ahead, Kenny.
[32:59] So I'm going to say what I said the last time, the, the minutes
[33:03] Are there to memorialize what happened?
[33:05] Not whether or not what happened is right or wrong.
[33:08] And when we go through this exercise of.
[33:11] Well that's that might not be right.
[33:13] Or I, I have no idea factually what we're saying is accurate.
[33:17] At the moment.
[33:19] But there's things that are black and white right.
[33:22] And wrong.
[33:22] And then there's a lot of gray in the middle.
[33:24] And when we start editorializing,
[33:27] I think we're going down a bad path.
[33:28] I think the minute should say.
[33:30] What happened, whether what was stated was accurate or not, it's what was stated
[33:35] And, and I think it should say that.
[33:38] I mean, and that, and that's a fair opinion, but I do think that
[33:41] when you put something that's factually incorrect in the, in the record, that's problematic
[33:44] And we talked about.
[33:45] That before in the minutes or not to record every single comment that's made
[33:49] So, I mean, it's up to the board to decide, not me.
[33:51] I, I do looking at this.
[33:53] I do understand what you're saying, Kenny, and I think you're making a, a
[33:55] good point.
[33:57] But I think, for example, if the statement as a technically is a deviation
[34:01] from the language, whether it was said or not, if it's incorrect, it shouldn
[34:05] Shouldn't be in here.
[34:08] And I,
[34:09] I'm
[34:11] I'm
[34:11] my assumption is that our opinion from Tom Harrington establishes that it's not.
[34:17] Well, and eliminating the last phrase does not diminish the fact that Beth wanted
[34:23] to.
[34:25] Be assured that it was legally.
[34:27] Permissible.
[34:31] I'm not a pining on any particular thing here.
[34:34] I just think we should be,
[34:35] we should.
[34:37] State what was said, and if we need to put a footnote that says
[34:41] FYI, this is actually wrong, then we should do it that way.
[34:44] But I, I don't, I think editorializing.
[34:47] Is a dangerous place to go.
[34:50] But, but you know, the minutes are a summary and it is, it's a
[34:53] judgment that we make, whether it's and a good summary or not.
[34:55] So I would, I would make a motion to remove this statement.
[34:58] At the end of line 1 22 through 1 23.
[35:02] Second.
[35:04] In Kenny?
[35:06] No.
[35:07] Beth.
[35:07] No.
[35:09] Tom.
[35:09] Yes, Colette.
[35:11] Yes.
[35:12] So I'd like to.
[35:15] Make a motion to amend.
[35:16] Can we say.
[35:18] That Ms. Sullivan woods indicated she wanted a legal opinion from town counsel.
[35:23] Confirming the arrangement is permissible before voting.
[35:26] Because
[35:27] she believed it to be.
[35:30] A technical deviation.
[35:32] From the
[35:34] I'll second, the amendment.
[35:39] Okay.
[35:39] As amended.
[35:41] Well, what about, because she believes it may be.
[35:45] I believe it is I technical is deviation.
[35:48] Right.
[35:52] I, I feel like you get there with the, because she believes I can't
[35:56] hear Kenny, can you hear mic on?
[35:57] Yes,
[35:58] I.
[35:58] Think you get there.
[35:59] It's not on, sorry.
[36:01] I think we get there because it's qualified with.
[36:04] An opinion, which is she, she believes it is a technical deviation.
[36:08] Right.
[36:08] And that's fair.
[36:09] She believes it may be, is not actually what she believed.
[36:12] Right.
[36:13] All right.
[36:14] Let's leave.
[36:14] She believes it is.
[36:16] So we have an amended motion.
[36:18] That's been seconded on the floor, Tom.
[36:21] Tom.Aye.
[36:21] Collette.
[36:23] Aye.
[36:24] Kenny.
[36:24] Aye, Beth.
[36:25] Aye.
[36:25] Okay.
[36:26] And aye, vote.
[36:26] Aye.
[36:26] As well.
[36:28] Anything else?
[36:28] Colette.
[36:29] I have no further edits.
[36:30] Okay.
[36:30] All right.
[36:31] May we have a motion on the approval of the minutes?
[36:34] Move to approve the minutes of July 22nd, 2026 and August 17th, 2026 as amended.
[36:41] Second
[36:42] Beth.
[36:43] Aye, Tom.
[36:44] Aye.
[36:45] Kenny.
[36:45] Aye.
[36:46] Collette.
[36:47] Aye.
[36:48] And I vote aye as well.
[36:51] Okay.
[36:52] Our next agenda item.
[36:54] Let me just get there.
[36:56] Is executive session.
[36:59] I request a motion to enter into executive session with respect to negotiations with
[37:04] the Wellesley patrol officer's association.
[37:07] Wealthy superior officers.
[37:09] Officers, Wesley firefighters, I a F F local 1795.
[37:14] Wellesley library, staff association.
[37:16] And Wellesley library, supervisor association.
[37:19] As well as to conduct strategy with respect to litigation.
[37:23] On 40 Oakland street.
[37:26] To move to enter executives, obsession, I think is it 4:37 PM.
[37:32] And to invite executive director and Megan job.
[37:35] Assistant executive director at Cory tester, human resources, director, Dolores Hamilton.
[37:40] Town council, Tom Harrington, special council, Nick Nicholas Shapiro.
[37:45] Alan Coote of Ty bond police, chief Scott Woodmore.
[37:50] Fire chief Steve Marelli, library, director, Jamie Jergenson, and board of library trustee.
[37:56] Chair, Marla Robinson to join the meeting.
[37:59] Following the close of executive session.
[38:01] The board will return to open session for the sole purpose of adjourning, the
[38:04] meeting.
[38:04] And sorry, I should have said that.
[38:06] That was.
[38:07] Entering executive session under mass general law, chapter 38, subsection 21 E three to
[38:13] conduct strategy.
[38:15] With
[38:17] respect to negotiations with the LC.
[38:19] Police patrol officers association was a firefighters I a F F local 1 7 95.
[38:25] Rosie library, staff association and Wellesley library, supervisor association, and to conduct strategy with
[38:30] respect to litigation with the Commonwealth regarding 40 co.
[38:33] Street and Wellesley superior officers.
[38:36] Officers and wealthy superior officers.
[38:37] Okay.
[38:37] Thank you.
[38:38] Second
[38:40] Kenny.
[38:41] Aye, Tom.
[38:42] Aye.
[38:42] Collette.
[38:44] Aye Beth.
[38:45] Aye.
[38:45] And I vote aye as well.
[38:46] Thank you everybody.
[38:47] We will be back at five 30.
[38:51] Next Tuesday, September 29th.