2026-09-22 - Select Board

00:47Forgot the gavl. Okay. Uh, it being 6 pm

00:51here on Tuesday in the great hall, I

00:53bring this meeting of the select board

00:55to order. Uh before we begin tonight's

00:59regular agenda,

01:01I just would like to take a few moments.

01:04It's only fitting that this board

01:06acknowledges the immense loss our

01:09community has experienced with the

01:11recent passings of Joe Harrington and

01:14Jodie Hensley. Both individuals gave

01:17decades of their lives to the service of

01:19our town.

01:21Joe Harrington for many years served as

01:23our town manager, pardon me, town

01:26moderator,

01:27excuse me, guiding our town meetings

01:30with fairness, integrity, and kindness.

01:34We also grieve the loss of Jody Hensley,

01:36a champion for Westboro schools with the

01:40distinction of not only serving on our

01:41Westboro school committee, but also time

01:44as its chair. She also served on the

01:47advisory finance committee again as

01:50chair as well. They will both be sorely

01:53missed.

01:55On behalf of the select board, we extend

01:57our deepest condolences to the

01:59Harrington and Hensley families. We are

02:02profoundly grateful for their service.

02:04And I just ask that everyone present

02:06please join us in a moment of silence.

02:09[snorts]

02:26Thank you.

02:30We convene this meeting. We start with

02:32the pledge of allegiance. If you are

02:34able to, please rise and join us.

02:38Pledge allegiance to the flag of the

02:41United States of America and to the

02:44republic for which it stands. One nation

02:47under God, indivisible, with liberty and

02:51justice for all.

02:59Okay. [laughter]

03:01The first item on our agenda

03:04is the fire chief contract and the

03:07swearing in of our new fire chief,

03:10Daniel Hair.

03:15[applause]

03:26There'll be a few more of those.

03:29See,

03:32so the select board and our new fire

03:34chief have concluded negotiations on a

03:37three-year employment agreement that

03:38runs through June 30th of 2029 and

03:42provides the following. Uh year one of

03:44the contract is a partial year from

03:47September 17th through June 30th of next

03:50year with a base salary of 151,982

03:55equivalent to $193,500

03:58on an annual basis. In contract years

04:01two and three, the chief's base salary

04:04shall increase by the same percentage as

04:06other non-union employees of the town.

04:09In addition to the base salary, the

04:10chief shall be entitled to an annual

04:12longevity stipend in the amount of $2400

04:15and a $1,600 annual uniform allowance.

04:19The contract [snorts] also provides for

04:21five weeks of vacation annually with

04:23sick leave, personal leave, and holidays

04:25granted in accordance with the town's

04:28personnel policies.

04:30The fully executed contract will be

04:32posted to the labor and employment

04:33agreements page of the town's human

04:36resources website.

04:38And with that,

04:41members of the board will sign the

04:42contract.

04:51Dad, do you have a pen? Come on.

05:02[clears throat]

05:18Okay.

05:19[snorts]

05:47Congratulations, Chief.

05:49[applause]

05:58>> [applause]

06:03[applause]

06:13>> We're not quite done yet. Uh, Captain

06:16Busha,

06:18you come forward to say a few words.

06:19Thank you very much.

06:22Hey,

06:22>> everybody. Good evening.

06:25Thank you all for being here to

06:26celebrate this important moment for both

06:29the fire department and our community.

06:31For those of you who don't know me, my

06:33name is Roger Bush Jr. and I have the

06:35honor and privilege of serving as a

06:37captain and shift commander on group one

06:39here at the fire department. Most

06:41recently, you may have seen me

06:42impersonating a chief fire officer

06:44candidate um on live TV as a finalist

06:47for this very position that we're

06:48filling tonight.

06:49promised myself I wouldn't bring up that

06:51I was a split decision, so I won't.

06:53[laughter]

06:56[snorts] In all seriousness, the select

06:58board, you made the right choice. This

07:00evening, we celebrate the promotion of

07:01Daniel Hair from captain to chief of

07:03department.

07:05Dan has been with the Westboro Fire

07:06Department since 2002 and has risen

07:08through the ranks from firefighter from

07:10probationary firefighter to now chief of

07:12department. It is a great day when a

07:14department can see one of its own who

07:16started here as a probationary

07:18firefighter and through hard work,

07:19dedication, and a relentless pursuit of

07:21excellence become the top dog. It gives

07:24me tremendous sense of pride and I feel

07:26honored to wear this patch. Now, if you

07:29will indulge me, I have a short story

07:31that speaks to the character and and

07:33integrity of Chief Hair. Back on August

07:3611th, the day of the final interview for

07:38this position, I asked Dan if he would

07:39be willing to come into town a little

07:41earlier and sit down with me. The

07:42original plan was to go out for coffee,

07:44but then I remembered the history of Dan

07:46Hair, white shirts, and coffee. So, we

07:48decided to sit in his office and have a

07:49conversation instead.

07:53So,

07:55Dan was and still is a mentor to me. He

07:58was my captain when I was first promoted

07:59to lieutenant, and he was an excellent

08:01example of leadership when I was

08:02pursuing the captain's position that I

08:04hold today.

08:05When I sat down with Dan about an hour

08:07before our interviews, I explained that

08:08I was facing a moral dilemma. I had been

08:11supportive of Dan pursuing the chief's

08:12position when it opened. He encouraged

08:14me to apply for the position and see the

08:16process through. Then quite suddenly and

08:18unexpectedly, I found myself as a

08:20finalist competing against him for the

08:22very position I had been encouraging him

08:24to obtain. It was quite the conundrum.

08:28Dan was still my horse and I wanted him

08:30to do well. Yet, I have a little bit of

08:32a competitive edge. And when I commit to

08:35something, I give it everything I have.

08:37I expressed my concerns and wanted to

08:38ensure that regardless of the outcome,

08:40our relationship would not be affected.

08:42Aside from the normal buddy to boss

08:44changes that occur after a promotion,

08:47Dan told me to give it 110%. And that if

08:49the chips fell in my favor, he would be

08:51thrilled to have me as the fire chief

08:52and retire as a West Bro captain with a

08:55smile on his face and pride in his

08:56heart.

08:57We spoke for quite a while and in

08:59classic Dan hair fashion, he brought me

09:01brought my anxiety and stress levels

09:03down. Even though he was experienced

09:05many of those same feelings that I was

09:07feeling, it helped me refocus.

09:10Obviously, not too well because I was

09:11still a soup sandwich at the podium. But

09:13I've learned to let it go. [laughter]

09:15What he said to me before those

09:17interviews was not just talk. He did not

09:19say those things simply to make me feel

09:21better. It came from the heart. And he

09:23genuinely meant every word. That speaks

09:25volumes about the character and

09:26integrity Chief Hair possesses.

09:29Chief, I'm proud to call you my chief,

09:31not the chief, but my chief, our chief.

09:34And I'm confident every firefighter in

09:36this room from the Westboro Fire

09:38Department feels the same way.

09:40When Select Board Chair Kio cast the

09:43tiebreaking vote, called you in from the

09:44bullpin, and let me off the hook, I was

09:47overjoyed for you. You have now taken

09:49the reigns and accepted this incredible,

09:51some may say terrible yet honorable

09:53burden of command. I would like to

09:55finish with a quote from General Douglas

09:57MacArthur.

09:58A true leader has the confidence to

10:00stand alone, the courage to make tough

10:02decisions, and the compassion to listen

10:04to the needs of others. He does not set

10:06out to be a leader, but becomes one by

10:08the quality of his actions and the

10:09integrity of his intent. Chief, there

10:12will be times when you will need to need

10:14that confidence and courage to stand

10:15alone and make difficult decisions that

10:17not everyone will agree with. But I know

10:19you to be a leader who possesses the

10:21compassion to listen to the needs of

10:22both the members of this department and

10:24the community we serve and who will

10:26always do what is right for everyone

10:28involved. I look forward to the great

10:30things you will accomplish for our

10:31department and for this community.

10:32Congratulations, Chief.

10:35[applause]

10:39>> [applause]

11:02>> have you raise your right hand. Do you,

11:05Daniel Hair, solemnly swear that you

11:08will bear true faith and allegiance to

11:10the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and

11:12support the Constitution thereof?

11:15>> I do.

11:16>> Do you, Daniel Hair, promise to impart

11:19professional standards of quality and

11:21integrity so that the conduct of the

11:23affairs of your office shall be above

11:25reproach and merit public confidence in

11:28the position of fire chief?

11:30>> I do.

11:31And do you, Daniel Hair, solemnly swear

11:33and affirm that you will faithfully and

11:35impartially discharge and perform all

11:38the duties incumbent on you as chief of

11:40the Westboro Fire Department according

11:42to the best of your abilities and

11:44understanding and agreeably to the rules

11:46and regulations of the Constitution, the

11:48laws of the Commonwealth, and the bylaws

11:50of this town.

11:51>> I do.

11:51>> Congratulations.

11:52>> Thank you. [applause]

11:57HEAT. HEAT.

12:00[applause]

12:22>> [applause]

12:27[applause]

12:31[applause]

12:35>> I won't steal the meeting. The select

12:38board should know better than to give me

12:39a microphone though. We could be here

12:40all night. No, just as thanks to my

12:42family, my wife, my kids are here. Um,

12:46it's an honor to this department. Um,

12:49I'm just humbled at the attendance

12:52tonight and I'm proud to be your chief.

12:54So, thanks for coming everybody. I'll

12:56let you get on with your meeting. Thank

12:58you very much.

13:01[applause]

13:06[applause]

13:15So, we include time in our agenda for

13:18pictures. So, if and there's plenty of

13:21room here in the great hall. I don't

13:22know if the entire team wants to get up

13:24here for one. The tax is one picture

13:27with the select board though.

13:28>> Yes.

13:30We're coming.

13:30>> Yeah.

14:14>> [clears throat]

14:37[applause]

15:25>> Looks pretty wide.

15:28Got to get top.

15:30>> They're going diesel. You know what? We

15:32stand right.

15:36>> Yeah.

15:40>> Come on, Kyle. Bring it in.

15:49baseball.

15:56>> Close enough.

16:09[applause]

16:13>> [applause]

16:27[clears throat]

16:41>> Yeah.

17:02Well done, Sean.

17:04>> Very good.

17:05>> So far so good.

17:06>> And thanks for doing that for Joe and

17:08Jody.

17:08>> Yeah, sure.

17:15dark hair right there. Okay. Well, we'll

17:18see how many people raise.

17:20>> Yeah.

17:49If

17:51the audio goes out, they have to reset

17:53it. It takes like three minutes.

18:02>> And then yesterday at the very beginning

18:04>> Yeah. Yeah.

18:13>> You don't have a mic stand. So

18:15optimistic. Oh, we

18:16>> Yeah, we just moved it for the

18:29Um, welcome to

18:36>> I think

18:42standing.

18:42>> Yeah.

18:43>> Okay.

18:44>> Um,

18:44>> I don't know. Just food for thought. I

18:48don't think

18:50>> with the table there.

18:52>> Yeah.

18:58>> Okay.

18:58>> I think we have to be clear that this

18:59isn't a [laughter] it's not a posted

19:02agenda. [clears throat] So, it's only

19:03open forum. Is that how you

19:04>> right? Yes.

19:05>> Yes.

19:06>> Yep.

19:09>> Okay. Thank you everyone.

19:11Moving forward with our meeting.

19:16Uh we now move to open forum.

19:20Um show of hands. How many people would

19:24like to speak at open forum today?

19:29One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,

19:32eight, eight. Okay, maybe close to 10.

19:36Okay, so the way open forum works is we

19:40have 10 minutes dedicated at the

19:42beginning of the meeting. Um so we

19:45usually will take up to four

19:48individuals. Your time is limited to

19:50three minutes at open forum. We will

19:53then uh move to the next item in the

19:55agenda and we continue open forum at the

19:59end of the meeting until everybody has

20:01had the opportunity to speak.

20:04Okay. Um, so I guess that may depend on

20:08how strongly you want to or if somebody

20:11else covers your item, but uh, open form

20:14again, three minutes. We'll ask you to

20:16come up here, uh, provide your name and

20:18address, and then you can tell us

20:20whatever you would like. Okay. Uh, let's

20:23see. Well, why don't we get a show of

20:25hands?

20:27>> Oh, go ahead.

20:28>> A show of hands again. Um, yes.

20:32Over here on the left, if you'd like to

20:34come up and speak, provide your name and

20:36address.

20:44>> Yes, please.

20:48>> And just pull it right up to you so

20:50everyone can hear you nice and clear.

20:51>> Thank you. This is all new to me, so

20:53that's fine.

20:54>> Thanks.

20:55>> Um, I was here just last week.

20:57>> And And just

20:57>> Oh, yes. because we might be able to

20:59hear you, but everyone wants to hear

21:00you, so keep it close. Thank you.

21:02>> Thank you. My name is Christine Farmer,

21:053 Joanne Drive. Um, and thank you so

21:07much for uh allowing this open forum for

21:10people to express their concerns. Um, I

21:13have some notes here if I may.

21:16We are at the brink of a seinal moment

21:21for our town, our commonwealth, and New

21:25England at large. As a result, I

21:28respectfully ask the select board to

21:31hold off closing the warrant at this

21:34time. As you are well aware, Amazon

21:38Prime Air is proposing to launch MK30

21:42drone deliveries from 60 OD Street with

21:46a service area extending approximately 7

21:48and a half miles in every direction up

21:51to a thousand flights per day. That's

21:54roughly three per minute from dusk to

21:57dawn, seven days a week.

22:01If Amazon moves forward, Westboro will

22:04become a regional drone hub, [sighs]

22:08the epicenter of a new level of

22:10commercial drone activity with the

22:13resulting flight traffic concentrated

22:15over Westboro and neighboring

22:17communities.

22:19The impact is real, widespread,

22:23and there's no turning back.

22:26In the last four weeks, Amazon has

22:30dropped this proposal upon our door our

22:33doorstep to our town officials and to

22:36our town.

22:38since Amazon's first presentation at the

22:41August 18 select board meeting and again

22:44last week to the planning board meeting

22:47which I attended just out of coincidence

22:50because I saw an article in the in the

22:52advocate.

22:54Our town has had little time to study,

22:57review, seek input or absorb the risks,

23:02consequences and potential impact.

23:06and it is unclear if there is any

23:09recourse to stop, pause, or mitigate its

23:14harmful effects.

23:17This is also happening at a time when

23:19the FAA itself, the regulatory body

23:23overseeing our skies, is grappling with

23:26drone port regulations,

23:28which are still unclear and not fully

23:31formed.

23:33As Amazon's first sight in the

23:36Commonwealth and in New England at

23:38large, this is a watershed moment and

23:41should not be taken quickly or lightly.

23:45Our leadership, due diligence, and

23:49decisions will have dramatic,

23:51far-reaching, and irreversible effects

23:55for Westboro, our neighboring

23:58communities, as well as setting

24:00precedents for communities across the

24:03state.

24:06Westboro does not need to be a test

24:08case.

24:10Communities in Texas, Nebraska,

24:12Michigan, Louisiana, and others have

24:16cited major negative effects in

24:18disruptions to their quality of life.

24:21Some quick examples that I'm sure you've

24:23seen. Continuous buzzing described as

24:26loud swarms of bees, lawnmowers, or leaf

24:30blowers. Flights every five minutes drup

24:33disrupting people working from home.

24:37children with sensory sensitivities

24:40and outdoor activities,

24:42concerns about drone littered skies and

24:45aerial malfunctions over populated

24:47areas.

24:48>> Miss Farmer, if you could wrap up your

24:50comments.

24:50>> Thank you. Before closing the warrant, I

24:54asked the select board, could you please

24:57first

24:59request the planning board to reconsider

25:02Amazon's special permit application to

25:05include a full community environmental

25:08safety and privacy impact study while

25:11including other restrictions in guard

25:14rails.

25:15In number

25:18and number two,

25:20create an article on the October 26 town

25:23meeting warrant to allow the community

25:25to hear and greater to address concerns

25:28and potential impact. Some concerns may

25:32include what authority does Westboro

25:34have to regulate or restrict a drone

25:36port given that the FAA and Amazon

25:40themselves classify their drones as

25:42aircraft.

25:43>> Right. Thank you, Miss Farmer.

25:45>> And one more question. May I May I

25:47request just one more?

25:48>> Given you five minutes,

25:50>> just this one more point.

25:57>> Open forum rules are clear and they are

25:59for everybody.

26:01>> Please, please wrap up.

26:03>> One, one more question. This is the most

26:04important one and I thank you.

26:06Why was the special permit deemed

26:09unnecessary when Amazon's proposed drone

26:12launch operation goes beyond its current

26:15business use under existing zoning laws?

26:19And what new bylaw laws can be adopted

26:22to restrict this operation?

26:24Bottom line, we should not be asked to

26:27bear the burden or the magnitude of

26:29these consequences of an unprecedental

26:32unprecedented operation before we have

26:35taken full assessment of the risks,

26:37consequences, and safeguards.

26:40Let Westboro learn before Amazon

26:43launches, not after. There's no turning

26:46back.

26:47>> Thank you.

26:48>> Thank you very much for your time.

26:50[applause]

26:57>> [applause]

27:03>> Miss Farmer, could you provide your

27:05comments to the town manager for the um

27:08>> just so we have a copy?

27:09>> Yes. Thank you.

27:19>> Okay.

27:22speak from the other mic. Okay.

27:25>> All right. Um, if you could address the

27:27crowd from the other mic. Yes, sir.

27:32>> Oh, sorry. The gentleman in the back,

27:34then I'll get you.

27:41>> Why don't you use that one over there?

27:43Thank you.

27:44>> Just [clears throat] when you talk, it

27:46feels loud, but please put it right up

27:48so that everyone can hear you this way.

27:50>> Yes. I'm usually accusing my wife of

27:52overspeaking at restaurants. So I I will

27:54try to be clear. Um Rod Jana, 17

27:57Piccadilly Way, Westboro. Uh thank you

28:00for having this uh meeting tonight and

28:03thank you for the work you do on the

28:04board. Um I want to agree with

28:07everything that Chris Farmer has said. I

28:10think her requests are very reasonable.

28:13I did listen to the Amazon presentation.

28:15It was very professional. Um, but the

28:19thought occurred to me that there are

28:21we're talking about a thousand drones a

28:24day.

28:26And if you divide that by the hours in a

28:29day, let's call it uh 10 uh daylight

28:32hours, that's 100 an hour. Uh, and by

28:36the way, that's a round trip. So that's

28:38really 200 an hour in terms of those

28:40going over Westboro. And I looked at the

28:42radius of what we're talking about. It

28:45brings in I think about 12 towns uh four

28:48of them fully into the radius and six or

28:51seven of them partially into that

28:53radius. They those towns will feel a

28:55minimum of the impact. They might get 2%

28:58or 5% depending on where they are in

29:00that radius. The one thing is Westboro

29:03gets 100% of that impact.

29:07I know in the history of Westboro, we've

29:09had many contentious issues like the

29:11lights at the high school, uh, cutting

29:13the school budget by a million dollars.

29:15I've had the chance to participate in

29:17some of those discussions.

29:19It seems to me that this thing is going

29:22really fast for the impact we're talking

29:24about.

29:25This is a really big deal. And you can

29:28hear those things at 200 feet or 100

29:30feet, it doesn't matter. You can hear

29:31drones. There's no doubt about that. I

29:34think most of us have seen them in the

29:35sky. And when they, by the way, they're

29:37coming down 13 feet over your neighbor's

29:40house and lawn. That's very disruptive.

29:44Um, just gut feel on this one, uh, folks

29:48is we ought to hit the pause button and

29:51have a full community discussion before

29:54proceeding further. So, I would second

29:56what Chris Farmer said. Uh, she's

29:58proposing very reasonable steps. Uh, gut

30:02feel on this is it's not a good thing

30:03for Westboro. Uh, I hope you'll take the

30:06time to allow the community to weigh in

30:08on that um and provide you with the

30:11feedback that I think you need as a

30:13board uh before going forward with this

30:15plan. Thank you. Thank you. [applause]

30:33>> Thank you, Wayne. Lockard 10 Myrtle

30:35Street. Like many things, pendolums

30:38swing very far in both directions and

30:40Amazon isn't the only drone provider now

30:43or in the future. What I would ask is

30:46that the town look at options such as

30:48geo fencing where you can have multiple

30:51levels of allowance of flying in

30:54designated areas. Gillette Stadium

30:56geofences the stadium when there's a

30:58major concert there. They don't allow

30:59drones because it's an FAA offense to

31:01fly over there because it's been

31:02geofenced. There are options to block

31:06off this airspace uh over some of our

31:09public areas, our our highly populated

31:11areas, really densely populated areas,

31:13or maybe even communities want to get

31:15together and geofence their whole

31:16neighborhood. I think the town should

31:18look at options that are within the

31:21operation mandate of the FAA for these

31:24drones and alternative they can deploy

31:27systems like defend and top stop drones

31:30altogether. But that's another pendulum

31:32swing. Thank you.

31:33>> Thank you. [applause]

31:41>> Yes, sir.

31:54>> Uh at 402 Whipple Tree Lane. Uh while

31:58drones delivery promises rapid ondemand

32:02shipping, public policy experts, urban

32:06planners, environmental researchers, and

32:08privacy advocates have raised

32:10significance arguments against this

32:12adoption.

32:15Delivery drones rely on cameras, LAR,

32:18and optical sensors to navigate and

32:19avoid obstacles. This creates a

32:22continuous state of low altit altitude

32:24surveillance over private backyards and

32:27homes.

32:28Privacy organizations highlight risks in

32:31how commercial entities retain, store,

32:34and monetize visual data gathered during

32:37property flyovers.

32:40Vanderbilt University public policy

32:42polling revealed that 66% of Americans

32:45oppose drones taking photos of videos of

32:48their homes, citing privacy violations

32:50as a leading concern.

32:54Unlike low frequency rumble of

32:56traditional delivery trucks, small

32:58rotors produce high-pitched fluctuating

33:01tonal noise. Studies show that humans

33:04find drone noise significantly more

33:07psychoacoustically annoying than ground

33:09traffic, even at equivalent decibel

33:12levels. Hovering during descent intro

33:15introduces distinct acoustical phases

33:18that disrupt suburban backyards, parks,

33:21and quiet neighborhoods.

33:24A systematic literature review published

33:26by the National Institutes of Health

33:28highlighted that drone noise causes

33:31higher annoyance and potential health

33:33stress due to its distinct acoustic

33:36signature. [clears throat]

33:40Lastly, there are nuanced environmental

33:43impacts. While drones eliminate tailpipe

33:46emissions during flight, the production

33:49and disposal of lithium ion batteries

33:52create substantial life life cycle

33:55carbon emissions.

33:57Lowalt alitude operations frequently

33:59cause distress to avon wildlife and

34:02disturb biodiversity.

34:05The European Union Aviation Safety

34:07Agency guidelines on environmental

34:10protection emphasize that drone networks

34:12require a full product environmental

34:16footprint life cycle tracking to avoid

34:19offset emissions.

34:22Um I I live in Amazon's backyard.

34:26I'm vehemingly opposed to this. Even if

34:28I lived on the opposite side of town, I

34:31would still be opposed to this. So, I'm

34:34I'm asking you to I I agree with

34:36everything that was said earlier. I

34:38think we need a very um detailed study

34:42before we adopt this. Thank you for your

34:44time. Right.

34:45>> Thank you very much. [applause]

34:53>> So, that is the time we have allotted

34:55for open form. How many other

34:56individuals would still like to speak?

35:01Just

35:02>> one, two, three,

35:06three. Okay.

35:09Um, we're

35:11>> four.

35:12>> Four. [clears throat]

35:15>> Six. Okay. Yeah. All right. Okay. So,

35:18um, we will continue uh open form at the

35:20end of our meeting this evening. Thank

35:22you.

35:23>> Uh, any comments from the board? Um

35:26yeah, Sean, if it would be possible

35:27through you, um I would uh I think it

35:30would be appropriate for u a portion of

35:34issues and correspondence

35:36um not the social aspect of some of the

35:39things we talk about which is uh

35:40important to our community but um kind

35:42of more uh issues. Would that be

35:44appropriate for you for the board to

35:45comment on that? Now I I do have a

35:47comment.

35:47>> Yes. Yes. If you'd like to make a

35:48comment.

35:48>> Thank you.

35:50Um so I do want to raise um this uh

35:53matter of Amazon Prime um and to make a

35:55specific request of this board. My

35:57request is that we schedule an

35:59additional select board meeting on or

36:00before October 5th after tomorrow's

36:03tomorrow night's Amazon community

36:05meeting and before the planning board

36:07reconvenes its public hearing on October

36:096. I want to be very clear where I'm

36:11coming from. I am not asking us to stop

36:13this project. I am saying I don't

36:15believe we know enough yet and yet is

36:18important. I am approaching this with

36:21curiosity. I want to understand the

36:22technology, the benefits, the risks and

36:25what Amazon has learned from other

36:26communities and what this could mean for

36:28Westboro. Not only when the program

36:30launches but if and when it grows.

36:34What I am hearing from the residents

36:36tonight and certainly as I've heard

36:38since our meeting on the 18th is that

36:40many feel blindsided by this proposal

36:42and believe the process is moving very

36:45quickly. It is.

36:47Tomorrow night's community meeting that

36:49Amazon is hosting at the Double Tree

36:50will be the first real opportunity for

36:52many residents to hear directly from

36:54Amazon, ask questions, and begin to

36:56understand what living with drone

36:57delivery might actually mean. I think we

37:00need to give the public conversation

37:02time to happen and then give ourselves

37:04time to listen and process what we hear

37:06before the horse is out of the barn.

37:08That is consistent with what Amazon told

37:11us during its August 18th presentation

37:13to this board. Amazon said it wanted to

37:16have all the conversations first, not

37:18start too early with operations and

37:20above all safety first. I agree with

37:23that. But due diligence needs to include

37:26the community that will experience this

37:27operation, not only the company

37:29operating it. There are still many

37:31questions I don't believe we've

37:33answered. What? And I'll just touch on a

37:36few of those um without uh uh kind of

37:39additional comment here. What will

37:41actual noise experience be like, not

37:43simply from one drone, but when they

37:45become frequent through the day? Um uh

37:48we have heard that the number of flights

37:50per day, the projection by 2031 would be

37:53a thousand. What is the maximum number

37:55that this facility could actually

37:57support? Will we have access to flight

37:59data and incident and complaint data? Um

38:02they showed us an image of Amos for

38:04other communities amus where's one for

38:07Westboro? What are the potential impacts

38:09on wildlife, birds, and pollinators?

38:13What does safety look like for

38:15pedestrians and motorists when aircraft

38:17capable of traveling up to 74 miles an

38:19hour at forward speed, which is pretty

38:22much faster than any of us should be

38:24driving here in Westboro, are routinely

38:26operating throughout the community? What

38:28exactly do the cameras, LAR, and other

38:30sensors collect? What information is

38:32retained for how long and who can access

38:34it? What protections exist for residents

38:36who never opted into this service but

38:38live beneath the flight paths? And what

38:41happens when something goes wrong?

38:43Because it will. It's just life. If a

38:46dorm crashes, dam damages property,

38:48contributes to a motor vehicle accident,

38:50or comes down in a wooded area and

38:51creates a fire, who's responsible, and

38:54what is our local emergency response

38:56protocol? Are we prepared?

38:59I think we need to understand a land use

39:01question more fully as has already been

39:02raised. We've been told this doesn't

39:04constitute a change in use and that may

39:07ultimately be right but this is a novel

39:09use and I would like to better

39:11understand I would think Amazon would

39:13want to better understand I would think

39:14our planning board would want to better

39:16understand the basis for that

39:18determination before we conclude the

39:20question is settled. Finally, Amazon may

39:23be the first company to operate

39:24commercial drone delivery from Westboro,

39:26but it is unlikely to be the last. If

39:29another large retailer or perhaps a

39:31small one who innovates wants to do this

39:34a year after that and after that, what

39:37does that mean for the cumulative effect

39:38on this community and those that are

39:41impacted beyond Westboro? I don't raise

39:43these questions tonight because I've

39:45already reached conclusions. I'm raising

39:46them because I haven't. Tomorrow night

39:49may answer many of them. It may also

39:51surface questions we don't have answers

39:53to, and that's why the timing matters.

39:55So, back to this board. The planning

39:57board meets again on October 6. Our next

39:59regularly scheduled board meeting is the

40:02week after that. This gives this board

40:04no meaningful opportunity after

40:06tonight's meeting and the community

40:07meeting tomorrow to hear from residents,

40:09consider what we've learned, and decide

40:11whether or not we want to provide

40:12additional comments or questions to the

40:14planning board, which ultimately holds

40:16this decision in their hands. So my

40:19request again is straightforward. Let's

40:21schedule a select board meeting on

40:23before the 5th for the purpose of

40:26hearing what happens tomorrow night,

40:28contemplating that. I'm sure we'll hear

40:29from residents further and then

40:31determine what comments this board may

40:34want to submit to the planning board.

40:37This isn't about being against

40:38innovation and it isn't about stopping

40:40something because it's new. It's about

40:42making sure we don't confuse what we

40:44don't know with there isn't a problem.

40:47Maybe the answers to these questions

40:49will reassure us. I hope they will. But

40:51again, we don't have these answers. And

40:52before they're um um and before

40:55decisions are made um decisions that

40:58will be difficult to revisit and change,

41:00I believe this board owes it to our

41:02residents and frankly Amazon as well, a

41:05thoughtful, not a rush process that

41:07gives everyone enough time to understand

41:09what we're actually agreeing to. Thank

41:10you.

41:11>> All right. Thank you. [applause]

41:18>> Thank you, Select Board Member Marshall.

41:20Any other comments? Yes, Patrick.

41:23>> Thank you, Sean. Uh Shelby, thank you

41:24for your comments and I appreciate the

41:26community coming out tonight uh on a

41:28really an important topic. So, I just

41:30want to share with the community a

41:31couple of pieces of information. Um as

41:34of about 4:00 this afternoon, the board

41:36received 65 emails just since yesterday

41:38morning on this topic. By my account,

41:40this is a new record, especially in less

41:42than that 48 hour period. Um, I was

41:45surprised recently by the opinions of

41:47the planning department in the town and

41:48town council in regards to the special

41:50permit. For those of you that watched

41:52the August 18th meeting, I think you

41:54could see that on my face. Uh, it is not

41:56reasonable to expect zoning written

41:58years ago to accommodate every single

41:59future technology, but rather that it is

42:02taken with the intent of the community.

42:05Heck, we perform more review of

42:06buildings near conservation areas than a

42:08private entity flying upwards of a

42:10thousand daily aircrafts less than 200

42:12feet over every house, business, and

42:14place of worship in town and surrounding

42:17communities. I feel for the other towns

42:19that have not had any say in this. My

42:22concerns, which I believe are those of

42:23many that have not been addressed in any

42:25meaningful way, are in no particular

42:27order public safety, privacy, data

42:31breaches happen every day. environmental

42:33impacts, future applications in airspace

42:37oversaturation,

42:38and property valuation impacts.

42:41Um, therefore, I support the following

42:43actions on top of what U member Marshall

42:46had mentioned about a upcoming board

42:48meeting. Um, I would also suggest that

42:51the select board petition the planning

42:53board uh to reconsider with a letter of

42:56uh to reconsider special permit so

42:58fundamental concerns can be thoughtfully

43:00heard and studied. Second, that the

43:03board consider a board article on the

43:04upcoming warrant, even if non-binding

43:07for the upcoming town meeting, allowing

43:08public debate, which will allow the

43:10applicant to hear our legislative debate

43:12firsthand and answer questions if so

43:14inclined. This particular project is has

43:17come to this town quicker than any other

43:19project I've seen in my five years on

43:21the board. We were made aware of this

43:23probably in about mid mid late July. So,

43:25that gives you an idea of how quickly

43:27this has come forward. Um,

43:30thirdly, at the state level, uh, I

43:32reached out to, uh, Senator Moore, uh,

43:34over the last 24 hours or so to get, uh,

43:37some additional information from the

43:38state, and I just want to share with the

43:40community some information that he

43:41shared with me, which I've also shared

43:42with the board. Um, so gets a little

43:45technical here, but I just want to make

43:46sure everybody I read this in full its

43:48fullness. The FAA issued a fact sheet in

43:512023 that details the limits on the

43:53state and local authority to regulate

43:55drones. The fact sheet can be found at

43:57at a link on the FAA's website. The fact

44:00sheet emphasizes the underlying rule

44:02that the Federal Aviation Administration

44:04has the exclusive authority to regulate

44:06aviation safety and the efficient use of

44:08the airspace by aircraft. Attempts by

44:10state and local governments to regulate

44:12in those fields are preempted and also

44:15emphasizes that despite important

44:16differences between manned aircraft and

44:19unmanned aircraft known as UAS's, the

44:22basic preeemption framework described

44:24above is fully applicable to UAS's. It

44:27also notes that specifically for

44:29commercial drone operators, states or

44:31local laws affecting commercial UAS

44:33operators are more likely to be

44:34preempted than laws affecting

44:36non-commercial UAS operators. The

44:39Federal Airline Deregulation Act

44:42preempts any state or local law that

44:44directly references the prices, routes,

44:46or services of UAS operators with

44:48economic authority to provide interstate

44:51transportation or that has a significant

44:53impact on such prices, routes or

44:55services. Thus, even the law that would

44:58be permissible in the context of

44:59recreational UAS users may be preempted

45:02as applied to commercial UAS operators.

45:05Um, so you know, that's now into the

45:08record. People can read that and

45:09certainly look up the information to

45:11better understand it. It's a lot of

45:12information there. But I would just also

45:14encourage the community um to petition

45:17our congressional delegation and I would

45:19also look to this board as a third

45:21action to also look uh have a discussion

45:24about uh creating a letter to our

45:25delegation in regards to this as well.

45:28So thank you very much. [applause]

45:35>> Thank you Patrick. And and before I ask

45:38for additional questions, I guess this

45:40this agenda was originally posted on

45:42Friday and a lot of the feedback we've

45:45received has occurred sort of since this

45:47agenda was posted. So

45:50Amazon Prime was is not on this agenda

45:54this evening. Certainly as part of open

45:56forum, we want to hear your comments

45:58because it is not on an agenda. We

46:00should really not be debating this this

46:03evening. and and we have not, but

46:09I feel like we're about to. So, I would

46:12just like to say we we like we're not

46:15supposed to do that if if the other

46:18people to my right and left want to make

46:20a comment, but there really is no vote

46:22or or discussion between us this evening

46:25and that would occur at a future meeting

46:29that will be posted.

46:32Any any other thoughts? No comment.

46:36>> I think he was talking about me when he

46:39said we might start debating. So, I'll

46:41be really careful and not debate, but I

46:44just want everyone to know. Uh, I too

46:47counted the emails right before the

46:48meeting. I think I got to hundred. Uh, I

46:51read the social media posts. Um, I'm

46:54listening. I hear you.

46:58Uh, you're not falling on deaf ears.

47:00That's all I have to say.

47:03>> [applause]

47:07>> said a point of clarification from did

47:10you mean state congressional

47:14representatives or national

47:16>> federal?

47:18>> Federal. Thank you.

47:21>> Thank you. Okay. Uh moving on to our

47:24next item. Item four on our agenda.

47:27Central Massachusetts Veteran Services

47:29District Update and District renewal.

47:38>> Um, so as the board is aware, we are

47:41part of a uh regional veteran service

47:44district that includes the towns of

47:47Grafton, Shrewsbury, Northboro. Um,

47:49Westboro being the fourth town. We've

47:52been part of this district since 2013.

47:55It is approved and authorized by the

47:58state and the current three-year

48:01authorization to operate as a district

48:03expires the end of November. So, in your

48:06packet, you have a draft letter that

48:09we're requesting the board's approval

48:11and authorization for the chair to sign

48:13expressing our interest to the state.

48:15The district is interested in um

48:17continuing. And we have Jeff Frell, our

48:20district director here. um if you have

48:22any specific questions, but I think

48:25you're familiar with the way it

48:26operates. Grafton is the host community.

48:29The administrative expenses, um the town

48:32of Westboro pays 23% of those. This is

48:35already in the budget for this year.

48:37There's no change. Um and what we are

48:40able to do, we have two full-time staff

48:43who have dedicated time in each of the

48:46four communities and are able to serve

48:48veterans. Specifically under the

48:50statute, the district has to provide um

48:53benefits. Um Jeff can talk a little bit

48:56more about how many veterans were

48:58currently serving. Um but they also do

49:01above and beyond what they're required

49:03to do statutoily.

49:05>> Gota Kim, thank you very much. If folks

49:08would like to take any conversations

49:10outside, that would be appreciated.

49:11Thank you. Um and with that, Jeff, I

49:14will bring it to you. Thank you.

49:16>> Good evening. Uh thank you for having

49:17me. So Jeff Frell, I'm the director of

49:20veteran services. Currently, we have 27

49:23veterans across the district, uh, for

49:27specifically in Westboro that receive

49:29Chapter 115 benefits.

49:31Quick overview, uh, Chapter 115 is a

49:34financial safety net program. There are

49:37very strict income and asset limits. Uh,

49:40single veterans have to have under

49:42$8,400 and a married veteran has 16,600

49:48and their income has to be below 200% of

49:51the federal poverty limit, which is

49:53roughly about $2,400 a month right now.

49:56So it's tough to fit into that because

50:00that is not a lot of money and some vet

50:04this this can provide food on the table

50:07relief for some medical um bills. It is

50:11a it is a protecting our most fragile

50:15veteran community. Um the state in a

50:19whole has seen a little bit of a

50:22decrease in the numbers either due to uh

50:27age, increased income, increased

50:30benefits.

50:31We are mandated to search for other

50:34sources of income first, whether it's

50:36federal or state benefits.

50:39Both Jazelle and myself are certified VA

50:42claims agents. So, a VA service

50:45connected claim is a good way to get a

50:48veteran income maybe above what chapter

50:52115 would get as well as a whole host of

50:56long-term care benefits through the VA.

51:00Um, the Worcester VA is a great resource

51:02in our area. Um, veterans bring a a

51:07great value to the community with

51:09leadership and strong sense of

51:11community, but also specifically in

51:14Westboro, about $3.4 million a year is

51:18given to Westboro residents through the

51:20VA, whether it's veteran disability

51:23compensation, survivor benefits. So,

51:26that money is coming directly into the

51:28town. Um, veterans can use their GI bill

51:31to go to school to advance their career,

51:34use a VA home loan to purchase their

51:36first home, and set roots in a

51:38community. Um, like there are two of us,

51:42but four towns, so we can't be

51:44everywhere at once. We do work 5 days a

51:47week, so while we're in Westboro two

51:50days, we're available no matter where we

51:53are. Veterans are free to meet us in

51:55each town or families. Um we have strong

51:59partnerships with the senior and social

52:01services either hosting veterans events

52:04sharing resources with um cases that may

52:09overlap both an elder veteran and a you

52:11know a veteran that could use both

52:13services. The local uh veterans advisory

52:17board American Legion VFW we have strong

52:20partnerships with. they're able to help

52:23maybe in a case where we can't and as

52:26well as the other providers in the area.

52:29Um the state executive office of veteran

52:32services appoints what is called

52:35supportive service for veteran and

52:36family SSVF. There are two agencies in

52:41our that we are in their catchment area.

52:44So when there's a more uh needy housing

52:47case or intense case management, we we

52:51bring in those units and not take it on

52:54ourselves when possible.

52:57Um that is our operation. I'm I'm proud

53:01to serve all the veterans in the area.

53:03Westboro has a a very strong proud

53:06veteran community. So it's been a

53:08pleasure to work with them.

53:10>> Mr. Verrell, thank you very much.

53:13Uh, with that, any questions? Would

53:15>> like a motion?

53:15>> Yes, please.

53:16>> So, I'd move to authorize the chair to

53:18sign the letter to the Executive Office

53:20of Veterans Services seeking approval

53:22for the continued operation of the

53:23Central Massachusetts Veterans Services

53:26District pursuant to Massachusetts

53:28General Law, Chapter 115, Section 10.

53:31>> Second.

53:33>> Any comments?

53:34>> Yeah, I would just like to thank you for

53:35all as a son of a veteran, I appreciate

53:37all the work you and the district do for

53:38our community and the surrounding

53:40communities. So, thank thank you very

53:41much. Thank you. Thank you. All those in

53:44favor? Five to zero. Mr. Frell, thank

53:47you very much.

53:47>> Thank you very much.

53:48>> Thank you. Have a good night. Thank you

53:49for coming this evening.

53:55>> Item number five, appointment of the

53:57registar of voters.

54:01Um recently, um this position became

54:06available as the prior candidate

54:10um resigned. So, let me fast forward to

54:12that.

54:14Um, Judith Meltzer and and Judith, thank

54:17you for your work for the town. Uh, with

54:20that, we have uh three individuals who

54:24put themselves forward for this uh

54:27single appointment.

54:29Um they are brought to us in the order

54:32and they this is a democratic

54:34representative

54:36on on the board of registars and the

54:39democratic town committee has brought

54:40them forth to us in the order and in in

54:43which they would uh recommend them

54:45although they fully support all three of

54:48the candidates only one of them um may

54:52have this opportunity.

54:54Uh the three candidates are Sue McAllis,

54:58Barbara Richmond, and Judith Tully.

55:01[laughter]

55:03Do we have uh any discussion on the

55:06candidates or comments?

55:09>> Do we have any candidates here tonight

55:11would like to

55:12>> know that we have any here? No.

55:13>> Yeah. Sue Malis is here.

55:15>> Yeah, we see Judith is here.

55:16>> Sue, do you want to say anything?

55:19>> Oh, Judith is here. I'm sorry, I didn't

55:20see you there, Judith.

55:23>> It's it's up to you. Would any of the

55:25candidates like to say anything or

55:27>> I can say that

55:34I worked hard and in

55:38our membership and also trying to find

55:43community involvement

55:48and all sorts.

55:51>> [snorts]

55:54>> Thank you very much. Thank you very

55:56much. Yes.

56:55Thank you. Thank you. Yes.

57:11>> Thank you.

57:11>> I'm sorry. And your name is

57:17Thank you very much. Thank you.

57:20>> Any discussion to the board?

57:22>> Yes.

57:23>> Just has a question from from in our

57:24packet and uh maybe to the town manager.

57:28Um I think there was some letter about

57:29the town charter. Can you just highlight

57:32that

57:33>> for us just so we understand it?

57:35>> Sure. Um so Massachusetts general law

57:37requires um that that um the board of

57:41registars be balanced in terms of the

57:43two leading political parties. Um but

57:46the charter goes further to say the

57:47select board shall also appoint upon

57:49nomination by the town clerk to register

57:52our voters. So you do have in your

57:53packet a memo from our town clerk um

57:57nominating Sue McAllis.

58:03>> Okay. Thank you very much.

58:09Anything further from members of the

58:10board?

58:14>> Um, no. I'm prepared to make a motion if

58:16you'd like.

58:17>> Thank you, Shi.

58:17>> Uh, so based on the information um

58:20presented in our packet, I would move to

58:22appoint Sue McAllis to the board of

58:23registars for a term ending March 31,

58:262029.

58:27>> Second.

58:29>> Okay. Any further comments? I just want

58:32to thank everyone for putting their name

58:33in. It's always difficult when um you

58:35have to pick one and I appreciate the

58:38continued involvement of everyone in

58:41small D democratic process. Thank you.

58:46>> Thank you, Shelby. And and we had a

58:48second. You can

58:49>> I second.

58:49>> I second that. All right. Uh all those

58:52in favor

58:53I have to zero five being present. Thank

58:55you all very much.

58:56>> Thank you.

59:00>> [applause]

59:05>> Uh item six in our agenda is an update

59:08on the waste management program with our

59:11finance director.

59:13>> Yeah, just to introduce so the purpose

59:15of this agenda item is because you have

59:18on your um on the town meeting warrant

59:20an adjustment to the that enterprise

59:22fund budget. Um the finance committee

59:25had asked for some more information

59:26about the program. Um, so we're here

59:28tonight to provide you with some

59:30additional data that will also be shared

59:32with the finance committee.

59:33>> Yeah. Thank you, John Steinberg, finance

59:36director. Thanks for having me tonight.

59:38Just an update since our last

59:39presentation uh regarding how we closed

59:42out fiscal 26 going into fiscal 27 with

59:46our waste management enterprise fund uh

59:49in the program.

59:51At the close of fiscal 26, our trash

59:54production and um throwaway at the

59:57transfer station was down 58% in 2026

1:00:02from 2024, which was prior to the

1:00:05beginning of the pay as you throw

1:00:06program. It was down 20% beyond 2025. So

1:00:12fiscal 26, as you'll see, was another

1:00:1320% lower. That's just in trash. and

1:00:17recycling. In the end, 2026 was at an

1:00:21equal level as 2024 and it was down 40%

1:00:25from 2025. And I think maybe we can

1:00:28speak to that uh shortly.

1:00:32Here's a comparison by month. We

1:00:34presented this uh last time. It's pretty

1:00:38busy, but it gives you an idea of where

1:00:40things are by month, and you can see

1:00:42those are in order by fiscal year. So,

1:00:44fiscal 26 being the farthest on the

1:00:47right and being the lowest in regards to

1:00:50per month uh disposal.

1:00:55This one tells a bit of the story

1:00:56relative to recycling. This is our total

1:00:59trash um without recycling, but you can

1:01:03see the total trash drop off towards the

1:01:06end of the year, April, May, and June.

1:01:09Okay? And part of that is a little

1:01:12unknown. Okay? It really started in

1:01:14March where you see everything else in

1:01:15all the other years you saw a big spike

1:01:18where in fiscal 26 we did not have that

1:01:21spike. We looked into it with waste

1:01:23management and the reality of it is

1:01:26there were less people throwing out

1:01:28trash. Now in contrast to that our bag

1:01:31bag sales did not decline.

1:01:34So it's a real mystery. Our bag sales

1:01:37didn't decline. There's no indication

1:01:39that permit sales have tapered off, but

1:01:41we're having less people bring trash to

1:01:44the transfer station. So, it's uh we're

1:01:47trying to be conservative as we look

1:01:49into fiscal 27. However, in looking in

1:01:52retrospect, uh we also want to save

1:01:55where the taxpayers don't need to raise

1:01:57funds. We don't want to be raising funds

1:01:59for the enterprise fund if we don't need

1:02:01to. So, we've taken another look at our

1:02:04expenses and our estimates and made

1:02:06adjustments to those.

1:02:09So, just to cover quickly our cost and

1:02:12structure and how it's changed in fiscal

1:02:1427, we did see an increase. Uh, our

1:02:17annual increase by contract for trash

1:02:19went from 75 to $85 per ton. And we had

1:02:23a change in April of 2026 where we

1:02:27changed from a uh distributed recycling

1:02:32to a uh single stream. And so the cost

1:02:35went from $120 per ton where we were

1:02:38only paying for glass and plastic to $35

1:02:42per ton for all recycling. And the

1:02:45numbers reflect that that is a savings

1:02:47still.

1:02:48The yard waste went from 110,000 to

1:02:51120,000. So even with those adjusted

1:02:54prices, we foresee a savings with a

1:02:57reduction.

1:02:59And in that [clears throat] context,

1:03:01these were our annual town meeting votes

1:03:03for wages and expenses. And we are

1:03:07moving to reduce wages by $10,449.

1:03:12our supplies and bags. We want to reduce

1:03:14that expend uh estimated expense by

1:03:18$25,000.

1:03:20Other supplies will remain the same.

1:03:22Trash removal, we're lowering from 325

1:03:26to 275 by $50,000. And just a point of

1:03:30note, a few years ago that was well over

1:03:33$500,000, that number. Recycling we're

1:03:36lowing from 100,000 to 75,000 and yard

1:03:40waste 120. Indirect costs are costs that

1:03:43are incurred by the enterprise for by

1:03:46the general fund uh billing and uh

1:03:50administrative expenses. That results in

1:03:53a total reduction of $80,449.

1:03:58Um

1:04:00there is an offset, however, uh that is

1:04:04a $30,000 reduction

1:04:07in the estimated receipts. So with that

1:04:11$30,000 reduction in estimated receipts,

1:04:14uh Christie, did I do those numbers

1:04:15wrong?

1:04:16>> Yeah. So the the 80,000 is is

1:04:19>> is the total reduction in the expenses,

1:04:22>> but you have to take the net amount

1:04:24because receipts came down as well. So

1:04:26the net savings in taxes is actually the

1:04:29third 80,000 less the 30,000. So it's

1:04:3350,449.

1:04:34I think that should be 110, right?

1:04:37>> Yeah. Yeah. So the 80,449.

1:04:39>> Yeah. I didn't do it right at all.

1:04:41>> The 80,449 is the reduction.

1:04:44>> Is the reduction tax. Yes. Sorry. So

1:04:46it's that number that's wrong. That

1:04:49number is right. The important number,

1:04:50the reduction in taxes is right. It is

1:04:52$110,000.

1:04:54110449

1:04:56in reduction of expenses. Thank you.

1:05:02[laughter]

1:05:06>> So I'm happy to take any questions

1:05:08relative to that.

1:05:09>> Yes. Mark,

1:05:10>> could you go back a slide?

1:05:13>> So the yard waste, those numbers are not

1:05:17rate per ton.

1:05:18>> No,

1:05:18>> no, that's a flat fee.

1:05:19>> Just making sure, right? That seemed

1:05:20like a lot for

1:05:22>> grass clippings. So yeah, thanks for

1:05:24contract as well.

1:05:25>> Yeah,

1:05:26>> yes,

1:05:27>> I assume that was the case, but I just

1:05:29wanted to make sure.

1:05:30>> Good question.

1:05:31>> I don't know if this question is for

1:05:33Christy or John. Uh, a little bit

1:05:34tangent here to this, but relevant. Um,

1:05:38the town's municipal trash is included

1:05:42in this.

1:05:43>> No,

1:05:43>> it is not.

1:05:44>> It is not. This is 100% residential.

1:05:46>> Yes.

1:05:46>> Yes.

1:05:47>> Okay. And as well as recycling.

1:05:49>> Yes.

1:05:50>> Those two. Okay. But yes, through the

1:05:52transfer station, there's no tipping

1:05:54fees or anything else for people who do

1:05:56uh curbside pickup.

1:05:57>> That's correct. Okay. Yep. Okay. Then my

1:05:59question is not relevant. Thank you.

1:06:01>> When we created the enterprise fund, we

1:06:02moved the municipal building trash into

1:06:04the DVW budget.

1:06:05>> That's right. Yep. Okay. That's a

1:06:07follow-up question, but not for tonight.

1:06:09Thanks.

1:06:10>> And then I do have actually one last

1:06:11slide. just relative to the total

1:06:14expenditures for uh this trash which

1:06:18used to be landfill. Uh in 2025 when we

1:06:21first took on the pay as you throw but

1:06:23we're was prior to the enterprise fund

1:06:27the budget was $89,000.

1:06:29Uh you could see how to it had gone up

1:06:31and we're reducing it to $49,79

1:06:35in taxes. The rest will be supported by

1:06:38the enterprise.

1:06:40>> Great.

1:06:45We're saving that right now in just in

1:06:48looking. So, this indirectly um impacts

1:06:53our town meeting coming up because we're

1:06:55going to we're going to make budget

1:06:56adjustments within that. If I look at

1:06:59article one

1:07:00>> D on article one.

1:07:02>> Yeah. So if I look at it, it has a

1:07:06slightly different

1:07:09amount.

1:07:19Maybe we can just check that.

1:07:21>> Yeah.

1:07:22>> Yeah.

1:07:25>> I see what you're saying.

1:07:28There's 8448.

1:07:42So, we need to check.

1:07:43>> I think it's just a um a typo. It's too

1:07:45many fours. So, it's 80 44.

1:07:47>> Okay. Okay. 8448. Okay.

1:07:56>> Good news. All right. Thank you. Any

1:07:59other questions for

1:08:01>> No. No. Thank you very much.

1:08:03>> Thank you.

1:08:03>> Thank you.

1:08:10>> Next, we move to article 7, proposed

1:08:13amendment to section 2-8 of the town

1:08:15charter.

1:08:22So, I'll sort of provide a little bit of

1:08:24background. So,

1:08:26uh, last fall town meeting,

1:08:30the last fall town, it was last fall

1:08:32town meeting, correct?

1:08:33>> Um, yes.

1:08:35>> Um, there was an article related to

1:08:37moving the number of signatures required

1:08:41in order to get something on annual town

1:08:43meeting warrant. The it is currently 10

1:08:48signatures to get something on annual

1:08:50town meeting warrant.

1:08:52the a

1:08:54a article was brought to town meeting to

1:08:57raise that to 50 signatures and that

1:09:01passed at town meeting. However, when we

1:09:05brought it then to the attorney

1:09:06general's office, they had some

1:09:08questions

1:09:10and noted that

1:09:13the way they read the amendment, it said

1:09:17that 50 signatures would be needed for

1:09:20annual town meeting, but also that the

1:09:23select board would have to accept any

1:09:27article provided from any appointed

1:09:30board in town to go on to town meeting

1:09:35warrant

1:09:36and that is not current. That would be a

1:09:39change to what the current rule is and

1:09:44we were not sure that that is what town

1:09:47meeting it attend intended to have

1:09:50happen.

1:09:51So, we're going to bring we're

1:09:54discussing that tonight, bringing back

1:09:56the article at this town meeting to

1:09:59clarify that understanding before we put

1:10:02that into the town charter. Um, and

1:10:06Chris, I don't know if you have any more

1:10:08specifics or we can talk wording.

1:10:11um the um the in your on the uh this

1:10:17version of the warrant there's a new um

1:10:20section one as well.

1:10:22>> Okay. So section one changes because at

1:10:27the annual town meeting we also made an

1:10:30adjustment to uh the ability for

1:10:34citizens to put forward um

1:10:39a citizens petition. That adjustment was

1:10:44uh the town agreed upon that it should

1:10:47be 45 days before the closing of the

1:10:51warrant

1:10:52>> before town meeting.

1:10:53>> Before town meeting, pardon me. Thank

1:10:55you. 45 days before the before town

1:10:58meeting.

1:11:00So, um as part of this, we're sort of

1:11:04also incorporating that language. So

1:11:06that's the update to section one would

1:11:08change replacing 30 to 45 in section

1:11:14one. And then section two

1:11:18specifies

1:11:20well here it is. The select potentially

1:11:22this is for our discussion tonight. The

1:11:24select board shall place on the warrant

1:11:26for annual town meeting any article

1:11:28requested in writing by

1:11:32one a vote of any elected town board,

1:11:35two an elected town officer that is not

1:11:38a member of a town board or three not

1:11:42less than 50 registered voters of the

1:11:45town.

1:11:48So, oh, sorry. Under section two, um,

1:11:51town council just added, it did used to

1:11:53say an elected town officer and just

1:11:55clarifying that, um, it's not an it's

1:11:58not an individual member of an elected

1:12:00board. So, that's why it says it's not a

1:12:02member of the board. So, that's newly in

1:12:04your packet.

1:12:05>> Gotcha. Which makes sense.

1:12:07>> Yes. An elected town officer, for

1:12:10example, would be the town clerk

1:12:12>> or town moderator.

1:12:13>> Or town moderator. There you go.

1:12:16Okay. [clears throat] Um, and now that

1:12:20I've spoken for a while, I open up for

1:12:22discussion.

1:12:24Now, quickly, I I think this covers, we

1:12:28have discussed this, but I do think this

1:12:29covers um what our intention was when we

1:12:34put this uh out the first time. I think

1:12:36this just clarifies it and um going

1:12:39through that process. It sounds like

1:12:40this would be acceptable to the attorney

1:12:42general this time through if so voted by

1:12:44town meeting. So I'm in support of

1:12:47placing this language on the warrant.

1:12:51>> Okay. Thank you. Any other thoughts,

1:12:54comments, concerns?

1:12:56>> Looks good.

1:12:57>> Yep. All right. So, um, as we will then

1:13:02be voting on this language potentially

1:13:04later in this meeting, I guess we we

1:13:06don't need to vote on it here if

1:13:07everybody's in agreement.

1:13:09The only other thing I just want to

1:13:10point out is that the article

1:13:12information has been amended as well to

1:13:14just add a sentence about that new first

1:13:17section.

1:13:19>> Thank you.

1:13:22>> So this this is just concurrence with

1:13:24the language. We're not voting now on

1:13:26whether

1:13:28>> to support the art.

1:13:30>> So

1:13:30>> we're going to do that later,

1:13:32>> right? So later that there will be two

1:13:34parts. One is we vote that it belongs in

1:13:39on the warrant and then later we would

1:13:41vote for our support.

1:13:43>> Okay. Correct.

1:13:45>> Well, I'm happy with the language.

1:13:46>> Okay. So just for clarification on

1:13:49section two, the um little letter I,

1:13:52which is so again for the public, it

1:13:56says the select board shall place on the

1:13:57warrant for an annual town meeting

1:14:01any article request in writing by and

1:14:03this is the part I want to talk about a

1:14:05vote of any elected town board.

1:14:08So this would mean if I don't know the

1:14:12>> planning board, school committee,

1:14:15um

1:14:15>> library trustees,

1:14:16>> library trustees,

1:14:17>> so

1:14:18>> trustes of soldiers,

1:14:19>> the differentiation there from

1:14:20>> housing authority

1:14:21>> housing authority.

1:14:22>> So the differentiation there is the key

1:14:24is the is an elected board.

1:14:26>> Um so just

1:14:28>> because before it was sort of wide open

1:14:30that on any board or committee.

1:14:32>> Correct.

1:14:33>> Okay.

1:14:34>> Correct. So, are you calling out like

1:14:36the difference between an elected public

1:14:38board versus an elected

1:14:40>> I'm fine the way it is. I just sort of

1:14:41want to make sure we're because I I know

1:14:43we we've had several gorounds around

1:14:45this and I'm really calling it out

1:14:47really for the public to understand that

1:14:50differentiation. It's not any committee

1:14:53like so and I'm just we're in a

1:14:55historical building. So if the

1:14:57historical commission which is not an

1:14:59elected board wanted to bring forward an

1:15:01article they could but we are not as a

1:15:03board required to place it on the

1:15:05warrant because according to this

1:15:07language if it's approved they are not

1:15:09an elected board.

1:15:10>> Correct.

1:15:11>> So that just for the benefit of anyone

1:15:13listening and watching.

1:15:14>> Yeah. So the difference from the

1:15:15existing language is right now it says

1:15:18that the select board will place in

1:15:21accordance with the law any articles

1:15:23brought forward by appointed or elected

1:15:25boards and in accordance with the law

1:15:28gives you the discretion. Um retaining

1:15:31that language was confusing for what was

1:15:33trying to be achieved here. So

1:15:35>> yeah and I think that again I think the

1:15:37spirit of every select board certainly

1:15:39that I've been a part of and those the

1:15:41one I wasn't is that there is a process

1:15:44by which those other boards bring

1:15:46forward proposed articles and they're

1:15:49vetted by this board or you know what

1:15:53whatever finome whomever else would

1:15:55apply and so the spirit of that is not

1:15:59um kind of deterred but it's also to I

1:16:03think kind of make sure that we have a

1:16:05tight warrant that makes sense in the

1:16:06best interest of the town.

1:16:08>> Yeah, Shelby, all that makes sense to

1:16:09me. I just uh you know, as you open up

1:16:11the discussion about item I

1:16:14um and I understand the intention and I

1:16:16understand this the state's intention of

1:16:17how they want it, but I can't help but

1:16:20continue to think that does this

1:16:22preclude a private board that happens to

1:16:24exist inside of Westb.

1:16:28It doesn't say anything about a public

1:16:29elected and town could just mean the

1:16:31borders of West Bro.

1:16:32>> Oh.

1:16:34vote of any. Well, and T is not

1:16:36capitalized.

1:16:37>> T is not capitalized. Exactly. So, um

1:16:40I'm just wondering if there's a need to

1:16:44make it, you know, a publicly elected

1:16:46town board, maybe.

1:16:48>> Yeah. I mean, one would think that

1:16:50that's understood, but I I appre I would

1:16:53be supportive of that suggestion. I

1:16:55think the other part of this even before

1:16:57what you just read, Patrick, is this is

1:17:00only language that's relevant to annual

1:17:03town meeting.

1:17:04>> Mhm.

1:17:05>> Not special town meeting.

1:17:08>> I think that's a good thing.

1:17:10I mean, they could they could come and

1:17:12ask us if we would put an article on

1:17:14their behalf if there was an emergency

1:17:15need, but I I think we need to be

1:17:18sensitive to

1:17:20too many articles. I' I'd rather see

1:17:22those at an annual town meeting.

1:17:23>> No, no. I was actually thinking the

1:17:25opposite. So, first of all, let's I

1:17:27guess th Sean through you.

1:17:29>> Um, it sounds like maybe Patrick, you're

1:17:31making a suggestion to that a vote of

1:17:34any publicly elected town with a capital

1:17:36T board.

1:17:37>> Yes, I would suggest that.

1:17:39>> I I would be fine with that.

1:17:42>> Just to make it super clear, we're only

1:17:43talking about publicly elected bodies.

1:17:46>> I I would be fine with that. I

1:17:50imagine the attorney general would also

1:17:52help us clarify that if

1:17:54>> you know they they they provide you

1:17:56some.

1:17:57>> So you want to capitalize I'm see finish

1:18:00your thought

1:18:01>> add the word publicly and capitalized T

1:18:04>> in I I I

1:18:07>> I

1:18:08as well and then maybe even I I I right

1:18:12because you have you're using town all

1:18:14three

1:18:15>> Yep. Correct.

1:18:17That would be true. Yeah.

1:18:19>> Sure. You guys are all following us.

1:18:21>> They're like, "What are you talking

1:18:22about

1:18:22>> diligently with?"

1:18:23>> So, it means that we have to change

1:18:25section one and section I think we have

1:18:27to. So, section one and section three

1:18:28don't have a capital T in front of town

1:18:30of West.

1:18:31>> That's only changes there. And then the

1:18:32publicly in section I.

1:18:34>> Yeah.

1:18:37>> I I I feel like that's probably

1:18:39consistent throughout the entire charter

1:18:41though. I think we're changing it in one

1:18:43place and when it's probably

1:18:47that way throughout the entire charter.

1:18:49Um I also um [clears throat]

1:18:55maybe if we just change add the word

1:18:56publicly and then town publicly elected

1:19:00that sort of addresses it.

1:19:02>> Yeah.

1:19:03>> Yeah. I get um

1:19:08>> I honestly feel like we're splitting

1:19:10hairs here, but over over words smithing

1:19:13it to be honest but it I'm willing to go

1:19:16with it. I just

1:19:17>> I think elected town board

1:19:20self-explanatory I think.

1:19:23>> Yeah. What

1:19:24>> and I'm going to use Patrick's example

1:19:26when the a vote of the the uh elected

1:19:31town board of the civic club comes

1:19:33before.

1:19:34>> Yeah. But it's not a town board.

1:19:36>> It's a board that happens to be in the

1:19:38town.

1:19:39>> Correct. I mean

1:19:40>> town board. the student council.

1:19:42>> I I'm just saying like it's I I know

1:19:45we're I'm just saying without the

1:19:47capitalization I think I I like the

1:19:49addition of the word publicly elected.

1:19:53>> I I mean I I'm fine with it. I think it

1:19:56doesn't matter.

1:19:58>> I agree. But if folks want I'm not going

1:20:00to fight it.

1:20:01>> People have an issue with it, we can add

1:20:03publicly.

1:20:03>> Sure. Just clarifies it.

1:20:05>> I'm good with that. Again,

1:20:06>> don't think there's any harm.

1:20:07>> I'm not going to vote against that.

1:20:09>> All right.

1:20:10And and I think you know

1:20:14that's that's fine.

1:20:15>> Okay.

1:20:15>> So what do you want us to say?

1:20:18>> In front of elected town board put

1:20:20publicly.

1:20:21>> Any publicly elected town board and in

1:20:24front of town officer put publicly.

1:20:26>> Yep.

1:20:28>> Okay.

1:20:30>> And let the attorney general come back

1:20:32and say you can't use that word.

1:20:34[laughter]

1:20:34>> I'm just curious. Are you going to go

1:20:36home and look at the charter and make

1:20:37sure that

1:20:38>> I might. You never know.

1:20:40>> That's what I do.

1:20:41>> Just for clarification, the attorney

1:20:43general

1:20:43>> you to do it cuz I won't.

1:20:45>> The attorney general when they reached

1:20:48when well actually it was the Senate

1:20:50council. So when the Senate council

1:20:51reached out to us, they were just

1:20:53offering language that they thought

1:20:54clarified our intent and that's what

1:20:57highlighted the issue. So So they didn't

1:21:00create this language just

1:21:02>> so there's no confusion. the the part

1:21:05that Patrick you raised and is

1:21:10is this other piece that shall place on

1:21:12the warn for annual town meeting. So it

1:21:15does not address

1:21:17or in my interpretation unless there's

1:21:20language we're not we're not seeing here

1:21:22it does not address what happens for a

1:21:24special town meeting. So the last

1:21:26sentence that is in this section of the

1:21:29charter says articles for a special town

1:21:31meeting shall follow the procedures

1:21:32under the general laws.

1:21:36>> Uh where's that Christie? I'm sorry.

1:21:38>> It's it's not in your warrant. It's in

1:21:40the charter. It's on page six of the

1:21:42charter.

1:21:43>> That's right here.

1:21:44>> Oh okay.

1:21:44>> Warrants and articles for special

1:21:46procedures under general laws.

1:21:48>> So through you Sean. Are you asking are

1:21:52you

1:21:52>> I'm I'm fine. I'm not asking anything.

1:21:54>> Okay. Thank you for the clarification,

1:21:56Christie.

1:21:56>> Okay.

1:21:58>> All right.

1:21:59>> So, we good with um the proposed

1:22:02amendment?

1:22:04>> Yes.

1:22:04>> Yep.

1:22:04>> Okay.

1:22:05>> Do we need a vote?

1:22:06>> Um no. No. I think we make that edit and

1:22:10we vote on it when we give you the

1:22:12package.

1:22:13>> Um number eight, uh fall special town

1:22:16meeting warrant. So, here is when we

1:22:18place the articles on here. Um,

1:22:21currently at the draft form

1:22:26of the of

1:22:28the warrant has

1:22:32seven has currently has seven articles

1:22:36as written.

1:22:37>> You skip the communities.

1:22:39>> No, that's next.

1:22:46>> Packet has it in a different order.

1:22:47>> Yeah, they might have moved. Um, all

1:22:49right. So, we can walk through them in

1:22:52order and confirm that um

1:22:56whether or not this is complete.

1:23:00>> Uh,

1:23:03article one is updates to the operating

1:23:06budget or adjustments.

1:23:09Um,

1:23:12and these come from various departments.

1:23:15Um, [clears throat] it has sections A,

1:23:17B, C, and D. I'll um

1:23:19>> we're gonna we're gonna um fix D.

1:23:23>> Yeah. So, I changed it to 80,449.

1:23:26>> Okay.

1:23:27So, um A is uh raise an appropriate

1:23:33additional sum of $44,124

1:23:35[clears throat]

1:23:38or other such amount for the Norfol

1:23:41County Agricultural School expenses. Is

1:23:43there additional additional student

1:23:46going there? Raise and appropriate the

1:23:49additional sum of 38,000

1:23:52for uh information technology expenses.

1:23:56Adjust the funding of the Westbro TV

1:23:59enterprise fund budget

1:24:02by increasing the amount raised from

1:24:04cable TV enterprise receipts by 43,000

1:24:08for a new total of 243,000.

1:24:11thus decreasing the amount raised from

1:24:14taxes by 43,000.

1:24:18So to the to the town budget that's a

1:24:20decrease of 43,000

1:24:23and decreasing the uh waste management

1:24:27enterprise fund budget and all the

1:24:30details are in here but the net is

1:24:33decreasing the amount raised from

1:24:35taxation by $80,448

1:24:41>> $49

1:24:42>> $49 it' be $49. Okay. And Chrissy, that

1:24:46last piece looks like we have two dollar

1:24:48signs in front of 409078.

1:24:51>> Oh, yep.

1:24:52>> Oh, good catch.

1:24:54>> Um,

1:24:55>> money.

1:24:59>> So,

1:25:01this results in a net decrease in the

1:25:04budget of roughly $41,000.

1:25:09Have that correct? Any questions on

1:25:11article one?

1:25:15Oh no. Okay.

1:25:19And there is um article information

1:25:22related to each of those.

1:25:24Article two

1:25:27um because uh we came to final agreement

1:25:30with the fire department after annual

1:25:32town meeting

1:25:34um their raises were not included in the

1:25:38original budget approved at town

1:25:40meeting.

1:25:42a town to vote to raise and appropriate

1:25:45the additional sum of $182,575

1:25:51for fire department salary and wages for

1:25:55funding um the first year of the

1:25:58collective bar bargaining agreement

1:26:00between the town and the firefighters

1:26:02union.

1:26:03Any questions?

1:26:08Okay.

1:26:09Item article three

1:26:13uh representing the the 250th American

1:26:18Revolutionary Anniversary Committee. Um

1:26:21they did a fantastic job uh with the uh

1:26:25supporting the town block party this

1:26:27year with fireworks. There is a balance

1:26:30of roughly $3,100

1:26:34in that committee. Um the committee has

1:26:37now been closed out and this would be a

1:26:40request of the town to transfer that

1:26:42$3,100 roughly over to um

1:26:48>> so this is an update updated one. Um so

1:26:51the

1:26:53initially the the intention was to

1:26:56transfer the money to the 4th of July

1:26:58block party that's it has to transfer

1:27:01into an another gift account and we

1:27:04don't have a gift account for the 4th of

1:27:05July block party. So so [clears throat]

1:27:08town council create developed some

1:27:10language that just says that the select

1:27:12board would establish a gift account for

1:27:14the purpose of funding civic events um

1:27:17under the appropriate um MGL. And so we

1:27:20would probably do that at your next

1:27:22meeting and then it could be used for

1:27:25event civic events such as the Fourth of

1:27:26July block party.

1:27:28>> Perfect. Got it. Okay. Any

1:27:31>> if there are future donations to that

1:27:33then we have that

1:27:34>> give to Y.

1:27:37>> All right. Uh questions on article

1:27:39three.

1:27:40>> Nope.

1:27:42>> Article four transfer to the affordable

1:27:44housing trust fund.

1:27:46Um this is

1:27:49uh vote to transfer from the

1:27:51stabilization fund a sum of money

1:27:54and in this the um

1:27:58do we have find I guess we need to

1:28:01determine what the sum of money is. It's

1:28:03not listed here.

1:28:08>> Um

1:28:10you don't need to determine the amount.

1:28:12Uh that just goes into the motion.

1:28:14>> Got it. Yeah.

1:28:16>> Okay. Affordable housing trust will

1:28:18provide that.

1:28:19>> And the sorry the reason that we don't

1:28:20don't have it in here is because um it's

1:28:23interest earning and so we usually look

1:28:25at what the balance is as close to town

1:28:27meeting as possible and transfer the

1:28:29entire balance.

1:28:30>> Got it. Got it. Okay.

1:28:33Thank you.

1:28:36Article five is a revolving fund for the

1:28:39police firearms training facility.

1:28:45Creation of this fund to allow them to

1:28:47support um the expenses of that facility

1:28:52and for them to accept revenues uh

1:28:54related to support that.

1:28:58Any questions?

1:29:02Okay.

1:29:04Article six is the home rule petition

1:29:07that we discussed

1:29:10um originally discussed

1:29:12>> few minutes ago ago

1:29:13>> with the edits.

1:29:16Uh questions on that. And then article

1:29:20seven

1:29:22is the planning board article.

1:29:25Uh amend the zoning bylaws downtown

1:29:27business district.

1:29:30Um

1:29:31this passed at annual town meeting but

1:29:36there was a deficiency in the way it was

1:29:38posted so it is required to come back

1:29:41[snorts] uh for another vote. To my

1:29:43knowledge there are no edits. There are

1:29:46so um [clears throat] the um planning

1:29:49board on or sorry the zoning on town

1:29:51meeting floor was edited um and so that

1:29:55edit I just have to would pull it up

1:29:57just to see what it is um that amendment

1:30:01that was um approved at town meeting has

1:30:03been incorporated into um this document.

1:30:08>> So that was the one that made row and

1:30:09town homes special permit.

1:30:12So that's what passed though is with

1:30:15that amendment.

1:30:20>> Yeah. I'm just trying to find it. But it

1:30:22was the it was what what was

1:30:24>> in the table of uses?

1:30:27>> Yeah.

1:30:31>> What the page? Yeah.

1:30:34>> Okay.

1:30:35>> Um it was on page it's on page 10.

1:30:39um townhouse and or row house which is

1:30:43about six six lines down um under BB it

1:30:48was a Y and now it's an SP.

1:30:51>> So it's so it's not what was proposed at

1:30:53annual town meeting it's what's passed

1:30:55at annual town meeting is what's in

1:30:57here. But then I also got a change

1:31:00today. Um on page five

1:31:05um mixed use district they've added next

1:31:09to misuse mix next to m mixed district

1:31:13transit oriented village.

1:31:16Um

1:31:18and

1:31:20they also did that on page nine

1:31:22and that was for clarification.

1:31:28Oh, they they added language regarding

1:31:30to that. Okay.

1:31:36Got it.

1:31:36>> I believe at a prior meeting we had

1:31:38asked for the planning board to come and

1:31:40speak to this article.

1:31:42>> They're um Yeah, they're doing civic

1:31:44leadership tonight. So,

1:31:45>> no tonight, but I just want to make sure

1:31:48that's still on our docket.

1:31:49>> Great.

1:31:50>> That and the um it will come and talk

1:31:53about permit software. Thank you. Thank

1:31:56you Christie.

1:31:58>> So though uh any questions on article

1:32:01seven?

1:32:01>> I mean not at this time but

1:32:03>> I think anytime we start article we're

1:32:06not going to change it. So we'll just

1:32:07learn more about it.

1:32:09>> So that's more prior to us putting our

1:32:11vote to support or not. Exactly.

1:32:13>> Yes.

1:32:14>> Um so that is the entire [clears throat]

1:32:17warrant as it is now constituted. Um,

1:32:22so thoughts on that?

1:32:25>> Yes.

1:32:25>> Thank you, Sean. Um, yes, per my

1:32:28comments earlier and also a resident's

1:32:29comments earlier, um, I'd like to ask

1:32:31that the board consider allow not

1:32:33closing the warrant tonight and allowing

1:32:36myself the, uh, the opportunity to write

1:32:38a draft article in regards to allowing a

1:32:42public discussion at town meeting for

1:32:44the purposes of um, the Amazon drone

1:32:47delivery. I think that it would allow uh

1:32:49the town the opportunity in this

1:32:51extremely compressed timeline that we've

1:32:55been hit over the head with I would call

1:32:56it um to have a public debate which will

1:33:00allow the the uh the applicant to also

1:33:02hear that public debate and if so

1:33:03inclined also be there to answer any

1:33:05questions that they may uh be so

1:33:07inclined to. Um, so I think it just um

1:33:10again just due to the compressed

1:33:12timeline, we need to uh um be very

1:33:16sensitive to the community and provide

1:33:17that additional level of opportunity for

1:33:19the community.

1:33:21>> So should I did I hear you? Who's going

1:33:23to write that?

1:33:24>> I'd be willing to do it. So I just it

1:33:26only can be put on by the board. So I

1:33:28would write it and I would bring it to

1:33:29the board for you all to uh for us to

1:33:32discuss.

1:33:32>> Yeah. So, I think um Newton had a drone

1:33:36bylaw that was already vetted by the

1:33:38state. Some things were thrown out. I I

1:33:40would think that we could

1:33:44I mean, I don't know if we should ask

1:33:47council for a draft bylaw.

1:33:49>> I mean, I due respect,

1:33:51>> Patrick's not talking about putting a

1:33:52by.

1:33:52>> No, I mean I mean I'll look at for I

1:33:53mean, I'll look for past. I'm not

1:33:55looking to create this from and I'm not

1:33:57looking to it's not a vote of whether

1:34:00it's it's a this is not I don't see this

1:34:02as being binding. I see this as being a

1:34:04temperature of the community to

1:34:05understand and allow have a conversation

1:34:07about uh about the topic in our

1:34:09legislative forum. Um so I realize

1:34:12there's a a fine line to be split there,

1:34:14but I think that's the nature of why I'd

1:34:16want to try to create a draft for the

1:34:18board to review.

1:34:19>> But does that

1:34:20>> it's not a it's not a zoning bylaw, it's

1:34:22a general bylaw,

1:34:24>> right? Because it's too late to do a

1:34:25zoning bylaw.

1:34:26>> It sounds like it's neither. But let's

1:34:28come back to that. Well, is I mean, if

1:34:31it's non-binding, then it's not a

1:34:33>> It sounds like it's not it's not any

1:34:37>> um Well, I

1:34:39>> Okay, good.

1:34:39>> I think let's talk through potent

1:34:41potentially what could be done. I think

1:34:44so. If we if we look backwards from town

1:34:48meeting, town meeting is the 19th.

1:34:51If I'm correct, we need to close the

1:34:53warrant two weeks prior to town meeting

1:34:55at a minimum. So that means closing it

1:34:58>> October 2nd Friday that Friday. So

1:35:01really a week from this Friday. So we've

1:35:05got seven business days. Um I

1:35:11we're looking at then a meeting I'm

1:35:13assuming Tuesday or Thursday of next

1:35:15week. Um

1:35:19so I just sort of make everybody

1:35:20cognizant of that. Um I think Ian you

1:35:24>> Yeah. I just had a question. I mean, if

1:35:26it's if if we want a non-binding

1:35:28question to have a discussion at town

1:35:31meeting, the question is, does it have

1:35:32to be a Warren article or can we ask the

1:35:34moderator to allow us?

1:35:38>> That's a great question. Don't know you.

1:35:39>> I I'm looking maybe to Christy on that

1:35:42one.

1:35:42>> Sorry. What's your question?

1:35:44If this is a what we're looking for is a

1:35:46non-binding to allow the a conversation

1:35:48to happen at town meeting. Does it have

1:35:50to be a warrant article or is that

1:35:51something that can be discussed with the

1:35:54moderator that we want to pose a

1:35:58>> we've done non-binding questions before

1:36:00but they're always on the warrant. Um

1:36:02what what you're describing is not it

1:36:06it's not a different opportunity than

1:36:09the public hearing required by the

1:36:11planning board. Um, so particularly if

1:36:14you're not going to put anything on the

1:36:15warrant, um, which would cause people to

1:36:19potentially come and have that

1:36:20discussion, it's even more I would

1:36:22redirect folks to the planning board

1:36:24hearing. Um, that's where the applicant

1:36:25is required to be and answer questions.

1:36:28That's where the planning board gets all

1:36:29of the input to make their decision. I

1:36:31mean, certainly Mark can speak to that

1:36:33better than than me, but um, that's

1:36:36that's where public discussion is

1:36:37required to happen under the law,

1:36:40>> right? And maybe just Sh to your point

1:36:43earlier, you were looking for us to have

1:36:45another meeting of the select board to

1:36:49discuss this specifically so we could

1:36:50offer comments to the planning board for

1:36:52their meeting. So I'm not sure what an

1:36:55additional I guess I hear what you're

1:36:58saying and I think having the proper the

1:37:01opportunity for discussion. So we had

1:37:03one that was suggested earlier. We have

1:37:05this one to put it on Tom medium. I

1:37:07guess my only concern

1:37:10with town meeting is

1:37:13um

1:37:15the timing with it is getting something

1:37:17having us a chance to all talk and vet

1:37:19it and um put whatever is out there and

1:37:23it's just it's just a tight time frame.

1:37:25M

1:37:26>> I appreciate you volunteering to um put

1:37:30something together, but I'm just

1:37:31concerned about

1:37:33um

1:37:35again timing and ensuring that we have a

1:37:38chance ourselves to vet what is in there

1:37:40even even though it's non-binding.

1:37:42>> Yeah, if I can reply to that, Sean, just

1:37:45to clarify my thought. So, um absolutely

1:37:48supportive of of member Marshall's uh

1:37:50request to have a discussion at the at

1:37:53the select board. Well, I see these two

1:37:55things happening in in in parallel. They

1:37:58complement each other. I think that if

1:37:59an article is put on the warrant for us

1:38:01to discuss and we have open forum at

1:38:03that same meeting, it'll be the

1:38:05opportunity for the community to come

1:38:06before us and you know share their

1:38:09thoughts on a potential article which

1:38:11then we would consider later on in that

1:38:13same discussion that evening about that

1:38:15article. So I think that it can be they

1:38:16can both be accomplished through that

1:38:18process. Um so I just wanted to answer

1:38:21that comment. So what so what you're so

1:38:24[clears throat] you're working to come

1:38:26up with an article

1:38:30that I guess yeah I guess I'm not sure

1:38:32exactly what it is and I guess to um

1:38:35board member Silverberg's question is it

1:38:37a zoning article that we as a select

1:38:40board are proposing I think that or is

1:38:42it a

1:38:43>> too late to

1:38:43>> No no no it's not a zoning article I'm

1:38:45not proposing that

1:38:46>> well I'm it's non-binding but I'm not

1:38:48sure that we would be introducing zoning

1:38:49I guess I'm a little confused

1:38:51>> so I just for related to zoning. Um I

1:38:54think timing wise you would have enough

1:38:56time but the zoning wouldn't that if you

1:39:00if town meeting approved a zoning

1:39:01article it would not apply to this

1:39:03particular

1:39:04um project because the application is

1:39:07already submitted. If you were to do a

1:39:09general bylaw I would recommend that

1:39:12that go we we work with town council on

1:39:15drafting that that could have potential

1:39:18impact on the project. You want me?

1:39:22>> Mark had his hand up first. Go after.

1:39:23>> Yeah. I mean I to that point I think

1:39:26we're talking about two separate things.

1:39:27Um

1:39:29we I do want to spend time as a board at

1:39:33a meeting next week talking about

1:39:35further recommendations to the planning

1:39:37board in their consideration of the site

1:39:40plan application. It's not a special

1:39:42permit.

1:39:44Um,

1:39:46and I encourage people

1:39:49who are

1:39:52who wish to weigh in on that decision of

1:39:54the planning board to attend their

1:39:56meeting, to attend the meeting tomorrow

1:39:58night, um, to send those emails that we

1:40:01got, the 100 emails, send those over to

1:40:03planning board, too.

1:40:04>> Yep. But as our board, we do have

1:40:08authority over general bylaws. And there

1:40:10is a history of

1:40:14drone regulation through the general

1:40:16bylaws in this state that I think we

1:40:21should discuss with council a draft

1:40:24article and decide. And I don't

1:40:27understand the non-binding thing because

1:40:30I I want, you know, if we're going to

1:40:31put it through, I want it to be a bylaw

1:40:33change, right? And

1:40:36I don't like the idea of rushing

1:40:38anything,

1:40:40>> but I feel like this was rushed at us,

1:40:44>> and I if I need to rush my response,

1:40:48I'll put in the work and do that. Um,

1:40:52and um I'm not sure what other response

1:40:55we can come up with as a board. Uh but I

1:41:00think a general bylaw

1:41:03uh that goes to town meeting where town

1:41:06meeting has a chance to weigh in as

1:41:09opposed to like a sense of the meeting

1:41:10vote which is

1:41:13there's no discussion. There's just

1:41:14basically would you would you be willing

1:41:17to support a bylaw on drone regulation?

1:41:21Well, it be I mean every everybody votes

1:41:24yes, but then we still have to create

1:41:25that bylaw. Let's let's draft a bylaw if

1:41:28we think that's the right thing to do.

1:41:30Put it on

1:41:33>> what?

1:41:34>> See, everybody's agreeing with me.

1:41:36[laughter]

1:41:37>> I don't know why.

1:41:38>> All right. Go ahead. goes to Frank and

1:41:40Fanny Ford.

1:41:42>> So, so, so the dilemma that we face um

1:41:45is that um per the presentation by the

1:41:48applicant to the select board um as well

1:41:51as my understanding to our state

1:41:53legislature um is that this is moving

1:41:55very fast and that this is something

1:41:57that's going to happen like maybe before

1:41:59Christmas. So, we don't have the

1:42:02opportunity in our current process to

1:42:04address that. Second of all is that it

1:42:06was very clear, at least my

1:42:08interpretation of the mess, the

1:42:09information that Senator Moore's office

1:42:11provided us that the town doesn't really

1:42:13have much weight in this conversation

1:42:17anyway, unfortunately. Um, so this is

1:42:21really, you know, there's kind of two

1:42:22avenues I see playing this out, right?

1:42:24And I and I one is that the town be

1:42:28given an opportunity to to express its

1:42:30concern and the best opportunity for

1:42:32that is town meeting. The planning board

1:42:34by law has to have a hearing and allow

1:42:36that conversation. However, we all know

1:42:38that even a large planning board meeting

1:42:40might have maybe a hundred people maybe.

1:42:43Maybe maybe at town meeting you're going

1:42:45to have on this topic I bet you we we

1:42:48break a thousand. You're going to have

1:42:50people show up there and and it's a

1:42:52public debated [music] forum. Whereas in

1:42:54a public hearing at at uh the planning

1:42:56board meeting, there is no discussion.

1:42:58It's it's people asking a question. It's

1:43:01it's a different environment. Um, so I

1:43:04think, you know, that's why I think it's

1:43:06important. It's it's unfortunate that

1:43:08this has come out so fast. I this is not

1:43:10what I would normally proposed, but I

1:43:12think we really owe it to the community

1:43:15to allow them every opportunity to to

1:43:17express their sentiments.

1:43:19>> Okay. Just one one quick comment. Um so

1:43:24I would say we know that individuals

1:43:28can go to the planning board meeting and

1:43:31express their concern

1:43:34even you know again there's a brief open

1:43:37forum there with then open form extended

1:43:39later in the meeting but it's an

1:43:41opportunity to express to the planning

1:43:43board your anxiety or concern about this

1:43:47issue and we know that the planning

1:43:50board is taking it

1:43:52It is a public hearing and it's so they

1:43:54have to

1:43:55>> they have to

1:43:55>> they have to entertain

1:43:57>> cond

1:43:59form.

1:43:59>> Yeah. It's not just open form. It is a

1:44:00full public hearing. Thank you. Thank

1:44:02you for correcting me.

1:44:04>> So I only say that because yes typically

1:44:07more people show up for town meeting.

1:44:09However, at this point we are not

1:44:12certain that we can draft something that

1:44:14is legally viable to change what Amazon

1:44:19is trying to

1:44:19>> we can't. I'm not even suggesting that.

1:44:21That's my point.

1:44:22>> You told everybody to go to town

1:44:23meeting. I

1:44:24>> No, no, no. I'm saying that I I think

1:44:26that there should be an article and if

1:44:28that's the only avenue we have to have a

1:44:30form of discussion at town meeting, then

1:44:32the only option is to write an article

1:44:34which asks somehow and I don't I I

1:44:37honestly have not worked on any

1:44:38language. And what I'm asking the board

1:44:40is to provide me the opportunity to

1:44:42write that language and bring it back to

1:44:43you all for further conversation. If

1:44:46it's garbage, we'll throw it out, right?

1:44:48But we I think that we owe it to the

1:44:50community to have a conversation about

1:44:52allowing the community as much

1:44:53opportunity as possible outside of the p

1:44:55the public hearing at the planning

1:44:57board.

1:44:57>> Yes. Well, here's my concern because

1:45:01the the point of town meeting is for the

1:45:05town residents to do the business of the

1:45:08town. So if we have a meeting that is

1:45:11taken over about drones where there is

1:45:15little no for no ability for town

1:45:17meeting to actually make any meaningful

1:45:20impact. I don't want to spend a

1:45:23significant amount of time at town

1:45:25meeting away from

1:45:29articles that actually want to make

1:45:32>> it at the end of the warrant.

1:45:33>> You know

1:45:34>> place it at the end of the warrant.

1:45:36>> Yeah,

1:45:37>> we could potentially do that. Um Chelby,

1:45:39you

1:45:40>> so a couple thoughts here. So um one is

1:45:44I'm I'm happy to hear that this board

1:45:46feels like there's an opportunity for

1:45:47more discussion um as a board. Um also

1:45:51it would create as a public meeting an

1:45:53opportunity to hear from more residents

1:45:55as they process this. So I thank you

1:45:57very much. Um I may be living in La La

1:46:01Land here. So um I feel like I I get the

1:46:07sense of urgency from in this case

1:46:10Amazon. I get it.

1:46:14I I am not

1:46:17No one has said to me no one has

1:46:19demonstrated why the planning board

1:46:21can't and I don't mean to slow walk this

1:46:24but if I'm the planning board and I'm

1:46:27following anything on social media, I'm

1:46:29watching this meeting. I'm getting

1:46:31hopefully hundreds of emails.

1:46:35The common sense approach to this would

1:46:37say we need some more information here

1:46:40and we have it within our authority. I

1:46:42think I'm not a planning board expert

1:46:45under the under the um um site plan,

1:46:50right? to

1:46:53take

1:46:54as long as we need to within reason to

1:46:58receive that information.

1:47:00And so that in and of itself, I mean,

1:47:02tell me I'm wrong here. It the planning

1:47:04board has the ability to control this

1:47:07process. I don't mean like throw up

1:47:09obstacles, but reasonably kind of create

1:47:13a timeline that I feel like all of us

1:47:15could live with. I don't think a an um

1:47:20um a non-binding article, Patrick, I

1:47:22understand what you're saying. I'm not

1:47:23opposed to it, but I'd rather have a

1:47:25binding article.

1:47:27I don't know that we have time to draft.

1:47:29I mean, that's the whole thing, but I

1:47:30feel like I I mean, let's be if this

1:47:34were in this board's decision, I can

1:47:37guarantee we would be saying,

1:47:40Amazon, let's work together through

1:47:42this. We have a lot of people that have

1:47:44questions and I expect that of our

1:47:47planning board.

1:47:48>> Yeah.

1:47:48>> Okay.

1:47:49>> And I would go further to say that I

1:47:51didn't say in my comments earlier when

1:47:53Sean indulged me that that perhaps this

1:47:58board uh needs to

1:48:02uh convey that sentiment directly to the

1:48:05planning board perhaps to the chair.

1:48:07>> Okay. Thank you.

1:48:09Um yeah, so a site plan application has

1:48:13a certain amount of time to be acted on

1:48:15or it it is approved by default.

1:48:18>> Okay.

1:48:18>> Okay. So it we don't have time to if if

1:48:23we're going to choose an option other

1:48:25than

1:48:27>> what is that timeline, Mark? Do you

1:48:29recall?

1:48:29>> I think it's 90 days, but I could be

1:48:31wrong, so don't quote me on it. But it's

1:48:33certainly before spring town meeting.

1:48:36>> Okay, that's fine. So, if we're going to

1:48:38choose an avenue of

1:48:42action,

1:48:43>> Yep.

1:48:44>> that does not rely on the planning

1:48:46board, which you know, I I

1:48:50love the planning board. I was on there

1:48:51for 16 years. So, that, you know, I I

1:48:53would but if we're going to choose an

1:48:56action that we can do, I would prefer to

1:49:00get to Sean's point, I don't want to

1:49:02discuss something for three hours at

1:49:04town meeting that's non-binding. Right.

1:49:06Yeah, I understand that.

1:49:06>> That seems I don't think people will

1:49:09really respect that. But if we draft a a

1:49:15defensible

1:49:17uh and

1:49:19you know legal

1:49:21uh

1:49:23bylaw change, general bylaw change, and

1:49:26give the people of this town a chance to

1:49:28discuss it and vote on it. I think that

1:49:32is serving our our citizens, our

1:49:35constituents.

1:49:35>> The the problem.

1:49:37>> There's one more thing. There's a third

1:49:38thing that I think we should discuss at

1:49:40this meeting if we do have a special

1:49:42meeting next week and that is what um

1:49:47outreach do we as a board want to do to

1:49:49our legislators? Um so I think that's

1:49:53three things. discussing recommendations

1:49:55to planning board discussing a general

1:49:57bylaw change and discussing outreach to

1:50:00our leg our delegation. Okay.

1:50:02>> I I I said two things. I just want to

1:50:04make sure that we don't have this as a

1:50:07we talked before. We don't have this

1:50:08agenda article. So debating I'm just a

1:50:10little bit concerned with that. I guess

1:50:11what I would say is to the initial

1:50:14request that came up,

1:50:17I personally would be okay

1:50:20giving the week to not to basically not

1:50:23go and close the warrant tonight and

1:50:26place the articles. Although I would

1:50:27like to to get this moving forward, but

1:50:30to that request, I would be willing to

1:50:32wait knowing that we have till next

1:50:34Friday. So we will need whether it's one

1:50:38meeting or two meetings of the select

1:50:39board next week which is going to be

1:50:41difficult but we we can do it maybe make

1:50:44it one I don't know um but I want to

1:50:48give the opportunity to see something

1:50:50run it through council it's got to be

1:50:51robust we have to have a chance to

1:50:53review it um because as we know when

1:50:56things get rushed

1:50:58through time meeting either

1:51:01they don't pass or they don't pass

1:51:04through Senate council, whatever. It has

1:51:06to be good. I do agree that I don't want

1:51:09to waste time on a nonbinding

1:51:12thing that just spends a lot of time at

1:51:14town meeting that has no teeth to do

1:51:16anything with it. So, my two cents, one

1:51:19more point.

1:51:20>> Thank you. Yes.

1:51:21>> Uh, so I don't uh I agree. I don't want

1:51:24to debate the merits of anything

1:51:26tonight, but I just trying to establish

1:51:28a course of events over the next week

1:51:31and a half. And I would propose that we

1:51:35I believe the planning board has a

1:51:36meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

1:51:39So I think we should schedule a special

1:51:42meeting of the select board for after

1:51:44Tuesday so that we can hear what people

1:51:47are saying at that meeting as well.

1:51:49>> But what h what happens if they

1:51:52make a final determination and this

1:51:54board hasn't provided additional

1:51:56comments to them?

1:51:58>> Uh that's a good point. You want to have

1:52:00another meeting this week? Well, I was

1:52:02suggesting the 5th. Monday the 5th.

1:52:06>> No. So, we know they have a meeting on

1:52:07the 6th. You're mentioning they have a

1:52:09meeting next week as well.

1:52:11>> That next week they have the act of

1:52:13transportation meeting. So, I'm not

1:52:15sure.

1:52:16>> Yeah, that's right.

1:52:17>> That's right. Okay. So, they don't meet

1:52:19again till

1:52:20>> So, we could do a meeting next Thursday.

1:52:23Next Thursday. Yeah. Whatever. Yeah.

1:52:25>> All right.

1:52:26>> So, Oh, sorry.

1:52:28So I I want to better set expectations

1:52:30because perhaps I wasn't clear. I I do

1:52:32not feel that there is any any um

1:52:38uh logic for a binding article because

1:52:40there is no power by town meeting that

1:52:43I'm aware of that can over reach above

1:52:47the p the planning department uh the the

1:52:50um planning board the state. It it's all

1:52:53up to the FAA. It's all up to up to

1:52:55Amazon. So I don't my my request is not

1:52:58to create a binding article with all

1:53:00legalities in it. It's really a sense of

1:53:02the community. It's really asking I mean

1:53:04simply put and maybe I'm oversimplifying

1:53:06but something that is simply do you

1:53:08support do you think this is in the best

1:53:11interest of something like that. But I

1:53:13think it's important that the town the

1:53:14town have the opportunity to stand up

1:53:16and ask the questions possibly with the

1:53:19applicant in the room to answer

1:53:20questions

1:53:21um at town meeting similar to many

1:53:24articles that we've had recently come

1:53:25before town meeting where the applicants

1:53:27on different projects have come before

1:53:28and and stated their case. So I'm I

1:53:31don't want to I don't want to set the

1:53:33expectation that I'm going to write a

1:53:34binding article. That that's not what

1:53:36I'm talking about

1:53:37>> because [snorts] there's no reason

1:53:38there's no there's no logic to it.

1:53:41>> Shall we?

1:53:43Um,

1:53:45while we were talking, I was trying to

1:53:47understand how long that's what that

1:53:48site plan window is. So, I'm not 100%

1:53:50sure, but a very quick look tells me we

1:53:53have some time and the planning board

1:53:55has some time that is um exclusive of

1:54:02the the um uh town meeting. I could be

1:54:06wrong around my numbers, but um you

1:54:10know, it might require calling another

1:54:12quick town meeting. I don't know. Um but

1:54:14I feel like there's time. I feel like we

1:54:16need that answer um to [clears throat]

1:54:18understand um because it talks about

1:54:21upon receipt of a completed application

1:54:24and so on and so forth. So I think I

1:54:26think we need to understand that. Um

1:54:29Christy, were you going to comment on

1:54:30that or

1:54:32>> I'm trying to look it up as well, but I

1:54:34believe they have to open the hearing

1:54:36within 65 days and then I think they

1:54:38have 30 days. So they've already opened

1:54:40the hearing.

1:54:41>> They have, but it again it's this

1:54:43completed applica. I don't know. I I

1:54:45don't know. I'm not I'm not in their

1:54:46shoes. So, um I guess what I you know

1:54:50from [snorts]

1:54:54minimally I think we need to agree to a

1:54:56meeting of this board to make sure that

1:54:58the planning board gets

1:55:00comments that they can factor in as part

1:55:03of the site plan.

1:55:04>> I would support that. Um, in terms of uh

1:55:09sentiment of town meeting,

1:55:15>> I mean, honestly, I feel like we have

1:55:17the sentiment.

1:55:19>> Let's just go.

1:55:19>> I mean, we've never received Well,

1:55:23>> so should we do we need to have a motion

1:55:25to forward all of those emails, the 100

1:55:27plus that Mark mentioned, just whatever

1:55:29the number is, to the planning board

1:55:30because they haven't seen those.

1:55:31>> I think it's already being done.

1:55:33>> Okay, that's good. I didn't know that.

1:55:35>> Yeah.

1:55:35>> Good.

1:55:36So, um um I I think we could still keep

1:55:40this. We could still not close the

1:55:42warrant and

1:55:45um

1:55:47we have to close the warrant by the

1:55:49second. Christy, is that what you said?

1:55:52>> Yes.

1:55:53Yep. And and I think so just looking at

1:55:57the zoning, it says that the planning

1:55:59board shall hold a public hearing within

1:56:0165 days of accepting a completed

1:56:03application, which means they've already

1:56:05accepted the completed application

1:56:08and they they have to take action within

1:56:1030 days. I will say that often they'll

1:56:12if they need more time, they'll work

1:56:14with the applicant. So that's an

1:56:15opportunity.

1:56:16>> The applicant can ask for an extension.

1:56:18>> Do they have the ability?

1:56:19>> So can the town Sorry, I'm sorry. who

1:56:21determines that the application is

1:56:23completed.

1:56:24>> The town cannot, but a lot of times the

1:56:26town will say to the applicant, um, we

1:56:29need some more information. Can you

1:56:31request an extension or we're going to

1:56:33have to vote u with the information we

1:56:37have and you may not like that vote. So,

1:56:40um,

1:56:41>> Mark, can they can does the planning

1:56:43board on on a normal um site plan uh or

1:56:46an application

1:56:48do they um have the ability to require

1:56:51uh studies to be done or is that only

1:56:54under special permit?

1:56:55>> I believe they have the authority to

1:56:57request studies to be done. Yeah,

1:57:01>> I I think our strongest voice here is

1:57:05our comments

1:57:07to the planning board.

1:57:10>> So, prior to hearing is we want to fully

1:57:12discuss this at the meeting next week.

1:57:17Meeting [clears throat] next week.

1:57:19>> Yeah. And on a posted agenda, right?

1:57:21>> On a posted agenda. Okay. Yep.

1:57:24>> That this is an item on

1:57:27um

1:57:29and so we will work to get that set up

1:57:31and potentially get somebody from Amazon

1:57:35at that

1:57:37back at that meeting.

1:57:39>> Yeah.

1:57:40>> Okay.

1:57:41>> And I would say I mean I think we should

1:57:44just can we decide on that now because

1:57:46time is of the essence for posting that.

1:57:49>> Yeah. Man, I I expect it. I think

1:57:53>> we'll make sure everybody's available.

1:57:55I'm

1:57:56>> point of order so we can discuss that. I

1:57:58think so. Creating another meeting.

1:58:01>> Say it again. No, we can't.

1:58:02>> You can schedule a meeting.

1:58:03>> Schedule a meeting. That's what I'm

1:58:04saying. And schedule a meeting.

1:58:06>> I didn't hear.

1:58:07>> It's a point of order. I'm saying to

1:58:08schedule a meeting so we can discuss

1:58:10this.

1:58:10>> Yeah.

1:58:11>> Um

1:58:16>> Oh, I know Monday and Tuesday there are

1:58:18some community. our committee, right?

1:58:19So,

1:58:20>> I would say Wednesday or Thursday. Um,

1:58:25>> it cuts us down to the timeline, but

1:58:31would we would also have to post closing

1:58:33the warrant on that, right? But I'm not

1:58:36setting the agenda. Sean is, but

1:58:38>> yeah,

1:58:38>> unless we do.

1:58:40>> So, right. So, and if we close off, if

1:58:44we don't close the warrant tonight and

1:58:47we move it to that meeting, Yeah.

1:58:50>> um Thursday night, we would then have to

1:58:54what? Sign and have it posted the next

1:58:56day. And and

1:58:59if we draft some sort of article for it,

1:59:02we would not be able to sign off on it

1:59:04at the meeting. We would all have to be

1:59:06available Friday morning to stop by and

1:59:08sign it.

1:59:09>> Yeah. Which is fine. But

1:59:10>> yeah, I mean we could also update it as

1:59:12we're talking. Kim actually ran across

1:59:15the street to get the updated warrants

1:59:17from tonight. So

1:59:18>> Okay.

1:59:19>> Um

1:59:19>> Okay.

1:59:20>> Yeah, we can do that.

1:59:21>> I can do the first

1:59:23>> which is Thursday, October 1st.

1:59:27>> October.

1:59:27>> I can make that work.

1:59:29>> And that Okay. So that's that's the

1:59:31meeting. That's the

1:59:33>> Okay.

1:59:35October. And

1:59:35>> that' be a public meeting that we would

1:59:37take public comment.

1:59:40Not a hearing but a public meeting is

1:59:42what the intent

1:59:43>> we're going to have open we're going to

1:59:44have open

1:59:45>> yeah but open form is 10 minutes if we

1:59:48call it a public meeting I think

1:59:51>> just to be clear it's basically that

1:59:53what's on the agenda is

1:59:54>> to hear from the public

1:59:56>> and then there'll be like two other

1:59:57items close the warrant

2:00:00>> um

2:00:00>> place articles on the warrant and close

2:00:02it

2:00:02>> vote our support

2:00:03>> my only request if we do it on Thursday

2:00:05is could we start at seven Seven.

2:00:09>> I know that's a little on the late side,

2:00:11but

2:00:12>> I I have to be in Boston for most of the

2:00:14day for a house.

2:00:14>> Seven on Thursday.

2:00:15>> Oh, I'm sure it'll go quickly.

2:00:17>> Yeah.

2:00:19>> Seven on Thursday, October 1st. Okay.

2:00:23>> Yep. Works to me.

2:00:24>> Okay. Okay. Sounds good.

2:00:26>> Probably be in this room.

2:00:28>> It'll probably be in this room because

2:00:29the finance committee meets that night,

2:00:31too.

2:00:32>> I think we want the bigger

2:00:33>> 7 to midnight.

2:00:35>> Sounds good.

2:00:36>> Till it ends.

2:00:37>> We're clear. We're clear on the agenda

2:00:38items.

2:00:39>> The agenda item will be to to discuss,

2:00:43debate, and come up with a list of

2:00:45questions, issues, concerns that would

2:00:48be factored into the site plan uh

2:00:50application process and to close the

2:00:54warrant. Well, I would I would suggest

2:00:57that we post uh uh draft general bylaw

2:01:03and ask I mean I don't I don't know if

2:01:06we can discuss that now because we

2:01:07didn't post it but

2:01:08>> to be included in that meeting.

2:01:10>> I would request that that meeting have

2:01:13four agenda items. One, um discuss

2:01:17further recommendations to the planning

2:01:19board. Two, uh discuss a draft general

2:01:23bylaw change. and whether to include

2:01:26that on the warrant.

2:01:28Three, discuss outreach to our

2:01:31legislators. And then four, close the

2:01:34warrant.

2:01:36>> And vote support,

2:01:38>> right?

2:01:39>> Yep. So, five. Yep.

2:01:42>> Okay.

2:01:43>> And I'm I can't think of anything else,

2:01:45but if we have we have a few days to

2:01:48come up with any other agenda items.

2:01:50>> You have anything else, um, reach out to

2:01:52me.

2:01:53>> Okay. Thank you, Sean. Yep.

2:01:55>> Thank you, everyone.

2:01:59>> But just to be clear in those your

2:02:01expectation is that this is we're going

2:02:03to whether you call it open forum, we

2:02:04extend it, or whatever, that it is a

2:02:07public meeting for us to hear from the

2:02:09public on

2:02:13agenda items.

2:02:15>> Yeah. I mean,

2:02:16>> it's not a public hearing.

2:02:17>> That was your idea. So,

2:02:19>> no, but I just want to make sure that

2:02:20was I just want to make sure that was

2:02:21okay.

2:02:23I mean I'm I'm

2:02:25always willing to let the public

2:02:27>> Right. So then

2:02:28>> so beyond beyond open form that's what

2:02:30you're saying again to allow enough

2:02:32time.

2:02:32>> That's why I would just call it a public

2:02:33meeting so it's clear.

2:02:34>> Yeah.

2:02:36>> I think that you should also encourage

2:02:37folks though to go to the planning board

2:02:39meeting because it's really important

2:02:41that people go on record at the public

2:02:43hearing.

2:02:45>> Yes. Yes. We're offering that

2:02:47opportunity but but they need to be on

2:02:49record at the public hearing.

2:02:51>> Yeah. Yep. Absolutely.

2:02:54>> And that will be October

2:02:57>> 6.

2:02:57>> 6th. So that'll be after our next

2:02:59meeting.

2:03:00>> Yep.

2:03:00>> That we're holding next Thursday. Okay.

2:03:05>> Okay.

2:03:06>> Okay. Good discussion.

2:03:08>> Right.

2:03:10Any other thoughts on that? So, we are

2:03:12passing over closing and voting support

2:03:14of the warrant.

2:03:15>> Yep. Yep.

2:03:16>> Okay.

2:03:18All right.

2:03:19Um, next article, community center

2:03:22project update and discussion.

2:03:26>> Um, so this week on yesterday we had our

2:03:30final um public uh engagement session

2:03:33where folks could give feedback or ask

2:03:36questions, give input into the design

2:03:38for the lower level of the community

2:03:40center. Um,

2:03:44this morning we actually met with the

2:03:45municipal building committee which was a

2:03:47great meeting. the design team attended

2:03:49gave a similar presentation

2:03:51um and then talked a little bit with the

2:03:53municipal building committee about what

2:03:54next steps might look like. Um so one of

2:03:58the things that they had suggested was

2:04:00that the um the design team once you

2:04:04they receive the um cost estimates which

2:04:07should happen in the next I think four

2:04:08to six weeks um that they would go to

2:04:10the municipal building committee to have

2:04:12dis detailed discussion about how the

2:04:14bid might be structured and then that

2:04:18would result in a recommendation to the

2:04:19select board. Um there was com there

2:04:22were comments and questions at some of

2:04:25the public meetings about how they how

2:04:26the public might um influence or give

2:04:29feedback into how the bid is structured.

2:04:32Um so if the board was willing, you

2:04:34could open you could receive the

2:04:36recommendation. The public could also

2:04:38view it so that everyone can react to it

2:04:40and then you could invite the public to

2:04:41give you feedback on that um before the

2:04:44bid is finalized and goes out goes out

2:04:47to bid. So that's that seemed to be the

2:04:49structure that we talked about this

2:04:50morning. It made sense to me that misal

2:04:52committee could spend um sort of their

2:04:55full meeting detailing how they would

2:04:58recommend the bid, but ultimately it

2:04:59would still be this board's decision,

2:05:01still give the opportunity for public

2:05:03input and feedback.

2:05:06Um

2:05:08I don't know if you want to talk about

2:05:09that or if you want me to go into the

2:05:11next piece.

2:05:12>> Makes sense to me.

2:05:13>> Okay.

2:05:14>> No, you hit you hit exactly what we

2:05:16talked about. Okay, great. Um, the next

2:05:20thing that um the only other thing I

2:05:22wanted to talk about a little bit is um

2:05:25the senior center appraisal. Um, so a

2:05:28few town meetings ago, we did receive

2:05:30funding for the senior center appraisal,

2:05:32but given the pause on the project, um,

2:05:34we we didn't we did not move forward

2:05:36with it. We didn't want to have a number

2:05:37that we couldn't rely on. Um, in talking

2:05:40to our finance director,

2:05:43um, we talked about the potential

2:05:46approach where we would engage an

2:05:48appraiser to do an initial evaluation or

2:05:52initi initial evaluation under two

2:05:55scenarios. So, one would be just uh just

2:05:57the senior center building area and then

2:06:00one would be the full property which

2:06:02includes the Rogers field. Um, that way

2:06:04the board would have that information

2:06:06before you made a decision. Um it would

2:06:08each scenario would also consider um the

2:06:11highest and best use of the property. Um

2:06:14and that would just be instead of

2:06:16yielding a full report, it would just be

2:06:18an initial valuation

2:06:20that would give us information that we

2:06:22could bring to town meeting as we talked

2:06:24about potential funding sources and the

2:06:26opportunity that the the town would have

2:06:28to use any money from the sale of that

2:06:31building to pay down the debt on the

2:06:33community center. Um once we were closer

2:06:36to marketing, we would do that second

2:06:39phase of the evaluation or appraisal

2:06:41that would yield the final appraisal

2:06:43report. Um that's sort of the approach

2:06:46that we would like to take. Um just

2:06:48wanting to make sure that the board is

2:06:50in agreement um because we really would

2:06:52need to move forward pretty quickly um

2:06:54to engage an appraiser.

2:07:00So we feel like we would have enough in

2:07:02that preliminary that first step on the

2:07:04appraisal.

2:07:09The ghosts are dancing or something.

2:07:11>> Frank and Fanny Forbes are dancing

2:07:12around. [laughter]

2:07:14>> We feel like we

2:07:17feel like we would have enough

2:07:19information in that first phase to bring

2:07:22to town meeting to have a comprehensive

2:07:25discussion around. I mean it would

2:07:26certainly be an estimate um based on

2:07:29sort of the two scenarios and you could

2:07:31have discussion ahead of town meeting as

2:07:33which scenario you wanted to move

2:07:34forward with but it wouldn't have it

2:07:36wouldn't be a full report. So the other

2:07:38option would be to do a full report now

2:07:41understanding that that number might be

2:07:42different

2:07:44>> um

2:07:45when we get closer to marketing because

2:07:47we obviously wouldn't be marketing the

2:07:49building for the duration of the project

2:07:52if it were to pass.

2:07:54>> Right.

2:07:55Yeah. I don't I don't I don't know

2:07:57enough offhand about appraisals to know

2:08:00like if we really need A plus B or we

2:08:02have enough to go in with A. And

2:08:04>> John and John still here.

2:08:07>> Excellent.

2:08:09[laughter]

2:08:14>> John Steinberg, finance director. Uh

2:08:17yeah. So my recommendation was a phased

2:08:19approach. You would have enough

2:08:20information. It doesn't change the

2:08:22appraisal process, right? Right? The

2:08:24appraisal process to come up with

2:08:25evaluation is going to be an opinion of

2:08:26value based upon the research. In this

2:08:29case, you're going to have two different

2:08:31scenarios. Um they're going to there's

2:08:33going to need to be some discussion

2:08:35about zoning and highest and best use

2:08:37relative to evaluating that. Um so

2:08:40they're going to go in and look at those

2:08:42two scenarios and develop two different

2:08:44opinions of value. And the appraisal is

2:08:46an opinion of value, but it's going to

2:08:48have an effective date based upon the

2:08:49time that they're seeing it. And so the

2:08:52hope would be at that point um you would

2:08:55then choose which way to go forward and

2:08:57they would be able to do an updated

2:08:58completed appraisal. This is a very

2:09:01common practice in the appellet tax

2:09:03board cases when we appeal prop when

2:09:05properties have appealed their taxes. We

2:09:07do a phased approach in hopes that we

2:09:09never need to go forward with the

2:09:11complete appraisal where they'll give us

2:09:13enough information based upon their

2:09:15research and data. Um, and they do give

2:09:18us, it's it's not like they're just

2:09:20telling us over the phone what the

2:09:21number is. We'll have substantial

2:09:23information and opportunity to ask

2:09:24questions. So, there will be

2:09:26information. Um, it's pressing because

2:09:29we also need to find an appraiser, one

2:09:31who agrees to the scope of work within a

2:09:34reasonable amount of time and has the

2:09:35availability. So, those two things are a

2:09:37challenge and this will be a challenging

2:09:39project.

2:09:40>> Okay.

2:09:43>> With that knowledge, I'm good with that

2:09:44phased approach.

2:09:45>> Y Okay. Makes sense.

2:09:47>> Yeah.

2:09:49>> Yeah. I I'm I'm supportive of that as

2:09:51well. I guess my question is kind of

2:09:53dovetales off of this a little bit. Um

2:09:57the And it's not to you John, it's

2:09:59Christie. Um so it's uh I I just want to

2:10:02make sure we're prepared for town

2:10:03meeting in the sense of you know, we

2:10:05have a building, we have fields. Um the

2:10:08building today very clear use. Um um and

2:10:12you know, it's easy to understand,

2:10:14right? But the field in regards to the

2:10:16transition of uh potential transition of

2:10:19the senior center to the new community

2:10:21center that's not in the field's not we

2:10:26we get all the same functionality when

2:10:28we move from building A to building B.

2:10:29The field is a different functionality.

2:10:31So my question is this. Is it possible

2:10:33or should we expect that we'll have an

2:10:35understanding from our rec department or

2:10:37rec director yourself as far as the

2:10:39impact to our programs as well as I'd

2:10:42like to understand what the costs and

2:10:44upkeep and maintenance of those fields

2:10:46are in relation to it as well because

2:10:48that is a part of the financial impact

2:10:50as well. I mean I know that those fields

2:10:52have had water troubles over the years

2:10:53etc. So I just want to understand the

2:10:55complete picture of of um of of of that

2:10:59whole area, not just the appraisal,

2:11:01right? You know.

2:11:02>> Yeah, understood.

2:11:03>> Yeah.

2:11:09>> I I was going to respond to Pat about I

2:11:11mean I I think there's a potential We're

2:11:14getting too ahead of ourselves on this,

2:11:16but I think there's a potential that we

2:11:18don't lose the fields, right? because

2:11:20any project up there is going to need to

2:11:22have open space. Um, but that's

2:11:25something we would have to get into in

2:11:26the RFB and everything else, right?

2:11:28>> Yep.

2:11:29>> So, okay. Just

2:11:32>> All right. Any further questions?

2:11:34>> Can I just add? So, just for the public,

2:11:37um, even though we go through this

2:11:39process, there would need to be an

2:11:40article at town meeting authorizing the

2:11:42sale of that property. So, just that

2:11:45would be coming as well. Um,

2:11:47>> down the road. Sorry,

2:11:50I just didn't hear

2:11:51>> down the down the road.

2:11:53>> We're not asking to sell it now.

2:11:55>> Yeah.

2:11:57>> Great. Any other [clears throat]

2:11:57questions for John?

2:12:00>> Thank you. Thank you very much.

2:12:01[laughter]

2:12:03>> Okay. So, what I heard was the phased

2:12:06approach and the board is improved.

2:12:08Okay. Thank you very much. Uh next,

2:12:14>> whatever's next [laughter] you manager.

2:12:16>> Oh, I that's the end of the committee. I

2:12:19manage your evaluation.

2:12:20>> That's it.

2:12:20>> No, I wasn't sure if we were up to the

2:12:22next item or there was another part of

2:12:24the project update.

2:12:25>> Yeah. So, we're done with that, right?

2:12:26>> Okay.

2:12:27>> Community center.

2:12:28>> Yeah, I think we're outside.

2:12:29>> Great. All right. Thank you very much.

2:12:31[laughter]

2:12:31>> And just just for the so uh because this

2:12:34question was raised to me. So, the

2:12:36target is to have bid proposals and

2:12:40readiness and a phased approach ready

2:12:42for annual TW meeting 2027.

2:12:47Um,

2:12:48>> you might.

2:12:49>> Yes. Yeah, that's that's what the board

2:12:50voted. So, that's just where we're

2:12:52headed because everyone we sort of lose

2:12:54track of time. Okay, great.

2:12:56>> Thanks.

2:12:59>> Back to you,

2:13:00>> Mr. Chair.

2:13:01>> Thank you very much. Um, all right.

2:13:03Pardon me.

2:13:06Okay. Next, we're on item number 10, our

2:13:09town manager evaluation.

2:13:17One second.

2:13:24Okay. So, I'm going to provide a summary

2:13:25of the composite evaluation.

2:13:29Uh, it is was shared with the board just

2:13:32prior to this meeting.

2:13:37I don't think I need to read that. Okay.

2:13:41So, here is that summary evaluation.

2:13:43Dear dear Christie, I am pleased to

2:13:45provide you with a summary of your

2:13:46evaluation by the select board for

2:13:48fiscal year 2026.

2:13:50I would like to acknowledge and thank

2:13:52you for the document detailing

2:13:54accomplishments and activities that

2:13:56occurred during the review period that

2:13:57you provided to assist board members in

2:14:00preparing their evaluations.

2:14:02As you know, the board evaluated your

2:14:04performance in six general managerial

2:14:06categories. One, board support and

2:14:09relations. Two, financial management.

2:14:12Three, personnel management,

2:14:14organizational leadership. Four,

2:14:16community leadership, public relations.

2:14:19Five, town operations infrastructure.

2:14:22And six, personal, professional,

2:14:24individual qualities and professional

2:14:27skills and status.

2:14:29Each of the categories contains from

2:14:32four to seven statements, each of which

2:14:34describes a behavior standard in that

2:14:36category. The board used the following

2:14:38four-point rating scale to evaluate your

2:14:41performance relative to 36 different

2:14:43standards.

2:14:45One is improvement needed, two is meets

2:14:48job standards, three is exceeds job

2:14:52standards, and four is outstanding.

2:14:55N /O means not observed.

2:15:00The board overall evaluated your

2:15:02performance as exceeding job standards

2:15:05in each of the six evaluation categories

2:15:07and you earned a composite score of 3.6

2:15:10out of four across all evaluation

2:15:12criteria. The highest scores were

2:15:14received for the categories of financial

2:15:16management 3.9

2:15:19followed by board support and relations

2:15:21and town operations and infrastructure

2:15:23both 3.8. Then individual qualities and

2:15:26professional skills and status with an

2:15:28average score of 3.7,

2:15:30community leadership, public relations

2:15:32at an average score of 3.6 and personnel

2:15:36management and organizational leadership

2:15:38at 3.0.

2:15:40Within categories, the following

2:15:42performance criteria receive the highest

2:15:44rating of outstanding from all

2:15:45evaluators.

2:15:51Maintain a professional working

2:15:52relationship with the board. promoting a

2:15:54climate of mutual respect and trust.

2:15:57Works with the board chair to establish

2:15:59an agenda.

2:18:29Okay. Sorry. I'm so sorry about that.

2:18:31Also, I know you told me to cut the

2:18:33audio to that movie. [laughter]

2:18:38[cough]

2:18:39>> You should be good to go.

2:18:42>> All right. Thank you, Westbrook TV.

2:18:44>> That's awesome.

2:18:45>> Not quite sure what that was. So I'll

2:18:47start with the um the following

2:18:50performance criteria received the

2:18:51highest rating of outstanding from all

2:18:53evaluators.

2:18:55Maintains a professional working

2:18:56relationship with the board promoting a

2:18:58climate of mutual respect and trust.

2:19:01Works with the board chair to establish

2:19:03an agenda that addresses issues in a

2:19:05timely manner and provides supporting

2:19:07material necessary to informs the

2:19:09board's deliberations. supports the

2:19:12actions of the governing body after a

2:19:14decision has been reached both inside

2:19:15and outside the organization.

2:19:18Provides regular information and reports

2:19:20to the board concerning matters of

2:19:22importance and responds in a timely

2:19:24manner to requests from the board for

2:19:26information. Effectively facilitates key

2:19:29projects such as the annual budget and

2:19:31goal setting processes. Establishes

2:19:34annual budget process and considers

2:19:36needs, goals, and priorities as set by

2:19:38the board. accurately forecasts and

2:19:41reports the town's financial condition,

2:19:44manages the town's debt program to

2:19:46balance the needs of the town and the

2:19:47rating agencies, develops and maintains

2:19:51a long-term financial plan, and works

2:19:53with the select board to develop

2:19:55strategies and direction. Provides

2:19:58leadership and negotiating labor

2:20:00contracts. Keeps board informed of

2:20:02progress.

2:20:03maintains effective communications with

2:20:05other communities, municipal

2:20:07organizations, and state agencies to

2:20:09enhance the town's position.

2:20:12Understands the principles of service

2:20:14delivery and functional areas of town

2:20:16government. Provides effective oversight

2:20:18and direction of town programs and

2:20:20services. Demonstrates integrity and

2:20:23loyalty to the town and demonstrates

2:20:26commitment to continuously enhancing

2:20:28professional knowledge of the field of

2:20:30local government management.

2:20:33In addition to the ratings cited above,

2:20:35individual select board members were

2:20:37encouraged to provide their own written

2:20:39comments regarding your performance as

2:20:41town manager over the past year. And all

2:20:44members provided comments. The submitted

2:20:47comments are detailed in the attached

2:20:50composite review with the acknowledgment

2:20:52that these individual comments do not

2:20:54necessarily reflect the views of each

2:20:56select board member. As reflected by the

2:21:00collective judgment of the board, you

2:21:02continue to perform your duties as town

2:21:04manager in exemplary manner and lead the

2:21:06town with confidence and humility,

2:21:09demonstrate sound fiscal management

2:21:11skills, are dedicated to fostering a

2:21:13team environment, and continue to learn

2:21:15and grow personally and professionally

2:21:18in your role as town manager. As with

2:21:21any review process, members of the

2:21:23select board have noted a few areas for

2:21:26growth and refinement. This feedback is

2:21:29intended to be a measure of future per

2:21:31is not intended to be a measure of

2:21:33future performance. Excuse me. It is

2:21:35guidance that may or may not be

2:21:37considered or reflected within future

2:21:39goals or objectives set by the select

2:21:41board. Sincerely, Sean Kio.

2:21:46>> Thank you, Christie.

2:21:48>> Thank you very much.

2:21:51>> And the full composite will be posted to

2:21:53the town website.

2:21:54>> Yeah. And where where I never remember

2:21:56where that goes. Is that under town

2:21:58manager? Where does or under the slot

2:22:00board?

2:22:01>> Um, it's under town manager evaluations

2:22:03and goals.

2:22:04>> Be a good place to put this. Thank you.

2:22:06[laughter]

2:22:08>> All right. Item 11, Council on Aging

2:22:11appointment.

2:22:14Um, pardon me.

2:22:17There are the 11 member council on Aging

2:22:19currently has two vacant seats and

2:22:21Deanna Wong has expressed interest in

2:22:24serving on the council.

2:22:26Um, any discussion regarding the

2:22:28appointment of Miss Deanna Wong?

2:22:33>> I would move to appoint Diana Wong to

2:22:35the Council on Aging for a term ending

2:22:37June 30th, 2029.

2:22:39>> Second.

2:22:40>> Second. Great. Any discussion?

2:22:43All those in favor?

2:22:46Five to zero. Miss Wong. Thank you very

2:22:48much.

2:22:51Uh item number 12, request to approve

2:22:54the meeting minutes of September 8th,

2:22:562026.

2:22:58So moved. Second.

2:23:00>> All right. Any comments or questions?

2:23:03[clears throat] All those in favor?

2:23:05Five to zero. Thank you, Amanda.

2:23:11Yes. Um so first we're going to do town

2:23:14manager report and uh manager

2:23:20Um under uh we have a couple employees

2:23:23that have retired. Um so we'd like to

2:23:25recognize and congratulate two

2:23:26long-erving Department of Public Works

2:23:28employees uh retiring in October. Uh Joe

2:23:31Jackman, maintenance crafts person 2, is

2:23:34retiring after an incredible 42 years of

2:23:36service. And Michael Shannon, cemetery

2:23:38leads person, is retiring after 27 years

2:23:40of service to [clears throat] the town.

2:23:41So congratulations to both of them. We

2:23:44extend our sincere appreciation to Joe

2:23:46and Mike for their many years of

2:23:47dedicated service and contributions to

2:23:49the Westboro community. The town wishes

2:23:51them both all the best as they begin

2:23:52this next chapter of retirement. In

2:23:55recognition of their outstanding

2:23:56service, each will receive a certificate

2:23:58of recognition signed by the select

2:23:59board.

2:24:01uh Fire Chief Pat PCEL. Um a

2:24:04proclamation recognizing his retirement

2:24:06has been signed by the select board

2:24:08which will be presented to him at his

2:24:10retirement party on September 27th at

2:24:13Arturos. The town looks forward to

2:24:15celebrating Chief Purcell's career and

2:24:16thanking him for his many years of

2:24:18service to the community.

2:24:20Uh as an update, um the town as the

2:24:24board voted and the school committee

2:24:25voted, the town has engaged matrix

2:24:26consulting for our town and school

2:24:28efficiency study. We had our kickoff

2:24:29meeting yesterday. Um myself and the

2:24:31superintendent. So we're currently

2:24:33collecting some organizational

2:24:35u and position description documents for

2:24:38their review.

2:24:40Um the community center as we mentioned

2:24:41earlier uh we had our final meeting last

2:24:43night and the mun building committee

2:24:45convened this morning with the

2:24:46[clears throat] design team. Uh the

2:24:47musul building committee meetings are um

2:24:50also streamed on Westro TV. Um and then

2:24:53with the Metro West Regional Emergency

2:24:55Communication Center, the wreck is

2:24:56working with bond council and their

2:24:58financial adviser to complete the steps

2:25:00necessary to bond the project, which is

2:25:02anticipated to be complete by the end of

2:25:03October. The bonding, not the project.

2:25:08Um

2:25:09uh department head updates. This is an

2:25:11update that I um had requested from the

2:25:13school department related to the West

2:25:15Street parent pickup and drop off

2:25:16procedures. Um the supervised curbside

2:25:20loading model [clears throat] on West

2:25:22Street has proven to be a successful

2:25:24intervention in minimizing pedestrian

2:25:26and vehicle conflicts by establishing a

2:25:28predictable staffled routine. Armstrong

2:25:30Elementary has fostered a secure

2:25:32environment that prioritizes student

2:25:33welfare without sacrificing operational

2:25:35speed. We anticipate that during

2:25:38inclement weather, freezing

2:25:39temperatures, and rain, families will

2:25:41further appreciate the ability to remain

2:25:42in their cars while also knowing that

2:25:44their children have a safe and efficient

2:25:45procedure to enter and exit the

2:25:47building. quickly. This safety focused

2:25:50improvement has established a more

2:25:51organized and professional environment

2:25:52for the Armstrong School community,

2:25:54securing West Street as a controlled and

2:25:56efficient thoroughfare.

2:25:59Um, and then just from the planning

2:26:01department, we just noted the active

2:26:03transportation plan. Uh, public

2:26:05engagement sessions. Uh, so one is

2:26:07September 29th. Uh, there's a public

2:26:10workshop here in the great hall at 6

2:26:12p.m. October 3rd at 10:00 a.m. There's a

2:26:15bike tour. um you can meet at the MBTA

2:26:18station and then October 17th at 10 a.m.

2:26:21there's a walking tour where you'll meet

2:26:23at the Westboro High School tennis

2:26:24courts and then attached to my time

2:26:27manager report which will go out with

2:26:28this attachment is the flyer for those

2:26:30events.

2:26:34>> Thank you very much.

2:26:36Okay. Uh next we have issues and

2:26:40correspondence of the select board.

2:26:44>> I have one item. Yep.

2:26:47>> Um

2:26:48to announce um so Westboro Connects will

2:26:51be hosting its byanual

2:26:54fall for wellness. It's a free community

2:26:56wellness fair for all ages on Sunday,

2:26:58September 27th from 1 to 4 p.m. at the

2:27:01Westboro High School. This event is

2:27:04presented by the Square One

2:27:05Collaboration which is in which includes

2:27:08Westboro Public Schools, Westboro Youth

2:27:10and Family Services, the Rotary Club of

2:27:12Westboro and Westboro Public Library and

2:27:14Westboro connects. The intent of the

2:27:17event, which is a fun one, an

2:27:18informative one, will connect attendees

2:27:20to resources which support mental and

2:27:23behavioral health, showcase ways to

2:27:26positively impact well-being, and

2:27:29decrease the stigma surrounding mental

2:27:31health. There are a ton of active

2:27:33sessions such as yoga, chi, chaon,

2:27:35chaon. I don't I don't pronounce it

2:27:37right. Probably mindfulness, kids

2:27:40boxing, um lots of um uh education. Uh

2:27:44great, really a great event. And again,

2:27:46it's free. Sunday, September 27th, 1 to

2:27:494:00 p.m. at Westboro High School. um um

2:27:53for a future potential um um update um

2:27:58maybe not so much discussion um of the

2:28:00board but is uh recycling by town

2:28:05offices and departments um that was sort

2:28:08of my question I was asking so I don't

2:28:09know what our policy is um for all of

2:28:13our town departments around uh recycling

2:28:16what we do um if we're collecting that

2:28:20waste etc. um or measuring not

2:28:22collecting measuring it um to understand

2:28:24what our policies and procedures are

2:28:27around that. So that would be a future

2:28:28uh request. Um and um

2:28:34um

2:28:36I would say that I also I had raised a

2:28:38question to just for the board's um

2:28:41awareness um some question regarding the

2:28:43new wayinding signs. Ask Christy to pull

2:28:46together some information for the board

2:28:48that might be helpful. um as we think

2:28:51about kind of where those are and uh

2:28:54there are some questions about some of

2:28:56the signs that have been raised by the

2:28:57public. So I've asked Christie to check

2:28:59on that. Then um finally I know that the

2:29:02board has received and it's really this

2:29:04is for the public's benefits some

2:29:06questions about the new library door the

2:29:09color um I want to thank our director of

2:29:13library and Christie for liaisoning with

2:29:15her uh back to those residents about

2:29:18kind of the thoughtfulness that has gone

2:29:19into that process and Sean as our

2:29:21representative you can certainly respond

2:29:22to that but I just thought it was a very

2:29:25thoughtful response thorough and um um I

2:29:28think what's happening and just right

2:29:30over there is beautiful and I can't wait

2:29:32for the doors to open. So, thank you.

2:29:36>> Thanks, Shelby.

2:29:37>> Um, yeah, excuse me. Uh, it's hopefully

2:29:41pretty quick. Um, we talked about the

2:29:44municipal building committee. Um, but we

2:29:46did introduce uh kind of the new members

2:29:48of that reconstituted thing that that

2:29:50Christiey's put in place. So, that was

2:29:52kind of the kickoff of that meeting. Um

2:29:55and we will be um planning now to be

2:29:58back on our normal um

2:30:01schedule of of meeting monthly. The plan

2:30:04is for Tuesday mornings at um 8:00 a.m.

2:30:08And as Christie said, that is uh being

2:30:10televised, live streamed on Westro TV. I

2:30:13will say the other thing we did was

2:30:15elect um the chair and vice chair uh

2:30:19this morning of the committee and

2:30:21elected Al Gordon as um the municipal

2:30:24building committee chair and

2:30:28um

2:30:31>> yes Pete sorry Pete Dunbeck as the

2:30:33committee vice chair. Thank you. Um

2:30:37outside of that two things I mentioned

2:30:39last time but there is no other select

2:30:41board meeting before either of these.

2:30:42So, just for for Mark's purpose there,

2:30:45but um uh Chrissy just mentioned the

2:30:47retirement party for Chief Purcell

2:30:49happening this Sunday at our Turos um is

2:30:52open to the public. Tickets are still

2:30:54available on the West Bro Foundation

2:30:57website. So, encourage uh folks to um uh

2:31:02to come and and wish him well in his

2:31:04retirement.

2:31:05Um and the second piece uh coming from

2:31:09the police uh foundation is the annual

2:31:12golf tournament is uh scheduled for Hop

2:31:16Hopington Country Club on uh Tuesday,

2:31:20October 13th. More information can be

2:31:22found there. And I don't know, but I

2:31:25know they're close to selling that out.

2:31:27So if you people still want to vote, I

2:31:29mean still want to golf, um check on

2:31:32that. but also if folks uh or businesses

2:31:35want to uh sponsor a hole sign or a pin

2:31:39flag uh you can do that there as well.

2:31:41So that's all that I had.

2:31:43>> Yeah, Ian. Thank you.

2:31:47>> Sure, I can go. I just have one item. I

2:31:49just wanted to share with the board that

2:31:50I attended the council on a meeting last

2:31:52week. Um with the topic being the new

2:31:55community center. Um first of all, I'll

2:31:57just say that uh um I really enjoyed

2:32:00meetings with the new members of the

2:32:01board. I think they're very capable

2:32:02people and the engagement of the of that

2:32:05discussion with the architect, the OPM

2:32:07was also there. So, it was great to meet

2:32:09her. Um, it was a great conversation.

2:32:11Lots of thoughtful uh questions were

2:32:13asked and I appreciate, you know, Kim

2:32:15Foster, our assistant town manager, and

2:32:16Kendra Faldetta, our our uh um senior

2:32:19center director for for hosting and and

2:32:21having those conversations. So, it was

2:32:24well attended and great conversation.

2:32:29So unlike Ian, I try not to mention

2:32:32things that were in the town manager

2:32:34report. So I will not mention the active

2:32:36transportation

2:32:38plan um workshop. That's next week. Um

2:32:43>> at 6.

2:32:44>> What time?

2:32:44>> Yeah. [laughter] 6.

2:32:46>> You just did.

2:32:48>> Let me do that too. I just held up the

2:32:50pluger. Sorry. I do have a lot of things

2:32:52that are going on and I uh but one of

2:32:55the things that is really exciting to me

2:32:57that may save us all a lot of time is

2:32:59the Westboro Connects community calendar

2:33:03and if you haven't been to their site if

2:33:05you go to the uh what we do tab at the

2:33:09top of Westboro connects u there's a

2:33:12community calendar link and you can

2:33:14actually link it to your Google calendar

2:33:17or I assume your

2:33:19>> I don't know about Outlook Well, anyway,

2:33:21I linked it to my Google calendar. So

2:33:23now all of these great events that I

2:33:25will still tell you about, [laughter]

2:33:28but may may because I assume you haven't

2:33:31done this yet, but maybe next time

2:33:32you'll have done this and I won't have

2:33:34to tell you about the Gilmore Pond

2:33:36Century Trail grand opening, which takes

2:33:38place on Sunday, September 27th from

2:33:411:30 to 3:00.

2:33:43Uh hopefully it'll be nice weather

2:33:45because that trail is going to be

2:33:47beautiful, beautiful asset to the town.

2:33:50Um

2:33:52the uh household hazardous waste day is

2:33:55Tuesday, September 29th at the DPW from

2:33:584 to 8. Uh that's a change. It's

2:34:01historically been on a weekend, but I

2:34:03think um

2:34:06trying to get more activity to that. So

2:34:08we'll see how that goes. Um,

2:34:12Amazon, by the way, is hosting a

2:34:14community center, uh, a community

2:34:16meeting tomorrow, uh, Wednesday,

2:34:19September 23rd. If you haven't heard,

2:34:21>> Double Tree,

2:34:22>> at the Double Tree Hotel, not here, but

2:34:25the Double Tree Hotel from 5:00 to 7:00.

2:34:28uh right uh before that fall for

2:34:30wellness uh that Shelby mentioned

2:34:33there's a QPR institute training for

2:34:36adult adults on uh suicide prevention

2:34:39that could be valuable for people and I

2:34:42um you know would encourage uh you to go

2:34:44>> where's that mark

2:34:46>> that is uh I believe at the high school

2:34:48let me just uh Westboro High School

2:34:51library uh from 12 to 1:30 on Sunday

2:34:54September 27th

2:34:57uh Homecoming festival at the high

2:34:59school is October 3rd from 12 to 3. Uh,

2:35:03all ages are welcome. Great event for

2:35:05kids. Uh, the EV Expo was moved to

2:35:09Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00. Um, so those

2:35:13of you who could not attend last week

2:35:15now have the opportunity to go. Uh,

2:35:18there I wanted to congratulate the

2:35:20cultural council on an exceptional day

2:35:23at PorchFest. Um, I [clears throat]

2:35:27greatly appreciate Mother Nature's

2:35:29cooperation. Had a fantastic time and I

2:35:32look forward to many years of that being

2:35:34a tradition in Westboro. Um

2:35:38the uh there's three more weeks of

2:35:40farmers market on Thursdays if you can

2:35:42make it there. I went last week and

2:35:44bought uh three dinners. So that was

2:35:48pretty exciting to not, you know, to get

2:35:50fresh food and vegetables and everything

2:35:52else. Uh, community preservation

2:35:54committee is still accepting

2:35:55applications.

2:35:57Uh, and the Westboro Affordable Housing

2:36:00Trust is having a community design

2:36:02workshop for the uh, HB Cottages on

2:36:05Monday, September 28th at 6 p.m. right

2:36:09here in this room. And that's uh, I

2:36:12think everything I got.

2:36:13>> All right. Thank you. I just have a

2:36:15couple items. Uh last Tuesday, the town

2:36:18manager and I attended bagels with the

2:36:21board over at the um recreation

2:36:25department over at the community center.

2:36:28Um and uh there was about uh a dozen uh

2:36:33folks there with us. A couple things

2:36:36that came up. Somebody mentioned the dog

2:36:38park um related to really no shade at

2:36:42the dog park and we talked about how

2:36:44that had um the grant that funded the

2:36:47project. We had to make some decisions.

2:36:50Um but heard that wrote that down. Um

2:36:54the dog park could use some shade

2:36:56especially in the summer. Um also

2:36:59traffic was brought up. um mentioned

2:37:03Chanty

2:37:05um which I think has has gotten some

2:37:07discussion with the ATSC.

2:37:08[clears throat]

2:37:09A couple other intersections were

2:37:10mentioned um as well as the Rotary of

2:37:14course was discussed a little bit too

2:37:17and we talked about uh what's going to

2:37:21happen there that uh the planning board

2:37:23is making some recommendations related

2:37:25to it that they're going to bring to

2:37:26this board.

2:37:28Um and then we also there was a question

2:37:32about data centers. Our answer to that

2:37:34was to our knowledge there are no data

2:37:37centers currently considered for this

2:37:40community. And then at the end of the

2:37:43meeting uh Chris Pay in the Department

2:37:45of Public Works got a shout out. One of

2:37:48the residents from Long Drive mentioned

2:37:50that um they recently completed a

2:37:52project over there, a drainage project

2:37:55that has uh considerably helped that

2:37:58community and with water issues they

2:38:00had. So, thank you to Chris and his

2:38:03department uh for all their hard work.

2:38:07Um, and then second, as member of the

2:38:10library building committee, a reminder

2:38:11to folks that the public library at the

2:38:14end of day tomorrow is going to move out

2:38:17of the community center. So, make sure

2:38:20you either sign out your books tomorrow.

2:38:23Uh, but a reminder that your library

2:38:26cards do work at all the other local CW

2:38:30Mars libraries in the neighborhood. If

2:38:32you have signed something out, um the

2:38:36due dates will be pushed to November, so

2:38:39you'll get extra time to finish your

2:38:40books. And um the and the library

2:38:45employees start their transition back

2:38:48into

2:38:49uh 55 West Main Street and and mention

2:38:53of the door. But thank you to everybody

2:38:54and really excited to see what the final

2:38:57product looks like there.

2:38:59Um, with that

2:39:02I bring us back to

2:39:04>> Can I just add one one more thing?

2:39:06Sorry. Then you me it popped up that I

2:39:08meant to mention with the Rotary, but

2:39:10for folks that may have noticed um just

2:39:14thanks to DPW for uh doing work at uh

2:39:19the former crosswalk that went from the

2:39:21optical shop uh to the Rotary. Um, one

2:39:25of the things that we as a board had

2:39:26authorized was to kind of permanently

2:39:28close. They they put the curbs back in

2:39:31there as we know that was um one of the

2:39:35um very unsafe blind spots for

2:39:37pedestrian crossings

2:39:39um that we had authorized. I just wanted

2:39:41to highlight as we wait for the planning

2:39:43board to come back to us on um the most

2:39:47recent design that was completed with

2:39:50looking for our thoughts. Just to note

2:39:52that we continue to look at past reports

2:39:54and our um uh as a board debating and

2:39:57working on making those changes to

2:40:00improve safety around that. So uh a lot

2:40:02more work to be done, but really we're I

2:40:05just want to a thank the board, but more

2:40:07importantly the the uh um the DPW for uh

2:40:12doing that work. It looks good and

2:40:14hopefully we'll improve safety um uh

2:40:16pedestrian safety in the Rotary.

2:40:18>> Thank you.

2:40:19>> No, thank you. saw there today, didn't

2:40:21I?

2:40:21>> I Yes, sorry, I forgot. Um I actually um

2:40:25was at the chill ribbon cutting today,

2:40:28so I wasn't expected to or I wasn't

2:40:30expecting to represent the board, but I

2:40:32did. Um um I was attending as a member

2:40:35of the chamber, but they asked me to

2:40:37speak, so that was today. So, it was

2:40:39great.

2:40:39>> How'd you do? I

2:40:41>> I don't know. You'll I don't know.

2:40:43Westport TV taped it, so you guys can.

2:40:44I'm

2:40:45>> sure you were great.

2:40:46>> Yeah. So, anyway, but really exciting.

2:40:48um if you if folks haven't been in

2:40:49there, um a great place [clears throat]

2:40:51to uh to visit. So excited to see them

2:40:54open. And um I also want to acknowledge

2:40:57DPW uh as a resident that lives on

2:41:00Charles Street with the water the sewer

2:41:02project that's going going on Charles

2:41:04and Rugles with the in school coming in

2:41:07um or starting. Um I mean there have

2:41:10been some minor inconveniences in a

2:41:12bumpy road, but it's really been very

2:41:13smooth. So, um, so I I hope folks closer

2:41:17to the, um, construction have felt the

2:41:19same, but just, um, I think that it's

2:41:21been a neat work area and, um, now

2:41:24they're transitioning across Main

2:41:26Street. So,

2:41:28>> nice job.

2:41:28>> All right. Thank you. Thank you. Okay,

2:41:31so back to um, our agenda item of open

2:41:36forum. Now that we've finished the rest

2:41:38of the meeting, um we will conclude open

2:41:41forum

2:41:42and well until it's concluded. So um do

2:41:46we have individuals here who would like

2:41:48to speak?

2:41:50Okay, I see three hands. Why don't I

2:41:54finish with you, Alan?

2:41:56Kevin, would you like to start? No. You

2:41:59want you want to hear Allan first? Okay.

2:42:01[laughter]

2:42:06Thank you all for

2:42:08>> Okay. Thank you all for waiting.

2:42:10>> Good evening. Alan Edberg, 8 Nash

2:42:12Street. In looking at the issue with

2:42:15Amazon drones, it's very clear the

2:42:17town's hands are severely restricted.

2:42:21Um, a lot of what happens was the

2:42:23purview of the planning board as far as

2:42:26takeoff and landing um and how that fits

2:42:29within current or future zoning.

2:42:32The select board however has a

2:42:34definitive course of action you can

2:42:36take.

2:42:37The FAA rules on local control over

2:42:41aviation with respect to noise say that

2:42:45local entity local governments and state

2:42:48governments can create noise ordinances

2:42:50that impact aircraft

2:42:53provided they do not single out aircraft

2:42:56or designed to specifically prevent

2:42:58aircraft. And so what I would suggest

2:43:01and ask the select board to do is look

2:43:04at some of the most more comprehensive

2:43:06zoning ordinances and bylaws in the

2:43:08state. Particularly I'll suggest the

2:43:10city of Cambridge. The city of Cambridge

2:43:12has divided the town into four types of

2:43:16districts residential, commercial,

2:43:18industrial, and residential within

2:43:20industrial where they have mixed

2:43:22residential and industrial use. Each of

2:43:24those districts have zoning regulations

2:43:27for specific hours. um noise volumes for

2:43:30specific hours of the day u measured at

2:43:33very specific distances which in

2:43:36residential um districts can range from

2:43:39the edge of your property line with a

2:43:41neighboring property to certain number

2:43:43of feet. Um those each of that for each

2:43:49of those four districts um they then

2:43:52look at the use that's causing the noise

2:43:56and sets rules for that. They also look

2:43:59at the octave range or the number of

2:44:02hertz, megahertz, kilohertz.

2:44:05And so the Amazon drones make noise in

2:44:08three specific ranges. Some are similar

2:44:11to lawnmowers, others are not, and are

2:44:13more particularly in the 1,000 to 8,000

2:44:17kHz range, are more noticeable to humans

2:44:19and more distracting.

2:44:21Cambridge currently has noise ordinances

2:44:24that lower the decibel, allow decibel

2:44:26range at 50 ft for noises generated in

2:44:30that one in those 1,000 and actually

2:44:32they go 1 2 4 and 8,000 kHz ranges. Um,

2:44:38Axios, the news agency, hired an

2:44:41independent um, testing agency and found

2:44:43the Amazon drones that will be used here

2:44:45in Westboro um, at 50 ft generate 88 dB

2:44:50is the volume at that high pitch. Um,

2:44:5588 dB is about the volume of a lawn

2:44:58mower, but the pitch is higher. So, it

2:44:59has more of an impact on the human ear

2:45:02and on wildlife.

2:45:0588 dB is also two dB shy of the 90 decel

2:45:08threshold which is an OSHA violation

2:45:11>> which is what

2:45:12>> an OSHA violation 90 dB for 30 minutes

2:45:16will cause um the potential for

2:45:19permanent hearing loss.

2:45:21So, I guess my request is that you look

2:45:24at the city of Cambridge's ordinance,

2:45:26the level of detail and the matrix, the

2:45:28matrices they have on what's allowed

2:45:30where um and to give a sense of how

2:45:33specific it is. Street performers in

2:45:36Cambridge when they get their permit

2:45:38based on the nature of their performance

2:45:42and if it's music, the instruments and

2:45:43whether or not it's amplified have

2:45:45different rates. So, a 10piece rock band

2:45:49playing on a corner in Cambridge would

2:45:52be limited to 80 dB at 20 feet, which is

2:45:56about 50 dB at 50 ft. Okay, that is so

2:46:00think about an Amazon drone being

2:46:02significantly louder than a 10piece rack

2:46:04rock band playing on an urban street

2:46:06corner. Um, so the process is very

2:46:09simple.

2:46:10you know, please look at the Cambridge

2:46:12ordinance and see if that's something as

2:46:14a broader,

2:46:16not specifically targeting the drones.

2:46:18You would address all sorts of noises

2:46:20from backing up trucks to construction

2:46:22equipment to radios to festivals, an

2:46:25exception process. If you're going to

2:46:27have an event that's going to be louder,

2:46:28exceptions for emergency vehicles, all

2:46:30of that's built into that comprehensive

2:46:32ordinance is a model that we might use

2:46:35that would basically say it's not just

2:46:38Amazon drones. We don't want noises of

2:46:40this pitch in this volume in these areas

2:46:43of town. And that would apply to any

2:46:46source. Thank you.

2:46:48>> Thank you very much.

2:46:53Joanne, you want to go?

2:46:58[clears throat]

2:47:03>> Joanne Armeni, 7 Meadow Road. Um, I have

2:47:07two items for tonight and the first item

2:47:10is a story uh for the public and also

2:47:13for you all in case you don't know it

2:47:15and based on tonight's discussion I'm

2:47:17not so sure that you know it. I'm going

2:47:19to start my board my story by saying the

2:47:21planning board is out of control. They

2:47:25developed an open form policy as you

2:47:27know that mirrored yours in response to

2:47:30the town council's opinion on charter

2:47:32language. They didn't want to do it. The

2:47:35first open form for the planning board

2:47:37was held on July 7th. At the next

2:47:41planning board meeting, which was a

2:47:43month later on August 4th, the planning

2:47:45board chair, Hazel Nurse, gave an edict

2:47:48that open forum was going to be moved to

2:47:51the end of planning board meetings

2:47:54beginning on September 1st. There was no

2:47:56discussion. There was no vote and there

2:47:59was no written policy change at all. No

2:48:02discussion about the impact on the

2:48:03public. nothing. We addressed this at

2:48:07the open forum on September 3rd which

2:48:10was held at the end of the meeting. It

2:48:12was the last item.

2:48:15As the last item, that open form was

2:48:17limited to 10 minutes, 3 minutes per

2:48:21person. I pointed out to them that if

2:48:24open form was going to be at the end of

2:48:26their meetings, they could not limit it

2:48:28to 10 minutes and they needed to listen

2:48:30to everyone that showed up that wanted

2:48:32to speak.

2:48:34So at the next planning board meeting on

2:48:36September 15th, the planning board took

2:48:40a vote on the open form change. Again,

2:48:45absolutely no discussion on the merits

2:48:47of the change, why the change was being

2:48:50made, or its impact on the public and

2:48:53the and the public's ability to be

2:48:55heard. There was one short comment after

2:48:59the vote about how this change was

2:49:01recommended by other planning boards. I

2:49:04don't know where these other planning

2:49:05boards come from or why we're listening

2:49:08to them or how they know about Westbrow.

2:49:10They did update the written open form

2:49:14policy and it says open form is at the

2:49:17end of the meeting for 10 minutes, 3

2:49:20minutes per person. If there are more

2:49:23residents that want to comment than time

2:49:26allows, open forum will continue at the

2:49:29discretion of the chair. So all of the

2:49:32Amazon people that you're sending to the

2:49:34planning board meeting on October 6th,

2:49:37open forums at the end of the meeting.

2:49:39They don't know when the end of the

2:49:41meeting is because the planning board

2:49:43doesn't put any times on their meeting.

2:49:45There's it's not a given that they're

2:49:47going to be able to speak. And given the

2:49:50history of the planning board, um they

2:49:52don't uh like to hear the public speak.

2:49:55>> Just just as clarification, just to

2:49:57pause Joan's time here,

2:50:00>> um the meeting on the six is a public

2:50:04hearing

2:50:06>> for zoning. It's not for Amazon.

2:50:08Amazon's not on the agenda tonight for

2:50:11that meeting.

2:50:12>> My understanding was it was. So, if

2:50:14that's my mistake, I thought it was

2:50:16specifically

2:50:17>> it's the zone. There's a public hearing

2:50:19for zoning.

2:50:20>> Okay. Then that's my mistake.

2:50:22>> Mhm.

2:50:22>> Okay. Thank you. So, um, so to your

2:50:25point then the open form would

2:50:27>> Yeah. So, they can go to open forum, but

2:50:29again, they don't know what time.

2:50:30>> Okay.

2:50:30>> And it's not a given that they're going

2:50:31to be able to speak. My understanding of

2:50:34town council's opinion based on the

2:50:36charter language is that all residents

2:50:39who show up at an open form have a right

2:50:41to be heard and it's not at the

2:50:43discretion of the chair. And if they put

2:50:46open form at the end of the meeting,

2:50:48they got to listen to however many

2:50:49people show up. I mean, that's the right

2:50:52thing to do. It's what our charter says.

2:50:55I'm asking the select board to have town

2:50:57council send a letter to the planning

2:51:00board to this effect. I know you're

2:51:02going to tell me that the planning board

2:51:04is independent. They don't report to

2:51:06you. They're elected by the public.

2:51:08However, the select board and the town

2:51:10manager, they have a responsibility to

2:51:12the public to ensure that our voice is

2:51:15heard. And also, you're the executive

2:51:17branch of government here. You're

2:51:19responsible for making sure that the

2:51:22town as a whole follows its bylaws and

2:51:25charter. And that charter applies to

2:51:27everybody. It doesn't matter whether

2:51:28they report to you or don't report to

2:51:31you or whomever elects them, they're

2:51:33supposed to comply with it. I would like

2:51:36to also say so we're looking for some

2:51:38leadership from the select board on this

2:51:40issue because as I said, the planning

2:51:42board is totally out of control. I would

2:51:44like to remind the public that the town

2:51:46is going to soon be reviewing our

2:51:48charter and this is our chance to make

2:51:52changes with the planning board. This

2:51:54planning board has absolutely no

2:51:56oversight. Yes, the public elects them,

2:51:59but they are not serving us. They do not

2:52:02listen. They don't want us to speak.

2:52:05Actions speak louder than words.

2:52:08And so, when the time when the time

2:52:09comes for us to vote at town meeting on

2:52:11charter changes, I think we need to

2:52:13remember everything that the planning

2:52:15board is showing us by their action. My

2:52:18last item is a simple question. Why do

2:52:21you continue to look the other way with

2:52:23Don Burn? I don't get it. Why aren't you

2:52:26addressing his behavior? How many times

2:52:28do we have to come before you guys to do

2:52:30something about it? You oversee the ATSC

2:52:34committee. He's not complying with your

2:52:37expectations. He pushes this grandiose

2:52:39bwalt agenda that cost million dollars

2:52:43and we've presented his trans

2:52:45transgressions to you guys multiple

2:52:47multiple times and his conflict of

2:52:49interest and yet nothing is done. So

2:52:51again, I'm asking for some leadership

2:52:53from the select board on this issue.

2:52:55Thank you.

2:52:58>> Thank you.

2:53:06>> Good evening, members of the board.

2:53:07Kevin Barry, 8 Indian Pond Road. Um for

2:53:10brevity, um to follow up on Joannne's

2:53:12comments about uh conflict of interest

2:53:14in Don Burn. I was disappointed to not

2:53:16see an agenda item. I have been

2:53:18requesting it for numerous uh open

2:53:19forums. Member Marshall also made a

2:53:21request to the board uh chairperson to

2:53:24have that uh uh discussed. So for

2:53:27brevity, I'm going to submit and I will

2:53:29email it to you so you can take a look

2:53:30at it. I'll submit it for the record. Um

2:53:32but in essence, I will submit to you the

2:53:34minutes of the Shrewsbury Trails

2:53:36Committee dated August 12, 2026. I uh

2:53:39referenced that in one of my uh

2:53:41presentations. Basically, it illustrates

2:53:43once again this member of the ATSC is

2:53:45going to another town and offering their

2:53:48services in lie of payment to do a

2:53:49feasibility study for a project that he

2:53:52has basically concepted himself. So,

2:53:55I'll leave this with you. You can take a

2:53:56look at it. I've highlighted it as well

2:53:58as that for public uh record. I'll give

2:54:00that to you and I'll send it to you

2:54:01email. Um now, obviously, I was

2:54:04pleasantly surprised to see the turnout

2:54:05today. I have a most of my comments were

2:54:07going to be about the Amazon drones. Um

2:54:10most of the comments were made. I want

2:54:11to step that up. Oh, I want to backtrack

2:54:13a little bit. First, as far as dates,

2:54:15the application was actually submitted

2:54:17July 24th. The narrative is dated August

2:54:207th. So, it's been in the system since

2:54:22then and never been addressed by anybody

2:54:24until now. Obviously, the hearing

2:54:25September 15th. It crossed my radar

2:54:27screen when I first saw this and saw 64

2:54:29Oda Street. So, I did a research. It's

2:54:31in Permit Pro. You can see it yourself

2:54:33and it opened my eyes. And I'm so happy

2:54:36that there's no the social the keyboard

2:54:38warriors on social media. Everybody

2:54:40showed up. So for all those hundred

2:54:42emails, I applaud you and thank you for

2:54:43showing. Hopefully it continues. So in

2:54:46essence, I want to make it one more step

2:54:48that I think you should do a joint

2:54:50meeting with the select board and the

2:54:52planning board.

2:54:54Make it October 1st before the next

2:54:56meeting. Again, um it's not on the

2:54:58agenda. We have don't remember them

2:54:59saying when the continuence is going to

2:55:00be most likely be October 6th, but I'm

2:55:03not sure. But you need to basically

2:55:06bring this together. As Joanne

2:55:08referenced that most of the public does

2:55:09not know, the planning board and

2:55:10planning department are on their own.

2:55:12Most communities and towns and

2:55:13municipalities in their charters have

2:55:16oversight by either the select board or

2:55:18the town manager or both. Our planning

2:55:20board does not. So a simple fact is this

2:55:23obviously impacts the magnitude of this

2:55:26town as you saw with the resident

2:55:27output. Also, I counted uh 14 or 15. I

2:55:30think Rod said about 12, [clears throat]

2:55:32but it's also other communities within

2:55:33the 7 and a half mile radius. So I

2:55:36honestly with the magnitude of decision,

2:55:38I don't have the confidence in our

2:55:40planning board to make the right

2:55:42decision. That by argument is not a

2:55:45foregone conclusion. So we obviously

2:55:47should have more say in that and make it

2:55:49more open to the public and you should

2:55:50be involved instead of going back and

2:55:51forth and sending recommendations. It

2:55:53should be joint similar what you did for

2:55:55the downtown improvement project. I

2:55:56think that is the best way to do it. But

2:55:58if you need to push it for October 1st,

2:56:00uh, by all means. And I want to make a

2:56:01one last comment as far as open form

2:56:03with the planning board. Um, I strongly

2:56:06recommend you watch that. There are a

2:56:08couple instances that you should take a

2:56:09look as far as how that board reacts and

2:56:12converses with applicants, with

2:56:13residents. And in particular,

2:56:16open form was at the end of the meeting.

2:56:18There was a technical difficulty that we

2:56:20just went through. We had to shut down.

2:56:21They had to reboot. So I had to wait. I

2:56:24was in the middle of my my presentation.

2:56:26And a member of that board said,

2:56:28"Really? You're going to make us wait?"

2:56:30And sat there with a sour puss when it

2:56:32finally rebooted and came up. His

2:56:34comment wasn't caught up on tape because

2:56:36it was muted at that point. But he said

2:56:38that out loud to me for everybody in

2:56:40that room to hear. That's a fellow

2:56:42resident. That's an elected board

2:56:43member. And that's it's inexcusable. So

2:56:46again,

2:56:48planning board, you need as a select

2:56:50board needs to step up with leadership.

2:56:52You saw people show up now. So hopefully

2:56:54we've got the momentum going. Thank you

2:56:55for your time. Appreciate it.

2:56:57>> Thank you.

2:57:00Any others here for open forum?

2:57:04>> Yes.

2:57:12Hi. Uh James Sm 36 Church Street. Um I

2:57:16can't believe I'm sitting here and um

2:57:20sorry. Sorry. You want to come into the

2:57:22mic? Make sure everybody can hear you.

2:57:23>> Thank you. just [clears throat] so folks

2:57:24can hear you from behind.

2:57:26>> Yes. I just

2:57:28this Amazon drone thing. Um I'm just I'm

2:57:32glad to hear it was discussed and that

2:57:34you're trying to pull whatever leverage

2:57:36you can do for the town to decide

2:57:41whether or not we should have this. Um,

2:57:44I just, you know, I I raised my family

2:57:46here and if this thing goes through, if

2:57:50they start operating,

2:57:52this town will be unlivable, at least

2:57:55for me. And

2:57:57um, I just appreciate if you could.

2:58:01Sorry. [sighs]

2:58:04[clears throat]

2:58:05Just do what you can. just do whatever

2:58:08you can to

2:58:12at least give the town a voice on this.

2:58:15That's all. Thank you.

2:58:16>> Thanks.

2:58:17>> Thank you very much.

2:58:18>> Thank you.

2:58:23[applause]

2:58:26>> Anyone else?

2:58:31>> We usually don't do a second bite of the

2:58:33apple, but please come forward.

2:58:37>> [clears throat and cough]

2:58:42>> Christine Farmer 3 Joan Drive. I've been

2:58:45involved in this issue a whole hot seven

2:58:47days

2:58:50and

2:58:52AI is not to be um the ultimate

2:58:58authority but I do implore you to please

2:59:01look at all options given what was

2:59:04presented regarding the planning board.

2:59:08Again I am so out of my league but I

2:59:11just hear vote of confidence. Okay. Do

2:59:14we as a town have a vote of competence

2:59:17to have this major issue in the hands of

2:59:20an unsupervised

2:59:24um board and also the um permitting

2:59:29process being um un um um without

2:59:36oversight either.

2:59:39The permit, as I understand,

2:59:42was approved by a planner and legal

2:59:46counsel, and the planning board

2:59:50basically

2:59:52let that go.

2:59:55Two individuals representing a town of

2:59:5825,000 people with the rippling effects

3:00:01is is unconscionable. So, so I I'd love

3:00:06for you when you meet jointly I'd love

3:00:09the request to meet jointly or you pen a

3:00:12very specific uh letter to them that the

3:00:18process gets revisited on the Amazon um

3:00:23site plan and and why does it not have a

3:00:26permit? The other thing is the planning

3:00:29board can request mutual extension with

3:00:32the with Amazon. That is critical. That

3:00:35is essential. That is not that is

3:00:37absolutely what we have to do. We have

3:00:39to ask for an extension that gives us

3:00:42time for more public hearings. And then

3:00:44we should also require Amazon to pay for

3:00:46an independent peer review. They are

3:00:49obligated according to Mass Law again

3:00:52hot on this topic. 2 minutes. We need to

3:00:56ask legal counsel. Under Massachusetts

3:00:59General Law, MGL chapter 44 um 53G, the

3:01:04planning board has the right to

3:01:05determine the drone launchpad project is

3:01:07too technically complex for volunteer

3:01:10board members to evaluate alone and that

3:01:13is rightfully so. These board plan board

3:01:16members, they are exhausted. They have

3:01:18been doing so much work. So I don't mean

3:01:19to put them down. It's just that I think

3:01:23we are all out of this this issue is out

3:01:26of is is above all of our pay grades. Um

3:01:30they have the ability to request that

3:01:32Amazon that they hire independent

3:01:35outside consultants to do an independent

3:01:37acoustical study like Alan was

3:01:39suggesting um environmental community um

3:01:43uh impact studies. that is

3:01:47a um that is the bare minimum and I do

3:01:51apologize to be resorting to AI but I

3:01:55wanted this this input to be put into

3:01:58the record because the people who do

3:01:59know the laws like town council town

3:02:02council council needs to um defend along

3:02:06with the planner why they um gave Amazon

3:02:09a pass. I want to understand why they

3:02:12deem that the uh use of the space is not

3:02:15different than what they currently are

3:02:17using it for. And then there's also um

3:02:20invoking a denial without prejudice,

3:02:23which means we're going to say no right

3:02:24now pending further research and in um

3:02:29studies. Um and they can also vote to

3:02:32disapprove the application um based on

3:02:36an incomplete analysis. So there are

3:02:40certainly our hands seem to be tied, it

3:02:43appeared a week ago when I was at the

3:02:45planning board that there was no

3:02:46recourse at all. And uh when I viewed

3:02:49the um August 18th select board meeting

3:02:54and saw the gentleman, the planner say

3:02:56that he met with town council and and

3:03:00that's uh there's no problem. Amazon can

3:03:02move forward. Um subject to the planning

3:03:04board. I I think that all of these um

3:03:08intersections of decisions need to be in

3:03:10the past reviewed, understood, and fully

3:03:14transparent to the board. I totally

3:03:17commend the recommendation regarding a

3:03:20joint um meeting and also

3:03:23>> Thank you, Miss F. If you could

3:03:24>> Thank you. Thank you.

3:03:25>> I appreciate that.

3:03:29>> Anyone else for open forum? No. No.

3:03:33Okay. Thank you. With that, if I could

3:03:36get a motion to move to executive

3:03:38session.

3:03:39Uh,

3:03:39>> I would make a motion under Mass General

3:03:41Law, Chapter 3A, Section 21 A3, to

3:03:45discuss strategy with respect to

3:03:47collective bargaining with the

3:03:48firefighter union if the chair

3:03:50determines that an open meeting would

3:03:52have a detrimental effect on the town's

3:03:54negotiating position. and under master

3:03:56law chapter 3A section 21 A2 to conduct

3:04:00to conduct strategy sessions in

3:04:02preparation for negotiations and

3:04:04contract negotiations with non-UN

3:04:07personnel. Christy Williams if the chair

3:04:09determines that an open meeting would

3:04:11have a detrimental effect on the town's

3:04:13negotiating position.

3:04:18>> Um I do declare that an open meeting may

3:04:21have a detrimental effect on the town's

3:04:23negotiating or litigating position. The

3:04:25board will not be returning to open

3:04:27session following executive session. Can

3:04:30I get a second?

3:04:32>> Second.

3:04:33>> Uh, roll call vote.

3:04:34>> Marshall, yes.

3:04:35>> Johnson, yes. Silverberg, yes.

3:04:37>> Welch. And Kio, yes. Thank you, West Bro

3:04:41TV. Have a good night.

3:04:42>> Thanks.

3:04:42>> Thanks. [snorts]