And everybody that owns a piece of property in this town only owns it while they're alive or while they own it. You know, I'm talking about something here, not just for today, but something for the future. You know, and if you don't preserve your past, there will be nothing left for them to see. Like I said, there's currently plans underway for downtown Ashlin for a major building to come down. Um, I don't know the details and I'm not going to say in total because I'm I've heard rumors, which is all I can go on, but we're guardians of the properties that we own right now. I own a house in Ashlin. I'm not going to live there forever. You know, someone else is going to live in that house someday. And like I say, this is a chance now while we can. It's taken three and a half years to get to this point.
If you want to go and do each build building individual, some of them can do that because it's a city. It only has to go through city council and the mayor. Bam. Historical commission. We have open meeting town meeting. And it takes a long time to get to this point. And the other thing about that is it would be great to do higglypiggly. You know, if you could, you'd have 25 different commissions. Who's going to be on all those committees? We already have trouble getting people to be volunteers in this town. No one in this town, no one on any of these commissions or committees is getting paid. This is all free labor, folks. We're doing this not because we want to see people go out of business downtown, but we're doing it to preserve the historic character of the town we live in. And with that, I thank you.
Thank you. We'll move to a vote. Uh my typical process would be do to do a card count, but given the interest, I think everyone would prefer to have an actual numerical count. So, we're just going to move right to a a hand count. Tell us the front, please. That's you. The tellers are going to get into position and when I ask for your votes, I'm going to ask you I'll ask as I normally do. All those in favor uh to to raise your cards, please keep them raised until the tellers come back here. We want to make sure they've had a chance to count all the votes. So, all those in favor of this article 15, please raise your cards. your hearts. You secure No other cards. All those against the article, please raise your cards. your cards down. Get my calculator out. There were 111 yes votes, 66 no votes.
Given that this requires a two-thirds margin, it fails. In favor, 111 opposed. 66. In order to pass it, we would have needed 132 votes. Just to be clear that the the clerk verified that I did the math right. Article 16, land take you from multimodal trail sponsored by the select board to see if the town will vote to authorize the select board to purchase acquire. Sorry. After discussion and review, we are pulling this article. Thank you. Article 16 is being withdrawn by the sponsor. Because it's being withdrawn um because it's being withdrawn by the sponsor, no action is required on the part of town meeting. Article 17, zoning bylaw, accessory dwelling unit sponsored by the planning board to amend the town of Ashland zoning bylaw section 76 7.6 accessory bylaw. Try this again. Section 7.6 accessory family dwelling unit by omitting the existing section 7-.6 and its place adding the languages printed in your handbooks or passing vote or taking the action relative there too.
The finance committee defers his recommendation to town meeting. Miss Kendall on Thank you, Mr. Moderator. Um, in August 2024, Governor Healey signed the Affordable Homes Act, Section 8, which allows ADUs, accessory dwelling units up to 900 square ft to be built by right in single family zoning districts. Final versions of these regulations uh came out in January of 2025, and the planning board has been working to bring the Ashland ADU bylaw into compliance with the state law. Um, so what is described here in this bylaw is um removing Ashlin's uh ADU bylaw, which um only allowed for um a family member to live in that um in that ADU and it was a a different size requirement and the current ADU by law as proposed brings us into compliance with state law. The planning board did um vote to support this article.
I'll be available for any questions. Thank you. To allow discussion, I'll entertain a motion that the town amend the town of Ashland zoning bylaw section 7.6 accessory family dwelling unit by omitting the existing section 7.6 and replaces it with the zoning bylaw printed in article 17 of the warrant. Dr. Jotion discussion. All righty then. Uh we will move to a vote. Zoning is normally a two requires twothirds majority for uh to pass, but given changes in Mass General law, this requires only a simple majority. So a simple majority wins this vote. All those in favor of the motion on article 17, please raise your cards. Thank you. And opposed. That passes unanimously. Article 18, update bylaw flood plane sponsored by the planning board to amend the town of Ashland zoning bylaw section 8.1 flood plane overlay district by omitting the existing section 8.1 and replacing it with language is printed in your handbooks or pass any voter taking the action relative there too.
The finance committee defers its action recommendation to town meeting. Please note there was a scrivener's error in section 8.12 section two. The words of the should have been struck through and the correct verbiage is local zoning bylaws relate to community compliance with the national flood insurance program NFIP. A variance administered by the board of appeal section 9.2 from this section. Miss Kendall. Thank you Mr. Moderator. Trisha Kendall, 63 Benka Road and current chair of the planning board. The planning board sponsored this amendment to the current flood plane overlay district bylaw due to changes in the FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency flood insurance rate maps, which affected two small areas in Ashland. Without modifying our bylaws, Ashlin's ability to utilize FEMA insurance would be at risk. for questions. I'm going to rely on Ashen's conservation a agent, Becca Solomon, as this is a kind of complex wording in this bylaw.
Uh, but the planning board did vote to support this article. The last time um the flood plane overlay district bylaw was updated was in 2014. Thank you. You to allow discussion. I enter a motion the town amend the town of Ashland zoning bylaw section 8.1 flood plane overlay district by omitting the existing section 8.1 replacing it with the bylaw as printed in article 18 of the warrant except that the words of the following the words section 9.2 in section 8.12 subsection 2 shall be omitted. Do I have a motion? You could have been here a while. discussion. Everybody still tired out from from historic commission? Uh, see no discussion. We'll move right to a vote. As with most zoning articles, this requires a two-third majority. All those in favor, please raise your cards. Thank you. And opposed. This passes unanimously. Article 19 update site plan review sponsored by the planning board to amend the town of Ashland zoning bylaw section 9.4.53 procedures for site plan review and design plan review as noted in your handbooks or pass on your vote or taking action relative there too.
The finance committee defers recommendation town meeting. Miss Kendall thank you Mr. moderator uh Trisha Kendall 6 Rubenka Road. um this bylaw as you can see um in 9.4.5 it's just the text that is being mentioned basically that we're trying to start cleaning up the bylaws to bring make things a little bit more consistent uh within them. This is maybe the first of what will probably be um many changes little by little uh through town meetings. Changing this to 65 days instead of 30 days brings the site plan review and design plan review um into alignment with mass general law chapter 48 section 9 which is the plan which is for special permits which is 65 days. So, we don't have to change this by Mass General law, but we're trying to bring our site plan review process and design plan review process in alignment with the special permit process because often we are dealing with those two permits at the same time in the same project.
Thank you. Thank you, Trisha. To allow discussion, I'll enter a motion. I'll entertain a motion. I'm not entering them. That the town amend the town of Ashland zoning bylaw section 9.4.5. 4.5.3 at step fourth in article 19. Do I have such a motion? Discussion. I'm guessing none. All right. This will also require two. There's majority. All those in favor, please raise your cards. Thank you. And opposed. That passes unanimously. Article 20 is being withdrawn. There's some conflict. The attorney general's office and department of agriculture can't agree on anything. So until they make an agreement, we're pulling this article, bring it back potentially in the fall. There being no further business, I'll enter a motion to dissolve. All in favor? Anybody want to stay? Okay.
[Music] Heat. Yeah. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat up here. [Music] Heat up here. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat up [Music] here. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. Ladies and gentlemen, faculty, proud parents, and most importantly, fellow classmates. My name is Karma, and I'm honored to give the opening speech as the senior class president of 2025. Today marks a significant milestone in our lives. Before I begin my speech, I would like everyone to take a moment to notice the purple ribbons on each graduate's gap. These ribbons are to honor Brody Flehoff, an eighth grade Central Plane student who recently passed away. Please give a short moment of silence to honor him and the life that he lived. As we stand on the thresh threshold of our future, we reflect on the long journey that has brought us here.
We have much celebration, reflection, and anticipation at this time. It has been a journey filled with challenges, growth, and countless memories. We've learned not just from textbooks, but from each other and the crazy experiences that have shaped us into the young adults who we are today. We are here honoring the hard work, dedication, and achievements of the graduates who stand beside me today. Graduates, take a moment to look around you. These faces, some familiar since preschool and some newer, have been a part of our journey. Together, we've shared classrooms, sleepovers, parties, study sessions, successes, and challenges. We have all grown not just academically, but personally. Each of us has a unique story, a unique path that has led us to this very moment. To the parents, families and friends who have supported us graduates, thank you. Your encouragement, love, and belief in us has been unmatched.
Today, you get to share our success and pride. To the faculty and staff, thank you for your dedication, guidance, and support. From actually school work to becoming best friends with each of you has been crucial to shaping our minds, personalities, and making our futures brighter. Graduates, as we all leave this building today, we need to take with us the memories, friendship, and knowledge we've gained. Hold on to the values and principles we've been taught here at Central Plains. And remember that we are never alone on this journey. No matter how far away each of us goes, you know, you always have your classmates from high school to reach out to for any guidance or just a person to talk to. This community believes in us and supports us. As we move forward, we will face the new challenges and opportunities. Embrace them with the same determination and spirit that we have had during our time here.
Don't be afraid to take risks, step out of comfort zones, and pursue passions. The world is full of possibilities and we have the power to make huge differences. Graduation is not just an end to something we've known for our entire lives, but a new beginning to another thing so special. It is the start of new adventures, new opportunities, and new dreams we are working to pursue. As we step forward into the bigger world, let us carry us with the lessons we've learned, friendships we've made, and determination to make a positive impact. Let us be the change makers, the innovators, and the leaders of tomorrow. Congratulations to the class of 2025. May our futures be bright, and may we always strive for bigger, better, and reach our fullest potential. The world is waiting for us. Let's go out and make our mark. Thank you. [Applause] Good afternoon and welcome to the 2025 Central Plains High School commencement ceremony.
It is my privilege at this time to introduce to you the saludiatorans this year, Ethan Grub and Karma Seite. Ethan and Karma, would you please come forward and accept your certificates and give your [Applause] speeches as I was just up here. I'm sure you all know how thankful that I am you're here supporting our class today. And I'm sure you're thinking, "Oh, a long speech from this girl, but I promise this one's a little shorter." You may also be thinking, "They definitely wrote this last minute using chat GPT." And you're halfway right. I wrote this on Friday. I'm sorry, Miss Murphy and Miss Weber, but not using chat GPT. And we didn't write this speech. I didn't. And Ethan's just reading what I told him to. I did give her lots of ideas for this, but she's pretty much right. I was a little late coming to the school, but I'm sure lots of you have thought I haven't been here forever.
I was sure about some younger memories, but I'm pretty sure my classmates of being here forever. Thank you all for being here. And for this speech, Karma and I are going to leave you with some memories that will stick with our class forever. One of the best memories we have each year is Iron Label and Pirate Public. Each year we played these games, made crazy shirts and names like the Bees. And since this is a partner that still means the Bible defenders for our teams and crazy things like wear skirts, booty shorts and dry scoop, pre-workout, and shopping credibles for the games. During every single game, you could have seen us argue with the classmates and officials because most of them were pretty bad. But we we still loved playing volleyball and football. A lot of fun. Another memory is while setting up for junior prom.
We finished early and we all sat in a big circle while the boys had to do gay bears, which is getting on your hands and knees and boring high pitch. And I'm sure our class has all those goodness. Just recently, we did our senior prank and thought everybody came, but this was the last time our class got to do something fun like that together. We all piled into the back of my car, drove around to each of the teachers houses in Clapland, and rode on each of their car windows. I know all the staff was scared we would be destructive, but I hope my hope is that our class was the one to bring back trust and restart this bunch of issues. We love each and every one of our staff members. our place. Our class may be big for our small school, but we haven't had a hard time getting along.
Car rides, early mornings, and bus rides, late nights, and every little moment that brought us here. We are extreme extremely grateful for every parent, staff member, and family and friend who has helped us through our journey here. As saludiatorans for Civic Planet, class of 2025, we want to say thank you for making this all happen. [Applause] It is now my pleasure to introduce to you the 2025 valadictorians, Kendrick Benvitz, Mackenzie Bulier, Grace Law, and Ryan Metro. Students, would you please come forward to receive your certificates and present yours? [Applause] I would like to invite all friends, family, relatives, teachers, and parents who have come tonight to follow us another step forward in our life. All of you have made this school and community a rewarding experience and a hard place to say goodbye to. Today marks the end of an era in our lives and the beginning of a new one.
We never thought this day would come. We prayed for its quick delivery. We crossed days off our calendars and literally counted hours and minutes and seconds. And now that it's here, I'm sorry it is because it means we need friends to inspire us. Teachers who have been our mentors and so many people who have shaped our lives and our fellow students lives in graduation is a real accomplishment. So congratulations teachers. You are finally able to get rid of us and it means we can't congregate in the office any or after lunch or before lunch or anytime you feel you don't want to be in class. And congratulations to you parents. Your child has worked extremely hard and with your help and encouragement is now graduating high school. On this note, we would like to say happy Mother's Day for all the mothers. We wouldn't be here without you.