Right. No, I know that. Well, I just wanted, you know, Nope. I mean, it's great, you know, and thank you to the senator for getting us that. I mean, we still have to get through the reg the full budget process, but >> but if it does happen, we would then have funds to be able to do something else that maybe was lower in our list that we hadn't planned. >> Correct. >> That I guess that's the point that I'm trying to get to. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Great. >> Yes. And to your point, it will still need to go to conference committee and then if it comes out of that couple, >> it's only June 3rd. We've got it to us before July. Come on. >> Oh, did I say that out loud? But also it is important for people to understand that just because it's earmarked it doesn't >> does not mean it's going to be hand but we have it.
>> That truth. That's true. >> I think that's just a very important distinction to make. >> Yes. It's an earmark. We don't necessarily know we have it. >> It may not happen. >> Yeah. >> So, >> yep. >> Don't take it to the bank yet. >> not yet. >> All right. >> Hold your breath. >> As we've learned a couple times the hard way. >> It's hope and a very specific domination. That's all it is. It's hope. Specific hope. >> Specific hope. >> I like that. >> Specific hope. >> That's That's the theme. That's the theme of my life. I think >> we need some specific hopes. >> Um, was there anything you wanted to else you want to talk about? Sidewalks or anything? >> Oh, there was something you >> Oh, you okay? >> There was something you said you got that was not on your the agenda?
>> Yeah, just that was it. >> The award. >> Oh, okay. Okay. Okay, we're moving on to board reports. Um Joe, you're up first. >> I'm ready. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um we had a affordable housing trust meeting u couple of days ago and um it was great. Um Beth Reynolds uh joined the meeting with us. Uh we sat down and had a very long discussion and a good discussion about the Ala Street property and we're working on an RFP to get that project moving forward. We're looking between four and six affordable units off that off that area off that piece of property. Yeah, I know. And it's No, no, and it's we're a little concerned about the encroachment of uh conservation property uh over the years. it's worked its weight and take the wetland. Yeah. >> So, we're trying to find uh other ways to replicate that property, >> you know, that >> the area that we're working on and replicated it at another location so we can still use the uh the base center there.
So, that that's underway. Uh we're looking we're looking for that. I know Habitat for Humanity is very very interested in taking that project and wanting to do it uh a little bit different than what they've done in the past with individual but this would be a project project that they would take underway and it would be a massive big change for them to do that. So the availability is there um and we can always you know offer render assist the housing trust can render assistance you know financially that way to help out uh if you know if needed. So, we're working on that. Uh, tomorrow I meet with the uh Council on Aging. Always a great uh group of people to uh uh sit down and talk with. Um I be interested to see what their comments are after after the election and and and ballot questions.
So, um so we'll see. But I mean there was it was a split during during the discussion prior to the election and uh you know some some of them were for it. They understood some of them, you know, were less less uh >> less positive. >> Yeah. Less enthusiastic. But, you know, you know, when you're on the fixed income and limited income and that's I say folks, I'm I'm one of them, you know, but at the same token, you know, you you have to plan properly and you know, so again, you go out let one dinner less a month and and make it up that way type of deal. So, it's what your priorities are. And it was It's been a It's been an enjoyable uh being a liazison with that group. They're they're a lot of fun. >> A lot of fun. So, um even though I don't consider myself yet, but I know I am.
>> I'm still going to fight that. But anyway, anyway, that that's it, Madam Chair. We're all good. Oh, by the way, and congratulations to the uh class of 26. They'll be graduating this Friday. And uh congratulations. May they uh may they conquer the world and hope and hope they do well in doing it. And congratulations to the moms and dads who it's it's they deserve to be there and sit there in pride with pride as all of you have experienced over the last few years. So we're good. Thank you. >> Okay, Ela. >> Couple things. So last week I had a Metro West Regional Collaborative meeting. We met in Welssley and one of the presentations we had was from the Boston MO regarding their hold on a second their vision zero project and what it means is talking about uh this the idea of visibility on our street.
So it was related to safe streets, complete streets and their project of trying to make it so that we have no accidents between cars or cars and bikes or cars and pedestrians within I think like 20 or 30 years. And they made it they had a presentation that talked about how they had put a survey out about you know intersections in different areas. And when I looked at the survey results, apparently Ashland only had one person respond. So, I'm going to get the link because they said the dashboard is still available. We're at a point where we should and I know that we know there's some transitions going on with DPW. So, we want to look at that. And I know there's a lot of projects, but we know from our comprehensive plan, people are concerned about its sidewalks. People are concerned about speeding. So, I'm wondering if we could use their data and we could still have people make comments about what they're seeing.
So, I'll get that link to you guys. And I was on the safe streets discussion eight years ago. I remember having the conversation with Doug and Sheila and we were able to get grant money. you know, the intersection at um Elliot and Fruit Street is one of the intersections that was able to be improved with the multiple stop signs as well as some of the sidewalks and things around the Warren School and around the the Mendes. So again, I know we still have a lot of stuff going on, but I think it's something that if we could sort of plug it in as to where it could work, we could at least do the initiative, get people to respond and then use that data to sort of determine what we need to be doing to then move forward and apply for at the one-stop grant process for some complete streets work >> like we've used before.
>> ROA traffic stud would be interested in that. So that would be a good group because all of this work happened before the traffic safety committee. >> Okay. So I'll try to share it out then. >> Great. Thank you. >> Um actually so that I that made me think so you know we've talked a little bit about you know working regionally and all this stuff. Oh, I was gonna So, I was gonna say, what do you all think about putting something like a standing agenda item like maybe once a month or something where we can have like a talk about regional collaboration and y >> rather than a board report because I feel like you've done so much work with the Metro West regional collaborative and I feel like >> we could have like a really good discussion about a lot of this stuff. >> Yeah.
So that that's my next update from that meeting. Okay. >> At that meeting I mentioned to and that so the Metro West regional collaborative is a member from the planning board and a member from the select board for nine communities that are that make this region. And when I mentioned the fact that we were wanting to have a discussion about the budget and finances and how can we work together to move that forward other members were interested. It's not MAPC's main focus because they're a planning organization versus a funding organization. So, Metro West Regional Collaborative might not be the best way to do it. But I think there are other communities that would like to have that conversation about how can we work together with all these communities to get this message to the state that you need to give us more money back to support the work that the MMA did with their report in the fall and their recommendations in the fall.
So people are interested. >> Yeah. >> So I'm going to try to follow up on that. Um >> like resurrecting the tri area >> the Yeah. So I forget it was like five of us that there were five communities that would meet on a quarterly basis >> because we had originally started meeting because of the casino that was supposed to go into Milford. >> So >> I think we'd want to look at what communities we want to reach out to because for the Metro West Regional Collaborative Hopington is not part of that because they're part of the >> Magic or the Swap. I forget which sub region. I think they're part of the Magic sub region. They're not part of our sub region. >> Okay. >> But I think we could start reaching out to some of these other select boards and see about getting something together.
>> Okay. >> Why don't we put it on our next agenda? Sure. And then we can kind of go from there because I think that that would be >> loads from >> a good thing for us to to talk about and thank you for for all that. >> Yep. And then the other update was last night we had MAPC's annual meeting where they discussed their budget. They discuss, they appoint their um their board of directors and the executive committee and then we heard from the secretary of housing and as I said in our discussion um with with with Brian that um they're like you know 40B is such a great process. It's helped us create so much housing and I had hoped to catch her but basically she was walked out of the meeting. So, I didn't get a chance to say except for those communities that have multiple ones.
Um, but it's just it's just interesting the whole approach to housing and how we need more housing, but and then, you know, it's mostly rental housing that we're seeing. We're not seeing a lot of purchase for housing. So, anyway, um, and then farmers market kicks off on Saturday. The opening is this Saturday. And then the other thing is graduation. I'll be I can't go to class day, but I'll be attending graduation Friday night. >> Okay. >> And that's it. >> Yeah. Yep. >> And that's all I got. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Um so, let's see. First off, Claudia and I uh ended up doing our scholarship committee thing, and we're really excited to be a class A to let the lucky recipients know. Uh, so that was a tough process because all of the applicants and I want to say this, all of the applicants were awesome and it was it's very hard.
It is very very hard. This is my first year doing it and it was not easy. So, but um thank you to all the all the kids who who applied and um good luck to the them all. They are all Ashlin's finest. So, just wanted to say that. Um I met let's see I attended a hearing uh of the historical commission uh regarding Nine Olive Street uh just talking about like the demo delay process and you know if that was going to be enacted and you know I I think they were trying to save that propert see if that property could be salvaged unfortunately it just is beyond uh repair so the commission nine Olive Street um so yeah yeah So, uh that and then they've got their meeting coming up next week. Um I did attend a meeting uh of the uh cultural commission and I they also were going through their scholarship process that evening.
So I did share some of our some of some of the things that we did on the slideboard and our process. was their first scholarship uh that they were giving out. And again uh the deliberation of of of that committee was the commission was incredible. I think they had just as much of a hard time as we did because all of our kids are excellent. Um but uh they got that done uh and discussed a few other important topics. I think they are um going on a limited meeting schedule for the summer. So I think they'll be back in in in full uh in in September. So, um I attended uh for the first time and participated in the Ashlin High School reality fair. Uh so, shout out to all of the uh all the faculty and staff at uh Ashlin High that made it possible.
And Josh Whitler, thank you so much for uh an incredible experience. Uh and in fact, I think Yolanda and Claudia and and uh Brandy and I were there and uh it like I said, it was my first one. It was it was incredible. was incredible. I I really think that that programming needs to be replicated like nationally. It's it's a real reality check for us. It really is. >> Yeah, it's wonderful. Um >> let's see. I will be attending Ashlin High School graduation on Friday. A big congratulations to all parents and guardians as well as our excellent Ashlin High School students and all the graduates this season. On a personal note, uh my niece, who is not an Ashlin student, but nevertheless did graduate from the Newton North High School, uh class of 26 last year. I'm very proud of her. And the reason why I mentioned her is because she has stated that she is interested in going into public service.
And I've heard that from a lot of our Ashlin High School students as well. So the rumor is not true. The stereotype type is not true. Gen Z is ready, willing, and able to step up to the plate and start serving their communities. So, um, hearty congratulations to to all of our graduates this season. >> Awesome. >> Um, so I'll just echo the the reality fair. Um, they do an amazing job. So, um, I think this is their seventh year and I think I've done it for like six years. It's like it's it's cool to talk to all these students about what their what their next steps are after graduation and um they're just very poised and mature and ready to take that next step. So um congratulations to the class of 2026. I'll also be at graduation on Friday in the gym when it's 90 degrees.
So um you know it would be really nice if graduation once wasn't 90 degrees. It just seems like it is every year. But um last last year there was there was there was um there was a medical thing that happened because it was so warm. Yeah. So hopefully everyone is safe this this Friday night. But um excited about graduation. >> Um just wanted to remind the board to do your town council evaluations. Um the if you can get them um completed by this upcoming Sunday, that would be great. Um Michael and I are going to meet with um attorney Lisa next week, next Wednesday. So you guys can give me a couple days to like compile stuff. That would be great. And um and then we will have um Lisa at our next meeting on the 17th. So um which will discuss the evaluation and and um what the next steps are.
Um also it's June so I just wanted to um wish everyone a happy pride um for for June. I know that I was trying to find the the date and the time for there's a pride event that's happening >> 13th >> at the corner spot. >> Yeah. Um, so I would encourage everyone, I know Representative Jack Lewis is speaking and um, I've been to the Pride events before and they put on a very great um, great event. I think it's the the pop-up protest folks sponsoring. Do you know? >> Yeah, they're also um they're they're they're uh there's it's going to be kind of a multifaceted thing. There's going to be a little bit of a a march and then more of a presentation. I think speeches over at the corner spot, but pop-up protests are also taking part in this as well and coordinating it.
Y >> so thanks to them. >> One more thing to add and it's because it's it's they're not they can't invite everybody but June 12th uh the YMCA is doing something at the site. >> Yes. So Um, can I may I add one more thing? >> Yes. >> Um, yeah. So, uh, just wanted to also say that CultureFest was rained out, but there is a rain date and that is coming up on Saturday, June 20th from 4 to 7 at the corner spot. So, I just wanted to let people know that that is hopefully going to happen and maybe we won't get into a succession of like rainy weekends so we can actually have these beautiful events that we keep talking about. >> We need We need to break the cycle. >> Yeah. But uh >> yeah, >> exactly. So, >> and and I also um one other thing I just wanted to congratulate there was um another Eagle Scout that that came through um this last weekend.