001Good evening. Welcome to select board meeting of March 23rd, 2026, 6 p.m. in room 3 of town hall. Excuse me. The first matter on the agenda is the signing of the warrant. Gentlemen, Mr. Chair, make a motion that we sign the warrant, please. I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. Excuse me. Second item is approval of the regular session minutes March 9th, 2026. Y motion to approve the regular session uh meeting minutes for March 9th, 2026. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. Next is the approval of the executive session minutes March 9th, 2026. >> Yes. Motion to approve the minutes of the executive session March 9th, 2026. >> And I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That's unanimous. We do not have any public hearings this evening.
002Schedule appointments. We have uh folks from Milford TV concerning the annual report. Come on up and please introduce yourselves. >> Hello. >> Hi. >> Evening gentlemen. >> Good evening. Always strange to be on this side of the cameras in this room. >> Um, yep. I'm Tim Coette. I'm the executive director for Milford TV. Um, I'm joined here this evening by Michelle Zale. She's our chair of our board of directors. Jerry Moody, a member of our board of directors as well. >> So, Tim, tell us about the annual report. >> Uh, yeah. So, uh, you all have a copy of our annual report. This is from our fiscal year. uh July 24 to June 25. Um another great year uh for us at Milford TV. Um I've been the executive director now since the end of
0032022. Uh just continue to be very proud of uh what our organization is able to accomplish in this community. Um I think first and foremost there it takes a special community to be able to have the success that a cable TV station like ours has. And we have that here in Milford. There's a lot of people who really care what goes on in this community, are very invested in this community, and they want to know what's going on. They want to know what's going on in their local government, in their schools across the board. And we're we're so happy every year to be able to deliver the information, the entertainment, the news that uh everyone in this community is is continuing to crave. So, um you know, I certainly can't do it alone. I want
004to make sure that I acknowledge the team that we have in place at Milford TV. Um, which we've had full continuity in our staff and our board for the last two years, which has really helped to continue to bring us forward in a positive direction. Um, a lot of you know Chase, who's in the back of the room right now, he's our community event coordinator. Um, everyone who's able to tune into all of the municipal meetings in Milford, uh, Chase is at almost every single one of them. Um he does a tremendous job with uh producing live music at our studio. Uh he's terrific with post-production uh giving all of our uh productions just a a top quality look. Um Dominique Chess Champa who's our member services coordinator. Uh she quarterbacks all of our activity
005in our studio with our members, with our volunteers, um with our interns. Uh she's also doing a lot of hard work uh post-production wise for us as well. Uh Patrick Garrapy, who's our production coordinator, is out with me on live productions across the community constantly. All of our live sports, uh any live productions that we're doing at the schools, really anywhere around town, he's there. He's mentoring our um our members and our volunteers that are out with us. So, um I have a great team behind me that that does tremendous work uh all the time. And our board of directors uh gives us steady leadership as well. Uh Michelle has been terrific with me, especially once I took on this position. Uh really mentoring me and making sure that I was in a position to
006succeed. Um you know, Jerry's been in Milford a little while. He has some knowledge that he he brings to the table. Um really >> eating fast. >> Um but our entire board, Josh and Jimmy, who continues to be our treasurer, he has been since our inception. Um you know, really helps keep the ship moving uh financially um in a really responsible way. uh Jonathan Capisi who's our uh representative from the school committee as well. So um throughout our organization we have just great people working hard um and that's that's what it takes for us to be able to do what we do every day. >> Thank you gentlemen. >> Yeah just Tim thank you and Michelle thank you and Jerry too for coming and sharing that that with us. uh you know your continued work
007in in keeping our residents informed and connected is is is very important and you know what you said that we said that you were a special community that that made you a success but you have a special team that also made you a success and we are really happy to partner with you and thank you. You've been a real plus to our community. Thanks so much and >> we appreciate that. Thank you >> Jim. As I said earlier, you heard me earlier today say and and and I say the same to you. It starts at the top and it and it and with your leadership, that's how you surround yourself with the good people that you have. And I sit here and I think about having served the town for a while, you know, those
008famous TV commercials and shows that we used to do back in the day in the back of the Comcast building, you know, in that archaic studio with Al. And then when we, you know, moved across to South Main Street into the the new location, it was like, wow, this is really, but now the new studio is just, you know, over the top. So just using that as an example, you see the progression of, you know, of how things have moved along over time. But I, you know, your involvement in the community and and I say this all the time and people used to say to me, you know, well, I never listened to that, you know, or I never watched that or but yet when something would come up, they say, you know, the other
009night I happen to flick back and I saw you at the TV station and you I said, "Well, I thought you didn't watch that." You know, it's local media. Everybody watches and listens to local media. It's just that's why it's there, >> you know, and so, you know, I all the years of dealing with with Milford TV, the professionalism is just over the top, >> you know, it really is. And and to watch it on a local level and the talent right here in this room, it's just, you know, so, you know, congratulations. Great job to you and your team and thank you, you know, for everything you do in this community. It means a lot. >> Thank you. Well, I think they all said it. You do a great job. There's no question about
010it. And you do a great job in an area where, you know, solicitors of local information have diminished to literally um just a few sources. I mean, if you look at Milford, there's no real newspaper coverage about local government, schools, school sports. Um, you know, it's Mila TV or WMRC and uh I think from a local perspective that you folks offer top-notch. You're you're you're the go-to. I think the other sources actually watch Milford TV to find out what happened at meetings, things of that nature. So, um, you know, you're really, you know, for lack of a better, you stepped into a complete vacuum. There's >> there's just no people say that to me. I I get that from people. What happened at the selectman's meeting about this or that? And I tell them, you
011know, go on to the local TV station. You can watch, you know, the tape version of it. um to include other meetings that take place um where they're looking for information. Can't really source it, you know, other than to actually go watch the actual meeting. So, um I I think you do a great service for this community. >> That's a perfect segue into two aspects of it that I want to talk about. >> Sure. >> And just have a moment. >> Yeah, absolutely. Please. And you know it's it it times are difficult for the cable television operation and we put in a request to have an article in the warrant which would uh take would basically give give the uh group access to the very minimal 50 cents per subscriber fee that's paid by the
012cable companies to the town. Um and it's not what it once was for reasons that the whole income of the organization dropped because subscribership dropped. >> True. >> So here's the article that with your approval will be in the warrant >> and when I say small it the the value of it is about $2,500 now. >> Thank you. >> Um >> if it passes it it would be like an annual vote we do for the school department and their um machines. We annually vote and take the money that they bring in the machines. This is the last item that can support the cable television that is simply the cable television money. As you know, we not many years ago went from 4% of gross revenue by the companies to the maximum allowed under federal law
013which is the 5% of gross revenue. So that's what we're getting now. But the problem is or any problem is that gross revenues go down. Um this is a little chart that tells you a few things. 2013 happened to be the year that um the organization began operations when everything was turned over. Um and you see the subscribers then they were over 10,000 people have been cutting the cable obviously we all know that >> and we're down in 2024 to almost down almost 50%. And that obviously has an impact on that 5% of gross revenues. >> Fortunately, it's not a dollar for dollar or position for position impact because they do increase their rates unfortunately for all of us who pay them. >> So that helps somewhat. But the revenues to this organization have dropped
014considerably. Um thus the staffing has dropped considerably. So the ability to um continue to do and improve what we do is is very very difficult. the day may come when the town may have to help, but we're trying to avoid that right now. So, this is this article very minor aspect, but with an organization like this, when they live on the edge, $2,500 can make a lot of difference. So, we'd like to have that article approved and go forward. So, that's one part of what I ask you tonight. Uh the other part is that coincidentally, the agreement under which we operate, executed 5 years ago, is now expired. It has a provision in there to renew it for another 5 years. Uh we've made some amendments along the way as you know. So I'd also
015be asking you to renew that agreement tonight if you would for another five years and continue forward. >> Okay. >> So if you could take those two votes if you would, one to support the island and one to u uh approve a renewal which then I'll draft and give to Rick and we'll put it together for your signatures. >> A motion, Mr. first of all to support the article that Jeffy uh attorney uh Moody just um described to us in detail uh for the annual town town meeting coming up in uh May. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That's unanimous. >> And you need an article chair. Well, a vote from your board to approve a 5-year extension of the agreement, which then I'll draft and come back to it'll come back to
016you for >> a motion to approve the 5-year extension um for the Milford Cable TV that was in the agreement. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. >> Thank you. >> Can I think No, that's it. That's it. Think of something so successful there. I thought >> on a roll to keep going to add in the uh equipment. No, we better let go for that. We'll deal with that later. We'll deal with that later. >> Thank you very much. >> Good night. Now, >> good night. >> Thank you. Have a good night. >> Next item on the agenda is the town administrator's report. >> Actually, tonight, gentlemen, I do not have a report. It was a quiet uh two weeks. I apologize. >> One time that I call it outright. >>
017I know. Next item on the agenda is old business. I do not see any old business. Gentlemen, unless you have something you'd like to do, >> Mr. Chair, no. Thank you. >> Our new business uh town manager, excuse me, town administrator concerning a recommendation of the director of municipal services. >> Yes, as the board knows, the new position was created. It's the director of municipal services. It encompasses the duties of the highway surveyor, but uh in addition, it adds um basically other duties. The transfer station, possibly dealing with um uh storm water, uh dealing with just a whole list of other the job description is in your packet. Um also, we did receive 34 applications. Mhm. >> Um we narrowed it to three. Three candidates were interviewed by myself and human resources director Kristen Melpaniano.
018Um we are recommending or I am recommending that Scott Christopher, our current highway surveyor, uh be appointed to the position. As you know, this will now be a appointed position under article 2, but actually it's a contract position. So any appointment, should you approve it tonight, would be uh subject to negotiation of a contract with Mr. Christopher uh which we would then bring back to the board for a vote and um signature. I think you're all familiar with Scott um um uh so that uh I don't need really to say too much um about his credentials so to speak. Uh so that would be the recommendation. Again, we'll come back to you uh probably pretty quickly within the next two meetings to uh to finalize it. So, again, no longer an elected position, it's an
019appointed position by this board. Um and it will be a contract position um being negotiated uh with this board. I believe he reports directly to the town administrator slash and the select board. So, obviously you had access to him before. you should have even more access um with the position now being under your jurisdiction. >> Any questions? >> Yeah, Mr. Chair, Mr. Chairman, have a motion. >> Yeah, just just a little brief too because you know where Ricky was telling this uh being the highway surveyor and the job description is exactly what he's been doing for the past 20 years, but he's been with the town for 30 years. um you know he he has a strong foundation of of the position that is now created for him. And what makes this very important too
020uh is that a position also is uh modernized to what it should be today as it was supposed to from uh as just a highway surveyor. Um which is why you know the appointment was was necessary to modernize the services that he was now providing for the town. So I move uh Mr. chairman uh uh my select board member Michael um to um that the select board approve the appointment of Scott Crystal Foley as the director of uh municipal services uh also recognizing his prior uh service as the highway surveyor but this appointment is contingent upon the negotiation of a contract uh and that he will be allowed to work as soon as possible. >> I would second that. Mr. Chairman, >> that's unanimous. He's I don't think he's going to be taking any time
021off. So, >> no. No, we're okay. >> I don't think so. >> No. No. >> Next item on the agenda is town administrator concerning seasonal uh license renewals. >> Yeah, we just have two. It's a Maspan Rod and Gun Club, one lane and also the Sons of Italy Dramatic and Sportsman Club uh Inc. on uh 55 uh depot. Those are the only two that would be asking you to renew their license. Motion a motion. Seeing or hearing no outstanding issues, I move that the select board approved um the renewal of the seasonal club licenses for MA maspan rod and gun club incorporated and sons of Italy dramatic and sports club. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. Next item is town administrative concern nomination of the inspector of animals which is
022an annual >> Yeah. Each year you're required to um nominate uh an inspector of animals. Uh Keith Haynes who is also our animal control officer is the person that's been serving in that position for a number of years now. So I would again recommend you appoint Keith to the position as the inspector of animals. Um, he will have to sign a form which will be notorized and then sent into the Department of Agricultural Resources. Motion motion, Mr. Chair, I move the select board appoint Keith Haynes as inspector of animals for the town of Milford effective immediately. >> And I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. Last item under new business is the town administrator concerning the annual town meeting warrant. I believe we're putting that off to if we could put it
023off to the next meeting. Uh I can tell you there's about 18 19 20 articles. So it's not heavy um um uh in number. We do have a one additional there's a chance that we may be able to get a grant an MVP grant under the direction of the planning board and the U town engineer. It does require some kind of match both monetary and inind. We want to get some additional information on that so we don't lose that opportunity if we think it's needed. That's kind of the reason for not approving it tonight. >> Okay. Very good. Invitation to speak. Is there anyone online? Uh >> no one's online. >> No one online. >> No one in the audience seeking to uh speak to the uh board. Item H, correspondence. Uh, citizens for Milford,
024beautifification day will be on April 25th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday, April 26th uh from noon to 300 p.m. and they would like to invite uh the community to come and participate in the uh beautifification cleanup of different areas of the town that you'll be assigned to and you can meet the organizers at the parking lot across the street from Sacred Heart Church on Route 16. Yep. Next item is uh my FM media group concerning the fishing derby which will take place on uh Saturday, April 18th uh down uh at Louisa Lake. And this is an annual event. Uh they do stock uh lake for purposes of uh fishing. So they're going to put a thousand trout on April 17th, they ask that you not fish until the
025derby on the 18th. Um, that's usually a well attended event. So, but as I said, it's an annual event. And Rick, they asked if we would just ask the police chief to keep an eye. >> Yes, I will speak with Chief on the on the trout for an evening. Yeah. Um, >> yep. >> We do not have an exe act, excuse me, executive session this evening. So, do I have a motion to adjurnn? >> A motion to adjurnn, Mr. Chairman. >> I would second that, Mr. Chairman. >> That is unanimous. Good evening and, uh, thank you for tuning in. You have any questions or comments, please forward them to the town administrator and we're happy to uh, take a look at them. Take care.